My Wealthy Ex-Girlfriend Knelt and Begged Me to Come Back [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 70

Qiu Miaoran kept her posture straight, but her gaze suddenly collapsed. Her lips moved twice, yet no words came out. Her crow-feather eyelashes lowered, and the chopsticks in her hand were set back onto the table. She didn’t even touch the steaming tea Ji Chen had poured for her.

She stood up, her voice cold.

“Enjoy your meal.”

The movement dragged the chair, the legs scraping against the floor with a harsh screech.

With a frosty face, Qiu Miaoran left the table entirely.

Inside the private dining room, silence lingered for a full minute.

Ji Jiayu glanced back, her gaze drifting lazily toward the door. “What’s wrong with her?”

Song Tingyu curled her lips, letting out what sounded like a soft scoff. “Maybe she’s not hungry…”

Lin Qiaoxuan pouted. “Sis, don’t bother about her. Mom was right, that woman’s just weird… strange and messed up.”

Ji Chen spun the lazy Susan, sliding the dish of stir-fried shrimp with biluochun tea toward Ji Jiayu. “Have some shrimp. It’s low in calories, all protein—it won’t make you fat.”

“Mm.” Ji Jiayu picked up her chopsticks. “I like shrimp.”

After dinner, everyone went back to their own rooms.

As they dispersed, Ji Chen called out to her. “Xiaoyu, wait for me.”

Ji Jiayu stopped in place, waiting.

A few minutes later, Ji Chen came out of her room.

Outside the hotel, in the landscaped courtyard with rockeries and pavilions, the two of them walked side by side.

It turned out Ji Chen had wanted to take her out for a breather.

In the courtyard, a hibiscus tree was in full bloom—brilliant crimson-pink blossoms clustered thickly, branches weighed down.

The early autumn night breeze brushed past her ears, carrying a faint chill.

Ji Chen suddenly leaned closer, her faint fragrance wrapping Ji Jiayu in a soft gust.

Ji Jiayu caught the scent of her shampoo, realizing how close the other woman was. Her body stiffened slightly, but she didn’t move. “What is it?”

Smiling, Ji Chen raised her hand. Her fingertips brushed Ji Jiayu’s shoulder as she picked off a petal. “You had something on your clothes… a hibiscus petal.”

“Oh…” Ji Jiayu lowered her head, her gaze falling on the vivid petal.

It was a bright pink, the edges already paling—one that had naturally fallen from the tree.

Hibiscus blossoms bloom at dawn and wither by dusk.

At their peak, they are as passionate as human feelings—once full of warmth and intensity.

When Ji Jiayu was a teenager, she too had loved someone. That warmth and devotion was sealed away in the past. Looking at it now, something felt missing.

The pale petal drifted from Ji Chen’s fingers, carried off by the breeze to the dusty ground beneath the tree.

Ji Chen drew her hand back slowly. “You still haven’t decided, have you?”

“Hm?” Ji Jiayu blinked, hazel eyes hazy, gaze a little unfocused.

Standing beneath the hibiscus tree, its fiery blossoms swaying behind her, Ji Chen looked down at Ji Jiayu. Her voice was gentle.

“When you’re with me, it’s not really… love. Even if we tried again, it would be the same. I think, in your heart, you’ve already chosen. But have you seen it clearly yourself?”

Ji Jiayu pressed her lips together, her long black lashes lowering. After a pause, a single word slipped from her lips. “I…”

“I’m not forcing you to choose.” Ji Chen cut her off, tugging gently at her arm to pull her under the tree. “I just don’t want you to live so burdened.”

Nearby, by the hibiscus tree, there was a stone table with stools.

They sat across from each other.

Ji Chen took out a small paper bag and handed it over. That was what she had gone to fetch after dinner.

“Open it,” Ji Chen said.

Ji Jiayu took it. “For me?”

“Of course. The color suits you. You could even use it as a hair tie.”

Her fingers twitched as she opened the bag and found a small dark-blue box. Inside, nestled on black velvet, lay a silk scarf. A ring was tied to one end.

“Hm? I forgot about that.”

Ji Chen reached over, deftly untying the scarf and taking back the ring.

“This… isn’t for you.”

The plain band lay in her palm. She closed her long, clean fingers around it and tucked it back into her purse.

Sitting upright again, Ji Chen leaned slightly forward, her fist loosely clenched over her chest.

“No matter who you like, no one will restrain you. You’re free now… Xiaoyu.”

Ji Jiayu turned her head, sniffing lightly, her eyes faintly stinging.

