After a Contractual Romance with the Scumbag Movie Queen - Chapter 22

“So you two are really going to be on Cross-Dating?”

Zhang Hua sat on the office sofa. “Then this show is bound to be a hit. I need to think carefully about how to handle the promotion, it’s the perfect chance to clean up your reputation a bit.”

Qi Puzhi had never participated in a variety show before. She was solely focused on acting, with only commercial appearances like advertisements outside of that.

Thinking of the hordes of fans who frequently emailed the company, hoping Qi Puzhi would appear on a variety show, Zhang Hua had a feeling that even if the content was mediocre, as long as Qi Puzhi was on it, the show couldn’t possibly flop.

Not to mention, the show itself had a big budget and innovative production.

“Trying out a variety show might be nice,” Qi Puzhi said casually.

“Come on,” Zhang Hua snorted. “I know you if it weren’t for Jiang Tian, there’s no way you’d agree to go.”

Qi Puzhi paused.

That day, Jiang Tian had said she enjoyed bullying her in front of the camera.

“So what if I am?”

Faced with Jiang Tian’s bluntness, Qi Puzhi hadn’t batted an eye, her demeanor practically screaming, I’m going to bully you on camera, and what about it?

Seeing the unapologetic arrogance on her face, Jiang Tian’s eyes sparkled with amusement under the lights. “Nothing. I’m willing.”

Provocation had been met with indulgent sweet talk.

Though it made her a little uneasy, it seemed.

It really did make her look forward to the show a little more.

One look at Qi Puzhi’s expression, and Zhang Hua knew she’d hit the mark.

Ever since their last meal together, she’d realized these two were hiding a mutual affection beneath the guise of an unequal agreement, sickeningly sweet, really.

She immediately said with a pained expression, “For over twenty years, I thought you were just asexual. Turns out you were saving it all for this.”

Qi Puzhi was speechless. “How does that make me asexual?”

At this, Zhang Hua suddenly grew curious. “Speaking of which, isn’t it said that younger partners are usually energetic and skilled? How’s your experience been?”

“…”

How would Qi Puzhi know? Her only experience was that drugged night, but she had no concrete memory of what happened after waking up.

But from what she could recall, it had been very pleasant, so the skills must have been good?

Seeing Qi Puzhi hesitate, Zhang Hua blinked. “Tsk, don’t tell me you’re in a chaste relationship.”

Before Qi Puzhi could respond, she said earnestly, “From my dating experience, you can’t act too innocent, or the younger one will think you’re easy to control and start pushing their luck. You have to show off the charm of an older partner experienced, mature, mysterious, make them obsessed with you.”

What Zhang Hua didn’t know was that the first half of her advice was almost entirely accurate.

Qi Puzhi pretended to be indifferent as she asked, “Like how?”

“It’s simple,” Zhang Hua said offhandedly. “At the very least, don’t always let them take the initiative in intimacy. Strike when the time’s right.”

Then, as if realizing something, she added, “Oh, but I guess that doesn’t apply to you.”

“After all, your agreement states Jiang Tian can’t initiate intimacy, right?”

At this, Zhang Hua looked at Qi Puzhi with something like admiration. “That setup is truly brilliant keeping her on edge, able to look but not touch.”

Qi Puzhi: “…”

How could she explain? The agreement did say that, but in reality.

Qi Puzhi’s lashes fluttered slightly as she guiltily accepted Zhang Hua’s praise.

The break after their debut was short, and the entire Feng Hua group had already plunged into a busy work schedule.

Generally speaking, the debut phase is when a girl group’s popularity is at its peak, making it crucial to strike while the iron is hot and maximize exposure.

Magazine shoots, ad campaigns, training sessions, and album preparations all kept them busy.

As the center position debut, Jiang Tian was rewarded with the opportunity to release a solo single.

She wrote the lyrics and composed the music herself, and after sketching out the choreography, she planned to discuss it with professional dancers.

Jiang Tian was swamped, and Qi Puzhi had also been away from the company recently, so the two hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

The music in the practice room gradually faded, and Jiang Tian sat on the floor to catch her breath.

Tomorrow was Christmas, originally scheduled for the entire Feng Hua group’s fan meet.

But due to an issue on the organizer’s end, the event was postponed to next week, leaving the evening free.

Once her breathing steadied, she sent Qi Puzhi a message: “Sis, are you free tomorrow night?”

