After Failing To Win Over the Yandere Best Actress, I Got Marked - Chapter 13

Ye Qinglan looked at her with a smile and repeated herself: “How about coming to live at my place?”

“To… to your house?” Su Jin’s spoon fell into her porridge with a “clatter,” splashing grains of rice onto her hospital gown. She frantically wiped at them, her eyes darting around, not daring to meet Ye Qinglan’s gaze. “That… that wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. You are my lover now.”

Su Jin stammered: “Bu-but, I… I haven’t fully recovered yet…”

Ye Qinglan’s slender fingers lightly brushed a grain of rice off Su Jin’s collar, her fingertips ghosting over her collarbone as if by accident. “The doctor said you can be discharged. Besides…” She suddenly leaned in close, her warm breath fanning against Su Jin’s ear, “I have a private doctor at home, on call 24 hours a day.”

The tips of Su Jin’s ears turned beet red instantly. She shrank back. “That… I…I think the hospital is quite good! The nurses are available whenever I call, and there’s…”

“Su Jin.” Ye Qinglan suddenly interrupted her, her gaze darkening. “Is it that… you don’t like me?”

“Huh?” Su Jin’s eyes widened. Seeing the usually cold and aloof Movie Queen suddenly look so hurt made her heart ache as if it had been pinched. She waved her hands frantically. “No, no! How could I not like you!”

The words were out of her mouth before she could regret them.

Sure enough, Ye Qinglan’s eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with stars. “Then it’s settled. I’ll go handle the discharge papers now.” Without waiting for Su Jin’s reaction, she turned and walked out.

“Wait!” Su Jin had a sudden flash of inspiration. She clutched her chest. “Ow… I…I think I’m feeling a bit unwell…”

Ye Qinglan paused and rushed back immediately, her brow furrowed. “Where does it hurt?” Her hand was already reaching for the call button.

“It’s just… my chest feels tight…” Su Jin feigned a few gasps, peeking at Ye Qinglan’s reaction.

In less than a minute, the attending physician arrived with a nurse in tow.

Ye Qinglan stepped aside, her expression grave. “She suddenly complained of chest tightness.”

The doctor performed a thorough examination. Finally, he took off his stethoscope with a peculiar expression. “All her vitals are normal. In fact, she’s healthier than the average person.”

A weird silence descended upon the hospital room.

Su Jin wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into; she didn’t dare look Ye Qinglan in the eye.

“I understand. Thank you, doctor.” Ye Qinglan politely saw the medical staff out. After closing the door, she turned back with a half-smile on her face.

Su Jin huddled on the bed like a child who had done something wrong.

Ye Qinglan walked over slowly and sat on the edge of the bed. She suddenly reached out and pinched Su Jin’s chin, forcing her to look up. “Su Jin, are you hiding from me?”

“I’m not!” Su Jin reflexively denied it, but she quickly lost her nerve under the other woman’s burning gaze. Her voice grew smaller and smaller. “I just… I feel like things are moving too fast…”

Ye Qinglan stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a soft laugh. “What did you think I was going to do to you?” She let go and stood up. “I just think the hospital environment isn’t good for resting. I have three guest rooms at home, you can pick whichever one you like.”

Su Jin was so embarrassed she wanted to die.

So she had overthought it? The Movie Queen didn’t have that in mind at all!

“I…I didn’t mean it like that!” she explained hurriedly. “I just… I just…”

“Just what?” Ye Qinglan raised an eyebrow.

Su Jin opened her mouth, but eventually hung her head in defeat. “…I’ll go pack my things.”

Half an hour later, clutching her small backpack, Su Jin followed closely behind Ye Qinglan as they walked out of the hospital. Papparazzi were already waiting outside, their camera flashes blooming into a continuous sheet of light.

Ye Qinglan naturally wrapped an arm around Su Jin’s shoulders, shielding her in her embrace as they hurried toward the parking lot.

Su Jin was as stiff as a wooden board. The faint scent of Ye Qinglan’s perfume mixed with a subtle, cool fragrance swirled around her nose, making her heart race.

“Don’t be nervous,” Ye Qinglan whispered in her ear. The warm breath tickled her earlobe. “We’ll be at the car soon.”

Su Jin nodded, but only felt more nervous. She could feel the steady palm of Ye Qinglan’s hand supporting her back. The warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, making her feel hot all over.

Once they finally sat in the car, Su Jin let out a long sigh of relief, only to realize she had relaxed too early. In the confined space of the car, Ye Qinglan’s presence felt even more overwhelming.

