After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 12

The filming site was always more trouble than you imagined.

Mo Zhenyi was checking on the shoot’s progress when she suddenly received a WeChat message, which made her smile.

She took off her headphones and gestured to the assistant director that she needed to step away for a moment.

In the bathroom, Mo Zhenyi locked the stall door before taking out her phone to carefully read the message. She wondered what Sister Wan had sent her.

[First day of filming. How’s it going?]

[Overall, it’s smooth. Except Artist Li is trending on Weibo.]

Wan Cuirong understood exactly what Mo Zhenyi meant by this message.

But neither her childish threats nor her flirtatious overtures could move Wan Cuirong.

[Is that so? I can’t wait to see it.]

[Sister Wan, aren’t you worried about something happening during the filming?]

[With Yan Mengyi there, Li Tang won’t cause any trouble.]

Seeing that Wan Cuirong wasn’t taking the bait, Mo Zhenyi cut straight to the point.

[Sister Wan, is there nothing else you want to know about me?]

[What do you think I should be curious about?]

[I recently bought a jade necklace. Can you help me check if I got ripped off?]

Wan Cuirong didn’t think someone Mo Zhenyi’s age would be interested in jade, and Mo Zhenyi had never mentioned any such interest before. Still, as a friend and senior, Wan Cuirong was willing to help her out.

Mo Zhenyi quickly sent a photo. The jade necklace around her neck was the least noticeable part of the picture.

The photo was taken from above, showing Mo Zhenyi’s coat open to reveal her seductive miniskirt. Her deliberately posed pose flaunted her figure.

The neckline was dangerously low, revealing a purple vein snaking beneath pale skin and disappearing beneath her clothes.

This type of provocative, fiery beauty wasn’t Wan Cuirong’s taste; she preferred quiet, reserved “little rabbits.”

Still, Mo Zhenyi’s photo was too visually striking. Wan Cuirong couldn’t help but stare for a few seconds.

“Take care of any urgent matters first. Don’t worry about me,” Wu Shiwen, the producer sitting across from Wan Cuirong, said.

“It’s nothing important,” Wan Cuirong replied, turning off her phone and placing it face-down on the table. “You’re rarely back in the country. Spending time with you is what matters most.”

“This time, I’ll be staying for several months,” Wu Shiwen said, explaining her recent project. Wan Cuirong paused mid-slice, listening attentively to her junior colleague.

“Have you heard of The Tale of the Stolen Hairpin?”

“I’ve read it. It’s quite popular—the author is apparently a university professor. It’s about two female coroners during feudal times, and their friendship. The writing and historical detail really draw you in. It’s one of the best novels in recent years.”

“I finished reading it recently. It’s been ages since I’ve read such a deep, rich novel, so I immediately bought the rights. That’s why I’m back—preparing to adapt The Tale of the Stolen Hairpin into a film.”

“Your taste has always been spot-on,” Wan Cuirong said. “I wish you a successful completion.”

“You always flatter me so much, I feel embarrassed,” Wu Shiwen said. “By the way, does Tangtang want to act in the film?”

“I have to get her to support your project, but have you set a start date yet?” Wan Cuirong asked. “Her schedule is packed for the second half of the year. I’m not sure she can squeeze in the time.”

“We haven’t set a start date yet,” Wu Shiwen said. “Everything else is a mess too. I wanted to hire someone I know to be our costume and makeup designer, but for some reason, she turned me down. And my niece Yu Zhen keeps trying to push someone else into the production team.”

Wan Cuirong had never met Yu Zhen, but she’d heard bits and pieces about her from Wu Shiwen. She knew Yu Zhen had been secretly in love with someone for years, ever since they were students.

“The person she’s trying to push into the production team… is that the one she’s pining after?”

“Who else would she be advocating for?” Wu Shiwen said helplessly.

“Has Yu Zhen never liked anyone else all these years?”

Wu Shiwen shook her head. “She’s never mentioned anyone else.”

