Chapter 56—An Unexpected Live Broadcast

Mu Ran closed the door with a soft click, a sly smile curving her lips. Clearly, she had devised a new strategy to deal with Bai Zehan and Gao Tiange.

“Let’s hope those two won’t lose control like I described just now.”

She turned around, and her bright, sparkling eyes met the man’s intense, ink-dark gaze.

“Ranran, I like you just as you are now.”

The man’s handsome, chiseled features were softened by an unmistakable tenderness and indulgence. He stood before the vanity, clad in a deep green silk pajama set, his legs straight and long, every movement exuding nobility and elegance.

Mu Ran’s cheeks flushed, her lips pursed in a pretty pout. She walked up to the man, clutching the hem of his shirt and swaying slightly, her entire demeanor charming and childishly cute.

“Is there any side of me you don’t like?”

Gu Beicheng was visibly taken aback by her confident, spoiled retort, his body stiffening slightly. Yet his entire heart, with every smile and frown of hers, had utterly crumbled.

“I like every side of you, my sweet baby.”

He swiftly wrapped one large hand around her slender waist, while the other stroked her soft, silky hair.

“Ranran, stay by my side for a lifetime, will you? Don’t leave, don’t ever leave me.”

Mu Ran froze for a moment, then suddenly burrowed into his embrace, her arms locking tightly around his slim waist. She couldn’t understand the meaning behind his words—they had only known each other for less than a week.

Perhaps, Gu Beicheng’s way of confessing was simply unique, unconventional.

But…

“Bei Bei, I don’t want to rush into a relationship…”

As soon as she spoke, she felt Gu Beicheng’s aura darken.

Mu Ran was being honest. Not only had they not known each other long enough to truly understand one another, but the disparity in their status alone was an insurmountable gulf.

Even if Gu Beicheng’s grandfather idolized her, and this man clearly felt something for her, it wasn’t something that would last. Now that she’d acknowledged her feelings for him, she needed to stand tall, to be capable and worthy of fighting alongside him.

Mu Ran still had much to accomplish.

Bai Zehan…
Gao Tiange…
Fu Jiaojiao…
Mu Yuewei…
And the Mu family…

These were all people she needed to deal with…

At the same time, Mu Ran had her own ambitions. She wanted to carve out a place in the entertainment world, to become an unrivaled queen of the screen, to create her own value.

If she hastily began a relationship with Gu Beicheng now, given his domineering nature, she couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t interfere in these matters.

“Bei Bei, I don’t believe Cinderella and the prince will ever have a perfect ending.”

Mu Ran looked up, her expression solemn and determined. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him.

But when faced with revenge, her career, and impulsive love, she resolutely chose the former.

Gu Beicheng gave a bitter smile. He had expected her refusal, yet she hadn’t completely denied him, had she?

He gently stroked her head, his voice hoarse and deep, “Ranran, I’ll wait for you. I believe in you…”

She would achieve everything she desired, and in the meantime, he would guard her, shield her.

Mu Ran slowly closed her eyes, feeling his burning warmth.

“Get to know me slowly, and you’ll find many surprises.”

Gu Beicheng laughed softly, “You’re already full of surprises.”

A tender kiss fell on her forehead.

Mu Ran was someone he’d cherish now and forever. He couldn’t be impatient, nor could he kiss her lips brazenly as before. Gu Beicheng would wait until she completely opened her heart to him…

After a moment, the woman, glowing with happiness and peace, opened her eyes. “It’s about time.”

“Time for what?” Gu Beicheng found that although Mu Ran appeared cold and aloof, spending time with her revealed her softer side.

Especially her quirky, mischievous charm, which made his heart melt completely.

“Those two—dry wood and fire.”

Mu Ran released her embrace, walked over to the desk, opened her laptop, and powered it on.

Then came a flurry of swift, tigerish movements. Her slender fingers danced across the keyboard, lines of code filled the screen.

Gu Beicheng, hands in his pockets, leaned casually to the side, watching her work with keen interest.

His surprise and admiration were obvious, but Mu Ran wasn’t paying attention to his expression.

As the president of Chengxing Group, Gu Beicheng had met many exceptional women, but never one as multi-talented as Mu Ran.

She was even versed in hacking—he couldn’t imagine what else she was capable of.

Five minutes later, Mu Ran’s screen displayed live footage of Bai Zehan and Gao Tiange at the farmhouse.

“Don’t look! It’ll burn your eyes!”

