When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 17

Volume One: Those Years I Was a CEO

The Story Begins

“I know.” You Jiayi smiled. “Your kindness towards me, your tolerance, your concessions—I see it all, and I remember it in my heart.”

“But I know deep down, you don’t actually love me. I know.” It sounded like the wind picked up on her end of the line; her words were somewhat scattered.

Hearing this, Shu Changning’s heart clenched. He hadn’t expected You Jiayi to know everything yet still throw herself into it completely.

She was knowingly leaping into a pit of fire, willing to be scorched by the flames, to turn to ash and smoke¹.

Wen Nuan lowered her gaze, her emotions unreadable. She sighed softly, almost inaudibly, “…Silly girl.”

“You… Did you call me just to say this?” A tremor and panic entered You Jiayi’s voice as she tried hard to suppress her emotional turmoil. “Are you… Are you breaking up… with me?”

She knew clearly that Xu Wen Nuan didn’t love her, and she also understood the cruelty of reality.

The Xu Group, a prominent wealthy family—considering Xu Wen Nuan’s status and background, she was fundamentally not good enough for Xu Wen Nuan.

Perhaps she knew but deliberately ignored the reality that Xu Wen Nuan would eventually marry someone, someone ten million times better than her.

Whether it would be a man or a woman was unknown, but… it wouldn’t be her.

“….No.” Wen Nuan felt she had scared the female lead. “I’m not calling to break up with you. I said we’d give it a try, how could I give up so easily?”

You Jiayi let out a slight sigh of relief. “Then why did you call me…?”

“I just wanted to explain that during that year I was in M Country, I was really just playing around, I didn’t do anything out of line. Don’t listen to those comments online, don’t overthink it. I’ll post on Weibo in a moment to explain.” Wen Nuan was afraid the female lead would overthink things and increase her Blackening Value.

The System consoled her: 【Don’t be afraid, the female lead’s Blackening Value has already increased! It’s 3 now, aren’t you happy?】

“!!” Wen Nuan was surprised. “What happened?”

【Probably because you told her you don’t love her?】

“Is it wrong to tell the truth?” Wen Nuan didn’t want to lie to the female lead.

【Then you shouldn’t feel wronged when she increases your Blackening Value.】 The System said with a shrug.

Wen Nuan: “…..”

You Jiayi hadn’t expected Wen Nuan to specifically call her about this. “It’s okay, I didn’t pay attention to those comments online. You don’t need to explain specifically, I’m fine.”

“I paid attention to them, I have a problem with them.” Wen Nuan sighed. “Jiayi, don’t keep everything bottled up inside. If you don’t say it, don’t show it, I’ll never know what you’re thinking.”

“Although I haven’t fallen in love with you yet, my attitude towards you is already very clear. I don’t resist you, I accept your affection. You’re already closer to me than anyone else.” Wen Nuan felt like she was also talking to herself. “Why not try having more courage, putting in more effort?”

“Then… then if I just try hard, if I have courage, can I keep you? Can I make you fall in love with me?” You Jiayi asked, her voice trembling.

Wen Nuan’s eyes flickered. “….Maybe.”

She couldn’t say for sure what the future held.

You Jiayi smiled. “Okay, I’ll work harder, I’ll be more proactive in getting closer. So, can you try more, try to like me, try to fall in love with me? I won’t let you down, okay?”

“Okay.” Wen Nuan chuckled softly.

“Jiayi?” Wen Nuan noticed You Jiayi was about to hang up; someone over there was calling her for filming.

You Jiayi quickly responded, “Mhm, mhm, I’m here.”

“See you in a bit.”

“…..” You Jiayi’s voice filled with pleasant surprise. “You’re coming to visit the set!?”

“Mhm,” Wen Nuan heard the urging from the other side. “You go film first. See you in a bit.”

“Mhm, mhm, I’ll wait for you.”

The call ended, and silence fell in the private room.

Wen Nuan looked at the stunned Shu Changning, giving him some time to process. After all, her relationship with You Jiayi was rather complicated and couldn’t be explained in just a few words².

She opened her phone and logged into Weibo.

-Xu Wen Nuan V: It’s always been her, from start to finish. Never changed. #Image# #Image#

One picture was of their interlaced fingers from the official announcement, the other was a picture taken when they first met, when she asked for an autograph.

It seemed like they really hadn’t changed.

