After the Divorce, the Whole World is Waiting for Us to Get Back Together - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Light is always most prominent in dim places, serving as the inevitable focal point for everyone’s gaze.

And right in the center of that focus, Cheng Xi abruptly pulled Meng Zhijin toward her. The slight gust of wind stirred by that motion seemed to agitate the entire studio. Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi, not yet recovered from their earlier excitement, held their breath in unison.

The lighting traced their superior profiles. The loose strands of hair created a genuine sense of dynamic motion. Cheng Xi’s red lips brushed past the thick dark hair framing her face, forming a sharp contrast—and a source of intense anticipation—against Meng Zhijin’s unconsciously upturned, pale lips.

The cooperation agreement between Qi Ming and Su Jing was not particularly restrictive. Such a bold, reckless move was exactly the kind of thing Cheng Xi would do. To an outside observer, an unpredictable kiss seemed like a foregone conclusion.

However, just as the assistants thought they were about to witness a passionate embrace fueled by that sudden momentum, Cheng Xi’s firm grip on Meng Zhijin’s arm maintained a sliver of distance between them. The closing gap came to a halt, like a speeding car that had finally found its brakes.

Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi’s excitement crashed back to reality.

The sudden proximity pushed the light in Meng Zhijin’s vision to the periphery; Cheng Xi’s face unreasonably dominated her entire sight. They were so close their noses nearly touched. That subtle mole on the tip of Cheng Xi’s nose was pinned clearly in the center of Meng Zhijin’s view.

The light seemed to press a mute button on the surrounding noise.

Eyes met. Cheng Xi’s fox-like pupils locked onto the woman inches away. A sense of mischief peeked out from under her dark curls along with her red lips, brazenly announcing that she had done this on purpose.

Meng Zhijin did not speak, nor did she look annoyed. She simply tilted her gaze slightly to meet Cheng Xi’s eyes. The light reflecting in her pupils showed a deep, pure black—a calmness that didn’t seem like a normal human reaction to such a sudden change.

Cheng Xi never believed that time could wash everything away. Just like the gaze she shared with Meng Zhijin now, she was still so familiar with the woman in her pupils. She knew the curve of her brows and the nuances of her expressions as if they had only been apart for a few days.

Yet, the absolute composure in the woman’s eyes reminded her that they were no longer lovers who could naturally follow the moment into a kiss. Her mischief could only be interpreted as retaliation for Meng Zhijin’s earlier teasing.

Cheng Xi’s palm pressed against Meng Zhijin’s wrist, gathering a cluster of heat that breached her guarded bones—a subtle, nuanced sensation. Their warm breaths mingled, and the loose strands of hair near their faces carried each other’s scents. A sharp woody fragrance tangled with the lightness of grapefruit; they didn’t quite match, yet at the peak of their mutual repulsion, they blended perfectly, creating a sweetness neither would have worn intentionally.

Neither spoke. It was like a game of ambiguous psychological warfare. The ones being tortured weren’t the two women, but the bystanders. The light threw their shadows onto the backdrop behind them—arms touching, lips opposite each other—but that tiny gap remained, neither advancing nor retreating. It was maddeningly teasing.

Whether a half-century passed or less than a minute, Cheng Xi eventually shifted her gaze lazily toward the photographer. She tilted her head with a smile. “Did you get the shot?”

The photographer snapped out of it, his hands having already taken numerous photos instinctively. He glanced at his screen and nodded quickly. “Yes, yes. It’s done.”

“Sorry to trouble you both today.”

Cheng Xi waved it off, letting go of Meng Zhijin’s arm. It was as if her outrageous behavior had been entirely for the sake of the work. Actually, it shouldn’t be “as if”—she was working.

Cheng Xi lightly licked her lips, smudging the vivid red slightly. She stretched her shoulders and looked at the production lead. “Nothing else for me, right? Can I go?”

“Next are Teacher Meng’s solo shots. Would Miss Cheng like to…” The coordinator hoped Cheng Xi would stay, still reeling from the intense chemistry.

Cheng Xi glanced at Meng Zhijin, who was already surrounded by staff for a touch-up, then abruptly withdrew her gaze. Her slip dress had no pockets; her hand brushed over the slight protrusion of her hip bone, finding nothing.

“No,” Cheng Xi said lazily, acting nonchalant. “There are so many people surrounding her already; she doesn’t need one more from me.”

The coordinator really wanted to tell her, “Actually, she really does need you.” But she remembered she was at work and that “shipping” was a professional taboo. She watched with regret as Cheng Xi left the studio with her assistant.

Following the poster shoot, the formal filming of the program began in earnest. Because the show hadn’t been officially announced yet, the first recording was highly confidential.

Cheng Xi sat in the dressing room prepared by the crew, looking at the empty seat beside her. Meng Zhijin hadn’t arrived yet. Cheng Xi wanted to get to the filming location early to snag a good bedroom.

Our Romantic World was a travel reality show divided into three major segments, each filmed in a different location. Four couples lived under one roof, completing tasks to earn points, which they could exchange for romantic date locations. Cheng Xi had binged the first season and knew that despite being in the same house, the rooms varied wildly—from luxury suites on the top floor to converted storage closets on the first.

Cheng Xi was in the habit of “laying flat,” but she still had standards for her living environment. Early arrival meant an earlier draw and better odds.

She checked her watch. It was 9:00 AM; the crew said they could head out at 8:00. Yesterday, Qi Ming mentioned that Meng Zhijin’s team also wanted to arrive early to avoid paparazzi. Cheng Xi worried aloud to Xiao Wu, “Do you think Meng Zhijin got cornered by ‘sasaeng’ fans too?”

“Our luck isn’t that bad.”

The familiar, cool voice came from behind as the door opened. Meng Zhijin had arrived. She was already camera-ready, wearing a simple white shirt and black wide-leg trousers that made her look sharp and capable.

Rarely, Meng Zhijin had left a few top buttons of her shirt undone. The collar folded away from her collarbone, breaking her usual “distant” aura and replacing it with an indescribable allure. The ivory skin of her neck and chest glowed like polished jade. Her crow-feather lashes lowered over eyes of pure black.

She looked like a queen stepping down from her throne. Cheng Xi’s eyes widened slightly, instantly regretting talking about her behind her back.

“Are you packed? Can we go?” Meng Zhijin asked calmly.

To hide her momentary distraction, Cheng Xi reacted quickly. She nodded, smoothing her red skirt. “Let’s head out then.”

The filming location for the first episode was a newly developed resort in the eastern suburbs. The temperature outside the city was lower, and a light drizzle from dark clouds brought a damp chill into the car. Water vapor rose from the mountain streams, and the green peaks appeared through the mist like a traditional ink wash painting.

Cheng Xi leaned her chin on her hand, looking lazily out the window. As the mist cleared to reveal the unadorned forest, a rush of familiarity surged through her mind.

“We’re back again, kid,” Meng Zhijin said, turning slightly to look at Cheng Xi.

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