After Marrying the Cold Omega in Secret (GL, ABO) - Chapter 12
After the lottery draw, it was already eight o’clock.
The live broadcast would end at nine, so the crew planned to show a few more indoor scenes. Everyone said goodnight and returned to their assigned rooms in pairs.
Chu Jin still felt a little uneasy. She wandered around outside for a bit before the production team finally urged her to return to her room on the second floor.
After spending a day together, everyone had formed a first impression of one another.
Now, back in the room, they had to choose their person of interest and send a message.
When Chu Jin entered, Chi Ye was sitting at the desk by the window, working. She had her back turned, which made Chu Jin feel more comfortable.
Before returning to their rooms, the crew had given everyone a new phone with a new SIM card. There was only one contact saved in the phone, labeled “Crush Mailbox.” This was to ensure anonymity. After choosing their person of interest, they would send a message to this account, and it would be forwarded anonymously to the intended recipient.
Chu Jin didn’t want to disturb Chi Ye, so she quietly went to take a shower. After freshening up, she sat on the sofa across from the bed, dressed in her nightgown.
Just as she was about to pick up her phone, a notification came in on the new one.
It was from the production team:
“Now that you’ve met, please send a short message to the person who caught your eye today. Submit it before 9:00 p.m.”
Chu Jin sat there, thinking hard.
She hadn’t talked much with anyone today. Aside from Chi Ye and Yan Sisi, the only proper conversations she had were with Xin Ning, Zhou Meng, and the photographer Wen Zhixue.
Before sending the message, Chu Jin took a quick look at the live feed. The screen was rotating through shots of each room. She also checked the CP (couple pairing) rankings and saw that because of Chi Ye’s earlier exchange with Zhou Meng, the “Reserved Couple” had firmly taken the top spot.
With a sigh, Chu Jin rubbed her temple. She knew she had to reduce interactions with Chi Ye if she wanted someone else to surpass them later.
She opened Weiyin and found that her follower count had increased by thirty thousand. The comments were full of compliments about her looks and people passionately shipping her with Chi Ye.
Chu Jin closed the app and looked at Chi Ye’s figure at the window. She spaced out for a moment.
Chi Ye was also on her phone, typing slowly and carefully, as if she were choosing her words with great caution. After a long time, she finally put the phone down.
There was no doubt in Chu Jin’s mind that the message had been sent to Yan Sisi.
Lowering her eyes, Chu Jin deleted and rewrote her message several times before finally settling on someone she thought made the most sense—Wen Zhixue.
The message she sent was short:
“Good night. Sweet dreams.”
She hit send just as the clock struck nine.
That marked the end of the day’s live stream. The crew had arranged an interactive activity for viewers, asking them to guess who had sent a message to whom. Anyone who got every answer right would receive a special prize.
Shortly after the stream ended, messages started arriving from the Crush Mailbox to the recipients.
Chu Jin was surprised to receive two.
The first message said:
“I hope we get the chance to work together someday.”
That was obviously from Wen Zhixue.
She hadn’t expected they would end up messaging each other. Chu Jin began to wonder if this might lead to a new CP pairing on the show.
Then she opened the second message.
It was brief, but it hit her like a bolt of lightning.
“Good night, jie jie.”
Chu Jin instinctively looked up at Chi Ye, then quickly turned her gaze away.
It couldn’t be her.
It had to be Xin Ning.
But hadn’t Xin Ning already shown clear interest in someone else? Based on her personality, she should have sent her message directly to Chen Mo.
Still, it was impossible that Chi Ye had sent it.
Chu Jin tried to convince herself that Xin Ning had only acted interested in Chen Mo as a distraction, and had really come here for her all along.
Yes, that had to be it.
Even as she reassured herself, her racing heartbeat betrayed her growing unease.
To avoid letting Chi Ye notice anything, Chu Jin calmly got up and took a small tablecloth to cover the room’s cameras.
Even though the stream had ended, it was better to be safe and protect her privacy.
Just as she finished covering the cameras, Chi Ye closed her laptop and stood up.
Their eyes met briefly.
Chu Jin was about to speak, hoping to break the awkward silence, but Chi Ye spoke first.
“Filming is over. The agreement terms are back in effect.”
Chu Jin was caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Before joining the show, they had agreed to act like strangers while filming, which meant the contract terms would be paused.
She hadn’t expected that the agreement would resume as soon as the cameras were off.
“What? Are you worried about a penalty?” Chi Ye gave her a quick glance.
The question hit right where it hurt. Chu Jin forced a smile and replied,
“No need to bring up money. President Chi, if you have any requests, just say so.”
Chi Ye looked at her for a while, her expression unreadable.
In the end, she simply said,
“Nothing in particular.”
“Get some rest.”
Chu Jin had mentally prepared herself for anything, but Chi Ye just let her go to sleep.
She was confused but didn’t question it, watching Chi Ye head into the bathroom for a shower.
Normally, Chu Jin would have felt relieved.
