After Divorcing the Scummy Alpha Movie Queen, I Became Extremely Popular - Chapter 42

How Much Longer Will You Deceive Jingyun?

“Jingyun, do you know why Tan Jizhu suddenly started pursuing you?”

“Why?” The question was directed at Park Soo-ah, but Luo Jingyun’s eyes were fixed on Tan Jizhu.

Tan Jizhu hurried to explain, “Jingyun, I started pursuing you because I realized that I’ve fallen in love with you!”

“What a convenient excuse. You were married to Jingyun for so long and never realized it,” Park Soo-ah said with a biting tone. “To realize it exactly at this juncture—how could there be such a coincidence?”

Tan Jizhu clenched her fists, suppressing her rage. “Park Soo-ah, why do you always have to interfere in the matters between Jingyun and me? What exactly is your motive!”

Park Soo-ah’s eyebrows shot up. “I am doing this to protect Jingyun from being hurt.”

“Enough,” Luo Jingyun said, having no desire to watch them bicker. “Soo-ah, whatever it is you want to say, get straight to the point!”

“Jingyun,” Tan Jizhu looked at Luo Jingyun sorrowfully, “You don’t believe me?”

Luo Jingyun remained silent; she simply turned her head, waiting for Park Soo-ah to reveal the truth. Tan Jizhu glared at Park Soo-ah with fury. She believed that a person upright in character has nothing to fear from shadows; no matter how Park Soo-ah tried to spread rumors, she could handle it. Moreover, she held Park Soo-ah’s own secret in her hands.

Park Soo-ah spoke the truth: “Jingyun, the reason Tan Jizhu decided to reconcile with you is because Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi are together. She can no longer be with Chen Shidong, so she turned back to you.”

…

Walking out of the room, Park Soo-ah made her way to the hillside behind the courtyard, preparing to call Lu Qiu and Jiang Xian. She knew exactly why Tan Jizhu had come to find Luo Jingyun; it was nothing more than an attempt to win her back.

That woman, Tan Jizhu—she had clearly decided to separate from Luo Jingyun, so why the sudden change of heart? If Luo Jingyun really rekindled her old flame with Tan Jizhu, would she still have a chance?

No, it wouldn’t happen. Even if Luo Jingyun decided to make up, there were still Lu Qiu and Jiang Xian; they certainly wouldn’t accept Tan Jizhu again.

But Lu Qiu and Jiang Xian doted on Luo Jingyun so much; if Luo Jingyun insisted, would they really be able to stop her?

What should she do? Was there really no way for her to be with Luo Jingyun?

Amidst her inner conflict, her phone screen went dark. Park Soo-ah sat silently on the hillside, blending into the darkness, contemplating her next move. Guided by the lights from the courtyard, she noticed a large shadow approaching her. In her panic, she chose to stay hidden in the dark, watching silently to see who it was.

“Yuqi, I miss you so much.”

“We see each other every day, what is there to miss? The filming is already over, yet you still insisted on coming to watch us do the post-production work.”

From the voices, Park Soo-ah realized that the “large shadow” was actually two people—Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi.

“Yes, I see you every day, but I can’t hug you or kiss you. This state of being able to see but not ‘eat’ is even more agonizing.”

“Oh, hush. We’re going back tomorrow. Just hold on for one more day. Once we get home, you can kiss me however you want.”

Chen Shidong acted spoiled and swayed her body. “No, no, I can’t even wait until tomorrow. I want a kiss right now.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll let you kiss me, okay?”

The two shadows merged closely together, and Park Soo-ah could even hear the wet sounds of their kissing. Aside from feeling embarrassed, she was deeply shocked. So, Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi were lovers!

The two were locked in a passionate embrace. Park Soo-ah scanned her surroundings and realized that the other sides of the small hill were quite steep and not suitable for a quick descent; the only gentle slope was occupied by Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi. She couldn’t run away even if she wanted to, so she silently prayed that these two wouldn’t do anything more excessive.

