Chapter 56 Out of Control
The aftereffects of going hiking right after getting off the plane yesterday are that I didn't wake up from my bed until almost noon the next day.
After checking the time, Mu Jiu yawned before getting out of bed.
The staff probably took into account the "special forces" schedule yesterday, so they didn't call or text to urge them, letting them sleep until they woke up naturally.
But the thought of the situation he was about to face gave Mu Jiu a headache—
Last night before going to bed, she checked the trend of the day's live stream as usual.
As soon as it went live, it received a large number of @mentions and comments, which immediately scared Mu Jiu away from her drowsy state.
The last time there was such a spectacle was when the original owner was accused of "riding on Fang Yucheng's popularity" and was attacked most fiercely by the entire internet.
She initially thought it was another online exposé by a marketing account, digging into her and Ling Zhao's past. But when she cautiously clicked in, she discovered it was a clip of Xiang Wan's reaction video.
Mu Jiu still vividly remembers Xiang Wan's analysis of her live-streaming behavior last time.
Regardless, there must have been some misunderstanding caused by her and Ling Zhao's actions...
After wiping her face clean with a washcloth, Mu Jiu took out the cosmetics from her bag.
Although she knew that her popularity was different from before, Mu Jiu still didn't really grasp the situation until she encountered fans more frequently than usual after arriving in D City yesterday, which gave her a vague sense of reality.
If left unchecked, the two of them might gain even more so-called "couple-oriented" endorsements, variety show opportunities, and even film and television resources.
But her so-called past with Ling Zhao is a ticking time bomb.
"Morning and Evening" is still popular now, so fans will automatically rationalize the incongruous parts. But once the truth is exposed, it will bring more backlash.
Most importantly, according to her agreement with Ling Zhao, they would be unbound after the variety show ended.
In this industry, if a good-looking male celebrity wants to earn more money and acquire more resources, it's more profitable to leverage a sentimental persona and exploit past misery after the show ends, rather than constantly associating himself with her.
Her hand trembled slightly, and her eyeliner curled up a little.
Mu Jiu looked thoughtfully at her makeup in the mirror and picked up the eyeshadow palette.
If this unusual level of public interest continues to escalate, the situation may become even more uncontrollable.
Even normal interactions have completely immersed the CP fans in their own world. Logically speaking, she should have taken a more extreme approach to break up the CP.
However, she had previously tried to distance herself and argue, allowing the audience to see the "crack" between them.
This method did not achieve the effect she wanted.
Later, during the review, Mu Jiu finally understood.
[mujiu: From today onwards, I'm going to be a nitpicker]
[mujiu: Just cooperate with me, and feel free to refute any of my requests.]
[0N: ?]
After putting down her phone, Mu Jiu checked her makeup in the mirror and then casually picked up her bag.
In fact, she shouldn't have suddenly become so extreme; instead, she should have shown the audience the differences in personality and preferences between her and Ling Zhao.
Subtly and gradually, it's enough for the CP fans to naturally accept that her relationship with Ling Zhao isn't just a problem that can be solved by getting back together.
If someone seems to be emotionally drawing a line between two people all at once, it actually looks to outsiders more like a sign that they care about the other person.
[Open the door! Open the door! Production crew, open the door! Don't hide inside and stay silent, I know you're home!]
[Hehehe, Chaomu slept at the same hotel last night. They overslept together, so basically they slept together last night, hehehe]
[I told you not to make things too fancy for a trip or date, but I didn't expect everyone to be so amazing. They went up Chaomu Mountain on the very first day.]
[Did anyone watch Xiang Wan's reaction last night? I can only say that her closest friends on the show really understand her best. So sweet!]
[I went to bed right after my live stream ended last night, did I miss anything?!]
Before the live stream even started, while the chat was still on a black screen with people talking about all sorts of things, the screen suddenly flashed and the signal came through.
As soon as the notification popped up that the live stream had started, many fans who had set their accounts to follow them rushed into the live stream room. Mu Jiu pushed open the door and came face to face with Ling Zhao, who was leaning against the wall on the other side.
Mu Jiu: "The hotel breakfast time has passed, so we'll have to go out for brunch together."
Ling Zhao was leaning against the door looking at her phone. Hearing this, she hummed in response, tapped the screen a few times, and then looked up: "How about you check out this place?"
Mu Jiu's phone then vibrated.
The program team also simultaneously released the image that Ling Zhao forwarded in the live broadcast room.
This is the menu of a Hong Kong-style tea restaurant.
