After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 20

In the glass conservatory of the mountain estate, the undulating greenery resembled a celestial maiden’s woven cloud robe, its verdant hues lush and pristine.

*******

Tan You pruned the snow mountain rose branches with graceful precision, her slender, sharp eyes radiating a deep, gentle warmth.

“Su Su, I thought you were swamped with work. What brings you all the way out here?”

“I know Miss Tan Qi is always busy with a million things, and you hate being followed by the media in public places. That’s why I booked this private club—the food is light and emphasizes natural flavors,” Shu Su said as she poured warm water for Tan You and pu-erh tea for herself. “Someone even asked me the other day if I could get you to write a few calligraphy pieces for them to admire.”

Shu Su dismissed it as a joke. She knew Tan You’s decades of calligraphy practice was both a passion and a way to calm her mind, though she had to admit, it sounded rather old-fashioned and dull.

Tan You studied Shu Su, noticing her friend’s cheerful expression. “Something good happen recently?” she asked casually.

“I have a little idea, and I need your investment to get it off the ground—three hundred million,” Shu Su said, cutting straight to the point, just like Tan You, who valued efficiency above all else. “We’ll use the same interest rate as before.”

A few days ago, Shu Su had mentioned that her startup fund had dwindled to just tens of millions, jokingly asking for support. Now, the topic was finally on the table.

Tan You couldn’t immediately grasp what kind of small business required such a massive initial investment.

She knew the Shu Family kept a tight grip on their finances, leaving Shu Su with limited access to funds. Even acquiring Yunshu Entertainment had relied on a low-interest loan from Tan You.

“You want to hoard oil? If that’s the case, I’ll personally give you five hundred million to start. Play around with it for now. As long as you don’t lose everything, I’ll continue investing.”

Tan You admired such a bold, unconventional approach.

It was undoubtedly high-risk, demanding connections, courage, and ambition. But if successful, it could rapidly expand Shu Su’s assets and prove her worth to the family’s stubborn elders.

Shu Su: “?”

“That’s not what I meant at all.”

She had long realized she wasn’t cut out for business, lacking Tan You’s unwavering determination to abandon her ideals and pursue power.

Tan You sipped the warm water from her white porcelain cup, patiently waiting for Shu Su to elaborate.

“I’ve got a great film project in mind. I want maximum creative control and to poach some talent. With my eye for talent, it’s bound to be a hit. As for how much it’ll make, that’s up to fate.”

“Go ahead and play,” Tan You said calmly, gesturing for Aunt Wan to transfer funds to Shu Su.

“If you’re feeling nostalgic, why not make a cameo in my film? I’ve always wanted to film you. It’s such a waste to let your talent go unused,” Shu Su said, her heart aching at the thought of Tan You’s abrupt retirement, leaving behind only a handful of brilliant works.

“No, I can only focus on one thing at a time. I don’t have any real talent, just good luck,” Tan You replied, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but firmly declining.

Shu Su didn’t press further, smoothly changing the subject. “Do you think dating a celebrity would be a hassle?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Asking you is like talking to a wall. You might as well become a nun,” Shu Su said, glancing at Tan You, utterly baffled by her fascination with plants. “The company’s annual gala is in a few days. Will you, the big boss, be attending?”

Tan You’s expression remained impassive. “We’ll see.”

********

In a few days, the company’s annual gala would take place, bringing together artists of all levels to perform.

Artists from other companies would also attend to show their support, and a large media contingent would be present, with live television coverage.
Yun Shu particularly enjoyed having her up-and-coming rookies prepare elaborate acrobatic performances, including backflips, fire ring jumps, and staged fights. The performers often ended up covered in bruises.

After stepping off the stage, Lan Jingli rubbed her sore arm as she walked down the brightly lit corridor. She overheard a group of junior stars chattering about industry gossip.

“Did you hear? Someone secretly took drugs and slept with the song queen, got her pregnant to force a marriage!”

Meanwhile, several trainees were fawning over Wei Xueyin.

“Sister Xueyin, your crescent moon earring is stunning! Is that a 107-carat diamond?”

Wei Xueyin smiled demurely. “Yes, it’s a limited edition. The two earrings combine to form a full moon.”

“Oh my god! Could the person who gave you these earrings be…?”

“Shh! Let’s not make a scene.”

Lan Jingli returned to her dressing room and gazed out the window. After a while, she checked her phone again, but there were no new messages in her pinned WeChat conversation.

Wei Yixi entered the room and pulled out a bottle of liniment.

“Jingli, where are you off to? Come here and let me rub this on you. I saw so many bruises on your body.”

Rain pattered against the window, its fresh scent mingling with a faint, lingering fragrance. Lan Jingli glanced sideways and noticed a delicate earring adorning Wei Yixi’s pale earlobe, near a fiery red mole.

“I saw a friend and wanted to give her my umbrella.” Lan Jingli grabbed her small black umbrella. Tan You must be here, nearby.

