After the Flash Marriage, My Ex Who is a Movie Queen Keeps Flirting with Me - Chapter 3

Tian Cheng’s words pierced Jiang Wanyu’s heart, causing her to lower her head even further. Yet she insisted, “It wasn’t her fault.”

“After all, what happened back then… it was my fault.”

Tian Cheng immediately regretted her words, seeing Jiang Wanyu’s distress. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not saying there was anything wrong with your relationship before. It just feels so sudden…”

“And even if things are fine now, once you’re married, you’ll inevitably have to see her again in a couple of years. What will happen then…?”

Jiang Wanyu interrupted, “I know.”

She looked up at Tian Cheng, a fleeting glint of moisture in her clear eyes. “We’ll deal with it then. There will be a way.”

Tian Cheng’s heart softened completely. “Yuyu…”

Unable to find the right words, she gently took Jiang Wanyu’s hand.

What should have been a lighthearted gathering had turned somber.

Jiang Wanyu’s mind was in turmoil, the image of Ming Jiyue with another woman flashing through her mind.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Wanyu spoke, her voice so soft only she could hear it.

“At least for now, I’m the one marrying her.”

Her head clearing, Tian Cheng belatedly felt embarrassed. “Next time, could you warn me about this kind of thing beforehand? Actually, let’s hope there won’t be a next time for weddings. But if there’s any major news, please tell me in advance. What did I even say just now?”

Scolding her best friend’s wife in front of her best friend… Even if she was her ex-girlfriend… But she’s about to be her wife! How awkward.

Jiang Wanyu: “I was trying to say something earlier, but you were talking too fast for me to interrupt.”

Tian Cheng: Forget it. I’ll just erase this memory.

She still didn’t understand. “Why the sudden marriage? In seven years, how many times have you even mentioned her to me? And now you’re back and getting married right away?”

Jiang Wanyu: “You know I never wanted to get married.”

Tian Cheng glared at her. “But you want to marry her?”

Jiang Wanyu choked. “She’s the most suitable.”

The unspoken implication was clear: rather than constantly being pressured to marry, she’d found the most suitable partner and settled down in one fell swoop.

The reason sounded plausible, but Tian Cheng was convinced there was more to it.

She fell silent.

For a moment, neither spoke, surrounded by the clamor of the crowd. After a long pause, Tian Cheng drained her glass. “Are you serious?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Tian Cheng sighed heavily. “Fine, if it makes you happy.”

Jiang Wanyu’s mind was made up. All Tian Cheng could do was offer her support. She poured the remaining beer into her glass and clinked it against Jiang Wanyu’s. “Here’s to you both. Happy wedding!”

Realizing the matter was settled and beyond her power to change, Tian Cheng’s mind raced, finally seizing on the crucial point. “Wait a minute… today’s your first day back in the country, right?”

“Yes. Why?” Jiang Wanyu looked puzzled.

Tian Cheng’s anger flared instantly, even more intense than when Jiang Wanyu had announced her engagement to Ming Jiyue.

“Jiang Wanyu, you color-struck friend-forgetter! You haven’t even seen your best friend of nine years, yet the first thing you do after returning is rush off to discuss marriage with your ex-girlfriend?”

“You came back specifically to marry her, didn’t you?!”

Jiang Wanyu rubbed her forehead. “It was an accident…”

With the marriage settled, the process moved swiftly.

After discussions between the two families, they agreed that given Ming Jiyue’s unique profession and the couple’s recent reunion, it was best to keep their marriage private for now and announce it only after things had stabilized.

A wedding ceremony was out of the question—it would be impossible to conceal, practically announcing their union to the world.

The immediate priority was obtaining their marriage certificate.

Before applying, they discussed the terms of their marriage again, reaching a consensus: this was merely a marriage of convenience to appease family pressure, a contractual arrangement where they would not interfere in each other’s lives after the ceremony.

Jiang Wanyu assured him she could abide by these terms.

Ming Jiyue replied, “Let’s talk about it after we get the certificate.”

Each holding a red marriage certificate, they emerged from the civil affairs bureau. Jiang Wanyu felt a bit dazed, as if she had agreed to marry Ming Jiyue on a whim.

