After staying up for several nights, Chen Ze finally finished his work ahead of schedule and caught up with the moment when Cheng Xiamei won the award for the best female singer.
He stood silently in the audience.
Watching her give a heartfelt thank-you to her white moonlight: “No matter how much time and space separates us, you will always be the most special person to me.”
Chen Ze turned around and left silently.
After five years of marriage, he was suddenly tired.
He didn’t want to keep running towards Cheng Xiamei unilaterally anymore.
01
Before taking off, Chen Ze was about to turn off his phone when a message from Cheng Xiamei popped up: “You don’t need to come to the award ceremony. Just focus on your work in Nancheng.”
Chen Ze smiled. How could he miss such an important moment for Cheng Xiamei?
In order to catch up with tonight’s award ceremony, he had been working continuously for several days and finally finished the work in Nancheng ahead of time.
Just a few minutes before takeoff, Chen Ze sent a message to Cheng Xiamei: “I’m already on the plane.”
Until the plane took off, Cheng Xiamei didn’t reply.
Chen Ze turned off his phone. The exhaustion of the past few days rushed over him like a tide, and he put on an eye mask and fell into a deep sleep.
After the plane landed, Chen Ze went straight to the award ceremony venue.
When he hurriedly entered through the side door, the list of finalists for the best female singer was just scrolling on the big screen.
With the dynamic music beats and the constantly changing pictures of female singers, the atmosphere became tense.
Chen Ze couldn’t help but stop and hold his breath, waiting for the result to be announced.
Finally, the music stopped, and the picture stayed on Cheng Xiamei’s bright and confident smile.
Amid the cheers of the whole audience, Cheng Xiamei walked onto the stage to receive the award in an elegant black fishtail dress.
She gracefully thanked many people.
Finally, she looked around the audience, and suddenly stopped in one direction.
She lowered her head almost imperceptibly, as if she had made an important decision. When she raised her head again, she said word by word: “Finally, I also want to thank a very special person.”
Chen Ze’s throat tightened. They had been secretly married for five years and had never mentioned each other outside.
Now, was Cheng Xiamei going to make it public on this occasion?
Chen Ze stared at Cheng Xiamei’s face, and his nervous heart was beating wildly.
From the microphone came Cheng Xiamei’s gentle yet firm voice: “Thank you, my old friend Lin Yu, who specially came back from the United States to participate in the arrangement of my new album. No matter how much time and space separates us, you will always be the most special person to me!”
Chen Ze’s face turned pale.
The camera wandered around the audience and finally on Lin Yu’s face.
On the big screen, Lin Yu stood up slightly to signal. He was wearing a white haute couture dress, with a gentle smile on his handsome face, and his eyes intertwined with Cheng Xiamei’s from a distance.
In the venue, screams came one after another, and the atmosphere was high, but Chen Ze’s heart sank to the bottom of the sea.
Lin Yu was back.
No matter how long he had disappeared, as long as he showed up, he would always be the most special person to Cheng Xiamei.
What about him?
As the person who had been married to her for almost five years and shared the same pillow, what was he?
Chen Ze found a corner and numbly waited until the award ceremony ended and the crowd dispersed before he got up and went backstage.
The door of the lounge was open, and there was no one inside.
On the small terrace at the end of the corridor, Cheng Xiamei’s graceful figure was leaning against the railing.
It was already late at night. She was wearing a black dress, and her black curly hair flowed down like waves, almost blending with the night.
She gently brushed her hair, and the scarlet tip of her cigarette flickered on and off in the darkness.
A white figure emerged from one side.
Lin Yu reached out and took the cigarette from Cheng Xiamei’s hand, his voice low and gentle: “Don’t smoke. Do you still want your voice?”
Cheng Xiamei, who had always been proud, surprisingly didn’t lose her temper and patiently explained instead: “I don’t smoke often. I just smoke one when I’m occasionally upset.”
Lin Yu put out the cigarette and asked Cheng Xiamei: “Why are you upset today? Is it because of me?”
Cheng Xiamei didn’t answer his question but asked instead: “Since we haven’t been in touch for so many years, why did you come back?”
Lin Yu was silent for a moment and then said softly: “I came back for you. Is it too late?”
Chen Ze stood in the corridor, quietly watching the two people standing side by side on the terrace, and a self-mocking smile curved his lips.
For five years of marriage, he had always been running towards Cheng Xiamei like this.
But Cheng Xiamei had never waited for him.
Chen Ze suddenly felt tired. He didn’t want to keep running towards Cheng Xiamei unilaterally anymore.
He had taken ninety-nine steps, but he could never wait for the other person’s one step.
There’s nothing wrong with liking someone. The mistake is that you shouldn’t keep knocking on a door that won’t open for you.
Why make it so difficult for yourself and others?
Chen Ze quietly turned around and left the backstage without a sound.
02
Lin Yu was Cheng Xiamei’s first love. They had formed a band in college and were an enviable couple.
