I Betrayed the Aloof Movie Queen and Went Bankrupt - Chapter 30

The rental was just a tiny space. Although it had a bedroom and a bathroom, it was pitifully small; compared to the apartment in 901, the entire place combined was roughly the size of that master bedroom.

On the mottled walls, there were faint shadows shifting along with the thumping sound of footsteps from outside.

When Xu Youzhi returned home, her body felt so heavy that she slid down against the wall. Her ears were buzzing—a restless sensation that made her want to bang her head against the wall.

Jiang Ruoxun’s meaning was truly obvious now. She had insisted on holding onto illusions, but this was simply a resource bestowed upon her as charity. However, if she didn’t earn money, how could she repay the debt? With her current professional capabilities, it was impossible to pay it back.

Xu Youzhi thought of the creditors surrounding her mother, the distinct malice on their faces causing Wang Qiuhua to tremble in constant fear. She didn’t want her mother to be bullied like that anymore. She thought about it over and over, trapped in this dilemma.

Finally—

Wang Qiuhua came out carrying a lunch box. Seeing Xu Youzhi in such a despondent state, she cried out and ran over to help her up: “Child, what’s wrong?”

Xu Youzhi was speechless and simply shook her head.

“Let Mom ask you something.” Wang Qiuhua pulled her to a chair and sat her down, frowning. “I noticed the hospital stay has been extended. How did you suddenly pay for so many months of hospitalization fees?”

After paying rent from her salary, Xu Youzhi usually found it difficult to even move forward after paying the medical bills. Paying for several months all at once was naturally strange to Wang Qiuhua.

Xu Youzhi didn’t want to tell Wang Qiuhua the truth yet; if she knew, she would surely go crazy.

She forced a smile: “Mom, I… I changed jobs. I’ll probably be going to Mingzhou City to work soon.”

Wang Qiuhua was stunned. “Mingzhou City?” Although it was close to Yue City, it was the first time her daughter would be working out of town, so she was inevitably surprised.

Xu Youzhi continued: “It’s a very big company. I’ll show you, their information. They said they were looking for a screenwriter for web dramas. Short dramas are very popular lately; if one becomes a hit, the screenwriter can earn hundreds of thousands. Seeing that I graduated from Zhe University and have a strong ability to learn, they agreed to teach me how to write. It starts with a three-month internship, and the internship salary is very generous.”

Xu Youzhi was a “good girl” who had always listened to her mother, so she wasn’t practiced at lying. She prayed silently that her mother wouldn’t see through it. Please don’t let her find out! Don’t!!

Finally, Wang Qiuhua smiled. “I see. That’s good. But what about the hospitalization fees?”

“I borrowed it from Qingshuang. Qingshuang even specifically borrowed it from her parents. She knows I’m in a difficult situation right now and really wanted to help me.”

“Then you must buy her a nice gift. Qingshuang really is a good child.” Whether she was unwilling to think too deeply or not, Wang Qiuhua actually believed her. She held her daughter’s hand and urged her carefully: “Mingzhou is by the sea. The wind is strong and it rains a lot. There might be floods in the summer; you must be careful.”

Xu Youzhi gave a bittersweet “mm” in response.

Wang Qiuhua continued to nag: “Don’t worry about things here. Mom will take good care of your father.”

“Okay…” Xu Youzhi’s voice was hoarse and helpless.

Since it had come to this, thinking about Jiang Ruoxun as her boss wasn’t so bad; at least she wouldn’t be bullied. Unfortunately, Xu Youzhi was still mistaken.

Kaixin Entertainment Company

“This is the contract for the period drama Phoenix Parasol Tree. The director saw your photo and thought you were very suitable for the role of the third female lead.” Ye Qinghuan handed the contract to her. Xu Youzhi remembered this “big heroine” drama; the lead actress and the executive producer happened to be Jiang Ruoxun.

Rather than saying the director chose her, it was more accurate to say Jiang Ruoxun had forced her in—and into a role as significant as the third female lead. To earn the acting fee, she naturally wouldn’t refuse. But she felt uncomfortable, caught between anger and guilt.

“President Ye, are you sure the director chose me?”

Ye Qinghuan burst out laughing. “Kaixin is the production side, the big gold sponsor of this drama. Isn’t it fine for us to just plug in someone as good-looking as you?”

Xu Youzhi fell into thought. President Ye’s words essentially confirmed that Jiang Ruoxun was her “Gold Master” sugar mommy/benefactor.

When she got home, she packed her bags to leave. Wang Qiuhua specifically came back from the hospital to help her organize her clothes, reminding her: “Be careful on the road.”

Xu Youzhi hummed in response, dragging two suitcases. She noticed Wang Qiuhua following her.

Xu Youzhi froze: “What are you doing? Go back.”

Wang Qiuhua: “I’ll accompany you to the station.”

Xu Youzhi was startled. She wasn’t going to Mingzhou; she was going to Magnolia Gardens. “No need. It costs money for you to take a taxi back.”

