After Divorcing the Scummy Alpha Movie Queen, I Became Extremely Popular - Chapter 2

Even a Stone Should Have Been Warmed by Now

Jizhu, I know you’ve been quite busy on set lately. Since you didn’t have time to come out, I naturally came to find you.” Luo Jingyun trotted a few steps to reach Tan Jizhu’s side. She looked at the other person standing nearby and asked softly, “Jizhu, who is this?”

Tan Jizhu spoke up first. “This is an actress from the same production as me, Sun Kexin.”

“Sun Kexin? You look a bit familiar. Have we met before?” Luo Jingyun repeated the name while searching through her memories for a matching image.

Sun Kexin also recognized the person in front of her, a meaningful smile playing on the corners of her mouth. “You look familiar to me too. You must be Luo Jingyun.”

“Yes, I am Luo Jingyun, and I am also Jizhu’s legal partner.” Luo Jingyun intentionally emphasized the words “legal partner,” proactively looping both her arms around Tan Jizhu’s arm.

Tan Jizhu frowned slightly. She wanted to pull her arm away, but Luo Jingyun held on too tightly; successfully extricating herself would require a large, noticeable movement. Not wanting to make a scene in front of an outsider, she had no choice but to go along with the gesture.

Sun Kexin’s gaze swept back and forth between the two of them. “I have heard quite a bit about the fact that you two are legal partners. Back then, it stayed at the top of the trending searches for three days and three nights.”

With an air of asserting her territory, Luo Jingyun said, “It was a major joyous occasion after all, so of course it had to be announced to the world. Besides, the day after tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary. I heard Jizhu say the crew is very busy and she couldn’t take leave, so that’s why I came here to find her.”

“Still, even if your production is busy, it shouldn’t be to the point where actors are rehearsing in a hotel corridor late at night. This could easily lead to misunderstandings.”

“Teacher Tan and I act with integrity and have nothing to hide, so naturally, we aren’t afraid of being misunderstood,” Sun Kexin replied. “However, I can understand your feelings. Having such an outstanding partner like Teacher Tan, one truly has to be on guard at all times.”

“You…” This sentence left Luo Jingyun momentarily speechless. Should she argue that Tan Jizhu wasn’t outstanding, or simply admit she was jealous?

Sun Kexin maintained her polite smile and continued to twist the knife. “And I’m not sure where you heard your news, but our production isn’t actually that busy. Currently, we are following a normal shooting schedule. Taking leave only requires informing the director two days in advance.”

Luo Jingyun’s smile stiffened. She looked at Tan Jizhu beside her, hoping she would say something on her behalf.

After a few seconds of silence, Tan Jizhu spoke slowly. “Alright, we have filming to continue tomorrow. It’s getting late; everyone should go back and rest.”

Kexin slightly squeezed her throat to make her voice sound a bit cuter, waving goodbye. “Teacher Tan, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Once the other woman had left, Tan Jizhu forcefully pulled her arm away. Luo Jingyun pouted; although Tan Jizhu had dismissed Sun Kexin, she hadn’t said anything to reassure her. It was hard to tell who had won or lost this round.

Tan Jizhu finally turned her gaze toward Luo Jingyun, her tone tinged with impatience. “Luo Jingyun, what are you doing here?”

Luo Jingyun smoothed her skirt. “I just told you, didn’t I? I came to spend our wedding anniversary with you!”

“The crew has been busy lately, and since I’m the lead, I don’t have time to spend the anniversary with you.”

Luo Jingyun didn’t press the issue of whether that was a lie. She simply said, “It’s okay. I know it’s inconvenient for you to take leave, so I came to you. You don’t need to take time off; just come be with me after your scenes are finished the day after tomorrow. We can just have a meal together at the hotel.”

“I might have night scenes that day. I might not even be able to come back at night.”

“How can your production exploit people like this? Don’t they let people sleep at night?”

Tan Jizhu’s expression grew increasingly annoyed. “Missy, do you think everyone is like you—living a life of luxury, sleeping ‘beauty sleeps,’ and ensuring eight hours of rest every day? I am working. If we need to catch up on the schedule, it’s possible to stay up all night long.”

Luo Jingyun stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t care. Regardless, you must be with me the day after tomorrow. If you have to work overtime, I’ll go find your director and have her change the filming schedule. No one is going to stop us from celebrating our anniversary!”

“Enough, Luo Jingyun! Stop being so willful, would you?”

“How am I being willful? A wedding anniversary only happens once a year. Can’t you even take one day off to be with me?” Luo Jingyun pulled out her phone. “Fine, I’ll contact your director directly.”

Tan Jizhu knew this was a sign that Luo Jingyun was about to use her privilege again. To prevent her from blowing things out of proportion, she stopped her. “Alright, alright. I’ll have Sister Julie talk to the director and the production manager to arrange fewer scenes for me the day after tomorrow. I’ll come be with you once I’m done. Is that okay?”

