A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 41.2

“Wait, why did one sister stay in China for university while the other went abroad in middle school? Is this unfair treatment?”

It was Rong Qingyao’s well-informed roommate who answered the question. Looking around cautiously, she pulled the group aside and cleared her throat:

“Remember Madam Cen who came for the cultural performance last time?”

Everyone shook their heads, showing no recollection.

“When I went to the advisor’s office once, I overheard her on the phone with her husband saying something about the Luo child having ‘that kind of illness.'”

“What kind of illness?”

“I don’t know the details Madam Cen didn’t elaborate. But I suspect it’s because of this condition that the eldest Luo daughter has such a strange reputation.”

As this gossip spread, the listeners reacted with varied expressions before dispersing in small groups, whispering among themselves.

Luo Mijin waited until the teacher in charge had disembarked before approaching to explain the situation.

“Teacher, my younger sister came to see me off. I’d like to talk with her for a while, I’ll return soon.”

The teacher, having heard about the Luo family’s circumstances and appreciating Luo Mijin’s politeness in asking permission in advance, generously agreed.

“Don’t take too long, student. We can’t miss the boarding time.”

“Understood. Thank you, teacher.”

With permission granted, Luo Mijin ignored the murmurs of her classmates and dashed straight to Luo Zhiwen.

“Slow down so undignified,” Luo Zhiwen teased in a deliberately mature tone despite wearing a Doraemon hairclip, standing on tiptoes to pat Luo Mijin’s head. “Here, flowers I picked specially from the shop though not as nice as the ones we grew together.”

Holding the bouquet, Luo Mijin’s striking, wild features seemed to glow even brighter. “I’ll wait for you to return so we can plant more together.”

“Or you could come to L-city to find me?” Luo Zhiwen raised an eyebrow.

At this, Luo Mijin instinctively glanced back at Rong Qingyao, who stood out like a crane among the crowd. “I’ll consider it carefully the main challenge is convincing Grandfather.”

“Hmph, the drinker’s heart is not in the cup now that you have a girlfriend, your little sister takes second place.”

Luo Mijin neither confirmed nor denied this, her smile irrepressible. “She won’t come over, we’re keeping our relationship secret. It would be troublesome if classmates saw.”

“Oh-ho, so you’ve learned about the world’s dangers? Concealing things is wise. Your senior seems to have taught you well,” Luo Zhiwen remarked while adjusting Luo Mijin’s crooked hat, privately lamenting how her sister remained so much taller.

“By the way, Mijin, be careful around Grandfather. With all the people watching you daily bodyguards, the housekeeper, maids plus all his connections at school, in business, and politics…”

“Alright, alright, I know. I’ll be careful not to get caught. You take care of yourself too.”

“I’m doing pretty well here. After graduating high school, I’ve decided to enroll in a music college to study composition and lyric writing. Then we can perform songs we’ve written together, you on the drums and me as the lead singer.”

“Will Grandpa agree?”

“By the time I’m choosing my college major, you’ll almost be graduating. That’s when I’ll need you to help convince Grandpa,” Luo Zhiwen blinked playfully at Luo Mijin. “It’s only natural for an older sister to help her younger sister.”

“Now that you have a reliable and beautiful sister looking after you, I feel much more at ease.”

“Mijin, your senior seems really popular. I noticed all the boys in your bus couldn’t take their eyes off her. Where we’re from, a stunning beauty like your senior would have suitors lined up all the way to the ocean floor.”

Hearing this, Luo Mijin pressed her lips together and nodded in deep agreement. “Because Senior Qingyao is truly special. No one could help but like her.”

“You’re hopeless, completely lovestruck,” Luo Zhiwen covered her face, shaking her head and laughing until she nearly doubled over. “But seeing you so happy makes me happy too.”

She still remembered the first six months after bringing Luo Mijin home. Between arranging their parents’ funerals and suppressing media coverage, the entire Luo household was shrouded in gloom. Relatives came by every day sighing and lamenting, and Grandpa wore a perpetual frown, as if Luo Mijin were the root of all misfortune.

After much deliberation, she took Luo Mijin and left home. The two of them wandered for half a year, sleeping in warehouses and eating expired food from convenience stores.

Life was hard, but at least there were no endless reproaches from family. Back then, they’d even considered living that way forever, forming a vagabond band.

In the years since Grandpa sent them abroad to study, she’d constantly worried about how Luo Mijin would cope without her, fearing someone might bully her. But this time, Luo Mijin had pleasantly surprised her.

“Zhiwen, I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to come see us off. I didn’t bring a gift for you,” Rong Qingyao approached gracefully, her cool features softened by a faint smile. “I’ll make it up to you next time.”

“Great! I love Doraemon,” Luo Zhiwen replied without pretense. “Next time we meet, you can get me a figurine.”

