After the Flash Marriage, My Ex Who is a Movie Queen Keeps Flirting with Me - Chapter 25

When the manager stumbled upon Jiang Wanyu’s Weibo post, he was so terrified he nearly lost his last breath. He desperately wanted to use that final gasp to call Jiang Wanyu and warn her against acting rashly, but then he saw Ming Jiyue’s retweet.

With that, his last thread of hope snapped, and he just wanted to jump off a building and end it all.

You two are truly birds of a feather! the manager thought in despair.

Meeting Ming Jiyue had been a stroke of luck for the manager, but meeting both Ming Jiyue and Jiang Wanyu was like winning the lottery twice.

Still, the manager made the call, dialing Ming Jiyue directly. As expected, the two were together.

“I actually thought you’d be the one to talk her out of doing something reckless,” he said. “But you’re just the type to throw more fuel on the fire, making it burn even brighter.”

Now that the deed was done, Ming Jiyue was unusually docile. “We only did what needed to be done. Nothing reckless about it.”

The two had teamed up to stir up trouble, delivering two major blows in quick succession. The manager found himself at a loss for how to scold them.

Having braced herself for a tongue-lashing, Ming Jiyue was astonished when the manager didn’t raise his voice. “Sister Chen, you’re not angry?”

“What good would getting angry do? If I got mad about everything, I’d lose thirty years off my life.” If the manager hadn’t been on the phone, he would have rolled his eyes. “It’s already been posted. What can we do now? You want me to make them delete it?”

“Deleting it after it’s been posted would be so embarrassing,” Ming Jiyue said. “Besides, it’s not our fault. And this is the first time I’ve interacted with Xiao Yu, even before the other guests. I can’t bring myself to take it down.”

The manager didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t help but grumble, “What happened to avoiding suspicion? You’re openly taking sides before the show even starts! You’re practically begging people to link you two together. If this is how you act during filming, it’ll be chaos! Ming Jiyue, I can’t control you anymore! If you keep this up, I’m quitting!”

Ming Jiyue quickly soothed him with a string of sweet words. “Don’t say that, Sister Chen! You’re so reliable, efficient, and kind—you take such good care of me. Where would I ever find another manager as good as you?”

“This situation is different. Those people online were going too far, and Xiao Yu was all alone. I had to support her. I promise I’ll be more restrained on set and won’t act like this again.”

“Spare me. Your promises aren’t worth more than a string of candied hawthorns from a street vendor,” the manager said, eager to get back to more pressing matters and afraid of being driven mad by further conversation. He cut the call short.

“Alright, your stance is clear. Don’t show your face again, okay? I’m worried I won’t live to see this resolved if you keep this up.”

“Got it, Sister Chen. Thank you for your hard work. Goodbye, Sister Chen.”

Meanwhile, a storm raged on Weibo. Ming Jiyue’s statement had only intensified the chaos.

What’s going on? Am I seeing things? Is this a fake account? No, why is Ming Jiyue suddenly chiming in?

Sister Ming, blink twice if you’re being held hostage.

Sis, delete this now! I’m scared for you.

Five minutes passed, then ten, but Ming Jiyue showed no sign of deleting her post or offering further explanation.

It seemed this was indeed her genuine account.

The already chaotic situation erupted into complete pandemonium with Ming Jiyue’s involvement.

What’s going on? Do these two know each other? I’ve never heard of this before. Does Ming Jiyue have a secret friend?

I have no idea. I’ve been a fan of Ming Jiyue since her debut seven years ago, and she’s never mentioned anyone like this.

What’s going on here? Why is Ming Jiyue suddenly taking sides, and siding with Jiang Wanyu of all people? Has she lost her mind? Publicly supporting such a morally bankrupt individual?

The internet erupted into chaos. The overwhelming consensus began to shift with Ming Jiyue’s intervention, as people still largely trusted her integrity.

I believe Ming Jiyue wouldn’t speak carelessly. Let’s observe further.

Hmm, this person suddenly popping up seems suspicious. There must be an agenda. I just defended Jiang Wanyu and got private messages cursing me out.

As the online uproar intensified, Jiang Wanyu’s manager contacted the production team, urging them to gather evidence and resolve the matter swiftly.

Initially considering the issue minor, the production team, which had already been contemplating replacing Jiang Wanyu, sprang into action. Working frantically, they released an official statement that very evening.

