After the Black Moonlight’s "Death Escape" Failed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 59.1

Chapter 59.1: Random Jealousy

 

◎ They clearly kissed so well, why do they need a retake? ◎

 

This kiss lasted for quite a long time—long enough for the mint candy and chocolate to completely melt between their lips and teeth, and long enough that by the time they parted, stars were already visible in the once merely dimming sky.

 

Both were so thoroughly immersed in the kiss that when a video call pinged Jiao Qingyin’s device, she accidentally tapped to accept it.

 

The chime of the connected video instantly jolted the two tightly embracing figures awake.

 

Rarely flustered, Jiao Qingyin fumbled to release Wen Fengyue and fished the device out from the crevice of the sofa.

 

The original owner’s mother, Lin Chu, appeared in the center of the screen.

 

“…” Seeing Jiao Qingyin on the other side, the scolding and lecturing Lin Chu was about to unleash suddenly stalled. Her gaze fixed on the other’s lips, not moving for a long while.

 

The lips were swollen, and there was a bite mark at the corner of the mouth; anyone could guess what had just happened.

 

Annoyed at having accidentally answered, Jiao Qingyin gave a dry greeting: “Mom.”

 

Hearing her daughter call her “Mom,” Lin Chu knew someone else was with Jiao Qingyin—and that someone… was clearly the culprit who had caused the swollen lips.

 

“Who is it?” Lin Chu asked with a cold face.

 

Jiao Qingyin had no desire to explain her romantic situation to Lin Chu. After all, the person dating Wen Fengyue (though they hadn’t officially established the relationship) was her, not the woman’s daughter.

 

Thus, she brushed it off with a “Nobody” and prepared to end the call. Since Wen Fengyue had already heard her “arguing” with her mother earlier, doing this didn’t contradict the original owner’s public “sunny” persona.

 

However, Lin Chu was sharper than she expected: “Is it that person named Wen Fengyue?”

 

Hearing her own name, Wen Fengyue instinctively leaned her head closer. Although she didn’t appear in the frame, a strand of silvery-white hair draped over Jiao Qingyin’s shoulder.

 

Straight, supple, and gleaming—it clearly wasn’t dyed. In the entire Blue Star, Lin Chu had only seen one person with that hair color.

 

Even though her relationship with Jiao Qingyin was extremely strained, at this moment, Lin Chu felt a surge of “protective parent” anger, as if her own cabbage had been rooted up by a pig.

 

“Are you willing?” Lin Chu asked, her voice sounding somewhat sinister.

 

She asked this, but in the next second, Lin Chu calmed down. She had never cut off Jiao Qingyin’s money or resources; since Jiao was her daughter, it was impossible for her to be bullied by a celebrity with no power or influence.

 

She paused and changed the question: “Is she willing?”

 

The two on the other side of the screen: “…”

 

Lin Chu loathed the culture of “sponsorship” and “kept lovers.” If Jiao Qingyin really dared to play the game of forcing a starlet under her nose, Lin Chu would be the first to send her to the Blue Star Security Bureau.

 

“Speak.” The impatient Lin Chu waited for a single second before prodding Jiao Qingyin for an answer.

 

Jiao Qingyin was helpless, thinking she might as well just tell her she was dating Wen Fengyue. “We…”

 

“Hello, Xiao Jiao’s mother. I think you’ve misunderstood. We are just friends.” Wen Fengyue entered the frame, her expression flat, explaining with a touch of solemnity.

 

Jiao Qingyin: “…”

 

She turned her head, staring at Wen Fengyue’s broken lip; the roots of her teeth felt a bit itchy. What kind of person holds the back of a “friend’s” head and kisses them until their lips are pained and burning?

 

But she failed to convey her thoughts this time. Wen Fengyue, thinking of who-knows-what, met her gaze and squeezed her hand comfortingly. As if saying, “Leave it to me.”

 

The consequence of leaving it to Wen Fengyue was that, under the pressure of Lin Chu’s terrifying gaze, she continued: “We were just rehearsing a scene. Our relationship does not exceed that of friends.”

 

“Do I look easy to fool?” Lin Chu sneered, the expression deepening the wrinkles on her face. However, she wasn’t so old and senile that she couldn’t see how much this person was protecting Jiao Qingyin.

 

But fine. At least the other party appeared truly willing.

 

Lin Chu gave Jiao Qingyin a deep look, said nothing more than “Suit yourself”, and unilaterally cut the connection.

 

As her face vanished from the screen, the room felt empty and suddenly cold. Jiao Qingyin slowly put away her device and looked at Wen Fengyue.

