After the Divorce, the Whole World is Waiting for Us to Get Back Together - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Meng Zhijin’s voice was neither heavy nor light. Her raised eyes held the same characteristic calm she displayed during televised interviews.

However, the more she maintained this composure, the more obvious the hidden meaning in her words became. What was clearly a sarcastic remark from Cheng Xi had been picked apart for its minor loopholes by this woman, who threw it back with a casual, playful directness.

Cheng Xi was momentarily speechless. Staring at Meng Zhijin, who had suddenly closed the distance between them, her usually unflappable eyes betrayed a rare flash of embarrassment.

Meng Zhijin did not pull her gaze away.

Water droplets slowly gathered at her fingertips and dripped silently onto the clean tiled floor. The quiet atmosphere was tinted with an ambiguous glow, and Cheng Xi felt the shadow looming over her draw even closer.

Meng Zhijin’s long hair, which had been tucked casually behind her ear, slid forward. In this tightening proximity, Cheng Xi caught the scent of a familiar fragrance from their past. A lukewarm breath drifted between them in the narrow space. The play of light and shadow overlaid a dreamlike tenderness onto the distant coldness in Meng Zhijin’s pupils. The blending of illusion and reality left Cheng Xi feeling disoriented.

Crrrk.

The sound of a paper towel being pulled from a dispenser shattered the silence and broke Cheng Xi’s trance.

In the next second, she saw Meng Zhijin’s shadow—and her gaze—withdraw. The paper towel softened as it soaked up the moisture. Meng Zhijin wiped her fingers with nonchalant precision, as if her leaning in had merely been a practical move to grab a towel.

The tips of Cheng Xi’s ears, hidden beneath her hair, were burning. She felt like she had been played.

Searching for a way to save face and wanting to avoid any misunderstanding, Cheng Xi brushed her hair back with feigned indifference. She offered a competitive explanation: “News about you has been everywhere these past two days. It’s hard not to notice, isn’t it?”

Meng Zhijin didn’t stop wiping her hands. Her expression remained casual. “So, I misunderstood.”

“Of course.” Cheng Xi nodded. Her emotions always seemed to come and go quickly. Looking at the “admitting her mistake” Meng Zhijin, she added, “Though it’s a bit late, congratulations.”

“Winning Best Actress… you got what you wanted.”

Cheng Xi paused. She looked at the two of them in the mirror. The bright lights reflected against the glass, making her own eyes seem dim by comparison.

“But… I probably won’t have the luck to collaborate with someone of your level again.”

Cheng Xi tilted her head toward Meng Zhijin, her red lips curling into an exceptionally beautiful smile.

Meng Zhijin’s casual gaze faltered for a fraction of a second.

The light shifted. The pride she was once so familiar with in the younger girl had been snapped at some point. Behind those eyes that still appeared flamboyant lay a hidden gloom—the look of someone who no longer fought desperately for anything.

Faintly, a hint of displeasure touched Meng Zhijin’s brow.

“Xi-jie!”

Suddenly, Xiao Wu’s voice burst into the room. She hadn’t expected Meng Zhijin to be there and froze at the door like a startled deer.

“Sorry, Teacher M-Meng… I didn’t know you and Xi-jie were chatting here…”

“You didn’t know? Well, neither did I,” Cheng Xi said with a casual laugh, denying Xiao Wu’s premise. “What is it?”

“Sister Ming found out that sasaeng fans followed us again. She wants us to swap clothes. You’ll take a different car back with her,” Xiao Wu explained.

Cheng Xi was signed to one of the biggest agencies in the country. It was a massive temple with too many gods; they couldn’t be bothered with a fading starlet like her. Dealing with stalkers was her own responsibility. Qi Ming had kept the slightly ditzy Xiao Wu around specifically because her build was similar to Cheng Xi’s—perfect for a “golden cicada shedding its skin” maneuver.

“Is it that ‘521B0’ again? Never-ending,” Cheng Xi muttered, making no effort to hide her disgust despite the third party present. She took the clothes from Xiao Wu and nodded politely to Meng Zhijin. “You heard her. Excuse me.”

