Divorce Is An Absolute Must! - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: No Mercy

◎Who won’t show mercy to whom?◎

Li Lan recalled the argument she and Zhu Qing had, and it was probably for this very reason.

Several months ago.

“You have to believe me, Yang Huayi didn’t really want to do anything to me, and even if she did, it’s her business, not mine!”

Li Lan anxiously knocked on the door, constantly repeating, “Xiao Qing, calm down. Let’s talk this out.”

Zhu Qing never responded from inside the room.

Li Lan said, “That person who came to see you was just unwilling because her resources were stolen, but I’m not the one who stole her resources. I didn’t do anything.”

“Xiao Qing, be mature. Will you please come out so we can talk properly?”

A long time later, the door finally opened a crack, and Zhu Qing came out looking haggard, staring blankly at Li Lan.

“What else do you want to say?”

Li Lan breathed a sigh of relief, took her hand, and led her to sit on the sofa. Just as she was about to explain, Zhu Qing said softly, “I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

Li Lan’s words got stuck in her throat. She said in a muffled voice, “Xiao Qing…”

“We were just a contract marriage, weren’t we?” Zhu Qing said, looking forlorn. “You needed a wife to prove your LGBT identity, a lover to get rid of Yang Huayi’s harassment. This person had to be obedient and sensible, with no background and easy to control. It was even better if she was a little younger so it would be more fun. Didn’t you say all of this yourself?”

Li Lan was so shocked she couldn’t breathe. “How could you think that? Where did you hear that from?”

“The person Yang Huayi likes isn’t me. How does my marriage have anything to do with her!?”

Zhu Qing looked at her quietly. “I can believe that, but what about the rest? Didn’t you say those things to someone else? That I’m obedient, sensible, easy to control, and fun to play with.”

Li Lan was about to deny it, but a memory suddenly flashed in her mind. It was not long after she first met Zhu Qing. There was a person who was always harassing her, and she seemed to have said something similar to her when she rejected her.

That person followed her to the set, and Li Lan calmly refused her many times, speaking mercilessly, but the other party was still persistent, sending her flowers and gifts, picking her up from the airport and the set, and even finding her hotel room several times. She was the wealthiest obsessive fan Li Lan had ever met.

“Since you like women, why can’t you like me? Are you a straight woman pretending to be a lesbian to get benefits? Otherwise, why don’t you like me?”

Li Lan leaned to the side, annoyed by the harassment. She said impatiently, “Because I’m a feminist, I need an obedient lover who will fully support my career, revolve around me, be sensible, come when called, leave when dismissed, and let me play with them as I please. It’s best if…”

Li Lan looked the woman up and down. She was dressed like a rich princess but was only a few years younger than her. She said with an ambiguous tone, “I want someone eighteen years old, a little younger, and more fun, understand?” She said it harshly and even took a step forward to threaten her. “With your family background, you should find a pretty woman with no background to keep and play with. I’m already this rich. Why would I marry you and treat you like a princess?”

The other person didn’t expect the star she had always liked to be so rude in private. She was shocked and couldn’t accept it, so she cried and ran away. Only then did Li Lan get rid of her harassment and continue working.

In a flash, Li Lan thought of this memory and felt that something was not right. How did those words have anything to do with Zhu Qing? “No, I never thought of you that way. That was just something I said to reject someone else. None of that was true…”

“Li Lan,” Zhu Qing’s face showed a deep exhaustion, as if her vitality and energy had been completely drained by the long wait and countless disappointments. “I want to be alone for a while. Don’t come looking for me, and don’t contact me.”

After saying that, Zhu Qing pulled her hand away from Li Lan’s and went back into the bedroom alone.

Li Lan’s mind was in a mess. She didn’t know why Zhu Qing had suddenly changed her attitude. She wasn’t answering her calls or replying to her messages. She had filmed her scenes all night and flew home, but when she cornered Zhu Qing, she only got these few sentences.

Zhu Qing questioned her about whether she had stolen other people’s resources and looked at her in disappointment, asking her, “What do you even see me as?” There must have been some misunderstanding.

Li Lan ran her hands through her hair. It was so hard that her scalp was in sharp pain. How could Zhu Qing have such thoughts? What did she see Zhu Qing as… what did she really see Zhu Qing as?

…

“Li Lan!”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Zhu Qing, who was in her arms, protested unhappily. “I’m about to suffocate.”

Only then did Li Lan realize that she was holding Zhu Qing’s head so tightly that she almost suffocated her. She quickly let go of her hand and said apologetically, “Uh, I got a little distracted.”

Zhu Qing blinked. “Is it because I said I was scared?” Li Lan’s state was a little off, as if she had a lot of worries. Zhu Qing walked to the side and poured her a glass of water. “Drink some water first.”

