The Paranoid Film Queen Hooked Me, and I Fell in Love - Chapter 60

Xu Zhiyan hadn’t even recovered from last night’s awkwardness when she suddenly found herself alone with Shang Qi again. If she left now, it would only make things seem even more suspicious.

Shang Qi gave a small laugh. “Don’t worry about it—I’m not. You don’t need to feel embarrassed.”

Xu Zhiyan nodded, a little awkwardly.

While washing her hands, she heard Shang Qi casually ask, “You were surprised that I’m still with Chen Xingguang, weren’t you?”

Xu Zhiyan glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and silently nodded in admission.

Honestly, anyone learning the truth would probably feel uncomfortable. But today, Shang Qi and Chen Xingguang had interacted as if nothing was wrong. In fact, Xu Zhiyan had even noticed the two holding hands after Lan Xingyu left.

After drying her hands, Shang Qi leaned against the sink just like last time—relaxed, as if chatting about the weather. “It’s because I’m into his youth and stamina.”

Xu Zhiyan’s eyes widened in surprise, but Shang Qi didn’t seem to care at all. “As long as he’s single while he’s with me, that’s good enough. Besides, he’s the one who came on to me—young, handsome, energetic. Hard not to be tempted.”

Despite the words, Xu Zhiyan noticed there was very little sincerity in her eyes.

Completely unbothered by the idea that Xu Zhiyan might repeat anything she said, Shang Qi continued, “Honestly, most people in this industry are like that. Together today—for fame, for gain—and tomorrow, they’ll be with someone new for beauty or novelty. Affairs, emotional swings, on-set couples… it’s all way too common.”

“Who knows, maybe after this show ends, I’ll break up with him.” She blinked playfully, speaking like it was no big deal.

Xu Zhiyan: “…”

She wasn’t sure how to react. People did say things like that about the entertainment industry, but Xu Zhiyan was still fairly new to it—and this was the first time she’d heard someone in the industry speak so bluntly. She never expected that Shang Qi and Chen Xingguang were together purely for one word: lust.

Curious, she asked, “And what about him? Is he the same?”

“Who knows?” Shang Qi shrugged. “Maybe.”

Xu Zhiyan stayed quiet. Then Shang Qi added, “It’s not like I’ve stopped him from playing up the CP (couple pairing) with others.”

At that, Xu Zhiyan’s expression soured slightly.

Noticing the shift, and remembering that Xu Zhiyan had once been a fan of that CP, Shang Qi tactfully changed the subject. “But honestly, I’ve said all this just to make one point.”

“You and Shen Buhui… you two are really rare.”

They hadn’t known each other long, yet they looked like they’d already settled down for life.

After the last show ended, Shang Qi had been curious and asked around. Being sharp as she was, she picked up on a few things.

“You probably don’t know this, do you? Back when you were filming, the hotel room you stayed in was originally just a regular business suite. Shen Buhui paid out of pocket to upgrade it for you.”

That was how they ended up staying in rooms next to each other.

Xu Zhiyan instinctively took a step back and looked at her with suspicion.

Shang Qi raised her hands. “Don’t look at me like that. I was just curious, that’s all. Plus, my assistant knows someone on your production team—they mentioned it during a chat.”

She rested her chin on her hand and grinned at Xu Zhiyan’s slightly guarded expression. “Tell me, haven’t you ever thought something felt a little off?”

“Off how?”

Based on her observations over the past few days—and the bits of info she’d dug up—Shang Qi asked frankly, “Have you noticed how possessive Shen Buhui is? How strong her need for control is?”

Before Xu Zhiyan could brush it off, Shang Qi held up a hand. “Don’t tell me that’s normal. I might not be a fresh-faced newbie anymore, but I’ve been around. I’m over thirty, and I’ve had my fair share of relationships. I know the difference between normal and not normal.”

