After My Flash Marriage with the Movie Queen - Chapter 93.1

When Shi Nanbei brought up the matter over the phone, she sounded particularly righteous and solemn:

“Whether the child will be happy or not isn’t important. What matters is fulfilling the touching, soul-stirring sisterhood between you and Sister An He.”

Zhao Xunyin: “…”

Say that to my face again if you dare?

She had squeezed in this call with Shi Nanbei during a rare break. She was in Suzhou studying traditional opera—up before dawn every day for vocal training, memorizing scores. It wasn’t as grueling as filming, but her schedule was still packed.

Her afternoons and evenings were freer, though. Once she finished memorizing lines for her new script, she would call Shi Nanbei and chatter away for hours.

And so today, she heard from Shi Nanbei about how Boss Qi and An He had gone to Chengdu yesterday to have a meal with her.

At first, Zhao Xunyin had thought her best friend had finally become reliable—she wasn’t home, yet An He still went to keep her “little wife” company.

But the truth? An He’s real reason for visiting was to trick Shi Nanbei into debuting.

“You didn’t agree to it, did you?” Zhao Xunyin asked.

“Of course not,” Shi Nanbei replied, firm and righteous.

Zhao Xunyin had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Shi Nanbei add over the phone:

“But I did agree to something else.”

Instantly, Zhao Xunyin felt her eyelid twitch. A bad feeling crawled up her spine.

But considering it was An He and Shi Nanbei—her best friend and her wife—it didn’t seem possible they’d do anything outrageous or betray her.

So she asked what exactly Shi Nanbei had agreed to.

Then she heard her wife calmly explain that she had agreed to a betrothal between their future children.

Zhao Xunyin: “…”

Seeing that Zhao Xunyin seemed unhappy, Shi Nanbei even started persuading her earnestly:

“Money doesn’t matter, and a child’s happiness doesn’t matter either. This is mainly about honoring the beautiful friendship between you and Sister An He, right? Look how much she cares about you—the baby’s not even born yet and she’s already here setting up a childhood engagement! If I refused, wouldn’t that be letting her down?”

Zhao Xunying: “…”

What an absolutely noble, dignified speech you’re giving.

Silence. Then Zhao Xunyin asked,

“You’re sure you didn’t agree because you were eyeing Boss Qi’s assets?”

If nothing else, Zhao Xunyin really understood Shi Nanbei.

They’d been together this long, and not once had Shi Nanbei ever voluntarily mentioned wanting kids. But An He showed up once, and not only was Shi Nanbei suddenly okay with kids—she’d already negotiated the child’s marriage.

Even using her toes, Zhao Xunyin could guess that An He must have dangled some kind of “benefit” in front of Shi Nanbei. Something so good that Shi Nanbei immediately abandoned all principle.

And what could An He possibly offer?

As An He’s old best friend, Zhao Xunyin knew that woman far too well—now a nouveau-riche daughter-in-law through and through.

What else could she offer?

Obviously, she must have brought up the Qi family fortune again. Something along the lines of:

“Our child will be the Qi family’s only heir. If we set up a childhood engagement, that’s future marital assets secured.”

And wouldn’t you know it—Zhao Xunyin’s guess was dead on. It was almost word-for-word what An He had implied.

So after Shi Nanbei finished her long, poetic monologue, Zhao Xunyin cut her down with a single sentence.

And Shi Nanbei went instantly speechless.

Shi Nanbei felt wronged.

How could her wife distrust her like this?

Talking about whether she was or wasn’t after the money—so hurtful!

Zhao Xunyin snorted, “Can’t you behave yourself in Chengdu for once? You stir up trouble every single day.”

Exposed and furious, Shi Nanbei protested,

“You’re too much! Saying it so bluntly! Maybe our marriage won’t last at this rate!”

Zhao Xunying: “…”

Sure.

She rubbed her forehead.

“And how old are you that you’re thinking about kids already? You haven’t even graduated yet.”

In truth, she had considered having a child with Shi Nanbei.

Maybe age really did mellow people. When she was younger, she never thought about marriage or children.

