Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 25

“Hurry up and kiss already, I wanna see!”

Liu Ruomeng gazed at the two with hopeful, sparkling eyes.

Unexpectedly, Shen Wu merely wrapped an arm around Su Yuchen’s shoulder, pulling her slightly behind her, while her other hand rested on her waist. Then, tilting her delicate chin up slightly, she asked in a cold voice,

“What exactly did you mean earlier about spanking?”

Her tone was neither loud nor soft, but each word was enunciated clearly, spoken so slowly that the skepticism behind every syllable was unmistakable.

“…”

“…”

Oh no, oh no, oh no no no.

Now there was no way to talk her way out of this.

Shen Wu’s alluring eyes flicked a sidelong glance at Su Yuchen. “You spanked her?”

Both of them fell into silence.

Shen Wu then turned her gaze back to Liu Ruomeng. “So, are you planning to return the favor now?”

“Right in front of me?”

Her expression seemed to say, Who gave you the audacity?

“…”

At this very moment, if there had been a crack in the ground, Liu Ruomeng would have gladly dived in and swum two miles away.

She deeply regretted forcing the staff member to point her in this direction and sincerely wished she hadn’t charged over so recklessly to “meet her doom.”

But it was too late. She attempted to laugh it off and muddle through.

“Hahaha, how could that be? No way! I-I was just joking.”

“Just joking? I don’t like jokes.” Shen Wu curled her lips slightly. “Want to see? That, I can show you.”

With that, her black velvet-gloved fingers lifted Su Yuchen’s delicate chin, pressing close to plant a lingering kiss on those rosy lips.

!!!

Two breathtakingly beautiful women had just kissed right before her eyes for real. Liu Ruomeng’s normally narrow eyes instantly widened into perfect circles.

Her inner monologue screamed: Holy crap, holy crap! This is everything! If I say I didn’t get enough and ask for another one, will I get hit?

She desperately wanted to type out a floating comment in the air: More, please~!

Meanwhile, the other party involved, Su Yuchen, short-circuited entirely, her ears flushing red at a visible speed.

She should have resisted, but this time, she didn’t push away. Instead, the tip of her pink tongue unconsciously flicked out for the briefest taste of her own lips before quickly retreating. The secret little thoughts hidden in her almond eyes were betrayed by the flicker of her lowered gaze.

Like a child sneaking a taste of honey. So sweet.

None of you will ever know.

Only I get to savor the lingering aftertaste.

Shen Wu didn’t notice. Head tilted up, one arm wrapped around that slender waist, she glanced down at the uninvited guest.

Her message was crystal clear: marking her territory.

After a pause, she finally spoke leisurely, “Now do you understand? Who spanked whose butt doesn’t matter, it’s not even worth thinking about.”

I can kiss her. Can you?

At that moment, Liu Ruomeng felt like the word “Single Dog” was hovering above her head, how pathetic, as she hunched her shoulders and obediently muttered, “Got it.”

“So, are you staying here because you want to keep watching?”

“…”

“Uh…” Liu Ruomeng really wanted to say yes, she really wanted to see more but faced with Shen Wu, her instincts screamed cowardice. She didn’t have the guts.

“Ahem, I dressed way too healthily today. You all look so good, I… I’m going to change my outfit.”

At these words, the two finally noticed Liu Ruomeng’s attire for the day.

Naturally on the darker and thinner side, whether she had offended her stylist or not, today she was clad in an emerald-green long dress, a color that was particularly demanding on the wearer. To make matters worse, her eyeshadow was also green. While her delicate features could somewhat carry the look, it only accentuated her already dark complexion, making her seem as if she had just rushed back from a sunbathing session in Hawaii to attend the event. Her hairstyle wasn’t doing her any favors either.

“I’ll… I’ll change into something that makes my skin look fairer.”

“Haha”

As if especially self-conscious about her skin tone, Liu Ruomeng let out an awkward laugh, then lifted her skirt and dashed off. Even as she ran, her voice trailed behind her, light and airy: “Sister Yuchen, I’ll wait for you after the event! Don’t miss me too much, I’ll be back soon-”

Shen Wu narrowed her eyes slightly, but Su Yuchen gently tugged at her.