Qi Puzhi had been on a business trip these past few days and had just arrived in City B.

Seeing Jiang Tian’s message, she recalled what Zhang Hua had said that day.

Half an hour later, Jiang Tian received a reply: “Come for a date.”

Below was the address of a restaurant.

Her gaze lingered on the words “Come for a date” for a moment before Jiang Tian raised an eyebrow slightly and then curved her lips.

For their first proper date, Jiang Tian dressed up meticulously.

She stepped out looking radiant, but not too ostentatious, she dug out a baseball cap from the car and pulled the brim low.

The restaurant Qi Puzhi had chosen was in a mall with relatively low foot traffic, so there weren’t many people around, and she didn’t have to worry much about being recognized.

When she safely entered the private room, Qi Puzhi was already perusing the menu.

Hearing the door open, Qi Puzhi looked up, her eyes brightening slightly.

Just as she was about to compliment Jiang Tian on how stunning she looked today, Jiang Tian beat her to it, her cool and ethereal face openly admiring: “Sis, you look gorgeous today too.”

Qi Puzhi accepted the praise gracefully, her lips curving enticingly. “You’re beautiful too.”

Though the restaurant didn’t have many customers, each dish was meticulously prepared, so the service was slow.

During the wait, Qi Puzhi leisurely set down her teacup and fixed her gaze on the young woman across from her, speaking unhurriedly: “It’s Christmas today. I’ve prepared a gift for you.”

“Hmm?” Seeing the meaningful look on Qi Puzhi’s face, Jiang Tian sensed that this “gift” might not be ordinary.

She blinked and asked, “What is it?”

Instead of answering directly, Qi Puzhi smiled with a bewitching charm. “Want to check it out now?”

“Mm.”

Jiang Tian agreed without hesitation, and then watched as Qi Puzhi rose from her seat.

Her eyes followed the woman as she sauntered toward her, and then.

She suddenly straddled Jiang Tian’s lap.

The warm, soft weight on her legs, the intoxicating fragrance enveloping her Jiang Tian’s breath hitched, her heart pounding wildly.

She was caught off guard by Qi Puzhi’s sudden boldness, her usual composure slipping away.

In this moment, Qi Puzhi pushed her acting skills to the limit, suppressing any trace of shyness as her expression radiated boundless allure. Every glance, every movement exuded the captivating charm of a mature woman.

If she wanted to seduce someone, no one could resist.

Pleased to see Jiang Tian’s intense gaze fixed on her, her breathing slightly uneven, Qi Puzhi looked down at her with a leisurely air and hooked a finger under Jiang Tian’s chin.

The moment Qi Puzhi leaned in to kiss her, whatever composure Jiang Tian had left vanished entirely.

Whether it was the suggestive position of straddling her lap or the first-ever initiated kiss from the woman she had long adored, both left her mind dizzy and compliant, wholeheartedly embracing this Christmas gift.

As Jiang Tian lost herself in the tender embrace, drowning in the intoxicating sweetness, she suddenly felt a soft, wet sensation against her lips, her heart trembled.

A suspicion flickered in her mind.

When Qi Puzhi’s tongue tentatively brushed against her lips before slipping inside, Jiang Tian’s lashes fluttered as she tried to open her eyes to look at her.

But as if sensing it, the woman’s voice, husky with desire, murmured, “Don’t look.”

The entanglement of their tongues made their already quickened breaths grow even more ragged and heated, filling the quiet private room with an intense, lingering intimacy.

Overwhelmed by the soft sweetness between their lips, Jiang Tian thought hazily So this is what the best Christmas gift in the world feels like.

The longing and greed buried deep in her heart were now awakened, but she struggled to suppress them, surrendering all control to Qi Puzhi, allowing her rare moment of dominance.

Except.

It hadn’t even been long, yet the woman atop her was already breathing erratically, pressing closer, her arms around Jiang Tian’s neck gradually losing strength.

In the end, she collapsed limply into Jiang Tian’s embrace, unable to continue.

Unable to resist, Jiang Tian opened her eyes.

Seeing the woman’s flushed face, damp lips, and the proud yet slightly embarrassed pout, she couldn’t help but smile fondly.

How could someone charge in so boldly, only to end up melting first before the kiss was even over?

Qi Puzhi: Great, the whole thing fell apart (annoyed)