Chapter 53 — Bai Zehan’s Suffering Continues

Mu Ran climbed up the ladder, and Gu Beicheng supported her from behind, his hands on her hips.

"Don't touch me!" Mu Ran snapped angrily, kicking her legs.

Gu Beicheng looked instantly helpless. It was all Gao Minglang's fault! That damn camera—Mu Ran had just started warming up to him, and now they were right back where they started.

----

When Gu Beicheng and Mu Ran arrived at the villa halfway up the mountain with the director's team, all the other guests had already finished dinner and were waiting.

"Sister Ran, were you and Teacher Cheng off somewhere getting cozy?" Qi Jun teased, noticing how Gu Beicheng's gaze lingered tenderly on Mu Ran. He guessed something had happened between them—something not quite suitable for children.

Mu Ran's face was cold as she shot a gloomy look at Gu Beicheng behind her, then glared at the annoying Qi Jun. She bit her lip, warning in her tone, "Stay away from me."

Sensing Mu Ran's obvious anger, Qi Jun was puzzled. She didn't seem happy at all.

"Mr. Gu, rest assured—we didn't broadcast anything inappropriate," Gao Minglang whispered as he came over.

Gu Beicheng gave him a look that said, "Do you really think I believe you?" before following Mu Ran to sit at the table.

Seeing the curiosity in the faces of the other guests, Mu Ran felt a little relieved. Apparently, they didn't know what had happened between her and Gu Beicheng. Though they'd find out eventually, at least it wasn't immediately awkward.

"Sister Ran, did you and Teacher Cheng sneak off to date?" Qi Jun sat beside Mu Ran, teasing with half-hearted remarks.

"Are you that idle?" Gu Beicheng asked coldly.

"Of course. My date was stolen by someone with much more status. I'm just a minor actor on the eighteenth tier—how can I compete? Isn't that right, Teacher Bai?" Qi Jun chewed on a toothpick, eyes narrowed and strangely angry. He always felt Bai Zehan was a hypocrite, deep and calculating, with not a single decent act.

Bai Zehan, sipping his tea, ignored Qi Jun's sarcasm, but his hand clenched tightly beneath the table, fingernails digging into his palm.

When Mu Ran entered, Bai Zehan noticed the woman's lips were swollen, and Gu Beicheng's lips were in no better shape. Those two must have been fooling around outside! When he’d been with Mu Ran, she never let him kiss her, always stiff as a board. How had she become so wanton after meeting Gu Beicheng?

"Qi Jun, stop being sarcastic. You didn't want to date me—I told you during the hike I was going to meet Teacher Bai—"

"Enough!" Bai Zehan's temple pulsed, bitterness deepening as he raised his arm to signal Fu Jiaojiao to shut up, fists clenched, jaw tight.

"The premise of a dating reality show is for the guests to date and get to know each other. Jiaojiao and I agreed to date. If you like Mu Ran, you can compete with Teacher Cheng. There's no need to vent your frustrations on me."

The room fell silent.

Especially Shao Ping and the others, who reacted strongly. In their eyes, Mu Mu and Nanyang were a perfect match, and Mu Ran and Gu Beicheng even more so!

It was clear the film emperor Bai was just stirring up trouble!

"You really are a troublemaker," Qi Jun sneered. He did want to date Mu Ran, but only to win the competitions arranged by the production team, without any romantic feelings.

He admired Mu Ran's versatility. If Cheng Beigu were truly sincere toward her, he would wholeheartedly wish them well.

"Sister Ran, don't misunderstand—I don't want to interfere between you and Teacher Cheng," Qi Jun said, surprisingly serious. He knew Mu Ran genuinely regarded him as a friend, and he wanted to cherish that friendship.

Qi Jun always felt Mu Ran wasn't ordinary. She seemed more like a hidden boss—honestly, he wasn't sure he deserved her.

"If there's a chance, we can go on a date. Didn't Teacher Bai say that's what we're here for—to get to know each other?" Mu Ran smiled at Qi Jun across the table, her gaze sweeping sharply to Bai Zehan, instantly cold and full of murderous intent.

Bai Zehan, that scumbag!

"No, no!" He couldn't have Sister Ran misunderstand that he liked her. With her personality, he'd lose all chance of friendship in the future.

Qi Jun hurriedly waved his hand, sneaking a glance at Gu Beicheng beside him.

Oddly, Gu Beicheng was smiling just as broadly as Mu Ran.

Qi Jun took a deep breath. Clearly, both knew Bai Zehan was just causing trouble.

"The one who truly wants to date Mu Ran is you, Teacher Bai," Gu Beicheng's voice was slow and husky. When he said "Mu Ran," he emphasized it, full of possessiveness.

Bai Zehan shook his head. "I wouldn't dare compete with Teacher Cheng for a woman."

