After a Contractual Romance with the Scumbag Movie Queen - Chapter 2

Given Qi Puzhi’s usual hectic schedule, she had assumed that after signing the romantic agreement, she wouldn’t see Jiang Tian even once a month.

Unexpectedly, they ran into each other just a few days after signing.

At a high-profile evening gathering, Qi Puzhi was chatting with a business partner while holding a glass of red wine when she caught sight of a strikingly beautiful and ethereal profile out of the corner of her eye.

Wasn’t that her newly acquired, barely-warmed-up, sweet little girlfriend?

After finishing her conversation, she made her way to a quiet corner and found Jiang Tian sitting calmly on a plush chair, idly toying with her wine glass.

When Jiang Tian smiled, her dimples radiated sweetness. But now, her expression was subdued, exuding an air of cool detachment that kept others at bay.

She seemed out of place amidst the noisy, interest-driven mingling.

The Jiang family was notorious in elite circles for their strict upbringing, and Jiang Tian had been the well-protected, obedient daughter since childhood hardly the type to enjoy such a scene of fame and fortune.

Qi Puzhi sat down beside her. “What are you doing here?”

She noticed how Jiang Tian’s expression softened the moment she saw her, the icy demeanor melting away, leaving only the usual docility.

Jiang Tian answered candidly, “Sister, I was waiting for the rabbit to come to me.”

Realizing she was the “rabbit” in question, Qi Puzhi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Waiting for me to do what?”

Jiang Tian blinked. “Because I wanted to see you.”

According to their romantic agreement, Jiang Tian wasn’t allowed to seek her out or initiate contact.

But she had cleverly found a loophole, merely attending the same event where Qi Puzhi happened to be present didn’t count as overstepping.

Just as Qi Puzhi was about to remark on her resourcefulness, Jiang Tian lowered her lashes and murmured, “Sister, I only wanted to see you from afar. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

That mix of sweetness and vulnerability.

Qi Puzhi sighed inwardly and leaned closer, placing her right hand over Jiang Tian’s left, which rested on the sofa.

Unnoticed in the corner, Qi Puzhi’s warm palm gently stroked the delicate back of Jiang Tian’s hand as she whispered suggestively, “What kind of talk is that? We’re lovers, after all.”

Jiang Tian lifted her gaze to meet Qi Puzhi’s eyes, recalling the day’s top trending topic Qi Puzhi, tired of playing within the industry, had begun seeking pleasure with outsiders.

Coincidentally, the accompanying photo showed the very girl who had been entangled with Qi Puzhi at her office door on the day they signed the romantic agreement.

No official denial had been issued, Qi Puzhi’s studio rarely bothered with refuting rumors.

And Qi Puzhi herself seemed utterly indifferent. Now, with one hand holding a half-empty glass of red wine, her eyes slightly flushed and alluring from the alcohol, and the other hand pressing possessively over Jiang Tian’s, she smiled with a mix of charm and recklessness.

A seasoned heartbreaker.

Teasing her little girlfriend proved far more entertaining than networking.

Qi Puzhi found herself reflecting on her original intentions for this relationship.

If she were to set aside that flimsy agreement and go a month without seeing Jiang Tian, what was the point of dating at all?

By the time she got around to toying with the young woman’s affections, they might have already fizzled out haphazardly. Wouldn’t that be a waste?

With this in mind, Qi Puzhi let her gaze roam over Jiang Tian’s face. She allowed Qi Puzhi to caress her hand, looking every bit like a helpless little rabbit, too timid to resist.

After a moment’s thought, Qi Puzhi slowly curved her lips and said casually, “Little girlfriend, since you wanted to see me I’m flying to the U.S. the day after tomorrow for a five-day shoot. If you’re free and want to come, I’ll cover all expenses.”

Early in the morning, a certain area of the sprawling Capital Airport was packed to the brim.

Although primarily a film actress, Qi Puzhi’s breathtaking beauty ensured that whenever she appeared in public, her popularity eclipsed even that of the hottest young idols.

Dressed in a V-neck sweater and wide-leg pants, her long wavy hair cascading down, she exuded a blend of gentleness and effortless chic. Her mere presence seemed to brighten the entire airport.

A passerby, spotting the dense crowd from afar, frowned and muttered, “Some big shot? Causing such a commotion.”

“Qi Puzhi.”

“Damn, that is a big shot.” The passerby halted mid-step. “I gotta get a look too.”

The crowd was overwhelmingly packed.

“Step back, don’t push Puzhi!” fans shouted desperately.

Then, someone stumbled, breaking through the momentarily overwhelmed security barrier and lunging toward Qi Puzhi.

“Watch out!” The fans screamed, but the guards were too slow to react.

A tall, long-legged young woman swiftly raised her arm, shielding Qi Puzhi securely in her embrace.

Jiang Tian, standing beside Qi Puzhi in a mask and baseball cap, remained unfazed as the passerby collided with her arm. With calm precision, she steadied the person and nudged them upright.

“Sorry” The passerby regained balance just as security swiftly escorted them away.

Qi Puzhi glanced at Jiang Tian, whose arm encircled her protectively yet maintained a respectful distance not a single touch beyond necessity.

One clause in their relationship agreement: No physical contact unless initiated by Qi Puzhi.

“You okay?” Qi Puzhi could only imagine how much that collision must have hurt.

“I’m fine,” Jiang Tian replied softly, her tone resilient yet subdued.

A pang of guilt flickered in Qi Puzhi’s chest, but she forced herself to focus on guiding the crowd, ensuring minimal disruption to other travelers.

