I’m the Moonlight White That the Former Movie Queen Secretly Loved 14

Chapter 14:

The next day at six-fifteen, the alarm clock rang for a long time before Qi Sijia finally got out of bed.

Due to a poor night’s sleep, Qi Sijia brushed her teeth and washed her face with sleepy eyes.

She didn’t even have time to put on a leather cord and went straight out the door.

In Ningcheng, by late autumn, the weather got colder day by day.

Wearing a gas mask, Qi Sijia didn’t feel it much. The only place that felt piercingly cold was her long neck, which was exposed even though she was wearing a high-necked sweater.

She had left in a hurry today and hadn’t worn a scarf.

Qi Sijia could only pull her long, smooth hair to the side of her neck, using it as a scarf to cover her bare skin.

After finishing her protective measures, she happened to reach the first floor.

Coincidentally, it was so early, the corridor was dim, and the sky was not yet fully bright. Gui Xiaolian was even earlier than Qi Sijia, as if she had been waiting at the door in advance.

With a “thud,” the door on the first floor opened in front of Qi Sijia.

The next second, Gui Xiaolian handed a yellowish, rectangular iron lunchbox to Qi Sijia from behind the door.

Qi Sijia didn’t take it. She pulled down her baseball cap and looked at her hesitantly.

“My mom asked me to give this to you. This is wormwood dumpling, glutinous rice green dumpling, with celery and pork filling. The pork is fresh tenderloin that Uncle Mo cut from the butcher’s this morning, and the celery is from Auntie Fang’s hometown on the second floor.”

“When you take a break at noon, microwave it for three minutes. It tastes much better than the instant noodles you ate yesterday.”

Qi Sijia was about to say that she had brought her own lunch.

But perhaps because she was still awkward about yesterday’s incident, Gui Xiaolian mumbled her lips and slammed the door shut with a “thud.”

Through the rusty door, Qi Sijia heard a violent cough from inside.

And Gui Xiaolian’s exclamation, “Mom!”

“I already said I’d give it to her. Why did you get up?”

“Nannan, you can’t be unreasonable. Miss Qi… cough cough cough… she and her grandmother are very kind-hearted. They’ve been our benefactors all these years. I’ve taught you so many times, it’s one thing that we’re too poor to repay their kindness, but we can’t take advantage of their kindness and exploit it. You have to talk to her nicely.”

“She’s already gone.”

“Alright, alright, alright.”

“I give up. When I go to work later, I’ll apologize to her personally, okay?”

Then there was another violent cough, as if she were about to cough up her lungs.

Qi Sijia’s hand, which was about to knock on the door, paused. She transferred the iron lunchbox Gui Xiaolian had handed her to her right hand. The corridor was dim. The lunchbox in Qi Sijia’s right hand was a three-tiered, deluxe insulated version. The brand-new beige lid had a cute cat drawn on it.

It was much more exquisite and beautiful than the yellowish, single-tiered iron lunchbox in her left hand.

Inside was the meal Qi Sijia had made herself yesterday. She was socially anxious and not used to eating in crowded places. She had been making her own meals all these years.

This was the first time she had carried a box of green dumplings made by someone else.

Qi Sijia stood at the door for a few seconds. In the end, she didn’t return it and walked out of the building with the lunchbox.

At seven in the morning, in the duty room.

As soon as Qi Sijia arrived at the door of the duty room, she was frightened by the lively chat inside.

“Why? She only came on the first day and she gets a raise!”

“She’s a newcomer?”

“Do you think the top-floor owner likes her?”

“Last time my daughter said that girls can like girls now, and the marriage law is going to be changed. Do you think she’s been taken a fancy to by the top-floor owner?”

“No wonder…”

…

Gui Xiaolian arrived a minute earlier than Qi Sijia.

“Aunties, you can’t say that. Before Miss Qi came, none of us were willing to go to Building 8 to clean. She worked hard and was appreciated by the owner of Building 8, so she got a raise. She deserves it.”

“If we work hard, this good job will come to us one day.”

…

Gui Xiaolian’s words were decent. Seeing the surrounding aunties nod in embarrassment, she waved at Qi Sijia. “Miss Qi—you got a raise.”

Whether she got a raise or not, Qi Sijia didn’t feel much.

But the envious and jealous gazes of the surrounding aunties were like needles on her back.

Qi Sijia thanked Gui Xiaolian for helping her out and, under the envious and jealous gazes of everyone, quickly entered the locker room with a blank expression and changed into her work clothes.

By the time she came out, Supervisor Cai had just returned from a meeting and called Qi Sijia over with a complicated expression.

She informed her, “You got a raise. The top-floor owner is paying your salary separately.”

“Do you know how much it is?”

Even the cleaning supervisor didn’t know, so of course, Qi Sijia didn’t know. She wasn’t interested in this, but there was no such thing as a free lunch.

What does the top-floor owner mean?

“Does she like you?” Supervisor Cai suddenly leaned over and asked.

