I’m the Moonlight White That the Former Movie Queen Secretly Loved 12

Chapter 12:

Qi SiJia saw Meng Jiang again at 3 PM.

Meng Jiang’s takeout had arrived, and Qi SiJia had just mopped the hallway on the top floor.

The delivery driver’s shoes, stained with coal dust, left a trail of footprints on the damp floor.

Meng Jiang opened her door and saw the glaring marks. A similar incident had occurred with the previous cleaner.

The property management investigation revealed that the cleaner had tracked mud from the park into the building.

So, seeing the familiar footprints, Meng Jiang immediately called property management, partly to test if the oddly dressed cleaner she’d encountered at noon was a paparazzi.

Ten minutes later,

Qi SiJia arrived on the top floor via the fire escape and saw the elegant, masked woman standing by her door.

The woman’s eyes flickered with surprise at seeing her.

After a brief assessment, she didn’t make a fuss, stepping out with an air of aloofness. She pointed out the accumulated dust in the stairwell, the footprints on the marble floor, and the exposed adhesive residue on the wall tiles, instructing Qi SiJia to clean everything.

These tasks were within a cleaner’s responsibilities, but the previous cleaner only cleaned the stairwell once a month. With thirty floors in the building, it was impossible to finish in a day.

Qi SiJia, unsure how to refuse, silently agreed.

By 5 PM, she hadn’t even finished mopping the common areas.

“Why aren’t you gone yet?”

Meng Jiang, returning from the spa, was surprised to see the same cleaner still working.

Qi SiJia was exhausted, dropping her mop with a clatter, her back aching.

Meng Jiang, noticing her fatigue,

walked over, bent down, picked up the dust-filled mop, and handed it back to Qi SiJia.

Their proximity brought a faint whiff of perfume to Qi SiJia’s nose.

She paused, about to inhale deeper,

when Meng Jiang straightened up abruptly, stepping back and taking out a silk handkerchief to meticulously wipe her fingers.

She truly had OCD.

Qi SiJia was momentarily stunned, then dismissed the thought. Many people used the same perfume as Meng Jiang.

Exhausted after cleaning an entire building, she was probably hallucinating.

It wasn’t that she had to finish everything. She could simply ignore the excessive demands and risk being fired. But Qi SiJia was conscientious.

She’d diligently cleaned the entire building, focused on her work, and forgotten to check the time.

Qi SiJia reflexively touched her forehead, encountering the cold surface of her gas mask, then withdrew her hand.

She looked up, observing the stylishly dressed woman. Meng Jiang had changed into casual clothes, wearing a ginger-orange knit hat, similar to Qi SiJia’s. Her face was hidden behind a large mask.

Only her beautiful eyes were visible, filled with lingering surprise as she waited for an explanation.

Didn’t you ask me to clean the entire building?

Qi SiJia said calmly, “I can’t leave work unfinished.”

“Cleaning the whole building in one day is a bit difficult for me.”

Meng Jiang was speechless. After a moment, she asked incredulously, “The whole building?”

“In one day?”

Qi SiJia: “Yes, isn’t that right?”

Their eyes met. Meng Jiang realized the cleaner was serious about tackling a month’s worth of work in a single day.

She pursed her lips, her eyes darkening as she studied Qi SiJia.

Qi SiJia, uncomfortable under her gaze, coughed.

“Do you have any other instructions?”

She used the word “instructions,” her tone calm, her voice slightly hoarse, either from the cold or a naturally husky tone.

She sounded almost officious.

Damn.

Meng Jiang’s eyes flickered, glancing around. The hallway was much cleaner than before.

Though there was still some dust on the ceiling, this cleaner was clearly more diligent than the previous one.

For the first time, Meng Jiang felt she could tolerate a little dust.

She looked at Qi SiJia, speaking gently, “You’re the new cleaner?”

This was the second time she’d asked.

Qi SiJia replied, “Yes.”

“Your employee ID is…”

Qi SiJia: “4863.”

Complaining again would be undignified.

Qi SiJia frowned, wary, “Why do you ask?”

Her tone was sharp. Meng Jiang smiled, “Sorry for being unreasonable this afternoon. You can go home now. The remaining dust can be taken care of within the month.”

She unlocked her door, then turned back, offering Qi SiJia a box of cherries she’d just bought.

