After Swapping Bodies with the Movie Queen, She Ended Up with Me (GL) - Chapter 30

“Are you out of your mind?” Xu Qing stepped forward, lowering her voice as she pressed down on Ming Qiao’s hand with a frown. “Just for a reason like this?”

Ming Qiao laughed. “Exactly.”

Xu Qing was stunned. “Do you really think Mu Lingwan will ever look at you again after this?”

Ming Qiao shrugged. “As you can see, I’ve gained fame and fortune. Mu Lingwan won’t treat me as just another employee anymore. Apart from not being by her side, I’ve already gotten everything I wanted.”

Ming Qiao spoke lightly, as if betraying Mu Lingwan was something she had calculated all along, utterly indifferent to the consequences.

Perhaps Ming Qiao’s original plan had been to bankrupt Mu Lingwan, flipping their positions—from subordinate to superior, seizing control of Mu Lingwan’s life.

This was a high-stakes gamble.

A bet on both their futures.

“You’re truly insane.” Xu Qing’s expression was no longer just shock but something closer to fear. The beautiful, refined woman before her seemed like a terrifying madwoman, capable of saying such things with a smile—and likely scheming step by step to lure Mu Lingwan into her trap.

Mu Lingwan is so unlucky, Xu Qing thought to herself.

Ming Qiao didn’t think she’d said anything particularly shocking. She patted Xu Qing’s shoulder and said, “Remember to keep this between us. Though, even if you told Mu Lingwan, I wouldn’t mind. I suspect she’s long known what I’m after.”

That’s why she despises me so much.

But that’s fine. It makes things more exciting.

Xu Qing could only watch as Ming Qiao walked past her into the kitchen, greeting Rong Qing, who was busy cooking, before leaning in to ask what she was making.

Rong Qing clearly hadn’t expected Ming Qiao to strike up a conversation. Looking at the long-haired woman beside her, Rong Qing recalled Mu Lingwan’s attitude toward her. Though Ming Qiao was stunningly beautiful—even in simple loungewear—Rong Qing remained wary.

“Making sandwiches,” Rong Qing answered, lowering her head to wrap the freshly made breakfast in cling film.

Ming Qiao leaned against the kitchen island, eyeing the ingredients laid out before Rong Qing—lettuce, bread, luncheon meat, chicken br3ast, corn, pork floss, sausages—all arranged with professional precision.

She picked up a scrap of luncheon meat and popped it into her mouth. “I didn’t expect you to know how to cook. Did you learn before joining the show?”

Rong Qing wasn’t sure why Ming Qiao was suddenly chatting with her like this. She remembered how, on the first day, Ming Qiao had taken one bite of her radish rolls before tossing them aside—clearly disliking both her and her cooking. Since then, they’d avoided each other as much as possible, never speaking unless forced together.

What’s going on today?

Rong Qing frowned. She’d been keeping to herself lately, barely even leaving her room.

Surely she hadn’t offended this woman?

After a brief hesitation, Rong Qing mimicked Mu Lingwan’s tone and said, “What does that have to do with you?”

Ming Qiao lifted her eyelids and gave Rong Qing an amused glance before withdrawing her hand. She pulled out a tissue to wipe the index finger that had just pinched the luncheon meat and said to Rong Qing, “Leave this kind of thing to the assistant next time. What you made isn’t tasty at all.”

Rong Qing: “?”

She watched as Ming Qiao turned and went upstairs, then looked down at the sandwich in front of her before glancing back at Ming Qiao’s retreating figure, utterly baffled.

She had been peacefully making breakfast in the kitchen without offending anyone—so why had this woman suddenly declared her cooking unpalatable?

It was like walking down the street minding her own business, only to be inexplicably kicked by a passing dog.

“Is there something wrong with her?” Rong Qing muttered, hands on her hips.

Xu Qing stood not far away, watching Rong Qing with a complicated expression, feeling a headache coming on. She could tell that even though Heartbeat Moment had changed directors, its core essence likely remained the same.

The eternal battlefield of love and rivalry…

She silently mourned for her friend for five seconds.

During breakfast, Rong Qing couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Ming Qiao, only to notice that despite her earlier criticism, the sandwich she had prepared for her had been completely eaten.

This only deepened Rong Qing’s confusion.

What was that supposed to mean??

What on earth was that supposed to mean????

Her mind swirled with question marks, unsure whether she should mention this odd incident to Mu Lingwan. Ming Qiao’s sudden remark felt strange, but if it had been directed at Mu Lingwan, it would’ve made perfect sense.

The whole thing left her thoroughly bewildered.

Mu Lingwan noticed Rong Qing’s unusual behavior early in the morning—her frequent glances toward Ming Qiao—which stirred a faint displeasure in her.

“What’s this?” Mu Lingwan pointed at the small bowl beside her and asked Rong Qing.

“Oh, I heard you coughing last night and thought you might catch a cold since the weather’s getting colder,” Rong Qing explained. “So I got up early to make you some pear soup. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Everyone at the table turned their gazes toward Mu Lingwan, each with a different expression.

Xu Qing’s eyes were complicated, Jiang Jiang looked utterly clueless, Shen Nian’s gaze was full of resentment, and when Ming Qiao glanced over, her eyes held a playful glint. She looked at Mu Lingwan’s bowl of pear soup and said with a smile, “How thoughtful. It’s truly enviable.”

