After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 43

The wirework sequence finally drew to a close.

Lin Song and the assistants immediately swarmed around Gu Rong’er, checking her from head to toe, terrified that the sole heir to their investor’s fortune might have sustained even the slightest scratch. Fortunately, it had only been a minor mishap involving tangled cables; Rong’er was unhurt.

“How did this happen?!” Lin Song barked. “I thought we were assured there were no safety risks!”

The crew offered a string of apologies. Upon reviewing the footage, they realised the issue hadn’t been the equipment itself, but rather Rong’er’s posture, which had caused the harness to pull off-balance. Despite this, faced with Lin Song’s fury, they could only bow and scrape. “We’re terribly sorry. We’ve recalibrated the wires and will double-check every single take from now on. We guarantee it won’t happen again!”

Lin Song remained aggressive. As the only daughter of the board chairman, Rong’er was someone who couldn’t simply be brushed off with excuses.

“That’s enough, Lin Song,” Rong’er intervened, gently pushing down Lin Song’s accusing hand. “It was my fault.”

“I failed to keep up with my sister’s movements. It had nothing to do with the wire technicians.”

Her voice was thick with guilt toward Du Yaozhi. She fell silent, looking down and clutching the hem of her costume sleeves. At that moment, Du Yaozhi approached after finishing a discussion with Xiao Yun.

She leaned down and asked softly, “How did it feel up there on the wires just now?”

“I felt a bit dizzy after the spin,” Rong’er admitted, looking up with a lingering sense of shock. “I couldn’t find my footing, and then the ropes suddenly tangled.”

Du Yaozhi exchanged a glance with Xiao Yun and nodded.

“The issue lies in the transition between the spin and the dive,” Xiao Yun explained. “You were too eager to match Teacher Du’s pace, which shifted your centre of gravity too far forward.”

“Yes, it was just a matter of timing,” Du Yaozhi added, thinking Rong’er had done quite well for her second attempt.

“What should I do then?” Rong’er asked earnestly.

Xiao Yun simplified the movement for her, adjusting the trajectory. “Try this instead. When you spin, try to catch the lead direction of the wire out of the corner of your eye, and don’t keep your core too tense.”

Lin Song leaned in to hear the new plan and immediately knit her brows in dissatisfaction. “Isn’t that asking too much of our Rong’er? She’s only just adjusted her route; she hasn’t fully adapted to such a fast-paced coordination yet.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if Teacher Du slowed down her movements slightly?” Lin Song suggested, her bias clear. “Perhaps leave an extra half-beat of pause during the transition?”

Du Yaozhi’s eyes narrowed. This suggestion would undoubtedly make her own performance significantly harder. Both the director and the martial arts choreographer—not to mention the onlookers, could see Lin Song’s blatant favouritism, and they felt a pang of injustice for Yaozhi.

Lin Song refused to back down. “Well, what else can we do? The director said we need to stay on schedule. Why should our Rong’er be the one struggling?”

“Lin Song!” Rong’er snapped.

Her delicate face held an unmistakable authority. Although her voice was soft, her gaze was resolute. As Du Yaozhi weighed the feasibility of the plan, a cool voice suddenly cut through the tension.

“Move the landing point twenty centimetres to the right.”

Everyone turned to see Shen Qing standing nearby, hands tucked casually into her coat pockets, her expression indifferent. Yaozhi shot her a suspicious look, wasn’t she just separating their scenes?

“The scene needs a clear focus,” Shen Qing explained flatly. “By shifting the route slightly back and slowing it by half a beat, you’ll create a better visual layer.”

This way, they wouldn’t interfere with each other, creating a staggered, graceful effect. However, Shen Qing didn’t look at Yaozhi; instead, she looked at Rong’er. “What do you think, Rong’er?”

Rong’er stood up immediately, her cheeks slightly flushed from the cold, but her eyes bright. “I think it’s worth a try.”

Hearing this, Shen Qing cast a sidelong glance at the troublemaking Lin Song. “And you?”

Her gaze was aloof and detached, as if she were merely asking a casual question, yet it made the air around them feel heavy. Lin Song, naturally, didn’t dare to object. She offered an awkward, forced smile. “I… haha… of course I have no problem with it. I respect Rong’er’s opinion.”

Shen Qing gave a curt nod and turned to leave. Yaozhi hurried after her, hissing under her breath, “What was that all about?”

Shen Qing had just swooped in and put both Rong’er and her manager under immense pressure.

Shen Qing paused, looking silently at Yaozhi. She rarely bothered explaining scenes to irrelevant people and didn’t quite understand why she was being scolded.

“It’s nothing.”

Shen Qing handed a small tube of ointment to Yaozhi, gesturing toward her right shoulder. “Apply some of this. Twice a day, morning and night.”

She had originally intended to give it to Gong Lin to pass on, but it seemed unnecessary now. Seeing Yaozhi hesitate, Shen Qing gently caught her wrist and pressed the tube into her palm.

“Aren’t you going to see your ‘sister’?” Shen Qing said, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. “She seems quite terrified of me.”