People often make rash decisions in their youth. During their passionate college romance, they had clung to each other daily, eager to shower each other with the world’s treasures, and casually tossed around the idea of marriage, convinced they would be together forever. They never imagined their separation would come so suddenly.

Ever since meeting Tian Cheng, the scene she had witnessed outside the apartment building kept replaying in her mind. A chill settled in Jiang Wanyu’s heart as she clutched the marriage certificate tightly.

Still, regardless of the circumstances, she was the one who had ultimately married Ming Jiyue.

Jiang Wanyu had always believed that the outcome mattered more than the process.

“What are you thinking about?” Ming Jiyue waved a hand in front of her eyes, snapping her out of her reverie.

“Nothing,” Jiang Wanyu replied with a smile.

“I thought you were too excited to speak after getting our marriage certificate,” Ming Jiyue teased, her red lips curving into a playful smile. Unfortunately, the mask hid her expression from Jiang Wanyu.

“We’re married now. Let’s go home, wife.”

The endearment rolled off her tongue so naturally that Jiang Wanyu blushed crimson, glancing around self-consciously. “We’re in public.”

Sometimes it was hard to tell which of them was the celebrity.

Ming Jiyue, however, had no such reservations. She took Jiang Wanyu’s hand. “So what if we’re in public? Does that mean you’re not my wife here?”

Leaning close, she whispered in Jiang Wanyu’s ear, her warm breath brushing against her earlobe, sending a shiver of dampness down her spine. “Why don’t you call me ‘wife’ too? Just once?”

The blush spread from Jiang Wanyu’s earlobes to her neck. She pressed her lips together, unable to bring herself to say the word, and quickened her pace. “Alright, let’s go.”

But Ming Jiyue wasn’t about to let her off so easily. She kept up the pursuit, her long legs matching Jiang Wanyu’s stride. “You can call me ‘wife’ while we walk. It’s not like anyone will mind.”

Exasperated by Ming Jiyue’s persistent teasing, Jiang Wanyu softened her tone and coaxed, “Let’s talk about this when we get home, okay?”

Ming Jiyue knew Jiang Wanyu was easily embarrassed, which was precisely why she enjoyed teasing her. Hearing this, she relented, “Alright.”

Just as Jiang Wanyu was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Ming Jiyue added, “I understand. You rarely called me by name before, only when we were in bed… Hey, Xiao Yu, don’t run away!”

Jiang Wanyu, her face flushed crimson, had already bolted into the car.

Mother Jiang, sitting in the passenger seat, watched the scene with astonishment. “Wanyu, I’ve never seen you run so fast before!”

Jiang Wanyu: …

If I didn’t run, that female wolf would have caught me!

Jiang Wanyu settled into the back seat, with Ming Jiyue beside her. Mother Jiang turned around, smiling. “Jiyue, what’s wrong with her? Why was she running like that?”

“Oh, she’s just…”

“Nothing! Let’s go home,” Jiang Wanyu interrupted, cutting off Ming Jiyue’s attempt to stir up trouble.

Ming Jiyue shrugged, smiling in agreement. “We were just teasing each other.”

Though they weren’t holding a formal wedding ceremony, the two families still planned to gather for a celebration.

The date was set for the evening they received their marriage certificate.

As dusk fell, Ming Jiyue drove to pick up Jiang Wanyu. Jiang Wanyu hurried downstairs and into the car, while Mother Jiang was still tidying up, asking her to wait a moment.

“No rush, let Mom take her time,” Ming Jiyue said.

Ming Jiyue’s adaptability remained as remarkable as ever. In just half a day, she had transitioned from addressing Jiang Wanyu’s mother as “Auntie” to calling her “Mom.”

With nothing else to do, they naturally sought conversation.

Ming Jiyue gripped the steering wheel, her gaze sweeping across Jiang Wanyu’s slender neck before settling on the necklace she wore.

She had noticed it during their very first meeting.

Jiang Wanyu wore this necklace every time they met, suggesting it was a daily accessory. The silver-white filigree design featured a pale blue gemstone in the center, about the size of a quail egg.

Jiang Wanyu rarely wore jewelry, and when she did, she usually favored delicate, understated pieces. This necklace, however, looked quite ordinary, likely costing no more than a few hundred yuan. It didn’t quite match her usual style either, its appeal relying entirely on Jiang Wanyu’s natural beauty.

