After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 33.1

“Li Li, be good. If we’re going to discuss the contract, I think we should do it in a more formal setting,” Tan You said, turning slightly to guide Lan Jingli toward her office.

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Though her tone was casual, it was an unmistakable directive. They were standing in the bustling corridor of Yunshu Entertainment, surrounded by celebrities, managers, media personnel, and other industry figures. Lan Jingli knew it would be unwise to discuss such matters in public.

“Let’s go. I only have ten minutes before I need to leave for another appointment.”

Tan You’s eyes darkened. In the past, no matter how busy Lan Jingli was, she had always prioritized Tan You. But Tan You was patient and knew how to coax her.

“Li Li, I had the chef specially prepare a crème brûlée without cheese today,” Tan You said, accepting the porcelain dish from an assistant. “Try it and tell me if you like it. If not, I’ll have them adjust the recipe next time.”

Lan Jingli had never known Tan You had a private office at Yunshu Entertainment. The decor was minimalist and elegant, with potted plants arranged around a delicate incense burner emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance. A cup of black tea, meant to cut through the richness, sat on the table.

The woman tapped the caramelized surface of the crème brûlée with a small silver spoon. The brittle crust cracked open, revealing the bright yellow custard beneath, its fragrant aroma filling the air.

“Li Li, be a good girl. Let me feed you,” she said, her expression unwavering, completely unfazed by Lan Jingli’s coldness.

Lan Jingli knew all this had been prepared for her. “No need,” she replied. “I just finished exercising. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Then let me wipe your sweat,” Tan You said, picking up a steaming hot towel. She reached out to Lan Jingli, intending to wipe her face. “Let your sister take care of you. It’ll feel so good.”

“Are you being so attentive because you’re afraid I’ll be ungrateful and refuse to be your kept woman?” Lan Jingli took a small step to the side, standing in the dappled light and shadow. Her striking features; high cheekbones and deep-set eyes were even more pronounced, her beauty as radiant as peach blossoms.

 “And I don’t have a sister, whether by bl00d or otherwise.”

Hearing Lan Jingli repeatedly deny having a sister, Tan You’s brow furrowed slightly, but her expression quickly smoothed out, showing no trace of annoyance. She spoke with the gentle concern of a lover, asking if the dishes on the menu suited her taste.

“Li Li, you can think of this contract however you like—it’s just a game of words. But I simply want us both to feel more secure and have a healthier, better relationship.”

Is being kept the same as being in love? Tan You must be the only person in the world who thinks that way.

In the bright light, Lan Jingli scanned the contract at a glance. The first page alone was enough to make her both laugh and sigh.

The contract was filled with seven clauses, written in black ink on white paper:

1. Lan Jingli must respond to Tan You’s messages immediately and be available at a moment’s notice.
2. Without Tan You’s permission, Lan Jingli may not add any new contacts, including but not limited to phone numbers, WeChat, Weibo, etc.
3. Lan Jingli may not engage in any ambiguous behavior with others, including but not limited to stirring up romantic rumors, singing love songs together, exchanging flowers, wearing necklaces given by others, etc.
4. Lan Jingli must live in the residence provided by Tan You.
5. Without permission, Lan Jingli may not cook for others, nor provide food in any form.
6. Lan Jingli may not delete Tan You’s contact information.
7. Lan Jingli may make any request to Tan You (subject to negotiation).

The following pages detailed Tan You’s generous terms and benefits: an annual payment of four hundred million yuan, tax-free, along with a house, a car, and access to all the resources of the entertainment industry. If Lan Jingli were sensible, knew what was good for her, and was willing to sell her body for her future, to objectify herself, to sell her soul, to obediently become a gilded cage without a shred of dignity, to sell herself to the wealthiest and most powerful person. Such terms were undeniably tempting and satisfying.

Seeing Lan Jingli meticulously reading the contract, Tan You cheerfully opened an exquisite little box and took out the black opal Koi Necklace.

“Li Li, I personally had the embellishments changed. Would you wear it again?”

Lan Jingli coldly observed Tan You’s carefully staged nonchalance. Beside the tiny koi pendant, delicate jade carvings of aquatic plants had been added. They appeared vibrant and lush, like thriving lotus leaves, but in truth, they were merely the bars of a beautiful cage.

