Pregnant With the Villain Boss’ Baby - Chapter 22

When Yun Mu stepped onto the set today, she immediately sensed that the atmosphere was off. There was a weird tension in the air, a hidden spark of friction beneath the surface.

Director Peng was frowning deeply, hushedly speaking with a few of the more influential people on the crew. Despite the lowered volume, his expression was so fierce that it looked as though he might erupt into a roar at any moment.

Conversation levels around the set dropped to a whisper. Although many people still greeted Yun Mu as she walked in, the overall mood made her arch an eyebrow in curiosity.

After changing into her costume and getting her makeup done, Yun Mu headed toward her usual rest area, only to find her corner exceptionally “crowded” today.

“Sister Yun, good morning!”

“Yun Mu, you’re here.”

“Why are you two gathered at my spot today?” Yun Mu asked, surprised to see Lin Mi and Feng Cen having abandoned their own corners to cluster around hers.

“A really annoying person is joining the cast,” Lin Mi grumbled, pouting as she toyed with Wang Danyan’s hand.

An annoying person? That was a bit vague. Yun Mu turned her gaze to Feng Cen.

“One of the supporting actors had an accident in the real world and couldn’t make it. Then, an investor forced someone in. You’ve probably heard of her—the heiress of the Gu family, Gu Mi’er,” Feng Cen explained with a helpless sigh.

Gu Mi’er… Before Yun Mu could search her memory for the name, a shrill, coy voice rang out.

“Brother Feng! So this is where you were~” A girl already in costume ran over to Feng Cen’s side, reaching out to grab his arm. Feng Cen nimbly avoided her touch, a flash of genuine disgust crossing his eyes.

That was a rare sight. Yun Mu had never seen Feng Cen look at anyone with such loathing. She couldn’t help but study the newcomer.

The girl looked about Lin Mi’s age. She was wearing a costume similar to Feng Cen’s, but she had layered a glaringly bright pink garment over it that looked completely out of place. Her aura was vaguely “sultry,” somewhat similar to Yun Mu’s, but the execution was entirely different. Yun Mu’s charm was an effortless part of her every movement—elegant and magnetic.

This woman, however, seemed to be trying too hard to project “allure.” Her makeup was heavy, looking fake and calculated. Combined with a spoiled pout and a haughty, calculating look in her eyes, she was instantly unlikable.

As she watched Gu Mi’er, the pieces clicked into place. Luo Ling had mentioned her before.

Gu Mi’er and Lin Mi were both child stars who had been equally famous in the past. In fact, Gu Mi’er had often overshadowed Lin Mi—not because of her talent, but because she never stopped reminding everyone she was the Gu family heiress. The Gu family was as powerful as the Feng family, so many people sucked up to her.

However, unlike Lin Mi’s “sweet and bubbly” brand, Gu Mi’er tried to play the “vixen” but lacked the charisma to pull it off. Good directors avoided her because of her temperament. Even with her family’s backing, her career stalled, and she eventually faded from the industry.

But she had returned a few years ago. The reason? Yun Mu.

When Yun Mu first hit the scene, she became an overnight sensation, rising steadily to the rank of Film Queen. Hearing this, Gu Mi’er became consumed with jealousy. She believed she was just as pretty as Yun Mu; if Yun Mu could be famous, why couldn’t she?

She fought her way back into the industry, branding herself as the “Little Yun Mu” to gain traction. She even gathered a small following of fans by subtly mocking Yun Mu as an unoriginal copycat of her own “old style.”

At the time, Yun Mu had simply laughed it off. She never expected to end up on the same set as her.

While Yun Mu was observing her, Gu Mi’er was doing the same to Yun Mu. The more she looked, the more jealous she became. She blinked her eyes and extended a hand.

“Sister Yun, I’ve always admired you! I’m so happy we get to work together this time. Please look after me.”

Yun Mu felt a bit of a chill from the girl’s tone; it sounded “off,” though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Still, she reached out and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss Gu.”

“Sister Yun, this is my first time on such a big set. If there’s anything I don’t understand, can I come and ask you for help?” Gu Mi’er leaned in toward Yun Mu, clearly intending to latch onto her arm as she’d tried to do with Feng Cen. There was a glint in her eyes that suggested she was up to no good.

Sensitive to ill intent, Yun Mu easily dodged the movement and gave the girl a polite pat on the shoulder. “If I’m able to help, feel free to find me.”

“Mi’er! Come over here, your scene is starting!” Gu Mi’er’s manager called out from the distance.

“I’ll be going then! I’ll come by during the break.” Gu Mi’er waved to everyone and hurried away.