“Um… we really should go take photos now.”

Su Yuchen had pulled at Shen Wu’s black velvet opera gloves, pinching the edge lightly with two fingers.

She had been careful, afraid of ruining Shen Wu’s meticulously styled look, treating her as if she were something fragile.

Today, Shen Wu was especially beautiful. In Su Yuchen’s eyes, her bright gaze reflected the vision of the woman in the red dress, her almond-shaped eyes like a lake brimming with mist.

Unconsciously, Shen Wu found herself captivated by those eyes.

Her tone softened involuntarily: “Mm, you’re right. It’s time for photos.”

Promotional photos for celebrities weren’t just about taking them, they also required time for the team to meticulously retouch them.

The two of them arriving together today meant double the workload for the promotional team, leaving no time to waste.

But clearly, the matter wasn’t so easily dropped.

Shen Wu’s peach-blossom eyes flickered as she raised a hand and lightly pinched Su Yuchen’s waist. “That said, you’ve really grown up, haven’t you? Gotten bold enough to spank someone else in public, huh?”

“Mmm.”

Before Su Yuchen could react, Shen Wu pinched her again. “Just wait till after the event. I’ll have a proper talk with you about this.”

Su Yuchen squirmed from the ticklish sensation, unable to hold back her giggles. She quickly grabbed Shen Wu’s mischievous hand. “Good sister, let’s talk properly. Don’t pinch my waist.”

“Oh? What did you call me?”

Shen Wu stopped, raising an eyebrow at her.

Su Yuchen blushed and answered in a tiny voice, “N-nothing.”

“Nothing?” Shen Wu’s questioning tone had barely left her lips when her troublesome hand reached out again, aiming straight for Su Yuchen’s slender waist.

“Was it nothing here? Or nothing here?”

Mischief sparkled in Shen Wu’s eyes, and she seemed determined not to let up until Su Yuchen relented.

Sure enough, Su Yuchen couldn’t hold out and gave in.

Gasping between laughter, she pleaded breathlessly, “Good sister, good sister, stop teasing me.”

But Shen Wu, having gotten her fill of hearing “good sister,” wasn’t about to let her off so easily. The mischief continued.

For a while, the two of them were caught in a playful struggle, one tickling, the other dodging, their red and pink dresses shimmering under the warm yellow lights of the room, their bright laughter echoing down the hallway.

“Click, click.”

The sound of a camera shutter clicking made the two women freeze momentarily, their hands still locked in their previous pose as they turned surprised gazes toward the source.

A photography crew member adjusted his glasses sheepishly. “Sorry. The scene was just too beautiful, I couldn’t resist.”

Shen Wu’s eyes flickered, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips before she suppressed it. “It’s fine, keep shooting.”

“Don’t mind us. Just focus on your work.”

As she spoke, she tugged Su Yuchen’s hand and lightly raised a finger.

“Come now,” she said, lifting her enchanting gaze to rest on Su Yuchen’s slightly flustered, fair face.

“You don’t need to wear so many layers for photos.”

With that, she began helping Su Yuchen out of her bulky down jacket.

The area wasn’t particularly cold though it was a corridor corner, it was still indoors. The five-star hotel spared no expense on heating, with warm air conditioning blasting in every corner.

“Hurry up and take it off. Don’t hold up the photographer,” Shen Wu murmured, reaching for Su Yuchen’s clothes with an expression of perfect innocence.

But Su Yuchen couldn’t help feeling awkward being undressed in front of so many photographers, especially by Shen Wu.

Their relationship wasn’t exactly pure, after all. A subconscious guilt made her cheeks flush as she resisted. “I’ll do it myself.”

Shen Wu raised a hand to stop her. “Let me.”

Black velvet gloves glided over smooth, fair skin as she slid the white down jacket off Su Yuchen’s delicate shoulders.

