The Strategy For The Yandere Movie Queen Failed And Was Marked. Chapter 13
byChapter 13 Cohabitation
Ye Qinglan looked at her with a smile and repeated, “How about coming to live at my place?”
“Go… go to your place?” Su Jin’s spoon clattered into the porridge, splashing rice grains onto her hospital gown. She fumbled to wipe them off, her eyes darting around, afraid to meet Ye Qinglan’s gaze. “Isn’t that inappropriate?”
“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. You are my lover now.”
Su Jin stammered, “B-but, I… I haven’t fully recovered yet…”
Ye Qinglan’s slender fingers gently brushed the rice grains from her collar, her fingertips subtly grazing Su Jin’s collarbone. “The doctor said you can be discharged. Besides…” She suddenly leaned closer, her warm breath fanning Su Jin’s ear. “I have a private doctor at home, on call 24 hours a day.”
Su Jin’s ears instantly flushed crimson, and she instinctively shrank back. “That… I, I think the hospital is quite good! Nurses are available anytime, and there’s…”
“Su Jin.” Ye Qinglan suddenly interrupted her, her eyes dimming. “Do you… dislike me?”
“Huh?” Su Jin’s eyes widened. Seeing the usually aloof Film Empress suddenly display a hurt expression, her heart felt a sharp tug. She frantically waved her hands. “No, no! How could I dislike you!”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
Sure enough, Ye Qinglan’s eyes immediately lit up, like they were filled with stars. “Then it’s settled. I’ll go handle the discharge procedures right now.” Without waiting for Su Jin’s reaction, she turned and started to walk out.
“Wait!” Su Jin, in a moment of desperation, suddenly clutched her chest. “Oh dear… I, I think I feel a little unwell…”
Ye Qinglan stopped in her tracks and immediately rushed back, her brows tightly furrowed. “Where does it hurt?” Her hand was already reaching for the call button.
“It’s just… chest tightness…” Su Jin pretended to gasp a couple of times, secretly observing Ye Qinglan’s reaction.
In less than a minute, the attending doctor and a nurse hurried in.
Ye Qinglan stepped aside, her expression grave. “She suddenly complained of chest tightness.”
The doctor gave Su Jin a thorough examination, finally taking off the stethoscope, his expression odd. “All indicators are normal, even healthier than the average person.”
An awkward silence fell over the ward.
Su Jin wished she could find a hole to crawl into, completely unable to look Ye Qinglan in the eye.
“I understand, thank you, Doctor.” Ye Qinglan politely saw the medical staff out. When she closed the door and turned around, she wore a half-smile.
Su Jin huddled on the hospital bed, like a child who had done something wrong.
Ye Qinglan walked slowly closer, sat down by the bed, and suddenly reached out to pinch her chin, forcing her to look up. “Su Jin, are you avoiding me?”
“I’m not!” Su Jin instinctively retorted, but under the intensity of the other woman’s gaze, her voice trailed off. “I just… feel like things are moving too fast…”
Ye Qinglan stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled. “What did you think I was going to do to you?” She released her grip and stood up. “I just think the hospital environment isn’t good, and I want you to rest properly. My house has three guest rooms; you can choose whichever you like.”
Su Jin instantly felt so embarrassed she wanted to die.
So she had overthought it? The Film Empress didn’t mean anything like that at all!
“I, I didn’t mean that!” She hastily explained. “I just… just…”
“Just what?” Ye Qinglan raised an eyebrow.
Su Jin opened her mouth, then finally gave up and lowered her head. “…I’ll go pack my things.”
Half an hour later, Su Jin, clutching her small backpack, followed closely behind Ye Qinglan as they left the hospital. Paparazzi were already lying in wait outside, and the flashlights instantly merged into a blinding stream.
Ye Qinglan naturally put her arm around Su Jin’s shoulder, shielding her as they quickly headed toward the parking lot.
Su Jin was stiff as a board. The faint scent of Ye Qinglan’s perfume, mixed with a hint of elusive cold fragrance, lingered around her nose, making her heart pound.
“Don’t be nervous.” Ye Qinglan whispered in her ear, her warm breath brushing her earlobe. “We’ll be in the car soon.”
Su Jin nodded, but only grew more anxious. She could feel Ye Qinglan’s palm resting steadily on her back, the warmth penetrating the thin fabric, making her feel hot all over.
