QKYJ - 9

The next day’s appearance at the opening ceremony involved a sponsored gown, which Shen Zhi had only tried on once.

To fit into that gown, which didn’t match Shen Zhi’s physique but perfectly suited the camera and fashion requirements, Shen Zhi hadn’t eaten much the day before.

So, while Shen Zhi was getting her makeup done and waiting, she kept complaining, “I’m so hungry.”

“Is there anything to eat?” she asked.

After rummaging around, there was only a cup of Wangwang instant cold noodles.

Shen Zhi, wrapped in a blanket, got up and made the instant noodles herself. She then borrowed a poster to avoid staining the dress before starting to eat.

When Shen He burst in, saying, “How about I edit a video for our anniversary?”, he saw this scene—Shen Zhi in a long, off-the-shoulder gown, eating instant noodles.

“What are you doing?” He simply crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

“I’m afraid I’ll get dizzy later,” Shen Zhi said, a bit embarrassed, but still gave a concise answer.

Shen He brazenly teased, “No way? Don’t you usually not eat junk food? This is so rare, can I record it for content?”

“You try it,” Shen Zhi said.

Shen He laughed, pretending not to understand the threat in her tone, and feigned agreement: “Then thank you, Teacher Shen Zhi, for being in the shot.”

Shen Zhi simply straightened her face and asked expressionlessly, “Then do you eat junk food? You definitely don’t, right?” With that, she got up, placed the half-eaten cup of noodles on the table, and exited the room.

Only Shen He remained in the room.

He aimlessly walked around twice.

The surroundings were quiet. Shen He walked to the table, hesitated for a moment, and finally picked up the cup of noodles.

The door was suddenly flung open, and Shen Zhi stood at the doorway, perfectly framing Shen He as he brought the instant noodles to his mouth.

The shutter clicked, and Shen Zhi captured the perfect shot.

“Thank you, Teacher Shen He, for being in the shot too,” she said sarcastically, with a forced smile.

After thinking about it, Shen Zhi even posted it on Weibo.

The text she wanted to put was “Stupid jerk,” but she eventually changed it to “Is it appropriate to steal someone else’s instant noodles?”

Later, when they met, Shen Zhi got into the car first. While waiting, she pulled out her phone and saw that Shen He had left her a comment—he rarely used Weibo.

Shen He said, “This is my food.”

Shen Zhi replied, “If I make it, it’s mine.”

Unexpectedly, Shen He quickly followed up with another comment: “Isn’t yours mine?”

Shen Zhi immediately felt like an old person looking at their phone on the subway.

She knew this person loved to act, but she didn’t expect him to love it so much that he could find a new stage anywhere, anytime. She might as well build him a “Shen He Grand Stage” like the Liu Laogen Grand Stage.

Netizens’ responses were mostly along the lines of “cold dog food slapped on the face.”

The car window was half-open, and she could see the man, impeccably dressed in a suit, exuding an air of nobility, walking towards them. Shen Zhi glanced at him and saw the expected look of a successful schemer.

Shen He got into the car, unbuttoning his coat with smooth, flowing movements.

Shen Zhi, beside him, paused for a moment, then sent him a new reply: “Yours is mine, and mine is still mine.”

The result, as expected, topped the hot searches.

Along with a rapid surge in sales of instant cold noodles.

________________________________________

Shen He was genuinely there for work. It was the premiere of his starring film, and his workload was no less than anyone else in the crew, while Shen Zhi was much more casual. She only needed to sit in the audience, suppressing the urge to yawn, watching Shen He and others speak on stage.

He was impeccable in his performance state, and she, too, had to appear impeccable. Because she was no one else, but his wife.

As soon as she had a moment, Shen Zhi returned to the ryokan.

First, she enjoyed the hot spring alone, then had a meal.

Just as she picked up her utensils, the sliding door was abruptly pushed open. Shen He rushed in, pulling off his tie, and saying, “I’m starving.”

