Chapter 32: The Quarrel

"That's settled then," Zhan Wang said, his eyes bright with excitement. "Once you finish your work, I want to be the first one to hear it."

"No problem," Xu Zhaozhao replied readily.

Xu Zhaozhao had long been a fan of Zhan Wang’s music. When the two met, their shared passion for music acted like a magnet, instantly drawing them closer. They talked with such ease that it felt as though, once opened, the floodgates of their conversation could never be closed. In their exchange, they discovered a wealth of common ground, from their preferences in musical style to their insights on composition—their views were strikingly similar.

Zhan Wang looked at Xu Zhaozhao with undisguised admiration. Seeing her love and dedication to music, he felt the excitement of someone who had finally found a kindred spirit. On this reality dating show stage, filled with rustic charm and various challenges, their musical bond added a moving touch to the narrative.

[Although I don't know much about music, judging by the look of admiration in Zhan Wang's eyes, Xu Zhaozhao must be quite accomplished.]

[I don't get it. Xu Zhaozhao is clearly better than Chen Sisi in every way. Why does Starlight Entertainment suppress Xu Zhaozhao just to make Chen Sisi shine?]

[It's clear you don't understand how this works. When an agency promotes someone, talent isn't necessarily the standard.]

[The person above hit the nail on the head.]

[Wow, if things keep developing like this, will Zhan Wang fall for Xu Zhaozhao too? What about Shen Mu? My Zhao-Mu pairing!]

[I think Zhan Wang has already fallen for her, otherwise he wouldn't have invited her to be his partner yesterday.]

[Will they reshuffle tomorrow? I want to see the fireworks.]

[This is the most unpredictable dating show I've ever watched.]

[A dating show set in the countryside is quite unique in itself.]

Just as Zhan Wang and Xu Zhaozhao were deep in conversation, an icy voice shattered the harmony. Shen Mu appeared, holding a glass of water. He stood between the two, his expression darkened by the shifting light, his sharp, angular features appearing all the more cold and stern.

Zhan Wang was utterly bewildered. There was plenty of open space nearby, yet Shen Mu had insisted on cutting directly between them. Xu Zhaozhao looked up at Shen Mu, her eyes filled with confusion.

"This courtyard isn't your private property. I can go wherever I like," Shen Mu stated, his tone arrogant and firm.

Zhan Wang was left speechless. "Shen Mu, you're just being unreasonable and causing trouble."

However, Shen Mu remained unmoved, sticking to his course. "You can interpret it that way if you like. Now, move aside!"

Zhan Wang had never encountered someone as overbearing as Shen Mu, and for a moment, he found himself at a loss. Eventually, he had to move his chair further away from Xu Zhaozhao’s swing. The moment he stepped aside, Shen Mu seized the opportunity to plant his shadow between them and began to drink his water, appearing perfectly at ease.

This scene left not only Zhan Wang stunned but also the audience watching on screen. The trending topics instantly shifted to:
#TheCEO'sPossessiveness#
#NewIconicSceneFromLoveInTheWild#
#SoWhichCompanyProducesCEOsLikeShenMuIWantOne#

[Ahhh, Shen Mu is literally a CEO romance novel come to life!]

[This is the first time I've seen such a clear display of Shen Mu's possessiveness over Xu Zhaozhao.]

Apart from those who liked Shen Mu, there was a wave of criticism from Zhan Wang's fans.

[What is Shen Mu doing? He claims to be some high-level executive, but he seems like someone from a small, unrefined background. He has no manners at all.]

[Exactly. Zhan Wang and Xu Zhaozhao were having a great conversation, and he just had to butt in. There’s not a shred of gentlemanly conduct in him.]

[Is Xu Zhaozhao some kind of object? He clearly doesn't respect her at all.]

Seeing the situation, Zhan Wang knew it would be impossible to continue his conversation with Xu Zhaozhao today. He stood up, clutching his guitar. "Zhaozhao, I really enjoyed our talk today. I look forward to working with you in the future."

He truly valued Xu Zhaozhao's musical talent; he wasn't just being polite.

Xu Zhaozhao nodded. "Okay."

Even though she was planning to retire from the industry soon, her musical journey would continue. If Zhan Wang were willing to give her a hand, it would be beneficial for her career.

Once Zhan Wang had left, Xu Zhaozhao glared at Shen Mu. "Mr. Shen, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Shen Mu shook his head. "I just saw that the lighting and the view were good here, so I wanted to enjoy the scenery from this spot."

"Actually, Zhan Wang didn't have to leave. You two could have kept talking; you could have just ignored me."

Xu Zhaozhao stood up. "That is a truly high-sounding excuse."

"Since the view is so nice, enjoy it then. I'm tired and I'm going to sleep."

"You slept so much during the day, yet you're going to bed so early at night?" Shen Mu’s remark stopped her in her tracks.

Xu Zhaozhao turned around, her eyes flashing with irritation. "Shen Mu, we were minding our own business, perfectly fine. Why are you acting like this?"

Shen Mu was silent for a moment. Inside, his heart was like a turbulent ocean, with countless thoughts churning within. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He was the one who had initiated the divorce, and he was the one who had firmly intended to quit the dating show. Yet, upon encountering Xu Zhaozhao again, everything became uncontrollable, just as it had when he first met her.

Even though she was his ex-wife, he couldn't stand seeing her flirt with other men right in front of him. Facing her interrogation, he didn't know how to answer, because he couldn't even explain to himself why he was behaving so childishly. His heart was in turmoil; his reason told him to stay away from her. She was no longer anything to him; she had every right to pursue her own happiness. Yet, his physical reactions were the complete opposite of his intentions.

Could it be that he still loved her?

For a moment, this question echoed in Shen Mu’s mind. *Impossible.* He immediately rejected the thought. He was a man who always looked forward and never looked back on his decisions. It was impossible for him to still have feelings for her. Ever since he discovered that her initial approach had ulterior motives and wasn't born of true love, he had been destined never to turn back.

Watching the silent Shen Mu, Xu Zhaozhao’s eyes dimmed. She was such a fool—what was she still expecting to hear? Long ago, when he had sent nothing but a divorce agreement without a word of explanation, she should have stopped expecting anything from him.

She stood up. The beautiful scenery had been completely ruined by Shen Mu. She would rather go back and face the sharp-tongued, hypocritical Chen Sisi than deal with him for another second.

"What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your loyal fan?"

As soon as she entered the room, Chen Sisi’s voice drifted over—ostensibly concerned, but dripping with sarcasm. Although she hadn't left her room, she had seen everything that happened in the courtyard clearly. Originally, Xu Zhaozhao hadn't been on her radar; she had always considered Song Qing her main rival. However, because so many men were fawning over Xu Zhaozhao, Chen Sisi couldn't take her eyes off her, watching her every move, both openly and in secret.