Time Travel Begins the Moment I Divorce My Wife - Chapter 1

@BreakingNewsParadise: (Six-image collage) Did Hua Yinghou really get married? Look at that radiant happiness on her face, some rumors are hard not to believe.

[Who still believes gossip from 800 years ago? If you don’t want your brain, just donate it already!]

[Seriously, are you blind? That’s my girl waving to us fans.]

[Just a casual observer here, these gossip accounts love making stuff up. “Radiant happiness”? Even I, who don’t follow the industry, know Hua Jiangyu is famously known as the untouchable ice queen.]

[Hua Jiangyu is so gorgeous (drooling). I wonder who could ever refuse her when she looks at them.]

[This reminds me of someone.]

[This reminds me of someone +1]

[+2]

[+3]

[…]

[+10086]

[Who are you guys talking about so mysteriously? Feels like everyone knows except me.]

[It’s her first love, the one she admitted to publicly. But we don’t actually know who it was.]

[You’re missing some info, it was an online relationship. Though I suspect the other person never even saw Hua Jiangyu’s photo, otherwise they wouldn’t have broken up with her.]

[Hard to disagree.]

[Taking my queen away from this mess. Gossip accounts love spreading lies. Here’s a fresh photo of our stunning beauty (image attached).]

[Fans, calm down. Even if Hua Jiangyu dated or got married, it wouldn’t matter. She’s a talented actress who doesn’t rely on fans for her career.]

Ji Xunchi’s eyes stung slightly as she read that comment, and she quickly looked away.

But on second thought, Hua Jiangyu really wasn’t the type to rely on fans.

That realization settled her restless heart a little.

If dating and marriage didn’t matter, then divorce should be fine too.

With that in mind, Ji Xunchi turned her attention back to the comment section of the post.

Her gaze lingered on the two comments mentioning Hua Jiangyu’s first love, and she couldn’t help but smile.

In fact, she actually laughed out loud.

The sound caught the attention of her colleague. A senior screenwriter from the same team leaned over and accidentally caught a glimpse of someone’s photo on her phone. “You like Hua Jiangyu too?”

Hearing the word “too,” Ji Xunchi stopped laughing. “I don’t follow celebrities.”

The screenwriter gave her a disapproving look.

Remembering how she’d been caught multiple times asking for autographs, Ji Xunchi amended, “Fine, I’m someone who ‘has a million crushes but absolutely does not stan anyone.’”

Her eyes sparkled, and she sounded utterly sincere.

The screenwriter let it go but remained puzzled. “That doesn’t make sense. You’re the type who falls for pretty faces, how could you resist Hua Jiangyu?”

Whenever a good-looking celebrity visited their team, Ji Xunchi would shamelessly ask for autographs, even if she had no idea who they were, then boldly claim to be a fan just to get a signature.

Under the screenwriter’s intense gaze, Ji Xunchi mused, “Maybe it’s because…”

The screenwriter leaned in eagerly. “Because what?”

Ji Xunchi: “Incompatible personalities.”

Screenwriter: “…?”

What nonsense is this?

Ji Xunchi burst into giggles.

The screenwriter smacked her. “Ji Xunchi!!!”

With a sigh, Ji Xunchi offered another excuse: “Aesthetic fatigue.”

Screenwriter: “…??”

What the hell are you talking about?!

She glared at him angrily, “Ji Xunchi, you’re teasing me again!”

Ji Xunchi, who had been unfairly glared at, hugged his phone and darted away when she wasn’t looking.

Listening to the commotion behind her, she shrugged helplessly.

Who could blame her? Everything she said was the truth, but no one believed her.

For the rest of the day, Ji Xunchi avoided that screenwriter sister. Coincidentally, the crew officially wrapped up filming that day, and they could pack up and leave by evening.

Though he had joked around earlier, when it came time to part ways, Ji Xunchi and the screenwriter sister still hugged reluctantly.

It seemed both of them had forgotten about the morning’s teasing.

But just as they were saying goodbye, the screenwriter sister called out to Ji Xunchi again.

“You still haven’t told me, why aren’t you pursuing Hua Jiangyu?”

Originally, the screenwriter sister hadn’t cared much about this question, but Ji Xunchi had deliberately dodged it and even taken the chance to run off earlier. Now, she absolutely had to ask.

Besides, this was so unlike Ji Xunchi’s usual approach to admiring beauty, she was far too curious.

Ji Xunchi: “…”

Sis, why are you still hung up on this?

Dragging a heavy suitcase, Ji Xunchi gave another honest answer: “Because I used to like her.”

Used to like her?

The screenwriter sister watched her tall, retreating figure, puzzled.

Used to like her so does that mean she doesn’t like her now?

If Ji Xunchi had heard her thoughts, she would’ve sincerely confirmed it.

Exactly! That’s it!

Unfortunately, Ji Xunchi was already dozing off in the car.

When she got home, she entered the passcode and opened the door unsurprisingly, it was pitch black inside.

Ji Xunchi flicked on the lights with practiced ease, changed her shoes, and collapsed onto the sofa like a salted fish.

Pushing that heavy luggage had completely worn her out!

After lying on the sofa for a long time, Ji Xunchi finally dragged her limp body to the fridge, opened the door empty and closed it again.

Turning around, she took a closer look. The house seemed exactly the same as when she’d left.