 

The stiffness of facing a parent was gone. Once Wen Fengyue met Jiao Qingyin’s eyes, her expression softened considerably, though she soon tensed up again under the other’s deep gaze.

 

Jiao Qingyin didn’t look happy. Was it because of her mother, or because she had said something wrong? Wen Fengyue quickly mentally replayed her phrasing and found the most likely problem area:

 

“Jiao Jiao—we are friends, right?”

 

As Wen Fengyue asked this, her anxiety was written plainly on her face. She tried to control her facial muscles, but with little success. She didn’t know with what heart Jiao Qingyin had kissed her just now, so she didn’t dare be the first to break the “window paper.”

 

If Jiao Qingyin didn’t intend to develop a romantic relationship, a rash move would only cause Jiao to keep her at a distance. The mere thought of Jiao Qingyin feeling disgusted upon realizing her feelings made it hard for Wen Fengyue to breathe. Even if Jiao didn’t hate her, she would inevitably avoid her. Wen Fengyue didn’t want that to happen at all.

 

During Jiao Qingyin’s few seconds of silence, countless thoughts flashed through Wen Fengyue’s brain, but in the end, nothing remained. She watched the person before her without blinking, terrified of missing a single expression.

 

Jiao Qingyin blinked softly, and Wen Fengyue’s heart nearly stopped.

 

Then she heard Jiao Qingyin say: “But… between friends, is kissing normal?”

 

Jiao Qingyin’s ink-black eyes were clear and translucent. Not long ago, Wen Fengyue had seen a lingering warmth in those eyes. Now, they were filled with obvious doubt and unease, making her look like a little lamb standing at a crossroads. Whether she took the right or wrong path depended on which way the shepherd pushed her.

 

Blood was pumped to her limbs by her rapidly beating heart. Wen Fengyue took a deep breath.

 

“Yes,” Wen Fengyue heard herself say. “We are playing a couple in the drama. Being a bit intimate in reality… is very normal. It’s serving the art.”

 

Jiao Qingyin began to smile, looking as if she trusted her completely.

 

“Really?” She asked, as if for final confirmation.

 

“Really.” Now that the most difficult part was over, Wen Fengyue said the rest with solemn conviction. “That’s how it is between friends.”

 

Fine. Jiao Qingyin gripped Wen Fengyue’s hand back, the amusement in her eyes growing richer. She sincerely hoped that once they were in bed, the other woman could still stick to this story.

 

The next day, Wen Fengyue arrived on set with even heavier dark circles than the day before.

 

Watching the makeup artist apply concealer to Wen Fengyue, Jiao Qingyin said with a taut face, “Focus on sleeping at night. Staying up late is bad for your health.”

 

Yesterday, seeing Wen Fengyue turn off the lights early, she hadn’t gone to check if she was actually asleep—it seemed she wasn’t. Clearly, once this person wasn’t being managed, she tended to indulge herself and neglect her health.

 

Wen Fengyue, knowing she was in the wrong, gave an honest “Mm.”

 

The makeup artist had worked with Wen Fengyue for many years. Usually, she saw Wen Fengyue looking cold and disdainful toward everyone; she had never seen her so obedient to someone. Out of curiosity, she couldn’t help saying, “Teacher Wen, you and Teacher Jiao really have a good relationship.”

 

Wen Fengyue usually ignored small talk, but once the topic involved Jiao Qingyin, she perked up.

 

“It is very good,” Wen Fengyue paused, then added, “We live together.”

 

The makeup artist’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected a casual question to unearth such a shocking scoop. If two other actresses lived together, she’d just think they were good friends. But Wen Fengyue and Jiao Qingyin were not only playing a couple but also had rumors swirling around them. If they lived together, then could it be—

 

The makeup artist instinctively looked at Jiao Qingyin, only to see the corner of her lips hooked slightly, with no intention of refuting it. Sensing someone was watching her, Jiao Qingyin looked up, met the artist’s eyes, and nodded with a smile. “Yes, we are very close friends.”

 

The makeup artist: “!”

 

Her brain automatically processed “friend” as “girlfriend.” Come to think of it, they really were a match! No wonder so many colleagues on set were secretly shipping them!

 

Hearing Jiao Qingyin admit their close relationship to an outsider, Wen Fengyue unconsciously lifted her chin. The pride hidden beneath her calm expression was nearly bursting out.

