After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 34

“We don’t have any other expenses that require cash,” Li Tang said, glancing at the counter where everyone had already bought water and snacks.

“But I’m sure Director Mo wouldn’t set up such a simple challenge,” Pei Nalian insisted. “If we use up all our cash now, we might be in a tough spot later.”

Jin Youshu naturally sided with Pei Nalian. “This handheld fan is completely unnecessary,” she said to Li Tang.

“If a problem arises, I’ll handle it,” Li Tang replied, unfazed. “There’s no point in worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet. Besides, I believe I have the authority to decide how to spend this part of the budget.”

Pei Nalian was a little angry, but she couldn’t deny that Li Tang had contributed the most during the coconut-picking challenge. Now, though, they were a team.

Noticing the tense atmosphere, Zhou Qiutong dragged Jiang Banxia outside to watch the coconuts, saying she was afraid someone might take them.

Jiang Banxia, puzzled, snapped back, “Who would take these coconuts? We can see them just as well from inside the hut—just look up!”

Even so, Jiang Banxia went out with Zhou Qiutong. She hated doing foolish things, but she always liked to follow along when foolish wives acted.

Yan Mengyi noticed. It seemed that everything stemmed from her.

She tugged at Li Tang’s sleeve. “Buying just water and food should be enough.”

“We must buy it,” Li Tang insisted, ignoring Yan Mengyi’s suggestion. She stubbornly bought a handheld fan, turned it on, and stuffed it into Yan Mengyi’s hands.

Li Tang clearly meant well, but now Yan Mengyi felt besieged by hostility because of her kindness, like sitting on a bed of nails.

Unaware of Yan Mengyi’s unease, Li Tang urged everyone to get back in the car and head to their destination.

They had only been inside for a short while, but when they stepped out again, the heat felt even more oppressive.

Everyone braved the scorching sun, except Yan Mengyi, who fanned herself vigorously with the handheld fan, its blades whirring.

Yan Mengyi felt awkward.

Pei Nalian sat across from her, deliberately tilting her head away and contorting herself into an uncomfortable position to avoid looking at Yan Mengyi’s face.

Yan Mengyi, with her keen and sensitive nature, was the first to notice the hostility.

Even Jiang Banxia, usually so laid-back, could sense Pei Nalian’s resentment.

Yan Mengyi offered the fan she was holding to Zhou Qiutong beside her. “Let’s take turns using it.”

Zhou Qiutong waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. This heat isn’t too bad for me. If you’re not too hot, you might get an allergic reaction, so you should keep it.”

Yan Mengyi then tried to pass the fan to Pei Nalian.

But Pei Nalian didn’t even look up, refusing to speak. She merely waved her hand in refusal.

Jin Youshu answered for her. “Thank you, Xiao Yi. A little sun won’t hurt us.”

“Right. After all, we have to listen to Li Tang,” Pei Nalian added.

She was sweltering and silently cursing the amount of effort it would take to reverse the sunburn, leaving her without a shred of good temper.

Jiang Banxia finally picked up on the tension in their conversation and whispered to Pei Nalian, “Tangtang can be like this sometimes. It’s not arrogance or pride; she just has trouble picking up on other people’s feelings.”

“That’s right. Just be straightforward with Tangtang,” Zhou Qiutong added.

Pei Nalian finally turned her head, nodding with a slightly stiff smile.

Koreans are a people who practically want their MBTI personality type printed on their ID cards.

Having lived in Korea for many years, Pei Nalian was intimately familiar with the MBTI system.

She silently recited in her mind: Li Tang, ISTP, The Virtuoso. She has exceptional social skills; if she wants to, she can connect with anyone. But she also shows a certain detachment, and for those she doesn’t acknowledge, she won’t display any of the positive traits of her personality.

“Tangtang really went overboard this time,” Jiang Banxia said to Pei Nalian. “She made the decision without consulting anyone. But you have to understand—she’s always been like this. All her income goes into Xiao Yi’s account. Xiao Yi doesn’t want it, so Tangtang had to set up a fund for her. Tangtang doesn’t know limits when it comes to earning or spending money. She gives most of her earnings to her wife, and she has no concept of numbers.”

“Exactly! Did you hear our complaints about you?” Zhou Qiutong said jokingly. “You should be more careful next time.”

“I’ll be more careful next time,” Li Tang replied unexpectedly.

She rarely empathized with others’ feelings, but when she put her mind to it, she could be the most perceptive person in the world.

Li Tang sensed the pain seeping through Yan Mengyi’s tightly closed shell.

Yan Mengyi clung to the railing, extending her handheld fan forward to try and cool Li Tang.

“Artist Li, stop the car,” Jin Youshu suddenly spoke up after her silence.

Thinking she had an emergency, Li Tang pulled over to the roadside.

“I can still handle a tricycle,” Jin Youshu said, getting out of the car and walking to the driver’s side. “Let me drive for a while.”

“Then I’ll drive for twenty minutes,” Zhou Qiutong raised her hand. “After that, it’s my turn.”

They had already divided the tasks among themselves.

Li Tang couldn’t win the argument and eventually agreed.