“You want to keep me? This price is far too high. My worth is nowhere near that much.”

Outside the window, the fountain’s mist billowed thickly, mingling with the cool, damp air. The humid warmth seemed to tint Tan You’s pale cheeks with a rosy blush, like the halo around the moon. This woman, usually as clear and cold as ice and snow, suddenly radiated a vibrant, captivating beauty, as dazzling as the spring moon. She understood the art of restraint, stopping just an inch away from Lan Jingli’s side, neither closing the distance nor retreating. The more she yearned, the more she held back.

“Li Li, I just want to repair our relationship. I was wrong before.”

Tan You naturally possessed an aloof, alluring charm, like a poppy swaying by a clear pond. But Lan Jingli had long seen through this dazzling façade, recognizing the decay and danger hidden beneath its surface.

“I’ve told you before, our feelings were never that deep,” Lan Jingli said casually, setting down the flimsy contract pages. “Find someone else—someone who understands you, appreciates you, and truly loves you.”

Tan You seemed deaf to her words. Her delicate, icy features flushed crimson as she moved like a snake, coiling around Lan Jingli. A cold, haunting fragrance filled the air as her collar slipped open, revealing a wide expanse of snow-white skin—a spring scene of bone-deep allure.

“Li Li, put this on. You can never take it off again.”

Lan Jingli remained unmoved, her voice calm as she asked, “Is this a necklace or a dog collar?”

The seductive smile vanished from Tan You’s face, replaced by a softer expression. Her dark hair shimmered as she replied, “If you feel it’s unfair, you can put another one on me yourself. It has GPS tracking too.” She produced another black opal necklace, its prism-like circular design resembling a miniature world trapping a swimming fish.

Lan Jingli’s gaze deepened, her expression unreadable. Tan You tilted her head, looking up at the girl who stood half a head taller. Her crimson lips and arched brows curved into a serene smile as she raised her face slightly. The snow-white, delicate nape of her neck was exposed, the faint blue veins visible beneath her thin skin. Vulnerable and easily exploited, it resembled a white jade ruyi scepter, waiting to be carelessly handled and defiled.

“Tan You, you’re engaged. Do I need to remind you again?” Lan Jingli’s voice carried a barely perceptible rasp, her heart seeming to stop for a moment. After being betrayed by someone she truly trusted, this person still dared to repeatedly demand she act as if nothing had changed? She struggled to control herself, unwilling to let the grief and resentment that had nearly dissipated resurface.

Did Tan You still see her as that naive, easily manipulated child? Did she think she could simply beckon and Lan Jingli would come running back, prostrating herself at the woman’s feet in subservience?

“I can guarantee that our engagement won’t change anything between us. With a contract binding us, we can have the most stable and unshakable relationship.”

“What kind of relationship?” Lan Jingli nearly failed to suppress the sardonic smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “A fuckbuddy arrangement? Tan You, get your priorities straight. You’re a noble heiress, a celestial being revered by countless people, a woman of immense power and status. Why would you deign to step down and trample on this pile of mud that is me?”

Hearing Lan Jingli describe herself that way, Tan You’s brow furrowed slightly. “Li Li, don’t belittle yourself.”

Lan Jingli lowered her gaze, a self-deprecating smile playing on her lips. “I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have clung to you so desperately, causing you so much trouble. But I’ve turned over a new leaf now. I’m a changed person.”

Her voice faded, blending seamlessly with the soothing sound of flowing water. This sound, like an impenetrable net of fate, stirred the heart of the woman who was usually so perceptive and in control, plunging her into a state of bewilderment.

I’ve completely repented and turned over a new leaf. Was Lan Jingli saying that loving her had been an unbearable mistake?

“You don’t have to change,” Tan You said, her face pale and haughty, her tone like pardoning an unpardonable sinner.

“I love you. Am I worthy?” Lan Jingli asked with a mocking smile, slowly backing away as if trying to escape this suffocating world.

Tan You maintained her elegant composure. “Li Li, add me back on WeChat.”

“You’re already engaged to Wei Xueyin.”

