Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 28

As the days drew closer to the actual filming date, Ji Qingshu and Chu Xueyi had rehearsed nearly all their scenes together.

Ji Qingshu continued to dominate as usual, effortlessly outperforming all her classmates. By now, everyone was used to it.

She was just that monstrously talented. Envy gnawed at them, but it was futile.

What truly terrified everyone was Chu Xueyi’s rapid improvement. Just a few weeks ago, her acting had been merely decent.

But now, she seemed like a completely different person, her understanding of the protagonist’s psyche remarkably profound.

I’ve heard that kissing a lot makes you look alike, but I never knew acting together could make you improve so much! the Class Monitor remarked, sitting nearby with a cheerful smile.

Chu Xueyi ……

She wanted to deny that they kissed often, but the memory of their kiss outside the theater stopped her.

Public displays of affection spoke volumes. If she denied it now, the Class Monitor probably wouldn’t believe her anyway.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Chu Xueyi’s lips.

If you two are dating, there’s no need for fake kisses. Just kiss for real! the Class Monitor teased, pushing up her black-framed glasses with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She had always been eager to help others.

Helping young couples deepen their bond was naturally no exception. Ah! She truly was the ultimate do-gooder!

Chu Xueyi …

Wait, Class Monitor, how could you do this?!

Fine, Chu Xueyi opened her mouth but didn’t voice any objections. It would have been too strange. For real couples, kissing should be as natural as eating or drinking.

Okay.

Then Qing Shu and I will practice more back in the dorm later.

Chu Xueyi maintained a facade of nonchalance, but inwardly she was agonizing.

Aaaaaah!

Chu Xueyi… what are you going to do?

Do I really have to kiss Ji Qingshu?

N-no problem. As an actress, sometimes you have to go all in, right?

Just think of it as an early rehearsal!

Chu Xueyi mentally psyched herself up, daring not to glance at the person beside her to gauge their reaction.

She walked out of the theater with unsteady steps.

Before she could reach the dorm, she spotted a man with a haggard face. His stubble, unshaven for days, was beginning to show a bluish tinge.

I’m sorry!

As the man approached, he dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, the force of his fall seeming capable of shattering the stone pavement.

Chu Xueyi… I was blind and foolish to bully you before. I truly owe you an apology!

Perhaps because the contrast was so stark, Chu Xueyi didn’t immediately recognize Zhao Chengjun.

This was the same Zhao Chengjun who always flaunted designer brands and carried himself with a swaggering, unrestrained arrogance.

Please forgive me! And don’t target my family anymore!

Zhao Chengjun pressed his hands against the ground, repeatedly kowtowing. This was a complete transformation from the person he had been just a week ago.

I apologize… I’m sorry for what I did to you…

Seeing no reaction, Zhao Chengjun began to weep openly. If he failed to secure Chu Xueyi’s forgiveness, he would face a brutal punishment from his father back home.

Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, Zhao Chengjun’s pampered skin couldn’t bear the thought of enduring such hardship again.

If he didn’t gain forgiveness today, his last remaining bank card would be frozen.

How could a man live without good food and fine clothes?

Zhao Chengjun couldn’t endure such deprivation. He had swallowed his pride to seek reconciliation with his girlfriend, only to be scorned as a useless failure.

Therefore… the only way to lift his punishment was to apologize.

Zhao Chengjun’s privileged treatment stemmed from an unremarkable morning.

Having been suspended for fighting at school, he was on the verge of expulsion, just one misstep away.

Hmph!

What a trash school! Good riddance!

Fvck them! If they dare expel me, I’ll just transfer! What’s the Qingcheng Drama Academy anyway? A bunch of dogs!

Zhao Chengjun kicked a pillar in frustration, but the round, hard column nearly swelled his big toe.

As he withdrew his foot, he looked up to see his father storming toward him, fury blazing in his eyes.

Dad… Zhao Chengjun weakly retracted his foot.

At home, his father was an overbearing figure.

Slap!

You rebellious brat!

To his surprise, his usually aloof father strode over and slapped him across the face. Zhao Chengjun’s cheek instantly swelled like a pig’s head, his ears ringing.

No wonder Chairman Ji has been giving me the cold shoulder lately. Deals we’d agreed on are suddenly off the table.

So it’s you causing trouble at school every day! I could tolerate you bullying others, but why did you have to mess with Ji Qingshu’s girlfriend?

Father Zhao had always despised this kind of relationship, but as a businessman, he never let such matters interfere with business.

Because he simply didn’t have the time.

It wasn’t until his assistant showed him the trending news today that he realized the full extent of his son’s absurd actions.

No wonder the Ji Family’s attitude had taken such a drastic turn.

Chairman Ji would never act so capriciously for his daughter’s girlfriend, but his unwavering devotion to his daughter was absolute. If she made such a request,

then the business deal would collapse without hesitation. After all, countless others were eager to partner with the Ji Corporation.

If you’re not forgiven, don’t even think about coming back!

These were the last words Zhao Chengjun heard after being brutally beaten by his father. Immediately afterward, all his credit cards were frozen, leaving him with only one debit card containing a few tens of thousands of yuan.

But Zhao Chengjun, who had always lived extravagantly, quickly squandered it all. Desperate and with his so-called friends refusing to lend him money,

he had no choice but to turn his attention to Chu Xueyi.

Stripped of his wealth and his father’s backing,

Zhao Chengjun was reduced to an ordinary man—ordinary to the point of being utterly unremarkable. Even as he knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, it was difficult to muster any pity for him.

Chu Xueyi was startled by the man’s near-mad behavior.

Seeing her silence, Zhao Chengjun panicked and crawled forward several steps, his movements resembling those of a wronged soul.

Don’t be afraid, Ji Qingshu said calmly.

At that critical moment, Chu Xueyi felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder.

He’s apologizing to you.

Xueyi, you can accept his apology.

If you don’t, I’ll make him leave.

It was clear that Ji Qingshu had anticipated Zhao Chengjun’s kneeling apology, maintaining an unnervingly calm demeanor.

Did she orchestrate this?

Did she force Zhao Chengjun, this arrogant second-generation heir, to apologize to me?

Chu Xueyi’s heart pounded wildly.

For some reason, a sweet sensation bloomed in her chest and on her tongue.