When they separated later, it was also heart-wrenching.
Cheng Xiamei came from a wealthy family, and her family simply looked down on Lin Yu, an ordinary person.
When they tried to elope but failed, Cheng Xiamei’s father had Lin Yu’s legs broken, and Cheng Xiamei was locked up at home.
When the Cheng family let Cheng Xiamei out, Lin Yu only left a breakup letter, asking Cheng Xiamei to forget him, and then there was no news for years.
Chen Ze had a rather awkward identity in this story. He was Cheng Xiamei’s fiancé.
The two families had already arranged a marriage contract, but Cheng Xiamei simply didn’t recognize it. She openly dated Lin Yu. Even after being forced to separate later, she still didn’t show Chen Ze any kindness.
Later, the Chen family went bankrupt, and no one mentioned the marriage contract anymore. Chen Ze entered the entertainment circle to pay off his debts.
Life in the entertainment circle was extremely difficult. In order to get a small role, he even drank until he had a stomach hemorrhage and still had to be grateful.
All these were nothing compared to the more embarrassing situation of being harassed by the investors with their unspoken rules.
At a reception, Chen Ze was noticed by a boss who liked to force himself on straight men. He was so pestered that he couldn’t get away.
In a hurry, he blurted out that Cheng Xiamei was his fiancée.
Unexpectedly, the boss raised his eyebrows and waved to someone not far away: “Miss Cheng, this man says he’s your fiancé?”
Chen Ze didn’t know that Cheng Xiamei was also there. His knuckles turned white as he held the wine glass. He thought he would be slapped in the face in public, but unexpectedly, Cheng Xiamei gave him a deep look and then turned to smile: “Mr. Lu, do you have your eye on my fiancé? Unfortunately, what I, Cheng Xiamei, like will never be given to others.”
After the event, Chen Ze thanked Cheng Xiamei.
Cheng Xiamei said casually: “The marriage contract is still there. Do you want to marry me?”
At that moment, Chen Ze was both shocked and confused.
He didn’t understand at all what reason Cheng Xiamei had for wanting to marry him, but he almost immediately agreed.
There was no ceremony, not even a wedding ring. They just simply got the marriage certificate.
It was only after marriage that he learned that Cheng Xiamei had to get married in order to inherit the inheritance left by Old Mr. Cheng.
After getting the inheritance, Cheng Xiamei quickly founded Zhixia Entertainment, and Chen Ze was the first artist she signed.
The contract period was five years. Now, there was still one month left until it expired.
Chen Ze didn’t know whether to continue or not, whether it was for work or marriage.
…
Chen Ze buried his head in the pillow, lost in thought. Suddenly, the bed beside him sank, and a warm body pressed against him from behind.
He froze and subconsciously moved away.
This action made Cheng Xiamei feel a nameless anger in her heart. She grabbed Chen Ze’s body and turned it around, and the next second, she pressed herself onto him.
Their faces were almost touching, and their hot breaths lingered between them.
Chen Ze turned his gaze away and pushed Cheng Xiamei off him: “I’m too tired today. I don’t want to do it.”
For five years of marriage, Chen Ze had always been the one taking the initiative. Today, he actually refused her?
Cheng Xiamei sneered and reached out to untie Chen Ze’s silk pajamas, saying unhurriedly: “Isn’t it better to be honest? Don’t you want it every day?”
Chen Ze had a thousand thoughts in his mind and finally asked: “Why didn’t you let me go to the award ceremony?”
Cheng Xiamei paused. She turned on the bedside lamp and looked at Chen Ze.
The dim light shone on Chen Ze’s face, reflecting a rare cold expression.
Cheng Xiamei just felt extremely disappointed: “Are you making a fuss just because of a polite remark? Who are you showing that cold face to?”
Chen Ze lowered his eyes, his voice cold: “If you want, there will always be someone willing to smile for you.”
Hearing this, Cheng Xiamei sneered: “You think too much.”
She turned over and got out of bed, pretending to leave.
Behind her, there was silence, and there were no words of retention as she expected.
Cheng Xiamei slammed the door hard and went to the guest room.
03
After Cheng Xiamei left, Chen Ze tossed and turned until it was almost dawn before he managed to sleep for a while.
In the morning, when he was awakened by the ringing of his phone, Cheng Xiamei had already left.
The call was from his assistant, Xiao Jiang: “Brother Chen, just now the company notified us that our variety show has been replaced!”
Chen Ze had a splitting headache and didn’t react for a moment: “What’s been replaced?”
“The variety show for original singers. The company said you won’t be allowed to participate anymore!”
Xiao Jiang picked up Chen Ze and went to the company. His agent, Sister Wu, was arguing with the planning department. Through the glass door, they couldn’t hear the content clearly. They only saw Sister Wu finally come out angrily.
