After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Re-encounter

In June, Beian City was at its hottest. The scorching sun hanging in the sky made people feel restless and irritable. It was precisely at this time that a certain variety show made a surprise landing on the hot search rankings.

Meet You in the Ordinary, a slow-paced variety show, was quite suitable for passing the time during such hot weather. Unfortunately, the invited guest lineup provoked the fans of several celebrities on Weibo to the point where their anger flared up. Before the show even aired, it had already become “black-red”—infamous and viral across half the internet.

Fang Ziyue, the “vase” actress who had attempted to interlope as a third party four years ago and had even publicly sabotaged Film Queen Ling’s wedding, was actually among the invited guests?!

Those turning against their former idol, those clout-chasing the heat, those with old grudges, and those with fresh grievances—the name “Fang Ziyue” was instantly cursed onto the hot search list.

Inside a motorhome, a woman sat with one hand supporting her forehead and the other scrolling through Weibo, completely indifferent to the insults directed at her.

The photographer sitting across from her couldn’t help but marvel at how thick-skinned Fang Ziyue was to dare appear before the camera again. At the same time, he felt that the changes in her after four years abroad were truly significant.

The woman looking down at her phone tucked a long strand of hair blown messy by the wind behind her ear with slender fingers. Her features were calm and cold, possessing a steadiness and composure that had settled after experiencing great storms.

Compared to before, when she relied purely on that face to attract people, the current Fang Ziyue relied more on an aura that made people involuntarily lose themselves in her presence.

“Sister Yue, we’ve arrived.” As soon as the car stopped, the young assistant nimbly helped Fang Ziyue pack her things to disembark.

Meet You in the Ordinary was a slow-paced lifestyle program. Set in a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, the show provided a few rooms and some tools; the guests then needed to go up the mountain themselves to find resources for survival.

In such shows, snacks and similar items were usually prohibited, so Fang Ziyue had just packed a few clothes and come.

Upon stepping out of the car, she happened to run straight into someone getting out of the vehicle opposite her.

the newcomer wore a black tracksuit and a baseball cap, with long hair draped submissively over her shoulders and black-and-white patterned sneakers on her feet.

Despite the all-black attire, it couldn’t hide Ling Qiu’s gentle and peaceful temperament.

Fang Ziyue took one look and could no longer move her eyes away. She stared straight at the other person, unwilling to even blink.

Fang Ziyue was originally a jewelry designer. While returning to her home country to visit her deceased wife’s grave, she had unexpectedly transmigrated into the body of a “vase” star with the same name—the one who had ruined Ling Qiu’s wedding.

At that time, Fang Ziyue was being hated by the entire domestic internet, so she had no choice but to develop her career abroad. After going abroad, she received a mission from the System: she had to “clear” the devoted female supporting character before she would be allowed to return to her original world.

And this devoted female supporting character, Ling Qiu, happened to be her deceased wife.

Perhaps her gaze was too burning, as it caused Ling Qiu to turn her head and look back.

The eyes that had always been gentle gradually turned cold upon making contact with Fang Ziyue, like a basin of ice water poured over her head, freezing Fang Ziyue’s bones and blood.

Seeing this, Ling Qiu’s manager ignored the luggage in her hands and immediately stepped in front of Ling Qiu, cutting off Fang Ziyue’s line of sight.

Fang Ziyue glanced at the woman glaring at her and frowned slightly.

Since this woman was blocking Ling Qiu and she could no longer see the person she held in her heart, Fang Ziyue simply leaned against the car and closed her eyes to rest, unwilling to engage with anyone.

However, the slight upward curve of her lips indicated she was in a good mood.

Just now, she had seen a silver magnolia bracelet on Ling Qiu’s wrist. It was the debut work of “Designer Z,” a priceless item with no market supply.

Fang Ziyue could still recall the piety and joy she felt when she personally crafted that bracelet.

The original owner and Ling Qiu had too much enmity between them. Fearing that the other would reject her help, Fang Ziyue had no choice but to help her secretly under the name of Designer Z.

All those enviable and precious accessories Ling Qiu wore at every award ceremony and banquet had been sent to her by Fang Ziyue.

It was just that no one knew this except for her.

“Ling Qiu, if it doesn’t work out, let’s just quit this variety show.” Ling Qiu’s manager looked at the opposite side uneasily and said with a solemn face, “Your cold hasn’t gotten better yet. There’s no need to push yourself so hard.”

Two days ago, Ling Qiu had caught a chill while filming. She had endured a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius to finish the last scene. After resting for a day, she had rushed here before the cold had even cleared.

“I’m fine.” Ling Qiu patted her shoulder and shook her head.

Four years ago, half the circle had kicked her while she was down; very few people dared to stand up and help her. Director Chang was one of those who had reached out back then.

Now that he was producing his first variety show, she felt she ought to come and support him, both out of emotion and logic.

As for Fang Ziyue’s arrival, that was something she hadn’t expected.

Ling Qiu pressed a hand to her aching forehead and said in a low voice, “Don’t be nervous. It’s fine, I know my limits.”

Regardless, the show was being live-streamed in its entirety. Before the camera, Fang Ziyue wouldn’t dare do anything outrageous.

Ling Qiu’s manager knew that her personality was soft yet stubborn. No matter how much she advised, it was useless. Coupled with the fact that Ling Qiu was unwell, the manager could only grit her teeth and swallow the rebukes that were on the tip of her tongue.

The program crew breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the two hadn’t started a fight. As long as they didn’t fight, the show could go on.

Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu had arrived from out of town in their own cars, while the Lin couple had been brought along by the program crew on the way. As for the other two guests, they would arrive later due to scheduling issues.

