QKYJ - 13

In the cemetery, and outside the cemetery, Shen He didn’t shed a single tear from beginning to end.

Watching his father being buried, he suddenly asked Shen Zhi a question.

“The thing you wanted to tell me a few days ago, it wasn’t really about the curtains, was it?” Shen He said.

Even she herself had almost forgotten that excuse.

Shen Zhi didn’t deny it.

“What was it then?” he asked again.

He had just lost his father. She thought for a moment, hesitated, and finally replied, “It’s not suitable to talk about now.”

Soft soil was pushed into the grave.

After a while, Shen Zhi couldn’t help but ask, “So, what did you want to tell me that day?”

Shen He stared into the unknown distance.

“Let’s talk about it later,” he replied to her.

That day, Shen Zhi helped make lunch. Shen He and his younger brother watched TV in the living room. The house was noisy and lively.

She suddenly had a subtle illusion.

But an illusion was just an illusion.

The four of them sat at the square dining table and ate a meal.

Shen He asked his assistant for the car, preparing to personally drive his younger brother to school. Xixi called Shen Zhi, saying she was swamped with public relations for Shen He’s father’s affairs and asked her to take good care of things.

Having worked together for so many years, Shen Zhi naturally agreed.

Despite his obvious elder brotherly air, Shen He wasn’t particularly affectionate with his younger brother. Shen Zhi couldn’t bear it and pulled the middle school boy aside, saying, “Study hard, and feel free to contact us if you need any help.”

Children from poor families mature early. Shen He was a typical example, and his younger brother was no different.

The boy nodded: “Thank you, Secretary Liu—”

At that title, the adults’ eyes couldn’t help but shift.

Shen Zhi was startled, but Shen He had already recovered.

Secretary Liu was a character Shen Zhi had played.

That poverty alleviation themed TV series received state support and was universally praised for its innovative script and excellent production. Shen Zhi also won several mainstream awards for it.

Shen He’s stepmother immediately explained, “He loves watching the TV series you act in.”

Shen Zhi smiled, then patted the boy’s shoulder: “That’s fine to call me that.”

The boy’s face flushed, and he quickly changed his address: “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Upon hearing the title “sister-in-law,” Shen Zhi, who had just been smiling so brightly, immediately stiffened.

She was indeed his sister-in-law.

In stark contrast, seeing Shen Zhi’s awkwardness, Shen He seemed to be gloating.

The assistant, who came to deliver the car keys, interjected, “Don’t you watch your brother’s shows?”

The boy slowly shook his head: “Ah, no…”

Then it was Shen He’s turn to look displeased.

________________________________________

His brother’s school was also Shen He’s alma mater. After hearing about it, Shen Zhi found it somewhat unbelievable: “Isn’t that a key middle school?”

“Do I not look like an honor student?”

“People who study performing arts don’t have good grades,” Shen Zhi said with prejudice.

Shen He thought for a moment and surprisingly agreed: “That’s true.”

They were supposed to leave right after dropping off the student, but they happened to run into the principal, who insisted on taking a photo. Shen He was like a migrant worker returning to his village after striking it rich, his true nature exposed, unable to hide his pride, even preparing his smile.

Unexpectedly, the principal leaned over and asked him eagerly, “Could you please ask Shen Zhi to take a solo picture? My whole family are her fans.”

The plane tickets were only booked for the next day.

The assistant booked them a hotel.

After all, squeezing into his stepmother’s small house again would only cause more trouble.

After receiving one room card, Shen Zhi didn’t withdraw her hand and continued to wait. Only when the assistant looked at her in confusion did she emphasize, “This is mine, what about his?”

The assistant asked back, puzzled, “Aren’t you two staying in the same room?”

“When did we ever stay in the same room...?” A day’s exhaustion had made her a little impatient. Shen Zhi suppressed her complaints and said with a smile.

The assistant was already on it, but still quipped, “Didn’t you stay together yesterday?”

Shen He heard that and chuckled inexplicably: “Haven’t you been to our house?”

At home, they both had separate bedrooms.

The assistant lived with his employer and his employer’s spouse almost daily. Public figures faced many inconveniences in their lives, requiring help with all sorts of large and small琐事. He somewhat understood that they were a nominal couple. But sometimes, it was like looking at flowers through a fog, or the moon in water; he always felt there was something inexplicably odd about them.

They weren’t a real couple.

But if they were a fake couple, how could they—

As an assistant, one should not ask what shouldn’t be asked, not listen to what shouldn’t be heard, and not dwell on what shouldn’t be known.

It was only evening when they arrived at the hotel.

Shen Zhi and Shen He had a remarkable unspoken agreement on falling asleep instantly, as they had been exhausted the past few days. Before going to bed, Shen Zhi managed to quickly check the latest news. Xixi was a reliable partner and a competent colleague; the company was strong and willing to invest money in its star artists. Shen He’s family disputes had all disappeared under his personal direction.

However, the time spent in sleep was not as long as expected.

It was only nine or ten o’clock at night when Shen Zhi woke up. The room was pitch black. She lay for a while, got up to drink water, and then walked into the bathroom.

After tidying up, she ultimately found no other activities to alleviate her boredom.

Walking to the outermost room, Shen Zhi turned on the TV. The movie channel was showing director Huang Zhengfei’s debut film, but unfortunately, it was already near the end.

Shen Zhi watched it intently.

Less than half a minute after the movie ended, she received a message from Shen He, asking if she wanted to get something to eat.

Unlike young artists who flaunt their single status while secretly dating, they were two people who could legitimately act together even without a third party present.