Rong Qingyao nodded with a smile.

“Senior, why did you come too? If the others notice, it might cause trouble for you.” Luo Mijin turned to see most of their classmates and teachers had already entered the airport.

“I had to say a proper goodbye to Zhiwen,” Rong Qingyao replied calmly. “I told them I was coming to buy water. They rushed off to the duty-free shops.”

“Rong Qingyao, I’m entrusting my Mijin to you. She’s stubborn, petty, and a bit slow, but if she treats you poorly, remember to call me,” Luo Zhiwen checked the time and cut to the chase. “I can always answer on weekends when I’m not in class.”

“Alright.”

After a reluctant farewell to Luo Zhiwen, they entered the airport to check in. Soon, the boarding announcement came.

Because of that secret, fervent kiss on the bus, even though their seats on the plane were far apart again, Luo Mijin didn’t feel as irritable or impatient as before. Instead, she alternated between savoring the memory and imagining her future with Rong Qingyao.

This unprecedented happiness had spread from Yuncheng to every day since their return.

They texted each other constantly throughout the day, keeping their voice or video calls connected during lunch breaks and evenings while doing their own things studying together, working on English test papers, comparing answers, and explaining problems to each other.

Occasionally, Luo Mijin would sneak out to wait for Rong Qingyao outside her internship company building. They would then go to a newly discovered hidden gem of a restaurant for lunch.

Every time, Luo Mijin would bring seasonal fruits from home neatly sliced and arranged in an exquisite lunch box along with the most beautiful flowers from her garden, all prepared specially for Rong Qingyao.

Most of the time, they would talk about trivial nonsense, circling along the riverbank lined with orange blossoms. Luo Mijin thought this must be disturbing Rong Qingyao’s work and rest, but the usually strict and disciplined Rong Qingyao said she enjoyed it very much if it was something she liked, then it wasn’t a disturbance.

“I want a study with a glass roof, filled with shelves of beautiful comics, a big TV, and anime DVDs.”

“Why?”

“With books, stars, and anime to watch, I feel like I could stay indoors forever. I could also collect lots and lots of postcards with scenic photos from all over the world.”

Most of the time, it was Luo Mijin who did the talking while Rong Qingyao listened. Because their time together was so short, Luo Mijin would occasionally complain a few times before obediently waiting for Rong Qingyao again.

“How about we spend this Saturday at the amusement park?” Rong Qingyao suggested, feeling a pang in her heart seeing Luo Mijin sullen yet forcing herself to act well-behaved.

“But Senior, you still have studies and work. I don’t want to waste your time.”

“It’s fine. I’ll finish everything soon.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

And so, on one of the last days of summer vacation, Rong Qingyao completed the school projects and experiments ahead of schedule, bought Luo Mijin’s favorite honey mustard fried chicken and cola, and arranged to meet at the amusement park entrance.

Since it was the weekend, the park was crowded. They had agreed to meet at 10 a.m., but Rong Qingyao arrived an hour early and decided to go in first to queue.

Most people in line were holding flowers or more expensive gifts, while she stood out conspicuously with junk food in hand.

But Rong Qingyao didn’t care. It wasn’t until the ice-cold cola in her hand warmed to room temperature, then to the same temperature as her palm, that she realized it was long past ten o’clock.

She found it strange,Luo Mijin was always punctual, and even if something unexpected happened, she would notify her immediately.

Just as she was about to call Luo Mijin to ask, she unexpectedly saw Luo Mijin’s name mixed in the messages of their grade group chat.

[So Maze Seventh Level’s background is this bizarre? Who knew she had a disorder, is it contagious?]

[Autism isn’t contagious at all. At worst, she might just freak out. Didn’t you see the report saying Maze Seventh Level indirectly caused her parents’ deaths? What a tragic family scandal.]

[No wonder she barely attended school growing up. She’s not normal at all. I wonder how she feels about killing her own parents, she acts like nothing happened. Creepy.]

[I used to be her fan. Who knew she was mentally ill? Would she suddenly lash out? If she hits or kills someone, would she even be held accountable?]

Rong Qingyao frowned as she read, then sent a message asking what report they were referring to.

Someone immediately shared a Weibo exposé, along with a flood of online mockery and insults from onlookers. The person even “kindly” advised Rong Qingyao not to get too close to Luo Mijin, warning that if anything happened, the Luo family was definitely not to be trifled with.

The report meticulously detailed Luo Mijin’s autism and the incident where her parents had “left her behind” in the mountains years ago.

One version claimed Luo Mijin had wandered off because she was disobedient, while another suggested her parents had intentionally abandoned her in the wilderness. The conflicting accounts became a widely discussed Rashomon-like mystery.

Rong Qingyao immediately called Luo Mijin, but after waiting for a long time with no answer, it wasn’t until half an hour later that she finally received a WeChat message from Luo Mijin.