Li Lan took the water and took a big gulp. The cool liquid temporarily relieved her thirst. After a moment of silence, Li Lan crouched down to be at eye level with Zhu Qing. She placed her hands on her knees and gently squeezed them, saying softly, “Not entirely.”

“Xiao Qing, I have a question, and I hope you’ll answer it honestly.”

Li Lan rarely showed such a serious expression. Zhu Qing sat up straight and said, “Go ahead.”

Li Lan lowered her eyes. “My taking you to find Qi Yao was essentially just a performance to make us look good in front of the cameras and to put Yu Ling in a bad position.”

“I didn’t get rid of Qi Yao. He pushed you but didn’t receive any punishment and even got public sympathy. But I went to look for him to get attention and didn’t cut ties with him. Do you mind?”

Zhu Qing became quiet and didn’t say anything for a long time.

Li Lan repeated softly, “Do you mind?”

After a while, Zhu Qing laughed softly and shook her head. “Not really. If you hadn’t gone to look for him, Xu Yuzhi and Sun Qi wouldn’t have moved. The audience would have cursed the crew, cursed you, and cursed anyone who didn’t care about Qi Yao. Qi Yao… he’s a bad person. Using him for attention is a form of revenge. I’m not angry, I’m just a little disgusted by him.”

“As for Yu Ling,” Zhu Qing paused. “She has nothing to do with us. She’s an unrelated person. Of course I’ll support you in whatever you want to do.“

A flicker of emotion flashed in Li Lan’s eyes. “Do you think I’m stealing other people’s resources, blurring the line between good and evil, and climbing up by stepping on others?”

“No. Actually, even without this incident, if Qi Yao or someone else went missing, you would have gone to look for them,” Zhu Qing’s voice was low, but her tone was firm. “It’s just because he was so awful and hurt me, that your kindness was tainted with caution and even withdrawn. But we didn’t do anything wrong from the beginning to the end.”

Li Lan didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Finally, she hummed in agreement and pulled her up.

“I’m so glad you can support me,” Li Lan was deeply moved and felt warm inside. “I’ll protect you too. You believe me, okay?”

Li Lan didn’t wait for Zhu Qing’s answer and emphasized again, “Don’t listen to what others say. You have to believe me. Believe me no matter what, okay?”

Zhu Qing touched Li Lan’s arm. She felt that Li Lan was a little sad and anxious, so she smiled genuinely to comfort her. “Yeah, I believe you.”

Li Lan squeezed Zhu Qing’s hand. It was as if a part of her heart had suddenly softened, and she couldn’t love her enough.

Zhu Qing’s palm was a little itchy. She couldn’t help but say, “Is my hand fun to play with?”

Li Lan’s actions were subconscious. When Zhu Qing mentioned it, she started to squeeze it seriously. Li Lan squeezed her fingers one by one, as if she was playing with a small toy. The more she squeezed, the more she didn’t want to let go. “It’s fun. Did you go rock climbing when you were a kid?”

Zhu Qing’s eyes curved into a smile. “Why do you ask?”

Li Lan said without changing her expression, “Look at the mess of your bones. Your joints are a little twisted.”

Zhu Qing: …

“You’re really good at ruining the mood,” Zhu Qing pulled her hand back forcefully and hit the back of Li Lan’s hand. “Your fingers are soft and don’t deform no matter how you mess with them. You’re the one who can take it.”

Zhu Qing did like to play when she was a kid, especially with Qian Cancan, who was a hyperactive person. The two of them often climbed on some rockeries. But everyone’s genes are different. Qian Cancan’s fingers didn’t deform and were very long and slender. Although Zhu Qing’s fingers weren’t short, the joints were a little noticeable due to her abnormal gripping posture. Li Lan’s bones were soft, and her fingers were thin, long, and very straight.

Li Lan’s mood brightened. “You said it yourself.”

Zhu Qing was confused. “Said what?”

Li Lan just smiled without saying anything. Zhu Qing snatched the glass of water next to her. “You’re so strange. You’re not allowed to use my cup anymore.”

Li Lan said, “Is this cup yours and mine? I’ve already drunk from it.”

Zhu Qing said unhappily, “Of course we have to distinguish. The colors are different. You like to drink tea, and I like to drink sparkling water. Don’t always mix them up.”

Li Lan smiled faintly with the corners of her lips curled up. Her eyebrows were relaxed and elegant, and her lazy posture looked alluring. “Are you sure I can’t?”

Zhu Qing glanced at her, quickly lowered her gaze, and licked her lips. Her cheeks were a little hot. “…It’s okay to mix them up once in a while.”