“But you only have one umbrella. What about you if you give it away?”

Before Wei Yixi could finish, Lan Jingli had already vanished. Wei Yixi shook her head helplessly, wondering what kind of friend would make her rush out, ignoring her injuries.

Lan Jingli hurried through the narrow alleyways and finally caught up with Tan You.

“Sister, why are you dressed so lightly?” She pulled open her thick coat and, for the first time disregarding Tan You’s wishes, wrapped her arms around the woman. “You’ll catch a cold.”

Lan Jingli knew all too well how frail Tan You’s health was. A cold breeze could give her a headache all night, and worse, a fever. The skin of Tan You’s slender, pale wrists was smooth and burning hot.

Lan Jingli was still angry about being abandoned the last time. She simply held Tan You, sulking in silence.

“Why are you so quiet?” Tan You asked, noticing they were alone. She let Lan Jingli hold her.

“You left me to meet someone else that day,” Lan Jingli mumbled, pressing her face against the crown of Tan You’s fragrant hair.

The moonlight and starlight illuminated their faces, making them both appear breathtakingly beautiful in each other’s eyes.

Hearing the jealousy in Lan Jingli’s voice, Tan You chuckled softly. Her features, sharp and refined, resembled a low-saturation oil painting under the cold night sky.

“Yes, I had some business that day. What will it take to make you stop being angry?”

Lan Jingli noticed Tan You’s earring, which perfectly concealed the small red mole on her earlobe.

“Wear that earring from now on. Otherwise, those people will keep staring.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you this time.”

In an unusually good mood, and finding Lan Jingli’s jealousy rather endearing, Tan You patiently explained:

“We didn’t grow up together. Her mother used medication to get pregnant out of wedlock, forcing her own mother to marry. That’s why she only came home at ten years old and was never truly accepted by her family.”

Lan Jingli picked up the thread. “And then you stepped in to help her?”

Tan You twirled a strand of Lan Jingli’s hair around her finger, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Not exactly. We were assigned to the same group for a project once, and I went to her house to work on it.”

“After her family saw you two together, they stopped mistreating her,” Lan Jingli filled in the details.

“Mm-hmm.”

“It sounds like something out of a romance novel—so destined.”

Tan You chuckled, her gaze lingering on Lan Jingli’s slender, pale fingers, which reminded her of the finest jade fan ribs. She truly adored them.

“I thought you believed our connection was deeper.”

Lan Jingli lowered her thick lashes, a bitter ache rising in her chest. “It is deeper.”

But it felt so distant. Her world and Tan You’s radiant world seemed worlds apart.

“Why do you look angrier by the minute?” Tan You teased, her earlobes, neck, and the sliver of collarbone peeking from her collar flushed a restrained crimson.

The wind and snow swirled through the alley again, starlight dotting the snowy peaks. All was silent save for the thin layer of snow on the eaves, which reflected the lamplight in a clean, curved arc.

The arc of light drifted down, illuminating the woman’s already radiant eyes. She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to Lan Jingli’s, like a jade-colored butterfly finally settling on its chosen perch.

“Will this make you feel any better?” Tan You murmured, her voice still cool and distant, like the distorted timbre of a stringed instrument.

The sensation of their bodies pressed together was vivid and intense. Lan Jingli’s heart felt like a firework about to explode.

In that moment, everything else faded into insignificance, leaving only this woman shining brightly. Lan Jingli wrapped her coat tighter around Tan You, pinning her against the wall, unwilling to let go.

Moonlight poured down as snow fell in swirling flakes. Tan You’s figure was mostly obscured by Lan Jingli, leaving only her pale profile, the strands of hair cascading down her cheek, and her long fingers clutching Lan Jingli’s collar visible.

Tan You’s heart suddenly grew still. This moment felt perfect, so perfect she didn’t want it to end. And with that realization, a wave of loathing surged through her.

She let the cold, disdainful loathing and possessiveness within her rise to their peak.

Suddenly, the click of a camera shutter echoed through the air. Tan You immediately pushed Lan Jingli away and saw a figure hurrying away at the other end of the street, having just taken a photo.

“Li Li, I have to go. You can’t be seen by the media,” Tan You said, her lips still glistening from their kiss, yet her expression remained icily indifferent. “I’ll take care of the photo.”

“But Sister, I’m not afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Of people finding out about our relationship.” Lan Jingli paused, then asked softly, “Sister, would you be embarrassed if people knew we were together?”

Tan You didn’t answer.

“Sister, wait! Take this umbrella—the rain’s getting heavier.” Lan Jingli remembered her original purpose for coming.

She held out an ordinary umbrella, the kind that cost twenty yuan, not the custom-made walnut wood umbrella Tan You usually used.

Hopefully, it’ll keep her dry enough.

Seeing the earnestness in Lan Jingli’s eyes, Tan You smiled. “The most valuable thing a person can have is self-awareness. Only by recognizing reality can things last.”