Killing Marriage [ABO] - Chapter 32
Chapter 32; Oneself
Shang Liwei was going to film a video with Mi Li as a preliminary test for her future new media science popularization career.
Concept, script, set, lighting, filming, post-production editing…
With Mi Li’s filming experience, Shang Liwei could adjust her future work direction in a timely manner.
Mi Li, at her young age, also had her own video account called “Princess Lily’s Ballet World.” It was opened and managed by her mother, Mi Tong, mainly for uploading short videos of Mi Li practicing ballet.
However, the account name had now been changed to “Lily’s Big Leap Forward.”
Ren Zhong was invited to be a special consultant to ensure the professionalism of the content.
The little-known actor Zhang Qingyuan also joined the creative team of the “child star,” Mi Li. Shang Liwei believed that the things he had learned on the set of idol dramas would definitely come in handy.
“This light needs a lampshade. Otherwise, the light hitting the face directly is too harsh and doesn’t look good. She won’t be able to keep her eyes open, either.”
After adjusting the lights and camera angles, the “child star” and her stylist made a dazzling appearance.
With her small leather boots, camouflage cargo pants, and a grass-green T-shirt, it was a very ordinary outfit, but the good fit of the clothes gave her a powerful presence.
Mi Li’s face had a delicate, light makeup and a few decorative camouflage-colored paint streaks. Several strands of grass-green and gray highlighted fake hair were woven into her long hair, making her look cool and capable, fitting the camouflage theme of the hairstyle.
“Hello, Officer Lily!” Shang Liwei stood at attention and gave Mi Li a military salute.
Mi Li returned the salute and even turned forty-five degrees to salute Ren Zhong. “Captain!”
Helplessly, Ren Zhong dropped his small cane and demonstrated a standard military salute.
Who knows which little-known actor’s heartstrings were plucked by that tall and straight posture?
“Tongtong, your makeup and hairstyling skills are so professional,” Shang Liwei said, hugging Mi Li and “flying” her around a few times. “It’s completely professional level!”
Mi Tong said modestly, “Not at all, not at all. You’re giving me too much credit. In the past, Mi Li’s performances and competitions were done by professional makeup artists. Later… well, we didn’t have the money, so I had to learn online and do her makeup, hairstyles, and sew her performance clothes myself.”
“You did all of Lily’s makeup, hair, and outfits in her old videos?” Shang Liwei couldn’t believe it.
She had watched all of Mi Li’s “Little Swan” videos. Every hairstyle and creative stage makeup looked like the work of a professional hairstylist and makeup artist, not to mention those exquisite and luxurious dance costumes… This was not the level of an ordinary housewife.
The “child star” Lily’s filming officially began soon after.
Zhang Qingyuan helped Mi Li adjust the microphone on her collar and clapped the clapperboard in front of the camera.
“Lily’s Science Class, Episode One, take one.”
He stretched out his long arms and clapped his hands with a “snap.” After clapping the board, he quickly ran out of the camera’s range.
Mi Li was visibly nervous when she gave her opening remarks, but as she got deeper into her explanation, her state relaxed, and she spoke better and better.
The adults were all assisting from behind the camera.
Ren Zhong would call a halt when Mi Li’s statements weren’t precise, correcting her wording.
Zhang Qingyuan was in charge of guiding her gaze, posture, voice, and expressions, helping her look her best in front of the camera.
Soon, the “child star” finished the first version of the shoot.
Shang Liwei gathered Mi Tong and Mi Li to huddle around the monitor and watch the previous video clips.
Meanwhile, Ren Zhong took the opportunity to rest.
He sat on a chair, gently moving his ankle. The scene in front of him reminded him of the official media program where he recorded a public speech.
He hadn’t been injured then, and it was the first time in his life that his rough face had been touched by various powder puffs and brushes. The dazzling lights shone on him, and he was doing everything that made him feel uncomfortable and out of place.
Compared to him, Mi Li seemed much more at ease.
But would he, the him of now and the him of the future, ever have the chance to be that “uncomfortable” again, with a glorious image?