But now, seeing her friends settling down, welcoming adorable babies one after another, something warm and wistful flickered in her heart.

She honestly wouldn’t mind having a little one who looked like Shi Nanbei.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want a child—it was just that Shi Nanbei was too young and still in school. Even if they wanted one, they should at least wait until she graduated.

But the trouble was: Shi Nanbei was a medical student. Counting from this year onward, she had four whole years before graduation.

Which felt a little long, Zhao Xunyin thought.

“What’s graduation gotta do with it?” Shi Nanbei said, puzzled. “I wasn’t graduated when we got married—so why can’t I have a kid before graduation? You do know college students can take a leave of absence, right?”

Zhao Xunyin: “…”

Ah. Showing off the fact that you’ve actually been to college, are you?

But that reminded Zhao Xunyin of something:

If they did have a kid, who would carry it?

Shi Nanbei answered without hesitation.

“Me, of course. I’m young and strong. Should I make you do it?”

Zhao Xunyin knew her wife disliked how much older she was, but hearing it again in the context of childbirth, her heart hurt a little.

Zhao Xunyin: “…”

“Pregnancy is at least a year,” Zhao Xunyin said. “You’d take a full year off school? Wouldn’t that affect your studies? And didn’t you say studying was your top priority?”

Shi Nanbei answered with absolute seriousness:

“But you’re more important.”

That caught Zhao Xunyin off guard—and made her laugh despite herself.

Shi Nanbei was still as oblivious as ever, but compared to when they had first married, she had improved tremendously.

Because they were living apart, she actually made the effort to call and message every day.

When Zhao Xunyin was swamped with work, she didn’t disturb her—just sent long messages about her day.

Everything felt like it was moving steadily in a good direction.

Shi Nanbei was growing up, becoming more mature.

Their relationship was smoothing out, becoming more stable.

During National Day break, Shi Nanbei’s grandmother finally returned from abroad. The old lady had been traveling for over two months—energetic, glowing, full of vigor.

When Shi Nanbei visited, she was promptly scolded for a good half-hour.

She couldn’t outtalk her, couldn’t outfight her, so after lunch she fled with her tail tucked between her legs.

There were seven days off for the holiday, and Shi Nanbei had already decided she would go to Suzhou to see Zhao Xunyin.

And you had to admit—love had really opened her mind.

For once, she wasn’t being a clueless straight man who only cared about her own fun.

The day before break started, Zhao Xunyin had called and casually asked about her holiday plans.

Because the latter half of the year was peak busy season for actors, she truly had no time to return to Chengdu.

Counting this week, it had been over three weeks since she last saw Shi Nanbei.

So her question naturally came with her own little hopes behind it.

But she also understood her wife’s straight-man logic well enough not to expect much.

Still—when Shi Nanbei actually said she planned to go out of town with Wu Lili to chase celebrities, Zhao Xunyin couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Since she was sure Shi Nanbei wouldn’t come, she didn’t complain.

But Shi Nanbei still somehow heard the disappointment underneath.

So, Shi Nanbei played dumb on purpose and asked what plans she had for the holiday.

Holding the phone, Zhao Xunyin replied calmly,

“No plans. Keep studying opera, memorize scripts, prepare for filming.”

Stay calm, stay calm, she told herself.

You’re a grown woman. You can’t fuss over a little girl.

Don’t get jealous. Don’t lose your temper.

Anger makes you sick and no one will suffer on your behalf.

Every young person has their own phase.

Girls Shi Nanbei’s age liking to chase idols was completely normal.

As the older one, she had to be generous and tolerant.

She absolutely could not get jealous and petty—that would be embarrassing.

Mm. Jealousy is not an option, she thought blankly.

“Is that so? Then study hard, earn lots of money, and support the family,” Shi Nanbei said cheerfully.

“Alright. When I’m done studying, I’ll come home and sing a piece for you,” Zhao Xunyin replied, still keeping her tone light.

She was only saying it casually.

But Shi Nanbei asked in total seriousness:

“Sing what? ‘The Young Widow Visits the Grave’?”