But today, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
The images kept flashing in her mind: Chi Ye whispering to Yan Sisi during dinner, immediately offering to help after Yan Sisi volunteered to cook.
Those scenes played over and over like thorns in her heart not exactly painful, but undeniably unsettling.
Chu Jin couldn’t understand exactly why she was feeling this way. Maybe she was just worried that Chi Ye would decide to end their agreement.
She was afraid the one billion yuan would suddenly disappear.
This time, Chi Ye truly didn’t ask Chu Jin to do anything for her. Even after she had finished washing up, turned off the lights, and they had both gone to bed, lying separately, Chi Ye didn’t call her name again.
Chu Jin had gotten into bed early. She lay on her side, with her back facing Chi Ye. Her eyes had been closed ever since Chi Ye came out of the bathroom, but she never actually fell asleep.
After a while, Chu Jin turned to face Chi Ye. In the dim light, she could just barely make out her face.
She couldn’t help but ask softly, “President Chi, are you asleep?”
After a few seconds, Chi Ye replied.
“Not yet.”
Hearing her answer, Chu Jin didn’t know what else to say. She could only ask the question that had been on her mind.
“If our agreement ends early, what happens then?”
“You want to end it?” Chi Ye interrupted her.
Her tone was not very pleasant.
“No, I’m just afraid you will,” Chu Jin explained gently.
“Why would I?” Chi Ye asked. Her voice sounded truly puzzled, like she couldn’t understand why Chu Jin would even think that.
Chu Jin took a deep breath and tried to explain clearly. “It’s just… if you and Yan Sisi get back together, then you wouldn’t still stay with me, right?”
“I won’t,” Chi Ye replied.
Only two words, but her voice was firm and unquestionable.
Chu Jin was surprised. President Chi could really hold a grudge.
She said three years, and she meant it. She would not stop her revenge until the three years were up.
Part of Chu Jin’s heart felt relieved, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but respect her a little. And she warned herself silently not to ever cross this woman.
Because if she did, the consequences would be serious.
“I’m glad,” Chu Jin said. Her heavy mood finally lifted, and a small smile formed on her lips.
Although it was too dark for Chi Ye to see her expression, she could still hear the joy in her voice.
“Go to sleep,” Chi Ye said quietly, closing her eyes. After a pause, she added softly, “Good night.”
Hearing those two words made Chu Jin’s heart tighten again. She suddenly remembered that heart-fluttering text message and worried Chi Ye might say something more afterward.
Thankfully, after saying good night, Chi Ye remained quiet.
Chu Jin whispered back, “Good night, President Chi.”
She thought she would finally be able to fall asleep. Feeling more at ease, drowsiness began to wash over her. But just as she started drifting off, Chi Ye spoke again.
“This isn’t filming time.”
Chu Jin was already deep in sleepiness. When she heard those words, she replied almost without thinking.
Her voice was soft and affectionate. “Good night, wifey.”
After that, she completely lost consciousness, swept away by her dreams.
But Chu Jin was a light sleeper. The moment she heard a soft hiss from the bed next to hers, she opened her eyes.
Even though she was still groggy, her body reacted on instinct. She sat up with concern and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She saw Chi Ye sitting halfway up, her body bent slightly forward. The blanket was in disarray, and although she was clearly trying to bear the pain, she looked like she was really struggling. Her breathing was heavy and uneven.
A sharp breath escaped her lips as she winced.
“My calf cramped,” she said.
When Chu Jin heard that, she immediately became alert. Without hesitation, she got up and sat on Chi Ye’s bed.
“Straighten your leg. I’ll help you press it out.”
In that moment, Chu Jin didn’t hold back or wait for Chi Ye’s permission. She lifted the blanket and placed her hand directly on Chi Ye’s smooth leg.
With her other hand, she gripped Chi Ye’s foot and gently but firmly pushed it down.
She watched Chi Ye’s expression closely. After about thirty seconds, the pain on Chi Ye’s face slowly eased, and her furrowed brows began to relax.
“Feeling better?” Chu Jin asked.
“Yes,” Chi Ye nodded.
She reached up, trying to massage the sore muscle herself.
“I’ll do it,” Chu Jin said before she could, placing her hand gently on Chi Ye’s calf.
She began to massage it carefully with just the right amount of pressure.
They hadn’t turned on the lights. In the quiet darkness, the two of them were very close. Close enough to hear each other’s breathing. So quiet they could even feel each other’s heartbeat.
Chi Ye couldn’t help but look at Chu Jin. Her eyes, braver than in daylight, were full of desire.
Chu Jin was wearing a black silk nightdress. The thin straps and soft fabric already made her look mature and seductive. After all the movement, the neckline had slipped lower. As she leaned forward slightly, the shadows inside revealed a glimpse of softness.
She was kneeling beside Chi Ye, and her dress had ridden up, exposing smooth, fair skin.
Chu Jin didn’t notice Chi Ye’s gaze. Her warm hands continued the massage as she looked up and asked, “How are you feeling now?”
Chi Ye quickly looked away. A moment later, her brow furrowed again.
“It still hurts a little.”