After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 2

The Jiangcheng autumn had brought a creeping chill, leaving the evening streets desolate.

Du Yaozhi had been drinking and couldn’t drive. Fortunately, the destination was close, so she decided to walk. Her high heels clicked against the fallen leaves, creating a rhythmic, elegant rustle.

“You did well. The money you asked for has been transferred.” Du Yaozhi adjusted her sunglasses and pulled her coat tighter around her.

“You’re something else! To dig up a bombshell like that.  just how much do you hate this little starlet named Du?” the voice on the other end teased.

“Is that so?” Du Yaozhi smiled nonchalantly. Her eyes curved beautifully at the corners, yet there wasn’t a trace of warmth in them.

“Oh, absolutely!” the person continued with a chuckle. “This ‘nobody’ we’d never even heard of her! No one had a clue she was entangled with Shen Qing!”

“Don’t forget the other matter,” Du Yaozhi reminded them.

“Small fry. Just a few words, consider it done.”

Without lingering on the call, Du Yaozhi ended the conversation.

The dome of the Huating Hotel was dazzling and extravagant, its lobby thick with the scent of high-end perfume. Led by staff, Du Yaozhi stepped into the private elevator. On the top floor, massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city’s chaotic neon glow a cold, prosperous nightscape that felt utterly hollow against the backdrop of this “vanity fair.”

Ironically, as an actress, she spent more time in places like this than she ever did during her days as a struggling extra at Hengdian. She had long since grown sick of these faces, each one more driven by greed than the last.

Stopping before a heavy door, Du Yaozhi knocked and pushed it open. A stifling wave of cigar smoke, expensive liquor, and the greasy sound of forced laughter hit her instantly.

“Oh, Yaozhi! You’re finally here! Quick, come in, Mr. Li has been waiting for you.”

Sheng Xiao’s face was a mask of fake smiles, her grin stretching nearly to her ears as she ushered Du Yaozhi to a seat next to Li Rongjin. Du Yaozhi knew her well: a snake in the grass. As they brushed past each other, Sheng Xiao shot her a vicious, warning glare.

“You better behave,” Sheng Xiao hissed under her breath.

Du Yaozhi didn’t flinch. “Naturally.”

“Well, if it isn’t Huasheng’s legendary ‘Face Worth a Thousand Gold,’ Miss Du? Truly a natural beauty! Come, sit! Mr. Li has been dying to talk business with you.” A middle-aged man nearby chirped, his eyes wandering shamelessly over her.

“Oh, Mr. Wang, you’re too kind! We’re all friends here.” Li Rongjin stood up, his beer belly straining against his shirt, his eyes gleaming with smugness and lust. “It’s a rare honor to have Miss Du join us. Please, sit.”

He pulled out a chair, his hand lingering a bit too long on the backrest.

Du Yaozhi calmly removed her sunglasses and draped her coat over the chair. “You gentlemen are joking. I’m just a minor actress; I can hardly compare to the likes of you.”

“Now, now, Yaozhi, don’t be a stranger!” Li Rongjin smacked his lips and took a large gulp of his drink. “We were just saying we need to ‘polish’ you up properly. If the terms are right, forget that little scandal on the trending charts—future resources, leading roles, it’s all on the table!”

In your dreams, Du Yaozhi thought, her inner voice dripping with sarcasm.

Li Rongjin continued his suggestive banter. “I’m just afraid Yaozhi won’t give me the face to accept.”

“I’m already here, Mr. Li. How could I not give you face?” Du Yaozhi’s acting was flawless. She sat down with a grace that was impossible to fault.

Sheng Xiao chimed in quickly. “Mr. Li, look at what you’re saying! Our Yaozhi might not be the biggest star yet, but her work ethic is second to none.” She grabbed a bottle of brandy and brought it over. “Yaozhi, why don’t you offer a toast to Mr. Li and Mr. Wang?”

