After Losing My Memory, I Was Targeted by the Obsessive Movie Queen [gl] - Chapter 58

After returning to their home in Qingcheng, stripping away the heavy and elaborate evening gown, the dual physical and mental exhaustion from the gala left Yan He thoroughly spent. She headed straight to the bathroom to draw a bath, hoping to soothe her fatigue.

Sinking into the porcelain-white tub, Yan He closed her eyes as the lukewarm water enveloped her body. The gentle rising and falling ripples felt like a cocoon, making her so comfortable she nearly drifted off to sleep right there. Through the door, she could faintly hear Lu Youqing on the phone, discussing the details of the upcoming awards ceremony with her manager. Wrapped in this serene environment, Yan He dazed off into a heavy slumber.

In the midst of her hazy consciousness, the faint click of the door opening echoed in her ears, followed closely by a wave of cool air. As the draft brushed against Yan He’s exposed skin, she shivered instinctively and slowly opened her eyes. Through her blurry vision, she watched Lu Youqing’s slender, elegant figure materialize through the rising steam.

She was wearing a pure white nightgown—a design Yan He had never seen before. The hem barely covered the base of her thighs, and the fabric covered only what was strictly necessary, leaving the rest obscured beneath a translucent white mesh that only heightened her natural allure.

As she stepped gracefully toward Yan He, the shifting fabric left very little to the imagination, putting her flawless silhouette on full display. Lifting her leg, she stepped into the warm tub and straddled Yan He’s lap. Steam swirled around them instantly. The rising vapor dampened her hair and eyelashes, gathering into tiny droplets that weighed down her lashes before rolling gently off onto Yan He’s skin.

Drip…

It felt as though it had dripped straight into Yan He’s heart, snapping her completely out of her drowsiness. She reached out to pull the figure into her arms. Lu Youqing’s nightgown was soaked through, clinging damply to her skin. The white fabric, once wet, could no longer be called clothing; it had transformed into a tantalizing, translucent veil.

Lu Youqing leaned down to embrace Yan He. The wet fabric felt slightly cool against Yan He’s skin, making her shudder instinctively. Beneath that layer of cloth lay a soft, pliant warmth as they pressed and nuzzled against each other, their bodies meeting in gentle, rhythmic touches with every rise and fall of their breath.

Lu Youqing’s delicate fragrance invaded Yan He’s senses, saturating her entire being. Feeling as though she had consumed a bottle of mellow wine, Yan He’s mind went blissfully blank, leaving her to hold Lu Youqing entirely by instinct.

Warm water spilled over the edges of the tub. Lu Youqing cupped Yan He’s face, forcing her to look at her. Her deep, misty eyes were filled with an absolute, obsessive devotion for Yan He. With a slight flutter of her long lashes, she slowly sealed her lips.

The only sound remaining in the bathroom was the frantic mingling of their breath, shifting the pool of moonlight outside the window and swaying intimately amidst the rustling shadows of the trees.

For some reason, Lu Youqing had become extraordinarily clingy—one round after another. Even after hours had passed in the bathroom, and the water in the tub had turned from hot to cool and back to hot again, she still clung to Yan He relentlessly after they returned to the bedroom.

She collapsed onto the bed, her half-dried hair cascading like a waterfall across the pure white pillows, resembling an unfurled scroll painting. Her hazy eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as if veiled by a misty lake. Her lips parted as she panted for air. Even though she was so exhausted that her head would drop to sleep the moment it hit the pillow, she still held Yan He in a vice grip, her voice raspy and broken as she murmured into Yan He’s ear.

“A-He… still… mm… I want more…”

“I want you… A-He, A-He… don’t… don’t leave…”

In the peak of her desire, Lu Youqing transformed into a thoroughly relentless fox. Whenever Yan He failed to respond, she would proactively press closer, kissing Yan He’s lips, brushing her brows, and biting her ear, breathing one burning, soft whimper after another into her ear.

Yan He was practically stunned. How had Lu Youqing become this clingy? She even managed to spare a fraction of a second amidst the passion to wonder if the events of the gala had caused Lu Youqing to recall their past breakup, rendering her completely void of security. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t snap back to reality until Lu Youqing gave a trembling nudge.

“Don’t leave… okay? I can’t… without… mm… A-He, don’t… don’t abandon me… I only have A-He left…”

“Slower… A-He… A-He…”

She was already so exhausted that she could barely open her eyes, yet she still held Yan He with a desperate tremor, kissing her entirely by instinct. Yan He’s burning breath fanned across her ear as their lips pressed and rubbed together relentlessly. The moonlight flowed like water, spilling through the gaps in the window to pool in their palms, slowly branding an indelible mark across the passage of time.