When the car door opened, a handsome man in a black suit stepped out first. He then gallantly raised his hand to hold a fair, petite palm, leading out Lin Mengyan, who was dressed in a magnificent silver-white long dress, looking as cute as a dancing elf in the forest.

Many staff members looked at them with envy. A handsome man and a beautiful woman—these two were simply too well-matched!

Of course, many people also looked toward Fang Ziyue, the look of “watching a drama” unable to be hidden in their eyes.

Fang Ziyue still didn’t open her eyes. Since the live stream hadn’t started yet, anything captured by the camera could be edited later. She didn’t need to put on an act and simply leaned to the side with her eyes closed. It didn’t matter to her who the newcomers were.

The arrival of the couple broke the cold atmosphere between Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu. Ling Qiu looked up at the people walking toward her, knitting her brows as her headache grew worse.

Ever since Lin Mengyan married Ling Qiu’s former fiancé, Lin Mingcheng, she had frequently tripped Ling Qiu up. Although it hadn’t caused any major losses, as the saying goes, “a toad on the foot doesn’t bite, but it’s disgusting.”

Furthermore, she was unwell and didn’t want to deal with her.

“Director, everyone is here. Are we ready to start filming?” Before the smiling Lin Mengyan could open her mouth, a cold, magnetic alto voice from behind interrupted.

Facing his financier, Director Chang naturally had to give some face, directly calling out: “Everyone get ready, we are about to start filming.”

Subsequently, the program crew began their respective tasks. Ling Qiu took the opportunity to stand up, pretending not to see the Lin couple, and took her luggage to the front of the camera.

Ling Qiu sat quite close to Fang Ziyue, and she couldn’t help but glance at the other woman twice.

When her gaze swept over, she discovered that the other was looking at her. Fang Ziyue’s brows were tightly knit, and a hidden worry was buried within her dark, quiet eyes.

Is she… worried about me?

Ling Qiu’s heart was a tangle of emotions. To be honest, when she heard Fang Ziyue speak, she realized after a moment of reflection that the other was helping her out of a predicament.

The old Fang Ziyue wasn’t like this… but it had been four years, and everyone had changed. She now had no idea what Fang Ziyue was actually trying to do.

Lin Mengyan, having missed the chance to further annoy Ling Qiu, even found her smile stiffening.

Lin Mingcheng, who also hadn’t managed to speak to the Ling Qiu he still pined for, gave Fang Ziyue a displeased glance.

Fang Ziyue, however, didn’t even grant them a single look. Her heart was filled only with the thin, gaunt figure before her.

She raised her hand, using her index finger and thumb to pinch out a tiny distance against Ling Qiu’s back. Through that narrow gap, the coldness in her eyes grew deeper.

Over the past four years, she had sent many supplements to Ling Qiu from abroad. Each time, she used a voice changer to voice-chat with her and supervise her taking them.

But looking at her now, it seemed it hadn’t been of much use.

“Guests, please pay attention. The program is officially beginning. I will now announce your first mission: please form two-person teams and travel on foot from here to ‘Field Village.’ The first team to arrive will be given priority in choosing their housing. Guests, please give it your all. The mission starts now.”

While Director Chang was speaking, the live stream had already begun. A massive number of viewers flooded in, and in a short while, the bullet screen was filled with “Fang Ziyue get out of the show,” so dense that one couldn’t even see the figures on screen.

“I’ll be d*mned, the program crew isn’t human. If they have to team up in pairs, Film Emperor Lin and his wife definitely can’t be separated. Doesn’t that mean Film Queen Ling has no choice but to be in a team with Fang Ziyue? Film Queen Ling is too pitiful!”

However, this comment was quickly buried by “Fang Ziyue get out of the program crew! Get out of the entertainment circle!”.

There were also many people on the bullet screen who felt sorry for Ling Qiu. Everyone in the circle knew that back when Ling Qiu and Film Emperor Lin Mingcheng were getting married, Fang Ziyue had secretly drugged Lin Mingcheng and tried to have relations with the semi-conscious Film Emperor.

But by a strange stroke of luck, Fang Ziyue had taken him to Lin Mengyan’s lounge, and Lin Mengyan happened to return just as Fang Ziyue stepped out to tidy up the aftermath.

Consequently, when Ling Qiu arrived with people, she saw her fiancé rolling around with Lin Mengyan in a state of undress.

Her wedding was ruined. At that time, Lin Mingcheng and Lin Mengyan were cursed at very harshly. But the next day, while live-streaming, Lin Mengyan cried as she produced a series of evidence showing that Fang Ziyue was the real culprit behind the accident.

Public opinion took a complete U-turn. Fang Ziyue was hated by the entire internet. Being a fragile-hearted and devoted person, she was on the verge of collapse from the universal vitriol. A Weibo post from Lin Mingcheng saying he “never had any good feelings toward Fang Ziyue and even found this behavior extremely disgusting” became the final straw that broke her.

When Fang Ziyue transmigrated over, she was lying in a pool of blood, the wound on her left wrist gruesome and terrifying, which disgusted her to no end.

Now, after hearing the rules, Lin Mengyan cheered and threw herself into Lin Mingcheng’s arms, the two of them acting sweet.

But it was awkward on Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu’s side.

Fang Ziyue saw Ling Qiu glance at her, the difficulty and reluctance hidden beneath her seemingly calm eyes.

She simply asked the program crew: “Does the pair have to arrive at Field Village together to count as a win?”

Director Chang reacted instantly, swallowing the “yes” that was on the tip of his tongue, and said: “As long as one person arrives first, it counts as a victory.”

Fang Ziyue nodded. She looked down at the silent Ling Qiu and said: “I have a fast pace, I’m heading out first.”

Then, amidst everyone’s surprise and Ling Qiu’s bewilderment, she shouldered her bag and left.

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