“No need, Sister Sheng”

Du Yaozhi suddenly declined with a smile. She smoothed her skirt, stood up, and bypassed the brandy to pick a significantly stronger bottle from the cabinet. “To toast Mr. Li, I think this one is much more appropriate.”

“Don’t you agree, Mr. Li?” She left him no room to retreat.

The golden bottle shimmered under the lights like liquid gold, but for someone like Li Rongjin, whose tolerance had plummeted with age, it represented a daunting challenge.

“Oho, the strong stuff! Our Yaozhi has certainly grown up,” Sheng Xiao flattered, though she felt a flicker of hesitation. She knew Du Yaozhi couldn’t drink, yet here she was, playing the part with terrifying ease. Still, seeing her cooperate, Sheng Xiao didn’t overthink it. She figured the “little fox” was just putting up a final, desperate fight.

Du Yaozhi filled their glasses before turning to her own. As the liquid spiraled into the glass, the pungent, stinging aroma rose a scent that reminded her of her years scraping by in the industry, full of thorns.

“Good choice! You have an eye for quality,” Mr. Wang laughed, taking a sip. “But it’s a pity, Mr. Li’s health isn’t what it used to be. This stuff might be too much for his ‘wellness’ routine! Last time he got drunk, he was hugging a pillar and talking nonsense!”

“Mr. Wang, what are you implying?” Li Rongjin snapped, feeling his ego bruised. He looked at the liquor, then at Du Yaozhi. “Actually, Yaozhi, this is indeed a bit strong. I might not be able to keep up with you.” He tried to find an out. “How about this: you drink, and we’ll just watch and appreciate the aroma!”

Du Yaozhi didn’t miss a beat. She tilted her head slightly, cutting him off. “Mr. Li, are you saying… you won’t drink with me?”

The mole near her eye shifted as she spoke, making her gaze appear both crystal clear and dangerously alluring, like a dagger hidden under velvet. In this shark tank of a room, her beauty was breathtaking and sharp.

“If so, the drink loses its flavor, doesn’t it?” She looked down at the rim of her glass, tracing it with her finger, looking perfectly crestfallen.

“I’ll drink! Of course I’ll drink!” Li Rongjin was entranced. “If I’d known Miss Du was this enthusiastic, I wouldn’t have hesitated!”

He raised his glass and downed the potent liquor in one go, proudly showing her the empty glass.

“Thank you for the honor, Mr. Li.” Du Yaozhi’s lips curled into a faint smirk. Drink yourself to death for all I care.

She followed suit, draining her glass. The high-concentration alcohol burned a path down her throat, leaving her insides feeling scorched. Despite the small amount she’d had before coming here to prepare herself, her alcohol-intolerant body revolted. She loathed the taste.

But she couldn’t show a single crack. This was her gamble. No matter how much it hurt, she had to walk this blade. If she didn’t turn these people into ruins tonight, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself.

She stood up and poured another. “Mr. Li is so generous. Let me offer you another.”

“Good!” Li Rongjin was ecstatic, knocking back every glass she offered. By the time they were on the third bottle, he was stumbling over his words.

Du Yaozhi’s body felt like lead. A wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm her, but she kept her spine straight, digging her nails into her palms to stay conscious.

Li Rongjin was clearly wasted. His phone rang, and he fumbled to answer it. “A call… excuse me… What? Someone snatched the deal at the last second? Are you all useless?!”

While he was distracted by his anger, Du Yaozhi saw her chance. She excused herself to the restroom. Only once the heavy wooden door closed behind her did she allow the mask to slip.

She stumbled into the bathroom, her stomach churning. Her skin felt like it was on fire. Leaning over the sink, she retched violently. Her pinky finger was numb from how hard she’d been pinching herself to stay focused. She splashed cold water on her face, her long lashes dripping. In the mirror, her eyes were bloodshot and raw, making her look fragile, almost translucent.

Her heart was racing from the alcohol, and in the chaos of her mind, that person appeared again.

Why does it always have to be Shen Qing?

She found it pathetic. Was being a secret lover not enough? She scrubbed her face harder, forcing the thoughts away.

