After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 5
“Senior Sister, stop teasing me.”
Yan Mengyi’s ears burned. She didn’t want to lie to her Senior Sister, but if she admitted that the bag Li Tang was holding was hers, she feared her Senior Sister wouldn’t believe her.
Producer Lu noticed Li Tang kept glancing toward the private booth entrance, assuming she was wondering why the meal hadn’t started yet. She went to hurry the dishes.
At the dinner table, industry bigwigs clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, while Yan Mengyi and Song Yujing spoke quietly to each other.
“Seriously, I think Li Tang would make a great wife,” Song Yujing said.
“Really?” Yan Mengyi hadn’t expected her Senior Sister to speak so highly of Li Tang, whom she’d only just met.
“She’s talented and proud, and with her work schedule, she probably gets less than twenty days off a year. She earns well, doesn’t have time for affairs, and wouldn’t bother you at home. What a perfect marriage partner.”
“It’s not that simple,” Yan Mengyi said, forcing an awkward smile.
“You’re right,” Song Yujing agreed. “We’re just spectators, seeing only the public version of her. I don’t know what she’s like in private. But now that I think about it, her work schedule reminds me of your… elusive wife.”
Yan Mengyi froze mid-motion, her chopsticks were suspended in mid-air, genuinely afraid she would discover her connection to the celebrity.
After all, Li Tang had always been fiercely protective of her private life, never acknowledging her marital status in public even after years of marriage.
“Only someone at her level of success can afford to not go home all year,” Song Yujing remarked. “What does your wife even do to be even busier than a top-tier celebrity?”
Yan Mengyi shook her head, refusing to elaborate.
She couldn’t help but steal another glance at Li Tang, seated at the head of the table across from her.
Even sitting quietly, Li Tang radiated an aura as if a spotlight were trained solely on her. Her demeanor was cool and composed, yet she exuded an undeniable charisma.
As colleagues took turns toasting Li Tang, her eyebrows furrowed slightly in impatience, but her body remained subtly leaned toward Yan Mengyi.
Yan Mengyi’s gaze locked onto Li Tang, who quickly met her eyes. With a subtle tilt of her head and a faint smile playing on her lips, Li Tang acknowledged the connection.
“She must have sensed we were talking about her!” Song Yujing whispered, covering her mouth. “Oh no! Did she hear me say she would make the perfect wife?”
“It probably isn’t her. She’s so far away, and there are so many people around her.”
“But why is she staring at us right now?”
Song Yujing felt uneasy. She never imagined that at nearly thirty, and already a professor, she would still feel the sweaty-palmed anxiety of being observed by a teacher.
It wasn’t her imagination. Li Tang was staring in their direction and signaling a server over.
Because of Li Tang’s status, they were personally attended to by the manager.
The manager hurried over, and Li Tang pointed in Yan Mengyi’s direction, saying something to him.
The manager nodded repeatedly and quickly left the private room.
“Are we in trouble? Why did the manager go out to call someone?” Song Yujing was completely bewildered, her thoughts were racing.
Before long, the manager returned and replaced Yan Mengyi and Song Yujing’s drinks with mineral water.
He said, “Professor Li noticed you two aren’t drinking much, so she asked me to replace your drinks with mineral water. Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, please let me know.”
Song Yujing breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked at Li Tang across the table again, her eyes sparkled even brighter.
“How amazing! A top-tier celebrity! A big star! Noticing two completely unknown people like us!”
Song Yujing picked up the bottled water, her eyes lighting up. “Filiaco mineral water! What a coincidence! The manager randomly changed the drinks to your favorite brand.”
“Indeed, what a coincidence,” Yan Mengyi replied with an awkward smile.
“I just don’t get it,” Song Yujing continued, her voice tinged with indignation. “How can a bottle of water cost four digits? It’s just a bottle with little wings on it—how could the taste possibly be that different?”
“It’s a little different from regular water.”
Once the dishes were served, Qin Biham began her lengthy speech, and everyone at the table stopped to listen.
During the meal, Qin Biham mentioned the variety show she was planning.
“Tangtang, you must be on our show,” Qin Biham said, sounding as if the collaboration was already settled. “You know, only our CMT Studio can offer you this kind of platform and resources.”
Li Tang looked indifferent, as if she’d been dragged there against her will—a typical reaction from someone uninterested in the topic.
“CEO Qiu from Galaxy TV only asked me to dinner,” Li Tang said. “Let’s discuss any potential collaboration later.”
The atmosphere at the table suddenly turned frosty.
Song Yujing and Yan Mengyi exchanged messages:
[Does Li Tang even want to collaborate with Director Qin?]
[I suspect they originally had plans to collaborate. Given Li Tang’s personality, no one can force her to do anything she doesn’t want. But it seems Li Tang and Qin Biham have some personal conflict. Qin Biham thinks she has Li Tang under her thumb, which is clearly irritating Li Tang.]
[That makes sense when you put it that way. Song Yujing typed quickly. You always claim to be socially awkward, but you’re surprisingly perceptive about people.]
Yan Mengyi lowered her gaze. She wasn’t particularly perceptive about people; she just knew Li Tang well.
Qin Biham hadn’t expected Li Tang to embarrass her in front of so many people. Though she maintained a polite smile, it now looked somewhat stiff.
