A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 56.2

Meanwhile, Luo Mijin took on tutoring jobs and participated in online Go tournaments while studying. Although the prize money wasn’t as much as before, a rough estimate showed it would be enough for their living and tuition abroad after a year.

Days passed in hopeful anticipation, if only things could continue this way.

**

The snow was heavy that day. When Rong Qingyao got up for work, Luo Mijin was still sound asleep under the covers. The night before, she had taught a Go lesson to a child and then participated in an online prize tournament, leaving her too exhausted to even open her eyes.

But sensing Rong Qingyao leaving, Luo Mijin still forced her bleary eyes open and called out softly, “Senior.”

“The snow’s really heavy today. Let me walk you to work.”

“Luo Mijin, why did you wake up? Sleep a little longer,” Rong Qingyao said, wearing a beige scarf, her fair face softened by a gentle smile. “You don’t need to walk me, there’s a bus right outside.”

“No, I want to.”

“Be good. I’ll bring you roasted sweet potatoes when I get back tonight. And don’t come to bring me lunch, I have a work meal today, got it?”

Luo Mijin mumbled under the blankets, still insisting she wanted to see Rong Qingyao at noon, only for the woman to lightly pinch her soft, pale earlobe.

“No.”

“Listen to me. Stay home and rest, you’ve lost two pounds. You need more sleep. I promise I’ll come straight home after work and text you whenever I can.”

Luo Mijin still grumbled, hugging the blankets with a dazed, pitiful expression, her voice soft and whiny. “But I’ll miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you too,” Rong Qingyao murmured, pressing her forehead against Luo Mijin’s. “It’s Friday, I’ll try to finish all my work so we can go to Eve’s concert this weekend.”

“Eve’s concert?” Luo Mijin gasped, her heart skipping a beat as she took in the sight of the woman’s long, cascading hair and tender, enchanting smile. “But their tickets are so expensive. Wouldn’t it be better to buy you something nice to eat instead?”

“I got a big bonus after finishing the last project. Don’t worry about the money.” Rong Qingyao smiled brightly. “We’ll go to the concert this weekend, then come home and watch movies. Next weekend, we’ll go to the beach for sunset.”

“Okay, I’ll sleep well and wait for you,” Luo Mijin said, her eyes shining, her voice sweet and soft.

“I made breakfast for you millet and pumpkin porridge is in the rice cooker. Heat up the steamed buns and milk yourself. Remember how to turn on the stove?”

“Yeah, twist it all the way to the right, then turn off the gas valve after heating.” Luo Mijin sat up again after lying down. “Senior, I want popcorn.”

Rong Qingyao tapped Luo Mijin’s nose. “How about cucumber-flavored chips and strawberry yogurt?”

“Those too.”

“Then I’m off. I’ll stop by the supermarket after work. Wait for me at home.”

“Okay.”

Rong Qingyao picked up her bag and had just reached the stairwell when she turned back with an exasperated look at Luo Mijin, who was sneakily following behind. “Did you really think I wouldn’t notice you tailing me?”

Luo Mijin was only wearing a thick Rilakkuma pajama set, the one Rong Qingyao had bought for her.

“I wanted to walk you to the bus stop.”

Unable to dissuade her, Rong Qingyao stood amid the snow-hazed light and reached out toward Luo Mijin, her voice both resigned and tender. “Alright, come here then.”

Luo Mijin beamed and rushed over to take Rong Qingyao’s hand. The two stepped in sync across the pristine snow.

At this hour, the streets were nearly empty. Even if they stole a kiss, no one would notice.

“Senior, I learned a new recipe the other day. I’ll make it for you tonight.”

“What dish?” Rong Qingyao glanced at the dark circles under Luo Mijin’s eyes and shook her head. “You should get more sleep.”

“I’ll nap later. You’ll find out what it is when you get home tonight.”

Rong Qingyao knew full well that Luo Mijin wouldn’t actually sleep, she’d either study or continue competing in online Go tournaments for prize money. But she didn’t call her out, only admonished gently:

“Don’t push yourself too hard, or I’ll have to spank you.”

“Got it.”

