How About A Divorce? - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Pervert
“Wait, who are you?!” Sang Yun Duo straightened up. “Utterly thunderstruck” was written on her left cheek, and “soul out of body” was written on her right. The horizontal inscription was: God must be joking!
“Wen Wen?”
“Yes,” Wen Yu nodded.
“Oh my god!” Sang Yun couldn’t care less about eating anymore. She stuck her disposable chopsticks directly into her rice. “I must be dreaming!”
Wen Yu pulled out the chopsticks that were sticking up like incense sticks and laid them flat. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
…Actually, Wen Yu was also surprised, but she maintained her composure. She pretended. In front of outsiders, Young Miss Wen still cared a lot about her image.
“This is fate!” Sang Yun clapped her hands. “I never thought we would meet in person like this.”
“Me neither.”
The two of them had planned to meet before, but Wen Yu was always lazy to move around in Beicheng, and Sang Yun was busy taking on jobs everywhere. They never settled on a time or place.
“Weren’t you very rich? Why did you come to the crew?” Sang Yun remembered that Wen Yu had a lot of money. As she thought about it, she found a reason herself. “Did you come to experience life?”
“Just think of it that way.”
“Then how much do you get paid per day here?” Sang Yun asked an unethical question without much thought, but Wen Yu had never worked in a crew before and didn’t care about these unspoken rules of not disclosing salary. She said, “No money.”
She really didn’t get paid daily. She had to put money into it.
Sang Yun’s face was bitter. “How can that be?”
She was thinking of asking how much Wen Yu was getting paid. If Wen Yu was being ripped off, she could tell her clueless partner to do something about it. Her partner was friends with Director Shi. Either she was making a lot of money, or she was being taken advantage of. She didn’t expect Wen Yu to be getting paid nothing at all.
This was more than just taking advantage of a friend; it was outright exploitation.
“What is this? This is just working for free,” Sang Yun said indignantly. “This partner of yours is unreliable. You should break up quickly.”
“It’s hard to break up. We’re already married,” Wen Yu said casually.
Sang Yun: “?”
“Is it the woman from your last livestream? The woman from your latest video?”
“Yes.”
Recalling the conversation she had heard when she was on the phone with Wen Yu last time, and now seeing Wen Yu pitifully doing hard labor here, Sang Yun’s overly imaginative brain quickly concocted a story.
Wen Yu and her wife must not have a normal relationship. It was probably a forced love. The woman forced Wen Yu to marry her, but Wen Yu’s body surrendered while her heart did not. Wen Yu’s money must also be her wife’s. The reason she was here suffering now was because that scumbag was being malicious and trying to win Wen Yu’s heart by exploiting her!
That woman looked very elegant in the livestream, but all she did was scummy things.
Sang Yun suspected that she was 70 to 80 percent right. Unfortunately, Wen Yu didn’t know Sang Yun’s thought process. Otherwise, she would have slapped the chopsticks in her hand on Sang Yun’s forehead and said, “Have you been watching too many short dramas?”
What nonsense.
Sang Yun sighed and put the drumstick from her boxed meal on Wen Yu’s plate. “You eat this. Look how thin you are.”
She looked like she was suffering.
Wen Yu: “?”
Wen Yu put her spare ribs on Sang Yun’s plate. “You eat this. I don’t like pork.”
Wen Wen is such a good person.
Staring at the large piece of spare ribs, Sang Yun felt emotional in her heart. She ate her rice with tears in her eyes. Wen Yu saw this and got another boxed meal, afraid that the kid was so hungry she would eat her too.
The meal was a rollercoaster of emotions. Even though Wen Yu didn’t say many words, Sang Yun had developed a strong sense of pity for her.
After they finished eating, they went back behind the monitor screen. Shi Li saw them and came over with a cup of milk tea.
The milk tea was handed to Sang Yun. Shi Li said, “Sang Yun, right? Wen Wen’s friend?”
Sang Yun nodded.
