After Filming A Lesbian Movie With The Straight Girl I Like - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: “Half to Drink, Half to Play”

 

No one knew whose alarm had gone off, but Xu Ling scrunched up her face and tried to block out the annoying noise, burrowing into her cozy little haven, her cheek pressing against a cold yet soft surface.

 

She was promptly pushed away.

 

But she didn’t stay away for long—she snuggled right back, rubbing her nose and lips against the warmth, letting out a satisfied hum. “Mmm, smells so good,” she murmured. It was as if the scent of red wine had soaked into this spot, intoxicating and comforting.

 

Qin Cong’an, annoyed, turned off the alarm but couldn’t shake off the person clinging to her. She gave up and just started rubbing Xu Ling’s earlobe between her fingers.

 

Immediately, she got bitten.

 

“…You’re seriously biting me just for touching your ear?”

 

“My ears have a switch,” Xu Ling said, nibbling on her fingers. Her ears were really sensitive—when touched, they made her feel things.

 

“Oh? I thought your switch was here.” Qin Cong’an ran her fingers down Xu Ling’s spine, moving lower and lower. She felt her shiver.

 

Xu Ling, for some reason, felt a little shy and buried herself in Qin Cong’an’s arms again, whispering, “Honestly, anywhere you touch me is a switch.”

 

Xu Ling could hear the quickened heartbeat—it was probably her own. Her ears were burning. Crap. She was going to give herself away.

 

She didn’t know if time felt slow because she was nervous or if it really had passed a while, but at last, she felt Qin Cong’an kiss the top of her head, like a quiet response to her earlier words.

 

Xu Ling forgot about everything else in that moment. Her arms wrapped around Qin Cong’an tighter. Her embrace was so warm. She wanted to stay like this forever.

 

But the snacks in front of her were too tempting—she had to admit she was a glutton. She stuck out her tongue to taste one. It tasted like toasted bread. Was she imagining things?

 

Had her brain just combined the two things she liked most?

 

“Why do you smell like buttery bread? I love it.”

 

Qin Cong’an reached for the empty wine bottle and held the mouth of it near her nose. “Here, smell this.”

 

Xu Ling took a sniff—so it wasn’t her imagination?

 

“I bought this just for you, thinking you’d like it,” Qin Cong’an said, sounding a little annoyed as she tapped the bottle against Xu Ling’s lips. “Ended up wasting the whole thing.”

 

Xu Ling remembered being made to drink last night. “I did drink some! Just one sip, though.”

 

“And what did it taste like?”

 

“…Nothing.” She drank too quickly. It was like choking on water—who had the time to savor the flavor? “That’s your fault.”

 

“My fault? I told you not to drink, and you wiped it all over me instead.”

 

“That was the best way to savor it!” Xu Ling declared and buried her head back into the snacks. “You really do know me. I love it.”

 

“Xu Ling.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Qin Cong’an lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. It was soft, slow, and made her heart pound like it was going to burst. It felt like… falling in love.

 

“I’ll buy another bottle,” Qin Cong’an whispered. “Next time, we’ll drink it properly.”

 

“Can we play with it too?” Xu Ling pushed her luck and saw the look Qin Cong’an gave her—it clearly said, What do you think? She quickly added in a small voice, “Half to drink, half to play.”

 

Qin Cong’an started rubbing her ear again—no words of objection.

 

Xu Ling wrapped her arms around her waist, filled with happiness and excitement, but also a twinge of fear. Fear of time passing too quickly. Fear of the end.

 

They had gone a little crazy last night—painful but also exhilarating. Xu Ling felt like she’d remember it forever. But would Qin Cong’an?

 

Qin Cong’an had wanted to take a shower together so badly… maybe she should agree to it on the last day. Leave her with an unforgettable impression.

 

No—if Qin Cong’an wanted it, she should refuse. That way it’d leave a stronger mark, right?

 

Xu Ling got so twisted up in her own thoughts that she started biting again out of frustration.

 

Qin Cong’an hissed, her toes curling, and she was about to scold her when Xu Ling, looking guilty, began licking the spot she’d bitten—like she was apologizing.

