After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 27.1

“Youyou, look, their little smut fic is still that rustic village type—they meet in a small village, and it’s even got ABO dynamics,” Shu Su mused, then asked Tan You, “Do you understand the ABO setting? Basically, it’s a world where they’re destined to be together, psychologically and physically…”

******

“I’m not interested. You don’t need to explain it.”

The car glided down the coastal highway, cruising along a scenic island loop. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting dramatic shadows across Tan You’s cold, aloof face, making her look profoundly captivating.

She had been silently reviewing the company’s quarterly reports on her laptop when, on a whim, she opened Weibo and started browsing the trending topics about Lan Jingli and Wen Fei.

The hashtag’s popularity was skyrocketing. Their CP fans had coined the ship name “Warm Water Boiled Carp” for Lan Jingli and Wen Fei, and the comments section was buzzing with excitement.

They’re such a perfect match! It feels like a campus romance come to life. Childhood sweethearts are the best!

The show they were supposed to sing on together was suddenly canceled this morning, making me think my ship had sunk. What a relief it was just a false alarm!

You guys don’t get it. Deliberately avoiding each other is proof of true love! I didn’t think there was anything between them before, but now I’m convinced they’re meant to be!

Exactly! The more they try to avoid suspicion, the more obvious it becomes.

Tan You remained silent. Shu Su leaned over and saw her computer screen. “Oh, you’re looking at this again?” she exclaimed.

“Verifying the results of your marketing campaign.”

“See? Even though you told them not to play up the rumors, you can’t stop the sparks between people who are meant to be,” Shu Su rambled on. “That’s what we call ‘chemistry.’ You have to admit, the appeal of this rebellious rock girl and pure-hearted school beauty combo is undeniable.”

Tan You, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them. The finger she had cut on a rose thorn earlier was now bleeding from a fresh paper cut. She asked calmly, “Appeal?”

“Pure love! That fleeting, youthful feeling, like cherry blossoms falling—something both poignant and endlessly captivating.”

“Pure love?” Tan You recalled Lan Jingli’s claim on the show that she’d been in five relationships. A faint, mocking curve tugged at her lips, which were as dewy and full as morning dew.

“Seeing pure love in a rebellious rock girl who’s both innocent and rebellious is rare indeed. Doesn’t that just prove she’s a walking contradiction, someone who makes you want to dig deeper? Just let them do their CP thing—it’s harmless.”

Tan You paused, tapping a deliberate rhythm on the small table. “Excessive exposure isn’t wise for someone aiming for a career built on talent.”

“That’s true, but Lan Jingli’s just starting out. She needs to build her popularity and resources. Taking shortcuts is fine for now. Wen Fei is also Lock’s rising star, so this can only help them both. It’s not like they’re getting deeply entangled.”

“Is our company’s entertainment division now chasing trends too? I’ll call a meeting with them soon to discuss this.” Tan You’s voice was steady and deep.

“Wait, why are you suddenly getting involved in entertainment matters? I thought you’d handed full authority to the Vice President of Entertainment?”

Tan You glanced out the window, answering casually, “The Tan Group needs to set the tone. We built our empire on real industries. Even the entertainment division can’t chase fleeting trends like this.”
“You make a valid point, but your sudden interest in a minor celebrity strikes me as odd,” Shu Su said, carefully choosing her words. “Didn’t you decide to completely withdraw from the entertainment industry after leaving it?”

Tan You set down her documents, clasped her hands, and fixed Shu Su with a gaze that was both veiled and direct. “There’s nothing strange about it.”

“I might misunderstand and think you want her.”

As the car entered the tunnel, the dim light made Tan You’s eyes flicker, as if she had forgotten how to blink. She lowered her gaze, forcing her momentarily racing heart back into a safe rhythm.

“I don’t…”

“…want to film a movie with you,” Shu Su finished, carefully completing her sentence. She didn’t notice the faint mist in the eyes of the usually aloof woman beside her, as if a weight had been lifted.

