After The Forced Marriage, I Ended Up With The Top Celebrity - Chapter 5

Was it just her imagination?

Luo Nianshu stared wide eyed at the person before her.

Qiao Jinyan was she actually showing her affection and tenderness?

The soft lips pressing against hers deepened, and something warm slipped into her mouth. Luo Nianshu felt a shiver course through her body, and unexpectedly, she gently closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the tender kiss.

So gentle… like a warm snowflake falling on her skin.

[Apologies, the richness of this kiss cannot be described in full detail due to Jinjiang’s content restrictions. Please feel free to fill in the blanks yourself. A vivid scene of 500 words is omitted here.]

Qiao Jinyan’s movements were light and delicate, and the familiar scent of peach blossom filled Luo Nianshu’s breath.

The film set fell utterly silent. Only the blinking red light on the camera pulsed, ticking away the seconds.

Qiao Jinyan slowly pulled away from Luo Nianshu. The two of them opened their eyes at the same time, a hazy mist clouding their gazes filled with unspoken emotions Jinjiang wouldn’t let them describe.

“Goddess…” Luo Nianshu murmured as if still in a daze, softly calling Qiao Jinyan’s name.

Time seemed frozen. No one in the studio dared to breathe, immersed in the stunning, sorrowful kiss that had just played out. No one called “cut.” The recording time continued to tick forward, capturing two girls leaning into each other one dressed in black, the other in white their foreheads touching, eyes filled with mutual understanding and sorrow.

“Cut! Perfect!” Director Zhang Weiyin was the first to snap out of it, clapping enthusiastically. One by one, the rest of the crew joined in the thunderous applause.

The sound broke the spell between the two women.

Qiao Jinyan snapped back to reality and abruptly shoved Luo Nianshu away, her beautiful face flushed with embarrassment and panic.

She had actually kissed Luo Nianshu like that?

She must be insane!

Luo Nianshu, momentarily stunned by the shove, quickly recovered. She gave a devilish smirk, deliberately licking her lips with a look of lingering satisfaction. “Not a bad taste.”

“Shameless!” Qiao Jinyan growled through gritted teeth. She snatched a bottle of mineral water from Molly and began frantically rinsing her mouth.

“So dirty,” she said loudly, making sure someone heard her.

“What a heartfelt kiss that was,” that someone casually remarked.

Qiao Jinyan: “……”

Luo Nianshu sighed dramatically. “But to lose my first kiss just like that… truly heartbreaking.”

Qiao Jinyan’s movements stilled.

Molly asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Qiao Jinyan said quickly, turning to leave.

Her first kiss?

Even Qiao Jinyan didn’t notice the faint smile that had quietly crept onto her lips.

During break time on set, Molly tossed her phone to Qiao Jinyan.

“Take a look. You’re trending again.”

What now? Qiao Jinyan opened Weibo to see a post titled “Showing Off Kissing Skills”, accompanied by high-definition photos of her kissing Luo Nianshu.

The netizens were already in full gossip mode:

Netizen A: Supporting Qiao Jinyan’s new work! By the way, who’s this stand-in actress? Even her back looks gorgeous~

Netizen B: Here’s a photo of me and my boyfriend kissing too! Just showing off our kissing skills~

Netizen C: Single and crying under the lemon tree. Can you stop with the PDA already?

Netizen D: Qiao Jinyan’s acting has finally improved. But… are we witnessing a coming out?

Netizen E: Turning into a lemon instantly! I’m so jealous. I want a kiss from our goddess too waaahhh.

Qiao Jinyan calmly tapped “Save Image” and then sneered, “If the fans ever find out that Luo Nianshu is the one who tried to crash my wedding, I wonder what public opinion would be like then?”

“Don’t be so harsh, Yan Yan,” Molly said gently. “The little assistant was a victim too.”

Qiao Jinyan scoffed and looked away.

“I’ve never seen you so fixated on one person,” Molly said with a laugh. “You’ve always been quick and clean when it came to payback. Not like this.”

Qiao Jinyan shrugged. “Can’t help it. I’m really mad this time.”

Molly didn’t argue, just smiled.

Maybe it was the exhaustion after a long day of shooting, but surprisingly, Qiao Jinyan didn’t boss Luo Nianshu around.

Back at the hotel, Luo Nianshu found her room, ruffled her hair, and collapsed onto the bed like a lazy cat, burrowing into the soft pillow. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small medicine box on the nightstand. Picking it up, she squinted at it Yunnan Baiyao adhesive bandages, presumably for the injury on her neck.

Who left this here?

Too lazy to think further, she got up and headed to the bathroom, preparing to apply the bandage in front of the mirror. But before she could peel it open, someone knocked on the door.

Who could it be this late?

She stuffed the bandage into her pocket and opened the door.

The Goddess?

Luo Nianshu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

What brought her here tonight?

Qiao Jinyan’s expression was awkward, clearly still unsettled by that kiss. “Wanna go for a walk?”

She was inviting her?

Luo Nianshu was even more surprised, though she didn’t show it. Without a word, she turned off the lights and followed Qiao Jinyan outside.

Night in Z City was colder than the morning. Both women wore extra layers and walked shoulder-to-shoulder along a narrow path, wrapped in silence.

