Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 26

Through the car window, one could see metal barriers tied with red ropes holding back the crowd from the red carpet.

The red carpet stretched ahead, shimmering brilliantly.

The excited crowd cheered as camera flashes flickered wildly, forming a sea of stars.

At the center of countless gazes stood Fu Mozheng, dressed in a deep purple princess ball gown that trailed elegantly behind her, adorned with dazzling diamond jewelry.

Her fair skin, rosy lips, and slightly elongated eyes dusted with sparkling eyeshadow at the outer corners gave her an ethereal glow. A tiny mole graced the bridge of her nose, and an air of pride naturally emanated from her every smile and glance.

Surrounded by the cheers of the crowd, she walked gracefully forward.

But she wasn’t alone, flanking her were three strikingly handsome men, clearing the way like celestial beings descended to earth. All three were tall and impeccably dressed in tailored suits, each exuding a distinct aura.

Fu Mozheng held hands with the leading man, whose expression was cold and stern. Smiling and waving, she lifted the hem of her dress with effortless nobility and confidence as she strode ahead.

Among the onlookers, though some chanted her name in unison, their voices were drowned out by waves of shrieks.

“Ahhhh! It’s the eldest Fu brother, Fu Chunsheng!! He’s holding his precious little sister’s hand!”

“The second brother, Fu Chuncheng, really does have such a baby face!! Look, look, he’s waving at us!”

“The third brother, Fu Chunxi, is totally the artsy type, he looks like he stepped out of a painting with that little ponytail. So handsome!”

“Of course, the eldest is serious, the second is adorable, and the third is refined, each one is a dreamy older brother!”

“Ahhh, did Fu Mozheng save the galaxy in her past life? To have three insanely handsome, doting older brothers protecting her! These CEOs who never show their faces actually stepped out just to accompany their sister!”

“Well, with a father who’s a top-tier tycoon and a mother who’s a former triple-crown actress, plus three CEO brothers spoiling her in turns, what kind of blessed reincarnation is this?”

“Oh, it’s the Fu family. No wonder it’s so noisy.” Inside the car, two young assistants who had dozed off while waiting on their phones were roused by the commotion outside.

The other rubbed her eyes and said, “Yeah, it’s the three Fu brothers and their little princess, Fu Mozheng.”

These newcomers had just graduated and joined the company, not yet tempered by Fu Nan’s “trial by fire,” so they dared to nap during work.

Had Fu Nan been present, she would’ve immediately scolded them into remembering their place.

Besides, fresh recruits in the workplace had another bad habit, they couldn’t keep their mouths shut.

“Over a month ago, I went with Legal to deliver documents to the Fu conglomerate and met the second brother, Fu Chuncheng. Don’t let his baby face fool you, he’s actually super quick to lose his temper. He kept saying ‘my sister’ this and ‘my sister’ that, accusing us of spreading rumors to tarnish her reputation. He even asked why Sister Wu didn’t come to explain in person. Later, he probably felt slighted, got angry, and stormed off, leaving Legal to handle it. The legal team talked with Fu Nan for ages, relaying all of the second brother’s demands, basically, he’s insanely protective of his sister and wanted us to come up with a proper solution to quell the rumors.”

“What can we even do? It’s not like we’re the ones who released the press release.”

“Exactly! The Fu family isn’t just about Second Young Master Fu Chuncheng spoiling his sister rotten. The eldest and third young masters, who usually avoid public appearances and rarely give interviews, actually joined their sister for a fashion magazine cover shoot this time. It’s the latest issue of Peerless.”

“Wow, Peerless magazine! That’s a major prestige cover, countless celebrities would kill for that spot, and Fu Mozheng landed it right after returning to the country.”

“No kidding. Her three brothers are absolute siscons, going all out to boost her popularity even though she hasn’t debuted yet. I saw the magazine, all three brothers photograph so well! The young miss might be a bit less striking since she’s still young, her features not as defined as her brothers’, but she’s definitely a beauty in the making.”

“Hey, isn’t there a copy in the car right now?”

