Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 21.1

Chapter 21.1: Respect

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became quiet. It felt as if a heartbeat had been skipped. Jiang Yumian blinked blankly. The words that fell into her ears made her feel a little dazed.

Jing Xiaoyan liked her. Was it… real?

Jing Xiaoyan backed away slightly and sat down properly next to her. Her eyes revealed an unconcealed nervousness, her long eyelashes lightly trembling, and the fingers on the side of her leg subtly clenching. Her heart was beating rapidly.

Initially, she wanted Jiang Yumian to treat it as acting, but after finally mustering the courage to confess, she was unwilling to play dumb.

She’d just consider it a surge of emotion.

The quiet atmosphere didn’t last long. Jing Xiaoyan bit her lip, reached out, and gently patted the obviously still bewildered Jiang Yumian.

She didn’t give her a chance to speak. Jiang Yumian probably didn’t know what to say anyway. She took a breath, her voice soft and trembling, “You, don’t be afraid, and don’t feel pressured. I just simply wanted to say it out loud, I’m not asking for an answer.”

She finished and slowly turned her gaze away, not daring to look at Jiang Yumian again. After a while, she continued, “Liking you might cause you some trouble, but I feel like I should make it clear. It also hurts to keep it bottled up inside. I’m very sorry.”

Jiang Yumian finally had a slight reaction. She stiffly raised her hand, interrupting Jing Xiaoyan, and said in a very soft voice: “You, how could you like me?”

How could she like her?

She didn’t dare to imagine that Jing Xiaoyan would like her.

Jing Xiaoyan gently squeezed her fingers, looked at her, and smiled softly: “Is it strange to like you? You are so outstanding. I admire your acting, your singing is beautiful, and I like your personality too. I can’t help but be curious about you.”

Jiang Yumian opened her mouth. Hearing her matter-of-fact tone, it seemed that liking her wasn’t strange at all.

It left her speechless.

Jiang Yumian was silent for a few seconds, her eyes slightly lowered, feeling a bit helpless. Her voice was low: “But you should know, I have a girlfriend.”

Jing Xiaoyan pursed her lips and smiled: “I know. I’m self-aware enough to know you definitely won’t agree. And you just met me. I said it only to let you know, not to pressure you.”

She finished and raised her hand, hesitating for a moment, but still gently patted Jiang Yumian. Her tone was gentle: “Please don’t internalize because of me. This has nothing to do with you. It’s just me simply liking you. Don’t worry, I will definitely behave properly. I have boundaries, and I won’t offend you.”

“I haven’t interacted with you much. Only after these few days did I realize you’re very observant. So I don’t know you well. Don’t feel any pressure.”

“Just take the fact that I like you as something you know. I don’t have any special agenda. Don’t overthink it, and don’t be unhappy because of me.”

Hearing her say all this, Jiang Yumian’s heart slowly calmed down a lot.

She could tell that Jing Xiaoyan respected her and was very gentle. She actually said so much to comfort her and told her not to take her liking as a burden.

Jiang Yumian sighed. Why did Jing Xiaoyan have to like her?

She pursed her lips again and again, looked up at her, her eyes full of apology: “I know you like me, but I’m very sorry.”

She paused after saying that, smiled helplessly at Jing Xiaoyan, and continued: “Firstly, I have a girlfriend. Secondly, we’re not close. In terms of feelings, I don’t like you.”

She finished and turned her head, not daring to look at Jing Xiaoyan’s expression.

Although knowing it intellectually was one thing, hearing it firsthand was another. Jing Xiaoyan’s heart still sank.

She forced a smile, her eyes still gentle: “I know. We are indeed not close, but everything I said just now was true. The confession was also real. Can you please not treat it as acting?”

Jiang Yumian bit her lip, turned to look at Jing Xiaoyan, and watched her earnestly, feeling like she couldn’t see through her.

She only had this one request. How could she pretend to be foolish?

She nodded, her long eyelashes trembling. Thinking of something, “I didn’t move away just now. You clearly could have kissed me here.”

Jiang Yumian gently pressed her fingertip on her own lips.

Yes, Jing Xiaoyan almost took her first kiss just now, but she didn’t.

Jing Xiaoyan lightly licked her lips. Her burning gaze lingered on Jiang Yumian’s thin lips for a second before instantly moving away.

“That would have been disrespectful. Kissing your cheek was already offensive enough, I’m sorry.”

Jiang Yumian’s heart relaxed. What she wanted her to prove was already proven. Jing Xiaoyan was truly a very polite and respectful older sister. She really didn’t need to worry about her doing anything out of line in the future.

