It’s Okay to Divorce - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Orphan?” Mu Mian was stunned for a moment.

Yun Haodong shot her a sideways glance. “My dear Mian, you’re missing the point here.”

Mu Mian rubbed her round belly, lifting her sharp eyes to give him a cool look. “Oh? Then enlighten me on the real point.”

Yun Haodong had no idea what had gotten into Mu Mian—she wouldn’t stop stroking that rounded belly of hers, acting like she was actually pregnant. He couldn’t take it anymore. “Can you quit touching your stomach already? It’s seriously getting on my nerves.”

“Get to the point.”

“Isn’t the point Zou Tingshen’s sexual orientation?” Yun Haodong shot back. “Why else do you think I haven’t tried setting you two up after all those collaborations? It’s because his preferences are… off. But honestly, you’d be better off with someone outside the industry. You know how nasty this circle can get—our perfectly innocent friendship gets twisted into something sleazy, which just goes to show…”

“If it’s so sleazy, why’d you push me into entertainment? Why let your daughter join, too? You got issues or what?”

“I can’t crush my girl’s passion.”

Mu Mian waved him off, too lazy to keep talking. “Enough with the chatter. Get out of here—a guy and a girl alone in a room? If someone spots us, we’ll be trending again!”

“Fine, I’m going. Finish that late-night snack and get some rest.”

Mu Mian rolled her eyes at him. “Yeah, right. After the snack, it’s back to filming. We won’t wrap until after two tonight.”

Yun Haodong felt a pang for her. “Look at you, pushing yourself like this—for what? Money? Like you need more of that.”

“Everyone needs a goal. Until I hit the top, I’m not quitting.” Mu Mian braced her waist as she stood, patting his shoulder. “You wouldn’t get it. Just go. If you really care, keep your distance. Seeing our scandals online stresses me out big time.”

Yun Haodong frowned, letting out a sigh. “Alright.”

He stepped out of the tent, mulling over Mu Mian’s words, and something felt off.

Knowing her personality, she wouldn’t just casually toss out marriage hypotheticals—especially not with Zou Tingshen as the hypothetical hubby.

He had a bad feeling: this girl might actually have a thing for Zou Tingshen.

No way, no way—Mianmian falling for a gay guy? That’s nightmare fuel… Yun Haodong pounded his chest in frustration.

He pulled out his phone and glanced at the photo of Mu Mian’s blind date. In terms of looks and vibe, the guy didn’t hold a candle to Zou Tingshen.

Then inspiration struck—he thought of someone.

Mu Mian’s doctor friend. Yun Haodong had only met him a handful of times, but the guy left an impression. He wasn’t close with Dr. Chen, but from what he remembered, the doctor was gentle, patient in conversation.

Pretty handsome, too.

With that in mind, Yun Haodong scrolled through his contacts.

He found the number labeled “Dr. Chen” and dialed.

When a “Hello” came from the other end, he clutched his beer gut, took a deep breath, and asked warmly, “Dr. Chen? This is Mianmian’s friend, Yun Haodong—we’ve met. There’s something I’m not sure I should mention.”

“Hm?” The man’s soft voice carried a trace of exhaustion from pulling an all-nighter.

Yun Haodong asked, “How long have you known Mianmian?”

The man on the line didn’t hesitate. “2189 days.”

Yun Haodong did the math—six years, give or take.

Answering in days instead of years? That showed real care and attention to detail when it came to Mu Mian.

Yun Haodong felt a twinge of inadequacy; he’d known her for years, and all he could say was she loved chowing down on durian.

“You might not know this about Mu Mian’s personality,” Yun Haodong said. “She’s had a crush on you for ages but has been too shy to admit it.”

“Hm? Really?” Chen Sheng sounded like he was chuckling.

“Yeah. So, when are you heading back to the country, Dr. Chen?”

“This is great news,” Chen Sheng replied casually. “I just got off the plane—heading home now.”

“Where!?” Yun Haodong was floored. Talk about perfect timing for this call?

He coughed to compose himself, clearing his throat before getting serious. “Keep this secret from Mu Mian, alright? Act like you don’t know, and go all out chasing her. She might play hard to get at first, but don’t sweat it! Be bold! She’s an easy catch!”

“An easy catch?” Chen Sheng burst out laughing, like he’d heard the funniest thing. “I’ve been chasing her for six years and still haven’t landed her.”

“What the—?” Yun Haodong gripped the phone, his stomach twisting, before adding, “Stick it out to year seven, and she’ll be your wife for sure.”

Chen Sheng found this Mr. Yun amusing and was about to say more when the line went dead.

Less than a minute later, a text came through.

It was Mu Mian’s filming location—Nanbei Villa.

Chen Sheng got out of the car, slamming the door behind him, and glanced at the stone tablet ahead. Four bold red characters: Nanbei Villa.

This suburban villa complex featured parks that were half-natural, half-manmade, sprawling on a massive scale. The crew for It’s Okay To Divorce was shooting inside.

After landing, Chen Sheng had gone home first for a shower and a change of clothes, feeling fresh as he drove over.

