QKYJ - 8

“Why didn’t you have a public wedding?”

Shen He said, “We did have a private meal with relatives and friends.”

Shen Zhi said, “Everyone is very busy, and we didn’t want to trouble anyone.”

“Do you have plans for children?”

Shen He said, “It’s not that we don’t have the idea, but—”

Shen Zhi said, “I might not be mentally prepared yet.”

Shen He said, “Actually, me too. And her health hasn’t been very good these past two years; she might be too tired. We want to spend some more time together, just the two of us.”

“Really? I don’t believe it.”

Hearing the host’s words, suddenly, Shen He smiled, and Shen Zhi also smiled.

Shen He said, “It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not.”

________________________________________

“Shen He and Shen Zhi, husband and wife, appear at the airport, showing intimate chats and public displays of affection.”

Weibo hot searches, entertainment news sections, media pushes, all featured the above content.

For about two years now, Shen He and Shen Zhi would abandon the VIP channel and walk through the airport together at least once every six months. The purpose, of course, was nothing else but work requirements.

In the reporters’ cameras, they were seen laughing and talking, but the actual content of their conversation was—

“Was that your job offer?” Shen Zhi smiled on the surface, but there was no hint of a smile in her eyes.

“This show?” Shen He calmly retorted, “Your agent brought it over.”

Shen Zhi looked incredibly ethereal, but when speaking to Shen He, she still retained the tone she used during their student days: “Don’t try to fool me, you’re planning to do a solo talk show, aren’t you?”

Shen He was no better: “Who’s fooling you? Or do you want to fight?”

“Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

At this age, having been in the entertainment industry for over ten years, yet they still acted like they did when they had just turned eighteen.

“Children!”

“Behave yourselves.”

Both agents spoke at the same time, “Your voices are too loud!”

Shen He and Shen Zhi, who had just been at loggerheads, simultaneously quieted down: “Sorry.”

Then, turning to see the accompanying media and fans, Shen He and Shen Zhi immediately switched into work mode.

It wasn’t easy for everyone to come all this way; they were here to see their latest news.

Shen He unconsciously extended his arm, wrapping it around Shen Zhi’s back. Shen Zhi, meanwhile, focused on confirming the flight, her head bowed as if enjoying Shen He’s protection.

In terms of intimacy, neither of them would overdo it, but they would definitely not miss a beat.

Upon entering the terminal, their schedules differed, and so did their destinations. Without needing eye contact, they immediately went their separate ways.

________________________________________

They are the individuals associated with each other on search encyclopedia entries.

From Shen He’s profile, one can directly access Shen Zhi through the “wife” section, and from Shen Zhi’s profile, Shen He can be found through the “husband” section.

Six years ago, the ratings of When You Are Old set a record, winning a string of awards and even being translated and broadcast in multiple countries like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.

Shen He and Shen Zhi were exposed as being married during its broadcast, and their already high public attention soared, boosting the popularity of both actors by far more than just one level.

From then on, the two began their careers as actors.

Shen He started focusing on starring in films, while Shen Zhi built her reputation as a television actress.

Their lives were designed to resemble those of an ordinary couple.

It wasn’t smooth sailing from the beginning either.

They avoided most of the troubles that normal people encounter when getting married, but there were still countless difficulties.

For example, where they would live together, how to explain the reasons behind their decision to everyone, and how they should interact with each other.

Their rooms at home were separate, and privately, there was never any close contact. Their conversations were always cold and sarcastic; it was a good day if they didn’t end up fighting.

Shen Zhi had a huge argument with Shen He over the color of the living room wallpaper.

Shen He endlessly argued with Shen Zhi over whether to buy a set of knives that cost as much as a small car.

Neither of them would give in. Just like in their student days, Shen Zhi would step on Shen He’s mattress with her shoes, and Shen He would hold Shen Zhi’s Bluetooth speaker, threatening each other and resisting to the end.

In the end, neither could go to bed. They always felt that whoever fell asleep first would lose. They spent days staying up late with the energy they usually reserved for work, and finally had no choice but to shake hands, forgive each other, and let themselves off the hook.

They sat side by side on the dirty mattress, smoking.

Shen Zhi said, “We shouldn’t have to manage each other.”

Shen He said, “Yes.”

Shen He said, “Anyway, we’re just this kind of relationship.”

Shen Zhi said, “Exactly.”

Rather than saying they were married, it was more accurate to say they hadn’t divorced. And in these six years of not divorcing, they mostly conducted their relationship as a business arrangement.

________________________________________

After getting into the car and listening to her agent categorize the work invitations received for the upcoming period, Shen Zhi slid her sunglasses down and squinted: “Variety show?”

“It’s a reality show similar to South Korea’s Same Bed Different Dreams, but with some innovative competitive elements added.”

With the development of the internet, the broadcast television industry gradually declined. To gain viewership, TV stations planned new strategies, and examples of purchasing copyrights to remake foreign variety shows were abundant. Reality shows were at the forefront.

However, the audience’s preference was priceless.

Now, Ding Yaocai only had to manage Shen Zhi, and she was patiently waiting for Shen Zhi’s reply. In the past, it would have been impossible for her to make decisions on her own; everything would have been according to company arrangements.

Regarding the reality show, Shen Zhi wasn’t interested, but it wasn’t her decision alone.

Shen Zhi said, “Ask him first.”

She didn’t say his name, but everyone around knew who “he” was.

