Appearing on a Marriage Show Before Getting Divorced - Chapter 25

Actually, back when she was very small, Chu Nian wasn’t like this—hiding every thought, never speaking her mind. She used to pester her mother for kisses, ask her father for “high-highs,” laugh loudly, and cry without restraint.

But all that beauty came to an abrupt halt with her father’s affair and the collapse of her family. From the moment she was taken away by her father, for Chu Nian, a living hell had begun.

Initially, she would hug her father and wail for “Mommy,” but her stepmother, while silent in front of the father, would wait for him to leave for work before shouting mercilessly: “Who’s your mom? Your mom left a long time ago. If you keep crying, I’ll beat you to death, you little brat.”

Back then, Nian Nian was too small to understand. That evening, when her father returned, he found Nian Nian with eyes swollen like peach pits and red handprints on her face. A massive argument erupted. Nian Nian shrank into a corner, covering her ears in terror as the two adults fought, screaming filthy words.

“She’s a little brat!” “Yeah, I hit her, so what?”

She was terrified. She only knew that all of this was the result of her calling for her mother. After several such incidents, the fighting only got worse. Eventually, even if she just looked at her father without saying a word, her stepmother would scream at her.

A small child doesn’t know how to protect herself. At first, the stepmother hit her where it wouldn’t show—on her bottom or the inside of her thighs. Later, as the father grew silent and indifferent, the abuse escalated. By the time her mother finally took her away, her small arms were covered in purple bruises.

Those painful memories and physical abuse taught Chu Nian to endure. Even when she missed her mother, she would shrink into a corner and weep silently.

Later on, Chu Nian’s mother, scarred by her own failed relationship, changed. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her daughter, but she threw all her emotions aside to focus solely on her career. She wanted to hire a nanny, but Chu Nian, traumatized by her stepmother, refused to be alone with anyone. Her mother had no choice but to lock her in the house whenever she went on business trips. Sometimes, she would be gone for an entire week.

Chu Nian always tried not to remember those dark times. What child isn’t afraid of the dark, of thunder, of rain? When other children cried, they got a response. But for her? She cried, she yelled, she called for her mom, but it was no use. Instead, when her mother returned and saw her raspy throat and swollen eyes, they would just cry together.

Gradually, Chu Nian understood that speaking up changed nothing; it only added to other people’s troubles. It was better to digest it all in silence. Many factors created the person she was today.

Chu Nian looked at Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing, her eyes reddening slightly. “I’m going back.”

She still couldn’t let go of Ruan Youran. She couldn’t let go, couldn’t forget, couldn’t sever the tie.

Chu Qing and Ruan Qiu were silent. Given the situation, they were actually more worried about Chu Nian’s health than their own daughter’s. After all, her heart… could no longer weather any major storms.

Chu Nian murmured, “There is nothing… nothing harder than leaving her.” If she died on the operating table three months from now, at least she would have tried. She would have no regrets.

In any case, the mothers were happy to see her pull herself together. Most importantly, they noticed a change in her. She started going to bed early. Even if she was used to insomnia, she no longer stayed up late. She started eating all kinds of foods, even those that normally crossed her dietary boundaries. As long as it was good for her body or her heart, she ate it. She took Zhengzhi out to run and jump. She smiled at the child.

Zhengzhi had been ecstatic lately. In her short life, this was the longest her mother had stayed by her side. Not only that, her mother kissed her every night and stroked her hair while coaxing her to sleep. Moreover, her mother had been telling her “I love you” constantly, making her feel very blissful.

One morning, Ruan Qiu got up to make sushi. To be honest, as a CEO, it had been a long time since she had returned to such a “pastoral” life. Sometimes, while busy, she would look at Chu Qing’s contented smile and feel an urge to throw everything away just to stay by her side forever. But life is full of things beyond one’s control. Ruan Qiu knew the reality, but after understanding everything Chu Nian and Jianjian had gone through, her heart was deeply touched. She and her wife were happy; they needed to cherish it even more.

Thinking of this, Ruan Qiu nudged Zhengzhi, who was drawing on the floor. “Hey, where’s your mom?”

Zhengzhi’s drawing was different from other kids’. While others drew scribbles, Zhengzhi’s drawing already looked like a landscape painting. Without looking up, she pointed toward the study.

