After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 24

“Little Lan, think carefully. This scientific illustration of the Gentiana (Heart-piercing grass) is quite expensive. Don’t overstretch yourself. If you study with me for another year, you’ll be able to paint it yourself.”

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At the entrance of the College of Life Sciences, Lan Jingli stood chatting with a gray-haired professor, her gaze occasionally drifting to the scientific illustration depicting the Gentiana plant and its anatomical diagrams.

“Professor, I truly love this illustration. Your brushwork is so delicate, and the details are incredibly lifelike. I really want it.”

The professor sighed, relenting. This young student had been attending his lectures whenever she could find the time and had diligently helped with various lab tasks. When he asked if she was considering switching her major from fashion design to botany, she said no, she simply wanted to cherish his scientific illustration.

This massive illustration of the Gentiana from the Gentianaceae family had taken him a month to complete. At his advanced age, he rarely produced such works, but the girl’s sincerity and her clear, earnest eyes had softened his heart.

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll transfer the payment immediately. I’ll also be in the lab on time next week,” Lan Jingli said, bowing deeply to the professor. She clutched the painting tightly, as if afraid he might refuse payment, and hurried away.

She knew Tan You particularly admired the old professor’s scientific illustrations. After navigating the university’s labyrinthine corridors and pleading for months, she had finally secured this precious piece.

Today was also her final day of filming, and her schedule was tight. She arrived at the set just in time, still clutching the painting.

The director, noticing her breathless state and damp forehead, immediately urged her to freshen up and get her makeup done for the final shots.

“Jingli, what happened to you?” Wei Xueyin, her smile unusually radiant today, rushed over in her costume, offering Lan Jingli a bottle of electrolyte water. “Drink this to replenish your energy. We still have so much to do.”

“I was just busy with something. Oh, I saw someone selling sugar-roasted chestnuts on the way and bought you some,” Lan Jingli said, smiling at Wei Xueyin. She had kept the chestnuts warm inside her coat, worried they might get cold.
Wei Xueyin accepted the chestnuts, her voice brimming with delight. “Wow, thank you, Jingli! You’re the best! You even remembered my favorite snack. I really like you so much!”

“You’re welcome. You’ve helped us a lot too,” Lan Jingli replied.

After all, Wei Xueyin had given Shang Lingjue tickets to a violin concert and often brought them expensive snacks and drinks. Lan Jingli hated owing people favors and always tried to reciprocate.

Wei Yixi, standing nearby, scrutinized the beautifully packaged Botany-themed gift. “This stuff can’t be cheap, right? You should treat yourself to something nice sometime—you’re as skinny as a monkey. Come over here and eat this croissant first.”

“It’s fine. I’ve been saving up, so I have enough for food,” Lan Jingli said, thanking Wei Yixi. She took a bite of the croissant while mentally reviewing her lines one last time.

Lately, Lan Jingli had been grinning foolishly, practically bursting with happiness. Wei Yixi found this so out of character that she couldn’t suppress her curiosity.

“Come on, you’re the type who considers a white bun with canned luncheon meat a feast. You’re too easily satisfied. What are you saving up for anyway? Are you planning to get married?”

Wei Yixi had hit the nail on the head. Lan Jingli chuckled twice in response, as if to say, What’s wrong with being content?

Especially for someone like her, being too greedy would only lead to losing everything.

“Remember last time, when your sister asked you to go wedding dress shopping with her? How’s that going?” Wei Yixi winked, her gossipy demeanor surprisingly earnest.

“She didn’t like any of the dresses. Then she picked, um, she picked…” Lan Jingli blushed, recalling Tan You in a wedding gown.

“She didn’t like a hundred and twenty dresses? How picky can you get? Are they even getting married? Did she propose to you?”

Lan Jingli shook her head. “I’m still too young. Not so fast. I need to become more accomplished first.”

“Then why are you always grinning like an idiot?”

