After Appearing On A Marriage Reality Show, The Top Star Cried and Says She Doesn't Want a Divorce - Chapter 7

“If you’re doing well,” Wan Cuirong said, glancing at Li Tang, “why would someone as gentle as Little Yi suddenly insist on a divorce?”

Li Tang, a little frustrated, ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s hard to explain. There was a misunderstanding…”

“If it weren’t for that misunderstanding, do you think you could have gotten her to change her mind?” Wan Cuirong pressed. “But the problems between you still exist.”

At that moment, Yan Mengyi came out with tea. Wan Cuirong tactfully changed the subject, smiling as she accepted the cup.

“I’ll be here at 10 a.m. tomorrow with Director Mo from YoHa to finalize the shooting details.”

Li Tang gave an “OK” gesture, signaling her cooperation.

Seeing it’s already late, Wan Cuirong finished her tea and quickly took her leave and Yan Mengyi walked her to the door.

“Don’t be so polite. Go back quickly. If you get bitten by a mosquito, she’ll blame me again,” Wan Cuirong joked, waving goodbye to Yan Mengyi.

Once they became familiar, Yan Mengyi turned out to be quite an interesting person.

Yan Mengyi walked Wan Cuirong to the door partly to avoid spending more time with Li Tang.

Nothing seemed to have changed between them, yet there was a subtle tension in the air.

But before she could turn around, a hand landed on her shoulder, just as it used to.

“Sister Rong is so old and wouldn’t get lost, yet you still see her to the door.”

Yan Mengyi lowered her gaze, afraid to turn around and let Li Tang notice her unusual emotions.

Li Tang rarely spent time with her, and Yan Mengyi didn’t want to burden her with her negative feelings.

However, Li Tang seemed not to notice anything amiss.

“Going for a stroll like before?”

“Sure.”

Near their home was a large supermarket that mainly sold imported goods and was considered the most expensive in Beijing. Yan Mengyi rarely shopped there.

But things were different when Li Tang was around.

They had a pet stroller that they would take out together. They would walk twenty minutes to the supermarket, fill the stroller with groceries, and then push it back home. These were Yan Mengyi’s favorite times.

Inside the supermarket, Li Tang pushed the stroller while Yan Mengyi walked beside her.

They spent the most time in the snack section, adding new products to the cart. They also frequented in the bottled water and coffee sections.

Li Tang always bought Filiaco mineral water for Yan Mengyi, while Yan Mengyi bought Li Tang’s favorite coffee beans.

They chatted about the weather, food, and favorite movies.

As they waited for the green light to cross the street, another couple stopped behind them.

People in love were truly unrestrained. Whispered endearments, usually reserved for private moments, erupted like a volcanic lava flow, spilling out incessantly.

No one meant to eavesdrop, but Yan Mengyi still heard the words drift into her ears.

The red light flashed a countdown, illuminating Yan Mengyi’s jade-like face.

Li Tang had never told her “I love you,” nor had they ever talked about music.

“Let’s go.” The green light lit up, and Li Tang pushed her bike, nudging Yan Mengyi out of her daze.

“Oh, right.” Yan Mengyi hurried to catch up.

******

Before bed, Yan Mengyi was still wondering how to face Li Tang that evening.

But when sleep finally claimed her, all those thoughts vanished.

When Yan Mengyi woke up, she found herself, as usual, cradled in Li Tang’s arms.

Someone had called Li Tang. Hua Jingyan’s name flashed on the screen of her phone.

Without even glancing at it, Li Tang silenced the call and went back to sleep, patting Yan Mengyi’s arm to tell her to rest a little longer.

“It’s already past eight. We should get ready. Sister Rong is bringing Director Mo over later, right?”

Yan Mengyi first pushed aside the arm Li Tang had draped over her waist, then went to wash up. When she returned from the bathroom, she saw Li Tang just beginning to stir.

Li Tang had always been a heavy sleeper, and only one thing could wake her early without setting her off: music.

“Morning!”

“Morning.”

The impending divorce seemed to have no effect on anyone.

******

At ten o’clock, Wan Cuirong arrived with Director Mo Zhenyi.

The “Y” in YoHa Studio stood for “young.” Not only did they produce programs aimed at a youthful audience, but the production team itself was also predominantly young.

Though prepared for this, seeing the youthful appearance of Mo Zhenyi, it was hard not to question her professional expertise.

“Here’s my resume, please take a look, Artist Li.”

Mo Zhenyi, clearly accustomed to facing doubts due to her age and baby-faced appearance, was well-prepared. As she presented her resume, she began listing the projects she had overseen.

Though she had just graduated, she had been interning since her final year of university.

Including overtime, she had gained three to four years of work experience in just one year post-graduation.

Mo Zhenyi had previously worked at CMT Studio, where she had led several directorial teams. However, her overly avant-garde approach had made her unhappy working under Director Qin.

Fortunately, CEO Qiu recognized her talent and, believing CMT’s programming was too rigid, established YoHa and appointed Mo Zhenyi as the head director. His goal was to create content that resonated more closely with younger audiences.

“Pillowside Lovers” is a weekly reality show featuring three couples, aimed at women aged 18 to 35.

Li Tang interrupted, asking, “Why did you decide to create this show?”

“This year marks the tenth anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage. While everyone has been anticipating how this diversification of marriage would bring about change, the saying ‘marriage is the grave of love’ still widely resonates. I want to use this show to observe same-sex marriages and explore how couples can maintain both a shared ‘us’ and individual ‘me’ within their partnership. I hope ‘Pillowside Lovers’ isn’t just a show, but a tool to help both the audience and the couples diagnose their marriages, so that even after years of marriage, the partner beside them remains a lover.”

