The Young Miss Refuse To Love-Chapter 131: The kiss

After confessing the truth, He Zeqing felt an unfamiliar sense of lightness. For seven years, he had carried the weight of Su Yunting’s sacrifice and the blame he silently accepted.

Now, with the truth revealed, he could finally breathe a little easier. Leaving Su Yunfei’s house, his steps felt steadier, his heart freer.

Su Yunfei, though devastated by the revelations, took responsibility for his past actions. True to his word, he swiftly clarified publicly that he bore no ill will toward Wen Renyue.

His statement helped dispel any rumors tarnishing the small actor’s name, restoring Wen Renyue’s reputation and even earning him sympathy for being caught in a baseless controversy.

Meanwhile, Wen Renyue sat in his small apartment, anxiously staring at his phone. Days had passed since the audition, and despite the author’s promise to help him secure the role, doubt clouded his thoughts.

Why would they choose me? he wondered, pacing across the worn carpet of his living room. The buzz of online rumors still lingered in his mind.

Though Su Yunfei’s clarification had come just in time, Wen Renyue couldn’t shake the fear that it had already affected the production team’s decision.

He glanced at the mirror, taking in his own reflection. His tired eyes, slightly disheveled appearance, and the subtle slump in his posture spoke volumes about his inner turmoil. If I get rejected again, I’ll just keep going, he thought, trying to steel himself.

But deep down, he knew this audition mattered more than the others. It wasn’t just another role; it was a chance to prove himself in a leading role, to showcase his potential beyond the minor roles he’d been boxed into.

Just as his thoughts spiraled further, his phone buzzed. His heart skipped a beat as he scrambled to pick it up. The unknown number on the screen made his fingers tremble as he swiped to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Wen Renyue?" The calm yet professional voice on the other end instantly caught his attention.

"Yes, this is Wen Renyue," he replied, his voice wavering slightly.

"This is the production team of ’His last mission’ drama. We’re calling to inform you that you’ve been selected as the male lead. Congratulations!"

For a moment, silence filled the room. Wen Renyue’s breath caught in his throat.

"I... I got the role?" he finally managed to ask, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yes, you’ve been chosen. The director and author were both impressed with your audition, and we believe you’re the perfect fit for the character."

The weight of anxiety lifted, replaced by an overwhelming surge of relief and joy. Wen Renyue’s lips curled into a shaky smile as his eyes stung with unshed tears.

"Thank you. Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion.

As the call ended, Wen Renyue sat down on his couch, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. For the first time in a long while, hope burned brightly within him.

This is it. My chance to shine.

Little did he know, this drama would mark the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.

...

At the Qi Family’s Garden

Qi Jianyi sat on the swing, her legs lightly brushing the grass as she swayed back and forth. Beside her, the perpetually clingy Song Chengfeng shamelessly occupied the swing that was originally meant for Qi Jinlu, her younger brother.

She glanced sideways at him, her brows slightly furrowed, silently questioning his unexpected appearance. She didn’t have to ask aloud—her gaze alone spoke volumes.

"I missed you," Song Chengfeng said without hesitation, his voice soft yet deliberate, as though those three words were the simplest and most natural thing in the world. His dark eyes locked on hers, filled with unspoken warmth and sincerity.

Qi Jianyi blinked, unfazed by his boldness. "We saw each other yesterday," she replied matter-of-factly, bursting his little bubble of romance without a hint of remorse.

Song Chengfeng, however, was undeterred. "And?"

Qi Jianyi sighed, shaking her head. They really did meet yesterday. In fact, they met nearly every day. No matter how hectic Song Chengfeng’s schedule became, he always managed to carve out time for her. It wasn’t as though she sought him out—he simply appeared, as if her presence were the cornerstone of his daily routine.

Or rather, his work was the interruption, while she was the priority.

"Anyway," he continued, smoothly changing the subject after sensing that his attempt to be coquettish had failed—again. "I heard you finally cast Wen Renyue as the male lead?"

Hearing the name that had consumed her thoughts for weeks, Qi Jianyi couldn’t help but break into a grin. Her lips curved into a sweet, triumphant smile, the kind that made her look a little younger and a lot more carefree.

"Yes, Zeqing made it happen. I never expected him to be this capable. Honestly, I’m impressed. He only met with Su Yunfei once, and just like that, Su Yunfei publicly clarified the rumors and cleared Wen Renyue’s name. I still can’t believe it."

