Hearing Yu Shuman's words, Qin Ran froze, her body going rigid. It took a moment for her to respond with a somewhat guilty "mm."
Qin Ran's vanity table was always neat and tidy. It had a full set of cosmetics, but she only used them when she had events to attend, relying on a makeup artist who brought most of the needed items. Because she used these items so infrequently, everything was meticulously organized, making the glass bottle Yu Shuman had placed there stand out even more. If Qin Ran had noticed it earlier, she would have stuffed it into a drawer without hesitation.
Yu Shuman, however, didn't notice anything unusual. She simply continued enjoying her meal.
With Yu Shuman savoring her food and Qin Ran distracted by her own thoughts, the meal quickly came to an end. Yu Shuman intended to clean up, but Qin Ran insisted she shouldn't bother. After all, she had ordered takeout precisely because she didn't want to deal with cleaning up. They were both tired, so it would be better to relax, and the housekeeper could handle the rest tomorrow.
Yu Shuman nodded but still organized everything neatly, soaking the grill plate in the sink to make it easier to clean. She sorted out the trash, tied up the garbage bags, and left them in the kitchen to be taken out the next day.
Qin Ran, typically a lazy person who had hired a housekeeper precisely to avoid chores, couldn't just sit idly on the sofa while Yu Shuman worked. So, she got up and helped tidy things up as well.
After they finished, they each retreated to their rooms to take a shower. Later, they reconvened in the living room, grabbed their game controllers, and began playing together. Since they had slept most of the day, neither of them felt ready for bed. At Qin Ran's suggestion, they dove into a new round of gaming.
Having lost to Yu Shuman in the past, Qin Ran, a self-proclaimed otaku, had secretly practiced while Yu Shuman was away, determined to reclaim her dignity. Now that they were playing together again, she was eager to show off her newfound skills.
Unfortunately, despite her efforts, Qin Ran still couldn't win against Yu Shuman. Although Yu Shuman hadn't played in a while and was a bit rusty at first, she quickly found her rhythm, smoothly navigating the game's obstacles. In levels that didn't require cooperation, Yu Shuman would deftly maneuver her character, leaving Qin Ran struggling to catch up.
Qin Ran, feeling a mix of frustration and determination, tried harder but ended up making more mistakes, causing her character to fall repeatedly. Seeing Qin Ran's struggle, Yu Shuman set down her controller and moved closer to her. "Don't rush. Take your time. You're doing great, just a bit too anxious."
As Yu Shuman leaned in, the scent of her gardenia perfume wafted over, making Qin Ran's heart flutter. Yu Shuman had just taken a shower—why would she put on perfume if she wasn't going out? But then it clicked for Qin Ran—she had done it because she was there.
The two of them had just started dating and had been apart for so long. Yu Shuman must have missed her and wanted to look and smell her best for her. This realization calmed Qin Ran's nerves, and she refocused on the game, guiding her character to leap between walls and finally reach the top to join Yu Shuman's.
They continued playing for another two hours, their teamwork seamless in the cooperative stages. Afterward, Yu Shuman suggested they watch a movie, to which Qin Ran eagerly agreed. They chose a popular blockbuster, sitting close together, occasionally chatting and commenting on the plot.
When they were together, time seemed to fly for Qin Ran. Before long, the movie ended, leaving them cuddled on the sofa in silence. After a while, Yu Shuman spoke up, breaking the quiet. "Junior, I want to act in serious dramas."
Qin Ran didn't hesitate. "Sure."
Anything Yu Shuman wanted, she would give with both hands. But Yu Shuman added, "I don't want to act in idol dramas or romantic dramas anymore."
Qin Ran was puzzled, sitting up straight to face Yu Shuman. She couldn't understand because Yu Shuman loved being in the spotlight, thriving on the attention and the thrill of performing on stage. That's why she had chosen to become an actress in the first place.
Though it might sound a bit superficial, Qin Ran didn't see anything wrong with that. In fact, the quickest way to gain more fans was by starring in idol dramas. Whether it was historical romance or modern love stories, those were the best ways to win over fans.
Moreover, Yu Shuman had already tasted success. Despite only playing a supporting role in a historical drama, her fan base had skyrocketed, and now fans would flock to the airport to greet her without any organized fan club. With her natural talent and the right roles, she could easily gain even more fans.