 

“We should get ready to leave.” Qin Cong’an pushed her away.

 

“Nooo—” Xu Ling cried in despair. “I don’t wanna go to work!”

 

Qin Cong’an got out of bed first. Xu Ling, even though she didn’t want to work, quickly followed behind. As long as she was with the one she liked, going to work wasn’t that painful.

 

Today, they were filming car scenes on a closed road—some with Wen Xi and Jian Yu, others with Wen Xi and different characters.

 

Xu Ling had another leisurely day, while Qin Cong’an was a bit busier. The area wasn’t lively either, so there was nowhere decent to go for a date.

 

Qin Cong’an’s manager, Gao Quan, returned to the set.

 

The last time Xu Ling had seen Sister Quan, nothing had happened between her and Qin Cong’an yet. Now… well, now they were thoroughly familiar—at least physically.

 

Which made Xu Ling too embarrassed to even meet her eyes.

 

Gao Quan didn’t seem to notice her, though. She was staring at a small red mark on Qin Cong’an’s collarbone. “What’s that?”

 

“Mosquito bite.”

 

“I thought mosquitoes never bite you?” Gao Quan had always been jealous of that. She even suspected it was because Qin Cong’an’s skin was too smooth—mosquitoes couldn’t land properly.

 

Qin Cong’an shrugged. “Even if they don’t usually, go to a mosquito-heavy place and they’ll still take a bite or two. Ask Director Liang—Xu Ling even applied ointment for me.”

 

“Not saying I don’t believe you. Just curious.” Gao Quan genuinely only wanted to talk about mosquitoes, but somehow, Qin Cong’an’s answer felt… off. She couldn’t say why. Just a weird feeling. She glanced over at Xu Ling in the distance.

 

Qin Cong’an put on her sunglasses and looked down at her phone, absentmindedly humming.

 

“You’re in a good mood, huh?” Gao Quan turned back to her. This was the first time she’d heard her hum. Heck, she’d never even seen her listen to music before. She thought she was tone-deaf—one of those “shockingly bad” types, so she never dared to sing.

 

Wait—wasn’t this tune from one of Jiang Ruzhi’s famous sweet songs?

 

“By the way, why didn’t you tell me you went to Jiang Ruzhi’s concert?”

 

“Didn’t think it was worth mentioning. I can’t go?”

 

“Not that. It’s just… it’s not like you.”

 

Qin Cong’an didn’t respond, eyes still on her phone.

 

“What are you looking at?”

 

She handed her phone over, a trace of amusement in her voice. “Mo Yun having his din-din.”

 

“…Who are you?” Gao Quan stared at her in disbelief. Din-din? Seriously? She’d heard her tone soften around Mo Yun before, but this was downright baby talk. Gross.

 

A horrifying thought struck Gao Quan. “What’s going on with you? You’re acting like you’re in love.”

 

“Don’t say nonsense.” Qin Cong’an snatched her phone back.

 

Nearby, Director Liang was busy but had been listening to everything. He put down his gear and walked over, confused. “What do you mean, ‘acting like you’re in love’?”

 

Gao Quan echoed him. “Yeah, what do you mean by that?”

 

“I thought Xiao Qin was in a relationship?”

 

Gao Quan shushed him quickly, holding a finger to her lips.

 

Huh? Huh? Huh? Director Liang was completely confused. Were they? Or weren’t they? Why so cryptic?

 

Chang Ning called everyone over, and Director Liang hurried away. Qin Cong’an also got ready for the next take.

 

Xu Ling was bored, it was hot, and she sat under a tree with a mini fan and some ice cream, watching Qin Cong’an in the distance as she got into a car and vanished from view.

 

Yi Huai came over and handed her a phone. “Recognize him?”

 

Xu Ling glanced at the man on the screen. He looked familiar. The name was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t recall it. “Yeah, I know him.”

 

“After Her Blade wraps promotion, you’ll be working with him.”

