A Time-Limited Romance with Movie Queen Ex - Chapter 61.2

“Where’s Qingyao?”

Luo Mijin lowered her voice. “Still asleep. She was exhausted yesterday.”

Bai Jinhuai didn’t question it and hung up.

Half an hour later, on the traditional Chinese canopy bed, the woman lay half-asleep, curled into a small ball nestled in layers of soft blankets, pressed against another’s embrace.

Her slender calves and rounded thighs peeked out from beneath the covers, the fair, delicate skin marred with scattered red marks, glaringly vivid.

“Luo Mijin, it’s so noisy,” the woman murmured, her voice lazy and soft, still drowsy but dripping with allure.

“Yeah, Bai Jinhuai’s here. She’s downstairs. She texted saying she went to a really good restaurant near our school yesterday and learned how to cook. She wants to show off her skills for us.”

“What time is it now?”

“11:45.”

Bai Jinhuai bustled around the living room, turning just in time to see Rong Qingyao and Luo Mijin leisurely descending the stairs.

“Jinhuai, good morning.”

“Morning? It’s practically noon! Qingyao, why have you two been sleeping in so much lately?” Bai Jinhuai held up breakfast she’d bought from a few old shops. “Come try these traditional Chinese breakfast dishes they’re delicious! And this stir-fried minced beef is my own recipe. Honestly, I don’t even want to leave. I might just settle down here.”

She laid out all the purchased tofu pudding, soy milk, fried dough sticks, shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, and sticky rice chicken on the table. Noticing Rong Qingyao walking slowly, she couldn’t help but ask another question.

“Qingyao, what’s wrong? Did you hurt your leg? You’re walking strangely. We’re supposed to visit S University this afternoon, and weren’t you invited to give a speech at the Finance Department?”

Being called out by her friend in public, Rong Qingyao pinched Luo Mijin’s waist hard while maintaining a faint smile. “Yes, I accidentally bumped into someone.”

Bai Jinhuai didn’t think much of it and only earnestly advised, “You should be careful. There are so many careless people around these days.”

Pulling Luo Mijin to sit beside her, Rong Qingyao curled her red lips into a charming smile. “That’s right, careless and heartless.”

Luo Mijin didn’t get flustered by the teasing. She simply poured soy milk for Rong Qingyao, tested the temperature before handing it over, and was then fed a shrimp dumpling by Rong Qingyao.

“Is it good?” the woman habitually asked.

“Tastes about the same as before,” Luo Mijin gave an honest evaluation. “Though the shrimp seems smaller than before.”

“Then next time we’ll make it ourselves and buy bigger shrimp.”

“Can you two tone it down a bit? Don’t be so oblivious. I’m still single here save the PDA for appropriate occasions.”

During the break after breakfast while Rong Qingyao was in a work meeting on the other side of the living room, Bai Jinhuai took her first quiet moment to observe Luo Mijin up close.

Silver hair, light-colored irises, a narrow and high nose bridge there was a hint of mixed heritage. But when beside Rong Qingyao, she hardly ever looked at anyone else, appearing almost overly obedient.

“You seem to take good care of Qingyao. Before, because of her injury, she could hardly sleep and had to rely on sleeping pills or alcohol. But recently she’s been sleeping soundly with little medication.”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been giving her massages at night.”

Luo Mijin answered somewhat guiltily. While she had indeed been massaging Rong Qingyao’s head earlier and even learned some techniques, lately Rong Qingyao had mostly been crying herself to sleep from exhaustion.

What better way to promote sleep than exercise?

“By the way, are you still in touch with that Wei Xiashuang?”

“Not for now. She told me to contact the studio’s composers directly.”

“You have no idea after failing to pursue you, she tried turning her attention to Qing.”

Bai Jinhuai’s words were cut off by the sound of Rong Qingyao setting down her teacup. From afar, she received a sharp glare and a text message.

[Rong Qingyao: Don’t say unnecessary things.]

If Luo Mijin found out and got jealous, how could she handle it?

[Bai Jinhuai: What’s the big deal? You don’t like Wei Xiashuang anyway. When I found out she started pursuing you instead, I couldn’t stop laughing.]

[Rong Qingyao: Don’t you dare say it!]

[Bai Jinhuai: Fine, fine, I surrender. I promise to keep my mouth shut and not bother your sweetheart.]

Thus, Bai Jinhuai smoothly changed the subject. “How’s your sister doing?”

