A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 59

As soon as the host finished speaking, the audience erupted in shocked screams and endless chatter.

“No way, I thought the whole ‘first love’ thing was just Qingyao making up an excuse to avoid marrying that so-called fiancé of hers.”

“Ahhh, does our goddess actually have someone she genuinely loved? My heart is shattered, help!”

“Damn it, what if this first love treated Qingyao badly?”

“I read an old post from years ago can’t vouch for its accuracy but it said Qingyao had a passionate relationship in college. Apparently, she was the one who got dumped, which is why she closed off her heart and distanced herself from the world…”

“Who in their right mind would dump Qingyao? Were they blind or just stupid? That rumor sounds fake. The version I heard was that Qingyao came from a poor family, and they parted ways amicably after graduation.”

On the screen, Rong Qingyao seemed enveloped in a faint mist, her gaze tenderly directed at Luo Mijin beyond the screen.

It made Luo Mijin inexplicably nervous, and she glanced around anxiously, checking if anyone had noticed her.

Luo Zhiwen playfully patted Luo Mijin’s back and teased with a grin:

“Relax, Mijin. We’re in the TV section of a supermarket right now. Everyone’s staring at your Qingyao-senpai, no one’s gonna guess you’re the ‘hateful first love’ who stole the goddess away.”

She gestured for Luo Mijin to look around. Indeed, the crowd gathered around the TV consisted mostly of young people, their eyes glued to the screen, completely oblivious to the reactions of those nearby.

“Is the host really going to make that call?”

Having barely watched any entertainment TV in years, Luo Mijin’s question sounded a bit naive.

“Of course they are. Shows like this rely on explosive topics and real-time interactions for views,” Luo Zhiwen said, patting Luo Mijin’s shoulder. “Wake up and smell the times, my friend. Don’t act like some relic dug out of the past, the ‘hateful first love’ type.”

“How am I hateful?” Luo Mijin protested after being called that twice in a row.

“Clearly, you’ve never been a fan. Mysterious figures like you, who get the girl, are the worst. People usually draw circles and curse you,” Luo Zhiwen said, pushing the shopping cart leisurely while eyeing the power banks nearby. She mused that she shouldn’t buy one with too much capacity otherwise, Luo Mijin wouldn’t be able to take it on the plane when she returned home.

As someone completely detached from pop culture never having been a fan or even watched much TV, Luo Mijin was still a bit lost.

“Zhiwen, come on. Movies are movies, life is life. They like the Rong Qingyao on screen they wouldn’t project that onto reality, right? It’s like how you love Doraemon, but you don’t actually expect it to come to life.”

Luo Zhiwen picked up a bag of cheese-flavored popcorn from the cart, deciding to swap it for caramel later. The doctor had advised her to eat light and maintain a balanced diet, but if the popcorn was for Luo Mijin, sneaking a few pieces shouldn’t hurt.

She gave Luo Mijin a look of pity, as if staring at a hopeless fool.

“Mijin, my lord, times have changed. You really need to brush up on modern knowledge, or I’ll start feeling embarrassed for Qingyao-jie on your behalf. Do you understand Qingyao-jie’s stature as an actress, a star, a film queen? According to incomplete statistics, she has over ten million living fans. Most of the movies she’s starred in were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, with almost no scandals. The charm of this unattainable flower is limitless.”

“That’s because Xuejie is super outstanding,” Luo Mijin subtly glanced at the elegantly poised woman on the screen and quietly added, “And also the most beautiful in the world.”

“Unfortunately, many people share your opinion,” Luo Zhiwen continued educating Luo Mijin in a lecturing tone. “And among all these infatuated admirers of Rong Qingyao, you stand out as the chosen one. Just think about how much envy you’re attracting.”

“Hmm, should I hide better then?” Luo Mijin scratched his head, his bewildered expression reminding Luo Zhiwen of that lion cat named Mint Candy.

“In a few days, search online for news about Qingyao-jie. Check all platforms forums, Weibo, everywhere. Don’t tell me you’ve never watched Qingyao-jie’s movies?”

“I’ve watched them all. I bought the DVDs,” Luo Mijin answered honestly, his clear eyes sparkling with what Luo Zhiwen perceived as “wisdom and brilliance.”