Li Lan chuckled.

Zhu Qing’s face got even redder. She said in a shy and annoyed tone, “That’s enough. We’ll be done filming the show in three days.”

Li Lan said with a drawl, “Oh? So what?”

Zhu Qing said loudly, “When it’s over, you have to promise me. You said so!”

Li Lan said with a light laugh, “I said I’d give you a reply. I didn’t necessarily say I’d agree.”

Zhu Qing’s response was a sharp, cold laugh. “You just try it.”

Li Lan exaggeratedly said, “Wow, so fierce.” Zhu Qing knew this person was teasing her and couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. She turned around to play on her phone.

“In short… you just wait.”

Not long after, she held her phone up to Li Lan. The countdown was 3 days and 16 hours.

…

The argument between the production crew and Yu Ling lasted for a long time.

“Qi Yao himself didn’t want people to follow him. Why didn’t you edit out the part where he told the crew to leave?” Yu Ling’s voice was hoarse. “The camera then switched to me. I had a bunch of people with me, making it seem like I took everyone away!? What is the meaning of this!”

The director looked at her coldly. “There’s nothing we can do. We’ve already taken care of you for the first few episodes. It’s a fact that Qi Yao went missing, and it’s also a fact that everyone followed you.”

Yu Ling laughed in extreme anger. “The first few episodes? In the first few episodes, you were taking care of Qi Yao, weren’t you! How did the story suddenly change, and he became the victim and I became the one getting all the benefits? If you’re so capable, why didn’t you edit out the parts where he was acting like a diva!”

The director said impatiently, “We also helped you create your persona. We gave you the answers to the treasure chests and the questions. You should be content.” The production crew was also annoyed. The game between the two of them always dragged others down. Meiyu Media called to ask them to delete Qi Yao’s bad footage, and He Guang Tong Chen was also watching, so the crew also cooperated by giving her the answers to create her smart and sunny persona.

Qi Yao was a complete jerk. He deliberately staged his disappearance to get a trending search, putting everyone in a difficult position, but Yu Ling was also not innocent at all.

The production crew was extremely frustrated. “We’ve done our best. If you want to find someone, go find your rival or the netizens, not us.”

Yu Ling’s eyes were bloodshot. She couldn’t believe that the popularity she had worked so hard to get was gone just like that. She didn’t even dare to open Weibo. There were countless curses against her. The people who were praising her a few days ago had turned to curse her with the most vicious words. Yu Ling was terrified.

She stumbled back to her tent and nervously called Yang Huayi. Yang Huayi was late in answering and finally picked up after a long time.

“Director Yang, about the trending search…”

Yang Huayi interrupted her. “Calm down. The netizens are just getting caught up in the moment. It’ll be over soon.”

Yu Ling couldn’t believe it. “How is that possible? Director Yang, do you have any other plans to clear my name? Or is there any other way to clarify or smear Qi Yao!?”

Yang Huayi was probably busy. Her tone was a little impatient. “There’s nothing to clarify. When the show is over, Qi Yao won’t always be sympathized with.”

Yu Ling was about to break down. “But the netizens already think I have a bad personality. They’re calling me a schemer and a manipulative person. No matter where I go, I’ll be disliked. Director Yang, can you come here? I really can’t take it…”

Yang Huayi interrupted her. “Calm down. I’m dealing with your endorsements right now. I don’t have time to comfort you. I’ll tell you one last time. Temporary public opinion isn’t important, especially baseless rumors like this. Just stay put and don’t cause any more trouble for the crew.”

Yang Huayi didn’t say anything else and hung up the phone. Yu Ling felt like she had fallen into an ice cave.

What did she mean, she was dealing with her endorsements? Did this incident affect her endorsements!? The endorsements she had worked so hard to get were gone just like that!

What about Li Lan? Did Li Lan still have her endorsements? If her endorsements were gone, would they be given to Li Lan?

Yes, Li Lan. Li Lan wasn’t cursed. She was being praised by the entire internet. She knew she should have gone to look for Qi Yao, but she didn’t tell her directly. If she had been the one to find Qi Yao yesterday, the audience wouldn’t have cursed her. Maybe they could have continued to be a couple… yes, Li Lan, it’s all Li Lan’s fault!

A look of wild jealousy flashed in Yu Ling’s eyes. She roared silently, her face twisted, and she threw her phone on the ground.

Li Lan, you really were trying to steal from me. You really were!

The tent flap was lifted, and Yu Ling looked up, her pupils contracting. “Qi Yao! How dare you come here!”

A trace of awkwardness flashed across Qi Yao’s face. He had heard the curses Yu Ling was arguing with the crew about. “I came to check on you. President Qi told me to comfort you.”