After posting, Wen Nuan didn’t pay any more attention to it. She left the rest for Kong Yushu to handle.

Shu Changning’s phone buzzed with a Weibo notification. He looked up; it was the post Xu Wen Nuan had just made.

“Anything else you want to ask?” The food had gone cold. Wen Nuan could only drink some hot water.

Shu Changning picked up his phone and glanced at the two photos on Weibo.

He just didn’t understand. “You don’t love Jiayi, so why are you with her?”

Initially, it was for the Blackening Value. Later, it was about wanting to take a step forward herself.

Wen Nuan tapped her fingers against the rim of her bowl, saying calmly, “Giving each other a chance.”

“What kind of chance?” Shu Changning really couldn’t figure out these two’s dynamic.

“Giving her a chance to be with me,” Wen Nuan’s eyes curved up slightly at the corners as she chuckled softly, “and giving myself a chance to be with her.”

System: 【Host, have you turned bent?】

Wen Nuan: “….No!”

All day long, it just looked for openings to force her to turn bent!

【Oh, what a pity.】 The System sounded regretful.

Wen Nuan: “…..”

Damn it!³

The meal ended on bad terms. Shu Changning didn’t take a bite because he couldn’t figure things out, and Wen Nuan didn’t eat purely because she felt the cold food wasn’t appetizing.

Wen Nuan checked the time; it was already past six in the afternoon.

“I’m going to visit Jiayi on set. Head back together?” Wen Nuan stood up.

Shu Changning nodded. “Okay, let’s go together.”

The restaurant wasn’t far from the film set, about a twenty-minute walk. This kind of film base was never short of paparazzi⁴ and proxy photographers⁵.

Wen Nuan could feel people taking pictures of her, but she ignored them. Visiting You Jiayi on set wasn’t something she needed to hide.

Besides, if someone got photos, it would also serve as good publicity for You Jiayi.

“Filming for 《Gunsmoke Everywhere》 wraps up in about a month and a half. Isn’t the variety show with you and Jiayi starting recording the day after tomorrow?” Shu Changning asked as they walked.

Otherwise, if neither of them spoke, it would be too awkward.

“Mhm.” Kong Yushu had already told her.

“I heard it’s recording in Yunhai City⁶?”

Yunhai City was a famous resort destination, known for its beautiful scenery, blue seas and skies—stunningly beautiful⁷.

“Yes.”

Kong Yushu had rented a local guesthouse with distinctive features where she and You Jiayi would be recording.

She heard there were also many tasks arranged by the production team to ensure their two weeks would be full of flavor and fun⁸.

Shu Changning nodded. “I saw the proposal; this show will definitely be a huge hit. President Xu, is this your first time recording a variety show? Will you be nervous?”

Wen Nuan shook her head. “No.”

In her previous mission worlds, she had even been a superstar famous all across the country. Would she be nervous now over just an ordinary variety show?

“Right, President Xu has navigated the business world for years, how could a mere variety show pose a challenge? I was overthinking it.”

They reached the vicinity of the film set. Wen Nuan didn’t go inside with Shu Changning, just stood outside the entrance watching You Jiayi act.

In this scene, You Jiayi was dancing; it looked like a Waltz.

To Wen Nuan’s discerning eye, it was immediately obvious that You Jiayi was all form, no substance⁹—barely enough to get through filming, but quite inadequate for dancing at a formal occasion.

After the Spring Festival, the Xu Group would hold its annual gala. As her girlfriend, You Jiayi would definitely have to attend. She could teach her properly then.

Shu Changning walked over to the director’s side and mentioned that Xu Wen Nuan had come to visit the set.

The director was startled, glanced at the monitor, and yelled, “CUT! This take is good! Everyone take a break.”

The actors on set immediately dispersed, calling out, “Thank you, Director—”

The director stood up, craning his neck to look around, asking urgently, “President Xu is here? Where? I’ll go greet her.”

Shu Changning told You Jiayi that Xu Wen Nuan had arrived, and You Jiayi’s eyes lit up with happiness.

“Here, Director Zhang, President Xu is at the entrance,” Shu Changning led the director towards the exit, You Jiayi following behind, barely containing her excitement.

When the director heard President Xu was waiting outside, he was so alarmed his voice shot up. “How could we let President Xu wait outside? It’s too impolite!”

Shu Changning smiled. “President Xu was afraid of disturbing your filming, Director Zhang, so she waited outside for a bit.”

