After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 42

Du Yaozhi was stunned from the very start of the morning.

Gu Rong’er stood her ground, her expression shifting to one of genuine focus. She addressed her as “Sister” with such earnestness it seemed she was determined to form a real connection.

If it hadn’t been for the two managers standing nearby looking completely dazed, Du Yaozhi might have dismissed the word as a standard, polite address. But seeing the shock in Jing Ping’s eyes, pupils shrinking in disbelief, Du Yaozhi couldn’t help but recall some rather unsettling memories.

Back then, Du Yaozhi had leaned in, one hand gripping Shen Qing’s shoulder, thumb pressing against her shoulder blade as she pinned her against the wall.

Seeing Shen Qing’s cold expression, Du Yaozhi had felt a surge of playful interest. Her beautiful eyes curved into a hook, and her lips parted slightly.

Du Yaozhi had asked with great interest: “Want to play something else?”

Shen Qing asked: “What are we playing?”

Du Yaozhi stared at her lips, her breath as sweet as orchids: “Sis… ter.”

Her features were naturally soft and gentle, her eyes curving when she smiled, yet she possessed the aggressive edge of a hunter. When she was teasing someone, this wild beauty became exceptionally enchanting.

Shen Qing let out a soft laugh and was about to say something when Du Yaozhi suddenly heard extremely faint footsteps outside the door.

A quick glance from the corner of her eye revealed a flickering shadow through the crack in the door, someone was standing there!

Du Yaozhi’s heart sank. She had forgotten to close the door!

Blushing furiously with shame, she buried her face into the crook of Shen Qing’s neck, her fingers tightening around the cool fabric at Shen Qing’s waist. Her warm breath spilled entirely over Shen Qing’s skin. In her panic, her movements left behind only a trace of rose fragrance.

“The… the door is open…” Du Yaozhi whispered.

Shen Qing didn’t look away. Lowering her lashes, she raised a hand with a cold, composed expression.

While muttering, “What a sin,” Jing Ping had fled and slammed the door shut at lightning speed.

Shen Qing’s gaze remained cool. She rested her palm on Du Yaozhi’s hair, her long fingers stroking her head affectionately.

“I’ll handle it in a bit,” Shen Qing said.

Then came a night of intertwined limbs and exquisite intimacy.

Thinking of this, Du Yaozhi’s ears suddenly burned. She forcibly suppressed the lingering, embarrassing images in her mind.

Why am I always thinking about Shen Qing? Shen Qing was the one chasing her, not the other way around.

Du Yaozhi tilted her chin up, lifted her gaze, and forced a composed smile.

“Good morning,” Du Yaozhi replied. She looked down at Gu Rong’er and asked gently, “Is this your first time in a wire harness?”

As the only daughter of the Chairman of Tianrong Media and a key investor in Jing Luo, Gu Rong’er had been thrust into the cast by investors who smelled a hit and wanted her to gain some public exposure.

With Shen Qing leading the cast, Director Chen at the helm, and a top-tier production team, the project was clearly aiming for awards. Where else could one find such a golden opportunity?

However, Gu Rong’er was young and had previously relied on stunt doubles. If it was her first time on wires, it was inevitable she’d be scared, yet her family background forbade her from showing it on her face. Consequently, no one had noticed, and no one had asked her how she felt.

Du Yaozhi was observant, so she was the first to ask.

Du Yaozhi: “Want to do a low-altitude run-through first?”

Gu Rong’er shook her head, her tone serious. “No need, Sister. It’s not my first time. Teacher Xiao Yun gave me safety training last night and we did a ground simulation. I’m not nervous about that.”

Then what is she nervous about? And why with all the ‘Sister’ talk?

Before Du Yaozhi could ask, a floor manager rushed over with a walkie-talkie.

“Teacher Du, Teacher Gu, the wire equipment has been tested. The martial arts director is rushing us; he says everyone needs to gather at the designated spot now!”

“Alright, we’re coming.” Du Yaozhi gathered her costume and led Gu Rong’er after the manager.

Gu Rong’er was truly the apple of the investors’ eye. Although she wasn’t pampered, she was surrounded by a crowd of people at the wire station, completely blocking the prep area.

She had three personal assistants alone: one dedicated to smoothing out creases at her shoulders, and two crouching on the ground to help the wardrobe team arrange her skirt.