Qi Sijia took a step back and said without emotion, “I don’t know.”

Three people make a tiger. Qi Sijia was not one to believe rumors. But thinking about the fruit yesterday and the long look the other person had given her.

Qi Sijia was suddenly unsure.

She felt that it was best to be conservative and ask the top-floor owner personally when she saw her again. If the other person had that intention…

She did need to develop a new social relationship right now, to “fight fire with fire.” If it was suitable, she could try it out.

Cleaning work was monotonous and repetitive. The work area was strictly defined, just one building.

Cleaning, sweeping, and watering, like gears turning.

After getting the hang of it, the novelty was not as high as on the first day.

In the morning, while watering the flowers in the green space, Qi Sijia met Gui Xiaolian again.

The latter stood not far from Qi Sijia, fidgeting for a long time before finally walking over sheepishly. She said, “I’m sorry. Yesterday…”

Qi Sijia saw what she wanted to say and thought about how she had helped her out today.

She lowered her eyes and said, “It’s okay.”

Gui Xiaolian was very good at making herself happy. Although she had been slightly critical of Qi Sijia the day before, after discovering that Qi Sijia was easy to talk to today, she automatically classified Qi Sijia as a good sister with a compatible personality.

Now, she chatted with Qi Sijia in the garden for a while, handing her a water bucket while chattering away.

Qi Sijia listened attentively while working.

Perhaps it was the first time she had met someone who listened so quietly and seriously. From family gossip to entertainment news, Gui Xiaolian wanted to talk about everything.

“Hey, did you see the hot search last night?”

Qi Sijia shook her head. Recently, due to Meng Jiang’s mention of her first love, Miss Q, Qi Sijia had been pushed into the spotlight.

But Meng Jiang was a woman of her word. Since she had said she would send people to remove all information about Miss Q’s real-life identity, she would do it.

She still had this bit of confidence in her first love. Qi Sijia didn’t think she would be on the hot search and trimmed the last flower branch with little interest.

Gui Xiaolian, who was waiting behind her, became anxious. “You really didn’t look?”

Qi Sijia said, “I don’t use Weibo often.”

After being surprised, Gui Xiaolian quickly accepted it. After all, Qi Sijia didn’t even want to show her face when collecting rent. What else could she be interested in?

With this thought, she patiently spread her hands. “Alright, if you don’t use Weibo, you must have at least heard of the famous actress Meng Jiang.”

Qi Sijia lowered her eyes, hiding the surprise in them. She asked casually, “What about her?”

Gui Xiaolian mysteriously took out her phone, pulled up Weibo, and showed it to Qi Sijia.

“A netizen found Meng Jiang’s alt account.”

“Look. This. I have to say, the fan circle brags about their idols being top-tier every day, but after this incident of her exposing her first love, I realize that the real top-tier is still Meng Jiang. No one has ever surpassed her. Even an alt account that has never posted can hang on Weibo for days.”

Meng Jiang’s name was now a sensitive point for Qi Sijia. She subconsciously stretched her head to look, and her whole person was not well.

The “how do you know this is Meng Jiang herself” that was on the tip of her tongue was swallowed back, because Qi Sijia had seen this profile picture a few days ago. It was Meng Jiang’s main WeChat profile picture.

This Weibo account was most likely Meng Jiang’s.

“White background, red lips, tsk, a Q-shaped luxury brand lipstick being applied to the lips.” Gui Xiaolian’s face was full of a knowing smile. She nudged Qi Sijia’s arm with her elbow and asked, “The brand Meng Jiang endorsed when she debuted, I didn’t think much of it, but this picture has a Q. The Q of Meng Jiang’s first love, Miss Q.”

At this point, Gui Xiaolian let out a profound giggle.

Qi Sijia glanced at it and withdrew her gaze.

She thought to herself, What’s there to imagine? Although as Miss Q herself, the first time she saw this picture, Qi Sijia had also thought wrongly, but that night, Meng Jiang had used her actions to tell Qi Sijia not to even think about it.

This picture was just the brand’s logo.

As some of Meng Jiang’s rational fans had commented, the fact that Meng Jiang could openly talk about Miss Q five years later meant that she had long since let go of this first love. Moreover, she had mentioned Qi Sijia to the media when she was drunk.

The person herself didn’t care at all.

“Hey, why aren’t you curious at all?”

Gui Xiaolian was not impressed by Qi Sijia’s indifferent attitude and chattered on.

It was a little noisy. Qi Sijia put down her work and answered, “Then you tell me, what useful information did you find from Meng Jiang’s alt account?”

Meeting Qi Sijia’s blurry gaze behind the goggles, Gui Xiaolian opened her mouth and said awkwardly, “Hey. It seems there isn’t a single Weibo post. No likes or follows either.”

Qi Sijia’s tone was cold. “Then let’s not talk about her.”

Gui Xiaolian was not convinced and said in a muffled voice, “You’re not curious at all.”

“She used her alt account to vote on a young author’s relationship problem. There must be something wrong.”

