After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 41

Wu Shiwen invited Yan Mengyi to meet at The Green Veranda, showing her sincerity.

The Green Veranda was a renowned century-old teahouse in Beijing, where reservations required a six-month advance booking. For social elites, this rule could be relaxed to a one-month advance notice. This demonstrated Wu Shiwen’s genuine effort to invite Yan Mengyi.

However, Yan Mengyi had always lived a secluded life, being unfamiliar with the social scene. Li Tang wasn’t particularly fussy about food and clothing, but when she felt like it, she would occasionally invite renowned chefs from around the world to cook at home. A mere The Green Veranda was hardly worthy of Yan Mengyi’s attention.

Little did people know that The Green Veranda was also a subsidiary of The Yu Corporation.

This was Wu Shiwen’s first in-person meeting with Yan Mengyi, and she couldn’t help but be impressed.

As she had imagined, Yan Mengyi was a delicate and beautiful woman who rarely spoke first. Just like her WeChat conversations, she was polite, reserved, and often used obscure, formal language. She was the type who loved burying herself in old books, yet she wasn’t a pure scholar. She had a keen sense of aesthetics and a sharp intuition for trends.

Wu Shiwen had looked at Yan Mengyi’s social media account and was surprised that she hadn’t become more popular. But then she remembered how infrequent her updates were, and it suddenly made sense.

Wu Shiwen was also relieved that Yan Mengyi hadn’t become popular. Otherwise, how would someone like her ever have a chance to discover such a promising talent?

“Hello, Producer Wu,” Yan Mengyi said, shaking Wu Shiwen’s hand.

Wu Shiwen couldn’t help but glance at the emerald bracelet on Yan Mengyi’s wrist. Judging by its luster, it was either glass or worth at least sixty thousand yuan.

But looking at Yan Mengyi’s thick hair and flawless skin, she clearly came from a wealthy family.

Wu Shiwen took out a copy of The Tale of the Stolen Hairpin.

Yan Mengyi had read it too. “This book was written by my Senior Sister.”

“Your Senior Sister?” Wu Shiwen was surprised, then a little stunned. She didn’t know whether the young woman in front of her was lying or if the world really was this small.

The author of this book was a professor at the top university in the country.

The young woman in front of her clearly had some knowledge, but calling Professor Song her “Senior Sister” seemed a bit like she was trying to borrow Professor Song’s reputation.

“Sort of,” Yan Mengyi replied. After graduation, she hadn’t pursued a career related to her major. Sometimes, looking back, she understood why her teachers had sighed. She didn’t want to repeatedly explain why she had been holed up at home after graduation, so she preferred to let others misunderstand her as boasting.

Yet it was precisely Yan Mengyi’s evasive attitude that made Wu Shiwen believe she wasn’t exaggerating.

Wu Shiwen had previously interacted with Song Yujin, who had mentioned having a half-recluse junior sister. At the time, Wu Shiwen had assumed it was just a nepotistic connection and, believing the junior sister lacked real talent, had rejected Song’s suggestion.

Little did she know that after all the twists and turns, fate had brought them together.

Wu Shiwen shared this revelation with Yan Mengyi.

Yan Mengyi was equally surprised.

“The connections in this world are truly miraculous. Even in a bustling city like Beijing, we still managed to meet. The Tale of the Stolen Hairpin has finally found its consultant. With your expertise, I believe the film adaptation will proceed smoothly.”

Meanwhile, Yu Zhen had finally returned to Beijing.

Her hotel, managed by a team of elite graduates from top universities, required little of her attention.

The Green Veranda was a place Yu Zhen loved to visit. It was a legacy left to her by her grandmother, who had cherished her most dearly, and it held countless precious memories.

Yu Zhen enjoyed going unnoticed, sitting in a corner near the pond at the Green Veranda, pretending to be an ordinary customer as she savored the signature pastries.

When the manager learned of Yu Zhen’s arrival, he immediately rushed out to greet her.

“I told you, there’s no need to come out and greet me next time.”

“There’s someone you know here,” the manager said respectfully. “Producer Wu has arranged a meeting here to discuss business. Would you like to go over and say hello?”

“No,” Yu Zhen replied. She had little interest in expanding her social connections, especially now, when she was still immersed in a lingering sadness.

Scenes from the show, featuring Yan Mengyi and her past experiences, replayed in her mind like a carousel.

Sometimes, she felt confident that if given alone time with Yan Mengyi, she could persuade her to change her mind. After all, even a brief meeting could kindle affection.

Yet doubt crept in. She feared that time and circumstance had changed everything, that Yan Mengyi’s past attachment to her, fermented over seven years, had transformed into pure hatred.

Or perhaps she feared that to Yan Mengyi, she had become nothing more than a complete stranger.

Settling into her corner, Yu Zhen gazed at the meticulously crafted scenery, her mind still unsettled.

A passing woman twisted her ankle and stumbled into Yu Zhen’s arms.

Yu Zhen helped her up, the woman’s tears and smudged makeup staining Yu Zhen’s clothes.

The woman lowered her voice, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs as she apologized.

Yu Zhen magnanimously replied, “It’s alright. If you still need to cry, you can borrow my shoulder. I’ve been through times like this too, feeling utterly lost.”

The woman accepted Yu Zhen’s kindness, sobbing uncontrollably against her shoulder before finally leaving.