“Tangtang, I know you’re a clever person,” Qin Biham said. “A production team like ours is hard to come by. I heard another S-Tier production is trying to recruit you.”
“That’s true.”
Qin Biham gave Li Tang a meaningful look. “Are you married? That’s a marriage reality show. Why would an unmarried person like you get involved? Even if you were married, do you really think a marriage show is suitable for you?”
“Why wouldn’t I be suitable for a marriage show?”
Qin Biham’s gaze was soft and probing. “If you’re married, I wonder who your husband is. Otherwise, why have you never let anyone meet him after all these years?”
Yan Mengyi’s hand paused momentarily, but she quickly resumed her composure, pretending nothing was amiss.
Fortunately, Qin Biham was a minor figure. Even though cold sweat trickled down her back, no one at the table would notice her unease.
Li Tang’s eyes flicked toward Yan Mengyi.
Qin Biham hadn’t expected Li Tang to embarrass her in front of everyone, especially considering the unspoken bond between them.
“Tangtang,” Qin Biham continued, “I remember your first variety show debut was on Galaxy TV. You’ve been a long-time friend of the channel.”
Clearly, Qin Biham was playing the sympathy card, trying to remind Li Tang of Galaxy TV’s early support and recognition.
Song Yujing, like the others at the table, quietly laid down her chopsticks.
Li Tang was a musical prodigy with sharp edges. Proud and stubborn, she only deigned to engage with those she deemed worthy.
In response to Qin Biham’s emotional appeal and veiled threats, Li Tang maintained her usual disdainful gaze.
“Director Qin,” Li Tang retorted, “you seem to have forgotten something. My success today isn’t because of Galaxy TV.”
“It’s because I debuted ‘Bu Zhaozhichen’ on Galaxy TV that the channel and especially your CMT Studio—has reached its current status.”
Qin Biham fell silent.
Li Tang added, “You know, Galaxy TV wasn’t my first choice back then.”
From the start of her career, Li Tang had shown the potential of a superstar, and many networks had invited her to perform at their New Year’s Eve shows. But because Qin Biham worked at Galaxy TV, President Li pressured her, leaving Li Tang no choice but to compromise.
Qin Biham, over a decade older, couldn’t possibly argue with Li Tang in public. She simply smiled. “True. Galaxy TV was facing some challenges back then, and that New Year’s Eve show was a game-changer. Especially the performance by national treasure Artist Chu at the end—her divine live performance is still unforgettable.”
“Absolutely! Artist Chu’s talent was undeniable!” Producer Lu chimed in. “That was also her final public performance!”
“Back then, Galaxy TV relied on the glow of your superstar talents, working tirelessly step by step to reach where it is today,” Qin Biham said. “Of course, the industry has changed. Now, platforms control the traffic. Even an unknown can get a golden touch just by coming through our CMT Studio, with exposure and trending topics, they can become an overnight sensation.”
Qin Biham’s words implied that the platform wasn’t lacking talent. If Galaxy TV wanted to, they could launch new idol singers at any time.
“Is that so?” A cryptic smile played on Li Tang’s lips.
Qin Biham’s gaze swept across the banquet, settling on Yan Mengyi.
Though only about 160 centimeters tall, Yan Mengyi’s striking features and flawless skin made her stand out. Sitting there, she seemed to glow like a living spotlight, her luminous complexion making everyone around her seem dull by comparison.
“Little sister, what’s your name?” Qin Biham asked Yan Mengyi, her chin lifting imperiously.
“Me?” Yan Mengyi pointed to herself, uncomfortable under the curious gazes of so many. “I’m not in the industry.”
“It doesn’t matter. As long as I don’t know your name, you’re nobody. Now, if you had a chance to become world-famous, would you seize it?”
Qin Biham was determined to compete with Li Tang, eager to prove the star-making prowess of CMT Studio.
Producer Lu, seated beside Qin Biham, sighed inwardly at Yan Mengyi’s good fortune while frantically signaling her to nod. This was an opportunity countless people would beg for, and it had landed right in Yan Mengyi’s lap.
“I’m sorry, but I have no interest in that kind of work,” Yan Mengyi said, shaking her head.
Yan Mengyi gently refused Qin Biham, causing Qin Biham’s expression to crumble instantly.
No one had ever dared to reject her before.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Yan Mengyi added weakly, “I’m sorry, but I’m married, so I’m not really suited to be an idol.”
“Married so young? What a pity. What does your partner do?”
Yan Mengyi glanced at Li Tang. Seeing no objection, she continued, “Entertainment industry. She’s an actress.”
“Really? What a coincidence,” Qin Biham said. “What’s her name? Perhaps our show could find a spot for her.”
Yan Mengyi’s gaze shifted nervously between Qin Biham and Li Tang.
“I think my wife isn’t really interested in that kind of work.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Qin Biham said, noticing Yan Mengyi’s hesitation. “Just tell us her name.”
“Right,” Li Tang added calmly. “It’s fine.”
Yan Mengyi didn’t want to waste anyone’s time, and seeing Li Tang’s tacit approval, she simply said:
“Li Tang.”
“What a coincidence! Your wife shares a name with Artist Li!” Producer Lu exclaimed, surprised. “I’ve been in the industry for years, and I’ve hardly ever met anyone with the same name as Artist Li.”
Support After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn’t Want a Divorce
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