Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 36

Sheng Mingluo closed the bathroom door.

In the cramped space, only the two of them remained. Sheng Mingluo was still wearing the oversized white shirt Qin Zhi had left on her bedside table—a size too large for her.

This left her delicate collarbones clearly visible. Sheng Mingluo faced away from the mirror, but Qin Zhi could see everything: the woman’s slender shoulders, strands of hair cascading over them—an indescribable allure.

“Let me apply the ointment for you,” Qin Zhi said.

“I was wrong last night.”

Sheng Mingluo leaned back against the cold porcelain of the sink, the chill seeping through the fabric. The refusal that had risen to her lips died unspoken.

After all, we’re just playing a game. There’s no need to take it so seriously. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had detected a hint of genuine concern in Qin Zhi’s tone.

This isn’t some fanfic anymore. It’s a game—the first to fall loses.

Qin Zhi dipped her fingertips into the ointment and crouched down. The cool, soothing sensation spread across the swollen area, the medicinal scent filling the air.

“Qin Zhi, is this the second time you’ve applied ointment for me?”

Qin Zhi gave a muffled reply, seemingly unbothered by Sheng Mingluo calling her by her full name. The usual hierarchy between senior and junior colleagues seemed to dissolve in her presence.

“Why don’t we try… maintaining this kind of relationship? It would make it easier to get into character.”

“I’ve never been in love. I’ve only watched some idol dramas, and that was for work.”

Sheng Mingluo groaned softly as Qin Zhi applied the ointment with a slightly heavier hand.

What kind of relationship is she talking about?

“So I think this is the best arrangement for us. Your condition… I don’t mind it.”

Of course you don’t mind it. If you did, would I even be able to come back here?

Sheng Mingluo marveled at her own growing talent for lying through her teeth. If I don’t win an award, it’ll be a real loss for the film industry.

“You… you really don’t mind?”

After a long silence, Qin Zhi finally spoke. This was the first time anyone had said they didn’t mind her condition. Even her mother and sister had only urged her to focus on treatment and avoid complications.

“Yeah, I really don’t mind.”

“I know you’re in a tough spot, Teacher Qin, but if we can’t get along properly like this, why not… make the act real?”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try, right? We’re both adults, after all.”

“Don’t you think so, Sister?”

She lowered her head, her eyes brimming with affection as she cupped Qin Zhi’s cheeks. With a gentle smile, she brushed aside Qin Zhi’s stray strands of hair with her fingertips.

“I’ve never been in a close relationship with anyone.”

“It’s because of my illness.”

“Perhaps it’s not a physical ailment, but a psychological issue.”

Qin Zhi slowly closed the ointment jar and stood up.

“Can you truly accept all of me? Accept the real me?”

Leaning forward, she pressed Sheng Mingluo’s back firmly against the mirror. Qin Zhi knew Sheng Mingluo’s intentions were good.

Yet for some reason, she felt compelled to intimidate this fearless fox.

When her illness flared, she couldn’t even control her own rationality. What assurance did Sheng Mingluo have that she could interact with her normally, let alone enter a close relationship?

Qin Zhi admitted to herself that she felt a flicker of attraction toward Sheng Mingluo. Perhaps it was the novelty of someone she’d never encountered before, or perhaps it was her own possessiveness stirring.

Yet she couldn’t help but find herself drawn to this person, hating when Sheng Mingluo grew close to others, hating when she felt distant, and hating how every act of kindness seemed calculated.

“I said I could, so I can. Qin Zhi, stop looking down on me.”

If she couldn’t even make this small sacrifice, how could she ever get back home? After all, she’d read the entire plot of the fanfic.

Silly woman, Sheng Mingluo thought confidently. You’re nowhere near as crazy as Big Shot Qin from the original story. She was a true madwoman.

With that, Sheng Mingluo cupped Qin Zhi’s face and kissed her, biting her lips as their figures intertwined in the bathroom.

But the kiss didn’t last long. After a few minutes, Sheng Mingluo deliberately pulled away. Any longer, and things might escalate.

“So, what’s our relationship now?” Qin Zhi asked, her forehead pressed against Sheng Mingluo’s, blinking up at her. The answer was obvious: whatever their relationship was in the original story, that’s what it was now.

“You’re my money-giving relationship,” Sheng Mingluo said bluntly.

Well, that didn’t sound too bad. Qin Zhi had grown up in the wealthy elite, so she was used to such arrangements.

Before they could say more, a phone rang in the living room. Sheng Mingluo listened carefully—it was her ringtone.

It must be her assistant calling.

“I’ll go answer that.”

Her knee bumped against Qin Zhi’s hip, signaling her to get down from the sink. Qin Zhi stepped back two paces, barely managing to catch Sheng Mingluo in her arms.

Sheng Mingluo still felt a bit sore, but much better than before. The redness and swelling had subsided, and the pain was gone.

“Hey, I got it. I’ll be out in half an hour. Yeah… I’m with Teacher Qin right now, so don’t worry.”

Hearing Sheng Mingluo’s clear, awake voice, Xu Yun breathed a sigh of relief. Lowering her voice and cupping her hand over the phone, she whispered, “Sister Mingluo, you two need to pace yourselves…”

She hung up immediately, leaving Sheng Mingluo speechless. Still, it was true they couldn’t linger at the hotel any longer. It was time to go out and review today’s script and the scenes they needed to film.

“Was that your assistant?” Qin Zhi asked, following her out of the bathroom.

“Yeah, she reminded us not to dawdle here.”

After hanging up, Xu Yun clutched her chest. She’d just pulled off a truly audacious move. But even the most… thirsty person shouldn’t forget about business, right?

Xu Yun waited another half hour for Sheng Mingluo at the hotel. The takeout she’d ordered was almost ready. Just as Xu Yun brought the food up, she ran into Sheng Mingluo, who was about to enter her room with her keycard.

“Great! Sister Mingluo, you’re finally awake!”

But her excitement was short-lived. A glance caught sight of the marks on Sheng Mingluo’s collarbone, and Xu Yun froze in place.

The world is going to hell. This is way too…

“Thank goodness there aren’t any revealing scenes today… Sister Mingluo, will these marks fade by tomorrow?”

The two women stared at each other. Sheng Mingluo didn’t know how to answer. She could only brush her hair back and offer an awkward smile.

You should ask the author of this fanfic… Heaven knows I didn’t want this! Sheng Mingluo felt her once-lofty image crumbling in her assistant’s eyes.

And it’s not like I bit myself!

Is Qin Zhi some kind of dog?

She claims she’s never been intimate with anyone, but who believes that? Her self-taught skills are way too good.

Sheng Mingluo was particularly indignant. When she tried to take the lead, it somehow reversed their established roles.

Heaven, this is so unfair! If there’s a next time, please let me be the dominant one!