After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 49

The bathroom door slid open with a sharp clack.

Steam surged out, carrying with it the clinical glow of cold white lights, blurring into a hazy mist as it hit the cooler air of the room.

Shen Qing’s jet-black hair was damp, draped loosely over her shoulders. Droplets of water traced the jade-like line of her neck, making her exquisite face appear even paler. Enveloped in the lingering mist, she exuded an unshakeable sense of detachment.

Her footsteps were light as she stepped onto the wooden floor, yet they carried a weight of undeniable pressure as she approached. She pulled her bathrobe tighter, her fingertips brushing through the wet strands near her ear.

Stopping right in front of Du Yaozhi, she looked down with a gaze that felt heavy with dampness. “Is this how Miss Du intends to ‘coax’ me?”

Shen Qing leaned her palms against the edge of the table, half-encircling Yaozhi. Her nose nearly brushed Yaozhi’s temple. The scent of snow and steam wafted over her.

Someone had promised yesterday to “coax” her today. Instead, that person had not only messed up her private laundry but was now taking advantage of her vulnerable state to interrogate her. What was the meaning of this?

Shen Qing cast a sidelong glance at the wardrobe. No wonder there had been a mix-up. A jumble of odd thermal wear had been stuffed into her cupboard, likely an error made by Yaozhi’s friend and assistant the day they arrived. Yaozhi must have assumed this was her own wardrobe as well.

Yaozhi looked away, finally finding her voice. “Is it for the same reason as back then?”

The air froze. The faint hum of the heater became the only sound in the room. By asking this, Yaozhi was essentially asking: Was there a reason you froze me out all those years ago? Did you… do it against your will?

Yaozhi’s eyes weren’t full of accusation; they were full of hope, hope that Shen Qing would finally provide the answer.

Shen Qing stood rooted to the spot, water still dripping down her face from her damp hair. It felt like that bucket of ice water from years ago. Back then, Yaozhi had looked at her with cold eyes and said she hated her, her voice devoid of any lie.

Shen Qing had instinctively wanted to mend things, but logic had pinned her down. Had she made a single wrong move, Jiang Yunjian would never have let Yaozhi go. Ultimately, Shen Qing achieved her goal: Jiang Yunjian could no longer touch the person she cherished most.

But Shen Qing often wondered… what was the “total ruin” Jiang Yunjian had threatened her with?

It wasn’t until the cold wind whipped into her collar and a piercing, heart-wrenching pain seized her that she understood. The stinging bitterness in her throat felt like she’d swallowed needles. Her tears, her breath, her very senses were drowned in a tidal wave of agony.

Only then did she realise. Losing Du Yaozhi was her total ruin.

The drone of the heater pulled her back to the present. The air was warm. There was no hatred in Yaozhi’s eyes, only a quiet expectation, her lips pressed thin as she waited for a long-overdue response.

Though the reasons differed, Shen Qing looked at her and gave a low, quiet “Mmm.” Her voice was still raspy; her throat hurt.

After ensuring the kitten was stable, Yaozhi fetched a glass of warm water for Shen Qing. She noticed the wet hair. “It’s still soaking,” Yaozhi reminded her hesitantly. “Do you not like blow-drying your hair either?”

“Not particularly,” Shen Qing replied flatly.

“Why?”

Yaozhi found herself instinctively probing into Shen Qing’s past, like holding a fragile ticket and boarding a small boat on a shoreless sea. She feared there was no way back, but she feared losing this hard-won ticket even more. She paddled carefully through the parts of Shen Qing she didn’t yet know, hoping to create only the gentlest of ripples.

Seeing Yaozhi was serious, Shen Qing answered, “It feels like I’m rushing against time.”

“Rushing?” Yaozhi found the answer unexpected and difficult to grasp.

“When I was a child star, elaborate styling was in fashion. Every day I was dragged to events, my hair would be plastered with gel. The moment I got home, I had to wash and dry it as fast as possible to make it to the next booking. I had very little sleep, and it was terrible for my hair.”

Shen Qing dried the ends of her hair perfunctorily, her fingers combing through the strands. A flash of discomfort crossed her eyes. She looked unwell, perhaps she really had caught a chill.

As Shen Qing closed her eyes to rest, Yaozhi looked at her. “What if I dry it for you? Would you mind?”

**

Fingertips are curious things. Even a fleeting touch can summon memories from a lifetime ago. For some, it’s the cool breeze from a mother’s fan on a summer night; for others, it’s the slight itch of meadow grass brushing against the hand.

But for Du Yaozhi, it wasn’t a sensation. It was a time—the time when she and Shen Qing were secret lovers. Back then, Yaozhi truly dreamed of a future together.

