After a Contractual Romance with the Scumbag Movie Queen - Chapter 24

Qi Puzhi was momentarily stunned.

A glistening teardrop still clung to her lashes, her breath uneven, looking utterly ravaged.

Though Jiang Tian couldn’t bear to look away for even a second, she worried Qi Puzhi might feel embarrassed or annoyed once she regained her composure. So, she averted her gaze, simply pulling her into an embrace and soothingly stroking her back.

After a long while, she finally heard Qi Puzhi mumble against her chest, “Not even calling me ‘sister’ anymore?”

Qi Puzhi pressed a hand against Jiang Tian’s shoulder, pushing her away. The dazed and pitiful expression from earlier was gone, replaced by pursed lips and a slightly lowered voice: “You’re being very naughty.”

For this Christmas date, Qi Puzhi had originally intended to take the initiative, as Zhang Hua had suggested, to give Jiang Tian a taste of “the impact of an older woman.”

However, first, she had bungled the attempt to sit on Jiang Tian’s lap and kiss her, and then, in the storage room, she had been the one left breathless from being kissed. The stark contrast not only failed to establish the dominance she had envisioned but instead highlighted her inexperience and innocence.

Though Jiang Tian’s every move seemed justified, whether reciprocating a gift or acting out of jealousy at its core, it was simply taking advantage of Qi Puzhi’s soft heart to push further and further, tossing their agreement aside without fear of consequences.

Seeing Qi Puzhi’s expression, Jiang Tian knew she had crossed a line this time.

She really shouldn’t have been so impulsive. Qi Puzhi was already tangled up in the awkwardness after the “gift exchange,” and now this forceful move had only made things worse, disrupting the original rhythm.

But the way the woman had sat on her lap earlier, eyes reddened at the corners, looking both humiliated and proud, had been too enticing. Jiang Tian had wanted to kiss her back right then but restrained herself until the storage room.

A rare look of helplessness flickered across Jiang Tian’s usually cool and composed face as she stood obediently before Qi Puzhi, ready to accept whatever punishment came her way.

The push-and-pull of their ambiguous relationship was like a seesaw, the moment Jiang Tian lowered her side, Qi Puzhi rose to dominance, growing more composed by the second.

She lightly pinched Jiang Tian’s chin, studying her expression with a faint smirk. “Now you’re behaving?”

The little wolf, tail tucked, nodded eagerly, looking almost pitiful.

Tsk.

Qi Puzhi let out a soft hum. “What a shame you don’t act.”

Jiang Tian blinked, her beautiful, glistening eyes brimming with submission and a plea for forgiveness. “Sister, I was wrong, Punish me however you want.”

“Oh, I will,” Qi Puzhi replied leisurely, though she hadn’t yet thought of a suitable punishment.

Last time Jiang Tian had annoyed her, she had kicked her out of the hotel room, only to let her back in moments later.

The time before that, she had touched Jiang Tian’s abs.

The punishments were always too light, no wonder Jiang Tian wasn’t afraid at all.

To tame a snake, one must grasp it by the neck.

After spending so much time together, Qi Puzhi had already figured out Jiang Tian’s weakness. Recalling Zhang Hua’s advice to “tease her, let her see but not touch,” inspiration struck, and her mood suddenly brightened.

Jiang Tian asked, “So what’s the punishment?”

Qi Puzhi played coy, replying meaningfully, “You’ll find out.”

As for the news of their Christmas rendezvous, swarms of paparazzi and media had rushed to the scene, only to leave empty-handed and frustrated.

So, during one of Jiang Tian’s group activities, a reporter bluntly asked, “Rumor has it you had a secret meeting with Qi Puzhi on Christmas. Are the two of you involved in an improper relationship?”

Currently, same-sex relationships are not legally recognized. Although societal attitudes have become more open and progressive, it remains a topic that cannot be casually brought up in formal settings.

This reporter even went so far as to label it an “improper relationship.”