Pale, fragrant shoulders were revealed inch by inch, skin like congealed jade, the contours of bone and tendon beneath the thin flesh exquisitely elegant.

Su Yuchen instinctively tensed her bare shoulders but the expected chill never came.

Instead, she felt a tickle at her waist.

Shen Wu’s hand, as it trailed downward, had taken the opportunity to pinch her side again.

For someone ticklish, even the mere suggestion of a hand hovering near their weak spot was enough to provoke laughter let alone Shen Wu’s deliberate mischief. Su Yuchen hunched her shoulders, twisting away with a hand over her waist as she giggled uncontrollably.

“Alright, alright, stop messing around.”

“Who’s messing around? I’m just checking if you applied your heat patches properly.”

Click, click, click.

Film was being mercilessly sacrificed.

One beauty undressing another, laughter like spring birdsong, the scene was too perfect. The photographers didn’t need Shen Wu’s instructions to instinctively capture every enchanting detail.

Once Su Yuchen finally fended off Shen Wu’s troublemaking hands, it was Shen Wu’s turn.

Su Yuchen promptly played dead.

There was no way she would undress Shen Wu in front of so many people not even just the outer layer. It was too embarrassing.

Shen Wu shot her a sidelong glance.

“Aren’t you going to check if my heat patches are on properly?”

Su Yuchen refused to meet her eyes. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

Shen Wu pressed, “What if they’re not?”

“Walking the red carpet in an evening gown in this cold, if I freeze to death, it won’t even count as an on-the-job injury.”

“…”

Su Yuchen didn’t dare respond, maintaining her offline act.

No way. I’m not undressing Shen Wu in front of all these people, even if I’ve done it before, it’s not the same with so many watching.

After a long pause, Shen Wu’s lips curled faintly as she finally murmured, “Fine. I’ll do it myself.”

Apart from Su Yuchen, she didn’t need anyone else to assist her. Her slender fingers slowly moved toward her shoulders, and with a slight hook of her fingertips, she lifted the edge of the heavy faux fur coat.

Her fragrant, snow-white skin was revealed inch by inch.

This alone was enough to set one’s nerves aflame.

But Shen Wu, taking advantage of the fact that her back was turned and her expression hidden, let the tail of her peach-blossom eyes curve with an alluring charm. Her bright gaze swept over Su Yuchen’s poised shoulder line, her smooth, satin-like pale neck, and finally settled on her face. The moment her eyes paused, she followed it up with a sweet wink.

She was extraordinarily beautiful, her allure tinged with traces of sweetness, and when she acted so seductively, her beauty was simply beyond compare.

No wonder she had captured the hearts of so many fans.

Who wouldn’t adore someone so stunning?

And yet, here she was, in front of a crowd, secretly showing this side of herself to Su Yuchen alone.

Su Yuchen felt something sweet and fluttery strike her chest, and her mind was momentarily dazed by such beauty. Her fair, delicate face instantly flushed a soft pink, and she lowered her head, not daring to look again.

Shen Wu, with her back to the crowd, subtly completed this series of actions, slipping off her heavy faux fur coat and handing it to a nearby staff member.

But her gaze remained fixed on Su Yuchen, and her words were directed at her: “Baby, let’s go over there.”

Baby?!

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock. Given the recent explosive buzz on social media, the staff had more than a little unspoken curiosity about the gossip. Hearing those two words now, their expressions instantly shifted.

The grins on several faces were practically impossible to suppress.

After all, it was “baby”! And it had come from Shen Wu’s lips, how was this any different from watching a romance show live?

“Oh my god, what do I do? This is too good.”

“They’re both so beautiful, I need to pinch my philtrum to stay conscious.”

“Close proximity to the action, I’m shipping them first!”

These whispers reached Su Yuchen’s ears without missing a single word, but as the person involved, she was completely stunned.

All she could do was lift her round, almond-shaped eyes, her watery gaze fixed on Shen Wu’s “nation-wrecking” face, her pupils unconsciously widening further.

What did she just call me?

Did I mishear?

