Chapter 146: Mu Feixue's Thoughts

Chapter 146: Mu Feixue’s Thoughts

“What is the most important thing in life?” Mu Feixue asked Chu Fei, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“What is it?” Chu Fei replied, returning the question with a hint of curiosity. Despite the sensual features of the man before him, Chu Fei still couldn’t grasp his true intentions. Even when Mu Feixue invited him for a drink, they didn’t go to any grand tavern but instead settled at a humble roadside barbecue stall not far from Changxin Garden—an extreme display of casualness.

Yet Chu Fei paid no mind.

Recalling that he had seen Mu Feixue at a street stall the previous night as well, Chu Fei was intrigued by this man. He wasn’t sure if Mu Feixue was genuinely so carefree or if it was all deliberate.

Mu Feixue’s smile was enigmatic as he looked at Chu Fei.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Director Mu?” Chu Fei felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze—this was the first time a man’s stare made him avoid eye contact.

“You called me Director Mu? Just a moment ago, I distinctly heard you call me Brother Mu. What happened? Forget so quickly?” Mu Feixue shook his head with a wry smile, then grabbed a skewer and bit into it without a care for his image.

“That was then; this is now,” Chu Fei replied calmly, looking at Mu Feixue. “Back then, I was leaning on your influence, but now it’s just the three of us. I don’t need to rely on anyone. Besides, I’m not so vain as to think I can reach Director Mu’s level.”

“Reach up?” Mu Feixue paused, then laughed heartily. “Chu Fei, if you said that yesterday, I might have agreed, but now? You’re a celebrity throughout Donghai.”

“But I still can’t compare to you, Director Mu,” Chu Fei said more politely this time, even addressing him with honorifics.

“Enough of that. You haven’t answered my question yet. Tell me, what is the most important thing in life?” Mu Feixue shook his head slightly.

“People’s hearts differ, so their answers will too,” Chu Fei answered without evasion.

“Indeed, you’re right—people’s hearts differ, so naturally, the answers to such a question can’t be the same. I was the one who asked it poorly,” Mu Feixue sighed deeply. He grabbed the beer in front of him and drained it in one gulp. Ye Jiaying gently refilled his glass, a tender gesture that drew envious glances from those nearby. Chu Fei himself felt a twinge of envy. Ye Jiaying was an undisputed queen of the Chinese film industry, yet here she was, serving Mu Feixue with such warmth and humility, without a hint of pretense. No one would have believed that the glamorous star on screen would be sitting at a modest roadside stall, tenderly attending to a man. Even if someone recognized her, they’d think it was just a resemblance, never accepting that the sultry diva could be so gentle.

“And you? What do you think is the most important thing in life?” Mu Feixue asked again, his gaze fixed on Chu Fei, expectant.

“Me?” Chu Fei was taken aback, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Mu Feixue frowned, clearly surprised by his answer.

“I really don’t,” Chu Fei said, lifting his glass for a sip. His eyes seemed distant for a moment, as if lost in thought. He felt unusually relaxed in Mu Feixue’s presence—perhaps because he sensed this man’s power and that he had no interest in scheming against him. A bitter smile crossed Chu Fei’s face. “If I told you that I once thought the most important thing in life was a woman—to grow old quietly with her—would you think I’m talking nonsense?”

“That’s a bit absurd, but I believe you,” Mu Feixue said, casting a meaningful glance at Chu Fei.

“You actually believe me?” Chu Fei was taken aback.

Mu Feixue ignored the question and instead sighed, “The woman you would give everything to protect must be Fu Ziqing. It’s no wonder—she’s such a perfect woman, truly worthy of a man’s all,” his voice tinged with melancholy.

Chu Fei smiled faintly. He didn’t realize his words had stirred such emotion in Mu Feixue. Still, he shook his head. “The woman who once made me give up everything was not Fu Ziqing.”

“Not Fu Ziqing? Then who?” Mu Feixue was stunned, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

“It was my first love,” Chu Fei said, not elaborating, merely sighing as he recalled.

“Heh, so you had a first love? Was that in elementary school or kindergarten?” Mu Feixue suddenly leaned in, a mischievous, gossiping expression on his face.

“Can we just talk normally?” Chu Fei sighed, finding Mu Feixue oddly endearing at times. Despite the terrifying rumors swirling around him, this man was completely different in person. If not for knowing his identity, Chu Fei might have thought he wasn’t even human.

Mu Feixue laughed heartily at Chu Fei’s helpless expression, clearly delighted, then teased, “I wonder what Fu Ziqing would think if she heard what you just said?”

Chu Fei said nothing.

Mu Feixue pressed on, “Back to the original question: not the past, but now. What do you think is the most important thing in life?”

“Director Mu, what do you think is most important?” Chu Fei countered.

“Power,” Mu Feixue answered without hesitation, his slender eyes locking onto Chu Fei’s. “In this world driven by material desire, only power is real and indispensable—especially for a man. When you hold power, others naturally submit to you. Don’t you agree?”