Tan You continued to gaze out the window with detached composure. “A baseless assumption. It’s highly unlikely I’ll ever return to acting.”

“I agree, it sounds absurd,” Shu Su nodded emphatically. Tan You already had a fiancée and a shady little lover—her “scumbag” behavior was off the charts. “But I’m relieved to hear that.”

Hearing this, Tan You frowned slightly, wanting to ask Shu Su what she was so relieved about, but she forcibly restrained herself.

The car stopped at the main entrance of the banquet hall. Shu Su got out and tossed the keys to the valet, then walked through the revolving doors with Tan You. Formal greeters at the entrance led them to a private passage.

The Vice President of Entertainment at Yunshu Entertainment was already waiting there. He first greeted Chairman Tan, then turned to Shu Su and addressed her as “President.”

“Shu Su, you’re in charge of tonight’s event,” Tan You said with a cold smile, gesturing for the Vice President to escort Shu Su. “Except for the Lan Jingli matter, you have full authority.”

Though Tan You rarely involved herself in the financial operations of the entertainment industry, her understanding of it was profound.

Shu Su rolled her eyes at her, unable to fathom why Tan You was so stubbornly opposed to letting others create romantic rumors about her.

“You’re being ridiculously stubborn. I’ll see how things go.”

The celebrities invited to the banquet were mostly beautiful figureheads, mere window dressing, with only a handful having achieved financial independence and broken free from their puppet strings.

During the banquet’s press conference, Shu Su and the Vice President delivered speeches. Beyond the obligatory bureaucratic platitudes, their message was clear: Yunshu Entertainment wasn’t just playing around with its multi-billion-dollar investment; they were serious about making quality films.

Every project had to undergo a rigorous process: proposal, application, review, public meetings—all overseen by dozens of industry titans, including veteran producers, directors, art directors, screenwriters, and special effects teams.

Tan You arrived early and settled into a quiet private room on the second floor, where she could observe the entire banquet hall below from her elevated vantage point.

Waterfall-shaped chandeliers illuminated the thick jacquard carpet, making the banquet hall dazzlingly grand. The air shimmered with the scent of perfume and the rustle of silk, while laughter echoed through the amber-colored champagne. The lights sparkled brilliantly in the crystal glasses.

At 6:30 PM, the banquet officially began. Tan You changed into a more business-appropriate suit, the fine fabric radiating an air of understated luxury under the lights.

As she descended the stairs, all activity in the bustling banquet hall came to a halt. Tan You, however, maintained her composure, greeting the various figures who approached her with practiced ease.

It was as if she were playing a tedious social game—skilled, detached, and utterly in control.

Then, the stage lights shifted, and a stream of electronic music filled the hall.

The pre-arranged band and members of the Lock Girl Group took to the stage, launching into a seductive and mesmerizing dance.

Tan You immediately spotted Lan Jingli, dressed in an all-black suit with a deliberate cut-out over her heart, revealing a patch of crimson beneath.

Beside her, Wen Fei, clad in a short dress as thin as cicada wings, danced barefoot around Lan Jingli, her eyes brimming with affection, her waist swaying seductively, a vision of captivating allure.

Whoever choreographed these provocative dance moves, synchronized to the whistle sound effects, had struck a perfect balance: seven parts cool, three parts sultry. Their bodies brushed against each other with tantalizing restraint, their gazes lingering, hands gliding across shoulders, fingers interlacing, faces drawing close, strands of hair brushing against each other’s lips.

The audience, captivated by this wild and sensual performance, found themselves breathing heavily, their faces flushed.

Some of the young stars attending their first banquet were beside themselves with excitement, whispering the dancers’ names and gushing, “They’re so perfect together! They should get together!”

“Is this a collaboration between the newly debuted Syzygy band and Lock Girl Group? Their dancing is mesmerizing, radiating an inexplicable sexual tension.”

