Villainess_In_Melodramatic_Novel C05

Chapter 5: The Overbearing CEO’s White Lotus (Part 5)

Yu Liuxue’s eyes brimmed with a smile. “Okay.”

Lin Qingyin had, indeed, chased after her, embracing Yu Liuxue tightly as if trying to fuse their bodies together. Lin had hurried, breathing rapidly and audibly, prompting a smile to tug at Yu Liuxue’s lips.

She placed a hand on Lin Qingyin’s back, offering comfort in return. “Qingyin, you’ve helped me so much; I really don’t know how to thank you.”

While the two enacted a heartfelt scene of camaraderie, the bodyguards exchanged glances, unsure of what was happening.

However, Lin Qingyin quickly regained her composure, releasing Yu Liuxue. She addressed the bodyguards with a firm tone, “She doesn’t need to go back now. Please confirm this with the company immediately.”

The bodyguards hesitated, exchanged looks, and one stepped out to make a call, confirming with the company. After receiving affirmation, they retrieved Yu Liuxue’s suitcase from the car. “Sorry for the trouble, Miss Du.”

Just as Yu Liuxue reached for her luggage, Lin Qingyin beat her to it, loading it into her vehicle’s trunk before ushering Yu into the back seat alongside her hand mirror. Ignoring the bodyguards’ stares, Lin Qingyin herself stepped into the car and shut the door with a thud. “Let’s go back.”

Yu Liuxue noticed that after Lin Qingyin’s initial distress, she had calmed down, her expression now inscrutable—unclear whether she was pleased or displeased.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Yu Liuxue cautiously tugged at Lin Qingyin’s clothing with a finger. Lin Qingyin glanced down at the gesture before looking away indifferently. The atmosphere surrounding Lin turned chilly, her cool elegance untouchable. If Yu couldn’t resolve this, her entire day might be uncomfortable.

This was actually…

Wonderful!

Yu Liuxue, feigning remorse, spoke softly, “Qingyin, I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Silence ensued inside the car, Lin Qingyin simmering with anger. That’s it?

After all that, just twelve words to brush it off?

Anger boiled in her chest, making her demeanor even colder, spilling chill like a broken regulator, sending shivers through Yu Liuxue. Lin shot her a frosty glance, planning to ignore her, but her presence eventually softened, unnoticed.

Yu Liuxue couldn’t help but squint and smile, proudly telling the system, “My love, if Lin Qingyin doesn’t have a good impression of me, I’ll eat sh* on live stream.”

System: Enough already.

Yu Liuxue and Lin Qingyin had both skipped work when Qing Wu’s departure was announced. They were supposed to start filming anew, yet Lin Qingyin promptly brought her back. Not only did this surprise the director and crew, but it also puzzled the other guests.

Especially since one of the returning duo was cautious, while the other seemed visibly upset—her patience wore thin but deliberately slowed to let the other catch up.

A scoop, a huge scoop!

After the morning mishap, the director barely scolded before letting it slide, given Lin Qingyin’s reputed background.

Today’s program required a storyline—a suspenseful, horror-themed mission, with one of the six celebrity guests randomly chosen to play the ghost bride while the rest formed an adventure team to solve the mystery.

Yu Liuxue turned out to be the unlucky one.

She changed into a tattered, paint-splattered (resembling dried blood) wedding dress provided by the show. Makeup artists painted her face a ghostly white, smearing lipstick outside her lips for a truly frightening effect.

Yu Liuxue was taken to the task location early, the haunted house’s green lighting, dark space, and eerie music creating a spooky atmosphere.

“Qing Wu, wait here and don’t move around.”

Yu Liuxue stopped the departing staff, smiling sweetly. “When can I leave?”

“After the five players complete the task or find you.”

Yu Liuxue: “…” What if they never find me? I stay in this creepy place indefinitely?

The staff, seeing her amicable demeanor, reassured her, “Don’t worry, there’s a videographer with you.”

She and the videographer exchanged looks, the latter shivering at her ghostly face.

“…”

Never mind.

She pulled out a vibrantly covered book, “The Cold CEO’s Devious Love: Woman, You’re Playing with Fire,” diving into its melodrama.

Lost in the trashy romance narrative.

Time passed, Lin Qingyin’s chilly voice startling her, “What are you reading?”

Startled, Yu Liuxue nearly dropped the novel, hastily hiding it behind her, her smile awkward and forced. Like a butterfly, she flitted towards Lin, quickly replying, “Qingyin, you’re here! I was so scared alone, every moment I thought of you!”

Lin’s gaze flicked to Yu’s hidden hand, her response flat. “Let’s go.”

As Lin Qingyin led her away, Yu glanced at the videographer. Why did I even have to play a ghost bride for hours?

