After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 24

Before long, Li Tang finished drying Yan Mengyi’s hair, and the hairdryer went silent.

“Not bad,” Li Tang said, reaching up to smooth the ends of Yan Mengyi’s hair. After confirming it was completely dry, she mischievously mussed it, making Yan Mengyi pout in mock-anger.

“You two are so close,” Jiang Banxia said, watching the playful bickering between the young couple. Her voice held genuine envy.

“Indeed, it’s enviable,” Pei Nalian chimed in with a smile. “Though it’s a shame you spend so little time together. No matter how strong your bond, you couldn’t possibly recognize each other just from a shadow, right, Artist Li?”

Her words, though tinged with envy, carried a subtle provocation, lifting the glossy veil of Li Tang’s marriage to expose the raw wound beneath for all to see.

“I’ve always admired this kind of love,” Pei Nalian continued when Li Tang remained silent. “Even though Xiao Yi doesn’t understand music and can’t discuss it with you like Hua Jingyan did, she takes such good care of you in everyday life.”

“It’s not the same as spending every day together,” Li Tang said. “Youshu always clutched the camera tightly, afraid someone else would take an unflattering picture of you. She’s completely focused on you—just like how lovers always see beauty in each other.”

“You!” Pei Nalian, remembering they were in front of the camera and knowing Mo Zhenyi would pounce on any slip-up, quickly adjusted her expression and jokingly took the bait.

“I remember Korean media reported that you got into a big fight with another trainee over a photo. Is there any truth to that? Was I misremembering?”

“What?” Jiang Banxia perked up her gossip-loving ears. “Nalian, you look so delicate. Did you really get into a fight?”

“Spill,” Zhou Qiutong added, also leaning in.

Pei Nalian hadn’t anticipated her teasing Li Tang would backfire and leave herself in the hot seat.

At the time, Pei Nalian had just had minor plastic surgery and was still recovering when a paparazzo snapped an unflattering photo of her. Fearful the photo would leak, she tried to grab the camera and accidentally shoved the photographer to the ground. The photographer refused to back down, and the two young women ended up in a full-blown brawl.

A lurking paparazzo captured the entire scene.

The company had considered Pei Nalian a troublemaker and was ready to permanently suspend her career.

But Jin Youshu, who had already developed feelings for Yan Mengyi, stepped forward and negotiated with the company executives. In the end, she spent a substantial sum to buy the photos.

As a result, there are no related reports or images of the incident online.

Pei Nalian could have completely denied the incident, but the person in front of her was Li Tang. She was now a little afraid that if she angered Li Tang, the other woman might have the leverage to unearth that photo.

“It was all just a joke,” Pei Nalian said, clumsily changing the subject as she grabbed Yan Mengyi’s hand. “I really felt a connection with Xiao Yi Sister the first time I saw her. Up close, I noticed your skin is absolutely flawless! No pores or blemishes at all. What treatments do you use?”

Pei Nalian’s gesture was a complete surrender to Li Tang. Li Tang had no intention of continuing the verbal sparring with her.

But Li Tang found Pei Nalian’s claw-like grip on Yan Mengyi’s hand particularly irritating.

“Really? Let me see.” Li Tang gently tugged Yan Mengyi’s hand from Pei Nalian’s grasp. “I think it’s just natural beauty.”

“Your skin looks great too,” Jiang Banxia chimed in, oblivious to the tension. She continued smiling at Pei Nalian.

Jiang Banxia might not have realized that if she kept smiling like that, she might lose Li Tang as a friend.

Normally, Pei Nalian would boast about her “good genes,” but having just offended Li Tang, she didn’t dare lie. She closed her eyes, steeled herself, and told the truth.

“I just washed my face and put on foundation,” she admitted. “I was going to insist I was bare-faced, but seeing Xiao Yi’s condition, I decided to stop pretending.”

“I appreciate your honesty. You idols take your image too seriously,” Jiang Banxia nudged Zhou Qiutong with her elbow. “Where are the masks? I need to start taking care of my skin too.”

As Zhou Qiutong got up to fetch the masks, Jiang Banxia leaned forward, scooting closer to Yan Mengyi. Unable to resist, she reached out and pinched Yan Mengyi’s cheek.

She marveled at the softness, confirming once again Yan Mengyi’s “natural beauty.”

“How smooth! How do you take care of your skin?” Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but ask.

“I rarely go out,” Yan Mengyi replied. “My routine is pretty regular, and I don’t get much sun.”

“It’s probably more about your mindset,” Jiang Banxia said. “No stress means good skin.” She couldn’t help glancing sideways at Zhou Qiutong.

Zhou Qiutong returned with the masks, oblivious to the jab. “Your mask, Your Majesty. Why are you glaring at me?”

“It’s all because you can’t make any money, forcing me to run around all day. My hands are rough, my face is rough. Why can’t you be more like Tangtang? Can’t you build me a golden house to keep me in?” Jiang Banxia said playfully, though beneath her teasing lay a wistful reminiscence of their shared struggles.

Zhou Qiutong understood her wife well, her eyes brimming with affection.

But Zhou Qiutong was more perceptive. The protagonist of the “golden house” story had met a tragic end. Besides, Li Tang and Yan Mengyi’s marriage seemed to be facing some troubles. It wasn’t wise to dwell on that topic.

“I just want you to act in movies with me. I don’t want you out of my sight. My wife is so beautiful, if some bad guy kidnapped you, I’d have nowhere to cry. I want to keep working with you, in every single movie. I’ll cling to you forever even if I turn to ashes and become a ghost, I’ll still be your ghost.”

Jiang Banxia kicked Zhou Qiutong. “Ugh, that’s disgusting! Don’t talk about ghosts! It’s unlucky—spit, spit, spit!”

