Although the situation was difficult to explain, Chi Chuchu had more or less pieced together what was going on.
Yan An was… jealous?
The thought made her expression twist for a split second, and a sharp throb pulsed at her temples.
No way.
The scene of Yan An and Ling Yiyan catching her “cheating” just a few days ago was still vivid in her mind. Not to mention that the “twin sister” excuse she’d made up on the spot had been mercilessly exposed by Father Chi that very same night.
There was no way anyone could forgive her that quickly.
The system chimed in.
“Don’t overthink it. He’s just jealous.”
Chi Chuchu: “…”
Why are you always talking?
Thinking of the culprit responsible for the current disaster, she opened her Weibo page with a miserable expression.
The original top comment had already been pushed down.
In its place was a short, simple message.
@Jian Shi: Good luck filming.
As a young director celebrated for both his talent and looks, Jian Shi had become a darling of the film industry after winning several awards. Countless netizens had even crowned him the new generation’s “visual king.”
The kind who actually had talent to back it up.
Since creating his Weibo account, however, he’d practically abandoned it. Aside from the occasional promotional post for his films, he almost never updated it.
Marketing accounts loved making a fuss about his handsome face and slightly wicked charm, constantly hinting that he was some carefree playboy drifting through life. But rumors were rumors. There had never been any proof.
Yet now, with a single comment and a like under her post, the topic had exploded.
Even Director Chen Ziang rushed over to comfort her after seeing the online reaction.
“Chuchu, don’t take those comments to heart. Netizens just have sharp tongues. Ignore them. And Jian Shi too—he never bothers posting online, but the moment he does, he somehow creates trouble for you. I’ll definitely give that brat a lecture later.”
The implication was obvious.
A brother trying to help but accidentally making things worse.
As his friend, Chen Ziang was stepping in to smooth things over.
Chi Chuchu knew perfectly well that Jian Shi had done it on purpose.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t exactly say that out loud.
So she could only smile generously and shake her head.
“It’s fine, Director. I don’t really care.”
At this point, she’d already become the green-tea villainess of a novel.
A few nasty comments online weren’t enough to hurt her.
“Besides,” she added sincerely, “more publicity for the production isn’t a bad thing.”
What a perfect answer.
Smooth, tactful, impossible to criticize.
Chen Ziang was practically moved to tears.
Just where had someone with Jian Shi’s horrible personality found such a beautiful and kind-hearted fairy?
Chi Chuchu smiled politely.
Yeah, right.
They’re just partners in crime.
She’d known it all along.
Anyone who’d grown up alongside a green-tea villainess couldn’t possibly be a good person.
Jian Shi was exactly the sort of troublemaker she thought he was.
After his girlfriend’s spectacular downfall, not only had he shown zero sympathy, he’d happily recommended her for Palace Fate and arranged for her to act opposite Yan An.
And this Weibo comment?
If Jian Shi hadn’t posted it specifically to provoke Yan An, then she would stop being Chi Chuchu altogether.
The system suddenly interrupted.
“Host, don’t forget about Yan An.”
“…Crap.”
She really had forgotten.
Reviewing everything she’d done since transmigrating into the novel—and recalling the tragic ending that awaited the original green-tea villainess—Chi Chuchu felt her heart skip.
Then she remembered Yan An’s expression earlier.
The frustration.
The hurt.
The regret.
A trace of guilt surfaced in her chest.
No matter what, the original owner of this body had toyed with his feelings first.
Reasonably speaking, she couldn’t simply pretend it had never happened.
After saying goodbye to Chen Ziang, she hurried toward the dressing rooms.
Just to be safe, she left both her manager and assistant behind on set.
Seeing this, the system quickly reminded her,
“Host, you only need to fulfill your duties as a green tea. There’s no need to concern yourself with anything outside the plot. According to the original story, you and Yan An had already completely broken up by this point. You should simply let events take their natural course.”
Chi Chuchu frowned.
An unpleasant feeling rose instinctively.
“You’re awfully noisy for a system.”
The system seemed to freeze after being scolded.
It remained silent for a long time.
Today was the first filming day for Palace Fate.
Most of the extras and production staff hadn’t arrived yet, so Yan An’s dressing room contained only him and his manager.
Unlike the gloomy and silent Yan An, his manager Qiao Yu was practically exhausting himself trying to talk sense into him.
“Yan An, there are plenty of fish in the sea! Why obsess over a single flower?”
His expression was full of anguish.
“You saw it yourself. It’s not just that Young Master Ling guy anymore—even Director Jian Shi might be involved with her! And I heard Chen personally cast Chi Chuchu for this role. Isn’t that obviously pulling strings?”
Yan An pressed his lips together.
His mind was too chaotic to calm down.
At that moment—
Click.
The door opened.
The girl who stepped inside had a delicate face that instantly stirred sympathy.
Her bright almond-shaped eyes sparkled with life.
Simply looking at her was pleasing.
Unfortunately, Qiao Yu was not among those who found her pleasing.
The moment he saw who it was, his face turned green.
“Why are you here?” he demanded.
Chi Chuchu straightened her back.
“As the female lead of this drama, why wouldn’t I be allowed in the dressing room?”
“You—!”
Qiao Yu twitched.
“Of course not! This is Yan An’s—”
Before he could finish, the silent young man beside him finally spoke.
“Enough.”
Yan An’s voice was calm.
“You can leave first.”
Qiao Yu immediately lifted his chin.
“Did you hear that? Yan An wants you to leave.”
Chi Chuchu didn’t move.
Several seconds passed.
Then Yan An spoke again.
“Brother Qiao. I meant you.”
His voice sounded muffled.
“Go take a break. I need to talk to Miss Chi.”
