Reborn! Entangled with the Obsessive Best Actress - Chapter 29

Caught red-handed, Song Qingxing could only offer an awkward smile, sinking further into the bathtub until only her wide, watery eyes remained visible.

She seemed to know she had done wrong.

“Why did you take these out?” Xie Jingcheng asked, a hint of embarrassment coloring her neck and cheeks. But her acting skills allowed her to quickly regain control of her emotions, the blush fading within moments.

Actors are trained to summon and suppress emotions instantly, lest they become too deeply immersed in their roles.

However, with the rise of celebrity-driven dramas, genuine acting skills have become less valued.

Xie Jingcheng was genuinely surprised that Song Qingxing was willing to patiently and diligently study the craft.

“I just stumbled upon them by accident, but I never expected…”

Song Qingxing surfaced, her long hair dripping wet, droplets clinging to her neck and collarbones. Her pale skin made her resemble a mermaid emerging from the water.

“Xie Jingcheng, you actually like these things?”

“They’re childish, but kind of fun.”

Xie Jingcheng paused, setting her clothes aside. She reached out to flick the sunglasses-wearing duck’s head, then her gaze settled on Song Qingxing.

“You’re quite bold to touch my things without permission.”

Though Xie Jingcheng’s tone betrayed no emotion, Song Qingxing immediately tensed up. She quickly gathered all the little ducklings and was about to put them back on the porcelain plate.

“I didn’t mean to,” she stammered. “I thought they were just toys to play with…”

Not everyone was comfortable with others touching their toys. Song Qingxing knew this well, as she herself hated when others handled her own.

As she gathered the ducklings, her hands trembled.

“It’s alright, don’t be scared. I’m not angry.”

To her surprise, Xie Jingcheng’s stern expression suddenly softened into a warm, gentle smile.

She leaned closer, their faces so close that Xie Jingcheng could smell the faint fragrance of shampoo on Song Qingxing.

The thought that they used the same brand sent an inexplicable thrill through her, a secret flutter of excitement deep within her heart.

Tilting her head slightly, Xie Jingcheng pressed her lips against Song Qingxing’s cheek.

She gazed down at Song Qingxing, gently rubbed her cheek, and then turned to leave, pausing at the door to add, “Have fun playing. I’m really not angry.”

“Besides, those are actually my younger sister’s toys.”

Song Qingxing’s face flushed crimson, like a kettle about to boil over. Oh heavens, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions!

How could someone like Xie Jingcheng possibly be interested in toys?

They were clearly Xie Jingshu’s!

Leaving the room, Xie Jingcheng went to the sofa where Song Qingxing had left her bag. She opened it and found the folded script inside.

Xie Jingcheng quickly flipped through a few pages and was surprised. Though the script seemed unremarkable at first glance, it contained many subtle details and a remarkably nuanced portrayal of the protagonist’s emotional transformation.

No wonder Song Qingxing liked this script.

Xie Jingcheng felt a pang of regret. It seemed she had misjudged Song Qingxing; the woman did have a discerning eye for scripts after all.

It wasn’t that she thought web dramas were easy to act in.

As Xie Jingcheng delved deeper into the script, she became completely engrossed. Just then, the doorbell rang. She closed the script.

Checking the monitor outside the door, she saw it was the person she had summoned earlier and immediately opened the door.

This was why she had sent the message in the elevator.

Song Qingxing had caught a chill, and if not addressed promptly, she might develop a fever or a cold by nightfall.

It was best to prepare in advance to minimize her discomfort. After all, fevers and the accompanying headaches were truly unpleasant.

“Miss, here’s the ginger and sugar you requested.”

The assistant handed over the plastic bag.

“Thank you for your trouble,” Xie Jingcheng said.

She wasn’t an unreasonable person and held a degree of respect for the personal assistants who served her.

“No trouble at all,” the assistant grinned. “We get overtime pay for working late anyway, so why not?”

“But I thought you wanted me to bring you… you know, that thing for your finger…”

The assistant trailed off, realizing he’d let slip something he shouldn’t have. He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, glancing apologetically at Xie Jingcheng.

“Don’t say things like that again,” Xie Jingcheng said, her displeasure evident but restrained. She offered only a mild reprimand, refraining from further comment.

“Oh, and I got the ginger with the skin peeled off,” the assistant added hastily, then hurried away, fearing his boss’s growing irritation.

Xie Jingcheng carried the plastic bag back to her room.

She wasn’t someone who couldn’t distinguish between grains. On the contrary, children of the Xie Family were given numerous opportunities to attend summer camps and experience rural life before reaching adulthood.

To truly understand the world, one must see not only the towering skyscrapers of bustling cities but also observe the lives of the poor, the struggling, and the ordinary.

This helps children develop a more balanced worldview, making them less likely to crumble easily when faced with adversity later in life.

It was precisely this strong family tradition that prevented the Xie Family’s descendants from becoming like some other aristocratic heirs—lazy, living off company dividends, and entangled in countless affairs.

Back in her room, Xie Jingcheng chopped the ginger just as the water came to a boil. She turned the heat down to a simmer and let it simmer gently.

The ginger tea was ready in no time.

Xie Jingcheng had used only a small amount of water and ingredients. Song Qingxing was just feeling a bit chilly; a small cup would be enough to ward off the cold.

Unlike when she had a cold or a flare-up of her weak constitution, when she needed to drink a large cup.

She poured the tea into a porcelain cup, blew on it, and then ran some cold water into the sink. She placed the cup in the water to cool the scalding liquid.

This way, Song Qingxing could drink it right away when she came out.

Sure enough, moments later, Song Qingxing opened the bathroom door, emerging from the steamy mist. She walked into the living room but found no one there.

Song Qingxing assumed Xie Jingcheng had returned to her own room to shower and was about to head to her own bedroom. She planned to text her assistant and driver first to confirm they had arrived home safely before settling in for a good night’s sleep.

But after only a few steps, she caught a faint, familiar scent. Taking a deep breath, she immediately recognized it.

No way to miss Teacher Jiang’s overpowering aroma.

It was brown sugar ginger tea.

Could Xie Jingcheng be feeling unwell?

Song Qingxing hadn’t noticed anything earlier. She patted her cheeks in self-reproach.

If that’s the case, I’ve been terribly careless!

Xie Jingcheng was already feeling weak, and I went to the bar and upset her. What a terrible lover I am!

Feeling guilty, Song Qingxing approached the kitchen, ready to offer an apology and some comforting words.

There she found Xie Jingcheng wiping a white porcelain cup with a towel. Her brow lifted slightly, her face radiant and spirited under the bright kitchen light.

“Come out and drink this ginger tea to warm up. Brush your teeth, then go to bed.”