He tossed aside his coat and pulled out the hem of his shirt. As he systematically undressed, Shen Zhi cut open a crab leg and reminded him, “You have to return the clothes; didn’t your assistant teach you to be careful?”

Shen He didn’t care at all: “I bought this suit.”

“No wonder it’s not that great,” she glanced at him.

He leaned over, picked up chopsticks, and ate her share of the sashimi.

They rarely chatted even when eating together.

After eating, they returned to their country.

There was no intention of creating any memories whatsoever.

________________________________________

The live-in assistant came to help tidy up, and Shen Zhi browsed curtain shopping interfaces online. Shen He walked around boredly, finally badgering her for a pocket camera and recording something by himself.

When the camera turned to her, Shen Zhi naturally cooperated with the act.

“Company demand?” Shen Zhi maintained a toothy smile without moving, but still briefly spoke.

“No,” after filming, Shen He lowered his head to check, “I’ll edit it myself.”

Shen Zhi deliberately said, “Can’t afford people, is your company going bankrupt?”

Shen He didn’t roll his eyes, but he wasn’t overly polite either, giving her a half-smile: “It’s the KPI for our sixth wedding anniversary, Mrs. Shen.”

He emphasized the last title.

Managing their public affection was a mutually beneficial endeavor.

Shen He and Shen Zhi possessed professional attitudes and competencies in this regard.

For their third wedding anniversary, Shen He and Shen Zhi disguised themselves and participated in a city marathon. They weren’t discovered during the race until they received their awards; for their fourth wedding anniversary, Shen He collaborated with the largest amusement park in the country, specifically releasing tickets for Shen Zhi and opening a limited-time area themed around a public welfare picture book Shen Zhi had once created; for their fifth wedding anniversary, they jointly donated five libraries to a Hope Primary School.

This year, Shen He planned to edit a video.

After returning to China, they met a producer they had worked with before in first class. The producer was enthusiastic, and both sides had to chat a bit more. Right up until they were about to part ways. Shen He was going home, Shen Zhi was going for a magazine shoot. In front of others, they couldn’t just ignore each other as usual.

Shen Zhi adjusted Shen He’s shirt collar for him, reminding him to remember to turn on the humidifier when he got home. Shen He caught her wrist and casually said, “I’ll come pick you up,” his expression unreadable as to whether he was pretending.

Not overly intimate, not trying too hard.

Just a light touch, perfectly timed.

The rustling of insect wings brushed against Shen Zhi’s heart. Her gaze clung to his for a moment, then she looked away without a trace of lingering attachment.

________________________________________

Ding Yaocai came to pick her up at the airport and also lightly greeted Shen He.

As soon as Shen Zhi got into the car, she was met with a barrage of nagging. Work, meals, travel—such a schedule resumed. And these endless days were considered lucky.

After finally finishing organizing, the car fell silent again.

Ding Yaocai said, “There’s something I don’t know if I should say—”

“Sister Cai, whenever you start like that, it’s already something you’ve decided,” Shen Zhi replied calmly.

“…”

“…” Shen Zhi raised her hand, giving a “please” signal.

“When you and Shen He got married, the agreed-upon term between you two, and the agreement we signed on both sides, was seven years,” Ding Yaocai said earnestly, her gaze fixed on the actress who showed no signs of aging. “You need to start thinking about the future.”

When Ding Yaocai first met Shen Zhi, she thought the girl was quite demure.

Not dull, not monotonous, but also never rowdy.

She could keep her composure and present herself well.

Ding Yaocai wasn’t surprised by her fierce dedication to acting.

She wasn’t particularly surprised when Shen Zhi repeatedly rejected the only son of Liangyi’s director either.

Until she proposed marrying Shen He and asked her agent for help.

If Shen He gave the impression of being unrestrained, then Shen Zhi was restraint.

So Ding Yaocai believed Shen Zhi would make the best judgment.

