Appearing on a Marriage Show Before Getting Divorced - Chapter 13

“—This is the girl from the beach who said we were fated and made me fall in love at first sight!”

Soya was likely too excited; her voice was exceptionally loud, possessing a natural amplification effect that echoed throughout the room.

Ruan Youran went full Sparta. She looked at Soya in embarrassment. What the hell?

The piece of oil cake Lin Yiyi was eating fell right onto the table. She stared blankly—no way, right?

Song Ci, the youngest, was simply stunned, looking back and forth at Chu Nian in a panic. President Qin and Lan Ke exchanged a glance; Lan Ke quickly lowered her head to shovel rice into her mouth, while Qin Yanlan watched Chu Nian.

“Shocked” wasn’t enough to describe Chu Nian. She had only looked away for a moment—thinking Jianjian was in a bad mood and would want some space—and in just one night, someone had fallen in love at first sight?

“Hey, let go of me,” Youran’s face turned bright red. Soya retracted her hand, her eyes sparkling. “I can let go, but don’t run away again!”

Director Niu: “…………”

Where was this? This was the territory of entertainment industry big shots. In this circle, feelings are usually kept tightly under wraps. Who would dare to say they “liked” someone so directly?

Director Niu forced a laugh and quickly explained to the camera, “My sister just met her idol; she’s so excited she’s lost control.”

“OMG!” Soya covered her mouth in shock, looking at Youran. “You’re an artist? You’re so talented!”

Ruan Youran: “…”

It took Director Niu ten whole minutes to stabilize Soya. Soya, being bold and outgoing, greeted everyone generously, but her gaze ultimately fell back onto Youran like fire.

Youran quickly pretended to drink her porridge. Soya sat beside her, resting her chin on her hands, watching her with a smile. “Rose, did you know? Before I met you, I never really liked the word ‘fate.’ I felt that if you liked someone, you should fight for it yourself. Everything should be in your own hands. Now, I truly believe in destiny.”

How could she not? After returning to her quarters yesterday, Soya had been so excited she tossed and turned all night. She even considered hiring a private investigator to find Youran, but then thought that would be unethical. Since she was in China, she decided to follow the local custom and trust in fate for once.

Youran lowered her head and drank her porridge frantically. From the corner of her eye, she peeked at Chu Nian. Chu Nian wasn’t eating; she sat at the table, staring coldly at the fish in front of her.

Although it was a small movement, Soya followed her gaze to look at Chu Nian. She scrutinized her for a moment, her eyes flashing with a hint of admiration.

Very beautiful.

Such a sharp-featured, cold Oriental woman was indeed charming. She was easily one of the most beautiful women Soya had seen around her sister.

But so what? She wasn’t as cute as “Rose.” Soya watched Youran, thinking she looked like a panicked little squirrel when she ate, cheeks puffed out and eyes darting around. Soya had met many people; she felt that while Chu Nian was beautiful, she had a “frigid” face. Rose, on the other hand, might not be familiar with her yet, but once they were close, she’d surely be full of charm and irresistible.

Youran looked to Director Niu for help. Since the first phase of filming was ending, everyone was leaving the set tonight to handle their own affairs before returning in a week. Director Niu was swamped and had no time for these trifles.

Soya’s appearance had left Youran’s heart in a state of upheaval. It wasn’t until noon that Soya went to help her sister.

Lin Yiyi sidled up and hooked her arm around Youran’s neck with a wicked grin. “Not bad. Where’d you attract this peach blossom?”

Youran sighed, feeling exhausted. “Don’t ask. Sigh.”

“Why the sigh?” During this time, Youran had told Yiyi a bit about her history with Chu Nian. Yiyi raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you been wanting a new start? Well, here it is! Do you know how to quickly forget an old lover?”

Youran didn’t say anything, but internally corrected her: Not an old lover, an ex-wife.

Yiyi cackled. “The answer is a new flame! Aiyoh—” Her foot slipped as someone from behind gave her a shove, nearly making her fall.

“Who did that?!” After steadying herself, she prepared to blow up. Walking behind her were Chu Nian, Qin Yanlan, and Song Ci, all looking up at her together.

Lin Yiyi: “…” Fine, there isn’t a single one of them I can afford to offend.

Back in the room, Song Ci watched Lin Yiyi pack and frowned. Yiyi usually had a maid to serve her at home; as a pampered heiress, she just threw everything into her suitcase. She thought she could just zip it up and head home, but when she arrived, her things had been neatly organized to maximize space. Now, they were a jumble and the zipper wouldn’t close. As she was losing her temper, Song Ci walked over.

“Sister, let me do it.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, kid,” Yiyi exhaled.

Over the past few days, the names “Sister” and “Kid” had become a habit for them. The crew even remarked that they had an indefinable, wonderful “CP” vibe.

Yiyi sat aside cracking melon seeds, watching Song Ci pack. She had to admit the girl was capable. Song Ci knelt there, her movements quick and agile, tidying the scattered items with practiced grace.

