Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 2

Chu Xueyi had been reborn. In this life, she resolved to stop being a simp for women and focus solely on her career.

After resting for a few days, she immediately resumed all the acting classes she had previously neglected due to her part-time jobs.

Chu Xueyi possessed little natural talent for acting, yet she arrogantly believed she could easily master the knowledge taught by her teachers without attending class. As a result, she had always been inconsistent with her attendance, working part-time as a model or at milk tea and coffee shops to save money for Su Shiyu’s birthday gift.

But now? Heh…

Chu Xueyi immediately canceled all the birthday gifts she had reserved for Su Shiyu in her online shopping cart.

I’d rather use that money to treat myself to a good meal, she thought.

When she arrived in class on time, her classmates turned to stare, clearly surprised that Chu Xueyi, the notorious truant, had actually shown up.

Facing the intense scrutiny, Chu Xueyi sat down calmly, her face neither flushing nor her heart racing. She opened her notebook, determined to listen attentively to the teacher’s lecture.

I thought someone had become so famous they no longer needed a teacher’s guidance, Teacher Yang said, leaning against the lectern with both hands. As a theater actor, he held a natural disdain for the young actors who relied solely on glaring and dramatic stares in their performances.

Chu Xueyi knew exactly who Teacher Yang was referring to—herself. She lowered her head slightly, a rare display of embarrassment.

Teacher, Xueyi has been ill these past few days. It’s only natural she couldn’t attend classes on time, a gentle voice interjected, easing the tense atmosphere in the classroom.

Chu Xueyi raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked up. As expected, it was Ji Qingshu, dressed in a simple white shirt with her long hair loosely tied back.

Though she looked completely natural, without a trace of makeup, her innate beauty was undeniable. Even in a class filled with starlets and beauties, Ji Qingshu stood out like a crane among chickens.

Chu Xueyi felt her heart quicken. Was Ji Qingshu defending her?

A sudden realization struck Chu Xueyi: When did Ji Qingshu start liking me?

Could he have liked me since the very beginning of university? That would be way too early!

Qing Shu, you’re capable and attentive to your classmates.

You’re a true role model for us all.

Teacher Yang didn’t elaborate further but began the lecture. When he reached an impassioned point, he called on Chu Xueyi by name to perform.

Chu Xueyi’s acting skills had improved rapidly. During her university days, she had been carefree and undisciplined, but after joining the company, she was driven hard by the director.

While her acting wasn’t terrible, it certainly couldn’t compare to Ji Qingshu’s maddeningly natural talent.

The lecture focused on Thunderstorm, one of the most classic plays in theater history.

Chu Xueyi licked her lips slightly. Even if I can’t match Ji Qingshu…

Still, I’m a reborn person with four or five years of work experience before graduation. Performing a play like Thunderstorm should be a piece of cake.

She closed her eyes and slipped into character almost instantly.

You led me down a path where a mother is no mother, and a lover is no lover!

Chu Xueyi’s voice was both melodious and piercing, her expression on the verge of tears, the corners of her eyes reddened.

Each line of dialogue was delivered with perfect inflection and rhythm.

By the time Chu Xueyi finished reciting the lengthy passage, not only Teacher Yang was stunned, but the entire class was in awe.

Previously, Chu Xueyi had struggled to utter even a single line without stuttering. She had even been publicly criticized by the teacher.

Later, netizens would undoubtedly label her a wooden beauty and mere decoration.

After reciting her lines, Chu Xueyi simply took a sip of tea from the cup on her desk. As an actress, she naturally needed to protect her voice.

Xueyi, Ji Qingshu whispered, you took the wrong cup.

Chu Xueyi realized she had accidentally grabbed the gray cup instead of her own flamboyant pink one—a cheap ten-yuan item from the school store.

It was a casual gift from Su Shiyu long ago, and Chu Xueyi now deeply suspected that brewing throat-soothing tea in it might actually turn it into throat-poisoning tea.

Sorry, she murmured.

Chu Xueyi lowered her voice and noticed Ji Qingshu’s slender fingers holding a soft tissue.

Here, wipe your face.

Chu Xueyi reached out and took the tissue, dabbing at her tear-dampened eyelashes.

Thank goodness my memories can still access this young brain, she thought. Otherwise, my attempt to show off would have backfired spectacularly, and I’d have made a complete fool of myself.

Thank you, Chu Xueyi murmured.

Just then, Teacher Yang, standing at the podium, cleared his throat, seemingly trying to break the awkward silence.

Well, well, Chu Xueyi has certainly given us an unexpected surprise… I was wrong about you. Even when you’re sick, you’re still working hard on your practice! Everyone, take a look!

This is the kind of role model you should all be emulating!

Back when Chu Xueyi was in school, she was always being criticized by her teachers, labeled as a troublemaker. This was the first time she’d ever been praised, and she couldn’t help but puff out her chest a little.

Alright, Xueyi, take your seat now.

I was wrong about you.

Teacher Yang waved his hand, and Chu Xueyi obediently sat down, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

As expected, once I abandoned that渣女, I could finally focus on my studies.

No woman in my heart, my acting naturally becomes divine!

As Teacher Yang concluded his lecture, Ji Qingshu unscrewed the lid of her water bottle. She lowered her head, completely ignoring the teacher’s impassioned speech.

Her lips gently pressed against the spot where Chu Xueyi had just drunk, drawn by an inexplicable, almost magical force.

Ji Qingshu took a sip, her pink tongue tracing the rim of the bottle, deliberately drinking from the exact spot Chu Xueyi had used.

She felt as if even the thick, throat-soothing tea in the bottle had become noticeably sweeter.

If Chu Xueyi hadn’t known Ji Qingshu liked her, she wouldn’t have paid any special attention to this small gesture. But witnessing it sent a chill down her spine.

Have I… provoked someone I shouldn’t have?

Yet, if Ji Qingshu had truly been a psychopath in her previous life, why hadn’t she bothered me?

Chu Xueyi’s mind swirled with doubts, but before she could delve deeper into these thoughts, the bell rang, abruptly ending the class and cutting off her train of thought.

Teacher Yang, never one to linger after class, quickly gathered her teaching materials and shuffled out of the room.

Ji Qingshu seemed to snap out of her daze, immediately starting to tidy her desk, completely oblivious to Chu Xueyi’s furtive glances.

Xueyi, are you heading to the cafeteria? Ji Qingshu asked with a smile, turning fully to face her. Chu Xueyi immediately averted her gaze, refusing to meet Ji Qingshu’s eyes.

Her heart pounded wildly, her composure crumbling.

Damn it!

Chu Xueyi, Ji Qingshu is clearly a psychopath!

Have you become so desperate for affection that you’re falling for this beautiful monster?!

Yes, she replied curtly.

However, considering Ji Qingshu’s future as an international film queen, Chu Xueyi couldn’t bring herself to sever this connection. She nodded.

Just as she agreed, voices echoed from the corridor.

Xueyi, someone’s here for you.

Assuming it was just another annoying suitor, Chu Xueyi prepared to ignore them and leave. But then she saw Su Shiyu enter, carrying a vibrant bouquet of pink roses.