A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 35.1

The consequence of Luo Mijin sneaking out after her birthday banquet and staying out all night was having to evade the guards and surveillance like a thief in the early hours of the next morning.

After scouting for a long time and confirming that the housekeeper and servants hadn’t yet woken up, she slipped back into her bedroom through the side door.

She lay in her curtain-drawn bedroom for a long time, exhausted but too exhilarated to sleep.

The midsummer night had been far too wonderful and carefree especially because she had spent it with Rong Qingyao.

Truthfully, they hadn’t spoken much last night. They hadn’t even held hands, merely lying side by side on the rooftop of that refuge, gazing at the stars.

What had delighted Luo Mijin the most was seeing Rong Qingyao string the black jade chess piece she had gifted her onto the red bracelet around her wrist. Rong Qingyao had even earnestly told her she hoped the Chess God would truly bless her.

But Luo Mijin understood, the one Rong Qingyao wanted the Chess God to bless was the girl sitting beside her.

Just as she was lost in a silly grin, her bedroom door was suddenly knocked on. Luo Mijin immediately tensed, fearing her misdeeds had been exposed. She braced herself for the possibility of being confined to the ancestral hall for another few months.

With the memory of such a night, kneeling in the damp, gloomy ancestral hall didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.

But… would Rong Qingyao be upset if she couldn’t reach her?

Amid the urgent knocking, Luo Mijin unlocked her phone and quickly typed out a message to Rong Qingyao, wanting to tell her not to worry no matter how long it took, she would find her again.

After several unanswered knocks, the housekeeper finally spoke up:

“Young Miss, are you awake? The master just left for the chamber of commerce. What would you like for breakfast?”

The overly cautious Luo Mijin let out a relieved sigh and quickly feigned a sleepy voice. “Iced tofu pudding, with watermelon.”

The housekeeper outside fell silent for a few seconds before replying helplessly:

“Young Miss, you know the master’s dietary arrangements for you nutritious and balanced, in keeping with our family’s standards and decorum. You may choose between red bean and barley congee, yam cakes, or pumpkin puree.”

The joy on Luo Mijin’s face faded, replaced by blankness where lively spirit had been. Obediently, she chose pumpkin puree and vegetable meatball soup, offering no further objections.

“Very well, Young Miss. Please wash up and dress properly within half an hour and come downstairs for breakfast.”

“Understood.”

“Also, you have a Go tournament on Monday. Four bodyguards will accompany you to the neighboring city for the competition. Upon your return, the master has said he will take you to visit some of his acquaintances uncles from respected families.”

“Yes, I know.”

It seemed Luo Mijin’s recent docile and well-behaved demeanor had made the housekeeper’s job much easier. Satisfied, the woman went downstairs with a smile to instruct the kitchen to prepare breakfast promptly.

Luo Mijin thought of the phrases her grandfather and the housekeeper often repeated, “the Luo family’s rules,” “the Luo family’s dignity,” “the Luo family’s manners.”

She had always wanted to understand, what kind of family was this, exactly? How dignified, how noble, how superior could it be?

But she couldn’t figure it out. To this day, she remained a parasite living in such a family, forced to obey and depend on it just to breathe and survive.

Listlessly, she got out of bed and mechanically dressed and washed up. The euphoria from her all-nighter receded like a tide, leaving behind only headaches, frustration, and exhaustion, the vexing side effects.

The obligation to appear at the dining table in half an hour filled Luo Mijin with restless resistance. Everything had its deadlines, its timed boundaries, like an omnipresent cage that could even frame the transparent air.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she noted how the butler-prepared clothes were crisply ironed and spotless, adorned with an expensive sapphire brooch.

Luo Mijin yanked the brooch off and threw it into the trash, as if only this act could grant her a fleeting second of relief.

It felt like she would forever be trapped in this opulent, dazzling crystal palace.

The half-hour deadline was fast approaching, yet Luo Mijin remained cross-legged on the cold floor, motionless as if malfunctioning.

Then, she heard the faint vibration of her phone, like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, pulling her soul back into place.

Opening her phone, she saw a new message.

[Qingyao Senpai: Professor He from our department asked me to substitute for her Thursday afternoon lecture. Anyone can attend. Do you want to come? I’ll go over the exam highlights for freshmen.]

Her stiff body suddenly warmed. Luo Mijin’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed out a reply: “Okay.”

Finding her response too brief and lacking enthusiasm, she took a few deep breaths and sent another message.

After replying, she sprang up from the floor, eager to stuff all her textbooks into her bag, wishing she could rush to school for the lecture right away.

But today was Saturday, Thursday was still far off.

Now, every passing minute felt like an eternity, yet it was infinitely more vibrant than before.

