It’s an Extra Chapter
Yin and Xia Chapter 10
We used to be girlfriends
After resting for a day following her return from the hospital, Yin Ruxu returned to the set to resume filming.
In just a few short days, everyone noticed a change in her.
Every day, Yin Ruxu was the first to arrive and the last to leave. When she wasn’t filming, she was preparing. Already a person of few words, she had become even more silent and withdrawn.
No matter how difficult the stunt, she insisted on doing it herself, as if she had a death wish. When she got hurt, she didn’t cry or scream, simply enduring the pain until the scene was finished.
Even the director was frightened by her desperate drive.
After they wrapped a major scene, he pulled Yin Ruxu aside and advised her gently, “Xiao Yin, don’t put so much pressure on yourself. We just finished a big sequence, so you should take a few days to rest properly.”
“Director, I’m fine. I don’t want to hold up everyone’s progress,” Yin Ruxu refused without a second thought, her tone bordering on a plea. “I don’t want to rest. I want to make this film well.”
“Xiao Yin, it’s a good thing that you’re willing to work hard, but the rest of the crew needs a break,” the director urged, half-pleased and half-worried. “Everyone’s been working around the clock1 with you for days. Their eyes are bloodshot from exhaustion.”
Hearing this, Yin Ruxu pressed her lips together and agreed with a dejected look.
The director found it strange but knew better than to ask more questions.
With no filming scheduled, Yin Ruxu suddenly had a lot of free time, and a sense of panic set in as she wondered how to fill it.
She picked up her script, but the words wouldn’t focus.
She tried to watch movies to study other people’s acting, but the moment a hospital scene appeared, she couldn’t stop herself from crying.
In just two days, she had grown visibly haggard.
Seeing her in such a dispirited state, Chen-jie advised her cautiously, “Yin-jie, you have to take care of your body. If you abandon yourself to despair,2 you might really lose everything for good.”
Yin Ruxu understood the subtext and gave a sad smile. “Do I look terrible right now?”
“Not at all, not at all,” Chen-jie said, offering a comforting smile. “You’ll always be the most beautiful woman.”
“Thank you. You’ve always been by my side during my most difficult times.” Yin Ruxu tried to smile, her lips curving, but tears fell uncontrollably.
Chen-jie’s heart ached watching her and she continued to offer words of encouragement.
Yin Ruxu listened quietly, her mood lifting slightly.
As they were talking, the apartment’s doorbell rang.
Joy flickered across Yin Ruxu’s face as she hurried to the door.
When she saw Bai Lei, she froze, asking in surprise, “How did you know I live here?”
“Jiejie, aren’t you happy to see me?” Bai Lei said in a soft, wheedling voice.
Without waiting for an answer, she stepped inside and looked around the room, smiling. “This apartment is quite nice.”
“President Xia specially selected it for Yin-jie. Whether it’s the location or the decor, it’s all first-class,” Chen-jie said with a smile.
Yin Ruxu understood this was meant to comfort her. She managed a small smile and said, “Chen-jie, you can go ahead. I’ll be fine.”
Chen-jie gave her a worried glance. “Alright. Call me if you need anything,” she said, still concerned.
Yin Ruxu gave a faint smile and nodded.
Bai Lei made herself at home on the sofa. Gazing at the high-end furniture, she said with envy, “Sleeping on that hard dorm bed every day is making my back hurt.”
Yin Ruxu smiled, placing a cup of tea on the coffee table. “If you’re not used to it, you could always rent an apartment,” she said gently.
“I want to, but my dad won’t let me. He insists I live on campus and even cut off my allowance, so I can’t even go out and have fun,” Bai Lei complained indignantly. Once she started on the topic, she couldn’t stop.
Yin Ruxu sat beside her, listening quietly.
“Jiejie, why don’t I stay here with you? You live alone anyway,” Bai Lei suggested excitedly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t live here alone,” Yin Ruxu said, a flash of pain crossing her face. “She’s just been busy lately and hasn’t come over.”
“She? Who is she?” Bai Lei asked curiously. “Your girlfriend?”
At the word ‘girlfriend,’ Yin Ruxu’s heart clenched. She lowered her gaze and murmured, “We used to be.”
“And now?” Bai Lei pressed, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
Yin Ruxu just shook her head, her expression lost and sorrowful. “I don’t know…”
As she spoke, her voice grew faint, laced with the hint of a sob.
