Appearing on a Marriage Show Before Getting Divorced - Chapter 1

“Director Niu is back in action! Her comeback project is the highly anticipated large-scale marriage reality show, 33 Days of Marriage. Three pairs of guests have been invited, and it’s currently in the secret planning stage.”

“Supposedly, Director Niu went to great lengths to recruit these guests. According to insiders, Film Queen Chu Nian is very likely to be among them!”

“Wow, didn’t Chu Nian claim years ago that she would never participate in these types of variety shows?”

“That was years ago. And it’s not just her—I heard even President Qin from Daguerre is coming…”

Curled up in her car, Ruan Youran watched the two hosts bantering on her phone. She let out a cold snort and irritably tossed the phone aside.

Her manager, Wei Yu, was driving. Glancing at her expression through the rearview mirror, Wei Yu spoke cautiously: “The director said the cast needs to enter the set today. This shoot is top-secret; we have to sign non-disclosure agreements in advance. Youran, Ni—uh, Film Queen Chu is also rumored to be arriving tonight.”

Ruan Youran didn’t respond. She stared blankly out the window. The neon lights of the city painted a picture of bustling vanity. She lowered her head, the rims of her eyes turning slightly red.

After an unknown amount of time, Ruan Youran fiddled with the wedding ring on her left ring finger. After a moment of silence, she slid the ring off.

Wei Yu watched secretly. She saw Ruan Youran stare at that wedding ring for a long time. But when Youran finally looked up, the vulnerability in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a chilling resentment.

“Fine. Then I’m looking forward to it,” Ruan Youran said with a faint smile. “I’d love to see just how ‘superb’ the acting of our National Film Queen really is.”

Though the smile on her charming face should have been beautiful, it felt like shards of ice. Wei Yu shivered, her hands trembling slightly on the steering wheel.

33 Days of Marriage had already dominated the trending searches. Even though the guest list remained a mystery, Director Niu (Hong Yun) had stirred up a massive wave of hype. Every day, fans flooded her Weibo with comments. Among them, Chu Nian’s name was mentioned most—she was undoubtedly the show’s trump card.

The filming location was a secluded, beautiful resort on Crab Island. Director Niu had worked tirelessly to coordinate everything. Now, she stood there with a cigarette in her mouth, squinting as she finalized arrangements for the guests’ arrival.

Ruan Youran was the last to arrive. She had business to hand over at her company, Yifeng, and a mess of personal affairs at home to settle. Following the crew’s low-profile requirements, she drove a modest red Buick. Despite the tight security at the resort, she arrived “fully armed” in a hat, mask, and sunglasses.

As the final arrival, she was the center of attention. When she pushed open the doors to the lobby, every gaze swung toward her. Director Niu, who was chatting with the other guests over tea, stood up immediately. “Youran! You’ve finally arrived.”

Ruan Youran removed her mask and sunglasses, greeting her with a smile. “Sorry, Director Niu, I had a few small issues to deal with.”

Director Niu offered some polite words of comfort rather than getting angry. Everyone knew Ruan Youran’s background—she was the “Little Princess” of the industry, born with a silver spoon. One of her mothers was a senior medical director, and the other was the CEO of Yifeng Entertainment, a woman whose every move made the industry tremble. Since Director Niu was close with Youran’s mother, she was naturally inclined to be lenient.

The four other guests stood up. Youran’s gaze swept over them with a practiced smile.

The secrecy had been so thorough that Youran hadn’t known who her co-stars were, aside from Chu Nian. She was surprised to see Lin Yiyi, a former co-star from her younger days. Youran waved with a brilliant smile—one so dazzling it made even Director Niu’s heart skip a beat. The director mused that the rumors were true: Youran really was like a “fox spirit” reincarnated, her smile enough to steal one’s soul.

Director Niu gestured toward the only person still sitting on the sofa. “Youran, come here. Let me introduce you to your partner for this show: Chu Nian, the Film Queen. You two should know each other, right?”

Actually, Youran had noticed Chu Nian the moment she walked in. While everyone else had stood up politely, Chu Nian sat there playing the “aloof queen” role, holding a wine glass and looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

Slightly arched brows, deep eyes, and pale red lips…

Ruan Youran’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “I don’t know her.”

Don’t know her?

Director Niu froze. Is she lying through her teeth? A few years ago, she had seen the two of them… She looked at Chu Nian. Chu Nian set down her glass, stood up, and looked at Ruan Youran quietly.