“Yes, yes! Silly me, the car gets stocked with updated fashion magazines regularly. I think one of my fellow interns placed it there this afternoon.”

The two rummaged through the backseat pouch and finally pulled out a large-format fashion magazine with a wine-red cover. “Found it!”

“Let me see, let me see!”

The two assistants huddled together, eyes sparkling as they admired the cover. “Oh my god, it’s true, the three brothers are like gods descended from heaven, and Fu Mozheng is gorgeous too.”

“Pretty, yes, but something’s off. Look, the brothers’ eyes all resemble Actress Ruan’s. The eldest, the CEO, always has this stern look with slightly upturned eyes, but you can still see the almond shape. Why doesn’t Fu Mozheng have that? Is it the makeup? Her eyelids seem flatter, and her eyes are narrower.”

“Yeah, kind of like the stereotypical ‘Oriental’ eyes you see in Western media.” One assistant cupped her cheeks with her hands, mimicking a sunburst pose. “Her cheekbones seem higher too.”

The two were chatting animatedly, getting more and more engrossed, when a soft, gentle voice interrupted them.

“Let me take a look too.”

Su Yuchen spoke politely, and the two froze.

It seemed they had only just realized they shouldn’t have been slacking off during work, especially not at such a critical moment.

“Sorry, Sister Su…” One assistant trembled as she handed over the magazine. “Please don’t tell Sister Fu Nan… We won’t do it again…”

“Right, right! Sister Yuchen, we promise to focus on work from now on, we swear!”

Assuming Su Yuchen’s request was a reprimand, they were surprised when she actually took the magazine. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

As she spoke, she turned on the reading light and began examining the cover intently.

The two assistants exchanged nervous glances before scrambling to look busy, checking the schedule, inspecting equipment, anything to appear productive.

The reading light cast a glow over the space, illuminating the glossy magazine in Su Yuchen’s hands, the cover featuring Fu Mozheng and the three Fu brothers.

The heavyweight art paper showcased an exquisite composition, the deep red background shadows dividing the frame with understated elegance.

And at the center of it all sat Fu Mozheng.

She wore a fitted, light-colored halter dress with a head of tousled curls, a cream-colored cloche hat tilted slightly to one side, and impeccably applied makeup, her eyes accentuated by white eyeliner that subtly lifted the outer corners.

In the image, she held her chin slightly raised, gazing down with an air of innate superiority, as if born to look down upon others. Her eyes, unable to conceal their ambition, exuded arrogance, aloofness, and the unshakable confidence of someone backed by formidable power.

Just as the photo captured, she now lifted her left hand, resting it on the arm of the man behind her, leaning against her “support.”

Unsurprisingly, this man was likely the stern and taciturn eldest brother, Fu Chunsheng, as they had described.

His chiseled facial features and icy demeanor practically leaped off the page. Beside him, the magazine had printed a small caption: The youngest and most astute investor in Jing City.

He was undoubtedly worthy of being the newly appointed helmsman of the Fu conglomerate. In the photo, he stood behind Fu Mozheng, the embodiment of her most unshakable “support.”

The other two brothers sat in front of her.

The second brother, Fu Chuncheng, with his milky-white complexion, had one knee bent, elbow propped up, cheek resting in his palm as he grinned playfully at the camera.

The third brother, Fu Chunxi, sporting a short ponytail, also sat before Fu Mozheng with one knee drawn up, idly twirling three flat-headed oil paintbrushes between his fingers, a roguish smirk on his lips.

Through their body language and unconscious gestures, both brothers made it abundantly clear just how fiercely they cherished their sister.

Truly, what bliss.

The envious words were not exaggerated in the slightest.

Su Yuchen’s fingers lightly traced the magazine cover before she closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.

“What’s with the sigh?”

Shen Wu’s voice suddenly sounded beside her, startling Su Yuchen.

“Ah!”

Snapping out of her daze, she turned toward the seat next to her.

