A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 36.2

Glancing at the dried green roses on her desk, Rong Qingyao smiled faintly but said nothing.

“Argh! Rong Qingyao, you’re too good at hiding things! We’re going to find out who you’re dating, just you wait. Then let’s see what you’ll do.”

Thanks to Luo Zhiwen’s persistent efforts, their grandfather finally not only agreed to let Luo Mijin intern in Yuncheng during the summer break but also permitted her to go without bodyguards on the condition that she video-called morning and night to report her status.

Luo Anbang would also ask the accompanying teachers and teaching assistants to keep an eye on her. The grandfather even personally called the company’s CEO to discuss Luo Mijin’s internship.

Though she hadn’t gained complete freedom, Luo Mijin was more than satisfied with this progress.

For a moment, she even felt that her future would only get better and freer.

Overwhelmed by happiness, she couldn’t contain her excitement and wanted to share it and Rong Qingyao was the only person she wanted to share it with.

Forgetting her earlier promise to Rong Qingyao about sleeping by midnight, she sent a flurry of messages.

[Electronic Sheep (Rank 2): Senior, I’m 100% confirmed for the summer internship now! And Grandpa agreed I don’t need bodyguards. I can finally live without being watched this feels like a victory!]

[Electronic Sheep (Rank 2): My little sister helped convince Grandpa too. She’s in high school in City L in M Country, I’ve told you about her before. She’s the best little sister ever.]

[Electronic Sheep (Rank 2): Senior, I want to introduce you to her. You’re the best senior in the world, would that be okay?]

[Electronic Sheep (Rank 2): She already knows about you. I told her a long time ago, and she said you must be amazing.]

Finally, she sent a cat-with-folded-paws emoji.

Luo Mijin happily paced around her room, now peering out the window at her garden, now tending to the caterpillars in the eco-tank by giving them water.

At 11:58, she received a reply from Rong Qingyao, a cute emoticon of someone petting a kitten’s head.

[Number Two Ranked Nine-tailed Fox: Sure, I’d love to meet the best little sister too.]

[Number Two Ranked Nine-tailed Fox: But shouldn’t you be asleep by now? It’s been over an hour. You’re not being very obedient.]

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: zzz.]

To ensure she could intern at the company over summer break, Luo Mijin had been on her best behavior lately. Even today, when her grandfather mentioned that friends would be visiting the same family who had previously set her up on a blind date, she remained compliant.

Luo Anbang sat in the brightly lit living room, sipping lightly from a cup of delicate tea, a few expensive tea pets arranged before him. He addressed Luo Mijin:

“When the Yuan family arrives, go change your clothes. Don’t dress like some rock band musician, it’s unbecoming. Have the housekeeper pick something proper and ladylike for you.”

“Of course, Grandfather. I’ll go right away.”

Her heart brimming with joy, Luo Mijin neither wanted nor could afford to defy him.

“Old Yuan’s grandson is a bit older than you, young and accomplished. Even if you don’t like him, you should at least engage with him. Whether you go into business or politics in the future, you’ll need support. A child of the Luo family must not be without prospects.”

Luo Mijin lifted her gaze to the vigorous, imposing old man and felt nothing like his granddaughter.

It was almost funny, how could someone with such a strict, self-disciplined grandfather turn out so unlike him?

“I’ll go change now, Grandfather.”

The housekeeper accompanied Luo Mijin upstairs, where, inside a sixty-square-meter walk-in closet, she and several maids began assembling an outfit.

Jewelry boxes filled with gemstones lay on the table, alongside silk dresses, fitted evening gowns, fringed ribbons, suede boots, and matching necklaces, bracelets, hairpins, and other accessories.

Just one glance made Luo Mijin dizzy. These exorbitantly expensive clothes felt more like a cage meant to confine her.

Truthfully, Luo Mijin had known hardship once before she turned five.

Because her grandfather disapproved of her father’s marriage, her father rebelled by cutting ties with the Luo family, working hard to support his small family on his own. The money he earned was just enough to get by.

