After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 21

“So that’s how it was.”

“Director, you’re so sneaky! Changing the rules without telling anyone!”

“If Tangtang had chosen wrong just now, could you have taken responsibility for the damage to their family relationship?”

The others called the director crafty.

Mo Zhenyi just smiled without saying anything.

However, Mo Zhenyi’s silence meant nothing to the others, but it was a thorn in Yan Mengyi and Li Tang’s hearts.

Mo Zhenyi knew the truth behind their impending divorce. Why would she set up this specific obstacle just for them?

Did she think their marriage was already full of cracks, so what was one more?

“Director Mo, I don’t really like this kind of segment.”

“There won’t be any more like this in the future,” Mo Zhenyi said immediately.

But Mo Zhenyi couldn’t help but wonder: after the show airs, if Sister Wan sees how she treated Li Tang, will she immediately come to question her?

For a moment, Mo Zhenyi found herself in a dilemma, hoping Sister Wan would contact her, yet not wanting it to be solely about work.

Maybe this is just my twisted sense of humor, Mo Zhenyi thought. Your manager made me toss and turn all night with anxiety, so isn’t it fair for me to use you to boost ratings?

“Mission accomplished! Congratulations to everyone for successfully completing the challenge! Now, hold your lover’s hand in yours! Enjoy the rest of the evening!”

“Yay!” Pei Nalian led the applause, being the first to rush toward the beach.

“Wait for me!” Jin Youshu chased after her lover, sprinting barefoot toward the sea.

The night was serene, the breeze was cool.

The sand was fine and warm, the waves were ceaseless.

The girls’ screams and splashing sounds lightened the heart, making one want to join in.

Zhou Qiutong loved surfing and was ecstatic to find surfboards prepared by the production team on the beach.

“You go ahead and play. I’ll just lie back and relax,” Jiang Banxia said, pushing an inflatable flamingo-shaped lounge chair into the water and lying back to feel the waves wash over her.

One leg dangled over the edge of the lounge chair, the other curled up comfortably.

Li Tang and Yan Mengyi walked along the beach, hand in hand.

The two tacitly avoided mentioning what had just happened.

Li Tang hadn’t categorically stated, “None of these three is Xiao Yi.”

She simply hesitated, her attitude ambiguous and indecisive, unable to choose.

In Yan Mengyi’s world, a drizzle of damp rain fell. She felt a sudden urge to escape this place.

“Tangtang! Come play!”

Over there, Zhou Qiutong had transformed into a surfing enthusiast, skillfully riding wave after wave, still waving Li Tang over to join her.

“Go ahead,” Yan Mengyi said, releasing Li Tang’s hand.

“I’ll stay with you,” Li Tang offered, worried Yan Mengyi might feel bored.

After all, Yan Mengyi wasn’t particularly good at making friends, couldn’t swim, and didn’t especially like outdoor activities.

“Xiao Yi, come here!” Jiang Banxia called from her inflatable flamingo-shaped lounge chair, swaying as she reached out. “I’ll make room for you.”

Seeing that Yan Mengyi had something to do, Li Tang finally relented and joined Zhou Qiutong’s surfing group.

Jiang Banxia shifted to one side of the lounge chair to make space for Yan Mengyi to lie down beside her.

As Yan Mengyi climbed onto the lounge chair using the armrest, she felt a momentary sense of insecurity.

But when she lay back and saw the starry sky seemingly suspended right above her, the earlier discomfort vanished like smoke.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yeah, it’s a shame I don’t really know the stars,” Jiang Banxia said, sounding a little regretful. “Our old Zhou here is into astronomy. I’ll have her explain the stars to you later.”

“Artist Zhou is amazing,” Yan Mengyi couldn’t help but gush. Though she’d grown up under this starry sky, she’d never really taken the time to observe this dazzling, mysterious canopy.

“Ugh, amazing? She just yammers on and on, chattering in my ear all day. It’s annoying enough to drive you crazy.”

When Jiang Banxia spoke of Zhou Qiutong, her tone was clearly dismissive.

Yet Yan Mengyi felt a pang of envy. That kind of mutual support, that nourishing companionship, even the “annoying” banter born of daily life—all of it was proof of deep affection.

Unfortunately, she and Li Tang would never have that kind of future.

They only had the past and the present.

No future.

“Hey, what do you think Artist Zhou is like?”

Yan Mengyi tilted her head, pondering.

“Artist Zhou is steady and reserved. She always does more than she says, and her gaze is always focused on you.”

“Bullshit!” Jiang Banxia laughed heartily, gleefully overturning Yan Mengyi’s assumptions. “Steady? Reserved? What about her is even remotely like that?”

“Are you saying Artist Zhou isn’t like that?”

“Ugh, that’s all just an act. You have no idea how much she annoys me. She’s so childish for her age. Whenever she’s home, she sticks to me like glue. In the summer, she’s like a hot coal—impossible to push away,” Jiang Banxia said, her voice filled with genuine emotion. “Honestly, I’m so jealous of you and Tangtang.”

“Jealous of us?”

