Reborn! Entangled with the Obsessive Best Actress - Chapter 22

Still unable to find the tissues, Xie Jingcheng decided to taste the cake herself to see if it was the problem.

The blueberries were a bit tart—maybe they’d made Song Qingxing cry?

When packaging the cake, the clerk had specifically asked how many people would be sharing it. Xie Jingcheng, though she could tolerate kissing, had a slight aversion to sharing utensils.

Even if she didn’t mind, Song Qingxing probably would. She tore open the plastic packaging and retrieved the fork.

Xie Jingcheng took a tentative bite. The initial taste was the tartness of blueberries and the fermented tang of the jam.

But it quickly melded with the rich animal cream in her mouth. Most cakes were refrigerated, leaving a lingering sweetness on her tongue.

It’s not bad at all.

Xie Jingcheng set the fork aside and finally rummaged through the car’s glove compartment, eventually finding a pack of wet wipes.

She tore open a wipe and patiently dabbed away the tears clinging to Song Qingxing’s eyelashes.

“What happened?”

In this world, there probably aren’t many things that could make someone as proud as Song Qingxing cry.

“I loved that script, but the company won’t let me take the role. I just don’t understand…”

She used to do whatever the company asked of her without question. Now, she couldn’t even decide which role to play.

How ironic!

Ha! And they still call me the company’s top star.

So that’s how it is.

Xie Jingcheng had never experienced such humiliation, but she knew how unpleasant it felt to be under someone else’s thumb. After a moment’s thought, she pulled out her phone.

“If you don’t want to stay with the company, I can help you arrange a transfer. If you’d rather stay, I’ll contact my friend.”

“She knows your boss and owns shares in your company.”

Song Qingxing’s company was one of the top entertainment agencies in the country.

Song Qingxing sniffled, her nose red and her face looking utterly pitiful.

She hadn’t expected Xie Jingcheng to help her, let alone offer such comprehensive support, covering both options: leaving and staying.

“No need. I’ve already resolved this myself. I just feel wronged.”

“When my contract with the company expires, I want to switch to another agency.”

When you’ve reached a dead end, you should turn back promptly rather than stubbornly pushing forward, Song Qingxing thought, picking up her fork and taking a few more bites.

She then handed the remaining cake to Xie Jingcheng, who ate it with the same elegant composure she displayed when dining at a Western restaurant, taking small, deliberate bites.

A mischievous idea sparked in Song Qingxing’s mind.

Remembering those Western wedding videos where brides often dabbed white frosting on their grooms’ noses with a spoon, she dipped her fork into the cream. Unlike the videos where brides deliberately scooped large globs for a prank, Song Qingxing only took a tiny bit.

A speck of snow-white cream landed on Xie Jingcheng’s nose.

Xie Jingcheng paused, but showed no anger, merely gazing at Song Qingxing.

She wiped the cream off her nose with a wet wipe.

Having gone out without makeup, she looked completely relaxed in private.

“Are you done crying?”

Song Qingxing sniffled, her nose still stinging.

“Yes, I’m done.”

“Good. If you kept crying, the big bad wolf might have come to get you.”

Xie Jingcheng carefully set the cake box down, meticulously wiped her hands, and then started the car.

The engine hummed softly as they pulled onto the asphalt road. Xie Jingcheng’s apartment wasn’t far; they arrived after just a few traffic lights.

“Where did you hear that bootleg version of Grimm’s Fairy Tales?” Song Qingxing asked.

Crying will get you snatched by the big bad wolf? That’s such a childish trick, it could only fool someone truly gullible.

“That’s how I used to trick my little sister. It worked pretty well.”

Xie Jingcheng smiled, pleased to see she’d successfully diverted Song Qingxing’s attention.

The car parked in the underground garage, which was surprisingly bright rather than dark.

Song Qingxing followed the path to the apartment.

Xie Jingcheng’s apartment was luxurious, spanning several floors connected by internal stairs. It featured a swimming pool, a gym, and even a large balcony.

The balcony was lush with trees, their leaves rustling in the night breeze.

“Come with me. Let me show you your room.”

“I’ll knock if I need anything later.”

Xie Jingcheng opened the door to the adjacent room. Song Qingxing followed her inside, taking in the pristine space filled with wooden furniture. Several potted plants thrived, their leaves glistening with moisture.

“I’ll have the driver bring your luggage tomorrow,” Xie Jingcheng said earnestly, preparing to leave after showing Song Qingxing to her room. The bedroom had its own compact bathroom and toilet, and Song Qingxing was an adult who didn’t need to be shown the ropes.

But just as she reached the door, Song Qingxing tugged at her hem. After hesitating several times today, she finally mustered the courage to ask, “Xie Jingcheng, you really don’t need to be so kind to me. And your requests aren’t unreasonable at all. Actually, if you wanted me to wear those… strange outfits or… leather clothes or something, that would be fine too. Just not anything too extreme…”

As she spoke, Song Qingxing’s voice grew softer, her ears and neck flushing crimson.

I doubt any woman would willingly say something like that.

But to my surprise, Xie Jingcheng’s usually expressionless face suddenly lit up, her eyes gleaming like those of a clear-eyed fawn.

“Really?”

“Anything?”

Song Qingxing pursed her lips, wondering if she had accidentally stumbled upon Xie Jingcheng’s hidden, twisted secret.

If that’s the case, this could be disastrous.

I wonder if my waist can even handle it.

“Anything,” she agreed anyway. As they say, when Heaven entrusts a great task to a person, they must endure hardship.

“Then I have a few outfits I’d like you to wear.”

Xie Jingcheng stepped closer, her cool, alluring scent enveloping Song Qingxing. They were now so close that she could see the fine down on Xie Jingcheng’s face.

“Not the kind that only covers the… essentials, right?” Song Qingxing bit her lip, inwardly conflicted.

“Do you think I’m that kind of person?” Xie Jingcheng scoffed, crossing her arms and deliberately creating distance. Yet forbidden thoughts stirred within her, restless and eager.

She reached out and pulled Song Qingxing completely into her embrace.

“Besides, even if I did, Song Qingxing, could you really leave me now?”

People usually only do things they previously swore they’d never do when they’re backed into a corner.

“You…”

Seeing the little cat about to bristle, Xie Jingcheng took a few more steps back, her movements light and nimble.

“Don’t worry, I’m not one to force anyone. If you don’t want to, Qingxing, I won’t do anything.”

Those words…

Song Qingxing felt a pang of embarrassment. She had been the one to agree earlier, yet now she was wavering.

“I didn’t say I disagreed.”

Clutching the hem of her robe, Song Qingxing slowed her breathing, reminding herself that if she had decided to yield to him, she had to be prepared to be taken advantage of.

Not like before.

When she would strike back when struck, and retort when insulted.

“Whatever you want, I’ll do it.”

Xie Jingcheng offered no further response, simply said goodnight, closed the door behind her, and couldn’t help the upward curve of her lips.

I didn’t expect Song Qingxing to be so easily teased.

Still, it’s quite amusing.