Seeing this, Bai Lei got up and moved to sit beside Yin Ruxu, comforting her in a low voice. “Jiejie, don’t cry. It makes my heart ache just watching you.”
She picked up a tissue and began to wipe away Yin Ruxu’s tears.
Startled, Yin Ruxu instinctively pulled back.
Leaning forward, Bai Lei lost her balance and accidentally tumbled onto Yin Ruxu.
Click. The front door opened.
A voice from the doorway, cold and laced with anger, cut in. “What are you two doing?”
“Xiao Ke, it’s not what it looks like!” Yin Ruxu scrambled to her feet, tears streaming down her face in a panic. “Let me explain.”
“Jie, don’t misunderstand,” Bai Lei said, raising her hands in surrender, too scared to even breathe.
Hearing that form of address, Yin Ruxu stared at the two of them, shocked and bewildered.
Xia Ke’s expression hardened, her eyes fixed coldly on Bai Lei.
Taking the hint, Bai Lei scurried out, pulling the door shut behind her.
Only the two of them remained in the room, and the atmosphere became incredibly strange.
Yin Ruxu bit her lip, letting the tears fall freely. She looked at Xia Ke through her blurry vision, her face a mask of grievance and helplessness.
“That person just now was my younger female cousin,”3 Xia Ke said, her gaze averted.
Yin Ruxu nodded obediently, her voice thick with tears. “I heard her call you Jie.”
“So…” Xia Ke started, her voice trailing off.
“So what?” Yin Ruxu asked nervously, her eyes locked on Xia Ke.
At her words, Xia Ke’s gaze slowly shifted back, landing on Yin Ruxu.
In that single glance, her heart trembled. “You’ve lost a lot of weight,” she said instinctively.
“I was losing weight for the role, so I’d be more photogenic,”4 Yin Ruxu said, forcing a smile through a choked voice.
She tried her best to lift the corners of her mouth, but tears continued to fall. The sight of her smiling through her tears was pitiful and lovely.5
Xia Ke’s heart softened, but she maintained her cold expression. “Was this a test?”
“Did I pass?” Yin Ruxu asked timidly, showing no anger at having been tested.
Xia Ke was silent, her eyes fixed on that face, beautiful as pear blossoms bearing rain.6
Yin Ruxu instantly grew tense, her fingers frantically wiping at her tears as she tried to suppress the sobs rising in her throat.
“Ah Xu…” Xia Ke sighed softly.
Yin Ruxu bit her lip, waiting for the verdict.
“If I asked you to quit the entertainment industry, would you be willing?” Xia Ke asked, her gaze serious.
“I would. As long as you don’t send me away, I’d be willing to do anything…” Yin Ruxu nodded through her tears, her vision almost completely blurred.
“If one day I was penniless,7 just an ordinary person, would you still be willing to stay by my side?” Xia Ke’s voice was gentle, but her heart was pounding.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Yin Ruxu nodded. She stood up and threw her arms around Xia Ke, crying as she said earnestly, “Whether you’re poor or rich, I want to be with you.”
“There’s something I have to tell you,” Xia Ke said, her expression turning grave. “My dad has suspended me from my position and frozen my assets. Starting next month, I’ll have to find a job on my own.”
“I’ve saved up some money. It’s enough for the two of us,” Yin Ruxu said hurriedly, her fingers clutching Xia Ke’s sleeve. “If you don’t think it’s enough, I still have some jewelry and bags I can sell. I can work hard at filming and save more…”
Xia Ke chuckled softly. “Ah Xu, I’m not joking. I’m no longer the president of Xia Corporation. I’m just a pathetic wretch who’s been kicked out of her home.”
“I believe you,” Yin Ruxu said, resting her head on Xia Ke’s shoulder. A smile of long-overdue relief spread across her face.
The high and mighty president of Xia Corporation was someone she could never climb high enough to reach8 in her entire life. Selfishly, she hoped Xia Ke would remain an ordinary person forever. That way, she could hold onto her, never letting her escape, and never letting anyone else steal her away.
Late that night, the news that Xia Corporation had a new president shot to number one on the list.
The pinned9 comment dug up the story of Xia Ke being kicked out of her family, complete with convincing, well-substantiated photos.
Within a day, countless short videos were discussing the matter.
