Previous | Table of Contents | Next

Chen Suling was surprised.

Even though she still insisted on liking and pursuing Wen Zhihan, she once thought that no one could impress her.

But now, all of her persistence, stubbornness, and unwillingness to admit the truth were collapsing under Wen Zhihan’s calm confession.

“What’s so good about Shao Cixin?” Chen Suling couldn’t help but ask.

The little bit of resentment that had been brewing in her heart was now making her unconsciously want to compare and contrast herself with Shao Cixin and see where she fell short.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhihan smiled gently.

“There is nothing to compare. It’s not because we’ve found the ‘best’ that we fall in love, but that love creates the ‘best’ in our eyes. I love her, so everything about her—from her scolding to her laughter—is the best and most lovable in the world. Do you understand?”

Maybe in someone else’s eyes, Shao Cixin wouldn’t be considered the best partner in the world, but this didn’t matter to Wen Zhihan. Because even if Shao Cixin was average, the moment that Wen Zhihan fell for her, she (SCX) became the best existence in the world.

“…” Chen Suling was speechless.

She didn’t know what to say.

Wen Zhihan was always rational, gentle, and clear-headed. She always knew what she was doing and never needed anyone else to remind her.

She may not love anyone, but once she fell in love with someone, the love she bestowed to the other person would be unshakeable and immune to outside forces, filled with a jealous-inducing sense of security.

At that moment, Chen Suling only felt jealousy and shameful envy directed at the woman who possessed all of Wen Zhihan’s love.

“I understand what you mean.” Chen Suling smiled reluctantly. “I have nothing to say. I can only wish Ms. Wen the best of luck.”

“Thank you,” Wen Zhihan replied modestly.

She and Shao Cixin…Their relationship was still shallow compared to her deepest wishes.

“Don’t mention it,” Chen Suling said. She gritted her teeth.

It was one thing to not be able to end up with the person she liked, but staying on good terms with them—even as friends—was more than she could handle.

This was too much of a loss for her!

Wen Zhihan calmly tucked her long hair behind her ears and said, “Cixin has a follow-up interview with your company. I hope Ms. Chen won’t make it difficult for her.”

Chen Suling stared at her. “Do you think I would do that?”

Wen Zhihan smiled and said, “I don’t know. I only know that you stared at her for no reason while she was working and bothered her. This is not appropriate.”

Chen Suling: “…”

She looked away, feeling both guilty and ridiculous.

“I didn’t have any intentions. I just wanted to see what kind of person could marry you. But I didn’t expect that she would complain to you about such a small matter.”

“Ms. Chen misunderstood. This is not a complaint. It was just a casual conversation about work,” Wen Zhihan said with a smile, “My family’s Cixin is not a child who loves to complain.”

Wen Zhihan would rather Shao Cixin be a child who loves to complain, so she could turn around and tell her (WZH) when she was being bullied. She always wanted Shao Cixin to remember that besides her (SCX’s) parents or herself (SCX), she could also always rely on her wife Wen Zhihan.

Chen Suling: “…”

That’s enough. Did she (CSL) call her (WZH) out here just so she could eat dog food^[1]?!

“Ms. Wen, I’m not someone who can’t be clear minded,” Chen Suling said. She picked up her coffee. “But I have decided to do her interview myself.”

She wanted to have a good chat with this Mrs. Wen to see what kind of person she was—this person that could actually steal Wen Zhihan’s heart!

Wen Zhihan: “…”

She hoped that Chen Suling really was clear minded.

After Shao Cixin finished her acting class, she went out to eat and drink with Liang Xuefei. She wanted to use this precious break time to relax and unwind!

They sat on a secluded wooden bench on the hillside, holding snacks and enjoying the view of Fengcheng.

This place was their secret base since they were in elementary school. Every weekend after they finished their homework, they would sneak up here and sit on the bench, playing some games quietly instead of running around and causing a commotion.

