Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 25

Agreeing to pretend to be lovers between just the two of them wouldn’t suffice they needed to make it public, letting everyone know, to truly achieve their goal.

Chu Xueyi was already fed up with those people.

The reason she hadn’t given it much thought today was because she had experienced similar situations during her university days in her previous life.

Sigh… there’s no helping it.

Being too beautiful and too outstanding just makes you irresistible, Chu Xueyi thought to herself.

Qing Shu, Chu Xueyi called out as they reached the entrances of their dormitories. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked rather embarrassed.

Even though we’re just pretending to be a couple, we’ll definitely need to do something… something that others will notice.

Chu Xueyi’s slender fingers twisted together like tangled hemp ropes, mirroring the turmoil in her heart.

You’re right, Ji Qingshu nodded. I remember everyone announcing their relationships on their phone’s WeChat Moments. Should we do the same?

But Xueyi… posting it online means it’ll definitely be screenshotted. If you become famous later… this might become a black mark on your record…

Before Ji Qingshu could finish her last word, Chu Xueyi leaned in, pressing a slender finger against her crimson lips.

The fingertip brushed against the soft, plump lip, the delicate sensation like fine velvet against her skin.

It sent a tremor through Chu Xueyi’s heart.

Damn it! This is terrible…

How had she never noticed how soft this woman’s lips were before?

Dating a prodigy like you, who’s destined to become Best Actress, hardly counts as a dark history.

Chu Xueyi imagined the expressions on Ji Qingshu’s fans’ faces—the ones who constantly bragged about their Best Actress idol and acted like they were too good for everyone else—when they found out Ji Qingshu was involved with her.

That would be priceless.

Chu Xueyi didn’t have any particular issues with Ji Qingshu herself, but she had plenty of grievances with her fans, who constantly compared her to their idol.

Is tearing others down really that interesting?! Don’t you know your precious idol has a secret crush on me?!

A prodigy?

Ji Qingshu found Chu Xueyi’s nickname for her a bit exasperating. Of course, she knew what prodigy meant.

But hearing it from someone else was completely different from hearing it from someone she liked.

Yeah.

As they chatted, Ji Qingshu had already unlocked her dorm room door. The room was spotless, almost sterile.

The window was half-open, letting in a refreshing breeze that gently swayed the gray curtains.

Who would have imagined?

This was actually a university dormitory room.

Given Ji Qingshu’s unique status and her family’s close ties with the university president, it was only natural for her to have such a luxurious room.

Rumor had it that her father had been a long-time benefactor of the Qingcheng Drama Academy.

Want to come in?

Ji Qingshu leaned against the doorframe, her long, raven-black hair cascading softly over her shoulders. When she looked at Chu Xueyi, her gaze lacked the aloofness and coldness she displayed during class.

Instead, her eyes held a gentle warmth, like a cup of soothing tea.

Mm, Chu Xueyi nodded lightly. Since they were already in this ambiguous relationship, she didn’t mind taking it a step further.

I refuse to believe I, a reborn person, can’t outmaneuver someone who hasn’t been reborn.

Even if Ji Qingshu was a cunning fox, Chu Xueyi was no less a dangerous predator.

Truth be told, Chu Xueyi never doubted she would come out on top.

Since you agreed, let’s take a photo and post it on WeChat Moments, Ji Qingshu said, pulling out her phone. The device looked slightly outdated, its model clearly not the latest.

Chu Xueyi recalled a rumor she had once heard.

If someone doesn’t upgrade their phone despite having the means, it suggests they’re sentimental and loyal.

Whether there’s any scientific basis to this belief is debatable, but… it carries an inexplicable sense of credibility.

Chu Xueyi unconsciously moved closer.

In her previous life, she had also made a high-profile public announcement. But the joy she felt when she clicked post was later matched by the heartbreak of seeing Su Shiyu embracing someone else.

The bitter ache that welled up from the depths of her heart left her breathless.

Ji Qingshu switched to the front-facing camera, but the two figures remained standing at an awkward distance. They looked less like a couple and more like unfamiliar classmates.

We seem a bit too distant… Chu Xueyi said, breaking the awkward silence.

Why is it so easy to immerse myself in a role when acting, yet so difficult to do so when facing her in private?

Ji Qingshu didn’t reply, but silently leaned closer. Her nose nearly brushed Chu Xueyi’s ear, and her free hand pressed against Chu Xueyi’s waist.

Chu Xueyi Warning! Warning!

This was definitely beyond the safe distance between women.

But even straight women often end up kissing when playing around like this, let alone someone like herself who was gay.