“She called me this morning to say they’ve found a matching heart donor. All her physical indicators are good, and the hospital doctors scheduled the surgery for next Saturday after discussions.”

“When are you and Qingyao heading back?”

Luo Mijin glanced back at Rong Qingyao and smiled slightly. “We’re flying back tomorrow.”

The woman closed her laptop and adjusted her glasses. “We’ll return to settle down in the country once Zhiwen’s condition has completely stabilized. It should take about a year or so.”

**

S University had gone to great lengths to invite Rong Qingyao back for a lecture. Every detail was meticulously arranged, and considering her current circumstances, additional security personnel were specially hired to prevent any unforeseen incidents.

Even their vehicle was directed to enter through a more secluded campus gate, with several guards stationed there.

“I’m giving a speech at the department today and will probably run into many familiar faces my classmates, your classmates,” the woman turned to look at Luo Mijin before getting out of the car, her eyes reflecting the streetlights outside the opposite window.

Knowing Rong Qingyao was worried she might not want to see people, Luo Mijin hesitated for several breaths before pursing her lips and saying, “But I want to watch you.”

Rong Qingyao chuckled softly, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Luo Mijin’s ear. “It’s not like you’ve never seen me give a speech before. It won’t take long just an hour.”

“But…”

“Be good. There really will be a lot of people, and many might recognize you,” the woman’s porcelain-white fingertips trailed from Luo Mijin’s lips down to her throat, lingering there with a gentle caress. “You can stroll around campus alone, take photos of the familiar spots, and show them to me tonight.”

Bai Jinhuai, sitting in the passenger seat, shivered at the exchange. She really couldn’t get used to Rong Qingyao being this tender, she was so accustomed to her usual icy demeanor that this softer side was hard to adjust to.

She’d bet anything that if their other friends ever witnessed Rong Qingyao patiently coaxing someone like this, their jaws would drop in shock.

“An hour is still too long.”

“If you behave, we’ll buy joint tickets to the amusement park when we get back, one pass for all the rides.”

Bai Jinhuai couldn’t help but glance back at the two in the rear seat, imagining the scandalous headlines if paparazzi caught the award-winning actress indulging in childish antics just to humor her lover. Was it really necessary to go this far just to placate someone…?

Then again, Rong Qingyao had already called off her engagement for Luo Mijin. What bigger storm could there possibly be?

Seeing Rong Qingyao’s gentle, attentive expression so vividly displayed, Luo Mijin could only obediently relent. “Then I’ll wait for you at the entrance in an hour. Which building is the speech in?”

“The same one where you attended the freshman welcome ceremony when you first started here.”

“What a coincidence,” Luo Mijin murmured, a note of quiet delight in her voice.

Rong Qingyao’s delicate features softened with warmth, her long hair loosely gathered with a shark clip lending her an elegant, carefree air. Her narrow, upturned eyes glimmered as she gazed at Luo Mijin with a faint smile.

She adjusted Luo Mijin’s black bucket hat and sunglasses, then handed over the backpack containing the film camera.

“Then, see you later.”

“Mm.”

Luo Mijin watched as Rong Qingyao and Bai Jinhuai walked toward the finance department building, not turning away until they were completely out of sight. She then wandered leisurely through the campus, where light rain had begun to fall amidst the lush greenery.

In the distance, she could see verdant lawns, crimson cobblestone paths, and stately, well-kept buildings grass and stones glistening like scattered crystals.

Slowly, Luo Mijin followed the cobblestone path into a building that exuded an air of solemn orderliness.

A young student sat at a desk, meticulously studying a Go board.

Only then did Luo Mijin realize this must be S University’s Go club perhaps newly established, as she’d never heard of it during her own time here.

The student noticed Luo Mijin and immediately greeted her warmly. “Hello! This is the Go club. I’m the president. Feel free to look around today isn’t an event day.”

“What are these?” Luo Mijin pointed to the plush toys seated at one end of most tables.

“Chess-playing robots. Making them into cute stuffed animals makes them way more appealing, we’ve recruited a lot of members this way over the years.”

“Are all of these robots?”

“Yes, they were donated to our Go club by a senior from the same school. That’s why we have so many otherwise, we wouldn’t have the budget for them.”

Luo Mijin’s heart stirred slightly. “Could you tell me which senior it was?”

