Everyone is Crazy - Chapter 6

Liu Shuyun rarely visited the set. Most of the time, she would wait in the car for Tan Muxi to finish work, seldom stepping out. Treating the crew was something she had never done before, so everyone’s impression of her was limited to screen appearances, interviews, or gossip.

This time, treating everyone to milk tea was quite surprising.

Even the extras were included. Everyone nearby, whether part of the crew or not, received a cup. Shan Yingfeng handed them out with a smile, the cart loaded with plenty of servings. As she distributed them, she cheerfully said, “This is from President Liu. She hopes everyone will take good care of Teacher Tan.”

“Was President Liu the one who came this morning?” asked an extra who had only seen a slender, tall figure from a distance, her high ponytail and noble demeanor leaving a strong impression even from afar. Quite a few people had noticed her.

Shan Yingfeng smiled warmly. “Yes, President Liu dropped by this morning to bring breakfast for Miss Tan.”

The extras, sharp as ever, chuckled understandingly. “Miss Tan is too thin; she should eat more.”

Shan Yingfeng replied, “Exactly. President Liu has been helping Miss Tan nourish herself lately.”

She never missed a chance to mention Liu Shuyun, not to flatter, but because of the rumors circulating on and off the set. Some claimed Liu Shuyun treated Tan Muxi as a mere substitute, neglecting her terribly. Pointing out how thin she was, or even alleging that Liu Shuyun mistreated her at home, never showing her a kind expression.

Despite Liu Shuyun frequently driving Tan Muxi to and from work and securing the best resources for her, these rumors persisted. Some even suggested Liu Shuyun had psychological issues, making Tan Muxi’s situation seem all the more pitiable.

While there was plenty of positive talk, the negative gossip was just as rampant. Now that there was an opportunity to actively dispel these rumors, Shan Yingfeng wasn’t about to let it slip. So, she kept bringing up President Liu, painting a picture of the two as a harmonious and deeply affectionate couple.

Tan Muxi almost believed it herself.

She smiled, thinking Shan Yingfeng had a hidden talent. She’d be perfect running a marketing account.

Having successfully completed her mission, Shan Yingfeng returned to Tan Muxi’s side beaming. Though she didn’t explicitly seek praise, her expression clearly said, “I did a great job,” amusing Tan Muxi, who handed her some freshly peeled fruit. Shan Yingfeng was pleasantly surprised. “Teacher Tan, is this for me?”

Tan Muxi nodded. “Yes, go ahead and eat.”

Just as Shan Yingfeng took a bite, the juicy fruit filling her mouth, Tan Muxi added, “I’m having dinner with Meng Xingci tonight.”

Shan Yingfeng nearly spat out the fruit.

Tan Muxi continued, “She’s the one who invited me.”

Only then did Shan Yingfeng manage to swallow, coughing slightly, and asked in a hushed tone, “What’s it about?”

Hearing her whisper, Tan Muxi lowered her voice too. “Not sure. Maybe she’s fallen for me.”

Shan Yingfeng: “…”

Noticing her stiffened expression, Tan Muxi’s eyes sparkled with laughter.

Shan Yingfeng complained, “Teacher Tan, you’re teasing me again.”

Tan Muxi relented. “Alright, I’ll stop. Get ready for tonight.”

Shan Yingfeng asked, “We’re really having dinner together?”

Tan Muxi confirmed, “Yes.” She added, “There must be a reason.” After all, she knew a thing or two about Meng Xingci’s personality. Then, turning to Shan Yingfeng, she instructed, “Don’t let anyone else know.”

Shan Yingfeng immediately nodded. “I understand.”

The rumors within the crew were already chaotic enough, and she didn’t want to add to the mess. Still, she couldn’t figure out why Meng Xingci had invited Tan Muxi to dinner. Meng Xingci didn’t seem like the type to want a deeper connection with Tan Muxi. After filming, they all rested in the same tent, but Meng Xingci always avoided the one where Tan Muxi was. That was why the rumors in the crew were growing increasingly rampant.

