Being the Diva’s Rumored Girlfriend [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 31

“When did you hurt your foot?”

“Right before going on stage for the last song. I fell off the lift platform.”

“Why didn’t you say something earlier???” Mu Yunshu glared at Mi Man sitting in the chair, her expression dark as she frowned. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“You can’t go now,” You An stopped her. “The audience is waiting for your encore.”

Outside the dressing room, the crowd was chanting Mu Yunshu’s name—it was time for the encore.

An encore, by definition, was when the star left the stage after the scheduled performance, only to return for one more song at the audience’s fervent request.

The cheers outside were deafening, the atmosphere at its peak. How could Mu Yunshu just walk away now?

As an experienced singer herself, You An knew skipping the encore would invite backlash. It was an unwritten rule—Mu Yunshu couldn’t afford to be this reckless.

“Just tell them I don’t do encores,” Mu Yunshu tossed aside her earpiece and crouched in front of Mi Man, her voice sharp as she took in the swollen ankle. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Wait.”

Mi Man reached out and caught Mu Yunshu’s sleeve.

“I’m fine,” she said, wiggling her toes with a weak smile. “You An’s right. You need to go back.”

At the very least, she had to sing the final song—to give the audience the closure they deserved.

If Mu Yunshu abandoned tens of thousands of fans just because Mi Man had twisted her ankle, even Mi Man would think she was being ridiculous.

With everyone else chiming in to persuade her, Mu Yunshu had no choice. She sighed deeply, reaching out to pinch Mi Man’s cheek, her gaze a mix of frustration and concern.

“Let someone treat your injury first,” she said softly. “I’ll be back soon.”

Mi Man nodded, watching as Mu Yunshu stepped back onto the lift platform before allowing the staff to apply an ice pack.

Mu Yunshu poured her heart into the final song. Once it ended, she hurried backstage to find medical staff tending to Mi Man, who was being advised against hot baths for the next few days.

It was just a common sprain—though it looked severe, a month of rest would be enough for recovery.

Throughout the process, Mu Yunshu’s expression remained icy. Anyone could tell she was upset, and Mi Man shrank back, not daring to speak.

Mu Yunshu had always been all smiles with her before. Who knew she could be this terrifying when angry?

A heavy silence hung between them. Sensing she should say something, Mi Man tugged lightly at Mu Yunshu’s skirt and whispered, “Are you mad at me?”

Mu Yunshu didn’t answer immediately, just stared at her intently.

After a few seconds, she finally sighed in resignation. “How could you be so careless?”

Even if it was a minor injury, seeing Mi Man jumping around onstage with it had pained her deeply.

“It was my first time performing—I was nervous,” Mi Man said, pouting. “Don’t be angry. The nurse said it’s not serious. Just a month of rest.”

Besides, with no upcoming gigs or commercial events from Star Girl, she could take it easy for a while.

Mu Yunshu pursed her lips, displeased. “You’re not going home tonight.”

The concert ended well past 11 PM. They couldn’t leave until the audience had dispersed. Mi Man thought returning to the dorm would disturb everyone’s rest, so she nodded and said, “Then I’ll stay out tonight and go back tomorrow.”

Mi Man’s idea was simple enough, but unexpectedly, Mu Yunshu frowned and said, “Who said anything about going back tomorrow?”

“?”

Mu Yunshu pinched Mi Man’s foot and said fiercely, “You’re staying with me for the entire month.”

Mi Man: “!!!”

——————

And so, Mu Yunshu helped the injured Mi Man, who couldn’t move freely, into the car. Under Mu Yunshu’s ‘intimidation,’ she smoothly brought her back to the two-story villa behind the studio.

Mi Man watched as the car slowly parked in the garage, nervously gripping the seatbelt and refusing to let go.

Mu Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh at her expression, which looked like she was about to be devoured. “Get out. Do you really want to spend the night in the car?”

If possible, Mi Man really would have preferred to stay in the car.

It was already late at night outside, and the surroundings were so quiet that only the two of them remained in the car. Mi Man felt that even if she screamed for help now, there would be no escaping this woman’s clutches.

Suddenly, she regretted being so careless today—why did she have to twist her ankle of all things?

Now, she had been taken to someone else’s home with no way to even cry about it.

Blinking her eyes cautiously, Mi Man whispered, “I could stay at a hotel…”

Mu Yunshu replied, “It’s too late. Staying alone at a hotel isn’t convenient.”

Mi Man murmured, “Then I could ask Xiaoxiao to pick me up…”

Mu Yunshu didn’t respond. Instead, she reached out, tickled Mi Man’s chin, and leaned in close.

Thump—thump—

Mi Man felt the air in the car grow thin. She stared at the person before her in a daze, blinking pitifully.

“I won’t bully you today.”

Mu Yunshu lightly pecked Mi Man’s cheek and said, “Get out. You must be tired after tonight.”

Only when Mu Yunshu released her and stepped out of the car did Mi Man finally exhale in relief.

