Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Shining Brightly

It was past five in the afternoon when they were almost home.

At this time in winter, the sun was just setting. Jiang Yumian looked out the car window. The orange-red sunset shone on her face. She took out her phone, raised it, found an angle, and quickly clicked the shutter button.

In the photo, only half of Jing Xiaoyan’s profile was visible, her beautiful long hair radiating a dazzling orange light against the sunset.

Jing Xiaoyan saw her put down her phone and then spoke, “Can I move now?”

Jiang Yumian paused, raised an eyebrow, looked down at the photo album, and said stubbornly, “I wasn’t taking a picture of you. I was taking a picture of the sunset and the city.”

A hand quickly appeared over the screen.

Jing Xiaoyan pointed at the photo she took. “This is me. You were taking a picture of me.”

Jiang Yumian pushed her hand away without changing her expression. “You accidentally entered my shot.”

Jing Xiaoyan poked her chest. “Not the shot. It’s here.”

Being suddenly teased, Jiang Yumian tried hard to suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth, muttered quietly that she was shameless, and then laughed uncomfortably, moving aside a little.

Seriously.

Jing Xiaoyan also moved closer to her, changing the subject to remind her, “We’re almost at my place.”

Jiang Yumian turned her head to look outside, seeing the familiar streets, and slightly raised her eyebrows. This place was indeed very close to the company.

It wasn’t until they arrived that she realized it was only two streets away. It only took a few minutes to drive to the company.

Following her into the elevator, she couldn’t help but ask, “When did you buy this place?”

She hadn’t thought about buying a house before, mainly because her family had many houses and villas, and she could also live at home. But now, taking the elevator with Jing Xiaoyan, and going to her place together, she couldn’t help but think that she might have been too casual before.

Jing Xiaoyan held her hand, her eyes curved into a smile as she looked at her. “It’s been almost a year, but I haven’t lived here much. I’m often filming on set.”

The elevator opened. Jiang Yumian was led out by her, her gaze fixed on her profile. She thought for a moment and asked again, “Are you starting a new project tomorrow?”

Seeing her nod, the hand holding hers instinctively tightened. Jing Xiaoyan hadn’t left yet, and she suddenly felt reluctant to part.

Before, when she blocked her, she would still unblock her occasionally to check if she had posted anything new on her Moments, or she would constantly refresh her Weibo feed, thinking about her every day. Now they were together and hadn’t been separated while filming the show.

Jiang Yumian lowered her eyes. She felt that she would definitely miss her even more, but she wasn’t doing any better tomorrow either; she had to go to work.

Jing Xiaoyan led her to the door, bent down to pick up a bag of groceries on the floor, and entered the door code under Jiang Yumian’s puzzled gaze.

Jiang Yumian looked confused. “When did you buy groceries?”

Jing Xiaoyan opened the door, smiling as she explained, “I ordered them after we got off the plane. They arrived ten minutes earlier than us.”

She added happily, “I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

Jiang Yumian smiled. “You don’t even look tired.”

She had been busy all day and wasn’t resting, but was going to busy herself in the kitchen again.

Jing Xiaoyan pulled her into the apartment, looked down, and found a pair of gray fluffy slippers for her, and took another pair for herself.

She answered her while putting on the slippers, “I’m not tired. I like it, and it’ll be dinner time when I finish cooking, just right for eating.”

Jiang Yumian put on the slippers, busy observing the decor here, and didn’t quite listen to Jing Xiaoyan’s words for a moment. Her eyes curiously scanned the surroundings.

Jing Xiaoyan grabbed her hand and tugged, waiting for her to focus on herself before introducing, “It’s just a two-bedroom and one-living room. I didn’t buy a big one. It’s quiet for one person. One bedroom, one study. The study has some miscellaneous items and a tatami mat. Friends can make do and sleep there if they come over.”

Jiang Yumian nodded blankly.

Soon, she heard her say, “I’ve gotten used to living alone, but sometimes I suddenly get scared, so I sleep with the lights on. Now you’ll keep me company.”

Sensing that the hand grabbing hers tightened, clearly realizing that Jing Xiaoyan needed her, Jiang Yumian lovingly squeezed back and whispered, “Mhm, I’ll keep you company.”

The smug smile on Jing Xiaoyan’s face was clearly visible in Jiang Yumian’s eyes. Although she knew Jing Xiaoyan was deliberately making her feel sorry for her, Jiang Yumian truly felt sorry for her, because Jing Xiaoyan wouldn’t lie to her and pretend to be pitiful.

