After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 42

If someone is that beautiful, it’s impossible to forget them.

******

Back in the car, Li Tang gripped the steering wheel, falling into silence.

Yan Mengyi told her about Wu Shiwen and how they were connected through The Tale of the Stolen Hairpin.

Li Tang only gave a faint acknowledgment.

She pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the car, the lighter already in her palm.

Yan Mengyi hesitated, the words of warning on her lips, but swallowed them back.

She could tell Li Tang was upset, but she didn’t know why.

Li Tang was a genius, but even she felt pressure sometimes. The pressure didn’t come from others, but from her past self—the next song always had to be better than the last.

She didn’t smoke, but Wan Cuirong did.

This was something Wan Cuirong had left in her car.

As a singer, nothing was more precious than her voice.

After a moment’s hesitation, Li Tang crumpled the pack of cigarettes, her expression smoothing into calmness as she tried to pretend the moment of turmoil had never happened.

“Wu Shiwen? I’ve met her before. She’s a good person—aloof and efficient,” Li Tang said. “And she has a sharp eye for talent. She’s never had a failed project.”

“She sounds amazing!” Yan Mengyi said, secretly awed. She worried about whether she could keep up with Wu Shiwen’s standards or live up to such high expectations.

“Did you meet anyone else?” Li Tang asked casually.

Yan Mengyi paused, then quickly composed herself. “No, not really. The server doesn’t count.”

Li Tang didn’t call her out, but her mind couldn’t help but wander.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Mengyi tugged at Li Tang’s sleeve. “If you’re feeling anything, you can tell me. I’m listening.”

Li Tang turned her head, noticing Yan Mengyi’s slightly hurt expression. She forced a smile. “What? You seem a bit afraid of me.”

“You haven’t kissed me in a long time.”

Li Tang leaned down.

Yan Mengyi closed her eyes with anticipation. Meeting Yu Zhen today hadn’t been her intention, but explaining it to Li Tang would only lead to complications. Let her and her name remain hidden in my heart, she thought.

Yan Mengyi was deeply insecure, constantly needing reassurance of Li Tang’s love. She craved physical touch and the unchanging “I love you” that followed countless questions, longing to be that whale.

But this kiss left her somewhat bewildered.

It was merely a gentle touch of lips.

Worse still, Li Tang had even nipped her lip.

Yan Mengyi opened her eyes, finding Li Tang’s gaze inches away, equally wide awake.

Eyes wide open during a kiss? Can that even be called a kiss?

Yan Mengyi wanted more, but Li Tang said, “That’s enough.”

She wondered if she was imagining it, but Li Tang seemed in a good mood after the bite.

When did we start needing to hurt each other to prove our love?

******

Upon returning home, Yan Mengyi found that a representative from E Brand had been waiting for some time.

Li Tang was the global ambassador for E Brand, and whenever the company launched a new collection, they always showed it to her first.

This time, they were reviewing the E Brand autumn/winter collection, which marked the debut of the new Creative Director, Maria. Maria had cleverly combined traditional craftsmanship with innovative design, resulting in each piece exuding Italian quality.

It was precisely the style Li Tang loved.

After they arrived home, Yan Mengyi noticed three fitting models had come to the house.

Li Tang never dressed herself; she always hired models with similar body types to help her change.

Yan Mengyi recognized two of the models.

The third was tall, about the same height as Li Tang, but she was unfamiliar. Yan Mengyi had never seen her before.

“Who’s that?” Yan Mengyi turned to Li Tang, hoping to find the answer in her expression.

“A model I brought in,” Li Tang replied, standing with her hands in her pockets. Her answer seemed both revealing and deliberately vague.

“Trying clothes for Sister Wan?” Yan Mengyi suggested, knowing even as she spoke that it was the wrong answer.

“No,” Li Tang shook her head, not bothering to hide it. “The person I mentioned to you before.”

“Which one?”

“The one who makes you jealous.”

Yan Mengyi turned away, refusing to acknowledge that she was still jealous. Li Tang openly admitted they were just friends, and clinging to the issue would make her seem petty. People would just say that staying home all day gave her too much time to think.

The clothes on display were all excellent, suitable for the workplace and very professional.

However, Yan Mengyi’s interest was lukewarm. She was more drawn to traditional Chinese elements and only kept a single trench coat.

“Hua Jingyan will be attending international events soon. You’ve seen her photos,” Li Tang said, turning to Yan Mengyi. “You have good taste. Help her pick something.”

“I don’t know her preferences.”

“Whatever you choose will be perfect,” Li Tang said. “She’s a top Korean singer, but her gambling-addicted parents and the agency have drained her dry. The company won’t provide these things for her.”

“You’re very attentive to her,” Yan Mengyi said, finally managing to utter the words she’d been holding back. It wasn’t exactly a compliment.

“Ultimately, I’ve experienced many of the things she’s going through now,” Li Tang replied. “I understand how she feels.”

Hearing this, Yan Mengyi stopped struggling.

She felt like an empty puppet, mechanically standing up. She didn’t even know who was manipulating her as she walked over and selected a few outfits for the mannequin to try on.

Then, claiming she was tired, she left the living room.