Still, the romance about a domineering male was quite gripping.

After they found the ghost bride, Lin Qingyin and four other guests discovered a clue under Yu Liuxue’s messy veil, leading them through a series of challenges to finally complete the day’s shoot.

A staff member whispered to a colleague, “I thought we’d be filming into the night again, but Lin Qingyin found the ghost bride so quickly.”

Overhearing, Yu Liuxue blinked, then turned to Lin, grinning with eight perfectly straight teeth, thanking her, “Qingyin, thank you so much today. Being alone was terrifying; without you, I would’ve had nightmares tonight.”

“If you hadn’t come so soon, I wouldn’t dare sleep at all…”

Lin cast a glance at the hidden book, her smile forced. “Enjoying the novel?”

“Today’s reads were ‘The Little Temptress: School Hunk’s Innocent Wife,’ ‘Genius Baby: Daddy Please Go Away,’ or ‘The Cold CEO’s Devious Love: Woman, You’re Playing with Fire.'”

Death glare.

Yu Liuxue: “…” It’s not like that, listen to my explanation!

Her explanation was interrupted by a call from Yao Yishu. Timely, but Yu Liuxue couldn’t stifle her annoyance at him.

She avoided Lin Qingyin, retreating to a secluded area before answering in a soft, restrained voice, “Brother Yishu?!”

Peh, stupid man.

Yao Yishu had been troubled lately. His well-planned pursuit hit roadblocks everywhere. He concluded: Du Qingwu, a fallen heiress, remained stubbornly attached to him, needlessly clashing with Lin Qingyin. Though it frustrated him, having two women secretly vying for his attention was gratifying.

But things had changed. Du Qingwu stopped antagonizing Lin Qingyin, their relationship improving.

Now Qing Wu clung to Lin’s powerful connections, Lin reciprocating, even bringing her back to the show against his wishes. Learning this was like swallowing a fly—disgusting yet unable to unleash on Lin.

Unable to endure further, he reached out to Yu Liuxue. “Qing Wu, let’s meet tonight.”

Despite his presumptive tone, Yu Liuxue scoffed internally. Who does he think he is?

“Okay! Set the time and place, Brother Yishu, I’ll be there on time.”

And thus, it was settled.

Returning with her phone, Lin coldly inquired, “Company call?”

Yu Liuxue giggled innocently, not hiding anything, “No, it was Brother Yishu. He wants to meet tonight.”

Lin Qingyin’s expression immediately shifted.

Yu feigned ignorance. After work, she specially washed up, doing her hair and makeup, donning her most pink dress, primping meticulously before heading out. Lin watched her ride away, eyes clouded.

Yao Yishu arranged to meet at a tea house nearby, somewhere quaint and serene. Seeing Yu Liuxue arrive, dressed colorfully for the occasion, he involuntarily showed disdain.

Still so clueless about her predicament.

He had no patience for small talk, skipping pleasantries as Yu settled down. “Du Qingwu, our engagement is over.”

Internally, Yu Liuxue chuckled, feigning confusion as she looked at him, tears nearly brimming. “Brother Yishu?”

“I don’t like you. My family is a renowned clan now, whereas your Du family lost its past glory after the bankruptcy. We’re not compatible; marriage with you is impossible.” Yao Yishu’s words left him not with relief but growing irritation.

“Stop entangling yourself with me.”

“I love Qingyin; I’ll marry her, have her bear children for my family.”

Quietly absorbing his speech, Yu Liuxue, unfazed, held back laughter, amused at his self-importance.

She choked slightly, forcing a smile. “Brother Yishu, I understand, I’ll stop bothering you.”

He replied, “You better remember.”

“I’ll keep my word, Brother Yishu,” she dabbed away tears with the back of her hand, pleading meekly. “Brother Yishu, can I make one last request?”

“Could you take me home? Just this once; after today, I’ll never trouble you again.”

Escorting a former fiancée wasn’t a big deal, so he agreed without a second thought.

Taking Qingwu back could mean seeing Qingyin and showing her that his ties with Du Qingwu were truly severed.

Both calculating their own motives, they returned to the filming site. Yu Liuxue tucked her hair back, asking the system about Lin Qingyin’s whereabouts. Then she rose on tiptoe, sidling close to Yao Yishu in a seemingly intimate gesture, whispering, “Brother Yishu, I have something to tell you.”

He instinctively leaned away, but her soft voice captured his attention. “Qingyin, she’s…”

Yao Yishu hit the brakes, ears perked.

“She’s mine.”

Her assured tone sent a jolt through him, compelling him to look down.

Lin Qingyin silently appeared behind them, the air around her frosty. Taking small steps forward, she asked, “What are you doing?”