“What is with that girl… her voice sounds so weird, it gives me the creeps,” Tong Wenwen muttered, rubbing her arms.

“That’s because she’s imitating Sister Yun,” Lin Mi said, setting down her script. She had used the book to hide her face while Gu Mi’er was there. Every time I see her, my eyes hurt, she thought.

“Imitating me?” Yun Mu arched an eyebrow. There was definitely a sense of dissonance, but she didn’t think the girl was succeeding. If anything, Gu Mi’er was overcompensating with too much body language.

“Doesn’t she call herself ‘Little Yun Mu’? She probably got a taste of fame with that label when she returned, so she’s trying to act the part to stay relevant,” Lin Mi shrugged. How can she even compare to Sister Yun? Standing together, the difference in class was obvious. Lin Mi couldn’t understand how fans could be so blind as to call them similar.

“Yun Mu, you should be careful with her. She hates you quite a bit—not just because of your status in the industry, but because…” Luo Ling pushed up her glasses, her gaze falling on Feng Cen.

“Eh… I…” Feng Cen looked uncomfortable as all eyes turned to him. He gave a bitter laugh and smoothed his costume. “The Feng and Gu families are old family friends. I’m the same age as her older brother, so we grew up together. When she was born, her brother and I were the ones who had to play with her, and then…”

He didn’t need to finish. Everyone knew the trope: the “childhood sweetheart” falling for the older neighbor. If it were a sweet girl, it might be a nice story. But with someone like Gu Mi’er? Even a man as gentle as Feng Cen couldn’t stomach the thought of her as a wife.

“Sounds like you’ve had a hard time,” Yun Mu said, taking her seat. She felt genuine sympathy for the guy.

“Actually, once I find a partner—” Feng Cen began, looking at Yun Mu. But before he could finish, Youying squeezed herself between the two of them, physically separating them and shooting Feng Cen a sharp look.

The look was full of sympathy, yet held a trace of triumph as she leaned slightly toward Yun Mu.

Feng Cen: ! ! ! So annoying, but I must keep smiling.

A few days later, Director Peng had fully transformed into a fire-breathing dragon. He was currently screaming at Gu Mi’er on set.

“Cut! That’s wrong! Again!”

“Gu Mi’er, how many times do I have to say it?! This is anger, not a smile!”

“Wow, that acting is… something else,” Tong Wenwen noted, her face full of disdain.

The earlier scenes were manageable because they’d started with simple shots, but the later material was a disaster. Peng was on the verge of an aneurysm. Gu Mi’er’s character was a villainous supporting role—the “third or fourth” female lead—with a significant amount of screen time. If it hadn’t been for the emergency with the previous actor, she would never have gotten the role.

Now, because of her, the schedule was being heavily delayed. But given her family status, the crew couldn’t do much but watch Peng explode while pitying the actors playing opposite her.

“Sister Yun, it’s almost break time. Want to grab a snack?” Lin Mi ran over.

“Sure.” Yun Mu nodded, letting Lin Mi pull her chair over. Youying watched them for a moment, then naturally walked over and carried a small round table over for them to use.

The group was leisurely snacking when Gu Mi’er finished her scene and walked over, grumbling loudly. “That fat bastard! How dare he talk to me like that? Making me do ten takes… he’s clearly just picking on me.”

She spotted Yun Mu’s group looking relaxed and grew even angrier. Why did they get “one-take” passes while she was being humiliated?

“Miss, the refreshments are ready. Would you like to try some?” her assistant asked.

A dark glint appeared in Gu Mi’er’s eyes as a plan began to form in her mind.

“Sister Yun, try this! I found these at the mall yesterday. These cookies are actually really good!” Lin Mi pushed several boxes toward Yun Mu.

“Mmhmm, not bad,” Yun Mu said, taking a bite. She noticed Youying sitting silently nearby. “Youying, want some?”

“Mm.” Youying hesitated, then took a cookie.

Just then, an unfamiliar voice called out. “Miss Yun, Miss Lin, our mistress has prepared some refreshments for you to enjoy.”

They looked up to see a female Beta they’d never seen before carrying a tray. It held several plates of good-looking snacks, a teapot, and several cups of steaming tea. She was jogging toward them.

Yun Mu’s eyes narrowed as she watched the girl approach. Her gaze fell on the cups of tea, which were releasing visible steam. No good intent. That was the only thought in Yun Mu’s mind.

“Aah!” Suddenly, the Beta screamed and tripped forward. The tray flew from her hands, the hot tea splashing directly toward Yun Mu’s group.

Even though she’d suspected something might happen, the suddenness of the move left Yun Mu with wide eyes, staring at the incoming liquid and almost feeling the heat before it even arrived.

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