Suddenly, a light flickered in the darkness, and the sound of a rhythmic dance track began to play. Park Soo-ah realized it was a call from Lu Qiu and Jiang Xian; she frantically pressed the button to silence the call.

“Who’s there?” The ringtone had alerted Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi. They approached cautiously. “Who is over there? Come out now!”

After a moment of hesitation, Park Soo-ah stepped out. She greeted the two awkwardly.

“Director Liu, Senior Chen.”

Seeing that the person hiding in the dark was her, the two relaxed. Liu Yuqi stepped closer and asked, “Soo-ah, it’s pitch black out here. Why are you staying out in this wasteland? What if you get bitten by mosquitoes?”

Park Soo-ah made up a random excuse. “Oh, I just… I came out to clear my head.”

Chen Shidong caught Park Soo-ah’s unease and said suspiciously, “Clear your head? Then why were you hiding in the dark? Why didn’t you come out earlier to greet us?”

“Senior, I just… I… I didn’t see anything just now, and I didn’t hear anything either. Please rest assured, I really don’t know anything.”

Liu Yuqi gave Chen Shidong a light nudge. “Why are you being so fierce?” She turned back to Park Soo-ah and said, “It’s alright, Soo-ah. If you saw it, you saw it. I never intended to hide our relationship indefinitely anyway.”

Before Park Soo-ah could react, Chen Shidong spoke up first. “What? Yuqi, did you say you don’t intend to hide our relationship? Have you finally decided to announce that we are a couple?”

“Yes,” Liu Yuqi explained. “Before, I was mainly concerned about our careers. Now that the Hou Tu Awards are over and The Journey of Cultivating the Heart has finished filming, if you want to go public, we can do so after the final episode airs.”

“That’s wonderful!” Chen Shidong, who had been guarded just moments ago, looked like a different person; her joy was written all over her face. “Soo-ah, since Yuqi has decided to announce our relationship after the show ends, it doesn’t matter if you know. Just be a bit careful and don’t let too many people know before we officially announce it.”

Having escaped a disaster, Park Soo-ah breathed a sigh of relief and promised, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone before you make it public!”

“Then thank you. We’ll send you an invitation when we get married.”

Liu Yuqi complained softly, “How did you jump the topic to a wedding? That’s a bit of a leap.”

“It’s not that big of a leap. Since we’re going public, isn’t the next step marriage?” Chen Shidong mused about the future. “We can invite all the guests from The Journey of Cultivating the Heart. I wonder if Jizhu will have won Jingyun back by then. They were married for so long, yet she only realized she liked Jingyun a few days ago under my guidance. She took a perfectly good ‘Easy Mode’ and turned it into ‘Hell Mode’ herself.”

It was the first time Liu Yuqi had heard this. Half-jealous and half-puzzled, she asked, “What do you mean Jizhu only realized she liked Jingyun under your guidance?”

Chen Shidong spoke candidly, “Oh, the day Jizhu’s pheromones went out of control, she didn’t realize she was jealous because Jingyun chose Soo-ah. I guided her, telling her that you only get jealous when you like someone. She insisted on being stubborn, saying she didn’t like Luo Jingyun and that she thought the person she liked was me.”

Hearing this, Liu Yuqi felt a bit more jealous. “And then?”

Chen Shidong sensed trouble and quickly cleared her own name. “Then I told her that you and I were together! Yuqi, I promise I will only love you in this lifetime!”

“Mhm. And then what?”

“And then, Tan Jizhu was very calm after hearing that news. But the moment she thought about Luo Jingyun liking someone else after the divorce, she couldn’t take it. That’s when she realized she liked Jingyun.”

“What?” Hearing the key phrase, Park Soo-ah pressed, “Senior, are you saying that Tan Jizhu only decided to pursue Jingyun again after she found out the two of you were together?”

“Yes, that’s how it was. If those two ever remarry, Yuqi and I deserve to sit at the head table at the wedding banquet!”