What ‘sister’?

She’s only scared because of you!

Yaozhi, who believed in a “live and let live” philosophy, had intended to stay on friendly terms with Rong’er. But Shen Qing’s intervention made it feel like they were ganging up on the girl.

Still annoyed by this imaginary “sisterhood,” Yaozhi suddenly realized that Rong’er hadn’t actually seemed scared of Shen Qing, she had stood her ground quite well.

When Yaozhi looked back, she saw Rong’er watching them. Her gaze was steady, yet her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Yaozhi froze. No way…

Could this girl have been nervous around Shen Qing all along?

Yaozhi was finding it harder and harder to read the situation.

**

That evening, as the night shoot focused on the supporting cast, Yaozhi and Shen Qing finally had some free time and were permitted to head out. It was the perfect opportunity to act like a “contract couple” for the public eye.

When Shen Qing first approached her, Yaozhi leaned against her door, thoroughly confused. “Why are we going out?”

“To provide some ‘sugar,'” Shen Qing replied.

“What? You’re not planning to cook, are you?” Alarm bells rang in Yaozhi’s mind.

Without further explanation, Shen Qing showed her her phone. “My fans are all tagging me, saying the CP fans are starving and need some sugar. That’s the ‘sugar’ I mean.”

Du Yaozhi sighed and rubbed her temples. “Fine. Let’s get it over with.”

Shen Qing had chosen a rooftop Western restaurant. Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows lay a glittering cityscape, with lights spreading out like a carpet of stars beneath them. Soothing jazz drifted through the air. The restaurant offered excellent privacy, making it a popular haunt for celebrities.

As they sat down, Shen Qing pushed a heavy menu toward her. “This place is decent. They have a wide variety. See if anything catches your eye.”

Specifying a ‘wide variety’… is she doing that because she realized her own cooking is terrible due to her peculiar childhood palate? Yaozhi took the menu and smiled secretly. The thought was actually quite charming.

After ordering, they had a bit of a wait before the food arrived. At that moment, Jing Ping hauled a silver candelabra up the stairs, panting from the effort. “This is far too heavy! Shen Qing, you’d better thank me. Do you have any idea how much I’ve sacrificed for your love”

Before she could finish, Shen Qing tapped a knuckle on the table, her expression cold. “I’ll give you a pay rise.”

“On the other hand”, Jing Ping pivoted instantly, clearly swayed by the offer.

“What’s all this?” Yaozhi asked, baffled by the setup.

“A candlelight dinner,” Shen Qing explained calmly as she placed the candles on the holder and lit them.

“Exactly. It needs to be romantic, otherwise the photos will just look like two best friends hanging out,” Jing Ping added, her attitude toward Shen Qing remarkably improved now that money was involved.

Best friends? Since when did she and Shen Qing look like friends?

Yaozhi scoffed internally. Her only true friend was Zhou Yue, who was delightfully simple-minded and easy to be around. Shen Qing was far too “wicked” for that.

“Right, I’ve got work to do. You two keep acting,” Jing Ping said, dusting off her hands before making a quick exit.

Shen Qing nodded. The candlelight flickered, leaving just the two of them sitting opposite each other.

Yaozhi remembered Zhou Yue’s advice: If you can’t read someone, look them in the eye. Eyes don’t lie. Zhou Yue had insisted that if Yaozhi took the initiative and turned on the charm, Shen Qing wouldn’t be able to resist spilling her secrets.

With that in mind, Yaozhi’s eyes sparkled. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, as if calculating her next move. A perfect smile played on her lips. If she wanted to uncover Shen Qing’s true intentions, this was the moment.

“Since we’re waiting for the food anyway, why don’t we have a staring contest? Whoever laughs first loses. Deal?”

“Are you questioning my professional skills?” Shen Qing wiped her hands with a damp cloth and looked up, her gaze perfectly still.

“Who would dare? Just tell me—how far have you got in that melodramatic novel?”

“Chapter 137. I’ve read about three-quarters of it.”

This ‘Ice Queen’ is certainly a diligent student.

Satisfied with the answer, Yaozhi continued, “You’ve read so much, yet you’re still so unromantic? Jing and Gong are filming us over there—if we just eat, it won’t be very convincing. We need something more ‘evocative.’ So, let’s play.”

“Fine,” Shen Qing agreed. “What’s the penalty for losing?”

Shen Qing was strange; she didn’t ask about the prize, only the penalty, as if she were planning to lose.

“Are you that afraid of me?” Yaozhi teased, her smile deepening. “The penalty isn’t much. If I win, I get to choose the theme for our next ‘sugar’ session, and you have to follow my lead entirely. Deal?”

She liked having the upper hand. If she didn’t get answers now, she’d have another chance later.

“Let’s not waste time, then. Begin,” Shen Qing said.

Yaozhi immediately wiped the playful expression from her face and focused intently on Shen Qing. They sat in a deadlock for a while, neither reacting. Yaozhi, initially full of enthusiasm, eventually grew bored and began to study Shen Qing’s features.