By now, the car door had opened, and staff bustled in and out. Yet no one disturbed them. Shen Wu simply watched Su Yuchen quietly. “What were you thinking about so deeply? I called your name several times, and you didn’t even react.”

Indeed, not only had she failed to respond to Shen Wu, but even as the car door opened and people moved about, adjusting equipment and fetching items, Su Yuchen had remained frozen, staring blankly at the magazine cover as if petrified.

Shen Wu had been in the car for a short while, having boarded to find Su Yuchen lost in thought, eyes closed.

Her long lashes were cast in a soft glow by the overhead spotlight, making them appear even more delicate and elegant.

With her eyes shut and face slightly upturned, the light enveloped her in a faint, downy halo.

She looked very much like a little rabbit bathed in divine radiance, praying for carrots.

When Shen Wu’s gaze drifted to the magazine beneath Su Yuchen’s hand, she glanced at the cover.

The image captured the four siblings, adorned in luxury watches and opulent attire in a single glance.

Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Only then did Su Yuchen belatedly realize she had returned. “Is the interview over?” she asked, surprised.

Shen Wu’s eyes flicked to the fair, slender fingers and the object they pressed against. Instead of answering, she asked in a neutral tone, “Why are you looking at this?”

Su Yuchen glanced around, confirming no one else was paying attention. The two assistants had likely slipped away out of guilt, now, only she and Shen Wu remained in the car.

She touched the magazine cover again and couldn’t help sighing: “I don’t think I’ve told you before, but I used to have a recurring dream for a long time. I dreamed I was lying in a small cradle, bright white surroundings, white European-style furniture, the white edges of the cradle. Three little boys stood around it, saying they were my older brothers and promising to dote on me, their little sister.”

Shen Wu listened patiently without interrupting.

Su Yuchen continued, “I had this dream countless times, and each time it was more or less the same. The eldest brother seemed very aloof, but he would gently wipe the drool from my mouth with a soft cloth and secretly hold my hand. He’d sternly warn the other two brothers not to bully me. In the dream, they all adored me, but I couldn’t move…”

“Well, I could move, but my limbs didn’t seem very coordinated. They’d look at me with tender smiles and try to stuff their favorite candies into my mouth, only to be stopped by a blurry-faced adult.”

“And then?”

Amid the noisy background sounds, Shen Wu’s voice was clear and crisp, piercing through the uncomfortable layers of noise like sunlight breaking through clouds, utterly pleasant.

Su Yuchen smiled, a trace of barely perceptible melancholy in her expression. “Then, suddenly, I stopped having that dream. For many years, I never dreamed of it again. Later, I mentioned it to my mom, and she said it was because I had been seriously ill as a child and spent half a year in an oxygen chamber. It cost our family so much money, so those dreams were just delusions from my sickness, not real.”

“…”

After listening quietly, Shen Wu reached out and placed her hand over Su Yuchen’s, which still rested on the magazine cover.

“Don’t dwell on unnecessary things. Everyone has dreams. I’ve always had one too, a dream where I ran toward the moon.”

That dream was real.
The moon was real too.

Warmth seeped through the black velvet glove: dry, comforting, and clean.

It was Shen Wu’s way of sharing some warmth with Su Yuchen’s slightly chilled body.

Su Yuchen beamed, her gloom instantly dispelled, transforming back into that gentle, radiant little sun. “This is probably the sorrow of being an only child. Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted an older brother or sister who would dote on me.”

Shen Wu chuckled softly. “Well, now you have an older sister.”

Shen Wu: “Your sister will spoil you.”

Su Yuchen instinctively tightened her grip around those warm fingertips, smiling sweetly from the heart. “Thank you, sis.”

Shen Wu was still figuring out how to “empty-handedly” claim a “Yuchen,” steeling herself to deliver some cheesy, overused line like “How will you thank me?” from those cliché TV dramas. But before she could, her peach-blossom eyes widened slightly, soft lips pressed against hers, accompanied by a sudden wave of intoxicating fragrance.

In the quiet space, the car shielded them from the clamor outside.

