Encounter with the ex-husband, a movie star, during a movie date with my younger boyfriend.
The usually aloof younger boyfriend suddenly brightens up.
"They all say that I look like him, do you think we look alike?" he asks.
"Not at all!" I reply.
I tease him lightly: "You're far more passionate in bed than he is."
Upon hearing this, my boyfriend's spirits immediately deflate.
"Am I just a substitute to you?" he queries.
"I'm just joking, don't take it so seriously," I quickly retort.
A gloomy grimace dominates Fang Yuxiao's face, his aura quite depressive.
I continue to tease him nonchalantly: "It's rare for you to show interest in someone from the entertainment industry. Why don't you go get an autograph? I'll wait here for you."
Fang Yuxiao gives me a deep look as if he wants to say something, but eventually he doesn't.
After a long while, he finally utters in a deep voice: "You wait here for me, and don't wander off!"
"Alright," I respond.
Soon enough, Fang Yuxiao is swallowed by the bustling crowd of fans.
Watching the ex-husband who is praised and adored by everyone on stage, I can't help but feel somewhat melancholic.
How long has it been?
Almost three years I guess.
Since the divorce, I've purposely avoided any news about him.
If not for the heat generated by his winning the Best Actor award.
I would have no idea, that he's reached such great heights.
I'm glad for him.
He finally got what he wished for.
Our eyes met unexpectedly as the person on stage glanced towards me.
There was a momentary awkward pause where I couldn't regain my indifference.
I gave him a composed smile.
However, his face didn't look too good.
His polite expression evaporated suddenly, and he seemed quite gloomy.
Come to think of it, this was our first meeting after the divorce.
He hadn't changed much, just lost some weight.
But for actors like him, this image is just right for the camera.
Fu Yanshu leaned in to share something with Fang Yuxiao.
Intuitively, the boy seemed to be in a bad mood.
However, the fans around them were clueless.
They saw nothing more than two incredibly handsome men whispering to each other, which stirred their interests.
"Do you think the young guy looks like Fu Yanshu?".
"I believe so, it's like seeing a younger and an older version of the same person."
"Good heavens! It feels like a heartthrob is having a cross-time conversation."
"The young guy must be a fan of Fu, he must be mimicking him in everything he does!"
"Oh my, this is what it truly means to be an idol!"
...
I just zoned out for a moment, and Fang Yuxiao was already back in front of me.
"What are you looking at?"
"Just enjoying the view!"
I responded with a hearty laugh, "Did you get the autograph? Let me take a look at the masterpiece by your idol."
I took Fang Yuxiao's notebook and flipped it open to look.
The familiar handwriting read: "May Wenli be happy every day, forever blessed."
It was meant for me, no wonder Fu Yanxu noticed me.
I flippantly remarked: "Not bad at all, these characters indeed carry the style of a Best Actor."
"But I'm indifferent towards him, you keep it."
Fang Yuxiao suddenly tore that piece of paper, crumpled it up and tossed it into the trash can.
"What's this?"
"I don't want it anymore."
I still didn't care: "As you wish."
With that, I reached out to hold his hand.
"Let's go, I'll take you to eat something delicious!"
But Fang Yuxiao, as if throwing a fit at someone, abruptly pulled me into his arms.
Showcasing rare assertiveness, he suddenly kissed me in public.
This kiss was fierce and rushed.
As if filled with grievances, he seemed unsatisfied unless he bit me to pieces.
I've always been indulgent to my young boyfriend and didn't mind his crudeness.
There was an inexplicable sense of pleasure.
After it ended, we were both panting, as if everything around us had become illusions, and the world consisted of only the two of us.
I chuckled and lightly touched his cheek, "Shall we go eat?"
"Let's go home, I'll cook."
"Sounds good!"
I walked out of the cinema with my boyfriend.
But then, a hustle and bustle was heard from behind.
"Emperor Fu, what's going on? Why did you suddenly stand up?"
"Yeah, what happened? You even knocked over the table..."
I thought I had already appeased my jealous boyfriend, and after returning home, I sat on the sofa guiltlessly reading a magazine.
But the little 'pup' seemed like he had set off fireworks.
Created a stir in the kitchen as if ready to sell the pots and pans.
Ding-dong noises that irritated me.
I leaned against the kitchen door, "Are you planning to wreck my kitchen?"
Fang Yuxiao stared at me pathetically, slowly opened his mouth.
"Do you know him?"
I didn't expect Fang Yuxiao to be so sharp.
But I am used to going along with my feelings, so I answered him lightly with a little bit of teasing.
"Even if I were rich, I couldn't afford an actor of his caliber, could I?"
I gently patted his shoulder, comforting him, "I promised you that, while we're together, you're the only one."
Fang Yuxiao was staring directly at me.
"He said you've settled for a 'low-grade' replacement."
I...
That Fu Yanxu...
I sighed and fondly patted his head, "Silly goose, you are top-tier."
In fact, I was the one who pursued Fang Yuxiao.
At first, he was only an intern at my company.
Handsome with a good figure, he inadvertently captured my interest.
So, giving in to my instinctual attraction, I initiated the chase.
As a successful businesswoman with a comfortable income, my approach to chasing a man is straightforward, using the best tool I have—money.
Giving flowers, gifting watches, giving cars, offering money...
However, Fang Yuxiao was a tough nut to crack, disregarding all my good intentions.
I'm not the kind of person who takes pleasure in coercing others.
Emotions, after all, are about willing consent.
After my enthusiastic pursuit for a month yielded no response, I decisively gave up.
After all, there are millions of good-looking boys, and not only one Fang Yuxiao.
Coincidentally, the company's business required a trip, allowing me to completely let him go.
When I finally returned, it had already been two months.