What does “baby” mean? In which dimension of the universe does “baby” apply here?

Baby, baby… why do these two characters suddenly feel unfamiliar?

These thoughts flashed through Su Yuchen’s mind like a barrage of subtitles, leaving her frozen as if under a spell.

Shen Wu smiled faintly and was the first to step onto the European-style palace staircase. Her diamond-studded high heels tapped against the white marble floor with crisp, rhythmic clicks. The wine-red, floor-length gown trailed elegantly against the pristine steps, enhancing her enchanting, radiant beauty.

Like a blooming rose, she exuded an aloof, untouchable allure.

Yet this “flower on a high peak” slowly turned back and extended her hand to Su Yuchen.

“Come on. After the initial interviews, I’ll take you up the red carpet.”

The corners of her crimson lips curled into a smile. Then, tilting her head slightly, her peach-blossom eyes lifted at the edges, hook-like, as she blinked at Su Yuchen and hooked her heart along with it.

Su Yuchen, as if truly bewitched, gently reached out her hand.

Her slender, pale fingertips rested on Shen Wu’s palm, clad in black velvet gloves, as she was gently led up the staircase.

The knee-length pink dress had a long train, its hem adorned with three-dimensional petals hand-sewn by the designer. As she ascended the steps, the train flowed like a waterfall of pink petals cascading over the white marble stairs, beautifully complementing the red gown ahead, a stunning visual feast.

Bathed in warm, hazy light, the two appeared as if favored by the play of shadows and brilliance. Their faces and figures were accentuated by the light, outlining breathtaking silhouettes.

There was natural playfulness, as well as heart-stopping beauty.

Yet these very photos had already ignited a frenzy on Weibo.

The hashtag rankings soared like a rocket.

[Oh heavens! You’d never guess what Gaole Entertainment’s official account just posted?! A photo of Shen Wu and Su Yuchen together!!! [Repost]]

[I saw it, I saw it! Oh my god, oh my god! So beautiful, so beautiful! I’m literally speechless from the sheer beauty!]

[Holy moly, weren’t there rumors before that these two were going on a dating show together? So many people said it was impossible, but now it looks pretty damn possible!]

[How is it that I can practically smell the sweet, delicious chemistry between them just from these photos? They’re so perfect together?!]

[Dear heavens, everyone says Shen Wu is a goddess, but Su Yuchen doesn’t pale in comparison at all, both of them are just so stunning!]

[No way! I was lurking around this afternoon on my way to work and couldn’t see who was in the car, but I snapped a blurry side-profile shot through the window. Even then, you could tell they were ridiculously good-looking. Turns out it was Su Yuchen riding in Shen Wu’s private car! [Image]]

[Eyewitness here +1, are these two for real?]

[Nonsense! I don’t believe it. And you call yourself a hardcore Shen Wu fan? Who even is Su Yuchen? Is she worthy of our Shen Wu?]

[Exactly! Wasn’t there talk before about Fu Mozheng, that socialite heiress, being engaged to our queen? And look how that turned out, total face-slap moment.]

[Right? Before you start shipping, can you at least follow basic logic? Who even is this Su Yuchen? Some no-name trying to climb the ladder?]

[Totally agree. If you’re spouting nonsense like this, you must be blind. You don’t deserve to be a fan-site admin.]

[Even if it gets me kicked out of the fandom, I’ll say it, when has Shen Wu ever been this attentive to anyone before? Even their promotions are coordinated. If they’re not a couple, then what are they?]

[I’ll bet anything, they’re already married! Don’t even try to deny it! These are wedding photos!]

Online, two factions had already formed. One was the relatively small but fervent group of shippers, while the other was the massive Shen Wu fanbase and skeptical onlookers who refused to accept the possibility.

The reason was simple. The skeptics couldn’t believe that such fortune could land on an ordinary girl from an unremarkable background.

After all, Shen Wu wasn’t just a triple-crown film queen, she was also the heiress of the Gao Tong financial empire.

By fame or fortune, who wouldn’t think: Why not me? So it definitely can’t be her.