“No need to apologize. You’ve made things clear, and I feel relieved.”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded, pondered for two seconds, and still felt it wasn’t complete. She pointed to Jiang Yumian’s phone and continued: “Although I don’t know the purpose of you asking me to act out this scene, I won’t be foolish enough to really believe your words.”

She smiled and said, “But thank you for giving me an opportunity to confess and let me say what’s in my heart.”

Jiang Yumian followed the direction of her finger and glanced at the phone that was still recording the video. A look of embarrassment and guilt quickly appeared in her eyes. She immediately grabbed the phone and stopped the recording.

Jing Xiaoyan watched her actions and couldn’t help but laugh: “You have a girlfriend. It felt disrespectful to you for me to confess after I knew that, but this time, it was a timely opportunity, and I just wanted to let you know. Don’t overthink it.”

With another explanation, Jiang Yumian quickly nodded. Of course, she wouldn’t overthink it. Jing Xiaoyan’s image in her heart had been elevated so much. She was open and honest, comfortable to be around, and wouldn’t make her feel awkward.

“There’s one more thing. I did come to this show because you’re here, but a large part of the reason is because Chu Qianyuan needed me. My coming here can create some buzz and highlights for this variety show. It’s not entirely because of you. I will take my work seriously. Rest assured, don’t feel pressured.”

Jing Xiaoyan finished speaking, politely patted Jiang Yumian’s arm, and then got up and sat on the opposite bed, her own bed, thinking that sitting further away would make Jiang Yumian feel more comfortable.

Jiang Yumian gently exhaled. She was feeling overwhelmed by Jing Xiaoyan’s words. Her initial confusion had been completely soothed by her. This person was too good. She was really trying to get her not to overthink things.

A stream of words that completely absolved her of any responsibility. She only needed to know, not to do anything. Few people were so careful as to consider how she might feel and then proactively help her resolve future potential problems.

Jing Xiaoyan’s attitude toward her, and her honesty, made Jiang Yumian feel somewhat guilty. She had been thinking of using Jing Xiaoyan.

Jiang Yumian pursed her lips again and again. Under Jing Xiaoyan’s increasingly nervous gaze, wondering if she had said the wrong thing, she finally spoke.

“Can you not be such a good person?”

Jing Xiaoyan froze for a moment, not quite understanding.

Meeting Jing Xiaoyan’s confused gaze, Jiang Yumian sighed: “You’re being so honest and telling me everything, it makes me feel a little guilty.”

Jing Xiaoyan’s throat tightened: “What?”

Jiang Yumian tapped her phone screen: “I recorded the video not for learning, but because I wanted to send it to my mom.”

She gave in. She truly gave in. She shouldn’t use Jing Xiaoyan like this.

She was using Jing Xiaoyan, but Jing Xiaoyan truly liked her. Her liking was too sincere.

Jing Xiaoyan’s fingers gripping the blanket tightened. She actually wanted to send it to her mom!

What was going on?

Jing Xiaoyan’s voice was strained: “I don’t quite understand.”

Jiang Yumian threw the blanket open and lay down on the bed, letting out a long sigh, as if it was difficult to talk about. She leaned against the headboard dejectedly.

“I told my mom I like girls. She doesn’t quite agree, but she’s not against it either. Her acceptance level is actually quite strong.” She paused, then said, “But that’s for other people. For me, it’s different. She took away my money and the people around me. My manager went to train a new person, and my assistant went back to their original company job. This variety show is the last job I took.”

Jing Xiaoyan was a little surprised, but quickly understood why Jiang Yumian was penniless. It turned out her current situation was so ‘difficult’.

Jiang Yumian kicked the blanket helplessly and continued, “But it doesn’t matter. She’s always been this domineering. This is just a fuse she lit to get me back to the company, honestly. I never said I wouldn’t go back.”

Jing Xiaoyan subtly glanced at Jiang Yumian’s expression, seeing that she was only complaining slightly and wasn’t very angry or resistant, which made her feel relieved.

Jiang Yumian struggled for a long time, then told Jing Xiaoyan the details of that day, feeling quite awkward: “I got emotional and angry at the time, and she’s a mother-fan of yours. She likes you incredibly much, so I purposely provoked her. I said I liked you and was going to stick to you like glue during the filming.”

Jing Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. So that was the story.

“Recording this video wasn’t just to provoke her, it’s just because you’re different. If you said you liked me, she might accept it. After all, she acts more like your mom.”

Jiang Yumian’s words sounded a little bitter. Jing Xiaoyan roughly understood. This Aunt Jiang was seriously biased in her own daughter’s heart.

And the person she was biased toward was her.

Jing Xiaoyan rubbed her temples, hesitated, but finally advised: “I think if you send it, she’ll get even angrier and won’t agree.”

After all, they had an awkward underlying connection.