Not a single comforting word—and instead that?

Suggesting she sing The Young Widow Visits the Grave?

The prickly and prideful Zhao Xunyin suddenly felt an indescribably complicated surge of emotion.

Zhao Xunyin: “…”

She started wondering whether things might go a little better next time if she just played it straight with Shi Nanbei.

Knowing full well her wife wasn’t going to drop by and see her, Zhao Xunyin spent two whole days moping around Suzhou. Even the teacher who had been coaching her in traditional opera vocalization noticed her gloom.

Her teacher was a stern person—strict, but also caring. And although Zhao Xunyin was a public figure, she had formally served tea to her teacher when she became a disciple. Since the apprentice was troubled, the master naturally had to offer some guidance. So, after practice wrapped up, the teacher specially asked what was wrong.

Zhao Xunyin certainly couldn’t bring herself to admit she’d been sulking for two full days because she’d gotten jealous over another female celebrity. She only said she wasn’t in great shape. “A bit of rest will fix it.”

For some reason, the teacher seemed to think of something. On that usually severe face appeared a rare hint of a smile. She nodded seriously and fully agreed. “Yes. You should rest well. Tomorrow morning, you don’t need to get up early to practice. Sleep in.”

It was the first time in over a month since becoming her teacher’s apprentice that Zhao Xunyin had ever been granted permission not to wake up early and warm up her voice. She was so touched she nearly cried.

Strict as she was, the teacher really did treat her like a prized final disciple—never holding back when putting her through rigorous training.

With her teacher’s blessing, Zhao Xunyin planned to head back to her room, shower, and go out for dinner. She’d been staying in Suzhou for quite a while, and because her schedule here was kept confidential, her outwardly strict but soft-

hearted teacher had even left two rooms in the two-courtyard Suzhou residence for her use.

One for her. One for her assistant.

On the way back, Zhao Xunyin’s mind drifted. She wondered whether she should call Shi Nanbei to check where she was. National Day travel was peak season after all—lots of traffic, lots of crowds—better to be careful. Earlier, Shi Nanbei had refused to bring her assistant along, insisting, “What kind of best-friend trip brings along a tag-along third wheel?”

If her assistant ever found out Shi Nanbei called her a third wheel, she’d probably die of rage on the spot.

Lost in thought, Zhao Xunyin opened her door—and before she could even blink, a loud pop exploded. Colorful confetti showered the room, and on the bed stood a girl in a pink bunny onesie, holding a spent party cannon like it was a weapon.

“Ta-da-da-daaah! The adorable me has ARRIVED!!!”

Triumphant at the success of her ambush, Shi Nanbei tossed the empty party popper over her shoulder, struck a seductive pose, wiggled those floppy bunny ears, and cooed:

“Miss, care for a nighttime visit?”

Zhao Xun-yin: “……”

Night.

Side Story (Independent Extra):

After finishing her last ranked match and washing up, Shi Nanbei climbed into bed just as Zhao Xunyin returned home from a charity gala.

The moment she heard the front door downstairs, Shi Nanbei instantly turned off the bedroom light, yanked the blanket up to her chin, and played dead—though her ears were sharply tuned to every sound.

Footsteps in the living room.

A moment later, the scrape of a dining chair being pulled out.

Under the covers, Shi Nanbei frowned. Huh? Back this late and she’s still planning to eat supper?

Technically, Zhao Xunyin had invited Shi Nanbei to attend the charity gala with her. Ever since appearing on that variety show last year, Shi Nanbei had been absent from public view for nearly twelve months.

(Paparazzi stalking didn’t count.)

Zhao Xunyin didn’t mind, but her fans certainly did. Every day they wailed under her Weibo posts, begging for “the wife” to appear on camera again. They swore that if she would just show her face, they’d do anything—even “jump the wall” to another fandom if necessary.

Zhao Xun-yin: “……”

And they said that like it was something to be proud of?

For the fans—and also for her own little selfish reasons—when she received the gala invitation, Zhao Xunyin brought it up to Shi Nanbei well in advance.