Jing Xiaoyan opened her arms to hug her, leaning her face close. “Kiss.”

Jiang Yumian smiled and kissed her, then quickly said, “How much do you like kissing?”

Jing Xiaoyan laughed. “Super much.”

Before Jiang Yumian could tease her, Jing Xiaoyan’s phone in her pocket suddenly rang.

Jiang Yumian released her, signaling her to answer the call.

Jing Xiaoyan took out her phone. The caller ID showed Chu Qianyun. She hesitated, looked at Jiang Yumian, and asked tentatively, “Should I answer?”

“Answer it.”

She felt like the question was strange. Why was she asking her about answering a call?

Jiang Yumian took the groceries from her hand. “You take the call. I’ll take the groceries to the kitchen.”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded quickly. She waited until Jiang Yumian had walked a few steps away before answering.

She cleared her throat. “Hello.”

She wanted to ask Chu Qianyun if she was okay, but Chu Qianyun’s gritted voice came through the receiver first. “Jing Xiaoyan, if you don’t take the lead, I’ll look down on you!”

Jing Xiaoyan scratched her face. “Didn’t you tell me to lie down if I could?”

Chu Qianyun let out a cold laugh. “Pillow princess? How dare you call yourself a princess? Pfft!”

“Huh? Is that a compliment?” Jing Xiaoyan blinked.

Why did she always feel like Chu Qianyun was obsessed with lying down.

“You’re shameless,” Chu Qianyun rolled her eyes, not intending to continue this topic with her. She went straight to the point. “I called to remind you about the red carpet the day after tomorrow. Mumu and I have decided to just make an appearance and leave. Do you want to go together?”

Jing Xiaoyan quickly remembered. They still had a red carpet event. She thought for a few seconds, turned sideways to look at the person in the kitchen. “Wait for me to ask Mianmian and I’ll let you know.”

Chu Qianyun: “Alright. The next filming date is next Thursday. Lu Zhi and your managers have already confirmed the schedule. Remember to check your phone to see if there are any changes to your previous work.”

Jing Xiaoyan replied quickly, “Got it. I’m hanging up. I won’t delay you and your girlfriend any longer.”

Chu Qianyun: “Get lost!”

Jiang Yumian heard this as soon as she walked closer. Chu Qianyun’s voice was loud, audible even without the speakerphone on.

Seeing her hang up, Jiang Yumian leaned in and patted her back, saying irritably, “Be serious.”

Jing Xiaoyan was busy looking down at her phone. She looked up and smiled at her. “She started it.”

Jiang Yumian pointed to the kitchen. “Did you buy everything I like?”

“Mhm, and also what I like.” Jing Xiaoyan looked at her phone while pulling Jiang Yumian toward the kitchen.

She replied to a few work messages. Her work was unchanged, just a lot of it. She sighed lightly, then habitually switched to WeChat.

Jiang Yumian watched her from the side. Hearing her sigh, she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”

Jing Xiaoyan looked at the switched WeChat screen and paused. The pinned profile no longer had messages coming in, but the person was already beside her. Her eyes quickly filled with a smile.

“Nothing. I’m happy.”

“Why sigh when you’re happy?” Jiang Yumian asked innocently.

Jing Xiaoyan held her phone up and shook it in front of her, pointing at Jiang Yumian’s profile picture. “You. My girlfriend.”

Looking at her own profile picture, Jiang Yumian felt a moment of trance, then quickly and awkwardly looked away.

Noticing her shyness, Jing Xiaoyan smiled and changed the subject, continuing to explain, “The sigh is because I have too much work, and I can’t be with you all the time. But we can be together again for the red carpet the day after tomorrow.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the phone rang again. Jing Xiaoyan looked down and was instantly stunned.

Seeing her frown, Jiang Yumian glanced over indifferently, not deliberately looking at her phone, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jing Xiaoyan pursed her lips and stuffed the phone into her pocket. “Nothing. It’s just that my dad is back in the country and is going to finalize the divorce with your aunt tomorrow.”

Jiang Yumian was startled. “Tomorrow already?”

Jing Xiaoyan started prepping the ingredients, her tone relaxed. “Yeah. If the Civil Affairs Bureau hadn’t closed for the day, they probably would have gone today.”

“What about you?” Jiang Yumian looked seriously at Jing Xiaoyan’s expression, afraid that she was even slightly unhappy or sad.

Seeing Jiang Yumian worried, Jing Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Are you stupid? What does their divorce have to do with me?”

She wasn’t comforted by her casual remark. Jiang Yumian frowned slightly. “Was that your dad calling you just now?”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded, her smile fading a little. “He wanted to meet and have a meal with me. I refused. I don’t have time.”