But the cost of treating Luo Mijin’s illness was immense, so until she was five, she lived an ordinary life simple meals, hand-me-down clothes. Yet those were the only childhood memories she cherished.

Perhaps her father had been crushed by life fighting the Luo family with everything he had, only to end up exhausted, raising a sickly child. In the end, he broke and surrendered.

How ironic, how tragic, how pitiful. How had their happy family shattered, piece by piece? Had she been at fault?

Luo Mijin couldn’t figure it out.

She let the housekeeper and the others dress her, obedient as an AI following commands, donning each piece of clothing and accessory before descending the stairs to greet the guests with polite composure.

Outside, the sky darkened, the sunset vanishing swiftly as if swallowed by a black curtain, leaving only a few streaks of orange glow on the horizon.

Until several luxury cars pulled into the yard, their glaring headlights slicing through the tranquil darkness. The well-dressed men who stepped out burst into hearty laughter upon seeing Luo Anbang.

“Old comrade, how long has it been since we last met?”

“Must be over half a year. Come in, come in!” Luo Anbang greeted his old friend with equal delight.

The two exchanged pleasantries and reminisced about their lifelong military exploits, unable to stop once they started. Their sighs and exclamations left the others outside swatting mosquitoes for quite some time.

“Your garden is beautifully maintained. Where did you find the gardener?”

Luo Anbang chuckled at the praise and pointed at Luo Mijin, “What gardener? My granddaughter just fiddles around with it herself and even brought in a bunch of insects. It’s nothing impressive.”

Old Yuan looked at Luo Mijin with satisfaction and admiration in his eyes, “Don’t listen to your grandfather’s nonsense. Grandpa Yuan thinks your garden is beautiful.”

Luo Mijin put on a polite smile to greet them, suppressing the nausea rising in her chest with great effort.

“This is my grandson, Yuan Zeji. You’ve met before, and he remembers you quite well.”

Luo Mijin glanced at the boy who was about her height and forced a faint smile.

“Come, come, let’s go inside for dinner first. I’ve asked the chef to prepare our favorite barbecue today,” Luo Anbang said, frowning slightly at Luo Mijin before warmly ushering the guests inside.

In the opulent dining room, a large round table was already set with pre-meal tea, poured attentively for each guest by a dedicated server.

“These youngsters don’t know the first thing about tea. It’s such a waste for you to serve them such fine tea, Old Luo,” Old Yuan remarked smoothly, noticing his grandson take a sip and push the cup away.

“Yes, yes, they’re still kids. It’s normal they don’t appreciate tea,” Luo Anbang agreed understandingly, calling the housekeeper to replace the tea with freshly squeezed juice for Yuan Zeji and Luo Mijin.

The dishes on the table were exquisite and expensive, but Luo Mijin still ate absentmindedly, finding no flavor in the meal. She barely managed half a serving before quietly setting down her chopsticks and zoning out.

Worried Luo Mijin might behave improperly, Luo Anbang suggested, “Why don’t you youngsters go out for a walk? No need to keep us old folks company.”

Old Yuan heartily agreed, nudging his grandson, “Zeji, take your little sister out for a stroll. As a young man, you should take the initiative, understand?”

“I understand, Grandpa.”

“Old Yuan, your grandson is so well-behaved. Unlike my two grandchildren, always giving me headaches.”

“Not at all. Mijin has already made a name for herself in the chess world at such a young age. We’re the ones envying you.”

After bidding farewell to the elders, Luo Mijin walked straight out, and the driver took them to the downtown business district.

“Want some milk tea? My treat,” the tall boy offered as he walked behind Luo Mijin on the bustling street.

“I’ll treat you,” Luo Mijin replied without turning around, her mind clouded with irritation as she randomly picked a milk tea shop and stepped inside.

Distractedly, she ordered a Taro Boba Milk Tea and let Yuan Zeji choose his own.

While waiting for their drinks, he tried to strike up a conversation with enthusiasm.