She wasn’t planning on telling Jiang Yumian now. Telling her now would make it even more hopeless. She could wait until the situation at home was resolved. They were going to divorce soon anyway.

Jiang Yumian turned her head, looking at Jing Xiaoyan eagerly: “I’m sorry, I used you.”

Jing Xiaoyan smiled: “Being able to hear you say you like me, what’s there to be sorry about? If you want to send it to your mom, then send it.”

“But I don’t think she’ll believe it. Who gets confessed to and is prepared to record the video in advance?”

Jiang Yumian pulled the blanket, her tone downcast: “I won’t send it. I’m not planning to anymore.”

How could she have known that Jing Xiaoyan genuinely liked her?

After hearing Jiang Yumian’s story, Jing Xiaoyan still found it quite amusing: “You said you wanted to stick to me. Aren’t you afraid your girlfriend will be jealous when she finds out?”

Jiang Yumian turned to face her. When it came to this, she became animated: “Hehe, I told her I’m your mother-fan.” She finished and couldn’t help but cough. Saying this to the person herself was truly embarrassing.

“And she believed it. After all, me sticking to you wasn’t really doing anything. Instead of letting her misunderstand, it’s better to tell a white lie so she doesn’t overthink.”

Mainly, Jiang Yumian felt that they didn’t have deep feelings. She said that before because she was afraid her wealthy older sister wouldn’t be happy. If they truly liked each other and it was a mutual love, she wouldn’t do something like sticking to another girl.

She was thinking to herself, completely oblivious to Jing Xiaoyan’s already stiff expression.

Jing Xiaoyan took a deep breath. It was a lie!

She had been fooled quite badly herself after all that fooling!

She gritted her teeth, smiling faintly: “You are quite good at lying.”

Jiang Yumian waved her hand: “It’s not entirely a lie. Me telling her you’re cute and all that is true. I really do think that.”

Jing Xiaoyan raised her hand to cover her chest, suddenly feeling suffocated. She would rather continue the lie.

Talking about herself with Jiang Yumian was exhausting.

She sighed, and said seriously and sternly: “You really misunderstand me. ‘Cute’ really doesn’t suit me. Besides, I like you. Isn’t it too much for you to treat me as your daughter?”

Jiang Yumian instantly sat up straight and said confidently: “There must be a reason why I think you’re cute. You liking me can’t stop my thoughts.”

Jing Xiaoyan was left speechless. Finally, she said reluctantly: “I’m not stopping what you think.”

Jiang Yumian recalled Jing Xiaoyan’s words about her being “too much.” She felt that Jing Xiaoyan had misunderstood her. She patted the bed, reminding Jing Xiaoyan to listen to her.

“I’m not really treating you as my daughter. I just rejected you. Would I need to find such an excuse to hurt your feelings?”

Jing Xiaoyan twitched her lips, unable to smile. Why emphasize the part about rejecting her again?

But it was fine. She didn’t treat her as her daughter. As long as the role wasn’t too jarring. Now that Jiang Yumian knew she liked her, she wouldn’t think of anything else when she did anything.

Jing Xiaoyan sighed, explaining, “I’m not saying you were doing it to reject me. I just don’t like you saying I’m cute. It really doesn’t suit me. And ‘naive’…”

She just couldn’t accept the girl she liked seeing her as a child.

Feeling that wasn’t enough, she added, “And I’m older than you. You should call me ‘older sister’.”

Jiang Yumian blinked, carefully savoring the meaning of Jing Xiaoyan’s words.

Was she so against her calling her cute because she felt she was older and cared about her image in her eyes?

Jiang Yumian touched her chin: “I get it.”

Jing Xiaoyan raised her eyes to look at her.

Jiang Yumian held back a laugh: “But you are cute. That’s a fact. Really, especially in my eyes.”

Jing Xiaoyan pursed her lips, threw the blanket open, and lay down on the bed, turning her back to Jiang Yumian.

The understanding, generous, and gentle older sister seemed to disappear, instantly becoming somewhat petulant.

Jiang Yumian touched her face, unable to hold back a laugh. So Jing Xiaoyan really cared about her image in her eyes.

“Alright, alright, I was wrong. I won’t say you’re cute anymore.”

Jing Xiaoyan closed her eyes. Hearing her coaxing tone, her heart was both complicated and sweet. She silently flipped over, turned back to face Jiang Yumian, and slowly opened her eyes.

“Then remember that.”

Jiang Yumian nodded: “I remember. It’s time to sleep. Good night?”

Jing Xiaoyan blinked, not responding immediately. After a moment of preparation, she said something both respectful and domineering: “My liking for you is not a joke. You don’t have to dwell on it, but you need to clearly know it.”

