The Movie Queen Always Wants to Kiss Me - Chapter 37 - I Truly Like You

When Tang Anhe returned home, Song Qiluo was sitting at the dinner table with her mother.

The round table was laid with light dishes, mostly soups and congee—clearly prepared with An Shanghua’s health in mind. Undergoing chemotherapy had left her complexion pale and weary, and even in the summer heat, she wore a cotton shawl.

“Auntie, you’re back.” Tang Anhe approached, bending slightly, and took her thin, bony hands in hers with concern. “How are you feeling? What did the doctor say? Why did you come back so suddenly?”

An Shanghua had always been a stern woman, but her illness had drained her strength. She could only sigh softly, lacking the energy for her usual sharpness. “Anhe… I saw the news on TV. Have you gotten into trouble again?”

So, it really was about that incident.

Tang Anhe dared not provoke her. She lowered her voice in an apology. “I’m sorry, Auntie, for worrying you. I’ll listen carefully to Sister Qiluo and do my best to calm those news reports as soon as possible.”

An Shanghua nodded, relief softening her expression. She gently patted Tang Anhe’s head and added in a quiet voice, “You’ve always been sensible. Now is the peak of your career. Don’t throw it all away with reckless behavior.”

“I understand,” Tang Anhe replied.

“When one person prospers, we all prosper; when one suffers, we all suffer. You must understand how many people place their hopes on you.”

“Yes, Auntie. Don’t worry, I’ll work hard.”

In front of her mother, Tang Anhe was as obedient as a gentle rabbit, even her occasional foolishness vanishing completely.

Song Qiluo watched with quiet satisfaction, lowering her head to sip her porridge. Hmm, her mother was indeed more effective than she had expected. With her around, even plain porridge seemed to taste better.

An Shanghua remained unaware of her daughter’s subtle manipulation. Her expression was soft, and her advice to Tang Anhe carried the weight of genuine concern. “I hear you’ve grown close to the young lady from the Cheng family. Auntie won’t interfere with your friendships, but the Chengs are a true aristocratic house. Pride runs deep in their veins. Maybe in her heart, she only sees you as a way to pass the time. Temporary pleasures may bring you joy, but only family ties last forever. We would never want to harm you.”

Only she could phrase a warning to sever ties with Cheng Muye so delicately, yet so sincerely.

Tang Anhe’s mind churned in turmoil. Yu Zhaoning’s words echoed relentlessly in her ears. The thought that Cheng Muye’s kindness might have been driven solely by desire for her body filled her with anguish. If Cheng Muye truly was homosexual, her aunt’s words cut even deeper.

She had believed in their friendship… but even that had been tainted. How naive… how laughably blind she had been.

“I know,” Tang Anhe murmured softly. After finishing her meal, she was escorted back to her bedroom. An Shanghua lectured her the entire meal, and Tang Anhe dared not show any sign of irritation, quietly enduring her aunt’s rambling before retreating to her own room.

Song Qiluo followed her inside, and seeing her sullen expression, frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you upset about being called back?”

Tang Anhe’s anger flared at her aunt being informed, compounded by her own low spirits. She could no longer hold it in. “Why did you bring Auntie home? Why did you tell her about it? What if it affects her condition?”

Song Qiluo’s mood was sour as well, and she shot back with biting sarcasm. “I thought you only had eyes for Cheng Muye! But apparently, you know my mom’s health is poor. Do you even know why she came back? If she trusted you, would she have dragged herself out of the hospital while sick?”

Tang Anhe had no words to respond. She frowned and sank onto the bed, stretching out in a long, languid sprawl. After a moment, she curled up again, turning her back to Song Qiluo, silent and withdrawn.

Noticing her cousin’s dejection, Song Qiluo’s eyes darted as she guessed, “What’s wrong? Having trouble getting along with Cheng Muye?”

“None of your business.”

“What do you mean it’s none of my business? My mom is still here, and you actually give me the cold shoulder? You’re such a wimp!”

Tang Anhe couldn’t stand the sharpness in her tone. Her patience snapped, and she yelled, “What’s gotten into you? You’re not a child. Have you gotten addicted to badmouthing people?”

Her eyes burned with irritation. Song Qiluo froze, startled. She rarely saw Tang Anhe like this. Damn it… she’s unstoppable! she thought, softening her expression and quickly shifting gears. “I saved you some food. Want it?”

“Not hungry.”

“Oh ho, you’ve grown bold. Don’t care about you. Eat it or not, whatever!”

Song Qiluo sneered a few more times, then turned and walked out, paying her no further attention.

This was the first time Tang Anhe had ever snapped at her cousin, and the realization made her uneasy. She had always been gentle with everyone, especially Song Qiluo. Her earlier outburst had been outright rude. She regretted it immediately but couldn’t bring herself to apologize. Instead, she curled up on the bed, eyes red and stinging.

It was all Cheng Muye’s fault. She was the one who had ruined Tang Anhe’s mood and toyed with her heart.

Cheng Muye really was a lesbian?

Did she really have impure intentions toward her?

Perhaps Yu Zhaoning was just jealous of their bond and wanted to ruin it.

Tang Anhe’s mind raced with such thoughts. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, she summoned the courage to seek the truth. Too embarrassed to call, she typed a message instead:

[Brother Cheng, are you a lesbian?]

The reply came almost immediately, simple and blunt: [Yes.]

Tang Anhe’s hands trembled, her heart thundering in her chest, her face flushing. After a moment, she typed again.

