CH 91

「Some fans see it now!!! Song Yan is not Chen Jiamu!! His heart and eyes have never belonged to anyone else!! His leading lady is only his wife!!」

「The only real and publicly acknowledged relationship of Beauty is with Sanli!!」

「I can stay single for the rest of my life!!! My CP must be destined!!!」

Before, Tang-Song shippers had been causing a lot of trouble, not only arguing with Salt Grain shippers but also causing distress to exclusive fans of Wen Li and Song Yan.

Most exclusive fans only liked their own main idol and didn't like being tied to a CP. After finally accepting the titles of official sister-in-law or brother-in-law, there were still people who came looking for trouble with them.

Naturally, the clearly distinguished factions of Moonstone and Lychee would unite during these collective anti-fan incidents.

「My brother has been in the industry for ten years and has worked with many female artists, right? Only you guys, after ten years, still can't let go of the idea of shipping my brother with some first love CP. It's hilarious.」

「Beauty and sister-in-law are naturally a perfect match.」

While the Tang-Song CP fans were putting on their armor and working diligently, what were the Salt Grain CP fans doing?

The Salt Grain CP fans were celebrating in the super topic, too busy to argue.

The background image of the super topic had already been changed to a red background with golden congratulatory text.

Beauty x Sani:「Everyone, please recommend some sweet songs!!! It's for editing a new video!! The sweeter, the better!!」

「To be honest, sweet songs are too low-level and don't match Salt Grain.」

「Recommending: Good Times」

「Recommending: Overture of Spring Festival」

「Recommending: Essential Playlist for Chinese New Year Supermarkets」

As soon as the festive-style CP video was released, the entire super topic started to turn weird.

A big fan created a picture of Song Yan and Wen Li together, with a layer of red background and added sparkling golden special effects to their foreheads.

「First line: It's better to knock Xi Pi than sacrifice oneself

Second line: It's better to worship Salt Grain than pray to Buddha

Horizontal inscription: Your CP will never BE.」

This blog post quickly went viral and received tens of thousands of reposts.

「I have confidence that my CP will definitely be real!!! //Repost to bless that my CP will never BE//Hope my CP will be possessed by Salt Grain!//」

Once people become superstitious, any bewildering behavior is not surprising. This repost was relatively normal, but some went off-topic and mentioned the Himalayas.

「Bless me to pass the civil service exam//Bless me to get into graduate school//Bless me to pass the professional exam//I don't care about CP or exams, but I want to join in the fun and hope to win five million tomorrow.」

At this time, while filming on set, the two main characters, who were cut off from information, had no idea that they had become the "lucky fish of the CP circle" in an unconventional way.

Later, their respective management teams organized fans to visit the set. Fans followed their respecting idols, imitating their style, and refused to be trendy. They had to follow in the footsteps of their idols. So the fans' support banners went from the previous sophisticated and artistic ones like "You are the silver moonlight of midsummer, and I am the cicada singing endlessly under that moonlight" or "No matter how sweet the concubine's smile is, it can't compare to your smile, Wen Li" to the following:

「Congratulations to Mr. Song Yan for finally succeeding in ten years of secret love! All CP fans send congratulations!」

「Yancheng Steel Factory has gone bankrupt! Wang Ba Duan's daughter, Wen Li, ran away with our little brother-in-law Yanzi. We have no choice. Originally, the steel-loving straight women were worth at least 100 million each, but now they are only 1.2 yuan!」

「Which confession is the best? Aocheng City Yanzi, you are the most arrogant!」

「Darling, I bought candles yesterday. Which kind did I buy? It's my pursuit of love for you.」

Except for Wen Li and Song Yan, who were being teased, everyone else on the set burst into laughter.

During the filming of the movie, the [Ice City] crew had stricter management. The fans visiting brought a lot of fun to the hardworking shooting period.

The entire crew, from the main actors to the extras, had a serious work attitude. They basically went back and forth between the film city and the hotel, so Wen Li's recent amusement became browsing a certain online shopping platform and receiving deliveries.

Sometimes, she would search for her own name on the platform, and many links to products like clothes and jewelry would come up.

As there were fewer male artists, she became curious and searched for Song Yan.

「Song Yan's Surprise Romantic High-end Confession Tool: LED candles with heart-shaped balloons; air pump included.」

Next to the product image was a photoshopped picture of Wen Li crying, which seemed to have been taken from a TV drama, along with a row of descriptions.

