Appearing on a Marriage Show Before Getting Divorced - Chapter 5

“—Are you thinking of swapping CPs? Give it up. I will never let you have your way!”

After Ruan Youran spat those words out, she felt a strange mix of grievance and anger. A sour, uncomfortable liquid seemed to surge in her chest. Yet, looking at Chu Nian, the woman didn’t seem bothered at all; instead, her eyes sparkled with even more vibrance.

Is she really that happy about it?

Youran couldn’t take it anymore. She stormed out of the room, feeling more wronged with every step, and headed for the rooftop to clear her head.

In the hallway, Lan Ke—who was still practicing her moves—was stunned. She sighed, “Young people are really something else. Practicing hundred-meter sprints in the middle of the day.”

Youran reached the rooftop and burst through the door. Lin Yiyi, who was holding a handful of grain to feed the pigeons, jumped in fright.

Youran snatched the grain and threw it toward the sky, throwing her arms wide. “Fly, pigeons! Eat up and take my troubles away with you!”

The grain scattered on the ground like rain. Not a single pigeon flew over.

Lin Yiyi: “…”

Ruan Youran: “…”

See? Even the birds despise me.

Five minutes later, the two sat on a rooftop bench, swinging their legs and watching the scenery.

“Man, it’s been so long since I relaxed like this,” Yiyi said, looking at her feet. “Look at my toes—they look so youthful.”

“Yeah, so youthful,” Youran agreed. She looked at her own feet. “Mine are ‘princess’ feet.”

Lin Yiyi: “…” This woman.

Youran wasn’t just joking. Back when she and Chu Nian first got together, they were hopelessly in love. On a certain night, after an “infinite loop” of intimacy, someone had cradled her feet and kissed them tenderly, treating them like a precious treasure. She could never forget the depth of emotion in those eyes.

“Youran, you and Film Queen Chu…” Yiyi hesitated. She’d had suspicions since yesterday but didn’t know how to ask. In this industry, you don’t pry into certain gossip lightly.

Youran’s face darkened at the mention of “Chu Nian.” “I swear to God, if I have any special feelings left for that cold, arrogant, heartless, selfish Film Queen, I’ll walk out and get hit by bird droppings.”

The words had barely left her mouth when—splat—something cool landed right on her face.

Both went full Sparta.

Youran stared blankly at Yiyi. “Yiyi, I… you…”

Yiyi pinched her own thigh, trying desperately not to laugh. “Don’t say it. Director Niu is about to blow the assembly whistle for the stargazing trip. Go—go wash up, quickly.”

Ruan Youran: “……………. AAAAAHHH!!!”

As the “maid/pesky rabbit/princess” with multiple identities, this was the first time she had experienced the sensation of wearing bird droppings.

In the room, Chu Nian had just changed her coat when she saw Youran kick the door open and whirl into the bathroom like a cyclone, a greyish-white substance on her face.

Chu Nian: “???”

Half an hour later, Youran was huddled in a quilt, shivering. The mountain temperature dropped drastically at night.

Chu Nian wordlessly picked up the remote and turned on the heater. Youran glared at her, fuming. Is the universe blind? Why does it only bully pure, good women like me? Even the pigeons are helping that villain?

“Why is it so hot? Are you trying to suffocate me?” Youran snapped.

Chu Nian looked her in the eye. “Unhappy?”

Youran rolled her eyes. Chu Nian sighed softly, adjusted the remote, and placed a brown jar in front of her. “This is… my mom told me to bring this for you. There are lots of mosquitoes in the mountains. Put it on.”

Youran refused immediately. “I’d rather be bitten to death.”

“Suit yourself.”

Leaving behind that cold remark, Chu Nian turned and left, the door shutting with a thud.

Youran stared at the mosquito repellent, her eyes misting over. She had a unique constitution; in a crowd, mosquitoes would ignore everyone else and dive-bomb her. Every summer was a nightmare. No commercial sprays worked. Eventually, their mothers had found an old family recipe to mix a special repellent for her.

