Chapter 9: Cosplay Can’t Look This Similar

Mu Ruo’s lips curled into a sneer as she stared at Lu Beichen, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery.

“Yes, I’m crazy,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of jest. “Why, Master Lu, did you just realized it now?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Beichen’s expression softened somewhat. He raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly surprised by Mu Ruo’s bluntness.

“That’s exactly why I was so devoted to you back then,” Mu Ruo continued to mock, her gaze indifferent. “Now that I’m clear-headed, I won’t be deceived by you any longer.”

Lu Beichen’s expression darkened again, his face turning ashen as he stared intently at Mu Ruo.

“Mu Ruo, don’t go too far!” Xia Wanwan couldn’t hold back any longer, her eyes reddening as if she might cry at any moment. “How can you speak to Beichen like that?”

Mu Ruo sneered at Xia Wanwan’s words. She turned to look at Xia Wanwan, examining her from head to toe, with a glint of special meaning in her eyes.

To be honest, Xia Wanwan did look somewhat similar to her. With makeup and styling, they would look even more alike.

Generally, most people would feel uncomfortable seeing others imitate them so closely.

“Miss Xia, I’m not Lu Beichen,” Mu Ruo said. “Your tactic of pretending to give up to catch me is useless.”

Xia Wanwan was stunned by Mu Ruo’s words, her face turning pale instantly.

She bit her cherry-red lips, seemingly wanting to retort, but ended up silently following Lu Beichen away.

As soon as they left, Haili’s friends came over.

Sun Hong, who recognized Lu Beichen, the eldest son of the Lu family from the news, was surprised by Mu Ruo’s audacity to mock these two and speculated that Mu Ruo must have a significant background.

Sun Hong looked at Haili, then at Mu Ruo. “Haili, is this your friend?”

Sun Hong’s eyes revealed a hint of amazement.

Even after working in the entertainment industry for so long and seeing many famous actresses, Mu Ruo’s appearance and demeanor were still the most unforgettable Sun Hong had ever encountered.

Haili felt deeply guilty.

She knew how important Mu Ruo was to Lu Beichen.

Under normal circumstances, Mu Ruo should have slapped her just now for Lu Beichen.

However, in such a crucial situation, Mu Ruo chose her instead of Lu Beichen.

If she had delayed Mu Ruo and Lu Beichen’s love, Haili would indeed feel guilty for a lifetime.

“Ruo Ruo, I’m sorry,” Haili lowered her head. “I should have let you slap me just now.”

Mu Ruo: “…”

Are these villainous side characters really being edited so heavily?

Mu Ruo looked at Haili and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Haili, hitting people will get you detained by the police. Don’t feel burdened. Lu Beichen asked me to do this to harm me, not your fault.”

Her words carried a hint of mockery, clearly trying to comfort Haili and alleviate her guilt.

Haili believed her immediately. “Really?”

Mu Ruo nodded. “Really.”

Haili’s mood instantly improved, and she invited Mu Ruo to cut the cake.

Sun Hong’s eyes kept sizing up Mu Ruo, a covetous gleam in his gaze.

He actively handed a plate of cake to Mu Ruo. “You’re Mu Ruo, right? I’m Haili’s boyfriend. Let’s add each other on WeChat.”

Mu Ruo: “I didn’t bring my phone.”

Sun Hong brought a large gift box today, which, when opened, revealed a bouquet of artificial flowers.

The kind you can get on Taobao for 99 yuan with free shipping.

Most of the gifts Sun Hong’s friends gave Haili were similar—cheap items like low-quality perfumes or bright red lipstick and eyeshadow palettes.

Seeing these, Haili’s smile stiffened.

She wasn’t really naive.

It was obvious when people were being perfunctory.

Haili had previously given them luxury gifts worth tens of thousands.

But if these people and Mu Ruo hadn’t come, her birthday would have been really lonely.

Mu Ruo gave Haili a necklace covered in diamonds, the latest model from this brand.

When Haili opened Mu Ruo’s gift box, she was a bit surprised.

She really liked this brand of jewelry and didn’t expect Mu Ruo to remember.

Sun Hong looked enviously at the necklace. “Wow! This must be very expensive!”

Mu Ruo smiled lightly. “It’s not too bad. When giving gifts, they should match the recipient.”

Sun Hong pretended not to catch Mu Ruo’s meaning. “My mom also likes this brand’s necklaces, but I don’t have the money to buy her one.”

Mu Ruo said, “Then work hard and earn money to buy one for your mom. And don’t forget your girlfriend too. A real man should be independent and strong. Haili, don’t you agree?”

Haili inexplicably felt that Mu Ruo’s words made a lot of sense and nodded heavily.

Sun Hong was taken aback, thinking that Haili’s friend was not someone easily deceived, and said nothing more.

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Lu Beichen still couldn’t believe that Mu Ruo would embarrass him in front of so many people.

But, for some reason, thinking of Mu Ruo just now made his heart feel a bit warm.

He found that this version of Mu Ruo seemed… even more adorable.

Xia Wanwan ran up to him, her eyes red. “Beichen…”

Lu Beichen instantly snapped back to reality.

What was he thinking? He already had Xia Wanwan.

Only someone like Xia Wanwan, who relied entirely on him and was pure and unblemished, was a perfect match for him.

And honestly, although Xia Wanwan wasn’t as refined as Mu Ruo, she did bear some resemblance to her, didn’t she?

Mu Ruo had abandoned him for her studies.

Now she was marrying another man for money.

She was already a tainted woman.

Xia Wanwan, who loved only him and cared nothing for career or money, was his true match.

Xia Wanwan looked at Lu Beichen with teary eyes. “Beichen, do you still like me? If you do, then I’ll let you and her be together. I don’t want anything, as long as you’re happy!”

Lu Beichen, pained, held her close. “What are you thinking? Silly girl, I love you! She’s just a vain and wicked woman.”

Xia Wanwan said, “But she really is so elegant and beautiful. Standing in front of her makes me feel like a ugly duckling. The jewelry and clothes she wore today, I could never match up to.”

Lu Beichen pulled her into his Ferrari. “You deserve the best. You’d look even more beautiful wearing those things.”

In the evening, Mu Ruo and Haili left the hotel together.

When they reached the hotel lobby, Mu Ruo saw Xia Wanwan and Lu Beichen again.

Mu Ruo glanced at her own outfit, then at Xia Wanwan’s matching beige suit, and the same pearl earrings and necklace.

…Even cosplay wouldn’t look this similar.