「My girlfriend cried with moved emotion after receiving the gift!」

Looking at the sales volume, it was unbelievable, with monthly sales reaching five figures.

There were really so many naive boys.

She clicked into the reviews, and there were many positive ones that were clearly paid for, and few negative ones, but they seemed genuine.

Among them, there was one negative review:「Damn, it doesn't work at all. Someone slapped me and said, 'If you don't have Song Yan's face, don't do such a cheesy confession'. Brothers, don't buy it, don't buy it. If you're confident that your looks can match Song Yan's, then forget what I said.」

She chuckled and handed the phone to Song Yan, kindly comforting him, "I don't think it's cheesy. Don't worry about what others think."

"En," Song Yan nodded lightly, then called his assistant and handed the phone over to him, "Take legal action against these stores."

Wen Li: "..."

Filming under Director Qiu Ping was not as easy as it seemed. He had high demands, and sometimes if he wasn't satisfied with a shot, he would make the actors redo it dozens of times. Wen Li, who was used to the fast-paced TV drama shooting, received her fair share of criticism from him on the set.

At first, Wen Li felt a bit annoyed being lectured by someone much older than her. But she noticed that even Song Yan and the other two lead actors would also be criticized if their emotions didn't meet the required level. So she became more balanced in her mindset.

Even the best actors and actresses would face criticism. What she received was nothing compared to that. She needed to stay calm and focus on improving.

Thanks to Director Yan's strict guidance, she fully immersed herself in a role for the first time in a film. Later, Director Qiu commented that she had become less talkative. One time, after having a few drinks at a gathering, she proudly said, "Finally, I've brought out the halo from a piece of jade."1

The filming of the movie lasted for three months, and as the year-end approached, the entire Bin City was covered in heavy snow.

After several months of intense work, Director Qiu finally agreed to give everyone a short break on New Year's Eve.

They would resume filming after the break, aiming to wrap up before the Chinese New Year.

Before Wen Li prepared to return to Yancheng for the New Year, Director Qiu gave her some homework.

"For the scene where Ye Yan bids farewell to Ting Feng, your crying isn't intense enough, and your emotions haven't fully emerged. Imagine that it's the last time you'll see the man you love in this lifetime. When you close your eyes, everything will be gone. Your crying should be heart-wrenching, with tears and snot flowing together."

After saying these words, Director Qiu patted Wen Li's shoulder and said, "Go back and think about it."

Wen Li nodded, "Okay."

Being isolated from the world on the set for several months, she felt a bit unfamiliar when she returned to Yancheng.

In the past two years, she and Song Yan had never spent New Year's Eve together. They didn't have such intentions back then. But now, things were different. They had to spend New Year's Eve together for it to feel right.

Song Yan had a meeting with Director Yu during the day and arranged to have dinner with her in the evening.

Wen Li was waiting for him at home alone when someone knocked on the door.

She looked through the peephole and opened the door in surprise.

"Uncle? Why are you here?"

Wen Yan, dressed in a dark coat and formal attire, stood at the door and said concisely, "Your father asked me to pick you up to spend New Year's at the Wen family."

Wen Li whispered, "There are many celebrities living here. Aren't you afraid of being followed by paparazzi?"

"The internet already knows that you graduated from Mingfeng, and the relationship between you, Xu Li, and your brother-in-law has been exposed," Wen Yan curled his lips and said lightly, "Even if I get caught, what's the big deal?"

"True," Wen Li nodded, "But I've already made plans with Teacher Song today. We're supposed to spend New Year's Eve together."

"Go change your clothes first," Wen Yan glanced at her fluffy rabbit-themed pajamas and frowned, "I'll wait here with you, and then we can both go pick him up."

"Okay," Wen Li nodded, making space for Wen Yan to enter, "Uncle, please come in and have a seat. I'll go change."

Wen Yan hummed in response and took off his shoes before entering the living room. He wasn't interested in examining his niece's home decor and layout, so he kept his head down, engrossed in his phone.

The quiet living room was interrupted by the sudden ringing of the landline phone next to the TV cabinet.

Wen Yan got up and walked to the bedroom door, knocking on it, "There's a phone call for you."

Wen Li's voice came from inside the bedroom, "Uncle, please answer it for me."

Wen Yan sighed and retraced his steps, pressing the speakerphone button on the landline.

He didn't have the habit of greeting first, so he waited for the other person to speak.

The voice of an unfamiliar man spoke as soon as the call connected.

