After Rebirth, the Cold and Aloof Film Queen Always Wants to Cuddle with Me - Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The conversation ended abruptly, and the two of them had very different interpretations of what had just been said. Ye Ruihuan believed her feelings and confession had been clearly conveyed, and her entire demeanor softened, her eyes full of affection.

But what she didn’t expect was that the other person interpreted it completely differently. Unseen, a wall had formed between them—one that couldn’t be broken. Though they were still physically close, they couldn’t touch each other’s hearts, nor reach into each other’s inner world…

The next day, both appeared early in front of the others. Ye Ruihuan seemed to be in a pretty good mood, while Lin Ruijiao, on the other hand, had lost her previously radiant smile and looked somewhat unwilling.

“They’re here! I got up early just to catch this moment! Finally!”
“Ahhhh, same! What exactly happened between them yesterday? I need some insider scoop—PM me, I swear I won’t leak it!”
“Me too, count me in. I’ll even pay. Did they fight? Ruijiao doesn’t look okay… Did Ye Jie bully her?]
“Damn, why does my girl Ruijiao look so bad today? Ye Ruihuan, don’t bully someone just because you’re older!”
“Excuse me?! How’s it Ye Jie’s fault again? Just because she looks cool doesn’t mean she’s the bad guy!”
“What nonsense? Ruijiao didn’t curse even once—how is that bullying?”
“Stop fighting. Honestly, don’t they just look like a couple that had a spat?”
“??? Don’t try to ride our Ye Jie’s popularity, please.”
“??? Our Ruijiao would NEVER be paired with Ye Ruihuan, thank you!!!”

The production crew gave them a few reminders, and under everyone’s watchful eyes, the two got into a small boat and headed to a nearby island, slowly drifting away.

“Wait what?! A couple’s island date?! Is someone gonna get pushed into the water mid-way?!”
“OMG… never thought I’d see this happen. They wouldn’t dare, right? Not on XX Channel?!”
“Exactly, this must be for show. Our Ye Jie would never agree to this! Especially with Lin Ruijiao. Don’t make me laugh.”
“What the hell? Wasn’t it Ye Ruihuan who started it? Stirring drama and now blaming others?”
“Exactly. Just go, Ye Ruihuan. Ruijiao deserves the spotlight alone.”
“Holy crap, they’re really on the island. The boat’s gone!!”
“No way. Are they actually leaving them alone there?!”
“Wait… the camera’s zooming out?! For real?!”
“OMG, what if they fight on the island?”
“Ruijiao, protect yourself!!”
“Stop acting like Ye Jie’s some villain, okay?!”

On the livestream, the two were seen from a distance—Lin Ruijiao waved back, while Ye Ruihuan walked toward the house on the island. Their figures grew smaller until they disappeared, and the stream switched to interactions among the other guests.

Now alone on the island, with no cameras or microphones, the two could finally be themselves. They roamed freely. To be fair, the island house was beautifully arranged. Every corner was decorated with colorful flowers. It was warm and romantic—a perfect place for a date.

Ye Ruihuan casually curled up on the sofa, looking relaxed and a bit sleepy.

When Lin Ruijiao walked in, this was the sight she saw—graceful and quiet Ye Ruihuan draped over the armrest, glowing with a soft, serene aura.

She couldn’t help but glance again and immediately met Ye Ruihuan’s smiling eyes. She quickly looked away and started wandering around the house. There was even a game room, and the fridge was well-stocked. She made her way upstairs where there was a large balcony. Sunshine spilled onto the sea, creating a dazzling silver shimmer. In the distance, you could even see the production crew’s villa—a cute pink-painted house that looked sweet and romantic.

Next to the balcony was the bedroom—but it was the only one.

Lin Ruijiao looked all around and eventually returned downstairs.

“There’s only one bedroom,” she said, blinking her round eyes at Ye Ruihuan.

“…Yeah.” Ye Ruihuan had known this all along. Originally there were two bedrooms, but at her request, the crew had them changed. Her assistant Li had arranged it perfectly.

Unfortunately, the crew would be back in the afternoon to pick them up.

“What about a nap then?” Lin Ruijiao threw the question back.

“Sleep. What do you mean?” Ye Ruihuan raised her eyes with an innocent look.

