After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 6

The others had been about to agree with Producer Lu.

Li Tang had never said she was married.

But at the dinner table, Qin Biham’s gaze was equally telling. She didn’t smile or speak, but leaned back in her chair with arms crossed, her sharp eyes sweeping across Yan Mengyi’s face.

Song Yujing glanced at her junior sister, then at the legendary Goddess Tang sitting across from her.

Yan Mengyi lowered her head, a flush spreading from her ears to her cheeks.

Li Tang’s usually indifferent peach-blossom eyes now held a hint of intimacy and possessiveness as she looked at Yan Mengyi.

Song Yujing recalled all the stories about Yan Mengyi’s wife: her relentless busyness, her mysterious aura.

Everything fits.

Li Tang had never claimed to be married, but she had never declared herself single on Weibo either.

After Producer Lu’s joke, no one laughed. The atmosphere turned awkward.

The silence stung Producer Lu’s heart.

Before her sat two women: one a dusty figure from history, the other a superstar whose posters plastered every street and alleyway.

How could two people so utterly unrelated be connected?

How could this be?

“Is that her?” Qin Biham asked Li Tang, her question was short and direct to the point, as if she already knew something.

All eyes turned to Li Tang.

Li Tang remained seated, her posture was relaxed yet regal. She calmly looked at Yan Mengyi, her usually indifferent eyes now curving slightly.

“Now that it’s public, we don’t need to avoid suspicion anymore.”

Li Tang patted the back of Qin Biham’s chair and nodded toward Yan Mengyi.

“Come sit by my side.”

Like a bomb dropped into a lake, the surface remained calm.

Qin Biham hadn’t expected Li Tang to be so reckless as to publicly acknowledge her married status in front of such a crowd.

Producer Lu’s mouth hung open.

Yan Mengyi remained seated, unmoving.

Li Tang stood up. “Never mind, I’ll move over.”

She picked up her bag from her seat, walked to Yan Mengyi, and handed it to her.

“You rushed out of the car so quickly today, you forgot your bag.”

Song Yujing couldn’t remember how she stumbled to her feet to make way, or when someone else invited her to sit in the seat of honor.

Yan Mengyi accepted the bag and said, “Thank you.”

When Yan Mengyi raised her hand, a natural imperial green jade bracelet was revealed on her porcelain-white arm. Its rich color, fine texture, and exceptional translucency all reached top-tier quality.

Qin Biham couldn’t help but clasp the less translucent bracelet on her own wrist and tuck it out of sight.

She never imagined that the bracelet she had longed for, the one that had haunted her dreams, was now adorning this woman’s hand.

“Ah, no wonder Teacher Li keeps glancing that way,” Producer Lu said, breaking the awkward silence with a cough. “I thought she was watching the door, waiting for someone…”

Li Tang placed her hand over Yan Mengyi’s. Unaccustomed to such social situations, Yan Mengyi’s hand seemed to want to flee, but Li Tang gently held it captive.

Hands accustomed to strumming a guitar now cradled Yan Mengyi’s luminous, seemingly boneless fingers.

Veins, faintly purple, stood out on Li Tang’s hand.

Producer Lu found herself averting her gaze, embarrassed despite only looking at their hands.

“So, Tangtang, you’re planning to accept the marriage reality show offer?” Qin Biham asked.

Li Tang looked at Yan Mengyi, remaining silent but tacitly agreeing.

“It’s not a big deal,” Qin Biham continued. “There’ll be more opportunities to collaborate with CMT. You’ve always been so busy; this is finally a chance to spend quality time with your wife. You should cherish it. I understand.”

******

The meal concluded.

Li Tang pulled Yan Mengyi away to leave first, but before the elevator doors could close, a sharply pointed high heel wedged itself between them.

The elevator doors slowly swung back open.

The others, having enjoyed the drama and sensing the tension, decided not to follow.

Qin Biham stepped into the elevator, casually glanced back, and then extended her hand toward Yan Mengyi.

“It’s been seven years since we last met. I never imagined I’d finally see you in person today.”

Yan Mengyi took Qin Biham’s icy hand.