On the other side, Shen He pulled his mask down to his chin, and a copy of Sartre’s Nausea rustled as his fingers released it. His expression was dreamy.

After thinking for a moment, Shen He asked, “What did she say?”

Both parties seemed passive, indicating they intended to decline.

Shen He’s agent used an Apple Pencil to make a note on the variety show called Married Couples.

He had changed agents five years ago.

His previous agent had been quite critical of his decision to marry without consulting her, and after negotiations, they parted ways. As for how Shen He ended things peacefully with the previous agent and communicated with the new one, no one knew. His current agent, Xixi, was a somewhat androgynous married woman.

Preparing to doze off for a bit, Shen He suddenly remembered something and paused before asking, “Why can dating become a variety show?”

Xixi said, “People have emotional needs. Life is already hard, and love is so rare. They get some comfort by watching you.”

After hearing the answer, Shen He pondered for a moment, then smiled.

He whispered, “Actually, we also have it tough.”

________________________________________

Shen Zhi returned home. The windows were all privacy-ventilated, and during the owner’s absence, the private housekeeper had meticulously organized everything. It was certainly worth the compensation that had once caused a disagreement between her and Shen He.

Shen He had been working non-stop recently.

She first took a shower, then slept.

After waking up, she tried out her new hair mask.

Wiping her hair, she walked while clearing unread messages on her phone, and accidentally kicked Shen He’s barbell in the living room. Muttering “you stupid jerk,” she returned to her bedroom.

In the afternoon, during her regular routine, Ding Yaocai called and said, “Did you know Shen He is going to the opening ceremony in Atami?”

“Is that so?” Shen Zhi wasn’t particularly concerned.

“I’m just calling to ask if you’ll be accompanying him, so I can make arrangements for you.”

“He is him, and I am me, unless there’s a shared interest,” Shen Zhi said nonchalantly. “You know that, don’t you?”

“You keep things that separate?”

Shen Zhi’s voice was flat: “We’re just completely nominal spouses.”

After a moment of silence, Ding Yaocai replied, “I just remembered you complaining about back pain recently. The hospitality in Japan is at a high-end hot spring ryokan, and the sea crab is delicious too. Anyway, you’re on vacation.”

After hanging up the phone, the room fell silent.

Shen Zhi stood still without a sound.

Her phone suddenly vibrated. She opened WeChat. The person saved as “Shen He” (full name) sent a message asking, “Is my passport at home?”

________________________________________

The hot springs must be very comfortable.

And it had been a long time since she had eaten sea crab.

Regarding Shen Zhi accompanying him to Atami, Shen He didn’t forget to tease her as per tradition.

“You need to remember you’re riding on my coattails,” he said.

She casually brushed him off: “Thank you for your great kindness.”

A moment later, he sent a voice message of less than two seconds on WeChat. Shen Zhi opened it in the beauty salon and, caught off guard, heard a sudden “Call me Daddy.”

Shen He’s voice was a bit hoarse, likely from being exhausted by filming. Shen Zhi knew he was just joking around; they often teased each other like that.

However, she turned around to see the staff’s expression, a mix of shyness and envy.

And received the compliment: “You and your husband have such a good relationship.”

They weren’t on the same flight, meeting directly at the international airport. There weren’t many overseas media following them, so it was easier to handle.

It wasn’t time for work yet. When they met, Shen He was wearing a no-logo hoodie and sweatpants, looking no different from a shut-in man who hadn’t worked in decades and was still living off his parents; Shen Zhi, on the other hand, was dressed in loose black clothes, topped with an XL sun hat, looking somewhat like a Taoist nun descending from the mountains.

If one ignored their two strikingly beautiful faces, these two people were as plain as could be.

They saw each other but didn’t greet.

“Let’s go,” Shen He said directly.

Shen Zhi continued, “Where’s the car?”

Ding Yaocai wasn’t there, and Xixi teased them, “Kids, at least greet each other when you meet.”

So Shen He said, “Aloha.”

Without a hint of seriousness.

Shen Zhi also replied nonchalantly, “Aloha.”

Leaving Xixi to laugh again, “Why Hawaiian?”

The journey was long and should have been tiring. But luckily, they both caught up on sleep on the transport, and by the time they reached the ryokan, they were completely refreshed.

Upon entering the hotel room, Shen Zhi’s first stop was to check out the hot spring in the private courtyard.

Shen He put down his things, walked through the outer room and corridor, and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, immediately starting to take off his clothes. Fortunately, he was dissuaded at the last minute by his agent with “there’s still work to do later.”

Even after Shen He left, Shen Zhi showed no sign of acknowledging him. Shen He also didn’t say goodbye to her when he left.

After saying hello and being invited to stay for dinner, Shen He accepted.

His assistant asked, “Should we inform Teacher Shen Zhi?”

The first time, Shen He didn’t hear clearly.

After leaning down to confirm what the other person said, he simply waved his hand, maintaining the same smile he had used to respond to others, quickly resolving the issue.

After all these years, their relationship might have improved a little.

But it still wasn’t great.

When Xixi first took on Shen He, she naturally knew the nature of their marriage, but to be safe, she asked once: “You two still have some feelings for each other, right?”

Shen He, however, replied definitively, “No.”

“No?”

He denied it readily: “Of course not.”

“That’s good,” the agent said, “You remember your marriage term is seven years, right?”