Well, my wife is naturally stunning. She could make anything look good, Ming Jiyue thought, her mind drifting momentarily.

If Jiang Wanyu wore it so consistently, it must hold special significance.

What significance? Ming Jiyue wondered.

The thought stirred a subtle unease within her. She licked her lips, feigning casualness. “That’s a beautiful necklace.”

Jiang Wanyu tilted her head slightly. “Thank you.”

“You always wear it. Who gave it to you? A former girlfriend?”

Jiang Wanyu smiled faintly, her reply deliberately vague. “Someone.”

Someone? Who’s someone? Why not just say Earthling?

Ming Jiyue was about to press further when Mother Jiang emerged from the hallway. “Sorry for the wait, let’s go.”

“Mom, no rush. I was just catching up with Xiao Yu, getting to know her better.”

Mother Jiang smiled warmly. “It’s only natural to spend more time together after getting married.”

“Fasten your seatbelts, everyone. We’re off,” Ming Jiyue reminded them, starting the car.

Their previous meetings had all been in public places. This was Jiang Wanyu’s first time visiting Ming Jiyue’s home since returning to China.

Jiang Wanyu had known since college that Ming Jiyue’s family was wealthy, though she had always considered them just moderately rich.

She hadn’t specifically asked where Ming Jiyue lived, so when she saw the “Royal Crest Estate” sign outside the car window, Jiang Wanyu was stunned.

The estate had been built in recent years, located in a prime, highly coveted area adjacent to the central business district and surrounded by two of Beijing’s most famous parks. Its architectural style exuded refined elegance, and the environment was serene, practically screaming “luxury” at the entrance.

As they rode the elevator to their floor, Jiang Wanyu took in the sprawling 450-square-meter penthouse. The only permanent residents were Mother Ming, Ming Jiyue, and their live-in housekeeper.

Observing the understated yet opulent interior design, Jiang Wanyu estimated the renovation alone must have cost at least nine figures.

But that wasn’t all. As the family settled down for dinner, Mother Ming took Jiang Wanyu’s hand and said with a beaming smile, “Wanyu, pack your things these next few days. You can move in with Jiyue next weekend.”

“Move in?”

“Yes, we bought a new house last year, and now it’s finally being used,” Mother Ming blurted out, then quickly added, “She knew you were coming back this year and bought it just in case.”

Jiang Wanyu’s mind went blank for a moment. “What?”

Ming Jiyue coughed loudly, desperately signaling Mother Ming with her eyes.

Realizing she’d let slip, Mother Ming quickly backtracked. “I meant she bought it right before you returned, and it just happened to work out perfectly.”

Jiang Wanyu asked where the new house was, and Mother Ming gave the name of a residential complex.

Another wealthy neighborhood in Beijing, on par with the Royal Crest Estate.

Seeing Jiang Wanyu’s stunned silence, Mother Ming assumed she was dissatisfied and immediately said, “Don’t you like it? If not, there are…”

Worried Mother Ming might start offering her ten mansions to choose from, Jiang Wanyu quickly interrupted, “No, no, I love it! Thank you for going to all this trouble.”

Mother Ming’s smile returned. “That’s good, that’s good.”

After seven years apart, the Ming family seemed far wealthier than Jiang Wanyu had imagined—far, far, far wealthier.

Ming Jiyue chimed in with a laugh, “Mom, Xiao Yu is the easiest person to please. She doesn’t care about things like this. All she cares about is living with me, right, Xiao Yu?”

Then she winked at Jiang Wanyu.

Jiang Wanyu couldn’t possibly embarrass her elders, so she smiled and replied, “Yes, being with Yueyue is all that matters.”

As soon as the words left her lips, the table fell silent. Jiang Wanyu’s thoughts, which had been drifting toward the allure of wealth, snapped back into focus as she sensed something was amiss.

She shot Ming Jiyue a questioning glance: What happened to our agreement for a marriage of convenience, where we’d keep our distance? Now you want us to live together?

Ming Jiyue instantly understood and replied with her eyes: Have you ever heard of a married couple living apart? People would laugh at us.

Jiang Wanyu: That’s not what we agreed on.

