TUMZ Chapter 9

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Having dinner with a female celebrity was one thing, but being treated to dinner by her? Was Zhuang Hanxue joking?

Who would believe that?

Qiu Zheyan was amused: [Are you dreaming in broad daylight again?]

Last time, Zhuang Hanxue even claimed that Jiang Ruoyun was his ex-girlfriend and that they almost got married.

Zhuang Hanxue sent a picture of Jiang Ruoyun at a promotional roadshow for her newly released movie.

[I'm not lying. Didn't I go to the movies today? I happened to catch their roadshow promotion.]

[She saw me and said it had been a long time. She insisted on treating me to dinner.]

[I didn’t really want to go, but then I remembered you were looking to collaborate with her—maybe for an endorsement—so I thought I'd ask if you wanted to come along. Besides, it wouldn’t look good for me to have dinner alone with her.]

[What if the paparazzi took photos? What would happen to my reputation and innocence?]

[But since I already agreed, if you’re not coming, I’ll just go by myself.]

Zhuang Hanxue made it sound so real that Qiu Zheyan began to take him seriously.

He hesitated for a long time before asking: [You're really not joking?]

Zhuang Hanxue: [Why would I joke about this? Dress nicely and fix yourself up. Be at XX Restaurant by 5:30. Don’t be late.]

Still skeptical, Qiu Zheyan left early that day, went home to change into a fresh outfit, and drove to the restaurant Zhuang Hanxue had mentioned.

Zhuang Hanxue texted him, saying he had already arrived and was waiting in a private room, providing the room number.

Qiu Zheyan checked himself in the rearview mirror, made sure everything was perfect, then got out of the car and went upstairs.

He knocked on the door.

A strange woman opened it.

Inside, Zhuang Hanxue was chatting happily, just having cracked a joke that made the woman he was talking to burst into laughter.

Then, noticing Qiu Zheyan’s arrival, Zhuang Hanxue turned to him, stood up, and said, “Big star, here, let me formally introduce you—this is my boyfriend.”

The woman’s smile froze for a moment before she turned to look at the newcomer.

Qiu Zheyan and Jiang Ruoyun locked eyes, subtly sizing each other up, as if their gazes were clashing like swords in midair.

The woman’s lips curled into a crescent-moon smile as she greeted him, “Hello, Mr. Qiu. Hanxue has mentioned you before. Seeing is believing—you really are quite handsome.”

Qiu Zheyan responded, “Miss Jiang looks even more beautiful in person than on screen.”

“Heh.”

“Heh heh.”

Qiu Zheyan thought to himself: This woman is definitely scheming.

Jiang Ruoyun thought to herself: This man looks cunning and deceitful.

Seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents between them, Zhuang Hanxue plopped back down next to Qiu Zheyan and said, “I told you before that Jiang Ruoyun was my ex, didn’t I? You didn’t believe me—do you believe me now?”

“Hmm…” Qiu Zheyan quickly assessed Jiang Ruoyun. As much as he hated to admit it, she was indeed stunning and exuded charm. But he couldn’t fathom how Zhuang Hanxue could have had a relationship with such a glamorous woman—it felt like they belonged to completely different worlds.

Qiu Zheyan asked, “Before, you were just making baseless claims. Why would I believe you? Miss Jiang is a big star, and you’re just an ordinary person. How did you two even meet?”

Before Zhuang Hanxue could answer, Jiang Ruoyun spoke first: “When I met Zhuang Hanxue, I wasn’t famous yet. We were young, introduced by friends, and just ended up together.”

Behind Qiu Zheyan’s back, Zhuang Hanxue frantically signaled Jiang Ruoyun with his eyes. Before Qiu Zheyan arrived, he had already told her to keep quiet about his privileged background.

Though he had no sense of shame, he simply didn’t want Qiu Zheyan to know about his family's messy affairs.

Jiang Ruoyun’s eyes flickered.

Qiu Zheyan turned to Zhuang Hanxue, feeling his anger surge—this shameless guy was openly flirting with another woman right in front of him?! Under the table, he pinched Zhuang Hanxue’s thigh hard.

Zhuang Hanxue winced, his facial muscles twitching as he let out a low “Oww.”

Jiang Ruoyun pursed her lips and said, “Mr. Qiu, there’s no need to be jealous. Whatever I had with Xiao Zhuang was ancient history—we broke up over eight years ago.”

