A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 39.2

If she hadn’t said it, her confidence would waver.

Yet now, none of that was necessary. She already had a beautiful experience that surpassed all sentimental confessions and passionate declarations.

She only needed that moment.

But Rong Qingyao had given her far more than she could have imagined or asked for.

Luo Mijin felt truly happy today not only could she kiss the person she loved, but she could also hear her confession.

She must have become the happiest person in the world.

“But since I’ve made my decision, I’ll never let go. You should prepare yourself,” Rong Qingyao suppressed the trembling in her voice, nearly hoarse, her rain-drenched face pale, lips a morbid crimson. “I’ll never leave you.”

Nor would she allow you to retreat.

She didn’t say the latter part, afraid it might frighten Luo Mijing.

“Okay,” Luo Mijin smiled, her light-colored eyes clear and bright. She couldn’t be sure, but Rong Qingyao was the freedom she had chosen.

The most intense cry from the depths of her soul, stripped of society’s gaze her one and only destiny.

The steadily worsening rain blurred vision and clouded minds. Luo Mijin mustered the courage to embrace Rong Qingyao, a hug free of desire, devoid of flattery, not even offered in gratitude.

Simply the purest gift of her love.

They finally returned to their dormitory in the late afternoon, nearing evening.

Although they had missed the morning activity of casually touring the company, Rong Qingyao offered a lighthearted apology, explaining they had visited relatives living in Yuncheng and thus couldn’t attend.

Perhaps because they were good students, the teacher didn’t press the obvious lie, only reminding them that the formal internship would begin the next day and they mustn’t be late they needed to make a good impression.

So, Luo Mijin and Rong Qingyao arrived punctually at seven to meet with Luo Zhiwen, who was already on summer vacation.

Yes, Luo Zhiwen knew the two of them were coming to Yuncheng for their internship and had flown over from L City around the same time.

The restaurant for dinner was also chosen by Luo Zhiwen, located in the old district of Yuncheng, less bustling, with ivy-covered buildings and museums displaying artworks.

They had agreed to meet at seven. As Luo Mijin and Rong Qingyao stepped into the quiet street, old-fashioned iron street lamps flickered on one by one, illuminating the pavement under the night sky like a dream.

After glancing around and confirming few people were passing by, Luo Mijin boldly took Rong Qingyao’s hand.

This time, she held it as a girlfriend, she thought.

At around 6:25, they arrived at the restaurant named “Ultima Forsan.” The name was said to be Latin, meaning “Perhaps this is the final hour.”

A strangely fitting coincidence.

Luo Zhiwen had reserved a table on the restaurant’s third-floor terrace, even going so far as to clear the area.

She wore a simple blue T-shirt and denim shorts, lounging on a cigar chair, idly scrolling through her phone.

The moment she saw Luo Mijing, her indifferent expression shifted into something happy yet complicated.

“Mijing, you’ve grown taller.”

Those were her first words.

Then, Luo Zhiwen politely turned to Rong Qingyao, offering a smile as sincere as Luo Mijing’s. “Hello, you must be the senior Mijin often mentions.”

“Mm, hello. You can just call me Rong Qingyao.”

“Sure! I’m Luo Zhiwen, Luo Mijing’s sister, but I prefer calling her by her name.” She winked at Luo Mijing, laughing when the latter remained as docile as ever. “She hasn’t changed much.”

After staring at their intertwined hands for two seconds, she thought to herself her sister had really come a long way, making friends on her own. No, perhaps even a girlfriend?

Once seated, the waiter promptly brought menus. “Tonight’s ingredients are exceptionally fresh, especially the chef’s special, all premium quality.”

“Then, three chef’s specials?” Luo Zhiwen glanced at the two across from her. “Is that alright?”

Tonight wasn’t really about the food, so it didn’t matter what they ate, it wouldn’t be bad either way.

“Zhiwen, Grandpa said your exam results this semester were great, but have you been skipping meals? You seem so short.”

Luo Mijing’s first remark was startling. Luo Zhiwen immediately feigned anger, lunging to tug at her hair.

