I Betrayed the Aloof Movie Queen and Went Bankrupt - Chapter 2

The moonlight outside was soft and vast, spilling through the narrow slits of the window only to be diluted by the dim interior light.

Two figures lay clearly on the bed.

One person’s hand was draped lightly over the other’s pale neck; a moment later, the skin flushed crimson.

“So, your family went bankrupt?” Jiang Ruoxun’s voice was cold and detached.

Xu Youzhi turned her head, her fingers gripping the quilt tightly, refusing to let go.

“Is it exhausting?”

“How about letting Sister take care of you? As long as you listen to me, I’ll give you money, okay?” Jiang Ruoxun stared intently at Xu Youzhi beneath her. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, her tone hurried and urgent.

It had been two years since she last saw Xu Youzhi.

She had forgotten the despair of being abandoned back then. Watching the girl sing helplessly on stage earlier, her heart felt nothing but ache. She wanted nothing more than to give the girl everything she owned.

But the girl didn’t seem willing to accept it.

“Sister,” the woman beneath her finally spoke, her voice like a fragile bird. “I… I can’t breathe.”

Jiang Ruoxun finally released her grip. “You. Get on top,” she commanded coldly.

The next morning, a single ray of light pierced through the window. However, the owner of the house had drawn the curtains so tightly that only a sliver remained—hardly enough to disturb the two women sleeping in the bed.

Yet, Xu Youzhi woke up anyway.

I’m going to be late for work. That was her first thought upon waking.

“I’m late—”

Before the cry could fully escape, the Movie Queen’s elegant hand covered her mouth. A faint fragrance drifted into Xu Youzhi’s nostrils, instantly clearing her head.

Jiang Ruoxun narrowed her eyes and laughed softly. “It’s the weekend.”

And coincidentally, she had no part-time shifts today.

Xu Youzhi breathed a sigh of relief and instinctively moved to lie back down and sleep. But she quickly realized she was no longer the girl she was two years ago; she shouldn’t be sleeping so casually in the Movie Queen’s bed.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

Jiang Ruoxun froze for a moment upon hearing this. she sat up, her jade-like shoulders exposed, bearing several small bite marks. If one wanted to know how intense the previous night had been, they only had to listen to the commands Jiang Ruoxun had given.

“Lighter.”

When she said lighter, Xu Youzhi would obediently lighten her touch.

“A bit… a bit more pressure.”

When she said more, Xu Youzhi would naturally apply more force.

“Good girl. Your technique hasn’t faded. Not bad.” Occasionally, the woman would even offer praise.

Xu Youzhi felt her own inclinations must be perverted. Whenever she heard that seductive voice, she would completely forget her current standing.

Seeing the “good girl’s” dazed expression, Jiang Ruoxun gave a charming, coquettish smile.

“Kiss here,” she had said.

Slender fingers parted the way, like opening a layered book—but within that book lay a surging, tumultuous sea.

Xu Youzhi had paused for a moment before leaning down.

“…Harder.”

“Faster.”

“Call me Sister.”

“Sister.” Whenever that voice spiraled into her ears, Xu Youzhi forgot how to refuse.

Jiang Ruoxun had moaned with abandon. How could her “little dog” be so cute?

“Good girl, you’re doing so well,” Jiang Ruoxun praised generously, her eyes full of charm—an expression she hadn’t worn in a long time.

This was why she called Xu Youzhi her “good girl.” Because she was truly obedient, and when she bit… it felt wonderful.

“It would be even better if you made a sound for me.”

Xu Youzhi didn’t respond; she simply bit down a little harder, causing Jiang Ruoxun to sink further into the sensation.

Jiang Ruoxun looked at her longingly. “I’ll give you a ride,” she offered kindly.

“No need,” Xu Youzhi refused firmly.

She would treat this “affair” as a way to repay an unknown debt of guilt. It would be best if they never met again.

“Xu Youzhi.” Jiang Ruoxun’s voice called out from behind her. “Are you sleeping with me and walking out again?”

“My mom is at the hospital taking care of my dad. I need to go see them,” Xu Youzhi said, forced to tell the truth. However, she found she couldn’t open the door.

Dressed in a black silk robe, Jiang Ruoxun raised an eyebrow. “I specially set a passcode. If you want to leave, you need my permission.”

Xu Youzhi bit her lip. She had forgotten this woman was capable of such things.

“Is it urgent?”

