Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 30

The two walked back to the dormitory. Ji Qingshu took out her key, inserted it into the lock, and gently turned. With a soft click, she pushed open the wooden door.

I have a spare key. I’ll give it to you later.

Each room in the academy had a unique key.

Ji Qingshu’s parents had originally wanted to install an electronic lock for her, but considering how conspicuous that would be on campus, she refused.

Mm, Chu Xueyi replied after a moment’s thought, following her into the room. Then I’ll give you my spare key too.

Typically, single dorm rooms only came with one key, but many students had duplicates made as a precaution.

Ji Qingshu paused mid-stride, clearly surprised by Chu Xueyi’s offer of exchange. The corners of her lips curved upward, like a crescent moon.

This gradual closing of the distance between her and the person she liked filled her with immense joy.

A slow-burn romance wasn’t so bad after all. Besides, Su Shiyu posed no threat to her—at least not yet.

Alright.

But Xueyi, do you really trust me that much?

Ji Qingshu figured that once he had the key, he’d definitely sneak into her dorm when she wasn’t there.

But he wouldn’t do anything too outrageous—just catch a whiff of his crush’s scent. Ahem… Definitely not something like sniffing her clothes or anything.

A person’s most private space is undoubtedly their own room.

For Chu Xueyi to hand over the key to her territory so casually… her trust was almost reckless.

You trust me, so why shouldn’t I trust you?

From the start, Chu Xueyi had no intention of completely distancing herself from Ji Qingshu. Call it greed, but she was ultimately after the connections behind this future Best Actress.

So… the first step to earning trust was to give it in equal measure.

I see.

Chu Xueyi placed the plastic bag she was carrying on the wooden table. She naturally had her backpack slung over her shoulder, filled with acting props, a teacup, and textbooks for her other classes.

A jumbled mess.

Who said college backpacks were lighter? This one was just as heavy, if not heavier, than ever.

Chu Xueyi set her backpack down and hung it on the nearby chair.

Are we starting the act right now?

Ji Qingshu shook her head.

Go wash up first.

Chu Xueyi instinctively walked toward the dormitory door, but suddenly realized they were pretending to be a couple, and she had even brought her own bedding from her dorm.

If she went out now and someone saw her…

The next day, news of their fake relationship would likely be all over the internet.

Chu Xueyi knew all too well the power of rumor-mongers. They could sniff out the slightest hint of something amiss and spin elaborate lies, making them sound utterly convincing.

If Chu Xueyi weren’t the subject of these rumors herself, she might actually believe them, given how detailed and logically sound they seemed.

Xueyi, you’re going the wrong way… The bathroom is over there, Ji Qingshu said, pointing to a white wooden door nearby. The door was thickly painted, with frosted glass at the top that would reveal faint silhouettes if someone were showering inside.

Still… Chu Xueyi couldn’t afford to be picky right now.

I know, living together for the first time… I’m still getting used to it.

In their previous life, Chu Xueyi and Su Shiyu had rarely truly lived together. After buying the house, they moved in together, but her work kept her constantly traveling across the country.

Chu Xueyi wanted to seize the peak of her career, starring in as many dramas as possible. After all, you can never have too much money, and she certainly didn’t mind more fame.

But later, she learned that while she was working tirelessly, Su Shiyu and his mistress were canoodling in their new home, and she had unknowingly grown a lush patch of green grass on her head, just like Mayor Slowpoke from Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.

Pulling her pajamas from the closet, Chu Xueyi slipped into the slippers she’d changed into upon entering and shuffled to the bathroom door.

Leaning against the doorframe, she closed the glass door.

Hearing the click of the door closing, Ji Qingshu immediately stood up.

It was autumn, not exactly the season for iced drinks.

But… room-temperature fruit wine always lacked a certain zest.

Ji Qingshu entered the kitchen, retrieved a glass, unscrewed the fruit wine bottle, poured the wine into the glass, and added a small ice cube.

It needs to have some ambiance, right? Ji Qingshu thought to herself.

Otherwise, why do people go to romantic candlelit restaurants for dates?

Falling for someone requires an elegant setting to make the memory more ambiguous and alluring.

When pursuing someone, one should pay attention to every detail.

Having finished preparing everything, Ji Qingshu held the frosty glass in both hands and walked to the wooden table. She deliberately adjusted her posture so she could see the bathroom door.

Behind the frosted glass, Chu Xueyi’s figure was faintly visible.

Ji Qingshu had reviewed Chu Xueyi’s file and knew her bust size was a C-cup. It was particularly alluring when she wore sweaters.

Like the delectable cake placed at the center of a long banquet table, the chef’s signature creation.

Though Ji Qingshu now wished the glass were transparent, the sight of a flower veiled in mist was still quite appealing.

She narrowed her eyes, her breathing quickening slightly.

Xueyi… I really… want to have you so badly, but… I need to wait a little longer. If I force myself on you, I’m afraid you’ll hate me.

As the young mistress of the Ji family, Ji Qingshu could have anything she desired. Even if she wanted the moon, her parents would have commissioned a miniature replica for her.

Every crater on the moon’s surface, its orbital path, and all the planets in the solar system could be perfectly replicated.

But when it came to matters of the heart, even her parents couldn’t help. While forceful acquisition might bring immediate possession, what would be the cost? Could she bear it?

Though Chu Xueyi appeared gentle and rarely initiated conflicts, anyone who knew her well understood she was the type to shatter like jade rather than be preserved as mere clay.

Because she was beautiful.

At Qingcheng Drama Academy, Chu Xueyi had no shortage of admirers. Even during her web drama shoots, several notorious investors and CEOs had offered to keep her.

A monthly allowance of three to four hundred thousand yuan, plus a luxury apartment, a sports car, and countless film and television resources—anyone would be tempted by such an offer.

Yet Chu Xueyi flatly rejected the influential CEO and even threw her drink in his face.

The man seethed with anger, threatening to blacklist her from the industry.

Ji Qingshu had initially planned to intervene, but then… Chu Xueyi met other up-and-coming directors. Instead of being blacklisted, she landed roles in several more web dramas.

Of course… Ji Qingshu thought. Chu Xueyi’s personality had captivated even me. How could it not attract others?

Even a solitary orchid blooming deep in a valley will draw butterflies drawn by its fragrance.

Ji Qingshu wasn’t the first butterfly to seek Chu Xueyi, nor would she be the last. If she wanted to possess the orchid exclusively, the best strategy was to take her to a place only she knew.

Now…

Ji Qingshu had already succeeded more than halfway.