“So what?” Tan You’s pristine face was pale, her skin translucent as warm jade. She reached out with her cold, delicate fingertips and touched Lan Jingli’s chin, as if savoring the sight of Lan Jingli’s past and present heartbreak intertwined. For a fleeting moment, Lan Jingli understood the delight in Tan You’s eyes. “Tan You, were you moved by seeing me so distraught that day?”

Tan You’s usually graceful movements slowed slightly as she considered the question, but she nodded with absolute composure. “Yes, I was very pleased.”

This woman’s affection for someone carried an air of condescending entitlement. “I love you. You should follow my whims, molding yourself into the shape I desire.”

“Tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best to make it happen,” Tan You said with a faint smile. “Just tell me, and I’ll give it to you. Want to sing? I’ll get you a vocal coach. Want to act? I can arrange that too. Want to go back to school? That’s an option as well. The choice is yours.”

Tan You’s gaze was clear and detached, yet held an unfathomable depth, like mountain mist. It was like the moon hanging low, teetering on the edge, beautiful but perilous—a beauty that made one hesitate to approach. It seemed Tan You believed that with a mere flick of her fingers, Lan Jingli would follow her as she had before, step by step.

For Tan You, this is probably her way of saying ‘I love you,’ Lan Jingli thought with a wry smile. Such a peculiar kind of love—so peculiar that I’m unworthy of it.

She used to have dreams where she repeatedly asked Tan You if she loved her. “I love you.” Those simple words echoed in her dreams, but when she woke, her world was silent.

Perhaps Tan You saw her as utterly destitute, someone who had never seen gold in her life. Now that she had a single coin, she would treasure it, trembling with fear of losing it, exhausting herself to guard it as if walking on thin ice. Yes, Lan Jingli had never truly been loved in her life. So when Tan You showed her even the slightest hint of affection, she was overjoyed, not knowing how to react. Even in that mountain village, after just a few days of companionship and a handful of words, she felt as if Tan You had branded her heart, her devotion unwavering. Like a moth drawn to a flame, she willingly plunged into the abyss, like an impoverished farmer who had finally reaped a bountiful harvest after a lifetime of hardship, desperate to hide every grain of rice under her pillow, terrified that this love might vanish or be stolen away. Meanwhile, the other woman Tan You had granted status and security to could bask in this complete devotion, relaxed and at ease, sleeping soundly every night. Because Lan Jingli was never favored, she had none of these things. Yes, she envied them deeply, yearned for them with a thirst that nearly consumed her.

Tan You naturally assumed that losing her “golden treasure” would leave Lan Jingli withered with grief, tormented beyond endurance. So, when Tan You decided to bestow the “golden treasure” upon her once more, she believed Lan Jingli would be overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and tears of relief at its return.

“I don’t want anything from you. Nothing at all,” Lan Jingli said firmly. “We don’t need to stay in touch either.”

Tan You looked puzzled. “Why?”

“Why?” Lan Jingli didn’t even bother to argue. Why? Maybe because I’m afraid your meticulously crafted specimen will appear in my engagement video with someone else. Maybe because I’m afraid you’ll think we shared a moment of understanding amidst the fireworks, when I was actually accepting another man’s proposal. Maybe because I’m afraid you’ll travel so far, only to find the person you wanted to see already belongs to someone else. Maybe because I still have some self-respect and dignity.

Tan You waited for Lan Jingli’s answer.

“Chairman Tan, I told you from the start, I’m not selling myself,” Lan Jingli said, nodding slightly and offering a strained smile.

In that moment, Tan You suddenly felt Lan Jingli was impossibly distant. Could she lose her?

“This isn’t about selling yourself. It’s about… a proper relationship. You…”

Before Tan You could finish, Lan Jingli abruptly opened the door. Wei Yixi, who had been eavesdropping, didn’t have time to hide and was caught red-handed.

“Chairman Tan… Chairman Tan, good afternoon. I came to see Jingli. We’re supposed to go to Wen Fei’s place for dinner together, but she’s the only one missing,” Wei Yixi said with an awkward smile, gripping the doorframe to steady herself.

