Chapter 33: Competing with a Twenty-Year-Old Guy…

Chapter 33: Competing with a Twenty-Year-Old for Someone (...

Fans, having received the news early, had gathered in a massive crowd at the hotel entrance.

Song Tan entrusted Song Chuqing to Tao Tao and entered through the main entrance with the other actors.

The fans, held back on both sides, cheered in a continuous roar, holding out small gifts.

The actors greeted everyone, and Song Tan, as a gesture, accepted a bouquet of flowers and a few letters.

Navigating through the throng into the banquet hall, she handed the flowers to Tao Tao and tucked the letters into her bag.

With over a hundred crew members, Director Fang had booked a small banquet hall, creating a lively atmosphere.

No one had anticipated Ji Fuxi’s presence, leading to initial stiffness. It took seven or eight minutes for everyone to relax and begin eating and drinking freely.

The main cast, director, and producer occupied the head table, with a small chair added for Song Chuqing beside Song Tan.

It was Song Chuqing’s first time seeing so many people dining together, and she was brimming with curiosity. "Mommy, there are so many people!"

"Yes, these are all Mommy’s colleagues."

"Are you celebrating?" she asked, having just seen her mother holding flowers and spotting a cake.

Song Tan whispered an explanation, "Yes, Mommy and the aunties and uncles have finished their work this time, so we’re celebrating."

Then, a thought struck her, and she asked, puzzled, "How did Xiao Chu come with Daddy?"

Hadn’t he gone on a business trip? Yesterday afternoon, he’d specifically said he couldn’t pick her up and had asked Zhong Chen to do it.

Song Chuqing was equally bewildered. "I don’t know! But Daddy came to pick me up, and we even went to his company. Then, after he finished work, we came here."

Song Tan glanced at the head table, thinking perhaps a superior had informed him, and it was natural for him to stop by.

As dishes were served, the banquet officially began.

There wasn't a complex agenda, but the director and main cast still needed to go on stage to say a few words. After nearly four months of working together, everyone had worked hard and deserved thanks.

Only Ji Fuxi and Song Chuqing remained at the main table.

The two—one adult, one child—exchanged glances. Song Chuqing blinked at her father. She had been very well-behaved today; she hadn't called him Daddy!

Ji Fuxi smiled faintly, gesturing for her to look at her mother on stage.

Song Chuqing looked over, her eyes widening. Mommy looked even more beautiful on stage, sparkling!

Mommy took the microphone and began to speak, her voice lovely and incredibly gentle.

Many cameras were pointed at her, but Mommy showed no fear.

After she finished speaking, all the uncles and aunties below applauded. Song Chuqing clapped too, her small hands turning red from the effort. Mommy was amazing!

Mommy put the microphone down and looked over at her, making Song Chuqing grin even wider.

After a while, Mommy finally came down, accompanied by Mu Xingzhou.

Mu Xingzhou swapped seats with a woman nearby and sat next to Song Chuqing.

"Xiao Chu, what do you like to eat? I’ll get some for you."

Song Chuqing: "I want meat!"

Song Tan, listening nearby, didn’t intervene. She had learned from experience that forcing her to eat vegetables in such settings could lead to unpredictable consequences.

So Mu Xingzhou served her meat—beef, chicken, and even delicately crafted meatballs.

Song Chuqing smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Thank you, brother!"

Mu Xingzhou patted her head. "So well-behaved."

The man across the table observed this scene, leaning back slightly in his chair, his fingers idly toying with the teacup on the table, his expression unreadable.

"President Ji."

After a moment of no response, Director Fang called again, "President Ji?"

Ji Fuxi slowly withdrew his gaze and responded lazily, "Hm?"

"Though the ceremony is simple, we should still toast you, President Ji," Director Fang said, gesturing. "Come, let’s all raise our glasses together."

Everyone stood up with their glasses raised.

Little Song Chuqing looked up at the uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters and understood. She raised her own small cup, tugging at her mother’s clothes. "Mommy, I want to cheers too~"

Li Keke was right—celebrations mean cheers!