Wei Yixi continued to fret and nag, but Lan Jingli heard the director call her and immediately ran off to film her scene.
“Hey, I’m not finished! With your meager salary, being so young, barely eating enough, and not getting married anytime soon, what exactly are you saving up for?”

Lan Jingli smiled softly. “We’ll talk when I get back.”

By the time Lan Jingli returned, Wei Yixi was no longer where she had been. She was packing her things and checking the scientific illustration’s packaging for damage when her phone rang.

“Jingli, come to the pavilion by the lake. I have something to show you.”

“What is it? I’m a bit busy today. Can it wait?”

“No excuses. Just come.”

Wei Yixi’s tone was strange, and Lan Jingli, puzzled, agreed.

The air was crisp and clear, and the late spring sun blazed fiercely, making her yearn for the cicada’s song and the starry summer nights to come.

Clutching the scientific illustration, Lan Jingli walked outside and spotted Wei Yixi leaning against the pavilion by the lake.

“Xi Xi, what’s this mysterious thing you wanted to show me?”

“Here, check the trending topics yourself.” Wei Yixi held out her 6.1-inch phone.

The screen’s cold light seemed to strip away all pretense.

Lan Jingli stared intently at the phone screen. The trending topic’s image showed fireworks exploding across the sky, beneath which stood two figures in traditional Chinese wedding attire.

Beside the photo, in specially designed calligraphy, were the words: “Tan You and Wei Xueyin: We’re engaged.”

The Chinese wedding dress was breathtakingly beautiful, its black cumin flowers embroidered in gold thread blooming vividly against the crimson silk.

“The trending video is a compilation of engagement blessings from celebrities of all levels in the entertainment industry. Want to see it?” Wei Yixi asked, already tapping the play button without waiting for Lan Jingli’s response.

The video opened with a close-up of an exquisite black cumin specimen. Then, one by one, glamorous figures appeared, bowing solemnly toward the camera with a formality surpassing even New Year’s greetings. As if rehearsed, they each earnestly declared:

“Tan You, be with Wei Xueyin. She will make you happy for a lifetime.”

Several revered veterans of the entertainment world, who had acted in Tan You’s debut film, also appeared, adding a deeply sentimental touch.

“It’s amazing Wei Xueyin managed to persuade these retired legends to pull off such a youthful stunt,” Wei Yixi observed, patting Lan Jingli’s shoulder. “What do you think?”

Lan Jingli couldn’t speak. Her soul felt as if it had fled her body. All she wanted was a bed where she could lie down and bury herself in darkness.

Nearby, the crowd buzzed with chatter as people accepted red envelopes and candies from Wei Xueyin. One person asked with a smile:

“Sister Xueyin, you’re amazing! When did you and Seventh Miss reconcile?”

“It’s nothing special. Don’t ask. It was just good luck. Bringing up old news is pointless.”

“But you look so happy! Tell us! Please, tell us! You’re getting engaged soon, so there’s no need to keep it a secret.”

“It was on the winter solstice. Tan You came to the film set specifically to find me. As we watched the fireworks light up the sky, I called her and proposed. She said yes.”

Wei Yixi’s heart jolted. She turned to look at Lan Jingli, remembering how Lan Jingli had mentioned that someone she liked had set off fireworks for her on the winter solstice.

“Jingli, you…”

Wei Xueyin, carrying a professional camera, came running excitedly from a distance, interrupting Wei Yixi’s words.

“Hey, Jingli! You’ve always wanted to help me with something, right? Now’s your chance! Just record a congratulatory message for our engagement. Tan You and I are really looking forward to your blessing.”

Lan Jingli didn’t look up, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon—a horizon that didn’t exist. A lump seemed stuck in her throat, and she desperately wanted to shout something.

It was like being lost in pitch-black darkness, needing to scream just to prove she was still alive.
“Jingli, just look at the camera and say, ‘Tan You, be with Wei Xueyin. She’ll make you happy for the rest of your life.'”