The dim surroundings, the mingling scents clinging to each other, the tiny particles suspended in the air trembling with joyous dance.

A thunderous heartbeat confirmed the sensation of their first kiss in full consciousness.

If emotions had colors, joy would undoubtedly be a captivating red.

The kiss began abruptly and ended just as swiftly. Su Yuchen, flushed, shrank back slightly and repeated her earlier words: “Thank you, sis.”

Shen Wu was momentarily stunned, then a meaningful smile curled at the corners of her lips. “A thank-you gift?”

At the same time, she raised her hand and pinched Su Yuchen’s chin, preventing her from looking away. Her gaze fixed on those rosy lips, her eyes dark with a barely restrained desire that seemed ready to spill over. The contours of her collarbones grew even more pronounced under the tension.

Yet, surrounded by staff outside, this was hardly the moment for anything more.

Why did she have to pick now? This girl really knows how to cause trouble.

Shen Wu tilted her chin slightly, exhaled softly, then spoke in a voice as delicate as orchid-scented breath: “You look like such an innocent little bunny, yet every time, it’s you who takes the lead. Still won’t admit it? You’re the one who’s especially good at ‘making mischief.’”

Both were dressed in lavish attire, their postures intimate, the red gown seemingly pressing against the pink dress, yet the one in pink, despite her delicate frame, was the stronger and more physically dominant of the two.

Nothing like what the shippers outside imagined.

And yet, the one who always took the lead had the thinnest skin.

Su Yuchen merely pursed her lips now, murmuring a quiet reminder.

“Um, should we touch up the lipstick?”

Now she’s worried about lipstick?

This was clearly an evasion. Seeing her try to dodge again, Shen Wu refused to let it go.

“No rush. Someone will come to fix it later.”

“Now that I think about it, I never got the chance to ask you before, don’t even think about running now. Why did you spank Liu Ruomeng’s butt that time?”

A direct hit.

So this wasn’t over yet?

“…”

“Uh…” Su Yuchen’s chin was still pinched, her face squished into a soft, round dumpling, her lips puckered. The corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably. “Actually, that day was just… a series of accidents. I wasn’t in the best mood either, so… it was unintentional.”

With her face squeezed like this, her words came out slightly muffled.

Her cheeks were round and soft, like a plump, tender little bun.

“Ohhh~ Unintentional, was it?”

Not buying her vague explanation, Shen Wu finally released her chin. With a flick of her wine-red, shimmering gown, she crossed her long legs. “So unintentional, huh?”

The tip of her diamond-studded high heel peeked out from beneath the vibrant red skirt, along with the pale arch of her foot. The motion of crossing her legs lent a slight, teasing sway to her foot.

Then, words laced with poorly concealed jealousy slipped into Su Yuchen’s ears:

“So, ‘Sister Yuchen,’ how’s your mood today? Why don’t you be unintentional with me too?”

…

Gu Yinfeng, for once, propped herself up and sat on the bed. Leaning against the headboard, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the television screen.

The new 120-inch laser projection TV took up nearly the entire wall of the bedroom, ensuring every detail she wanted to see was displayed in perfect clarity.

Fu Mozheng, radiant and glowing, was being led by her three brothers, waving at the camera during the live broadcast.

Gu Yinfeng’s narrow, delicate eyelids could no longer conceal the joy in her eyes. She waved back at the screen, as if completing an intimate exchange across the distance.

Just then, the bedroom door clicked open.

“Sis-in-law, why are you watching this again?”

Her brother-in-law and his wife entered the room, chuckling as they took the remote from her.

“Sis-in-law, that driver from my brother’s boss, the big shot’s chauffeur, he’s here to see you again!”

The uncle’s face was lit up with gleeful triumph, his petty delight written all over his features as he rubbed his fingers together covertly at Gu Yinfeng. “The compensation for my brother’s death has arrived!”

“The Fu family may be wealthy and influential, but they truly have good hearts. After all these years, they still remember my brother’s passing and even sent compensation.”

Gu Yinfeng’s stiff gaze shifted inch by inch toward the figure standing behind her uncle.

