After Divorcing the Scummy Alpha Movie Queen, I Became Extremely Popular - Chapter 40

Luo Jingyun got straight to the point and asked, “Tan Jizhu, were you the one who smoothed the bamboo strips on my desk?”

Although she didn’t speak loudly, the surrounding people looked toward Luo Jingyun and Tan Jizhu after hearing the keywords. Luo Jingyun instinctively glanced around; the others hurriedly looked away, but their expressions and movements clearly showed they were eavesdropping. Luo Jingyun didn’t want everyone to focus on their conversation, so she had no choice but to call Tan Jizhu out.

Luo Jingyun limped out of the house with her crutches, and Tan Jizhu followed closely behind, cautioning Luo Jingyun to be careful.

Luo Jingyun stopped and asked the same question as before.

“It was me…” Tan Jizhu carefully observed Luo Jingyun’s micro-expressions. Fearing that Luo Jingyun would return the bamboo strips because she was the one who smoothed them, she immediately changed her answer and denied it, “No… it wasn’t me.”

Luo Jingyun narrowed her eyes slightly. “Not you? Then who could it be?”

“I don’t know either.” Tan Jizhu’s eyes flickered. “Since the bamboo strips are already smoothed, just use them.”

“If it wasn’t you and it wasn’t me, there’s no way I’m using something of unknown origin. I’m going to throw them away right now.”

Driven by the heat of the conversation, Tan Jizhu finally admitted, “Don’t throw them away. I smoothed them.”

Having obtained the answer she wanted, Luo Jingyun felt a mix of emotions in her heart. She said, “Tan Jizhu, I told you before, you don’t need to do these things for me. I am very grateful to you for coming to the bamboo forest to save me, and I’ve asked what reward you need. If it’s still some hope of us getting back together, then don’t say it again.”

“Jingyun, I didn’t save you because I wanted a reward, and that line about ‘repaying with your body’ was just a joke. If you don’t like it, I won’t say it again. I know you don’t want any more entanglements with me, but I just want to do something for you; I want to give to you. You don’t need to feel anything else because of my actions. Since I’ve already smoothed those bamboo strips, you can just use them. After all, the baskets we weave are for the development of Tongxi Village; just consider it as teamwork. If you really feel uncomfortable and don’t want to use them, you can give them to the others, just like you shared the cake last time.”

Luo Jingyun said, “Then I really will give them away.”

Even though she said it, Tan Jizhu still felt a bit sad that Luo Jingyun actually agreed. She subconsciously raised her hand to touch her nose and said, “Anything is fine, as long as you’re happy.”

Luo Jingyun’s gaze was immediately drawn to Tan Jizhu’s scarred hands. She grabbed the other’s wrist to look closer.

Tan Jizhu had worked many part-time jobs to make ends meet in the past, including physical labor, so her hands weren’t particularly delicate. There was a thin layer of calluses on her fingertips and palms that could never be as soft as Luo Jingyun’s, no matter how much she cared for them. However, Tan Jizhu always kept her nails trimmed as short as possible to facilitate manual operations at Luo Jingyun’s request.

In those moments, Tan Jizhu was usually the most obedient, moving when told to move and stopping when told to stop. Luo Jingyun remembered those long, powerful hands of Tan Jizhu—opening, kneading, stroking, and digging inside her body. That thin layer of calluses could easily push her to the brink of collapse every single time.

Luo Jingyun, not wanting to be outdone, had proposed several times to be the active partner. But Tan Jizhu’s reaction never seemed that intense, and she wouldn’t take the initiative to speak. Luo Jingyun would have to ask if the depth was okay or if the angle was right, making her feel like a waitress. She had even thought about lifting weights at the gym to develop some calluses on her palms, but nothing came of it. This time, while participating in Journey of the Heart, her hands had suffered some injuries, and she didn’t know if they would leave scars later.

Luo Jingyun ignored the strange thoughts in her head and asked, “Are these injuries you got while smoothing the bamboo strips?”

Tan Jizhu just let Luo Jingyun hold her hand and whispered, “It’s okay, they’re just small wounds. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

No matter how much it hurt, it couldn’t compare to the pain in Luo Jingyun’s heart over those years.