“Make sure the outer silk doesn’t get wrinkled, and don’t leave any wire marks. Understand?” Her manager, Lin Song, frowned.

“Understood,” Gu Rong’er replied, immediately looking down to check her silk.

Lin Song sighed. “I wasn’t talking to you. Just stand still; the assistants will handle it.”

Lin Song darted between the busy figures, turning back to confirm safety details with Xiao Yun.

In contrast, Du Yaozhi’s side was quite different. Shu Yuanxiang was sick, and Gong Lin was with the director at the monitors, leaving her area relatively quiet.

Du Yaozhi didn’t mind; as long as the performance was good, that was all that mattered. It was just a bit troublesome for the wardrobe assistant, who had to kneel on the ground alone to fix her clothes.

The wire technician was helping her test the counterweights. Du Yaozhi had to stand on her tiptoes to adjust the shoulder straps of the wire vest, trying to hide the exposed parts—a movement that was somewhat awkward.

Her shoulders were becoming slightly chafed and red. She looked down at the kneeling wardrobe assistant, a pang of sympathy hitting her.

“Relax. Don’t pull so hard.”

A cold voice sounded from her side. Immediately, a well-defined hand reached out. With cool fingertips, it brushed away Du Yaozhi’s hand, which had reflexively gripped the costume fabric.

Du Yaozhi’s heart felt as if it had been scorched by this sudden touch and the familiar voice. She looked up abruptly.

Why is she here…

Shen Qing had walked over at some point and was now looking down at the wire straps on her shoulder. Those deep, pond-like eyes held no emotion, yet they were fixed directly on her chafed skin.

“Don’t move.”

Du Yaozhi’s shoulders tensed.

Without a word, Shen Qing turned to instruct the crew: “Master, you can move the buckle inward a bit for her, otherwise it will rub against her shoulder.”

“Oh, right, right! Coming right away.”

The wire technician clearly hadn’t expected Shen Qing to personally oversee such details. After a moment of surprise, he stepped forward to expertly adjust the buckle for Du Yaozhi.

The wardrobe assistant, still crouching on the ground, suddenly felt the vibrant red sleeves she was holding being gently supported. “Teacher Shen, you”

“Mm,” Shen Qing replied flatly. Standing tall and elegant, she took over the striking red fabric. “I’ll do it.”

The noisy prep area went quiet the moment Shen Qing arrived. Holding the complex, layered sleeves that contrasted sharply with her aloof aura, she spoke with a detached tone that nonetheless carried an undeniable authority.

Even Du Yaozhi’s breathing tightened. With Shen Qing holding her sleeves, she didn’t dare move freely. She was afraid that if she tugged the cuff even slightly, Shen Qing’s long fingers would brush against her skin.

Many people cast covert glances their way, some filled with apprehension. The atmosphere grew taut.

Seeing the Movie Queen checking buckles and holding costumes, the head of the production crew gasped and came running from a distance.

“Teacher Shen, Teacher Shen! We can handle this. Please, go and rest.”

“You only show up now?”

Shen Qing’s face was cold as she swept her gaze over them. Why was she left here alone just now?

The crew head jumped in fright, turning to shout at the empty space nearby: “Where are the assistants? Stop standing around like idiots and get over here!”

“It’s okay, there’s no need to trouble them!” Du Yaozhi spoke up immediately. Trying to keep her voice steady, she snatched her sleeves back from Shen Qing’s hands.

But the crew head was still watching Shen Qing’s expression, terrified that offending the Movie Queen would get her fired the next day. She was scared to death and cast a pleading look toward Du Yaozhi.

Du Yaozhi quickly squeezed Shen Qing’s palm, lowering her voice: “Shen Qing!”

That’s enough, really. I’m already very grateful.

Feeling the fleeting warmth in her palm, Shen Qing’s lashes flickered. Only then did she coldly step aside.

The tension finally broke. The staff began working methodically; someone checked Du Yaozhi’s wire vest and costume, while others confirmed the safety ropes.

Shen Qing stood a step away, watching Du Yaozhi as she was surrounded by the crew. She reminded her: “Follow the planned movement lines. If you feel uncomfortable, call for a stop. Don’t push yourself.”

Oh.

So she came all this way just to show she cared.

Du Yaozhi finally understood Shen Qing’s intention and gave her a silent, playful scolding in her heart. Just by standing there, Shen Qing had nearly made Du Yaozhi owe a favor to half the crew.