Luo Jingyun finally smiled. “That’s more like it.” She hooked her arm into Tan Jizhu’s again, intending to follow her back to the room to rest.

Tan Jizhu rubbed her brow and reminded her, “Your luggage.”

“Oh, right!”

After following her back to the room, before Tan Jizhu could speak, Luo Jingyun hugged her waist from behind like she had no bones, resting her chin in the crook of Jizhu’s neck. She said coquettishly, “Jizhu, I missed you so much.”

Tan Jizhu did not respond.

Luo Jingyun seemed accustomed to this lack of response and continued the conversation on her own. “Jizhu, what scent is your shampoo? It smells so good.”

“We use the same brand.” Tan Jizhu felt speechless; this young lady’s possessiveness was so strong that she insisted their body wash, shampoo, and all daily necessities be identical.

“Eh? Really? It feels like the scent on your hair is much better than mine.”

Tan Jizhu pushed the hands away from her waist and said, “If you think the one I use smells better, then go use it. It’s in the bathroom.”

Luo Jingyun spun around to face Tan Jizhu, saying playfully, “Let’s wash together! Jizhu, together, together!”

A coconut scent began to spread through the room. This rich fragrance was a hundred times more pleasant than the scent of shampoo or body wash.

Tan Jizhu suddenly pushed Luo Jingyun away forcefully. “Luo Jingyun, retract your pheromones.”

Luo Jingyun huffed but obediently pulled back the scent of her pheromones. She asked tentatively, “Can we still wash together then?”

Tan Jizhu closed her eyes and then opened them. “Wait until I’ve removed my makeup.”

While bathing, Luo Jingyun started to get handsy. Tan Jizhu ignored her, simply telling her to hurry up, finish washing, and get to bed.

Luo Jingyun wasn’t discouraged by the rejection; after finishing their bath, she continued to pester her. Tan Jizhu smelled the coconut-scented pheromones again. Their 98% compatibility made them a perfect match. Tan Jizhu followed her instincts, releasing her own bamboo-scented pheromones in response.

When it was over, a flush lingered on Luo Jingyun’s face. She leaned against Tan Jizhu’s shoulder and asked, “Jizhu, it’s almost our third anniversary. When do you plan to permanently mark me?”

During their three years of marriage, they did it every few days. Although it was usually Luo Jingyun who initiated it, once they got into the flow, Tan Jizhu was quite cooperative. Her long, powerful fingers made Luo Jingyun feel as though she had truly turned into a cloud floating in the sky.

Luo Jingyun had suggested she take the lead a few times, and Tan Jizhu hadn’t refused. However, Tan Jizhu was not one to show much emotion; every time Luo Jingyun worked until her wrists were sore, Tan Jizhu would only let out a few muffled groans.

Aside from the long-delayed permanent marking, Luo Jingyun was actually very satisfied with their evening activities.

“Wait a bit longer.”

Tan Jizhu’s tone was flat. If it weren’t for the fact that they were still lying in bed together, Luo Jingyun would have thought that what just happened was merely an illusion.

“You’re brushing me off again!” Luo Jingyun poked Tan Jizhu’s waist. “You always say ‘wait a bit longer.’ I’ve already waited for three years. Then it’ll be another three years after that. You must give me a definitive answer today.”

“…”

“!” Luo Jingyun sat up and shook Tan Jizhu’s shoulders. “Tan Jizhu, what do you mean by not speaking? You must give me an answer today!”

Tan Jizhu also sat up, gazing coldly at Luo Jingyun.

After an unknown amount of time—just as Luo Jingyun was about to wave her hand in front of Tan Jizhu’s face—the other woman finally spoke.

“When I win the Houtu Award for Best Actress.”

The topic jump was so sudden that it took Luo Jingyun a moment to understand.

“You mean, if you win the Houtu Award for Best Actress, you’ll permanently mark me?”

“Yes.”

“Then…” Luo Jingyun hesitated, and after a moment of uncertainty, she didn’t finish the question.

Tan Jizhu clearly knew what she meant and voiced the unsaid words. “You want to ask, if I don’t win, does that mean I won’t mark you?”

“Uh…”

Tan Jizhu countered, “Do you think I won’t win?”

Luo Jingyun hurried to explain, “It’s not that I don’t believe in you, it’s just that this happens to be a major year for film and television. Many of the nominated works are very outstanding…”

“There’s still some time before the official announcement. It’s too early to think about it now.” Having said that, Tan Jizhu lay back down and pulled up the covers, turning her back to Luo Jingyun. “I have filming tomorrow. I’m going to sleep.”

The conversation was unilaterally terminated by Tan Jizhu, but Luo Jingyun had at least gotten the answer she wanted. She lay down beside Tan Jizhu, hugging her tightly from behind, sniffing the faint scent of bamboo at the nape of her neck.