“…”
Qiao Yu’s heart shattered into pieces.
After shooting Chi Chuchu a resentful glare, he finally left.
The room became quiet.
Yan An sat motionless in his chair, head lowered.
Like a statue.
His profile was refined and beautiful, almost delicate.
Yet he still possessed the unmistakable energy of a young man.
Every thought he had was written plainly across his face.
He was impossible to read wrong.
Seeing him sitting there awkwardly with his head down, Chi Chuchu rubbed her nose.
For some reason, she felt guilty.
“Um…”
“What are you doing here?”
Yan An suddenly interrupted.
He turned his face away with a frown.
His voice sounded unhappy.
“Weren’t you the one who wanted to break up?”
Chi Chuchu coughed awkwardly.
“Actually… I came to apologize.”
Yan An’s lips pressed together.
An inexplicable irritation spread through his chest.
Gathering her courage, Chi Chuchu looked at him sincerely.
“About what happened that day. About you and Ling Yiyan.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No matter what, I did deceive you emotionally.”
“I’m sorry.”
Yan An’s back stiffened.
His fingers clenched unconsciously.
“If you already know about my…” She paused awkwardly.
“…cheating.”
Even saying the word made her uncomfortable.
“Then there’s probably nothing left to discuss.”
“After we break up, I’ll do my best to stay out of your sight.”
“I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
Yan An’s face went pale.
She pretended not to notice.
“This drama was an accident.”
“I promise there won’t be another opportunity for us to work together.”
Silence.
His bangs fell forward, hiding his expression.
Outside, voices gradually grew louder as the crew began preparing for work.
Qiao Yu was probably still standing guard outside the door.
Chi Chuchu wasn’t worried about that.
What worried her was Yan An’s reaction.
The cheating had been the original owner’s fault.
But since she’d become Chi Chuchu, she had to deal with the mess left behind.
“…What about Jian Shi?”
After a long time, Yan An finally looked up.
The sudden question caught her off guard.
“Huh?”
“I’m asking…”
His hoarse voice trembled slightly.
“Is he your boyfriend too?”
The young man was stunningly handsome.
But now his eyes were faintly red, and all the color had drained from his lips.
“Is Jian Shi one of your boyfriends too?”
He repeated the question.
Chi Chuchu’s scalp tingled.
She stared at him in disbelief.
After hesitating briefly, she nodded honestly.
“Yes.”
“Jian Shi is my boyfriend.”
Silence returned.
Chi Chuchu twitched helplessly.
The atmosphere couldn’t possibly get worse.
But since he hadn’t told her to leave, she didn’t dare leave on her own.
“Heh.”
Yan An suddenly laughed.
A cold, mocking laugh.
Bang!
He stood up and kicked the corner of the dressing table with all his strength.
Chi Chuchu jumped.
A chill shot down her spine.
Cosmetics and bottles crashed onto the floor, shattering everywhere.
Glass fragments scattered across his clothes, but he didn’t even glance down.
His burning gaze remained fixed on her.
Looking at the beautiful young man smiling in anger, Chi Chuchu suddenly felt a terrible premonition.
Then she heard him say slowly—
“If everyone’s being treated equally…”
“Then don’t play favorites.”
Yan An looked innocent enough.
His temper, however, was another story.
Using his height advantage, he blocked her retreat.
The smile on his face was bright.
Far too bright.
Leaning down close to her, he enunciated every word.
“I.”
“Am.”
“Not.”
“Breaking.”
“Up.”
“…”
At this point, did she even have the right to say no?
The system leisurely commented from the sidelines.
“Some people look alive, but they’re actually already dead inside.”
Chi Chuchu had never imagined there would be someone willing to wear a green hat so enthusiastically.
Without even blinking.
“Y-You’re joking.”
She swallowed nervously.
“Calm down.”
“I’m not joking.”
Yan An glared at her, clearly annoyed she hadn’t taken him seriously.
“The breakup.”
“I don’t agree.”
Chi Chuchu, who possessed absolutely zero voting rights in this matter, wanted to cry.
Then Yan An noticed the hesitation and struggle in her eyes.
His movements paused.
Slowly, he loosened his hold on her.
Chi Chuchu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then her heart leapt into her throat.
Because Yan An bent down and reached toward a jagged shard of broken glass on the floor.
“…Fine! Fine!”
“We won’t break up!”
“We’ll get back together!”
she blurted out in panic.
Good heavens.
She had come here to apologize.
Not to turn him into a future villain!
Hearing the tremor in her voice, Yan An’s hand stopped less than an inch from the glass.
One second later, he calmly withdrew it.
As if nothing had happened.
Tilting his head, he gently ruffled her hair.
His voice remained slightly hoarse.
“Chuchu.”
“I’m glad you’ve changed your mind.”
“…”
You little actor.
You’re playing me, aren’t you?!
Chi Chuchu’s lips twitched.
She was exhausted.
When she finally emerged from Yan An’s dressing room, looking utterly drained, she happened to run into Director Chen and Qiao Yu arguing outside.
Moments earlier, Chen Ziang had been complaining internally about how unreasonable Yan An’s manager was.
What kind of staff member tried so hard to keep the director out?
Then he saw Chi Chuchu walk out.
Her clothes were rumpled.
Her expression was weary.
And she was emerging from Yan An’s dressing room.
Chen Ziang froze on the spot.
“…???!!!”
Under Qiao Yu’s devastated stare and Chen Ziang’s expression of absolute disbelief, Chi Chuchu halted awkwardly.
Then she slowly offered them a polite smile.
“Um…”
“This really isn’t what you’re thinking.”
Author’s Note:
I treat you all like little angels.
And yet you want me to write ten thousand words a day. QAQ