Her eyes sparkled.

Caught by her gaze, Qi SiJia watched, mesmerized, as the woman’s delicate, porcelain-like fingers closed the door.

She looked down at the cherries, brighter than roses.

If she remembered correctly, these were from the bag Meng Jiang had brought home.

She hadn’t touched her takeout lunch earlier. Taking someone else’s food didn’t feel right.

Qi SiJia hung the bag of cherries on the doorknob, returning them.

An hour later, Meng Jiang retrieved the rejected cherries, placed them on the table, and called property management.


Before 7 PM, the sky was dark, covered by a thick blanket of clouds.

Being the last to leave, the locker room was empty. Qi SiJia changed out of her uniform.

She considered keeping her gas mask on. Judging by today’s experience, the mask had prevented her usual anxiety, especially when interacting with the penthouse owner.

Perhaps because the owner also wore a mask, their faceless conversation felt like chatting online. Qi SiJia had even spoken more than usual.

So she kept the gas mask on, adding a disposable mask and her scarf. Looking in the mirror, except for the slight bulge around her face, she didn’t look too strange. Qi SiJia adjusted her appearance, put her hands in her pockets, and headed home.

Evening rush hour.

Traffic on the overpass was heavy.

Neon lights flickered outside. Qi SiJia turned on some calming music.

Her first day at work hadn’t been as chaotic as she’d feared, nor as isolating as staying home.

Her dark eyes reflected the car lights. Stuck in traffic, she honked her horn, the city’s noise somehow comforting. A smile slowly spread across her lips.

Qin XiaoFang’s call went to voicemail twice before Qi SiJia noticed.

“Are you still alive?”

“By slacking off, do you think you’re worthy of the bonus I sacrificed?”

Qi SiJia knew what Qin XiaoFang wanted.

As expected, it was a nagging session about updating her novel.

Qi SiJia rubbed her ear.

Qin XiaoFang was her college roommate and currently worked as an editor at the Yuri reading platform.

They were both colleagues and friends. Every time Qi SiJia took a break, Qin XiaoFang would call.

Qi SiJia put her phone aside, focusing on the slow-moving traffic.

After Qin XiaoFang finished ranting, she asked, “Are you even listening?”

Qi SiJia said, “I can’t talk on the phone while driving.”

“Cut the crap, I have urgent news.”

The car behind her honked as she inched forward.

Qi SiJia put on her Bluetooth headset, “Go ahead.”

“There’s news about the film rights for ‘Submerged.’ The production company contacted the platform today, saying they want to start filming in the first half of next year. That means you have to finish the novel before spring.”

“Submerged” was a novella, originally planned for 300,000 words. She’d already written 210,000. Finishing it before spring, four months away, wasn’t a problem.

However, Qi SiJia had never heard of a production company rushing a project before the script was even finished.

“Why the sudden rush?”

“Just understand that time is of the essence.” Qin XiaoFang, relieved, explained briefly.

Xingyue Media had a close partnership with Lantai Station, usually prioritizing collaborations with them for major IPs.

Lantal Station’s new acting variety show, “New Star Era,” had invited Meng Jiang as a mentor.

With Meng Jiang’s participation, the show had generated immense pre-release buzz, practically guaranteeing its success.

Xingyue Media had secured a deal with Lantai Station to cast actors from “New Star Era” in the drama adaptation of “Submerged.”

“New Star Era,” poised to become a hit, would air around New Year’s and conclude in March or April.

Xingyue Media, seeing the potential, wanted to capitalize on the show’s popularity, casting, filming, and announcing the drama adaptation before the contestants’ fame skyrocketed. Even if the final product had flaws, the hype would boost its visibility. With any luck, they could even sign the contestants before their market value increased.

After her lengthy explanation, Qin XiaoFang, seeing no reaction from Qi SiJia,

remembered something else: “The drama club reunion is this weekend. Are you going?”

Qi SiJia was dreading it: “Teacher Ding personally invited me. How can I not go?”

Qin XiaoFang giggled, “Only the old man can control you. But it’s good. Aren’t you looking for a new girlfriend? Go to the reunion, see if there are any single alumni with the same orientation. At our age, dating classmates is better than picking up strangers.”

Qin XiaoFang was a firm believer in “office romance.” Qi SiJia could only chuckle at her logic: “Are you going?”