The woman frowned, her expression visibly cooling, but before she could speak, Lan Jingli said calmly, “I texted Xi Xi to come find me.”

Tan You recognized the unspoken meaning beneath Lan Jingli’s words, her gaze lingering on Lan Jingli with a depth like the mist-shrouded mountains.

“Li Li, do you think I would do something to your friends?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn’t,” Lan Jingli replied evenly. “You already had the company block my CP with Wen Fei, didn’t you? I hope you won’t take things any further.”

She had seen movies and read countless books.

She knew that wealth, fame, beauty, and intelligence could all be inherited through the luck of birth, but power alone was reserved for the truly strong. Power was like a wild beast beyond ordinary human control. Attempting to wield it without the mastery of a tamer risked being devoured by its backlash. Many who appeared glamorous and powerful, living in extravagant luxury, were ultimately just clinging to others or manipulating them to gain power—a precarious foundation indeed.

No matter how dramatically or strategically their experiences were portrayed, they were ultimately just the imaginings of outsiders. Tan You, however, wasn’t some sycophant clinging to power. She genuinely wielded it, manipulating events with effortless ease. If she wanted, she could crush them like ants.

Lan Jingli’s wary skepticism brought an incongruous smile to Tan You’s usually cold face.

“It’s fine. You can think that way. Imagine me as even worse than you do,” Tan You said. Born into power, even her gentle smile radiated an aloof, superior air. “Even worse is fine.”

Wei Yixi, meanwhile, felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, her back prickling with unease. She bitterly regretted being discovered. I should have been more careful! Eavesdropping was one thing, but hearing Tan You casually utter such half-mad words right in front of her was another entirely. Wei Yixi wanted nothing more than to gouge out her own eyes, cover her ears, and flee. How could she possibly survive after hearing Chairman Tan “humble herself” and beg Lan Jingli to return to her side?

Though, to be honest, there was nothing humble about it. It sounded more like a high-handed command… with an unsettlingly villainous undertone.

Tan You pushed the contract across the table toward Lan Jingli again. “Read it over a few more times. I’m not negotiating with you; I’m simply informing you of my intentions. The terms allow you to make demands of me as well. I’ll do my best to fulfill them.”

Lan Jingli pushed the contract away, her weary yet radiant eyes curving into a smile. “No need. I’m informing you again: I refuse. As I’ve said before, I never look back.” With that, she turned to Wei Yixi, signaling her to leave with her. “This is over. Weren’t we going to Wen Fei’s place? Let’s go.”

Wei Yixi glanced sideways at Tan You, whose face remained calm as thin ice on a spring day—a sickly, fragile appearance that concealed a chilling, sinister aura. This is over, as in, she’s done playing nice.

Wei Yixi had walked a few meters away, relieved that Tan You hadn’t made another move, and was about to grab Lan Jingli’s hand to flee this dangerous place when she heard the woman’s soft, slightly unnatural voice.

“Li Li, I sent you a ‘true love’ magic emoji. Why are you still angry?”

Despite the childish and undignified question, Tan You’s innate air of authority—impossible to conceal after years of commanding power—remained undiminished. The habitual condescension in her tone persisted. She lowered her lashes, concealing her true emotions completely, revealing not a trace of her inner turmoil.

“Didn’t you say that whenever you received my emoji, no matter how far apart we were or how long it had been, you’d come back to me? Why do you break your promises so easily?”

Lan Jingli’s tall figure paused before she turned, her eyes clear and cold.

“Chairman Tan, don’t you understand?”

Tan You’s eyes narrowed slightly, the upturned corners of her crimson eyes glistening with a beautiful, wet sheen, hinting at both threat and allure. “Understand what?”

Lan Jingli felt a sour, burning sensation swirling in her eyes and heart. She remembered the day she had sent the emoji to Tan You, filled with naive joy, even fantasizing that they might quarrel, give each other the silent treatment, and then reconcile like other couples. To make the reconciliation quicker and easier, she had concocted that ridiculous “true love magic.” But in Tan You’s eyes, she was merely an ignorant, incompetent, boring, and ordinary person burdened with secret anxieties; utterly insignificant and unremarkable.

“Promises only hold true when love endures,” Lan Jingli said.

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