However, if they were too ostentatious, things could still get troublesome.

Shen He drove, and Shen Zhi said while fastening her seatbelt, “Is there really a place we can go?”

She didn’t mean to offend her husband, but his hometown really didn’t seem like a place that would have private restaurants.

“Let’s eat at a place I know,” he said.

In daily life, Shen He was accustomed to being the one whose opinion was sought. For trivial matters like this, he didn’t really know what Shen Zhi thought. In others’ eyes, this might not be a good sign. But it just so happened that even if Shen Zhi asked for Shen He’s opinion, she wasn’t much influenced by him, basically making her own decisions. Shen He had no objection to this either, instead pleased with her decisiveness. She wasn’t too picky, whatever he chose was fine.

So, all was well.

The couple walked towards a deserted tea restaurant.

“I used to work at the hardware store next door and often came here to eat,” Shen He said. “Their business wasn’t very good, and they closed early at night.”

Shen Zhi asked, “So we’re still going?”

It wasn’t particularly early now.

“The boss lives in the shop, just wake him up.” This person really was self-willed, year after year.

The boss, past fifty, with significant hair loss, was indeed an acquaintance. He wasn’t particularly flattered by their arrival and spoke bluntly, “Shen He, you’re really a scoundrel.”

“I’m just bringing my wife to try your specialty,” Shen He replied, thick-skinned as ever.

“Forget about other things, there’s only enough for one bowl of noodles left.”

Professionally, Shen He understood Shen Zhi well, simply saying, “That’s enough.”

Just in case, he still gestured to Shen Zhi with his chin: “Is that enough?”

“If it’s enough for you, it’s enough for me,” she returned a gentle smile.

________________________________________

The steaming hot wonton noodles were served. Shen He went to ask for a bowl to split the noodles, but the boss rejected him: “Just let me wash one less bowl!”

They shared the same bowl of noodles.

If they both leaned close to the bowl, their foreheads would bump, so they had to eat in turns. When Shen He ate in private, he was not at all polite or elegant; it was his nature, and no matter how much he pretended, he could never become like his image on television.

Shen Zhi slowly spooned the soup, blew on a wonton to cool it, then brought it to her mouth.

She looked at Shen He and suddenly said, “Don’t you think it’s a bit strange for us to share a bowl of noodles? After all, we’re not exactly close.”

Shen He didn’t even lift his head, slowly adding vinegar: “My saliva isn’t dirty.”

She paused, feeling as if the line sounded familiar but couldn’t recall where she had heard it. In the end, they both paid contentedly and sincerely thanked the boss as they left.

“Let’s take a walk before heading back,” Shen He said, looking up, the warm and delicious dinner making him relax.

Shen Zhi, too, was filled with warmth and contentment, feeling utterly at ease: “Alright, it’s already very late anyway.”

They walked down the deserted alley, getting more and more secluded. Shen He pulled down his mask and took a long breath. Shen Zhi turned her head and saw a slogan painted on the wall: “Defecate and urinate anywhere, whole family dies.”

The local customs were indeed fierce.

But no wonder they could raise a strange creature like Shen He.

“Given your family situation, it’s a miracle you could study performing arts and even travel so far to take the school entrance exams,” Shen Zhi gave an objective assessment without holding back.

Both her parents were well-off, especially her mother’s side; not only was her family background excellent, but she was also an only child. So Shen Zhi never lacked money.

Shen He wasn’t angry or upset, his attitude was very calm, but his answer was very brief: “I met many good people.”

Their finances were very separate, but neither of them was foolish, so they would still occasionally know.

In his early years, Shen He had repaid some people, including school teachers and neighbors. Later, his active involvement in charity was probably also linked to these relationships.

He had experienced much misfortune.

But the silver lining in his misfortune was that he was a born actor, meant to earn his living in this profession.

After catching some breeze, they prepared to get back into the car.

Shen He walked with his head down, suddenly saying, “There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Tell me,” Shen Zhi also kept her head down.

“We often don’t seem to get along. So, initially, I thought that after getting married, it would probably be very unpleasant,” Shen He said. “At first, it was indeed a bit difficult, but later, up until today, we just got through it.”

“Mmm.”

“What do you think?” he said.

By then, they had already reached the car and slowly got in.

Shen Zhi calmly averted her gaze.

She thought for a moment, then told him: “Perhaps it’s a case of marrying a chicken, follow a chicken; marrying a dog, follow a dog.”

She added, “We’re just making do.”

Her tone mimicked the classic skit from the Spring Festival Gala, featuring Baiyun and Heitu.

She didn’t notice, but his expression instantly stiffened.

The second half of “we’re just making do” is “what else can we do, divorce?”.

What else can we do?

What if they really could divorce?

Shen He was not in a hurry to start the car, instead staring intently at Shen Zhi. Shen Zhi felt suspicious, always feeling as if his gaze held a hint of intimidation, as if he wanted to tear her apart. Unfortunately, anyone else might fall for it, but she was completely immune, staring back calmly and unperturbed.

He instantly said, “A fine ‘marrying a chicken, follow a chicken; marrying a dog, follow a dog.’ Then please remember what you said today.”

“I always take responsibility for my words,” she retorted without weakness. “During the period of our marriage contract, in the public eye, we are a community of interests. Whatever you are, I am that—”

Shen He didn’t know if he was displeased, instinctively attacking her as usual, in the most embarrassing way possible: “What if I’m nothing?”

He played dirty, but he forgot that was also her specialty. “Then I...” Shen Zhi stumbled for a moment, then without hesitation, firmly replied, “am also nothing.”