His long silver hair cascaded down his back, paired with a flowing white robe. In his hand, he held a withered branch of some unknown origin. The solemn look on his face gave off an air of monastic restraint, like someone untouched by earthly desires.
Mu Fu had always imagined Zhi Jiu as a sweet and cuddly boy-next-door type. She never expected him to exude such a cold and otherworldly elegance.
“A-Fu.” His voice was low and husky, laced with a subtle magnetism. Combined with that detached, ethereal face of his, it was enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
If there were someone in this world who treated everyone else like the autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves—indifferent and aloof—but made an exception just for you, would your heart not waver?
Mu Fu’s heart was pounding now, and her thoughts were a complete mess. All she could see was Zhi Jiu’s smile—the one he only showed her.
Seeing Mu Fu staring at him, Zhi Jiu grew a little shy and instinctively reached up to scratch his head—only to pause, remembering his hair was stiff with styling gel.
Mu Fu stepped closer. One with gold hair, the other with silver—yet the contrast didn’t clash at all. On the contrary, it looked almost… destined. Like the two of them were always meant to stand side by side.
She curled her lips into a playful smile. In that moment, her beauty bloomed like a burst of sunlight through stained glass.
“You look amazing,” she teased. “Just look around—half the girls on set are about to fall for you.”
Zhi Jiu flushed deep red, his blush so intense it broke through the layers of foundation.
Her shimmering eyes locked onto his, and he felt his composure unravel. It was as if anything she asked of him, no matter how outrageous, he would’ve agreed without hesitation.
“A-Fu, stop teasing me,” he muttered, flustered.
What Mu Fu didn’t realize was that nearly everyone on set—men and women alike—were watching her with the same captivated gaze.
Something unfamiliar stirred inside Zhi Jiu. Restless. Wanting. As if he needed to do something, but had no idea what.
A makeup artist whispered, “They look perfect together.”
Someone nearby chimed in, “Didn’t they do a dating show together?”
The first makeup artist nodded excitedly. “They did! I watched the whole thing—highly recommend it.”
“Nice, I’ll check it out later,” someone else replied.
Their dazzling presence had such an overwhelming effect on the crowd that some were already daydreaming about what their future children might look like.
The organizers couldn’t stop smiling as they watched the two of them. The more they looked, the more convinced they were that inviting them was a stroke of genius. With Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu as endorsers, the product was bound to be a hit. They were just perfect for the brand.
This time, the director had rented a green screen studio for the shoot. Certain scenes—like Mu Fu’s dazzling fantasy kingdom, and the mystical Eastern landscapes—would rely heavily on post-production effects. Other scenes, like the dense forests and towering trees, would be filmed outdoors the following day.
Once everything was ready, Mu Fu and Zhi Jiu stepped onto the set. They filmed all the way through to noon before taking a break. Judging by the schedule, there would be another hour or two of work left in the afternoon, and then they’d be done with the indoor shooting. Tomorrow, it would be all on location.
Watching the monitor playback, the director couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “The entertainment world is really full of talent these days. Zhi Jiu’s a singer, right? I honestly didn’t expect his acting to be this decent. He’s far better than some of the so-called actors we’ve worked with.”
His standards weren’t high for someone crossing over from another field—just being convincing enough to keep viewers immersed was already a win.
The assistant director nodded in agreement. “Yeah, quite the pleasant surprise.”
Lunch had already been prepared by the production team—two meat dishes and one vegetable. Zhi Jiu’s assistant had brought him a more personalized meal, a little fancier than the standard box lunch. He even had a chilled mung bean soup to cool off in the summer heat.
Mu Fu, still in full makeup because of some retakes in the afternoon, took a seat at an empty table and began eating her box lunch alone.
Ye Xin, Zhi Jiu’s assistant, watched as his artist walked over to Mu Fu. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. He was just a small-time assistant; it wasn’t his place to interfere. He honestly didn’t know whether Zhi Jiu was planning to stir up dating rumors—or if there was something real going on.
Zhi Jiu saw her eating all by herself, a subtle loneliness clinging to her like a shadow. His heart clenched. Every time he saw her, she was always alone, working without a team around her. Something about that tugged at him.