I found a stranger at Fang Yuxiao's desk, upon asking casually, I got to know about his recent situation.
Attractive individuals always attract attention easily.
The scenario is the same for both boys and girls.
Seeing my interest, the assistant immediately started chittering away.
"That poor boy, I heard he is an orphan, raised solely by a disabled grandmother," she said.
"His grandmother has aged now and apparently has come down with an illness that demands quite a bit of money."
"We privately discussed whether we should just stop the treatment, considering her advanced age, continuing to live might be more of a torment."
"But the kid refused to give up, insisting on rescuing her."
"He even quit his job here and started to deliver takeaways. I saw him from a distance the other day. A handsome young man was wasting away, becoming so tanned and skinny that it was heartbreaking to see."
Upon hearing this, I made time to visit the hospital, arranging a doctor for his grandmother, and prepaying a large sum of money for the treatment.
I must admit, I had an ulterior motive.
But when he actually came to me, I suddenly found it particularly boring.
Fang Yuxiao stood in front of me, like an innocent girl forced into prostitution.
Despite the defiance on his face, he still gritted his teeth and asked, "Does this mean if I fulfill your demands, we can call it quits?"
Looking at the grown-up boy in front of me, I couldn’t help but smile.
"Firstly, it was you who came to me today."
"Secondly, if I want, a lot of young boys will be lining up for me."
"Little brother, I don't lack men."
"Lastly, if I occasionally want to do charity, you should consider yourself as having hit a $5 million jackpot. No need to make a fuss about it."
"The door is over there, I won't walk you out. Remember to close the door when you leave!"
I casually lay on my bed, playing with my phone, while Fang Yuxiao remained unmoved.
After a long time, his tone slackened: "Why are you helping me?"
I found it amusing, and asked in return, "Why do you think so?"
There was another period of silence. It seemed like Fang Yuxiao had made a certain resolution.
"I only have one request. As long as we are together, it's only me," he said.
Staring at the stubborn boy while suppressing a smile, I slowly agreed, "Okay."
Recounting the past events, in a blink of an eye, we had been together for almost two years.
By calculation, the marriage between Fu Yanxu and I only lasted two years as well.
For someone as nonchalant as me, it was a miracle.
It was as if Fang Yuxiao was truly stimulated by Fu Yanxu, he was particularly passionate that night.
After all, he was a man in his early 20s and his energy boundless.
Unfortunately for my waist, it took quite a beating.
The next morning, I was awakened by the hurried ringing of my cell phone.
With my eyes closed, I reached for my phone, yet the person by my side picked it up first.
"Hello, who is it?"
The man's morning voice was somewhat husky and alluring.
"She's still asleep."
And then, there was silence.
Fang Yuxiao put my phone back in its place and whispered in my ear, "I don't have class this morning, let's sleep a bit more."
"Mm-hmm."
I fell back into a daze and slept.
The only thing I noticed was the person behind me inexplicably tightening his grip.
As if he wanted to merge me into his body.
When I woke up again, it was almost noon.
My virtuous boyfriend was, as usual, cooking.
After eating, I took him back to school and then went to work at my company.
As soon as I got to the office, my assistant excitedly said, "Ms Wen, the film emperor Fu Yanxu has agreed to work with us!"
"Huh? What cooperation?"
When did this happen? I had no idea.
The assistant's face was blushing with excitement that she could not hide.
"Our new collection for the coming fall. We initially sent the invite for collaboration to the film emperor's studio with a try-and-see attitude, but to our surprise, they actually responded and directly agreed!"
I did instruct the marketing department to look for suitable spokespersons.
"But I didn't expect this group to actually initiate contact with Fu Yanxu.
Considering his status in the entertainment industry, and the power and purchasing capability of his fans, he truly is an excellent choice for endorsement.
This collaboration would be extremely profitable for me.
The only thing bothering me is our past relationship.
We didn't agree immediately, just said we would consider it.
My assistant, who has been with me for over two years, knows my habits very well she handed me the estimated profit report calculated by the marketing department with a big smile.
When I saw that long list of zeros...
I admit, I felt a bit dizzy.
While I was engrossed in the financial report, my phone rang.
'Hello, this is Wen Li.'
There was silence on the other end for a moment, before he said, 'You deleted my number.'
I glanced at my phone screen.
The familiar number was there, just without a name.
'Is there something you need?'"
"Miss Wen is finally awake."
"Huh?"
I was puzzled, wondering what's gotten into him.
"Wen Li, you are heartless."
I was torn between laughter and tears.
"Emperor Fu Ying, what's the matter that you suddenly call for me?"
"Didn't your company ask me to be the brand ambassador?"
"Must be a misunderstanding on both sides. Doesn't your agent know that Li An is my company?"
"Sister Chen has been fired by me."
"Huh?"
I was somewhat surprised.
That shrewd and competent woman had a thing for Fu Yansu; it was clear to anyone with eyes.
However, she understood the rules of the entertainment circle, had ample resources, and astute ways.
She was bothered by my presence, even though I once was Fu Yansu's lawful wife.
Even so, she set up a high-profile single man image for Fu Yansu and tirelessly promoted him in various dramas with different actors.
"Because of her, I am an existence that can't be found.
But it was also because of her that Fu Yanxu was ushered onto the divine altar in just a few years; becoming a true top-tier star, the current Movie Emperor.
Without her, there would be no Fu Yanxu today.
I just never expected Fu Yanxu to actually have the heart to dismiss her.
A mockery reached my ears.
'Didn't everyone know about my contract termination with Chen Qian? Do you even not know about me setting up my own independent studio?'
'It seems that in these three years, Miss Wen indeed doesn't concern herself with the world outside her window.'"