With that, Cheng Xi walked into a stall. Xiao Wu followed closely, giving Meng Zhijin an apologetic bow as she passed.

The sound of idle chatter drifted from the adjacent stalls, Cheng Xi’s unique laughter scratching at the air. Meng Zhijin tossed the wet towel into the bin. Her face remained void of emotion, looking indifferent to everything outside herself as she turned and walked away.

Sunlight filtered through the roadside trees, shadows dancing in Cheng Xi’s eyes as the car moved. She watched the scenery with boredom while Qi Ming’s relentless persuasion rang in her ears.

“I shouldn’t have to tell you how rare this opportunity is. The first season was a massive hit. You know how many people are breaking their necks to get into the second season. Why were you so impulsive as to tell Meng Zhijin you didn’t want to work with her?”

“I know your concerns. I’ll go talk to Su Jing to test the waters. But you should understand—a CP needs to be mutually beneficial. If they don’t mind the pairing, it won’t hurt you. And with Meng Zhijin there, those people won’t dare reach out their hands. Even if they do, we won’t be as passive as we were in the past. Like you said in the reception room: we’re in the same boat. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Do you really not want to stand at the peak again? Are you just going to let yourself be worn down forever?”

A red light reflected on the windshield. Cheng Xi’s train of thought paused, and memory forced a “rewind.”

Cheng Xi had been prominent once. She had even been nominated for Best Actress at the Star Awards. But that night, she had offended Chen Zhuoying (that year’s winner) backstage. Chen used her influence to cut off several of Cheng Xi’s resources. After that, no good scripts came her way.

Between a veteran artist with decades in the industry and a green newcomer, it was obvious which side the capital would back.

Cheng Xi’s gaze fell on a camellia swaying in the wind by the road. Her fox-like eyes narrowed with a trace of obscure resentment, which was quickly buried again.

Come to think of it, all the unpleasantness seemed to stem from that one night. Everyone around her had left her that night. Everyone except Qi Ming.

Qi Ming was a formidable agent. Even under Chen Zhuoying’s blockade, she had managed to secure two good scripts for Cheng Xi. But Cheng Xi seemed cursed—every project flopped. In the fast-paced entertainment industry, she slipped from female lead to supporting roles. Her pride and ambition had eroded through repeated disappointments.

Maybe she really lacked the spark. But everyone seemed to have forgotten: three years ago, the “Best Newcomer” trophy at the Jade Awards bore the name Cheng Xi.

“Xiao Xi, Teacher Meng is a professional actor. She can set everything aside to play her part. You can too, can’t you?” Qi Ming’s voice softened into a gentle question.

Cheng Xi actually listened this time, though her furrowed brow didn’t smooth out.

Because she’s a professional, can she perform any kind of deep affection? Even if it were someone else, would it be the same?

“Xiao Xi,” Qi Ming prodded.

Cheng Xi bit the inside of her lip. “Let me think about it, okay?”

Qi Ming knew her personality. If she was willing to think, she was wavering. “Fine. Tomorrow I’m running errands with the new trainees. I’ll come find you the day after.”

Cheng Xi gave a muffled “mm.” She watched the camellia bend under the wind of the starting car, only to struggle back upright.

It had rained the night before. The ground, not yet scorched by the summer sun, felt damp and cold. The van drove through puddles, splashing the clean greenery.

Cheng Xi had a magazine insert shoot today. Since Qi Ming was away, Xiao Wu accompanied her. One of Cheng Xi’s favorite English songs played in the van—the smooth, lingering melody paired perfectly with the fresh post-rain air.

After peeking at Cheng Xi for the fourth time to confirm she was in a good mood, Xiao Wu spoke: “Xi-jie, can I ask you a question?”

The girl couldn’t hide her thoughts; they were written all over her eyes.

Cheng Xi glanced at her. “Did Sister Ming tell you to test me?”

Knowing she couldn’t fool her, Xiao Wu nodded. “Yes.”

Seeing her pouting in defeat, Cheng Xi’s lips quirked up. She was in a good mood. She tapped her red-manicured nails against the armrest. “Let’s hear it.”

