After a Contractual Romance with the Scumbag Movie Queen - Chapter 29

Facing Jiang Tian’s candid confession through the script, Qi Puzhi’s lips trembled slightly. “The hearts of the young are ever wandering and unsettled.”

There wasn’t a trace of insincerity in Jiang Tian’s words: “But that’s not entirely true. It just so happens that Ye Su is steadfast, and Pei Ying is worthy.”

“…” Qi Puzhi looked at Jiang Tian. “I suppose Pei Ying wouldn’t open her heart immediately.”

Jiang Tian met her gaze calmly. “I suppose Ye Su wouldn’t mind.”

Qi Puzhi asked, “Why?”

The passion of youth is intense and overwhelming, one would naturally be eager for a response, to possess completely.

Jiang Tian replied, “Because Ye Su should know that Pei Ying isn’t unwilling.”

She paused, gazing at Qi Puzhi with profound tenderness, and whispered, “She’s just afraid.”

She’s just afraid.

These five words reverberated tremulously in Qi Puzhi’s heart. Her fingers gripping the task card tightened until they turned faintly white. Taking a deep breath, she lowered her eyes, trying to conceal the turmoil within.

“So,” Jiang Tian observed her reaction keenly, “Ye Su would likely wait patiently for Pei Ying. even if that day never comes.”

The crew behind the cameras were utterly lost.

No wonder they were partners, with just a few words, they seemed to have completely aligned on the overall vision for the story, communicating as if speaking in riddles.

After settling the general direction, the rest of the day was spent refining the script’s details.

Even for a short film, the script couldn’t be perfected so quickly. By the end, they had only finalized the most crucial plot points.

For instance, Ye Su’s first encounter with Pei Ying at the opera stage after running away from home, or their wedding.

This was an era where women couldn’t marry openly, and Ye Su was in the midst of fleeing her family. Yet, in the depths of their love, they held their dreamlike ceremony in a humble little home.

Judging by the program team’s enthusiasm and their not-so-subtle hints, Qi Puzhi realized that the filming segment where she would guide Jiang Tian would likely involve performing this script.

Thus, when the discussion turned to whether there should be a bed scene after the wedding, she opposed the idea.

Having acted for years, Qi Puzhi rarely took on roles with heavy romantic themes. At most, her films contained subtle emotional undertones, she had never performed such an earnest and intimate scene.

Given Qi Puzhi’s reputation in the industry, one would expect her to be well-versed and effortless in such matters. Gu Wen, surprised by her refusal, couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong, Teacher Qi? Could it be you’re shy?”

Qi Puzhi shot her a glance that practically said, “Do you really think that’s possible?”

Gu Wen awkwardly rubbed her nose. “Right, it couldn’t be embarrassment. The team has discussed this script, and we all feel the bed scene would naturally follow the height of their passion, making the protagonists’ love even more vivid. Do you have another perspective, Teacher Qi?”

Qi Puzhi wasn’t some prude who thought filming a bed scene would cost her anything. But Jiang Tian was an idol, she had just debuted. Performing such a scene with her would undoubtedly devastate her fans, with mass unfollowing being the least of it.

Yet she couldn’t voice this concern now, lest others present start viewing Jiang Tian’s idol status as “problematic” or “troublesome.”

Just as she was about to deflect the reasoning onto herself, Jiang Tian spoke up. “If Teacher Qi is worried about me, there’s really no need.”

After a pause, she smiled. “Acting is an art.”

This statement seemed to ease the pressure from the fans a bit, providing a good angle for public relations.

Qi Puzhi, who had been worrying endlessly about Jiang Tian, let out a slight sigh of relief. In the end, she didn’t insist on refusing the bed scene, and this plot point was finally agreed upon by everyone.

The recording this time would last two days and two nights.

The script discussion ran late, and by the time they returned to the bedroom, it was already 9:30 p.m.

As Qi Puzhi entered, she noticed the cameras positioned around the bedroom and belatedly realized: since the cameras were turned off at 9 p.m., this was now a safe space.

Jiang Tian followed behind her and closed the door, saying softly, “Sister, the cameras aren’t recording anymore.”

Knowing it in her heart was one thing, but hearing it spoken aloud was another.

Qi Puzhi couldn’t help feeling that there was something sly hidden in Jiang Tian’s words.

Maintaining her composure, she let out a quiet “Mm” and crouched by her suitcase. “Do you want to shower first?”

“You go first.”

Qi Puzhi didn’t argue. She looked through the clothes and picked out the most conservative nightgown, a short-sleeved, round-necked cotton dress that fell past her knees.

After Jiang Tian’s “night raid” at the hotel last time, she had taken precautions and deliberately avoided bringing anything too revealing.

When she finished showering and stepped out, she saw that all the cameras in the bedroom had been covered with cloth, likely Jiang Tian’s doing.

