My Wealthy Ex-Girlfriend Knelt and Begged Me to Come Back [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 38

From the very beginning, when Ji Jiayu had been entangled with her through repeated coincidences,

she already knew that Ji Jiayu was deliberately trying to lure her,

but the way Ji Jiayu looked at her was so passionate, so intense, that it made one want to sink, to fall into the web carefully woven for her.

She willingly let herself be completely ensnared, and even in her subconscious, she began to deceive herself—

that Ji Jiayu’s love was for her, for her alone, absolutely not for Ji Chen; that their relationship was merely akin to family,

that Ji Jiayu truly loved her…

Like self-hypnosis, with constant mental suggestion, she came to believe it was true.

Willingly caught, she savored it sweetly.

She thought she was merely drowning in a sea of desire, but unexpectedly, she truly had fallen in love.

Even now, she still deeply longed for this girl.

Perhaps this was what Ji Chen had meant by “liking” someone…

……

Qiu Miaoran’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze flickering behind the golden-rimmed glasses. “You don’t need to provoke me… I already know.”

“You know?” Song Tingyu’s eyes widened in shock, the black eyeliner arching along with her disbelief.

She really knew… For Ji Jiayu, she was just a substitute,

merely a shadow to comfort her?

Qiu Miaoran’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She glanced at Song Tingyu, vaguely sensing her intention but didn’t dare be certain. She didn’t dare think too deeply, just stubbornly said,

“So what?”

“I once completely had her… fully had her,”

Qiu Miaoran said lightly,

“but you never did. Never in the past, and you never will in the future…”

Song Tingyu’s eyes reddened with anger. What was this…? Was Qiu Miaoran showing off like a mad dog marking territory?!

—Ji Jiayu didn’t like others getting too close. Back in college, when she and Ji Jiayu had dated across two districts for over half a year, she once tried to kiss the girl, but Ji Jiayu dodged it,

finding Song Tingyu moving too fast.

“It’s only in the past…” Song Tingyu’s voice turned cold.

Qiu Miaoran let out a slight scoff. “And you, too, are just in the past, Director Song.”

—You’re too weak,

and you’ve already been pushed out of the race.

……

Two days later, in the office on the 21st floor of Qiushui Entertainment Agency.

Sister Rong flipped through the organized folder, pointing at the computer screen for Ji Jiayu. “Xiao Ming is the recent notices sent to you, including variety shows and a few scripts, though they’re mostly historical idol dramas.”

“Most of these scripts have flashy, secondary female roles. I wouldn’t recommend taking these. Doing too many will lock your acting path.”

As a top manager, Sister Rong had experience managing both hit and mediocre artists. She gave reasonable advice.

“I suggest taking a variety show. It can stabilize your fan base.”

“Alright, send it to my email later, I’ll consider which one to choose. Thanks, Sister Rong,” Ji Jiayu replied.

“There’s a paper version here. You can first take a look at the general content.”

Ji Jiayu stepped out of the office, flipping through the papers. One variety show caught her attention: Summer Youth Travel. “Seems a bit interesting…”

“The ratings for this show have been pretty good. Sometimes it even reaches fifth place on the variety charts. It features both amateur guests and celebrities,” explained assistant Xiao Yao.

“This is currently the best variety show we can accept.”

……

After all, Ji Jiayu only had a new drama, How the Moon Shines on the Ditch, currently airing, playing a supporting female role. Although the reception was good, historical idol dramas had a limited audience, mostly watching the female lead, Feng Yalan.

Currently, Ji Jiayu could be considered a rising artist with modest popularity.

Her eyes slightly lowered as she walked, reading the brief content.

Unknowingly, her shoulder bumped into someone.

The noisy little assistant froze, and the hallway fell silent.

“Sorry,” Ji Jiayu didn’t look up. She glanced sideways at the stunned assistant Xiao Yao. “Why aren’t you moving?”

Xiao Yao stammered, startled. “Qiu… Qiu Director… you’re here?”

Qiu Miaoran glanced in Xiao Yao’s direction. Her red lips parted slightly. “I’m here for an inspection.”

Xiao Yao was too scared to speak further—It’s normal for a company executive to inspect a subsidiary.

But Qiu Miaoran’s level? Would a CEO casually inspect a small company they partially owned?!

Ji Jiayu stepped aside and closed her folder politely. “Sorry for bumping into you just now.”

“Xiao Yao, let’s go…”

Her tone was cold and distant, like speaking to a stranger.

“Follow me,” Qiu Miaoran said, her voice low, slightly hoarse.

A strand of hair fell across her forehead, shadowing her slightly upturned phoenix eyes, making her face look more sullen and dark.

Ji Jiayu’s wrist was grabbed. She didn’t struggle. “Qiu Director, what are you doing?”

Walking past many staff and small-time artists, Qiu Miaoran didn’t even try to hide it and pulled Ji Jiayu into the elevator.

The elevator ascended to the top floor. Qiu Miaoran swiped her ID card at the door. Beep. The door opened.

It was a temporary rest room for top executives during inspections.

Her hand held Ji Jiayu’s. Her palm slightly damp, fingers sweating, the touch soft and smooth, like heated white porcelain, unwilling to let go.

Once inside, Qiu Miaoran reluctantly released her fingers.

Ji Jiayu rubbed her wrist, sore from the grip, her fair fingertips brushing over it, leaving a thin red mark—a fragile-looking sight.

“Qiu Director, even at work, you can’t…” her voice sounded slightly playful and scolding, sweet but slightly coquettish.

Qiu Miaoran lowered her gaze, noticing her rubbing her wrist, eyes dimming slightly, regretting having hurt her but still speaking coldly, “Pretending not to recognize me just now?”