Mu Ran shot a stern warning at the man about to peer at her screen. “I was right—those two are indeed dry wood and fire, but it’s already over now.”

“What do you want to do?” Gu Beicheng tilted his head, his deep black eyes fixed on the bed, lips curving faintly.

“The camera in Gao Tiange’s farmhouse room is the same type as the mini one we used in the snow cave today—it can be remotely controlled.”

Her lazy voice carried a hint of disdain and sarcasm, clearly directed at Gao Tiange and Bai Zehan.

Mu Ran continued, “Aren’t you curious how I learned this?”

Gu Beicheng nodded.

“I had no money in college, so through a friend’s introduction, I became an assistant to a programmer named Chen. One day, Teacher Chen noticed I had a knack for this and taught me some basic skills.”

Actually, her recent actions weren’t really hacking—just simple remote control.

Mu Ran unlocked her phone, opened the streaming app, and her expression shifted.

She’d intended to remotely activate the camera and record their entangled bodies as leverage, but things didn’t go as planned…

“What’s wrong?” Gu Beicheng took the phone from her, glanced at the screen, his magnetic voice tinged with amusement. “Exciting.”

Mu Ran: “…”

“Bei Bei, what do I do? I’ve activated their room’s live camera, and the show’s official stream went live automatically.”

Fortunately, the two on screen were only cuddling; if they’d gone further, the show would have been shut down by the authorities.

Gu Beicheng said nothing, watching her anxious face, his smile deepening. “It doesn’t matter. The show can’t go on anyway.”

“What? Is it because of me?”

Mu Ran was deeply guilty, thinking her actions had brought trouble to the production.

And now…

Just days ago, Bai Zehan and Gao Tiange were rumored to frequent hotels together, but netizens dismissed it as gossip.

Now, the livestream showed them together—

This was undeniable proof.

“It’s not because of you, don’t overthink. Gao Minglang himself said he doesn’t want to continue the show.”

This afternoon before going to the snow mountain, Gao Minglang had told Gu Beicheng the show couldn’t continue.

The dating show was popular, but the guests were too genuine, especially Fu Jiaojiao and Gao Tiange’s obvious hostility toward Mu Ran. He didn’t want a dating show to devolve into a battlefield.

“That’s good.”

Mu Ran still felt sorry for Gao Minglang—he’d clearly put a lot into the show.

Gu Beicheng noticed her pouting, her mood sinking.

He knelt down, took her small hands resting on her thighs, and comforted her gently.

“Don’t blame yourself. It has nothing to do with you. There are many reasons for canceling the show—some company-related, which I’ll handle, and some are my own. Those women are too hostile toward you, and you’re not one to endure it. Every time you fight back, you’ll get attacked, so it’s better to end it.”

Mu Ran smiled softly, nodded at him, then withdrew one hand and placed it on his face.

“Thank you.”

Though she couldn’t continue to deal with Bai Zehan on the show, the current livestream… was enough.

On screen, the couple were tightly embraced, chatting and laughing.

“Zehan, why were you so nice to Fu Jiaojiao today?”

The man in a tank top held a cigarette in one hand, his other arm around Gao Tiange’s shoulder, blowing smoke in her face. His eyes were lazily narrowed, his dangerous, wicked aura a stark contrast to the gentle, refined Bai Zehan known to the public.

“Just playing along. That idiot is still freezing in the snow hut.”

“Haha, you’re so bad!”

The woman snuggled into his arms, her hand on his chest.

“By the way, Zehan, what will you tell Fu Jiaojiao tomorrow?”

Bai Zehan grinned wickedly, planting a greasy kiss on her eye. “We’ll see tomorrow. Any excuse will fool that idiot. We should be thinking about how to deal with that Mu Ran.”

Livestream viewers: 1 million—

Comments—

“What is this, an R-rated scene???”

“We’re watching this for free?”

“Wasn’t the dating show supposed to end at eight? It’s eleven now. What’s going on?”

“Who cares, if it’s live, we’re watching.”

“Gao Tiange and Bai Zehan caught red-handed!”

“So disgusting!”

“Gao Tiange is so cheap, Bai Zehan so sleazy…”

“Bai Zehan looks like a total scumbag!”

“Did you hear? They said they’ll deal with Mu Ran tomorrow.”

“For real! Mu Ran is just too soft-hearted!”

“I’m not sleeping tonight!”

“Can’t wait for Bai Zehan and Gao Tiange’s next move, lol.”