The Paranoid Film Queen Hooked Me, and I Fell in Love. (GL) - Chapter 29

After returning home, Xu Zhiyan didn’t slow down for a moment.

She first packed everything she needed for boarding school, getting most of it in order. Then she dove into the internet, studying up on techniques for both pursuing someone and being in a relationship.

The first was something she was clearly lacking right now. The second—well, that was something she would definitely need in the near future.

With both goals in mind, Xu Zhiyan browsed a little of everything.

That evening, during dinner with Lin Ya and Xu Qingyi, they first chatted about her recent filming experiences. Once the meal was nearly over, Xu Zhiyan casually asked,
“Mom, does Chuanying University allow freshmen to live off-campus?”

Lin Ya looked up from her plate.
“Why? You planning to live at home?”

“…Not exactly.”

Lin Ya narrowed her eyes at her daughter, suspicious.
“Something happen while you were out filming?”

“No!” Xu Zhiyan answered a little too quickly.

Which only made it more suspicious.

Lin Ya and Xu Qingyi exchanged a knowing glance.

Xu Qingyi smiled warmly.
“Zhiyan, if you’re seeing someone, it’s fine. We’re not against it. You don’t have to keep it a secret from us.”

Lin Ya nodded in agreement, backing him up.

Xu Zhiyan poked at the fried egg in her bowl, mumbling,
“But it only counts if the other person feels the same way…”

“What was that?” Lin Ya raised an eyebrow. “If you’re not dating anyone, why suddenly bring up living off-campus?”

She knew her daughter well—Xu Zhiyan wouldn’t ask something like that out of nowhere. The question meant she was already considering the option.

Xu Zhiyan’s shoulders drooped. She looked pitiful as she said,
“It was just a question. You guys jumped so far ahead from ‘off-campus housing’ to all that.”

If she’d known they’d react this way, she would’ve just googled it instead!

Lin Ya huffed, a smirk playing at her lips.
“So there is someone you like.”

Xu Zhiyan: “……”

“…Can I at least have some privacy?” she mumbled, covering her face.

Xu Qingyi chuckled and made the call:
“That’s as good as a confession.”

Since it wasn’t an actual relationship yet, Lin Ya didn’t press further. She simply gave her a proper answer:
“The school doesn’t allow freshmen to live off-campus. But after the first semester, you can apply to live outside if you meet the requirements.”

Xu Zhiyan nodded. “Got it.”

Just when she thought the conversation about love had finally passed, and they were heading upstairs after their evening walk, Lin Ya suddenly called her back.

“So you’re still in the pursuit phase, huh?”

Xu Zhiyan: “……”

Oh, Mother… I haven’t even started pursuing her yet.

The next morning.

Xu Qingyi drove Xu Zhiyan to school. Before he left, he reminded her to call if anything came up—and only after that did he finally feel at ease.

Standing in front of the familiar campus gates, Xu Zhiyan finally felt a delayed spark of excitement.

Following her assigned guide, a friendly upperclassman, she completed her registration and was then led to her dormitory.

Seeing the brand-new, still-empty dorm room, Xu Zhiyan looked around inside and out before beginning to tidy up her bed.

By the time she finished organizing everything, it was already eleven o’clock—and none of her three roommates had arrived yet.

Just as she grabbed her phone, ready to head out and find a canteen for lunch, a WeChat notification popped up:

Shen Buhui: [Have you finished registration? I’m outside the school.]

Xu Zhiyan almost dropped her phone. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly typed back:

Xu Zhiyan: […Jiejie, are you well disguised?? orz]
Today was the official registration day—there were crowds everywhere outside the school gates. She was genuinely worried that Shen Buhui might be recognized and cause a scene.

Shen Buhui: [Relax. Want to come out? I’m waiting for you outside. Let’s go get lunch.]

Xu Zhiyan: [Wait for me!]