This time, it was Qi Sijia’s turn to be silent.

As Gui Xiaolian spoke, she pulled up the Weibo post where Meng Jiang had used her alt account to give advice on a stranger’s relationship problem. The next second, a very familiar lazy cat, which had been in Qi Sijia’s arms yesterday, appeared in front of Qi Sijia.

“The young author is called Ji Liu. Netizens have dug up all her online information overnight.”

Qi Sijia narrowed her eyes. “And then?”

“There’s no then.” Gui Xiaolian’s voice became dejected. “The author’s initial is J, not Q. And this author’s love life is a mess, with countless girlfriends. According to her readers, she’s almost constantly in a relationship, and every time she breaks up, she seamlessly moves on. She’s a world away from our Jiang Jiang. There’s no way she could be Jiang Jiang’s first love, Miss Q.”

The implication was that her idol, a natural stunner, a person full of charm, even if she liked the same sex, would not lower her standards to like a female player.

Qi Sijia, who was mentioned by name, was not well at all. Her fingers stiffened at a visible rate. Fortunately, she was wearing rubber gloves, so Gui Xiaolian did not notice anything unusual.

After a moment of silence, Qi Sijia asked, “Why don’t you speculate that she is Miss Q?”

“Why would you think that? Jiang Jiang has a serious case of emotional cleanliness. She has posted her psychological test results, which show that she is monogamous and hopes her partner is the same, wanting only one person in her life. All Jiang fans know this.”

The implication was that Miss Q could be anyone, but definitely not the female player Ji Liu.

After listening to Gui Xiaolian, Qi Sijia did not correct her. A player’s first love is still a first love.

Who said that a first love had to be a virgin for Meng Jiang?

But in any case, knowing that she was not exposed, Qi Sijia was relieved and slowly put away her tools.

Today’s watering task was over. She needed to go back and clean the building.

The Ji Liu account had no scandals. Netizens could dig all they wanted.

Qi Sijia had protected her real-life information very well. Except for her love life, even her address had been changed with an IP.

…

She had even used Wei Yunfang’s connections to encrypt this account online.

So it was impossible for anyone to find Qi Sijia through Ji Liu.

She let out a long sigh of relief.

“Don’t believe or spread rumors.” Qi Sijia returned Gui Xiaolian’s phone to her. Seeing that Gui Xiaolian was not impressed, she said, “Don’t you also think it’s ridiculous that the internet is saying Meng Jiang can’t forget Miss Q? They’ve already broken up and are in two different worlds. The fact that Meng Jiang can talk about it means she’s let go. And for you fans, isn’t it good that Meng Jiang is single and beautiful? There aren’t that many broken mirrors that can be mended in this world.”

After she finished, Qi Sijia carried the bucket and was about to enter Building 8, but as she turned around, she bumped into the top-floor owner.

She didn’t know how much the other person had heard. Those phoenix eyes were half-closed, her expression unreadable.

She stared straight at Qi Sijia’s two active lips, which were protected by the goggles.

Although Qi Sijia did not have social anxiety when facing the top-floor owner, the gaze on her was still a little uncomfortable. Qi Sijia actively avoided her gaze, not knowing how to address her.

Just as she was about to speak, the next second, a smile that didn’t quite reach Meng Jiang’s eyes interrupted her. Her tone was sarcastic. “Aren’t you tired?”

Qi Sijia didn’t react. “What?”

Meng Jiang looked at her mouth.

That was all.

This was the first time someone had told Qi Sijia that she talked a lot, so much so that she thought it was a compliment.

The only one who could see that the atmosphere was wrong was Gui Xiaolian. Meng Jiang had become a master of social etiquette over the years. She always acted with propriety, her emotions hidden.

She never left any evidence for others to use against her.

So that everyone thought she was a bright and noble person with a proper personality.

In fact, her impeccable social etiquette often made people forget that she was a very decisive person.

Meng Jiang’s faint glance didn’t bother Qi Sijia. She was about to ask about the salary.

But Meng Jiang gave her a deep look and walked away without saying a word.

Gui Xiaolian, who was next to her, was so scared that she didn’t even dare to breathe.

Even though the woman’s face was not visible, she had a noble aura that outshone everyone. And her phoenix eyes had no trace of a smile. When she looked over, it sent a chill down one’s spine.

So it wasn’t until Meng Jiang left that Gui Xiaolian let out a sigh of relief, patted her chest, and asked, “Is she?”

Gui Xiaolian looked up and pointed at Building 8.

Qi Sijia nodded. “The owner of the top floor of Building 8.”

After getting an affirmative answer, Gui Xiaolian slapped her forehead and muttered, “Sure enough, seeing is believing.”

But she was met with a low laugh from Qi Sijia. “She’s a nice person.”

Gui Xiaolian: “…”

“Of course, she likes you. Otherwise, have you ever seen her give anyone a raise?”

That day, after hearing from many people that the top-floor owner liked her, Qi Sijia couldn’t help but suspect that the newly met top-floor owner might like her.