…

Knock, knock, knock.

The car door was rapped three times. Someone outside spoke loudly, but the sound came through muffled: “Seniors, it’s almost time, we’re heading to the red carpet now.”

“The schedule over there has already confirmed the final timing.”

Unlike the two young assistants earlier, these event coordinators were seasoned workplace veterans, sharp-witted and tactful, well aware that when Shen Wu and Su Yuchen were together, it was “not a good time to disturb.”

So, they knocked first, then deliberately lingered outside, discussing work with others while giving the pair inside a moment before boarding.

Shen Wu cast a sidelong glance at Su Yuchen. “Lucky you, slipping away again.”

“Once this event is over, I’ll make sure you have,”

“Nowhere. To. Hide.”

With that, the ethereal, untouchable ice queen Shen Wu, who exuded an aura of unapproachable elegance, wore her black velvet gloves that stretched up to her upper arms and made a grasping gesture, palm upturned, while narrowing her eyes to amplify the intimidation.

“Scared?”

Su Yuchen promptly put on a frightened expression, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with feigned trepidation. “A little scared, yeah.”

This soft, doughy little bun who had just had her cheeks pinched now looked utterly pitiful, eyes brimming with mist, terrified, yet entirely cooperative.

As if this were some childish, exclusive little game between the two of them. And Shen Wu, of course, ate it right up.

With a light hmph, she spitefully pinched Su Yuchen’s slender waist.

The two of them dissolved into giggles, only separating when the driver’s door opened, their breaths still uneven from laughter.

…

The car followed the organizers’ directions, slowly rolling toward the end of the red carpet.

Fans already lined up on either side seemed to have caught wind of the order of appearances, their screams rising in an unbroken crescendo.

Soon, it coalesced into a unified chant: “Shen Wu! Shen Wu! Shen Wu!”

No coordination was needed. The fans waved light boards and banners, their youthful faces flushed with excitement, eyes sparkling.

Amid the clamor, a stubborn, smaller chorus persisted like a flickering candle in the wind, occasionally drowned out by the overwhelming waves of noise.

But they held their ground, swaying but unyielding.

A mere dozen or so people, led by an impassioned older sister, hoisted a massive banner between them, shouting hoarsely: “Shen Wu VS Su Yuchen! Wu-Xin-Yu-Yi, the future is bright!”

“Wu-Xin-Yu-Yi! The future is bright!”

“Wu-Xin-Yu-Yi! The future is bright!”

Though few in number, their voices carried no less fervor than the rest.

Nearby, solo fans rolled their eyes, while others already swayed but hesitant to show it under peer pressure, surreptitiously scrolled through Weibo supertopics for updates.

The leading girl was nudged by a chubby companion in overalls and a Crayon Shin-chan yellow cap. “Big sis, look, they’re causing trouble in our supertopic again.”

The leading girl had sweat already beading at her temples as she handed the banner to the girl in overalls. “You guys keep going,” she said.

While speaking, she opened Weibo and entered the newly created super topic [#MistyHeartJadeIntent].

At that moment, a flood of sarcastic comments poured into the super topic.

[Oh dear, those CP fans are so pitiful. Our fan group has entire formations filling the stands, while they only have two or three people. How dare they even show up for live support?]

[This is hilarious. They made such a huge banner, but there’s barely anyone holding it up.]

[Can those who insist on shipping them have some self-awareness? Our Wu Wu has never had a crush on anyone all these years, okay? Not even that socialite could move her heart, how could she possibly fall for Su Yuchen? What a joke!]

[Exactly, exactly! Su Yuchen isn’t even in the top eighteen tiers, how dare she try to latch onto our sister? Don’t make me laugh.]

No sooner had these words landed, still fresh, than the boldest fan arrived on the scene.

[Do you all really not bother to think? That was an official promotional photo posted by Gaole Entertainment’s verified account, they took it together. If Sister Wu didn’t agree, how could Su Yuchen have posed with her?]