Li Tang paid little attention to the outfits, simply instructing the housekeeper to pack them for mailing.

The housekeeper tried to ask for details, but Li Tang waved her away and went upstairs first.

When she reached the bedroom, Yan Mengyi was nowhere to be found.

Li Tang felt a sudden panic, her mind twisting into knots.

It was as if something vital had been torn from her.

She had to admit she was still immature. She knew her wife lacked security, yet she had still tried to control Yan Mengyi’s emotions to satisfy her own.

Where is she?

In the garden.

Li Tang went to find Yan Mengyi.

Under the setting sun, Yan Mengyi sat, her gaze vacant as she stared into the distance.

The light glistened on her hair, casting a fragile, delicate beauty.

Li Tang sat beside her in a chair, lost in her own thoughts.

She knew Yan Mengyi liked to lose herself in her mind.

They sat like this for a long time.

Suddenly, Yan Mengyi spoke: “I want some water.”

Li Tang called the housekeeper to bring some.

But Yan Mengyi didn’t even look up. “I want you to pour it for me,” she said.

Yan Mengyi was always so easygoing, rarely making demands, and even more rarely asking Li Tang for anything.

Li Tang found this a little strange, but she did as Yan Mengyi asked.

She boiled the water, steeped the tea, and carried the cup over to Yan Mengyi.

“It’s hot. Be careful,” Li Tang warned.

But Yan Mengyi seemed not to hear. She took the cup in her hands.

Her hands were always ice-cold; perhaps this temperature was just right for her.

Li Tang stared at Yan Mengyi’s reddened fingertips, but couldn’t make sense of it.

Yan Mengyi held the cup in her hands for a long time before finally taking a sip.

She gently placed the teacup on the table.

“I’m satisfied.”

Li Tang heard Yan Mengyi sigh, followed by a soft chuckle.

Yan Mengyi’s tone was relaxed, as if she had finally been relieved of a heavy burden.

“Let’s… let’s break up.”

Li Tang turned to see Yan Mengyi standing with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the sky.

A smile played on Yan Mengyi’s lips, as if she had finally found peace.

“I didn’t hear you clearly,” Li Tang finally reacted, belatedly grasping the weight of those words.

“I said,” Yan Mengyi repeated, her voice clear, gentle, yet resolute, “let’s break up.”

The setting sun’s light bathed Yan Mengyi’s face, revealing no trace of sorrow, only a serene smile.

Li Tang knew Yan Mengyi wouldn’t say such words lightly.

She reached for Yan Mengyi’s hand, trying to pull her onto her lap.

But Yan Mengyi’s resolve was harder than stone. A woman who had made up her mind couldn’t be easily moved.

Li Tang then pulled Yan Mengyi’s chair closer, urging her to sit beside her.

She wrapped an arm around Yan Mengyi’s shoulders, coaxing her to lean against her.

“What happened?”

In the end, Yan Mengyi truly cared for her.

Li Tang asked softly, and Yan Mengyi’s carefully maintained facade crumbled instantly.

Her eyes reddened, and her entire body trembled.

“You’re being unreasonable,” Li Tang said, still assuming Yan Mengyi was upset about some minor issue.

“Why are you angry?”

Tears streamed down Yan Mengyi’s face. She didn’t want to show weakness, but the hurt was real. She choked out a muffled explanation.

Li Tang couldn’t hear clearly, but she guessed, “Because I didn’t kiss you properly today?”

Yan Mengyi remained silent, biting her lip and staring up at the sky.

“Or because I bit you earlier?”

“Neither.” Yan Mengyi took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. “It’s not about that.”

“Was it because I deliberately annoyed you today? By helping Hua Jingyan pick out clothes?” Li Tang’s voice grew increasingly exasperated, even amused. “I’ve told you countless times: we’re just friends, colleagues. You can read all my chat logs with her if you want.”

“That doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Why do you assume every person I know…?” Li Tang struggled between wanting to laugh and being genuinely baffled. “Why do you think they all have physical or even emotional relations with me?”

“This really doesn’t matter anymore.”

“I’m not that kind of person,” Li Tang said, pressing down on Yan Mengyi’s shoulders. “I know many people in the entertainment industry have bad reputations, spending their time cheating and constantly seeking novelty. But I’m not like that. I have no interest in playing around with other women. I only like you. As for everything else, I only love music.”

All the hurt and resentment welled up inside Yan Mengyi, but she couldn’t find the words to express it.

Li Tang wasn’t particularly eloquent, yet in front of Yan Mengyi, she seemed to have endless things to say, each sentence neatly addressing Yan Mengyi’s concerns.

Yan Mengyi’s mind buzzed with frustration. Every time, it felt like Li Tang was making her seem unreasonable.

Yes, I always suspect that Li Tang has physical or emotional connections with others.

Yes, I can’t deny it.

“You lack security. I…”

“This doesn’t matter anymore.”

Unable to win the argument, Yan Mengyi simply wiped away her tears and pushed Li Tang away.

“Then what does matter?”

“I’m free now.” Yan Mengyi reached out to caress Li Tang’s cheek. “Please let me be free. I’m begging you. I started this relationship by begging, and I want to end it the same way. At least I’ll have a beginning and an end.”

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