After Rebirth, the Cold and Aloof Film Queen Always Wants to Cuddle with Me - Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Hearing that term of address made Lin Ruijiao shudder all over. What was with Ye Ruihuan’s sudden, inexplicable concern? This was not like her at all—definitely not normal.
“Mm… I’m fine. Thanks for your… concern, Ye—” Lin Ruijiao quickly cut herself off, realizing how cloying that name sounded.
Tsk, disobedient again. This little flower vase really was unruly. The upturned corners of Ye Ruihuan’s lips dropped, and she instantly lost interest, lazily turning back to the tablet in her hands.
The atmosphere in the car instantly quieted down, filled with the oppressive aura Ye Ruihuan naturally exuded. The driver and Assistant Li were used to it, and Lin Ruijiao had no desire to interact with her, so she simply closed her eyes and pretended to rest for the ride.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Zhou Yanyan came over, hooking her arm around the solitary Lin Ruijiao.
“Ruijiao, how are things with President Ye?” Her eyes practically burned with gossip-fueled curiosity.
“Zhou-jie, nothing really. President Ye was busy working the whole time,” Lin Ruijiao replied sweetly with a smile.
“Huh?” Zhou Yanyan looked disappointed. She’d thought something might be happening between them—especially after seeing their behavior earlier. “Ruijiao, it’s always good for newcomers to put in more effort around President Ye, okay?” She couldn’t help but offer some heartfelt advice, looking at the obedient little sister beside her.
Lin Ruijiao nodded. “Okay, Zhou-jie.”
Ahem. Assistant Li cleared her throat up front, reminding them that this might not be the right place for whispering secrets.
Unbeknownst to them, Ye Ruihuan, who had been walking ahead, had slowed down until she was just in front of them. Though her face showed little expression as she overheard their conversation, her eyes were like ice.
Zhou-jie? This little bunny was calling everyone jie? Laughing and chatting with others, but cold only to her? Clearly, she’d been too nice.
Zhou Yanyan quickly approached with a smile. “Ye-jie.”
Lin Ruijiao, being pulled along, quickly hid behind her, avoiding any contact with Ye Ruihuan. Even when Zhou Yanyan was trying to give her a chance to shine, she dodged it completely.
“Ruijiao?”
“Zhou-jie, I’m a little scared of President Ye,” she whispered behind her.
“Ye-jie’s actually pretty nice. No need to be afraid. She just seems a bit hard to approach,” Zhou Yanyan gently reassured her.
“Mhm.” Lin Ruijiao nodded obediently. Nice? Ye Ruihuan was anything but easy to approach. She knew that too well. In her past life, she’d just been blinded by love, foolishly believing Ye Ruihuan was flawless.
At the dinner table, there were only a dozen or so people, including Lin Ruijiao. For an unknown actress like her, she wouldn’t have been invited if not for Ye Ruihuan’s pull—everyone knew it.
After everyone was seated, the producer smiled and said, “President Ye, Director Chen, would you like to order anything else?”
Ye Ruihuan took the menu and seriously flipped through it, selecting her favorite dishes.
“We’re all familiar faces here. Who is this?” someone at the table asked, clearly fishing for information about Lin Ruijiao.
“This is a newcomer from our company. Please—” Assistant Li began, but was cut off.
“A newcomer should behave like one. No need to tiptoe around her,” Ye Ruihuan said indifferently.
Everyone around the table exchanged glances—Ye Ruihuan’s attitude was truly hard to read. Still, since she said so, they assumed the girl wasn’t important.
In such a setting, her words were as good as public humiliation. They cut like knives into Lin Ruijiao’s heart, but she remained expressionless, quietly lowering her head, saying nothing.
Seeing her so downcast, Zhou Yanyan felt a pang of sympathy and patted her arm in comfort.
Even Assistant Li’s gaze lingered on her, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
Through the entire meal, the room buzzed with laughter and conversation—except for Lin Ruijiao, who sat silently like a pitiful little thing, focusing solely on her food.
Zhou Yanyan sighed softly beside her, constantly placing dishes into her bowl. The girl’s situation reminded her of her own early days in the industry—ignored and looked down upon.
Afterward, Zhou Yanyan had Lin Ruijiao ride with her in the same car, comforting her the whole way back to the hotel.
Lin Ruijiao nodded along obediently. She didn’t mind it that much. In fact, the dinner served as a wake-up call: Ye Ruihuan held the reins of her acting career. If she kept pushing her buttons, her entire future might go down the drain. It was time to change her approach to dealing with Ye Ruihuan.
Meanwhile, in the black business car, Assistant Li looked conflicted. Finally, she mustered her courage. “Ye-jie, weren’t your words today… a bit harsh?”
“Harsh?” Ye Ruihuan opened her eyes and looked straight at her.
“…No. Just, Miss Lin is still a newcomer…” Assistant Li wisely stopped talking.
Ye Ruihuan didn’t respond, closing her eyes again to rest. But Assistant Li’s words stuck with her.
Back at the hotel, Lin Ruijiao had barely returned when Sister Wang came knocking, bombarding her with questions. With no mental energy to sort through everything, she gave vague replies.