As Ren Zhong was lost in thought and memories, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
“Why do I feel like you’ve been particularly cold to me lately?” Zhang Qingyuan squatted in front of him, hugging his knees, and tilted his head to look at him with a cute expression.
Ren Zhong’s brow twitched guiltily. He denied it. “I don’t think so. You’re overthinking it.”
“I asked you if you wanted to come to my school’s opening ceremony, but you didn’t reply. After the ceremony, I sent you a short video, but you didn’t even open it, did you?” Zhang Qingyuan lowered his eyes, his fan-like eyelashes fluttering. “Did I do something that made you uncomfortable?”
The posture of squatting and curling up made the Alpha’s intimidating height seem small. Paired with that pretty Omega face, there was no cuter, more pitiful little thing in the world.
Ren Zhong turned his head away, not looking at him. “Sorry, I’ve been busy with my application for a third implant and didn’t have time. My implant is about to expire, and my pheromone levels are erratic, which can affect my behavior and may cause pseud-estrus symptoms.”
The implication was that his previous actions, such as rolling on the floor and kissing Zhang Qingyuan, were just crazy behaviors under the influence of his pheromones and did not represent his true intentions.
Zhang Qingyuan seemed to be in a state of shock. His clean, clear eyes were filled with disbelief, as if he had been terribly hurt.
He opened his mouth to say something, but only the word “you” came out, and he couldn’t say anything else.
Finally, he stood up and just said, “Do you really hate me that much?”
Zhang Qingyuan turned around to adjust the set, leaving Ren Zhong with a slender back that looked extremely pitiful in his clothes.
It made Ren Zhong feel as if he had done something wrong, and his heart was pounding with unease.
The filming with Mi Li went very smoothly, and after a few more takes, they happily wrapped up.
Everyone gathered around the monitor, laughing and chatting happily. Only Ren Zhong picked up his small cane, preparing to sneak away.
A small hand grabbed the corner of Ren Zhong’s shirt.
“Uncle Ren, did you and Uncle Zhang have a fight?”
Mi Li looked up at him, her innocent little face turned up, just staring at him.
“Of course not,” Ren Zhong said guiltily. “You’re overthinking it.”
Mi Li was persistent. “Then why were Uncle Zhang’s eyes secretly red after he talked to you? Did you bully Uncle Zhang?”
In a child’s world, they judge by looks, instinctively believing that the fierce-looking one bullied the innocent-looking one.
Mi Li imitated her homeroom teacher’s tone. “Uncle Ren, it’s not scary to make a mistake. What’s important is to be brave enough to admit it. Bullying other classmates is not good. The class must be united, do you understand?”
Ren Zhong, unable to defend himself, could only sigh and coax her. “I understand, I understand.”
“Good that you understand.” Mi Li patted Ren Zhong’s hand. “Since you understand, go apologize to Uncle Zhang.”
Ren Zhong: “…”
Was this child sent by heaven to punish him?
…
That night, Shang Liwei, a beginner with editing software, quickly finished editing Mi Li’s video.
“Come on, help me review the video,” she said, pulling Mi Tong over to watch the finished product. “Give me some feedback.”
They watched Mi Li intently in the video.
The little girl was confident and bright. Her eyes lit up when she talked about the things she loved. That look was enough to make many, many adults feel humbled.
“I can’t find any flaws. She’s really amazing, and you did a great job with the editing.” Mi Tong took a tissue from the box and gently dabbed the corner of her eye. The waterproof mascara and eyeliner hadn’t smudged, and her makeup was still clean.
Shang Liwei looked at Mi Tong’s nearly perfect face under the light and subconsciously said, “Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without makeup. You go to bed later than I do every night, and you’re already beautifully made up when I wake up.”
“I don’t… look good without makeup,” Mi Tong said, looking away in a panic and clutching the corner of her loungewear.
Shang Liwei said softly, “How could that be? I’ll think you’re beautiful no matter what.”
“But, but…” Mi Tong’s fingers rubbed the fabric of her loungewear. “I want to always look my best in front of you.”
She was worried that if she wasn’t perfect, she wouldn’t deserve love.
