Fake Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 22

Gu Nanxuan’s sharp gaze instantly landed on her.

Jiang Mengxi not only didn’t avoid it but instead met her gaze head-on, blowing her a kiss. “Xuanxuan, staring at me like that—have you fallen for me? Want to consider being with me?”

Gu Nanxuan’s expression darkened.

“Alright,” Qiu Qing’an interjected in time. “If you don’t want the photos, then forget it.”

If she let these two continue bickering, the entire noon would be anything but peaceful.

She said softly to Gu Nanxuan, “After I finish developing the last few photos, we’ll call Jiangjiang and head back together.”

Gu Nanxuan’s mood improved slightly, and she nodded.

The few tourists waiting outside the photography shop were polite enough not to intrude.

However, their occasional glances inside made it clear they were intensely curious about the conversation.

When Qiu Qing’an handed them the developed photos, their faces lit up with delight. After thanking her, they reluctantly left.

Gu Nanxuan retrieved the tripod from outside and packed it away with the camera, then grabbed the keys to lock up.

Seeing that she had everything ready, Qiu Qing’an turned to Jiang Mengxi, who was still sitting in a chair. “We’re heading back. Aren’t you leaving?”

Jiang Mengxi stood up, tossing her slightly curled long hair. “Of course. I’ll go with you.”

“Why are you following us?”

Still irritated over losing money on Jiang Mengxi’s three photos, Gu Nanxuan was in no mood to humor her.

Jiang Mengxi, completely unfazed, smiled brightly. “Can’t I?”

“No.”

Gu Nanxuan refused without hesitation.

“Then I’ll just have to follow you even more.”

Jiang Mengxi made it clear she had every intention of sticking with them.

“You—”

Qiu Qing’an caught Gu Nanxuan’s hand, stopping her from escalating the argument.

“Let’s go.”

After locking the shop, Qiu Qing’an led Gu Nanxuan away by the hand.

Since the shop’s livestream didn’t pause at noon, the audience saw everything clearly:

What’s happening now??? Why is the award-winning actress holding Gu Nanxuan’s hand?

No idea. This isn’t following the script.

Right, shouldn’t the actress be leaving intimately with the stunning beauty while Gu Nanxuan is left behind alone?

But now, the roles had clearly reversed.

The one left behind was Jiang Mengxi.

Yet Jiang Mengxi showed no signs of being left out. Instead, she followed the two with an easy expression, pulling out her phone. Her red-polished nails tapped the screen as she messaged someone.

With a ding, she got a reply.

Her red lips curved into an even brighter smile.

When Gu Nanxuan and Qiu Qing’an arrived at the food shop, Ge Jiang was busy packing the items they planned to take back.

She had been alone in the shop all morning and was completely swamped. The remaining goods were only there because she had politely turned away several tourists.

Noticing Gu Nanxuan and Qiu Qing’an approaching, she said, “I’ll be done soon,” speeding up as she poured freshly squeezed juice into cups.

“No rush.”

Seeing her flustered, Qiu Qing’an stepped forward to help with the packing bags. “Let me help you.”

Gu Nanxuan also pitched in, tidying up other items in the shop.

Ge Jiang gave them a quick “thank you” as they assisted.

She noticed Gu Nanxuan tidying up the blender on the counter and said, “Just leave it in the sink. I’ll wash it when I get back.”

Gu Nanxuan didn’t respond. Not only did she rinse the blender, but she also wiped the counter clean with a cloth.

Seeing this, Ge Jiang quickly packed the food and joined her in organizing the remaining items.

With the three of them working together, the shop was cleaned up in just a few minutes.

Ge Jiang grabbed her things and locked the shop door, only then noticing someone else standing outside.

“Who are you?”

Looking at Jiang Mengxi’s outfit, she felt a vague sense of familiarity.

Jiang Mengxi extended her hand naturally and confidently. “Jiang Mengxi.”

“Qing’an’s—”

She paused, deliberately drawing out her tone suggestively, “An old friend.”

Ge Jiang glanced at Qiu Qing’an.

Qiu Qing’an nodded. “We knew each other before.”

However, her expression remained calm and somewhat distant, as if the two weren’t particularly close.

Ge Jiang then looked at Gu Nanxuan, who had a dark expression and refused to spare Jiang Mengxi even a glance.

Unable to decipher the relationship between them, Ge Jiang offered Jiang Mengxi a polite smile.

She extended her hand and shook Jiang Mengxi’s. “Hello, I’m Ge Jiang.”

After shaking hands, Jiang Mengxi smiled at her and said, “I know you.”

Ge Jiang was slightly surprised.

Noticing her reaction, Jiang Mengxi added, “I’ve seen your livestreams.”

Ge Jiang smiled in understanding. “Ah, I see.”

Jiang Mengxi leaned closer to Ge Jiang, exhaling softly by her ear, her voice sultry and enticing. “Are you free to grab dinner together tonight?”

“Sorry, I don’t think I’ll have time.”

“Oh, what a shame.” Jiang Mengxi sighed regretfully. “I really like your type.”

Ge Jiang could only reply, “Thank you.”

Jiang Mengxi took another step forward.

Qiu Qing’an spoke up. “Let’s head back.”

Ge Jiang exhaled in relief.

Gu Nanxuan strode ahead, shooting Jiang Mengxi a cold glare as she passed by.

