After a Contractual Romance with the Scumbag Movie Queen - Chapter 11

The unspoken words between Qi Puzhi and Jiang Tian were mutually understood without being voiced aloud.

Jiang Tian said, “Sister, I wouldn’t dare to rebel, but you can taste me as you please.”

Qi Puzhi’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

According to their agreement, of course she could. But the phrase “taste me as you please” spoken so openly.

And Jiang Tian had said it with such a devout and pure tone.

And she was wearing a long red dress at this moment, like a delicate, blooming rose.

And outside the window was the boundless silence of the night.

As Qi Puzhi’s breath hitched, momentarily speechless, Jiang Tian’s gaze remained fixed on her.

Qi Puzhi was usually adept at using a flirtatious and charming demeanor as her armor, a stance that allowed her to deflect with ease, whether in negotiations or social interactions. It was a sharp but effective form of self-protection.

Yet, this rare display of shyness and innocence was another kind of allure, utterly intoxicating.

Jiang Tian’s eyes darkened, deep as the night, staring straight at her without blinking.

It was somewhat like the look she had given Qi Puzhi during her street dance performance covetous, patiently lying in wait, yet occasionally betraying an intent to devour her whole.

The intensity made Qi Puzhi’s heart skip, her already warm ears burning even hotter.

Yet, though Jiang Tian looked at her with such eyes, her body remained impeccably restrained.

Qi Puzhi had deliberately come to see her during her break, and now the two had been alone together for half a day. Yet, forget an embrace, they hadn’t even held hands.

Thinking back, since signing the relationship agreement, Jiang Tian had only initiated physical contact twice, once when Qi Puzhi had deliberately seduced her while drunk, and the other as a “return gift” after receiving a present.

Each time, Jiang Tian had seemed to have a justifiable reason, never acting on her own subjective desire.

She always silently endured Qi Puzhi’s teasing and provocation.

Even that night of intimacy, she hadn’t done anything beyond the final step.

Was she some kind of Platonist?

Qi Puzhi’s thoughts wandered far in that moment, so far that when she snapped back to reality, she found it absurd.

It was as if she were the one eagerly trying to take advantage of the younger girl.

Jiang Tian had been watching her the whole time. After the words “taste me as you please,” she saw the woman’s gaze drift away, only to return moments later, a familiar air of pride and coyness flickering across her expression.

Though Jiang Tian was usually skilled at reading Qi Puzhi’s expressions, she wasn’t omniscient. Sometimes, she had no idea which mental detour Qi Puzhi had taken or what judgment she had passed.

She lowered her eyes slightly, adopting a helpless and obedient expression. “Sister, is something wrong?”

“No.”

Qi Puzhi had quickly regained her composure, returning to the calm and indifferent demeanor she had when they first met.

“I brought you some treats.” Qi Puzhi pulled her to sit at the conference table and opened the box on the table. “You like this, don’t you?”

It was indeed something Jiang Tian enjoyed.

During a business trip to the U.S., Jiang Tian had shown a liking for this dish. Unexpectedly, Qi Puzhi had remembered and even gone out of her way to bring it for her.

Jiang Tian’s lips curled faintly at the sight.

Qi Puzhi seemed a bit too attentive for someone who was supposedly just playing with a contractual lover.

Earlier, at the celebration banquet, Jiang Tian had had no appetite. But now, with Qi Puzhi right before her, a feast for the eyes her appetite had returned.

Declining Jiang Tian’s invitation to eat together, Qi Puzhi rested her chin on her hand, admiring Jiang Tian’s elegant dining manners, and casually asked, “No one’s bullied you, right?”

In the videos she had watched, Jiang Tian appeared distant and reticent. Though never impolite, she might still face exclusion.

Qi Puzhi herself had tasted similar bitterness when she first entered the industry.

“No, I haven’t,” Jiang Tian answered softly.

Looking at her docile demeanor, Qi Puzhi couldn’t tell whether she truly hadn’t been bullied or simply didn’t want her to worry.

After a moment’s thought, Qi Puzhi shared some tips on handling the camera and advised her to show a bit of edge when necessary, so she wouldn’t be taken advantage of.

She was acting just like an overly concerned parent sending their child off to school for the first time.

“Understood,” Jiang Tian replied slowly, her gaze fixed on Qi Puzhi. “Teacher Qi.”

Qi Puzhi’s words caught in her throat.

Many in the industry called her “Teacher Qi,” but hearing it from her little girlfriend, who usually called her “sister” suddenly carried a hint of mischief.