The manager had been watching the situation closely. He remained vigilant until the woman departed, even going so far as to send someone to check for hidden cameras in the area.

After all, a woman of Yu Zhen’s wealth would inevitably attract attention.

“It’s just a young girl. No need for such a fuss.”

After confirming the area was safe, Yu Zhen’s attention was drawn to a car parked nearby for quite some time.

Beijing was a city where tigers and dragons lurked in plain sight. While you couldn’t say that cars costing several million yuan were everywhere, they certainly weren’t rare.

But this license plate… Yu Zhen would never forget it.

“Li Tang? What is she doing here?”

Yu Zhen checked the surveillance footage and saw that Li Tang was there to accompany someone.

Although Li Tang was partially blocking the person’s view, covering half their body,

how could Yu Zhen possibly not recognize them?

“If Aunt is entertaining a guest, I’d like to meet them too.”

Yu Zhen couldn’t wait to change her stained clothes. She eyed the silk scarf around the Manager’s neck, asking her to give it to her to cover the tear stains and smudged makeup.

Wu Shiwen and Yan Mengyi were chatting amiably, having essentially settled the terms of their collaboration.

The negotiation had gone smoother than Wu Shiwen had expected, but it also left her with a small question.

“Miss Yan, I’m a bit curious,” Wu Shiwen said. “You initially refused to take on this project. What made you change your mind so quickly?”

This question stumped Yan Mengyi. Sometimes, she even asked herself the same thing.

Was it because she wanted to become independent quickly, to adjust to life after divorce? Or was it because she wanted to make changes to save her marriage?

Even she couldn’t quite explain it.

Her mood lately had been like a drizzly day, faintly tinged with sadness.

When she woke up in the morning, she felt none of the signs of a good night’s rest—her head spun, and she felt faintly nauseous.

Yan Mengyi had just thought of an appropriate lie when she was interrupted by someone pushing the door open.

“Aunt, why didn’t you let me know you’d be entertaining guests? I could have prepared in advance.”

She heard the voice before she saw the person.

Yan Mengyi froze, staring wide-eyed as the figure walked in.

The woman looked exactly as she remembered: striking, efficient, always with a smile that seemed slightly aloof yet trustworthy.

“What brings you here?” Wu Shiwen asked, surprised. “You’re usually off traveling the world. How did you settle down so quickly this time?”

“When have I ever gone traveling?”

“True. You’ve been hanging from the same tree all these years,” Wu Shiwen teased Yu Zhen before turning to Yan Mengyi. “I haven’t introduced you yet…”

The tray in Yan Mengyi’s hands flipped over, spilling its contents all over her.

Yu Zhen walked over.

Yan Mengyi flinched back as if startled.

“My apologies. I need to clean up.”

With that, she fled into the bathroom.

Wu Shiwen watched Yan Mengyi’s retreating figure, then glared at her disappointing niece.

“Why are you staring at my guest like that?” Wu Shiwen snapped. “This client took me ages to secure. If this deal falls through, you’ll answer to me.”

“You were the one who accused me of being a wild party girl, out all the time.”

“Wasn’t I right?”

“Of course not.”

Wu Shiwen was both angry and amused. “When did you become so concerned about your image? You never reacted this strongly when I said the same thing before.”

“Just don’t say that about me in front of her.”

Before Wu Shiwen could respond, she received an urgent phone call. She answered and stepped out into the hallway.

Meanwhile, Yan Mengyi’s phone rang on the table.

Yu Zhen glanced at the caller ID.

She decided to answer the call for Yan Mengyi.

“Hey, Xiao Yi, I just remembered that today…”

Before Li Tang could finish speaking, a domineering yet flirtatious voice came from the other end.

“Sorry, she’s busy right now and can’t talk.”

Yu Zhen’s tone dripped with suggestive innuendo.

Despite Li Tang’s efforts to remain calm, fury instantly overwhelmed her rationality.

When she entered the private room, she found Yu Zhen alone, holding Yan Mengyi’s phone. Yu Zhen was staring intently at the screen saver—a photo of Yan Mengyi and Li Tang together.

“Where is she?”

“She’s with me.” As Yu Zhen spoke, she pulled off her silk scarf, revealing tear-streaks and smudged makeup on her clothes. “She’s heartbroken. You’ve hurt her deeply.”

Li Tang snatched the phone and began searching the house for Yan Mengyi.

Yu Zhen left.

Yan Mengyi emerged from the bathroom, bumping right into Li Tang.

“Is the discussion finished?”

“Done,” Yan Mengyi replied, nodding curtly. She was afraid Yu Zhen might try to corner her again.

“Let’s go, then.” Li Tang grabbed Yan Mengyi and practically dragged her to the car.

With some difficulty, Yan Mengyi texted Wu Shiwen, apologizing for the abrupt departure and explaining that she had to leave early for personal reasons. She promised to follow up about the contract via WeChat later.

*******

Wu Shiwen was halfway through a phone call when she snapped back to reality and hastily hung up.

She returned to the private room, only to find it completely empty. Both Yan Mengyi and Yu Zhen had vanished.

Suddenly, it hit her. She opened the official blog of the “Pillowside Lovers” program and stared repeatedly at the profile of the girl named “Xiao Yi.”

How small this world is!

The stylist consultant she’d hired was actually Li Tang’s wife—the very woman who had captivated her niece’s heart for years.

If she’s that kind of person, Zhenzhen’s years-long secret crush suddenly makes sense.

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