Pretending to Be a Submissive O: My Fiancee Is a Little Pup - Chapter 9

The September weather remained sweltering, though the occasional breeze carried a faint, hidden hint of coolness.

The opening ceremony was scheduled for eight in the morning. Following Song Qingxue’s instructions, Ji Yaran waited at the entrance of her apartment complex for her friend to pick her up.

Just as she pushed open the gate, she spotted a white Aston Martin parked at the entrance. The license plate featured an extremely rare sequence of repeating numbers.

Ji Yaran hesitated for a few seconds before looking down to send Song Qingxue a WeChat message.

[Ji Yaran: What kind of car does your friend drive?]

[Song Qingxue: I’m not sure, but it should be quite expensive.]

Ji Yaran, “…”

She couldn’t help but swallow hard, looking up once more at the low-profile yet clearly luxury vehicle.

Expensive.

Could it… really be this one?

She instinctively checked the time. It was already three minutes past their appointment, but this was the only car in front of the complex with its hazard lights flashing. It was hard not to jump to conclusions.

Just as Ji Yaran was about to ask for more details, the car honked its horn.

It was a hint that couldn’t be any more obvious.

The window rolled down slowly, and the driver leaned over from inside, “Are you Miss Ji?”

“Yes,” Ji Yaran walked over quickly, pulled open the door, and sat in the back seat, “I’m sorry for delaying you.”

Besides the driver and herself, there was another woman in the car, presumably the friend Song Qingxue had mentioned.

Even though Ji Yaran didn’t recognize her, she still offered a polite greeting, “I’m truly sorry for the trouble.”

the woman sitting next to her let out a soft laugh, as if she’d heard something funny, “Does Miss Ji forget me so quickly?”

The voice was as melodious as an oriole’s song, possessing the soft warmth of a young girl mixed with the sexiness of a mature woman. Ji Yaran found it strikingly familiar.

Judging by the tone, this was clearly someone she had met not long ago.

But when had she ever met a friend of Song Qingxue’s?

She couldn’t help but study the woman beside her.

The woman wore a green halter-neck backless dress, a straw sun hat, and oversized sunglasses. She was slender, her sitting posture elegant and graceful, radiating a gentle yet noble temperament. She looked like a gardenia blooming on a high branch, only to be admired from afar, making the scenery outside the car window look gaudy by comparison.

Ji Yaran had met very few beauties of this caliber in her life. One meeting was usually enough to make them unforgettable, especially someone she had just seen during an audition.

“Teacher Xu?” Ji Yaran never would have dreamed that the person coming to pick her up would be Xu Zhi.

Xu Zhi was a decorated Best Actress winner and one of the investors for this project. No matter how humble she might be in private, she wasn’t someone an artist of Ji Yaran’s level could easily associate with.

As for Song Qingxue… it was even more unimaginable.

A former employee of Lingshang Culture and the ex-manager of Qiao Feina, having a connection—let alone being close friends—with a Film Queen? If this got out, forget Ji Yaran, half the entertainment industry would be in shock.

“It seems you haven’t forgotten me,” Xu Zhi said with a smile, “Qingxue asked me to pick you up. Since I’m heading to the opening ceremony anyway, it’s on the way.”

“Teacher Xu… are you very close with Qingxue?”

“You could say that,” Xu Zhi sighed lightly when asked this, explaining, “I owed her some favors in the early years. I have to pay them back eventually.”

Ji Yaran was stunned.

Favors?

That explanation made the relationship between the two seem much more logical.

Judging by Xu Zhi’s expression, it likely dated back to before she became famous. This clearly wasn’t something an outsider like Ji Yaran should pry into, as continuing to ask would seem offensive.

Therefore, Ji Yaran expressed her understanding, “I see.”

Xu Zhi smiled, sensing what she was thinking, “You don’t need to be nervous. We were going to work together on this show anyway, so think of this as getting acquainted early.”

“Thank you, Teacher Xu.” although they had only met twice, Xu Zhi had left an excellent impression on Ji Yaran. She was talented yet lacked any air of arrogance, a far cry from those stars who loved to act like divas.

“You can just call me Sister Xu,” Xu Zhi said, “I was there that day when you came to audition. We’ve met twice now, there’s no need to be so distant.”

“Does that mean… when Qingxue told me to audition, she contacted you?”

“Yes,” Xu Zhi didn’t deny it, “She said she was in her heat and that you were taking care of her, so she wanted to ask me for a favor. Since Director Zhao was casting, I told you to give it a try.”

At this point, the smile on her lips deepened, “Your acting is very good. Director Zhao and I both felt you were perfect for the role.”

The praise for Ji Yaran was undisguised.

“Thank you, Teacher Xu…” Ji Yaran corrected herself quickly, “Sister Xu.”

“Don’t mention it,” Xu Zhi said, “Passing the audition was down to your own hard work. I only provided the opportunity. Satisfying Director Zhao isn’t something I can do with just a word.”

“Regardless, thank you for the opportunity, Sister Xu,” Ji Yaran said.

Throughout the ride, Xu Zhi chatted with Ji Yaran in a way that didn’t make her feel uncomfortable. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, as if they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.

The late summer wind whistled past her ears, and the scenery outside the window blurred into a fleeting haze, quickly left behind.

For the first time, a thought rose in Ji Yaran’s mind.

Song Qingxue, just how many secrets are you keeping from me?

The opening ceremony went smoothly.

Since Xu Zhi had other commitments in the evening and couldn’t drop Ji Yaran back at the apartment, Ji Yaran took a taxi home.

Upon returning to the apartment, Ji Yaran turned on the lights and found that Song Qingxue wasn’t back yet.

A heart-shaped sticky note was attached to the refrigerator.

[Song Qingxue: Sister, I went for an interview. There’s food I made in the fridge, just heat it up in the microwave.]

Ji Yaran opened the fridge and indeed found a prepared bento box.

During this period, Song Qingxue had handled almost all the meals at home. Unlike Ji Yaran, who was a complete disaster at domestic life, Song Qingxue not only cooked delicious food and understood nutrition, but she also kept the housework organized. It was hard to believe she was only twenty-two and had been an incredibly busy celebrity manager.

Ji Yaran finished the meal alone and waited until the afternoon for Song Qingxue to return.

With a “beep,” the apartment door unlocked.

Song Qingxue pushed the door open and saw Ji Yaran sitting on the sofa. She called out sweetly, “Sister, you’re back? Have you eaten?”

“I have. What about you?”

“I ate a while ago.”

Ji Yaran patted the spot next to her, “Come over here.”

Song Qingxue changed her shoes and walked over obediently to sit on the sofa, “Sister, what is it?”

Ji Yaran met her gaze, “I have some things I want to talk to you about.”

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