After the Flash Marriage, My Ex Who is a Movie Queen Keeps Flirting with Me - Chapter 12

Scrolling down the trending topics list, Ming Jiyue found her name. Another person’s name appeared alongside hers:

#MingJiyue’sIndustryGirlfriend

#MingJiyueLiuFanCollaboration

#LiuFanMingJiyueAreTheActorsIAdmireMost

Her manager’s description wasn’t entirely accurate. It wasn’t quite an “acknowledgment” of an industry girlfriend, but it was close. The issue stemmed from a marketing account publishing an article mentioning Ming Jiyue and Liu Fan’s collaboration, along with recent rumors about Ming Jiyue’s romantic life.

Though the article didn’t explicitly state anything, its phrasing strongly implied a special connection between Liu Fan and Ming Jiyue. Combined with several ambiguous photos, the whole thing reeked of insinuation.

The marketing account was clever. It avoided making direct claims about their relationship but used suggestive language that would naturally lead readers to draw their own conclusions. It was clearly a coordinated effort by a PR team.

A film starring Ming Jiyue had just finished its theatrical run, and Liu Fan had played a minor role in it. This was likely an attempt to ride the last wave of publicity.

They wanted to capitalize on the buzz without causing too much of a stir, so they only purchased a few low-ranking trending topics, resulting in relatively low search volume.

Seeing Liu Fan’s name, Ming Jiyue frowned. Unpleasant memories flooded her mind. They hadn’t even settled their previous score, yet he dared to approach her again.

If they weren’t alumni of the same school and their families didn’t have business ties, she wouldn’t have given him even the slightest courtesy.

“Should we handle this?”

“Suppress the trending topic,” Ming Jiyue said, her words crisp and clear.

“They haven’t even explicitly stated anything. Only a fool would rush to give them more attention.” Ming Jiyue pursed her lips. “Hurry, take it down! What if my wife sees it and misunderstands? She might not let me in bed tonight!”

The manager was about to retort when Ming Jiyue’s next words froze her: “Also, give Liu Fan’s team a warning. They’d better behave themselves, or they’ll face the consequences.”

Ming Jiyue usually maintained an air of nonchalance, so her sudden cold tone was somewhat frightening. The manager immediately agreed, “Alright, I’ll take care of it.”

Her relationship with Jiang Wanyu wasn’t yet ready for public disclosure. Moreover, the gossip accounts hadn’t explicitly accused them of anything. With minimal initial attention, clarifying the situation would only amplify the controversy.

The manager acted swiftly. The relevant keywords quickly dropped out of the top 50, and public interest waned. With the immediate crisis averted, Ming Jiyue grew concerned about Jiang Wanyu.

Did she see it? Would anyone tell her?

When Jiang Wanyu returned from work, Ming Jiyue carefully observed her expression during dinner. Seeing her act as usual, showing no signs of awareness, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and refrained from bringing it up herself.

It’s better she doesn’t know about this mess.

While Ming Jiyue avoided mentioning the incident, Jiang Wanyu unexpectedly asked, “What time do you usually go to bed at night?”

Ming Jiyue had already noticed that Jiang Wanyu’s daily routine was remarkably disciplined, even healthier than her own fifty-something mother’s. Feeling a bit guilty, she mumbled vaguely, “Not really fixed, usually around eleven.”

Jiang Wanyu mercilessly called her out. “The past two nights, when I got up in the middle of the night, your light was still on after one o’clock, and I could hear the TV.”

Ming Jiyue chuckled awkwardly, trying to explain, “That was just occasional.”

“Twice, and I happened to catch you both times.” Jiang Wanyu nodded. “Quite the coincidence.”

Jiang Wanyu then asked, “Do you always sleep with the light on?”

Ming Jiyue’s hand, holding her chopsticks, visibly stiffened. “You know about that too?”

“The day before yesterday, I saw your light on and went to remind you to turn it off, but you were already asleep.”

“You never used to sleep with the light on. Why now?”

“It’s a habit I picked up in the last couple of years.” Ming Jiyue smiled, offering no further explanation.

Turning the conversation back to Jiang Wanyu, she asked, “Xiao Yu, why do you keep getting up at night? Are you not used to the bed?”

“I’m a light sleeper. It’ll get better in a few days.”

Ming Jiyue grinned. “Just sleep with me again. You didn’t get up once those nights.”