A line of pale fish-belly white split the dark horizon as dawn broke, illuminating the chaotic mess inside the room.

Having just carried Lu Youqing into the bathroom to wash up, Yan He carefully dried her body. Lu Youqing curled submissively into her arms like an adorable accessory, lacking even the strength to open her eyes.

The master bedroom was far too messy to sleep in, so Yan He simply scooped Lu Youqing up, opened the door, and carried her into the guest room across the hallway.

Laying her down beneath the plush duvet, she slipped inside and pulled her close, planting tender kisses across the deeply sleeping Lu Youqing. Now that the sky was bright, she could see a scattering of vivid marks across her skin—and of course, Yan He’s own body was completely covered in them as well.

Yan He lightly touched her own collarbone, where the faint imprint of Lu Youqing’s teeth still lingered. She let out a soft sigh, reminding herself silently that she couldn’t afford to be this reckless in the future. The few steps from the master bedroom to the guest room just now had been an absolute struggle; with every step, a sharp ache would radiate through her body, nearly making her knees buckle.

Despite having pulled an all-nighter, Yan He felt absolutely no desire to sleep. On the contrary, her mind was exceptionally sharp. Staring at the sleeping Lu Youqing in her arms, listening to her shallow, even breathing and the gentle breeze outside the window, a powerful wave of pure happiness suddenly surged within her. Her entire body shivered with the intensity, enveloping her in a dizzying warmth that nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Every single second spent with Lu Youqing filled her with joy. Lu Youqing had said she couldn’t live without her; she had said she was constantly terrified that Yan He would leave her. She had confessed her absolute lack of security, which was why she repeatedly forced her to agree to those excessive demands.

Yet, how could Yan He ever leave Lu Youqing? Ever since she woke up with amnesia, every facet of her life had become inextricably intertwined with Lu Youqing. Every piece of work she handled, every thought she harbored—not a single thing was unrelated to her. Even her desire to pick photography back up was driven entirely by the wish to step back into the public eye so the world could offer them blessings.

If she, after a mere six months of amnesia, found herself this incapable of doing without Lu Youqing, then what about the version of her that hadn’t lost her memory? Over those seven long years, Lu Youqing must have already fused into her very veins and blood, becoming a part of her that could never be severed.

Yan He’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly. As the morning sun spilled inside, her lashes cast a soft shadow over her pupils. She lifted her left hand in the dawn light, her gaze locking onto the base of her middle finger, where the indentation left by a ring had grown incredibly faint due to prolonged absence.

The desire buried deep within her heart magnified continuously in this moment, reaching a peak that threatened to shatter all restraint, roaring relentlessly in her mind.

She was going to propose to Lu Youqing.

Although according to Lu Youqing’s accounts, they had already proposed to each other early last year, Yan He possessed absolutely no recollection of it. Her memory was returning at a snail’s pace, and currently, she was only capable of catching fragments of their high school days in her dreams.

She knew she had fallen in love with Lu Youqing at first sight on a bridge; she knew they had cemented their relationship after the college entrance exams; she knew they had built a small home together off-campus during university. Yet, she had no knowledge of their engagement, lacking even a shred of an impression regarding that ring.

She was terrified she would never recover her memories, afraid that those sweet and bitter moments would be left for Lu Youqing to remember alone, endured by Lu Youqing alone. If that continued, Lu Youqing’s insecurity would only worsen.

Clenching her suspended left hand until her knuckles turned white, Yan He’s gaze turned profoundly soft yet resolute. She wanted to create a brand-new memory with Lu Youqing—a beautiful moment that both of them would remember vividly.

The figure in her arms suddenly shifted uneasily, letting out a few faint, unconscious murmurs that scratched lightly against Yan He’s heart like a kitten’s paw. Seeing this, Yan He quickly pulled her closer, gently stroking her head.

Lu Youqing seemed to be trapped in a dream, navigating into a more comfortable position against Yan He’s chest to continue sleeping. With her head resting against her heart and her legs tangled over Yan He’s thighs, her posture screamed absolute attachment.

Gazing tenderly at Lu Youqing’s peaceful face, Yan He couldn’t resist her pounding heart and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Though it might be a bit late… I love you, Lu Youqing.” She tightened her embrace around her and closed her eyes deeply.

For Lu Youqing’s return to Haicheng to film the final scene of Sister, the production crew had deployed several guards on set well in advance, remaining on high alert to act the absolute instant anything appeared out of the ordinary.

Amidst the airtight security of that bitter winter seaside, Lu Youqing’s final sequence for Sister was executed to absolute perfection. This also heralded the conclusion of Yan He’s tenure as Lu Youqing’s assistant.

