After Failing To Win Over the Yandere Best Actress, I Got Marked - Chapter 19

Su Jin unconsciously rubbed the small glass bottle with her fingertips, unable to sit still.

“Host, stop spacing out!” The system’s electronic voice pierced her mind sharply. “Tonight’s dinner is the perfect opportunity. Complete the mission quickly, and you can go home!”

Su Jin snapped back to reality, noticing the heavy dark circles under her eyes in the mirror.

“Su Jin?”

A familiar voice came from behind, startling her so much that her hand shook, and the bottle of foundation “clattered” onto the floor.

Ye Qinglan pushed the door open. Her collar was slightly ajar, revealing her delicate collarbones. The stray hairs on her forehead were damp with sweat, clinging to her porcelain skin clearly, she had just finished filming.

“Qinglan…” Su Jin hurriedly blocked the glass bottle that had rolled under the vanity with her foot, forcing a stiff smile. “You’re done?”

Ye Qinglan’s gaze searched her face, her brows furrowing slightly. “You look terrible.” She stepped closer, her slender fingers gently touching Su Jin’s forehead. “Unwell?”

This simple touch made Su Jin’s nose sting with emotion.

She took a subtle half-step back. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”

Ye Qinglan looked at her thoughtfully before changing the subject. “The director said there’s a crew dinner tonight to reward everyone for their hard work.”

Su Jin’s heart sank to the bottom of an abyss.

A dinner meant plenty of alcohol the perfect setting for Fang Qi’s plan. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, the fabric wrinkling into a ball in her palm.

“Can I… not go?” she asked softly, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Ye Qinglan’s gaze lingered on her face, concern evident. “If you’re not feeling well, then don’t..”

“Host!” The system’s warning was shrill and ear-piercing. “You must go! Otherwise…”

A sudden jolt of pain surged up her spine. Su Jin hunched over, biting her lower lip hard to keep from screaming. The pain vanished as quickly as it came, but it was enough to break a cold sweat on her brow.

“It’s okay, I’ll go,” she gritted out, changing her tune.

Ye Qinglan’s brow twitched imperceptibly before she regained her composure. “Alright. Get some rest first.”

Only after the dressing room door closed did Su Jin let out a long breath.

Trembling, she picked up the small glass bottle. The colorless liquid shimmered with an eerie luster under the lights.

Fang Qi’s words from earlier echoed in her ears: “Make her drink this and take her to room 2103. Or else…”

Half an hour later, she followed Ye Qinglan into the hotel private box.

The light from the crystal chandelier spilled onto the round table. Amidst the clinking of glasses, countless inquisitive looks were cast their way. Su Jin noticed Fang Qi already seated at the main table in a form fitting black dress, watching them with a half-smile.

“Movie Queen Ye! Over here!” The director waved enthusiastically.

Ye Qinglan naturally took Su Jin’s hand. This simple gesture drew a round of suggestive cheering, making the box even noisier.

Su Jin picked at her food mechanically, tasting nothing.

“Movie Queen Ye,” the director suddenly stood up, “Producer Song wants to talk to you about a new project.”

Su Jin’s chopsticks “clacked” as they hit the table.

Song Jing. In the original novel, she was the gold-medal producer who colluded with Fang Qi the CEO of Brilliance Entertainment and the woman who nearly destroyed Ye Qinglan’s career.

Ye Qinglan nodded. Before leaving, she gave Su Jin’s fingers a light squeeze under the table.

This small comfort made Su Jin’s eyes burn.

She watched Ye Qinglan walk toward the other end of the box where a woman in her early forties sat. Dressed in a sharply tailored Chanel suit with wine-red hair, the diamond studs on her earlobes sparkled with a cold light.

Song Jing was sizing up the approaching Ye Qinglan, her red lips curling into a meaningful smile.

The original novel described her as “seemingly elegant and decent, but actually ruthless,” someone who would use any means to achieve her goals.

Su Jin clenched her fists, filled with worry, and prepared to stand up and follow.

But as soon as Ye Qinglan left, several actors immediately swarmed her.

“Su Jin, is it true between you and the Movie Queen?” A female supporting actress leaned in gossiping, her perfume cloyingly thick.

