Chapter 134: What Is Dignity?

When Bai Chenxi emerged, she saw Chu Muyun holding his phone, humming a soft melody.

"Is that your song? It sounds lovely."

Seeing her approach, Chu Muyun put his phone away and smiled. "It's not a complete song yet; I just had a bit of inspiration and jotted it down."

Bai Chenxi sat down beside him, teasing, "Well, when you finish writing it, you must let me hear it! I want to be your very first listener."

Chu Muyun nodded in agreement. "Alright. Once I finish this song, you will be the first to hear it."

At his words, Bai Chenxi beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. Chu Muyun looked at her with a gentle smile, while Caesar lay quietly by their side.

It was a picture of peaceful, quiet contentment. However, this harmony was soon shattered by a discordant ringtone.

Bai Chenxi glanced at the caller ID and looked at Chu Muyun. "I'm going to take this call."

She walked toward the balcony. Just as the door clicked shut, Chu Muyun thought he heard the name "Xia Yan."

The tranquility vanished in an instant. Chu Muyun watched the smile on Bai Chenxi’s face as she stood on the balcony, and the more he looked, the more it irritated him.

*Is she really that happy? Why is she talking so much? Is she still not done? Doesn't Xia Yan realize what time it is?*

On the balcony, Bai Chenxi had just answered the phone when Xia Yan asked, "Are you asleep? I hope I'm not bothering you."

"No, not at all. I'm still up. Is something wrong?"

"I heard you were back, and I... I wanted to see if you were free tomorrow?" Xia Yan sounded a bit nervous as he spoke.

Bai Chenxi replied enthusiastically, "I am! What’s up? Is there something you need my help with?"

Seeing how hesitant he had been earlier, she assumed he must need help but was too shy to ask. Since she knew, she would certainly help if she could.

Hearing her immediate agreement, Xia Yan felt his tension ease slightly.

"It's nothing serious. A friend gave me two movie tickets, and it would be a waste not to use them, so I was wondering if you’d like to go see a movie tomorrow." He recited the excuse he had been rehearsing for a long time in one breath.

Bai Chenxi thought that since she had no plans for tomorrow, she agreed. "Sure. But aren't you worried about being photographed if we go to the movies together?"

Xia Yan blurted out, "I'm not afraid."

*Ugh! Brother, you might not be, but I am!*

Realizing his slip-up, Xia Yan quickly tried to backtrack. "I mean, we’re just friends going to see a movie. It’s no big deal; I’m not afraid of what they might say."

"Oh! In that case, I'm fine with it." Hearing his explanation, Bai Chenxi thought it made sense.

Xia Yan sighed with relief. In truth, he wasn't afraid of being photographed at all, but if that led to Bai Chenxi distancing herself from him, it wouldn't be worth the risk.

He said excitedly, "Great! I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Okay!" Bai Chenxi was about to agree, but suddenly remembered she was at Chu Muyun’s place. She quickly added, "No, you don't need to pick me up. Just send me the address, and we can meet at the theater entrance tomorrow."

"But..." Xia Yan wanted to push his luck—how could he let a girl go to the movies alone?

Bai Chenxi was firm. "No 'buts.' I'll go by myself."

She thought for a moment and offered a reason she hoped would sound considerate. "I mean, the two of us together would be too conspicuous. It's better to be careful. If we get caught, it would be a hassle to explain."

Seeing she was insistent, Xia Yan gave in. "Alright, then. See you at the cinema tomorrow."

"Great, see you tomorrow!" Bai Chenxi said happily.

As she hung up and prepared to walk back inside, Chu Muyun immediately adjusted his posture, grabbed a book from the coffee table, and opened it. He glanced up at her as she entered and asked, feigning indifference, "Done? Who was that?"

Bai Chenxi didn't think there was anything to hide. "It was Xia Yan."

At the mention of his name, Chu Muyun’s grip on the book tightened. He flipped a page and asked, "Oh? What did he want? Since when are you two so close that he’s calling you at this hour?"

His face screamed "I don't care," but his words dripped with jealousy. Bai Chenxi noticed it; she remembered how they hadn't gotten along back when she was hospitalized. Sure enough, Chu Muyun couldn't even stay calm when his name was mentioned.

She asked tentatively, "Brother Chu, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you."

"I don't want to hear it." Chu Muyun was ruthless; the look on her face told him it wouldn't be anything good.

Bai Chenxi didn't care if he wanted to hear it or not—she was going to ask anyway. "Brother Chu, did you and Xia Yan have some sort of falling out in the past?"

They were both such good people; surely it was just a misunderstanding? Maybe she could help mediate.

*A falling out?* Chu Muyun thought. *Isn't it because of you?*

He didn't want to answer that. "You still haven't told me why he called you."

*Fine,* she thought. *He won't even say why. They must have a deep-seated grudge.* "Nothing much. He wants to take me to a movie tomorrow."

Chu Muyun put the book down and looked at her. "And you agreed?"

Bai Chenxi swallowed nervously. "Yes."

*Even if you two don't get along, I just agreed to see a movie—there's no need to look at me like that!*

Chu Muyun picked up the book and flipped through a few pages aimlessly before asking, "What movie?"

"Huh? Oh, 'Second Life'."

"Oh. I was actually planning to see that movie too. I'll come along tomorrow."

"What? You’re going?" *This sounds like a mindless romance film—are you sure you want to watch it?*

Chu Muyun frowned. "Why? Are you afraid I'll interrupt your date?"

Bai Chenxi instinctively explained, "It's not a date! A friend of his gave him extra tickets, and he just happened to invite me."

Chu Muyun sneered. *A friend gave him extra tickets? That excuse has been worn out for years.* Since he was using such tactics, he couldn't blame Chu Muyun for cutting the ground from under his feet.

"In that case, why can't I go?"

Bai Chenxi looked at his sulking face and thought this might actually be an opportunity. If they spent more time together, maybe they could clear up whatever misunderstanding existed. Thinking this, she agreed.

"Fine! Let's all go together tomorrow."

As for Xia Yan, she decided not to tell him yet. If he heard and threw a tantrum, the whole plan would fall apart.

"Why are you staring at me? Have you fallen for me?"

Bai Chenxi rolled her eyes. She had never realized Chu Muyun was this narcissistic before. "Nothing, I just think you have a very broad range of interests, Brother Chu."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to the gossip magazine he had been "reading" ever since she walked in.

*What is this? Hard evidence! Absolute proof.* She had long suspected he liked reading gossip, and now she had finally caught him in the act.

Chu Muyun followed her gaze and realized he had been holding a gossip magazine the entire time. He immediately tossed it aside. That Zhang Kai was always saying he was out of touch with reality and had left a pile of these magazines around the house, insisting he keep them within reach to "get grounded."

Seeing Chu Muyun’s darkening expression, Bai Chenxi wisely stifled a yawn. "I'm so sleepy, Brother Chu. I'm going to turn in. You should get some sleep too. Goodnight!"

With that, she quickly escaped from the dangerous room.