Shen Buhui sent her a license plate number. Xu Zhiyan glanced at it, threw on a hat, slung her bag over her shoulder, and dashed out.

When she reached the black car, the window of the front seat rolled down, revealing a pair of familiar, dark eyes. Xu Zhiyan let out a quiet breath of relief and opened the passenger door, slipping inside.

“You came all this way today?” she asked while fastening her seatbelt, curious.

Shen Buhui glanced at her, then reached to turn down the air conditioning.

“I didn’t have any scenes scheduled today. And since it’s your first day, I thought—as your senior—I should welcome the new student with a little hospitality.”

She brushed her fingers over Xu Zhiyan’s hair, slightly damp with sweat, and half-jokingly sighed,
“Without you around, even food doesn’t taste as good.”

So that was why.

Just when her heart had started fluttering, it was popped like a bubble. Xu Zhiyan puffed out her cheeks slightly and said with deliberate annoyance,
“So if your food tastes fine again, you won’t come looking for me?”

“How could that be?” Shen Buhui’s eyes curved with a smile.
“That was just an excuse. Truthfully, I just wanted to treat you to a meal—as your senior, of course.”

Xu Zhiyan turned her head and looked at her. Seeing no trace of teasing in her eyes, her mood lifted again.

“So, what are we eating?”

Shen Buhui thought for a moment.
“There’s a Japanese restaurant nearby that’s pretty good. How about that?”

As long as I’m eating with you, Xu Zhiyan thought, anything’s fine.

“Sure.”

The engine started, and once again, Shen Buhui became her chauffeur, taking her to the restaurant she had in mind.

The décor was elegant, with soft white and light green tones—clean and calming to the eye.

Shen Buhui seemed quite familiar with the place. Xu Zhiyan watched as she chatted easily with the staff before leading her into a private booth that was neither too big nor too small.

“I used to come here often during college. Try it—everything’s really good, especially the signature dishes.”

Xu Zhiyan accepted the menu and began skimming through it as she asked casually,
“Did you usually come here with friends?”

At her question, a subtle smile flickered in Shen Buhui’s eyes.

With her head still bowed, eyes scanning the menu for dishes, Xu Zhiyan didn’t notice the shift in the woman across from her.

Shen Buhui answered deliberately,
“Mhm, I did.”

“…I see.”
Xu Zhiyan’s lips tugged into a small, strained smile.

But she couldn’t let it go just yet. Bracing herself, she continued,
“Roommates? Or… someone else?”

Wasn’t it always one or the other when it came to outings in college—either roommates or romantic partners?

Shen Buhui’s brows lifted slightly in amusement.
“Yan Yan, I’ve noticed you’ve been asking me a lot of questions like that lately.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and Xu Zhiyan instantly forgot all about the menu.

“I—I’m just curious about college life…” she stammered, trying hard not to sound suspicious.

“Is that so?” Shen Buhui smiled, her tone laced with hidden meaning.

Xu Zhiyan nodded hard.
“Yes! If you don’t like it, I won’t ask again.”

Watching her fluster, seeing how even an offhand comment could so thoroughly rattle her—it filled Shen Buhui with a deep sense of satisfaction.

She liked seeing Xu Zhiyan care, seeing her try to understand her, watching her emotions shift in response to her words.

It made Shen Buhui feel deeply, undeniably wanted.

She softened her tone.
“I like it when you ask these things. It means we’re getting closer—like real friends, right?”

“…Right.”

As she spoke, Xu Zhiyan lowered her head a little, guilty.

Friends, huh?

Teacher Shen wanted to be friends. But Xu Zhiyan…
She didn’t want to just be friends.

She wanted to be the kind of friend who shared a bed.

Seeing the brand-new and empty dorm, Xu Zhiyan scanned the space before beginning to unpack and set up her bed.

By the time she finished, it was already eleven o’clock—and none of the other three roommates had shown up yet.