Luo Jingyun sighed. “Don’t do this anymore. After all, I was the one who suggested filming the bamboo weaving for the show. If I don’t do it seriously, people will gossip. Besides, the smoothing process is a kind of exercise for me.”

After saying that, she left Tan Jizhu standing there and turned back to continue working.

Luo Jingyun had started thinking about what to do as soon as she returned to the dormitory yesterday. After a while, she decided that since there were no gloves, she would use her sleeves as a barrier to prevent bamboo splinters from piercing her hands. Today, she had specifically changed into a long-sleeved shirt, but she hadn’t expected Tan Jizhu to have already completed more than half of the work for her.

The method was quite effective, and combined with the strips Tan Jizhu had smoothed for her, Luo Jingyun became the first person to finish the task. Knowing she had taken a shortcut, she went to help Park Soo-ah, who was nearby.

Park Soo-ah had been watching Luo Jingyun’s every move since she arrived. She lowered her voice and asked, “Jingyun, were those bamboo strips smoothed for you by Tan Jizhu?”

“Yes,” Luo Jingyun proactively handed over a few. “Do you want some?”

“No,” Park Soo-ah shook her head quickly. Then, in the lowest voice possible, she asked, “Jingyun, this isn’t the first time. What exactly is Tan Jizhu’s goal in doing this?”

Luo Jingyun shrugged. “How would I know?”

“Could she be trying to pursue you again?”

Luo Jingyun remained ignorant. “I don’t know.”

“Jingyun, you must remain firm in your heart. Don’t be easily moved by what Tan Jizhu does.” Park Soo-ah remembered the phone call she made recently; Lu Qiu and Jiang Xian also wanted them to divorce. So did she.

“I’m not exactly moved, but Tan Jizhu did help me. And during the filming, she has helped me many times. I just don’t want to owe her any favors.”

Park Soo-ah was much more relieved and said suggestively, “Yes, don’t owe her any favors. Break it off completely.”

Hearing this, Luo Jingyun looked at her fingers. Just smoothing a few bamboo strips yesterday had caused her to be pricked several times, so Tan Jizhu’s wounds from smoothing so many must definitely be more painful.

Taking advantage of the lunch break, Luo Jingyun went to the health clinic alone on her crutches. After getting what she wanted, she knocked on Tan Jizhu’s door.

“Come in.”

Luo Jingyun pushed the door open upon hearing the answer and saw Tan Jizhu leaning over a table with four legs of different heights, fiddling with something.

“Jingyun?” Tan Jizhu looked up, and seeing it was Luo Jingyun, she quickly hid the things on the table behind her back. “Jingyun, are you here for me?”

Luo Jingyun hadn’t cared much at first, but Tan Jizhu’s act of concealment made her suspicious. However, the other party moved too fast, and she only saw a flash of red.

Forget it, why bother with her? Returning the favor was the most important thing. She handed over the ointment. “I got this from the health clinic. Just apply it directly to the wounds. I used the bamboo strips you smoothed and didn’t want to take advantage of you, so take this.”

Tan Jizhu asked with a glimmer of hope, “Jingyun, did you get this specifically for me? Your ankle is still injured; walking such a long way must have been very tiring.”

“Oh, it wasn’t exactly specific. My hands got pricked too, so I went to get medicine for myself and brought a tube for you along the way.”

“…” Tan Jizhu took it. “Anyway, thank you.”

“Yeah, don’t do these things anymore.” Luo Jingyun paused for a moment. “The show is almost over anyway. When we go back, let’s settle the remaining matters.”

Tan Jizhu naturally knew what Luo Jingyun meant by “remaining matters.” She neither nodded nor shook her head, remaining silent.

Luo Jingyun made her decision. “Alright, I’m leaving now.”

Recording continued in the afternoon, and everyone focused their attention on their bamboo strips. After everyone finished smoothing and the villagers checked them for quality, the work of weaving the bamboo baskets began. This was considered the simplest step: crossing a few bamboo strips in the center and weaving them over-one-under-one.

However, even the simplest task required enough patience to align and press each bamboo strip tightly. It couldn’t be too tight or too loose; only by mastering the most precise amount of force could one create a perfect finished product.