She didn’t know what to do anymore.

Stubborn as she was, she had sworn never to look back.

Yet as she lifted her gaze, staring at Ji Chen in a daze, another face flashed in her mind.

Similar features, but entirely different.

Those phoenix eyes were sharper, colder; the brow ridge more defined; the lips thinner. She always carried the faint scent of sandalwood, aloof and untouchable—like someone who could never be warmed.

A contradictory woman—smoking often, yet dabbling in wellness rituals at times.

Hard to grasp, hard to read.

Since her heart had already tilted…

—Should she follow it?

The night breeze stirred the leaves, cicadas buzzing faintly.

Suddenly, with a click, the courtyard lamps lit up.

Ji Jiayu sat by the stone table, the creamy glow spilling over her face. Her features, clear and bright, her hazel eyes shining like wet amber.

She brushed a tear from the corner of her eye.

“Thank you… Sister Ji Chen.”

Before returning to her room, Ji Chen asked in the hallway, “You’re leaving tomorrow?”

Ji Jiayu had mentioned she’d be flying out to the film base.

She nodded. “Afternoon flight.”

“Get some sleep tonight,” Ji Chen told her, tapping her arm affectionately.

“Okay.”

Ji Jiayu went in, setting the paper bag on the shoe cabinet.

With a bang, the door shut.

Leaning against it, she listened as Ji Chen’s footsteps faded.

Gone.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

She counted silently—then couldn’t resist.

The door opened again with a click, then closed.

She stepped into the hallway, walking to another door. She stopped, knocking softly.

Thunk—Thunk—

Before the third knock, the door cracked open. A hand reached out, seizing her wrist, pulling her inside.

The door shut, locking with a snap.

Ji Jiayu frowned, her voice tinged with anger. “What are you doing?”

Qiu Miaoran braced an arm against the shoe cabinet, blocking her path completely. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking? You came to my room so late… for what?”

Her voice was low, magnetic, carrying the faintest undertone of something more in the dim light.

The room was shadowed, only a sliver of light from inside outlining Qiu Miaoran’s tall figure.

She stood barefoot in slippers, dressed in a black tank top that revealed a pale, toned waist. Defined abs traced her midriff, with a striking vermilion mole just above her navel—like blood dropped onto snow.

That mark was burned into Ji Jiayu’s memory. She knew too well how sensitive it was for Qiu Miaoran. Countless nights, her lips had lingered there, loving that spot. And Qiu Miaoran always responded deeply, biting, teasing—until their passion burned them both out.

Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, drops trailing onto the black fabric, staining it darker.

She looked down, phoenix eyes narrowing, fingers curling tighter against the cabinet edge. “Coming here this late… Aren’t you afraid of being seen?”

Ji Jiayu clenched her hands, tilting her chin up. “I came to check on you. Skipping dinner—did you starve yourself?”

When she threatened someone, she was like a tiny hissing kitten. Incredibly cute.

Qiu Miaoran’s lips curved ever so slightly, a flicker of warmth softening her coldness.

“I ate. Ordered room service.”

But then she felt something at her waist—a fingertip tracing circles around that mole.

Her breath hitched, abs tightening. She knew Ji Jiayu loved to touch that spot, their silent signal of desire.

Brows furrowing, she caught Ji Jiayu’s hand, voice husky. “If you don’t mean it, don’t tease me. I’m not someone who does this casually.”

“Teasing you?” Ji Jiayu’s lashes trembled as she pulled her finger back. “You’ve been the one clinging to me.”

Qiu Miaoran swallowed hard, suppressing the urge to crush her in her arms. Her voice roughened.

“Just stepping in here—you’re already teasing me.”

Ji Jiayu turned sharply, grabbing the doorknob. “Then I’ll go.”

The lock clicked—stopped by another hand covering hers.

From behind, Qiu Miaoran pressed against her back, one arm wrapping tight around her waist.

Her strong fingers pried Ji Jiayu’s from the knob, intertwining them.

Qiu Miaoran held her close, chin brushing her hair.

Softly, Ji Jiayu spoke—words like tiny hammers against her heart. “Qiu Miaoran… if you want to sleep with me, it’s not impossible.”

Qiu Miaoran choked, coughing heavily.

“But the light stays on. Like before. I want to see your face.”

Her arm clutched Ji Jiayu’s waist tighter, loosening for a moment—then hugging even harder.

“Jiayu,” her cold voice trembled, tinged with tenderness, “if you keep the line between us, we can still be just friends. Please… let me let go.”

After a pause, Ji Jiayu parted her lips.