“I heard you won the Go Master Tournament by half a point and took the championship?”

“Yeah.”

“With our family backgrounds, being just a small-time chess player is such a waste,” Yuan Zeji commented confidently.

Luo Mijin half-closed her eyes, not even bothering to look at him. “And what have you accomplished?”

“Oh, by the way, did you change your number? The one you gave me last time didn’t work,” Yuan Zeji said awkwardly before flashing what he thought was a charming smile, believing he’d handed her the perfect out.

“I gave you the wrong number on purpose. Of course it didn’t work.”

Caught off guard by her bluntness, he froze on the spot, his usually smooth-talking mind failing to come up with a response.

“What… what exactly do you mean? Both our families want us to be together, don’t you understand that?”

Luo Mijin took the milk tea handed to her by the shop assistant, inserted a straw, and took a casual sip. “I understand, but I won’t obey them.”

Hearing this, the young man frowned deeply. “You dare disobey your family? Aren’t you afraid they’ll cut off your financial support?”

Luo Mijin sat on the high stool, holding the milk tea with both hands as she gazed at the street scene outside the window. “Did my grandfather not tell you? I’m sick.”

“What? What illness do you have?”

“First, I already have someone I like. Second, I have autism, and it’s highly likely to be hereditary. I struggle to understand others’ emotions and didn’t speak until I was four,” Luo Mijin curled her lips in an indifferent smile. “You’ve noticed how strange my temper is, haven’t you? I’m not polite when speaking to you.”

The young man was utterly shocked. “Are you serious?”

“Believe it or not,” Luo Mijin bit the straw, her smile inscrutable.

The young man was thrown into confusion by her words, his thoughts in disarray, until he seemed to grasp a key point for a counterattack.

“You just said you have someone you like?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You’ve painted yourself in such a negative light. Do you think the person you like won’t mind?” The young man looked at Luo Mijin with a mocking smile, his eyes full of derision.

Luo Mijin gently held the milk tea cup, controlling herself not to grip it too tightly. The night breeze lifted the strands of hair on her forehead. “That’s none of your business, is it?”

“Then I wish you luck that the person you like can fully accept you as you are. Though I think the chances are slim. Society is like this they might tolerate you for a day or two, a year or two, but what about ten or twenty years? Those who gamble on love are the most foolish and stupid.”

After saying this, the young man took his milk tea and left directly.

Luo Mijin sat gloomily in the milk tea shop. After finishing her drink, she took out her phone.

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: Senior, where are you?]

After a while, Rong Qingyao finally replied.

[Number Two Ranked Nine-tailed Fox: Working. I’ll be off in an hour.]

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: Can I come see you?]

She left the milk tea shop and waited absentmindedly under the lush green leaves of a plane tree, checking her phone from time to time, only to be disappointed each time. She sent another message, waiting for the outcome, repeating the cycle.

But there was still no response after a long while, so she decided to go find Rong Qingyao immediately.

She texted the driver, saying she was going to browse a comic book store, only to receive a reply from her grandfather telling her to behave and not cause trouble.

She felt like hunted prey restless, irritable, covered in dust and grime.

That day at Professor Wang’s house for dinner, she had overheard Professor Wang talking to Rong Qingyao, saying it was too exhausting for her to take on internships, tutoring jobs, and even a part-time job at a milk tea shop.

It seemed Rong Qingyao’s part-time milk tea shop was somewhere near S University. After getting out of the car, Luo Mijin began searching street by street.

About ten minutes later, she finally spotted Rong Qingyao in a green-and-white decorated milk tea shop, wearing a JK uniform black blazer, white shirt, and a red-and-white checkered tie.

Her heart finally settled. Luo Mijin’s eyes were half-hidden beneath her thick hair as she stood across the street, waiting for Rong Qingyao to finish work.

By ten o’clock, the bubble tea shop was finally closing. Luo Mijin hurried across the street when she suddenly spotted a group of people around their age surrounding Rong Qingyao as she exited the shop.

