The Paranoid Film Queen Doesn’t Want to Remarry - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

 

Yan Muyu only found out the next day that Xu Weishuang had met with Liu Yuebai.

 

She wasn’t the only one who knew—photos of the two leaving the hotel together and heading to the airport had been taken.

 

The photos were handed to Yan Muyu by Shi Yan. Although officially Shi Yan no longer managed Xu Weishuang, Yan Muyu still had the PR department keep a close watch on Xu Weishuang’s online public opinion.

 

Shi Yan handed the photos along with a stack of documents to Yan Muyu. After looking through them, Yan Muyu was silent for a long time and then thanked Shi Yan.

 

“This contract doesn’t look like it’s for signing new talent,” Shi Yan said, staring speechlessly at Yan Muyu, who sat calmly in her chair.

 

Yan Muyu smiled faintly and nodded, not very willing to respond to Shi Yan’s comment.

 

“What if Xu Weishuang refuses to sign?” Shi Yan asked again.

 

Yan Muyu didn’t change her posture, only softly replied, “She has made her choice; let her have her will.”

 

Shi Yan stared at Yan Muyu for a while, then straightened up and said, “We’ve known each other for so many years. You’re not really as gentle on the surface as you appear, right?”

 

Besides Yan Muyu’s personal assistant, Shi Yan was the closest person to Yan Muyu and had the most contact with her. Privately, Yan Muyu was as gentle and tolerant as her public image suggested. When Shi Yan first started managing Yan Muyu, she often marveled at how lucky she was—Yan Muyu was almost the perfect artist.

 

But recently, seeing Yan Muyu around Xu Weishuang, Shi Yan sensed something different.

 

She couldn’t exactly say what it was, but she felt Yan Muyu showed more life and warmth in front of Xu Weishuang, whereas at other times, Shi Yan found her a bit fake.

 

After asking, Shi Yan looked directly into Yan Muyu’s eyes, trying to find a crack.

 

Unfortunately, Yan Muyu’s expression didn’t change at all; only the corners of her lips slightly lifted in a smiling gaze, calm and unflustered.

 

Shi Yan sneered and didn’t intend to dig deeper.

 

She couldn’t see through what Yan Muyu was really like, but it didn’t stop her from acknowledging Yan Muyu as a very professional artist. After all these years working together, Shi Yan hadn’t found a better partner than Yan Muyu.

 

“If she agrees to sign, who do you want to assign to take care of her? Me?” Shi Yan asked without waiting for an answer, then immediately changed the topic.

 

“If you’re willing,” Yan Muyu responded.

 

Hearing this, Shi Yan actually lowered her head and considered it. She had long been interested in Xu Weishuang—like Yan Muyu, Xu Weishuang was naturally suited for this line of work.

 

Shi Yan had managed Yan Muyu for a long time, helping each other succeed, and later managed others, though most weren’t obedient.

 

Not interesting enough to catch Shi Yan’s attention.

 

She disliked artists who acted arrogantly and caused her trouble. Although Xu Weishuang’s personality didn’t quite fit the entertainment world—too dull and introverted—she was obedient.

 

So obedient that Shi Yan sometimes wondered if Xu Weishuang was afraid of her or had no independent thought.

 

But Yan Muyu often said Xu Weishuang wasn’t actually obedient—she just went along to avoid trouble.

 

“Alright then, I’ll have to persuade her more,” Shi Yan raised her eyebrows and agreed.

 

“What about the photos? Should we suppress them?” Shi Yan asked with a teasing pout.

 

Though the photos didn’t show intimacy, Shi Yan knew Xu Weishuang’s schedule—she barely socialized and stayed in the hotel when off work, rarely going out.

 

Shi Yan had looked into director Liu; she knew Xu Weishuang and Liu Yuebai were sisters, but from Yan Muyu’s attitude, something always felt off.

 

Yan Muyu’s hostility toward Xu Weishuang’s sister was obvious and unmasked; Shi Yan saw it clearly.

 

Yan Muyu lowered her gaze at the photos, and when Shi Yan almost lost patience, Yan Muyu sighed and said, “Just ask her directly. I shouldn’t be making decisions for her anyway.”

 

Her tone was melancholy, the same expression she had when publicly admitting her divorce from Xu Weishuang. Shi Yan understood her feelings and sighed along.