Sister Wu saw Chen Ze, her eyes were a little red, and her voice was still trembling: “It’s so bullying. You’ve been preparing for this variety show for half a year, and now they just change the person like this!”
Chen Ze suddenly had a bad feeling. He forced himself to calm down and asked: “Who’s it been changed to?”
Sister Wu looked at him with a complicated expression and didn’t say a word for a long time.
Only she and Xiao Jiang in the whole company knew the relationship between Chen Ze and Cheng Xiamei.
She had also watched yesterday’s award ceremony. She felt embarrassed and indignant for Chen Ze and really couldn’t bring herself to say that name.
Then a push notification on his phone showed the hot search. The official Weibo of the program team released the list of contestants.
Lin Yu was on the list.
Chen Ze clenched his fists and rushed straight to Cheng Xiamei’s office.
“Why was the person changed?”
Cheng Xiamei put down the document in her hand and said coldly: “It’s the company’s decision. There’s no need to explain it to you.”
Chen Ze’s heart was stabbed. He asked Cheng Xiamei in a hoarse voice: “The company doesn’t need to explain to employees, but what about you? Don’t you need to explain to me either?”
He had been preparing for this original song variety show for a long time. He had carefully created several songs. His next career development was related to this show. It was the best opportunity since he entered the industry, and he couldn’t give it up.
All of this, Cheng Xiamei clearly knew, but she didn’t care at all: “This matter is already settled. There’s no need to say more. If you’re in a bad mood, just take a few days off and have a rest.”
After saying that, she got up and left without hesitation.
Chen Ze’s vision went black, and he could hardly stand steady. How could she be so heartless?
At the beginning, when he knew that Cheng Xiamei got married because she was restricted by the will, he calmly mentioned divorce.
After all, no matter how humble he was, he didn’t want to trap someone who didn’t love him with a piece of paper.
But Cheng Xiamei said it wasn’t necessary and told him not to think too much.
He summoned up his courage and asked Cheng Xiamei: “Are we really a couple?”
Cheng Xiamei smiled: “Chen Ze, do you know the duck test theory? If there’s a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it might be a duck.”
Now Chen Ze understood that this theory wasn’t correct.
They hugged, kissed, and spent every day together, doing all the things that lovers do.
But they weren’t lovers.
He was just a humble gambler who had gambled away five years of time and all his love.
The next day, Xiao Jiang heard from the people in the company that Cheng Xiamei had personally taken Lin Yu to visit the person in charge of the TV station for the matter of Lin Yu participating in the variety show.
Xiao Jiang was indignant: “Sister Wu went to the planning department to ask about the arrangements for our vacant schedule, and those guys said they didn’t know! They also said that President Cheng asked us to take a holiday first. What kind of holiday! Isn’t it just leaving us aside?”
Chen Ze didn’t really hear what Xiao Jiang was saying. All his attention was attracted by the news online.
Cheng Xiamei and Lin Yu were on the hot search. They were photographed entering a hotel together, with their backs close to each other.
Yesterday’s acceptance speech by Cheng Xiamei at the award ceremony had also spread. Netizens quickly dug up the relationship between the two when they formed a band years ago.
Someone posted a video of the band’s open-air performance back then.
In the video, after the performance was over, the two were packing up their instruments.
The fan who took the video called Lin Yu to look at the camera and asked loudly: “Is it true between you and Cheng Xiamei?”
Lin Yu looked up at Cheng Xiamei under the cherry tree not far away and smiled: “It’s always true.”
The long-ago memories flooded back again, and the scene of that day seemed to be right in front of his eyes.
Chen Ze was also there that day. He stood on the grass far away, outside the camera’s range.
He watched Cheng Xiamei under the cherry tree, bright and lively.
He watched Lin Yu put his arm around Cheng Xiamei and kiss her on the forehead. The two of them were a perfect match.
He had never thought that he would marry Cheng Xiamei one day, and he never expected that after five years, it was all in vain.
Xiao Jiang’s shout pulled Chen Ze out of his memories: “Brother Chen? What are you thinking? What should we do about this?”
04
Chen Ze comforted Xiao Jiang not to worry. Since it was a rare break, he should relax well. As for the follow-up matters, he would negotiate with the company.
Online, the rumors about Cheng Xiamei and Lin Yu were spreading like wildfire.
A few years ago, the band “Rose Island” formed by the two of them had become somewhat popular in a small circle and had quite a number of old fans.
This time, Lin Yu made a high-profile comeback by participating in a national variety show, which attracted a lot of CP fans.
Lin Yu’s social media account gained followers rapidly. He posted a dynamic with a photo of two cups of coffee placed close to each other on the table. There was no one in the picture, but it gave off a warm and ambiguous atmosphere.
He captioned it: “This familiar taste, I’ve been waiting for it for many years.”
In the comment section, a CP fan asked: “Is ‘Rose Island’ real?”
Lin Yu’s answer was the same as back then: “It’s always real.”
