Chapter 95 Part 1

That night, in the Love Cottage.

Due to the breach of contract fees from leaving the show, Jiang Sisi and Leng Xiang stayed one more night in the Love Cottage, planning to leave the next day.

Gao Qin had been in the wrong from the start, but rules were rules. The live broadcast mishap was primarily Jiang Sisi’s responsibility, and she had been the one to propose withdrawing from the show, so logically, they still had to pay the penalty fees.

Gao Qin hadn’t wanted the money at first—he truly hadn’t. Jiang Sisi bringing up the breach fees was essentially her way of cutting ties with him completely. Giving up her connections would be like cutting off one of his own arms.

He hadn’t wanted things to sour with her like this.

But Jiang Sisi insisted on paying. If a little money could resolve it, there was no need to drag things out.

Jiang Sisi didn’t even consider the penalty fees real money anyway, and she casually covered Leng Xiang’s share as well.

The production team gathered for one last dinner, exchanging silent glances. After eating, Jiang Sisi and Leng Xiang went upstairs to wash up and pack their things.

Lu Rui’s face was still unsightly, and Gao Qin called her over.

The two exchanged a few words, and Lu Rui’s expression shifted unpredictably, growing darker by the second.

“Director Gao, are you forcing me to leave?”

Gao Qin waved her off impatiently. “After today, do you even have the face to stay here? If you do, I feel ashamed for you.”

Lu Rui dug her nails harshly into her palm. “But this has nothing to do with me!”

Gao Qin stared at her. “Nothing to do with you? I’m already being nice by not making you pay the penalty fees, and here you are acting like you’re completely innocent.”

“There’s nothing more to say. Get out of here tomorrow. Seeing you annoys me.”

Jiang Sisi and Leng Xiang were in their room packing. Leng Xiang turned the events over in her mind and felt that something was off about Jiang Sisi that day.

She sat on the bed while Jiang Sisi bent down to pick up a jacket that had fallen on the small sofa—the one she’d brought from home because Leng Xiang hadn’t packed enough clothes and she was worried she’d get cold.

As Leng Xiang watched Jiang Sisi fold the clothes one by one, she finally couldn’t hold back. “What exactly happened today?”

They had clearly planned everything out just yesterday: play along for the money, follow the production team’s arrangements, and avoid showing up too much on camera. Yet in just one morning, the entire show had fallen apart. The host had personally exposed the scripted plot—could anything be more insane?

Not only did they lose out on the nine million, but they even had to pay penalties. The more Leng Xiang thought about it, the more it hurt. For years, her bank balance had rarely exceeded four digits, and her frugality had become ingrained. Jiang Sisi’s actions made her feel the pinch.

“What were you thinking? This is such a loss.”

Jiang Sisi grinned at her. “How about you manage my bank card from now on?”

Leng Xiang frowned. “No thanks, too much hassle.”

She complained about the loss but refused to manage the card because it was troublesome.

Jiang Sisi collapsed onto the bed laughing and reached for her hand. Leng Xiang sat on the edge, twisting awkwardly, still feeling the ache but unconsciously leaning toward Jiang Sisi. The two shifted around on the bed until Jiang Sisi rested her head on Leng Xiang’s thigh.

Leng Xiang’s hair fell from her temple onto Jiang Sisi’s face, and Jiang Sisi twirled a strand playfully.

Jiang Sisi asked, “Did you watch yesterday’s episode?”

Love Diary used a mix of pre-recorded and live broadcasts, and yesterday had been the airing of the first pre-recorded episode.

Leng Xiang shook her head. “Didn’t have time. Was it good?”

Jiang Sisi smiled. “Not good at all. Don’t bother.”

Leng Xiang looked puzzled. “How bad was it?”

Jiang Sisi said, “Awful. I watched it this morning and nearly died of anger.”

Leng Xiang had wanted to ask what exactly had been edited to provoke such a reaction from Jiang Sisi, but after thinking it over, she had a rough idea.

Variety shows often scripted things and sacrificed celebrities’ reputations for buzz—it was common in the industry, nothing new.

That must have been why Jiang Sisi acted that morning and swiftly pulled out of the show.

She looked down at Jiang Sisi’s face. Jiang Sisi lay there with half-closed eyes, gazing up at her with a smile, her eyes full of tenderness. “You’re so beautiful.”

Leng Xiang felt like they hadn’t been dating long, but it was as if they’d been together forever.

Even so, words like that still made her heart race.

Leng Xiang glanced at the suitcase on the floor and reached out to stroke Jiang Sisi’s cheek.

She said, “It really wasn’t necessary.”

Jiang Sisi looked at her. “Necessary for what?”

Leng Xiang met her gaze.

No need to go to such extremes for her sake, no need to expose the show’s secrets over some biased editing and ruin the program, no need to be so thoughtful, no need to take such good care of her.

Jiang Sisi added, “From now on, we don’t have to hide anymore. We can just be ourselves, okay?”

Leng Xiang looked at her. “Even if we’re caught kissing on camera?”

Jiang Sisi looked up at her too, her obsidian eyes clear and sparkling with amusement. “No problem.”

Leng Xiang asked, “Why?”

Jiang Sisi said, “Because I don’t want you getting hurt—not even a little.”

Jiang Sisi’s orientation toward women was an open secret in the industry. Anyone she favored would get a pass from all the shady dealings. Gao Qin had dared to edit Leng Xiang maliciously only because he assumed his ties with Jiang Sisi were solid and that she didn’t care much about Leng Xiang.