Luo Zhiwen covered his face in exasperation:

“Are you still living in the last century? DVDs are for collecting and getting signed. You should watch Qingyao-jie’s movies on streaming sites, and remember not to turn off the comments, got it? And check out all the entertainment apps too.”

“Okay, I’ll start watching them as soon as I finish today’s work,” Luo Mijin nodded earnestly, the white tuft of hair on his forehead bobbing along.

At that moment, the TV host repeatedly urged Rong Qingyao to call her “first love” live on air to prove his existence. Downstage, assistant Yan Si had already brought up a phone as per the show’s script.

The show was broadcasting live. By the time Luo Mijin realized this, his phone had been vibrating in his pocket for quite a while.

The moment he pulled it out, the screen displayed “Qingyao Xuejie.” Raising his eyes, Luo Mijin saw Rong Qingyao on TV calmly calling him, while the entire audience held their breath in anticipation.

The host’s eyes gleamed with expectation, even adding fuel to the fire by saying:

“Why hasn’t it been picked up yet? Could something or someone, important be keeping them busy?”

“Z-Zhiwen, I… I need to take this call. I’ll find a quiet spot,” Luo Mijin visibly tensed up and hurried toward the less crowded kitchenware area.

Luo Zhiwen waved him off without even looking. “Go on. I’ll pick out the essentials for your return trip. Hurry up look at you, what kind of mental fortitude is that?”

On the live show, Rong Qingyao’s phone wasn’t on speaker, meaning only she could hear what the other person said. Yet after many rings, no one answered.

The woman waited composedly, her slender fingers lightly tapping the table with an inexplicably cold and striking aura.

Most of the audience members were Rong Qingyao’s die-hard fans who had followed her since her debut, treating her like a treasure cradled in their palms.

Now that Luo Mijin was taking longer to answer the phone, it drew murmurs of discontent from several people.

“How dare that person take so long to answer our goddess’s call? Doesn’t she know Qingyao’s time is precious?”

“Oh no, could our goddess Qingyao be getting scammed? With that first-love filter, it’s so easy to get tricked out of heart, body, and emotions. Please no, wuwu.”

“I don’t see any signs of Qingyao being love-struck. Everyone calm down, it’s just a phone call.”

“Exactly, I’ll always support her choices. Believe me, Qingyao’s taste isn’t that bad.”

“I’ve been saying all along, it must’ve been this first love who dumped our goddess. Look at this attitude answering the phone, it’s just too much.”

With every beep from the phone, Rong Qingyao’s heartbeat slowed a fraction.

They’d only just reconciled two days ago before being forced apart… well, nearly a full day now, or at least six, seven, eight hours.

Though they’d video chatted briefly before the show started, that tormenting, insecure longing never faded instead growing more intense by the minute.

Noticing the restless audience below, Rong Qingyao let her long hair cascade down as she lightly raised a finger to her lips, signaling for quiet.

“Ahhh! Qingyao’s gesture is so alpha, I love it!”

“Awsl, why can’t I be the goddess’s first love?”

“Goddess, could you not be so strict about gender? Look at us sometimes too.”

Just then, the call connected.

Amidst the dazzling array of kitchenware, Luo Mijin clutched her small phone, gaze shifting between a yellow duckling cup and a kitchen knife, repeatedly reminding herself not to be nervous.

First came the noise from the venue, then Rong Qingyao’s light breathing suddenly the world’s absurdity, anxiety, and clamor all faded away.

“What were you doing, taking so long to answer?” The woman’s voice was soft and gentle, pure and beautiful like morning mist.

Carrying just the right amount of coquettish sweetness.

“Senior, I… I’m at the supermarket with Zhiwen, buying snacks and daily necessities. I’ll be home soon after.”

“But you still took forever to answer my call. Were you shopping so intently you almost forgot about me?”

Hearing Rong Qingyao’s sweet, delicate tone firsthand, the audience collectively gasped “Oh my.”

“I’ve never heard her speak to anyone like this. I’ve only seen Qingyao coldly reject people.”