After Mo Zhenyi explained her concept, Li Tang leaned forward on the sofa, her gaze fixed intently on Mo Zhenyi.

“Diagnose marriages?” Li Tang repeated the phrase, clearly intrigued by the idea.

“Yes. Our show is rooted in authenticity. We won’t provoke conflict or script scenes. Each couple can progress at their own pace.”

After Mo Zhenyi finished speaking, she turned to the classic beauty sitting on the other side of the sofa. Though their demeanors seemed completely incompatible, Li Tang leaned toward her, her body language radiating trust and intimacy.

“Sister, feel free to ask me anything you’re curious about.”

Yan Mengyi pursed her lips. “I don’t have any questions, but there’s something Tangtang and I both think you should know.”

“Please go ahead.”

“We’re legally married, but…” Yan Mengyi continued, “we’re currently in a divorce cooling-off period.”

Mo Zhenyi was somewhat surprised. Though the couple hadn’t spoken since arriving, their subconscious body language still conveyed lingering attachment.

But she quickly accepted the situation.

“Since Artist Li and her wife are still willing to appear on the show together, I believe that’s precisely the purpose of this program.”

Yan Mengyi glanced at Li Tang, curious if she also hoped to maintain this relationship.

“Since we’re still interested in collaborating, let me explain the filming process.

This afternoon, our production team will arrive to install cameras in your living areas.

“We’ll film footage of your daily life tomorrow, Wednesday. The program’s trailer will be released on Friday, and we’ll record the first full episode over the weekend.”

Mo Zhenyi explained, “The show updates every Friday at 8 PM. After filming four episodes…”

Wan Cuirong took over, “You have to apply for a divorce certificate within 30 days after the end of the cooling-off period. In other words, you’ll have time to reconsider your relationship even after all four episodes have aired.”

“Alright.”

The two women signed the contract.

*****

That afternoon, the filming crew moved in, setting up fixed cameras and installing a cloud-based surveillance system in the living room.

“We fully respect your privacy,” Mo Zhenyi reassured Yan Mengyi. “The bedroom cameras will only activate at 6 AM tomorrow and won’t operate at night.”

Although this was already stipulated in the contract, Mo Zhenyi repeated it to put Yan Mengyi at ease.

However, Mo Zhenyi couldn’t shake the feeling that Li Tang was glaring at her with visible displeasure.

At first, she dismissed it as her imagination.

Before long, the show’s B-roll Director approached Yan Mengyi to discuss some details.

Mo Zhenyi noticed the B-roll Director’s gaze on Li Tang—it wasn’t her imagination; there was genuine displeasure.

After all the camera positions were set up, the production team left first, with Mo Zhenyi and Wan Cuirong staying behind.

“I’ll drive. I’ll take you home.”

As Wan Cuirong buckled her seatbelt, she reminded Mo Zhenyi to fasten hers too.

When she turned to check, Wan Cuirong noticed Mo Zhenyi staring at her, looking like a puppy.

Wan Cuirong hesitated for a moment, then reached over and ruffled Mo Zhenyi’s hair.

“You did well. I can tell Li Tang approves of you. Getting her approval isn’t easy.”

Mo Zhenyi smiled and hugged Wan Cuirong’s arm, leaning against her.

“Sister, I’ll prove it to you.”

With no one else around, Wan Cuirong allowed the hug for a moment before gently pushing Mo Zhenyi away.

“I didn’t get Tangtang to take this variety show to help you. It’s to help her.” Wan Cuirong started the car, her expression impassive as she focused on the road ahead. “Our personal relationship ended that night.”

Her initial encounter with Mo Zhenyi had been a surprise.

She never expected the puppy she’d met while drowning her sorrows at a bar would prove impossible to shake off.

“What if I told you I fell for you at first sight, Sister?”

“Stop!” Wan Cuirong shrugged, shivering. “Do you call everyone ‘Sister’? That’s way too cheesy.”

“But you’re different from other sisters.”

“We’re both experienced. You know the boundaries.”

Wan Cuirong had never been attracted to this type, but that night at the club, under the dim lights, Mo Zhenyi’s soft lips had pressed against hers, and for a moment, she’d been utterly captivated.

“So, what’s your type, Sister Wan? Someone aloof and cool like Artist Li, or quiet and gentle like Yan Mengyi?”

“You’re asking too many questions.”

“Stop the car.”

Wan Cuirong pulled over and parked.

“Am I really not your type?” Mo Zhenyi pressed relentlessly.

“No…”

Before Wan Cuirong could finish, Mo Zhenyi unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, one hand bracing against the center console, the other gently pressing against Wan Cuirong’s collarbone. She leaned down and kissed her.

After a long moment, Mo Zhenyi finally released the woman in the driver’s seat. She licked her lips, listening to their ragged breathing in the confined space, and asked:

“Sister Wan, your body tells the truth.”

“You’re a skilled kisser,” Wan Cuirong added before Mo Zhenyi could smile. “I doubt Li Tang is as skilled as you. Otherwise, how could her wife have filed for divorce?”

Even in this moment, Wan Cuirong’s mind was still on work.

Mo Zhenyi quickly opened the door and got out before she could lose control.

But as the summer night breeze washed over her, Mo Zhenyi sobered. Now that she thought about it, hadn’t Sister’s words just now been a compliment?

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