 

“Why bother?” Shi Yan couldn’t help but say.

 

From Shi Yan’s perspective, the two hadn’t spent much time together in their six years of marriage and seemed to have little affection. But when the divorce was mentioned before, Shi Yan still sensed Yan Muyu’s reluctance.

 

But a divorce was a divorce—the entertainment world was full of ups and downs. Any small event could completely change a person. As long as it wasn’t a divorce immediately after marriage causing a big scandal, Shi Yan thought it was manageable.

 

When the divorce actually happened, Yan Muyu’s visible unhappiness made Shi Yan want to ask what they had been doing all these years. If she was so unwilling, why agree to divorce?

 

Shi Yan didn’t know the agreement between them, just felt that after being married so long with no feelings, suddenly something had changed, and now things looked like this.

 

Actors’ feelings were truly unpredictable.

 

Before the divorce, Yan Muyu seemed indifferent; after, she rushed to provide resources and protection.

 

Shi Yan didn’t understand—it was like Yan Muyu only cared about her career and being single.

 

So she took the contract and photos to find Xu Weishuang again. They met in a tea house—Shi Yan loved tasting tea.

 

She sneered a little seeing how Xu Weishuang completely didn’t understand tea ceremony.

 

“I told you on the phone that I’m here for two things: First, you and Liu Yuebai were photographed together; your sister relationship will likely be exposed, and your mother’s story might come up, though that’s minor.”

 

“Second, I’m here on behalf of Huayu Entertainment to invite you to work with us.”

 

Shi Yan finished speaking and placed a contract in front of Xu Weishuang.

 

Xu Weishuang had known beforehand but didn’t expect Shi Yan to bring the contract.

 

“Is this your idea, or Yan Muyu’s?” Xu Weishuang didn’t answer immediately but instead asked Shi Yan.

 

Shi Yan looked at her sitting there with a calm, elegant demeanor—quiet, cold, yet so beautiful that it didn’t look gloomy, just exuding a clear, cold aura.

 

She thought it wasn’t surprising Yan Muyu liked her.

 

Not just a pretty face, Xu Weishuang radiated a captivating coldness and mystery.

 

That made Shi Yan interested, and naturally the audience would be intrigued too.

 

Thinking of Yan Muyu, Shi Yan tried to tease: “You mean my idea or hers?”

 

Xu Weishuang, very smart, immediately caught the teasing tone, shook her head refusing to answer, and coldly repeated her question.

 

Finding her attitude boring, Shi Yan gave up and seriously answered, “It’s my idea, and hers too.”

 

Shi Yan smiled when she saw Xu Weishuang freeze slightly: “She wants to assign you a bodyguard but doesn’t want it under her name, so she found a way. It solves your problem and keeps you under her watch.”

 

Shi Yan didn’t care about their complicated love and hate—since Xu Weishuang wanted to know, she didn’t mind selling Yan Muyu out.

 

She noticed Xu Weishuang seemed to care, maybe moved enough to soften and sign the contract.

 

Xu Weishuang thought of that day when Yan Muyu stormed over in anger, unable to hide her concern for her.

 

She even arranged for a bodyguard to follow her that night—was that when she already thought about this?

 

Xu Weishuang couldn’t figure out Yan Muyu’s thoughts but seemed to glimpse some clues from her actions.

 

She had resolved not to get close to Yan Muyu anymore, trying to endure her feelings, but now with Shi Yan handing her the contract and saying Yan Muyu still cared, something stirred inside her.

 

She had been wondering why Yan Muyu was like this—though divorced, they should have no connection anymore. Even if they met at some event, it should just be a greeting and then strangers with no words.

 

But Yan Muyu kept appearing in her life, making her unable to ignore her, making her heart flutter.

 

“What if I don’t want to?” Xu Weishuang asked.

 

Hearing this, Shi Yan lowered her eyes, said nothing more, just calmly relayed Yan Muyu’s words: “She said since you’ve made your choice, it’s up to you.”

 

Xu Weishuang’s eyelashes trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

 

She thought for a long time; Shi Yan didn’t rush her. If it had been a few days earlier, Xu Weishuang might have refused outright. She sensed she had developed a different craving for Yan Muyu and was too afraid that getting close would hurt her.