Shang Liwei always had the ability to make her feel at ease.
“But Tongtong, I want to see all sides of you. Whether you’re energetic or exhausted; in high spirits or feeling defeated and troubled. As long as it’s you, I want to know, understand, and love the good and the bad.”
Her hands were wrapped in Shang Liwei’s warm fingers.
“I hope I can know about your fatigue, your sadness, your anxiety, and your worries, so I can do something for you when you need it. I don’t want to be a person you don’t trust, who you won’t even share your troubles with.”
Shang Liwei looked into Mi Tong’s eyes. “Let’s be each other’s safe harbor, okay?”
She didn’t force Mi Tong to respond immediately. Instead, she turned and took out two documents.
“This is a formal, legally binding employment contract. I hope to hire Ms. Mi Tong as the collaborative stylist for my science popularization studio. The salary is the market average, not too high or too low. It’s your deserved earnings.”
Shang Liwei then opened the second thick document.
“I found this information online while I was procrastinating on editing videos. These top domestic makeup studios hold several training classes every year. If you’re interested, you can compare them and see which studio is best for your career path.”
The two documents were heavy in Mi Tong’s life, yet they made her feel light as a feather.
“Living in another world” wasn’t an accurate description, but it was close to how Mi Tong felt right now.
Everything about Mi Tong had been put on hold by her marriage after high school.
Her life came to a halt at a young age before she could become an adult. Her knowledge, social experience, and social circles were all cut short by her matched marriage and never moved forward. Before she even entered society, she had already returned to the family.
Besides the marriage and divorce agreements, Mi Tong had never signed any other formal or important documents as a fully responsible and adult person.
In this moment, she was being treated as a “person” in the truest sense of the word.
A capable, responsible, and equal person who could work with others.
Not someone’s wife, not someone’s accessory.
But a person named “Mi Tong.”
Seeing that she wasn’t speaking, Shang Liwei added, “You should never sign anyone’s contract without reading it. If there are parts you’re unsure about, you must consult a lawyer. The same goes for this contract. Take it to a lawyer, and then we can discuss the terms.”
The contract was pushed toward Mi Tong by Shang Liwei’s long, slender fingers.
It was not just a contract; it was a level of respect she had never received before, a genuine acknowledgment.
Mi Tong steadied herself, took a few deep breaths, and smiled at Shang Liwei. “Alright, Ms. Shang, I understand the situation. After discussing the specific contents with a lawyer, I will list the parts that need to be negotiated with you for discussion one by one.”
These were lines she had never thought she would say in her entire life.
“Ms. Mi. When you said that, you sounded so cool and professional. It was a fascinating and mature charm,” Shang Liwei said, covering her mouth and laughing.
Mi Tong hugged the contract and the training class information. “This is the first time in my life I’ve been praised for being cool.”
“Trust me, Ms. Mi,” Shang Liwei said with a wink. “It definitely won’t be the last.”
…
At 9:30 PM, it was time for little Mi Li to go to bed.
It was Shang Liwei’s turn to tell her a bedtime story.
“Vivian, I’ve fulfilled the requirement of my new motto, ‘do one good deed a day,'” Mi Li said, surrounded by the warm glow of the nightlight and her plush toys, nestled in her warm bed. She was emulating Shang Liwei, taking “doing one good deed a day” as a small goal.
Shang Liwei, flipping through the printed science popularization story script, asked with a smile, “That’s amazing. Can you tell me what ‘good deed’ you did today?”
She cleared her throat in a very serious manner. “Today, I helped Uncle Zhang, who was being bullied by Uncle Ren. They shook hands and made peace under my guidance.”
Shang Liwei didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Finally, she could only say, “Uncle Zhang must be very grateful to you.”
“Vivian, what story are we telling today?” Mi Li asked, squinting and wiggling around in her bed.
Shang Liwei’s voice was low and soft. “Today, we’re going to tell two stories. One is about how the Queen Egg became you. The other is a story about the survival of the little snake, Ren Zhong, and the cunning little chameleon, Zhang Qingyuan.”