“Use your words,” Ruan Qiu said, raising an eyebrow. She disliked this way of communicating. Wasn’t Chu Nian’s personality formed exactly like this? She was used to bottling everything up. Native families have a decisive impact on a person’s growth. Was it Chu Nian’s fault? Sometimes Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing would talk about this and end up in tears. Hadn’t their daughter fallen in love with her because of that very endurance and fragility? No one had ever told her how to express herself; instead, if she cried, adults would fly into a rage. What was her crime? She was just a child raised in an environment starved of love.

Chu Qing walked out a moment later. Since Ruan Qiu arrived, she wouldn’t let Chu Qing wake up early, taking over all the housework herself. Chu Qing, wearing Ruan Qiu’s pajamas and looking sleepy, habitually wrapped her arms around Ruan Qiu’s waist. Ruan Qiu turned and kissed her forehead. “Are you hungry, Madam?”

Chu Qing nodded and nuzzled Ruan Qiu’s neck. They giggled and enjoyed the morning warmth. Zhengzhi, as if used to this, put down her brush and stared at her two grandmothers.

Ruan Qiu smirked. “What’s up, Zhengzhi? Jealous? You’re still small. When you’re older, you—”

“I am small,” Zhengzhi interrupted.

Ruan Qiu blinked, then turned to Chu Qing. It was a strange phenomenon: although Zhengzhi spoke very little and usually in one or two words like a stern leader, Chu Qing could always see through her thoughts and translate them.

Chu Qing laughed and snuggled into Ruan Qiu’s arms. “What does that mean?” Ruan Qiu asked.

Chu Qing poked her cheek. “Zhengzhi is asking you: ‘Grandma Ruan, since you know I’m small, why are you doing things that are inappropriate for children in front of me?'”

Ruan Qiu gave a helpless laugh and shrugged. “This kid.”

As the family laughed, Chu Nian came out of the study with two books under her arm. They sat down to eat. Chu Nian was still flipping through a book. Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing exchanged a look—was she reading a script? They knew how professional she was; for a 100-episode palace drama, she could memorize all the archaic dialogue in less than a week. Zhengzhi definitely inherited that IQ. As for their daughter Jianjian… she sometimes still needed a teleprompter for modern dramas, which often got her criticized by anti-fans. Ruan Qiu couldn’t help but grimace at the thought of Jianjian wanting to be a “cold Film Queen.”

Chu Qing looked curiously at the book in Chu Nian’s hand. When she saw the title, her body stiffened and she nudged Ruan Qiu. Ruan Qiu followed her gaze, and the chopsticks in her hand fell onto the table.

Chu Nian looked up. “What’s wrong?” Both mothers shook their heads immediately.

The book’s title was glaringly obvious: “99 Ways to Express Love.” The subtitle read: Do you want your lover to drown in your sweet words? Come, the treasure of honeyed speech lies within.

Ruan Qiu tried to recover. “Nian Nian, actually…” Her throat felt tight. Even though she was usually talkative and bold, she felt a bit embarrassed for Chu Nian.

Chu Qing took over. “Nian Nian, many books on the market these days aren’t very reliable. The authors often don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Chu Nian shook her head, gripping the book firmly. “Mom, I chose this carefully. The author is Ye Se. I think she must be a very wise, beautiful, and determined woman. I can feel it through her writing.”

Ruan Qiu: “…” Chu Qing: “…” They certainly couldn’t feel it!

“Forget the books,” Ruan Qiu said, standing up and cracking her wrists. “Mom will teach you herself.” A live lesson from President Ruan was precious beyond measure. Since it was just the three of them and little Zhengzhi, she went for it.

Ruan Qiu looked at Chu Qing with deep affection. Chu Qing wanted to laugh but played along, naturally opening her arms. This was the unspoken “I want a hug” understanding of an old married couple.

Ruan Qiu gave a flirtatious smile. “See that, Nian Nian? The eyes are very important. First, you have to electrify her until she’s numb.”

Chu Nian watched intently. Zhengzhi looked at her mother, let out a long, adult-like sigh, and went back to her toys. Out of sight, out of mind.

Ruan Qiu snuggled into Chu Qing’s lap, sitting sideways with skill. She looked at Chu Nian: “Actually, when your other mom and I were young and fighting, we’d often sit face-to-face with our legs tangled. That’s much more effective; she definitely couldn’t resist. But, considering your ages… ow!”

Chu Qing pinched her. Ruan Qiu looked at her wife with teary, innocent eyes. Was she wrong? They were both thirty now.