“Does the other person know how she feels?”

Wu Shiwen shook her head. “I’m not sure. She hides her feelings so well. But seeing how hard she’s been working to please him lately, I suspect there might be trouble in his marriage. She probably thinks there’s a chance for her.”

“Then let’s wish her luck. If she settles down, you’ll have one less worry as her aunt.”

The two women clinked their glasses, the red wine swishing in the bottom, the glass chiming crisply.

Mo Zhenyi had sent a message to Wan Cuirong a long time ago, but hadn’t received a reply. This only fueled her desire to conquer.

Wan Cuirong was patient, and so was she.

Mo Zhenyi calmly checked her reflection in the mirror, straightening her clothes. She would make this show a success and prove to her sister that she was worthy of her.

While scrolling through her feed, Mo Zhenyi saw Wu Shiwen’s post, showing she was back in the country.

She immediately messaged Wu Shiwen, asking how long she planned to stay this time.

The two had met during a collaboration years ago. Mo Zhenyi was just an intern, constantly berated by Qin Biham. Wu Shiwen, unable to stand by and watch, secretly helped her, and they gradually became friends.

Wu Shiwen told Mo Zhenyi about her upcoming plans and asked when they could meet up.

Would love to have dinner with you, Senior Sister Shiwen! But I just took on a big project. Let’s plan to meet in a month.

Great. I’ll look forward to it.

After sending the message, Wu Shiwen noticed Wan Cuirong watching her thoughtfully.

“Who were you replying to? You had a smile on your face.”

“A friend. She’s about ten years younger than us, but she’s so dependable and genuinely kind. I’ll introduce you to her if I get the chance.”

“Sounds good.”

“Wait, I can’t introduce her to you after all,” Wu Shiwen said. “She’s as innocent as a little bunny. I’m afraid you’d take advantage of her.”

“Senior Sister, do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

******

“How could she just leave you alone like that?” Pei Nalian pressed.

“Let’s just pack up the luggage,” Jin Youshu interjected, diffusing the tension. “Li Tang’s carrying two suitcases. There’s no way she’d abandon them halfway up the hill.”

Seeing that Li Tang hadn’t taken the bait, Pei Nalian, feeling defeated, dropped the subject. Still, she harbored resentment toward Jin Youshu for defending Li Tang.

Li Tang and Yan Mengyi sat quietly on the bench, huddled under an umbrella, the oppressive heat draining their energy.

Pei Nalian wondered if her prolonged stay in South Korea had rubbed off on her, making her act like a stereotypical Korean—noisy, boisterous, and constantly chattering about the scenery.

“What a stunning view! It’s been ages since I’ve been somewhere this beautiful!”

“I haven’t been to Sanya since six years ago,” Jin Youshu remarked.

“Let’s take some group photos!” Pei Nalian snapped a few pictures with Jin Youshu, then beckoned Li Tang and Yan Mengyi to join them.

Though tensions had previously existed between them, it was hard to refuse a photo opportunity during a vacation. Li Tang didn’t object.

Pei Nalian shoved her phone into Yan Mengyi’s hands, begging her to press the shutter button.

They snapped a few photos. Before Pei Nalian could even glance at them, she heard a greeting from halfway up the mountain.

Jiang Banxia and Zhou Qiutong had arrived, dressed casually in sun-protective clothing that covered their arms and faces completely.

Jin Youshu and Pei Nalian jumped up, waving and rushing down to help the pair with their luggage.

After thanking the IGP team, Jiang and Zhou’s gazes quickly shifted past Li Tang to focus on Yan Mengyi.

After all, Li Tang had been a superstar since her debut, a person standing in the spotlight at the very pinnacle of the pyramid, and she was already married—married the moment she graduated from middle school.

Seven years had passed, yet none of the entertainment industry’s top beauties had ever caught Li Tang’s eye. How could anyone not be curious about her wife?

“She’s Yan Mengyi. You can call her Xiao Yi,” Pei Nalian answered before anyone could ask.