Song Chengfeng observed her closely, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he leaned back slightly on the swing. "It seems like he really treasures you as his little sister, seeing how he’s willing to meet with that guy."

His tone was casual, but the subtle hint in his words wasn’t lost on Qi Jianyi. Her head turned sharply toward him, her eyes narrowing with curiosity and a touch of suspicion.

It dawned on her then: Song Chengfeng knew.

He knew about the past between He Zeqing and Su Yunfei, and what was more infuriating, he had never once thought to share it with her.

"You knew their story?" she asked, her tone low but pointed, her gaze scrutinizing him.

Song Chengfeng, ever sensitive to her moods, immediately picked up on the dissatisfaction radiating from her. His years of experience with Qi Jianyi had taught him that if he didn’t handle this delicately, he was heading straight into a silent-treatment zone—a punishment he feared more than anything.

Raising his hands in a mock gesture of surrender, he quickly replied, "Their past wasn’t exactly a well-kept secret. Anyone close to He Zeqing would know about it. And since you’re his cousin, I just assumed you had access to those memories and already knew." His tone was careful, but his excuse didn’t quite land the way he’d hoped.

Qi Jianyi’s eyes narrowed even further. "Her memories are all messed up," she said sharply, frustration evident in her voice. "Sometimes they’re as clear as day, and sometimes I can barely make sense of anything."

She crossed her arms, looking away as she added under her breath, "If they were so accessible, I wouldn’t have to ask you."

What Qi Jianyi didn’t admit, however, was the deeper truth behind her struggles. Though the memories of the original Qi Jianyi were technically there, accessing them was like trying to sort through fragmented pieces of a puzzle.

Worse, the process wasn’t without pain. The more she tried to delve into those memories, the more unbearable the strain on her mind became, leaving her exhausted and anxious.

She had eventually stopped trying, fearing the consequences of integrating those memories too deeply. If she wasn’t careful, she might lose sight of her own identity and start confusing the truths of her life with the remnants of someone else’s. That was a risk Qi Jianyi wasn’t willing to take.

Song Chengfeng noticed the subtle change in her demeanor—the slight slump of her shoulders, the faint crease of worry in her brow. His teasing expression softened, and he leaned forward on the swing to close the distance between them and shamelessly pressed his lips on her.

"Don’t think too much," Song Chengfeng whispered, his voice low and soothing as his warm hands slid gently around the back of Qi Jianyi’s neck, pulling her closer to him.

Qi Jianyi, still caught up in her earlier thoughts and not exactly in the mood for such intimacy, instinctively tried to back away. However, her attempts were futile— she was ensnared in the arms of a former soldier whose strength and reflexes far outmatched her own. There was no escaping him when he decided he wasn’t letting go.

"Song Chengfeng-" she barely managed to utter before he tilted his head, leaning in to close the gap between them with shameless determination.

The kiss started slow, his lips soft but persistent as they pressed against hers, coaxing her into responding. When she tried to protest, he didn’t hesitate to deepen the kiss, capturing her completely.

His lips moved skillfully, gently sucking on hers, leaving them swollen and red as he slid his tongue forward, teasing her until she reluctantly opened her mouth to him.

Despite Song Chengfeng’s confident approach, it was no secret-at least between them-that Qi Jianyi was the better kisser. What started as his game quickly shifted into a challenge.

She was momentarily flustered, caught off guard by his boldness, but it didn’t take long for her to recover. As his tongue sought dominance, Qi Jianyi countered, skillfully matching his rhythm and pushing back with her own resolve.

Her lips moved against his, turning the tables as she pulled him deeper into the moment.

The kiss, which had begun as gentle and coaxing, slowly transformed into something more heated and intense.

Song Chengfeng groaned softly, his arms tightening around her as their lips battled for control.

Qi Jianyi, now fully immersed in the kiss, placed her hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer to her as if she wanted to close every bit of distance between them. Her nails brushed against the fabric of his shirt, sending a shiver down his spine as she pressed against him with a passion that matched his own.

The world around them faded, leaving only the sound of their quickened breaths and the unspoken connection between them. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a silent declaration of their feelings, a tug-of-war between stubborn wills and undeniable chemistry.

And for that brief moment, neither of them cared about anything else.

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