 

But that day Liu Yuebai brought her home, told her it wasn’t her fault, told her they wanted to start over.

 

Though Xu Weishuang still didn’t answer, the many years of closure in her heart finally wavered a little.

 

In the end, Xu Weishuang agreed to sign the contract. She needed it—as Shi Yan had said before, being alone in this circle would be especially hard. She also suddenly didn’t want to have no connection with Yan Muyu anymore.

 

She had suppressed herself to the extreme and now allowed herself to break down.

 

She always found good reasons for herself—the contract only meant they were in the same company and didn’t mean they would get closer.

 

Shi Yan also said that since they were both actors in the same circle, the circle was small, and sooner or later, they would run into each other.

 

With this excuse, Xu Weishuang tricked herself into signing. Shi Yan was delighted and advised her to read the contract carefully before signing, then switched to a professional mode and asked about Xu Weishuang’s relationship with Liu Yuebai.

 

Because Yan Muyu had just admitted to the divorce, and now Xu Weishuang was photographed going in and out of the hotel with another woman, the public would naturally speculate.

 

But the public could easily check and find out Xu Weishuang and Liu Yuebai’s relationship; simply going public would explain it, after all, they were legally sisters.

 

Shi Yan just felt something strange between them and that Yan Muyu’s attitude toward Liu Yuebai was odd, so she asked Xu Weishuang.

 

“I publicly acknowledge that she is my sister,” Xu Weishuang replied.

 

This was Liu Yuebai’s request. That day, when Liu Yuebai held her in her arms and spoke of their mother and family, she said she would always be Xu Weishuang’s sister and publicly acknowledge their relationship to restore everything to the beginning.

 

On their mother’s death anniversary, Liu Yuebai had said the same. Back then, Xu Weishuang didn’t believe they could return to how things were; she feared that the Liu Yuebai who had moved on would be bound by her again.

 

She also feared they would torment each other and end up the same as before.

 

But Liu Yuebai hugged her tightly and told her it wouldn’t happen again.

 

They would both work hard to repair their home, for each other and their mother, and become better.

 

Making their family relationship public meant Liu Yuebai would forever be Xu Weishuang’s sister, with no other connection.

 

Xu Weishuang understood Liu Yuebai’s meaning but didn’t know how to respond.

 

Liu Yuebai told her that this was what she truly wanted now.

 

Even if Shi Yan hadn’t asked, Liu Yuebai would have made it public soon.

 

Shi Yan nodded after hearing this and took care of it all together.

 

After finishing the contract, Shi Yan also had to report to Yan Muyu and officially take over Xu Weishuang’s work schedule.

 

Now, not only was Xu Weishuang’s relationship with Liu Yuebai public, but also that Xu Weishuang had signed with the same company as Yan Muyu, which could prove Yan Muyu’s statement to the media that their divorce was peaceful, helping quell the public opinion.

 

Since Liu Yuebai was involved, Shi Yan naturally had to find her to communicate. Liu Yuebai had no reason to refuse and had her team cooperate with Shi Yan.

 

Afterward, Xu Weishuang and Yan Muyu still had to return to the film crew to shoot. Director Tao gave them five days to settle these matters first. Yan Muyu had only a few scenes left to shoot, and once finished, she would wrap up and leave. Xu Weishuang, being a lead actress, had to stay on the set much longer.

 

When Xu Weishuang saw Yan Muyu again, the two were even more distant. They no longer felt the need to hide or pretend in front of the public; they were truly like strangers they once knew. Except when acting together, they no longer needed to be close.

 

Xu Weishuang thought that after signing the contract and working in the same company, they might still have some interactions. But seeing Xu Weishuang’s attitude, she wouldn’t force it.

 

She asked Xu Weishuang, “Why do you still want to help me? Since we’ve drifted apart, why have Shi Yan sign you? Why do you still care about me?”

 

Xu Weishuang wasn’t surprised by Xu Weishuang’s blunt question, only showing a distant smile as if it didn’t matter, answering, “Consider it compensation for my previous failure to abide by the agreement.”

 

Six years ago, they agreed that either could end the relationship anytime, but Xu Weishuang had previously used means to keep Xu Weishuang and hadn’t kept her promise.