Finally sitting inside the car, Su Jin let out a long sigh, only to realize she had relaxed too soon. In the confined space of the car, Ye Qinglan’s presence was even more overwhelming.
“Buckle up.” Ye Qinglan leaned over, her arm brushing Su Jin’s chest as she pulled out the seatbelt and fastened it for her.
This posture practically had Su Jin half-enclosed in her embrace. Su Jin held her breath, not daring to move.
Only when Ye Qinglan retreated to the driver’s seat did Su Jin dare to secretly breathe, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. The scenery outside the window rushed past, but her heart was beating even faster.
“System! System!” Su Jin frantically called out in her mind. “What should I do! I’m going to her house!”
The System responded lazily, “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? It makes completing the mission easier.”
“Who, who said I wanted this!” Su Jin was exasperated. “She won’t try to… to sleep with me, will she?”
“Look at you, so timid.” The System scoffed. “Ye Qinglan has seen all kinds of beauties. If she sleeps with you, you’re the one getting the better deal, alright?”
Su Jin was speechless, choked by the retort, and turned to look out the window in a huff.
But soon, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Ye Qinglan in the driver’s seat. Today, she was wearing a loose white shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone. Her profile was perfectly sculpted, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath her eyes…
“Is it nice?” Ye Qinglan suddenly spoke, startling Su Jin almost into jumping.
“Ni… I, I wasn’t looking!”
Ye Qinglan chuckled softly, not exposing her lie.
The car drove into a high-end residential area and finally stopped in front of a three-story villa.
Su Jin got out and looked up at the modern-style building, unconsciously swallowing.
“Come in.” Ye Qinglan entered the password and pushed open the front door.
The interior decoration was simple yet cozy, completely different from the luxurious mansion Su Jin had imagined. There were wooden floors, off-white sofas, a few landscape oil paintings hanging on the wall, and a small garden outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Do you like it?” Ye Qinglan took her backpack.
“It’s very beautiful…” Su Jin stood cautiously at the entrance, unsure whether she should change her shoes.
Ye Qinglan took out a brand-new pair of slippers and placed them by her feet. “Your size.”
Su Jin looked up in surprise. “How did you know…”
“Eyeballing it.” Ye Qinglan said lightly, turning toward the stairs. “I’ll show you the room.”
Su Jin quickly changed into the slippers and followed.
At the end of the second-floor corridor was a spacious bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the garden, a king-sized bed was covered with light gray sheets, and a uniquely shaped lamp sat on the bedside table.
“Is this the master bedroom?” Su Jin stood at the doorway, hesitant to enter.
Ye Qinglan nodded. “Yes, my room. Yours is next door.”
Su Jin breathed a sigh of relief and followed her to the adjacent room. This one was slightly smaller but equally exquisite and cozy, with beige bedding that looked soft and comfortable.
“The bathroom is over there,” Ye Qinglan pointed. “The toiletries are all new. You rest for a bit; I’ll go get you some things for a shower.”
Su Jin nodded. After Ye Qinglan left, she collapsed onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
“System, I feel so strange…” she said in her mind. “Why is Ye Qinglan suddenly being so nice to me? Is it just because I look like her ‘old acquaintance’?”
The System was silent for a moment. “Host, I suggest you take this opportunity to gain more of her favor. It will make it easier for the subsequent mission to provoke her Blackening.”
Su Jin rolled her eyes. “Can you try to have some humanity?”
“I am a System; I inherently lack humanity,” the System replied matter-of-factly.
Su Jin was about to argue when a knock sounded.
Ye Qinglan’s voice came from outside the door. “Susu, go take a shower. I’ve brought you a change of clothes.”
Hearing the overly intimate nickname “Susu” suddenly, Su Jin was stunned for a moment before remembering to open the door.
Outside, Ye Qinglan was waiting with the clothes, handing them to her with a smile in her eyes.
Su Jin took them. “Thank you.”
“Don’t be silly. Go take your shower!”
Su Jin entered the bathroom and looked down at the neatly folded pajamas in her arms—a silk short-sleeved top and shorts, cool and smooth to the touch. She held them up to herself; the size seemed just right.
“How does she even know what size I wear…” Su Jin muttered softly, her cheeks slightly red.
The bathroom was spacious and bright, and the shower stall was twice the size of a normal one.
Su Jin carefully locked the door before starting to undress. The warm water washed away the day’s fatigue. She closed her eyes, letting the water run over her face.