She quickly added, “Not that I particularly want you to sleep with me or anything. It’s just sleeping, after all. I don’t mind either way. I’m just concerned about your sleep quality.”

Her argument was so logical and well-reasoned.

“Am I being thoughtful?”

Jiang Wanyu took a sip of her soup. “…Thank you, but I don’t need it for now.”

“Go to bed early tonight. Don’t keep staying up late. It’s bad for your health,” she reminded her.

Ming Jiyue stared at her with wide, innocent eyes. “Would you believe me if I said I can’t sleep?”

“Just lie down early, and you’ll get used to it,” Jiang Wanyu said, not even lifting her gaze. She’d been fooled by Ming Jiyue too many times to believe a word of it. “And sleeping with the lights on isn’t a good habit either. Try to break it.”

“I could,” Ming Jiyue said, her eyes darting around as she began to negotiate. “But only if you sleep with me.”

“?”

Ming Jiyue’s tone was utterly sincere. “If the lights are off and you’re not there, I really can’t sleep.”

“And if I’m there, you’ll be able to sleep?”

Ming Jiyue nodded earnestly. “Mm-hmm.”

Jiang Wanyu didn’t know what to say. She spoke with genuine concern, “You might not feel it now, when you’re young and can abuse your body. But you’ll regret it later in life.”

“That makes sense,” Ming Jiyue said, studying her intently. “I think you and my grandmother would have a lot in common.”

Perhaps Jiang Wanyu’s serious expression finally got through to her. Ming Jiyue cleared her throat and said, “You’re right. I should be more careful.”

Jiang Wanyu thought Ming Jiyue was finally planning to repent, but then she continued, “But I’m afraid it’ll be a bit difficult on my own.”

“How about this, Teacher Jiang? Will you help me?”

“How?”

“Well, obviously by keeping me close and disciplining me properly,” Ming Jiyue said with a smile, the corners of her lips curving upward. “If I misbehave, you can take special measures, just like you did back in college. Remember how I could never solve certain problems? You could…”

“Enough,” Jiang Wanyu cut her off, her face flushing as unspeakable memories flashed through her mind. “We were young and foolish back then. Are you still acting like that now?”

Ming Jiyue laughed at her reaction. “We were just messing around back then because we were young and foolish. Now that we’re older and wiser, we can mess around properly—with real effort!”

Jiang Wanyu: ……

Unable to win the argument, Jiang Wanyu resorted to her trump card: “Let’s eat first.”

Lately, the company had been swamped with work. After dinner, Jiang Wanyu went to her study to work overtime, not returning to her room until nearly ten o’clock.

Her eyes felt strained from staring at the computer for so long. Rubbing them as she entered the room, she looked up to find someone lying on the bed.

Jiang Wanyu jumped back in surprise, instinctively taking a step backward.

The figure on the bed threw back the covers and sat up. “Wanyu, are you done working?”

Jiang Wanyu nodded and took another step back, feeling like prey caught in a hunter’s sights. “What are you doing here?”

“Worried you wouldn’t sleep well, so I came to keep you company,” Ming Jiyue winked.

Noticing Jiang Wanyu’s slow retreat, Ming Jiyue raised an eyebrow and got out of bed, approaching her step by step. “I’m your wife, not some villain. Why are you so afraid of me?”

Jiang Wanyu tried to remind her of their initial agreement: “One room each, no disturbing each other.”

Ming Jiyue sighed, sounding helpless. “I really did want to keep our agreement and leave you alone.”

“But?”

“But I’ve been telling everyone outside that we sleep together, all lovey-dovey. I have to keep up appearances, don’t I?”

Jiang Wanyu’s tone remained calm. “Then just stop telling people.”

“That won’t do,” Ming Jiyue wagged a finger in front of her face. “Let me introduce you to a new term: ‘character persona.’ You absolutely cannot let your persona crumble.”

Jiang Wanyu: “You insist on sleeping here?”

Ming Jiyue nodded earnestly. “Mm-hmm.”

Jiang Wanyu took a deep breath. “Fine, you can stay here.”

Before Ming Jiyue could show her delight, Jiang Wanyu added, “I’ll go to your room.”

Ming Jiyue: …?

Then Jiang Wanyu turned and left.

Jiang Wanyu went to Ming Jiyue’s room, realizing she hadn’t brought her pajamas. Reluctant to return to her own room, she decided to borrow some of Ming Jiyue’s clothes for the night.