The page is elegantly designed. The two-person set meal in the picture doesn't look like a large portion, but each dish is cute, interesting, and very appetizing.
[A miracle doctor! I'm not blind anymore! I even saw Chao Mu gazing deeply into each other's eyes early in the morning at the hotel.]
[Your makeup seems a bit heavier than usual today? It makes you look more radiant and elegant.]
[Who understands the true value of this stunning couple? Even a close-up shot of their faces first thing in the morning makes me want to eat an extra bowl of rice.]
[Ling Zhao actually secretly made a strategy plan last night?]
I frequent this restaurant; you have to make a reservation in advance to get a table, they really put a lot of thought into it.
This place offers a variety of local desserts and snacks in a quiet and pleasant environment, making it perfect for couples looking for a peaceful spot.
...
The silence has lasted far too long.
Ling Zhao turned her head slightly, carefully observing Mu Jiu's expression.
Just as he was hesitating about whether he should ask again, there was finally some movement on the other end.
"Doesn't this place have any proper staple foods?"
Mu Jiu: "I'm so hungry right now I could eat a whole cow."
Mu Jiu: "Speaking of beef, how about beef hot pot?"
Ling Zhao: "...?"
【Jiujiu, you gluttonous girl!!!】
Mu Jiu is much more straightforward than I expected; there's definitely a reason why they're together.
I'm so sorry, Zhao Zhao. I was speaking too loudly earlier. This family can't live without you!
I'd be furious if I went out with a perfectly done makeup look and they told me we were going on a date to eat hot pot! While we were eating, I'd be sweating and getting lipstick on my face, and afterwards, my breath would smell bad and I'd be covered in the smell of hot pot broth. Just thinking about it makes me want to scream!
[Wow, there's such a thing? I just eat whatever I want, whether I'm wearing full makeup or not.]
Isn't this just a deliberate attempt to say something that has absolutely no meaning to the concept of overlap?
"Since I didn't have breakfast, I can have some light porridge and breakfast at this restaurant."
Ling Zhao paused for a moment, then explained calmly, "Besides, I have plans for the afternoon, and eating too much might make it inconvenient to move around."
That's right, that's exactly it.
Mu Jiu secretly agreed and was about to continue the conversation by finding fault.
Then the other person changed the subject: "But if you really want to eat it, we can take a taxi to a beef hot pot restaurant 20 kilometers away."
Mu Jiu: ...
No, didn't we already give each other a heads-up this morning? Why would he accept her criticism so readily?
Originally, Mu Jiu wanted to use this opportunity to argue, but after hearing that they needed to take a taxi, the sentence she was about to say stuck in her throat for a long time before she finally swallowed it back: "No need, this place is fine."
This is bad; I have a feeling today will be an inauspicious start.
As Mu Jiu sat down at the restaurant, he took a big bite of the xiaolongbao (soup dumpling), and his expression softened unconsciously as he savored the delicious meat filling.
The hot porridge warmed his stomach, and the snacks were not only exquisite but also sweet and delicious. After eating the food, Mu Jiu's fatigue from getting up early and running around disappeared, and a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.
The good mood brought by the delicious food continued until after we paid the bill, when the staff promptly handed us a list of afternoon activity options:
"In the afternoon, we have several experience options to choose from: a newly opened rock climbing and parkour experience center in the city, a traditional archery range, and a handicraft workshop that focuses on antique crafts, where you can make some leather goods or small woodworking items."
"Could you two teachers tell me which venue you'd like to visit?"
Mu Jiu: "Rock Climbing and Parkour Experience Center".
Ling Zhao: "Handicraft Shop".
Staff: "Due to time constraints, we can only choose one experience center. The teachers can discuss the afternoon's itinerary..."
Mu Jiu lowered his eyes and said indifferently, "Handicrafts are too boring for me."
[I'm only now starting to have a vague feeling that Jiu Jiu seems to be in a bad mood today?]
[Some CP fans can't stand it just because things aren't said in the usual way?]
[Has Mu Jiu finally broken the charade? I always felt that two people who have broken up couldn't possibly stay on the same wavelength forever; the beginnings seemed really fake.]
[The atmosphere in the live stream was just starting to improve yesterday, why is it happening again today?]
[The "Morning and Evening" video that Wanwan edited yesterday became the top trending topic last night.]
No wonder it was like this!
Mu Jiu looked up and gave Ling Zhao a wink. When they met eyes, Mu Jiu casually said, "Go ahead and refute me."
If the other person didn't understand her request just now, then shouldn't she have made her hints clear enough now?
Ling Zhao: "Then let's go."