Just as she picked up her phone to head out for lunch, a WeChat message popped up:

Shen Buhui:
Have you finished registration? I’m outside the school.

Xu Zhiyan nearly dropped her phone. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly typed back:

Xu Zhiyan:
…Jiejie, are you well-disguised?? orz
There were tons of people outside the campus today. She was seriously worried Shen Buhui might be recognized.

Shen Buhui:
Don’t worry. Want to come out? I’ll take you to lunch.

Xu Zhiyan:
Wait for me!

Shen Buhui sent her the license plate number. Xu Zhiyan glanced at it, threw on a cap, slung on her backpack, and headed out.

When she reached the sleek black car, the passenger-side window rolled down, revealing a familiar pair of dark eyes. Relief washed over her as she opened the door and slid into the seat.

“You came all the way here today?” she asked, buckling her seatbelt.

Shen Buhui turned her head and gave her a quick glance, turning the AC down a notch.

“I didn’t have any scenes today. And since it’s your first day, I figured—as your senior—I should treat the newest freshman to a warm welcome.”

She reached over and gently touched the ends of Xu Zhiyan’s hair, damp from sweat, and half-jokingly sighed,
“Without you, food just doesn’t taste the same anymore.”

So that’s why…

The little flutter of hope in Xu Zhiyan’s chest was instantly deflated. She puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance.
“So if your food tastes fine again, you won’t come looking for me?”

“How could that be?” Shen Buhui’s eyes lifted with amusement.
“That was just an excuse. I just really wanted to treat you to lunch.”

Xu Zhiyan glanced at her. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, she finally felt her mood lift.

“So, what are we eating?”

Shen Buhui thought for a second.
“There’s a really good Japanese restaurant nearby. Want to try it?”

As long as I’m eating with you, I’d eat anything, Xu Zhiyan thought.

“Sure.”

Shen Buhui started the engine and once again played the role of driver, taking her to the place she had in mind.

The restaurant had a soft white and pale green theme—elegant and minimal, calming at a glance.

It was clear Shen Buhui was a regular here. She greeted the staff with ease, and soon the two of them were seated in a cozy private booth.

“I used to come here often when I was in university,” Shen Buhui said. “Try it—the food’s great, especially their signature dishes.”

Xu Zhiyan took the menu and casually asked,
“Did you come here with friends back then?”

Shen Buhui’s eyes glinted with amusement.

With her head lowered, focused on the menu, Xu Zhiyan didn’t notice the playful expression across from her.

“Yup,” Shen Buhui said teasingly.

“…I see.”
Xu Zhiyan tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it.

Still, she wanted to know. Even if it stung a little.

“Were they roommates or…?”

Wasn’t it usually either roommates or a significant other when it came to dining out in college?

Shen Buhui’s brows lifted slightly, like she’d just realized something.
“Yan Yan, you’ve been asking me a lot of questions like this lately.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Xu Zhiyan immediately abandoned the menu.
“I-I’m just curious about college life…” she stammered, trying to sound casual.

“Is that so?” Shen Buhui’s smile was unreadable.

Xu Zhiyan nodded hard.
“Yes! If you don’t like it, I’ll stop asking.”

Watching her so easily flustered, watching how her every emotion was tied to her own words—Shen Buhui felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

She liked this—being cared about, being noticed, being the center of someone’s emotional gravity.

She gently reassured her.
“I like it when you ask. It means we’re becoming real friends… right?”

“…Yeah.”
Xu Zhiyan nodded, eyes lowered with a guilty conscience.

Teacher Shen wants to be friends, she thought.
But I don’t just want to be friends. I want to be the kind of friend who shares a bed.

Shen Buhui continued the topic on her own.
“I was just teasing earlier. Back in university, I actually kept to myself most of the time. I didn’t go out much with others, so I usually came to this place alone.”

Xu Zhiyan’s attention caught on another part of her words. Recalling similar stories she’d seen online, she frowned slightly, a bit concerned.