“And don’t deliberately avoid me during filming. I know my boundaries and won’t overstep.”

Jiang Yumian sighed in her heart. She sounded quite pathetic. “I know. Thank you for liking me.”

She was now very certain that Jing Xiaoyan truly liked her.

Being confessed to by a beautiful woman and told she was liked was actually a little pleasing.

Jing Xiaoyan nodded in relief: “You can sleep now. Good night.”

Jiang Yumian: “Wait a minute.”

Jing Xiaoyan was about to close her eyes, looking a little confused.

Jiang Yumian blinked: “You said you like me. How much do you like me?”

Jing Xiaoyan was a little bewildered. Why would she ask that?

Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Yumian didn’t give her a chance and reached out directly to her: “V me 50 to see your sincerity?”

Jing Xiaoyan: “…”

Before she could speak, Jiang Yumian exaggeratedly patted her forehead: “Oh, my phone won’t work after the staff took it. Just give me cash. I remember you were given one hundred.”

Jing Xiaoyan scoffed softly. So this was what she was waiting for.

Seeing that she really didn’t distance herself because of her sudden confession, she was relieved.

She decisively pulled up the blanket, humming lazily: “I’m asleep. Remember to turn off the light.”

Jiang Yumian’s lips curved. She got up, reached for the switch on the headboard, and turned off the light.

She wasn’t really trying to scam Jing Xiaoyan out of fifty yuan. She was just making a joke to lighten the atmosphere. Otherwise, if Jing Xiaoyan noticed her discomfort, she would blame herself.

Silence returned to the room, with only faint breathing sounds.

Jiang Yumian, tucked under the blanket, covered her chest. Her thoughts were in turmoil, completely unlike the calmness she had during their conversation.

It felt quite surreal. Jing Xiaoyan actually liked her.

The night was uneventful.

The two people in the room were awakened by a knock on the door. Jing Xiaoyan frowned, half-propped herself up, raised a hand to smooth her slightly messy hair, and looked at the bed next to her. She found that Jiang Yumian was also awake, rubbing her eyes.

Jing Xiaoyan patted her face: “I’ll get the door.”

She good-naturedly threw off the blanket, put on her shoes, and walked to the door.

Seeing her go, Jiang Yumian immediately put down her body, leaned against the pillow, and decided to lie down a little longer.

Standing outside the door was Fu Leyi. Jing Xiaoyan looked at her, opened the door, and asked in a low voice, “Why are you here?”

She stepped aside to let her in.

Fu Leyi walked into the room softly and whispered, “I’m just nearby. Sister Guan told me to come over. Although the production team has a makeup artist, I know your face best.”

After they entered, Jiang Yumian turned over on the bed, reluctantly sat up, and greeted them: “Hello.”

Fu Leyi waved at her, replying warmly: “Hello, hello.”

Jing Xiaoyan opened her mouth, intending to introduce her, but instantly closed it again, because there was no chance for her to interrupt.

Fu Leyi smiled at Jiang Yumian: “I’m Fu Leyi, her makeup artist.”

Jiang Yumian nodded blankly: “I…”

Fu Leyi smiled understandingly at her: “If you’re sleepy, you can sleep a little longer. It’s only seven o’clock. I came alone and will leave after doing her makeup. I won’t disturb you.”

Jing Xiaoyan turned to look at her. She had stolen her lines…

“Mianmian, you sleep. It’s still early. I’ll call you up later.” Jing Xiaoyan blocked Fu Leyi’s path: “I’ll wash up first. The production team will probably prepare breakfast later. Sleep well. Leyi can do your makeup too later.”

Fu Leyi nodded behind her: “Sure, sure. I’ve wanted to try doing your makeup for a while now.”

Jing Xiaoyan: “…”

Jiang Yumian’s barely functioning brain finally started working. She silently lay back down, pulled the blanket over herself, and replied obediently: “Okay, then I’ll sleep a little longer. You guys go ahead.”

She realized that she didn’t need to be too polite to Jing Xiaoyan, or the other person might not like it.

Although she didn’t really want to take advantage of Jing Xiaoyan’s liking for her, she was too sleepy. It was just a matter of manners. Jing Xiaoyan’s makeup artist should understand.

With this thought, when Jing Xiaoyan came out after washing up, she was already asleep.

Neither person in the room spoke.

Looking at the sleeping Jiang Yumian, Jing Xiaoyan walked over to Fu Leyi and quietly explained to her: “She was too tired yesterday. Let her sleep a little longer.”

Fu Leyi nodded. She understood. It was her fault for coming too early. She was already a little embarrassed for disturbing her sleep. How could she mind?

She pointed to the chair on the side: “Sit down.”

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