Mu Jiu: "...?"
Something's not right.
Mu Jiu fastened the safety lock first, glancing at Ling Zhao not far away out of the corner of his eye.
The subtle sense of unease that had been lingering in Mu Jiu's heart was brought back to its senses when she saw the close-up live stream camera.
The indoor climbing wall simulates the rough texture of mountain rocks, with orange-yellow and dark green climbing points distributed in a staggered manner on the vertical blue-gray wall surface.
Mu Jiu tentatively pressed his fingertips on the first protrusion, and then skillfully moved them upwards.
Her movements were fluid; her body moved almost flush against the rock face, and her footsteps were light and precise.
Before long, she used the momentum to leap up to the top, her ponytail sweeping out a neat arc behind her head.
This frozen moment was so exhilarating and cool that even the live stream camera turned on a close-up of his face.
Mu Jiu raised his hand to wipe his chin, glanced indifferently at the camera, and then jumped towards the sandbags that were used to swing to another high place.
Wow, Jiu Jiu is so handsome!!!
This woman's core strength is amazing!
[Jiujiu was as agile as a monkey in the mountains.]
Girls who enjoy this kind of sport are so cool, okay? I could fall in love with a woman so many times!
Seeing Mu Jiu so relaxed really gave me the illusion that I could do it too, but seeing Ling Zhao made me realize I couldn't.
[It seems like the original poster (OP) is really not good at this sport; they slipped and fell a few times while trying to grab the climbing blocks, while Mu Jiu really enjoyed the process.]
After regaining his footing, Mu Jiu looked across at the other side.
Although she lagged behind, Ling Zhao's movements were very precise, and she made sure to take each step firmly before continuing, so she soon reached the top.
He glanced in her direction, gripped the safety rope tighter, and unconsciously frowned slightly.
That's why she deliberately chose this experience center.
Mu Jiu crossed his arms and looked at the other side, quietly waiting for the other party to give up on their own.
Why does Ling Zhao look so pale? He squatted down as soon as he went up to her?
Wait a minute, I just remembered, isn't Ling Zhao afraid of heights?
[Is Ling Zhao afraid of heights? No wonder he seemed to deliberately avoid looking down when we were on the mountaintop, and he looked unsteady on his feet when we reached the top.]
[That Mu Jiu deliberately chose this place; it's very meaningful. Did he intend for the other party to give up from the very beginning?]
I was just about to say, this height is really scary.
【！！！】
Before anyone could react, he suddenly stood up and jumped without hesitation.
His swing was steady, even clean and crisp. But while in the air, he was a second too slow in reacting, causing his movement to deviate.
As Ling Zhao landed on the edge of the platform, his hand reflexively tried to grab the horizontal bar, but due to his unstable center of gravity, his foot unexpectedly slipped, and he was about to fall off the platform when Mu Jiu suddenly reached out and pulled him to the side.
In the blink of an eye, the two of them fell onto the safety mat laid out on the table.
No one expected to see such a scene.
"Are you an idiot? If you're afraid of heights, either don't agree in the first place, or don't force yourself to come here!"
Before the comments could react, another voice, usually cool and aloof, suddenly became furious: "You always refused when we were bungee jumping before, why don't you do it here?"
Ling Zhao had just recovered from her shock when she was bombarded with a barrage of insults, and she was still a little disoriented.
He usually doesn't care about being criticized, but hearing such a barbed tone made him instinctively want to explain.
For example, he had already thought clearly about the consequences of his decision; even if he fell, the safety rope and the safety cushion underneath would ensure he would be alright.
For example, although he is afraid of heights, he does not believe that this fear is truly insurmountable.
Or perhaps, he didn't actually understand the meaning behind Mu Jiu's rebuttal in the message he sent this morning.
What did that head shake just now mean?
But just as he was about to speak, his words met those eyes, which were filled with anger and agitation.
For no apparent reason.
He recalled memories of home from a very early time.
When his mother found him after he ran away because he was playing, she had a similar look in her eyes.
At that moment, without much thought, and unable to say whether it was to comfort or some other emotion at play, he reached out and hugged the person opposite him.
"...Bungee jumping, I really can't do it. Even if you put a knife to my throat, I'd still be too scared to move."
He said sullenly, "This height is easier to overcome now."
Mu Jiu lifted her head from his embrace, looking at him with disbelief: "You..."
Under her gaze, Ling Zhao paused.
"I still hope that you can be free from my influence and freely choose and enjoy everything you like."
He slowly released his grip, as if mocking himself: "Looks like I still didn't do a good job."
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