Ice-cold skin and jade-like bones. That’s the first thought that flashed through Jiang Banxia’s mind when she saw Yan Mengyi.

Yan Mengyi sat quietly, looking as if she belonged to a different dimension than the scenery behind her.

She was like an ivory fan, as gentle as jade and as thin as a cicada’s wing, making everyone instinctively speak to her in soft, gentle tones.

“Hello, hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last.” Jiang Banxia extended her hand, and Yan Mengyi quickly stood up to shake it.

Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but scrutinize Yan Mengyi closely. Zhou Qiutong patted her on the shoulder. “Alright, stop staring. Are you at the zoo or something?”

Realizing her rudeness, Jiang Banxia covered her face and laughed, collapsing against Zhou Qiutong’s shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, I was just so curious. Ask Old Zhou, she knows—I’ve been wondering all this time what exactly Tangtang sees in her. When I first met her, I thought she was such a flirt…”

Li Tang cleared her throat. “That’s slander.”

“Exactly! You shouldn’t say such things in front of her,” Zhou Qiutong said. “When have you ever seen Li Tang act inappropriately with others?”

“Tangtang has that face—just ask anyone! Who wouldn’t think she’s a flirt? I never imagined she would be so devoted. But seeing Xiao Yi today, it all makes sense now.”

“Alright, stop teasing me,” Li Tang said, raising her hand to block the sun from her forehead. “If we stay out here much longer, we’ll all get dried up like jerky.”

“Now that everyone’s here, didn’t the production team say they’d tell us the next step?” Zhou Qiutong adjusted the brim of her sun hat and looked around. “I don’t see anyone besides the cameras.”

“Is this it?” Jin Youshu suddenly asked.

She had discovered an envelope stuck to the back of a road sign and pulled it off. Inside, she found a car key and a map.

“Let’s go,” Li Tang said, taking the umbrella and angling it toward Yan Mengyi as she and Yan Mengyi each grabbed a suitcase.

Following the map’s directions, the six of them found a minivan hidden among the bushes, and inside the van, they found their mission card.

Mission Card: Drive to the mountain villa.

“Who knows how to drive?” Jiang Banxia asked.

“Didn’t you get your driver’s license?” Zhou Qiutong asked her.

“Ugh, I… you know…” Jiang Banxia covered Zhou Qiutong’s mouth. “You can ride with me in Need for Speed, but if anyone else is around, let’s not risk it.”

“We have international driver’s licenses,” Pei Nalian and Jin Youshu said, but they couldn’t help.

“Then I’ll drive,” Li Tang said, gesturing for everyone to put their suitcases in the trunk.

Jiang Banxia and Zhou Qiutong stuffed their suitcases in first, followed by Pei Nalian and Jin Youshu.

When Yan Mengyi was about to drag her luggage over, Li Tang stopped her and told her to sit in the passenger seat first.

Then Li Tang single-handedly managed to fit the two huge, heavy suitcases in the trunk.

“This is the first time we’re all together. Let’s take a group photo!” Jiang Banxia handed her phone to Li Tang, who was sitting in the driver’s seat.

The group crowded in front of the camera. Li Tang snapped several photos before handing the phone back to Jiang Banxia.

“I’ll create a group chat. Just send the photos there,” Jiang Banxia said.

“Sounds good,” Pei Nalian and the others agreed.

But once everyone had joined the group chat and Jiang Banxia had sent her photos, Pei Nalian, who had been chattering nonstop earlier, suddenly fell silent.

Jin Youshu asked, “Didn’t we also take some photos just the four of us earlier? We should send those too.”

Pei Nalian gave Jin Youshu a meaningful look, and Jin Youshu realized she must have said something wrong. But she couldn’t figure out what had upset her fiancée.

However, the words had already slipped out, and Pei Nalian couldn’t help but feel angry.

After looking at the photos, Jin Youshu finally understood why her fiancée was mad.

Support After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn’t Want a Divorce