 

Watching from the side, Jiao Qingyin was curious: if she eventually admitted they were a couple, what would Wen Fengyue’s reaction be then? It was a pity Wen Fengyue didn’t have wolf ears and a tail in this world; she wouldn’t get to see her wagging her tail while running toward her.

 

“Xiao Jiao,” Sister Ji finished her conversation with Jing Ziqing and came up behind Jiao Qingyin. “Are there any of the announcements I sent this morning that you want to attend?”

 

She had been busy at the company yesterday and hadn’t come to the set. As a result, before lunch break even started, she heard that Jiao Qingyin had sent all her assistants back to headquarters. She was startled at first, thinking they had offended Jiao, but then learned Jiao had essentially given them a disguised promotion.

 

Jiao Qingyin’s reputation among the high-level executives of Star-Forge was polarized. Some thought she was cheerful and kind to everyone, while others whispered that she was sinister and used underhanded methods. Sister Ji was originally in the former camp, but after seeing Jiao’s swift removal of Sister Li from management, she leaned toward the latter. Now, she couldn’t figure this person out at all and could only treat her with the utmost caution.

 

The announcements she sent were meticulously selected—top-tier resources with guaranteed quality and traffic that others couldn’t get even if they begged. She was just waiting for Jiao to choose.

 

But Jiao Qingyin smiled and shook her head. “I don’t want to go to any of them.”

 

Sister Ji’s expression froze. “Huh?” Even luxury endorsements couldn’t satisfy the young mistress?

 

“I want to go to that outdoor survival variety show. With Teacher Wen.”

 

“Hm?” Wen Fengyue, who was focused on watching Jiao Qingyin’s makeup being applied, blinked in surprise, not expecting to be involved. Then she remembered what show Jiao was talking about, and her brow furrowed instantly. “No.”

 

The makeup artist slipped with the eyeshadow brush because of the sudden movement, letting out an “Ouch.” Jiao Qingyin looked over and saw that Wen Fengyue now had a pale red “mustache.”

 

Before anyone could react, Jiao quickly grabbed her device and click—snapped a photo of the scene.

 

Wen Fengyue’s eyes went wide: “!”

 

Amused by the expression, Jiao Qingyin took several more photos and saved them all in an album dedicated solely to Wen Fengyue.

 

This accident made Sister Ji a beat slow to realize which show Jiao Qingyin meant. ” Blue Star Adventurers?”

 

Jiao Qingyin put down her device and looked up. “Yes. I remember it starts filming next month, right?”

 

Blue Star Adventurers was a large-scale outdoor variety show broadcast live across all platforms. The program invited guests from various industries and dropped them onto low-level planets for five days of wilderness survival and adventure.

 

The show focused on realism. Every guest had a 24-hour livestream drone following them, both to ensure their safety and to warn them against cheating. Basically, every guest who participated and made it to the later stages would be propelled to the peak of stardom by the audience. Thus, it was known as the “God-Maker” show.

 

But commensurate with the rewards was the immense risk. Before participating, guests had to sign a liability waiver. Statistics showed that in the ten years since it started, with forty seasons, the number of severe disabilities accounted for 30% of the total number of guests. So despite knowing the massive traffic it generated, few people in the entertainment industry dared to join.

 

At the suggestion of Star-Forge, Wen Fengyue’s parents had signed her up behind her back. She didn’t find out until the liability waiver was sent to her device. At that time, Wen Fengyue had lost interest in the world and thought it might be fine to die on the show, so she signed her name without a care.

 

Who knew that right after signing her name on the deck and lighting a cigarette, she would turn around and meet Jiao Qingyin?

 

Wen Fengyue had been regretting this decision these past few days, but the fact was set. She couldn’t afford the high penalty fee for breach of contract. All she could do was secretly learn wilderness survival skills on the Star-net.

 

Now, she didn’t even ask how Jiao Qingyin knew she was participating; she only focused on changing Jiao’s mind. “You can’t go. This show is very dangerous. You…”

 

“Is it not dangerous for you to go?”

 

“I…”

 

Wen Fengyue was rendered speechless by Jiao Qingyin’s retort. She desperately wanted to stop her. Seeing her anxious state, Jiao Qingyin softened her tone. “I’m just joking.”

 

Wen Fengyue stared at her through the mirror. Jiao Qingyin met her gaze calmly, showing no sign of her true intent.

 

“…Don’t lie to me,” Wen Fengyue couldn’t distinguish Jiao’s actual thoughts and could only speak in a low voice.

 

Jiao Qingyin’s eyes shifted. Unable to promise “I’m not lying,” she took a detour. “I won’t let myself fall into danger. Don’t worry.”