The implication was that Gu Beicheng would stop at nothing for a woman, and had done so many times.

Mu Ran was furious. She could say whatever she wanted about Gu Beicheng, but Bai Zehan, that old rag, had no right to slander her man!

She stood up, snatching Fu Jiaojiao's teacup and poured the boiling water over Bai Zehan's head. Steam rose instantly from his hair.

"Idiot, incapable of speaking without thinking."

Bai Zehan was stunned, wiping the water from his face, his brows tightly knit. "Mu Ran, what are you doing!"

Everyone in the villa's dining room was shocked by the scene.

Mu Ran was so domineering!

"Mu Ran, be careful!"

"Careful, Mu Ran!"

"Mu Ran!"

Just as Mu Ran was about to leave, she heard a sound behind her. She suddenly extended her left hand, shifted her body right, and skillfully caught the teacup Bai Zehan had thrown in a sneak attack.

Everyone was amazed again—Mu Ran’s actions were so swift and clean.

Mu Ran stopped Gu Beicheng, who was striding forward with a dark, stormy face. She tossed the teacup aside, then gently rested her small hand on his chest. "Bei Bei, let me handle this."

She sauntered up to Bai Zehan, a seductive smile curling at her lips. Leaning over the table, she slowly reached out to him.

"Don't move!" At that moment, Mu Ran's delicate face seemed full of longing and tenderness.

Bai Zehan, who had intended to retreat, found himself frozen in place.

Mu Ran had never smiled at him like this. Bai Zehan's eyes went hazy, mumbling "Mu Ran, Mu Ran."

The air in the dining room seemed to freeze; no one dared to breathe.

Mu Ran plucked a tea leaf from Bai Zehan's hair and tossed it aside in disgust.

Her movement was light, but the force was strong—the tea leaf struck Fu Jiaojiao right in the forehead.

"Mu Ran! You—"

"Smack—"

A loud slap interrupted Fu Jiaojiao.

"Oh my goodness! Why do you love hitting people so much?" Gao Minglang watched as Mu Ran’s small hand landed hard on Bai Zehan’s face. He wanted to stop her but was too late.

"Teacher Cheng, take Mu Ran to the small dining room. The chef has prepared spring noodles for you—eat and warm up," Gao Minglang said.

Gu Beicheng's smile was deep, his gaze tender as he watched Mu Ran's indignant figure. He knew she was venting her anger for him.

"Mu Ran, go have noodles. You must be hungry," Gu Beicheng’s voice was like a clear stream, soothing Mu Ran's fury.

"Mm." Mu Ran replied.

Gao Minglang watched the pair leave and breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned to Bai Zehan and, seeing the bright red handprint on his face, shook his head regretfully. "Teacher Bai, you know Mu Ran's temper—why provoke those two? Just eat and mind your own business."

With that, Gao Minglang signaled Chen Liang to bring an ice pack for Bai Zehan.

Bullet screen comments—

"Absolutely shameless!"

"The film emperor deserved it!"

"Mu Ran is so bossy!"

"Mu Ran dotes on Cheng Beigu!"

Twenty minutes later—

"Shao Ping and the others will stay in this villa. The rest should find their own accommodations—your locations are all marked," Gao Minglang announced.

"Teacher Song, Teacher Gao, and Qi Jun will stay at the farmhouse. Fu Jiaojiao and Teacher Bai at the snow house. Mu Ran and Teacher Cheng at another villa. Let's head out."

Bai Zehan grimaced, his brows furrowed. "Director, I should be at the farmhouse—why am I sharing the snow house with Jiaojiao?"

Gao Minglang waved dismissively. "Because Fu Jiaojiao chose to date you mid-show, Qi Jun ended up alone. The snow house is cold at night, so we're sorry to trouble you, Teacher Bai!"

Bai Zehan wanted to protest, but Gao Minglang hurried off, pretending to be busy. "Liangzi, how many quilts in the snow house?"

"Just one, Director. Why?"

-----

"Teacher Bai, sorry for dragging you into this," Fu Jiaojiao clung to his sleeve, head lowered in feigned pity, but inwardly delighted—tonight she’d be sleeping with Bai Zehan!

"Did you hear the assistant director? Only one quilt. You two can cuddle, or you’ll freeze. Just don’t do anything too heated or inappropriate—mind the show’s reputation," Qi Jun teased, humming a little tune.

Fu Jiaojiao shot a glare at Qi Jun, then turned to Bai Zehan’s slightly swollen face, full of affection. "Zehan, does it hurt?"

Bai Zehan’s expression was blank as he shook his head.

"Do you not want to stay with me? We used to share a bed—and did... Have you forgotten?"

Bai Zehan quickly covered her mouth, warning in a low voice, "Shut up! I’ll stay with you."