“Okay, okay, okay. I’ll do as you say.” Zhou Qiutong ran to the doorway and pretended to spit three times.

Only after watching her complete this ritual did Jiang Banxia relax and sit back down on the cushion.

“What’s this custom?” Pei Nalian asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Oh, I’m afraid this will make our international friend laugh,” Jiang Banxia chuckled. “When this segment airs on TV later, I can’t let my mom see it.”

“Why not?” Pei Nalian’s curiosity intensified.

“It’s a bit superstitious,” Jiang Banxia explained. “My mom’s a lifelong party member. She wouldn’t approve of this kind of thing.”

“Oh, so Auntie has quite progressive views.”

“Exactly! She was a labor model every year in her youth. During festivals, families always go to the temple to pray, but when I suggested she join us, she refused. ‘How can a party member believe in such things?’ she’d say.”

“Then, growing up in this environment, why do you believe in these things, Artist Jiang?” Jin Youshu asked.

“Ah,” Jiang Banxia sighed, her gaze drifting to Zhou Qiutong. “Maybe when you’re completely lost, the only thing you can do is cling to the faint hope of divine intervention. Back then, something happened to Artist Zhou, and I was scared… I prayed at so many temples. Later, Artist Zhou really recovered. How do you explain something like that? Even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I have to choose to believe…”

Jiang Banxia was a straightforward person, easily overwhelmed by her emotions. As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she choked back a sob.

She rarely spoke of that experience. Though Pei Nalian was curious, she didn’t press further.

Yan Mengyi sat quietly, hugging her knees. Suddenly, she reached up and touched her chest.

It was empty.

Panicking, she spun around to search, her drowsiness vanishing instantly.

“What are you looking for?” Li Tang asked, noticing Yan Mengyi’s frantic expression. She turned to help search.

After rummaging through the yoga mats for a while, Yan Mengyi muttered, “The jade… my jade is gone.”

“Which jade?”

“The one I love the most—the one you gave me…” Yan Mengyi gestured frantically, her voice trembling with urgency.

Li Tang wiped the tears from the corners of Yan Mengyi’s eyes. “We didn’t bring any jewelry on this trip. You must have forgotten.”

Only then did Yan Mengyi calm down, pressing a hand to her chest and exhaling slowly.

“You still have it?”

“Why would I throw it away? You gave it to me.”

Their differing views on the jade created an awkward tension between them.

At that moment, Zhou Qiutong calmed Jiang Banxia’s emotions and distributed the face masks she was holding among everyone, diverting their attention.

Yan Mengyi felt a pang of sadness. She cherished every item Li Tang had given her, but Li Tang’s earlier words seemed impatient with her behavior, as if she disliked Yan Mengyi’s lingering attachment to past memories.

“It’s a Lamer face mask. Artist Jiang and I find it works well. You can try it tomorrow too.”

Yan Mengyi and Li Tang both accepted the offer.

However, Jin Youshu and Pei Nalian declined.

“Thank you, Artist Zhou, but our skin is quite sensitive. We’re hesitant to try new skincare products.”

“Oh? What brands do you usually use?” Jiang Banxia asked, genuinely curious.

Pei Nalian gazed affectionately at Jin Youshu. “It’s a birthday gift from her, a personalized skincare regimen tailored after a genetic analysis. You can’t buy it anywhere.”

“Wow, how thoughtful!” Zhou Qiutong offered polite praise.

Jiang Banxia, usually carefree, frowned. “Genetically tailored?”

“Yes, from a lab in Paris. It’s incredibly expensive, but she didn’t hesitate.”

Pei Nalian’s intention was to flaunt her superiority and showcase her affection.

However, Jiang Banxia didn’t play along as Pei Nalian had hoped.

“But is it even reliable?” Jiang Banxia tilted her head, crossing her arms. “I once hosted two science shows about skincare, and there are tons of scams out there when it comes to customized products.”

“Doesn’t someone in your family work in biotech?” Zhou Qiutong asked, turning to Jin Youshu.

“Anything Nalian needs is useful,” Jin Youshu replied.

It was a clever answer.

Quick as a flash, Zhou Qiutong grabbed a piece of fruit and stuffed it into her mouth, then praised Jin Youshu: “That’s so thoughtful! You’ve really hit the mark with this gift. Unlike me—I always get roasted for my anniversary presents!”

“Why not just ask Artist Jiang what she wants?” Yan Mengyi suggested.

“If I just asked for it outright, would it even be a gift?” Jiang Banxia snapped, annoyed. “As my closest partner, you should know me better than the worms in my stomach! Look around—there are other couples here today. Go ask them how they give gifts for anniversaries!”

“It was our anniversary a few days ago, and she gave me a diamond ring,” Pei Nalian answered first.

“What about you, Xiao Yi?”

“Us?” Yan Mengyi hesitated, looking at Li Tang.

Jiang Banxia teased her, “Don’t be afraid. If Tangtang treats you badly, we’ll back you up.”

“No, I don’t think we have an anniversary.”

Every time Li Tang came home from work, she brought back a pile of gifts.

But there didn’t seem to be any specific anniversaries.

“How is that possible? Our first handshake, first kiss, first confession… any of those could be an anniversary!”

First handshake?

First kiss?

First confession?

In all those hazy memories, as classmates or as a couple, which one counted as the first?

Yan Mengyi of Grade 1, Class 3, do you want to act in a play?

The Drama Club president invited me to star in The Beauty Queen of Leenane, needing a female lead.

In the script, there’s an intimate scene. We’ll just pretend.

“Don’t worry about what the director thinks. The audience is so far away, they won’t even notice if my lips touch your face.”

What?! You said it didn’t matter?

Right, we’re classmates.

Now, I’m going to kiss you.

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