“Did you get along with your roommates okay?”

She couldn’t help but wonder—was it because Teacher Shen was too good that she got excluded? There were plenty of cases like that floating around online.

As a soon-to-be college student, Xu Zhiyan had been getting flooded with similar content on her feeds.

Sensing her worry, Shen Buhui smiled gently.
“It was fine. I graduated peacefully.”

“Good.”

—

After lunch, Xu Zhiyan was reluctant to leave.

Whether Shen Buhui picked up on that or not, she ordered two drinks, and they stayed in the booth, chatting about whatever came to mind.

By the time the drinks were gone, Xu Zhiyan knew she had to leave.

At the school gate, Shen Buhui rested her hands on the steering wheel and said with a smile,
“I’ll be looking forward to our next meeting.”

Xu Zhiyan smiled back.
“Director gave me a few days off. Once I get all my school stuff sorted out, I’ll come find you at the set.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

—

When she got back to the dorm, Xu Zhiyan paused at the doorway.

A girl stood with her back to her, organizing her desk. Xu Zhiyan greeted her first:
“Hi there.”

The girl turned around. Her face still had traces of baby fat, and she looked lively.
“Hi! I’m Su Er, bed four.”

Xu Zhiyan glanced around and realized everyone else had arrived.

Su Er caught her gaze and explained,
“They went out to explore the campus.”

Not saying much more, Xu Zhiyan offered to help, got politely declined, and then went to unpack the rest of her things.

Over the next few days, orientation wrapped up, and the course schedule was released.

She checked the syllabus—this semester was mostly theoretical classes. She did the math: after one more day on campus, she could head to the film set.

Su Er sat next to her during lunch, grinning as she messaged someone on her phone.

Having spent the last few days together, Xu Zhiyan already knew—Su Er had a very sweet relationship.

Most interestingly, Su Er’s partner was a girl two years older than her.

Watching her friend’s radiant smile, Xu Zhiyan thought of her own completely unrequited feelings… and couldn’t help but ask:

“Su Er, who confessed first—you or her?”

Su Er set her phone down, beaming.
“I did!”

Xu Zhiyan nodded thoughtfully. Something to learn from, maybe…

“How long did it take? How did you do it?”

Su Er didn’t hold back.
“I just went for it! Once I realized she didn’t dislike me, I confessed!”

Xu Zhiyan had been listening seriously up until that point. Then her ears perked up.

“And… did she say yes?”

Su Er shrugged.
“Of course not!”

…Then why did you say it so confidently?

Propping her chin up, Su Er seemed to be reminiscing.
“She said I was still underage, and told me to think it through. So she rejected me.”

“But I liked her so much. There was no way I could just give up. I didn’t bring it up again, but I never backed down either. After I graduated and turned eighteen, I confessed again!”

“And then you got together,” Xu Zhiyan filled in.

“Yup!”

Just then, her phone pinged—another message from her girlfriend—and Su Er went right back to happily texting.

Xu Zhiyan sat beside her, thinking: This is not very generalizable advice…

But… was it really okay to confess just because someone didn’t dislike you?

Su Er, glancing up mid-message, said:
“Of course it is!”

Xu Zhiyan realized—she’d said that last part out loud.

Su Er leaned in, wise beyond her years:
“If she doesn’t dislike you, it means the foundation is already there. A confession, whether or not it succeeds, tells her, ‘Hey, I don’t see you as just a friend.’ It makes her start thinking differently.”

“Otherwise, the longer you stay friends, the lower your chances. You’ll lose to the next new person who walks into her life.”

Su Er even backed it up:
“Happens in movies, in real life—everywhere. Friends who wait too long always lose to someone new.”

After hearing all that, Xu Zhiyan had to admit… it made a lot of sense.

The confidence of someone who succeeded in love really did hit different.

“I’ll think about it…” she said hesitantly.

But deep inside, something had already begun to stir.