Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 42

The mall was as bustling as ever, a sea of people jostling shoulder to shoulder even on a weekday.

Chu Xueyi hadn’t been to downtown Qingcheng since graduating from university, and returning now felt both familiar and strangely new.

Xueyi, you haven’t been here in ages, have you? That’s why you’re so excited? Huang Yi teased, nudging her friend with her elbow.

It has been a while, Chu Xueyi admitted with a subtle nod, before diving into the jewelry section. The dazzling array of accessories left her momentarily overwhelmed.

But considering Ji Qingshu’s status as a young heiress…

Chu Xueyi couldn’t afford anything too extravagant. She’d have to put some thought into finding the right piece. Finally, her gaze settled on a platinum ring adorned with diamonds. Delicate纹路 flowed across its surface like the radiant glow of three or four distant stars.

Like a solitary yet brilliant star in the vast cosmos.

This actually reminds me of Ji Qingshu, Chu Xueyi thought.

To everyone else, Ji Qingshu was dazzlingly radiant, like an untouchable celestial body.

Yet this star had chosen to draw near to her.

Chu Xueyi’s mind became as tangled as a ball of yarn with just a moment’s reflection.

And you asked me for advice? You picked it out at first glance! Huang Yi teased, her hands clasped behind her back. But when her gaze landed on the ring’s price tag, her face paled slightly.

Xueyi… this ring costs twenty thousand!

They were both students. While their families weren’t poor—art students naturally faced a financial barrier—being able to casually spend twenty thousand at once was definitely beyond the means of an average student.

Don’t worry, sis has money. I’ll swipe my card, Chu Xueyi declared with such swagger that even the saleswoman froze. Chu Xueyi looked far too young to casually drop twenty thousand.

And when the saleswoman overheard Chu Xueyi’s friend mention they were students, her skepticism deepened.

Xueyi, you’re the one who’s love-struck!

I think you’re the most love-struck one here!

This is twenty thousand yuan, not twenty cents or two hundred!

Huang Yi grabbed Chu Xueyi’s hand, trying to snap her out of her consumerist trance.

Besides, Ji Qingshu definitely doesn’t need the money. Everyone at school knows she gets picked up by luxury cars every winter and summer break.

She might not even like a ring that costs twenty thousand yuan.

Huang Yi was speechless at her friend’s behavior. Having just escaped Su Shiyu’s money-sucking vortex, Chu Xueyi was now eager to spend money on someone even richer than herself.

Does money burn a hole in your wallet or something?!

Seeing her friend’s frantic state, Chu Xueyi thought for a moment and could only reach out and tap Huang Yi’s head.

Huang Yi’s face was round and chubby. After graduation, she’d played minor roles in numerous film crews, often cast as endearingly naive characters.

She’d even landed lead roles in a few web dramas, enjoying a stroke of luck.

So when Chu Xueyi tapped her head, Huang Yi merely frowned, her round face now resembling a steamed bun.

Let me be honest with you, Chu Xueyi said, opening her bag and pulling out her bank card. This isn’t some impulsive purchase. Ji Qingshu promised to help me secure a role in a web drama. I have to show my appreciation.

She smiled at the saleswoman. Swipe the card.

The saleswoman’s surprise vanished instantly. Judging by her tone, Chu Xueyi must be a student from the nearby Qingcheng Drama Academy.

Acting is where the money’s at these days. Even drama school students can buy rings without batting an eye.

So that’s why… Huang Yi rubbed her head where she’d nearly been knocked senseless, her face dawning with realization. I thought you were going to cosplay Wang Baochuan, Xueyi!

Chu Xueyi ……

Dear bestie, can you please drop it? I actually did that in my past life!

Just thinking about it made her feel like the waters of West Lake—her tears.

Still, Ji Qingshu is seriously impressive to get you a web drama role. The campus legend must be true after all.

What campus legend? Chu Xueyi asked, leaning closer out of curiosity. The saleswoman had already swiped her card and was wrapping the ring.

They say she’s incredibly powerful and wealthy. Even the floors in her house are paved with gold.

Chu Xueyi’s eyebrows twitched slightly. She didn’t know if Ji Qingshu’s house actually had gold-paved floors, but the woman certainly had the means to do so.

Miss, your purchase is ready.

Oh, would you like to sign up for our membership program? We can notify you in advance about new arrivals.

The saleswoman’s demeanor had completely shifted from cold indifference to eager anticipation, her eyes now filled with admiration for Chu Xueyi, the rising star, and longing for the riches of a bank vault.

No, thank you.

Chu Xueyi didn’t plan to stay in Qingcheng for long, so a membership would be useless.

Oh well, the bank just walked away, the saleswoman thought with a hint of disappointment.

After selecting the ring, Chu Xueyi and Huang Yi found a nearby restaurant for lunch. After all that walking, they needed something to tide them over.

Chu Xueyi continued to warn Huang Yi repeatedly, urging her not to be deceived again by that damned senior who had taken advantage of her financially and emotionally.

If he truly cares for you, he should show it through actions, not cold indifference and casually badmouthing the people around you.

Huang Yi nodded. Darling, I’ll definitely follow your advice.

They talked for a long time. Huang Yi was curious about the web drama Chu Xueyi was filming, and Chu Xueyi shared some details without holding back.

If the whole reincarnation thing weren’t so absurd—likely to be dismissed as delusional—Chu Xueyi would have told her best friend everything.

When the ride-hailing car pulled up at the school gate, they parted ways.

Chu Xueyi clutched the ring box, its red velvet lining festive and auspicious. She practically skipped down the lush, tree-lined paths of Qingcheng Drama Academy, taking two steps at a time.

She hadn’t visited her alma mater since graduation. Walking these familiar paths again felt completely different now.

Youth and vitality had returned to her.

This feeling… it’s something you can only experience once in a lifetime, and only through rebirth.

The sun was setting, and Ji Qingshu should have finished her work by now. But Chu Xueyi didn’t want to risk arriving empty-handed.

So, as she headed toward the dormitory building, she sent Ji Qingshu a text message

Qingshu, have you eaten yet? If not… I can grab something from the cafeteria for you. What would you like?

Sure enough, when you truly want to ask someone something or give them a gift, you tend to beat around the bush first, making small talk.

Chu Xueyi felt a pang of annoyance at her own daughter’s lovesick behavior.

The reply came quickly. Chu Xueyi could tell Ji Qingshu had picked up her phone and typed out the message immediately.

I went home today and had lunch there. I’m not hungry yet, so you don’t need to bring anything.

I’ve finalized the web drama deal. If you’re interested, you can join the cast as the lead actress. The director really values your acting skills, Xueyi, which is why he agreed so readily.