[Besides, have you seen the way Shen Wu looks at Su Yuchen? Can that lie? Isn’t that the expression of someone head over heels in love?]

[I already told you, this afternoon, on their way to work, I caught Su Yuchen riding in Shen Wu’s private car. Don’t the big fans know the license plate, or are they just pretending to be clueless?]

As she passionately argued, solo fans immediately jumped in to refute.

[Oh, really? Isn’t the car meant to be ridden in? What’s the big deal if it’s temporarily assigned to someone else? Acting like it’s some groundbreaking discovery, get a grip.]

[I just think your shipping is ridiculous. It could just be Gaole Entertainment arranging a shoot for work convenience, pure coincidence.]

[Exactly! If they’re so real, let them walk the red-carpet holding hands!]

[LOL, what kind of status does Su Yuchen even have to walk the red carpet with Shen Wu? Hahaha, if they actually walked together, wouldn’t that mean it’s true love?]

A string of “hahahas” followed, but the laughter quickly died down as a black luxury car slowly pulled up at the end of the red carpet. The door opened, and Shen Wu stepped out in a red dress with shimmering dark patterns, her wavy hair cascading over one shoulder, making her look even more enchanting. Her peach-blossom eyes sparkled as she smiled and waved at the crowd, instantly drawing all the attention.

But that wasn’t the main event. The real showstopper was that after stepping out, Shen Wu didn’t immediately proceed down the red carpet. Instead, she turned back and reached into the car.

The next second, a delicate, jade-like hand rested in her velvet-gloved palm.

Pink satin gradually caught the light, revealing skin as fair and soft as freshly fallen snow.

Her dark hair was elegantly coiled into an intricate updo, with two short wisps curling at her temples.

Then, satin heels stepped onto the red carpet, and the woman with the perfect swan-like neck lifted her face. A pair of gentle, doe-like eyes shimmered with liquid light as she smiled softly under the flashing cameras.

It was Su Yuchen.

Shen Wu led Su Yuchen by the hand as they slowly walked down the red carpet together.

They greeted the cameras side by side, the red dress exuding allure, the pink one radiating sweetness, complementing each other perfectly.

Both possessed breathtaking beauty, tall and graceful, their pairing an unparalleled visual feast.

The cameras went wild, the sound of shutters clicking filling the night sky.

And this time, Shen Wu walked slower than ever, patiently guiding Su Yuchen, stopping at every designated photo spot and only moving on once she was satisfied.

The solo fans at the scene fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances.

Only the shippers were in ecstasy.

“Ahhhh! WuXinYuYi is real! WuXinYuYi is real!”

“They’re absolutely together, I’m dying from the sweetness!”

The banner fluttered loudly in the night wind, its edges curling where temporary posters of Shen Wu and Su Yuchen had been hastily pasted. Yet the words on them remained clearly visible.

“Shen Wu Loves Only Su Yuchen!”

“Bound by Fate, the Future is Bright!”

Iron-Willed Big Sis reposted: [Sorry, gotta bounce.]

@YourHouseHasDoubleFans: [Oh yeah? Then let’s see them walk the red-carpet hand in hand!]

Iron-Willed Big Sis reposted: [Damn, toxic solo stans really know how to ship, one bite and it’s all boozy chocolate sweetness. [Thanks!]]

@MyQueenStandsAlone: [LOL, what kind of status does Su Yuchen even have to walk the red carpet with Shen Wu? If they actually did, it’d have to be true love, right?]

Iron-Willed Big Sis: [@GodOfWarBigBoss sis check tonight’s trending list, it’s pure sugar! Your hair is safe!]

Shen Wu, her lush, wavy hair cascading like seaweed, smiled and waved as she noticed the banner held aloft by the shipper, its edges dancing in the wind. She paused for a moment, her lips curling into a gentle grin.

Under the night sky, in the heart of winter, it was as if summer blossoms had burst into full, fragrant bloom.

In an instant, the “#Bound by Fate” supertopic gained 6,000 new followers, and its check-in rank leaped straight to Level 3.