After Swapping Bodies with the Movie Queen, She Ended Up with Me (GL) - Chapter 25

The first to return were Xu Qing and Jiang Jiang. Xu Qing was carrying a large bouquet of fresh flowers, while Jiang Jiang held a teddy bear so big it nearly blocked the doorway, making it difficult for them to squeeze inside.

“What’s all this?” Rong Qing curiously approached and helped Jiang Jiang lift the oversized teddy bear that was almost dragging on the floor. Each of them took an end—one holding the head, the other the feet—and placed it on the living room sofa.

Mu Lingwan had just finished her work, still speckled with bits of white glue and paper scraps. She came over and sniffed the items.

“Lilies,” Mu Lingwan remarked, eyeing the bouquet in Xu Qing’s arms. “Where did you get so many flowers? These must’ve cost a fortune, right?”

With the villa’s tight budget and the 4,000 spent on new soft furnishings, if Xu Qing—that fool—had splurged hundreds on flowers and a stuffed toy, Mu Lingwan might just lose it.

“They were free,” Xu Qing said with a smile. “These were rewards from today’s mission.”

“Rewards?” Rong Qing was puzzled. “What did you two do today? Why did you bring things back?”

“We went to work,” Jiang Jiang explained. “Our assigned task was ‘A Day at Work.’ Since our studio isn’t far from here, we spent the day there.”

“And where did these come from?”

“Fans gave them to us.”

Mu Lingwan understood immediately. Without hesitation, she took the bouquet from Xu Qing and said cheerfully, “Perfect. I felt like the new bedroom was missing something. I’ll go freshen these up. Can someone find me a vase?”

Jiang Jiang volunteered, “I’ll do it. I know where the vases are.”

Xu Qing watched as Mu Lingwan whisked her girlfriend away, crossing her arms and shaking her head before turning to Rong Qing. “Hey, were you guys busy decorating the new room today? Is it all done?”

“Pretty much,” Rong Qing replied, her eyes curving into happy crescents. “Want to take a look?”

Xu Qing immediately bounded over, linking arms with Rong Qing and pulling her upstairs. “Yes! Show me now!”

The lilies were divided into several vases—one in the kitchen, one in the living room, a few left in Xu Qing and Jiang Jiang’s bedroom, and the rest placed in the new room.

Mu Lingwan had just entered with the flowers when she saw Xu Qing sitting on the newly purchased bed, patting the mattress and telling Rong Qing, “This is so comfortable—way better than mine at home. And I love the color scheme. Who picked it?”

“Me,” Mu Lingwan said, setting down the vase and walking over. “Mind if I borrow your bear? The room feels a bit empty, and that big teddy would look perfect on the new sofa.”

“Sure!”

The two quickly agreed and went downstairs to haul the bear upstairs. They placed it on the sofa, tucking a pillow into its brown arms, instantly making the room feel cozier.

Xu Qing was delighted with the room’s setup. After snapping a few photos, she prepared to post them on Weibo. Mu Lingwan didn’t stop her, letting her share freely.

“Any dinner requests?” Jiang Jiang, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up as the evening approached. “Mu Lingwan cooked yesterday, so I’ll handle tonight’s meal.”

“I miss the cola chicken wings you make.” Xu Qing and Mu Lingwan were sitting by the bed chatting when Xu Qing looked up and said this upon hearing it.

Jiang Jiang nodded. Since Mu Lingwan didn’t have any particular cravings, she casually suggested, “How about salad?”

“Ming Qiao and Shen Nian seem to be back too.” Rong Qing stood by the window and saw another production team car arriving in the yard. She turned to Jiang Jiang and said, “I’ll help you prepare. You probably can’t handle it alone.”

Seeing Rong Qing and Jiang Jiang about to go downstairs, Mu Lingwan didn’t want to stay sitting either. She stood up and said to Xu Qing, “Let’s go downstairs too. We’ve finished decorating here.”

Xu Qing nodded, and the four of them went downstairs together.

Shen Nian and Ming Qiao entered the villa one after another. For some reason, both looked upset—especially Shen Nian, who had lost her initial cheerfulness and seemed visibly angry.

But when she looked up and saw Rong Qing coming downstairs, she froze momentarily before forcing a smile and greeting, “Sister Mu, Teacher Xu Qing.”

Rong Qing shivered at the sight of her, unable to forget how Shen Nian had hugged her last night and confessed her feelings. She awkwardly smiled back in acknowledgment.

Xu Qing didn’t know what had happened between them, but she could sense Rong Qing’s discomfort and felt slightly puzzled.

Just then, the director, seeing everyone had gathered, announced, “Now that both groups who went out for work dates have returned, and Teacher Xu Qing’s group has already seen the new room, it’s time for Ming Qiao and Shen Nian to go upstairs and check out the room decorated by our guests Mu Lingwan and Rong Qing.”

Xu Qing eagerly raised her hand. “I’ll take them to see it!”

No one objected, so Xu Qing cheerfully led Ming Qiao upstairs. Shen Nian lingered at the staircase, hesitating as she looked at Rong Qing, but accidentally met Mu Lingwan’s gaze instead. The two locked eyes unexpectedly for a brief moment.

Shen Nian froze before hurriedly turning away and heading upstairs.

The camera captured Mu Lingwan’s expression head-on, but she didn’t mind. Crossing her arms, she watched Shen Nian obediently go upstairs before turning to the kitchen to assist Rong Qing and Jiang Jiang.

Say what you will, but Rong Qing’s possessiveness is intense. Shen Nian just glanced at Sister Mu, and her look could kill.

Rong Qing and Mu Lingwan are so shippable! Who doesn’t love an older sister? Who doesn’t love a younger partner!