Ruan Qiu looked at Nian Nian. “Do you understand what I mean?” At thirty, you can’t be as “intense” as when you were young; your hormones are practically dried up, aren’t they?

Chu Nian nodded. “I understand. A woman at thirty is like a wolf or a tiger.”

Ruan Qiu: “…” Chu Qing: “…” They had seriously underestimated their daughter-in-law.

Ruan Qiu began her performance. She leaned her head on Chu Qing’s shoulder and stared into her eyes. “Do I smell good?”

Chu Qing, who was supposed to be a spectator, blushed instantly. She didn’t expect Ruan Qiu to be so direct. According to their old rules, once one of them asked that, nothing more needed to be said—the answer was always “go to bed.”

Ruan Qiu saw her wife’s reddening cheeks and smirked, pressing her ear to Chu Qing’s chest. “Your heart is beating so fast. Are you hot?”

Chu Qing was a bit hot, and her throat was dry. Ruan Qiu’s hand rested over Chu Qing’s heart. “I miss you… though we are older, I miss you every single moment.” It started as an act, but sitting on Chu Qing’s lap, she could feel her wife’s temperature rising. Inexplicably, her own heart skipped a beat. “Now… I don’t want to chase too much. I just want to be by your side at all times. Qing-qing, don’t lie to me about business trips anymore. I don’t like it.”

I don’t like it…

Chu Nian had never said such things to Ruan Youran. Over the years, they had fought many times. Sometimes Jianjian would be so angry her hair was practically on fire, shouting through tears: “Chu Nian, say something! Don’t just stand there like a block of wood! Say one word! Are you trying to kill me with silence?”

Chu Nian would just let her shake her and vent. She had many thoughts in her heart, but she always expressed them with silence. She had never used such direct words.

Chu Qing was moved. She tightened her arms around Ruan Qiu and kissed her. Ruan Qiu’s eyes also reddened. “When we get back, I’m letting go of all those material things. As long as I have you, even simple tea and rice are enough for me.” She kissed Chu Qing again. “I love you so much~”

Chu Qing got goosebumps. She looked at Nian Nian, who was still processing, but Zhengzhi, who had been silent, suddenly put down her toys. For the first time, she proactively expressed herself. She propped herself up on the floor, tilted her body, covered her mouth, and made a pained sound: “Bleh!” (Vomiting sound).

The whole family laughed. This was the first time in a long time that Chu Nian had laughed so happily.

Because it was time to return for the second phase of 33 Days of Marriage, which Ruan Qiu had already coordinated with Director Niu to delay several times, Chu Nian had to leave quickly. Since the next phase was to be filmed at Jianjian’s home, they decided Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing would return first, followed by Chu Nian.

The two mothers were naturally reluctant to leave Zhengzhi. These two women who had weathered a lifetime of storms now had red eyes as they held their granddaughter. Ruan Qiu hugged Zhengzhi and kissed her forehead. Zhengzhi looked a bit embarrassed but, for once, didn’t ask “Auntie” to wash her face.

Chu Qing repeatedly straightened Zhengzhi’s clothes. “Grandma will come back to see you very soon. Be good at home.” Zhengzhi nodded softly.

Ruan Qiu shoved Chu Qing aside to hug Zhengzhi, weeping: “Zhengzhi, my precious baby, don’t forget Grandma. Grandma loves you, mwah! Grandma misses you, you’re Grandma’s most beloved heart and soul!”

Chu Qing: “…”

A beam of sunlight shone into the room. Chu Nian watched this scene, and her heart, which was so used to pain, felt warm. She walked to the window, took a deep breath, and finally sent a message from her drafts to Ruan Youran—one she had been editing for many days.

— “I’m returning home the day after tomorrow. I have a lot of things; can you pick me up?”

Since the production crew had already notified them that the next stop was Ruan Youran’s house, she shouldn’t… refuse, right?

Chu Nian’s heart was a mess of nerves. In the past, she would never have said such a thing. Even if she were exhausted to death, she would have carried everything herself. But over the last few days, she had thought long and hard. If she didn’t want to lose Youran, she had to change.

Every second waiting for a reply was agony. The more she waited, the more her heart ached with regret. Her brief wait was like her heart was being scalded. What about Jianjian? All those three years of waiting…

While Chu Nian was lost in silence, her phone vibrated. Her heart leaped into her throat. Her hand trembled uncontrollably as she held the device. In that moment, she didn’t even dare to look at the message.