Meanwhile, Yan Mengyi had found a piece of wire somewhere in the car. She secured it so the breeze from the fan blew directly onto the driver’s seat.

“Xiao Yi, you’re so clever with your hands.”

“If she can make such delicate hairpins, this is child’s play.”

After an hour of struggling, they finally managed to drive the small three-wheeler into the Resort and Entertainment Village.

The Village Chief, dressed in traditional attire, warmly greeted them at the entrance.

All eyes were drawn to the Village Chief.

Pei Nalian finally had a chance to carefully examine Jin Youshu’s hands.

Earlier, Jin Youshu had taken Li Tang’s three-wheeler without consulting her.

Pei Nalian was a little angry. Now, as she held Jin Youshu’s hands, her frustration intensified.

Jin Youshu’s palms were bright red, and the back of her hands were sunburned, creating a stark contrast with the color of her arms.

Pei Nalian glared at Jin Youshu. Li Tang is willing to get sunburned? Then let her! Why did you have to help her and end up looking like this? You’re making my heart ache.

Jin Youshu simply linked her arm through Pei Nalian’s and leaned against her shoulder.

As the youngest member of the group, Jin Youshu had learned during her trainee days to always serve her seniors.

Now back home, the strict hierarchy of seniority had softened, and many of her seniors preferred to handle things themselves rather than delegate tasks.

Yet Jin Youshu’s considerate nature remained a constant thread in every aspect of her life.

“We are deeply grateful to you esteemed guests for bringing us fresh coconuts,” the Village Chief said warmly. “To express our gratitude, we have prepared a lavish feast. Please, do not hesitate to enjoy yourselves.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t hold back,” Jiang Banxia said, raising her hand, her face flushed from the heat. “Is there rice? I could eat ten bowls.”

“As much as you want.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Jiang Banxia continued. “Many people lose their appetite in this heat, but not me. I’m hot, exhausted, but my appetite is raging. I could eat a whole cow right now.”

“Me too,” Zhou Qiutong said, slipping an arm around Jiang Banxia’s shoulders as they followed the Village Chief, their steps quickening.

The two suddenly turned around and noticed the other couples had fallen behind, visibly concerned about their partners’ sunburned skin.

“We’re eating too enthusiastically,” Zhou Qiutong said. “Maybe we should slow down and act a little more reserved?”

Jiang Banxia laughed. “No way. At our age, not being enthusiastic about food means there’s something wrong with your head.”

By the time Li Tang and the others reached the private room, Jiang Banxia and Zhou Qiutong were already sipping coconut juice from fresh coconuts.

“Nothing beats a coconut you picked yourself,” Jiang Banxia said. “It tastes completely different. You guys should try it too.”

Li Tang sat down, took the coconut, inserted a straw, and offered it to Yan Mengyi.

Yan Mengyi noticed the other couples were sharing coconuts with two straws each, and she felt a flicker of envy.

But then she criticized herself inwardly. Every couple has their own way of being together. Li Tang isn’t the type to be so intimate; she couldn’t force her to do something she didn’t want to.

Yan Mengyi took a small sip. Perhaps Jiang Banxia was right. The drink was ordinary, but it tasted extra sweet because she had put effort into it.

Just like the little prince and his rose. Among the thousands of roses on Earth, only this one had shared time with her, making Li Tang unique to her.

But today, Yan Mengyi’s thoughts were unusually active. Even as the word “unique” popped into her head, fear welled up inside her. A “little prince” like Li Tang could have many roses.

After taking a sip, Yan Mengyi handed the coconut back to Li Tang.

Li Tang turned sideways, propping her head up with one hand as she watched Yan Mengyi. She saw the way Yan Mengyi lowered her head, her eyes downcast, and the sunlight glinting off the fine hairs on her face.

“Is it good?”

“Not bad.”

Li Tang took the coconut, but instead of inserting a second straw, she simply used Yan Mengyi’s.

Her lips pressed against the mark left by Yan Mengyi’s lips.

Soft, warm, and seemingly fluid, capable of embracing anything.

Yan Mengyi’s face flushed. Even after seven years of marriage, her heart still fluttered at such trivial gestures.

“Did you get sunburned?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Li Tang pressed the back of her hand to Yan Mengyi’s cheek to check her temperature, then switched to her palm.

“Why is your face so hot and red?” Li Tang asked, growing anxious. “The production team shouldn’t have scheduled us to be outside for so long. We need to go to the hospital.”

“I’m fine. I just need to rest indoors for a bit.”

Li Tang refused to listen, insisting on taking Yan Mengyi to the hospital for a check-up.

Jiang Banxia, who had already eaten nearly half of the white-cut chicken, spat out a bone and rolled her eyes at Li Tang. “Stop touching her face and ears. You’re driving everyone crazy. Only Xiao Yi puts up with you.”

Li Tang hummed in acknowledgment and withdrew her hands.

The table fell silent as everyone focused on their food.

Yan Mengyi glanced sideways at the straw sticking out of the coconut. Li Tang’s lips, stained with Yan Mengyi’s lipstick, had left a mark on the straw. The overlapping lip imprints resembled a passionate kiss.

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