Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 13

In that brief moment of distraction, Chu Xueyi had already slipped free of Ji Qingshu’s support. Her steps were unsteady as she stumbled toward the long flight of stairs leading to the dormitory entrance.

Chu Xueyi hesitated for a moment, squinting as she mentally calculated how to navigate the steps.

She lifted her foot to take a step, but she had overestimated her control over her body. She toppled completely to one side.

Ah

Chu Xueyi crashed heavily into the flowerbed.

The gardenias in the flowerbed had lush green leaves, but it was autumn, and many yellowed leaves had fallen, giving the scene a slightly desolate air.

Ji Qingshu heard a distinct rip as Chu Xueyi’s dress tore.

How could you be so careless? Ji Qingshu muttered, annoyed with herself for letting go of Chu Xueyi.

Had she let go just because Chu Xueyi had managed to walk a few steps on her own?

Flustered, Ji Qingshu hurried to the flowerbed. She stared at Chu Xueyi, whose disheveled hair covered her face, and felt a mix of exasperation and helplessness.

I… I was walking straight! Chu Xueyi protested, her voice muffled and slightly aggrieved, yet undeniably endearing.

You’re drunk. Everything you see is doubled. How could you possibly walk straight?

Ji Qingshu scolded her briefly, then realized she was talking to a drunk and promptly shut her mouth.

Queen Ji, you’re such a chatterbox! Chu Xueyi grumbled, covering her ears and straightening up slightly.

Seeing Chu Xueyi still acting so arrogant even after drunkenly falling into the flowerbed, Ji Qingshu couldn’t resist the urge to punish her a little.

With a smile, she said, Aren’t you going to get up from there?

I heard from my classmates that at night… toads come out to mate, especially in gardenia flowerbeds. There are tons of them!

Ji Qingshu raised her voice slightly at the end.

In an instant, countless hopping toads flashed through Chu Xueyi’s mind.

She immediately scrambled to her feet from the gardenia bushes, but the alcohol had left her muscles weak and uncoordinated.

She lurched forward, only to stumble and fall again—but this time, she didn’t land in the fragrant, earthy gardenia bed.

Instead, she fell into Ji Qingshu’s gentle embrace.

Chu Xueyi’s chin rested against Ji Qingshu’s collarbone. Her nose caught a faint, elegant scent, even more captivating than the fragrance of gardenias.

Xueyi… let me carry you.

It was clear that Chu Xueyi could barely stand. Even a toad couldn’t make her jump up and do a breakdance while screaming and dodging.

In the past, Chu Xueyi had once been startled by a toad leaping out of a flowerbed as she walked past the school dormitory.

Back then, she had screamed and fled in terror, her entire body trembling with fear.

Ji Qingshu desperately wanted to rush over and comfort her, taking two steps forward, but someone closer and faster had already acted.

In a blur, Su Shiyu was beside Chu Xueyi. With astonishing boldness, he used his shoe to nudge the toad back into the gardenia flowerbed.

Seeing how terrified she was of toads, yet Chu Xueyi didn’t even try to scramble off the steps, it was clear her muscles were truly exhausted.

No.

Ji Qingshu… I’ve never heard of someone too tired to walk crawling onto the back of someone they hate.

Chu Xueyi admitted she was being petty. When Ji Qingshu had livestreamed his award ceremony abroad, she had gnawed on her handkerchief, her teeth grinding audibly.

It was impossible not to care.

In a class, the two of them were constantly being compared.

Chu Xueyi’s professional skills were second only to Ji Qingshu’s in the class. But now that she was making her way in the entertainment industry, she had only won a few popularity awards and no professional accolades. It was only natural for jealousy to take root in her heart.

Ji Qingshu heard the word disgust again, and a pang of discomfort tightened her chest. Was she being hated simply because of her exceptional abilities?

Then don’t let me carry you. But in your current condition, walking back to the dormitory will likely lead to you falling and reopening your wounds.

Though Ji Qingshu felt hurt, she maintained an air of nonchalance.

I can manage, Chu Xueyi insisted, swaying as she stood up. She had barely taken two steps when she stumbled backward, nearly kissing the gardenia flowerbed for the second time.

With lightning reflexes, Ji Qingshu caught her, her voice tinged with mild exasperation. See? Stubbornness never ends well.

Chu Xueyi felt the warmth of Ji Qingshu’s back against her own. The proximity felt too close, too unsettling, but her dizziness prevented her from thinking clearly.

Then I’ll trouble you to carry me back.

As Chu Xueyi spoke, she nearly bit down on her teeth and the tip of her tongue in mortification.

Could there be anything more embarrassing in the world?

To be reduced to having her mortal enemy carry her!

It’s no trouble at all. This is the least I can do.

Ji Qingshu’s voice carried a faint smile as she quickened her pace up the steps, taking one or two at a time before crouching down.

Her intention was clear she wanted Chu Xueyi to climb onto her back.

I’m really living the high life now, Chu Xueyi thought to herself. I’m even getting the Best Actress to carry me around.

Ji Qingshu’s steps were steady, taking one stair at a time. They soon reached the dormitory room they shared.

The key, Ji Qingshu reminded her. But after speaking, she only felt a hot breath brush against her neck, with no movement behind her.

Xueyi?

Ji Qingshu didn’t need to guess. Chu Xueyi had fallen asleep. But… her sleeping posture was remarkably composed—no snoring, just even breathing.

That’s why Ji Qingshu hadn’t realized it immediately.

With a sigh, Ji Qingshu gently lowered Chu Xueyi to the ground.

She’s really out of it, Ji Qingshu thought to herself.

No… I didn’t mean to touch you, nor was I trying to take advantage of you. I just couldn’t open the door without the key to let you in.

Though Ji Qingshu desperately wanted to bring Chu Xueyi to his own bedroom, he knew that would only make her dislike him.

She already resented him for his exceptional talent.

Before this, Ji Qingshu had never cared much about others’ opinions. He loved acting, so he enrolled in drama school.

His outstanding performance stemmed from his natural talent, burning passion, and genuine enjoyment—qualities most people lacked. This earned him praise from teachers and envy from classmates, which he considered perfectly normal.

But… but Ji Qingshu couldn’t bear the thought of Chu Xueyi joining that group.

He would have gladly sacrificed some of his talent if it meant having more opportunities to talk with her.

His fingers slowly reached for the bag slung across Chu Xueyi’s waist, but as his arm brushed against her side, she jolted awake.

Mmm… so cold!

Chu Xueyi instantly snapped awake, her body leaning against the doorframe. It turned out… Ji Qingshu’s arm had grazed the tear in her skirt, bringing their bare skin into direct contact.