“You can continue.”

Before the words settled, she was lifted off her feet.

Qiu Miaoran carried her, pushing open the glass door at the back.

Outside was a private hot spring pool, open to the night sky, stars overhead.

Ji Jiayu gasped softly. “Ah… Are you sure—here?”

“Shh.” Qiu Miaoran set her down, finger to her lips. She leaned close, whispering against her ear, “The neighbors might hear.”

Ji Chen was right next door.

Ji Jiayu swallowed hard, her voice barely a breath. “I regret it.”

But Qiu Miaoran stepped straight into the steaming water, clothes and all. Holding Ji Jiayu’s wrist, she pressed low, voice thick.

“Too late.”

Water soaked them both, her white shirt clinging sheer. Buttons slipped open, fabric floating around her like the fins of a fish. Ji Jiayu bit down on her voice, terrified the neighbors might hear. Fear and pleasure mixed, driving her dizzy, sparks bursting behind her eyes.

When she was near her limit, she grasped at Qiu Miaoran, pinching that red mole at her waist, then traced a lock of her damp hair, brushing her cheek.

Breathless, she whispered, “Enough… I’m tired. I have to film tomorrow.”

Qiu Miaoran stilled, raising her head. Phoenix eyes glowed in the light, fire burning in their depths. Heavy breaths steadied as she finally released her.

Ji Jiayu slumped against the pool’s edge, her bare back rising from the water, delicate shoulder blades prominent. Fragile-looking.

Qiu Miaoran touched her lips, tasting sweetness again after so long.

She wrapped Ji Jiayu in a towel, carried her back inside, laying her in bed.

This time, Qiu Miaoran was more restrained, careful not to leave any marks that would hinder her filming. Ji Jiayu noticed—and appreciated it.

Nestled under the covers, sleep tugging at her, she yawned.

Beside her, Qiu Miaoran whispered, breath warm at her ear. “Xiaoyu… I only want you to be happy.”

Ji Jiayu mumbled drowsily, “Mm.”

“I’m not Ji Chen. Look at me… I’m Qiu Miaoran.”

Her voice sharpened slightly, almost annoyed. She leaned down, pressing the gentlest kiss to Ji Jiayu’s forehead.

It was their softest, purest kiss ever.

Ji Jiayu blinked awake, only to find Qiu Miaoran’s finger tracing her lips. Irritated, she bit down. “Stop it. I have an early flight.”

Qiu Miaoran hissed, pulling back her stung finger. Then she obediently slipped under the blanket.

Ji Jiayu, half-asleep, murmured, “Knowing I like someone else, and still daring to sleep with me—President Qiu, you’re really shameless.”

Qiu Miaoran gave a cold laugh. “As if you’re any better.”

For Ji Jiayu, the missing piece in her heart finally clicked into place before filming began. The weight pressing her chest eased.

She owed Qiu Miaoran once—back on the island show, Qiu Miaoran had saved her life. She had no other way to repay her.

And Ji Jiayu was not the type to sleep casually—but neither did she believe that sleeping together meant she owed someone forever.

Exhaling, she suddenly called out softly, “Qiu Miaoran.”

“After tonight, we’re just friends. My debt to you is paid.”

Qiu Miaoran said nothing. She simply turned her back.

One fell into deep sleep.

The other stayed awake all night.

Over a month later, Ji Jiayu was deep into filming Escape the Summer.

The whole crew’s meals had improved, thanks to her visitors.

Ji Chen came, treating everyone at local restaurants.

Lin Qiaoxuan came, inviting them to hotel banquets.

Qiu Miaoran came, insisting she wasn’t “visiting,” just “inspecting as an investor.”

Oddly, Song Tingyu, usually clingy, never once came with an excuse.

But between the three women, their escalating feasts made the crew eat better than ever.

Escape the Summer was a suspense drama with dual female leads.

Ji Jiayu played Wei Jiajia, a girl who grew up in an orphanage.

During the summer before college, she took a job to earn tuition. There, she met a glamorous, alluring woman—mysterious yet tainted, living under the control of a thug who forced her into prostitution.

Wei Jiajia was deeply drawn to her, tangled with her several times—until in a twist, the thug was killed, and she was caught in the crime.

Eventually, the woman discovered Wei Jiajia was the daughter she abandoned years ago. In the end, mother and daughter reunited, and the mother took the blame for the crime.

It was a melodramatic story, brimming with crime, ethics, and violent beauty.

The orphanage flashbacks struck Ji Jiayu especially hard—dragging her into her own past over and over again…

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