Zhuang Hanxue rubbed his leg where he had been pinched and mumbled, “Yeah, yeah.”

Still daring to echo her words?!

Qiu Zheyan’s hand moved toward Zhuang Hanxue’s thigh again, but this time, Zhuang Hanxue reacted swiftly, grabbing his hand and interlocking their fingers.

Qiu Zheyan had been fuming, but Zhuang Hanxue’s playful, almost coquettish gesture defused his anger in an instant.

After all, he had just wanted Zhuang Hanxue to show some proper attitude.

Qiu Zheyan calmed down.

What was he even getting angry about?

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

The waiter arrived with the dishes, interrupting the tense atmosphere.

Zhuang Hanxue quickly changed the subject: “I watched your movie today—it was really well done. After filming this one, are you taking a break, or do you have more projects lined up? Will you be busy?”

Under the table, he tugged on Qiu Zheyan’s sleeve, signaling him to bring up the endorsement deal.

Qiu Zheyan sat there blankly, as if he hadn’t noticed.

Zhuang Hanxue was anxious. How could Qiu Zheyan be so slow? He’s usually so sharp—why is he acting clueless now? If he misses this chance, there won’t be another one!

Jiang Ruoyun replied, “First, I’ll take a break for the New Year. Then, I’ll be joining a new production in March.”

Zhuang Hanxue clicked his tongue: “You’re really hardworking.” He tugged at Qiu Zheyan’s sleeve again.

Having dinner with a female celebrity was one thing, but being treated to dinner? Was Zhuang Hanxue joking?

No one would believe that.

Qiu Zheyan laughed: "Are you daydreaming again?"

Last time, Zhuang Hanxue had even claimed that Jiang Ruoyun was his ex-girlfriend and that they had almost gotten married.

Zhuang Hanxue sent a photo of Jiang Ruoyun at a roadshow event promoting her currently airing movie.

"I'm not lying! I went to watch a movie today and happened to catch their promotional event."

"She saw me and said it had been a long time, insisted on treating me to dinner."

"I actually didn’t want to go, but then I remembered that you were thinking of working with her or getting her as a spokesperson, so I thought I’d ask if you wanted to come along. Besides, it feels weird to have dinner with her alone."

"If the paparazzi take pictures, what will happen to my reputation and innocence?"

"But since I already agreed, if you don’t want to come, I’ll just go by myself."

Zhuang Hanxue said all this in one go, making it sound very convincing, as if it really happened.

Qiu Zheyan put aside his skepticism.

After hesitating for a moment, he asked: "You're really not joking?"

Zhuang Hanxue: "What's there to joke about? Dress well, clean up a bit, and be at XX Restaurant before 5:30. Don't be late."

Still unsure, Qiu Zheyan left work early, changed into a fresh outfit, and drove to the restaurant Zhuang Hanxue had mentioned. Zhuang Hanxue texted him, saying he had arrived and was waiting in a private room, sharing the room number.

Qiu Zheyan checked himself in the rearview mirror, making sure everything was perfect, then got out of the car and headed upstairs.

He knocked on the door.

A woman he didn't recognize opened it.

Inside, Zhuang Hanxue was chatting and laughing with someone. He had just told a joke, making the woman he was talking to laugh uncontrollably.

Noticing Qiu Zheyan's arrival, Zhuang Hanxue stood up and said, "Superstar, let me introduce you properly—this is my boyfriend."

The woman's smile froze slightly as she turned to look at the newcomer.

Qiu Zheyan and Jiang Ruoyun locked eyes, silently sizing each other up, their gazes colliding like sparks flying from clashing swords.

Jiang Ruoyun's lips curved into a crescent-moon smile as she greeted, "Hello, Mr. Qiu. I've heard about you from Hanxue. Seeing is believing—you are indeed a fine-looking man."

Qiu Zheyan responded, "Miss Jiang, you look even more beautiful in person than on screen."

"Heh."

"Hehehe."

Qiu Zheyan thought: This woman is definitely calculating.

Jiang Ruoyun thought: This man looks cunning and scheming.

Completely oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, Zhuang Hanxue plopped back down next to Qiu Zheyan, grinning.

"I told you before that Jiang Ruoyun was my ex, didn't I? You didn't believe me, but now you do, right?"