[Then your kindness to me… your kindness to me wasn’t genuine either, was it?]

[Yes.]

She admitted it!

She had actually admitted it.

Tang Anhe’s ears burned with shame, and her hands shook nervously. She scolded herself inwardly: Stupid! Why are you so flustered? You’re not attracted to women. Why are you even happy? She’s only interested in your body! Wake up!

And yet… she was foolish. For a fleeting moment, she found herself thinking it might be okay that Cheng Muye was a lesbian. She was handsome, tall, confident, and elegant, even far more impressive than the average man. On top of that, Tang Anhe liked her lips and had longed to kiss her.

Tang Anhe’s face burned as her thoughts raced. With trembling fingers, she sent another text.

[Brother Cheng… do you… do you have anything else to say?]

A flicker of hope stirred in her heart.

Would she confess?

Maybe she likes more than just her body.

But reality struck like a cold wind. A single message appeared on her screen, shattering every fantasy.

[It’s not about love, I just want to have sex with you.]

All her illusions evaporated instantly.

Tang Anhe stared at the words, disbelief and humiliation washing over her. Her cheeks burned as if they might catch fire. Shame and indignation clawed at her chest as she gripped her phone tightly, fighting back tears.

This bastard!

That bastard was Shen Si. He lay on the big bed, surrounded by the clothes Cheng Muye had taken off while hospitalized—a white shirt and black jeans still stained with blood.

The scent of blood lingered in the room, but he didn’t mind; he idly toyed with Cheng Muye’s phone, his eyes full of smug satisfaction. Thanks to his meticulousness, he had remembered to take her clothes and the phone she had left behind.

I’ll deliver it to her tomorrow…

That way, I could see her.

He tapped the screen with both hands, deleting the messages one by one, a small smirk on his face.

But just as he focused on erasing the texts he’d exchanged with Tang Anhe, the phone rang.

If I say I must love you, and promise to give you a heart more complete than friendship…

It was still Cheng Muye’s phone.

Shen Si glanced at the incoming call, noting Yu Zhaoning’s name flashing on the screen. He answered, feigning innocence, only to hear Cheng Muye’s cold voice.

“Give me the phone.”

Eager and unfazed, Shen Si grinned. “Sister, will you let me go out at night?”

“Send someone else. I don’t want to see you.”

“But I really want to see you.”

“Get lost!”

Shen Si ignored her sharp tone, his smile gentle, coaxing. “Sister, sister, don’t be angry with me. I persuaded Elder Cheng to let you come home. I wanted to take care of you personally… to cultivate our relationship.”

It was meant to sound like goodwill, but Cheng Muye’s scoff was icy. “With your limited intelligence, you thought you could convince Cheng Letian? Stop showing off. Now tell me. What’s really going on?”

Nothing escaped her notice. She was always sharp, always perceptive.

Shen Si felt a mix of pride and resignation. “Sister, I really like you.”

Cheng Muye, unmoved by his confession, grumbled irritably, “Get lost! Believe it or not, I really want to kill you!”

Ever since he appeared, he had been a constant thorn in her side. This time, he stirred up trouble with Cheng Letian; next, he might expose her sexuality. When that happens, that old traditionalist would probably beat her senseless with a ruler!

Cheng Muye knew she had to handle the situation first, so she softened her tone slightly and changed the subject. “Come here. Let’s talk.”

Shen Si went over eagerly, unaware that once she left, it would be difficult to return.

Cheng Muye sank onto the large bed, a dense line of bodyguards arrayed before her, awaiting instructions. Yu Zhaoning stood among them, expression grim. “I don’t think getting rid of him is wise. He lives at the Cheng residence, and Mr. Cheng favors him. If he suddenly disappears, the investigation will trace back to you.”

“Then find someone who resembles him,” Cheng Muye said calmly, “use his ID, and have him travel abroad for a few days.”

“How long? How long do you intend to hide him?”

“Six months.”

“So what about six months from now? When he returns, one moment of cruelty, one act of imprisoning someone, and he could take you to court.”

Cheng Muye was silent for a moment before whispering, “He wouldn’t dare.”

Yu Zhaoning’s expression darkened. “Are you sure he wouldn’t dare, or are you just telling yourself he wouldn’t? Cheng Muye, you’re playing with people’s hearts. That’s a bit despicable.”

Cheng Muye’s expression faltered. For a brief moment, hesitation flickered across her face. But recalling Cheng Letian’s cold-blooded cruelty and Shen Si’s repeated provocations using his influence, her heart hardened, and her voice turned icier. “I never intended to be a good person.”

Yu Zhaoning knew she couldn’t be persuaded.

If persuasion failed, only action remained.

The moment Shen Si entered the room, several bodyguards restrained him. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, all his belongings were seized: two cell phones, a wallet, a set of car keys, and a handkerchief.

“What are you doing? Let me go! Sister, what’s—”

Before he could finish, Yu Zhaoning balled up the handkerchief and gagged him.

“Um—”

“Stop yelling and listen to your sister.”

Shen Si refused, struggling fiercely, his face flushed and eyes blazing. “Sister, sister, let me go! What are you trying to do?”

Cheng Muye saw the meaning behind his defiance and lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, not out of guilt or fear, but because of a strange softness in her heart. They weren’t related by blood, yet he had called her sister for years. Every time he spoke that word, it carried a gentleness that lingered. Even now, faced with his desperate resistance, she felt that softness stir. but it was fleeting, not enough to sway her resolve.