But that protection only extended within the circle. If the public found out…

The consequences would still be dire.

Leng Xiang said, “What if the public finds out?”

Jiang Sisi nuzzled her leg and laughed. “They won’t. And when they do, it’ll be because I want them to.”

Leng Xiang: “…”

How terrifying.

She’d been in the industry long enough to endure all sorts of grievances and hardships. The public’s memory was short—even if the show smeared her, it’d be forgotten in a few months. Nine million wasn’t easy money anyway.

But now with Jiang Sisi, she wouldn’t let Leng Xiang suffer even a bit. Even this overly dramatic line sounded believable coming from her.

Because it was the truth.

For years, she’d never felt so cherished, handled with such care.

She couldn’t even bring herself to refuse.

Leng Xiang opened her mouth but said nothing in the end.

Jiang Sisi looked at her with an expression screaming “Aren’t I awesome? Praise me,” and Leng Xiang smacked her on the head.

In a very cool tone, Leng Xiang said, “Get up. Finish packing and go to sleep. What time is it?”

Jiang Sisi whined, “It’d be faster if you helped.”

Leng Xiang: “Then whose fault is all this?”

Jiang Sisi surrendered completely. “Fine, fine, it’s my fault. I’ll pack, I’ll pack.”

·

After finally packing both suitcases, Jiang Sisi headed downstairs for a glass of water.

As she stepped out of the room, she spotted a figure standing in the shadows at the second-floor stairwell. The lights were off, so it was pitch black, and she had no idea how long the person had been there.

It was Lu Rui.

Jiang Sisi paid it no mind and descended a flight of stairs, intending to walk past. But Lu Rui suddenly called out.

“Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Sisi paused and gave her a glance.

Lu Rui seemed nervous, one hand in her pajama pants pocket, her posture subtly unnatural.

Jiang Sisi gave her an extra look.

Jiang Sisi said, “Something wrong?”

Lu Rui wore pajamas, the top unbuttoned a few times, vaguely revealing a tantalizing glimpse.

Lu Rui swallowed and her voice trembled slightly. “Teacher Jiang, I heard you told Director Gao to make me leave the show.”

Jiang Sisi inwardly tsked. This Gao Qin—couldn’t keep his mouth shut, pushing his messes onto others when he couldn’t handle them himself.

She shouldn’t have bothered with the penalty fees. She could have just left cleanly, but he couldn’t even part on good terms. What a ungrateful wolf.

Jiang Sisi smiled patiently. “I don’t have that kind of authority. The production team’s decisions are all Director Gao’s. Haven’t I been kicked out too?”

Lu Rui tugged at her pajama hem, looking pitiful. “But I heard Director Gao say…”

Jiang Sisi found her irritating and grew impatient. “Whatever he says is his business. If you have an issue, take it up with him. Excuse me, you’re blocking my way.”

Lu Rui called out hurriedly, “Teacher Jiang!”

There was a small bulge in her pajama pants pocket, a faint flashing light indicating it was recording, obscured by the fabric.

Her fingers clenched around the tiny recorder.

Jiang Sisi.

She’d long heard of Jiang Sisi’s reputation and the immense influence she wielded. In the industry, a single word from her could change everything.

Back then, it was because of one word from Jiang Sisi that she’d replaced Yu Shan and landed the second female lead in Harem—like a pie falling from the sky, effortless.

So, getting her kicked off Love Diary was just as easy for Jiang Sisi.

But why? Just because she was in the way? Because Jiang Sisi didn’t like her?

She’d finally latched onto Gao Qin’s support, with the production team willing to promote her, and now it was all ruined by one word from Jiang Sisi.

And this person was a disgusting lesbian too.

Lu Rui gripped the recorder tightly and forced a seductive smile. “Teacher Jiang, I heard… you’re interested in women.”

Jiang Sisi turned to face her, her smile tinged with amusement. “So?”

Seeing hope, Lu Rui stepped forward eagerly.

“If Teacher Jiang doesn’t mind, I…”

Jiang Sisi cut her off. “I do mind.”

She looked mildly surprised, then slowly curved her lips into a half-smile, mocking. “I’m not like Gao Qin. He has the stomach for anything—not me. Got it?”

Lu Rui’s face drained of color.

She bit her lip and endured it.

The key info was already recorded anyway. She hadn’t really planned to sleep with Jiang Sisi.

Even if Jiang Sisi had led her on a bit, she could edit the audio to remove herself entirely.

And not just Jiang Sisi—Leng Xiang too…

Lu Rui put on a tearful, pitiful expression, her small face the picture of innocence. “Sister Leng Xiang can, so why not me?”

What would Jiang Sisi say now?

Jiang Sisi suddenly stepped forward three times, closing in on her.

Lu Rui backed against the wall, Jiang Sisi just half a step away. She didn’t dare move.

Jiang Sisi’s gaze swept her from head to toe, lingering on the pocket before casually withdrawing. She stepped back two paces, creating distance.

Lu Rui’s heart nearly stopped, her soul almost fleeing. She took deep breaths to steady herself, then forced a smile. “Could it be Teacher Jiang suddenly finds me attractive?”

Jiang Sisi clapped her hands as if brushing off dirt, then smiled again. “Too obvious. Even if you recorded it, it’s useless.”