Jiang Yumian didn’t know what to say, but she could tell that Jing Xiaoyan genuinely disliked spending time with her father. She wanted to know the reason, but she couldn’t ask so bluntly.

She felt a little worried.

“What are you thinking, Mianmian?” Jing Xiaoyan reached out and waved her hand in front of Jiang Yumian, feeling a warmth in her heart from Jiang Yumian’s concern for her.

Before she could ask, Jing Xiaoyan offered, “People I don’t care about will never affect my mood. I just find it a bit annoying, afraid it will disturb my peace.”

Jiang Yumian reached out and hugged her, keeping quiet, her heart feeling heavy.

A father that Jing Xiaoyan didn’t care about must be very hateful, and must have bullied her.

Jing Xiaoyan’s eyes softened even more. She gently hugged Jiang Yumian, stroked her head, and spoke to her in a gentle voice. “You must know about my childhood. At that time, everyone thought my dad was very good to me, that he divorced that woman decisively and took me away for my sake. I thought so too at first. But even without me, a normal person would divorce a woman who was willing to be a mistress for someone else, so he didn’t do it for me.”

Her tone was incredibly calm. This sad topic didn’t affect her emotions at all, as if she were narrating someone else’s story, a story that had nothing to do with her.

Jiang Yumian’s eyes were stinging. The hand hugging Jing Xiaoyan tightened slightly.

Jing Xiaoyan smiled and continued to tell her, “He did very well at the beginning, but his kindness wasn’t because of me. It was because he fell in love with Aunt Jifeng. I only found out after they registered their marriage. I was just an excuse for him to have a contractual marriage. And I was able to grow up safely thanks to Aunt Jifeng.”

Jiang Yumian’s mind went blank. She was stunned for a few seconds. “Then Auntie… was she deceived?”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded. “When I told Aunt Jifeng, she told me she had actually found out long ago and had warned him. When they went abroad, they actually went to different countries. Aunt Jifeng traveled everywhere, giving him no chance to contact her. That’s why your aunt never returned to your home for the holidays. She was afraid that if she went back alone, Aunt Jiang would notice something was wrong.”

Everything made sense now.

Jiang Yumian suddenly understood. No wonder her aunt didn’t like coming home and never returned even for the New Year.

She had actually believed what her mother said at first, that her aunt disliked the relatives in the family and was unwilling to return. She didn’t expect the reason to be this.

Jiang Yumian couldn’t help but say, “Auntie is quite carefree, traveling alone for over a decade. But she’s also quite rebellious. What’s the difference between this and running away from home? No wonder Mom is so angry.”

Jiang Yumian thought that her mother must have trusted her aunt’s words deeply, so she never suspected anything. Otherwise, she would have found out long ago.

Jing Xiaoyan smiled. “Fortunately, she was rebellious enough for me to meet her. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a girlfriend.”

Jiang Yumian covered her mouth, looking serious and fierce. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Jing Xiaoyan’s eyes curved into a smile, filled with the girl in front of her. She really liked Jiang Yumian.

She kissed the palm covering her mouth. Jing Xiaoyan nodded, took Jiang Yumian’s hand down, pulled it around her waist to hug her, and continued, “Because I was relatively cute and good-looking since I was little, after that woman’s business spread in the circle, I was inevitably hurt by some comments because of my appearance. I didn’t even dare to go to school during that period.”

“But later, with your aunt supporting me, everything outside slowly got better. However, things at home got worse and worse. My dad also heard those comments. I gradually stopped caring, but he was the opposite. He would use those words to attack me when he was angry. I was a source of shame for him. The disgust in his eyes was never hidden when he looked at me, maybe even hatred.”

Jiang Yumian’s breathing hitched. She rubbed her reddened eyes against Jing Xiaoyan’s cheek, choked up and unable to speak.

Jing Xiaoyan smiled, wiping her tears away, her tone relaxed. “But by that time, I had grown up. I had my own thoughts and learned to resist. The hardest time was over. His insults were just a minor, insignificant matter to me. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him either. Of course, I wasn’t willing to be a burden to him when he went abroad. Living alone was easier.”

Jiang Yumian looked at her with red eyes. “The hardest time?”

Jing Xiaoyan patted her head. “The hardest time was the verbal harm I suffered during that period. It took me many years to overcome it.”

“After all, I’m probably the only person in this world who feels afraid and inferior because they hear ‘good-looking.’ I knew I was sick at that time. I was clearly aware that I was sick, but there was nothing I could do.”