She couldn’t make sense of it and spent the entire afternoon stealing glances at Meng Xingci.

Ye Ying felt bewildered by the attention, sensing that Shan Yingfeng’s gaze was practically crackling with sparks. As the day wrapped up, Meng Xingci asked her to go back and pick someone up. Ye Ying stared blankly at her. “Go pick up Yu’an?”

Meng Xingci replied, “Yes. After you pick her up, head straight to the hotel across the street and wait for me.”

Ye Ying asked, “Is she willing to go out now?”

Meng Xingci’s expression softened slightly. “Yes, she’s just started being open to it recently.”

Ye Ying breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, “Alright, I’ll go pick her up right away.”

Meng Xingci nodded.

As Ye Ying left the filming set, she assumed Meng Xingci was worried about Meng Yu’an feeling too cooped up at home and had arranged to have dinner out with her. On the way, she tried to lighten the mood by telling jokes, but Meng Yu’an remained as quiet as ever, only responding when spoken to. The atmosphere in the car was heavy, and Ye Ying felt stifled. Then, to her surprise, Meng Yu’an spoke up unprompted: “Will Miss Tan be coming too?”

Miss Tan?
Tan Muxi?

She hadn’t heard anything from Meng Xingci about that. But thinking back to Shan Yingfeng’s piercing glare earlier, she suddenly understood and nodded. “She should be.”

Meng Yu’an’s expression instantly softened, the tension in her body easing. She placed her hands on her knees and, though still silent, looked out the window with a hint of excitement in her eyes.

What was going on?
Did Meng Yu’an like Tan Muxi?
Since when?

Ye Ying didn’t know much about Meng Xingci’s family background not because she didn’t want to, but because there was no way to find out. Back when Meng Xingci was a famous child star, even the paparazzi couldn’t dig up any information about her family. The level of privacy made Ye Ying suspect they might work for the government. Only after working with Meng Xingci for a long time did she learn a little: both of Meng Xingci’s parents were lawyers, though she wasn’t sure what kind. They had passed away in an accident before Meng Xingci graduated from college, leaving behind a substantial inheritance and a younger sister, Meng Yu’an. Meng Yu’an was introverted and spoke very little. A few years ago, an accident left her disabled and struggling with depression. It seemed as though all the hardships had fallen on her alone.

When Meng Xingci traveled for work, she sometimes asked Ye Ying to look after Meng Yu’an. Over time, Ye Ying became somewhat familiar with her, but Meng Yu’an spoke so little that sometimes an entire day would pass with barely a word exchanged. As a result, Ye Ying knew nothing about Meng Yu’an’s interests or preferences. The only exception was when Aunt Bai was around. Meng Yu’an would speak a bit more then.

Meng Yu’an also disliked going out. Ye Ying had suggested many times that they take a walk downstairs, but Meng Yu’an always declined. Now, to see Tan Muxi, she was willing to leave the house.

Though Ye Ying didn’t understand, she didn’t press for answers.

They arrived at the hotel just before six. Meng Xingci and the others had wrapped up at 5:30, so Ye Ying wasn’t sure if they had arrived yet. Pushing the wheelchair, she entered the hotel with Meng Yu’an. A staff member greeted them warmly, and Ye Ying said, “Private room number two, please.”

The staff led them to the door of room two, where they spotted someone standing outside from a distance, Shan Yingfeng.

It seemed Tan Muxi had already arrived.

When Ye Ying pushed Meng Yu’an over, Shan Yingfeng was a bit surprised. She glanced at her, then at Meng Yu’an, wearing an expression as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know what. It was Meng Yu’an who spoke first, asking Shan Yingfeng, “Has Miss Tan arrived yet?”

Shan Yingfeng lowered her head and met Meng Yu’an’s gaze.