After finishing the bottom of the basket, the extending bamboo strips were bent upward ninety degrees to continue making the sides. After some manipulation and finishing the rim, ensuring no parts were sticking out, a bamboo basket was considered complete. Luo Jingyun looked at the finished product in her hand, feeling a sense of pride.

The staff recorded the entire production process of the guests, and the program drew to a close. Liu Yuqi told everyone that there would be a bonfire party in the evening, both as a celebration and a farewell.

The guests went back to their rooms to dress up a bit before coming out to join the party.

A fire was lit in the middle of the open space, and slaughtered pigs were placed over the fire to roast.

Luo Jingyun pointed at the pork and complained, “This isn’t the pig we fed, is it?”

Park Soo-ah observed for a moment. “Probably.”

“Oh dear, if I had known this would happen, I would have fed it more back then.” Luo Jingyun’s tone carried a hint of melancholy. “With so many of us, what if there isn’t enough meat to go around?”

“…” And here I thought you’d feel sorry for the piggy, but you’re just worried there won’t be enough meat.

The party officially began, and the guests and villagers danced and shared food. The flames soared into the sky, warming the autumn mountains.

But all good things must come to an end. As the hour and minute hands overlapped at 12 o’clock, the villagers went home to rest, preparing for the next day’s work.

Only the eight guests remained on the grounds, and the fire was no longer vigorous because it had burned for so long.

Liu Yuqi stepped forward. “After more than a month of recording, our Journey of the Heart is about to reach its end. During this period, I am very grateful for the contributions and efforts of all the guests. Thank you for everything you have done for Tongxi Village. Because of you, the abundant fruit has entered the factory to realize its value; the wheat is buried deep in the ground, waiting for next year’s harvest; and the children have seen a broader world because of your unique classes. I believe that during this time, everyone has many experiences and thoughts. Let’s share them.”

The microphone was first handed to Chen Shidong. She spoke official and appropriate pleasantries, thanking the production team and summarizing her work perfectly.

“Although Journey of the Heart is coming to an end, I believe the development of Tongxi Village will flourish, and I hope the audience in front of the screen can also contribute their part. Thank you, everyone.”

Liu Yuqi’s face was beaming with smiles. “Thank you, Shidong! The audience may not know that when I proposed this show, it could be said to have been full of difficulties. If it weren’t for Shidong’s help, everyone wouldn’t be seeing Journey of the Heart. I also want to thank Shidong on behalf of the production team.”

The second to speak was Tan Jizhu. She began, “I am very grateful to Journey of the Heart. In this show, I’ve essentially revisited my childhood experiences. Because of my family background, I helped with farm work from a very young age. Later, when I got into university, I realized how big this world is. Even though my body had moved out, it felt as if my soul was trapped in that land. I once thought I would no longer have any attachment to this land, but when I got off the train, I found everything so familiar. Here, I found my soul, found the things I was missing, and it made me realize what is most important to me.”

Liu Yuqi summarized, “Jizhu is very soulful. It seems she really gained a lot from the show. So, I wish you success here.”

The microphone finally reached Luo Jingyun’s hand. She also spoke some polite words. “I’m very grateful to this show for giving me an opportunity to see a different world. Just like the name of the show—Journey of the Heart—this journey is not only a trial for the body but also for the soul. I used to think material things were everything, but I forgot the needs of the soul.”

The scars on her hands had become medals, and the physical exhaustion was exchanged for spiritual satisfaction. Every inch of land in Tongxi Village was a witness to her growth. If this had been a few months ago, she would never have believed she could achieve so much.

Luo Jingyun continued, “In the future, I will continue to pay attention to the development of Tongxi Village and contribute my own strength to it. Similarly, I will also work harder to improve myself so that everyone can see a better version of me.”

After everyone finished speaking, Liu Yuqi stood at the very front and bowed deeply to everyone. “Thank you for the support and dedication of all the guests. I believe everyone’s efforts will not be in vain. When the wheat matures next year, we will arrange for the production team to send some to everyone.”

Liu Yuqi struck the clapperboard and announced: “Journey of the Heart, that’s a wrap!”