The reason she said all this? Honestly, Shang Qi was just worried that Xu Zhiyan might be too naïve—so naïve that she’d end up getting hurt without realizing it.

Sure, Shen Buhui seemed to care deeply for Xu Zhiyan. But this was a subtle issue, and Shen had been in the industry far longer. Xu Zhiyan was still young and inexperienced. Shang Qi’s concern got the better of her, and she couldn’t bear the thought of the girl being left in the dark.

Of course, if they were happy in their own dynamic, then she’d happily take back everything she said and chalk it up to nonsense. But if Xu Zhiyan hadn’t noticed, or if she was starting to feel uncomfortable, then maybe Shang Qi had just done a small good deed for the day.

“Think about it carefully,” she said before leaving.

Xu Zhiyan took a few steps forward, then paused in front of the mirror.

She stared at her reflection, but in her mind, she kept replaying everything Shang Qi had just said.

So, she wasn’t the only one who had noticed something was off?

After coming out, Shen Buhui quickly realized that Xu Zhiyan seemed a bit distracted.

At first, she didn’t think much of it. But when bedtime came and Xu Zhiyan was still the same way, she finally asked:

“Did something happen today that I don’t know about?”

Xu Zhiyan almost shook her head, but then something came to mind.

“…Actually, a little something did happen,” she admitted. “Last night, I accidentally walked in on Chen Xingguang and Lan Xingyu arguing.”

So that’s what it was. That would explain Xu Zhiyan’s absentmindedness.

Still, something about it didn’t sit right with Shen Buhui.

“I thought you said you weren’t going to pay attention to them anymore?”

As she smoothed out the bed sheets, Xu Zhiyan replied, “I meant it. I really won’t anymore.”

Shen Buhui stood behind her, hugging a pillow and watching her delicate silhouette. After a pause, she said, “What about all the merch you have at home…”

She hadn’t forgotten that shelf full of memorabilia in Xu Zhiyan’s room the last time she visited.

Picking up on what she meant, Xu Zhiyan’s hand paused slightly. “I’ll put it all away when I get home.”

Shen Buhui said nothing more.

After a moment, she added, “Your shelves are going to look pretty empty then… You should put up our photos.”

This trip had brought them to many scenic places, and they’d taken quite a few beautiful photos together.

Xu Zhiyan didn’t object. “Alright.”

Still facing away from Shen Buhui as she tucked in the sheets, Xu Zhiyan’s elegant brows furrowed slightly in confusion.

By logic, after what Shang Qi had pointed out today—and after what Shen Buhui had just said—she should’ve felt frustrated at how much Shen tried to control aspects of her life.

But instead of being upset… she felt a strange flicker of happiness?

She couldn’t figure it out.

Even by the end of filming for the variety show, she still hadn’t sorted it out.

But one thing was clear: she genuinely felt at ease in this kind of relationship.

After the show wrapped up, Shen Buhui had to shoot a new advertisement for one of her endorsements, so she and Zhao Yue left together for the shoot. With some free time on her hands, Xu Zhiyan went back home.

She printed out the photos of her and Shen Buhui and replaced all the old merchandise with them.

At lunch, it was just her and Lin Ya at the table. When Shen Buhui came up in conversation, Xu Zhiyan suddenly said, “Mom, do you remember the childhood friend I used to be really close with?”

Lin Ya froze for a moment, surprised at the sudden mention of the past.

But with her sharp memory, it didn’t take her long to recall. “I do remember. When we moved, you were really upset that you didn’t get to say goodbye to her.”

Xu Zhiyan smiled. She remembered all of it too.

“Guess what, Mom? That friend… is Shen Buhui.”

Lin Ya was stunned for a good while before she finally reacted. “You two really were meant to be.”

They had been closed as kids, then reunited as adults—and now they were lovers.

Xu Zhiyan nodded in agreement. “I think so too.”

Then she changed the subject slightly. “Mom, do I still look like I did when I was little?”