Song Tan looked down at the serious little girl and smiled to herself.

This child had been learning "dining etiquette" from a young age; she might end up just like her father.

No, she’d need to teach her properly when they got home.

For now, though, she couldn’t say much. Song Tan tapped her cup against her daughter’s. "Cheers, to celebrate Mommy finishing work."

"Yeah! Celebrate Mommy finishing work!"

Everyone drank their toast and took their seats again.

After eating for a while, the inevitable toasts and clinking of glasses began at the table.

Song Tan didn’t try to avoid it. After finishing this project, she needed to start preparing for her own film, which required a lot of work—building a team from the ground up, including production, cinematography, and art design.

The crew of *The Great Dream* was among the best in the business, so she needed to network.

She texted Tao Tao to come take Song Chuqing away.

Mu Xingzhou, unaware of the situation, asked what was wrong. Song Tan looked at him, her mind racing.

She had a script in hand—one she’d conceived in spare moments while raising her child in London. Though it still needed work, the basic outline of the male lead was already clear:

A cast-off son of a powerful family, seemingly carefree but broken inside.

After a month of working together, Song Tan had seen Mu Xingzhou's talent—his learning skills, comprehension, and performance were all impressive. He had great potential.

Best of all, he was affordable.

Song Tan didn't know what major investments she could secure, and for her first project, she wasn't looking to make a big-budget film.

She smiled and poured herself half a glass of red wine. "Xingzhou, thank you for your dedication this past month. As the leading lady, I appreciate your hard work and companionship."

Mu Xingzhou looked at the bright smile in the woman's eyes beside him, feeling somewhat flattered. "No need for formalities, Teacher Song."

Song Tan clinked her glass against his. "This one's for you."

Mu Xingzhou looked even more startled and quickly drank with her.

After finishing, Song Tan stood up and walked over to the male lead, Pei Ling. "Teacher Pei, would you like to make the rounds and toast the crew with me? If that's alright?"

Pei Ling naturally agreed, and after greeting Director Fang, they excused themselves from the head table.

The man at the head table watched as they walked away with their drinks, frowning slightly.

He could guess what she was planning. He grabbed his phone and sent a message: "Don't drink too much."

Song Tan hadn't brought her phone and didn't reply.

The banquet hall had about twelve or thirteen tables. Song Tan and Pei Ling worked the room, met with whoops and good-natured ribbing at each table, as if they were newlyweds toasting their guests.

Ji Fuxi's gaze followed them, his face growing stormier each time she poured another drink.

By the sixth table, she began to wobble.

His fingers dug into the armrest of his chair, about to say something to Director Fang, when Mu Xingzhou across the table had already strode over.

Ji Fuxi looked over again, his gaze turned icy.

Mu Xingzhou took the glass from Song Tan's hand, said something to the group, and the group whooped in approval again.

Later, he finished all the remaining drinks for her.

About half an hour later, the three returned.

Song Tan's cheeks were flushed, her gaze slightly unfocused—clearly tipsy.

Mu Xingzhou pulled out the child's high chair and chivalrously steadied her into the seat.

Ji Fuxi lowered his eyes, hiding his inner storm.

As the dinner drew to a close, guests began leaving in twos and threes, and the cast at the head table had scattered.

Song Tan wasn't completely drunk, but she couldn't carry Song Chuqing anymore.

Mu Xingzhou said, "Let me take you back."

Song Tan glanced at the silent man across the table, then looked away. "The assistant can come too. It's fine."

Mu Xingzhou insisted. "It's on the way. Neither of us should be driving anyway." Then he picked up Song Chuqing. "Xiao Chu, say night-night to the uncles."

Only the producer, Director Fang, and Ji Fuxi remained nearby. Song Chuqing stole a glance at her father, thought for a moment, and still said, "Night-night, uncles."

Mu Xingzhou caught the darkening expression on the man's face from the corner of his eye and felt smug. "Let's go, Teacher Song."

Song Tan could only follow along.

In the car, she texted Ji Fuxi: "We're heading back first."

Half a minute later, the reply came: "Mhm"

Not even a punctuation mark.