In another elegant private room on the top floor, a woman sat at the head of the table.

“Shen Qing, I won’t lie to you. The investors are pushing hard. They want someone with a big name and, more importantly, someone who can actually act. When it comes to acting, I knew this script would be safe in your hands.” Director Chen smiled, her eyes full of genuine admiration.

Shen Qing sat poised, her dark hair tied in a low, neat bun. Her slender fingers traced the rim of a porcelain teacup. She gave a quiet, modest smile. “You flatter me. The character is very layered; the script really moved me.”

She was dressed simply in a high-collared cashmere sweater, her sleeves pushed back slightly to reveal her wrists.

“I’ve spent three years polishing this,” Chen continued. “The theme is niche and fresh. But the other lead… her character is complex, sensitive, and grounded. It’s hard to get right. I’ve looked at A-listers, rising stars, newcomers, none of them have that specific spark. That mix of rebellion and hidden charm.”

Director Chen frowned. “More importantly, they can’t hold their own against you. They lose their presence on screen next to you.”

“I understand,” Shen Qing said, staring at the ripples in her tea. “I’ll keep an eye out. If I find someone suitable, I’ll have my team reach out to you.”

Because other than her, who else could there be? Shen Qing thought silently. She stood up to get some air.

Du Yaozhi’s phone was exploding with messages.

Sheng Xiao: Du Yaozhi! Where the hell are you? Get back here now. You think you can keep Mr. Li waiting?

Sheng Xiao: Five minutes. I don’t care where you are, crawl back to this room if you have to!

Shut up, Du Yaozhi thought, wiping the traces of the night’s ordeal from her face. Her eyes were still rimmed with red, so she used her makeup to blend it into a deliberate, smoky look.

She took a breath, steadied herself on her heels, and prepared to walk out. But as she reached the door, someone stopped right in front of her.

The first thing she noticed was the familiar, cool fragrance. Then, she saw the low bun and the simple cashmere sweater that perfectly accentuated a tall, elegant frame.

Du Yaozhi’s heart stopped. She looked up. Why… why is she here?

Blood rushed to her head, causing a ringing in her ears. Her instinct was to act like a stranger and bolt, but it was too late.

“Why are you here?” Shen Qing asked.

Their eyes locked. Shen Qing looked exactly as she did when they broke up—fair skin, perfectly kept hair. Du Yaozhi watched Shen Qing’s lips part as if to say more, but no words came. Those “high and mighty” eyes scanned her, taking in her disheveled state and the heavy scent of alcohol.

“That’s none of your business, is it?” Du Yaozhi’s chest ached with a sharp, acidic pain. She looked away.

What was Shen Qing thinking? Du Yaozhi didn’t know, and she didn’t want to. Shen Qing was the one who had walked away first. Why the concern now? Besides, Du Yaozhi had already struck back. She had used the trending headlines and her own self-destructive rumors to try and drag Shen Qing down with her.

“You’ve been drinking.” Shen Qing’s voice was a calm observation. “You promised me you wouldn’t drink anymore.”

Shen Qing had a way of speaking, gentle yet cold, like a rusty key turning in a lock. She was too close. The scent of her was overwhelming.

“That was a long time ago. It doesn’t count anymore,” Du Yaozhi replied dismissively, stepping back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”

“With whom?”

With whom? Was her ex-girlfriend really asking this?

Du Yaozhi’s gaze turned icy. Shen Qing asked the question so calmly, as if it were a trivial matter. Du Yaozhi leaned against the wall and let out a harsh, jagged laugh.

“You’re asking me ‘with whom?’ You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Shen Qing had iced her out and broken her heart, and now she wanted to play the worried guardian?

Shen Qing simply watched her, her eyes closing briefly. Du Yaozhi stood there with her hair in a mess, her thin frame trembling, yet she looked breathtakingly defiant.

“Teacher Shen,” Du Yaozhi spat, “since when does a girl have to report her drinking buddies to her ex-girlfriend?”

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