“Host, you’ve been showering for almost half an hour,” the System suddenly spoke. “Keep going, and your skin will wrinkle.”
Su Jin finally turned off the tap, dried herself, and put on the silk pajamas. The feel of the fabric against her skin made her uncomfortable; it was too light, almost like wearing nothing.
She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection: her cheeks flushed red from the steam, her hair damp and clinging to her neck, the silk pajamas outlining her body’s curves…
“No, this is too…” Su Jin frantically grabbed the bath towel and wrapped it around herself, feeling slightly more secure.
After nearly twenty minutes of stalling, she finally mustered the courage to open the bathroom door and returned to the guest room, where the sight before her made her gasp—
Ye Qinglan was leaning against her headboard, holding a book.
Hearing the movement, she looked up, her gaze sweeping over Su Jin, a slight smile playing on her lips. “All done?”
She had changed into a black silk dressing gown, the belt loosely tied, the collar wide open, revealing a patch of fair skin. Her damp hair was spread over her shoulders, indicating she had also just showered. Her long legs were crossed, the hem of the robe sliding up to her mid-thigh, inviting endless imagination.
Su Jin froze in place, clutching the bath towel tighter. “W-why are you here…”
“I came to bring you a hairdryer.” Ye Qinglan pointed to the bedside table. “You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry your hair.”
“Thank you…” Su Jin slowly shuffled over, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I can do it myself.”
Ye Qinglan had already stood up and picked up the hairdryer. “Sit down. I’ll help you.”
“No need!” Su Jin took a step back, nearly tripping over the bath towel.
Ye Qinglan quickly reached out and steadied her waist, bringing the two of them instantly close. Su Jin could smell the clean scent of her body wash, mixed with that unique cold fragrance, making her feel dizzy.
“Be careful.” Ye Qinglan’s voice was low and husky, her breath fanning Su Jin’s ear.
Su Jin’s heart was pounding out of her chest. In her panic, the bath towel slipped to the floor. She let out a small yelp and fumbled to pick it up, but Ye Qinglan was quicker.
Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.
Ye Qinglan’s gaze slowly swept over her body, finally settling on her flushed face. She gently draped the towel back over Su Jin’s shoulders, her voice deeper than usual. “Don’t catch a chill.”
Su Jin hastily wrapped the towel around herself, stammering, “I, I can blow-dry my own hair!”
Ye Qinglan didn’t insist, handing her the hairdryer. “Then I’ll go warm you up some milk. It helps with sleep.”
As soon as Ye Qinglan left, Su Jin immediately locked the door, threw herself onto the bed, and buried her face in the pillow, screaming silently.
“System! She definitely wants to sleep with me!” she yelled in her mind.
The System said coolly, “Then just give in to her. The mission requires you to seduce her anyway.”
“That’s different!” Su Jin angrily punched the pillow. “She’s treating me like a substitute!”
The System gave a meaningful “Oh.” “So you’re jealous?”
“I am not!” Su Jin vehemently denied it, yet she felt a strange pang of sadness.
The knock came again. Ye Qinglan’s voice filtered through the door. “Susu, the milk is warm.”
Su Jin was still not used to the nickname. She took a deep breath, adjusted the bath towel, and went to open the door.
Ye Qinglan stood outside holding a cup of milk, her head slightly bowed. Through the open collar, Su Jin could see her delicate collarbone.
“Thank you.” Su Jin didn’t dare to meet her eyes, took the milk, and mechanically took a large gulp.
The warm liquid sliding down her throat did relax her tense nerves somewhat.
Ye Qinglan leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching her drink the milk.
When Su Jin finished, she took the empty cup and suddenly said, “I have a shoot tomorrow morning, so I’ll be leaving very early. I’ll have Auntie leave food for you; just eat when you wake up.”
Su Jin nodded. “Okay, good night.”
“Good night.” Ye Qinglan hesitated, then suddenly leaned in and placed a light kiss on her forehead. “Have sweet dreams.”
By the time Su Jin registered what happened, Ye Qinglan had already left.
She touched the spot where she had been kissed, her heart pounding like thunder.
That night, Su Jin tossed and turned, her mind filled with Ye Qinglan’s every expression and smile.
She finally drifted into a hazy sleep just as dawn broke. In her dream, someone seemed to be gently stroking her face, whispering constantly in her ear:
Sister, I’m finally close to you.