It even felt like flirting.

The thought inexplicably crossed her mind, making her ears burn with a faint discomfort.

Yet Jiang Tian, unusually oblivious, leaned in closer, her eyes still clear and innocent. “Teacher Qi, are you feeling a little warm? Should I lower the air conditioning?”

Qi Puzhi let out a light hum and shot her a reproachful glance. “Seems like you really haven’t been bullied.”

Daring to tease her like this.

Qi Puzhi had filming the next day, and the drive back to her hotel from the Stellar Path set would take an hour and a half.

Seeing how late it was, Jiang Tian urged her to leave so she could get enough rest.

Qi Puzhi also thought Jiang Tian must be tired and needed to return to her dorm, so she stood up. “Then I’ll head out first. Take care of yourself.”

“Mm, goodbye, sister.” Jiang Tian rose to see her off.

“Goodbye.”

Qi Puzhi gripped the doorknob, an inexplicable weight settling in her chest.

She wasn’t sure if it was the lingering absurdity of the “Platonic” thought still fluttering in her mind or the fact that Jiang Tian had urged her to leave so matter-of-factly, without the usual reluctance or sweet nothings.

After all, she held all the power in this relationship. If she wanted, she could tease and indulge in Jiang Tian just like before.

Yet some strange hesitation held her back, making her mirror Jiang Tian’s restraint and indifference.

So despite the turmoil inside, she showed nothing on her face, unlocking the door and pressing down on the handle to pull it open.

Thud!

A hand reached from behind, pushing the barely opened door shut again.

Before Qi Puzhi could react, a warm, soft body pressed against her back, arms winding around her waist in a tight embrace.

She was pulled into a hold complete, snug, and unyielding.

“Sister, I tried to restrain myself as per the agreement,” Jiang Tian murmured, her voice slightly hoarse, breath hot against Qi Puzhi’s ear.

“But I already miss you so much, and you haven’t even left yet.”

Qi Puzhi’s lashes trembled lightly.

She could hardly describe the emotions swirling in her chest. The earlier hesitation was smoothed away by a gentle breeze, leaving only a soft, plush, overwhelming sense of fulfillment and joy.

She sank into it, limbs weakening, resolve crumbling as if drowning.

But the feeling was too foreign, too tender, stirring an inexplicable fear within her. As though surrendering to it would lead to devastation, collapse, ruin.

Yet the young woman’s voice was impossibly tender, her embrace unbearably warm.

Strong arms encircled her, as if assuring her that even if her legs gave way, there was no need to panic, these hands would steadfastly support her.

The sound of staff chatting outside the door drifted in, then faded away, snapping Qi Puzhi back to reality.

She bit her lower lip and shifted slightly, prompting Jiang Tian to immediately withdraw her hands with understanding.

Turning to look at Jiang Tian, her gaze was like water a mix of shyness and reproach.

“Sister, don’t look at me like that,” Jiang Tian said innocently. “It makes me want to hug you again.”

Qi Puzhi: “…”

Her mood, soothed by the embrace, allowed her to regain her composure, enough to care about saving face.

Having inexplicably been outplayed by this little wolf cub, she felt the need to reclaim the upper hand.

Suppressing the lingering warmth and embarrassment still swirling in her chest, Qi Puzhi narrowed her eyes slightly and said, “If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll probably be tearing the roof tiles off next time.”

Jiang Tian blinked. “What tiles?”

She actually dared to provoke her further.

Qi Puzhi hooked an arm around her neck, pulling her down slightly.

Then bit her fair, delicate chin.

Admiring the teeth marks with satisfaction, she said with a hint of mischief, “Little idol, think carefully about how you’re going to handle this.”

Her smile was full of allure, her bright eyes gleaming.

With that, she adjusted her mask and hat and strode out the door with effortless coolness.

Effortless if one ignored her crimson-tipped ears.

Jiang Tian stood still for a long moment, touching the spot where she’d been bitten, and laughed softly for a while.

“Teach me more lessons, please.”

Not long after, there was a knock at the door. Jiang Tian casually covered her chin as she opened it.

A staff member asked, “I heard you needed a band-aid?”

Jiang Tian immediately understood and replied, “Yes, thank you.”

Taking the band-aid, she closed the door again.

Rubbing the band-aid between her fingers, she pressed her lips together lightly.

The woman had bitten her to assert dominance, yet worried it might actually affect her and sent someone to bring aid.

She couldn’t help but sigh in resignation.

Qi Puzhi too soft-hearted. It’ll only make me push my luck.