His car had barely stopped in front of Nanbei Villa when Yun Haodong’s call came in.

He couldn’t quite figure out why Yun Haodong had called him.

It was a little… odd.

—

After Yun Haodong left, the crew started whispering among themselves, speculating on why he’d shown up.

Yun Pei overheard the chatter and felt uneasy, resenting her dad’s move.

But aside from throwing a minor fit, she was powerless.

The moment she badmouthed Mu Mian even a little, Yun Haodong snapped at her. “When will you stop? Who are you to call her Mu Mian? She’s your elder!”

“Oh? Calling her ‘Mom’ already, and she hasn’t even walked down the aisle?” Yun Pei sneered. “You’ve ditched me and my mom for years, but I’ve never seen you this attentive with us. Yun Haodong, you jerk!”

“…You little brat, who are you calling Yun Haodong?” He raised his hand for a slap but held back.

She wasn’t wrong—he did owe her and her mom big time.

But damn if he wasn’t wronged himself; how was he supposed to know that one shot from back then had turned into a kid?

He only found out about his daughter when she was already a teenager.

Because this full-grown girl popped up out of nowhere, he’d given up on dating altogether. All these years of celibacy—for what? To avoid saddling the kid with a two-faced stepmom?

Heh… and this ungrateful little wolf had the nerve to yell at him.

She was really pushing it…

Why the hell hadn’t he just aimed for the wall back then…

The father-daughter spat left Yun Pei feeling suffocated, so she bolted outside the filming area for some air.

She squatted by the pond, puffing on a cigarette one drag at a time.

Butts littered the ground—the girl was knotted up inside, no relief in sight.

A gentle voice called from behind her.

“Excuse me, miss—how do I get to Area B?” Nanbei Villa was huge; Chen Sheng had been walking for forty minutes and still couldn’t find the crew’s spot.

He hadn’t seen a soul the whole way until he spotted the girl by the pond.

Yun Pei was squatting there, her legs going numb. She turned, eyeing the man coldly. “Who are you? What’s with asking for Area B?”

“I’m here to see someone.”

“Who?”

Chen Sheng smiled. “I’m a friend of Mu Mian’s.”

“Oh…” Yun Pei pointed in the complete opposite direction. “Straight that way, right turn, another half-hour walk and you’re there.”

Chen Sheng nodded, thanked her, and headed off.

Once his figure vanished down the road, Yun Pei stubbed out her smoke and smirked to herself. “Moron. Are all the old hag’s friends this dumb? Heh heh.”

At one in the morning, Zou Tingshen suddenly felt off and requested an early wrap.

The film emperor was known for his work ethic—Feng Weijian had worked with him plenty of times, and this was the first time he’d ever asked to call it quits early. Feng Weijian looked worried, figuring Zou Tingshen must be really sick.

Mu Mian headed back to the hotel for a shower, then snuck over to Zou Tingshen’s room for a quick chat.

Filming till three or four every morning was wrecking her body— she could handle it, but what about the baby in her belly?

With that in mind, she’d come to brainstorm solutions with him.

She lounged comfortably on the sofa, thanking him. “Zou Tingshen, thanks a ton. If you hadn’t suggested wrapping early, I’d have passed out on set from fatigue.”

“I’m the father of your baby—it’s my duty.” Zou Tingshen warmed up a cup of milk and handed it over. “What’s the deal with you and Yun Haodong?”

“What deal could there be? He’s like my best girlfriend,” Mu Mian said, sipping the hot milk. A smudge of white clung to her upper lip, adding an irresistible cuteness. “Why? Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

Zou Tingshen glanced at her, then quickly averted his eyes. “How’s your body feeling today? Any issues?”

“Oh, it’s alright,” Mu Mian said, pounding her sore back and shoulders. “Just my shoulders and waist aching a bit. A massage would be heaven, but everyone’s asleep at this hour.” She sighed.

She gazed at Zou Tingshen hopefully. Seeing how nice he was being because of the baby, she pushed her luck. “Hey, baby daddy? How about giving me a rub?”

“…” Zou Tingshen stared at her blankly, his presence turning heavy.

Mu Mian shivered. “Whoa, whoa—don’t glare like that. I was kidding! No way I’d actually make you do it. You’re the big film emperor—how could I boss you around? Right?”

Zou Tingshen kept his face icy as he approached, directing her. “Turn sideways. Back to me.”

His tone was lethally cold, like he might devour her.

Mu Mian shifted, peeking over her shoulder timidly. “You… what are you up to?”

Zou Tingshen crouched down, curling his fingers to press his knuckles against her lower back. “A pregnant woman’s waist bears the fetus’s weight, so it’s prone to pain. A back massage can ease that and relax tight muscles.”

His pressure was just right, hitting the acupoints perfectly.

This technique felt pro-level—he must have practiced a lot.

As she pondered that, Zou Tingshen’s knuckles moved to her Fengchi point at the base of her skull. “Massaging the Fengchi point helps loosen a stiff neck in pregnant women. How’s that feel?”

His voice was deep, every word crisp.

Mu Mian’s face melted into bliss. “Ah………… ah………… that feels amazing…………”