Ming Jiyue’s expression radiated nonchalance: It’s just living together, not like I’m asking you to sleep with me. What’s the big deal?

Jiang Wanyu: …Compared to that, living together actually sounds acceptable.

They’d only seen each other a few times since returning to China. Living together was one thing, but anything more intimate would be far too much.

The two women were engrossed in their silent exchange. Though it was a perfectly normal conversation, to onlookers it appeared as flirtatious glances and unspoken affection.

This impression was further solidified when Jiang Wanyu suddenly blushed and averted her gaze.

Mother Ming simply smiled knowingly, saying nothing.

On this joyous day of their marriage registration, Ming Jiyue wanted to celebrate with a drink.

“Don’t overdo it,” Mother Ming cautioned. “You know your alcohol tolerance isn’t great.”

“Relax, I know my limits,” Ming Jiyue replied dismissively. “My tolerance has improved a lot lately.”

In reality, Ming Jiyue’s actual alcohol tolerance was inversely proportional to her boastful claims.

After just one drink, Ming Jiyue was already tipsy. Still not satisfied, she begged Jiang Wanyu to keep her company. “Today’s our special day! How can we not have a toast?”

Jiang Wanyu tried to politely decline, but Ming Jiyue refused to let her off the hook, tugging on her arm and swaying her back and forth.

“Pretty sis, just one drink! It’s no fun drinking alone,” Best Actress Ming pleaded, completely abandoning her usual gentle and sophisticated public persona. Her voice softened as she cooed, “Pretty sis, drink with me, please?”

Jiang Wanyu finally caved under the relentless barrage of “pretty sis.”

I guess I have no choice but to risk my life to keep this beauty company.

“I know my limits” was Ming Jiyue’s biggest lie. Before the meal was even finished, she was already swaying drunkenly. Jiang Wanyu, whom she had dragged into her drinking spree, wasn’t faring much better, her face flushed as she leaned against the table, propping her forehead against her hand.

“This child… what limits?” Mother Ming muttered, signaling for someone to help her daughter back to her room.

Ming Jiyue, thoroughly drunk, wrapped her arms around her newlywed wife and slurred, “No, not here! Today’s our wedding day! We’re going… to the bridal chamber! To the bridal chamber…”

Assuming she was joking, they tried to guide her to the bedroom to rest. But she stubbornly refused, muttering repeatedly about her bridal chamber.

Mother Ming chuckled, “I should record this and post it online. Let her fans see what their beloved idol is really like behind the scenes.”

A drunkard is not easily fooled. Ming Jiyue clung to Jiang Wanyu, refusing to let go and insisting on sleeping only in their bridal chamber.

Mother Ming pondered for a moment. “Everything’s been prepared over there. We’re moving in a few days, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look beforehand. Wanyu, is that alright with you?”

Jiang Wanyu, though usually a light drinker, couldn’t resist Ming Jiyue’s “good sister” charm. Half-drunk and disoriented, her mind wasn’t as sharp as usual, and she nodded in agreement.

Still concerned, Mother Ming arranged for someone to escort them downstairs, where a driver was already waiting to take them to their new home.

After stumbling their way inside, Jiang Wanyu unlocked the door with her fingerprint. Ming Jiyue, barely able to stand, collapsed onto the sofa. Yet she finally seemed satisfied, muttering softly, “Mm, bridal chamber.”

Her familiarity with the place made it hard to tell if she was truly drunk.

Given the circumstances, a bath was out of the question. Jiang Wanyu hauled Ming Jiyue up and led her to the bedroom.

The house was spacious, with multiple bedrooms. Even in her muddled state, Academic Jiang remained principled, settling Ming Jiyue into bed and preparing to retreat to another room.

As she placed Ming Jiyue on the mattress and tried to rise, the drunk woman grabbed her by the neck, pulling her down until they both sank into the soft bedding.

Caught off guard, Jiang Wanyu found herself sprawled atop Ming Jiyue, their bodies entangled in a compromising position.

Ming Jiyue tugged at Jiang Wanyu’s collar, leaning close to whisper something in her ear.

Jiang Wanyu’s eyes reddened, her composure crumbling. Her voice trembled as she protested, “No… I can’t.”

The woman in her arms rasped softly, coaxing, “I’m your wife. What’s wrong with that?”