After the Divorce, the Whole World is Waiting for Us to Get Back Together - Chapter 19.2

Chapter 19.2

 

The natural outdoor light mingled with the artificial glow of the elevator hall, casting an almost otherworldly atmosphere over the area.

 

It had been years since they truly saw each other.

 

Their last meeting was two years ago, when they finalized their divorce.

 

Since then, Cheng Xi and Meng Zhijin had completely severed ties, as if the official steel seal pressed onto their respective photos had relegated them to two different universes.

 

And they truly were in two different worlds.

 

One was a fading star on the verge of becoming obsolete; the other had just brought home the Golden String Award for Best Actress.

 

One on the ground, one in the sky—utterly unreachable.

 

To say she hadn’t fantasized about a reunion with her ex would be a lie even Cheng Xi didn’t believe. The awkwardness of the encounter clung to her heart, giving it a sharp, cruel twist.

 

Ding-dong.

 

Whether it was a desire to flee in disgrace or a genuine wish to avoid further contact, the moment the elevator arrived, Cheng Xi retracted her gaze from Meng Zhijin’s. Acting as though she hadn’t noticed that the person she was staring at was the legendary Best Actress everyone dreamed of flattering, she stepped into the elevator on her own.

 

The young assistant, who was about to walk toward Meng Zhijin, looked like she wanted to say something, but seeing the elevator doors closing on Cheng Xi, she quickly scurried back inside.

 

Only after all four were inside did the doors slowly slide shut.

 

Meng Zhijin’s position was a bit coincidental—she stood right in the center of the gap. Her silhouette inevitably lingered in Cheng Xi’s line of sight for five or six seconds before being completely cut off by the closing doors.

 

The woman was dressed simply and sharply, yet Cheng Xi recognized at a glance that the dress was a new summer release from Chanel’s latest collection last month. The bandeau-style black and white floral gown featured a slit on the left leg that wasn’t too high nor too low, offering a shimmering glimpse of her long, straight leg.

 

However, Cheng Xi’s focus seemed to drift elsewhere.

 

Looking at the slight protrusion of the woman’s joints under the skirt, she felt she looked thinner. The marketing accounts claiming Meng Zhijin had lost twenty pounds for her role as “A-Fang” in the movie Silence apparently wasn’t an exaggeration. Filming had ended a long time ago, yet she still hadn’t gained the weight back; she must have used some ruthless methods to drop it in the first place.

 

Since she had already achieved honors others could only dream of, why didn’t she take this chance to rest properly? Why come out for work the moment she returned to the country?

 

Cheng Xi wondered what was so important that it required the “it” girl of the industry to show up in person.

 

She wouldn’t be participating in the second season of “Our Romantic World,” would she?

 

Does she also need to form a CP? Is she into tie-in marketing now?

 

Heh.

 

Cheng Xi gave a mental sneer, feeling she was perhaps “overestimating her own importance.” Did Meng Zhijin need that now? Cheng Xi had never heard of an actor participating in a variety show—especially a web-only dating show—immediately after winning a Best Actress title. It was essentially a self-demotion.

 

The elevator ran smoothly, the humming sound filling the quiet space. Looking at the flickering floor indicator, Cheng Xi asked with an unreadable tone, “What is she doing here?”

 

Xiao Wu hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of seeing the Best Actress’s massive entourage. Hearing Cheng Xi’s question, she blinked blankly. Before she could ask “who,” Qi Ming’s voice cut in.

 

“The production team finalized your CP yesterday.”

 

Cheng Xi’s gaze, which had been fixed on the elevator door, froze. For a moment, she didn’t know which fact to be more shocked by.

 

Either the “Queen of the East Palace” was actually making pancakes (her wild guess was right), or Meng Zhijin was going to pretend to be her lover on Our Romantic World.

 

Even Xiao Wu could sense the eerie silence.

 

Qi Ming continued to explain, “It was sudden. I only got the news in the early hours of the morning.”

 

“We only confirmed yesterday that Teacher Meng had accepted the invitation. It truly was sudden,” the assistant from the production team chimed in, sounding as if they were deflecting responsibility. “Since the other CPs are already set and only Miss Cheng’s side remained unfinalized, we thought it best for you and Teacher Meng to meet today to discuss the possibility of a partnership.”

 

The assistant’s voice was tense, but the implication was clear: the production team was dead set on having Meng Zhijin. If today’s discussion didn’t go well, the one being replaced would be Cheng Xi—the one who had reached a cooperation intent with them long ago.

 

It was obvious she wasn’t being treated as a priority, but hadn’t she been ignored enough over the years? Being replaced, having roles swapped, even having awards intended for her handed to others… A flash of self-deprecating irony crossed Cheng Xi’s eyes. She said nothing more.

 

Ding-dong!

 

The elevator reached the designated floor with a crisp chime. As the doors opened, the first thing they saw was a face full of smiles.

 

However, the smiles weren’t for Cheng Xi’s group.

 

The man said, “Teacher Meng is here. Was the journey smooth?”

 

Meng Zhijin stepped slowly out of the elevator. She was famous in the industry for being a woman of few words. She replied briefly, “It was fine.”

