As an author who’s read countless stories, she can imagine a lot more things from a single event than Cheng Zhirang.

Of course, she doesn’t quite know what Cheng Zhirang can think of, but judging from his age, he probably isn’t someone innocent, yet this time he likely won’t have horses galloping in his head like she does.

She handed him a few extra tissues, turned her head back to finish her porridge obediently, resolutely avoiding glancing sideways.

Cheng Zhirang tossed the tissues away, went to the kitchen to wash his hands, and asked when he came out, "Why is your face still red?"

Mu Qiu: "..."

She plopped her head onto the table, playing dead and not speaking.

...

Five days slipped by "happily" like that, and Mu Qiu never got around to checking out the news for the next episode online.

She spent Sunday at Disney with Zhao Yu, Monday to Wednesday with her parents, and Thursday to Friday engrossed in Cheng Zhirang’s tenderness.

She almost didn’t realize the eighth episode was coming up.

Ordinarily, by Wednesday, the show’s official Weibo would start quietly releasing some vague spoiler to build excitement and get the drifting netizens involved in the topic.

Then by Friday, the director would notify the guests about where and when to gather.

But this time there was nothing, only that on Thursday the director’s side account liked an edited video of a girl group’s performance, which was dug out by netizens.

She initially thought to ask Cheng Zhirang on Friday evening; he seemed to always know everything, sharing past spoilers himself. But after dinner’s awkward incident and finding a captivating story, she forgot all about it.

At midnight, half-awake, she opened her eyes and saw the person beside her quietly getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom, where a phone conversation soon began.

The conversation was too whispering to understand as she drowsily drifted back to sleep, like a lullaby, quickly pulling her back into dreamland.

She didn’t know when he finished the call or returned to her side.

When she woke up the next day, Cheng Zhirang was the one who dug her out of bed.

At six, just as the sun leisurely peeked out, he carried her into the bathroom for a face-to-face with her confused and groggy self in the mirror.

"...What’s going on? Is there some grand reason why we have to be up at six?"

Cheng Zhirang handed her toothbrush over along with his own, "The director notified last night that today, by eight, we should be at the designated place, the program starts at nine, leaving an hour for styling."

"......" She sighed deeply in resignation, taking the toothbrush, "Why didn’t I see any message?"

"You were playing on the tablet all day, the phone message came in after nine. The director didn’t get your reply, so he called me."

She filled up the cup with water while asking nonchalantly, "That’s why I saw you getting up to take a call last night."

Cheng Zhirang paused.

"Did I disturb you?"

"No. But would the director really call you at midnight? Doesn’t seem like the director..." She mused, feeling the likelihood was slim.

Who would be so tactless to call him at such hours?

"It wasn’t the director, it was Sister Chen and Assistant Liang."

Mu Qiu didn’t stop her action, squeezed pink grapefruit-flavored toothpaste onto the brush, then asked, "What was it about?"

"There’s too much talk online about us; Sister Chen worries it might be considered over-marketed, causing dissatisfaction among netizens."

"What kind of talk? A love triangle? I’m flirting around?"

"No," he refreshed himself looking at her, "Someone released a misedited audio claiming you cheated, saying I willingly wear a cuckold’s hat."

"..." She nearly swallowed the toothpaste foam.

"Be careful." He reminded, starting to brush his teeth.

Once both were done with their morning routines, Mu Qiu sprayed skincare mist before the mirror, while he shaved next to her. The topic resurfaced again.

"How do you plan to handle it this time? Should I make a statement?"

"What statement? To prove you’re not cheating and I’m not willingly humiliated? There’s no need. Using the same method repetitively becomes tiresome."

"Then what’s the plan?"

"Someone is deliberately steering public opinion; Sister Chen plans to suppress the news, then uncover the culprit behind the scenes, retaliating under the radar without drawing too much attention."

Since the show’s broadcast, he’s gotten more and more visibility, spawning countless online topics related to him, whether flattering or critical. Everyone knows this – too much marketing breeds resentment among netizens.

Especially among passersby fans.

Each time something came out, they explained, fighting the trolls. By now, people are indifferent to such repeated tactics, the effectiveness waning.

This time, though, the rumors are aggressive, focusing on Mu Qiu’s character.

Judging her by the incident rather than personality is a dimensional strike, easily leading people to assess her morals according to these rumors, leaving a negative impression.

The best strategy is to suppress first, divert attention, letting everyone think it’s a baseless rumor, then identify the perpetrator and use the same tactic against them, all while avoiding the perception that their silence equates to guilt.

So they need someone else’s help.

The electric razor noise halted as Cheng Zhirang washed his face again, looking into the mirror at the person watching him, saying, "Don’t worry."

"Did my parents say something to you recently?"

"No," he met her gaze in the mirror, saying, "Though my dad did mention this – as it’s my responsibility, I should solve this regardless of how many people get involved; the problem-solver should always be me."

Mu Qiu didn’t comment, only asking, "You sure I don’t need to do anything?"

"No need. I’ve faced such matters before; I’ve been acting for ten years, encountered many similar situations, so relax and wait for the outcome."

She nodded, then went out to sit by the dressing table, starting her elaborate skincare routine.

Cheng Zhirang proceeded to pack what they needed; as the episode would run until Sunday, he needed to pack extra clothes and essentials for the longer stay.

Mu Qiu habitually prepared everything needed for Saturday on Fridays, so there was no need for him to inquire; he simply closed the suitcase and stood by, waiting for her to tie her hair.

She was genuinely sleepy, continuing to yawn. Sitting in the car’s back seat, she exhaled deeply, closing her eyes to nap for another hour.

"Wake me up when we arrive, Brother Cheng."

Cheng Zhirang frowned, "But we’re not heading to the same place."

Mu Qiu instantly perked up, "What?!"