Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 68

The summer night breeze carried the heat, making the air feel stuffy.

To Lingxi’s surprise, the filming ended early at 9:20 PM.

Yin Tao stood up and called it a wrap, concluding the shoot for the day.

Qin Sui was still wearing the qipao Lingxi had seen her in that afternoon. However, now a bl00d-red bandage was wrapped around her exposed fair arm.

It was just a prop for the night scene, but when Lingxi looked at it, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly.

Qin Sui was about to enter the dressing room to remove her makeup and change out of the qipao. Just as she pushed the door open, she suddenly turned back to glance at Lingxi.

Lingxi was still standing by the monitor, her eyes fixed on Qin Sui. The moment Qin Sui turned around, their gazes met, cutting through the bustling crowd.

Qin Sui smiled softly. Before Lingxi could react, she took a step forward and closed the door.

Her eyes suddenly lost focus. In a daze, she began replaying the scene of Qin Sui taking off her sunglasses for her.

Before, she had only been distracted by Qin Sui’s perfume, her movements, and the way she leaned in close, making her heart race uncontrollably. But now, as light and shadow merged, the memory filled in more details.

It wasn’t just Qin Sui leaning in. It was her in a light-colored, floral qipao, her eyes lifting at the corners, tinted with a soft red glow, perfectly matching the vintage red on her lips.

That image was truly overwhelming. Lingxi pressed her fingers against her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Just then, her phone vibrated, pulling her back to reality.

It was a WeChat message from Qin Sui.

[You like it so much, so I’m leaving it as a keepsake for you.]

Another message followed immediately, and a photo appeared in the chat.

Lingxi only glanced at it before looking away. As the screen dimmed, she let out a deep breath.

At that moment, Lingxi knew she could no longer escape from her grasp.

The stuffy air in the studio made her ears burn, so she stepped outside.

Leaning against the painted wall outside, she tilted her head slightly, letting the night breeze wash over her.

When did she start liking her?

Was it when Qin Sui frequently visited her in the hospital? Was it when she nodded and admitted to being her ‘canary’? Or was it at that business banquet, when she looked back before leaving and saw Qin Sui lowering her eyes slightly, swirling her wine glass with an air of aloofness?

Even Lingxi herself didn’t know the answer.

Without realizing it, by the time she noticed, it was already too late—she was too deep in to escape.

But the world beneath the sea was so beautiful. Vast and endless, shimmering with gentle light, embracing her initial unease and clumsiness in this new world, slowly guiding her to see more wonders.

It was new, incredible.

The soft moonlight poured down, settling in Lingxi’s eyes. Within the hazy glow, a shadow flickered.

The moon hung high in the sky, but Qin Sui was like the most brilliant pearl in the depths of the ocean.

Both shone with a bright light, illuminating the world around them.

“What are you doing here? I looked everywhere for you, and here you are, moon-gazing?”

Yin Tao suddenly appeared in front of Lingxi, breaking her thoughts.

“It was too stuffy inside, so I came out for some air.” Lingxi turned her head back toward the studio. “Is Teacher Qin out yet?”

“Not that fast.” Yin Tao leaned against the wall just like Lingxi, pulling a cigarette from his bag. “You keep calling her ‘Teacher Qin’—did you fall for her at first sight?”

Lingxi asked, “Why?”

“Not answering means you admit it?”

Lingxi tilted her head back, counting stars from one end of the sky to the other. “It’s not that obvious, right?”

Yin Tao choked. “Fine, you win. You always win. Whatever you say goes.”

Just as Lingxi was about to refute, Yin Tao continued, “Let’s not talk about our relationship—we’ve worked together for years. We’re old friends, right?”

Lingxi glanced at him. “Yeah.”

Yin Tao exhaled a puff of smoke. “Qin Sui and I are also old friends, you know. Every time I write a female lead that fits her image, she’s the first person I consider.”

“She’s dedicated, talented, and really puts her heart into acting. There was a time when I hesitated about casting her as the lead in a movie about a character with psychological issues. But before I could decide, she came to me first.”

“That kind of role is extremely complex and challenging. To portray such details on the big screen in a short time, an actor has to strip away their real self and fully immerse into the character’s shell, tightly wrapping themselves inside.”

“I won’t go into details, but Qin Sui gave everything for that role. After filming ended, she struggled alone for a long time to break free from the character’s grip.”

As Lingxi listened, she subconsciously straightened her posture. Her palm, gripping her phone, began to sweat slightly. A faint buzzing filled her mind.

“Oh, I’m rambling. Don’t worry, don’t worry—she’s fine now.” Yin Tao patted Lingxi’s shoulder and smiled. “She’s sharp as ever, a true cunning fox.”

Lingxi thought for a moment and asked, “So what are you trying to tell me?”

Yin Tao flicked his cigarette ash. “I’m saying that Qin Sui once chased after a woman, but it seems she didn’t succeed. You’re both my friends. I hope you end up together, but I also hope neither of you gets hurt.”

Lingxi remained silent. Her gaze seemed to focus on the distant night, seeing everything and nothing at once.

“But honestly, a wooden block and a fox—sounds like a perfect match.”

“Much better than that weak little rabbit from before. Good thing that was—”

Yin Tao suddenly stopped speaking. The night breeze carried a faint fragrance, and out of habit, Lingxi’s heartbeat slowed, her breathing turned shallow.

Qin Sui walked over from the side. She had changed into her casual clothes—a sleeveless black blouse paired with light-colored jeans. Her long hair cascaded loosely down her back.

She looked at the two leaning against the wall, raising an eyebrow. “What was that?”

Yin Tao waved his hands quickly. “Nothing, nothing.”

Qin Sui narrowed her eyes. “Oh? Then why do you look so nervous?”

“I’m not! I’m not nervous! Actually, I just remembered I have something to do, so I won’t bother you two.”

Yin Tao smacked his forehead and quickly retreated.

With one person gone, Qin Sui’s gaze settled entirely on Lingxi.

Lingxi looked at her, having stayed out of her conversation with Yin Tao. Even now, with just the two of them left, she still didn’t say a word.

Qin Sui asked, “Reminiscing about the past?”

Lingxi shook her head.

“Then have you been waiting for me so long that you ran out of things to talk about?”

Lingxi exhaled slowly. “No.”

Qin Sui waited, but Lingxi said nothing more. So she turned and left.

She descended the stairs, one level after another, finally stopping at a dimly lit corner at the bottom. Turning back, she looked at Lingxi.

From afar, Lingxi heard her say—

“Follow me.”