Qin Biham smiled. “Let me introduce myself properly. I’m President Li’s current wife, Tangtang’s stepmother.”

Yan Mengyi released her hand, looking at Li Tang in surprise.

Li Tang had never mentioned anything about her family situation.

“Did she really never tell you any of this?” Qin Biham’s voice dripped with mockery. “Seven years, and suddenly you’re in such a rush to make it public? Is everything still alright between you?”

The elevator stopped, and the doors slowly opened.

Without giving Yan Mengyi a chance to respond, Qin Biham strode out, with her bag in hand. Her driver had already opened the car door and was waiting for her.

The carpeted hall muffled the click of her high heels, but Qin Biham’s final question left a shadow in Li Tang’s eyes.

But a pair of gentle hands wrapped around her waist.

Yan Mengyi, cradled in her arms, lifted her head and gazed steadily at Li Tang, her crystal eyes were shining with genuine sincerity.

Even though they had reached the point of a negotiated divorce, the habits they had developed over seven years of living together were deeply rooted and impossible to change.

“Is she that wicked woman?”

Li Tang had never voluntarily mentioned her family background, nor had she introduced Yan Mengyi to her relatives. Yet the media buzzed with rumors about her growing up in a single-parent household.

“If it wasn’t her, it would have been another woman,” Li Tang said. “When we’re together, there’s no need to bring up those detestable people.”

“Okay.”

******

After getting into the car, Li Tang instructed the driver to wait half an hour before returning to the garage.

“I mentioned the marriage reality show thing just to spite her. I was speaking off the cuff.”

Leaning back against the seat, Li Tang propped her cheek in one hand. Her eyes, distant and unfocused, gazed out the window rather than at Yan Mengyi.

The car’s reflection showed both their faces.

“I can do it,” Yan Mengyi said softly, but with unwavering resolve.

No matter where this relationship went, Yan Mengyi would always remember how they had been in the beginning.

“It’s alright. I know you don’t like public appearances or being in the spotlight. You don’t have to force yourself.”

“I’m willing,” Yan Mengyi said, taking Li Tang’s hand.

Seven years. They both respected each other deeply.

Yan Mengyi didn’t want Li Tang to be mocked by Qin Biham. She wanted to properly navigate the final stretch of their marriage.

******

On the way home, Li Tang sat beside Yan Mengyi while typing messages on her phone.

Yan Mengyi sent a message to Song Yujing:

[Senior Sister, I’m so sorry. With so many people around, I was too nervous to even greet you before leaving. I’ll treat you to a meal to apologize.]

Song Yujing had clearly been waiting for Yan Mengyi’s message.

Within seconds, a barrage of messages flooded in:

[You owe me a meal! But that’s not why!]

[You never told me your wife was Li Tang!]

[Seven years! How did you keep this secret for so long?]

[If Li Tang were my wife, I would make sure everyone knew about it within half a day!]

After venting her frustrations, Song Yujing suddenly remembered the most crucial question:

[Wait!]

[Are you two getting divorced?]

*******

Ever since learning that Li Tang was married, Producer Lu had been completely shocked, inside and out.

She contacted a paparazzo, planning to sell this explosive news for a high price.

“What scoop? You’re asking for a million right off the bat? If it’s not about someone at Li Tang’s level, don’t even bother.”

“Coincidentally, it’s not just about someone at her level—it’s Li Tang herself.”

*******

Before the car reached home, the driver cleared his throat and glanced at the rearview mirror to alert Li Tang.

“There’s a car tailing us.”

“Shake them off.”

The driver whispered, “We’re in a speed-restricted area with complex road conditions. For safety’s sake, that might be difficult.”

“My marriage announcement just went public, and already they’re sniffing around.”

“It’s fine if I’m exposed now,” Yan Mengyi said, hoping to prevent the driver from taking dangerous measures to lose the tail. “I’ll be on talk shows eventually anyway. I’ll be in the public eye sooner or later.”

“Of course I’ll reveal you, but not now. These people aren’t here for friendly reasons.”