...

Ji Fuxi arrived home at ten. His wife and daughter had beaten him home and were upstairs showering.

Changed and went upstairs. The shower was still running in the master bedroom, while Song Chuqing had finished bathing and was all tucked in for the night.

He pushed the door open, took his usual spot by the bed, and then heard her first "Daddy" all evening. "Daddy, I'm so sleepy."

Ji Fuxi wiped away the remaining water on her forehead with the back of his hand and said gently, "Then off to dreamland."

"Mhm." Song Chuqing snuggled under the covers, her small hand reaching out to grasp his. Her little hand could only grip one finger. "Daddy, don't go."

"I won't."

The little girl closed her eyes, her lashes fluttered briefly before stilling as she fell asleep.

Ji Fuxi leaned down to kiss his daughter's cheek, made sure she was snug, then carefully freed his finger from her grip and left.

Downstairs, Song Tan had finished showering and was in the kitchen making honey water—two cups.

The kitchen lights were off, the dim glow from the living room casting soft shadows. Fresh out of the shower, the woman wore simple loungewear, her tipsy form leaning elegantly against the kitchen island.

He glanced at her a few more times before walking over.

Song Tan looked up at the sound. "Asleep?"

"Mhm."

"Ten o'clock—way past her bedtime anyway." She pushed one cup toward him. "You drank quite a bit too. This'll help with the drinks."

Ji Fuxi picked up the glass. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I barely drank—Xingzhou covered for me."

"Xingzhou?" The man slowly enunciated the name.

"Mhm. You've met him before—Mu Xingzhou. He's got real talent. Comes off a little standoffish at first, but he's actually really sweet. Xiao Chu seems to like him a lot."

"And you?"

Song Tan didn't quite catch the meaning behind the question. "Me what?"

Ji Fuxi realized he'd misspoken and chuckled wryly, taking a sip of honey water.

Song Tan thought he might be asking for her opinion of Mu Xingzhou and answered honestly, "I'm really fond of him. He's talented and hardworking. If he keeps at it, he'll go places in this business."

Though Ji Fuxi wasn't in the industry, he could hear the approval in her words.

Her phone on the counter lit up. Song Tan picked it up, shot back a reply before setting it down.

His grip on the glass tightened. One second, two. Then he asked, "Who?"

"Xingzhou. Texting that he's home."

Ji Fuxi looked down and took another sip.

With some time to spare, Song Tan went over her schedule. "After wrapping, I'll have some downtime, then tying up loose ends. After that, there's a packed promo tour from August to September. In between, I want to focus on some passion projects."

"What is it?"

Song Tan spoke to him frankly.

Ji Fuxi didn’t ask for the reason and cut to the chase, "Do you need my help?"

"I do."

The man probably didn’t expect her to be so direct. He hesitated briefly. Song Tan's lips quirked in a small smile, "I might be quite busy later, so I’ll need you to look after Xiao Chu occasionally."

Ji Fuxi understood and nodded, "No problem."

Song Tan finished the last sip of honey water and set the cup down, "Get some rest. Goodnight."

The woman turned to leave. In those few seconds, Ji Fuxi caught her wrist and murmured her name, "Song Tan."

It was a rare gesture and a gentle tone. Song Tan stopped in surprise, looking down at their connected hands, her mind went momentarily blank.

She didn’t pull away, lifting her gaze slowly, "What’s wrong?"

Ji Fuxi looked into her eyes, his eyes dark with emotion, held tightly in check.

He felt unsettled, yet he couldn’t pinpoint why.

At dinner, the young man in his early twenties had been openly affectionate and protective, not caring who saw.

But he couldn’t. Even without the confidentiality agreement binding him, he might not have been able to step forward without hesitation to cover for her drinking like that.

Jealous?

But given their relationship, what claim did he have to feel jealous?

What identity did he have to stop others from liking her?

The overhead light, used for many years, gave a faint flicker, making the night seem even quieter.

After a long pause, the man released her hand and gave a quiet laugh, "It’s nothing. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Song Tan went upstairs.

The motion-sensor light on the stairs turned off naturally.