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: Senior, I’m fine. Tomorrow, I’ll be better tomorrow. You don’t need to worry about me.]

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I ruined our date.]

[Number Two Ranked Nine-tailed Fox: It’s okay. Are you at home? Can I come and stay with you?]

[Number One Ranked Electronic Sheep: I’m sorry, Senior. I should have told you I was sick.]

[Number Two Ranked Nine-tailed Fox: No more apologies. Be good, I’m coming to stay with you.]

Reading the gentle and careful tone in Rong Qingyao’s messages, Luo Mijin curled up in a corner, overwhelmed by guilt and regret.

The barrage of mocking and hateful comments on her phone felt like countless boulders raining down from the sky, threatening to tear her apart, dissect her, and leave her exposed for all to see.

The only solution she could think of was to hide. She wanted to text Rong Qingyao to reassure her, but she found herself increasingly drained of strength.

As the sky gradually darkened, Luo Mijin, sitting motionless in the corner, grew numb from staying in one position. Yet, she thought she heard movement downstairs.

This abandoned bar was usually deserted except for stray cats and dogs unless. Luo Mijin struggled to stand but collapsed onto the floor, her body numb, and could only drag herself with great effort.

“How did you fall?” Rong Qingyao sighed softly, helping Luo Mijin up from where she had fallen on the second floor.

Under the starry sky, the cool, composed woman, her hair damp with dew and dotted with grass, looked like a lone traveler, serene and gentle.

“Senior, you found me,” Luo Mijin murmured dazedly.

“Yes, I found you,” Rong Qingyao smiled. “You can’t escape my Five Finger Mountain.”

Luo Mijin remembered Rong Qingyao saying she wasn’t very good with directions so how had she managed to find her?

She had only brought Rong Qingyao here once before.

Once again, she had only caused trouble for others, becoming a burden.

“Senior, how did you find me? Did you spend the whole day looking?”

“I told you, you can’t escape my Five Finger Mountain,” Rong Qingyao said, unwrapping the fried chicken and cola she had bought and feeding Luo Mijin. “You haven’t eaten all day, have you? Are you hungry? Drink some water first.”

Unsure how to react, Luo Mijin felt like a criminal exposed under a spotlight, her flaws laid bare, with no choice but to accept judgment.

And indeed, she had hidden the truth from the person she loved most, an unforgivable sin.

“Senior, I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner, so you could have had a choice.”

Rong Qingyao poured water for Luo Mijin and handed it to her, chuckling softly. “A choice about what?”

“A choice to be with someone healthier,” Luo Mijin forced back the sting in her nose, reminding herself not to cry, not to use tears as a weapon to soften Rong Qingyao’s heart. “Senior, I was born sick autistic. I couldn’t speak until I was three or four, and I was terrified of people as a child.”

“You told me that. You said you learned to talk from cats and flowers. I thought it was adorable.”

“No, it’s not like that,” Luo Mijin couldn’t understand why, even now, Rong Qingyao was still so accepting, so gentle with her.

Many people avoided her like the plague after learning about her illness. Most of the time, she just sat quietly to the side, like a harmless anomaly.

Yet they all feared this anomaly might suddenly lash out. Everyone seeks advantage and avoids harm so why did Rong Qingyao keep drawing near?

“What’s it like? Can you tell me?”

“My life is an unsolvable riddle, a maze that harms others and myself. I ruined my parents, and even Zhiwen too.

If not for me, she and my parents would have been a happy family of three. Zhiwen wouldn’t have had to go abroad for school at such a young age, and the Luo family would still be bathed in happiness.

Because of me, Zhiwen lost her parents. Because of me, Grandpa lost his son and daughter-in-law. Grandma passed away from grief after their car accident.”

The reports weren’t wrong, I did often cause trouble, giving adults headaches. I wasn’t normal. Over a dozen schools refused to enroll me, and classmates didn’t want to be my friend.

Though the chances of me developing another mental illness or some other condition aren’t high, they aren’t zero.

One day, I might fall ill without warning and hurt even more people.”

“Sometimes I think maybe my parents were trying to come back for me. That in their last moments, they regretted it. That’s why their accident happened on the mountain road.

I don’t blame them. I wasn’t good enough.

Having a child like me must have been hard for them.”

“Senior, no one who gets close to me ends up well.” After delivering this near-final statement, Luo Mijin smiled faintly, like a criminal awaiting judgment.

She wanted to say, Senior, you should stay far away from me too, but greed kept the words trapped in her throat.

Rong Qingyao pulled Luo Mijin into an embrace, gently stroking the girl’s silver hair as it hung limply.

After a long silence, Luo Mijin heard Rong Qingyao whisper:

“Luo Mijin, you can’t drive me away.”

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