After they grew up and got jobs, the frequency of their visits gradually decreased. Today was a rare occasion when they were both able to come.

Liang Xuefei had just started a new job. The company environment was not bad, and everything was going well.

She also didn’t forget to check in on her old friend. “How’s it going? Has it been busy lately?”

Shao Cixin nodded and picked up a soft rice cake with her chopsticks, along with a steaming meatball. “I have a lot of gigs, and I’ve also met Wen Zhihan’s suitor.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Really. It’s Chen Suling, the boss of Wen Zhe. She’s my wife’s suitor. Isn’t it incredible?”

“Oh my god, the road between enemies is narrow. This…She didn’t do anything bad to you, did she?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“She’s just been staring at me obsessively whenever I take pictures, and she’s decided that she wants to interview me herself.”

“???”

After hearing about her old friend’s misfortune, Liang Xuefei’s impression of the boss plummeted, and she couldn’t help but worry, “She’s not going to give you a hard time, is she?”

“I don’t think so,” Shao Cixin said. “My dad is not a vegetarian^[2]. My family has already overcome many difficulties. We’re sailing smoothly right now, so don’t worry.”

As she spoke, she raised her head and chest proudly.

Liang Xuefei put a hand on her shoulders and said solemnly, “Child, it doesn’t matter if you’re a vegetarian or not. I’m just worried that love will make people lose their minds. If this Chen Suling lady finds out that you and President Wen don’t have any feelings for each other and you still got married, she’s going to be so jealous that she’ll go crazy.

“She might even expose you two. She’s in the media too, so if she exposes you, it’ll get a lot of attention!”

Shao Cixin bit her chopsticks and fell silent.

What Liang Xuefei said made sense.

Shao Cixin didn’t know Chen Suling very well, so she didn’t know what acts she was capable of committing. But no matter what, she couldn’t let Chen Suling catch them.

Just knowing that Shao Cixin was married to Wen Zhihan was enough to make Chen Suling stare at her like that. If she found out that their marriage was fake, then she’d become even more obsessed with them. Forget about staring at her (SCX), she’d be staring at Wen Zhihan.

Shao Cixin didn’t want anyone to cause any trouble for President Wen, not even a little bit!

Liang Xuefei looked at Shao Cixin’s expression and asked, “Xin Xin, have you thought about what you wanted to do?”

“Of course,” Shao Cixin said, putting her chopsticks back in the bowl. “Don’t we just have to act? Us sisters are professionals!”

Shao Cixin’s interview with Wen Zhe was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, and Chen Suling would personally interview her.

The questions that would be raised in the interview had been read by Rong Ya in advance. They were moderate, so there were no major problems.

She felt that the problem lay with Shao Cixin and Chen Suling.

The two of them were looking at each other inexplicably. The smiles on their face were so fake that they resembled needles wrapped in silk cotton^[3].

Shao Cixin spoke first. “President Chen, we meet again. It’s my honor to be interviewed by you.”

Chen Suling said politely, “It’s also an honor for me to interview Mrs. Wen.”

Shao Cixin raised her eyebrows.

Last time she called her Ms. Shao, but this time she called her Mrs. Wen?

In fact, Chen Suling didn’t want to admit that the title of “Mrs. Wen” applied to Shao Cixin. But as Wen Zhihan said, this is not something that her stubbornness could change.

And Wen Zhihan liked Shao Cixin so much, so what was the point if she refused to admit it?

Shao Cixin didn’t pay attention to anything else. She decided to lift Chen Suling’s position. “I believe President Chen’s professionalism will make this interview pleasant and smooth, right?”

Chen Suling pulled the corners of her mouth. If she made trouble during this interview, it would make her look amateurish. But she was not so childish as to mess around while working.

“Yes, Ms. Wen can trust me.”

Shao Cixin felt relieved.

Personal feelings were personal feelings, and work was work. They were all mature adults, and she didn’t want the two to be mixed up and cause unnecessary delays.

