After Filming A Lesbian Movie With The Straight Girl I Like - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Just Wants to Be Stepped On

Qin Cong’an tore through Xu Ling’s closet, flinging clothes out one by one, turning the entire bedroom into a mess, but she still couldn’t find what she was looking for — the piece of clothing she had lost.

Standing at the foot of the bed, Xu Ling watched Qin Cong’an’s chaotic rummaging and asked with a calm face, “What are you looking for?”

“My stuff,” Qin Cong’an demanded.

“What stuff?” Xu Ling blinked innocently, swinging her legs leisurely.

“My clothes. Didn’t you take them?”

Xu Ling chuckled. “Why would I take your clothes?”

Qin Cong’an froze in place, feeling dizzy. After a long pause, she said, “But your clothes were left at my place.”

“Oh, so that’s where they went. I was wondering where they were. I really liked that piece,” Xu Ling said cheerfully, as she retrieved a light blue tank top from Qin Cong’an’s hand. “Thanks for bringing it to me!”

“What about mine?”

Xu Ling responded in a tone so innocent it felt cruel: “Yours? How would I know? Maybe you lost it yourself. Why are you asking me? So weird.”

Qin Cong’an curled up in bed, waking from the dream. She stared blankly at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. Last night had been full of thunder and heavy rain, but this morning was so sunny it felt excessive — even blinding.

She hadn’t checked Xu Ling’s closet yesterday. Not because it felt too private — she had already gone through both side cabinets — but because something deep down told her she wouldn’t find what she was looking for.

After all, when she put on those sky-blue slippers, Xu Ling’s expression hadn’t changed at all. It was like she didn’t even notice the color choice, nor was she curious.

It was as if she didn’t remember that a piece of her clothing had ever been left behind.

Had she really forgotten everything from that time? Was Qin Cong’an the only one who remembered? Still holding on like a fool, like a thorn under her skin — something she occasionally grew used to, but couldn’t ever fully ignore.

Xu Ling had probably just taken her clothes by mistake and, realizing later they weren’t hers, thought: “Hmm, what’s this?” and tossed them away.

Qin Cong’an could totally imagine her doing that. Maybe she was the only one who saw that lost item as a link between them — something still connecting them after the separation.

Her stomach hurt — a dull, constant ache that curling into a ball couldn’t ease. That emotional organ, full of unspoken fragments, was choking on things she couldn’t digest.

…

Before heading out, Xu Ling stared at the pair of sky-blue slippers, thinking hard. She still couldn’t figure it out.

Why had Qin Cong’an picked that color? She’d clearly laid out the black ones, assuming Qin Cong’an would go for those. She never liked bright colors.

But… she looked really good in the blue ones. Made her toes look so pale and soft. If only… cough.

Xu Ling shook off her perverted thoughts and left the apartment, stepping into the elevator. Still, she thought, What’s perverted about that? Totally normal. I just want to be stepped on. Maybe sneak a kiss. What’s the big deal?

Can’t have her anyway. At least let me fantasize, right?

At the underground garage, Yi Huai’s stern face startled Xu Ling. She suddenly felt like her deepest secrets were about to be laid bare. Her brain immediately filled with flowers and meadows — the healthiest of thoughts.

Xu Ling hesitated at the elevator door. “Sis…”

Yi Huai suddenly broke into a smile and even clapped her hands. “So your relationship with Qin Cong’an is that good, and you didn’t even tell me? Posting photos secretly too. Honestly, I didn’t get the message — you thought the company wouldn’t let you post it?”

Wait… was this a trap? Xu Ling cautiously stepped out of the elevator. “Sis… you’re not mad, are you?”

“Why would I be mad? That photo you posted last night — the AnLing CP fanbase just gained tens of thousands of followers!” Yi Huai was clearly delighted. “Most importantly, your own fans are growing fast!”

Xu Ling looked guilty. “They’re all CP fans though. Isn’t that kind of… bad?”

“Not at all. Qin Cong’an doesn’t mind. You’re not competitors. As long as it doesn’t involve profits, your friendship won’t break.”

“…Friendship?”

“Yeah. Sure, the fans are shipping you two hard, but deep down they know it’s just friendship.” Yi Huai said. “This kind of thing happens all the time in the industry. Even if the CP gets disbanded later, it’s fine. Like I said — as long as there’s no conflict of interest, it’ll end on good terms.”

Xu Ling felt unexpectedly down. If things did end that way, it would indeed be graceful. But the word friendship left a bitter taste in her mouth.

They were seeing each other again today. Actually, they had been seeing each other a lot lately.

The movie was set to release around the spring-summer transition. It wasn’t far off. Qin Cong’an had only recently wrapped her last film, so a ton of joint promotions had piled up — plus various shows and photoshoots.

These past few days, Xu Ling had felt that Qin Cong’an was hot and cold with her.

She couldn’t pin down the pattern. Just when she thought Qin Cong’an was only enthusiastic for promotion’s sake, she’d show up at her apartment and rummage through her things. And just when she thought it was all just a game, Qin Cong’an would still be wearing that ring.

