After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 31.2

Ever since seeing Tan You and Lan Jingli together at the hospital, Wei Xueyin had been restless, fearing that their relationship might develop in ways she didn’t want.

Fortunately, Tan You called her again, inviting her to attend the family banquet as her fiancée. Overjoyed, Wei Xueyin dressed carefully, following Aunt Wan’s suggestion to wear black.

When she met Tan You, she noticed that Tan You had also changed into a black coat, making them look like a matching couple.

On the courtyard path lined with ancient locust trees, Wei Xueyin took a deep breath and asked slowly, “Youyou, you don’t still like Lan Jingli, do you? The gap between you two is too great. Your family would never approve of her, and she falls in love so easily. The trainees at the company say she’s been spending all her time with someone else, and their feelings are heating up fast.”

“Falls in love easily?” Tan You’s expression remained cold as she walked calmly along the old mansion’s path, her voice betraying no emotion.

Wei Xueyin’s expression was sincere and natural. “That’s what everyone at the company says. You know how college students are their feelings come and go quickly. They like you today, her tomorrow, never taking love seriously.”

Tan You paused for a moment, noticing the discomfort in her chest, before finally saying, “I… I don’t like her.”

Wei Xueyin carefully observed Tan You, unable to detect any outward signs of distress, yet her unease lingered.

“Oh, by the way, I leaked the news about our return to the Tan family ancestral home to my media contacts. You don’t mind, do you?”

“No,” Tan You replied, her gaze fixed ahead, her tone as calm and detached as usual, making even her compliments sound utterly devoid of warmth. “You handled it well. I’m satisfied.”

“Aunt Wan told me your family still disapproves of our engagement, right? Actually, I’ve met Miss Lin from the Lin Family. She’s quite accomplished—a master’s graduate from Columbia University in biology, and a lifelong ballet dancer.”

As Wei Xueyin spoke, her voice grew softer. She felt nothing but annoyance and disdain toward Lan Jingli, convinced she was unworthy of Tan You.

But Miss Lin was different. At a young age, she was already a researcher at a prestigious university, a rising star with a brilliant future. Everyone praised her endlessly.

Tan You replied absently, “Whether she’s accomplished or not is irrelevant to me.”

“What about Lan Jingli? What do you feel about her?” Seeing Tan You’s expression darken, Wei Xueyin recognized the signs of a woman’s anger.

Why is Tan You so indifferent when I mention Miss Lin, but so different when I bring up Lan Jingli?

“Don’t mention Lan Jingli in front of me again.”

“Alright, I’ll try not to,” Wei Xueyin said, deciding not to press the issue further. “Youyou, I never knew your family had an estate like this. You’ve never mentioned it before.”

“It’s the ancestral home. I rarely come here.”

“So, if we get married, will we have to live here?”

Tan You’s usual languid demeanor stiffened, her expression turning cold and severe. She was about to reply when a tall man approached them, interrupting her.

It was Tan You’s uncle, Tan Yifan.

He wore a loose-fitting robe and a string of prayer beads said to have been blessed by a high-ranking monk, exuding understated opulence.

“Youyou, you must be tired from the journey. Come, rest in the main hall. Miss Lin has been waiting for you for a long time. She brought many rare tree saplings, some she’s been cultivating in her lab for years. They’re quite expensive, so be sure to thank her properly.”

Even with Tan You’s “fiancée,” publicly announced to the world, by her side, this “kind uncle” still managed to deliver his prepared lines.

“Uncle, give up on this,” Tan You said bluntly, showing no mercy. Her slender, pale fingers pushed up her glasses, the engagement ring on her hand flashing brilliantly.

Tan Yifan’s expression finally darkened. He instructed a nearby servant to escort Wei Xueyin to the reception hall for tea.

“Youyou, I…” Wei Xueyin gazed at Tan You reluctantly, a hint of timidity in her eyes.

“Go ahead. I’ll join you later.”

Once they were alone at the end of the ancient path, Tan Yifan resorted to his usual emotional tactics.

“Tan You, if your mother were still alive, what would she think of your rebellious behavior? She entrusted you to the family’s care, hoping you would grow up healthy, become accomplished, and follow the family’s plans.”