Meanwhile, Ye Ruihuan called over Assistant Li. “Xiao Li, bring Lin Ruijiao here.”
Assistant Li looked pleased. “Yes, Ye-jie.” She hurried off to find her. Hopefully, that Miss Lin would learn to read the room better and stop angering Ye-jie.
As they walked upstairs together, Assistant Li gently asked, “Miss Lin, do you have some kind of grudge against Ye-jie?”
“Not at all, Assistant Li,” Lin Ruijiao smiled. “Thanks for your concern.”
“You’re welcome.” Assistant Li scratched her nose awkwardly. She’s so easy to get along with—why the cold shoulder with Ye-jie?
At the top-floor presidential suite, Assistant Li knocked symbolically before pushing the door open.
“Ye-jie, Miss Lin is here,” she said respectfully, looking at Ye Ruihuan curled up on the sofa. “I’ll take my leave now. Let me know if you need anything.”
Once the door closed, Ye Ruihuan finally moved. She lifted her eyes to look at Lin Ruijiao, who stood there like a student being punished, and her stern expression softened a little.
“Come here.”
“Yes, Ruihuan.” Lin Ruijiao obediently sat beside her. If she couldn’t avoid this, she’d just play along.
Hearing that address, Ye Ruihuan raised an eyebrow. Has the little bunny finally learned?
She turned and lifted Lin Ruijiao’s delicate chin. “Say it again.” Her eyes shimmered faintly with expectation and excitement.
Lin Ruijiao froze for a moment, then smiled softly. “Ruihuan.” Her voice was light as a feather, soft and fluffy, tugging at Ye Ruihuan’s heartstrings.
Even though she looked so compliant and flattering, her subtle physical reactions betrayed her inner resistance.
Ye Ruihuan took it all in but didn’t care. That sweet sound alone soothed days of exhaustion. Her eyes sparkled with affection and a hint of infatuation.
“Why didn’t you call me that during the day?” she asked, gently stroking Lin Ruijiao’s cheek. So soft. Those round eyes were just too cute.
“There were too many people around… I wasn’t used to it,” Lin Ruijiao mumbled and turned her head. Ye Ruihuan really hadn’t changed—always toying with younger girls without a second thought. But I’m not that naive girl anymore—not in age or mindset.
Seeing the faint blush creeping up her ears, Ye Ruihuan chuckled. “Huh, didn’t expect you to blush so easily.” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind Lin Ruijiao’s ear. The skin she touched was burning hot.
“Say it a few more times, and you’ll get used to it. You won’t be shy anymore.” Her gaze was warm, like a lake in spring, rippling gently.
Lin Ruijiao ducked her head. For the sake of my career, I can do this! She’s the shameless one—why should I be embarrassed? I’m not losing anything!!
After some mental pep talk, she lifted her head and took a deep breath. “Ruihuan, Ruihuan, Ruihuan…” Her soft white cheeks were tinged with pink, and her big, blinking eyes sparkled like gems—utterly endearing.
“Mm, so obedient.” Ye Ruihuan patted her head, a radiant smile blooming on her face. This substitute flower vase was finally shaping up.
“Look at me,” she said, lifting Lin Ruijiao’s chin again.
Lin Ruijiao hesitated slightly but eventually met her eyes. The moment their gazes locked, she quickly looked away. There was too much heat in Ye Ruihuan’s gaze—so intense, she seemed to be searching for the one she truly loved through her.
“Jiaojiao, look at me.” Ye Ruihuan’s smile deepened, clearly enjoying herself.
For the sake of my career, I can do this!!! Lin Ruijiao braced herself internally. I’m not losing anything!!!
She obediently met her gaze again. Her eyes flickered with emotions before settling into a mix of shyness and discomfort.
“Your smile’s a bit stiff. Relax your face,” Ye Ruihuan instructed, studying her carefully. “No smile for now—just relax.”
Lin Ruijiao swallowed hard. This woman really is…ugh.
“That’s better. You look really pretty when you relax.” Now, she was starting to resemble Yulan a bit.
Ye Ruihuan leaned in closer, her eyes full of warmth and affection. Lin Ruijiao instinctively leaned back.
But Ye Ruihuan wasn’t about to let her prized project walk away so soon. She reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in until their noses were practically touching.
Even in her past life, no matter how passionate things got in bed, they’d never had such intimate gestures. Across two lifetimes, Ye Ruihuan had been her only lover—but Lin Ruijiao was a complete novice in romance. As they went on, she couldn’t help feeling genuinely shy.
She lowered her head, muttering inside: Ye Ruihuan, you wicked capitalist! Old woman! Scumbag…
Just as Ye Ruihuan pulled back a little, giving her some space to breathe, Lin Ruijiao lifted her head—and her lips brushed against Ye Ruihuan’s cheek, landing squarely on the corner of her mouth.
Her eyes flew open wide in shock. She instinctively wiped her lips with her hand, completely flustered.
“Jiaojiao, you like me that much, huh?” Ye Ruihuan burst into delighted laughter, teasing her mercilessly.