Chen Ze felt a sharp pang of bitterness in his heart. He stared blankly at the two cups of coffee in the picture, his eyes feeling hot.
Cheng Xiamei liked hand-ground coffee. For this reason, Chen Ze had tried many times at home by following online teaching videos, but he just couldn’t get the hang of it.
Cheng Xiamei laughed at him for not having the talent and told him to give up, saying that she had mastered it after just a few attempts when she first tried.
Chen Ze asked her to demonstrate, but she suddenly stopped smiling and said that she had forgotten long ago since she hadn’t done it for years.
The coffee machine at home had been left unused ever since, and Chen Ze had never drunk the coffee made by Cheng Xiamei.
So, Cheng Xiamei hadn’t forgotten anything.
Never.
At the same time, at Lin Yu’s place, Cheng Xiamei also saw that comment.
She put down her coffee cup and said softly: “These CP fans just won’t stop shipping us. We should clarify the rumors later.”
Lin Yu was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, there was a tinge of bitterness in his words: “There’s no way to clarify. I like you, and that’s not a rumor.”
Cheng Xiamei looked up at Lin Yu, her mind in a turmoil and unable to sort out her thoughts. After thinking for a while, she just said in a low voice: “I’m married.”
Lin Yu took her hand and kissed it reverently on his lips: “I can wait.”
At that moment, Cheng Xiamei’s phone rang. It was Chen Ze calling.
She froze for a few seconds and subconsciously rejected the call.
The call was hung up. Chen Ze tightened his grip on the phone and decided to go to the company to find Cheng Xiamei.
He wasn’t alone. Xiao Jiang had been following him since he started working, and Sister Wu was also his old friend. If Chen Ze didn’t have a job, it would mean they wouldn’t have an income either.
When Chen Ze arrived at the company, Cheng Xiamei was losing her temper. People were gathered outside her office, eavesdropping.
Seeing Chen Ze coming, everyone had complicated expressions and made way for him.
Sister Wu’s face was flushed, and she was standing in front of Cheng Xiamei’s desk with her head down.
Cheng Xiamei looked up and saw Chen Ze, and angrily scolded: “Just in time. Look at what your people have done!”
It turned out that under Lin Yu’s post, someone commented: “My family is in the entertainment circle. I heard that Cheng Xiamei is married.”
The CP fans attacked her. She was unconvinced and showed evidence that her family was in the circle and also revealed some details about Cheng Xiamei’s secret marriage.
Netizens began to suspect and argued heatedly.
Lin Yu was comforting the CP fans below: “Don’t argue. The truth is always the truth.”
Sister Wu was indignant for a moment and left a comment below: “What’s the truth? Flirting with a married woman and being a homewrecker, that’s the truth, right?”
She actually forgot to switch to her anonymous account and used her verified company agent account.
Although she deleted it quickly after realizing it, it had already been screenshot by netizens and spread.
For a while, the rumor that Lin Yu was a homewrecker was rampant.
Cheng Xiamei was furious and informed the HR department to fire Sister Wu immediately.
Sister Wu’s face turned ashen, and she turned to pack her things. Chen Ze stopped her with a solemn face.
He asked calmly: “Why fire Sister Wu?”
Cheng Xiamei still had anger on her face: “She’s talking nonsense and ruining the image of the company’s artists…”
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Ze interrupted her: “What nonsense did she say? Aren’t you married?”
The people eavesdropping outside the door gasped and quickly dispersed, not daring to listen anymore.
Cheng Xiamei’s face turned red and then pale. She felt inexplicably guilty but couldn’t refute, so she could only be tough and say: “Firing her is my decision. You have no right to question it.”
Chen Ze felt a sharp pain in his heart.
Five years ago, Cheng Xiamei started her own business independently from the Cheng family, and the first artist she signed was him.
Over the past five years, he had put aside personal gains and losses and done his best, putting Cheng Xiamei’s career first.
In the end, all he got was the words “You have no right.”
Indeed, one can’t climb a wall that’s falling towards oneself.
05
The surrounding was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Chen Ze heard his own voice, light as a feather: “If you insist on firing her, then terminate my contract as well.”
Cheng Xiamei looked incredulous, her face tense and her eyes sharp: “Are you threatening me?”
Chen Ze said calmly: “I’m just stating the facts.”
Cheng Xiamei threw the signature pen in her hand, and the fragments flew everywhere.
“Don’t think that threatening me will work. If you really want to terminate the contract, write the application quickly. I’ll sign it for you right away! You can go wherever you like!”
Chen Ze left the company with Sister Wu.
Sister Wu felt very guilty and advised Chen Ze not to be impulsive.
“You’ve been in the industry for seven or eight years. It’s not easy to finally have a chance to become popular. Don’t bet your career on this out of anger with President Cheng. It’s my fault for not being careful and causing this trouble.”