This did make her feel more at ease.

She pulled back the covers and lay down. The sound of running water came from the bathroom, muffled by the door, soft and indistinct. Yet, for some reason, Qi Puzhi’s heartbeat quickened slightly.

Perhaps it was because today, under the guise of discussing the script, she and Jiang Tian had engaged in an unprecedented level of honest conversation. Or maybe it was because, after teasing Jiang Tian too much last time, she had decided to give her some compensation.

Compensation. would it be tonight?

She hadn’t yet decided whether to go through with it or what form the compensation would take. Lost in these tangled thoughts, she silently watched as Jiang Tian finished getting ready and walked toward the space between the two beds.

Then, the corner of her blanket was lifted slightly, and Jiang Tian sat down beside her, causing a gentle dip in the mattress.

“Sister?”

Her voice broke the quiet of the night.

The pleasant scent of the younger woman wrapped around her, and Qi Puzhi’s pulse raced. She pressed her lips together, feeling a bit uneasy as she met Jiang Tian’s gaze. “Mm.”

Jiang Tian leaned on one hand beside the bed, tilting her head to look at her. With her other hand, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind Qi Puzhi’s ear and whispered, “About today’s script. I know you understand, but I still want to say, every word I said back then was Jiang Tian speaking to Qi Puzhi.”

Using Ye Su’s lines to Pei Yingzhi, she had poured out her heart.

About liking you, understanding you, waiting for you.

Qi Puzhi’s breath hitched, and her already unsettled emotions churned even more fiercely.

In her ears, Jiang Tian’s words from earlier that day still echoed.

It’s not that I don’t want to, I just don’t dare.

Ye Su would wait patiently for Pei Yingzhi, even if that day never came.

Reading the affection in the younger woman’s eyes, Qi Puzhi’s chest burned. After a long pause, she finally murmured, “I know.”

“That’s good.”

Jiang Tian responded softly. After saying this, she shifted slightly and pulled the lifted corner of the blanket back over Qi Puzhi.

It was as if she had no intention of crossing any lines.

Just as she was about to stand up, her arm was caught by the warm, soft grasp of the woman beside her.

Jiang Tian paused in surprise and looked over to see Qi Puzhi’s lashes lowered, her lips parting slightly. A whisper-soft voice escaped those rosy lips:

“Do you want to kiss me now?”

When these words were spoken, the grip on her arm tightened slightly, unmistakably revealing the woman’s inner tension.

To extend such an invitation with such shy movements and emotions, how could Jiang Tian refuse her?

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She murmured the response, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Qi Puzhi as she leaned in, hands braced on either side.

The first touch of their lips was gentle, tentative, like the light skimming of a dragonfly over water.

Yet as their softness met and their breaths mingled, heat quickly coiled between them, especially with the emotions in their hearts already at a boiling point.

When they parted and locked eyes, a faint mist had gathered in the woman’s gaze, her voice slightly hoarse as she urged, “Kiss me.”

Jiang Tian could hold back no longer. Her breathing grew heavy as she cupped Qi Puzhi’s face and kissed her fiercely, without restraint.

It was an invasion, a conquest wet and tender, tongues entwining, every point of contact burning as if set aflame.

Qi Puzhi wrapped her arms around Jiang Tian, pressed into the pillow and kissed until her body went weak, gasping rapidly.

Though it wasn’t their first kiss, it was more intense than ever before, her body responding more passionately than any time prior.

Jiang Tian’s lips gradually trailed to her ear, her chin, her neck.

The modest round collar of her sleepwear proved frustratingly obstructive, but Jiang Tian seemed unbothered, savoring her through the thin cotton fabric.

“Mmm.”

Qi Puzhi whimpered involuntarily from the stimulation.

Her slender fingers clutched helplessly at the sheets beneath her, gripping so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The cotton fabric grew damp from lips and tongue, the sensation of being tasted through it as if there were no barrier at all, yet still veiled by that final layer of restraint only heightened the thrill.

Unlike the previous teasing nip, this time Jiang Tian indulged without end.

Just as Qi Puzhi felt she could bear no more, the younger woman finally released her.

Raising a hand, the glistening moisture on her slender fingers shimmered under the light.

Her eyes were dark with desire, yet her tone feigned innocence as she remarked, “Sister, just a touch through the fabric and you’re already like this… You might need some proper attention.”

Qi Puzhi’s breaths came unevenly, her face turned away, a tear still clinging pitifully to the corner of her eye.

Just as Jiang Tian thought she shouldn’t tease her any further, Qi Puzhi, though her voice was already too soft to carry any threat, refused to be the only one flustered and mustered a hint of challenge in her retort:

“If you’re so skilled through fabric. can you manage this too?”

Jiang Tian stared at her, throat bobbing slightly, before replying, “Of course. Would you like to test me, sister?”