Yin Ruxu sat on the living room sofa, watching the person fumbling awkwardly in the kitchen through the transparent glass door, her eyes filled with a smile.
She got up, walked over, and leaned against the doorframe. “Xiao Ke, do you need my help?”
“No need. It’s smoky in here. Go sit in the living room. I’ll be done soon,” Xia Ke said gently, sliding the glass door shut.
After she said that, she called Shen Man for help.
Shen Man gave her some instructions, then asked, puzzled, “It’s just a test. Are you for real?”
“Giving up your honored position as President Xia to cook for someone in a rundown old house.”
“Manman, I’m very happy with my life right now. At least it proves that Ah Xu loves me for who I am, not for my money,” Xia Ke said cheerfully. “Besides, I’ve found a job. Even if Ah Xu doesn’t act, I can still support her.”
Shen Man listened and gave a helpless laugh. “You still just follow your heart’s desires,10 same as always.”
Xia Ke’s lips curved, her light blue eyes deep and dark. She didn’t argue, just smiled and said, “I have to go. I think my food is about to burn.”
After a flurry of hands busy, feet flustered11 cooking, Xia Ke emerged with two dishes.
Yin Ruxu immediately stood up and took one of the plates, praising her. “Your cooking is getting better and better. It smells so good.”
“Really?” Xia Ke beamed at the compliment.
Yin Ruxu nodded emphatically and ate every last bite.
Xia Ke knew her cooking was terrible; the two dishes were practically tasteless. But Yin Ruxu never showed the slightest dislike and always finished everything.
After washing the dishes, Xia Ke wiped her hands and sat on the sofa.
Yin Ruxu snuggled into her arms, lacing their fingers together. “Xiao Ke,” she asked cautiously, “do you find this ordinary life with me bitter?”
“Every day I live with Ah Xu is sweet,” Xia Ke said, her eyes curving as she leaned down and kissed those soft lips.
Yin Ruxu tilted her head up and responded passionately. “Xiao Ke,” she said, her breathing unsteady, “I don’t have to film for the next few days, so it doesn’t matter if you leave marks on me…”
At her words, a fire lit in Xia Ke’s eyes, and her kisses grew fierce.
Yin Ruxu relaxed submissively, surrendering her entire being to the other woman.
When they were finished, Yin Ruxu fell into a deep sleep.
Xia Ke gazed at her sleeping face, her eyes filled with satisfaction and joy.
Her phone vibrated.
Seeing the caller ID, Xia Ke got up and went to the balcony to answer.
“My precious girl,12 you promised you’d let us put on this show with you for just one month, and then you’d come back to see us. It’s been three months now! Not only have you not come back, you’ve completely ignored the company. Are you really planning to abandon this family of yours?” an exaggerated, sobbing voice of a middle-aged man came through the phone.
Xia Ke pressed her fingers to her forehead. “Alright, I get it.”
“When are you coming back?” Father Xia asked, his voice softening.
“This month. You and Mom come back, and I’ll introduce her to you,” Xia Ke said.
“Great, great! Your mom and I are free to come back tomorrow,” Father Xia said, instantly delighted. “Don’t worry about your three prodigal son13 brothers.”
Xia Ke paused for a moment, then frowned. “Are you in such a hurry?”
“We’re not in a hurry. We just happen to be free tomorrow, that’s all,” Father Xia said with a chuckle.
Xia Ke was speechless.
Just as she was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of a figure standing in the living room. “I have to go,” she said in a low voice.
“Xiao Ke, who were you on the phone with?” Yin Ruxu asked quietly, her slender frame looking as if a gust of wind could blow it over.
Xia Ke didn’t answer, striding quickly toward her.
Yin Ruxu immediately threw herself into Xia Ke’s arms, holding on tightly.
“I’m going to introduce you to two people tomorrow,” Xia Ke said with a smile.
“Okay,” Yin Ruxu nodded obediently, asking no further questions.
✨ Unlock Early Access to Chapters! ✨
Choose your perfect membership at bamboopandatl.net:
📚 Full Access ($4.99)
• Advanced chapters of ALL ongoing novels
• Access to complete finished novels
• Ad-free reading experience
📖 Single Novel Access ($1.49)
• Advanced chapters of ONE specific novel
• Ad-free reading for chosen novel
PayPal is the only current payment option!