The Walking in the Spotlight official Weibo account publicly detailed the entire preparation process, from initial applications and screening to the final contract signing. Jiang Wanyu’s contract had been signed well before the whistleblower’s rejection.

The statement also included Jiang Wanyu’s submitted materials—a dazzling list of honors and awards that couldn’t fit on a single page. Among all the non-celebrity applicants, her overall score far surpassed the others, blinding the slanderers with her brilliance.

The statement not only confirmed that Jiang Wanyu had been one of the initially invited guests but also explained why the whistleblower had been rejected. She had a history of breaching contracts, was a known “debt dodger,” and had multiple instances of professional misconduct documented in her file.

It was precisely because these issues were discovered during the pre-contract due diligence that the program decided against hiring her, to protect its reputation. Like other rejected applicants, she was simply informed of the decision without further explanation. The statement concluded with a sincere apology for the misunderstanding.

The moment the statement was released, it immediately topped the trending searches.

Public opinion instantly flipped.

“Wow, so that’s what happened? How dare she accuse others with such audacity? Hardly anyone knew about this before, but now everyone knows she’s a debt dodger. She deliberately hid her own problems and then falsely accused someone else. I doubt any company would hire her now.”

“She wouldn’t have dared to release such a statement alone. And look at her tactics—she clearly knows the ins and outs of the Chinese entertainment industry. Someone must be pulling the strings behind her. This person is a fool; they didn’t even know why they were rejected before posting this garbage. They’re just being used as a pawn.”

“This is terrifying. If the program hadn’t gone to such lengths to clarify the timeline and personally issue this statement, Jiang Wanyu would have been stuck with this false accusation. The program’s thoroughness in clearing her name is commendable.”

When Jiang Wanyu was being attacked, everyone was cursing her more fiercely than the last. Now they’re all acting like righteous crusaders?

As for the whistleblower who claimed to be a champion of justice and accused Jiang Wanyu of stealing her spot, she deleted her Weibo post the moment the official statement was released, terrified.

With the truth finally revealed, Jiang Wanyu was finally exonerated.

The whistleblower’s Weibo post was gone, but Jiang Wanyu’s remained, as did Ming Jiyue’s retweet. The public’s attention immediately shifted to these two women.

So, do Ming Jiyue and Jiang Wanyu actually know each other? Could they really be friends? Otherwise, why would Ming Jiyue publicly support her at such a critical moment? But given Ming Jiyue’s status, wouldn’t there have been rumors about their connection before now?

Maybe it’s because they’re about to film a variety show together. Ming Jiyue trusts Jiang Wanyu’s character and is supporting her out of faith in her future partner.

Ming Jiyue is so brave! Standing up to the pressure, upholding justice, and speaking out for her partner at a time like this is truly remarkable.

Exactly! Even if they were longtime friends, very few people would dare to publicly support someone who’s been accused of wrongdoing. Most would just watch from the sidelines, and some might even kick someone when they’re down.

The production team did a great job. Not only did they issue a clarification, but they also provided so much detailed evidence. With such meticulous work, their variety show must be excellent. I definitely need to check it out.

After seeing the official Weibo account’s clarification and observing the online sentiment for a while, Ming Jiyue confirmed that most netizens were supporting Jiang Wanyu. Finally relieved, she returned Jiang Wanyu’s temporarily “confiscated” phone.

“Everything’s resolved now. You can relax.”

“See? I told you there was nothing to worry about. It’s all settled in a day.” Ming Jiyue leaned against Jiang Wanyu, her arm draped casually over her shoulder. The intimate gesture was accompanied by her hand gently stroking Jiang Wanyu’s back in a comforting manner.

“Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t be so formal. We’re family. Sister Chen must be exhausted.” Ming Jiyue rested her head on Jiang Wanyu’s shoulder, her laughter warm.

Remembering the day’s events, Jiang Wanyu felt a pang of guilt. “I can’t repay Sister Chen in any other way, so I’ll just have to do my best on the variety show and try not to cause her any more trouble.”

“Exactly!” Ming Jiyue agreed enthusiastically, her smile a little too eager. “You absolutely must give it your all on the show.”

Just as they were talking, the phone rang. Seeing it was her manager, Ming Jiyue stood up and casually kissed her lover on the cheek. “I’ll take this call. Why don’t you go take a shower?”

She walked to the living room and answered the call.