“Me neither. Give back my aloof, restrained queen! My god, the goddess has truly descended to earth,” a fan pretended to wipe tears. “I wasn’t even this heartbroken when she announced her engagement, but this first love seems real. And here I thought it was just for the show.”

Luo Mijin knew she’d taken too long this time and obediently explained:

“Senior, I saw your live show playing in the supermarket, so I was embarrassed to answer.”

“Fine, I’ll let you off this time. Next offense comes with punishment.”

“Okay,” Luo Mijin replied, eyes crinkling with joy. “When are you coming back?”

“I’ll rush back today.”

“Then I’ll come pick you up.”

“Sure.”

As Rong Qingyao hung up, she noticed even the host looked stunned, taking a moment to recover before continuing the show.

However, before the show even ended, Weibo exploded with the trending hashtag #WhatTrueLoveLooksLikeForRongQingyao#, featuring a photo of the woman’s cool profile as she made a phone call, her gaze shifting with an indescribable tenderness amidst her elegant and noble demeanor.

Apart from heartbroken yet supportive fans, the two unexpectedly gained a bizarre following of shippers. Some even went so far as to fabricate elaborate stories about their first love, spreading such exaggerated tales that moved many to tears and instantly inspired them to write fanfiction for catharsis.

After an hour of grocery shopping with Luo Zhiwen, Luo Mijin carried bags of snacks as she accompanied her sister home.

“Just give me the snacks. You can pack the travel supplies yourself,” Luo Zhiwen said, standing in the garden and pointing to her residence. “Dr. Claire is coming this afternoon for my check-up, and I need to take a nap, so I won’t be joining you for lunch.”

On the gravel path through the garden, the surrounding hedges stood softly under the pale sky, while the bright chestnut trunks swayed in the wind, smooth as topaz. Grapevines twisted through the branches overhead.

Luo Mijin hesitated before calling out to her sister, “Don’t eat too many snacks, okay? I’ll be checking every day.”

“Alright, alright, I know. Worry about your own affairs first like getting to know Qingyao-jie better, you wretched first love.”

Luo Mijin: “…”

“Oh, by the way, have you told Qingyao-jie about returning home?”

“Yeah, we texted just before she boarded her flight. Considering your surgery might still be months away, we thought we’d take advantage of these free days to go back for about a week.”

Luo Zhiwen suddenly recalled what Rong Qingyao had said to her a couple of days prior,

“Mijin and I both seem reluctant to bring up past unhappiness, yet we still want to know everything about each other. It’s contradictory.”

She had suggested they return home together for a visit perhaps it really would be a good idea.

“Sounds great. You two should hurry back then. Tidy up the house there and get the pool ready for my winter swim.”

**

At Luo Zhiwen’s insistence, Luo Mijin and Rong Qingyao informed their friends the next day and boarded a flight back home.

As the plane crossed the Bering Strait through the thick night, Luo Mijin removed her sleep mask. Amid the quiet hum of the cabin, she suddenly remembered something she hadn’t done yet.

With the plane cruising steadily, she glanced at the woman still asleep beside her, then carefully took out her tablet, connected to the Wi-Fi, and began cramming all things Rong Qingyao.

Ignorance was bliss, what she found was astonishing.

In one film clip, Rong Qingyao, with crimson lips and cascading black hair that seemed to dance without wind, bit down on a blade. The screen instantly exploded with frenzied comments.

[I hereby declare Rong Qingyao is my wife. Wife, come here, wife, so fragrant.]

[Wife’s signature perfume: top notes of cocoa and rose, base notes of incense so cold yet domineering and alluring. Step on me, wife.]

[Ahhh! At the movie premiere, the goddess blew me a kiss and said she’d love us forever. I unilaterally declare her mine.]

Luo Mijin frowned as she scrolled. Beside her, the woman’s slightly curled hair framed a serene and beautiful sleeping face. In the dim, warm light, it was impossible not to let one’s imagination run wild.

Soon, Luo Mijin averted her gaze and decided to see just how far the internet’s “worship” of Rong Qingyao could go.

Before long, she even came across a poll asking which actor or celebrity people most wanted to date. Rong Qingyao won by a landslide, securing an overwhelming first place.

The comments below were filled with netizens saying:

[My goddess was the academic beauty and campus queen during school days that kind of aloof White Moonlight. Who wouldn’t love her?]