 

The man nodded and was about to say more when the assistant leading Cheng Xi called out, “Director Wang, Miss Cheng has also arrived.”

 

The man turned around to see Cheng Xi walking out. Her navy blue slip dress flowed with light and shadow, unreservedly tracing her beautiful figure. No one would guess that this dress was something she bought from a night market stall last week. Her straight collarbones highlighted her snow-white, translucent skin, paired with deliberately emphasized red lips. A sudden aura of “femme fatale” made the usually calm Director Wang’s eyes widen involuntarily.

 

Director Wang had seen too many artists with nothing but a pretty face and zero acting skills become superstars. He was genuinely confused: how could someone with Cheng Xi’s currently irreplaceable looks fall to the point of having no scripts to film?

 

“Now that everyone is here, shall we go?”

 

Director Wang’s gaze had lingered on Cheng Xi for a long time. Before he could make sense of his thoughts, Meng Zhijin’s voice interrupted him. It was a question, delivered in a calm, gentle tone without a trace of irritation or dissatisfaction.

 

She looked at Director Wang, but Cheng Xi felt that her gaze included her as well. The light falling in hit Meng Zhijin’s profile. Cheng Xi looked at her eyes; they were just like when they first met. Beneath the perfectly measured gentleness and peace lay a pool of bottomless water. The darkness mixed with her pupils made people feel she was accessible, yet simultaneously impossible to truly get close to.

 

It was the look she gave to strangers she had never met.

 

Strangers, huh…

 

…That’s fine.

 

Cheng Xi tilted her chin and let her eyes curve slightly. An indescribable feeling weighed on that thought.

 

With Meng Zhijin’s prompt, Director Wang didn’t dare dawdle further and quickly invited the group into the reception room. Cheng Xi’s polished contract and the draft for Meng Zhijin were handed to their respective agents. The sound of rustling paper filled the room.

 

The agents sat formally on the L-shaped sofa, while only Cheng Xi leaned back against the chair. Her slender legs peeked through the slit of her skirt, lazily crossed over each other, looking like a detached bystander. She didn’t seem to care much about the signing.

 

Recalling the look Meng Zhijin gave her earlier, Cheng Xi felt optimistic: there was no way this new job would happen.

 

“The contract is fine. We can sign once a few clauses are modified. However, regarding playing the couple…” After a while, Meng Zhijin’s agent, Su Jing, spoke first.

 

Hearing that familiar voice, Cheng Xi slowly took a sip of water, waiting for the words she had expected: the request to replace her.

 

However, this “clever fox” was wrong this time.

 

“We still need to discuss this with Miss Cheng’s side. After all, it’s the first time both are participating in a dating show. It’s better for both parties to discuss and agree on many things in advance.”

 

Wait?

 

What did Su Jing just say? “Discuss with Miss Cheng’s side”? Was there another Miss Cheng in the room?

 

Cheng Xi doubted her own ears. Her hand holding the glass paused, and her indifferent gaze snapped upward. Meng Zhijin sat with a straight back on the sofa opposite her, her calm expression indicating she had no objection to Su Jing’s words.

 

“In that case, Miss Cheng can also sign the contract,” Director Wang said happily. After seeing Cheng Xi in person, he had started to lament how much of a loss it would be for the cameras if Meng Zhijin refused to work with her.

 

Qi Ming, whose heart had been in her throat since this morning, finally relaxed. But a second before she could nod, Cheng Xi pressed her hand down.

 

“Actually, I think we don’t need to sign the contract too quickly on our side. Let’s sign it together after discussing things with Teacher Meng.”

 

“Since we’re going to be partners on the same boat, it’s better to stay in sync.”

 

It was just typical polite talk. Anyone can come up with “pretty words” to delay or decline when pushed. Furthermore, the beautiful smile on Cheng Xi’s red lips as she spoke was full of charm. This made Director Wang agree readily without a second thought.

 

The clean tiled floor reflected the bright light of the corridor. The sound of high heels echoed with a hint of agitation. Qi Ming followed Cheng Xi out of the reception room, chasing her with a question: “Xiao Xi, what are you actually thinking?”

 

“What else can I think? That’s Meng Zhijin,” Cheng Xi smiled at Qi Ming with an unreadable expression.

 

Qi Ming was the only one around Cheng Xi who knew about her history with Meng Zhijin. Words that sounded like admiration, when added to the memory of those two red marriage certificates with steel seals, sounded exceptionally grim.

 

The two hadn’t parted on good terms back then; Qi Ming knew that. But this opportunity was truly rare. She wanted to persuade Cheng Xi further, but the woman stopped in her tracks.

 

Cheng Xi didn’t play by the rules. She grinned mischievously and pointed to the sign above her head. “Sister Ming, nature calls. I drank too much coffee just now. Go to the car first and let me use the restroom, okay?”

 

Qi Ming knew this wasn’t the place to discuss things, and since Cheng Xi hadn’t completely shut the door, there was still a chance to change her mind. She suppressed her helplessness and agreed. “Fine, be quick.”

 

“You got it,” Cheng Xi replied.

