The Cold and Distant Actress is Too Obsessive - Chapter 2

When Xu Youyan first laid eyes on Cheng Zhun, she was taken aback. The Cheng Zhun she remembered was from ten years ago youthful, passionate, like a fresh graduate just stepping out of campus.

But now, fine lines had begun to form at the corners of his eyes, and a shadow of stubble darkened the area below his nose. Just a glance was enough to evoke an uncle-like vibe. Compared to herself, he had aged much faster.

Celebrities had to maintain their appearance at all times, but ordinary people didn’t pay as much attention to their looks especially someone working as an assistant to a big star, which was even more exhausting.

“Sis, have you had breakfast?”

Cheng Zhun smiled apologetically, feeling sorry for disturbing Xu Youyan’s morning. He extended his hand, holding a plastic bag filled with pastries from a famous breakfast shop.

“If you’ve already eaten, these two are all mine.”

Xu Youyan snatched the plastic bag, inhaling the rich aroma. She was tempted to eat both pastries but remembered she had to watch her figure, so she only took one.

“Cheng Zhun.”

Xu Youyan hooked her mask under her chin, speaking indistinctly as she walked while chewing the pastry slowly.

She chewed each bite many times because it helped increase the feeling of fullness. Though some might call it pretentious, it was part of being an idol.

Eating too much would make her gain weight; gaining weight would make her look bad on camera; looking bad on camera would lead to online bullying.

“What’s up, sis?”

Cheng Zhun looked regretfully at the plastic bag, wishing he had bought more. He had assumed Xu Youyan would, as usual, eat the lovingly prepared breakfast made by Bo Zhoucheng.

So he had only gone through the motions.

“If you call me ‘sis’ again with that stubble-covered face, I’ll dock your pay.”

What kind of impression did it give for a young beauty like her to be called “sis” by an uncle?

“Huh? But haven’t I always called you ‘sis’?”

Cheng Zhun was utterly baffled, scratching his head in confusion.

The company car had been waiting downstairs for a while, but Xu Youyan didn’t recognize it. Ten years had passed, and the familiar van she used to know had long been replaced by a newer model.

Xu Youyan stayed put, waiting for Cheng Zhun to open the car door for her. Just as they got in, another group of people hurried over from behind the residential area.

“Wear this, it’s cold.”

Bo Zhoucheng wasn’t wearing any makeup, her expression aloof as she stepped out. Only when she saw Xu Youyan did she smile, reaching out to wrap a scarf around her neck.

Xu Youyan recalled how, just a few days ago, she had been making sarcastic remarks about this person on Weibo. And now, here she was, patiently tying a scarf for her.

She gave off quite the vibe of a devoted wife and mother.

“Bo Zhoucheng.”

Xu Youyan wanted to say, “Get your dirty hands off me,” but she held back. If she acted too out of character, she might end up in a mental hospital.

“Why do you like me so much?”

It was a cliché question, but Bo Zhoucheng froze for a moment before letting out a soft laugh, like winter snow melting away.

“Because you’re beautiful.”

After saying that, she raised her hand to brush Xu Youyan’s ear, and while the latter was still stunned, she planted a kiss light as a feather, bringing a tingling sensation.

“I’ll handle the matter with Chen Hua. Don’t be jealous.”

With that, Bo Zhoucheng stood up and left, considerately closing the car door behind her. The moment the door shut, Xu Youyan stared out the window in disbelief.

What? She actually said I’m jealous?

There’s no way I, Xu Youyan, would ever be jealous of her, Bo Zhoucheng!

The van drove smoothly along the road, but Xu Youyan’s mind was completely occupied by Bo Zhoucheng’s gentle kiss.

She couldn’t quite wrap her head around it being kissed by her rival. Yet, a part of her secretly enjoyed it.

But in the end, her aversion outweighed the thrill.

“Cheng Zhun,” Xu Youyan called out. Her assistant, who was still eating breakfast, nodded.

“Jie!” The word “Jie” was abruptly swallowed back, replaced by a more affectionate address. “Youyan, what’s up?”

Xu Youyan was pleased with the clever address and continued, “Tell me, was it Bo Zhoucheng who pursued me?” She crossed her arms, ready to hear the story of how Bo Zhoucheng relentlessly chased after her until she finally won her over.

However, Cheng Zhun just blinked. “Jie, no, Youyan. Actually, you were the one who pursued Bo Zhoucheng.”

Xu Youyan: “…”

Well, that backfired.

But how could she have been so blind as to fall for someone like that? Xu Youyan felt a pang of regret. She had no idea how her thirty-year-old self could have such poor taste falling for someone who once called her a “vase.”

“So, how did I fall for her?” she asked.

Cheng Zhun felt that Xu Youyan was acting a bit strange today, but since she often behaved unpredictably, she didn’t think too much of it.

“Five years ago, Youyan, you were being cyberbullied by the entire internet. At that time, Bo Zhoucheng was the only one who spoke up for you. And also, When you two were filming an advertisement on set, a prop vehicle malfunctioned. Bo Zhoucheng saved you.”

“Back then, Bo Zhoucheng ended up in the ICU. The doctors said she might even become a vegetable. You held me and cried, saying that if Bo Zhoucheng couldn’t find anyone to marry, you would marry her.”

“And then you shamelessly pursued her.”

“Ahem!” Xu Youyan coughed instinctively at the word “shamelessly.” Cheng Zhun immediately rephrased.

“And then, Youyan, you launched a fierce pursuit. Of course, Bo Zhoucheng ended up hopelessly falling for you.”

After hearing the story, Xu Youyan felt a complicated mix of emotions.

This was bad. The other person was her savior. If she broke up with her now, she’d look like a total jerk.

Xu Youyan sank into frustration. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed like an unsolvable problem. So, she decided to stop overthinking and just embrace whatever life had in store.

Today, Xu Youyan was shooting a commercial endorsement. The schedule wasn’t too heavy, so after a brief rundown, she started filming.

The work wrapped up smoothly.

Xu Youyan couldn’t believe it whether she was twenty or thirty, she was always stuck with such exhausting work.

After work, of course, she needed to unwind.

Xu Youyan waved Cheng Zhun over. “Are there any fun places around here?”

Xu Youyan was known throughout the industry as someone who loved to have fun. But after experiencing cyberbullying and the car accident, she had become much more restrained and no longer went out recklessly.

Cheng Zhun was caught off guard by the question and froze, unable to understand why Xu Youyan suddenly wanted to go out and have fun.

Wasn’t she afraid of making Bo Zhoucheng angry?

Xu Youyan was usually terrified of Bo Zhoucheng getting upset and ignoring her. Once, when Bo Zhoucheng’s return was delayed by just one day, Xu Youyan clung to her, crying like a heartbroken child, leaving Bo Zhoucheng deeply distressed.

As Cheng Zhun zoned out, her ear was suddenly pinched hard.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!”

At that moment, Xu Youyan seemed arrogant and overbearing, a far cry from her usual reserved self.

“Yes, yes. I know, I know!” Cheng Zhun pleaded for mercy. Satisfied, Xu Youyan let go.

Twenty was the age for fun and play. The company used to enforce strict rules, but ever since she became famous, they had gradually lost their grip on her.

“Let’s go, just the two of us.”

Xu Youyan briefly forgot the unpleasantness of her transmigration and decided to reward herself after a long, exhausting day of work.