“What happened the past few days… I owe you an apology,” Qiao Jinyan finally broke the silence.

Luo Nianshu looked at her in surprise. Something about Qiao Jinyan tonight felt different. She couldn’t say exactly what, but it was noticeable.

“Apologize for what, exactly?” Luo Nianshu asked calmly.

Qiao Jinyan froze, then frowned.

Wasn’t she supposed to respond with something like “It’s okay” or “I don’t mind”?

“Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything,” she said angrily, speeding up.

She had finally been persuaded by Molly that maybe she’d gone too far. But now, Luo Nianshu was pushing her buttons again, leaving her no graceful way out. She was never going to apologize again!

“Wait up,” Luo Nianshu jogged to catch up, grabbing Qiao Jinyan’s sleeve with a cheeky grin. “Goddess, why are you in such a bad mood?”

“Let go of me!” Qiao Jinyan snapped, jerking away. Luo Nianshu stumbled slightly, her neck injury flaring up with pain. “Ow…” she hissed.

Qiao Jinyan’s face changed instantly. “Are you okay?”

“A bit painful,” Luo Nianshu whined pitifully.

That reaction reassured Qiao Jinyan. Luo Nianshu was shameless if she was really in pain, she’d say “I’m fine.”

So she replied coldly, “Oh, then keep hurting.”

Luo Nianshu: “……”

“Don’t go, Goddess,” she hurried after Qiao Jinyan.

“What is it now?” Qiao Jinyan turned, chin raised in that haughty way of hers.

Luo Nianshu grinned and pulled out the bandage. “Help me apply it?”

Apply a bandage for her? Did Luo Nianshu know that it was she who’d left it in her room?

Qiao Jinyan’s expression grew frosty. Her voice held a hint of anxiety. “Why me? Don’t you have hands?”

“There’s no mirror out here. I can’t see the wound.”

Oh… that was it.

Qiao Jinyan felt a subtle relief. She took the bandage and gestured for Luo Nianshu to tilt her head.

To her surprise, Luo Nianshu obeyed, revealing her fair neck. Under the soft glow of the streetlight, Qiao Jinyan focused on the small, still-bleeding cut and carefully applied the bandage.

Luo Nianshu turned her head slightly to look at her.

That expression… that focused look…

Qiao Jinyan’s long lashes trembled slightly.

Luo Nianshu thought she looked like a siren. No one could resist such beauty. No one could resist Qiao Jinyan being this attentive.

She thought again of that kiss from earlier.

Qiao Jinyan’s soft breath brushed against her neck, tickling slightly. Luo Nianshu couldn’t help but smile.

“All done,” Qiao Jinyan said, trying to straighten up.

“It’s crooked,” Luo Nianshu insisted, refusing to move.

“Really?” Qiao Jinyan frowned and leaned in to check.

“Yep.”

Qiao Jinyan gently touched the bandage with her cool fingers, her eyes narrowing in confusion. “Looks fine to me.”

“Then I guess it is,” Luo Nianshu said, smiling faintly.

What kind of answer was that?

Qiao Jinyan glared at her.

That tone made it feel like she was the one being pampered. Qiao Jinyan felt a wave of dissatisfaction. She was supposed to be the dominant one. Even in bed, she should be the one on top!

In bed… with Luo Nianshu?

Qiao Jinyan was startled by her own thoughts. Something was clearly wrong with her. Ever since that kiss, she’d been feeling… different. Almost like a stranger to herself.

“Are you Qiao Jinyan?”

A man in a black cap suddenly blocked their path, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Qiao Jinyan looked up must be a fan. Fame really was inconvenient. You couldn’t go anywhere without being recognized.

“I am,” she replied, flashing her trademark sweet smile, dimples showing. Like an adorable little girl.

“Can I get your autograph? I’m a longtime fan,” he said, holding out a paper and pen.

“Of course.” Qiao Jinyan took them without hesitation and leaned on Luo Nianshu’s back to sign.

But while she was focused on writing, the man walked over to a nearby lamppost and retrieved something.

Luo Nianshu’s instincts flared.

“Something’s off,” she warned.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Qiao Jinyan asked, distracted, still signing her name. She was standing behind Luo Nianshu and didn’t see what was happening.

The man was already approaching carrying something.

Luo Nianshu’s eyes narrowed. She recognized what he held. Her heart dropped. She lunged forward and shoved Qiao Jinyan aside.

“Watch out!”

“What?”

Qiao Jinyan hadn’t finished speaking before she hit the ground.

A full bucket of colorful paint came crashing down on Luo Nianshu.

Her vision was instantly drenched in swirling colors. Disoriented, she struggled blindly.

Seeing his plan fail, the man swung the iron bucket at her several more times before fleeing into the shadows.

“Luo Nianshu!” Qiao Jinyan screamed, rushing over and cradling her.

“Security! Security!” Her frantic voice pierced the night.

People nearby came running.

Qiao Jinyan gently patted Luo Nianshu’s face, her voice shaking: “Wake up, Luo Nianshu! Open your eyes! Look at me!”

But the girl in her arms didn’t respond.

Multi colored paint slowly dripped down from Luo Nianshu’s body, trickling along the pavement…

And staining the piece of paper that still read

“Wishing you happiness.”