Chen Ze shook his head: “Sister Wu, it’s not because of this. I didn’t plan to renew the contract anyway. Now it’s just one month earlier. Please help me prepare for my personal studio. Xiao Jiang will still be with us. Anyway, we won’t starve.”
Chen Ze didn’t waste any time. He went to the legal department to get the contract termination documents and then went to a law firm to entrust a lawyer to draft a simple divorce agreement.
He didn’t want anything except the little savings in his salary account.
Chen Ze returned to the company and handed a stack of documents to Cheng Xiamei.
Cheng Xiamei was stunned for a moment. When she saw clearly that it was the contract termination agreement, her expression changed. She flipped through the documents in her hand, as if she suddenly became interested in those long contract termination clauses.
Seeing Cheng Xiamei constantly turning the pages, Chen Ze’s heart couldn’t help but beat faster.
At that moment, Cheng Xiamei’s phone rang, and she immediately put the documents aside and answered the call.
Her voice suddenly became gentle:
“Of course physical therapy is useful. It’s very suitable for treating your old injuries like this.”
“Of course we’ll go. When there’s time…”
Chen Ze felt inexplicably irritable. He flipped the documents to the signature pages, gently tapped on the table, and urged Cheng Xiamei to sign.
Lin Yu was still speaking softly on the phone, but Cheng Xiamei didn’t hear a word he said.
She looked at the impatient expression on Chen Ze’s face and felt a rush of anger.
Chen Ze handed her the signature pen.
Cheng Xiamei, full of anger, signed with a straight face and didn’t say a word.
The signature page of the divorce agreement was sandwiched among the stack of contract termination documents, but Cheng Xiamei, who had always been meticulous, didn’t notice it.
Chen Ze’s nervous heart gradually calmed down. He couldn’t tell if it was out of luck or disappointment.
Everything was fate.
He had consulted a lawyer. Once Cheng Xiamei signed it, after the 30-day divorce cooling-off period ended, their marriage would be over.
Chen Ze took the signed documents and walked out of Cheng Xiamei’s office without looking back.
He didn’t know that Cheng Xiamei’s angry eyes were almost burning two holes in his back.
Chen Ze took out the signature page of the divorce agreement and submitted the contract termination documents to the company’s legal department.
When he walked out of the company, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief. The end was also a new beginning. There was nothing wrong with it.
Whether it was the contract termination or the divorce, it was just a matter of time. He just advanced the time a little.
Instead of waiting to be kicked out, it was better to leave on his own initiative. At least he could retain a little dignity, right?
He didn’t directly mention divorce because he knew Cheng Xiamei’s proud temper.
Even if she wanted to divorce, she would never allow those words to come out of Chen Ze’s mouth first.
Chen Ze didn’t want to argue with Cheng Xiamei anymore. Every sneer and every sarcastic remark from her was hard for him to bear.
He just wanted to spend these last 30 days calmly and then disappear from Cheng Xiamei’s world.
Anyway, he shouldn’t have stepped into this in the first place.
06
That night, Chen Ze started packing his things. Sister Wu had some connections in the entertainment circle in Nancheng, and they planned to set up the studio in Nancheng.
Cheng Xiamei didn’t come back all night.
Chen Ze felt more and more that his decision was very correct.
During the five years of marriage, regardless of their relationship, Cheng Xiamei had never stayed out all night except when on business trips.
Although Cheng Xiamei didn’t have any sweet words, with Chen Ze’s one-sided efforts to maintain this relationship, the two of them got along fairly well, and their sex life was harmonious too.
Occasionally, when there were small disagreements, at night, after turning off the lights, Cheng Xiamei would still domineeringly grab Chen Ze’s arm and put it around her waist.
She was used to falling asleep in Chen Ze’s arms, and because of this, the two of them never had any overnight conflicts.
But Lin Yu had only been back for a few days, and Cheng Xiamei started staying out all night.
This battle had no chance of winning. Giving up directly was the wisest choice.
Chen Ze didn’t sleep all night and almost finished packing the things he wanted to take away.
After packing, he realized that he had very few personal belongings, but there were a lot of shared items.
Almost all the items in the house were carefully bought by him, ranging from large furniture and home appliances to small decorative paintings, couple’s slippers, and tooth mugs.
Each item was brought back to their love nest bit by bit with his full love, just like a swallow building its nest.
Now that he was leaving, he didn’t plan to take any of them away.
He had given Cheng Xiamei many things, and he planned to throw them all away. There was only one thing that Cheng Xiamei gave him, but it made him feel hesitant and troubled.
That was a ring.
When they got married, there was no ceremony, not even a wedding ring.
Not long after marriage, he summoned up the courage to ask Cheng Xiamei if she wanted to wear a wedding ring. Cheng Xiamei laughed at him: “We’re having a secret marriage. Why wear a ring?”
He was full of disappointment, but he didn’t expect that a few days later, Cheng Xiamei threw him a jewelry box, and there was a ring inside.