The bus arrived right on schedule. Luo Mijin stood beneath the fluorescent blue sign, waving vigorously as Rong Qingyao boarded, already looking forward to their evening reunion.

The hazy winter light spilled between them, while layered blue peaks loomed in the distance, half-real, half-illusory, a perfect day to stay home wrapped in each other’s warmth.

**

The skyscraper where Rong Qingyao worked stood at the heart of the city’s most decadent district, surrounded by luxury brands and flashing neon signs. Pedestrians in exquisitely tailored coats hurried past.

Every shop window gleamed with irresistible allure, displaying eternally tall, beautiful figures clad in expensive clothes and sparkling jewelry as if such opulence could preserve everlasting glamour and wealth.

When her university professor called asking her to return and verify some graduate school recommendation materials, Rong Qingyao had to request emergency leave from her supervisor. She left work two hours early and rushed to campus.

After finally settling everything, Rong Qingyao noticed the darkening sky and hurried toward the bus stop outside campus, only to be stopped by an elderly man in a traditional Zhongshan suit, leaning on a gold-topped dragon cane from the backseat of a luxury car.

“Rong Qingyao. So you’re the one corrupting my granddaughter with your lesbianism?”

Surrounded by Luo Anbang’s bodyguards, Rong Qingyao remained composed and dignified. “Grandfather Luo, hello.”

The lead bodyguard spoke in a low voice, “Miss Rong, our master requests your presence in the car for a discussion.”

Rong Qingyao checked the time and replied coolly, “Fine, but I don’t have long. Let’s make this quick.”

The bodyguards frowned imperceptibly. How dare this wet-behind-the-ears student speak to their master with such audacity? Even prominent figures in business and politics trembled in his presence.

Once Rong Qingyao took her seat in the back, the bodyguards shut the door and stood sentry like temple guardians.

She didn’t speak first, sitting upright with tranquil composure.

“So, you’re the one seducing that useless girl of mine?”

“I’m Rong Qingyao. Luo Mijin and I simply fell in love.”

“In love,” Luo Anbang’s face twitched, as if he had heard something utterly disgusting. “She’s been living with you all these months, carefree and happy.”

Rong Qingyao knew Luo Anbang had already uncovered everything. Hiding or retreating would be futile.

“We were just trying to live our lives.”

“My granddaughter Luo Mijin is about to marry someone else. This is your compensation. Take the money and leave her immediately. Stop ruining my granddaughter’s life.”

Rong Qingyao didn’t even glance at the stack of cash, smiling faintly. “Mr. Luo, Luo Mijin won’t be marrying anyone else.”

Luo Anbang placed the money beside Rong Qingyao and courteously raised the stakes. “I know what you want. Name your price. Believe me, whatever you desire or can imagine, I can provide. Just agree to let my granddaughter return for her marriage.”

“Perhaps Mr. Luo has heard the saying: ‘A poor man does not accept food offered with contempt,'” Rong Qingyao replied calmly. “Moreover, I believe that through my own abilities, there’s nothing I cannot obtain.”

“Your confidence is laughable,” Luo Anbang chuckled, as if mocking an ant overestimating its strength. “It seems you don’t understand our rules.”

“What rules? I’d like to hear them,” Rong Qingyao responded with an equally composed smile.

“Mijin’s relationship with you this romance, her kindness toward you, living together, it’s just childish play. She’ll wake up eventually and return to her rightful social stratum. Associating with your kind is merely a life experience for her.”

“That’s merely your conclusion about your granddaughter. With all due respect, you understand less than one percent of who Luo Mijin truly is.”

“Let me show you the wise path.”

“I’m all ears.”

“Actually, I’d like to ask for your help,” Luo Anbang said, slightly lowering his arrogant and disdainful demeanor. “I hope you’ll agree to this request from an old man worried about his granddaughter.”

Rong Qingyao recognized this as Luo Anbang’s ultimatum.

“Please go on.”

Luo Anbang felt distinctly uncomfortable. This young woman was far too mature and steady, her core unshakable, as if nothing could disrupt her tranquility.

“Tell my granddaughter you never loved her that it was all a game, that you only wanted her money, anything but genuine love. Make her give up on you, make her normal again. Surely you won’t refuse such a simple favor?”