“Buckle up.” Ye Qinglan leaned over. Her arm brushed past Su Jin’s chest as she pulled out the seatbelt and clicked it into place.

The posture essentially trapped Su Jin in a half-embrace. Su Jin held her breath, not moving an inch.

It wasn’t until Ye Qinglan retreated back to the driver’s seat that she dared to take a breath, her fingers mindlessly twisting the hem of her shirt. As the scenery blurred past the window, her heart only beat faster.

“System! System!” Su Jin screamed inwardly. “What do I do? I’m going to her house!”

The System responded lazily: “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? It makes completing the mission much easier.”

“Who…who said I wanted this!” Su Jin was fuming. “She wouldn’t be thinking about… about sleeping with me, would she?”

“Look at you, getting all worked up,” the System sneered. “Ye Qinglan has seen all sorts of beauties. If she sleeps with you, you’re the one getting the better end of the deal, okay?”

Su Jin was left speechless, turning to glare out the window in a huff.

But soon, she couldn’t help but steal glances at Ye Qinglan in the driver’s seat. Today, she was wearing a loose white shirt with the collar slightly open, revealing her exquisite collarbones. Her profile was as perfect as a sculpture, and her long eyelashes cast small shadows under her eyes…

“Do I look good?” Ye Qinglan suddenly spoke, startling Su Jin so much she nearly jumped.

“I… I wasn’t looking!”

Ye Qinglan chuckled softly but didn’t call her out.

The car drove into a high-end residential area and finally stopped in front of a three story villa.

Su Jin followed her out of the car, looking up at the modern architecture and subconsciously swallowing.

“Come in.” Ye Qinglan entered the code and pushed the door open.

The interior was simple and cozy, completely different from the “luxury mansion” Su Jin had imagined. It featured light wood floors, a cream-colored sofa, and a few landscape oil paintings on the walls. Outside the floor to ceiling windows was a small garden.

“Do you like it?” Ye Qinglan took her backpack.

“It’s beautiful…” Su Jin stood stiffly at the entrance, unsure if she should change her shoes.

Ye Qinglan took out a pair of brand-new slippers and placed them by her feet. “Your size.”

Su Jin looked up in surprise. “How did you know…”

“Visual estimation,” Ye Qinglan said nonchalantly, turning toward the stairs. “I’ll show you the rooms.”

Su Jin quickly changed into the slippers and followed.

At the end of the second floor hallway was a spacious bedroom. The window faced the garden, and the King sized bed was covered in light gray sheets. On the nightstand sat a uniquely designed lamp.

“Is this the master bedroom?” Su Jin stood at the door, afraid to enter.

Ye Qinglan nodded. “Yes, my room. Yours is next door.”

Su Jin breathed a sigh of relief and followed her to the adjacent room. This one was slightly smaller but equally exquisite and cozy, with beige bedding that looked soft and comfortable.

“The bathroom is over there,” Ye Qinglan pointed. “The toiletries are all new. Get some rest first. I’ll go get some things ready for you to shower.”

Su Jin nodded. Once Ye Qinglan left, she collapsed onto the bed and let out a long breath.

“System, I think this is weird…” she thought. “Why is Ye Qinglan suddenly so good to me? Just because I look like that ‘old friend’ of hers?”

The System was silent for a moment. “Host, I suggest you take this opportunity to gain more of her favor. It will make it easier to trigger her ‘blackening’ for the mission later.”

Su Jin rolled her eyes. “Could you have a little humanity?”

“I am a system. I don’t have humanity by definition,” the System replied matter-of-factly.

Just as Su Jin was about to argue back, there was a knock on the door.

Ye Qinglan’s voice came from outside: “Susu, go take a shower. I’ve brought you some a change of clothes.”

Hearing the overly intimate nickname “Susu,” Su Jin was stunned for a second before remembering to open the door.

Outside, Ye Qinglan was waiting with the clothes, a smile in her eyes as she handed them over.

Su Jin took them. “Thank you.”

“Don’t be so polite. Go take your shower.”

In the bathroom, Su Jin looked down at the neatly folded pajamas in her arms. They were made of silk a short sleeved top and shorts feeling cool and smooth to the touch. She held them up; they seemed to be just the right size.

“How does she even know what size I wear…” Su Jin muttered, her cheeks flushing.

The bathroom was bright and spacious. The shower stall alone was twice the size of a normal one.

