After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 14

Punishing her by making her remember…

Fate is often a strange, cruel thing.

The more desperately you crave longevity, the easier it is to lose everything. It’s only after you’ve tasted total loss, after you’ve felt what it’s like to be abandoned by the entire world, that the love you once fought to hold onto is suddenly served back to you on a silver platter.

But that love is out of season.

It’s just Fate mocking you. Mocking how hard you tried to keep that person only to lose them so easily; mocking the scars that had finally begun to scab over, only to be torn open once again.

There was a time when Du Yaozhi wasn’t “Du Yaozhi.”

She wasn’t the Du Yaozhi accused of “diva behavior” and cursed out on trending searches. She wasn’t the Du Yaozhi who set risky traps or the one willing to gamble everything on a single chance.

She was just one of thousands at Hengdian, struggling to even get her name on a cast list. Back then, she had only one title:

Supporting Character.

No one would have guessed that this minor player was the secret lover of the A-list star, Shen Qing. Even Du Yaozhi herself found it hard to believe she shared such an intimate, hidden connection with a woman whose public image was flawlessness personified.

Sometimes, she wondered if she was just a supporting character in Shen Qing’s life, too. A tiny, insignificant extra in Shen Qing’s world of privilege and adoration.

“That’s not right.”

Shen Qing’s voice drifted from behind, carrying a commanding clarity. She was leaning quietly against the doorframe, clutching a script, watching her.

Du Yaozhi snapped out of her thoughts, shifting her feet awkwardly. “What’s wrong this time?”

“You’re just mimicking anger. You aren’t projecting hate.”

Shen Qing pointed out the flaw instantly before continuing. “Listen. The little maid you’re playing was once the daughter of a prestigious silk-weaving family. After being framed, your beloved father was executed by the Cao clan, and your mother hanged herself in grief. A single disaster destroyed your entire world overnight.”

“You entered the palace for revenge and endured endless humiliation. In the bitter winter, your hands rotted from doing manual labor in freezing water. Just as you finally begin to climb the ranks, your most trusted friend betrays you, making you the scapegoat for Consort Xian’s faction. They crush you like an insect, rendering all your efforts futile. You are forced to watch yourself die with an unavenged grievance, just like your family.”

Shen Qing walked closer, her cool fragrance enveloping the air. She pointed to a line in the script. “But in this scene, right before your execution, you look at your enemy with nothing but anger. There is no bone-deep hatred of someone who has been betrayed by everyone. Why?”

Shen Qing knew Du Yaozhi only had a two-second shot in this role, insignificant to a star of her caliber, yet she remained a rigorous teacher.

“I” Du Yaozhi’s back was damp with sweat, her fingers white-knuckled around the script. She bit her lip. “I’ll try again.”

“Stop.” Shen Qing softened her tone, gesturing for her to take a break. “Rest for a moment.”

“Am I… am I that bad at this?” Du Yaozhi asked softly, tentatively looking up.

It was rare for Du Yaozhi to doubt herself; usually, she was the picture of confidence. Shen Qing took note of her hesitation. She picked up her cup, blowing the steam away before taking a sip. “It’s okay. You’re just missing that final spark of emotion.”

Du Yaozhi frowned. “But you just said” You were much harsher a second ago.

“Du Yaozhi.”

Shen Qing set the cup down and leaned against the table, shifting her weight gracefully. The pearls on her necklace dipped into the hollow of her collarbone. “What is our relationship?”

“Oh.” Du Yaozhi straightened her back. She gave Shen Qing a stubborn look, the tips of her ears turning pink. She didn’t know whether to say teacher and student or lovers.

“Answer me.”

Du Yaozhi chose the answer she liked best. “We are… in a relationship where we can kiss.”

Shen Qing let out a soft laugh, her cool eyes curving into a faint arc. “Is that why you’re failing the scene? Where exactly are you looking?”

Shen Qing was wearing high-end, comfortable silk pajamas, yet she had several layers of pearl necklaces draped around her neck.

Du Yaozhi stared at a faint red mark on Shen Qing’s neck, choosing not to answer the question. Instead, she took a sip of water. “Isn’t that uncomfortable? You’ve been wearing it all day.”

“I’m on the shortlist for this brand’s ambassador.”

Shen Qing looked down at the necklace and then met Du Yaozhi’s searching gaze, explaining patiently, “The brand wants to assess my ‘compatibility’ with them. They sent these over specifically to see how I look wearing them.”

According to Gu Lin, brands rarely sent jewelry just to consider someone for an ambassadorship. But for Shen Qing, the rules were different.

Shen Qing’s long fingers idly toyed with the pearls. “So, what do you think?”

“I think it’s choking you.”

Du Yaozhi shook her head. “I think if they really wanted you as their ambassador, they should have brought jewelry that actually fits you, instead of just throwing a ‘classic’ piece around your neck.”

Shen Qing chuckled at Du Yaozhi’s innocent perspective, laughing at her lack of industry knowledge, but also at her blunt honesty. She pulled out a chair and sat beside her.

Her lips moved as she searched for the words. “I don’t like wearing jewelry,” she said calmly. “Necklaces feel like a hand around my throat. But my neck doesn’t belong to me, so I don’t have the right to decide whether I wear them or not.”

“Doesn’t belong to you? What does that mean?” Du Yaozhi frowned, looking at her in confusion.

Shen Qing closed her eyes and took a soft breath. “Once you are chosen, it’s as if you have been ‘purchased.’ You become a piece of commercial value. A mobile display case for whatever the investors want to show.”

“I am the same. Just a display case for them.”

A display case? Du Yaozhi had never imagined such a word being used to describe Shen Qing. Especially not by Shen Qing herself.