Lin Ya took a moment to examine her. “You do. Still as sweet-looking as ever.”

“But do I look so similar that someone could recognize me at a glance?”

That question stumped Lin Ya.

She studied Xu Zhiyan’s face again for a moment before replying, “Probably not. I mean, people don’t grow up in a 1:1 ratio. Of course your appearance changes.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhiyan felt a bit more certain about something.

“What’s with all the questions?” Lin Ya asked casually as she placed a chicken drumstick into Xu Zhiyan’s bowl.

“It’s nothing.” Xu Zhiyan took a bite of meat and answered with her mouth half full.

Later, as she went upstairs, she dug out that old photo again. She stared closely at the slightly older girl in the picture, then looked at the framed photo of her and Shen Buhui on the cabinet.

Even though she remembered everything clearly from her childhood, she realized that if she hadn’t known Shen Buhui’s name, there was no way she would have recognized her at first glance.

She gently touched the photo, her eyes lowered, lost in thought.

—

That evening, while she and Shen Buhui were out watching a movie, Xu Zhiyan’s gaze kept drifting to nearby couples.

Noticing this, Shen Buhui tugged her arm gently. “What are you looking at?” she asked, glancing in the same direction.

Xu Zhiyan quickly looked away. “Nothing.”

But Shen Buhui didn’t buy it. This wasn’t the first time she’d caught Xu Zhiyan doing this.

Over the past few days—especially whenever they went out—Shen Buhui had noticed Xu Zhiyan always staring at passing couples.

Still, since Xu Zhiyan didn’t seem willing to talk, Shen Buhui kept her suspicions to herself.

She didn’t know why, but ever since they returned from Rong City last week, Xu Zhiyan hadn’t been quite herself. That odd feeling hadn’t gone away—it was still lingering.

Could it have something to do with that night?

Sensing Shen Buhui’s shift in mood, Xu Zhiyan gently took her hand to reassure her. “It’s just… this is my first relationship, and I’m afraid I won’t do it right. So I’m observing others—seeing how they interact.”

That, at least, explained the constant people-watching.

Shen Buhui forced a smile. “You’re already doing more than fine.”

Xu Zhiyan tugged the scarf snugly around her, her voice muffled beneath her mask. “There’s always more to learn. You learn until the end of your life.”

With that, she went to pick up their tickets. On a whim, she also bought a large tub of popcorn and, holding Shen Buhui’s hand, led her into the theater.

—

Later that night, while Shen Buhui was in the shower, Xu Zhiyan sent a WeChat message to Su Er.

And as she did every night, she dried Shen Buhui’s hair with a blow dryer.

“Jiejie,” she said suddenly, “I’m heading out for a bit tomorrow around noon.”

Eyes closed, relaxed under the warm air, Shen Buhui opened her eyes slightly, surprised. “Do you need to buy something?”

“No,” Xu Zhiyan replied, lifting a lock of her hair to blow dry it. Her voice was slightly distorted under the sound of the machine, but still clear. “Su Er asked me to meet up tomorrow. She has something to talk about.”

A subtle shift—she’d cleverly worded it so that Su Er became the initiator.

That name—Su Er—it hadn’t come up in quite a while.

But Shen Buhui remembered. Su Er had a girlfriend.

The anxiety that had been gnawing at her since the movie suddenly bubbled up again. Shen Buhui took a deep, quiet breath and answered naturally, “Alright. Just make sure to dress warm—the forecast says it’ll be chilly.”

As she spoke, her fingers subconsciously clenched the hem of her pajama top.

I have to learn to be more restrained, she told herself. I absolutely can’t become that kind of person.

The kind of person Xu Zhiyan would hate the most—possessive, controlling, suffocating.

A week ago, Shen Buhui would never have entertained such thoughts. But after witnessing Xu Zhiyan’s increasingly strange behavior, and that incident with her Weibo account that night… the unease in her chest was becoming harder and harder to ignore.

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