After the Breakup, the Crazy Movie Queen Clings to Me Every Day (GL) - Chapter 4

The sky was heavy with dark clouds, the rain gathering, and the wind subsiding.

Tan You’s slender, delicate frame seemed to melt into the shifting light and shadow, a beauty so intense it was almost overpowering.

*****

It appeared that Tan You had had another episode; her face was a sickly pale, yet she waited with immense patience for Lan Jingli’s answer.

The cool, clear smile on the woman’s face had a certain air of condescension, the kind that inexplicably makes a person feel both humbled and overwhelmed.

Lan Jingli wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t resist the hidden temptation—it was like Pandora opening the box, releasing every evil into the world.

“I…”

“Let me make it up to you,” Tan You said, lifting her eyes slightly. Her crimson gaze held a hint of a plea, adding a touch of fragility to her usual aloof and precious demeanor.

Lan Jingli didn’t dare look into Tan You’s eyes. Those amorous, slightly cold pupils were mesmerizing, making it impossible not to fall into their depths.

“My friend is still waiting for me.”

“I’ll have someone take your friend back to school.”

With the conversation at this point, Lan Jingli found it even harder to refuse. Besides, she hadn’t really wanted to say no in the first place.

“Okay, I’ll just tell her.”

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Tan You’s face, which was half-hidden in the dim light of the rain.

“Li Li, I’ll have Aunt Wan send you back first. I’ll be back to join you in an hour.”

Aunt Wan, standing nearby, nodded to Lan Jingli. Tan You stayed where she was, watching Lan Jingli with focused attention for a moment before turning to enter a private elevator on the other side, heading straight for the banquet hall.

When the elevator doors opened, Shu Su immediately noticed Tan You’s distracted expression.

“You’ve arrived just in time—not late at all,” Shu Su said with a knowing smile.

“Exactly just in time,” Tan You replied meaningfully.

They had been classmates since childhood and were intimately familiar with each other. Noticing the hidden meaning in her words, Shu Su laughed.

“What’s the story?”

Tan You remained composed. “I’ll tell you after the fish bites the hook.”

“The fish bites the hook?” Shu Su didn’t understand. Thinking of Tan You’s recent ventures—buying ports, ships, and investing in a botanical garden—she asked, “You’ve been making a lot of big moves lately. How many billions have you thrown into this?”

Tan Corporation’s business spanned the globe. Tan You’s promotion from the branch office to the headquarters to lead a government partnership project had essentially secured her position as the heir. From now on, she couldn’t afford to be careless.

Thinking of the koi fish she had sent back to the mountain villa that evening, Tan You curved her lips into a smile. It was impossible to tell if she was joking or being serious. “I haven’t spent money in a long time. It’s for fun.”

“Speaking of fun,” Shu Su said, as if a memory had just crossed her mind, smiling with radiant beauty. “I’m taking you to meet someone soon.”

Tan You wasn’t particularly interested, but she still gave a polite nod. “Whatever you arrange.”

“I heard Wei Xueyin is coming back to the country and is making a fuss about getting into the entertainment industry. She wants to film a drama with you. Is there still something between you two?”

The woman’s eyes, clear and cool as mountain mist, narrowed into a half-smile.

Shu Su didn’t waste any more time. “Everyone is waiting to toast you.”

Tan You was noncommittal. “If I get bored, I’ll just go home and make some specimens.”

The two of them entered the banquet hall through the VIP channel. One group after another came forward to chat. Tan You held a transparent whiskey glass with an elegant and cultured grace, pretending to be busy. Her usual indifferent expression softened slightly into a gentle smile.

It was a business smile—thoroughly polite, yet also restrained and perfectly controlled.

*****

Outside the banquet hall, Lan Jingli was waiting for her friend and asked.

“Excuse me, if I wanted to buy another one of the dresses she gave me, where would I go? That dress didn’t have a tag.”

It was the first time she had ever seen a piece of clothing with no label.

Aunt Wan was slightly surprised. “You want to buy another one?”

“I accidentally got it dirty and want to buy a new one to give back to her.”

The young woman in front of her was pure and beautiful, with a stubborn pride. Aunt Wan considered her words carefully.

“It’s just one dress. There’s no need to go to such trouble; she doesn’t mind.”

“Please, just tell me,” Lan Jingli insisted.

“I must be blunt, but I’m afraid you can’t buy that dress.”

“Why not?”

Seeing her insistence, Aunt Wan explained patiently.

“That dress is made from merino sheep wool, the first fleece of the spring. It’s carefully selected, and the wool fibers must be under 15 microns in diameter, which is extremely rare.”

Wei Yixi happened to return just in time to hear the explanation about the wool. “Can’t you use a different kind of wool?”

“Xixi, I have something to do. You can go back to the dorm without me.”

Aunt Wan looked at Wei Yixi. “Miss Lan’s friend, I’ve already called a car for you.”

“You’re so busy? Be careful.”

Wei Yixi noticed Aunt Wan’s expensive clothes and the Rolls-Royce parked nearby, a limited edition no longer in production. Filled with questions, she didn’t press for details.

Just as Lan Jingli was about to get into the car, she heard Aunt Wan answer Wei Yixi’s question.

“She doesn’t have to.”

“What?”

“Miss Lan, she could also use a different kind of wool, but she doesn’t need to.”

The luxury car, with its pristine white interior and a starlit roof that looked like a snowy expanse, slowly slid into the street.

Lan Jingli understood Aunt Wan’s meaning. Tan You, a woman from such a distinguished family, could have anything she wanted. She wasn’t an ordinary person who had to settle for anything less than perfect.

******

At the mountain villa, Aunt Wan led Lan Jingli to the same guest room as last time, telling her she could play with some Lego bricks while she waited. Tan You would be back soon.

Not long after, Lan Jingli was still debating whether to start building the Legos she was so reluctant to open when a servant invited her to the top floor for dinner.

Tan You had said she would be back in an hour, and an hour it was—precisely on time.

As soon as she arrived on the top floor, she heard Tan You’s voice.

“Li Li, come sit next to me.”

Sitting beside Tan You, Lan Jingli lowered her head and saw that the table was filled with all her favorite dishes. Not a single one had onions.

This kind of profound understanding, which seemed to penetrate to her very core, left her both breathless and terrified.

“Jiejie.”

“Last night was my fault. I didn’t consider your feelings,” Tan You said, apologizing sincerely.

“It’s… it’s fine now.”