Rong Qing shuddered, frowning at Ming Qiao, completely baffled by what this woman was trying to do!

Mu Lingwan, long accustomed to Ming Qiao’s sarcasm, picked up the bowl of pear soup and drank it all in one go. Then, she wiped her lips with a napkin and commented, “It’s delicious, just a bit too sweet.”

“Too sweet? I only put one rock sugar in it,” Rong Qing said softly.

“Then next time, don’t add any sugar at all. The pear itself is already sweet enough,” Mu Lingwan instructed.

“Okay.”

Shen Nian averted her gaze, staring at the sandwich in front of her with a complicated expression. What had tasted delicious moments ago now seemed utterly flavorless.

Ever since the incident with the trending topic, Shen Nian had been forced to maintain the persona of being Mu Lingwan’s good friend in front of the audience, preserving her innocent, delicate image. She could have recklessly confessed her feelings, burning all bridges for the future—but even then, Mu Lingwan wouldn’t spare her a second glance.

Shen Nian had come to terms with it. She would take it slow. She refused to believe Mu Lingwan and Rong Qing could stay together forever. Sooner or later, she would see the day they broke up.

Ming Qiao glanced sideways at Shen Nian and shook her head helplessly.

Jiang Jiang also noticed the bowl of pear soup Rong Qing had prepared and looked up at Xu Qing. She asked softly, “You’ve been looking pale all day. Should I make some soup for you too?”

Xu Qing shook her head. Her pallor wasn’t due to lack of soup, but rather…

“Perfect timing, everyone’s here.” Director Wan approached at that moment, tapping a rolled-up script against his palm as he surveyed the group eating neatly at the dining table. “There’s something I need to inform you about and hear your opinions on.”

As he spoke, Director Wan glanced at Mu Lingwan, leaving her somewhat puzzled.

“What is it?” Ming Qiao asked.

Director Wan explained, “The previous director had arranged for a guest star. The contract is signed, and the person has already arrived and been accommodated. Originally scheduled to join the next day, some unfortunate incidents caused a delay.”

“Ah…”

The group immediately thought of the small single room Mu Lingwan and Rong Qing had prepared together, along with the hinted-at single sofa in the living room—all suggesting an incoming guest star. But before the person arrived, the director had been replaced.

Normally, this wouldn’t require informing the cast, as actors are meant to maintain some level of uncertainty. However, Director Wan felt it best to let everyone decide whether to allow this guest star to join.

“Shouldn’t this be the production team’s decision? Why ask us?” Mu Lingwan crossed her arms.

“Because this guest is rather special. Their participation might be controversial, so we wanted your input.”

“Who is it?”

“Xia Yiran.”

The group paused briefly. “Who’s that?”

Among the cast, the name Xia Yiran was unfamiliar—no one seemed to recognize anyone in the industry by that name or even knew what field she was in. But while others were clueless, Rong Qing knew. At the mention of the name, she stiffened in her seat, eyes widening.

Director Wan’s gaze remained on Mu Lingwan, who still looked blank, struggling to recall who this person was.

“Xia Yiran is the leader of AG and the top-ranked trainee in the girl group charts,” Director Wan said to Mu Lingwan. “Rong Qing, you probably haven’t forgotten, right?”

How could she forget?

Rong Qing sat gripping the hem of her clothes, her face drained of color as memories of being bullied by Xia Yiran and her group resurfaced.

Mu Lingwan took a moment before remembering—Xia Yiran was the girl group leader who had sneaked in through the fire exit at the red carpet event and later sent her snide messages accusing her of being a gold-digger.

How interesting.

Mu Lingwan stroked her chin with amusement. She now understood why the previous director had invited Xia Yiran—likely recognizing her troublemaking tendencies and hoping to stir the pot for more drama.

Unfortunately for Xia Yiran, the director had been ousted before she could join. Now, the decision rested with the group.

More accurately, it rested with Mu Lingwan. If she refused Xia Yiran’s entry, no amount of scheming would get her in.

After Director Wan explained who Xia Yiran was, everyone’s gazes turned to Mu Lingwan. Xu Qing, sitting beside her, asked, “So she was your teammate? What do you think? Should we let her join?”

Rong Qing immediately turned to look at Mu Lingwan, her eyes filled with distress. She subtly tugged at Mu Lingwan’s sleeve under the table, clearly expressing her reluctance.

“Well…”

Mu Lingwan hesitated. She noticed Rong Qing’s unwillingness and recalled how arrogant that woman had been. She probably bullied Rong Qing often in their group, making her do extra chores—common occurrences. While Mu Lingwan wasn’t afraid of her, she didn’t want to deal with her either.

Most importantly, if this Xia Yiran really joined the show, wouldn’t she have to pay her appearance fee too?

“Forget it.” Mu Lingwan shrugged. “Since the director’s already been replaced, there’s no need to keep the guest. Let’s not bring her in.”

Director Wan nodded slightly and looked around. “What does everyone else think?”

Xu Qing naturally agreed, pulling Jiang Jiang along as she said, “We have no objections.”

Shen Nian had no objections either. After a few seconds of thought, Ming Qiao also agreed. Director Wan finalized the decision to exclude Xia Yiran from the show, and Rong Qing finally let out a long sigh of relief.

That should have been the end of it—except that night, Rong Qing received a private message on her personal account:
“If you don’t let me join, aren’t you afraid I’ll expose all your secrets?”