The manager, who hadn’t even had time for a sip of water all day, finally managed to catch his breath. “It’s finally over. I’m exhausted after this whole day.”

“The outcome was good, but the process nearly killed your manager,” he grumbled, his head aching at the thought of the two wives’ reckless online antics. “Still, it was a blessing in disguise. Wan Yu’s reputation was protected, the show got a huge publicity boost, and even you gained a wave of public goodwill.”

Ming Jiyue, however, wasn’t pleased. “Let’s hope we don’t get this kind of ‘blessing’ again,” she said wearily.

The manager sighed. “In this industry, you’re never in control. You never know when someone might suddenly throw you under the bus.”

“At least the show had some sense and handled things well. I’ve seen a lot of people praising their handling of the situation,” the manager said dryly.

“Remind them to be more careful in the future. If something like this happens again, it won’t be resolved so easily.” Ming Jiyue’s voice turned cold as she recalled the show’s initial plans. “If they don’t want to continue the show, Xiao Yu and I can withdraw.”

“By the way, about the matter you asked me to investigate, this leak was likely a private contact, making it difficult to trace the source. However, I have the final list of guest stars. I’ll send it to you now.”

“Okay, thank you, Sister Chen. I appreciate your hard work these past few days.”

“If you really appreciate my hard work,” the manager retorted, “you wouldn’t keep getting into trouble and giving me headaches.”

Ming Jiyue’s voice turned particularly sweet. “I promise to be good and listen from now on, so you won’t have to worry.”

Ming Jiyue didn’t hang up. She opened the list that had just been sent and her expression darkened.

Liu Fan.

She knew it. This whole mess probably had something to do with her.

“Do you know why these people didn’t make the cut?” Ming Jiyue asked.

“What else could it be?” the manager replied. “They all have backers, and the company was desperate to get them on the show. But even resource-backed stars are afraid of bigger resource-backed stars. If their connections aren’t strong enough, they get kicked to the curb.”

“Is there something wrong with this list?” the manager asked.

Having worked with her manager for years, Ming Jiyue saw no need to hide the truth. “Liu Fan.”

During the company dinner last time, when she went to pick up Jiang Wanyu, she noticed something was off with her mood. Now, Jiang Wanyu had somehow gotten her hands on the guest star list. She wouldn’t have deliberately sought out such information; someone must have told her.

And the only person who had connections to both her and Jiang Wanyu was Liu Fan.

Just as she suspected, Liu Fan was involved.

“Her again?” The manager was speechless. “She really has some nerve, still causing trouble? Everyone in the industry knows about her shady dealings, but most people just ignore her. Does she really think she’s someone important?”

“Could it be that her previous attempts to create fake CP buzz were lukewarm, and now that she’s tasted success by pairing with you, she wants to push Wan Yu out and take her place?”

The manager wasn’t familiar with their college rivalry, but Ming Jiyue thought to herself that even if Jiang Wanyu were removed, Liu Fan wouldn’t be next in line. The most likely scenario was that Liu Fan, having failed to secure a spot on the variety show herself, was deliberately sabotaging others.

Ming Jiyue’s expression turned cold. Since Liu Fan was so fond of stealing opportunities from others, it was time she experienced what that felt like firsthand.

“Has she been making any moves recently? Endorsements, new roles, anything?”

The manager, naturally well-informed about industry developments, replied, “Yuedong has secured her two historical drama roles, and negotiations are underway.”

After the manager briefly explained the situation, Ming Jiyue smiled. “I heard both dramas have substantial budgets. If they keep letting unqualified actors slip in, how can they guarantee the quality of the final product?”

“Fortunately, my family has connections with the producers. I’ll make sure they tighten their screening process and keep out anyone who doesn’t belong on set.”

Though she didn’t explicitly state her intentions, the manager understood perfectly and nodded in agreement. “Exactly! It’s these incompetent actors who sneak onto sets that are responsible for the flood of terrible dramas we’re seeing these days.”

The controversy over securing spots on the show finally subsided, and filming for the first episode of Walking in the Spotlight officially began.

Early that morning, everything was prepared, and they were ready to depart.

Each person had a suitcase. Ming Jiyue grabbed Jiang Wanyu’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “Let’s go. The car’s waiting downstairs.”

Jiang Wanyu looked at her with a helpless expression. “Wait, did you forget?”

“What?” Ming Jiyue’s face showed genuine confusion. “Is there something else?”