 

Her shadow was fixed in place by the lights. Cheng Xi watched Qi Ming’s receding back. The mischievous smile vanished the moment Qi Ming stepped into the elevator.

 

The “nature calls” bit was a lie.

 

The faucet sensed a palm beneath it and released a surge of water. The icy water swallowed the warmth of Cheng Xi’s fingertips, but she let it wash over her as if she couldn’t feel it. The thorn lodged in her heart gave this “slacking snail” a sharp jab, forcing her back into her numbing shell.

 

Whether it was love or hate, a bond that had once been formed could never be erased. The more passionately they had once possessed each other, the more ridiculous it was to go back to being strangers.

 

Cheng Xi truly didn’t know what Meng Zhijin was thinking.

 

Why go on a dating show?

 

And why choose to work with your “stranger” ex-wife?

 

What is she after?

 

Is it because they were actually together, making it easier to form a CP? Or is it because her acting is good enough to make a fake show look real? Or is it because she knows her well enough to… always keep her from getting out of bed?

 

Unable to restrain herself, Cheng Xi hissed a word through gritted teeth: “F*ck.”

 

“Have you forgotten this is a public place?”

 

Cheng Xi’s fingers moved away from the sensor, and the water stopped instantly. A stall door was pushed open from the inside with a slight creak. The familiar tone sounded distant yet real, drifting through three years of time, stained with the cold bitterness of the years.

 

Cheng Xi was dazed for a moment. Looking up, she saw that familiar, expensive Chanel limited-edition black floral dress in the mirror. The ruffles ebbed and flowed with her steps as Meng Zhijin walked out of the stall. Under Cheng Xi’s gaze, she walked unhurriedly to the sink, her lowered eyelashes carrying a sense of distant aloofness.

 

Cheng Xi, as in the past, still disliked that look in Meng Zhijin’s eyes. She raised her head, looking at Meng Zhijin in the mirror with an equally strange attitude. The old form of address circled in her mouth before being swapped for “Teacher Meng.”

 

“Teacher Meng, I have a question I can’t figure out. Why would you participate in a show like this after winning Best Actress? You’re really leaving no way out for us ‘has-beens.'”

 

“It’s better not to self-deprecate,” Meng Zhijin countered. She put her hands under the faucet, explaining calmly amidst the sound of running water, “A show like this can broaden social circles and help one meet actors who might be future collaborators.”

 

The sound of the water muffled her voice. Cheng Xi’s red lips curled into a piercing smile in the brightly lit world of the mirror. She turned to face the real Meng Zhijin and said pointedly, “But as far as I know, the people participating in this show aren’t exactly high enough to collaborate with Teacher Meng.”

 

Meng Zhijin’s movements stopped. The water ceased. Cheng Xi felt a bit of gratification seeing this pause, which contradicted the composure Meng Zhijin showed on camera. However, her gratification didn’t last long before a shadow fell over her.

 

The distance between them wasn’t great. Meng Zhijin could touch Cheng Xi just by turning around. Furthermore, she took a step toward Cheng Xi. Social distance was suddenly closed.

 

With a wall behind her, Cheng Xi could neither move forward nor retreat. Time seemed to stop for a long time, or perhaps only a few seconds passed. Meng Zhijin’s eyelashes rose slowly toward Cheng Xi, her gaze deep, enunciating every word:

 

“How is it that you still seem to know my current situation so clearly?”

 

That voice was cloying, like a cheap fruit candy overloaded with artificial sweeteners.

 

Cheng Xi had always been direct; she disliked this kind of “soft coercion.”

 

Moreover, the person this girl was so intent on seeing, for her own ulterior motives, was Meng Zhijin.

 

“Teacher Meng doesn’t like to be disturbed when she’s resting. It’s better to wait here.” Cheng Xi’s voice was several degrees colder than before.

 

Su Miaomiao wasn’t willing to give up: “But I really, really, really, really want to see Teacher Meng. You don’t know how much I—”

 

But before she could finish her sentence, Cheng Xi choked her words back using the very “love” she kept professing: “If you truly like Teacher Meng, then don’t disturb her.”

 

After saying that, Cheng Xi took the small dipping sauce bowl provided by the crew and walked toward the condiment station.

 

Guarding her “teammate” against someone with hidden motives became the mist that masked Cheng Xi’s true reasons for rejecting the girl. It also obscured the exact moment her hostility had first surfaced.

 

Cheng Xi was in a foul mood, and her mind wandered as she prepared her sauce.

 

Just as she picked up the small long-handled spoon to add condiments to her bowl, someone grabbed her wrist. A shadow fell from behind, enveloping her.

 

Cheng Xi stared at the familiar hand below her line of sight. She froze, and with a mix of defenselessness and anticipation, she met Meng Zhijin’s eyes.

 

Su Miaomiao’s voice was still noisy in the background, but inexplicably, it was no longer irritating.

 

Meng Zhijin, who was supposed to be upstairs resting, had come down at some unknown point. She swapped the small dish in Cheng Xi’s hand for her own and said:

 

“Kid, you can’t eat cilantro. Did you forget?”