[I once saw Goddess Qingyao up close. She’s so tall and fair-skinned in person, truly the ideal woman.]

[How did you manage to meet Qingyao? She hardly ever attends any variety shows besides movie premieres.]

[We share the same hobby, so I happened to run into her. Jealous? She spoke so gently to me, her eyes sparkling. Sigh, that’s how I fell in love.]

Someone below had attached a clip of Rong Qingyao at a press conference. The woman sat center stage, surrounded by admirers, her every movement graceful and pleasing to the eye. Her slender figure and captivating, narrow-eyed gaze were patient and tender as she watched the person speaking.

Naturally, the comments mentioned how, within a few months, that same speaker had half-jokingly confessed to Rong Qingyao on a show, making quite a scene.

“Luo Mijin, what’s wrong? Are you awake?” Rong Qingyao stirred at Luo Mijin’s near-silent movements, lazily curling her lips in the dim light that belonged only to the two of them, her voice soft and drowsy.

“Nothing,” Luo Mijin glanced at the woman, steadying her emotions. “Go back to sleep for a bit.”

“It’s uncomfortable here. Hold me when we sleep tonight, okay?”

“Hold you to sleep?”

“Mhm, I can’t sleep without it.”

“Alright. There’s something I want to tell you when we get back.”

“What?” The woman half-opened her eyes, her tone languid.

“You’ll find out when we’re back.”

They had just gotten off the plane, and the arrival hall was packed with a sea of fans, all screaming Rong Qingyao’s name at the top of their lungs, waving light boards frantically.

Luo Mijin’s gaze darkened as she kept her head down, following Rong Qingyao through the VIP exit to avoid the crowd. They boarded a private car and headed straight to their newly prepared home, a spacious 300-square-meter flat, just half an hour’s drive from their university, S University.

The surroundings were lush with greenery, the air fresh and the environment tranquil. Indoors, the temperature and humidity were always perfectly regulated, no matter the weather outside.

An hour later, they arrived home. Luo Mijin went straight to change and shower. Once both were clean and refreshed, Rong Qingyao sat on the edge of the bed, frowning slightly, and called out to Luo Mijin.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? You’ve been off since we got on the plane.”

Luo Mijin couldn’t bring herself to admit she was jealous of Rong Qingyao’s fans, it felt unreasonable, but her heart ached with the thought that after seven years, she might no longer be the one who knew Rong Qingyao best.

“Are you upset? Why won’t you tell me? Since when do you sulk like this? Naughty children don’t get.”

Before Rong Qingyao could finish, Luo Mijin wrapped her arms around her waist. The heat from her palms seeped through the thin fabric, instantly melting the woman’s resolve.

“Luo Mijin, it’s still daytime,” Rong Qingyao chided, glancing at the lingering sunlight outside. “If you don’t tell me what’s wrong, you can’t touch me.”

“We’ll talk later,” Luo Mijin murmured, her eyes tinged with faint red, the possessiveness in her gaze peaking in an instant.

She captured the woman’s damp, flushed lips in a kiss gentle yet commanding, drawing the usually aloof and restrained woman deep into its embrace, making her submit willingly to everything.

“Wait until later, what are you?,” Rong Qingyao had never expected Luo Mijin to be so assertive today, completely disregarding her worries and refusing to communicate properly.

How utterly excessive…

Finally seizing an opportunity, she pushed Luo Mijin away, breathing heavily as she demanded,

“Tell me what’s wrong with you right now. Otherwise, you’re sleeping alone in the guest room tonight.”

Luo Mijin’s eyes were glistening, her lips as vivid as petals kissed by morning dew. After a brief hesitation, she obediently confessed like a well-behaved child.

“Zhiwen told me to cram some knowledge about the entertainment industry and what fans say about you.”

For someone as “old-fashioned” as her, the fans’ bold remarks were hard to digest requiring both time and her senior’s… comfort.

“Most actors’ fans talk to them like that. It’s just their way of expressing enthusiasm. You!”

The woman was already overwhelmed by the simplest of kisses. Transparent moisture soaked through the delicate fabric, spreading until it was completely drenched. The trembling there resembled a greedy little mouth yearning for a taste.