Best Actress Ming’s acting skills were so convincing that Jiang Wanyu couldn’t tell if she had genuinely forgotten or was pretending. She had no choice but to remind her, “We need to avoid suspicion.”

“Didn’t we agree yesterday that you’d leave first in one car, and another car would pick me up an hour later? If people see us arriving together in the same car, what will they think?”

Ming Jiyue’s face lit up with realization. “Thank goodness you reminded me! I almost forgot.”

Jiang Wanyu didn’t know what to say. “If I hadn’t said anything, would you have just dragged me out?”

Ming Jiyue muttered under her breath, “If I’d forgotten completely, there’s nothing I could have done.”

Jiang Wanyu fell silent.

She couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the manager.

Ming Jiyue cleared her throat. “It’s just a visit to the set, not the official filming. It shouldn’t be a big deal, right?”

“It’s not that I particularly want to go to the set with you,” Jiang Wanyu replied. “It’s just that we’ll have to pretend we don’t know each other for the next few days. I want to cherish this last bit of time we have as wives.”

Her sincerity moved Jiang Wanyu. “I’m fine with it,” she said.

Ming Jiyue’s eyes lit up. “Then…”

“Ask Sister Chen if she agrees,” Jiang Wanyu suggested.

“…I’ll go now. See you on set.”

The regular cast members included two women and two men: three celebrities and one non-celebrity. There were also two guest stars.

The two female cast members were rising stars: Guan Tang and Ding Yunxi. They had co-starred in a historical drama, with Guan Tang as the female lead and Ding Yunxi as the second female lead. The production team had initially intended to promote the romance between the male and female leads, but due to a twist of fate, the main couple’s chemistry fell flat. Instead, the “friendship arc” between the two female leads unexpectedly became a viral sensation.

With their popularity soaring, the two actresses joined the variety show to solidify their fanbase, much to the anticipation of their CP fans.

The remaining two male cast members were veteran actor Sui Yang and photographer Wang Ze. The guest stars were two members from a newly debuted girl group.

Jiang Wanyu set off first, followed by Ming Jiyue. By a stroke of luck, everyone arrived around the same time. Jiang Wanyu was the first to arrive, while Ming Jiyue, who had left an hour later, was the last.

First impressions are crucial, so the live broadcast began as soon as the guests started arriving.

As soon as the variety show’s live stream went live, a flood of viewers poured into the chat, eager to see the guests make their debut. Thanks to her official announcement photos and the recent controversy, Jiang Wanyu had already generated significant buzz. Her appearance immediately lit up the screen.

Wow, wow, wow! A goddess!

Oh my god! Even in casual clothes, she’s stunning—even more beautiful than her heavily edited official photo!

True beauties are like this: they look better in motion than in still photos, and better in candid shots than in professionally retouched images.

What a gentle, intellectual girl-next-door vibe! Ugh, I’m completely smitten! Sister, don’t go back to work after the show ends—come home with me! I’ll steal e-bike batteries to support you!

The moment Jiang Wanyu appeared, the chat exploded with adoring comments. It’s human nature to be a sucker for beauty—people freeze in their tracks at the sight of a stunning woman. Meanwhile, others were curious about the female lead’s performance and what kind of personality she had.

As the other guests arrived one by one, their respective fanbases flooded the chat with support, making the live stream incredibly lively.

The audience went wild when Ming Jiyue finally appeared, flooding the screen with her name and terms like “beauty” and “wife.”

As the most senior and highest-profile guest, Ming Jiyue commanded immediate respect. Everyone stood up to greet her as she entered the room.

Ming Jiyue, showing no airs, cracked a joke to lighten the mood. The others, initially worried about her being difficult to work with, were relieved by her approachable demeanor, immediately easing the awkward tension.

The group had already been chatting for a while. As Ming Jiyue arrived, each member took turns greeting her and introducing themselves.

Jiang Wanyu stood at the far right, the last in line. Already uncomfortable in front of the cameras, she grew even more nervous at the thought of having to pretend not to know Ming Jiyue and maintain a distance.

After Ding Yunxi finished her introduction, all eyes turned to Jiang Wanyu. Her introverted nature suddenly overwhelmed her, and she found herself unable to speak.

An awkward silence hung in the air.

Slowly types a question mark. Why isn’t Jiang Wanyu saying anything? Just a greeting and self-introduction—basic manners!

