"After you got drunk last night..." Ye Ruihuan rose with a subtle smile, deliberately leaving her words hanging in the air.
"I wasn't drunk," Lin Ruijiao replied immediately, her eyes reflecting deep contemplation.
"If you weren't drunk, then do you remember what happened afterward?" Ye Ruihuan countered, turning to walk into the bathroom.
Sleeping beside the little rabbit had given her the most peaceful night's rest she'd had in ages—dreamless and blissfully deep.
Lin Ruijiao sat on the edge of the bed, utterly bewildered. She tried desperately to piece together the events of the previous night, but her memory held no trace of what had transpired in the early hours. Her brow furrowed with concern. This was truly... troublesome. She'd need to be far more cautious around Ye Ruihuan in the future.
"You cried in my arms last night, pressing yourself against me constantly," Ye Ruihuan approached her directly, "and kept saying how much you liked me." Her expression was thoroughly amused.
Lin Ruijiao's face registered complete shock. She couldn't possibly have done such things—not the current version of herself, anyway. Perhaps in her previous life, or even before, it might have been possible, but now... She found herself unable to refute the claim.
She opened her mouth to speak, then pressed her lips together instead.
"You also clung to me and refused to let go, insisting we sleep together."
Lin Ruijiao's eyes widened in disbelief, leaving her momentarily speechless. Ye Ruihuan was truly... shameless.
"So how do you plan to settle this debt?" Ye Ruihuan lifted her chin with a finger.
Forced to raise her head, Lin Ruijiao's gaze darted away, avoiding direct eye contact. Since she had no memory of the events, wasn't she at the mercy of whatever story Ye Ruihuan chose to tell? Besides, she didn't believe herself capable of such behavior.
Ye Ruihuan gently lifted a strand of her hair and placed the softest of kisses upon it, her eyes darkening with unspoken emotion.
Lin Ruijiao's expression grew somber. What was Ye Ruihuan doing? Using her as a substitute? Or had something truly happened last night? The thought sent a chill through her heart.
"Ruihuan, what debt? I don't remember any of this happening," she said with practiced innocence.
"What, trying to deny it now?"
"If nothing happened, then there's nothing to settle," Lin Ruijiao replied, raising her dewy eyes with a hint of coquettishness, desperate to escape this situation.
Ye Ruihuan's lips curved into a smile as she suddenly leaned down and pressed a kiss to Lin Ruijiao's lips. "Consider this my payment in return."
Before Lin Ruijiao could even react, the kiss had landed with perfect precision. She stared in stunned silence at Ye Ruihuan's satisfied smile, watching her retreating figure radiate triumph.
How typical... Ye Ruihuan remained exactly as she'd always been—using others as substitutes while toying with their emotions, carelessly drawing people in. What a heartbreaker.
After a moment, she sprang to her feet and rushed toward the door, calling out, "Ruihuan, I'm leaving!"
To Ye Ruihuan, this hasty retreat looked like nothing more than shy embarrassment, deepening her smile considerably. When Lin Ruijiao finally appeared in her own room, her assistant Jing Jing wore an expression of conflicted hesitation.
"What's wrong? Come eat with me," Lin Ruijiao beckoned.
"No need, Sister Lin. You didn't come back last night..."
"I got drunk and stayed with Ye Ruihuan," she said curtly, having no desire to elaborate. "Don't worry about it—nothing happened."
Jing Jing nodded thoughtfully. "Are you still going to the set later?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll prepare everything."
"Thank you." Lin Ruijiao's mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of Ye Ruihuan's unexpected kiss. What had she meant by it? Her behavior was utterly bewildering and impossible to decipher.
According to her memories of their previous life, Ye Ruihuan had completely ignored her. Could it be that she preferred this kind of indifferent treatment?
"Hmph." Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but scoff.
Jing Jing startled at the sound. Sister Lin's mood had been poor since returning—had something happened with President Ye? What exactly was their relationship? She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.