Before sleep, she loved to twirl Shen Qing’s long hair around her fingers. The faint red marks left on her skin spoke of a day’s worth of longing. Shen Qing was often too exhausted to speak, letting Yaozhi play with her hair until it was dry.

Yaozhi would fall asleep clutching those strands. The fragrance of hair on the pillow, mixed with the lingering scent of perfume behind Shen Qing’s ear, would drift over her. In the dead of night, Yaozhi’s heart would thump uncontrollably.

How does a beating heart ever stop? she wondered before drifting off. Perhaps through tens of thousands of cold shoulders?

Shen Qing, half-asleep, seemed to sense her mood. she would turn and pull Yaozhi into her arms, patting her back gently to signal it was time for sleep. Yaozhi would happily nuzzle into the crook of her neck, her cheek pressed against the silkiness of her hair. Those days felt as though she were constantly soaked in honey.

But later, Yaozhi realised she had a bit of a “jinx” about her. She’d thought of cold shoulders, and Shen Qing had truly given them to her. Tens of thousands of snubs, sleepless nights, a deafening heartbeat, a body craving warmth, and a heart that simply refused to stop.

Yaozhi suddenly missed Shen Qing terribly. She wanted her to hold her like that just one more time. That embrace had been so warm—it felt a bit like home. Yaozhi was stubborn; she hadn’t expected to be defeated by a mere hug, so she’d kept it to herself. In the end, she never got the chance to say it.

It was heartbreaking. Wicked Shen Qing.

Unfortunately, no matter how wicked she was, Yaozhi was powerless against this “enchantress.” She was the one who had soaked Shen Qing, and now she was the one drying her off, inch by inch.

Everything came back to Shen Qing.

“Do you have something to say?” Shen Qing asked, her body still as the hairdryer hummed in her ear.

“You can tell?” Yaozhi laughed. “Where do you spend your time every day, studying psychology?”

“You don’t know who my thoughts are on?” Shen Qing turned her head to look at her. My thoughts have always been on you. Past or present, that hasn’t changed.

“No idea. I’ll have to ask my ex-girlfriend one of these days.”

Yaozhi was used to Shen Qing’s suggestive comments, but her heart was in turmoil. One moment she wanted to give in; the next, her psychological defences would swerve sharply. Forget it, I can’t be bothered being prickly. I’ll just assume Shen Qing has a silver tongue.

Shen Qing tilted her head slightly, making it easier for Yaozhi to comb through her long hair. The warm light played over her profile, tracing her jawline. Her lips were more flushed than usual from the heat of the shower.

They were so close Yaozhi could see the fine, downy hair on Shen Qing’s skin and feel her warm breath. She noticed the slight flutter of Shen Qing’s thick lashes. It was quiet, save for the hum of the dryer and their heartbeats. It felt as though the dryer were blowing directly against Yaozhi’s heart.

In this quiet intimacy, the urge to confide began to grow.

“Shen Qing… I do have something to say.”

“I’m listening,” Shen Qing said, her eyes half-closed.

Yaozhi took a breath. “Thank you for helping me the other day. Thank you for checking on me during the wirework. And thank you for finding the kitten.”

Shen Qing listened and remained silent for a long time.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Yaozhi nudged her hair with her fingertips. She’d poured her heart out, and now she felt embarrassed.

“I was wondering if I should say ‘you’re welcome,'” Shen Qing replied.

Yaozhi laughed internally, retracting her earlier praise. “You’re hopeless.”

“No. I’m just… ruined by the kiss,” Shen Qing said flatly.

Ruined by the kiss?! Could her technique really be that bad? It was Shen Qing who wouldn’t stay still!

Yaozhi rolled her eyes and gave a cold laugh. “If the kiss ruined you, then you’ll just have to bear it.”

She waited until Shen Qing’s hair was perfectly dry, verifying the moisture level with her fingertips before switching off the dryer with a look of feigned indifference. She dusted off her hands and turned to leave. If Shen Qing didn’t want to hear it, fine. It felt awkward anyway.

**

Yaozhi glanced at the black kitten sleeping soundly by her slippers. It seemed to have found its safe haven and was no longer shivering. Relieved, she sent updates to Xiao Yu, Yuanxiang, and the group chat.

“How did you find her?” Yaozhi asked once she’d finished.

Shen Qing was busy booking an appointment at the nearest vet. “Jing Ping sent me a location. The main group was searching the estate perimeter, so I looked closer at the map. I noticed a highway near an abandoned bridge cats often go there to hide from the rain. It took a bit of time and a few… methods to find her.”

“What methods?” Yaozhi caught the keyword.