The entertainment industry never lacked beauty, but Chu Nian’s staying power for the last decade was due to her unique temperament. She had a noble, “distant moon” aura—a goddess to be admired from afar, not touched.

However, after reaching the peak of her career, Chu Nian had vanished for three years. The company claimed she was studying abroad, and she had only recently returned. No one expected her first project back to be a reality show.

After a moment of silent tension, Ruan Youran suddenly looked away. She walked over to Lin Yiyi and hooked an arm around her neck. “Yiyi, long time no see! I missed you.”

Lin Yiyi smiled back. “Long time no see.”

They had starred together in the historical drama Twin Phoenixes three years ago. Looking at Youran now, Yiyi felt she looked thinner and more weary. Her face was still beautiful, but her eyes—once so vibrant—now looked dim, like someone who had lost heart.

“Alright, everyone is here!” Director Niu said excitedly. “Thank you all for giving me, Hong Yun, the face to show up. First, I’ll explain the arrangements. We will be in a closed environment to build chemistry… blah blah blah…”

As Director Niu rambled passionately, Youran’s mind drifted. She was usually the life of the party, but now she felt hollow. As the others laughed at the director’s jokes, Youran felt her eyes stinging. she lowered her head to hide the rising moisture in her eyes.

Lin Yiyi, sensing Youran’s distress, reached out and squeezed her hand.

Chu Nian, standing silently behind the group, watched their joined hands. Her brow twitched almost imperceptibly as she turned her gaze toward the director.

“Yiyi,” Director Niu barked, noticing Chu Nian’s look. “Your partner is Song Ci over there. You’re holding the wrong hand!”

Lin Yiyi let go and smiled sheepishly at her assigned partner, Song Ci.

Next was room assignments. To “foster feelings,” the pairs were to share rooms and experience “married life” immediately.

The Three Couples:

“The Goddess and the Rabbit”: Chu Nian and Ruan Youran (The high-contrast fan favorite).

“Graceful Dancers”: Lin Yiyi and Song Ci.

“Sunset Glow”: 38-year-old veteran Lan Ke and retiring CEO Qin Yanlan.

Everyone accepted the arrangement except Ruan Youran.

“Director Niu,” Youran said coldly, “I’m a solitary person. Outside of filming, I’m not used to sharing space with others.”

The cameras were off now, so Director Niu just laughed. “Solitary? This isn’t when you were eighteen filming in Hengdian and made me wait outside the bathroom stall while you pooped because you were scared! Who are you trying to fool?”

Lin Yiyi chimed in with a grin. “Yeah, when we filmed together, we had separate rooms, but you’d knock on my door every night saying you couldn’t sleep and insisted on sleeping with me. Forgot already?”

Strangely, as Yiyi spoke, she felt a chill on the back of her neck. She looked back to see Chu Nian standing there expressionless. Yiyi vaguely remembered Youran video-calling someone who looked like Chu Nian years ago, but looking at them now, they seemed… completely at odds.

Ruan Youran persisted in her refusal, so Director Niu said she would “think about it.” Youran grabbed her luggage and went to huddle in Lin Yiyi’s room for the time being.

While Director Niu consulted her assistants, Chu Nian walked over.

“What is it, A-Nian?” the director asked. She was friendly with Chu Nian, but Chu Nian had always been cold.

Seeing Chu Nian staring at the room key in her hand, the director smiled. “Do you have the same idea as Youran? Wanting to stay alone? Well, it’s not impossible—”

“No need,” Chu Nian said flatly. “Didn’t we sign a contract? I’ll follow the crew’s arrangements. Besides, you’re such a professional director; how could I be so bold as to change your plans?”

The director blinked, sensing a hidden meaning.

Chu Nian checked her watch. “It’s already 10 PM.” She turned and walked away with her suitcase.

Ten minutes later, Director Niu knocked on Lin Yiyi’s door and called Ruan Youran out.

Youran looked relaxed, thinking she’d get her way. But the director looked her in the eye and said solemnly, “I’m sorry. I’m a professional director. I can’t change the plan.”

Youran opened her mouth to protest, but the director waved her off. “I believe you are a professional actress, too.”

Before Youran could speak again, the director stuffed the room key into her hand and whispered, “Don’t cause trouble for your Auntie the moment you get here, or I’ll call your mother. Look what time it is! Go to bed. Chu Nian is already tired.”

Ruan Youran: “…………….???”

Chu Nian is tired… so I have to go to bed?! Am I her personal maid?!