Jiang Tian’s cool expression remained unruffled as she said calmly, “Your question is improper, and I decline to answer. Next.”

The reporter was stunned, not expecting Jiang Tian to directly clap back at him.

His face darkened with suppressed anger. So what if she was a top idol? Jiang Tian might be riding high on her current popularity, giving her the audacity to act this way, but who knew where she’d be in a few months?

The next reporter broached a similar topic, though having learned from the previous exchange, she phrased it less bluntly: “It’s said that you and Teacher Qi have a good relationship?”

This time, Jiang Tian didn’t rebuff the question, answering diplomatically, “Teacher Qi is a respected senior whom I admire.”

The earlier reporter, who had been waiting on-site for hours, grew even more dissatisfied with Jiang Tian’s non-answer. Ignoring the rules of questioning, he pressed on:

“Qi Puzhi has a notorious reputation for romantic entanglements, with all her past partners being young stars like you. If you two are merely senior and junior, why meet privately without any regard for discretion?”

Holding the microphone, Jiang Tian’s expression grew colder, her gaze tinged with disdain as she outright named the reporter’s media outlet: “This reporter from Red Leaf Entertainment, are these low-quality questions representative of your company’s standards?”

The reporter was left speechless on the spot.

Footage of Jiang Tian shutting down the reporter quickly went viral.

While antis criticized her for being rude and arrogant, flaunting her fanbase to attack reporters, fans and neutral observers overwhelmingly cheered her on.

Red Leaf Entertainment was infamous for its toxic tactics, aggressive questioning and twisting facts in their articles.

[I love her look of disdain, like the reporter was beneath her. Now I finally understand what you all mean by “Bking.”]

[Thanks, that was so satisfying to watch.]

[Our girl is so cool!]

Similarly, Qi Puzhi also faced such questions during an event.

Her usual languid smile played at her lips as she said, “Jiang Tian is a junior I admire.”

Reporters had long been conditioned by Qi Puzhi’s sharp wit, so unlike their aggressive approach with Jiang Tian as a newcomer, they dropped the topic immediately.

When the two interviews were viewed together, the two women appeared to share nothing more than a polite, distant professional relationship.

In their CP fan community, some quipped:

[Sure, they’re not close,just casually locking themselves in a private booth on Christmas for a date.]

[Heh, I’d sooner believe the Yangtze River has no water than believe Jiang Tian and Qi Puzhi aren’t involved.]

Jiang Tian’s solo fans scoffed:

[She already said it’s just respect for a senior. Some people need to stop deluding themselves.]

[That notorious playgirl better stay away from our pure, self-respecting top idol.]

Qi Puzhi’s solo fans sneered:

[Do you even understand the prestige of a Triple Crown actress? Third-rate idols shouldn’t even dream of riding her coattails.]

[Not satisfied with just shipping within your group? Now you want to latch onto Puzhi? Get lost!]

Amidst the endless bickering between factions, a sudden announcement struck like a thunderbolt.

[Jiang Tian and Qi Puzhi to Star in Cross-Border Rendezvous]

Puxing Entertainment’s Cross-Border Rendezvous project had long been rumored online, with fans of various artists considering it a prime opportunity and hoping their favorites would participate.

When leaks surfaced about Jiang Tian and Qi Puzhi’s involvement, aside from CP fans, almost no one believed it at first.

Not only had Qi Puzhi never appeared in variety shows before, but the idea of these two one a top idol, the other an award-winning actress, collaborating on a show seemed too monumental to be true.

However, when the official Weibo account of Cross-Boundary Date officially announced the guest lineup, the solo fans fell silent for a moment.

After a long pause, one solo fan hesitantly typed a few words in a small group chat: “Could they actually be real?”

Upon seeing this, the other solo fans in the group immediately responded with a string of shocked and pained question marks: “What are you thinking? It’s just for show.”

The words in the chat box were full of conviction, but what they truly felt in their hearts remained unknown.