 

With that guarantee, Wen Fengyue was instantly relieved. She smiled. “Mm. I will protect myself well too. Don’t worry.”

 

Jiao Qingyin thought to herself: I’m the one who’s worried.

 

According to the original plot, Wen Fengyue would be severely injured in this variety show, leading to an amputation and replacement with a bionic limb, causing her health to plummet. Since this was part of the main plot, Jiao Qingyin couldn’t simply pay the penalty for her not to go; she had to use more roundabout methods to protect her.

 

The makeup artist’s hands had stopped at some point. She didn’t snap out of it until the two stopped talking. After a moment, she asked the question Sister Ji didn’t dare to ask.

 

“Are you two… dating?”

 

Exchanging a glance, Jiao Qingyin and Wen Fengyue said in unison: “No.”

 

The makeup artist and Sister Ji: “…” Did they think they were that easy to fool?

 

To cover her plans, Jiao Qingyin accepted a few announcements from Sister Ji and even pushed work that was suitable for Wen Fengyue (and that Wen was willing to take) her way. Their schedules became packed instantly.

 

Today, they had scenes from morning till night. When Jing Ziqing saw them, she looked like she was seeing walking Star-credits and welcomed them happily. “Let’s film some intimate scenes first today. I want to see the feeling to help decide the order for later scenes.”

 

Hearing this, Wen Fengyue’s footsteps came to a dead halt.

 

Jing Ziqing, script in hand, looked over in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Wen Fengyue’s face was dark, her expression like a storm was coming. She had no mental preparation to film intimate scenes with Jiao Qingyin. If she made a fool of herself or something happened… Wen Fengyue’s gaze grew darker, giving Jing Ziqing goosebumps.

 

“C-Can we not film it…” Jing Ziqing asked weakly. She was stubborn and usually insisted on her own pace, but facing Wen Fengyue right now, she suddenly felt that compromising was fine…

 

However, despite her grim face, Wen Fengyue spoke through gritted teeth after a long moment: “We can film.”

 

Jing Ziqing breathed a sigh of relief and regained her rhythm. “Then let’s film this kiss scene from your ‘passionately in love’ period. I want to see the tension between you.”

 

For intimate scenes, even real couples often became unnaturally shy or artificial in front of the camera; the difficulty was high. Jing Ziqing was worried they wouldn’t be able to let go, so she gave a few extra instructions before they went on: “Wen Fengyue, kiss her harder. Remember, you’re in the honeymoon phase.”

 

Wen Fengyue nodded. Her face was cold and hard, her eyes sharp, looking as if she were going to a battlefield.

 

A cinematographer lurking in the set’s gossip group lowered her head. I told you the two leads have a bad relationship—otherwise, why would the Best Actress look so fierce for a kiss scene?

 

After briefing Wen Fengyue, Jing Ziqing turned to Jiao Qingyin. “Since one shot is from behind Wen Fengyue, you need to grab her neck and shirt collar. It would be best if you could leave some marks on her skin. The more intense, the better.”

 

Before Jiao Qingyin could react, Wen Fengyue’s hand hanging by her side clenched into a fist. Jing Ziqing was startled again, thinking Wen Fengyue couldn’t take it and was going to hit her, but in the next second, the woman strode past her and sat on the temporary bed.

 

If Wen Fengyue’s expression wasn’t so terrifying, Jing Ziqing would have thought she was impatient for the intimate scene.

 

Jiao Qingyin walked toward Wen Fengyue. From her perspective, the scene was her Teacher Wen sitting obediently on the bed waiting for her, with little stars of anticipation and nervousness in her eyes—it was incredibly cute. She chuckled softly, quickened her pace, and sat beside Wen Fengyue.

 

Wen Fengyue immediately grabbed her hand—this time she had a legitimate reason to hold it, so she held it exceptionally tight.

 

“Alright, actors in position,” Jing Ziqing looked at the camera and raised a hand. “Scene One, Take One, Ready.”

 

She counted down from five. As the clapperboard snapped, Wen Fengyue gently touched Jiao Qingyin’s cheek. She traced the other’s eyebrows, eye sockets, and bridge of her nose with her finger, then slid down slightly to press against her lips.

 

The soft touch made Wen Fengyue daze, so she was half a beat slow to say her line: “Can I kiss you?”

 

Her question was polite, but the aggression in her eyes made it seem like she had already kissed Jiao Qingyin from head to toe. Jiao Qingyin felt equally heated under that gaze. “You can, but…”

 

The words following “but” were swallowed into Wen Fengyue’s mouth.