"Miss Wen, hello, and Happy New Year. I am Lawyer Jin. Regarding the marriage agreement you and Mr. Song Yan drafted two years ago, the agreement has now expired since it is the end of the year. I'd like to ask about your intentions. Six months ago, you unilaterally drafted a divorce agreement with me. I wanted to know if Mr. Song has any additional clauses to add to this agreement."

Wen Yan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, his lips gradually tightened.

As Wen Li came out of the bedroom, having changed her clothes, she hadn't had a chance to ask who had called. Wen Yan straightforwardly asked, "What's the matter with you and Song Yan's divorce agreement?"

Wen Li opened her mouth but couldn't find the words to say.

Over the past six months, if it weren't for the lawyer contacting her now, she would have completely forgotten about her agreement with Song Yan.

"That was your lawyer who just called. Do you take marriage as a joke? Do you think it's child's play?" Wen Yan calmly questioned, "If your father finds out about this, do you know what your fate will be?"

Without another word, Wen Yan gave a direct order, "Come home with me first. We'll talk at home."

"...Can you not tell Grandpa about this?" Wen Li's voice grew softer, "The agreement is real, but that was six months ago. I assure you that the feelings between me and Song Yan are genuine."

Her explanation sounded feeble because she couldn't deny that she had indeed intended to divorce Song Yan six months ago.

Wen Yan turned his head slightly, took a deep breath, and softly called her nickname, "Li Li."

Wen Li weakly responded, "Yes..."

"Recently, Wen Zheng got a girlfriend, did you know?"

"I know."

"The girl's background doesn't match our family's, and her family situation is quite complicated. So your grandfather doesn't approve of her entering the family and wants me to find a way to get rid of her."

Wen Li thought of what they had done to Song Yan in the past and wasn't surprised in her heart.

"In many cases, love cannot overcome reality. Just take my dad, your grandfather, for example. He had a good relationship with your biological grandmother. Even after she passed away, he never remarried. But in the end? For the sake of the conglomerate, for the sake of his business, he compromised and married my mother, giving birth to me and Wen Zheng, even though there was no love between them."

"Sometimes, his decisions can be arbitrary, I won't deny that. But he makes decisions based on the perspective of what's best for you. I have the same mindset. I don't blame you and Wen Zheng for resenting me," Wen Yan said calmly, "Answer me this, even though I've made it so clear, do you still believe in Song Yan? Are you sure you haven't misjudged him?"

Wen Li didn't hesitate and nodded with determination, "I believe in him."

"Good, I won't tell Dad for now," Wen Yan nodded and said calmly, "Call Song Yan and urge him to come back. I'll talk to him."

Wen Li was taken aback. Why was he so easy to talk to today?

"What?" Wen Yan glanced at her, "Don't you want a chance?"

Wen Li immediately said, "Of course, of course, I'll call him right now."

Song Yan, who was still outside, rushed back immediately after receiving the call.

He clearly came back in a hurry, carrying the scent of winter fir on his face and clothes.

Wen Yan sat in the living room, not saying anything when his nephew-in-law returned. He told him to go to the study to talk.

Wen Yan entered the study first, followed by Song Yan. Wen Li, for some reason, suddenly grabbed his clothes.

Song Yan turned to look at her, "What's wrong?"

She blurted out without thinking, "Senior, don't you think we're like Romeo and Juliet?"

Song Yan was momentarily stunned, then shook his head, "Not at all."

"..."

Wen Li didn't expect him to not even give her that bit of face, so she complained unhappily, "I rarely get so poetic, but you don't even give me a little face?"

Song Yan smiled and said, "Although Romeo and Juliet's story is romantic, it doesn't fit us."

"It seems like the more obstacles love experiences, the more it becomes a classic and is easily remembered and praised by future generations. But I don't need others to remember, nor do I want to prove our feelings through obstacles. If your family thinks we're not a good match, then I'll make myself into a suitable match for you. What they worry you can't have, I can give you now. What they can't give you, I can give you."

"Junior, you may be Juliet, but I'm definitely not Romeo. You can continue to be proud, I don't need you to suffer for me," Song Yan smiled faintly, his voice husky, "You just need to wait for me to come to you."

Wen Li had always been proud. Even in the face of the love that Song Yan had hidden for ten years, others might feel that this kind of affection would be heavy, but her confidence gave her the courage. She believed she was worthy of his affection.

Now, after being proud for over twenty years, Wen Li finally had such a thought—a mix of joy and fear. How could she be deserving and fortunate enough for this love?