She noticed Shen Qing had beautiful eyes—long, deep, and framed by high cheekbones. When she blinked, there was a slight crease in her upper eyelid that made her look distinctive. It was no wonder everyone recognized those eyes.

Shen Qing’s eyes were still and profound. Even at this close range, they betrayed no emotion, like a long-dormant pool of water. Under the candlelight, her irises weren’t a solid black, but were ringed with a faint amber glow.

For the first time, Yaozhi noticed how eyelashes could be reflected in one’s pupils. Shen Qing’s lashes trembled slightly, their long shadows dancing in the depths of her eyes, swaying and intertwining in the flickering candlelight. It was like a silent whirlpool, pulling Yaozhi in, drowning her.

“Stop.” Yaozhi couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Qing asked.

“You have to put your hand down. You’re covering your mouth. How am I supposed to know if you’re smiling or not?” Yaozhi deliberately nitpicked. She needed to change her strategy.

“Is that so?” Shen Qing lowered her hand and rested it casually on the table. The movement made her look more poised, more observant.

Yaozhi took the opportunity to press her own wrist down onto Shen Qing’s, firmly pinning her hand. Shen Qing raised an eyebrow, silently questioning the move.

“Just making sure you don’t try any tricks. I’ve got my eye on you,” Yaozhi said defiantly. She wanted to make sure Shen Qing didn’t suddenly pull out a red string or put on a pair of black-rimmed glasses—all those “enchanted tools” Shen Qing seemed to have in her arsenal.

“Fine,” Shen Qing replied calmly. “Watch me, then.”

They resumed their silent standoff. But this time, it was different. Yaozhi smiled and went on the offensive. Keeping her eyes locked on Shen Qing’s, she began to slide her fingertips slowly up Shen Qing’s wrist.

It was like lifting a hidden veil, catching the edge of her cool sleeve, and then—becoming increasingly provocative.

Her fingertips hovered just above the wrist, descending at the protruding bone, her pads barely brushing against Shen Qing’s skin. She lightly grazed that thin, sensitive patch of skin.

Shen Qing’s eyelashes seemed to be singed by the heat of the candle, flickering for a brief second. Yaozhi was delighted. That’s it… show your true colour.

Suddenly, Shen Qing flicked her wrist and caught Yaozhi’s fingers. Her pads were cool to the touch, yet she was bolder than Yaozhi, sliding her fingers directly between Yaozhi’s.

The moment their fingers intertwined, Du Yaozhi felt a jolt of electricity shoot from her fingertips up her spine.

Wait, wait, wait! What is she doing?!

Panicked, Yaozhi tried to pull away, but Shen Qing tightened her grip on her wrist.

“Touch me back.”

Shen Qing gently pressed Yaozhi’s hand onto the back of her own left hand, her voice steady. “You can touch me back, just like you were doing.”

“Am I mad? Why would I want to touch you!” Yaozhi shouted, her ears turning red with stubbornness.

Indeed, why? Shen Qing wondered. Yaozhi hadn’t explained the reason in her rules.

“I see. I’ll give you some time to think of a reason, then.”

Shen Qing turned Yaozhi’s hand upright and began to trace her palm and fingertips with her own, inch by inch, slowly guiding Yaozhi’s fingers along the lines of her knuckles. Most outrageously, Shen Qing’s gaze dropped from Yaozhi’s eyes to her moist lips.

Yet her expression remained as calm as water, as if she were doing the most normal thing in the world. Yaozhi felt an intense itch spread from her palm throughout her body, her breathing growing ragged.

No… this won’t do…

Finally unable to bear the sensation, Yaozhi snapped, “Shen Qing, you want to pursue me, don’t you? Do you actually like me or not?”

“I do.”

Yaozhi grew frantic. “Then why don’t you smile when you look at me?!”

If you don’t smile soon, I’m going to lose it!

At that, Shen Qing’s lips curled into a gentle smile, as if she had been prepared to lose all along. She withdrew her hand.

“You win.”

Yaozhi’s breathing was in shambles. She jerked her hand back, rubbing her palm repeatedly. “The rules weren’t clear enough… There was no time limit, and the food was getting cold,” she blurted out, desperately searching for an excuse.

Shen Qing took a sip of water, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You’ll have another chance.”

“When?” Yaozhi wished she could do it all over again tomorrow. Next time, she wouldn’t let Shen Qing off so easily.

“Whenever we aren’t filming.”

Shen Qing’s expression returned to its usual state. “Also, I have a brand event in A-City on the 4th. I’ve already cleared it with the crew. I likely won’t be back that night.”

The 4th… Yaozhi did the maths.

“That’s the day of your rescheduled fan meeting, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s just as well that you won’t be there.”

Shen Qing’s eyes seemed to pierce right through her. She asked softly, “Would you want me to be there?”

Yaozhi scoffed as if it were a joke. “What? Even if I did, could you actually make it?”

The flight to A-City took hours, and they were few and far between. Even if Shen Qing had wings, there was no way she could finish an evening event and fly back in time. Yaozhi didn’t believe it for a second.

Support