Su Jin carefully locked the door before undressing. The warm water washed away the day’s fatigue. She closed her eyes, letting the spray hit her face.

“Host, you’ve been in there for nearly half an hour,” the System suddenly piped up. “Any longer and your skin will prune.”

Su Jin finally turned off the tap, dried herself, and put on the silk pajamas. The feeling of the fabric against her skin was unfamiliar it was too light, almost like wearing nothing at all.

She stood before the mirror. Her cheeks were steamed red, her wet hair clung to her neck, and the silk pajamas traced the curves of her body…

“No, this is too much…” Su Jin frantically grabbed a bath towel and wrapped it around herself, finally feeling a bit more secure.

After lingering for nearly twenty minutes, she finally gathered the courage to open the bathroom door. She returned to the guest room, only to gasp at the sight.

Ye Qinglan was leaning against her headboard, holding a book.

Hearing the movement, she looked up. Her gaze swept over Su Jin, and the corners of her mouth curled upward. “All finished?”

She had changed into a black silk robe. The belt was loosely tied, the collar open wide to reveal a patch of snowy skin. Her wet hair draped over her shoulders; she had clearly just showered as well. Her long legs were crossed, and the hem of the robe had slid to mid-thigh, inviting endless imagination.

Su Jin froze in place, clutching the towel even tighter. “You… why are you here…”

“To bring you a hairdryer.” Ye Qinglan pointed to the nightstand. “If you don’t dry your hair, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Thank you…” Su Jin moved over slowly, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I can do it myself.”

But Ye Qinglan had already stood up and picked up the hairdryer. “Sit down. I’ll help you.”

“No need!” Su Jin took a step back, nearly tripping over her towel.

Ye Qinglan was quick to react, catching her by the waist. The two were suddenly pressed very close. Su Jin could smell the fresh scent of her body wash mixed with that unique cool fragrance, making her dizzy.

“Careful.” Ye Qinglan’s voice was low and husky, her breath hit Su Jin’s ear.

Su Jin’s heart felt like it would leap out of her chest. In her panic, the towel slipped to the floor. She gave a small cry and scrambled to pick it up, but Ye Qinglan beat her to it.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.

Ye Qinglan’s gaze traveled slowly over her before settling on her crimson face. She gently draped the towel back over Su Jin’s shoulders, her voice deeper than usual: “Don’t catch a chill.”

Su Jin frantically wrapped herself up and stammered: “I…I can blow dry my own hair!”

Ye Qinglan didn’t insist. She handed over the hairdryer. “Then I’ll go warm up some milk for you. It helps with sleep.”

Once Ye Qinglan left, Su Jin immediately locked the door and dove into bed, burying her face in the pillow to scream silently.

“System! She definitely wants to sleep with me!” she shouted in her mind.

The System said coolly: “Then just go with it. Your mission requires you to seduce her anyway.”

“That’s different!” Su Jin punched the pillow in frustration. “She’s just treating me as a substitute!”

The System gave an incredibly meaningful “Oh~”. “So, you’re jealous?”

“I am not!” Su Jin denied it vehemently, yet she felt a strange, inexplicable pang in her heart.

A knock sounded again. Ye Qinglan’s voice came through the door: “Susu, the milk is ready.”

Su Jin still wasn’t used to the name. She took a deep breath, adjusted her towel, and went to open the door.

Ye Qinglan stood there holding a glass of milk. She bowed her head slightly, and through her collar, the delicate lines of her collarbone were visible.

“Thanks.” Su Jin didn’t dare meet her eyes. She took the milk and drank a large gulp mechanically.

The warm liquid sliding down her throat did indeed help her frayed nerves relax.

Ye Qinglan leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching her drink.

Once Su Jin finished, she took the empty glass and suddenly said: “I have a shoot tomorrow morning, so I’ll be leaving very early. I’ll have the housekeeper leave food for you, just eat when you wake up.”

Su Jin nodded. “Okay. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Ye Qinglan hesitated for a moment, then suddenly leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “Sweet dreams.”

By the time Su Jin snapped out of it, Ye Qinglan was already gone.

She touched the spot where she’d been kissed, her heart thundering like a drum.

That night, Su Jin tossed and turned, her mind filled with every smile and look from Ye Qinglan.

It wasn’t until the sky began to turn grey with dawn that she fell into a dazed sleep. In her dreams, it seemed someone was gently stroking her face, whispering incessantly in her ear:

Sister, I’ve finally gotten close to you…