This was an epic-level test of willpower.

It was like deliberately placing a pile of honey in front of a bear or a pile of fish in front of a kitten.

Who could resist kissing?

Ji Qingshu’s hot breath sprayed from her nostrils, gradually invading Chu Xueyi’s skin and making her unbearably embarrassed.

Chu Xueyi couldn’t take it anymore. She took a step back, trying to escape this excessive intimacy that had crossed the line.

But Ji Qingshu leaned closer, trapping her with no escape.

Don’t move, Ji Qingshu said. I want to take a picture.

Chu Xueyi froze instantly, letting Ji Qingshu’s arm encircle her waist and her slender fingers grip the fabric of her lower back tightly.

Ah! This is going to kill me!

Why did I impulsively agree to pretend to be her girlfriend?

Couldn’t I have asked my best friend?

No, she’s trying to date a straight guy.

Chu Xueyi’s mind raced, and she realized with despair that Ji Qingshu seemed to be the only one who could cooperate with her.

Xueyi, look at me.

Your eyes need to look loving.

In reality, for official announcement photos like these, Chu Xueyi didn’t even need to show her eyes. Half her face would have been enough to send the gossip-loving audience into a frenzy of speculation.

But Ji Qingshu refused to settle for that.

She wanted Chu Xueyi to fall in love with her, little by little.

Even if it meant deception or seduction.

This request is truly… Chu Xueyi thought inwardly, helpless.

Still, she complied with Ji Qingshu’s wishes, agreeing to the pose.

Slightly embarrassed, she tilted her head and stared directly at Ji Qingshu. The distance was so close that Chu Xueyi nearly kissed her upper lip.

Is it normal to play with fire like this with a woman who secretly loves me?

What if I get burned? Chu Xueyi thought anxiously.

But it was too late. With a click from the phone, the moment was captured.

Only then did Ji Qingshu release Chu Xueyi.

She saw Chu Xueyi looking utterly flustered, glancing around nervously and fanning her face as if trying to dispel the burning heat in her cheeks.

How was my acting? Chu Xueyi asked, still pretending she hadn’t felt anything for Ji Qingshu.

I promised myself no dating in college! No dating!

Chu Xueyi, you can’t let yourself get drunk on this tenderness!

Ji Qingshu gazed at Chu Xueyi with a warm, smiling gaze. Chu Xueyi smiled back and nodded.

Excellent, Ji Qingshu said. You were completely immersed in your role.

In truth, even if Chu Xueyi’s performance had been as awful as a smelly slipper, Ji Qingshu would still have praised her with a smile, calling it excellent.

Then I’ll head back now, Chu Xueyi said, gesturing toward the door. Ji Qingshu simply nodded, though she desperately wanted Chu Xueyi to stay the night. But she knew she couldn’t rush things.

If I make such a bold request now, might I scare Xueyi away? she wondered. That would make me seem far too eager.

Sweet dreams tonight, Ji Qingshu said, nodding and offering a parting wish.

You too, Chu Xueyi replied with a smile.

After Chu Xueyi left, she patted her chest, still reeling from the revelation. Who would have thought? Ji Qingshu seems so refined and treats me with such gentle courtesy…

But behind that facade lies a disturbingly obsessive love for me. It’s like two completely split personalities.

Chu Xueyi had just finished her shower when her phone, resting on the table, began to vibrate incessantly. She opened the messages.

Among them was a photo Ji Qingshu had sent her.

Xueyi, I’ve already posted mine.

When you see this, edit and send yours too. If you can’t think of a caption, just copy mine.

Chu Xueyi ……

Where’s the aloof, brooding Best Actress I was promised?

Why can’t I sense any of that?

Or does entering society just drain all the spirit out of people?

Chu Xueyi clicked on Ji Qingshu’s profile. The profile picture was remarkably simple a photo of herself.

It was a shot of Ji Qingshu sitting in a car, clearly not taken by her. Yet, when Ji Qingshu looked at the camera, her eyes held a faint smile.

Who could have taken this?

Who could make Ji Qingshu, who usually scowls at everyone else, smile like that—and it wasn’t even for me?

Chu Xueyi couldn’t help but speculate, a flicker of jealousy rising in her heart.

Wait…

Chu Xueyi Ahhh!

How did I accidentally start getting narcissistic?

What does it matter if Ji Qingshu is popular with others? I don’t even like her! I certainly wouldn’t care about her daily life!

Right, I don’t care. I couldn’t care less!

While frantically denying her feelings internally, Chu Xueyi clicked on Ji Qingshu’s WeChat Moments to distract herself.