A possibility instantly formed in Park Soo-ah’s mind. Tan Jizhu only intended to win Luo Jingyun back because she knew she had no chance with Chen Shidong! That must be it!

Thinking of the state Tan Jizhu and Luo Jingyun were in when she had left the room, she didn’t bother saying anything else to Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi. She turned and sprinted toward the courtyard.

“Soo-ah?” Liu Yuqi was baffled. “Where is she running off to in such a hurry?”

“I don’t know either.” Chen Shidong turned Liu Yuqi’s face back to her. “Alright, alright, stop paying attention to her and kiss me a little longer!”

Park Soo-ah ran all the way back. Without even stopping to knock, she kicked the door open violently, only to see Tan Jizhu and Luo Jingyun embracing.

Fortunately, they were only hugging.

Park Soo-ah moved quickly to pull the two apart, drawing Tan Jizhu’s ire. After several rounds of arguing, she blurted out her conclusion.

“Park Soo-ah, are you insane!” Tan Jizhu raised her hand, looking as if she were about to strike.

“Tan Jizhu,” Luo Jingyun called out, asking calmly, “Is what she said true?”

Tan Jizhu rushed to explain, “Of course it’s not true! Jingyun, I want to reconcile because I realized my love for you. It has nothing to do with Chen Shidong or anyone else.”

“Jingyun, don’t listen to her excuses. I just ran into Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi. They said they are going to announce their relationship after the final episode. Tan Jizhu has known this for a long time—did she ever tell you?”

Tan Jizhu said, “Jingyun, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think it was necessary. It’s not because I couldn’t get my Senior that I came back to you. I didn’t feel jealous at all when I learned Chen Shidong and Liu Yuqi were together.”

Luo Jingyun didn’t speak. The room fell into a heavy silence.

Park Soo-ah stood by Luo Jingyun’s side, signaling that she was on the same front.

“Only you know what you’re really thinking in your heart. You say these things, but can we actually hear your inner thoughts?”

Tan Jizhu stared at Park Soo-ah with loathing. “I am talking to Jingyun, why do you keep butting in? Do you think no one knows about your own scandalous business?”

“Me? What scandalous business do I have? Tan Jizhu, don’t you dare start rumors about me!”

Tan Jizhu sneered. “Park Soo-ah, how much longer are you going to deceive Jingyun? You are someone sent by Auntie Lu and Auntie Jiang. Your purpose for caring for Jingyun was for your own future career. Now that filming is over, are you off to embrace your bright future?”

Park Soo-ah panicked. “Tan Jizhu, don’t talk nonsense!”

“What? Am I wrong? I heard you on the phone with the Aunties. Don’t deny it and keep lying to Jingyun.”

Luo Jingyun’s brow furrowed upon hearing this. “Soo-ah, is what she said true?”

She had thought Park Soo-ah was a simple, pure person; she hadn’t expected there to be an ulterior motive.

“It’s not like that, Jingyun. Let me explain. I…”

Luo Jingyun simply asked coldly in return: “Is it true? Were you sent by my mother?”

Park Soo-ah took a deep breath. “Yes, what she said is true. I was indeed sent by the Aunties to protect you.”

“Oh,” Luo Jingyun replied. After getting the answer, she didn’t show much of a reaction. “I see.”

“Jingyun, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lie to you. I admit I approached you at first because of the task from the Aunties. But during the time we’ve spent together, I’ve truly fallen for you. I was planning to tell them after this was over—I can give up those resources and that work, I only want you.”

Luo Jingyun waved her hand and said, “Alright, don’t say any more.”

“Did you hear that? Jingyun doesn’t want to hear you talk anymore!” Tan Jizhu took the opportunity to make her presence felt.

“You don’t say any more either,” Luo Jingyun snapped, silencing Tan Jizhu as well.

The two looked at each other as Luo Jingyun rubbed her temples, looking exhausted. “Tan Jizhu, go back. Park Soo-ah, find a place to stay with the staff for the night.”

“Jingyun…”

The two called out her name softly at the same time.

“Enough. Both of you, get out!”