Lin Ruijiao maintained her usual routine at the film set, chatting and laughing with everyone, discussing scenes with the veteran actors, and learning from their expertise. Even the lead actresses who harbored resentment toward her couldn't openly show their displeasure with so many industry veterans present.
A month passed in a flash, and finally, it was time for Lin Ruijiao's scenes—along with Ye Ruihuan's.
Moonlight Serenade had begun airing, and as Lin Ruijiao's character appeared on screen, online enthusiasm for her grew exponentially. Overnight, her followers surged to forty or fifty thousand, though the influx brought equally vicious criticism. Rival agencies seemed to be fanning the flames, turning her sudden casting into a major controversy. The comment sections became absolute battlegrounds, too toxic to even glance at.
However, her rising fame also brought attention to her activities on the "Phoenix" set, though most coverage remained negative. An eighteenth-tier extra suddenly landing a role in Director Liu's major production clearly indicated powerful backing.
[Why is Huarui Entertainment suddenly promoting this nobody? She doesn't seem particularly talented.]
[Exactly! I heard it was a decision from the top executives, and apparently caused quite a stir internally.]
[Really? No wonder—she has nothing going for her, yet somehow landed third billing in Moonlight Serenade and got into Phoenix. Definitely suspicious!]
[Right! She pushed my favorite actor down in the credits! Disgusting—she must be sleeping with some big shot! So ***]
The internet buzzed with criticism, but Lin Ruijiao remained unfazed. Many fans praised her acting skills, and she trusted that audiences could recognize genuine talent.
Besides, she had no energy to spare for online drama—her character in "Phoenix" was about to make her entrance, alongside Ye Ruihuan.
Today's scene would pit them against each other: one commanding and imperious, the other smiling while concealing daggers.
On set, they barely exchanged words, behaving like complete strangers. Ye Ruihuan even maintained a cold expression, which actually worked in their favor—at least it prevented any unsavory rumors.
Their makeup rooms were in separate locations, with Ye Ruihuan's naturally more luxurious, given that she was financing the production.
After completing her makeup and costume, Lin Ruijiao encountered Ye Ruihuan by chance. The other woman wore an exquisite crimson robe topped with an elaborate, regal headdress. Her features radiated the proud arrogance of absolute power, utterly untouchable. The stunning makeup only enhanced this aura of authority, making her appear both dignified and intimidating.
Ye Ruihuan was undeniably perfect for this role. Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but steal a few extra glances. This version of her possessed a distinctly captivating charm, and she would undoubtedly excel in the performance.
Ye Ruihuan also studied her carefully, beginning to believe Director Liu's assessment. Lin Ruijiao truly was promising talent—the contrast between her previous role and this one was dramatic, yet when she emerged in full costume and makeup, the character seemed to fit her perfectly.
How strange that someone with such unremarkable features could be so adaptable.
After a long moment of mutual observation, Lin Ruijiao finally smiled and greeted her. "Ruihuan."
Ye Ruihuan offered no response, walking past her toward the set.
When they appeared together in the grand palace hall, everyone around them fell silent, barely daring to breathe. They looked like ancient beauties who had stepped through time itself, and surrounded by the authentic period setting, it felt as though everyone else had been transported to the past. Absolutely magnificent.
Only Director Liu's sharp command broke the spell, snapping everyone back to their duties.
"Action!" Director Liu's expression remained completely serious throughout filming, every strand of hair radiating intensity.
Lin Ruijiao gathered her robes and knelt gracefully. "Your Majesty, this concubine has been missing Prince Xuanyi terribly. Might I bring him to Wanxian Palace for a few days?"
She bowed her head respectfully.
"What? Can you not visit with him in my palace?" Ye Ruihuan swept her long sleeves dramatically as she rose.
"No, this concubine simply wished to—"
"Wished what? I am perfectly aware of your schemes!" A resounding slap struck Lin Ruijiao's face, the sharp crack echoing throughout the hall with devastating force.
Lin Ruijiao clutched her cheek as she fell to the ground, not daring to lift her head.