After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 46

Wan Cuirong’s laughter echoed, completely ignoring Li Tang’s pale and tense expression.

She took the phone from her assistant and zoomed in on the blurry photo.

Even though the photo was taken hastily, even though the background was a chaotic scene of bustling crowds and traffic,

Yan Mengyi still stood out, the brightest presence amidst the chaotic backdrop.

Perched on the back of an electric scooter, her posture remained upright, her slender frame seemingly delicate enough to cradle in one’s arms, as soft and pliable as a kitten.

Her long silver hair shimmered with a gentle luster in the sunlight.

The wind lifted strands of her hair, obscuring her view. She reached up to tuck the loose strands behind her ear.

Beauty has no fixed standard, but every expression and smile of Yan Mengyi was undeniably beautiful.

“Tangtang, it’s been seven years. It seems you don’t know your wife at all,” Wan Cuirong teased, looking at Li Tang with amusement.

Li Tang glanced at the photo. The girl riding the electric scooter with Yan Mengyi was someone she didn’t recognize.

“It seems I don’t know her as well as I thought.”

A strange irritation welled up in Li Tang’s heart. She had always believed she knew Yan Mengyi well—she thought of her as a delicate greenhouse flower who couldn’t take a step without her.

But this photo shattered that illusion.

“You’re jealous.”

“I’m not.”

“Look at that face of yours—you’re clearly jealous.”

“Have you ever seen what jealousy looks like on me?”

“I think I’m seeing it now.”

******

Acen parked her electric scooter by the roadside, removed her helmet, and cradled it in her arms. Leaning against the scooter with one foot, she chewed gum and gazed up at the gleaming skyscraper.

Yan Mengyi dismounted and thanked Acen.

“Are you too scared to go upstairs to see your wife?” Acen’s lips curled into a smirk. “Or should I say, your ex-wife?”

“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Yan Mengyi replied softly, her voice lacking conviction.

Acen chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, the smile on her lips growing wider. “Then why don’t I just go home and get some sleep? I’ll come back to pick you up this afternoon.” She deliberately drew out her words, relishing the joke.

Yan Mengyi froze, her expression shifting to surprise as she frowned. “Huh?” A note of bewilderment crept into her voice, as if she hadn’t expected Acen to say something like that.

“I really hate these big stars, all aloof and untouchable, putting on some act. But I have to admit, your wife is pretty hot,” Acen said with a teasing tone. “What if this reunion sparks old flames? Dry wood and blazing fire—wouldn’t you want to get all cozy?”

Yan Mengyi gave a helpless, bitter smile and shook her head. “How could that happen…?”

Acen looked up at the tall building, sensing a gaze watching from the upper floors.

The surroundings seemed to fall silent, leaving only their conversation echoing in the air. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them.

“Go ahead. I’ll wait for you here.” Acen pointed at her phone. “If you change your mind and decide to stay, remember to text me. I don’t want to be waiting downstairs like an idiot while you two get all hot and heavy.”

“That won’t happen. Since we’ve decided to split up, we should keep things completely separate, physically too.”

******

Yan Mengyi pushed open the door and stepped into Wan Cuirong’s office.

The moment she entered, the faint scent of sandalwood wafted through the air, instantly calming her mood.

An abstract painting hung on the wall, its vibrant colors and fluid lines showcasing the owner’s artistic taste.

In one corner of the room, a small, cozy lounge area was set up with soft cushions on the sofa and a set of elegant teaware on the coffee table. Potted plants added a touch of vitality to the space, while the cityscape visible through the window provided a majestic backdrop.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Yan Mengyi had been here several times before and shouldn’t have felt nervous. But unexpectedly, Li Tang was sitting on the sofa.

As the door opened, their eyes met briefly before both awkwardly averted their gazes.

Not long ago, they had been intimately entwined in bed, their lips and bodies pressed together. Now they were forced to behave like strangers.

Both women were still figuring out the proper distance and boundaries between them.

Li Tang sat in the middle of the sofa, while Yan Mengyi perched on the right end, not fully settling in, as if reluctant to get too close to Li Tang.

Wan Cuirong turned to retrieve some documents Yan Mengyi had left behind.

Yan Mengyi lowered her head to study the pattern on the floor, each minute in this office feeling like an eternity.

Acen was right. Even Li Tang’s breathing was fatally alluring to her.

How could two people who used to share breath and fall into ruin together, kissing until they were dizzy, become strangers?

Yan Mengyi knew Li Tang’s body better than her own.

“You’ve made a new friend so quickly?” Li Tang suddenly asked.

Yan Mengyi paused, looking up to meet Li Tang’s gaze and confirming she was speaking to her.

“The person who brought you here—is she your new friend?”

“Not exactly a friend, but she’s a nice person,” Yan Mengyi explained. Then, wondering why Li Tang had suddenly asked, she added, “She’s my current roommate. She’s quite warm and friendly.”

“You don’t need to explain so much. I don’t mean to restrict your friendships.”