I’m team older partner—Mu Lingwan’s aura has always been strong. Even if it’s toned down for this show, there’s no way she’s a bottom. Our sister would definitely be the top in any relationship!

The audience went wild over Mu Lingwan’s single glance.

Over the past few days of filming, public opinion about “Rong Qing” had shifted. While some criticized her for yelling at the director, others praised her for speaking up against the director’s harsh and inappropriate questions. Why blame the victim?

As the situation developed, perspectives changed further. Combined with the PR team Zhou Ying had arranged to rehabilitate Mu Lingwan’s image, “Rong Qing” was gradually gaining fans. Even a ship name—MuRong or RongMu—had emerged, with an active fan community.

Yet Rong Qing remained completely unaware of all this…

Dinner was prepared by Jiang Jiang and Rong Qing, mainly using the leftover ingredients in the fridge. Apart from the cola chicken wings requested by Xu Qing, there was also salad, stir-fried greens, a mixed vegetable stew, and a dish called “piglet under the blanket” that Jiang Jiang had found in a recipe book.

When the six dishes and one soup were served, the entire dining room was filled with an enticing aroma.

“Wow!” Xu Qing enthusiastically picked up her phone and snapped a couple of photos, exclaiming, “Today’s meal is so lavish! And it’s all my favorite food!”

Jiang Jiang sat beside her and smiled softly.

Shen Nian was also tempted by the spread before her. She usually skipped dinner, but these past few days, Rong Qing had been cooking all sorts of delicious meals, making her feel like her waistline had thickened a bit.

Shen Nian picked up a bite of the mixed vegetable stew, catching it in a small bowl before taking a taste. The savory flavor filled her mouth, exceptionally delicious.

“This dish is really good,” Shen Nian said, looking up at the group. “Who made it? Can you teach me? I’d love to learn how to make it myself when I get back.”

Rong Qing glanced awkwardly at Shen Nian when she pointed at the dish, then replied softly, “I made it. It’s actually very simple—just toss the vegetables together…”

“Sister, I won’t remember it just by hearing it,” Shen Nian said with a bright smile, gazing at Rong Qing. “Why don’t you send me the recipe later? You have my WeChat, right?”

Rong Qing paused for a moment before nodding with a smile. “Sure.”

After everyone finished eating, the director began summarizing the day’s events and announced the best-performing guest of the day, who would receive a “cheat card” for the next day’s tasks. Both Xu Qing and Jiang Jiang voted for Rong Qing, while Shen Nian and Ming Qiao also cast their votes for her without hesitation.

“Alright, everyone, get some rest. We’ll start a new mission tomorrow,” the director said warmly with a smile.

Once the director left, Mu Lingwan crossed her arms and sat on the sofa, remarking to Rong Qing, “I always feel like that director’s smile is kind of creepy—like he’s hiding something sinister.”

Mu Lingwan still remembered how aggressive the director had been during the individual interviews. Though he hadn’t caused any trouble these past few days, Mu Lingwan was the type to hold a grudge, and she couldn’t shake a vague sense of unease, as if something was about to happen.

“Really?” Rong Qing said. “Let’s go upstairs and rest. I’m a bit tired today—I want to take a bath.”

Though their room was the smallest, the bathroom was fully equipped, even including a bathtub. Rong Qing had been meaning to take a soak since the first day but never found the time.

Today, since they finished early, she wanted to fill the tub with hot water, drop in a bath bomb, and relax for a good half-hour.

But just as Rong Qing was about to head upstairs, Mu Lingwan suddenly pulled her back.

Rong Qing gasped in surprise and looked up at Mu Lingwan, staying close to her for a couple of seconds before asking, “What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Mu Lingwan didn’t answer directly. Instead, she led Rong Qing straight to the first-floor laundry room. Shen Nian watched them walk away hand in hand, standing frozen in place, her gaze lingering for a long time.

Rong Qing followed Mu Lingwan through the laundry room and into a secluded side door—a place she had never been before. Strangely, she didn’t see any cameras around either.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Rong Qing was suddenly pushed against the wall by Mu Lingwan. Before she could struggle, she saw the other woman lower her head and, without a word, cradle Rong Qing’s face before kissing her.

Rong Qing’s mind exploded with a ‘boom’!

Mu Lingwan pressed against her lips, her peripheral vision catching Shen Nian and the camera hidden outside the door. She whispered to Rong Qing, “Don’t resist. There’s a camera.”

Rong Qing’s entire body stiffened. When she heard Mu Lingwan’s words, her mind went completely blank.

She felt the warmth of Mu Lingwan’s lips as the other woman’s tongue parted her teeth. Their breaths tangled together, damp and heavy, and Rong Qing’s breathing quickened.

What was Mu Lingwan doing?

Why was she kissing her out of nowhere?

Was it… for the sake of the show’s effect?

Rong Qing’s thoughts were a mess. Although she’d agreed beforehand to follow Mu Lingwan’s lead, surely she had the right to refuse this… right?

“Mmm…” Rong Qing tried to struggle, but Mu Lingwan gripped her wrist. Their foreheads pressed tightly together, and Mu Lingwan could see the flush on the other woman’s lips and the moisture in her eyes.

“Work with me,” Mu Lingwan murmured. “Unless you want what happened last night to repeat itself.”

Rong Qing seemed to understand her meaning. Spotting Shen Nian lurking outside the door, she hesitated for two seconds before closing her eyes. Mu Lingwan was right—if they didn’t make Shen Nian give up, she’d be at a disadvantage in the coming days.

Having reasoned this through, Rong Qing actively reached out, grasping Mu Lingwan’s clothes, and kissed her again.