Shen Qing’s shoulders were relaxed as she stared straight ahead, her hand loosely gripping her cup. Her wrist bone jutted out slightly, and her eyes were cold and distant—like a deep winter snow that would never melt.

Du Yaozhi’s chest heaved slightly. She stared intently at Shen Qing, processing every word. You are the protagonist, so why do you always bow your head? You are clearly sad. Why won’t you tell me? You are Shen Qing.

Du Yaozhi wouldn’t allow her to say such things.

“Then don’t move.”

In the next second, Du Yaozhi lunged forward. She covered Shen Qing’s eyes and boldly left a vivid, scarlet mark on that “purchased” neck.

However, she kissed her just above that expensive necklace—on the space between the jaw and the throat. It felt far more transgressive. Her shallow breaths fanned against the sensitive skin, sending a wave of itchiness through Shen Qing, accompanied by a moist kiss that hijacked her senses without warning.

Shen Qing tilted her face up. She didn’t rush to push her away; instead, she caught Du Yaozhi’s wrist as it tried to wander lower, holding it easily in her palm.

“Du Yaozhi, you can act,” she said with a knowing, helpless smile. “You’re just playing for the camera, aren’t you?”

“You aren’t worried about losing the role at all. You’re just pretending you can’t act.” Shen Qing saw right through her.

“Yes.”

Du Yaozhi tucked her long curls behind her ear, dropping the act. “Don’t you know? When I look at you, I can’t find it in me to hate you.”

“But I wanted you to spend time teaching me. I wanted to see you trying to pry the reason out of me with every sentence. Isn’t this killing two birds with one stone?”

Du Yaozhi knelt with one leg on the chair between Shen Qing’s knees, the other foot planted on the floor. She leaned in so close their noses almost touched. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Shen Qing, unable to do anything about the kiss, brushed a stray hair from Du Yaozhi’s lip and asked with a light laugh, “Then what will it take for you to hate me?”

Du Yaozhi panted, her voice rasping. “I don’t know.”

“Unless you push me away. Unless you reject me.”

Shen Qing’s fingers slid from Du Yaozhi’s hair to her earlobe, before she rested her hand on the back of the chair. She didn’t respond, nor did she lean in. She simply watched her, feeling Du Yaozhi’s breath grow hotter.

“Do you want to try?” Shen Qing asked.

“Try what?” For the first time, Du Yaozhi looked genuinely timid rather than just “acting” obedient. Her throat bobbed.

“A relationship beyond just kissing. Do you want to try that?”

**

“Area A, Number 19! Let’s congratulate our lucky guest! Please, come forward!!”

The spotlight swung instantly onto Du Yaozhi’s seat.

With time being precious at such a major event, Du Yaozhi didn’t hesitate. She lifted her skirt and descended the stairs under the gaze of the entire room. The mermaid train trailed slightly behind her. As she reached the bottom, she leaned over to lift one side of her dress, the burgundy ribbon against her waist swaying forward a moment of stunning beauty.

She walked briskly toward the stage. Every eye she passed was filled with hidden thoughts; whispers broke out in the crowd.

“Who is she? I haven’t heard of her before. She’s gorgeous in person.” “How is it her?” “Did the organizers do this on purpose? Putting her and Shen Qing together? The buzz is going to be insane.”

Du Yaozhi ignored the gossip. She stepped onto the stage, smiling and nodding as she performed the basic etiquette. A brand executive, accompanied by an attendant, brought over a tray and requested she put on powder-free gloves.

A jewelry consultant stepped up to guide her, ensuring the process was flawless. “Please approach from the side and back,” the consultant whispered. “Be careful. The clasp is in your right hand; just align it and snap it shut.”

“Understood,” Du Yaozhi nodded. Under the collective gaze of the room, she solemnly took the ends of the necklace from the consultant.

The priceless piece felt heavy in her hands. Even through the gloves, she could feel the weight and the intricate complexity of the design. The deep blue sapphire of the main pendant was hypnotic; it was a piece that commanded attention.

It had to be said: this necklace suited Shen Qing much better than that “classic” one years ago.

Shen Qing remained standing, her posture composed and elegant. As Du Yaozhi approached, she lowered her head slightly.

“Excuse me,” Du Yaozhi said. The formalities had to be maintained.

Her arms reached around the neck she had once kissed so passionately. Her fingertips, encased in silk, searched for the clasp. As she reached behind, her fingers brushed against the back of Shen Qing’s neck.

Shen Qing’s breath hitched, almost imperceptibly.

Du Yaozhi handled the clasp, snapping it perfectly into place. Inwardly, she let out a disdainful snort. She’s as sensitive as ever.

But the moment Shen Qing reacted, Du Yaozhi felt her own heart tremble. They were so close; the breath they shared as they looked down felt like a tangled embrace.

Du Yaozhi suddenly realized that her previous claims of not caring about Shen Qing were lies. She just hated her too much, hated her for treating her that way during the year she loved her most.

Why, Shen Qing? We loved each other so much once.

Finally, the magnificent necklace clicked into place a heavy, fitting weight around Shen Qing’s neck. It buried their past intensity and sins beneath a layer of glittering gems.

With the task finished, Du Yaozhi wore a perfectly graceful smile. Amidst a sea of flashing cameras, she turned to stand side-by-side with Shen Qing. Their photo was frozen in time.

“Thank you, Miss Du,” Shen Qing said.

“You’re too kind, Teacher Shen.”

Du Yaozhi bowed slightly. She was smiling, but as she raised her eyes, a dark current swirled within them. “It is my honor. I am privileged to witness this legendary moment with Teacher Shen to witness Baoli’s timeless masterpiece.”

Du Yaozhi knew that for Shen Qing, this “legendary moment” was a punishment.

A punishment for being bound.

And a punishment to make her remember that kiss.

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