Wang Qiuhua thought about it and sighed, her eyes glistening. “Then be careful on your way.”

“Okay.”

She opened the door to Jiang Ruoxun’s house. In a few days, she would be joining the film crew with Jiang Ruoxun.

Jiang Ruoxun happened to open the bathroom door after showering. She walked out wrapped in a bath towel. Seeing Xu Youzhi, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, which quickly faded.

Xu Youzhi explained: “I sent you a WeChat message saying I was coming, but you were showering, so I just came in.”

Jiang Ruoxun wasn’t angry. On the contrary, she felt that for someone as polite as Xu Youzhi to do this meant she had a desire for intimacy.

“Where is your luggage?” Jiang Ruoxun poured a glass of water. Her hair was still wet, dripping onto the coffee table.

Xu Youzhi thought she was pouring water for her and licked her lips, only to see the woman drink it herself. She sighed: “It’s behind me.” She moved her luggage inside.

“Doesn’t your house only have one bedroom? Where do I sleep?”

Jiang Ruoxun gave two choices: “My bed, or my sofa.”

Xu Youzhi didn’t argue. she took a pillow out of her suitcase and placed it directly on the sofa where Jiang Ruoxun was sitting.

Jiang Ruoxun was amused to the point of laughter: “Do you really think I’d let you sleep on the sofa?”

Without a word, Xu Youzhi moved the pillow back to the bed in the bedroom.

Jiang Ruoxun called out softly: “Come here.”

Xu Youzhi walked over slowly and half-knelt beside her. This time, she was obedient.

Jiang Ruoxun reached out and stroked her hair. Even in such a dejected state, the girl’s hair was still smooth and jet-black. Xu Youzhi’s ears turned blood-red, but her eyes were incredibly determined. “What is the acting fee for the third female lead?”

“If you were a famous actor, your value would be higher, but since you’ve just entered the circle, I’m afraid there’s a gap,” Jiang Ruoxun said softly.

Xu Youzhi gave an “oh.” “Then as the boss, when will you give it to me again?”

Jiang Ruoxun didn’t speak; she gently placed her fingertip against Xu Youzhi’s lips. Xu Youzhi widened her eyes in grievance. If it were anyone else, she would rather be blacklisted than comply, but because it was Jiang Ruoxun—and they had already been intimate—she could slightly accept it.

Jiang Ruoxun suddenly smiled, the pressure of her touch increasing.

“Good dog,” her tone was ambiguous and lingering. “Then come and please me?”

Xu Youzhi was too ashamed to speak.

“For someone with no fame, even if I have the resources, I have to see if others are willing to accept you,” the woman’s words carried a hint of a threat.

Xu Youzhi opened and closed her mouth. She knew Jiang Ruoxun wouldn’t let her get what she wanted easily.

“Sister!” she suddenly blurted out.

Jiang Ruoxun looked at her with a gaze of pure aloofness.

Xu Youzhi bit her lip: “Let me be your good dog!”

Jiang Ruoxun curled her lips into a smile. In her aloofness, there was finally a touch of cold elegance, as if she wanted to devour little Xu Youzhi. “Then do you know what to do next?”

Xu Youzhi had made up her mind and decided to go for it. She sat up and hugged Jiang Ruoxun. With a slight lift, the other woman was pulled onto her lap. Xu Youzhi placed her hands on her waist; Jiang Ruoxun was a bit thinner than before, but still as soft as jade.

Jiang Ruoxun hooked her arms around Xu Youzhi’s neck. Her hair was damp; the sensation between them was both cold and hot, with an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.

Xu Youzhi tickled her waist. Jiang Ruoxun smiled, let out a soft moan, and said: “Sister is ticklish.”

Xu Youzhi stopped her movements and replaced them with a kiss.

Jiang Ruoxun suddenly smiled and covered Xu Youzhi’s mouth, whispering: “What’s the rush? I don’t want to right now.”

Xu Youzhi grit her teeth, her eyes shining with determination. “When will you want to? Isn’t a canary supposed to serve her master?” By the end, her voice grew lower; she still couldn’t truly accept this identity.

Jiang Ruoxun burst out laughing. “I haven’t treated you as a canary.”

Xu Youzhi looked at her blankly.

Jiang Ruoxun said softly: “I am your boss; you are my employee… you just happen to be my good dog.”

The woman’s voice was provocative, and her flirtatious gaze spoke volumes. Xu Youzhi’s face flushed red. What’s the difference?!

The woman lazily raised her eyes. Xu Youzhi appeared to be a very serious and steady child, but that was only toward others. Jiang Ruoxun had plenty of ways to make her submit.

“Then what is our relationship?” Xu Youzhi held her tightly, looking somewhat helpless.

“What else could it be? A normal boss-employee relationship,” Jiang Ruoxun smiled. “Since you don’t want to be a canary, a lover will do.”