“Lan Jingli from Syzygy is technically my senior! If you want autographs, I can help.”

“Really? Really? I have a friend who’s obsessed with her and Wei Yixi. Can I get both?”

“Of course! They’re both lovely people. Even though they play rock music, they’re surprisingly approachable.”
Tan You stared expressionlessly at the stage, the corner of her composed facade cracking slightly.

The stage lights flowed in a mesmerizing dance. Lan Jingli caught sight of Tan You, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met.

How strange, she thought. Back then, I yearned to see Tan You, yet I only had one chance a week, like a scheduled duty—every Saturday at 7 PM at the secluded mountain villa.

Sometimes, even that wasn’t guaranteed.

Now, in just a few days, she had seen Tan You twice.
The irony is almost comical.

In the past, whenever this woman’s gaze fell upon her, it felt like being cradled in a warm, beautiful embrace, as if she were the chosen one, destined for greatness.

“You were born to stand under the spotlight. I’ll be in the audience, applauding for you.”

She remembered Tan You saying those words, her face radiant and sincere. When Tan You looked at her, she felt whole, complete.

Who could resist the allure of being chosen, wholeheartedly and unwaveringly?

It felt like reliving that company year-end gala. They were performing on stage, Tan You smiling gently, clapping softly, her gaze fixed not on her, but on Wei Xueyin standing beside her.

It was so obvious, yet she had been too foolish to see it at the time.

So many moments that seemed like love, woven into an inescapable web.

Did Tan You genuinely care for her, or did she simply see her as the easiest to manipulate?

Xi Xi had been right all along. People like them didn’t deserve such feelings.

The privileged daughters of heaven could simply turn away and return to their former lives. But what about them?

What could they possibly use to fight against the absurdity of the world?

But enough was enough. She was done playing the fool. She had vowed to break free, and she would.

As the dance reached its climax, the music grew increasingly sensual and fiery. Wen Fei writhed against Lan Jingli with seductive grace, while Lan Jingli shed her outer robe, her slender, pale hands settling on Wen Fei’s waist, moving in perfect sync with the rhythm.

For the final pose, Lan Jingli’s long hair cascaded down as she lightly supported Wen Fei’s delicate waist. Their bodies pressed close as they executed a wave, Wen Fei turned to meet her gaze, their hands intertwining as they slid down from shoulder to waist.

“Who arranged this performance?” Tan You asked in a low voice, her tone unreadable as she took several deep breaths to calm her slightly burning emotions.

The Vice President of Entertainment, completely oblivious to the tension, sidled up, champagne flute in hand, and chuckled smugly.

“Chairman Tan, it was me! I arranged this specially. Lan Jingli is one of Yunshu Entertainment’s artists, and Wen Fei’s company is a close partner of ours. I have a keen eye for talent, you see, and I recognized their chemistry right away. We originally wanted Chen Jiayang for this, but she absolutely refused, saying ‘you can’t force a melon to ripen.'”

“Exactly! Brilliant, simply brilliant! Make sure the media gets plenty of footage to release,” Shu Su chimed in. “The other producers and investors here will recognize their potential and see that we’re pushing these newcomers hard.”

“Chairman Tan, watching them dance together is truly a feast for the eyes. Our new talents are unstoppable, absolutely phenomenal!” The Vice President, eager to take credit, couldn’t wait to hear Tan You’s opinion. “What do you think? Isn’t it wonderful?”

After a long pause, Tan You’s gaze barely left the stage. Her voice, cool and detached, revealed nothing of her true feelings. “Good. Of course it’s good. Very good indeed.”

“I knew you’d love it! From now on, whenever you attend a banquet, I’ll have them perform for you.”
The Tan Group’s entertainment division had never been a core business. The group didn’t rely on it for profit; it was more of a decorative flourish, a department that completed the corporate structure but received little attention.