She had originally intended to secure a job as a photographer during this interval, but for some unknown reason, whenever she checked her email, not a single studio had responded to her messages—there were only junk advertisements.

Every application she had submitted had vanished into a black hole. Yan He’s self-confidence suffered a massive blow, leaving her brooding over the matter for several days, until she finally found clarity under Lu Youqing’s gentle guidance.

She had been away from the industry for several years, and the content of her resume consisted entirely of awards and achievements she had secured during her university years. It was only natural for these modern studios to reject her applications. Shifting her perspective, she decided to visit a physical studio first to observe how modern photographers operated, before making long-term arrangements.

Thus, on a day when Lu Youqing was scheduled to attend the film’s wrap party, Yan He packed her things and headed toward a photography studio in Haicheng.

However, on her way there, right as she was about to step through the studio doors, her peripheral vision caught a high-end jewelry store on the other side of the street. In an instant, her pulse quickened violently. The urge to propose to Lu Youqing that had taken root days ago expanded uncontrollably in her chest. By the time she snapped back to reality, she had already walked out of the jewelry store, a printed invoice clutched firmly in her hand.

The store clerk stood by the glass entrance, offering a polite, smiling farewell.

“Miss Yan, your custom diamond ring will be shipped to the address you provided within two to four weeks. We will call you the moment it arrives. We wish you and your partner a lifetime of harmony and a blissful life together.”

Yan He: “…”

Staring at the sudden invoice in her hand, she felt the thin slip of paper turning incredibly hot—so hot that her cheeks and heart flushed with a trembling heat. She quickly folded it up and tucked it into the deepest recess of her pocket, before lightly patting the fabric to reassure herself it wouldn’t fall out.

Letting out a long breath to suppress the excitement that had built up in her chest, she focused back on her original task and stepped into the photography studio.

“Hello, how can I help you?” a staff member walked over, offering a friendly smile.

Yan He replied, “Hello, I’d like to shoot a set of photos here…”

“Yan He!” A sudden, delighted call echoed from a short distance away. Yan He’s heart skipped a beat. Lifting her eyes, she saw a woman sitting on a sofa in the distance, adjusting some photography equipment. The woman’s features looked somewhat familiar—but only faintly so.

Yan He’s footsteps faltered slightly as she swallowed her inner surprise. She likely knew this woman but had forgotten her due to her amnesia. To be safe, she decided not to speak first, minimizing any chance of appearing strange.

The woman stood up from the sofa and sprinted over excitedly. “It really is you! What are you doing here?” she cried out in pure delight, before turning to the dazed staff member beside them.

“Xiao Huai, this is a friend of mine. You can head back to your tasks first.” Then, turning her focus onto the clearly guarded Yan He, she paused for a second before proactively offering,

“I’m Wen Xiahan, your university classmate. Do you remember me?”

Wen Xiahan?

Yan He rapidly scanned her mind. A faint impression of the name surfaced; she seemed to recall seeing this name on her own resume, as if they had participated in a competition together and secured an award. She gave a slow nod. “Xiaohan.”

Seeing that Yan He recognized her, Wen Xiahan’s smile deepened. “What brought you to Haicheng? Was it a work transfer?”

Yan He replied, “In a way, yes.” If accompanying Lu Youqing all over the country for filming counted as work.

“Oh, come on, since you’re already here, come on in and sit down.” With that, she guided Yan He inside, letting her recline on a sofa while pouring her a glass of water.

“It’s been several years since we last saw each other after graduation. How have you been these past few years? Is that company treating you well?”

Holding the glass, Yan He took a sip to soothe her nerves, her fingertips idly rubbing the rim. Despite her absolute blankness, she maintained a flawless smile. “It’s alright. Neither good nor bad.”

Wen Xiahan must have been a close classmate during university; she was so thrilled to see Yan He that she immediately instructed Xiao Huai to hang the “Closed” sign on the front entrance.

Xiao Huai tactfully vacated the first floor, heading upstairs to tidy up equipment, leaving only the two of them facing each other.

Yan He was stunned. To think that a random studio she stumbled into would be owned by her old university classmate—the luck was almost too good. The critical issue was that her amnesia had wiped this person from her mind, and she possessed no recollection of the events Wen Xiahan brought up.

Wen Xiahan dragged her through a flurry of stories regarding their university days—mostly concerning where their old classmates had ended up—but lacking any memory, Yan He could only nod along and echo her words.

“Are you… still together with your partner?” Having talked herself dry, Wen Xiahan took a long gulp of water before looking at her tentatively.