“You were the one who offered; I didn’t force you,” Jiang Ruoxun whispered, brushing her hand against Xu Youzhi’s burning face.

Xu Youzhi pursed her lips. Although Jiang Ruoxun was indeed her boss and she was indeed working for her, in everyone’s eyes, they were superior and subordinate. But knowing Jiang Ruoxun’s character, how could she not take some “benefits”? Even if it wasn’t a Canary/Gold Master relationship, it was practically the same.

To cut the knot quickly, Xu Youzhi leaned in again, but Jiang Ruoxun still covered her mouth to stop the kiss.

“I don’t want to do it now. This opportunity will be used later.” Jiang Ruoxun stroked her face like a demoness who was about to entangle this young girl so tightly she couldn’t escape. “But if you want to, I don’t mind you getting ‘handsy’ with me.” Finally, her fingertip returned to the girl’s ivory chin, tilting it up so they were eye-to-eye.

Xu Youzhi swallowed. An enchantress, a true enchantress.

“Doesn’t Zhizhi want to?” As Jiang Ruoxun spoke, her chest rose and fell, revealing a hint of a curve.

Having seen that “scenery” before, Xu Youzhi naturally couldn’t forget it. After a long silence, Xu Youzhi finally said dryly: “Let’s just eat.”

Eat? Jiang Ruoxun’s face darkened.

Xu Youzhi froze instantly.

Jiang Ruoxun let out a mocking laugh. “It seems I’ve failed as a boss. You actually want to mess with me? Xu Youzhi, don’t be spoiled by my favor.”

Spoiled by favor?

Xu Youzhi desperately wanted to argue, but she found no point of rebuttal. Looking back at their time together, Jiang Ruoxun really did pamper her.

Jiang Ruoxun placed her hand on her and asked: “If you’re hungry, do you want to eat food, or do you want to eat me?”

Xu Youzhi: “Didn’t you say we couldn’t do it?”

Jiang Ruoxun gave a faint smile: “But I don’t mind if you force me.”

She said Xu Youzhi could “force” her, but in reality, it was still Jiang Ruoxun’s blatant guidance. Xu Youzhi thought secretly: Once the debt is paid, I will stay far away from Jiang Ruoxun. I won’t be played like a toy in the palm of her hand.

In the end, she successfully went out to buy groceries—all because she had returned a kiss, and apparently, she had kissed quite well. Jiang Ruoxun felt in high spirits, the corners of her mouth turning up.

Before she left, Jiang Ruoxun personally delivered a kiss, her voice lingering: “Be safe on your way home.”

Inside the elevator, Xu Youzhi felt completely exhausted! She sighed in her heart, constantly wondering: Am I really going to become Jiang Ruoxun’s dog? A dog that has to tuck its tail, wash clothes, cook, and bark?

Jiang Ruoxun returned to the sofa and called Ye Qinghuan.

“Are there any variety show resources for her?”

“There are.” Ye Qinghuan knew who she meant. “You’re so good to this girl. How come I don’t see you being this good to me?”

“Forget it. Having Sister Xu to dote on you is enough.”

Ye Qinghuan chuckled. She suddenly remembered when she first became a manager; the star she took over had only been debuted for a month before being hit with black material. Two months later, with no hope of clearing their name, they quit the industry. Later, Xu Ling joined. The first person she signed was Jiang Ruoxun, who is now a “Triple Gold” Best Actress. In terms of status, Xu Ling was naturally a veteran of the company.

Ye Qinghuan hoped this veteran would dote on her more.

Xu Youzhi’s character was a martial artist, so she needed a period of martial arts training before joining the crew. Fortunately, Xu Youzhi had studied dance in junior high, and with her good foundation, she performed the moves fluidly. The training ended quickly.

The martial arts teacher praised her a lot, but she heard some gossip within the company—rumors questioning why she could enter Kaixin and get such a major resource. Gossip is human nature; Xu Youzhi thought so too.

“Sister Xun, why are you here?” “Sister Xun, you look so beautiful today.” “Hello, Sister Xun.”

After the afternoon training, Xu Youzhi heard someone call out. She looked up and saw Jiang Ruoxun coming to see her. Jiang Ruoxun was wearing a black suit, seemingly coming from an event. She took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of cold eyes. The people around them took the hint and dispersed.

“Come here,” she said flirtatiously.

Xu Youzhi had no choice but to obey. Jiang Ruoxun wiped the sweat off her. “Summer is coming soon. It will be very hot at the movie studio; remember to bring plenty of changes of clothes,” she said thoughtfully.

Xu Youzhi nodded again. After wiping her down, Jiang Ruoxun gave a gentle smile. Then, she whispered in Xu Youzhi’s ear: “Good dog, your moves just now were so cool. It would be so nice if you used them on me.”

Xu Youzhi’s ears turned red.

Jiang Ruoxun continued: “Remember to come to my room tonight. Let me see more of your… power.”