“No.” She wanted to lie and say it was, but her brain and mouth weren’t in sync.

“That’s good. Have breakfast first and then I’ll drive you. Taxis to the People’s Hospital are very expensive.”

Xu Youzhi’s heart jolted. She frowned. “How do you know my father is at the People’s Hospital?”

“I’ve been tracking your movements for a while. I only saw you last night, but I’ve been gathering bits and pieces of information through people.”

“How do you have so many informants?”

Jiang Ruoxun smiled, looking at her as if she were a bit slow. “Because Sister has money.”

Xu Youzhi: “…”

“Prying into other people’s privacy isn’t a good thing!” The “little dog” growled through gritted teeth. In the older woman’s eyes, she looked like an angry puppy—her teeth weren’t even fully grown yet, so a little bite didn’t hurt.

“Is the hospital where your father stays considered private?”

“Of course.”

“Well then, consider us even since I paid for his hospitalization fees.”

“What?” Xu Youzhi was stunned. A payment notification had appeared on her phone. Upon opening it, she saw that the fees for the past few months—and several months ahead—had indeed been paid in full.

Xu Youzhi lowered her gaze.

Jiang Ruoxun was doing this to make her owe a debt. That way, she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to; she would be at her beck and call.

Xu Youzhi couldn’t quite identify her own feelings. she wanted to be angry but couldn’t find the rage; she wanted to leave, but felt she would be acting unreasonably.

But thinking back to the past, she always felt she owed this woman the most.

Finally—”I will pay you back,” she said stubbornly.

Jiang Ruoxun hummed in response, walked over, and reached out to stroke the girl’s hand. Her voice was cool and clear: “And how do you plan to do that?”

Xu Youzhi opened her mouth but then closed it again.

“I’ll work and pay you,” she insisted.

Her probationary salary was less than 5,000 yuan. Combined with her part-time jobs—tutoring, singing at the bar, and working at the milk tea shop—she made about 8,000 yuan a month, and that was unstable.

She had to split rent, pay for transportation, and buy food. Although the medical bills were currently covered by her mother, there was almost nothing left over. Her father needed follow-up exams, his discharge date was constantly being pushed back, and even after he left the hospital, it would be even harder for her mother to find work.

A wave of sorrow flickered in Jiang Ruoxun’s eyes. Two years ago, Xu Youzhi had been so lively. Now, her beautiful, young face carried a hint of weariness. It was hard to believe she had fallen from being a high-society heiress to this.

She let out a short laugh. “You already paid me back last night. If you don’t think that’s enough, I don’t mind these next few nights…”

As she spoke, her hand pressed against Xu Youzhi’s chest. The warmth of her palm seeped into her heart.

Xu Youzhi’s body began to tremble.

Jiang Ruoxun immediately entered the code to open the door. She leaned against the frame and smiled. “Shall I take you?”

Xu Youzhi pursed her lips, a ball of frustration trapped in her chest.

“No need.”

“Taxis are very expensive here, you know.”

Xu Youzhi: “…”

At the hospital, her father, Xu Hui, lay on the bed. He was eating a bite of green vegetable porridge while staring quietly out the window at a sparrow perched on a branch before it spread its wings and flew away.

Seeing Xu Youzhi enter, he finally smiled. “Zhizhi is here.”

“Dad, Mom.”

The dark circles under Wang Qiuhua’s eyes were obvious. She asked, “You’re here so early. Have you had breakfast? I have some porridge here, do you want some?”

Xu Youzhi looked at the nightstand. There was only one empty container—the one her father had used. The other one was clearly the one her mother hadn’t eaten yet.

“Mom, I’m not hungry. You eat.”

Since being hospitalized, Xu Hui had become taciturn and withdrawn, often staring blankly out the window.

Having no other choice, Wang Qiuhua pulled Xu Youzhi out of the room. They didn’t notice the woman standing by the door wearing sunglasses—chilly, stunning, and unforgettable.

At the stairwell, Wang Qiuhua asked, “Zhizhi, did you pay the hospitalization fees?”

Xu Youzhi froze for a second, then bit her lip and nodded.

“Thank you for your hard work, child.” Wang Qiuhua suddenly hugged Xu Youzhi, her eyes turning red. “Of the three of us, you suffer the most. You should have enjoyed a life of wealth, yet you have to suffer with us…”

The sob in her mother’s voice made Xu Youzhi feel helpless. She could only comfort her, rubbing her back. “Mom, it’s okay. You guys were so good to me; how could I ever abandon you?”