“Exactly! Old Zhou just talks a big game. Tangtang, on the other hand, gets things done,” Jiang Banxia said. “If I remember right, she bought a star in your name. How romantic is that?”

“Actually, that’s not…”

“Wait, was it not Tangtang? Did I mix up someone else’s story with hers?”

Yan Mengyi hurriedly explained, “I meant, yes, she did buy stars—but not just one. She buys one every year. By now, there should be seven.”

“Wow!” Jiang Banxia sighed, her voice trailing off in envy. “Your life is my ideal.”

“I always feel so ordinary, like there’s nothing about me worth envying.”

“How can you say that?” Jiang Banxia perked up, turning to lie on her side and face Yan Mengyi. “Look at your life: you studied a subject you loved in university, you don’t have to work after graduation, you have a partner who adores you and provides a comfortable life. Haven’t you seen those memes online? ‘If my wife gave me a hundred thousand yuan a month but never came home, I’d endure that marriage until my dying breath!'”

“I’ve seen those memes, but… but real life is different from internet jokes.”

“Why does your voice sound a little unhappy? Did Tangtang upset you? Tell me, I’ll teach her a lesson!”

“It’s not her. She hasn’t upset me. She’s never lost her temper with me, not even once.”

“Never?”

“Not once.”

“Then she really loves you,” Jiang Banxia sighed, her words coming from the heart. “Tangtang and I are close, but if I ever slack off or half-ass something, she’ll still give me the cold shoulder without mercy. I never imagined she could feel so deeply for you.”

Like? The word circled on Yan Mengyi’s tongue. Time had blurred her perceptions. Seven years of marriage had left her unable to discern whether Li Tang’s kindness stemmed from politeness or genuine affection.

“Actually,” Jiang Banxia whispered conspiratorially, “it’s no surprise that Li Tang likes you.”

Yan Mengyi tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.

“Before you changed, I didn’t realize how stunning you are!” Jiang Banxia widened her eyes dramatically to emphasize her point. “Tangtang will be utterly smitten with you!”

Yan Mengyi, reserved by nature, had never engaged in such intimate late-night conversations. Her ears flushed crimson as she covered her face with both hands. “Is that something you should say?”

“On a marriage reality show, physical appeal is crucial. Why not talk about it? Besides, your figure is simply amazing—what’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“She never seems to care about that kind of thing…”

“My Zhou… I really can’t say anything about her. Last time she called me flat-chested and lifeless, I was so furious…”

Before Jiang Banxia could finish speaking, a dark shadow suddenly lurched toward their inflatable sofa and began violently shaking the armrest.

Jiang Banxia and Yan Mengyi, who couldn’t swim and were afraid of water, let alone being startled, instinctively curled up and screamed.

Zhou Qiutong emerged from the water with a grin, lifted the edge of the sofa, and let out a shrill shriek to scare Jiang Banxia.

Splash! Splash!

But this time, two people ended up in the water.

“Oh no, there’s still one more!” Zhou Qiutong suddenly remembered Yan Mengyi was still on the sofa.

Fortunately, Li Tang noticed the situation and quickly pulled Yan Mengyi out of the water.

Jiang Banxia thrashed like a bomb, splashing water everywhere.

After Zhou Qiutong carried her to the shore, Jiang Banxia began pounding her shoulders, cursing her for being so mischievous.

By then, Li Tang had also brought Yan Mengyi to the beach.

Jiang Banxia fired off a rapid barrage of complaints at Zhou Qiutong, shooting an apologetic glance at Yan Mengyi.

“See? I told you! She’s nothing like calm and reserved! You were the one who said that! Hurry up and apologize to Xiao Yi!”

Zhou Qiutong hurried over to apologize, but Yan Mengyi waved her off, saying it was no big deal.

Li Tang wasn’t angry either.

Both incidents were unexpected, but while Li Tang remained displeased with Mo Zhenyi’s behavior, she chose to forgive Zhou Qiutong’s unintentional clumsiness.

Perhaps both women harbored unspoken, petty secrets.

When they rushed to save Yan Mengyi from the water, their bodies entwined and collided in a way that made their hearts race and cheeks flush more than any recent intimacy.

Slender yet strong arms gripped that pale, delicate waist like an octopus, slick and sticky, yet drawing closer as if by suction. Though they tried to resist, they inevitably sank deeper.

Greedy, wanting more.

Li Tang’s kiss landed softly on Yan Mengyi’s back, its icy chill making her shiver.

Yan Mengyi pushed her away. “Alright, let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Pei Nalian and Jin Youshu had finished taking their photos and were calling everyone over for a group shot.

“What are you afraid of?”

Li Tang wrapped her hand around Yan Mengyi’s, stroking the trembling, luminous knuckles.

“Nothing.” Yan Mengyi lowered her head and walked stiffly ahead.

“Are you afraid of me?”

Li Tang tightened her grip on Yan Mengyi’s hand. She wanted to ask if Yan Mengyi was truly determined to divorce her, but she didn’t want to say that word in front of the camera.

“I’m afraid I’ll lose control.”

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