She said, “The first option is to continue the marriage. At that point, both sides will definitely negotiate, but the artist’s own wishes are also very important. I’ve investigated, and Shen He has been following the contract as usual, with no special relationships with other women. As for you, if you haven’t secretly kept a toy boy from me and your husband, you shouldn’t have any plans for remarriage either.

“The second option is a consensual divorce. Logically, it wouldn’t have a significant impact on your career, but it wouldn’t be without any. We would handle it scientifically, it’s not a big problem. It’s just that the sooner we start preparing, the better.”

Finally, Ding Yaocai concluded: “In short, you and Shen He had better discuss it.”

Shen Zhi seemed to be spacing out, but her fingers brushed the pages of a book.

She said, “Do you want me to ask Shen He whether to maintain the status quo or divorce?”

“Exactly.”

She and Shen He, if not constantly together, at least saw each other frequently. They argued but never mentioned divorce, because they knew it was a decided matter, and going back on it would only lead to more trouble and backfire.

That was something only foolish people would do.

A question she had never even considered suddenly appeared like a meteor.

It was inevitably a bit awkward to suddenly have to openly discuss something they had always avoided thinking about.

Shen Zhi asked, “Do I have to go?”

Ding Yaocai wore an unyielding expression: “You’d better.”

Shen Zhi still resisted, letting out a sigh. Ding Yaocai reached out and squeezed her shoulder: “It’s not just that. You also need to think it through yourself; this concerns your future. Also, you’d better try to get information from Shen He to see what his plans are.”

“What do you mean?”

Ding Yaocai smiled coldly: “It’s also possible he’s decided to divorce.”

________________________________________

Flashlights continuously fell upon her and left, a cycle repeating. Shen Zhi skillfully struck poses worthy of a fashion magazine; this was not a circle where an actor could survive solely on acting.

The announcement she had just heard echoed in her mind.

“It’s also possible he wants a divorce.”

Shen Zhi didn’t care about her relationship with Shen He. That had always been the case throughout their marriage. But the possibility of him choosing to divorce her lingered in her mind.

Would they divorce?

Why would they divorce?

If he wanted to divorce her, would she gain any leverage, could she use it to make demands?

If he wanted to divorce her, would it be better if she brought it up first?

Today’s work ended.

It was half an hour earlier than scheduled.

Shen Zhi was about to leave when, among the staff, she met the gaze of Sun Mengjia, who was visiting the NNI fashion magazine building.

Soon after graduating, Sun Mengjia married a business magnate from the real estate industry, who was twenty-one years older than her. Four years later, she divorced, using the assets she received and the social circle she gained during her time as a wealthy madam to establish her own fashion brand.

However, she only faced deficits.

Ouyang Sheng told her all this.

She was used to Shen Zhi’s indifferent way of interacting with everyone, occasionally making an appearance, while Shen Zhi remained completely unconcerned.

What was her former university roommate doing now?

Sun Mengjia wore a mink coat and sunglasses, her hairstyle was exquisite. She was no longer the plain-faced girl in black who used to attend physical training classes at the top art academy’s performance department.

Sun Mengjia nodded at her.

Shen Zhi also smiled.

Then they went to the smoking room.

Shen Zhi offered Sun Mengjia a cigarette, but to her surprise, it was declined. Slowly taking off her sunglasses, Sun Mengjia said, “I’ve quit.”

“Huh?” Shen Zhi looked over.

She knew that her own smoking habit was, to some extent, influenced by Sun Mengjia.

During middle school, Shen Zhi was definitely not the type of bad student. She never violated school rules, and even growing her hair long was done properly by applying for it under the name of art entrance exams.

After entering university, Sun Mengjia would light up a cigarette now and then, and that’s how she learned.

Sun Mengjia closed her eyes, the heavily layered dark green eyeshadow on her eyelids reflecting weariness. She sparingly stated, “I have to outlive my ex-husband.”

Sun Mengjia invited her to go shopping. Shen Zhi had no other plans, so there was no harm in going.

However, she stated upfront: “I don’t need any clothes lately, so I won’t be buying anything.”