Meanwhile, Rong Qingyao, who had already returned to the university library to study, finished an English reading comprehension section and distractedly picked up her silenced phone. Unsurprisingly, Luo Mijin’s replies were waiting.

[Top-Scoring Electronic Sheep: Okay.]

[Top-Scoring Electronic Sheep: I mean, I’ll definitely come to your lecture. And I’ll sit in the front row.]

[Top-Scoring Electronic Sheep: Qingyao Senpai, did you get any sleep last night? If your eyes feel tired, you can try a warm compress. I used to do that when I was exhausted from chess.]

Reading the messages, Rong Qingyao silently curled her lips into a smile before quickly suppressing it. She typed a reply, then silenced her phone completely, refocusing on her IELTS reading practice.

Only after sitting properly at the dining table and finishing breakfast did Luo Mijin have a moment to check her messages.

[Second-Scoring Nine-tailed Fox: I’m fine, not too tired. You played drums yesterday,  get some rest. I’m doing English reading now, so replies might be delayed.]

Her heart pounded at the last line. Did Rong Qingyao mean she could still text her casually?

After a while, Luo Mijin tentatively sent another message.

[Top-Scoring Electronic Sheep: Actually, I really want to keep an orchid mantis. Aren’t they beautiful? [Image]]

Half an hour later, Rong Qingyao replied.

[Second-Scoring Nine-tailed Fox: They are.]

[Top-Scoring Electronic Sheep: But I’d worry about keeping them caged, it feels too restrictive. Such beautiful creatures deserve to be free.]

[Second-Scoring Nine-tailed Fox: We could keep them for a while, then find a suitable habitat to release them back into nature.]

Having made various big and small promises with Rong Qingyao, Luo Mijin found each day a little easier to bear. The hope in her heart was like wild fruit struggling to sprout in the mountains, waiting eagerly for every second of sunlight.

This happiness lasted until Thursday.

“Yueyue, where are you going?” Grandpa called out to Luo Mijin as she walked out with her backpack, using her childhood nickname.

Usually, when Grandpa was in a particularly good mood and wanted to show affection to his granddaughter, he would call her that.

This nickname was said to have been given by her parents before she was born, derived from the word “excellence” (yuè). The whole family had placed great expectations on her.

They hoped she would be an outstanding descendant who could bring honor to the family and grow into the ideal child they envisioned.

Unfortunately, the more one expects something, the more likely it is to fall short, this seemed to be an unbreakable rule.

“I’m going to school for class.”

“I’ve seen your schedule. There are no classes this afternoon,” Luo Anbang stated calmly, waiting for Luo Mijin to provide a reasonable explanation.

Luo Mijin tried her best to maintain a steady tone, suppressing her excitement and longing to avoid arousing her grandfather’s suspicion.

“Grandpa, a senior from my department is substituting for the class and will be covering key points for the final exam. I want to attend.”

Hearing it was related to exams, Luo Anbang nodded kindly. “Alright, go ahead. Don’t waste your time on frivolous things. Come back with good grades, and Grandpa will be proud of you.”

Proud of me?

A strange smile flickered across Luo Mijin’s face as she lowered her head and murmured softly:

“I don’t want to disappoint you either, Grandpa.”

Luo Anbang sighed inwardly and waved his hand. “Go to class then. Take the bodyguard with you. Your sister will call in a few days, make sure you hold yourself to high standards and don’t embarrass the Luo family.”

“Okay,” Luo Mijin replied, already accustomed to such stern “reminders.” Her cheerful mood remained largely unaffected as she walked out with a smile, her eyes still bright with happiness even after getting into the car.

Luo Mijin arrived at school early, pacing outside the classroom several times, unsure when would be the best moment to enter.

She leaned against the stair railing, gazing at the orange blossoms in the courtyard garden, thinking that next time she went to the abandoned bar, she could buy lots of oranges to make juice.

Lost in thought, Luo Mijin almost didn’t notice Rong Qingyao walking into the classroom, surrounded by juniors.

“Are you here for class too?”

The woman stopped three meters away, feigning casualness as she addressed Luo Mijin.

“Yes, I am.”

“Then hurry inside,” Rong Qingyao shot her a warning glance, signaling that she shouldn’t space out during class again.

Receiving the message, Luo Mijin broke into a wide grin. “Yes, Senior.”

Once inside, Luo Mijin quickly claimed a seat by the window in the front row, pulling out her notebook and textbook, watching Rong Qingyao obediently.

Standing at the podium, Rong Qingyao wore her hair in a long ponytail, a plain white T-shirt, and faded jeans, bathed in golden morning mist, youthful and tall.

Her expression was cool and detached as she explained problems to the juniors, carrying an air of dignified authority.

Occasionally, while everyone was busy taking notes, she would sneak a glance at Luo Mijin. The breeze outside brushed against the loose strands of hair by her temples, her skin glowing, her gaze pure yet alluring.