Jiang Yumian touched Jing Xiaoyan’s face, her nose stinging, and called her in a muffled voice, “Sister.”

Jing Xiaoyan reached out again to wipe her tears, suddenly smiling. “Actually, I went to your house in my second year of junior high and met you. You said I was good-looking, better-looking than you. You don’t know how scared I was at that time, afraid that you would also be jealous of me and talk behind my back, scolding me because I was better-looking than you. But you didn’t at the time. You even said you wanted to add me on WeChat.”

Jiang Yumian was stunned. She didn’t remember any of this.

“You were in junior high two? Then I was in sixth grade?”

Jing Xiaoyan looked at her amusedly, pinching her face. “Yeah, you were still in elementary school. I got a phone then because they were going abroad, and I didn’t have WeChat. You fiddled with my phone for a while, helped me register a WeChat account, and then, without asking, added yourself. But you didn’t chat with me because your phone was confiscated by Aunt Jiang before I left your house.”

Jiang Yumian pointed to herself in disbelief. So, she registered Jing Xiaoyan’s WeChat?

Wow…

Jiang Yumian replayed Jing Xiaoyan’s words in her mind, and quickly caught a funny detail. “So the day you looked for me, saying you were two years older and better-looking than me, that wasn’t because of narcissism after all.”

She had thought at the time, what decent person introduces themselves like that? It turned out those were words she had said herself when she was little.

Jing Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. “You found out.”

Jiang Yumian pouted, couldn’t help but ask, “Then how did you overcome it? How did you get better later, and even became an actress, and now you’re so shameless…”

Jing Xiaoyan narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Because of you…”

Jiang Yumian’s eyes lit up. Before she could be happy for a second, Jing Xiaoyan laughed and continued, “That’s impossible. When I went back, I was still wondering if you would tell Aunt Jiang that you hated me. How could it be because of you?”

Jiang Yumian’s little face fell. “Hey…”

Jing Xiaoyan laughed. “It was because in high school, in a new environment, I made many new friends. They were very kind and would compliment me every day because I was pretty. Because I didn’t like to talk, they were afraid I was too isolated and kept pestering me to hang out. I hung out with them because I was timid, but later I found out they genuinely cared about me. At that time, I was very popular in school too. Many classmates loved to compliment me. Later, I went to see a doctor again. When she said my condition was slowly improving, I knew that I had probably overcome it.”

“Maybe I was lucky enough to meet such a group of people. But after graduation, everyone went to different universities and had their own lives. I did too, but I wanted them to remember me, so I chose to stand where they could see me at a glance, shining brightly.”

Jiang Yumian hugged Jing Xiaoyan, whose eyes were also glistening with tears, again, and whispered, “Then you succeeded. Now they’ll definitely all say, ‘Wow, Jing Xiaoyan, the beauty of our class, is a big star now.'”

Jing Xiaoyan gently said “Mhm.” “Then walk the red carpet with me the day after tomorrow, okay? I want to bring the person I love and shine brightly together.”

Jiang Yumian closed her eyes and smiled. “Okay. Didn’t I already promise you?”

Jing Xiaoyan’s soft laugh fell on her ear. Just as Jiang Yumian was about to turn her head and kiss her, the hug was suddenly released. She was slightly confused. Jing Xiaoyan held her upright and asked seriously, “Now that you know so much, do you still feel like you don’t know me at all?”

Jiang Yumian opened her mouth. Of course not. She quickly shook her head. “It’s just that knowing too much makes me feel sad.”

“Then I’ll tell you something that will make you feel better.” Jing Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow, reached out to hook Jiang Yumian’s neck, and said mysteriously, “Do you know why I like you?”

Jiang Yumian shook her head, honestly. “No, but I’m very curious.”

Jing Xiaoyan turned her head and kissed her.

“I only started paying attention to you during the time you were being cyberbullied. I knew Aunt Jiang would protect you, but I was curious, so I paid more attention to your affairs. After the matter was resolved, I didn’t understand, and I was very surprised. The harm you suffered was much greater than what I experienced in my childhood, but why were you able to be so optimistic, still so positive and passionate about life? You’re amazing. So I really wanted to understand you. Once this thought started, I couldn’t stop. I fell for you, a one-sided falling, and then I found ways to get close to you.”

Jiang Yumian listened and smiled, reaching out to poke Jing Xiaoyan’s shoulder. “Then I’m quite charming?”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded unreservedly. “Mhm, extremely charming.”