Her voice, gentle yet firm, carried effortlessly, compelling compliance. With additional security reinforcements, the chaos gradually subsided.

Before passing through security, she waved goodbye to her adoring fans, her dazzling smile and playful wink igniting another wave of screams.

Jiang Tian watched silently as the woman effortlessly charmed her admirers, her dark eyes calm and inscrutable.

“Puzhi, is this your new assistant?” a fan couldn’t help but ask.

The question felt off immediately.

Dedicated fans usually knew the ins and outs of their idol’s team who did what, who was new. Given Qi Puzhi’s recent assistant turnover, the assumption made sense.

But this “new assistant” was far too striking, even with her cap pulled low and mask obscuring most of her face.

Her poise and proportions were impossible to ignore. Standing beside Qi Puzhi, their synergy was unexpectedly magnetic.

And Qi Puzhi was, after all, the undisputed top beauty of the entertainment industry so much so that no one dared to claim they outshone her on red carpets or at events. It would be sheer delusion.

Sure enough, Qi Puzhi smiled faintly. “No.”

She offered no further explanation.

A nosy bystander blurted, “Could this be the rumored ‘private fling’”

The fans’ dagger-like glares promptly silenced them.

The moment Qi Puzhi settled into her seat, she turned to Jiang Tian with concern. “Let me see your arm.”

Jiang Tian extended her arm, allowing Qi Puzhi to roll up her sleeve.

At the sight of the large bruise, Qi Puzhi’s expression darkened.

Jiang Tian’s skin was exceptionally fair and smooth, making the bruises appear even more alarming.

A slight touch elicited a soft “hiss” from the girl, who lifted her bright eyes to gaze pitifully at Qi Puzhi.

“Your arm might be out of commission for days,” Qi Puzhi frowned as she rolled the sleeve up further, revealing an even larger patch of bruising.

“Sister, it’s usable anytime,” Jiang Tian replied with obedient sincerity.

Though her words were earnest, Qi Puzhi couldn’t help but let her mind wander. She glanced up at the girl, immediately feeling a pang of guilt, as if she were projecting the thoughts of a wicked woman onto an innocent child.

After requesting a medicinal ointment from the flight attendants, Qi Puzhi dipped her fingertip into the balm and gently applied it to the bruised skin.

“Does it hurt?”

Her touch was feather-light, her fingers soft.

Jiang Tian’s gaze unconsciously drifted from the ointment-covered fingertip to Qi Puzhi’s face her thick, long lashes, straight nose, and finally, her soft, rosy lips.

Noticing the lack of response, Qi Puzhi looked up and immediately caught Jiang Tian staring.

Pausing her movements, she arched a brow. “Little one, why are you looking at me like that?”

Jiang Tian averted her eyes, a hint of unease flickering across her expression, yet her words remained unabashedly honest: “Sister, you know I like you very much.”

The implication was clear I like you, of course I can’t help but look at you.

Despite her boldness, she promptly followed up with a well-mannered apology, leaving no room for criticism, she had confessed her feelings while still maintaining an obedient demeanor.

Her apologetic expression seemed almost fearful that Qi Puzhi might suddenly decree “no looking without permission” as part of their agreement.

Qi Puzhi couldn’t help but feel a strange analogy like a puppy, fervent in its affection yet utterly obedient, gazing at her with pleading eyes when scolded.

In that moment of soft-heartedness, she realized she was somewhat susceptible to this act.

But she was a seasoned flirt, how could she let herself be swayed so easily by a young lover?

So Qi Puzhi didn’t respond, merely casting a coquettish glance at Jiang Tian, her eyes shimmering with unspoken allure.

As she lowered her head to resume applying the ointment, she missed the shift in the younger woman’s gaze, the obedient softness vanishing, replaced by something far deeper and more inscrutable.

Jiang Tian closed her eyes briefly, and when they reopened, her expression was clear once more.

Qi Puzhi had come to the U.S. to film a promotional short for a new high-end brand endorsement.

The brand representatives warmly welcomed her, treating her to a meal at a high-end restaurant after she settled into her hotel.

Noticing the strikingly ethereal young woman accompanying Qi Puzhi, one of the representatives asked in English, “Qi, is this a new artist from your company?”

“Not from the industry,” Qi Puzhi replied.

The representative blinked in surprise. “What a shame she’s quite beautiful.”

Qi Puzhi glanced sideways. Jiang Tian was quietly eating, her demeanor serene and elegant, exuding an air of noble grace.

Yes, she is beautiful.

After dinner, the brand representatives offered to show Qi Puzhi around nearby attractions, but she politely declined.

With a casual smile, she said, “Next time. Tonight, I’d like to return to the hotel and… enjoy life.”

The representatives then escorted them back to the hotel.

Standing before her room, Qi Puzhi swiped her keycard, hesitating briefly as she glanced at Jiang Tian, still lingering by her own door. She considered calling her over for a bit of teasing.

Pushing the door open, she was about to speak when the sight inside her bedroom stopped her in her tracks.

Jiang Tian, noticing her frozen stance, assumed something was wrong with the room and stepped closer to look.

A muscular man lay naked in the center of the large bed.

Jiang Tian averted her gaze and softly asked Qi Puzhi, “Sister.”

“Is this what you meant earlier by ‘coming back to enjoy life’?”

Qi Puzhi:

Qi Puzhi: Sometimes, you don’t even need to pretend to be a playgirl in front of your little girlfriend, life will set it up for you perfectly.