The group walked to the entrance and saw Wen Nuan leaning against a pillar by the door.

Before Shu Changning could even make introductions, Director Zhang immediately hurried over, wiped his hands on his trousers, and said with a fawning expression, “Ah, President Xu, your esteemed presence graces us¹⁰! Truly remiss of us not to welcome you properly¹¹, and making you wait at the entrance, it’s truly too impolite.”

Wen Nuan briefly shook his fingertips, smiling. “It’s fine, it was a sudden visit on my part. If I disturbed the filming progress, that would be quite regrettable.”

The director beamed, unable to close his mouth¹². “Is there anything President Xu wishes to instruct us on this time? Please just say the word, I’ll definitely get it done for you.”

“It’s nothing major,” Wen Nuan bypassed him, her gaze landing on the overjoyed You Jiayi. “My girlfriend is filming here, so I thought I’d come visit the set, to ease the pangs of lovesickness.”

Shu Changning: “…..”

If he hadn’t just learned that Xu Wen Nuan didn’t actually love You Jiayi, he would have been completely fooled by her sweet words.

Merchants indeed, their hearts are dirty! Lying without even drafting it first.

He glanced back at You Jiayi, only to find her eyes shining with excitement, her joy practically overflowing.

Shu Changning: “……”

Damn, it’s really a case of one willing to hit and the other willing to endure it¹³. A perfect match!

Director Zhang immediately understood, quickly smiling, “Ah ah ah, I get it, yes yes, President Xu’s girlfriend is You Jiayi, right? Hahaha,” he looked back, immediately pulled You Jiayi over, and pushed her towards Wen Nuan. “President Xu, Jiayi is right here. You two can stroll around the area; the scenery at this film base is quite nice.”

You Jiayi stumbled from the push, and Wen Nuan quickly caught her, smiling faintly. “Okay, thank you, Director Zhang. We’ll head off then. I’ll bring the female lead back to you later.”

Director Zhang waved his hand. “It’s fine, it’s fine, no rush. Take your time strolling.”

Shu Changning: “…..”

Such flattery!

The film base in B City was built at a cost of nearly one billion yuan. The base featured many architectural styles, and numerous TV dramas and movies of different genres filmed scenes here.

Wen Nuan checked the time; it was just right for dinner.

“It’s evening now, what would you like to eat?” Wen Nuan looked at the surrounding restaurants; there were eateries featuring all kinds of cuisines. “I’ll take you.”

You Jiayi looked around. “I want to eat hot pot.”

“No, your stomach isn’t good, and you’re still drinking Chinese medicine.”

“…..” You Jiayi glanced at the barbecue restaurant nearby. “Then barbecue?”

“No, too much smoke and fire, plus charcoal. Your stomach is weak, no.”

“….” You Jiayi pointed at a regular restaurant. “Then stir-fry from the big pot¹⁴?”

“No, this place uses too much oil, and it’s too spicy. You’ll feel uncomfortable if you eat it.”

You Jiayi fell silent.

Wen Nuan didn’t hear You Jiayi continue and asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong? Which one do you want to eat?”

System: 【She suggested a bunch, and you rejected them all. And you still ask her? Host, you’re so harsh!】

Wen Nuan: “……”

She looked at You Jiayi, smiling awkwardly. “Um, if you want hot pot, would a mushroom broth base be acceptable?”

You Jiayi smiled. “Yes, it would.”

“Let’s go then,” Wen Nuan looked at the chain hot pot restaurant ahead, known for being good value and popular with the masses. “Let’s eat there. Their beef tripe¹⁵ and crispy fried pork¹⁶ are quite good. We can….”

A soft hand slipped into her palm, carefully sliding between her fingers, slowly interlocking with hers, ten fingers entwined.

Wen Nuan suddenly realized You Jiayi’s hand was soft and small; compared to hers, it felt like an adult holding a child’s hand.

Like a soft, sticky marshmallow.

You Jiayi saw Wen Nuan look over, her eyes curving into crescents¹⁷. She took the initiative, saying, “Let’s go, let’s go eat hot pot.”

She pulled Wen Nuan towards the hot pot restaurant.

This was the first time she had proactively taken Wen Nuan’s hand without asking first. Xu Wen Nuan neither refused nor let go, allowing herself to be pulled along.

In that moment, You Jiayi suddenly understood how to approach Xu Wen Nuan.

Between us, it turns out taking the initiative creates a story.

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