After the lineup for Cross-Boundary Date was finalized, the guests and the production team gathered for a pre-recording discussion meeting.

Everyone present either had significant influence or a stellar reputation, no small names among them. Yet, when they saw Qi Puzhi, they all showed a hint of respect.

Among them was a young Best Actress winner who was a fan of Qi Puzhi. She greeted her enthusiastically upon meeting her and initially wanted to sit beside her, only to see the top idol Jiang Tian standing by the seat next to Qi Puzhi, seemingly about to take it.

On Qi Puzhi’s other side was the production team leader. The young actress paused, then reluctantly moved to another seat.

“Ms. Qi, may I sit here?”

Jiang Tian played the role of the well-behaved junior to perfection.

In front of everyone, the act had to be convincing. Qi Puzhi nodded politely at Jiang Tian as if they weren’t familiar, smiling courteously. “Of course.”

Many in the room had heard the rumors about Qi Puzhi and Jiang Tian. Seeing their interaction now, they immediately felt misled by the gossip.

Wasn’t it obvious they had no real connection?

After the meeting, Jiang Tian planned to head to the practice room but was stopped along the way by Qi Puzhi’s assistant.

Since their Christmas date, both she and Qi Puzhi had been busy with work and hadn’t seen each other.

As for the so-called “punishment,” Qi Puzhi had remained vague, never revealing what it was or taking any action.

Lost in thought, Jiang Tian knocked on the door and entered Qi Puzhi’s office.

The room was warm, and Qi Puzhi sat on the sofa, her low-cut light-colored sweater accentuating her figure, exuding an air of gentle elegance. When she saw Jiang Tian enter, her stunning face wore a subtly alluring smile.

Jiang Tian gazed at her. “Sister.”

It was impossible not to miss her during their time apart. In the gaps between Jiang Tian’s busy schedule, in the quiet of midnight dreams, all she could recall was the sound of the woman’s panting breaths in the storage room as she was kissed deeply, the single tear clinging to her lashes when they finally parted.

Jiang Tian had never underestimated Qi Puzhi’s allure, and now, having tasted it, she craved more.

Qi Puzhi crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

Jiang Tian obediently sat beside her.

The woman’s expression seemed serious, but the faintly seductive glint in her eyes was unmistakable.

As if dissatisfied with the distance, Qi Puzhi leaned closer, her delicate fragrance quietly enveloping Jiang Tian’s senses.

Jiang Tian met her gaze, her breath unconsciously growing shallow, her heartbeat already racing uncontrollably.

In the silence, Qi Puzhi’s fingertips traced lightly, almost teasingly from Jiang Tian’s chin to her ear, the feather-light touch making her lashes tremble.

Jiang Tian allowed the wandering hand, her burning gaze fixed on Qi Puzhi her limpid eyes, her tempting lips, so close, begging to be claimed.

Having relived the memory of their last encounter over and over, she knew exactly how soft and sweet those lips tasted.

“Sister.” Jiang Tian’s voice was already slightly hoarse when she spoke.

Faced with Qi Puzhi’s blatant seduction, she took the bait without hesitation, leaving herself no retreat.

Qi Puzhi seemed to read the desire surging in her eyes.

The rippling depths of her gaze shimmered, her lips parting slightly, revealing a glimpse of the moist, crimson warmth within.

Jiang Tian’s heart skipped a beat. The suppressed longing was ignited, then bloomed, becoming impossible to resist, she couldn’t wait another moment.

Not a single moment more.

Her breathing grew heavier. With one hand braced on the sofa and the other resting on Qi Puzhi’s waist, she leaned in, ready to crush their lips together in a fierce kiss.

But suddenly, her shoulders were firmly pushed back.

Qi Puzhi stood up from the sofa, the alluring, teasing expression from moments ago now completely gone.

With effortless composure, she said, “Alright, it’s time for you to go.”

Qi Puzhi: Got her.

Hehe, love seeing Little Jiang crash and burn.