 

In fact, Xu Weishuang had long known her intentions. Xu Weishuang herself was hesitant again and again, which delayed the divorce.

 

Now Xu Weishuang took everything on herself, saying Xu Weishuang’s hesitation was under her control, which seemed reasonable but wasn’t really.

 

Xu Weishuang smiled faintly, her clear, gentle eyes full of distance.

 

It seemed to tell Xu Weishuang she didn’t need any further explanation or Xu Weishuang’s opinions; she had made her decision and wouldn’t allow Xu Weishuang to object because now they had no relationship.

 

She didn’t need Xu Weishuang’s approval or interference.

 

So Xu Weishuang felt her heart gradually freeze, nodded, and accepted Xu Weishuang’s so-called compensation.

 

She accepted this distance and estrangement, tacitly allowing everything to happen.

 

Even though this was completely different from what Shi Yan had told her.

 

Xu Weishuang was lying.

 

But so what? They really had ended.

 

After this separation, they probably wouldn’t meet again for a long time. After all, they shared the same manager, and as long as Xu Weishuang wanted, Shi Yan could arrange things to avoid their crossing paths.

 

…

 

Unless Director Tao didn’t want them to avoid each other.

 

Half a year had passed since the divorce storm. Xu Weishuang had long finished filming Director Tao’s drama. During the post-production period, Xu Weishuang followed Shi Yan’s arrangements and continued working on other projects.

 

Because of some heat from appearing on variety shows, and gaining Director Tao’s favor, her comeback was co-starring with actress Luo Qin, and since Xu Weishuang’s company signed her, even though she hadn’t had a proper drama airing yet, she still received a lot of attention from investors.

 

However, Xu Weishuang and Xu Weishuang no longer had any contact. Fans missed their interactions and looked back on their few shared moments, saying they really loved each other.

 

Xu Weishuang still thought of Xu Weishuang, but with many work assignments arranged by Shi Yan, she had to work hard to stay in the public eye during her comeback.

 

Until Director Tao’s drama entered its promotional phase.

 

Director Tao valued this drama highly; she hadn’t filmed TV dramas for a long time, so her return naturally attracted much attention.

 

Xu Weishuang wasn’t a lead, not even a secondary female supporting role, but because of her special identity, Director Tao forcibly pulled her into the promotion.

 

Not only did everyone have to cooperate with publicity events, but they were also invited as guest stars on a popular slow-paced variety show in recent years—“Voices from the Countryside.”

 

The filming location was a remote rural village nestled in the mountains, clearly separated from the bustling city, where people lived simply and sincerely.

 

This was exactly the meaning the show wanted to convey: each season, three different celebrities go to rural areas to live and farm, creating a relaxed, slow-paced, comfortable lifestyle.

 

At the same time, the show presents rural farming and the daily lives of people in remote areas.

 

Previous seasons had great reviews and very high ratings, so this show was chosen for exposure and promotion.

 

This time the participants were lead actresses Xu Weishuang and Luo Qin, popular Xu Weishuang, and Director Tao. Because their schedules differed, they arrived at different times. Luo Qin came later due to attending an awards ceremony.

 

The other three didn’t arrive together either. When Xu Weishuang arrived, Xu Weishuang was already there, sitting in the farmhouse courtyard chatting with Director Tao.

 

Xu Weishuang couldn’t recall how long it had been since she truly saw Xu Weishuang. Seeing her now, she felt somewhat dazed.

 

She stared at Xu Weishuang for a long while until Xu Weishuang turned her gaze, nodded gently, and smiled warmly at her.

 

Xu Weishuang came back to herself, paused slightly, and nodded in return.

 

The gentle yet unfamiliar atmosphere made it seem as if they only knew each other, not closely.

 

But everyone outside knew they were very familiar and once inseparable.

 

So seeing the two so awkward and tense, perhaps only they didn’t realize it.

 

Director Tao, sitting nearby, saw it clearly.

 

She knew a truth: the more awkward they were, the more it meant they hadn’t let go.

 

Whether it was feelings or something else that couldn’t be let go, she didn’t know.

 

This season’s regular stars on the show included a famous variety show host with high popularity and status, Yan Tong, affectionately called Teacher Tongtong.

 

Her partner, with a similar status, was Ji Shu, Teacher Shushu.