Come on, that’s harsh! She was perfectly polite to everyone else. Why the sudden silence with Sister Ming? Does she have a problem with her?

Ming Jiyue was momentarily taken aback. Realizing this might be Jiang Wanyu’s first time facing so many cameras, she sensed the younger woman’s nervousness and felt a wave of tenderness.

Smiling warmly, she diffused the awkwardness: “Wan Yu, are you shy around me? Don’t be embarrassed—I’m very approachable.”

As soon as Ming Jiyue spoke, the others immediately chimed in with laughter and lighthearted banter. Jiang Wanyu quickly regained her composure and straightened her words: “Teacher Ming, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Jiang Wanyu. Please take care of me.”

Is Jiang Wanyu’s ear red…? Her neck too! She’s really blushing! 2333

Help! She’s so natural with everyone else, but she gets shy around Ming Jiyue? Wan Yu, do you have a crush on her?

Wan Yu, don’t be embarrassed! I’d blush too if I met Sister Ming in person!

And then, while blushing, I’d hug her and shower her with kisses (shy face)

“I also wanted to thank you for your support on Weibo,” Jiang Wanyu said, steering the conversation toward the online incident. “I’m deeply grateful for your willingness to help me. I wanted to express my gratitude in person.”

Jiang Wanyu, who had already met Ming Jiyue “in person” countless times in private, gave a slight bow.

Ming Jiyue responded with effortless grace: “It was a small gesture. I believe everyone participating in our variety show is a good person, so I was happy to lend my support.”

Both women acted completely natural, as if they were truly meeting for the first time and engaging in polite conversation.

Not even a lingering glance. They really don’t know each other well. Ming Jiyue must be supporting her because of her kindness.

Jiang Wanyu returned to her original position on the far left. Ming Jiyue had initially planned to subtly move closer to her, but under the pressure of his wife’s pointed stare, he silently took his place on the far right.

They were committed to maintaining the facade of unfamiliarity.

Did I just see Jiang Wanyu… glare at Ming Jiyue?

You must be mistaken. They have no history of conflict, and with so many people watching, Jiang Wanyu wouldn’t dare.

Since it was a live broadcast, the dry conversation was growing dull. The director quickly arranged the first activity: a warm-up game of charades.

After explaining the rules, the director instructed the guests to gather in a circle. Ming Jiyue and Jiang Wanyu, who had been standing the farthest apart, now found themselves side by side.

With the instructions given, the director allowed the guests to freely form teams and prepare for the competition.

When Guan Tang and Ding Yunxi arrived, their manager had already assigned them a mission: to secure the top spot in the CP popularity rankings. Since the game required pairs, it was naturally assumed they would team up.

But with eight people present, they couldn’t be too obvious right away. They had to at least pretend to consider other options.

The two exchanged a glance, then looked around at the others. Guan Tang, ever the one to break the ice, was about to speak up and ask how everyone wanted to divide into teams when Jiang Wanyu casually stepped closer to Ming Jiyue and said, “How about you act out the clues, and I’ll guess?”

Ming Jiyue replied just as casually, “Sure.”

Guan Tang’s unspoken words caught in her throat: What are you two doing?

Ding Yunxi’s eyes widened: Damn, they’re even more automatic than Tangtang and me?

Everyone else in the room: Wait, what’s going on? Did you two just default into a team?

The sudden silence snapped the “automatic teammates” back to reality. In the next instant, they froze in place, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Ming Jiyue immediately shot Jiang Wanyu a pointed look, distancing herself: “I didn’t do anything! This is your fault—you led me astray!”

Jiang Wanyu desperately wanted to cover her face. Her lifetime of reputation was about to be ruined by this variety show.

Ming Jiyue gave her an inquiring glance: “What do we do now?”

Jiang Wanyu: “Keep pretending.”

Jiang Wanyu shook her head, her rationality overcoming her reflexes. She resumed her “avoid suspicion” mission.

She turned her head away, retracted the step she had taken toward Ming Jiyue, and pretended nothing had happened.

Ming Jiyue smiled, automatically deleting the past few minutes from her memory. She cheerfully asked, “How should we divide into groups?”

The six guests in front of the cameras, the numerous staff members surrounding them, and the countless viewers watching the live stream all stared blankly at the scene. Holy crap, are they really going to pretend nothing happened?

The same thought flashed through everyone’s minds:

What’s the point of pretending? So many people saw it! We haven’t lost our memories!