“Of course,” Qin XiaoFang said. “Meng Jiang is going, why wouldn’t I? What if, after all the delicacies in the entertainment industry, the goddess has developed a unique taste and takes a liking to plain home cooking like me?”

Qi SiJia: “…”

“Speaking of which, the whole drama club is buzzing about Meng Jiang attending. Why aren’t you excited?”

“Why would I be excited?” Qi SiJia thought seriously, “More like terrified. What if she still likes me…”

“Stop, just stop. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Qin XiaoFang was speechless at Qi SiJia’s self-absorption. “You have a pretty face and writing talent, that’s it. Everything else is… please, don’t embarrass yourself.”

Qi SiJia: “Hopefully.”

The traffic eased slightly. After briefly discussing the reunion with Qin XiaoFang, Qi SiJia hung up.


Qi SiJia parked her Mini EV in the open-air parking lot outside her building.

The streetlights were dim. With the impending demolition, few people lived here anymore.

Only a few food stalls remained, selling stinky tofu, pan-fried dumplings, and Dongguan soup.

Qi SiJia walked through the narrow streets and into the alley.

People in similar attire weren’t uncommon. A few middle-aged men leaned against utility poles, vomiting.

She rarely came out, unfamiliar with the residents, so no one recognized her.

Qi SiJia walked quickly, aware of the many eyes in the bustling alley.

But with her gas mask on, she felt no anxiety.

She reached her old apartment building without incident.

“Qi SiJia?” A hesitant voice called out from behind. Qi SiJia turned around.

“It really is you!” Gui XiaoLian’s eyes widened, her dimples deepening as she recognized Qi SiJia.

She walked over, “Do you live here? I’ve never seen you before.”

Qi SiJia nodded, surprised as well.

This was the college student who had warned her about the demanding penthouse owner that morning.

Perhaps out of surprise or sheer extroversion, Gui XiaoLian, without waiting for a response, tried to link arms with Qi SiJia, who dodged her.

Unfazed, Gui XiaoLian exclaimed about their fate, saying, “Have you heard? They’re demolishing this place. Awei from the fourth floor and Xiaobing from the third are planning to confront the greedy landlord.”

Gui XiaoLian turned to Qi SiJia, asking in a low voice, “Are you joining?”

Qi SiJia’s expression was unreadable as she asked, “What does government demolition have to do with the landlord?”

“Well, that’s true, so my family isn’t involved. It’s mostly those two troublemakers upstairs.”

Logically, Gui XiaoLian knew the landlord wasn’t responsible. But the rich didn’t understand the struggles of the poor. Evicting them before the new year meant finding a new place, paying three months’ rent upfront.

They couldn’t afford it.

Gui XiaoLian’s smile faded, her eyelids drooping, “Only five or six families are left in our building. Besides those two troublemakers, the others… who would risk legal trouble by refusing to move? But it’s almost New Year’s. My mom has been searching everywhere, but can’t find a place with similar rent. Most of us have lived here for twenty or thirty years. Where are we supposed to go?”

Qi SiJia looked down at the peeling walls, silent.

The atmosphere was heavy. Gui XiaoLian tossed her hair.

Forcing a smile, she said, “We’ll figure it out. Let’s not talk about that.”

“I live on the first floor. Which floor are you on?”

Qi SiJia stopped, looking into Gui XiaoLian’s eyes: “Top floor.”

Gui XiaoLian thought she’d misheard, rubbing her ears, “What? Top… fifth floor?”

Qi SiJia confirmed.

Gui XiaoLian’s heart sank, her emotions swirling as she looked at Qi SiJia, “Are you…”

“The greedy landlord you mentioned,” Qi SiJia said.

Gui XiaoLian’s face turned pale. She took a deep breath, controlling her expression.

Her face falling, she stepped back, distancing herself from Qi SiJia, then quickly opened her door and disappeared inside: “Pretend we don’t know each other.”

Qi SiJia shrugged, agreeing.

Turning around, she walked upstairs thoughtfully, recalling the two construction workers from that morning.

And Qi Jun’s assistant’s reply.

The developer in charge of the redevelopment was surnamed Zheng, the same as Qi Jun’s current wife’s family.

Qi Jun wasn’t powerless.

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