*****

A few years ago, during a concert tour, a deranged fan had hidden in the crowd and drawn a knife as Li Tang approached. Though she escaped injury, Li Tang now always traveled with two bodyguards during public appearances.

Today’s private outing had unexpectedly turned into an ambush.

“We’ll have to put up with some discomfort later.”

The car pulled into the underground garage of a nearby shopping mall.

Paparazzi followed, jumping out of their vehicles and scouring the area. They soon spotted Li Tang hiding behind a pillar. Beside her stood another person, instantly shielded completely by Li Tang’s arm.

“Artist Li!” The paparazzo’s first shout echoed through the garage.

A swarm of reporters, their cameras and microphones at the ready, rushed toward Li Tang.

Li Tang shielded the person cradled in her arm as they sprinted toward the garage exit.

The air was filled with the incessant flash of camera bulbs.

High-speed shutters captured strands of Li Tang’s hair drifting as she glanced back, her fluttering sleeves like a never-ending summer daydream.

The paparazzi swarmed forward, blocking the exit.

“Artist Li, is it true that you’re married?”

“Will you appear on a dating show with your wife?”

“How did you meet your wife? Can you tell us?”

As microphones pressed against her lips, Li Tang frowned coldly, pushing them away. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she released her embrace.

The cameras focused on the person in her arm, the flashes illuminating the garage like daylight.

When their eyes adjusted to the dim light again, they realized Li Tang had been shielding her driver.

At that moment, Li Tang’s Land Rover, parked far behind in the garage, suddenly roared to life and sped out through another exit.

******

Yan Mengyi waited about an hour after returning home before Li Tang finally arrived, entering almost immediately after her agent, Wan Cuirong.

It was clear that after cleaning up the mess for Li Tang, Wan Cuirong still had lingering concerns and had come back to address them.

“Those paparazzi were swarming me on the road like mad. Was it really so wrong for me to curse them out?”

Wan Cuirong, at thirty-four, maintained her youthful appearance through meticulous self-care and discipline. Her body fat percentage consistently hovered around 17%, and she always presented herself in form-fitting white suits, exuding an image of sharp professionalism.

Yet, in front of Li Tang, Wan Cuirong often displayed a worn-out, exhausted demeanor.

“Artist Li! Can you just listen to me for once?” Wan Cuirong rubbed her temples. “I know your talent is world-class, but you need to understand that public opinion is a lethal weapon! No matter how promising your future is, one moment of cursing or violence will tarnish you as a ‘problematic celebrity.’ What good will your talent do then?”

“Sister Rong, please come in and have a seat. Would you like some tea?” Yan Mengyi called out from the kitchen.

Her sweet voice seemed to diffuse the tension between the two arguing women, making them pause their heated exchange.

Wan Cuirong suppressed her irritation and smiled at Yan Mengyi. “No need for tea. I just need to say a few words and leave.”

But Yan Mengyi went into the kitchen with the housekeeper anyway.

Li Tang’s mood finally settled a little. “What do you want to say?” she asked lazily.

“You’re trying to get a divorce while also signing up for a marriage reality show. Are you really sure about this? I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

“Then don’t think about it.”

“I’m talking to you about serious business!” Wan Cuirong said. “I’ll go over the contract details with you again and send it to you tomorrow, but from now on, remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

“The director of this marriage reality show is difficult to work with. She pursues authenticity in the program, and she won’t care about your reputation, even if you’re a top celebrity. Once, a female celebrity on her show acted entitled and swore, and the director didn’t cut a single second of it. The celebrity was at the height of her fame, but after that, she vanished overnight.”

“There’s nothing about the real me that I’m ashamed of. Film and broadcast whatever you want. I’ll accept it all.”

“Artist Li, this time you’re filming a marriage reality show. Do you know what’s most important in a marriage reality show?”

“No.”

“Love!” Wan Cuirong said. “No matter how you two usually interact, restrain yourself. Be nice to your wife while you’re on the show!”

Li Tang:?!

Li Tang: “Why would you think I’m not nice to Xiaoyi?”

Support After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn’t Want a Divorce