In the car, Sun Mengjia laughed, and at that moment, she seemed a bit like her old self.

“How can any woman not need clothes?” she said. “Speaking of which, I saw your street style photos earlier. What were you wearing? Did you give all your earnings to Shen He for stock trading?”

Shen Zhi frowned and smiled, “Stock trading, that’s years ago—”

“Right,” Sun Mengjia laughed so hard she bent over, reaching up to wipe the wet corners of her eyes, “And it’s amazing that you married someone who acts on every whim.”

In their university social circle, the news of Shen He and Shen Zhi’s marriage wasn’t a surprise, but a shock.

However, the main shock of the earthquake lasted only a dozen seconds.

At first, everyone assumed it was to build momentum for When You Are Old, and the parties involved didn’t explain.

But a year passed, then two, then three, and their marriage consistently had zero negative news.

Finally, everyone even began to believe that it was a natural progression.

Because, according to Sun Mengjia’s words back then—”In a situation like yours, if you don’t become sworn enemies, you’ll definitely end up in bed together.”

Shen Zhi couldn’t help but feel a chill down her spine when she heard that later.

In a way, it had indeed come true.

They went to a store that seemed somewhat inconsistent with Sun Mengjia’s current financial status. As they browsed, they unexpectedly encountered a few young women who greeted them. The one at the center of attention was a relative of Sun Mengjia’s from before her divorce, named Qin Lingtian.

The other party wasn’t very friendly.

Seeing Sun Mengjia’s sour expression, she shifted her attention and struck up a conversation: “Isn’t this Shen Zhi? Here to shop? I’m just saying, you should be careful about whose side you take.”

Shen Zhi smiled in a way that didn’t offend either side, but even so, she still heard a disdainful click of the tongue.

She had no intention of getting caught up in disputes for anyone.

Sun Mengjia was also aware of this, so when Shen Zhi said, “I’m going back,” she wasn’t stopped. She contacted her assistant. After waiting a little, she encountered Qin Lingtian and her group, who were also leaving, at the entrance.

Shen Zhi avoided interacting with them, like someone walking down the street who doesn’t want to make eye contact with a vicious dog. Yet, she faintly heard their disgusting tone of discussion from afar. The gossip was nothing more than “plastic surgery,” “being kept,” and “a contract marriage with Shen He.”

The first two were completely groundless.

The last one, however, was true.

A harsh car horn blared, out of place in this relatively upscale establishment. Shen Zhi turned back with some disbelief, only to see a dilapidated, expensive, and tasteless customized car speeding straight towards them. The most terrifying thing was that, without hesitation, she already guessed who it was.

Shen He, wearing sunglasses, a short-sleeved T-shirt over a long-sleeved hoodie, leaned over to open the passenger door for her. She got in quickly and neatly. At the same time, he sharply locked onto Qin Lingtian and her group, who were watching from not far away.

“Why are you here?” she said.

“Didn’t I say I’d come pick you up?” he retorted, preparing to drive.

Qin Lingtian, unable to contain her indignation, muttered, “What a weirdo!”

The royal blue customized car had already driven off, but then suddenly braked and reversed sharply. Shen He rolled down the window and unceremoniously said, “I heard that.”

He delivered his harsh words, but then just stepped on the gas and sped away.

Spraying them with exhaust fumes in the process.

Shen Zhi said, “What are you doing?!”

Shen He said, “She swore at me, and weren’t you being bullied too?”

Shen Zhi said, “How can there be a person like you?”

Shen He said, “How can you be like this?”

They argued for a few sentences, then fell into another round of silence. But in a few seconds, neither could bear it anymore, and they both burst out laughing.

Their marriage was supposed to end in its seventh year; this was the final year. Before that, it was all about acting. Shen Zhi thought, I must say it now. She spoke amidst her laughter: “I have something to tell you.”

“Good,” Shen He’s smile hadn’t faded either. He said, “Coincidentally, I also want to talk to you.”