“I really don’t get it. Why don’t you want to work with Teacher Meng? Is it because of what happened three years ago?” Xiao Wu asked bluntly.

The “unpleasantness” during their movie collaboration three years ago was common knowledge to the public. But Cheng Xi knew that the “unpleasantness” was a fake show she and Meng Zhijin had been forced to put on.

As for the reason…

Cheng Xi narrowed her eyes and looked at Xiao Wu. “Actually, I don’t get why you want me to work with her so badly.”

“Because Meng Zhijin is beautiful!” Xiao Wu blurted out. “Xi-jie, don’t you think that setting aside worldly desires for money, just being able to play a temporary couple with someone like Teacher Meng is worth it in itself!?”

Cheng Xi looked disgusted. “I think your reason is full of worldly desires.”

Outside, the sky was washed clean. Cheng Xi gazed at the sun through the protected window glass. “Meng Zhijin is an international Best Actress. I’m just a small-time actress who can’t be shown off. Have you considered what it takes to stand next to her?”

Xiao Wu was stumped. But she didn’t want to give up. “Xi-jie… I haven’t considered that… but when a peerless beauty stands before you and invites you, won’t your heart skip a beat? Would you have the heart to refuse? Don’t you want something to… happen between you? Just imagining it makes me happy…”

As Xiao Wu’s words grew more outrageous and her eyes brighter, Cheng Xi’s expression cooled. She reached out and poked Xiao Wu’s forehead. “Pervert.”

The shoot was a small insert, but because it was a major magazine, the studio and equipment were top-notch. Since the magazine provided makeup and wardrobe, Cheng Xi was dressed simply in jeans and a white T-shirt, which still couldn’t hide her stunning figure.

The girl receiving her stared for a moment. “Miss Cheng, this way please. The lounge is just ahead.”

Xiao Wu, remembering Qi Ming’s instructions, asked, “Is the wardrobe ready? Take me to see it.”

“It’s ready, but should we go to…” The girl looked at Cheng Xi, who had only brought one staff member.

“Take her to see the clothes,” Cheng Xi said decisively. “Which room is the lounge? I’ll go myself.”

Relieved, the girl handed her the key card. “Go to the end of this hallway. Room 106.”

The studio was busy. Compared to the big stars with massive entourages, Cheng Xi alone was inconspicuous. She reached Room 106 without any small talk.

She swiped the card and pushed the door open.

The lounge wasn’t empty. There were signs of a team having been there—a few coats were left in the foyer as if forgotten. Frowning, Cheng Xi wondered if she was being slighted again.

But before she could get angry, she noticed a woman standing before the mirror diagonally across from her.

Cheng Xi’s footsteps froze. She never expected to see the person she had met just the day before so soon.

In the quiet lounge, they were alone. Meng Zhijin was wearing a dress that looked conservative in cut but was entirely embellished with diamonds that shimmered like white silver. Under the studio lights, the dress flowed like a galaxy onto the floor, spreading to Cheng Xi’s feet.

If other stars were people surrounded by a galaxy, she was the one who created the galaxy. Her makeup was minimal, merely tracing her features, yet that was enough to release a powerful aura. She truly was the one who could stand out even at the star-studded Golden String Awards.

The satin gown traced Meng Zhijin’s perfect figure. A row of closely set buttons ran up her spine, tracing the curve of her neck and shoulders. Her shoulder blades were covered by nearly transparent gauze, appearing like a thin mist hovering over her back—shrouding the reality of her beauty from the world’s pursuit.

Cheng Xi had touched this body once, in a way that was very, very real. Once tasted, the memory was impossible to forget.

Cheng Xi didn’t know if Meng Zhijin had noticed her entrance. Catching someone during a fitting made her instinctively want to retreat, but her feet seemed nailed to the floor.

At that moment, the buttons at the top of Meng Zhijin’s spine shifted slightly.

Meng Zhijin looked into the mirror. Her gaze was like a command, or perhaps an invitation.

“I can’t reach the top buttons. Come help me.”

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