The Go club president was very enthusiastic and answered Luo Mijin’s questions readily. “It’s Senior Rong Qingyao, who gave a speech in the finance department today. You must have heard of her, right?”

“Were these robots sent over this year?”

“No, this is the third batch of experimental products. They were delivered early last year. The data algorithms and hardware are already quite mature.”

Luo Mijin fell silent, staring blankly at the various plush toys.

“Um, would you like to try one of these robots?” the Go club president asked, noticing Luo Mijin’s longing gaze. “Do you know how to play Go?”

Luo Mijin hesitated as she looked at the robot covered in a plush outfit. After a long pause, she finally nodded.

It had been seven years since she last touched a Go board.

“Then you can input your information here. It’s very convenient your data is automatically erased after each game, so there’s no need to worry about leaks.”

“Why do I need to input information?”

“Well, after you enter your name and details, the robot will customize a personal battle for you based on big data and modules. The experience is quite good. Whether you win or lose, it will comfort and encourage you.”

“Is it different for everyone?”

“Yes, the more personal information you provide, the richer the customized experience will be.”

As if possessed, Luo Mijin entered her detailed information. She then put on the headphones and began a black-and-white match with the robot in front of her.

Not wanting to fully immerse herself in the game, Luo Mijin chose the simple mode, so the match didn’t last long.

After defeating the robot, she flashed a rare smile. Just as she was about to remove the headphones, she heard a familiar voice.

“Luo Mijin, you beat me.”

“Luo Mijin, thank you for letting the stars be my friend.”

“Luo Mijin, it’s been so long. How have you been?”

Luo Mijin froze instantly. She couldn’t fathom what emotions Rong Qingyao had harbored when she decided to develop this seemingly impractical robot.

Perhaps she would never have a use for such a robot in her lifetime. The woman’s feelings might forever remain unknown to her.

Seeing Luo Mijin suddenly stop playing, her eyes reddening, the club president hurried over to ask, “How was the game, classmate? Isn’t our robot amazing?”

“Yes, it’s amazing. Sorry, I have to go,” Luo Mijin said hastily, removing the headphones. Joy and sorrow intertwined in her chest, making it impossible to tell whether she was happier or sadder.

Only one thing was crystal clear to her: she wanted to see Rong Qingyao immediately, without wasting another second.

“If you liked it, would you like to join our Go club as a member?” The president opened her laptop, preparing to send Luo Mijin a formal email. “Even if you can’t come to campus often, you can still participate in online competitions…”

But when she looked up, Luo Mijin had already pushed open the door and dashed out into the heavy rain.

“Classmate, we have umbrellas in the club! You can use one!”

“No need, thank you,” Luo Mijin waved without turning back as she stepped over the thin rainwater on the ground.

The Finance Department’s conference hall wasn’t far. When Luo Mijin arrived breathless at the entrance, Rong Qingyao’s speech hadn’t yet concluded. Dressed in a black suit with silver-rimmed glasses, she stood tall on the stage with a gentle smile, her sharp gaze commanding the entire room.

Bathed in bright lighting, the elegant woman listened attentively to questions from the audience while maintaining an air of unapproachable detachment.

Suddenly feeling a sense of peace, Luo Mijin stood quietly at the door, watching Rong Qingyao.

“I’ve heard Senior Rong not only thrives in your acting career but also excels in investments and business. You even donated artificial intelligence robots for Go training to our school’s Go club without compensation.”

“So I’m curious does Senior Rong also have an interest in Go? If so, could we exchange contact information for a match?”

“Go is a rather special hobby for me, but I’m quite unskilled,” the woman politely declined the request to exchange contacts.

With that, the lecture concluded successfully. Professors and faculty swarmed around Rong Qingyao for conversation, some fawning with invitations to various networking dinners and gatherings.

But the present Rong Qingyao was no longer who she used to be. At her current standing, the power to accept or reject others now lay entirely in her hands.

“Qingyao, a junior left this note for you,” the host quietly informed her as she approached.

Still surrounded by a bustling crowd of well-wishers on stage, Rong Qingyao instinctively turned toward the conference hall exit.

Just like years ago, Luo Mijin’s rain-drenched face seemed to emit a faint, dreamy glow, her striking silver hair slightly damp like a lighthouse flickering over the sea.

Amidst their locked gaze, the woman lowered her eyes with a smile and unfolded the note.

[Rong Qingyao, please guide me through life’s maze.]

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