“Take this milk tea and drink it. Everyone in the crew has one,” Shi Li looked at Wen Yu. “You don’t get one. Your wife won’t let you.”
Shi Li left after saying that, but Sang Yun was so shocked by the words that she was even more convinced of her guess. She handed the milk tea to Wen Yu. “What kind of person is she?! She won’t even let you have milk tea! You drink mine!”
Wen Yu: “It’s okay. You drink it. I don’t have an appetite.”
Her face was a little pale from the heat, but in Sang Yun’s eyes, Wen Yu was hurt by her wife.
Poor little thing.
Before Sang Yun could comfort Wen Yu and tell her not to be sad over a scumbag, she was called to rehearse. Sang Yun had to put this little cabbage aside for a moment and didn’t forget to find her a comfortable spot—the same old spot, under the air conditioner vent, with a board to block the direct wind.
Wen Yu sat there for a while and received a message from Sang Yun: Let’s go eat together tonight.
She looked up and saw Sang Yun waving at her from the set. Wen Yu waved back. Their interaction was noticed by Yuan Yiyang, who was standing to the side.
Yuan Yiyang looked at the delicate-looking girl next to her and asked, “Do you know Wen Wen?”
Sang Yun didn’t expect Yuan Yiyang to talk to her. She was stunned by her stunning beauty for two seconds before answering with a blush, “We’re friends.”
“Friends?” Yuan Yiyang was surprised. “How did you two meet?”
This small actor didn’t look like a young lady from a wealthy family in Beicheng. She was just a supporting actress.
“We met online, hehe,” Sang Yun’s head was spinning. She said everything she knew. “It’s been a few years. I didn’t expect to meet in person on a film crew by accident.”
“Online friend?”
Now Yuan Yiyang understood why Shi Li had hinted that it wouldn’t be hard to become friends with Wen Yu.
“Yes,” after Sang Yun was done being happy, she slowly came to her senses. “Teacher Yuan, you know Wen Wen too?”
Yuan Yiyang was a sharp one. As soon as Sang Yun said that, she knew that she didn’t know Wen Yu’s identity. She didn’t want to expose her either and just said, “Yes, I do.”
She smiled, excused herself, and walked toward Shi Li.
…
In the past, short drama filming was rushed. They didn’t care about the lives of the small actors. This situation improved a lot after short dramas became more standardized, but there was still no such thing as getting off work on time. Wen Yu waited in the studio until almost 10 p.m. for Sang Yun to come out.
“I’m so sorry for making you wait so long!” Sang Yun, in her prison uniform, came over and immediately went into a kneeling position, as if she was going to die in apology.
Wen Yu was amused. She handed her a bag of cookies. “It’s okay. I’m not hungry. You eat something first to fill your stomach.”
She had seen how Shi Li directed. She didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly.
That woman would tie up her pink hair, roll up her sleeves, and jab the script at Yuan Yiyang’s forehead. She didn’t care about anyone’s face. Wen Yu even had to walk out softly in the middle of a scene, even if the camera wasn’t rolling.
Sang Yun, who was being directed, could only be more tired. But Sang Yun didn’t feel it herself. She even shared a big surprise with Wen Yu—
“Let me tell you, Director Shi asked me if I had signed with a studio. I said no, and Director Shi invited me to join Qianchuan!”
Sang Yun shook Wen Yu’s arm. “Don’t you think my hard work has finally paid off?”
“It’s ‘paid off’,” Wen Yu corrected her and gave a positive answer. “Your hard work has paid off.”
Wen Yu only heard these two sentences and knew that Shi Li was using Sang Yun to do her a favor. It wasn’t a big one, but the thought was there, and it was the kind that didn’t need to be repaid.
Sure enough, the woman who could make it to the top of the circle had good judgment. Before Wen Yu could say anything, she already knew what she should do.
This little Sang Yun, under Shi Li’s wing, would be less likely to be taken advantage of than if she were working alone.