Cheng Xiamei looked indifferent: “It’s not a wedding ring. You can wear it if you want. Anyway, I won’t wear it.”
Chen Ze had searched online. That style was a limited customized one of a brand, and its name was “Endless Love”, and the promotional theme was a token of love.
How could it not be a wedding ring?
Chen Ze was overjoyed. Knowing that Cheng Xiamei had always been stubborn and thin-skinned, he didn’t expose it and wore the wedding ring by himself ever since.
Now, he took off the wedding ring and put it back in the jewelry box, feeling undecided.
Should he return it to Cheng Xiamei?
Chen Ze sat there for a long time, sighed, and put the jewelry box into his luggage.
Let him take this ring away. Five years of marriage and decades of unrequited love should leave some traces in his life.
Otherwise, he would really have nothing.
Chen Ze put all the couple’s items he had bought before into cardboard boxes, planning to take them downstairs and throw them away.
Just as he walked to the door, the password lock beeped, and Cheng Xiamei opened the door and walked in.
She glanced at the cardboard boxes in Chen Ze’s arms: “What are you doing?”
Chen Ze lowered his eyes: “There are too many idle items at home. They’re useless and take up space. I’m going to throw them away.”
Cheng Xiamei nodded and went to the bathroom.
If she had asked one more question or opened the box to take a look, she would have found that the things Chen Ze was about to throw away were all the things he had once treasured.
Unfortunately, her mind was full of Lin Yu’s affairs.
Deciding to let Lin Yu replace Chen Ze to participate in the variety show was just an impulsive decision of hers. She didn’t expect there would be so much trouble later.
It was an original singer variety show, and Lin Yu didn’t have any ready-made original works. Now, it was very troublesome to find a ghostwriter to write songs for him temporarily. They needed reliable people and also had to ensure the quality of the songs.
Yesterday, she and the people in the planning department had been busy all night, but there was still no good solution.
Cheng Xiamei came out of the bathroom with a look of annoyance and asked Chen Ze: “Why did you change my tooth mug?”
The original tooth mug was a couple’s one, and Chen Ze had just taken it downstairs and thrown it away, replacing it with an ordinary glass mug casually.
Chen Ze made up an excuse casually: “Tooth mugs need to be changed regularly after using them for a long time.”
Cheng Xiamei nodded indifferently: “Then buy one that’s similar. I’m not used to this one now.”
07
Cheng Xiamei sat down at the dining table and then realized that there was only Chen Ze’s breakfast on the table, and there was nothing on her seat.
This kind of treatment that had never happened before made her angry instantly: “Wasn’t it your request to terminate the contract? What’s the point of this? You didn’t even make breakfast for me?”
Chen Ze explained calmly: “I didn’t know you would come back for breakfast this morning.”
Thinking that she hadn’t come back all night, Cheng Xiamei’s anger dissipated a lot.
This man was like this. Obviously jealous and angry, but he deliberately acted calm and indifferent. He was really hopeless.
Cheng Xiamei simply made herself a sandwich and poured some milk, ate quickly, and then said to Chen Ze: “I’m going on a business trip for about a week. Help me pack my luggage.”
She thought Chen Ze would ask if she was going with Lin Yu and was already thinking about how to explain.
But Chen Ze didn’t ask at all. He quietly packed her things and then put the suitcase by the door, looking like he was ready to see her off immediately.
Cheng Xiamei tightened her grip on the suitcase handle and decided to tell him anyway to avoid this petty man from overthinking at home.
“I’m going on a business trip with Lin Yu…”
She looked at Chen Ze’s expression, but Chen Ze didn’t even glance this way. He just said “Hmm”.
“There are other people from the company going with us too. He and I… Those are just the company’s promotional stunts to boost his debut. Don’t think too much.”
Chen Ze nodded: “I know. You’re just doing it for the company. I’m not thinking too much.”
Chen Ze’s overly calm reaction made Cheng Xiamei feel something was wrong, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
She thought for a while and then said again: “You take a few days off first. We’ll discuss work when I get back.”
Chen Ze shook his head: “No need. I have my own arrangements.”
“You have arrangements? What arrangements?”
Before Chen Ze could answer, Cheng Xiamei’s phone rang. The appointed time had come, and the driver and Lin Yu were waiting for her downstairs.
Chen Ze gently urged: “You’d better go now.”
Cheng Xiamei pulled the suitcase and left in a hurry.
She was gone for a whole week.
During this period, Chen Ze wasn’t idle either. The studio was confirmed to be set up in Nancheng. Xiao Jiang had already gone there first to look for a house and prepare the office.
Sister Wu was also busy registering the company, negotiating contracts, and making work arrangements.
Only Chen Ze was the most idle. He cleaned up all the traces of himself in the house.
When Cheng Xiamei came back from the business trip, she noticed that Chen Ze’s beloved flowers and plants on the terrace were gone and casually asked: “Where are your flowers?”