Mu Fu was quietly eating when a sudden shadow fell across the table. She looked up, startled, and found Zhi Jiu sitting beside her.
“Why’d you come over here? Your assistant found a better spot, didn’t he?” she asked. Ye Xin had picked a place with a fan; it was noticeably cooler.
“I brought some mung bean soup,” Zhi Jiu replied, dodging the question with a smile. “Want some? There’s plenty.”
Ye Xin had brought a full thermos of mung bean soup—far more than Zhi Jiu could finish alone.
Mu Fu’s eyes lit up with delight. “Yes, please!”
Zhi Jiu poured her a bowl. As the cool, refreshing soup slid down her throat, Mu Fu let out a satisfied sigh. “It’s really nice having such a thoughtful assistant.”
“Are you planning on hiring a new assistant yourself?”
“I already asked my agent to help me look.” She had talked to Sister Liu about it during her last trip back. Finding a good assistant wasn’t exactly hard—but finding the right one wasn’t exactly easy either.
Mu Fu glanced down at her simple boxed lunch, then looked over at Zhi Jiu’s feast. A silent tear fell in her heart.
Zhi Jiu seemed a bit sheepish. “A-Fu, could you help me finish some of this? My assistant went a little overboard, and I’m trying to cut back lately. It’d be such a waste otherwise. Don’t worry—I haven’t touched it yet.”
Off to the side, Ye Xin shot his artist a look. Weren’t you the one who asked me to pack this much? And since when are you dieting? Brother Hong never said anything about that.
Mu Fu hesitated playfully, then gave in. “Okay.”
Without ceremony, she grabbed a clean pair of chopsticks and helped herself to a few dishes like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Zhi Jiu didn’t mind—in fact, he liked seeing her act so comfortably around him. Once she’d taken a modest portion of both meat and vegetables, he finally began eating too.
They shared a light-hearted, pleasant lunch together.
That afternoon, the director had them reshoot a few more scenes. Once everything was wrapped up, he told them they were done for the day and reminded them to be ready for tomorrow’s location shoot.
After tidying up, Mu Fu headed to the side of the road to catch a ride. This area was part of the film studio district, so taxis were plentiful.
Just then, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her. The rear window slowly rolled down, revealing Zhi Jiu’s polished, striking face.
His voice, smooth and clear like a mountain stream, drifted out.
“A-Fu, where are you headed?”
“I’m going to the Theo Residence in the New Welcome District.”
“How funny,” Zhi Jiu said casually. “I just happen to be passing by there. Hop in, I’ll take you.”
The air was thick and humid. Even without direct sunlight, standing outside for just a while was enough to leave someone drenched in sweat.
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?” she asked, slightly hesitant.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m heading that way anyway,” Zhi Jiu replied casually as he stepped forward to open the car door for her.
“Thank you.” Mu Fu smiled, her lips gently curved and her eyes full of warmth.
She took his hand as she stepped into the car and naturally settled into the seat beside him. The only ones in the backseat were her and Zhi Jiu; Ye Xin, his assistant, was at the wheel.
Zhi Jiu couldn’t help but notice how soft and delicate her hand felt in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze—twice—before catching her curious gaze and quickly letting go, embarrassed.
Awkwardly, he clenched his now-empty hand and brought it to his lips, clearing his throat in an attempt to regain composure.
“Would you like some water?” he asked, trying to distract himself.
“Hm?” Mu Fu had just finished tucking her bag away and didn’t catch what he said.
He repeated, “Are you thirsty? I have some water in the car.”
“Oh, yes. I could use a drink.”
Zhi Jiu’s car had a built-in mini fridge stocked with a few chilled drinks. He glanced around, then turned to her.
“What would you like? I’ve got mineral water, green tea, and orange juice.”
“I’ll take the water.”
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” She accepted the bottle, the coolness of the surface soothing her in the stuffy heat.
Just as she took a sip, she noticed Zhi Jiu holding out a handkerchief toward her. His fingers were long and elegant—like the rest of him, neat and refined.
Her eyes moved up to meet his, and she blinked slowly, not immediately reaching for the handkerchief.
“Have you used this?” she asked.