“President Qi? Your middle-aged auntie? Or cousin? Older sister?” Yu Ling spat. “Pfft! You two have it all planned out. What kind of a fraud are you pretending to be now!”

Qi Yao was stunned. He didn’t expect the fairy-like Yu Ling to use such ugly language. Qi Yao also had a bad temper. He frowned and said, “Watch your mouth. Your Director Yang is also over forty. And on a reality show, it’s every man for himself. You look really bad acting like you can’t lose.”

Yu Ling threw whatever she could grab. “You planned this so well. You wanted to stage your disappearance and gain sympathy. Fine, why didn’t you tell me in advance and let me go look for you!”

Qi Yao was hit with water and said angrily, “How would I have known you wouldn’t come looking for me? I even specifically told my assistant to tell you first that I was missing, but what did you do? You kept looking for traces. Otherwise, how would Li Lan and her group have found me first!”

Li Lan, Li Lan, it’s always Li Lan. Yu Ling’s scarlet eyes lifted, and she pointed outside. “Get out.”

Qi Yao left furiously. “You’re so unreasonable!”

Looking at Qi Yao’s back, Yu Ling’s expression grew even more grim.

…

The reality show only started filming again in the afternoon. However, the footage from yesterday hadn’t been fully released yet, so they weren’t in a hurry today.

“The original plan for today was to go and watch carnivorous animals, but due to a change in plans, it has been moved to tomorrow.”

[This afternoon, please use the funds provided by the crew to go to the city of Nairobi to purchase items that reflect the local culture. The crew will not be responsible for tonight’s dinner. Points will be calculated after you return to the camp tonight. The losing team will have to accept the “eating bugs” punishment.]

After everyone received their mission cards, they walked out of their tents. Li Lan and Zhu Qing were already dressed and ready to go to the city of Nairobi.

Just as they were about to leave, Yu Ling’s voice came from behind them.

“Teacher Li, Zhu Qing, where are you going?”

Yu Ling had changed into a thin sportswear and came out of the tent right after Qi Yao. Zhu Qing’s gaze fell on Yu Ling’s face. She had heard her curse with her own ears, but now she couldn’t see any negative emotions on her face.

Yu Ling smiled. “Yao Yao and I are planning to go to the Maasai Market first. Want to come with us?”

Li Lan looked at her carefully for two seconds, her expression polite but distant. “No, we’re planning to go to the museum first.”

“Okay,” Yu Ling took her bag from Qi Yao’s hand and smiled at him affectionately. “I told you that Teacher Li would definitely want to go shopping with just Zhu Qing. But you still made me ask.”

Li Lan, who was about to leave, paused slightly.

Qi Yao, who hadn’t said anything, scratched his head and said with a smile, “I haven’t had a chance to thank Teacher Li yet. Thank you two for looking for me for so long yesterday.”

Li Lan nodded at him. “It was our duty. You’re welcome.”

Yu Ling tilted her head and smiled innocently. “Teacher Li has always cared about us, right? Otherwise, how could she have found Yao Yao so quickly? I didn’t do enough in this area. I need to learn from Teacher Li how to take care of everyone.”

Li Lan frowned almost imperceptibly.

Qi Yao said, “You want to follow Teacher Li? Then why don’t we go to the museum too?”

Zhu Qing suddenly took Li Lan’s hand and complained, “The sun is too hot outside. Why don’t the four of us go to a tent and talk first?”

Li Lan held her hand back and nodded to Yu Ling and Qi Yao. “The Maasai Market is a crowded place. Be careful to keep your belongings safe. Xiao Qing and I will go ahead. See you tonight.”

With that, Li Lan didn’t give them a chance to speak and turned to leave.

After getting in the car, Zhu Qing felt strange thinking about what Yu Ling had just said.

“Was she… being sarcastic?”

Li Lan pondered for a moment, then said with hesitation, “I don’t know. She didn’t talk like that before.”

Zhu Qing rubbed the goosebumps on her arm. “Ugh, so strange. Whatever, there are only three days left. Let’s finish filming and get out of here.”

Li Lan noticed Zhu Qing’s movement. Her brows relaxed, and she said with a smile, “Your countdown isn’t as specific as the hours anymore?”

Zhu Qing glanced at the driver, saw that he wasn’t paying attention, and slowly tightened her hand on Li Lan’s thigh. But she quickly remembered something, looked at the camera in the car, coughed lightly, and lowered her voice. “You’re going to get it.”

Li Lan put on the most serious face she could muster and also lowered her voice. Her tone was clearly a challenge, but with a hint of affection she couldn’t hide.

“We’ll see about that.”