After Becoming a Film Queen, She Dumped Her Financial Sponsor - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: I’m Truly… Beyond Redemption

With long, purposeful strides, full of fury, Qiao Sijin marched through the company’s entrance.

Hands in her pockets, she flicked her hair back and removed the black sunglasses perched on her high nose bridge. Her beautifully arched brows furrowed deeply.

That damned Fu Qingyun had just walked away after saying her piece, so casually and decisively. Without hesitation, Qiao Sijin went straight to the private elevator. The moment she pressed the button, the doors slid open—

A familiar face appeared before her.

Fu Qingyun clearly hadn’t expected Qiao Sijin to return so quickly. The paparazzi outside shouldn’t have dispersed yet—how had she made it through?

Her red lips parted, just about to speak—

But Qiao Sijin didn’t give her the slightest chance to respond. She took two bold steps forward, nearly pressing her face against Fu Qingyun’s.

Forced back, Fu Qingyun had no choice but to retreat a few steps, her body pressing against the elevator wall.

“You think you’re so strong, don’t you?”

“Fu Qingyun… do you think you’re invincible? That if you shoulder all the blame yourself, I’ll fall to my knees in gratitude?”

“Do you really think you’re that important?”

Saying something like that in front of the media—Fu Qingyun must have lived in her ivory tower too long to understand the consequences of her recklessness.

If the netizens only came for her, Qiao Sijin could handle it.

She’d been in showbiz for years, surviving on fame and controversy. She’d seen every kind of smear. Without a diamond heart, she wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Was it because she always seemed unfazed, that Fu Qingyun thought nothing could touch her?

“Are you mad, Sijin?”

Fu Qingyun tried to maintain her composure. Last night’s events still lingered vividly in her mind. She couldn’t stop her gaze from falling again on Qiao Sijin’s lips.

“Yes, congratulations on finally noticing something. I am mad. I’m very mad.”

“Did I or did I not tell you I didn’t need your help?”

“Who do you think you are? Are you still the high-and-mighty President Fu when you’re standing in front of me?”

Qiao Sijin jabbed her finger at Fu Qingyun’s chest, pushing hard through the fabric of her blouse—again and again. Her eyes flashed with anger and resentment.

“If you really piss me off, I’ll hand in my resignation first thing tomorrow. I can afford the breach-of-contract penalty.”

“I’m making money now.”

With her hand gripping Fu Qingyun’s collar tightly, Qiao Sijin pulled her even closer. Her tone was fierce and unforgiving, but Fu Qingyun, looking at her beautiful face, didn’t feel the least bit threatened.

It was like facing an angry cat—one with claws, maybe—but still a cat.

Qiao Sijin used to be broke, used to suffer indignities quietly. Even now that she had money, she didn’t spend it recklessly.

She hated how Fu Qingyun acted like money could fix everything. But as much as she hated it, Qiao Sijin also understood: this was simply how the world worked.

No one was an exception.

The distance between them was almost nonexistent—just one breath closer and skin would touch skin, no separation.

“I didn’t mean it that way. You misunderstood, Sijin.”

“If you want to be angry with me, fine. But don’t joke around with your career.”

Still the same—she always thought she was the rational one.

“Fine. Fu Qingyun, since you can ask me that, then let me ask you—can you really say you’ve got a clear conscience?”

“You stood before everyone and twisted the truth.”

“Were you trying to help me, or… did I somehow force you into it? What leverage do I possibly have over you?”

There was only one answer.

This was something Fu Qingyun did of her own free will, of her own volition.

But that wasn’t the answer Qiao Sijin wanted. It felt like she had never truly seen through this woman, not even once.

She had said she wouldn’t be Fu Qingyun’s loyal dog again—called when needed, dismissed when not. And yet, her emotions still rose and fell with her. She still couldn’t let her go.

Wasn’t that humiliating?

“Sijin, I only did this… to ease my guilt. It was me who stirred things up between us back then. Now—”

Before Fu Qingyun could finish, she felt a sudden warmth on her lips.

Qiao Sijin kissed her, forcefully but not as fiercely as before.

Fu Qingyun’s eyes widened, stunned.

It wasn’t until she felt Qiao Sijin’s arms tighten around her waist that she realized something was off—Qiao Sijin had changed.

“Sijin… this… this is the elevator… don’t… don’t do this…”

Even the simplest sentence came out in broken fragments. Qiao Sijin was dissatisfied. She had always thought Fu Qingyun looked cold and aloof, and if only her mouth could be as cold and quiet as the rest of her—if only it didn’t say such cruel things.

Why did she always have to say things that hurt?

Why couldn’t she just stay silent?

Why did she always make decisions on her own, thinking they would please Qiao Sijin?

Letting go of her lips, Qiao Sijin could see strands of Fu Qingyun’s disheveled black hair falling against her own cheek—tickling, soft and electric.

It was an indescribable feeling.

“I want to mess around. What are you going to do about it? Fu Qingyun, I hate you. But I can’t seem to let you go. Am I still in love with you?”

“I really am… beyond redemption.”

Lowering her gaze, Qiao Sijin looked like she had made up her mind.

“So I’ve decided—yes, I might still love you. But from now on, I’ll be the one holding the reins. I want you to know what it feels like… to be the one called and dismissed at will.”

Faced with Qiao Sijin’s accusations, Fu Qingyun froze on the spot. She had no idea Qiao Sijin had carried all of this inside.

Was it that she had ignored these things before?

Or… had she simply never cared?

Work and endless responsibilities had torn Fu Qingyun in two.

“Ah Jin… don’t be like this. Let’s just say everything before… was my fault.”

Fu Qingyun didn’t resist Qiao Sijin’s closeness. Instead, she gently tried to comfort her.

And that was exactly what terrified Qiao Sijin about Fu Qingyun—her terrifying gentleness.

Her eyes were always cold—except when she looked at Qiao Sijin. Only then would they soften.

It wasn’t her imagination. Qiao Sijin could feel the difference, that unique tenderness Fu Qingyun reserved only for her. That was what made her so obsessed—so hopelessly obsessed with Fu Qingyun.

It sounded pathetic, didn’t it?

But anyone who had the chance to meet someone like that—would understand just how seductive such a person could be.

Which was why… she had no resistance left.