“Dear Uncle, have you forgotten? My mother couldn’t see. She developed diabetes while pregnant with me. After I was born, her condition worsened due to lack of funds. She was completely blind before she died.”

Tan You spoke with a chilling calm, as if recounting someone else’s story. Her words were logical, her facts clear, and the narrative flowed smoothly.

She remembered being just three years old, clutching her mother’s hand in their dilapidated home. Her mother had told her she’d found a good place for her, but Tan You didn’t want to go. She only wanted her mother to stay with her.

Back then, her mother couldn’t see anything. Tan You had to hold her hand tightly, terrified of what would happen if she let go. The darkness must have been terrifying, like being buried alive, completely cut off from the world, as if no one would ever be there for her.

She couldn’t bear to let go, afraid her mother would lose her only connection to the world.

But her mother pushed her away, urging her to go with the strangers and live a better life.

This must have been fate’s cruel curse: the more you cherish something, the more likely you are to lose it.

After that, Tan You learned her lesson. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t lose anything.

“We gave your mother a substantial sum of money, enough for her treatment. It was simply her fate to succumb to her illness. But you’re different. You’re the brightest star of this generation in the Tan Family. We’re all very pleased with how you’ve been leading the Tan Corporation.”

“If you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters,” Tan You said with a silent smile. She knew their satisfaction meant bribing a few executives to obstruct her proposals within the Tan Group.

Realizing the conversation had failed again, Tan Yifan felt a surge of frustration. Yet he remained powerless. Tan You had cleverly reassigned their key executives to peripheral departments, limiting their ability to cause trouble.

“Youyou, I don’t believe you truly care for that Wei Family boy. Marrying Miss Lin from the powerful Lin Family—that’s how you’d honor the Tan Family’s investment in your brilliance. Miss Lin is the most suitable and worthy match for you.”

“Worthy of me, or more worthy of you, Uncle? Or to put it bluntly, is the Lin Family simply more compliant to your wishes?”

Tan Yifan gazed at his exceptionally capable and strikingly beautiful niece, her aura radiating authority. He felt a pang of helplessness, yet forced himself to offer platitudes.

“Youyou, why speak like that? We’re all part of the Tan Family—same surname, same bl00d. Helping us is helping yourself. Your success reflects well on all of us.”

Tan You’s expression remained languid, a hint of amusement playing on her lips.

“Uncle, let me reiterate: I actually bear my mother’s surname, Tan. My connection to your Tan Family isn’t as close as you seem to believe.”

********

After about a week of rest, Yunshu Entertainment arranged over a dozen small live shows for Lan Jingli and Wei Yixi. These venues held a few hundred people, seated in a circle around a slightly elevated stage where the two performed, Lan Jingli on bass, Wei Yixi on drums, and a keyboardist.

The shows were free; fans registered online, providing necessary information. Company staff intentionally screened applicants to grant admission.

Several media outlets friendly with Yunshu Entertainment were invited to livestream the performances, and press releases and marketing accounts were prepped in advance.

Backstage, Lan Jingli leaned against her chair, eyes downcast, her soft, dark bangs falling to obscure her striking features. She cradled her guitar, tuning it listlessly.

Wei Yixi glanced at her a few times, sensing her distraction and a hollow, listless air about her.

As the show neared, only the two of them remained in the room to allow them space to rest. Then came a series of urgent knocks.

Wei Yixi opened the door without hesitation, but before she could speak, she was hit by a strong smell of alcohol. Standing there was Wei Xueyin, dressed in luxury brands, her eyes bloodshot and her speech slurred.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Wei Xi asked, her voice dripping with disdain for Wei Xueyin, that utter fraud.

“Wei Yixi?” Wei Xueyin squinted at the woman who opened the door, slurring her words. “None of your business. Move aside.”

“Oh, you know what? You barging into Syzygy’s lounge is my business.”

Wei Xueyin stood in the doorway, her cheeks flushed crimson, her gaze immediately locking onto Lan Jingli.

“Lan Jingli, did you see the news? Tan You took me back to her ancestral home. Our relationship is rock solid!”

Lan Jingli exchanged a glance with Wei Xi before lazily stretching out her legs. “Congratulations, congratulations! You’re about to attain enlightenment and achieve true fulfillment.”

