CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 512: THANK YOU, BROTHER

"You said it yourself, you’re looking for an apology—what’s wrong with that?" Huo Mutian laughed. "Besides, I never care about the effects, and I think you shouldn’t either."

"Really, I don’t care. People live for themselves, not for others."

Huo Mutian asked, "In the entertainment industry, isn’t that difficult? Don’t stars care a lot about what the fans think?"

"It’s precisely because it’s the entertainment industry that one should care even less about what others think. Otherwise, it gets even harder." Wen Qiao recalled the times she trended, those comments from netizens viewing through their tinted lenses, and shook her head, "without living someone’s life, you have no right to dictate."

Huo Mutian cast another sideways glance at her, with a trace of admiration in his eyes. "It’s surprising that such a young lady in her twenties knows quite a lot about life."

"Well, we haven’t started eating yet, and I was worried you might be hungry driving, so I thought I’d give you some ’chicken soup’ for your soul."

Wen Qiao started to be playful again.

Huo Mutian caught her implication. "Hungry?"

"A bit." Wen Qiao touched her stomach. "I had action scenes this afternoon, which were quite physically demanding."

"Alright." Huo Mutian, still in his casual manner, freed one hand and casually pointed at her, "Sit tight, brother is going to take you to eat something delicious."

Wen Qiao didn’t show any aversion to his self-reference, instead she smiled sweetly, "Then, thank you, brother."

Huo Mutian smiled, pressed down on the accelerator, and as the car picked up speed, the sensation of being pushed back filled the air.

The car zigzagged into a narrow alley, Huo Mutian parked at the entrance of the alley, "It’s too narrow inside, the car can’t go in, we’ll walk."

"Where is this?" Wen Qiao looked around. "I’m unfamiliar with this place, you’re not going to sell me, are you?"

"....."

Huo Mutian choked, "I’m not tired of the novelty yet, if I sell you, what will I do?"

Wen Qiao felt relieved, "True."

Both got out of the car and walked side by side into the alley.

Lit by the streetlights, Wen Qiao surveyed her surroundings.

Buildings with white walls and black tiles were neatly arranged, and the distinctive horse-head walls under the dim streetlights had a unique ancient charm.

Seeing her looking around curiously like a child, Huo Mutian asked, "Haven’t been here before?"

"No," Wen Qiao shook her head. "Since coming to Hang City, I’ve been plunged into the film crew and haven’t had time to explore properly."

"Poor thing."

Wen Qiao glared at him, "Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for you to show me around?"

Huo Mutian laughed, amused, "Okay, since you’re pretty, everything you say is right."

They walked on, passing through the narrow alley, and a small stream appeared before them.

Huo Mutian stopped walking, "Put on your hat and mask."

"Okay."

Fully equipped, Wen Qiao and he continued forward.

Ahead, the scenery became lively, with all sorts of shops on both sides of the river, offering food, drinks, and entertainment—like a waterborne night market.

Shielding Wen Qiao as they threaded through the bustling crowd, folk songs from a small pub reached their ears, adding a touch of allure to the night.

Huo Mutian led Wen Qiao into a restaurant with a sign that read "Hangzhou Cuisine." The staff seemed to know him, smoothly ushering Huo Mutian and her into a waterside private room to sit down.

Wen Qiao left the initiative for the evening to Huo Mutian. After asking if she had any dietary restrictions and getting her response, he started ordering food.