Lin Ruijiao hesitated, then let out a sigh and went to play games, knowing she wouldn’t get a straight answer from Ye Ruihuan.

With just the two of them in the house, every movement was noticeable. Suddenly, the sound of water boiling came from the kitchen. Curious, Lin Ruijiao peeked over and was stunned to find Ye Ruihuan busying herself in there.

Ye Ruihuan doing chores? That’s new.

She moved skillfully, boiling water, pulling out a jar from the cabinet, and preparing a teapot and cups on the counter.

Ye Ruihuan turned and caught Lin Ruijiao peeking. She chuckled, “Want some tea?”

Almost involuntarily, Lin Ruijiao nodded, shuffled to the sofa, and sat down to wait.

Watching her work, elegant and refined in a light dress, Ye Ruihuan’s aura was warm and gentle—so different from the version she thought she knew. This side of her felt real, like soft everyday light.

Lin Ruijiao’s thoughts drifted to her past life. Fragments of memories flickered in her mind like bursts of fireworks—beautiful but fleeting. A short life, gone in a blink.

“Here you go, Jiao Jiao,” Ye Ruihuan handed her the cup. The fresh aroma of tea drifted up with the steam. Her smiling face, blurred behind the rising mist, looked soft and gentle—no trace of her usual aloofness.

“…Thanks.” Lin Ruijiao was caught off guard, dazed.

“It’s hot, wait a bit before drinking,” Ye Ruihuan said softly, sitting beside her.

“…Okay.” Lin Ruijiao took a small whiff. The heat was intense, but the tea’s aroma was refreshing. She placed the cup down.

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, its hands wrapped with tiny flowers. A breeze lifted both of their hair. They sat there, silent and still, as if time had stopped.

Staring at the steaming cup, Lin Ruijiao felt lost. This version of Ye Ruihuan was unlike anything she remembered. In her past life, Ye Ruihuan had always been proud and distant—even when they were close, this kind of gentleness was rare.

Let alone brewing tea for her.

Without realizing it, Lin Ruijiao got up, tea in hand, and headed upstairs. She sat under the lacy shade umbrella, sipping slowly and enjoying the sea breeze.

But then, a light skirt swayed into her view.

She looked up and saw Ye Ruihuan coming toward her with a gentle smile, all her coldness swept away by the sun. She seemed to glow, like a refined, virtuous noble lady—beautiful and serene.

Lin Ruijiao’s gaze drifted to the shimmering sea. It was peaceful. The past seemed like smoke in the air—light, fading. In this moment, Lin Ruijiao was simply Lin Ruijiao. And Ye Ruihuan was simply Ye Ruihuan. All the tangled ties between them dissolved, as if they had finally been untangled and set free.

“The view up here is pretty nice,” Ye Ruihuan’s soft voice suddenly said.

“Yeah, the weather’s perfect too.” Lin Ruijiao looked into the distance, the sky dotted with fluffy clouds.

Ye Ruihuan followed her gaze, paused for a few seconds, then turned her eyes back to Lin Ruijiao. The sunlight bathed her fair skin, and those round eyes sparkled like stars—fresh as the breeze, soft as the clouds, captivating and ethereal.

It made one’s heart flutter. Made one want to lean in and kiss her.

“The tea should be drinkable now,” Ye Ruihuan said gently.

“Mm.” Lin Ruijiao smiled and took a sip. It was fragrant—very different from the rich teas she usually drank.

“Is it good?” Ye Ruihuan asked with a bright smile, eyes full of anticipation.

“Yes.” She nodded.

Ye Ruihuan’s smile deepened. Lin Ruijiao paused, then asked, “Ruihuan, have you changed lately? You seem… different.”

“…Not really. I’m still the same.” Ye Ruihuan froze briefly, then smiled even wider.

Clearly, Jiao Jiao cared about her—enough to notice such small changes. That thought made Ye Ruihuan even happier.

Lin Ruijiao looked down and didn’t respond.

“But my attitude toward you has changed,” Ye Ruihuan added, eyes fixed on her.

Lin Ruijiao looked up, stunned. What does that even mean?
Hadn’t she always treated her the same way? Or… had she become such a good stand-in that Ye Ruihuan actually preferred this version of her?

Her thoughts became a tangled mess, impossible to sort out.

Ye Ruihuan’s words—so vague—only made things more confusing.