Clutching her growling stomach, Ji Xunchi flopped back onto the sofa.

Too tired to move. So hungry. Guess I’ll order takeout.

Just as she opened her phone, a message from someone popped up.

[Hua Jiangyu: Are you home yet?]

Ji Xunchi tapped a reply.

[Just got back. About to order food. When are you coming home?]

Just as Hua Jiangyu knew Ji Xunchi’s whereabouts, Ji Xunchi was also aware of her schedule. Asking again was just to confirm.

[Hua Jiangyu: Tomorrow afternoon.]

Receiving the exact answer, Ji Xunchi’s expression remained unchanged.

After briefly discussing each other’s plans, they exchanged a few more words. But their conversation felt like stale, dry bread not only unappetizing but also grating, barely enough to fill the stomach.

Just like their marriage now.

Exiting the chat, Ji Xunchi ordered stir-fried rice noodles and then wheeled her suitcase into the bedroom to unpack her clothes.

After eating, she felt re-energized.

Taking advantage of her refreshed state, she headed to the study and printed out the divorce agreement she had drafted long ago.

Aligned, stapled.

Looking at the neatly arranged divorce agreement on the desk, Ji Xunchi exhaled in relief.

Tomorrow. It’ll all be over tomorrow.

She tidied everything up, then went to soak in a hot bath before heading to bed.

Meanwhile…

Long before the brightness of her phone screen dimmed, Zhou Qingyi, the manager, had noticed the off expression on Hua Jiangyu’s face.

She guessed, “What’s wrong? Did you two have a fight?”

Hua Jiangyu shook her head, her voice muffled. “I’d rather she fought with me.”

She would rather Ji Xunchi argue with her than face the unbearable silence between them.

But the reality was, they were almost at a point where they had nothing left to say to each other.

Zhou Qingyi frowned. “You’ll finish shooting your last scene tomorrow morning. Go home, and the two of you can talk properly.”

As Hua Jiangyu’s frequent companion, Zhou Qingyi had heard about the recent tension between her and Ji Xunchi.

A flicker of struggle passed over Hua Jiangyu’s stunning face, half-hidden in the shadows. Then Zhou Qingyi heard her ask, “…Do you think she’s fallen for someone else?”

Zhou Qingyi: “…Huh?”

She was shocked. “No way?!”

Hua Jiangyu’s tone was despondent. “Why not? Back then, she only got with me because she was attracted to my looks.”

If she could be swayed by appearances back then, of course, she could be swayed again by someone else’s good looks.

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Hua Jiangyu’s voice grew even more defeated. “I knew it, I knew it…”

What exactly do you know? Zhou Qingyi snapped out of her daze and patted Hua Jiangyu’s shoulder firmly. “Trust me, the likelihood of Ji Xunchi betraying your marriage because she’s swayed by someone else’s looks is extremely low so low it’s practically nonexistent.”

Hua Jiangyu looked at her.

Zhou Qingyi continued, “Have you forgotten she once said you’re the most beautiful woman she’s ever seen?”

Having known Ji Xunchi for three years through Hua Jiangyu, Zhou Qingyi was confident she hadn’t misjudged the woman’s moral compass.

But Hua Jiangyu, genuinely feeling her marriage was on the brink of collapse, began grasping at straws. “What about men?”

Ji Xunchi appreciated all forms of beauty regardless of gender or even species.

So men were a possibility too.

And in this industry, handsome men were everywhere, especially since Ji Xunchi often worked on set, surrounded by all types of attractive men.

Zhou Qingyi’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at Hua Jiangyu in shock.

For Hua Jiangyu, who had always been firm in her sexual orientation, to suddenly feel insecure and uncertain because of men was nothing short of self-betrayal, a blow to her once unshakable pride.

After all, she had once said, “What’s the difference between men and women? Love knows no gender.”

Yet now, she was questioning whether her charm could be overshadowed by someone of another gender.

At that moment, Zhou Qingyi truly realized just how precarious their marriage had become.

“Impossible,” she said firmly, pulling Hua Jiangyu out of her panic. “Have you forgotten how determined Ji Xunchi was to marry you?”

Zhou Qingyi’s calm voice jolted Hua Jiangyu out of her despair, flooding her with memories of the past.

Those recollections were like a spring of hope, reviving her spirit.

“You’re right,” Hua Jiangyu said, regaining her composure. She didn’t bring up the topic again.

Staring out at the pitch-black night, Hua Jiangyu clenched her hands on her lap so tightly her palms ached yet she didn’t let go.

If it wasn’t about men, and it wasn’t about falling for someone else, then it had to be about her.

The reason for Ji Xunchi’s change in attitude lay with her.

This was the unsettling truth buried deep in Hua Jiangyu’s heart, one she had been reluctant to accept.

Ji Xunchi’s feelings for her were gradually fading.

“Help me book an appointment at my usual beauty salon. I’ll go there after we wrap up filming tomorrow.”

After a long silence, Hua Jiangyu’s voice sounded again in the car.

Zhou Qingyi: “…Alright.”

The car fell quiet once more.

The silver-white vehicle drove toward the end of the road, swallowed by the thick, dark fog ahead. The pitch-black night devoured that glimmer of brightness just as it seemed to devour Hua Jiangyu inside the car.

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