Shen Qing seemed reluctant. “Do you really want to know?”

Yaozhi nodded, looking perfectly serious and ready to learn. Shen Qing let out a quiet sigh.

“I spent the whole night on the roadside, learning how to meow.”

The room fell into a dead silence before a burst of laughter erupted. Yaozhi clutched her stomach, laughing until she lost her strength. “…Meowing? You? Meowing? Like, ‘meow meow meow’?”

Shen Qing coldly turned her head away, her jawline tight, her annoyance written all over her face. Yaozhi couldn’t stop. She wiped a tear from her eye and rested a hand on Shen Qing’s shoulder. “Go on then, let me hear it.”

Shen Qing said only one thing: “Du Yaozhi.”

“Just a joke,” Yaozhi replied, though she clearly wasn’t finished laughing. She leaned against Shen Qing’s shoulder, her curls brushing against Shen Qing’s neck. The beauty mark under her eye quivered with her laughter, as did her collarbone. Under the warm light, she looked incredibly alluring.

Shen Qing let her carry on, her expression remaining cold. From this angle, she could see Yaozhi’s trembling beauty mark. She thought of how pathetic Yaozhi had looked in the rain compared to now, and a secret smile touched her lips.

She’s coaxed now.

The next day, Shen Qing’s throat was sore, so the kissing scene was postponed. After work, Yaozhi said she’d find Shen Qing later to practise, but first, she had to deal with the kitten’s situation. She had zero tolerance for animal abusers.

Shen Qing had already had Jing Ping verify the “awards” and “medical records” provided by the man. They were all forged. She’d gathered the evidence and sent formal letters to the estate management and local rescue centres, ensuring the family was blacklisted from future adoptions.

The man had been arrogant enough to deny everything, thinking it wouldn’t affect him. Shen Qing simply sneered and had her assistant send him a message.

Terrified, the man came to Yaozhi to beg for mercy, likely thinking her soft features meant a soft heart. If the news of his actions spread online, his life would be over.

“Please, have some mercy! I didn’t mean to cross you. Please, Sister, show some kindness.”

Yaozhi scoffed. She was much younger than him. “Call me ‘Great-Grandmother’ and I might consider it.”

“Great-Grandmother!” the man cried out dramatically.

Yaozhi nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad. Keep it up at your next job.”

She walked away but stopped mid-step, turning back with a look of mock surprise. “Oh, I forgot. You’ve been sacked.”

“What… what do you mean, sacked?” The man looked up, his face tear-stained.

Junhao watched from behind a wall, looking terrified. It was unclear if he regretted following his father’s lead. Yaozhi stood there with a beaming smile, yet her eyes were sharp as ice.

“Don’t you know how to use a phone?” She pointed at his screen. “Have a look at your messages. I’ve sent the evidence of your animal cruelty anonymously to your company’s disciplinary committee. You’ve been dismissed for ‘serious violation of public order and morals, causing a negative social impact.'”

“Great-Grandmother, please let me go! I truly know I was wrong!”

The screen showed only eight words: Dismissed immediately. Never to be rehired.

Yaozhi sneered. “When you were abusing those kittens, did you ever think about their instinct to survive? When you forged those certificates, did you ever think this day would come?”

The man collapsed, his phone clattering to the ground. He looked at her with terror and resentment. “It was you… you did this?!”

“Did I?” Yaozhi laughed. “We simply told everyone the truth about what you’ve done.”

The man never imagined that a momentary urge to abuse a cat would lead to the collapse of his entire life. People in the estate would recognize him now for the hypocritical, cruel thief he was.

In a rage, he reached out to grab Yaozhi’s ankle. She raised her heel and stomped down on his hand.

“Agh!!” he screamed in pain.

“Keep crying. You can tell the police all about your crimes in a moment.”

Amidst the chaos, several police cars pulled up. Officers walked straight to the man. “Someone has reported you for suspicion of obtaining adoption supplies through fraud and intentional destruction of property. Come with us.”

As he was taken away, Shen Qing arrived with a pet carrier to collect Yaozhi. “How is the kitten?” Yaozhi asked as she got into the car.

“The vet said she’s fine, just shaken up. She’s on some sedatives and her appetite is back. She’ll be fine in a few days.” Shen Qing looked out the window. “What are your thoughts?”

“There’s no mercy for people like that,” Yaozhi said coldly. “He harmed so many lives and failed in his duty as a parent. He brought this on himself.”

Shen Qing nodded and signalled the driver. As the scenery blurred past, Shen Qing thought of things from a long time ago. She sat in silence, breathing softly, and made a quiet prayer in her heart.

May the heavens have eyes, and may the wicked meet their end.

Support