QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL)-Chapter 37: Prior plans

Jiang Yuxi’s POV

I glance at my phone.

Then again.

And again.

Waiting.

For a text, a call—anything.

A part of me hates that I care. That I’m even thinking about her like this.

But the other part?

The other part replays every touch, every whisper, every time Han Li ruined me and then walked away like nothing happened.

I understand now.

I understand why so many women become obsessed with her.

But I’m different.

I tell myself that over and over.

I don’t know what I want from Han Li, but one thing is certain—she’s not getting it from anyone else.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

I inhale sharply, pushing away the thought, forcing my focus back to reality.

> "Miss Jiang."

A voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

Right. Work.

I smooth down the silk of my designer gown, adjusting the off-shoulder neckline before stepping forward into the grand studio. The air is thick with artificial fog, golden light spilling through the arched cathedral windows, setting the stage for the photoshoot.

Unfortunately, Jiang Wei is here too.

The director had called this a "reconciliation project"—a staged attempt to show the media that we were on good terms.

I was here for the exposure.

He was here to salvage his reputation.

> "Jiang Yuxi."

Jiang Wei greets me, nodding stiffly.

I don’t respond.

Who does he think he is?

Had it not been for Han Li, my career would have been over.

The tension in the studio immediately spikes.

I can feel the weight of every glance, the silent whispers behind the cameras.

Good.

Let them watch.

Let them speculate.

This will work in my favor—the magnanimous former Film Empress, willing to forgive and move forward.

A voice interrupts the standoff.

> "Miss Jiang!"

I turn to see Mr. Carlos, an internationally renowned photographer—and one of Han Li’s contacts.

I allow a genuine smile to form.

> "Mr. Carlos."

I greet him warmly, ignoring the burning stare at my back.

> "Ah, Miss Jiang, what a pleasure!"

Carlos beams, his thick accent rolling smoothly off his tongue.

> "I was about to decline this job—until I saw your name as one of the subjects. How could I resist?"

His words are overly dramatic, but I chuckle anyway.

Jiang Wei is seething.

I can feel it.

> "Mr. Carlos, a pleasure to work with you."

Jiang Wei extends his hand, his voice polite but strained.

Carlos barely glances at it.

With a simple nod, he walks past him, already setting up his equipment.

I don’t even bother hiding my smirk.

> "Don’t be offended," I say smoothly, settling onto the ornate Victorian sofa positioned as our set piece.

The deep crimson velvet cushions are absurdly comfortable beneath me.

> "He isn’t exactly known for his friendliness."

Jiang Wei sits beside me, his posture stiff, eyes dark with irritation.

> "I’ve worked with him before."

His voice is low, biting.

> "You’re not the only one who left the country when you couldn’t find work domestically."

I tilt my head, feigning innocence.

> "Oh dear... you must not have left much of an impression then."

His jaw clenches.

Before he can respond, Carlos claps his hands.

> "And... ACTION!"

The cameras start flashing.

I slip into character.

***

Jiang Wei’s POV

It’s like she’s become even haughtier—even more annoying.

Jiang Yuxi has always had this air about her, that cool untouchable elegance, but now?

Now it’s sharpened.

Like she knows something the rest of us don’t.

Like she’s looking down on me.

Like she won.

I grit my teeth, but force a charming smile onto my face.

No matter.

I still have influence.

I still have people wrapped around my finger.

> "Let’s go out for drinks! On me!"

I announce to the room, flashing my signature easygoing grin.

Cheers erupt instantly, voices overlapping with enthusiasm.

> "Drinks with Film Emperor Jiang Wei? Hell yeah!"

> "This calls for a celebration!"

> "You’re too generous, Wei-ge!"

I bask in it—the attention, the admiration.

This is where I belong.

At the center.

Except... freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

She walks past me.

Jiang Yuxi moves like I don’t even exist.

Like she’s already forgotten me.

Like I don’t even matter.

That pisses me off.

Without thinking, I reach out and grab her wrist.

The entire room stills.

She turns to face me, and the look in her eyes—

Disgust.

Like I was something she needed to scrape off her shoe.

Her fingers flex, and she snatches her arm away so fast it’s as if my touch physically burned her.

> "We’re all going for drinks later," I say smoothly, keeping my composure.

> "Oh."

She tilts her head, expression unreadable.

> "Yeah, I have prior plans."

That stings.

I don’t know why.

> "Surely you could postpone them," I press, keeping my voice light.

She glances at her phone.

The screen lights up with a notification.

Her expression shifts—a small, pleased smile tugging at her lips.

She doesn’t even try to hide it.

Something ugly coils inside me.

> "I’d rather not."

Her tone is polite. Distant.

Like she’s humoring me with a response, rather than actually acknowledging me.

She tucks her phone away and meets my gaze again.

> "Is that all?"

A challenge.

Dismissive.

> "Yeah."

My jaw tightens, but I keep my smile in place.

She doesn’t wait for anything else—just turns and walks away.

The whispers start immediately.

> "Wow. She’s so rude."

> "Hush! Do you have a death wish?"

> "Don’t you know? She’s untouchable these days—even more than when she was Film Empress."

I bite the inside of my cheek.

> "Anyway! Everyone, let’s go!"

I clap my hands, my voice louder, more commanding.

People cheer, latching onto the distraction.

As I lead them out, I can’t shake the feeling that I lost.

That Jiang Yuxi was looking at me like I wasn’t even worth her time.

That she had something—someone—far more important waiting for her.

---

SYSTEM CORE

> SYSTEM 404: [PLOT DESTRUCTION AT 95%]

SYSTEM 404: [PLOT STABILITY... FAILING.]

SYSTEM 404: [THE VILLAINESS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HUMILIATED. NOT THIS.]

SYSTEM 404: [ERROR. ERROR. ERROR.]

SYSTEM 404: [HOST—STOP—STOP—STOP—

CONNECTION TO HOST: [BLOCKED.]