Reborn! Entangled with the Obsessive Best Actress - Chapter 44

“Xie Jingcheng, how dare you push me?”

An Wenqing stumbled backward, nearly colliding with a potted plant. If not for the quick reflexes of the bodyguard who had followed her, she would have fallen flat on her rear.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. As children, Xie Jingcheng had always deferred to her in everything. Even when Wenqing snatched her favorite toys or snacks, Jingcheng never wailed. Instead, she would purse her lips and generously say, “If Wenqing likes it, she can have it. As the older sister, I should be more considerate.”

These words moved countless elders, who praised her as the family’s most intelligent child.

Unfortunately, young An Wenqing had always believed Jingcheng was deliberately putting on an act to win her parents’ favor.

As if!

What child wouldn’t love snacks and toys?

Back then, the naive An Wenqing always judged others through the lens of childish mischief.

Later, she realized Jingcheng had genuinely been considerate and kind to her. But by the time she understood, it was too late.

Xie Jingcheng seemed to have lost the ability to love others. Though she exuded charm and allure on screen, those who knew her well understood that she was a cold and detached person in private.

An Wenqing had always believed she would have another chance, just like when they were children.

But this time, no matter how much she cried or raged, her sister wouldn’t turn back.

A wave of frustration washed over her.

An Wenqing glared at the hotel staff.

“Open the door to the room!”

“Or I’ll make sure you all lose your jobs!”

Most people wouldn’t dare make such an arrogant threat, but An Wenqing had the clout to back it up. The Xie and An Families had maintained an exceptionally close relationship for decades, practically operating as a united front.

In particular, many members of An Wenqing’s family had married relatives from the Xie Family, a classic example of wealthy families consolidating power through marriage alliances. The two conglomerates provided each other with resources, creating a virtually impenetrable alliance.

Other smaller companies couldn’t find a single flaw in this rock-solid marital alliance.

Yet this time, the usually obedient hotel staff didn’t dare comply.

After all, these were businesses under the Xie Family’s name. It was clear that if the two esteemed heirs were to clash, their subordinates would bear the brunt of the disaster.

“Miss An, if we open the door again, Young Miss Xie will be furious.”

Xie Jingcheng’s status was undeniably different.

As the direct descendant of the family’s main lineage, she held far greater authority than someone like Xie Ze, whose origins were less clear.

If Xie Ze had been inside, the manager could have opened the door without hesitation, disregarding any pretense of privacy.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

An Wenqing wasn’t foolish. She understood the employee’s reasoning and reluctantly left, though her nose couldn’t help but redden.

She had been the first to appear by Xie Jingcheng’s side, yet someone else had ultimately stolen the lead. This felt deeply frustrating, as if she had taken too many detours.

Hearing the silence outside, Song Qingxing straightened her slightly disheveled clothes and exhaled deeply.

Thank goodness I didn’t get slapped just now.

Otherwise, why would this scene feel so much like something out of a third-rate romance novel featuring an overbearing CEO?

It turns out fiction really does draw from reality—and sometimes reality is even more absurd!

Song Qingxing was experiencing this firsthand.

Xie Jingcheng, clutching her wrist, walked over to the first-aid kit. Most hotels wouldn’t have such a thing, but high-end establishments often did.

The contents of the kit were rather unconventional, focusing mainly on bruise reduction, with some hemostatic agents and burn remedies included.

It was surprisingly comprehensive.

“Let me handle this,” Song Qingxing said, unable to watch Xie Jingcheng tend to her own injuries. After all, Xie Jingcheng had been protecting her. She couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

“No need,” Xie Jingcheng replied. “Bandaging is a minor matter. I can manage it myself. Today’s incident was entirely my fault and has nothing to do with you. I don’t want to trouble you.”

Song Qingxing hadn’t fully accepted herself yet, and Xie Jingcheng felt guilty about burdening others with her problems.

I’m the one who’s been pursuing her, she thought. Yet I’m the one causing all the trouble.

If someone had a short temper, they’d never put up with this.

“What are you saying…”

Song Qingxing crouched down beside Xie Jingcheng. Her natural beauty shone through even without makeup, unlike some celebrities or influencers who become unrecognizable without it.

“Actually, I don’t dislike you that much.”

“Xie Jingcheng, you’re wonderful.”

Only now did Song Qingxing dare to reveal her true feelings. Having lived two lifetimes, she had seen all kinds of people.

Though Xie Jingcheng had her quirks, she was practically perfect. Many men who claimed to deeply love their wives couldn’t even compare to her.

Xie Jingcheng had initially braced herself for Song Qingxing, a high-profile actress, to be clumsy with the bandages, fully expecting her wound to be accidentally aggravated.

But to her surprise, Song Qingxing’s touch was remarkably delicate. The bandage was wrapped beautifully, neither too tight nor too loose, and surprisingly comfortable. Even when applying the medicine, she never once touched the wound itself.

“How could you…”

Xie Jingcheng sensed something was amiss.

She wasn’t foolish, after all. Despite her privileged position, she possessed keen observational skills. Song Qingxing was completely different from before.

Not only had her temper mellowed considerably, but she had also become remarkably skilled with her hands.

“Surprised?”

“People grow and mature through experience. I’m doing the same now.”

If not for her previous life, Song Qingxing would never have learned to humble herself, to temper her sharp edges.

“What have you been through these past few days?” Xie Jingcheng asked, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She couldn’t understand it. Just recently, during filming, Song Qingxing had looked down her nose at her, as if utterly disdainful of Xie Jingcheng’s background.

But ever since that night at the hotel, everything had flipped upside down. Song Qingxing had not only accepted Xie Jingcheng’s terms but had also become remarkably subdued on set.

Strange… This is too strange!

“Nothing much. It was probably just a fleeting dream, like waking from a dream where I turned into mush,” Song Qingxing replied.

She knew Xie Jingcheng wouldn’t believe her if she claimed to be reborn. The woman before her suddenly took a deep breath.

“I’ve asked you about this many times before, but you always refused my request. I thought it was because you were too proud…”

Xie Jingcheng’s fingers tightened on Song Qingxing’s chin, gently tilting her face upward. A hint of madness flickered in her eyes. How strange, she thought. I knew from the start that Song Qingxing was only approaching me for resources and money. But hearing her say it herself… it feels different.

“Song Qingxing, I’m glad you’re being honest, but…”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Can you lie to me?”

Xie Jingcheng chose to retreat, even if it meant stooping low or humiliating herself. As long as she could keep Song Qingxing by her side, nothing else mattered.