Fans of both Qin Cong’an and the AnLing ship were curious about the ring — where it came from, why she suddenly wore it and never took it off. It didn’t seem like a brand collaboration. Xu Ling, on the other hand, wore different jewelry every day.

Xu Ling was curious too, but never asked. Not after the night Qin Cong’an left.

The team behind their collaborations also noticed the CP had reached commercial value — even the staff were shipping them now, which made everyone more observant on set.

It was subtle. Sometimes they’d huddle over a small object, heads together, looking cozy. Sometimes, when the cameras were off, they didn’t even glance at each other — or one would look while the other didn’t. Like their timing never matched.

It gave fans chest pains. But it was addictive.

They were heading on a work trip — to a southern island — for a joint magazine cover and pictorial.

They’d both worked with this magazine before. Qin Cong’an had done three solo covers. Xu Ling had done an editorial ad with two other Chinese models.

After boarding the plane, Xu Ling saw Qin Cong’an already seated, leisurely flipping through a magazine. At first, Xu Ling didn’t think much of it — until she recognized the cover. Oh no. That was the issue she had been in!

She’d shot an underwear ad for that one. The steamy type… she was doomed.

It had been three years! Maybe Qin Cong’an didn’t recognize her? She’d darkened her skin with oil in those photos — maybe she looked completely different?

No. Qin Cong’an definitely knew it was her. That issue couldn’t possibly still be lying around on the plane after all this time.

Xu Ling had also collected all three of Qin Cong’an’s issues — bought them ages ago and displayed them like holy relics.

She remembered every outfit Qin Cong’an wore in them, every styling. Her favorite was the all-white ensemble with her hair tied back — she looked like a goddess.

That mental image calmed her a little, like a moment of spiritual purification.

Then Qin Cong’an held up the magazine across the aisle, pointed to the inner page — specifically to someone’s thigh — and raised an eyebrow: This is you, right?

“…” Xu Ling nodded, dead inside.

Qin Cong’an had only confirmed it to see her reaction. Satisfied, she turned back and studied the photo. A few pages followed — all stunning. Three professional models, all limbs and elegance. Though… why did all their arms and legs have to be so entangled?

It’s probably art, Qin Cong’an thought. But I don’t get it. She covered the other two with her hand, focusing on Xu Ling alone. Ah, now I get it.

Tan-skinned Xu Ling. Leopard-print lingerie. That haughty expression — she really did look like a powerful predator. Especially those faint abdominal lines leading downward…

She looked like dark chocolate: slightly bitter, intoxicating, and irresistible.

Qin Cong’an turned to look at her again. Xu Ling was fanning herself with the magazine. A flight attendant asked if she was hot. She waved it off, looking so cute — like a baby leopard.

Xu Ling noticed Qin Cong’an watching her but avoided her gaze. No way was she going to heat up even more. She regretted agreeing to this flight… and that was just the beginning.

Next, they had to take the same boat. The island was an hour away from the mainland.

Xu Ling got seasick, even with meds. As the boat rocked violently, she felt woozy. She glanced at Qin Cong’an and saw her chatting calmly with Lin Xinnuo near the edge of the deck, like they were enjoying the view and snapping pics.

Xu Ling didn’t even dare go near the edge.

Yi Huai also got seasick — sprawled on the floor, image be damned.

Xu Ling closed her eyes and breathed deeply, praying time would speed up. Did we really have to shoot on this island? Any beach would’ve done. Guess yacht dates are off the table for me and Qin Cong’an… sigh. I even forgot how that ad turned out. What if she thinks I looked bad in it…

Her thoughts spiraled until the plastic chair beside her creaked. Someone sat down — and grabbed her hand.

Xu Ling opened her eyes and saw that familiar hand — the one wearing her ring — now massaging the web between her thumb and index finger.

“Just read this — if you get seasick, pressing here can help,” Qin Cong’an said. She didn’t have her phone, and Lin Xinnuo had poor signal, so they had searched it on the deck.

“Oh…”

“Feeling better?” Qin Cong’an asked. When Xu Ling nodded, she reached behind her neck to press another spot. “This one helps too.”

It worked. But was it the acupressure that worked — or the fact that her crush was the one doing it? That gentle, firm hand on her skin… How is anyone supposed to not fall in love like this?

Qin Cong’an suddenly said, “I saw someone online call you ‘Xu Xu’. Pretty fitting.”

“…” Xu Ling glared. So annoying! “Don’t you have any weak spots?”

“Of course I do.”

“What are they?”

Qin Cong’an kept pressing the spot at her neck, but didn’t answer. After a moment, she asked, “Why would I reveal my weakness to you?”

“Fine, don’t say it.” Xu Ling pouted. “I know it anyway.”

Qin Cong’an frowned. “What is it?”

Xu Ling didn’t know, but gave her a mysterious look worth overthinking. The pressure on her neck suddenly increased — a little painful. But it was a familiar pain. One she hadn’t felt in a long time.