Thinking she was reluctant to take something used, Zhi Jiu quickly explained, “No, it’s brand new. I haven’t used it.”
“Oh… that’s a shame.”
Zhi Jiu felt like something exploded in his mind. His thoughts blanked out, and a blush swept across his face.
Wait… what did she mean by that? Did she want it to be used? Did she even realize what she was saying?
In that brief moment, a million thoughts raced through his mind.
That handkerchief still held the clean, crisp scent of its original owner.
Mu Fu didn’t return it after using it. Instead, she carefully folded it, planning to wash it and give it back later—an excuse for another encounter, a chance to stay connected just a little longer.
The car moved forward at a slow, steady pace. Neither of them spoke. The silence in the car wasn’t just awkward—it felt charged with something unspoken, something quietly intimate.
Sensing the tension, Mu Fu closed her eyes, pretending to rest. Zhi Jiu, on the other hand, flicked through his phone with visible distraction. His fingers moved quickly, but it was clear his thoughts were elsewhere entirely.
Then, without warning, the car braked hard.
Mu Fu, caught off guard, lurched forward.
Zhi Jiu reacted instinctively, grabbing her and pulling her back before she could hit the seat in front. But the force of the stop still sent her straight into his chest.
Her face slammed right into him. A sharp pain shot through her nose, and her eyes welled up with tears from the sting.
Zhi Jiu quickly leaned down, concerned. Her eyes were red, and a glistening tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
“Where does it hurt?”
“My nose… I hit it. It hurts. Your chest is so hard.”
Zhi Jiu looked sheepish.
He reached out, trying to gently rub her nose, but she slapped his hand away.
“Don’t touch it. Just tell me—does it look swollen?”
Zhi Jiu leaned in, examining her face carefully.
“Let me take a look…”
The tip of her nose was a little red—but thankfully, not swollen.
Mu Fu let out a sigh of relief. That hit had really hurt.
Only then did she realize she was still sprawled across Zhi Jiu’s firm chest. Beneath the fabric, she could feel the taut, lean muscle—surprisingly solid for someone who always looked so slender.
Apparently, he was the kind of man who looked slim in clothes but was secretly all strength underneath.
Curious, her fingers brushed lightly against his chest, and she caught another whiff of that clean, pleasant scent clinging to him.
Zhi Jiu looked down—and their eyes met.
Mu Fu blinked slowly, her long lashes fluttering like butterflies dancing at the edge of his vision. It was a delicate moment, suspended in time.
Her tear-filled eyes and the soft pink of her nose made her look fragile—almost too easy to hurt. And something about that made Zhi Jiu’s breath hitch. He wanted to—God, he wanted to do something reckless.
A blush crept across his handsome, pale face.
He quickly looked away, unable to meet her gaze. Her eyes were too clear, too bright—as if they could see right through him. And yet, they held this effortless, natural allure he couldn’t escape.
His heart twisted with guilt and unease. How could he be thinking such things? It felt wrong… like he was tarnishing her, just by imagining.
But the more he tried to suppress those thoughts, the more vivid they became—glimpses of beauty he couldn’t unsee.
Mu Fu noticed the deep flush on his cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, sitting up. She reached out and touched his forehead, then her own, comparing. “Are you running a fever?”
No fever.
She was about to press further when her gaze dropped slightly—and paused.
A certain… flag had risen beneath the fabric of Zhi Jiu’s trousers.
For a moment, she froze. Then it clicked, and she understood.
Zhi Jiu’s entire face turned scarlet. He quickly crossed his legs, trying to hide the obvious in a panic of shame.
Mu Fu turned toward the window, feigning composure, pretending she hadn’t seen anything.
She knew that if she so much as looked at him again, he’d probably die of embarrassment.
The air inside the backseat was thick with tension—awkward, charged, quietly humming with something unspoken.
Finally, Ye Xin’s voice broke through: “Miss Mu, is this where you’d like to stop?”
The moment shattered. The car had arrived at the entrance to the Theo Residence Complex.
Neither of them could believe how quickly time had passed. Zhi Jiu hadn’t even had time to gather his thoughts before Mu Fu’s stop had arrived.
Axolotl Translations 
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