“She isn’t abnormal or normal. She’s simply herself.”

“Tch. So young, yet so brazen.”

Luo Anbang finally saw it this young student before him possessed an exceptionally clear sense of self, unwavering conviction, and couldn’t be controlled by anything. She seemed completely immune to the allure of power and money.

Before meeting Rong Qingyao, he’d thoroughly investigated this poor student’s background: a tragic upbringing, practically an orphan, who clawed her way into a top university through sheer effort, studying relentlessly, earning money to pay debts, struggling upward step by step.

Such people were proud, intelligent, resilient, ambitious, thoroughgoing utilitarians, desperately craving power and prestige. By all accounts, she was heaven’s favored daughter.

But in his eyes, she was still insignificant.

Perhaps this pauper student simply wanted more. Her resistance was merely because the threats and offers weren’t substantial enough.

“Your demand is unreasonable to me. I must decline.”

“If your father knew what you’re doing, I’m certain he wouldn’t approve either. What parent would allow their child to commit such unnatural acts?”

“I lost my father long ago.”

Luo Anbang smiled. “You’re very principled and confident, thinking you can take on the world with just your passion and courage? The result will only be refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, losing even more miserably. I believe you’ll regret it deeply in a few years.”

“Perhaps you can come back in a few years to witness it then.”

“If either you or Mijin were a boy, I would have wholeheartedly supported your union. With your talent and ability, I could have made you rise to a high position rapidly and soar rapidly,” Luo Anbang scoffed, shaking his head. “But what a pity. What a pity.”

“Mr. Luo, Mijin and I are who we are. There’s nothing pitiable about it,” Rong Qingyao sighed softly. “What I find truly regrettable is your inability to reconcile with your own identity, treating gender as both shackles and glory.”

Luo Anbang neither agreed nor disagreed, merely offering a cold sneer. “Isn’t it a pity for a perfectly good girl to contract this disease of homosexuality?”

“Mr. Luo, forgive my bluntness, but though you are highly respected, your understanding is limited and mistaken. Homosexuality is not a disease.”

The girl’s eyes shone with unwavering determination. Even when cornered by an elder, she maintained her composure and clarity of speech.

Luo Anbang even had the sense that this girl didn’t care in the slightest whether homosexuality was a disease or not. Dressed in cheap, worn clothes, having lived a life of poverty in her early years, she remained unyielding, unbound by any constraints, not even disciplined by society.

“Let me reiterate, tell my granddaughter you don’t love her, that you never have, that everything was just your greed, an attempt to exploit her for personal gain. Otherwise…” A glint of coldness flashed in Luo Anbang’s eyes. “Otherwise, the university and companies you admire will shut their doors to you, no matter how outstanding your grades and abilities may be.”

“I always keep my word. You’ve toiled for over a decade, hoping one day to rise above others. Whether all that effort vanishes overnight, ending in failure, depends entirely on your choice now.”

“You’re asking me to choose between my future and love? Or rather, you want me to become a betrayer?” Rong Qingyao remained perfectly composed, showing no trace of panic.

“Even if you choose love, you won’t get it, I guarantee that.” Luo Anbang, well-versed in negotiation tactics, wielded both carrot and stick. “If you give up on my granddaughter, I can offer you generous opportunities after your postgraduate studies. I can even arrange for you to work at the Central Bank or a securities company.”

“You can take another day to consider. I’ll give you ample time.”

Watching Rong Qingyao sink into thought, Luo Anbang inwardly smirked, convinced his assumptions were correct. This girl was just as vulgar as the rest everyone could be bought, whether their ideals or their love.

If they couldn’t, it was only because the price wasn’t high enough to sway them.

With lifelong dreams and enormous wealth and power within reach, what reason did this girl have to refuse?

Besides, the consequences of refusal were severe.

A faint smile played on Luo Anbang’s lips as he emphasized once more, his negotiation skills honed to perfection:

“A future of brilliance and glory, or a lifetime of unfulfilled potential take another day to weigh your options carefully.”

“No need. There’s no need for such trouble,” Rong Qingyao replied, as if she hadn’t been pondering at all, her gaze instead admiring the snowscape outside the window. “I can give you my answer right now.”

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