Still, Shen Qing really did care about her.

Du Yaozhi blinked, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

The staff quickly performed the final checks. The technician confirmed the primary and secondary locks, and the assistants verified the sequence of movements. Everything was set. Du Yaozhi and Gu Rong’er were led to the lift point.

“Scared?” Before Du Yaozhi was hooked onto the main steel wire, Shen Qing looked at her and asked.

Scared?

Du Yaozhi had been silently complaining about Shen Qing’s icy way of showing concern, but hearing this, she laughed. She met Shen Qing’s gaze, her eyes curving.

“Is Teacher Shen asking me?”

Asking if Du Yaozhi was scared was the wrong question.

Du Yaozhi was more than familiar with wires. Before she became a bit-part actress, she had spent time as a stunt double. She was slender, had great posture, and was incredibly hardworking. Many “little flowers” (actresses) who were afraid of pain or danger would hire her to handle their action scenes.

Though she only occupied a tiny corner of the end credits, Du Yaozhi had gritted her teeth and insisted on being on the wires every day, enduring every hardship.

Once, after a mistake, she had fallen straight onto a mat, leaving her back covered in dark purple bruises so painful she couldn’t get up for a long time. But heaven favored her; she didn’t suffer a permanent injury. Instead, she memorized the tricks of aerial rotations, making the use of tension for momentum a physical instinct.

She trained repeatedly, constantly perfecting her craft. It wasn’t until one day, after filming all night on wires, that a minor director took notice of her. From then on, she transitioned to being an actress.

Even if it was just bit parts, Du Yaozhi was happy—happy that she could act as “Du Yaozhi” rather than as someone else’s shadow. From stunt double to supporting role to now, she had truly walked a very long road.

And now, her hard work was receiving glowing feedback.

“Is this sister actually for real? She’s on par with Teacher Shen! Is that kind of fluidity even humanly possible?!”

“Her core strength is insane! To pull off three consecutive flips after a spin and still land steadily? Her legs aren’t even shaking. If it were Sister Wang up there, she’d be shaking like a leaf!”

“Hey, hey, why bring me into this?! If I had a face like hers, I’d be happy to shake like a leaf!”

“This level of talent is terrifying. There’s no reason for her not to be a star!!!”

Du Yaozhi flexibly used the momentum of her backflip to flick her wrist. The long sword in her hand thrust out in rhythm as she engaged her core for a spin. As she came to a sudden halt, her toes tapped lightly against the air, and her waist arched back in a breathtaking curve.

With a sweep of her wide sleeves, she dove downward, using the momentum for a backflip. Several meters of red silk trailing behind her fanned out instantly due to inertia.

She looked like a beautiful red carp darting through green waves, or a graceful falling tide. Du Yaozhi gave herself entirely to the state; every look, every breath was deeply integrated with the character.

Stunning. Captivating.

The entire set was silent. Everyone held their breath until a scream interrupted the performance. Sensing something was wrong, Director Chen immediately shouted: “Cut!”

Gu Rong’er had suddenly lost her balance, and the wire ropes had become tangled.

A gasp went through the crowd, but Du Yaozhi reacted with lightning speed.

She quickly adjusted her own wires, reached out to grab Gu Rong’er around the waist, and used the momentum for a rotation. The two landed steadily on the ground. Du Yaozhi immediately checked on Gu Rong’er.

“Are you okay?” Du Yaozhi was deeply worried.

“I’m fine, but”

The scene was ruined.

Du Yaozhi had performed too perfectly. Gu Rong’er couldn’t keep up with her breathtaking speed, and an accident had occurred.

“Sorry,” Gu Rong’er lowered her head, blaming herself.

“It’s okay. I can do it again, it’s no problem.” Du Yaozhi brushed her hair back. Seeing Lin Song rushing forward, she immediately turned to ask Chen Yinqing.

Director Chen’s brow was furrowed, but she immediately gave orders: “Rest first. Actor safety is a priority! Quick, help Rong’er to the rest area.”

Du Yaozhi patted her shoulder: “Go and rest.”

Gu Rong’er was incredibly moved, nodding her head vigorously. “Thank you, Sister.”

Upon hearing the word “Sister,” Shen Qing, who had rushed forward to check on them, immediately pricked up her ears.

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