Fortunately, Chen Suling was still a reliable person.

Then she heard Chen Suling say, “I heard that Mrs. Wen has nothing on her schedule following this interview, so I wonder if she has time for a cup of coffee?

“If she doesn’t have time, it doesn’t matter.”

Shao Cixin: “…”

Chen Suling already exposed the fact that Shao Cixin had nothing on her itinerary. If Shao Cixin refused her, wouldn’t it make her—Mrs. Wen—look stingy?

“Of course,” Shao Cixin replied.

Rong Ya: “…”

What happened while she was away?

The interview went very smoothly.

Chen Suling handled the process professionally, not letting her personal feelings get involved. There was hardly any expression on her face, and her words were concise and meaningful. She didn’t talk any nonsense.

Shao Cixin was confident and composed, never missing a beat.

The two admired each other’s professionalism but felt no goodwill toward each other. They kept their distance even when they went to the café.

In the café, Shao Cixin and Chen Suling sat across from each other. The two cups of coffee on the table were left untouched.

After a moment of silence, Chen Suling was the first to speak. “To be honest, I envy you.”

Shao Cixin crossed her legs and clasped her hands in front of her. Her reaction was neither warm nor cold. “Hmm?”

“You easily won her heart and became her wife, yet I’ve liked her for so long and she’s still keeping her distance from me. Mrs. Wen, you’re really enviable to the point of jealousy.”

Chen Suling sighed and smiled bitterly.

Shao Cixin raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

Easy? No, not at all. Wen Zhihan was too clear-headed. She was so clear-headed that she wouldn’t entrust her heart to this transaction. But Shao Cixin couldn’t deny that she was enviable, because Wen Zhihan was really too good. She was so good that other people couldn’t help but want to have one of their own President Wen.

Shao Cixin nodded calmly. “I know. There is no crime in being envious. Mrs. Wen allows you to be envious.”

Chen Suling: “…”

Then Mrs. Wen was quite generous.

Chen Suling asked, “When did your relationship start?”

Shao Cixin said calmly, “Last year.”

Chen Suling frowned. “I’m asking for specifics.”

Shao Cixin replied, “What’s the point of asking for specifics? We’re already married.”

Chen Suling: “…”

Chen Suling looked at the coffee in front of her and suddenly smiled.

That’s right. No matter what she did, Shao Cixin and Wen Zhihan were already married. Wen Zhihan had already given her heart away. What was she sitting here struggling for?

She looked up at Shao Cixin.

The person in front of her was indeed more beautiful and dazzling than others. Although her acting skills were not at the top level in the industry, they were not bad, and her personality was also unique and interesting. These were all facts she couldn’t deny.

Maybe these were the differences between her and Shao Cixin….

There was an unwillingness in her heart, but she had to let go.

“Mrs. Wen is right. You’re already married, so there’s no point in asking anything.”

Chen Suling stood up and picked up her bag.

“Zhihan is very good. I hope you can cherish her and not make her sad. If you can’t treat her well, please don’t tie her down with your marriage. There are plenty of people in the world who are willing to treat her well.

“Finally, I wish you happiness. Goodbye.”

Shao Cixin watched Chen Suling’s retreating figure with her hand supporting her cheek. She didn’t expect Chen Suling to be so decisive. It seemed she hadn’t needed to act at all?

No, she still had to act, but in variety shows.

According to Chen Suling, as long as Wen Zhihan’s marriage life was unhappy, there would be rivals waiting for the opportunity to snatch Wen Zhihan from her clutches. By then, she didn’t know how much trouble she would bring to Wen Zhihan.

No, she had to perform well.

Wasn’t her acting just liking Wen Zhihan? Who didn’t know how to act like that?!

The winter wind left, and April was warm and balmy.

At the end of the month, Shao Cixin and Wen Zhihan’s variety show Post-Marriage Love Diary officially began shooting.

As usual, before the official start of the show, the program group arranged a small interview with the couple in a relaxed atmosphere. This acted as the prelude to the opening.