“Lu Youqing and I… will be getting married very soon.” Yan He lowered her eyelashes, her gaze falling softly upon her water glass. Her hand moved to rest against her pocket, where the invoice seemed to gently iron her heart with warmth.

As Yan He’s university classmate and roommate for a year, Wen Xiahan naturally knew about her relationship with Lu Youqing. The fact that she avoided stating Lu Youqing’s name directly proved she was aware of their past breakup.

“Then, congratulations!” Wen Xiahan broke into a wide smile, offering her sincere blessings. Yan He always accepted other people’s congratulations regarding her relationship with Lu Youqing with immense comfort, so she softly offered her thanks.

Once the congratulations were out of the way, Wen Xiahan’s expression suddenly turned hesitant. She rubbed her knuckles together, and after a visible conflict, she finally couldn’t resist speaking up.

“Yan He… regarding that matter in the past, I still owe you an apology.”

Yan He blinked. “What matter?”

“During our senior year, we entered the exact same photography company. But during that period, my mother fell ill, and I had to return to my hometown to care for her. On top of that, a studio in Haicheng happened to be scouting me with a highly lucrative salary, so I left that company in Qingcheng. But I never expected that you would be laid off right after. I had no idea you were left without a job.”

Her words left Yan He momentarily dazed. “Wha… what job?”

“I didn’t know you had been laid off at the time—suffering a double blow in both love and career. By the time I heard about it from others, several months had already passed.” Wen Xiahan lowered her head further. “I’m truly so sorry. If only I had known back then, I would have come to comfort you. I failed so terribly as a friend.”

Back then, Yan He had only just broken up with Lu Youqing, remaining on the absolute precipice of a mental collapse. Combined with being laid off by her dream company at the final hurdle, Wen Xiahan couldn’t fathom how the Yan He of that time had managed to survive. She felt an immense wave of guilt; if only she had stayed by Yan He’s side back then.

“Why… why did I break up with Lu Youqing back then?” Yan He stared at Wen Xiahan, realizing the woman before her likely knew far more than she did. The curiosity and confusion regarding her past broke out completely.

“You mentioned once while completely drunk that being with Lu Youqing made you feel like you weren’t yourself anymore. You said you couldn’t handle living in such constant wandering anxiety, so you went to Lu Youqing to break it off. I remember she even came down to our dorm building a few times to ask for a reconciliation, but you rejected her.” Wen Xiahan recounted. She vividly recalled how, for some unknown reason, a completely intoxicated Yan He had spent an entire night calling Lu Youqing—only to receive a solid wall of unanswered rings. Yan He had sat alone in the stairwell all night, watching Lu Youqing’s old interviews on loop.

Thinking back, Wen Xiahan still felt a lingering tremor. She lifted her head to look at her, asking tentatively, “But aren’t you two still together right now? I guess what happened back then was just a minor argument.”

Yan He pulled her lips into a smile. “Yeah… just a minor argument.” Yet, her amber eyes swirled with absolute bewilderment.

The photo shoot never actually took place. Yan He and Wen Xiahan conversed for a very long time; she deployed every subtle tactic she had to pry out absolutely every shred of information Wen Xiahan possessed regarding that period, before finally stepping out of the studio as dusk began to fall.

Wen Xiahan had said she broke up with Lu Youqing because of an absolute lack of security. So that’s why Lu Youqing relentlessly whispers in my ear, forcing me to promise I’ll never leave, begging me never to abandon her.

Once bitten, twice shy. The promises Lu Youqing demanded were meant to comfort herself, but they were also meant to comfort Yan He. She was terrified Yan He would slip back into that state of insecurity, which was why her every word and action were completely saturated with her presence.

At the very least, right now, Yan He felt absolutely no anxiety; she merely felt a piercing heartache. Because of that single breakup, Lu Youqing had likely spent the subsequent years ensuring she never felt an inkling of insecurity again.

In the bleak twilight of that winter evening, she strolled aimlessly along the pavement, the bitter wind whipping fallen leaves against her coat. Reaching up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, she wrapped her trench coat tighter around herself.

Suddenly, the headlights of a car parked ahead flashed twice. Yan He’s attention was instantly drawn to the vehicle. Scanning the lines, she recognized its owner in a fraction of a second.

A slow smile broke across her face, her steps turning light and quick as she glided to the rear door, tapping on the glass with an air of playful gravity. The window slid down smoothly, exposing a clear, breathtakingly beautiful face. The woman, resembling an immortal being, reached out to gently stroke Yan He’s cheek. Yan He’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

“How did you know I was here?”

“A-He is so silly. Our phones have location sharing active. Wherever you run off to, of course I’ll know. Hurry up and get inside; your skin is freezing. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.”