“Oh, so you’re tall and proud now, huh? I’m still young, I’ll grow taller, just wait till I surpass you!”

Luo Mijing, in contrast, remained utterly unfazed, letting Luo Zhiwen vent her frustration.

“That’s good then. You need to grow taller, or a gust of wind might blow you away.” Luo Mijin took out a handmade bookmark and dried sunflower from her backpack. “This is for you, it’s from the sunflower we planted before.”

“It’s so pretty, thank you, Mijing. But aren’t you going to properly introduce me to your lovely senior?” Luo Zhiwen gave Luo Mijin a meaningful look, urging her to explain her relationship with Rong Qingyao.

“Why are you, a little kid, asking so many questions?”

“Don’t think I can’t tell there’s something going on between you two. My sharp eyes can see right through it, you’re together, aren’t you?”

Rong Qingyao and Luo Mijin exchanged a glance, then nodded slightly.

“Mijing, you’re not even as brave as your senior here.”

Luo Mijing: “…”

“Senior, where are you going?” Rong Qingyao suddenly stood up gracefully, prompting Luo Mijin to ask immediately.

“I want to go look at the ocean view over there,” Rong Qingyao pointed to the wooden railing at the other end. “I’ll just watch for a while and come back.”

These two sisters haven’t seen each other for so long, they must have a lot to talk about. It’s better to leave them some space alone.

“But the view is just as good here,” Luo Mijin muttered under her breath.

Rong Qingyao bent slightly and placed her hand on Luo Mijing’s to reassure her. “I’ll be back soon. Be good.”

The woman’s tall, slender figure seemed almost unreal under the dazzling night lights, with faint moonlight casting a halo around her graceful silhouette.

“Geez, are you still a baby that hasn’t been weaned? Can’t bear to be apart for even a minute?” Luo Zhiwen looked at Luo Mijing’s expression and deliberately exclaimed in a mocking tone.

“We’re dating now, of course I can’t bear to be apart from her,” Luo Mijin declared boldly and without shame.

“You… you’re really thick-skinned now. How long have you been together?”

“We just started dating today.”

Hearing this, Luo Zhiwen nearly spat out her lemon tea. “You told me about her months ago, and it took you this long to finally get together? You’re really something.”

“It’s not that bad. It wasn’t too long.”

“Alright, I won’t grill you anymore. Mijing, here this is for you.” Luo Zhiwen took out a red knotted cord from her pocket, still warm from her body heat. The cord looked slightly worn, with densely carved scriptures that exuded a sense of peace and tranquility.

“What’s this for?” Luo Mijing’s gaze at her sister was unusually tender in the night.

“It’s a protective charm given to me by a venerable monk. I’ve carried it with me for years.”

“Then you should keep it. Don’t give it to me. I’m fine here at home, you’re the one who needs all the… divine protection out there alone.” Unsure if that was the right way to put it, Luo Mijin couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

“Silly. I don’t know what Senior Rong Qingyao sees in you,” Luo Zhiwen feigned disdain but placed the cord directly into Luo Mijing’s palm. “I got this from a temple master that year. It helped me find you, and it’s protected me all these years. Now I want to give it to you, so it can keep you safe and healthy.”

“But I really don’t need it. I just want you to come back safely and stay with me forever.”

“I will be safe,” Luo Zhiwen said with a youthful face but a caring tone. “You’ve grown up now, and you’ll face more unknowns than ever. Life will be much harder than when you were little. Remember what I always told you?”

“You’ll always support me.”

“Right. I’ll always support you.” Luo Zhiwen smiled and glanced at the elegant woman standing by the ocean. “And now, so will she.”

A faint blush spread across Luo Mijing’s cheeks. “Mm.”

After a pause, she asked again:

“Zhiwen, how are your eyes? Have you gone for a follow-up at the hospital?”

“They’re much better. Just a little blurry sometimes.”

Luo Mijin gently touched the scar by her sister’s eye. In her mind flashed the memory of her father’s slap for skipping school and then Luo Zhiwen rushing to her side.