The interview took place at their home.

Shao Cixin and Wen Zhihan chose to receive the interview in the living room.

Both of them had extensive experience with interviews, and they were very calm when facing the camera. The director sat behind the camera and temporarily served as the host.

Shao Cixin watched the director flip through the small notebook in his hand. The little devil inside Shao Cixin was rubbing its hands in anticipation.

She was ready.

From today forward, on this day every week, she would be Wen Zhihan’s Little Sweetheart who loved her wife so much that she couldn’t breathe!

Wen Yu and Chen Suling were just waiting to see her excellent acting skills. She hadn’t been wasting her time in acting classes these past few weeks!!!

The director closed the small notebook in his hand and signaled that it was time to begin. All departments indicated that they were ready. The director asked the two main characters to start with a self-introduction to the camera.

Shao Cixin gave a demonstration to the variety show newcomer, Wen Zhihan. She opened her lips and greeted the camera warmly, “Hello everyone, I am Shao Cixin.”

Then she stretched out her hand and pointed to the person next to her. “This beautiful lady is my wife, Wen Zhihan.”

Wen Zhihan understood the assignment. She held Shao Cixin’s hand as she turned to the camera and said gently, “Hello everyone, I am the beautiful Shao Cixin’s wife, Wen Zhihan.”

Shao Cixin turned to look at Wen Zhihan with admiration in her eyes: Wow, her wife learned quickly!

Wen Zhihan nodded at her.

The two of them looked at each other with smiles on their faces. They didn’t make any extra movements. The air around them began to bubble with a sweet scent, and the scene was so loving that every staff member present felt superfluous.

The director was very satisfied with the results.

—Love to work, work to love, and increase our ratings for us!

The director began with his first question, “May I ask why you two agreed to participate in this variety show? Actually, I’m personally very curious about Ms. Wen’s answer, because you are an outsider, and you’re usually quite busy with work.”

Wen Zhihan was not flustered. She hooked Shao Cixin’s fingers with her own slender fingers and interlocked their hands together. Then she said very gently, “Because I wanted Cixin to stay in Fengcheng for a while.”

She spoke her true feelings. This was indeed the reason why she agreed to film the variety show in the first place. And it was precisely because she was filming a variety show and playing the role of a loving wife that she dared to express her feelings to Shao Cixin so openly.

Shao Cixin turned to look at Wen Zhihan. She saw that Wen Zhihan was smiling at her.

It was clear that Wen Zhihan was answering the director’s question, but it also felt like she was confessing her feelings to Shao Cixin.

“When Cixin is filming, she is gone for months at a time, and we only get to see each other once in a while. These days are too hard to bear,” Wen Zhihan continued, “But if we film the show together, we will have more time to spend with each other, so it’s perfect.”

After expressing her feelings calmly, Wen Zhihan observed Shao Cixin’s reaction.

Shao Cixin was facing her. There was no rejection on her face, but there seemed to be some shock in her eyes.

Shao Cixin was indeed suppressing her surprise.

—She didn’t expect that Wen Zhihan could act better than her!

Thank you so much to Yamahl and Pigeons for supporting me on Ko-Fi! As promised, here’s the bonus chapter!

The author (热到昏厥) has something to say:

Because she has walked away with her heart, you must leave.

^[1] “吃狗粮” (chī gǒu liáng) or “eating dog food” is a common Internet slang that describes when someone (usually a netizen) is being forced to watch public displays of affection.

^[2] “不是吃素的” (bù shì chī sù) or “not a vegetarian” is a Chinese idiom that essentially means “I (or my family) can also be rough.” It stems from the fact that many Buddhists practice vegetarianism.

^[3] “绵里藏针” (mián lǐ cáng zhēn) or “needle hidden in cotton wool” is a Chinese idiom that acts as a metaphor for appearing kind on the outside but actually being vicious on the inside.

Previous | Table of Contents | Next