Jiang Mengxi caught her gaze and teased, “Oh, Xuanxuan, are you jealous?”

“But don’t worry—you’re still my favorite.”

Ge Jiang: “…”

Well, now she knew why Gu Nanxuan looked so upset.

Qiu Qing’an also sighed helplessly. Jiang Mengxi’s personality was truly exasperating—even more so than during their university days.

The four of them returned to the courtyard together.

Zhu Ningyue, who had been waiting eagerly in the yard, brightened upon seeing them and hurried over.

“You’re back!”

Ge Jiang handed her the food they’d brought. “Here, have something to eat.”

Zhu Ningyue opened the bag and pulled out a pancake, asking, “Have you all eaten yet?”

“Not yet,” Ge Jiang said. “We came back to check on you first. We’ll eat later.”

Zhu Ningyue lifted her face for inspection. “Look, isn’t it much better now?”

Only faint red marks remained on her face. Though still noticeable, they were no longer a major concern.

Ge Jiang studied her carefully. “It really has improved a lot.”

Seeing Zhu Ningyue’s recovering complexion, Qiu Qing’an smiled. “Seems like the medicine Yuanyuan brought works well. We’ll have to thank her properly later.”

Zhu Ningyue took a big bite of the pancake, stuffing her cheeks, and nodded vigorously. “Mhm!”

Gu Nanxuan shot her a disdainful look. “No one’s fighting you for it. Why eat so fast?”

“None of your business!”

Zhu Ningyue shot her a glare, chewing angrily on the pancake in her mouth, venting her frustration on the food.

“Go inside and eat,” Ge Jiang said, reaching out to help carry the remaining items to prevent the juice from spilling. She motioned for Zhu Ningyue to return to the courtyard first, then turned to Gu Nanxuan and Chou Qing’an. “Would you two like to go eat first?”

Chou Qing’an glanced at Gu Nanxuan and didn’t refuse. She asked Ge Jiang, “Should we bring something back for you?”

“No need. I already ate quite a bit at the shop and I’m not hungry yet.”

Ge Jiang had initially made pancakes and small cakes, but many attempts had failed. Not wanting to waste them, she had ended up eating them all herself.

Chou Qing’an said nothing more. “Then we’ll go ahead and eat.”

Ge Jiang nodded.

Gu Nanxuan followed Chou Qing’an as they left.

Jiang Mengxi, however, didn’t go with them. Instead, she stood where she was, a faint smile curling her red lips.

Ge Jiang hesitated, unsure whether to introduce her to Zhu Ningyue. But Zhu Ningyue either didn’t notice or simply ignored Jiang Mengxi, treating her as if she were air, her attention entirely on the food in her hands.

Jiang Mengxi followed them into the courtyard.

Unable to hold back, Ge Jiang finally spoke up. “Miss Jiang, aren’t you going to eat lunch?”

“I’m not hungry yet. Don’t worry about me.”

Jiang Mengxi acted as if she owned the place, stepping inside and looking around. She pushed open a door on the right, peeked inside, then turned back to ask, “Is this Ningyue’s room?”

Ge Jiang replied, “Yes.”

With that confirmation, Jiang Mengxi walked in and closed the door behind her.

Her boldness made Ge Jiang glance at Zhu Ningyue again, but Zhu Ningyue still showed no reaction. Instead, she looked up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ge Jiang began to wonder if she was hallucinating—imagining an extra person in the room. But Jiang Mengxi had come back with her, Gu Nanxuan, and Chou Qing’an. The other two had clearly seen her, so there was no way Zhu Ningyue hadn’t noticed.

Tentatively, Ge Jiang asked, “You didn’t see anyone?”

From what she had observed, Zhu Ningyue had a bit of a cleanliness obsession in daily life. If she saw a stranger entering her room, there was no way she’d remain this calm.

Zhu Ningyue bit into her pancake and said nothing. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke. “I want some juice.”

At this point, Ge Jiang was certain Zhu Ningyue had seen Jiang Mengxi—she just didn’t know why she refused to acknowledge her.

She didn’t press further, inserting a straw into the juice and handing it to her.

Zhu Ningyue finished the pancake and drank the juice.

Jiang Mengxi emerged from the room.

She had changed into a light-colored dress, swapped her high heels for something else, and her shoulder-length hair still cascaded loosely. The once striking, bold beauty now seemed softer.

Surprisingly, Zhu Ningyue’s clothes fit her perfectly.

Only then did Zhu Ningyue finally seem to notice her. “Now that you’ve changed, hurry up and leave.”

“So eager to kick me out?”

Jiang Mengxi didn’t seem the least bit upset, her smile carrying a hint of familiarity.

“After so long apart, don’t you miss me at all, Yueyue?”

Zhu Ningyue remained expressionless. “Why would I miss you?”

“Ah, how heartbreaking.” Jiang Mengxi clutched her chest dramatically. “The little girl who used to chase after me, saying she’d marry me when she grew up, is gone. Now she’s turned into a cold, heartless woman.”

Zhu Ningyue frowned. “That was ages ago. Can we not bring it up again?”

“Why not?”

Jiang Mengxi leaned in closer, pinching her soft cheek. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”

“After all, there aren’t many things I can recall so vividly even now.”

She smiled brightly.

Zhu Ningyue dodged her hand, unwilling to respond in the slightest.

Hearing their exchange, Ge Jiang asked from the side, “You two know each other?”