"Hmm..." Qiu Zheyan quickly examined Jiang Ruoyun again. He had to admit, she was indeed stunning and exuded charm. But he couldn't wrap his head around how Zhuang Hanxue had managed to date someone like her—it felt like they belonged to completely different worlds.

He asked, "You just said it casually before, and I had no reason to believe you. Miss Jiang is a big star, and you're just an ordinary person. How did you two even meet?"

Before Zhuang Hanxue could answer, Jiang Ruoyun cut in: "I wasn't famous when I met Hanxue. We were young, introduced by friends, and ended up together."

Zhuang Hanxue frantically signaled to her behind Qiu Zheyan's back. Before Qiu Zheyan arrived, he had specifically told Jiang Ruoyun not to reveal his background as a wealthy heir.

Though he wasn’t ashamed of it, he simply didn't want Qiu Zheyan knowing about the messy affairs in his family.

Jiang Ruoyun's eyes flickered with amusement.

Qiu Zheyan turned to Zhuang Hanxue, seething inside. This shameless guy dares to flirt with another woman right in front of me?! Under the table, he pinched Zhuang Hanxue hard on the thigh.

Zhuang Hanxue's face twitched in pain, letting out a muffled "Ow."

Jiang Ruoyun smirked, then said, "No need to be jealous, Mr. Qiu. Hanxue and I broke up over eight years ago—our past is ancient history."

Zhuang Hanxue rubbed his sore leg and mumbled, "Yeah, yeah."

Still daring to agree with her? Qiu Zheyan reached for his thigh again, but Zhuang Hanxue reacted swiftly, catching his hand and interlocking their fingers.

Qiu Zheyan had been fuming, but the moment Zhuang Hanxue acted all clingy, his anger melted away.

After all, all he really wanted was Zhuang Hanxue's reassurance.

The atmosphere shifted as a knock on the door interrupted the tension.

The waiter arrived with their food.

Seizing the moment, Zhuang Hanxue changed the subject: "I watched your movie today—it was great. After this one, are you taking a break or jumping into another project?"

Under the table, he tugged at Qiu Zheyan’s sleeve, hinting for him to bring up the endorsement deal.

Qiu Zheyan remained impassive, pretending not to notice, making Zhuang Hanxue anxious. He couldn't understand—Qiu Zheyan was usually sharp. How could he be so dense now? This was a golden opportunity!

Jiang Ruoyun replied, "I'm taking a break for New Year's. Then I'll start filming again in March."

Zhuang Hanxue clicked his tongue, "You're so hardworking." He tugged at Qiu Zheyan again.

Qiu Zheyan casually replied, "It's fine. I’m not interested in working with her anymore."

Zhuang Hanxue froze. "Huh?... Then why did you come?"

Qiu Zheyan smirked, "To check out my competition, of course. I wanted to see in person the woman who almost married you."

Zhuang Hanxue was exasperated. "I’ve told you so many times—I never planned to marry her! That’s exactly why we broke up."

Doing some quick mental math, Qiu Zheyan said sourly, "Back then, you were 26, and she was 22. The prime of your youth, huh?"

Zhuang Hanxue whispered, "She actually changed her age—she's two years older than she claims. Don’t tell anyone, okay?"

Qiu Zheyan: "..."

While he fumed, Zhuang Hanxue happily stuffed himself with seafood, knowing that Qiu Zheyan usually limited his crab intake to avoid stomach troubles. Today, he seized the chance to eat four whole crabs in one go.

Jiang Ruoyun suddenly smiled. "No need to thank me for dinner. You treated me to so many meals back in the day. We had such fun—always searching for good food. And at the fan meet today, I was surprised you still remembered the first movie I ever acted in. I thought you’d forgotten."

Zhuang Hanxue grinned, "I’m bad at remembering books, but anything fun—movies, food—I never forget."

He hesitated before saying, "Actually, I’ve always felt guilty about what happened back then."

Jiang Ruoyun's expression darkened slightly. "Oh? And what exactly do you feel guilty about?"

Later, as they left, Zhuang Hanxue whispered to Qiu Zheyan, "I think… she wants to sugar-daddy me."

Qiu Zheyan stopped in his tracks, his face darkening. "What...?"

"She joked that if I left you, she’d give me 80,000 a month."

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