“Stop trying to sabotage us,” Wei Xueyin snapped. “We’ve been together since childhood. Our bond is unbreakable. She wears our engagement ring at every formal event.”

Lan Jingli set down her guitar and clapped lightly. “I know. So what? Do you want an award for that?”

Wei Xueyin fell silent for a moment before erupting again. “What are you acting so smug for? She doesn’t love you! She never has! She told me herself, afraid I’d misunderstand her.”

“I’ve always known that. Are you just realizing it now?” Lan Jingli’s innocent-sounding question only deepened Wei Xueyin’s anger and embarrassment, leaving her nowhere to hide.

“She loves me! It’s definitely me! It has to be me!”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps the pent-up emotions had finally reached their breaking point. Or maybe it was the realization that Tan You felt something special for Lan Jingli that drove Wei Xueyin to such a desperate, undignified outburst.

Lan Jingli’s eyes softened with pity. “She loves you, definitely you. Do you want some water? You sound so parched from shouting. Or should I get you some hangover medicine?”

“Stop trying to steal her from me! You’re not allowed to take Tan You!”

Clutching her guitar, Lan Jingli radiated a rebellious charm—both sweet and impossible to tame. She chuckled softly.

“Relax, I’m not stealing her. She’s not exactly a prize anyway.”

They were standing near the VIP entrance, their voices carrying clearly through the open space.

Their loud voices, combined with Wei Yixi hearing footsteps in the corridor, prompted her to warn, “Keep it down! The media is still up ahead.”

“Older Cousin, what are you listening to?” The girl with the headphones turned to look at Tan You, who was standing motionless. She took off her headphones and listened for a few seconds. “Just some celebrities arguing. It’s all about love and stuff, totally normal. I’ve heard this kind of drama a hundred times as a fan.”

Tan You had been dragged here by her younger cousin, who had just started graduate school. She hadn’t wanted to waste her time at such a flashy event, but changed her mind when she learned it was Syzygy’s live show.

They had just entered through the VIP entrance when Tan You heard her name and Lan Jingli’s dismissive remark: “Relax, I’m not going to steal it. It’s not even worth taking.”

“Come on, Older Cousin, stop spacing out,” the younger cousin said, pulling Tan You forward, who was lost in thought.

A seasoned “fangirl,” the younger cousin had close relationships with many celebrities, thanks to her family’s endless wealth. Sending them limited-edition clothes, shoes, and bags was a regular occurrence.

“Older Cousin, look! That’s the band right there! Wei Yixi, the sunny guy on the poster, is my new obsession.”

They settled into a secluded spot in the VIP section, about two or three meters away from the general crowd, separated by a rustic wooden railing.

*********

The venue was dimly lit, the lights casting an eerie, hazy glow. In the dimness, it was impossible to distinguish faces from even a few meters away. The excited Little Cousin didn’t notice the terrifying darkness that had settled over Tan You’s expression.

“Do you like Wei Yixi?”

“Mm-hmm. But I also like Lan Jingli. She has this kind of decadent beauty, too cool and aloof for my taste.”

Tan You listened quietly to Little Cousin’s chatter, occasionally offering a brief response. After Lan Jingli and the others took the stage, her attention shifted entirely to the performance.

Little Cousin swayed to the music, her excitement bubbling over as she rattled off entertainment gossip like a seasoned insider.

“Here’s some insider info: Lan Jingli and Wen Fei might be working on a film together. It’s being directed by a veteran director. Older Cousin, you’ve been out of the industry for years, so you probably don’t know him well.”

Tan You murmured a disinterested “Mm-hmm.”

“That director is a master at manipulating actors—not in the sense of helping them understand their roles. He loves filming intense romance dramas, and he’ll pull all sorts of crazy stunts to get the leads into character.”

“Crazy stunts?”

“Like his last film. To make the leads fall in love and fully embody their roles, he took them camping in the wilderness for three days. Seventy-two hours of complete isolation, just the two of them.”

Tan You glanced at Lan Jingli on stage, accepting the flowers Wen Fei had given her, but remained unmoved. Lowering her gaze, she picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of water.

She had heard countless stories like this since entering the industry—it was nothing new. To live and breathe a role, to become utterly consumed by it, was perfectly normal.

