The Paranoid Film Queen Hooked Me, and I Fell in Love - Chapter 57

After wrapping up a week of variety show filming, Xu Zhiyan and Shen Buhui took a flight back to Chuancheng. Once they returned to their apartment, they took two days to rest before heading to the magazine shoot that Zhao Yue had previously called about specifically.

Of course, during those two days of downtime at home, Xu Zhiyan didn’t forget to make up for the long stretch of abstinence.

Naturally, those little toys Shen Buhui had bought in advance finally came in handy.

Fortunately, mindful of the upcoming magazine shoot, the two of them exercised restraint and were careful not to leave any visible marks on each other.

On the day of the shoot, Zhao Yue accompanied them to the studio.

“How was the variety filming? Everything go smoothly?” she asked.

“What could’ve gone wrong?” Shen Buhui leaned back in her chair, wearing the unmistakable look of someone thoroughly satisfied.

Xu Zhiyan also looked completely content, as if love alone could keep her full. “No worries, Sister Yue. My girlfriend and I behaved ourselves and did pretty well. Nothing happened.”

Zhao Yue: “……”

That’s exactly why I’m more worried! What if you two accidentally came out on national TV?

Still, since both of them claimed everything went fine, Zhao Yue didn’t push further. She figured once the preview cuts were ready, the production team would send them to the agency anyway.

Instead, she changed the subject to the magazine shoot they were about to do.

The two were already quite familiar with the project by the time they arrived.

Xu Zhiyan wasn’t new to S.Q Magazine. Outside the industry, it was even nicknamed the “Fashion Wedding Bible.” Many famous, top-tier CPs (celebrity pairings) had done shoots with them, often resulting in viral success.

What she hadn’t expected was that one day, she’d go from being a buyer of those issues… to someone featured on the cover.

Upon arrival, Zhao Yue handled the greetings and formalities, while Xu Zhiyan and Shen Buhui were whisked away to the dressing room. Outside the room stood rows upon rows of intricately designed wedding gowns in a wide range of styles.

Shen Buhui leaned in and whispered, “Seems like dreams really do come true. Just a few days ago you were wishing for wedding photos, and here we are.”

The magazine had approached them wanting to shoot a couple’s feature ahead of the release of Symbiosis. The idea was to coordinate the photo spread with the film’s premiere, boosting both publicity and sales.

What caught Shen Buhui and Xu Zhiyan’s interest was that the theme this time was wedding gowns—and that sealed the deal.

Xu Zhiyan circled the rows of gorgeous dresses several times before glancing back at Shen Buhui, who had been watching her the whole time. “I’m so excited for today’s shoot.”

She could hardly wait to see Shen Buhui in a wedding gown.

And the reality didn’t disappoint.

When Xu Zhiyan opened the fitting room door and saw Shen Buhui standing in front of the mirror waiting for her, she was stunned speechless.

“You look… absolutely breathtaking,” she murmured.

The V-cut neckline revealed Shen Buhui’s elegant collarbones, and the intricate design trailed down to a sheer, cinched waist. Layers of tulle flared outward, the gown blooming across the polished floor like a fully opened flower.

Xu Zhiyan never knew just how perfectly white suited Shen Buhui.

Her ears turned red, and she shyly stepped closer, mumbling, “Why are you so beautiful?”

She looked so good, Xu Zhiyan could’ve proposed right then and there.

Shen Buhui had felt indifferent about the dress at first, but under Xu Zhiyan’s gaze, she began to feel self-conscious.

According to the stylist, this gown had been specially borrowed from an international designer who had just finished it by hand. The team had pulled strings to get it in time for Shen Buhui’s shoot.

Wearing a gown of such significance, in front of someone she loved deeply—even knowing it was just for a photoshoot—Shen Buhui couldn’t help but feel a little dazed.

She’d already started feeling awkward the moment she saw Xu Zhiyan, and her girlfriend’s flushed face and teasing words didn’t help at all.

With a playful glare, Shen Buhui’s eyes glinted. “Even if I look good, I’m still yours, aren’t I?”

Xu Zhiyan grinned. That was definitely true.

Zhao Yue’s voice came from outside, urging them to hurry. Xu Zhiyan took one last lingering look at Shen Buhui before reaching down to clasp her hand. Her throat tightened slightly.

“Let’s go.”

The magazine shoot that day went incredibly smoothly. Inside the studio, the photographers barely stopped gasping in awe.

During the shoot, every glance, every movement, and every pose between the two of them felt perfectly matched. The chemistry was so natural that the moment either one was removed from the frame, the composition instantly felt off.

Originally, the planned cover featured Shen Buhui alone in a wedding gown, leaning elegantly against a high stool. But after discussions with both her and Xu Zhiyan, they unanimously decided to replace it with a joint shot.

That issue of S.Q Magazine would later go down in history as the most sugar-filled, CP-heavy edition ever printed. It was even openly dubbed “the official wedding photos,” and the preorders sold out in seconds.

On the way back, Zhao Yue was all smiles, marveling at Xu Zhiyan. “I didn’t expect you to be so photogenic! I might need to consider pivoting your career a bit.”

Like branching into more fashion editorials alongside acting—definitely a promising direction.

But Xu Zhiyan quickly waved it off. “Please don’t, Sister Yue. Didn’t you notice? My best shots were all with my girlfriend.”

Zhao Yue: “……”

She shot her a glare. “If you can’t speak properly, don’t speak at all!”

From the moment they met, this couple had done nothing but show off their love. As a single woman trying to stay professional, Zhao Yue was suffering!

Even if she was making money from both of them.

Resting with her eyes closed in the backseat, Shen Buhui cracked one eye open and drawled, “What do you mean she can’t speak properly? She’s just telling the truth.”