Sister Li, too, had advised Qin Ran, saying she was already scouting for roles that suited Yu Shuman—parts that fit her image and gave her room to showcase her acting skills.
In this context, Yu Shuman's decision to step away from idol dramas in favor of serious roles seemed like a risky move. Serious dramas demanded much more in terms of acting ability. Many top idols had tried to transition from idol dramas to serious roles, only to be overshadowed by veteran actors, their performances ridiculed online.
Yu Shuman had some talent, but she was still relatively inexperienced, having only started taking acting classes this year. Even her teachers couldn't confidently say they were ready to go toe-to-toe with industry veterans, let alone their students.
So Qin Ran was genuinely confused, and her expression made that clear to Yu Shuman, who offered an explanation.
Yu Shuman's expression was serious. "I'm not joking—I really don't want to act in idol dramas anymore. When I tested the waters with you before, I mentioned that idol dramas often involve intimate scenes. While playing supporting roles, I could avoid most of them, but what if I were cast in a lead role? Would I really have to kiss or be intimate with someone else?"
The mere thought of such scenes sent a shiver through Qin Ran, and she quickly dismissed the mental images. She simply couldn't bear the thought of seeing Yu Shuman in a romantic scene with anyone else, regardless of their gender. Qin Ran had already struggled to hide her feelings when Yu Shuman had broached the topic before, ultimately revealing her true feelings for her.
Now, with their relationship blossoming and growing deeper, revisiting the subject only made it harder for Qin Ran to control her emotions. She wasn't even sure what kind of expression she was making.
Yu Shuman moved closer, gently cupping Qin Ran's face in her hands. Her soft hands cradled Qin Ran's cheeks, forcing her to meet her gaze. Yu Shuman's voice was firm and sincere as she said, "I know you don't want to see that kind of scene, and I don't want to either. Even though I mentally prepared myself for it before entering the industry, that was before we were together. Even if it's for work, I don't want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable. Once a script includes those kinds of scenes, it's hard to refuse. Even if you have the power to change the script, it could damage both my reputation and yours in the industry."
"If that's the case, then let's avoid that possibility from the start. I'll focus on serious dramas, on well-written scripts that don't revolve around romance. I know my acting isn't perfect, but I'll work hard. Junior, do you believe in me?"
Qin Ran's face flushed instantly. How could she say she didn't believe in Yu Shuman?
They were so close that their breaths mingled. Qin Ran nodded slightly, whispering, "Yes."
"I believe in you. I've always believed in you. If you want to pursue serious drama, go for it. Don't worry about anything—I'll support you all the way." Hearing Yu Shuman say she didn't want to do anything that would make her uncomfortable filled Qin Ran with joy. She cherished this little happiness, knowing that Yu Shuman was willing to give up a lot for her.
Besides, serious dramas were great—how could they not be? Yu Shuman was a natural actress; she wouldn't hold anyone back!
Blinded by her love, Qin Ran didn't think Yu Shuman's acting skills were lacking in the slightest. She fully believed that Yu Shuman would succeed in anything she set her mind to. After discussing the important matter, Qin Ran slowly leaned closer to Yu Shuman, noticing her closing her eyes and tilting her head up. Her lashes cast a delicate shadow on her cheeks, trembling like the wings of a butterfly.
Realizing Yu Shuman was ready for a kiss, Qin Ran didn't hesitate. She gently cupped Yu Shuman's face and pressed her lips against hers. As Qin Ran's hands moved, the distance between them closed even more, and Yu Shuman had to lower her hands. One hand rested lightly on Qin Ran's shoulder, while the other supported herself from behind to prevent them from falling backward.
But as the kiss deepened, Yu Shuman's hand could no longer hold them up, and they both toppled onto the sofa.
On the large television screen, the black background displayed a few small video recommendations. Their reflections were faintly visible in the screen's darkness, showing them entwined in an embrace, kissing deeply. They only pulled away after a long while, breathless and flushed.
As Qin Ran looked at Yu Shuman, who was slightly red from the lack of oxygen, she couldn't help but think of the little bottle the perfume company owner had gifted her.