“Let’s go eat noodles. There’s a noodle shop nearby that’s super delicious.” Sang Yun was on cloud nine. She happily led Wen Yu to her beloved ride—a small, battle-scarred, black electric scooter.
Wen Yu: “?”
Sang Yun swung her long leg over and sat down. She even put on a helmet with bunny ears. “Wen Wen, hop on!”
Wen Yu: …Hop on what?
Sang Yun Duo patted the back seat. Wen Yu was pretty sure that if she used a little more force, the scooter would fall apart on the spot.
“Don’t worry! It’s sturdy!” Sang Yun promised. Wen Yu cautiously got on.
At the age of almost thirty, this was Wen Yu’s first time meeting the electric scooter species.
They sped off. Sang Yun rode the electric scooter as if it were a Ferrari, not caring at all about the battery life. Wen Yu held on tightly, feeling like they would both die in a crash at any second.
Fortunately, they arrived at the noodle shop without any mishaps and, coincidentally, ran into Shi Li and Yuan Yiyang at the noodle shop.
Sang Yun: “…”
Oh, come on. What’s the difference between eating here and working overtime?
Even if it was a very admirable director, she was still her boss!
When Shi Li saw them, she smiled and greeted them. She didn’t have the same “I’ll scold you without blinking” demeanor she had on set. “Come over and eat with us.”
Wen Yu walked over. “How come you two are always together?”
“Strategic partners,” Shi Li pointed at Yuan Yiyang. “Her management contract is about to expire, and I’m fighting with Zero One to get her.”
Yuan Yiyang’s eyes curved in a smile. “Wen Wen, don’t tell CEO Lin about this yet.”
“Okay,” Wen Yu nodded. “We won’t eat together. You two can talk. I might hear something I shouldn’t.”
The main reason was that she didn’t want to be the center of attention while she ate.
This noodle shop must have been very famous in the area. Wen Yu didn’t recognize anyone, but she could see that some people had come without taking off their makeup or changing their clothes. It was a mix of ancient and modern—they were clearly actors.
Yuan Yiyang was probably the biggest celebrity there. Many people’s eyes were on her, but the two people at the center of attention were perfectly calm.
Shi Li didn’t insist. “Then do you want to go back together later?”
Wen Yu: “No need. I’m going with my friend.”
Wen Yu pointed at Sang Yun. Sang Yun grinned and waved at Shi Li and Yuan Yiyang. “Director, Teacher Yuan.”
“Little Sang Yun,” Shi Li smiled. “Thank you for your hard work today. You did well.”
One sentence made Sang Yun feel like she was on fire. Wen Yu dragged the almost-paralyzed Sang Yun to the innermost table. Sang Yun still hadn’t come to her senses even after they ordered the noodles. “Director Shi praised me…”
You should only take two out of ten things Shi Li says. But Wen Yu couldn’t bear to let her down. She encouraged her. “Keep up the good work, future big star.”
“Hehe,” Sang Yun giggled foolishly.
After the meal, Wen Yu rode Sang Yun’s beloved scooter back to the hotel. Before she left, she promised to see her tomorrow.
Wen Yu had originally planned to stay for two days, but now that she had met Sang Yun, she thought she might as well stay for the entire shoot. She told Lin Yanqing about it. Lin Yanqing didn’t have much of a reaction. She just said that they would meet up the day after tomorrow when she came to see Shi Li.
Shi Li’s annual contract with Zero One was about to expire, and Shi Li’s intention to leave was too obvious. Zero One was getting anxious. They were rushing to see her while she was still with the crew, which put them at a disadvantage.
This was not like Lin Yanqing’s style.
Wen Yu was about to ask about Lin Yanqing’s attitude, but Lin Yanqing video-called her directly.
On the screen, the woman was wearing a tank top and running on a treadmill on an incline. Sweat was soaking into the fabric around her neck. Lin Yanqing was wearing headphones, and her heavy breathing sounded like it was right next to Wen Yu’s ear.