“Mmm, but they call you ‘wife’ and keep asking you to marry them…”

“I told you, it’s just their way,” Rong Qingyao secretly laughed at how adorable Luo Mijin was when jealous. But before her amusement could settle, an intense sensation surged over her like a tidal wave.

“I see, it’s just their way,” Luo Mijin murmured, like an eager student relentlessly seeking answers from her teacher, Rong Qingyao.

The woman had no choice but to clutch the high-thread-count sage-green sheets, as the tender pink, like spring cherry blossoms, was savored again and again. The mingling sounds of wetness and ragged breaths were like someone sprinting through a meadow atop rolling waves.

“In that case, why don’t you demonstrate for me, Senior? Show me which ways are appropriate.”

“Demonstrate what?” The woman’s eyes were hazy with desire, shimmering with unshed tears. Her usually cool face, now streaked with tear tracks, looked utterly debauched and vulnerable.

Instead of answering, Luo Mijin got out of bed and circled around, turning on the wall-mounted TV. She then pulled up a clip from a movie premiere on her phone and cast it onto the screen.

In an instant, the small bedroom transformed into the electrifying atmosphere of a premiere event.

“Our next question is for our lead actress, Qingyao. The setting of this film is far removed from reality almost fantastical. How did you immerse yourself in the character’s psyche and get into the role?”

On screen, Rong Qingyao appeared neat and composed, a stark contrast to the woman now with tear-stained cheeks and glistening droplets clinging to her lashes.

The cheers and clamor of fans before she spoke were audible, and the event had even arranged a flower-giving segment, bouquets themed around the movie presented after each answer.

“Senior, relax a little. I can barely move.”

Luo Mijin’s words only deepened Rong Qingyao’s embarrassment. The more she tensed, the more intense it became relaxation was impossible.

Just two guests had filled the space to the brim, the delicate pink ring clinging tightly around Luo Mijin.

The interview on the television continued, now reaching the fan Q&A segment.

A bold fan asked publicly:

“Qingyao, do you have any plans to start dating recently?”

“Not for now,” the woman seated in the center gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her sharp yet cool eyes momentarily unfocused.

“Then could you tell us what your ideal type is? Just to give everyone some reference?”

One could hear the slight hesitation and uncertainty in Rong Qingyao’s reply, though her voice remained gentle.

“I prefer someone slightly younger than me, who loves music and small animals, and enjoys playing games…”

The fans below the stage erupted in excitement, shouting “Me!” and “Me too!” before the host took control of the situation, smoothly changing the subject with a laugh.

In the bedroom, Rong Qingyao found herself frequently enveloped in Luo Mijin’s embrace, like a small boat tossed about in a stormy ocean.

The rediscovered emotions unique to the two of them were so beautiful, so tormenting, so elusive their longing and love trembling with every kiss.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in as autumn’s chill deepened. Rong Qingyao, rubbing her sore lower back, slowly made her way downstairs when she heard a knock at the door.

It was Bai Jinhuai having heard the two were returning to the country, she had insisted on tagging along for fun and had rushed over from her hotel first thing in the morning.

“Goodness, Qingyao, aren’t you usually the most meticulous about cleanliness? How come all these coats and shirts are still strewn upstairs? Doesn’t seem like your usual habit, huh?”

Taking in the mess on the floor, she couldn’t help but voice her confusion without a second thought.

At this, Rong Qingyao immediately felt a pang of guilt. Last night, after their shower, she had planned to watch TV and eat fruit with Luo Mijin, who knew the jealous little one would be so “disobedient”?

As a result, they had started downstairs, leaving no time to clean up the “crime scene.”

“It was Mint Candy. Lately, it’s been obsessed with dragging clothes around won’t listen no matter how much I scold. I’ll have to discipline it properly later.”

“Mint Candy? You brought it back with you this time? Is it adjusting well?” Bai Jinhuai tried to recall their departure hadn’t they left the cat behind?

“Yeah, it’s not adjusting well at all running around, jumping everywhere, dragging clothes all over the place. Keeps taking my things from upstairs downstairs.” Rong Qingyao tapped her fingers anxiously on the table, tightened her collar, and glanced at the maple leaves outside the window.