…

When she woke up the next morning, Tan Jizhu was already gone. Luo Jingyun rolled over and buried herself in the side of the bed where Tan Jizhu had slept, but the unique pheromones had already faded to the point of being undetectable.

The scent of Tan Jizhu’s pheromones was just like her name—the clear fragrance of bamboo, giving off a sense of quiet, lofty elegance. Luo Jingyun loved this scent, but Tan Jizhu always restrained it, intentionally not letting too much of the pheromone’s release. Because of this, Luo Jingyun had sought out many perfume brands, but unfortunately, none smelled as good as Tan Jizhu’s natural pheromones.

Assuming Tan Jizhu had gone to the set to film, Luo Jingyun planned to walk around the area in the afternoon and then pick her up in the evening when filming was nearly finished.

Thinking of this, she inevitably remembered the person she saw when she went to find Tan Jizhu yesterday. She felt as though she had seen her somewhere before, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember.

Luo Jingyun didn’t give up; she chose to seek outside help.

She found a pinned contact and dialed. After a few seconds, someone picked up. She used a coquettish tone. “Mommy.”

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Xian feigned anger. “You’re only calling me because you need help with something again, right?”

“Mommy Xian is so amazing, you guessed it instantly!”

“As if I don’t know you. Tell me, what is it?”

“Mommy, it’s like this: I’m currently visiting the set of Jizhu’s production…”

Jiang Xian said, “Related to Tan Jizhu again?”

“It’s a bit related to her, but not much. It’s mainly about someone in their crew named Sun Kexin. I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere, but I can’t recall where. Mommy, can you investigate her for me?”

“Surname Sun? Could it be someone from the Sun family that went bankrupt recently?”

“Eh? Someone else went bankrupt?”

“Yes, the economy hasn’t been great these past few years; many enterprises have gone bankrupt. But don’t worry, our family definitely won’t go bankrupt. You can spend as much as you want.”

“Mommy is the best!”

Jiang Xian chatted with Luo Jingyun for a few more minutes and asked, “Speaking of which, haven’t you and Tan Jizhu been married for nearly three years?”

“Yes, tomorrow is our third anniversary.”

“Have you two marked each other yet?”

Luo Jingyun’s cheeks turned red. “Not… not yet.”

“What? You’ve been married for three years and you still haven’t?”

“Oh, Jizhu said once she wins this year’s Houtu Award for Best Actress, she’ll mark me.”

Jiang Xian had connections in the entertainment industry. “But the competition for Best Actress is very fierce this year. Besides the big seniors, there’s also an actress named Chen-something who won last year. Is Tan Jizhu using this as a condition just to fool you?”

“No, I believe in her!”

“Fine, fine, go ahead and believe in her. Once you have a wife, you forget your mother.”

“?” Luo Jingyun huffed. “I haven’t forgotten my mother!”

Jiang Xian listed Luo Jingyun’s offenses. “You tell me—you’ve been married for three years, how many times in total have you come back to see us?”

Luo Jingyun knew she was in the wrong. “It seems it really hasn’t been many.”

“Since you know it hasn’t been many, come back and visit more often.”

“Then… is Mommy Qiu still mad at me?”

Because Luo Jingyun had insisted on marrying Tan Jizhu, her Omega mother, Lu Qiu, had been unhappy, which made Luo Jingyun afraid to go home often.

“Your Mommy Qiu is all bark and no bite. If you apologize and soften up to her, she’ll definitely forgive you.”

“Well, alright then.”

Jiang Xian didn’t wait for a definitive answer and made the decision for her. “Mommy Qiu and I are both free next weekend. Bring Tan Jizhu back for a visit.”

Luo Jingyun instinctively refused. “Jizhu is filming right now; I don’t know if she has time.”

“I can make time for next weekend, and Tan Jizhu can’t? Just how busy is she?” Jiang Xian gave an ultimatum. “It’s decided. If you don’t bring her, I won’t help you with anything else in the future.”

“Oh, she’s in the rising stage of her career; she’s bound to be a bit busy.”

Jiang Xian said, “Tan Jizhu is only three years older than you. She’s in the rising stage of her career, so why are you idling around all day? When Mommy Qiu and I were your age, we were already holding our own!”

“I have a career too!” Luo Jingyun argued for herself. “I get scripts sent to me; I just haven’t accepted any because I didn’t think they were good. It’s called being selective.”

“Fine, fine, you’re always the one with the excuses. Set a time with your Tan Jizhu as soon as possible and come back for a meal with us, you hear me?”

Luo Jingyun gave a somewhat perfunctory reply. “I hear you, I hear you.”

Before hanging up, Jiang Xian muttered with a hint of disappointment, “Sigh, even a stone should have been warmed after all these years. What do you even see in her?”