While Shen Buhui didn’t doubt Xu Zhiyan’s talent, it was obvious that she shone even more when they were together.

Encouraged, Xu Zhiyan beamed with joy, clearly thinking, Told you so.

Zhao Yue: “……”

She suddenly regretted not bringing along Xiaofang and Yuanyuan—her assistants who loved hanging around in CP (celebrity pairing) fan forums.

Ever since she had accidentally caught the two of them secretly browsing their boss’s CP super-topic thread, Zhao Yue had decided to put their interests to good use: let them keep up with the fandom chatter while staying updated on work. A perfect blend of fangirling and professionalism.

After silently swallowing her frustration for a while, Zhao Yue glanced over at Shen Buhui, who had her eyes closed again, resting against Xu Zhiyan. Then, out of nowhere, she said:

“Buhui, if you ask me, you really need to start exercising more. What if you keep playing too hard at night and end up too exhausted to work during the day?”

Just as she finished, the car pulled to a stop. Having delivered her bold little jab, Zhao Yue made a swift escape.

Shen Buhui’s eyes snapped open, but all she caught through the not-fully-closed car door was the sight of Zhao Yue fleeing.

Shen Buhui: “……”

Even though they had been careful not to leave any visible marks, she and Xu Zhiyan had, in fact, tried out a few new positions and… let’s just say Xu · Low Stamina · Zhiyan was feeling slightly guilty.

Back at the apartment, Xu Zhiyan changed out of her shoes and immediately brought Shen Buhui a glass of water with unusual attentiveness.

She knew Shen Buhui had a habit of drinking warm water after coming home, and ever since they started living together, this small task had naturally become hers.

But she’d never done it with quite this much enthusiasm before.

Shen Buhui gave her a sidelong glance, immediately understanding the reason behind her eager service.

“Zhao Yue was just talking nonsense, and you’re taking it seriously? I’m just tired from lack of sleep, not what you’re imagining.”

Xu Zhiyan nodded rapidly, pretending to believe her—clearly thinking Shen Buhui was just shy.

After she watched her finish the glass of water, Xu Zhiyan changed the subject, “What should we eat tonight?”

Shen Buhui picked up her phone. Sure enough, it was nearly dinner time.

“Let’s just eat something simple. I’m not that hungry.”

Xu Zhiyan nodded in acknowledgment.

That night, dinner was made by Xu Zhiyan. Thanks to her diligent practice, she had finally mastered stir-fried seasonal greens. Paired with a pot of porridge, the two enjoyed a modest but warm dinner.

While Shen Buhui went to take a shower, Xu Zhiyan sat down at the desk, opened her laptop, and began searching for information.

She licked her lips as she browsed design course recommendations, saving anything that looked useful.

The idea had taken root the moment she saw Shen Buhui in that wedding dress earlier at the magazine shoot.

She was so focused, occasionally deleting and comparing materials, that she didn’t even notice when Shen Buhui came out of the bathroom and quietly approached.

By the time Xu Zhiyan heard footsteps, Shen Buhui was already standing right beside her. One more step and she would’ve seen what was on the screen.

Xu Zhiyan didn’t have time to think. On pure instinct, she swiftly closed the webpage.

Shen Buhui narrowed her eyes slightly and gave her a probing look. “What were you doing? Acting all sneaky.”

She leaned over, but the screen was now completely clean.

So, Xu Zhiyan had covered it just in time.

But the idea that Xu Zhiyan was hiding something from her made Shen Buhui’s gaze deepen as she looked at that seemingly innocent smile.

Xu Zhiyan offered a small lie: “I was just looking up the school’s assigned holiday project.”

A lie.

Shen Buhui glanced at her, then looked away. “Come on, help me dry my hair.”

A subtle way of letting her off—for now.

Xu Zhiyan, thinking she had successfully gotten away with it, jumped up cheerfully and went to fetch the hairdryer.

She didn’t notice the darker look in Shen Buhui’s eyes as she watched her walk away.

After the usual routine of drying her hair, Xu Zhiyan grabbed her nightgown and went to the bathroom.

Lying on the bed waiting, Shen Buhui picked up her phone and instinctively logged into a small alternate Weibo account—a side account she often used to keep tabs on Xu Zhiyan’s “life account.”

This was a habit Shen Buhui had developed long before they got back in contact.

Back then, when they were still apart, this anonymous life account had become her only way to know how Xu Zhiyan was doing. Even though they weren’t together, she found comfort in eating the same food, doing the same things—it made her feel close.

In a way, the account also gave her a small sense of control—something she never admitted out loud.

After they began dating, as Xu Zhiyan’s girlfriend, Shen Buhui technically had every right to know what she was doing. But she didn’t want to come across as overbearing. She knew that lack of personal space would only harm their relationship.

And Shen Buhui was a smart woman—she knew exactly how much was “just enough.”

So, she continued to quietly monitor the life account, learning about the little wishes and private thoughts that Xu Zhiyan didn’t always share with her directly.

Like filling in missing pieces of a puzzle, she wove a web of gentle care and patience—surrounding the unsuspecting Xu Zhiyan tightly within it.

They lived together. Worked together. And Shen Buhui even wanted to know what was in her heart.

She was well aware this wasn’t the healthiest impulse—but she had already been doing her best to keep it in check.

Ever since their relationship began, she had maintained the image of a mature and considerate partner. Still, there were rare moments when her emotions slipped—like when she realized Xu Zhiyan had lied to her.

But now… the life account hadn’t posted any updates for two days.

Holding her phone in her hand, Shen Buhui stared at the screen, lost in thought.

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