 

“It’s confirmed?” Xu Ling asked, surprised. She hadn’t heard a thing. “What kind of project?”

 

“Not a real one. But still very much a performance.” Yi Huai smiled. “Fake CP. You get it, right?”

 

“…Oh.” Xu Ling instantly felt cold. That was a gut punch. “Do we have to?”

 

Yi Huai chuckled. “What do you think? It was arranged by the higher-ups. They negotiated with his side for a while. He may be fading, but his fan base is still huge and loyal.”

 

“So I’m gonna get dragged and cursed nonstop?”

 

“Well, he’s at that age now. Most of his rational fans think it’s time for him to date or marry. And besides, what’s a few insults? If you gain popularity, it’s worth it.”

 

“….” Xu Ling angrily shoved the rest of her ice cream into her mouth—so cold it made her brain buzz.

 

“There’s only one way out of this.”

 

“What?” she asked, mouth full.

 

“Win Best Actress for Her Blade.”

 

“…”

 

“They’re betting on your pairing with Qin Cong’an, your model background, your looks and youth, and your potential to generate buzz. He brings accumulated fame and traffic. It’s a fair exchange. After this, both sides should benefit.”

 

Yi Huai tapped her phone. “But if your status surpasses his, it’s not worth it anymore. If you win Best Actress with your first film post-career change, why would you care about some washed-up idol?”

 

Xu Ling’s head throbbed just hearing all the calculations. Winning Best Actress? That was a pipe dream. Even Qin Cong’an hadn’t done it—how could she?

 

The film’s theme couldn’t win awards domestically. Internationally? Maybe, but competition was fierce. She didn’t stand a chance—she couldn’t even outshine Qin Cong’an!

 

Seeing her look completely defeated, Yi Huai said, “If you’re really that against it, you can turn the offer down.”

 

“!”

 

“But know this—opportunities like this don’t come often. Lots of people are dying for a fake CP with him. If you say no, you’re closing the door on future offers too.”

 

Xu Ling nearly blacked out.

 

Yi Huai kept fanning her, letting her think things through. Xu Ling had switched careers because she hit a wall as a model. She wanted to survive in this industry—and that meant understanding how to play the game.

 

Xu Ling wrapped early today and returned to the hotel.

 

Yi Huai dragged her to dinner first, then sent her back to rest.

 

Back in Qin Cong’an’s room, Xu Ling opened a bottle of wine and drank alone in moody silence. After half the bottle, she was starting to feel dizzy.

 

Then she heard the door open.

 

She immediately leapt up to pounce for kisses and cuddles—but tripped over the coffee table and hit the floor.

 

And then… she heard two voices at the door.

 

Instant sobriety.

 

She scrambled into the bedroom and dove into the bathroom, hiding in the tub, clutching a bathrobe over half her face, holding her breath.

 

“What’s going on?” Gao Quan entered the room, seeing the half-finished bottle and glass on the table. “You didn’t clean up?”

 

“Leftover from last night,” Qin Cong’an replied, flopping down onto the sofa, totally relaxed.

 

“Why didn’t housekeeping come?”

 

“I didn’t let anyone in. The room’s not dirty.”

 

“Still, you didn’t cork the bottle? It’s probably gone bad by now. What a waste.” Gao Quan sniffed the bottle. “Huh… doesn’t smell spoiled. But better not drink it. I’ll open a new one—let’s have a glass together?”

 

“No thanks. I’m tired. Gonna shower and sleep.”

 

“I was hoping to vent about a nightmare brand client…”

 

“Not interested.” Qin Cong’an stood up. “Shower time.”

 

“Alright, alright. I’ll wash the glass and go.”

 

Qin Cong’an entered the bedroom bathroom and found Xu Ling curled up in the tub, hugging a bathrobe over her face.

 

She burst out laughing.

 

Gao Quan heard her from the other room. “What’s so funny?”

 

No answer. Qin Cong’an just shut the door, turned on the faucet, and stepped into the tub, pulling the robe from Xu Ling’s hands and sitting down beside her. The water quickly covered their feet and soaked through their curled-up bodies.