“They’re lucky to have a director like that,” Tan You murmured.

Little Cousin nodded in deep agreement. “The director’s previous film was different from a typical romantic comedy. The romance was intense, but the plot was profound and epic. When it’s released, the whole world will be shipping them. It’ll be a real treat for the audience.”

Tan You fell silent.

She set down the porcelain teapot, the gentle clink of the ceramic against the glass tabletop echoing softly. The sound was faint, yet it inexplicably made the atmosphere tense.

Little Cousin raised an eyebrow. “Those CP fans are legendary. They’re still obsessed with them, even after all these years. I bet it’ll be the same if Lan Jingli and Wen Fei star in it.”

Clutching her glass, Tan You asked softly, “What happened to the two leads afterward?”

“After filming, they naturally got together, but then they broke up. It’s so sad,” Little Cousin continued, her voice animated. “Their current girlfriends are really pitiful. Fans hate them, calling them ‘mistresses’ who came between the real couple. It’s wrong, but people can’t help it—they’re still heartbroken over the characters in the movie.”

She shook her head and sighed. “I guess no matter how much time passes, in everyone’s eyes, the people standing beside them will always be seen as just settling. The other lead in the movie will always be considered their true love, the perfect match, the one who truly deserves to be with them.”

“Mm,” Tan You murmured.

Sensing her older cousin’s lack of interest, Little Cousin immediately changed the subject, tactfully shifting the conversation to family gossip—what their cousins and elders had been up to.

“Talking so much has made me thirsty. I’ll have a gin and tonic. Want one, Older Cousin? Oh, I’m such a ditz—you never drink.”

She snapped her fingers at the bartender, who promptly came over to take her order.

Tan You remained silent, the flickering lights casting her cold, ascetic features into a mesmerizing silhouette. Her eyes, like molten glass, swirled with turbulent emotions, refusing to settle.

“Dry Martini, please.”

Little Cousin stared in disbelief as the waiter noted Tan You’s order, wondering if she’d misheard.

At family New Year gatherings, Tan You never touched a drop of alcohol, refusing to indulge anyone, from eighty-year-olds to three-year-olds.

“Older Cousin, don’t overdo it. Aunt Wan will blame me for corrupting you. If you can’t handle alcohol, just stick to water—even though your choice looks like water anyway.”

“This has nothing to do with you. I suddenly feel like trying something new.”

Tan You sensed an unspoken desire stirring within her, like wild grass taking root in her heart. Perhaps a little alcohol could suppress it.

When the drink arrived, Little Cousin watched nervously as Tan You drained the Dry Martini in one gulp. Her usually cold, aloof face flushed with a captivating blush.

“Older Cousin, don’t drink too much and wander off,” Little Cousin said, glancing around. Seeing several family bodyguards watching the crowd, she finally relaxed.

The stage performance was nearing its end. Lan Jingli, who had improvised a drum solo, was drenched in sweat, her sexy, stunning performance electrifying the crowd. Even after she left the stage to rest, the bar buzzed with the unrestrained enthusiasm of her fans.

“Lan Jingli is still so impressive… Hey, Older Cousin, where are you going?”

Tan You’s expression deepened, the coldness in her eyes softening as she gazed at her cousin with an unusually gentle look.

“I have some things to take care of. I’ll be back later. Don’t worry about me.”

“You’re drinking and wandering off?”

The little cousin watched Tan You walk toward the secluded emergency exit, feeling puzzled but too timid to follow.

Emerging from the restroom, Lan Jingli was still slapping her face with cold hands, desperate to stay awake from exhaustion.

Her vision remained blurry with lingering steam. Just as she reached for her phone to use as a flashlight, a feverish hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Who… who are you?”

Tan You’s dark hair cascaded softly around her pale face, her lips a vivid crimson. Her delicate features burned with a feverish intensity, momentarily vivid and alive, yet tinged with a snow-like melancholy.

In the next instant, the world seemed to fall silent. A warm, fragrant body pressed against Lan Jingli’s chest, the subtle scent of orchids and musk rising like steam. The woman in her arms felt like a crimson lotus blooming in flames.

Madness and obsession flickered in the woman’s eyes as she recklessly kissed Lan Jingli.