“Sorry, private matters aren’t convenient to disclose,” Su Jin replied absentmindedly, her gaze locked on Ye Qinglan in the distance.

Song Jing had already poured the third glass, and Ye Qinglan’s cheeks were beginning to flush.

“Oh, come on!” another actor chimed in. “The way Movie Queen Ye looks at you… tsk tsk… I’ve never seen her so gentle with anyone.”

Su Jin brushed them off with a few vague responses, finally finding a chance to break away.

She had to tell Ye Qinglan about Fang Qi’s plan immediately.

She had barely taken two steps when a strong scent of perfume blocked her path.

“What’s the rush?” Fang Qi stood there holding champagne, her red lips almost touching Su Jin’s ear. “Ye Qinglan is already drunk. Find a chance to make her drink the medicine. Room 2103. Don’t disappoint me.”

With that, Fang Qi gave a meaningful glance toward the drinking Song Jing and sauntered away.

Su Jin gripped the medicine bottle and hurried toward Ye Qinglan’s table.

As she approached, her heart sank. Seven or eight empty glasses already sat before Ye Qinglan, who was swaying precariously, her face flushed deep red.

Song Jing was pouring the ninth glass, the diamond studs flashing coldly with her movements.

“Movie Queen Ye! This glass is to our cooperation.” She emphasized the word “cooperation,” her eyes glancing suggestively at Su Jin.

“She’s had too much!” Su Jin blurted out, her voice so loud she startled herself.

The entire table fell silent.

Song Jing slowly turned her head, a dangerous glint flickering in her narrowed eyes.

She set the bottle down gently, but the action made Su Jin’s skin crawl.

“And this is…?” Song Jing asked leisurely, her manicured fingers tapping the tabletop.

“Su Jin,” the director introduced. “From our crew…”

“I know.” Song Jing sneered, looking Su Jin up and down like she was appraising a commodity. “The 18th-tier actress who rose to fame through scandals.” She emphasized “18th-tier” with a mocking curl of her lips. “What? Is it your place to decide whether Qinglan drinks or not?”

The temperature in the box seemed to plummet.

Su Jin could feel everyone’s eyes on her curiosity, schadenfreude, and mostly, anticipation for a show.

She took a deep breath and snatched the glass from in front of Ye Qinglan. “Qinglan has scenes to film tomorrow. I’ll drink for her!”

She tilted her head back and downed it.

The harsh alcohol scorched her throat, making her cough uncontrollably until tears welled up.

Song Jing’s face darkened instantly.

She set her own glass down heavily, the champagne sloshing violently. “Miss Su,” she said syllable by syllable, “Are you questioning my hospitality?”

Su Jin fought back the cough, feeling Song Jing’s gaze like a blade scraping over her face.

The gold medal producer had completely dropped her mask of elegance, her eyes flashing with unabashed rage.

“Producer Song misunderstood,” the director hurried to play peacemaker. “Su Jin is just worried about tomorrow’s shoot…”

“Is that so?” Song Jing sneered, suddenly turning to the bleary eyed Ye Qinglan. “Movie Queen Ye, your ‘friend’ seems very concerned about you.” She stressed the word “friend,” her tone dripping with irony.

Ye Qinglan looked at Su Jin through a drunken haze, a flicker of clarity crossing her eyes.

She stood up unsteadily, leaning her entire weight against Su Jin. “We… should go back…”

Song Jing’s expression worsened.

She stood up abruptly, her voice turning sharp. “Movie Queen Ye, we haven’t finished discussing the cooperation details!”

“Another day.” Ye Qinglan’s voice was soft but carried an unquestionable firmness.

Song Jing’s chest heaved with fury.

She stared at Su Jin as if she wanted to swallow her alive. “Fine. Very well.” She suddenly laughed, a sound that made Su Jin’s hair stand on end. “We… have a long way to go.”

As they walked out of the box, Su Jin’s legs felt like jelly.

Half of it was the alcohol, the other half was the aftershock of fear. The “medicine” was still sitting in her pocket, and the system was screaming frantically in her head.

“Host! Quickly complete the drugging mission.”