Luo Mijin’s heart was churning with turbulent waves. For no reason, she recalled the delicate moments when Rong Qingyao clung to her, intermittently sobbing in soft vulnerability.

A beauty only she had ever witnessed.

After class, Luo Mijin didn’t leave immediately. She remained seated in the front row, alternating between reviewing exam highlights and stealing glances at Rong Qingyao, who was still discussing key points with another student.

She had never felt such tranquility before as if she had become a normal person, free to do what she loved.

A professor from their department, surnamed Wang, happened to come by to speak with Rong Qingyao. Familiar with several students, he suggested they all go to his place for dinner and discuss a new project they were working on.

A sharp-eyed graduate student noticed Luo Mijin sitting in the corner of the front row and called out loudly:

“She’s from our department too, right? You’re Luo Mijin, aren’t you?”

With her striking silver hair and frequent appearances on TV as a chess player, Luo Mijin’s reputation preceded her though this senior had never met her in person before.

Luo Mijin gave a simple nod in response.

“We’re going to Professor Wang’s for dinner. Do you want to come along?”

Discomfort at being publicly invited began to spread. Luo Mijin clenched her fists and repeated, “All of you?”

“Yeah, everyone’s going. Even Rong Qingyao, who just taught your class. No need to be shy, we’re all from the same department.”

Rong Qingyao took a step forward, about to smooth things over and spare Luo Mijin the pressure, when she heard the silver-haired girl reply lightly, “Sure.”

“Great! Let’s go, then,” the graduate senior said warmly, trying to pull Luo Mijin along, only to be thwarted by the way Luo Mijin slung her backpack over her shoulder.

Professor Wang’s home wasn’t far from campus, so the group of students, familiar with the route, suggested walking there to get some exercise.

On the way, Luo Mijin lagged at the back while Rong Qingyao was surrounded by the crowd at the front. Only when the traffic light turned green and they crossed the street did their gazes briefly meet.

Even among the graduate students, Rong Qingyao stood out effortlessly, radiant and exceptional.

At least, that’s how Luo Mijin saw it.

She was deeply knowledgeable about academic topics, and even when it came to casual or entertainment-related discussions, she listened attentively and responded appropriately.

No one could dislike talking to her.

Occasionally, the graduate senior would deliberately slow down to chat with Luo Mijin.

“Hey, junior, is your hair dyed?”

“No, I inherited it from my mom. She’s mixed-race.”

“No wonder it looks so natural and beautiful.”

Luo Mijin felt a little awkward, unsure how to respond, and could only offer a faint smile revealing the small dimple at the corner of her lips.

“Junior, your dimple is so pretty! Ever thought about joining our drama club?”

“No,” Luo Mijin replied, growing increasingly uneasy, just as Rong Qingyao happened to glance back, giving her a reassuring look.

“Junior, are you close with Rong Qingyao?” the graduate senior asked, noticing their exchange.

The question made Luo Mijin feel like a thief caught red-handed. She steadied herself and answered carefully:

“We’re… acquainted.”

“Freshmen rarely attend this class, so when you showed up, I thought you came specifically to see her.” The graduate student senior seemed to notice Luo Mijin’s nervousness and comforted her, “Don’t worry, someone as popular as Rong Qingyao receives so many love letters every year that selling them as scrap paper would earn a small fortune. Even students from other departments come just to catch a glimpse of her.”

Luo Mijin couldn’t help but glance at Rong Qingyao walking ahead simple yet elegant, her long hair dancing in the sunlight, making it impossible to look away.

Professor Wang’s home was a standalone Western-style villa with semi-arched stained-glass windows that let in plenty of light.

Not particularly large, but it must be very comfortable to live in.

The banquet hall on the second floor had an open view, flanked by antique-style single-panel lattice windows with a “Feng” pattern. A redwood square table was set with fresh-cut flowers, vibrant and lively.

The round dining table was adorned with placemats, glassware, and pottery that complemented the surrounding decor.

It was said that Professor Wang came from an esteemed family her parents and husband all taught at top universities. With such scholarly heritage and extensive connections, she particularly enjoyed mentoring and supporting students.

The household staff quietly inquired about each guest’s preferences and dietary restrictions, to which Luo Mijin softly mentioned her nut allergy.

Dinner was soon served, from the appetizer soup to the main course and two desserts, all exquisitely prepared.

Luo Mijin absentmindedly wiped her hands with a warm towel, avoiding too much eye contact with Rong Qingyao. She didn’t like being the subject of others’ gossip especially when it involved something as socially frowned upon as same-sex attraction.

During a lull in the conversation, Luo Mijin checked her phone and was surprised to find a message from Rong Qingyao.

[No. 2 Nine-tailed Fox: Are you settling in okay?]

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