Ji Jiayu stepped back, her back almost against the door. Long eyelashes covered her clear, calm eyes. “Qiu Director…”

“Don’t forget, we’ve already broken up,”

Back in Nancheng, they had torn apart. With no system constraints, nothing could bind her anymore.

Ji Jiayu raised her brows, eyes gleaming slightly, staring directly. “I like Sister Rong and Xiao Yao, so I won’t terminate the contract for now, but as for you, we’re just executive and subordinate, oh right, I signed an agency contract.”

“Qiu Director, you have no control over me,”

Qiu Miaoran responded lightly, “You’re free now, Jiayu…”

She lifted her hand, adjusting her golden-rimmed glasses, leaning slightly forward. Her phoenix eyes darkened as she gazed at Ji Jiayu.

Ji Jiayu appeared even more beautiful than before, wearing light makeup and a layer of bean-paste lip tint.

Her small face was soft and tender like a peach, enticing yet sweet.

She wore an off-shoulder top, showing a slim figure with visible collarbones, the chiffon fabric hinting at her curves, perfectly balanced. The strap tied at the back of her neck into a neat bow. Her skin glowed under the light.

Ordinary clothes transformed with her presence—both innocent and subtly charming.

Qiu Miaoran pressed her lips, throat dry, silent as she swallowed, eyelashes quivering. Her breath quickened, nose capturing the faint feminine scent.

Just being in the same room made her heart itch… unbearable.

Ji Jiayu had been away for over a month. They hadn’t met once. Even just looking at her brought memories of her posing, lifting her neck gracefully, lips slightly parted, eyes moist—a delicate allure only she had seen.

After a long silence, Ji Jiayu reached for the door handle, unlocking it slightly.

Click. Another hand crossed over her shoulder, pushing the door closed forcefully.

Qiu Miaoran pressed the door, leaning closer.

Her hot breath fanned over Ji Jiayu’s neck. The slightly rough, heavy breathing carried suppressed desire. “Aren’t you going back to get your things? Your… underwear is still in my room, tucked under the blanket.”

Ji Jiayu’s face heated. This person says everything… so annoying.

She turned to Qiu Miaoran, eyes devoid of emotion.

“If you keep harassing me… I’ll have my lawyer discuss the termination of the contract,”

If this continued, she would quit the agency, leave Jing City, return home as a rich second-generation, and abandon her acting dreams!

Pouting slightly, her lips were soft, glossy, and moist—tempting to kiss.

Qiu Miaoran paused, recalling advice from a birthday party:

—What if young girls liked someone like Song Tingyu, expressing affection openly and passionately?

Would Ji Jiayu prefer a more intense way of expressing love?

“Don’t go…” Qiu Miaoran’s hand still pressed against the door, body leaning closer. Hot breath on her shoulder, chest rising and falling, audible breaths. “Jiayu, I really missed you…”

Suppressed for so long, really long.

She lowered her head, wanting to kiss Ji Jiayu, tasting sweetness she hadn’t had in so long.

She had missed her—missed her so much that just not touching her was agonizing.

Even while working, her mind would occasionally drift, like under a spell.

Ji Jiayu turned her head, completely avoiding the kiss. Her eyes carried a hint of mockery. “Qiu Director, are you jealous… or just addicted to my body?”

Qiu Miaoran closed her eyes, brow furrowed, nose brushing her hair. “No…”

“Jiayu… I might like you…”

Her breathing became heavy, low and stifled. “Can we start over?”

“You like me? Or just the feeling of being with me?” Ji Jiayu’s light amber eyes were cold and indifferent.

“When we were together, it was all firsts. We… did it so many times, and now you can’t tell what love really is… I never loved you, and you never loved me, Qiu Miaoran… you just liked the feeling of passion when with me.”

“No love, like meat without salt. What you call love tastes bland.”

“Miaoran, I never loved you, not for a moment. Sorry, I can’t start over with you.”

“Perhaps you should watch Carol or Death in Venice. You lack love education, but I don’t have time to teach you…”

“Better find another girlfriend, slowly pass the time~”

Love should be forever at first sight. Once in love, it’s hopeless. Love is art, eternal…

Such beauty was not meant for them.

She had used Qiu Miaoran, just as Qiu Miaoran had used her.

They were never on the same path, like parallel lines that should never intersect.

For love, Ji Jiayu could pursue her career, to stand beside the one she loved. Qiu Miaoran could not; besides her career, her heart was empty.

Qiu Miaoran’s gaze froze, growing darker. She had never seen Carol or Death in Venice, but she could hear the resistance in Ji Jiayu’s voice, clear and strong.

Ji Jiayu was pushing her away…

Qiu Miaoran pressed her lips, slightly parted, wanting to say something, yet dared not continue.

She had liked Ji Jiayu for a long, long time,

but Ji Jiayu’s rejection and aloof eyes chilled her heart.

Qiu Miaoran did not dare to speak of liking her again. After a pause, she continued, voice slightly hoarse,

“You still have a bookmark, on your shelf in your room. You forgot to take it.”

That bookmark was her final bargaining chip. Though trivial, she knew Ji Jiayu would not let it go…

Ji Jiayu lifted her brows slightly. “I did forget it…”

A month and a half ago, in her haste to leave, she had left it behind.

It was a black ebony bookmark, dangling with a round white jade bead and fine tassels,

a small gift Ji Chen had given her at the university entrance ceremony.

Engraved on it: “To my dearest little fish sister.”

Ji Jiayu sighed. “I’ll have Xiao Yao fetch it for me…”

“Go get it yourself,” Qiu Miaoran pressed against the door, phoenix eyes lowered, staring at her.

“Just today, you come personally to get it. I won’t give it to anyone else.”

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