Meng Yu’an had her long hair tied to one side, her bangs covering her eyebrows. Her beautiful eyes were bright and captivating. Perhaps because she was in a wheelchair, Meng Yu’an seemed to radiate an aura of fragility and delicacy, like a beautiful yet breakable object, her vulnerability palpable.

Shan Yingfeng was so overwhelmed with pity that she didn’t respond to Meng Yu’an’s question. It was Ye Ying who said, “Miss Tan should be here. I’ll take you inside.”

Meng Yu’an replied, “Thank you.”

Only then did Shan Yingfeng snap out of it. She spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing the fragile presence before her, and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Teacher Tan is inside.”

Meng Yu’an gave her a grateful nod.

Shan Yingfeng bit her lip and stood to the side, her gaze involuntarily drifting back to Meng Yu’an.

Ye Ying opened the private room door. Tan Muxi was on the phone, her back turned to them. Her voice was soft and calm, as if she had heard the door open. Holding her phone, she turned around and came face to face with Meng Yu’an, who had just entered.

Tan Muxi’s gaze shifted from Ye Ying to Meng Yu’an, then downward, resting on her legs, which were covered with a blanket. Her expression showed no emotion, only calmness.

In contrast to her composure, Meng Yu’an was clearly much happier. A smile spread across her usually pale face, tinged with a faint blush. She pressed her lips together and said, “Hello, Miss Tan.”

Tan Muxi gave a slight nod. “Hello.”

Then, she said to Meng Yu’an, “I’m sorry, I’ll be done with this call soon.”

Meng Yu’an replied, “It’s no problem.”

Seeing this, Ye Ying crouched down and whispered, “I’ll go make a call to President Meng.”

Meng Yu’an nodded. Ye Ying straightened up, seeming as if she wanted to say something to Tan Muxi but ultimately said nothing and left the room. As the door closed, the air in the private room grew still, and Tan Muxi’s light voice became particularly clear.

She rarely used voice actors, insisting on using her own voice for many roles to better immerse herself in the characters. As a result, she had worked hard on her vocal tone. Meng Yu’an remembered an early interview from when Tan Muxi first debuted. Her voice had carried a playful lilt back then. Now, it was much steadier, each word enunciated clearly. Even from this distance, Meng Yu’an could hear every word Tan Muxi was saying.

Though she wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping.

Tan Muxi didn’t seem to mind. She quickly confirmed her schedule with Shi Tong and ended the call by saying, “I’m hanging up now.”

After Shi Tong said goodbye, she set down her phone.

Meng Yu’an watched as Tan Muxi approached step by step. Her fingers twisted the edge of the thin blanket, the soft fabric deforming under her touch. Her palms, filled with the softness, absorbed the sweat. Steadying her emotions, she looked up and met Tan Muxi’s gaze.

Tan Muxi asked, “You are?”

Only then did Meng Yu’an realize she hadn’t introduced herself. She spoke, “I’m Meng Xingci’s younger sister. My name is Meng Yu’an.”

Tan Muxi’s expression visibly faltered. It took her a few seconds to regain her composure. A smile reappeared on her face as she said, “So you’re her sister.”

But the sister she remembered was not like this.

Meng Xingci didn’t often talk about this sister, but she had mentioned a few things during conversations with Aunt Bai. She was studying abroad, had good grades, but was introverted and had few friends. Nevertheless, she was a good person; sincere and kind.

The most important thing is to stay healthy.

Did something happen?

Tan Muxi suppressed her question and didn’t show it. Meng Yu’an smiled gently, her voice soft as she replied, “Yes, my sister and I aren’t very alike.”

“Indeed, not very much alike,” Tan Muxi said. Just then, the door to the private room ahead opened, revealing Meng Xingci. Tan Muxi glanced briefly at Meng Xingci before turning back to Meng Yu’an and saying, “You’re much cuter than your sister.”

Meng Xingci, who had just stepped in: …