She was sinking into sad memories when she realized the room was getting colder and colder. She thought it was just her “heart turning to ash,” until Lin Yiyi walked in and shivered.

“God, Youran, why is the AC set to ‘Max Cool’?”

Did the bird poop turn her brain to mush?

Ruan Youran: “…………….!!!” CHU NIAN!!!!

Half an hour later, Youran and Yiyi set out hand-in-hand. Though Youran was miserable, Yiyi’s cheerful personality helped her forget her troubles for a moment. She decided that when romance fails, one must fill the void with friendship.

Director Niu had chosen a perfect spot on the mountainside, surrounded by lavender. The six guests sat in the flowers under a vast, starry sky. Even President Qin’s eyes shone with wonder.

Yiyi was happy until she felt a chill on the back of her neck. She turned and met Chu Nian’s gaze.

Chu Nian’s expression was indifferent. She stared at the joined hands of Yiyi and Youran for a second, then suddenly looked at Yiyi and gave her a radiant, beautiful smile.

That smile… nearly shattered Yiyi’s heart.

The idiom “a dagger hidden behind a smile” must have been invented for Chu Nian. She was smiling, but Yiyi felt thousands of bright blades flying at her.

Yiyi let go of Youran’s hand instantly. “What’s wrong?” Youran asked.

“Jianjian,” Yiyi said firmly, pointing toward Chu Nian, “Please follow the crew’s arrangements and sit next to the Film Queen.”

Ruan Youran: “…” Friendship is truly unreliable.

Youran snorted and plopped down next to Director Niu instead.

“Jianjian, what are you doing? Sit over there!” the director barked.

With cameras rolling and being heartlessly driven away twice, Youran finally shuffled over to sit by Chu Nian. She hugged her knees and looked up at the sky. She loved stars; they made her feel tiny, making her worries seem insignificant. Even with Chu Nian’s scent distracting her, she felt a moment of peace.

“Let’s start a topic,” Director Niu said from behind the lens. “In such a romantic setting, we have to talk about relationships. Let’s all chat about our love lives.”

In the entertainment industry, “relationships” are the ultimate high-traffic topic. The atmosphere froze. These were veteran “warriors” of scandals; they knew one wrong word could cause endless trouble.

“Song Ci, you first,” the director prompted. “You’re the youngest.”

Song Ci smiled timidly. “I’ve been a trainee since high school. My family isn’t well-off, so I focused entirely on training. I’ve had very little contact with people outside of work, let alone a relationship.”

Lin Yiyi, moved by her honesty, squeezed her shoulder. “It’ll get better.”

Yiyi was next. She cracked a melon seed. “My ‘love life’ probably dates back to middle school. I fell for a girl—it was passionate and naive. Everything after that has felt like plain water. I don’t really have any ‘unforgettable’ adult romances.”

Then came President Qin. Under the firelight, her sharp features softened. “I liked someone. A crush that lasted many years. That person… never knew.”

Everyone gasped. That was a bold admission. Qin took a sip of champagne, her gaze full of quiet determination.

Lan Ke was next. “At my age, to be honest, I don’t really believe in ‘feelings’ anymore. Being alone is fine. Free as the wind.” Though her tone was flat, it carried a hint of melancholy.

Finally, it was Ruan Youran’s turn. Dressed in a blue gauze dress with her hair up, she looked like a pure college student. She took a sip of wine, her eyes clouding over. “My most unforgettable relationship has already ended. There’s nothing left to reminisce about. It’s OVER.”

The atmosphere plummeted. Director Niu froze, the cigarette in her mouth nearly falling out.

Yiyi stared at Youran in shock. No wonder… she looks like a wilting flower.

If Youran’s words were broadcast, it would be a bombshell. Everyone turned to look at Director Niu, who laughed awkwardly and shifted the focus.

“Nian Nian, what about you?”

The move was sharp. Instantly, all eyes were on Chu Nian. Everyone in the group could feel it: something was very, very wrong between her and Ruan Youran.