The moment she entered, she was overwhelmed by a flood of likes—a dense, endless stream stretching beyond the screen.

So this is the charm of a school beauty, huh?

As for the copy Ji Qingshu had generously offered for Chu Xueyi to use as inspiration, Chu Xueyi leaned in to examine it closely, only to find it consisted of just two words… wait, no! Ji Qingshu had also added a red heart emoji.

Chu Xueyi’s lips twitched slightly. This is truly unadorned and straightforward.

What Chu Xueyi didn’t know was that Ji Qingshu’s drafts contained countless discarded versions, ranging from poetic musings like If life could only be as beautiful as our first meeting… to heartfelt confessions like I fell for you at first sight.

All these drafts lay neatly organized in her phone’s notes app, but none had made the cut.

Would being too earnest scare Chu Xueyi away?

After much deliberation, Ji Qingshu ultimately chose the simplest words to encapsulate her feelings.

Chu Xueyi didn’t dwell on it.

She reminded herself that this was just a fleeting game.

Even if her heart had fluttered at the casually placed red heart emoji.

Chu Xueyi moved her fingers and chose to copy and paste Ji Qingshu’s message. After all, she couldn’t make it too elaborate—what if it gave this future Best Actress false hope?

But she definitely wanted to add a little flair. After some thought, Chu Xueyi typed, I love you too.

It was a bit cheesy, but effective. As long as it achieved the desired effect, that was all that mattered.

What Chu Xueyi didn’t realize was that this line of text marked the earliest official declaration of her future life. If she could be reborn again, she would never do something so childish.

Initially, when Ji Qingshu typed those words, it only sparked speculation. But once Chu Xueyi joined in, the entire school’s gossip-hungry audience erupted. After all, both of them were celebrity-level figures. Any rumor about either of them could fuel cafeteria chatter for an entire day.

Chu Xueyi’s phone vibrated even more violently than before. This time, no one asked if Ji Qingshu had lost a truth or dare game.

After all, no truth or dare game ever had two losers, especially when both were the main subjects of the drama.

That would be too unlucky, wouldn’t it?

Wow, what a public reveal of a widely known secret!

I always sensed something was off between you two. Spill the beans—when did you two start hooking up?

I swear I didn’t leak anything! You guys revealed it yourselves! I know nothing!

Chu Xueyi immediately spotted the comment from the girl who had caught her and Ji Qingshu in their intimate rehearsal.

She only replied to a few close friends before forcibly shutting down her phone.

She had no desire to discuss the situation with anyone else right now. The more she talked, the more likely she was to slip up.

Silence was her best strategy.

After washing up, Chu Xueyi collapsed onto her bed and slept soundly until dawn.

Little did she know that tonight, someone was staring blankly at her photo, lost in thought.

Su Shiyu felt the photo on her phone screen piercingly painful, like a sharp knife stabbing deep into her heart.

She couldn’t quite describe the feeling.

But only this pain allowed her to experience the love buried beneath layers of pride, shame, and humiliation.

Su Shiyu had never understood what it meant to like someone.

The sole reason she chose to enroll in Qingcheng Drama Academy was because she knew her looks gave her an advantage…

She wanted to defy fate, to completely escape her impoverished life once and for all.

Her only option was acting—a shortcut accessible even to ordinary people.

Yet even this path proved to be a road strewn with sharp stones. The soles of her shoes were torn by the jagged rocks, cutting her feet.

Bl00d trailed behind her every step.

After enrolling, she focused solely on her studies. But… perhaps because of her innate willingness to help others with small troubles…

She had provoked someone she shouldn’t have.

That person was Chu Xueyi.

At first, Su Shiyu felt uncomfortable with Chu Xueyi’s kindness. As the eldest daughter, she had been taught by her parents to be humble and yielding, and she had grown accustomed to being bullied. Now, being treated with such tenderness, Su Shiyu couldn’t understand it at first. But later, when she realized Chu Xueyi wanted to be in a romantic relationship with her, she felt… she felt disgusted.

Why?

Why… couldn’t there be someone who would be kind to her without wanting anything in return?

Su Shiyu began to resent Chu Xueyi, yet she couldn’t leave her, couldn’t give up her money. The more she spent Chu Xueyi’s money, the more disgusted she felt, as if she were a kept woman.

This feeling… had haunted her heart and mind.

Until now, until she had lost everything… until Chu Xueyi had fallen in love with someone else.

Only then did Su Shiyu understand.

Xueyi, why do I feel so miserable?

Is it because… I liked you a little?