“Let’s video chat. It’s not convenient to type,” Lin Yanqing said.
“You’re quite free,” Wen Yu said. “You have time to work out. Aren’t you busy anymore?”
“Yeah, I’m about to be unemployed. I’m planning to find a new path,” Lin Yanqing said, half-truth and half-lie.
“Is your new path being a fitness trainer? Miss Lin, the fitness trainer.”
“You can get a membership with me. I’ll give you a 20% discount.”
“You look like a 20% discount,” Wen Yu laughed. “Stop joking. What’s going on with Zero One? Are they that desperate for people? Rushing to see Shi Li.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Lin Yanqing’s voice was muffled. She lowered the speed of the treadmill by two points.
“I’m not worried. I was just asking.”
Lin Yanqing: “What did you eat for dinner?”
The topic was abruptly changed. Wen Yu frowned but didn’t continue to ask. There was clearly something wrong. Wen Yu planned to ask her in person the day after tomorrow.
“Noodles,” Wen Yu answered.
“You ate with that Sang Yun person?”
“Yeah.”
After a few irrelevant words, Lin Yanqing was going to stretch. Wen Yu looked at the woman’s long arms and legs and clicked her tongue. “I am very pleased.”
“I’ll let you touch them the day after tomorrow.”
“You pervert.”
“See? I offer, and you’re not happy.”
The two of them exchanged a few more insults, and the call ended with Wen Yu going to take a shower.
…
The next day.
Wen Yu found herself a more comfortable spot on the set. She put a beanbag chair behind Shi Li’s monitor screen and watched Yuan Yiyang wreak havoc in the prison on the screen as if she were watching TV.
Bl00d was splattering everywhere as if it were free.
Wen Yu: “Will this pass censorship?”
“It will. We’ve already talked to the censors,” Shi Li said. “Besides, we’re not filming the violent scenes directly. It’s just bl00d, so it’s fine. Who hasn’t seen a period before?”
Another day was busy and rushed. As Shi Li was about to get off work, she suddenly received a call.
After listening for a moment, her expression changed slightly. She looked at Wen Yu.
Wen Yu also noticed her gaze. Her butt, which had already gotten up, stuck to the sofa again.
After Shi Li hung up, she said, “The people from Zero One have already arrived.”
Wen Yu: “?”
Wen Yu: “Why are they early?”
“I don’t know,” Shi Li said. “Come with me. They also want to see Little Yuan.”
Yuan Yiyang heard them talking about her and moved a few steps closer. “Do I have to go too?”
“Let’s go together and see what’s going on,” Shi Li said.
Wen Yu felt that something was wrong. She messaged Lin Yanqing, but there was no reply, and the call didn’t go through.
Shi Li: “I can’t reach Lin Yanqing either.”
Wen Yu: “Bring more people.”
Shi Li: “Okay.”
Sang Yun only understood that Wen Yu couldn’t eat with her tonight. She was quite disappointed. “Then I’ll get going.”
“Wait,” Wen Yu called out to her.
Sang Yun: “What is it?”
“Little Sang Yun, you’re coming with me.”
“Huh?”
Shi Li explained, “This wasn’t planned. It’s a last-minute thing, and the situation might not be good.”
Although Zero One wasn’t a small company, there were many conflicts among the higher-ups. A sudden meeting and the leader being unreachable could easily be seen as an attempt to privately contact them without authorization. They couldn’t offend them easily either.
At a time like this, bringing a clueless idiot could have a miraculous effect.
Little Sang Yun was this lucky idiot. She couldn’t think of anything else and could only come up with one clichéd plot. “Are you saying that Zero One wants to have a ‘private audition’?”
Everyone looked at her.
Sang Yun swallowed her saliva. “Don’t worry! I don’t have much experience! When the time comes, I’ll just roll up my sleeves and fight. The one who has nothing to lose is not afraid of the one who has everything!”
The other three exchanged glances. Their looks said:
—We brought the right person.