Chen Ze made up an excuse that he didn’t want to plant them anymore, and Cheng Xiamei didn’t ask further.
She looked hesitant and finally said with some difficulty: “Those songs you prepared before, I plan to give them to Lin Yu to use for the show.”
Chen Ze stood up abruptly and blurted out: “No way!”
Cheng Xiamei had expected this and patiently explained: “I know those are your painstaking efforts. The company will give you satisfactory compensation. Anyway, you can write more songs, right?”
How could he write more?
He had spent half a year carefully preparing those songs, and each song was created with his love for Cheng Xiamei.
Every melody, every word, was filled with his infinite love.
There would never be any more like them.
Chen Ze firmly disagreed: “The songs are mine. They have nothing to do with the company. If you insist on doing this, I’ll see you in court.”
She didn’t expect him to be so resolute and leave no room for negotiation.
The recent days of running around without success had also made Cheng Xiamei lose her patience. She said coldly:
“Don’t forget the contract you signed before. All the copyrights of the works during the work period belong to the company. I’m just informing you, not negotiating with you.”
08
It was as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head. Chen Ze felt icy cold all over.
When he signed the contract with all his trust back then, he had never thought that one day Cheng Xiamei would use this contract to threaten him.
He also hadn’t thought that Cheng Xiamei, who had always been honest and upright, would go this far for Lin Yu.
He stared fixedly at the person in front of him, trying to find something different from before on her face.
Time had been especially kind to Cheng Xiamei. Her bright and flamboyant face was almost the same as before, except that there was an extra sharpness in her eyes and an air of superiority as a person in a higher position.
Overwhelmingly complicated emotions surged in his chest. Chen Ze felt that he couldn’t face Cheng Xiamei anymore. Before leaving, he threw out a sentence:
“I’ll sell the copyright right now. If you’re not afraid of a lawsuit, just go ahead and use it.”
He rushed out of the door in a hurry, his mind in turmoil and unable to calm down.
Saying that he would sell the copyright was just an angry outburst. Now, driving aimlessly on the street, he didn’t even know where to go.
Sister Wu called, her voice anxious: “Chen Ze, look at the company’s official Weibo quickly!”
The push notification on his phone had already shown on the screen. The company’s official Weibo posted an announcement:
“@Chen Ze, Zhixia Entertainment has officially terminated the contract with artist Chen Ze. All the copyrights of the works during the artist’s contract period belong to the company. Any infringement will be pursued.”
Lin Yu also had a new update. He posted a short video of himself playing and singing:
“I’m searching for the moon in the thick night and the sea breeze.
You come towards me, your skirt fluttering like wildfire, burning hot.
You bend down and embrace and kiss me.
I see the first rose blooming in the swamp.
The collision between the sunrise and the long night.
As a flaw,
I meet my swan song.”
Lin Yu captioned it: “The so-called ‘Swan Song’ is just putting my heart’s voice on the wings of melody.”
Chen Ze slammed his hand on the steering wheel hard.
How dare he?
How dare he shamelessly sing Chen Ze’s song and claim that every word was his own swan song?
The original name of this song was “Rose in the Swamp”. To Chen Ze, Cheng Xiamei was the only rose in his swamp.
But now, every lyric he had written with his heart had become the biggest irony.
Chen Ze’s eyes trembled violently with emotion. He didn’t notice that the large truck in front was reversing illegally and crashed straight into it.
With a loud bang, the violent impact made Chen Ze’s vision go black and he almost lost consciousness.
He forced himself to stay清醒 and tried to get out of the car, only to find that his ankle was stuck by the deformed car door and he couldn’t move.
Chen Ze was sweating profusely from the pain, but fortunately, he was still conscious. He called 120 for emergency help.
The doctor examined the injury and found that it wasn’t too serious, but he still needed to have a minor operation. The nurse asked him to contact his family.
Sister Wu and Xiao Jiang were both in Nancheng today and couldn’t rush back immediately.
Chen Ze had no choice but to call Cheng Xiamei.
He called several times in a row, but all the calls were rejected.
In the office, Cheng Xiamei held her phone, looking at the screen lighting up again. She pressed the reject button with a bit of smugness.
Throwing a tantrum, huh? Now he’s calling ** , isn’t he?
Chen Ze, his temper has really grown recently. First, he impulsively terminated the contract, and then he pretended to be cold towards her.
During her business trip these days, Chen Ze hadn’t even made a single call or sent a message.
What on earth was he trying to do?
She couldn’t spoil him anymore. She had to teach him a lesson for his bad temper.
In the hospital, the nurse saw that Chen Ze couldn’t get through to anyone and wondered: “Who is this? So busy that they don’t even answer the phone.”
Chen Ze smiled bitterly: “My wife.”
“When will she come then? You’re about to have an operation.”