 

They had worked together for nearly twenty years. Though they had each done other shows separately and parted for a time, they insisted on staying a duo and still had opportunities to appear together.

 

The last was a singer with a decent reputation but moderate fame, Jiang Qi.

 

Xu Weishuang knew the first two, having often seen them on social media, but had no impression of Jiang Qi.

 

Fortunately, Xu Weishuang controlled the scene, gracefully easing the initial awkwardness, helping Director Tao and Xu Weishuang relax a lot.

 

On the first day, they had no tasks. Teachers Tongtong and Shushu took them to tour the house and explained the accommodation.

 

Because the house was small with only three rooms, Teachers Tongtong and Shushu shared one room, Jiang Qi had the small second room, and there was no more space for others.

 

Thus, guests had to sleep together in the remaining room, sharing mattresses on the floor.

 

Since they were all female guests, no one minded. Given Xu Weishuang and Xu Weishuang recently publicly divorced, fans watched their interactions with interest.

 

Their atmosphere was truly awkward when they met.

 

But filming the show, with cameras rolling, and the host having said it was this environment, Xu Weishuang and Xu Weishuang couldn’t refuse to share the room.

 

When Xu Weishuang publicly explained, she said their divorce was peaceful.

 

“Of course, it’s fine. Sleeping together is nice. I remember once while filming, in the countryside, we saw a meteor shower. Everyone laid mats in the yard and slept together—it was really a beautiful moment,” Xu Weishuang smoothly defused the tension.

 

She saw Teacher Tongtong was trying to explain, so without surprise, she answered politely and changed the topic.

 

“Are there stars visible here at night?”

 

“Probably on the half-mountain slope ahead. We haven’t checked carefully. It’s too cold now to sleep outside in the yard,” Teacher Tongtong said, smiling, picking up the topic.

 

“That’s a pity,” Xu Weishuang smiled.

 

“But there’s a creek ahead. Jiang Qi can take you to see if you can catch some fish,” Teacher Shushu added.

 

Jiang Qi was watering the fields as Teacher Shushu spoke.

 

They were truly doing farm work on the show, with endless tasks for the crew as well.

 

After the introduction, Jiang Qi returned, and everyone exchanged greetings.

 

The first day had few arrangements, considering the guests’ travel fatigue, so they rested early.

 

But Xu Weishuang couldn’t sleep.

 

She was naturally a light sleeper, and Xu Weishuang lay beside her.

 

The conditions weren’t spacious; three people on one mattress was cramped. Xu Weishuang lay close enough that their arms touched.

 

Xu Weishuang’s breath intruded strongly into Xu Weishuang’s lungs.

 

Xu Weishuang smelled a different perfume on Xu Weishuang.

 

Though Xu Weishuang had just showered and naturally wasn’t wearing perfume, there seemed to be a lingering scent.

 

Perhaps Xu Weishuang was just too attentive and detected an unfamiliar fragrance.

 

She closed her eyes, trying to push these thoughts away, but suddenly Director Tao spoke up, pulling them into conversation.

 

“This atmosphere here is really nice. I didn’t expect it before coming; it helps people relax,” Director Tao said softly.

 

Xu Weishuang didn’t respond; Xu Weishuang smiled lightly and said, “Yeah, when I was a kid at home, I could hear toads croaking outside the window at night. It was annoying then, but now I kind of miss it.”

 

Xu Weishuang listened. She later learned Xu Weishuang was unhappy in her family and didn’t like the old house.

 

She was lying again.

 

In the dark, Xu Weishuang smiled gently, as if truly reminiscing, but Xu Weishuang suddenly felt a chill radiating from her.

 

Xu Weishuang always wore a false mask, never revealing her true self for even a moment.

 

Before divorce, she vented on Xu Weishuang; what about now?

 

Did she never relax?

 

Xu Weishuang felt a tightness in her chest and couldn’t help turning toward Xu Weishuang to see her face clearly.

 

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness; close by, she could make out some features. She pressed her lips tightly, willing herself to overcome reason.

 

She looked at Xu Weishuang but did not want to meet her gaze.

 

Those eyes were clear and bright, warm even in the dark.

 

Xu Weishuang was watching her.

 

Xu Weishuang’s heart suddenly surged uncontrollably, instantly burning.

 

Had Xu Weishuang been watching her all along?