“Sounds like that kitten needs some training. No shrimp or chicken breast for dinner tonight.” Bai Jinhuai, too, felt Mint Candy had been too mischievous lately and decided against bringing any cat treats or canned food.

Mint Candy, far across the Pacific: “???”

Give a dog a bad name and hang him.

“By the way, I’ve arranged a driver for you and planned the route in advance,” Bai Jinhuai coughed lightly, reminding them. “I’ll tell you now that conversion therapy camp in the mountains was abandoned long ago. Even if you revisit it, you might not find any useful clues to bring those people to justice.”

“I know. But we still need to properly say goodbye to the past,” Rong Qingyao replied calmly, turning to see Luo Mijin, now dressed, coming downstairs. “Ready?”

“Mm, ready,” Luo Mijin greeted Bai Jinhuai obediently before taking Rong Qingyao’s hand, following her out the door like a well-behaved kitten.

Last night had been too much, today, she didn’t dare act out and had to follow Rong Qingyao’s lead completely.

**

“Senior, where are we going today? Not visiting S University?” Luo Mijin couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked Rong Qingyao once they were in the car.

“We’ll go tomorrow. I’ve already arranged it with the school.” Based on the information Luo Zhiwen had provided, Rong Qingyao had planned out today’s itinerary.

It wasn’t until they got out of the car and saw the familiar scenery with the dilapidated tower in the distance that Luo Mijin immediately realized the purpose of their trip.

Rong Qingyao asked the driver to wait for them while she went alone to the entrance of a university and bought two bowls of iced tofu pudding from an elderly woman.

The old woman seemed to recognize Rong Qingyao and even asked how she had been this past year and why she had come so late this time.

“Senior, how do you know the grandma selling iced tofu pudding so well?” Luo Mijin asked softly as she accepted the dessert.

“You get familiar after coming often,” Rong Qingyao said, leading Luo Mijin forward. “I asked around, and a classmate told me you might have transferred schools and were studying here.”

This was a very good school, and the students were all outstanding. Every time Rong Qingyao saw their bright smiles, she wondered if Luo Mijin was smiling just as radiantly.

Year after year, she occasionally came to terms with it, even if she never ran into Luo Mijin, as long as Luo Mijin was happy here, that was enough.

That was why she kept coming back, hoping to see those smiles and imagine Luo Mijin smiling the same way.

She liked to think that she had walked the same paths in this school, admired the same flowers, and gazed at the same moon, as if they had reunited in those moments.

But deep down, she faintly understood that everything she did was childish and futile. The bond between her and Luo Mijin had already been exhausted in every colorful union and painful separation of the past.

“Luo Mijin, after that you never went back to school, did you?”

“No.”

The past was somewhat ironic. Luo Mijin had thought Rong Qingyao was thriving in a top-tier university, basking in the happiness and applause she deserved, while Rong Qingyao had assumed Luo Mijin had found a better life at a new school.

Rong Qingyao turned her gaze toward the lush mountain in the distance, where the ruined black tower stood tall.

That illegal conversion therapy facility had been shut down three years ago by law. She had come here countless times, never imagining that she and Luo Mijin had been so close all along.

All these years apart, the person she loved had not been nurtured by sunlight and love but had withered like a small, lonely plant hiding in the shadows.

Her heart ached.

“Senior, I never planned to marry anyone else. That day, when I said we should break up, it was just to placate my grandfather. I was afraid he would use his connections to pressure you. You know how influential he is destroying someone would be effortless for him.”

Even if Rong Qingyao didn’t say it, Luo Mijin could imagine how difficult those years must have been for her. No amount of present comfort could erase that.

The two sat down on a tree-lined path strewn with maple leaves. After hesitating for a moment, Rong Qingyao finally voiced the question weighing on her heart.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering like stars shaken in a dice cup.

“After you got out,  why didn’t you come find me?”

Luo Mijin lowered her eyes for a long time. “While I was inside, I wrote you a letter. I asked a child to deliver it to you at the university. And then you,  you sent me a postcard in return. I got it.”

“But…” Rong Qingyao’s chest tightened. “I never received your letter.”