Chen Ze shook his head: “I guess she won’t come. We’re already in the process of getting divorced. Once the cooling-off period is over, it’ll be completely over.”
The nurse didn’t expect this situation and showed an expression of sympathy and embarrassment.
Chen Ze said: “Can I sign it myself? Please help me find a caregiver.”
…
Two hours later, Cheng Xiamei was accompanying Lin Yu to choose songs.
Lin Yu was carefully selecting the sheet music, while Cheng Xiamei was a bit absent-minded, picking up and putting down her phone from time to time.
Suddenly, a striking news headline made her freeze on the spot.
“Artist Chen Ze is suspected to be in a distraught state after contract termination and crashed into a large truck. No one came to his aid and he’s in a pitiful situation!”
Cheng Xiamei jumped up immediately, ignoring Lin Yu and leaving in a hurry without saying a word.
10
In the ward, Chen Ze, who had just finished the operation, was in a daze, half asleep and half awake.
Fragments of past memories were playing back in his mind like a revolving lantern.
The long and hopeless unrequited love, the cautious approach after getting married, and countless sweet moments when they were together.
When the car accident happened, the last thought in his mind when he turned the steering wheel was that he couldn’t die. If he died, he would never see Cheng Xiamei again.
Chen Ze’s eyeballs trembled rapidly under his eyelids, and his body shuddered suddenly. He woke up from the chaotic dream.
By the bedside, Cheng Xiamei was looking at him anxiously: “You’re awake?”
The air seemed to freeze at this moment. Looking at the familiar face in front of him, Chen Ze couldn’t tell whether it was reality or a dream for a moment.
Cheng Xiamei suspiciously touched Chen Ze’s forehead: “Why are you so dazed? You don’t have a fever.”
It was almost dusk. The setting sun shone obliquely through the window. The hand on his forehead was warm and soft, and even the air became gentle.
Cheng Xiamei withdrew her hand and said somewhat awkwardly: “If you don’t want to give those songs, then forget it. The company will make other arrangements.”
Chen Ze’s voice was hoarse: “I won’t give ‘Swan Song’ to him either.”
“You almost died and you’re still thinking about this?” Cheng Xiamei was a bit helpless. “Fine, if you don’t want to give it, then don’t. Fortunately, he didn’t clearly claim it was his original work. We’ll find a chance to clarify it later.”
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her face, and a rare gentle look appeared on her delicate features.
Chen Ze stared at Cheng Xiamei for a long time without answering.
Cheng Xiamei smiled slightly: “You have to stay in the hospital tonight. What would you like to eat?”
As if possessed by something, Chen Ze blurted out: “I want to go home and eat the white porridge you make in the casserole.”
After saying that, he immediately regretted it and cursed himself in his heart.
They were getting divorced. Why was he acting like this?
Cheng Xiamei couldn’t help laughing: “You’re even ordering food now? I’m really impressed. Let me ask the doctor.”
After asking the doctor and learning that the injury on his foot was not serious and that he just needed to rest more at home due to a slight concussion, Cheng Xiamei took Chen Ze back home.
After helping Chen Ze lie down on the bed, she got up and went to the kitchen to look for the casserole: “Go to sleep. I’ll make the porridge and come to accompany you.”
It had been a long time since he had heard her speak in such a gentle and affectionate tone.
Chen Ze closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
After an unknown period of time, the sharp sound of the alarm woke Chen Ze up.
He opened his eyes with difficulty. In front of him was thick white fog, and he couldn’t see anything clearly.
Was he dreaming again?
The alarm kept ringing. Finally, Chen Ze regained his consciousness.
It was the smoke alarm in the kitchen.
He struggled to get up and limped out step by step. The kitchen was filled with thick white smoke, and the pungent smell of burning filled his nostrils.
The casserole had already turned black from burning. Chen Ze quickly turned off the stove switch.
He turned off the alarm and opened the window, waving his arms to disperse the smoke.
When the smoke cleared, he saw that the porridge in the casserole had already dried up, leaving only a black mass stuck to the bottom of the pot, still glowing with a dull red light.
He subconsciously reached out to take the pot and put it in the sink. The hot casserole burned his hand, and he cried out in pain and dropped the pot on the floor.
With a loud noise, the casserole shattered into pieces.
Chen Ze stood there in a daze, not knowing how to clean up the mess.
He dragged his painfully swollen ankle and slowly went back to the bedroom to get his phone.
Where was Cheng Xiamei? Had she gone shopping?
The screen of his phone lit up.
It was Lin Yu’s new post: “It’s just that my old injury flared up and I’m having trouble walking. Someone is taking care of me as if I’m a disabled person.”
He was wearing a hospital gown, but he looked in good spirits, not at all like a patient.
In one corner of the photo, a pair of delicate hands was peeling an apple.
Chen Ze recognized at a glance that they were Cheng Xiamei’s hands.
He mechanically turned off the phone. The black screen reflected his face, which was as still as stagnant water.