As for the fans’ denial, well, that was perfectly normal. Our queen stands alone.

Our wife belongs to us.

So whenever shippers dared to parade their fantasies in public spaces, their accounts were swiftly reported, bombarded, and flattened into oblivion.

That night, a new internet catchphrase was born: Youth knows not the value of an account, but shippers charge forth without fear.

Su Yuchen sat alone in the car arranged by the organizers, waiting for Shen Wu, who had gone for a pre-interview. Behind her were two drowsy interns.

Her phone screen happened to linger on these two messages:

[They’re even doing promotions together, if they’re not a couple, then what are they?]

[I’ll bet anything, those two are already married! Don’t even argue! This is literally a wedding photoshoot!]

Ah, this…

They weren’t a couple, after all, there wasn’t even a formal engagement agreement yet, so they weren’t…

“No, no! What am I thinking? We’re not going to sign a contract marriage, right?”

But no matter what, she absolutely couldn’t let rumors spread unchecked.

Su Yuchen carefully typed out a reply:

Reply to Ironhead Sis: [No, don’t spread misinformation. It’s not like that at all.]

Ironhead Sis fired back instantly: [Misinformation? Have you even seen their photos? The way they look at each other? If you think there’s nothing going on, I don’t believe it. Eyes don’t lie!]

…

Though the car was dim and quiet, a guilty Su Yuchen still glanced around nervously, unconsciously recalling the photoshoot earlier.

Was it… really that obvious?

She thought she had hidden it well enough.

No, no, she absolutely couldn’t let anyone catch on.

So, she shook her head, dispelling those thoughts, and picked up her phone again, typing earnestly:

Reply to Ironhead Sis: [Not really? It’s just standard promo photos. Don’t overthink it.]

After a moment’s hesitation, she added a lighthearted touch: [Hahaha~]

Ironhead Sis, however, was already deep in battle, tearing through the fandom’s stronghold with the fervor of a warrior. Spotting an easy target, she replied in seconds:

[Who even are you? The actual people involved haven’t denied anything, so why are you jumping in? Besides, I’ll ship who I want, what’s it to you?]

[Why do people always meddle when others enjoy a ship? Don’t think I don’t know you’re just some toxic solo stan hiding behind a burner account.]

[And what’s with the “hahaha”? Who are you mocking?]

The next second, she was blocked.

Su Yuchen didn’t even get the chance to say: I am Su Yuchen.

I’m the “actual person involved” you’re talking about.

And I am denying it!

Su Yuchen couldn’t help muttering under her breath, “I even added a tilde… How is that mocking?”

“And she blocked me…”

Then again, she was using a side account, it made sense that people wouldn’t recognize her.

Gaole Entertainment had a unified artist management system. Since she was under Fu Nan’s team, she had to comply with their rules. Her main account was operated by the company, handled by dedicated staff, while her side account was her personal space, sharing food pics, complaining about Beijing’s rush hour traffic, and collecting cute cat photos.

Even her profile picture was the same as her WeChat avatar: a little bunny nibbling on a carrot.

Her desperate attempts to quell the rumors on Weibo, jumping into every argument to deny the claims, only resulted in being blocked en masse by both sides. Everyone labeled her as an enemy faction, dragging her into blacklists, clapbacks, and endless “Who even are you?” replies.

If they knew the person they were blocking and reporting was the actual subject of the rumors, she wondered how they’d react.

What others thought was anyone’s guess, but Su Yuchen was certainly getting a headache over it.

Just then, her phone chimed, a new notification popped up on the screen.

[The Great Divine Warrior has followed you. Would you like to follow back? YES or NO?]

Su Yuchen’s alt account only had a handful of followers, so having someone follow back seemed nice. She tapped YES.

Upon checking out the profile of “The Great Divine Warrior,” she noticed the account had already reposted numerous posts from “Iron-Headed Big Sis.”

Every Weibo post had records of participating in online fights, showcasing this person’s glorious achievements of “slaying” across various fan communities and emerging victorious with illustrious battle merits.