Chu Fei remained silent. Mu Feixue’s words were few, but his fierce ambition and pride shone through, his commanding aura undeniable. Even Chu Fei was forced to acknowledge that Mu Feixue had every right to speak thus.

“What? Don’t you admit what I say?” Mu Feixue challenged.

“It’s not that I don’t admit it—I just think it’s a bit extreme,” Chu Fei said with a bitter smile. At that moment, he felt they belonged to entirely different worlds.

“What’s wrong with being extreme? Without extremity, where’s the madness? Without madness, where’s the thrill? Life must be lived boldly to be brilliant. That’s the life of a man!” Mu Feixue laughed heartily, exuberant.

Ye Jiaying, sitting nearby, looked at him with sparkling eyes.

Even Chu Fei had to admit, the charisma and dominance Mu Feixue radiated at this moment could conquer any woman’s heart.

Women love heroes.

Especially beautiful women.

In the face of the unabashed Mu Feixue, Ye Jiaying was just a starstruck girl—pure and innocent.

—

The two men chatted for over two hours at the unremarkable roadside stall.

Though Chu Fei didn’t agree with many of Mu Feixue’s views, he had to acknowledge that Mu Feixue was a genius—knowledgeable about nearly everything, able to speak confidently on any topic, an absolute master of rhetoric. His occasional displays of arrogance and recklessness revealed his true nature.

Ambition.

Mu Feixue harbored immense ambition. Though he never directly declared it, Chu Fei clearly sensed his lust for power. Frankly, Mu Feixue valued power above all else among everyone Chu Fei knew. To him, it seemed only power and conquest remained. He believed absolute power would bring absolute pleasure, and without realizing it, he was influencing Chu Fei with his ideas.

Unfortunately, Chu Fei was no ordinary man. Where others might be swayed and lose themselves under Mu Feixue’s persuasion, Chu Fei maintained his rationality. From start to finish, he never again called him Brother Mu, only occasionally using Director Mu. Under the persistent attention of the superstar Ye Jiaying, he reluctantly called her Sister Jiaying a few times—he had no choice; otherwise, she’d clamber onto his neck and force him to drink.

This revealed a spicy side to the glamorous star rumored to favor a sultry image—a perfect match for the power-obsessed Mu Feixue.

Thus, they bantered for two hours before Chu Fei, still unsure of Mu Feixue’s true intentions in approaching him, found an excuse to leave.

Reason told him to keep his distance from this man—never too close.

—

“You haven’t been this happy drinking in a long time,” Ye Jiaying remarked as Chu Fei left, turning to Mu Feixue with a look of fondness.

“Yes, it’s been a long time since I felt this happy,” Mu Feixue nodded, downing his drink again, his face radiant.

“Do you like Chu Fei?” Ye Jiaying asked softly, eyes filled with expectation.

“Don’t you like him too? Don’t think I don’t see it,” Mu Feixue replied, meeting her gaze instead of answering directly.

Ye Jiaying bit her lip gently. “I do like him, but not for who he is. I see in him a reflection of the old you.”

Mu Feixue narrowed his eyes slightly and sighed after a long moment. “You’re right. He reminds me of my early days in Donghai. Seeing him brings back those times.”

“That’s past. It’s over, isn’t it?” Ye Jiaying suddenly cupped Mu Feixue’s cheek, utterly indifferent to the onlookers.

“Some things can pass. Others never will.” Mu Feixue’s pupils contracted as he tilted her chin up gently. “From the start, you’ve been with me. You’re the one who knows me best in this world and the only one I trust. If I asked you to do something you didn’t want to, would you do it?”

“My everything is because of you. Don’t speak of one thing—even if you asked me to die right now, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Ye Jiaying smiled enchanting and radiant. At that moment, she was captivating beyond compare, drawing every eye.

“Good. I want you to sleep with Chu Fei,” Mu Feixue said, the corner of his mouth curling into a provocative smirk. His words were shocking.

“What?” Ye Jiaying’s smile froze, as if frightened. After a long pause, she forced a smile. “Are you joking?”

“I’m not joking,” Mu Feixue said calmly.

“You… you want to give me to him?” Ye Jiaying’s smile vanished completely, her eyes full of hurt.

“Not give you to him. Just have you accompany him to sleep,” Mu Feixue said lightly, seeming oblivious to her pain. “But not yet. When the time comes, I’ll tell you. I’m just preparing you mentally now. Besides…” He paused and looked at her. “Don’t you have feelings for him too? He reminds you of me once upon a time. You can see him as the old me. Doesn’t that fulfill some of your memories?”

“Heh—” Ye Jiaying bit her lip softly, gazing at Mu Feixue’s exquisite face with a complicated expression. Suddenly, she realized she knew nothing about him.

“Fine. I’m yours. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.” She then lowered her head and grabbed the bottle, drinking fiercely, her posture intimidating.

Mu Feixue watched her with a smile, a subtle curve on his lips. At this moment, only he knew the thoughts behind his eyes. Ye Jiaying could not.