“But I’m so tired,” Wang Qiuhua finally confessed her deepest exhaustion. “Your father is wasting away day by day. I’m so afraid he’ll try to do something foolish again…”

“He won’t.” Xu Youzhi hugged her tightly, her nose stinging as she fought back her own tears.

Xu Hui was an orphan who had escaped a human trafficking ring and been taken in by a poor, elderly bachelor. They had survived by collecting trash. He had only a few years of schooling before he had to work. Fortunately, he was clever and learned a lot on construction sites. He had happened to catch the wave of the “Reform and Opening-up” period, which led to his previously grand company.

However, his childhood experiences had left him without a foundation of inner security. Once the company’s bankruptcy became a reality, he lost all spirit.

Xu Youzhi felt only heartache. Her mother wasn’t from a wealthy family either; she had been forced to work to support her younger brother. Her parents had been a devoted couple, living in harmony. After the bankruptcy, they both worked tirelessly just to let her finish her studies. But as soon as she graduated, Xu Hui acted as if he had finally been unburdened and attempted that “foolish thing.” Her mother had lived in constant fear ever since.

“Zhizhi, what are those two red spots on your neck? Mosquito bites?” Wang Qiuhua reached out to touch them, but Xu Youzhi dodged.

Xu Youzhi turned her face away, hiding her flush from her mother.

“I’m fine.”

After comforting her mother, Xu Youzhi stood at the door watching them.

Jiang Ruoxun walked over and remarked, “Your eyes are very red.”

Xu Youzhi instinctively reached into her pocket for a tissue, but found none.

Jiang Ruoxun pulled out her own tissue and handed it to her. “Here.”

“Thanks.”

“I will pay you back the money.” Xu Youzhi repeated the same sentence, stubborn as a robot. She knew Jiang Ruoxun didn’t need it and didn’t want her to pay it back, yet she insisted.

“How much is your monthly salary?” Jiang Ruoxun changed the subject.

“Five thousand.”

“No room or board?”

“No.”

“They really treat workers like cattle,” Jiang Ruoxun sneered.

“At least I have weekends off,” Xu Youzhi said with difficulty. “There are too many jobs now that only give one day off.” The only reason she sought a job with weekends off was to make time for her part-time work.

“Actually, I can give you an opportunity.” Jiang Ruoxun reached out to touch the red marks she had bitten into the girl’s neck, her smile lingering and suggestive.

“What opportunity?” Xu Youzhi dodged her touch.

“I can help you pay off all the debt,” the woman said seriously.

Xu Youzhi turned her head. “No. I want to rely on myself.”

“If you want to find a high-paying job quickly, I can arrange one for you.” The woman’s voice was like a soft spring breeze, ruffling Xu Youzhi’s long hair. “It’s the kind where you do nothing but stay by my side, and I give you as much money as you want.”

The words hit Xu Youzhi one by one. The Movie Queen’s smile was clear, making Xu Youzhi feel utterly conflicted.

Wasn’t this an insult? Getting paid for doing nothing.

The subtext was: to be kept.

Xu Youzhi looked at her coldly.

In the entertainment industry, being “kept” was common. Even Jiang Ruoxun had faced such rumors when she was younger. But Xu Youzhi wasn’t part of that world, and she would never be a canary in a cage!

Xu Youzhi remained silent for a few seconds. Even if she were penniless, she would never live off someone else as a kept woman. “No need. Thank you for the offer. I still have my two hands; I’ll find a good job eventually.”

Jiang Ruoxun stopped smiling.

The Xu Youzhi of today wasn’t as innocent as she was two years ago. To “win” her would take time. Now that she had the leverage of the hospital fees, there was no rush.

However, she still really wanted to call her “stupid.”

Even though Xu Youzhi’s family had been wealthy, her choice of Philosophy as a major clearly hadn’t been made with future employment in mind. Even with a degree from a prestigious university, she was still forced to settle for whatever company would take her.

“Xu Youzhi, do you still think you have something to be proud of at a time like this?”

Jiang Ruoxun snapped at her as if in anger, but the other woman remained as still as a wooden statue. Finding it pointless to continue, Jiang Ruoxun turned and walked away.

She felt for her, yes, but she wasn’t going to let Xu Youzhi go. She already knew exactly what tactics she would use next.