“Now that you’re a college student, you think you’re something special, huh?”

“Too good to keep in touch with your childhood friends? How could you be so ungrateful and heartless?”

“Tsk tsk, have you even paid off your mom’s debts yet? How much can you possibly earn working at a bubble tea shop?”

Luo Mijin quickened her pace and, just as they reached out to grab Rong Qingyao, kicked one of them hard.

The leading pair, a guy and a girl were sent stumbling back two meters from the force of the blow, instantly furious.

“Who the hell are you, daring to hit me? You’ve got a death wish!”

Luo Mijin stepped in front of Rong Qingyao, her neatly combed silver hair now tousled by the wind. Before the group could react, she lunged forward and knocked the others down with more kicks.

“This bitch has lost her mind! Get her!” The two leaders finally snapped out of their shock and urged the others to swarm her.

Luo Mijin focused her blows on the ringleaders, ignoring the punches raining down on her. Before long, she was knocked to the ground, blood with a metallic tang dripping from her nose.

“This bitch can’t take us, keep hitting her!” The leader, now bruised and battered, was about to charge when a sudden splash of cold water drenched them, eliciting a sharp scream.

Rong Qingyao had somehow found a hose and was spraying them down, forcing the group to flee in disarray. Seizing the moment, she pulled Luo Mijin up, and the two sprinted toward the street corner.

The pursuers tried to follow, only for Rong Qingyao to fling a handful of sand at them, leaving them clutching their eyes and wailing on the ground.

Rong Qingyao’s hand was warm and soft as she pulled Luo Mijin along. Though it was night, it felt as if they were running through sunlight the boundary between light and darkness descending upon them like a grand escape toward the sun.

Every time the darkness threatened to catch up, Rong Qingyao seemed to wield the power to dispel it, keeping their flight alive.

It was as if, from this moment on, it was destined, Rong Qingyao would lead her through time, breaking free from the chains of fate.

They hid behind a bookshelf in a bookstore, watching as their pursuers stomped around outside, furious and helpless.

Luo Mijin couldn’t help but laugh, only to wince when the movement tugged at the cut on her lip.

Rong Qingyao gently embraced her, her expression somber. “Don’t do something so dangerous again.”

“But I couldn’t just leave you.” Luo Mijing’s voice was stubborn, her heartbeat thudding like the erratic pulse of a feverish patient.

“Even for me, don’t take such risks.”

Luo Mijin felt a pang of defiance and petulantly replied, “I won’t listen.”

“Listen to me.” Rong Qingyao’s ink-black hair had come loose from their sprint, making the woman who had just been so formidable suddenly seem fragile and alone. “Those people grew up with me. My mom owes their parents a lot of money.”

“You just want to push me away again, like you did at the start.” The moment the words, spiteful and presumptuous left her mouth, Luo Mijin regretted them. But she didn’t know how to take them back, leaving her stammering in silence.

No one responded for a long time, and Luo Mijin couldn’t tell whether she had guessed Rong Qingyao’s thoughts correctly or had somehow angered the woman.

A deep-seated fear from years past drove her to speak anxiously, but all she could manage was an apology empty, hollow explanations.

“Senior, please don’t be angry… I didn’t mean to.”

The night breeze brushed through her long, soft, raven-black hair. The woman’s expression was gentle yet firm, her lips moist and tender, as if stained by rose nectar.

“Good girl, I’m not angry,” Rong Qingyao murmured, caressing Luo Mijin’s face as she checked the injuries on her body.

“I’m sorry…” Luo Mijin lowered her head, her heart uneasy.

“No, what I mean is, I’ll handle this,” Rong Qingyao said, carefully holding Luo Mijin’s hand before letting go, as if afraid she might shatter a priceless treasure. “You don’t have to come to me. I’ll come to you.”

“You’ll come to me?”

Rong Qingyao smiled faintly. “Yes, I’ll come to you. No matter how long it takes.”

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