As a celebrity, Ming Jiyue had a dedicated walk-in closet at home, filled with her various outfits, jewelry, and bags. Fortunately, there were also some casual clothes in the bedroom. Jiang Wanyu grabbed a simple piece to wear for the night.

Just as she was about to look for a towel, a knock came at the door. “Xiao Yu, can I come in?”

Jiang Wanyu startled, instinctively grabbing her clothes and darting into the bathroom.

The bathroom door clicked shut just as the bedroom door swung open.

Jiang Wanyu let out a silent sigh of relief, then realized: Why am I hiding from her?

Since she was already inside, she decided to take a shower.

Washing away her fatigue, Jiang Wanyu turned off the shower and suddenly remembered: she hadn’t brought a towel.

As if anticipating this, Ming Jiyue called out, “Xiao Yu, do you need me to get you a towel?”

Since she’d offered, Jiang Wanyu replied, “Just hang it on the doorknob.”

After a moment of silence, the bathroom door cracked open. Jiang Wanyu jumped, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest. “What are you doing?”

Ming Jiyue peeked in, smiling. “Bringing you a towel. You can’t just run out here soaking wet, can you?”

“I don’t mind… but you’ll catch a cold.”

Jiang Wanyu said sternly, “I do mind.”

Ming Jiyue stepped forward and handed her a towel. “Xiao Yu, it’s been years since we last saw each other. Why are you getting so shy? We used to bathe and sleep together. What’s the big deal about handing you a towel?”

Jiang Wanyu didn’t reply, but her snow-white skin flushed a faint pink, whether from the steam or something else.

Jiang Wanyu took the towel and murmured, “Thank you.” Ming Jiyue flashed her a radiant smile, her tone suddenly suggestive. “I’ll be waiting for you in bed.”

Jiang Wanyu quickly finished her shower and emerged. Ming Jiyue stood up from the bedside. “My turn.”

As they passed each other, Jiang Wanyu reminded her, “Don’t forget the towel.”

Ming Jiyue paused, as if just remembering something. “Look at my memory! I would have completely forgotten if you hadn’t reminded me.”

She grabbed a towel from the closet and entered the bathroom.

Jiang Wanyu hesitated, wondering if she should return to her own room. After all, she had no idea what might happen if she stayed here.

Before she could decide, a sudden scream erupted from the bathroom, followed by a loud crash as something heavy fell. Then, silence.

Jiang Wanyu jumped in alarm and rushed to the bathroom door. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I slipped and fell. I can’t get up. Xiao Yu, come help me.”

Jiang Wanyu hesitated for a moment before replying, “Okay, but… put some clothes on first.”

“Aiya, Xiao Yu…”

Jiang Wanyu’s face flushed crimson. “Otherwise… otherwise I…”

“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you. I’m dressed now. Hurry!”

Worried about Ming Jiyue’s condition, Jiang Wanyu opened the door and stepped inside as soon as the words were spoken.

The bathroom was thick with steam, blurring the figure inside. As she drew closer, Jiang Wanyu saw a silhouette half-sitting under the shower, struggling to rise but lacking the strength.

Ming Jiyue had indeed put on clothes, but they might as well have been nonexistent.

She had casually draped a wet shirt over herself. The soaked fabric clung transparently to her slender back, revealing the delicate curve of her butterfly bones and a waist so narrow it seemed one hand could span it.

Jiang Wanyu swallowed, unable to help but recall how, during their university days, she had caressed this snow-white back, its smooth skin, and even deeper places…

Sensing someone approaching, Ming Jiyue turned halfway around, her shirt carelessly draped, revealing glimpses of her chest. Jiang Wanyu’s gaze involuntarily swept over the sight before she quickly lowered her head.

As if she had truly fallen hard, the person before her had a shimmering, watery light in her eyes, the corners tinged with red, even the faint mole near her eye seemed flushed with crimson. She gazed at Jiang Wanyu with a pleading look, her voice trembling with a hint of tears: “Xiao Yu, please help me up…”

That tearful tone carried a mix of grievance and vulnerability, adding an ambiguous layer to the already charged atmosphere. It sounded like an invitation, making Jiang Wanyu want to tease her, to hear that melodious voice break into sobs.

Jiang Wanyu’s hand, hanging at her side, clenched unconsciously.