“Mijing, we agreed to forget those unpleasant things and move forward together,” Luo Zhiwen hinted meaningfully. “You have a new life now, so try to be more positive and cheerful. Go call your senior back, and let’s have dinner together.”

“Okay.”

**

On the way back from the restaurant, the endless sea stretched before them, where the faint glow of a lighthouse danced and flickered across the undulating waves. The pale silver mist it illuminated seemed to soothe the waning moon.

After dinner, Luo Zhiwen parted ways with the two of them, saying she was going to stay at her elementary school friend’s house, someone she hadn’t seen in a long time but was still incredibly close with.

“Watching fireworks in this deserted park would be so beautiful,” Luo Mijin remarked, clearly in high spirits after seeing her sister and talking more than usual. “Buying the top floor in the city center and overlooking the night view would be lonely yet stunning. The best part is, living here means we could often drive to see the Aurora.”

“You want to live here?” Rong Qingyao asked softly.

“I’m not sure, actually. I also want to go to L City so I can see Zhiwen every day.”

“Sigh, I don’t even know if my savings are enough, Grandpa has most of it locked away. Senior, I earn a ton from competitions, but sometimes people recognize me on the street, and it’s really annoying,” Luo Mijin continued with childlike frustration. “I wish I could wear a full head covering with only my eyes and nose exposed when playing chess.”

“Wouldn’t that make you look more like a terrorist?” Rong Qingyao seriously imagined the scene Luo Mijin described and found the absurdity in it.

“Haha, I guess so.”

Watching Luo Mijing’s joyful demeanor, Rong Qingyao realized she felt happier too.

Before, she had wanted to earn more money, accumulate wealth, influence, and fame just to escape the impoverished and difficult life she had known, to leave behind the backward, isolated mountain village, to rise above poverty and reach the pinnacle of success for a better life.

But what was a better life to her?

She had no concept or concrete vision until she met Luo Mijing.

Now, she had a brighter hope, one that didn’t rely on climbing upward to fulfill some hollow idealism but instead freed her from financial worries, allowing her to take Luo Mijin anywhere she wanted to go.

And to have a shared home in that place.

Perhaps she didn’t need endless wealth or limitless fame and status. Maybe all she needed was the freedom to watch the Aurora with Luo Mijin whenever they pleased.

By the time they returned to the dorm, it was already past ten. Rong Qingyao let Luo Mijin shower first while she sat on the sofa, sorting through freshly cleaned ties.

A knock sounded at the door again. When she opened it, she saw the classmate who had been discussing chess with Luo Mijin earlier.

“Senior Rong, I’m here to see Mijing. Is she in?”

“No, she’s busy. What do you need? I can pass it along for you.” Rong Qingyao’s profile was half-hidden in the shadows of the entryway light, making her expression unreadable.

“I found the digital version of the chess manual Mijin mentioned online. I was hoping she could come to my room and teach me.”

“I see,” Rong Qingyao nodded. “I’ll let Luo Mijin know for you.”

“Thank you, Senior Rong.”

“Don’t mention it.”

In the bathroom, Luo Mijin had just slipped on a white top when Rong Qingyao suddenly barged in, her expression icy, gripping a tie in her hand.

“Senior, what’s going on?”

The next second, the woman hooked her arm around Luo Mijing’s neck, pulling her close until there was barely any space between them.

“Your dear classmate wants you to spend the night in her room,” Rong Qingyao deliberately emphasized the words “spend the night.”

“What dear classmate?” Luo Mijin was dazed, her mind completely ensnared by the woman.

In this unavoidable game of desire, Rong Qingyao no longer pretended to be composed and indifferent. Instead, she chose to let the other see her raw fear and anxiety, as well as a love more turbulent than the pouring rain.

She yearned for chaos, madness, extremity, and obscurity.

Taking advantage of Luo Mijing’s distraction, she lightly tied a black ribbon around the other’s wrist and asked in a coquettish voice:

“Tell me, besides wanting you to teach her chess, what else does she want?”

“Does she want this?” She rose on her toes and bit Luo Mijing’s lip.

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