Strangely, she felt a little… unsatisfied.

Why hadn’t Mu Yunshu kissed her like usual?

Blushing, Mi Man pondered. She had already braced herself, and now that it hadn’t happened, she felt a slight sense of disappointment.

Before, no matter what they did, Mu Yunshu would always kiss her first as soon as they got in the car. But now that she had a sprained ankle and couldn’t move, Mu Yunshu had become unexpectedly restrained?

Mi Man couldn’t figure it out, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

What was there to ask? Wasn’t it good that Mu Yunshu wasn’t taking advantage of her?

Did she really need to be kissed a couple of times to feel satisfied?

Mi Man, oh Mi Man, you can’t be this degenerate!!

Unaware of Mi Man’s inner turmoil, Mu Yunshu opened the car door and helped her out. Since Mi Man couldn’t walk properly on one foot, her movements were especially clumsy.

“Come here.”

Mu Yunshu had Mi Man lean against the car, and before Mi Man could react, she bent down and scooped her up into a princess carry.

Mi Man: “!!!”

Instinctively wrapping her arms around Mu Yunshu’s shoulders, she protested with a flushed face, “Don’t carry me! I’m heavy!”

Mu Yunshu said, “Around 40 kg? Not bad.”

Mi Man looked up, her face burning red. “How are you so strong?”

Although Mu Yunshu had the advantage of height over her, she was still a girl after all. Mi Man weighed over 80 pounds—not exactly light as a sheet of paper—yet Mu Yunshu didn’t seem the least bit strained.

Truth be told, Mu Yunshu worked out daily. Maintaining a good figure wasn’t just about diet; exercise played a crucial role too. So, Mi Man’s weight wasn’t much of a burden for her.

“I have even more strength than this,” Mu Yunshu said. “Would you like to test it out?”

Somehow, Mi Man—who was usually slow to catch on to risqué jokes—instantly grasped the implication behind those words. She found herself torn between retorting and staying silent.

Seeing Mi Man curled up in her arms with a face flushed crimson, Mu Yunshu was sorely tempted to toss her onto the bed and have her way with her.

Alas, with Mi Man currently unwell, Mu Yunshu suppressed the heat rising within and carried her into the house instead.

“Meow—”

The night owl of a cat perched on the sofa watched as the two entered. Its not-so-bright little brain couldn’t quite comprehend why they were returning together. All it knew was that the number of its servants had increased by one.

It was the same guest room on the first floor, with the same pristine sheets and blankets.

Mu Yunshu laid Mi Man on the bed before sitting beside her to remove her shoes and socks.

Noticing the swelling in Mi Man’s ankle, Mu Yunshu fetched a clean towel and some ice cubes, wrapping them up before returning to apply the cold compress.

The cool sensation against her ankle felt soothing. Mi Man leaned against the headboard, slightly embarrassed, and murmured, “I can do it myself.”

Mu Yunshu lightly swatted her hand away. “Just lie still.”

Blushing, Mi Man buried herself into the pillow, hugging it as she watched Mu Yunshu tend to her with focused care. She couldn’t help but think how exceptionally beautiful this person was.

Amid the evening’s chaos, Mi Man hadn’t noticed Mu Yunshu’s makeup until now.

She looked stunning today.

Mu Yunshu’s fair complexion was accentuated by her long black hair, while the dark eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes brought out the striking contours of her features. The retro red lipstick was like the final brushstroke that brought a painting to life.

In comparison, Mi Man felt as drab as a wild duck.

Mu Yunshu naturally noticed Mi Man’s gaze as she applied the compress but didn’t mind, letting her look freely.

“Um…” Mi Man hugged the pillow and whispered, “I had a really good time today.”

Mu Yunshu glanced at her. “Even with that injury?”

“Everything else was wonderful.” Mi Man’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Thank you.”

Mu Yunshu paused, unable to hide the amusement in her eyes. “If you want to thank me, focus on recovering first.”

Mi Man nodded.

Seeing the towel growing damp, Mu Yunshu said, “I’ll get you a fresh one.”

By the time the swelling subsided, it was already past 3 a.m. After applying the prescribed ointment, Mu Yunshu finally let Mi Man change into pajamas and rest.

Exhausted, Mi Man fell asleep within a minute of changing, much to Mu Yunshu’s surprise when she re-entered the room.

Curled up on the bed with the pillow in her arms, the little thing looked utterly adorable. Mu Yunshu stood there watching for a long while before scooping up Guazi, the orange tabby who was about to leap onto the bed.

“Don’t disturb her sleep,” Mu Yunshu said, holding the hefty cat. “She’s had a long day.”

Mi Man must have been truly exhausted, lying quietly in bed.

Mu Yunshu walked over to adjust her blanket, then sat by her bedside and gently stroked Mi Man’s soft hair near her temples. Leaning down, she pressed a light kiss on her.

“You worked hard today,” Mu Yunshu said with a smile. “Goodnight.