And there, pinned at the top, was a bold declaration: [The CP you’re shipping is real.]

[I swear on my hairline, if it’s not true, I’ll go bald.]

Below it, a fearless older sister had left a popular comment: [Sis, you’re a legend! I’ll throw in my own baldness too!]

Likes: 2,333

Su Yuchen: “…”

No need to go that far.

Just as she was speechless, a ding-dong sounded, another notification popped up.

God of War Demon King: [I’ll come find you after my first interview. The organizers will arrange for us to walk the red carpet together. Don’t rush.]

Su Yuchen stared at the message for a full three seconds.

I’m Feeling Jade: [Ah! You… are you Shen Wu?]

God of War Demon King: [Was it that hard to guess?]

Two seconds later, ding-dong, ding-dong, several screenshots followed: [Did these people eat firecrackers or what? I just said a couple of things, and so many blocked me.]

Su Yuchen swallowed hard and let out a bitter laugh.

[You probably… said more than just a couple of things, right?]

Then, to keep things civil, she added: [But same here, I’ve been blocked by a lot of people too.]

This time, she didn’t dare type hahaha again.

God of War Demon King is typing…

Ding-dong! another message arrived:

[Of course you got blocked. Look at what you were saying over there, constantly contradicting me. They’ve even put you on their anti-blacklist, you know?]

I’m Feeling Jade: [Haha, now I know.]

God of War Demon King: [Know what? If you knew, why did you still say all that?]

Clang, clang, clang! several screenshots were tossed over, all clearly showing the account I’m Feeling Jade desperately explaining: Everyone’s misunderstanding, don’t ship the CP recklessly, we’re not even engaged yet, let alone married, and so on.

Su Yuchen scratched her cheek, relieved that Shen Wu wasn’t here to see her embarrassment.

[Well… what I said was also true.]

A long silence followed from God of War Demon King’s side.

So long that Su Yuchen thought the conversation was over until her phone chimed again.

[Fine. If it’s about being real, then got it.]

Immediately after, a notification popped up in her updates bar, a small red “1” appeared on the activity tab.

Her finger instinctively tapped it, revealing a new Weibo post from Shen Wu’s alt account.

God of War Demon King: [One day, I’ll make you kneel before our marriage certificate and admit you were wrong, Your Majesty!]

Su Yuchen was still processing the absurdity when a private message chimed: [Alright, I’m heading to the interview studio. Wait for me.]

This wait for me, she wasn’t sure if it meant waiting for her to return or waiting for that bold declaration to come true.

Her heart felt an indescribable mix of sweetness and sourness.

The psychological defenses she had so firmly maintained now resembled a dam cracking from its foundation, the fissures spreading wider.

The “culprit” sent one last message: [One day, I’ll make you and this Great Demon King produce our own CP content and ship ourselves.]

“This guy…”

Su Yuchen chuckled softly and sighed.

She couldn’t help but think: The two of us, running two alt accounts, are supposed to be on opposing sides…

The car waited quietly in the designated area, its lights off to prevent any unauthorized photos. The cramped space was filled with darkness, illuminated only by the soft glow of the dashboard. Outside, light filtered through the tinted windows, just enough to ensure those outside couldn’t see in, while those inside could still observe the red carpet event not far away.

Countless camera flashes twinkled like stars in the night sky, lining both sides of the red carpet and converging into two dazzling rivers of silver.

Flanking these rivers, beyond the restricted photographer zones, were tightly packed fan groups, each staking out their spots with resourceful precision.

They swarmed around their shining stars, erupting in waves of cheers every time a celebrity stepped onto the carpet.

Su Yuchen had been watching for a long time. What had once been the nervous curiosity of a newcomer at a grand event had now dulled into the stiff, weary boredom of “sitting here is so uncomfortable.”

Then, suddenly, a burst of frenzied, high-pitched screams erupted in the distance.

It sounded like a unified chant.

Listening closely, the words became clear,

“Fu Mozheng! Fu Mozheng! Fu Mozheng!”