In the face of Meng Rong's provocation, Meng Nianchu remained calm throughout. With a faint smile, she said magnanimously, "Jun Ze's cooking does taste really good. If you like it, you can have more."
"Too bad you can't have any."
"After I get home, I can have as much as I want and Jun Ze will cook it for me. You're welcome to come if you're free. I don't mind."
Compared with Meng Rong's obvious pride, Meng Nianchu's calmness was much more sophisticated.
As time was running short, Meng Nianchu rushed into the dressing room to prepare for the next scene, ignoring the fuming Meng Rong.
Meng Rong threw down her spoon. Having been ignored, she lost interest in eating.
While the two in the crew didn't dwell on this matter, the online onlookers were reluctant to let it go. The situation was getting out of control. Reporters flocked here, eager to get the first - hand information.
Meng Rong and Meng Nianchu, who were filming at that time, were suddenly surrounded by the swarming reporters. Five or six microphones were thrust in front of them at the same time, and several questions bombarded their heads.
"Excuse me, Miss Meng, what's your exact relationship with Mr. Mu?"
"Are the online speculations about the two Miss Mengs true? Do you have anything to say?"
"Could you please answer our questions directly?"
Meng Nianchu struggled to get away from the reporters who were getting closer. Her delicate eyebrows knitted slightly. Meng Rong, standing beside her, was extremely happy to see the reporters so enthusiastic about her. She couldn't help putting on airs and acting pretentiously.
"Jun Ze and I have a very good relationship. He is very good at taking care of people. In fact, he is not as cold as people say. At home, he is very considerate and handles all kinds of things very well."
"Then what exactly is your relationship?"
Meng Rong covered her face and giggled, looking like a shy girl.
Then the reporters turned their attention to Meng Nianchu. "There are rumors online that Miss Nianchu has had a marital rift with Mr. Mu and that Miss Meng is the home - wrecker. Do you have anything to say?"
"How could I be a home - wrecker!" Meng Rong couldn't hold back and snatched the words.
Meng Nianchu gave a charming smile. Her red lips parted slightly, and she said calmly, "Jun Ze is a very responsible husband. I appreciate everyone's concern."
"The relationship among our family members is also very good. It's not as the rumors online say. I hope everyone can face the rumors rationally and don't really believe them."
"Then how do you explain the intimate photos of Miss Meng and Mr. Mu online?"
"They are just some normal interactions among family members."
Since they couldn't get the information they wanted from Meng Nianchu, the reporters tried to get some news from Meng Rong. Just as they were about to ask their questions, suddenly someone walked over and stood in front of Meng Nianchu.
Ying Youan looked nonchalant. "We will surely inform you of the answers to your questions when the time is right. Now please leave. You're delaying our work."
His appearance made the reporters even more excited.
"Mr. Ying, as Mr. Mu's cousin, what's your opinion on the relationship between Miss Meng and Mr. Mu?"
"About their relationship." Ying Youan said something meaningful, "My cousin has always been very popular among women."
"Okay, okay, everyone. Please leave quickly. We're going to start shooting."
The reporters still refused to leave even after he said this two or three times. It wasn't until Ying Youan called the security guards that the crew finally quieted down.
Meng Nianchu stared at him intently.
Ying Youan tilted his head. "Why are you looking at me like this?"
"You did it on purpose to make the reporters misunderstand." Although it was a question, there was no doubt in her words.
Ying Youan just smiled without answering.
Meng Nianchu gave him a glare and walked away, too lazy to look at him. The moment she turned around, Ying Youan's expression suddenly darkened.
The phone in his hand dinged. The lit - up screen showed a message:
The matter has been taken care of.
When the crew finished work at night, Mu Jun Ze still came to pick up Meng Nianchu regardless of the rumors. The black luxury car drove away slowly under everyone's inquisitive and gossiping looks.
"I have nothing to do with her."
When the car stopped in Shangting Courtyard, Mu Jun Ze, who had been silent all the way, suddenly spoke up.
Meng Nianchu, who had been half - asleep, woke up immediately. She got out of the car with him, and they walked into the living room side by side.
She deliberately put on a straight face. "Then what about those photos?"
Mu Jun Ze poured a glass of warm water for Meng Nianchu, then washed some fruits and put them in front of her.
Watching Mu Jun Ze bustling around, Meng Nianchu knew that he was apologizing in a round - about way. She tried hard not to laugh.
"Since you know Meng Rong has impure motives, stay away from her. There are so many people in the crew. Given your status, if someone takes your photos and spreads them online, the consequences won't be good, will they?"
Mu Jun Ze sat upright without saying a word. Meng Nianchu knocked on the table twice forcefully.
Meng Nianchu had known about Meng Rong's talent for sowing discord in her previous life. When she saw the intimate photos of Mu Jun Ze and Meng Rong online, she was indeed angry.
But she knew very well that they were fake.
"I'll go cook." Mu Jun Ze walked into the kitchen.
Seeing Mu Jun Ze's awkwardness of wanting to explain but not knowing how, Meng Nianchu almost burst into laughter. With her chin propped on her hands, she stared at Mu Jun Ze's back, her eyes curved and her lips slightly upturned.
After a while, Mu Jun Ze brought the dishes to the table. He had a straight face and didn't say a word, just kept picking up dishes for Meng Nianchu.
Meng Nianchu silently enjoyed his awkward concern.
During the meal.
Someone called Mu Jun Ze.
Mu Jun Ze hung up without even looking.
The phone rang again two seconds later.
Meng Nianchu took the phone. There was no note on the call. She pressed the answer button.
"You brat! You even dare not answer my call! It's only been a short time since I last cared about you, and look what trouble you've caused! What's going on between you and Xiaonianchu's sister? Why are there so many negative news about you two online!"
Mu's mother's voice came crackling from the other end of the phone. Her voice was so loud that it was ear - piercing. Meng Nianchu held the phone away from her ear.
"I'm Nianchu."
There was a two - second silence.
"Xiaonianchu!" Her voice was even louder.
Meng Nianchu took a deep breath and asked with a gentle smile, "It's me. How have you been recently?"
"Don't worry. Mom is doing fine in the United States. But when I saw the news about my stupid son, I got really angry."
Meng Nianchu glanced at Mu Jun Ze, whose face was ashen.
There were constant rustling sounds from the receiver. "Xiaonianchu, don't worry. Mom will teach him a lesson for this."
"It's okay..."
"Mom has booked a flight for tomorrow. I'll be able to see my precious Xiaonianchu tomorrow. Aren't you happy!"
Buzz!
Meng Nianchu was stunned. She and Mu Jun Ze looked at each other in surprise.
Mu Jun Ze was the first to regain his senses. His eyebrows knitted slightly. "You're coming back?"