Ji Fuxi turned the ring on his little finger, recalling everything Mu Xingzhou had done since their first meeting.

Perhaps sensing something, every move and word of his had been a clear challenge—sucking up to Song Chuqing, calling him "brother" or "uncle," taking the mother and daughter away right in front of him.

Standing in the shadows, the man curled his lips slightly.

Never thought that at thirty-one, he’d be rivaling some twenty-year-old kid.

...

Early the next morning, Song Tan was woken up by Zhao Geyun’s call.

Fumbling blindly for the ringing phone on the nightstand, she answered, her voice still hoarse, "Hello..."

"Jesus Christ, you’re still sleeping?"

"What’s wrong?"

"You’re all over social media!"

Trending? Song Tan instantly opened her eyes and sat up, "Did Ji Fuxi get exposed?"

"..." Zhao Geyun was speechless on the other end, "Who said anything about Ji Fuxi? It’s you and Mu Xingzhou!"

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb. Tell me, did Mu Xingzhou take you home last night?"

"Yes."

"Did he carry Xiao Chu?"

"Yes."

"Right, yes. Check your phone. Congrats to Xiao Chu—she’s got herself a new daddy."

Song Tan was wide awake now. She turned on speakerphone and switched to Weibo.

Two or three hashtags with her name were at the top: "#SongTanMuXingzhou," "#SongTanBTS," "#SongTanMuXingzhouLateNightReturn."

Song Tan skimmed through the trending topics and roughly understood the situation. Yesterday evening, the *Great Dream* crew had released a one-minute behind-the-scenes clip, where the sparks between them were obvious.

Later, paparazzi happened to catch Mu Xingzhou carrying a child back to Song Tan’s home. Combined with the mystery surrounding the child’s father, clueless netizens were already shipping them like crazy.

"OMG, gorgeous older woman and a young wolf—what kind of romance novel fantasy is this?!"

"I heard Mu Xingzhou is the campus heartthrob of XX class at Film Academy. The guy's ridiculously hot. Who knew he’d land a role with Song Tan before even graduating?"

"He’s signed with Aijia Entertainment—you think he's lacking connections?"

"I don’t care. Our girl Tan is single—what’s wrong with having a younger boyfriend? The behind-the-scenes footage is pure fire!"

The more Song Tan read, the deeper her frown became. This was completely insane—Mu Xingzhou was only twenty-one, and she was twenty-nine! What the hell is this?!

Zhao Geyun: "The news broke around 3 or 4 AM and slowly blew up. The hashtags shot up by 6 or 7 AM. This has something to do with the crew. I’m contacting *Great Dream*’s PR team now."

Everyone on set knew she had a daughter and a husband. They wouldn’t use her to hype a CP, but they might have left things vague on purpose, like they wanted people to wonder.

Zhao Geyun went to coordinate with the crew. This wasn’t something that could be resolved quickly, and there was no real damage yet. Song Tan ended the call and was about to get up when Mu Xingzhou also called, apologizing, "I didn’t expect to get photographed. Did it affect you and Xiao Chu?"

In the photos, Xiao Chu was just a blur, with no clear face. Since they weren't targeting her, Song Tan relaxed slightly. She replied simply, "It’s fine. I’ll handle it later."

Mu Xingzhou fell silent for a moment before saying, "Alright. Don’t stress—we’ll handle it."

After hanging up, no more calls came. She got up, washed up, and went downstairs.

Breakfast was waiting on the table as usual. Seated beside it was a man who had just returned from his workout, his face stormy.

Song Tan asked, "What’s wrong?"

Ji Fuxi’s phone was still playing the behind-the-scenes clip, set to the crew’s sugary soundtrack and Mu Xingzhou’s smitten look—fueling everyone's fantasies.

At the top of the video, live comments kept floating by: "OMG THEY'RE MADE FOR EACH OTHER!!" "This isn’t acting—it’s REAL!!" "Sister, just say yes already!" "Gorgeous older woman and young wolf—PUT A RING ON IT!"

The woman approaching from behind saw the screen and felt her heart drop.