Who could have imagined that Tan You would personally grace the event with her presence? Could this mean the division was about to be elevated to a key project?

After Lan Jingli bowed to the audience, she and Wen Fei walked offstage side by side. Tan You’s gaze remained fixed on the hand Lan Jingli had touched Wen Fei with.

How had I never noticed Lan Jingli’s… flirtatious tendencies before?

Is it because she’s had five relationships?

Five times. Ha, five times. Even if she’s exaggerating, the truth can’t be far off.

Tan You felt an urge to scrub that hand—the hand that belonged solely to her—with disinfectant wipes, over and over, until every inch was sterilized and pristine once more.

Standing under the dazzling lights, Tan You’s eyes narrowed as she stared intently in the direction Lan Jingli had left. Her dark eyes gleamed like those of a seductive ghost.

“Youyou, I’m so sorry I’m late! Are you alright?” Wei Xueyin, who had dressed up specially for the occasion and looked radiant, inadvertently blocked Tan You’s view of the stage.
Seeing Tan You’s official fiancée arrive, the Vice President of Entertainment and Shu Su tactfully stepped aside, not wanting to be a third wheel.

Shu Su walked to the other side, picked up a glass of champagne, and drained it in one gulp. She whispered to the Vice President, “Don’t you think Youyou seems a bit off? She looks preoccupied, almost… strange.”

“Ah, does she?” The Vice President instinctively glanced back. Under the dazzling lights, Tan You’s noble and refined face was pale, almost bloodless. “She does seem a bit unwell. Could she be feeling sick?”

Shu Su had heard about Tan You’s frail health. Apparently, it was due to her physical condition that the Tan Family had once abandoned her. Yet somehow, she had systematically eliminated her rivals and climbed to her current high position.

Shu Su found it odd too, but couldn’t put her finger on the cause. “Has there been any unusual activity at the company lately? Or is the Tan Family causing trouble for Youyou again?”

At this, the Vice President immediately lowered his voice. “You know how things are over there. They’ve been trying to stir up trouble at the company for ages. The marriage alliance—Chairman Tan choosing the Lin Family—was all because Mr. Tan Yifan has close ties with them. They want to use that connection to keep Chairman Tan in check.”

Shu Su shook her head vigorously. “It’s such a pain.”

“Youyou, can we have our engagement banquet in France?” Wei Xueyin took a small sip of champagne, eager to share the news with Tan You. “I’ve bought a lavender field there just for this.”

“Arrange it and inform the media,” Tan You replied.

“I will make it perfect,” Wei Xueyin said, taking a deep breath. Then, in a strange tone, she added, “Youyou, I feel so guilty about Jingli.”

Tan You’s eyes darkened, and she murmured a noncommittal “Hmm.”

“We’re good friends, after all, and she’s had such a hard time. I really want to make it up to her,” Wei Xueyin said earnestly, her guilt threatening to overflow.

Tan You glanced at her sharply. “How do you plan to make it up to her?”

“Money, I suppose. She’s always been short on cash.”

At this, Tan You lowered her gaze and gave Wei Xueyin a cool look. “She doesn’t need your money.”

Remembering Lan Jingli’s rejection of her check, Wei Xueyin lowered her head, a tender smile playing on her lips. “Nor mine.”

What does Lan Jingli need, then?

“So, Youyou, are you saying we should just leave Jingli alone?”

“You can’t help her, and she doesn’t need your help,” Tan You said, her eyes sharp. “Stay away from her.”

Sensing the warning in Tan You’s words, Wei Xueyin’s heart jolted. Furious but too afraid to speak, she nodded mutely.
“Alright… I understand. I won’t go.”

Tan You turned wearily and headed upstairs, ignoring Wei Xueyin’s attempts to continue the conversation. She pulled out her phone and made a call.

“Find out what Lan Jingli is doing.”

“Yes, track her every move, including who she’s with.”