Song Ci’s skin was very white. She was a typical “Jiangnan girl”—delicate, like a porcelain doll. Yiyi mused that the company’s positioning for her was wrong; why make her join a girl group and dance? It was too messy. She should take a high-end route, perhaps playing the cello. It would be much smoother.

Song Ci’s hands stiffened as she packed. She looked up awkwardly. Yiyi had a large bag containing several pieces of lingerie, but Yiyi wasn’t embarrassed at all. “Just put it there.”

Song Ci lowered her head, her face heating up. Even though it was just a glance… that size… she looked down at her own chest. She was only eighteen; she wondered if she’d develop more, but she doubted she’d ever catch up to “Sister.”

“Hey, Yiyi, do you have a bag? Let me borrow one.”

Lan Ke came over to borrow something. Since they weren’t filming today, she wore gold-rimmed glasses and a simple white shirt with the top button undone, looking scholarly yet tinged with a “forbidden” aura.

Yiyi stood up and handed her a bag, not forgetting to offer a smiling compliment: “Sister, you look really beautiful today.”

Lan Ke laughed. “You little rascal, which day am I not beautiful?”

Lin Yiyi: “……..”

Lan Ke took the bag back to her room. She carefully packed the wild vegetables she had personally dug up during her morning walk.

Qin Yanlan wasn’t packing. She stood there staring at Lan Ke. It had been a long time since she had seen Lan Ke like this.

How long? Seven or eight years…

Back then, Lan Ke was just like this. She wore glasses and often smiled at her students. Standing on the podium giving lectures, she was different from other teachers—not stiff at all. The class would end amidst laughter and joy.

Back then, too many students liked Lan Ke. During university, Qin Yanlan’s family was fighting tooth and nail for company shares; her mood was anxious and painful. Although she was beautiful, she had zero presence because she always kept her head down. It was no wonder Lan Ke didn’t remember her. As for the small, heartwarming details that followed… Qin Yanlan sighed softly. Lan Ke surely wouldn’t remember those either. But those were the shy, sweet memories that had supported her through her darkest times. Over the years, they hadn’t faded; they had only become more vivid.

“Why aren’t you packing?” Lan Ke looked up and patted the dirt off her hands. “Need help?”

Qin Yanlan shook her head. She handed over a stack of face masks and a bottle of perfume from the table. “Sister, these are produced by my company. Take them and use them.”

Lan Ke took them with a pleasant surprise. “This is Blue Secret! Thank you, Xiao Qin.”

It was normal for new friends on set to exchange gifts. Lan Ke smiled. “I don’t have much to give you in return. Here, Xiao Qin, take this bag of wild vegetables. I picked and washed them myself.”

Qin Yanlan gave a helpless smile. “Okay. Sister, smell that perfume. Does it smell good?”

Lan Ke opened the package, sprayed some into the air, and sniffed carefully. “It’s nice. It feels very light at first.” She waved her hand to catch the scent. “But it gets intense at the end.”

Qin Yanlan watched her, her heart filled with indefinable feelings. “This scent… I personally formulated and invented it.”

Lan Ke looked at her in surprise. “What’s it called?”

Qin Yanlan looked into her eyes. “Secret Crush.”

In that moment of eye contact, a fire seemed to burn in Qin Yanlan’s narrow eyes, forcing Lan Ke to suddenly turn away. She looked down at the masks. “Then… thank you, Xiao Qin.”

What is with this kid? She’s a bit strange.

Qin Yanlan wasn’t the only “strange” one; Chu Nian was the same. She didn’t want to be like this. She no longer had the right to lose her temper with Ruan Youran, did she?

They would soon no longer be a couple. She would no longer be her “Madam,” and Youran would no longer be her “Wife.”

They were…

Despite this, Chu Nian couldn’t control her agitation. Her strong self-discipline seemed destroyed. Lin Yiyi’s words echoed in her mind: Do you know how to quickly forget an old lover? A new flame.

Ruan Youran hated her so much now. Would she…?

No. Chu Nian didn’t dare think about it. The mere thought brought unbearable pain.

The door was pushed open. Youran had her phone wedged between her shoulder and ear, speaking with a helpless, perfunctory tone: “Alright, I know, Soya. Mhm, mhm, fate, such fate. Yes, your home is just a few hundred steps from mine, yes, yes… What? A movie tomorrow? We have to meet? I can’t trick you? Hey, no, I have things to do…”

To Chu Nian, the simple dialogue sounded like her heart was weeping blood. She leaned against the headboard, silent, the clothes in her hands nearly shredded by her grip.

Hanging up, Youran exhaled. This Soya… she was too passionate. She was a bit like her own younger self. Back then, she had been just as fiery for a certain person.

Involuntarily, Youran tilted her head and peeked at Chu Nian. Chu Nian was also watching her.

Their eyes met.

Chu Nian’s gaze was deep, heavy, and carried the scent of unshed tears.

Youran froze, thinking she had seen wrong. Just as she was about to look closer, she heard Chu Nian’s light, trembling voice:

“Will you meet her?”