Li Tang said this, but a heavy weight lifted from her heart.

Wan Cuirong listened to the tension in their words, lightly biting her lip. Li Tang claimed not to care, but if she were to hear something she shouldn’t, her heart would likely shatter.

“Oh, about this morning…” Yan Mengyi remembered Li Tang’s disappearance and, out of concern, asked.

“I went to a bar with IGP,” Li Tang said casually.

“Oh,” Yan Mengyi replied, though she didn’t want to admit it, a flicker of resentment stirred within her. Yesterday, she had tossed and turned, her world crumbling around her, while Li Tang so casually made new friends and enjoyed herself, as if losing their seven-year relationship had no effect on her.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Pretty well,” Yan Mengyi said. “The roommate who dropped me off works at a bar, so I hung out there for a bit.”

Yan Mengyi didn’t know why she lied, but it made her seem less affected by the situation.

The office fell silent. Wan Cuirong, hearing their increasingly absurd conversation, hurried over to break the tension.

“Miss Yan, here are the documents you left with me. Please check them.”

Wan Cuirong handed the file folder to Yan Mengyi.

Yan Mengyi opened the folder and glanced at the contents.

Wan Cuirong turned to meet Li Tang’s gaze. Li Tang raised an eyebrow slightly, silently questioning the use of “Miss Yan.”

“There’s no need,” Li Tang said succinctly. “No matter what happens… just call her Xiao Yi.”

Wan Cuirong held back a smile. Li Tang pretended not to care, but Wan Cuirong had easily seen through her facade. Young people, she thought. They believe they can hide their feelings, but every word and gesture reveals their true emotions.

Yan Mengyi stammered, “It’s alright. Now that we’re splitting up, it’s better to call you Miss Yan.”

“Then… Miss Yan,” Wan Cuirong repeated the title, her gaze sweeping past Li Tang, whose eyes flashed with a ferocious intensity. “Since you’re determined to part ways, you shouldn’t record the second episode tomorrow. I’ll contact Director Mo about terminating the contract immediately. According to the agreement, this amount should cover it…”

Wan Cuirong punched a string of numbers into her phone calculator and showed it to Yan Mengyi.

“Don’t worry about it. My lawyer will handle everything,” she added casually. “Director Mo has announced the guest for the second episode: Hua Jingyan.”

The name struck Yan Mengyi like a thunderbolt, while the news pierced the air between her and Li Tang like a sharp thorn.

A flicker of surprise crossed Li Tang’s eyes, while Yan Mengyi felt a sudden unease.

The name seemed to hold special significance for them.

“The production team just announced this news online a few minutes ago,” Wan Cuirong said. “The audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Announcing your divorce and withdrawal now might invite negative publicity. But you shouldn’t take what’s said online too seriously. Since you’re not part of the industry, it won’t affect you.”

“Wait.” Yan Mengyi bit her lip, seemingly making a difficult decision. She didn’t want to seem like she was fleeing in fear of Hua Jingyan. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her voice.

“The early stages of this program took so much time and effort from so many people,” Yan Mengyi said. “Since I agreed to finish filming, I intend to honor that commitment.”

The cost of breaking the contract was high, though Li Tang could easily afford it. But Yan Mengyi didn’t want to owe her too much.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that,” Wan Cuirong declared. “I’ll send you the production schedule as soon as it’s finalized.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave now.” Yan Mengyi, clutching her file folder, turned and left, her retreat somewhat resembling a hasty escape.

As she approached the elevator, someone chased after her from behind, pressing the floor button before she could reach it.

The familiar figure, the familiar scent.

Even with her head bowed low, Yan Mengyi knew exactly who had entered.

“First floor, right?”

“Right.”

As they stepped into the elevator, the cramped space amplified their unease.

Yan Mengyi hoped the elevator would stop at some floor, and a crowd would rush in, separating her from Li Tang.

But no one else came.

Just as the elevator was about to reach the first floor, it gave a noticeable jolt.

Yan Mengyi instinctively stepped back, while Li Tang stepped forward.

With perfect synchronization, one slipped into the other’s embrace, while the other held her securely.

Fortunately, it was only a minor jolt.

There was no real danger, and the elevator doors opened smoothly.

“We should get someone to fix this. It feels a little unsafe,” Yan Mengyi said, gently extricating herself from Li Tang’s arms.

Li Tang clenched her fists, the faint warmth of Yan Mengyi’s palm disappearing.

The moment the elevator doors opened, a lewd whistle echoed from outside.

Acen, somehow having wormed her way into the building, whistled loudly at the two women’s awkwardly intimate posture.

Yan Mengyi recalled her earlier conversation with Acen before entering the company, and she instinctively put more distance between herself and Li Tang.

Acen frowned at Yan Mengyi’s overly obvious reaction, silently mouthing, “You haven’t slept with her, have you???”

Yan Mengyi felt her head spin, subconsciously shaking it and mouthing back, “No! Of course not!”

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