Jiang Yumian looked at her and smiled, then sighed softly. “Actually, I had emotional breakdowns during that time, but I hid at home and cried in Mom’s arms. I had Mom to support me, so you and I are different. I’m not as amazing as you.”

Jing Xiaoyan didn’t care. “You are amazing. Anyway, I just like you.”

Jiang Yumian smiled, knowing that neither of them wanted to continue dwelling on bad memories. She cooperated with her to lighten the mood, deliberately asking, “Oh, you like me. Then let me ask you, am I better-looking, or are you?”

“Mhm… well… I’ll listen to you. You say I’m better-looking, so I’m better-looking.”

Jing Xiaoyan’s eyes were curved, and she smiled proudly.

Jiang Yumian deliberately poked her waist. “Don’t you know how to make your girlfriend happy!”

Jing Xiaoyan laughed and dodged. “Then I can’t lie to my girlfriend!”

Jiang Yumian had no choice but to push her and shout, “Go cook!”

Jing Xiaoyan stopped messing around and stood up obediently.

She originally intended to do it herself, but Jiang Yumian refused to leave and insisted on staying with her, which resulted in the meal taking longer. They didn’t eat until after seven.

After dinner, Jiang Yumian went to the bedroom to take a look. It was very clean and tidy, but too plain and not very cozy.

When Jing Xiaoyan walked to her side, she found her buying furniture for herself.

“It’s cold. Let’s change the bedding set. Fluffy is comfortable. I’ve chosen a milky white one. I want a fluffy rug by the bed, and cute throw pillows, and change to a blackout curtain. I also want a small hanging chair, a wind chimes on the living room balcony, and some potted greenery.”

Jiang Yumian was talking non-stop while looking at what else needed to be added to the living room. Finally, she looked at Jing Xiaoyan, raising an eyebrow.

Jing Xiaoyan quickly raised both hands. “I have no objections.”

Jiang Yumian snorted and nodded, then continued to look.

Jing Xiaoyan followed behind her, her voice filled with unconcealed joy. “Mianmian, are you adding so much because you’re going to live here with me from now on?”

Jiang Yumian walked to the sofa and sat down, putting away her phone, and said deliberately, “You can live alone if you want.”

“I don’t want to!” Jing Xiaoyan sat down close to her, hugging her. “You and me, just the two of us.”

Jiang Yumian stopped teasing her and smiled. “If you live at home, then I’ll live at home too. If you’re on set and can’t come back, I’ll go back and stay with Mom.”

It was also very convenient to go to work from here.

Jing Xiaoyan looked at the apartment and paused for a moment. Home?

She couldn’t help but ask, “Home?”

Jiang Yumian nodded. “Mhm.”

Jing Xiaoyan hugged her and fell into thought. She felt she didn’t choose well. She should have bought a bigger apartment seriously.

Jiang Yumian thought she was feeling down. She turned her head to look at her and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Shouldn’t we take a shower and go to bed?”

Jing Xiaoyan’s sudden remark left Jiang Yumian sitting there in a daze.

She stiffened and stuttered a reply. Yes.

Seeing her reaction, Jing Xiaoyan held back a laugh, deliberately hooked her chin, and leaned down to kiss her.

After releasing her, she continued to tease, “Although my place isn’t big, there’s a bathroom in the room and one outside. We can shower separately to save time.”

Jiang Yumian’s throat tightened. She bit her lip hard. “Mhm…”

Jing Xiaoyan patted Jiang Yumian’s arm, stood up, and said, “Let’s go shower. I’ve prepared your pajamas.”

Jiang Yumian: “Mhm…”

Following Jing Xiaoyan into the room, she didn’t understand. She didn’t understand how Jing Xiaoyan could be so calm. This wasn’t just about her. Was she pretending again?

She looked up, carefully observing Jing Xiaoyan’s face. She saw her bend down to look for something. After picking it up, her ears instantly turned red. Noticing this change, Jiang Yumian was immediately stunned.

She stretched her neck, wanting to see what Jing Xiaoyan was holding, and at the same time, tease her for obviously being shy herself, but still pretending to be calm and misleading her.

But Jing Xiaoyan didn’t give her a chance to speak. She stuffed the pajamas and bath towel into her hands, and then slipped something else into her hand.

It wasn’t until Jing Xiaoyan entered the bathroom that Jiang Yumian lowered her head to look at the nail clipper lying in her palm…

!

She! She!

She was so frightened that she quickly clenched the nail clipper in her palm, her face turning crimson. She widened her eyes, looking incredulously at the just-closed bathroom door.

This, she wants me to do it!?

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