One Pet Gets Married - Chapter 76

In the blink of an eye, “The Courtier,” Tang You’an’s first historical drama filmed here, was set to premiere during the summer.

In the two weeks leading up to the premiere, the show’s promotional campaign was in full swing, with fans eagerly anticipating its release. To the public, Tang You’an now embodied the image of an accomplished woman skilled in the four arts, physically adept, morally upright, and deeply devoted to her wife. However, as an actress, her work would ultimately speak for itself, leading some to worry on her behalf.

After all, given her previous decline in acting ability, could she truly deliver a strong performance? This question lingered in everyone’s minds. Meanwhile, long-silent detractors readied their metaphorical magnifying glasses, waiting to nitpick once the show aired.

To promote the drama, Tang You’an was scheduled to appear with the cast on a variety show called “Drinking and Chatting.”

This show had an unusual format—a large-scale talk show, but not just sitting around talking. Guests and hosts gathered around a long table filled with delicious food, eating, drinking, and conversing. The food was eclectic, the topics wide-ranging, with occasional games interspersed. The show had been airing for a while, initially with low ratings and modest food offerings due to limited sponsorship. But as ratings improved, so did the budget and the variety of dishes served.

When Tang You’an learned about this show, her eyes practically lit up with excitement. More than the exposure, she was thrilled about the food.

After months of bland meals, Tang You’an was desperately craving something more flavorful.

Several months of such a diet had Tang You’an questioning her very nature—surely she must be a rabbit. Though the meals were plentiful, they lacked her absolute favorite: seafood. Since seafood could hinder wound healing, the doctor had earnestly advised Song Xici against giving Tang You’an spicy, stimulating foods or seafood “for the sake of your wife’s longevity.” Since then, Song Xici had strictly regulated Tang You’an’s diet like a food safety inspector.

As a result, Tang You’an now yearned for a seafood feast like a cat in heat. Her mind swirled with visions of garlic butter lobster, poached shrimp, braised prawns, and shrimp porridge.

But Song Xici still wouldn’t let her eat it. When present, Song Xici supervised; when absent, Tang You’an’s assistant took over, even receiving a salary from Song Xici for this task.

“Though you seem better now, I think it’s best to keep observing for a while longer,” Song Xici had told her.

In truth, Tang You’an had mostly recovered, but Song Xici was excessively worried, likely still haunted by past events. She asked Tang You’an to persist for another month, not wanting to take any chances.

So Tang You’an resolved to sneak out and eat some shrimp in secret. But even this proved difficult. With rare days off and only a day or two of vacation, not spending time with her wife seemed unthinkable. Surely the normal thing was to be together constantly during these few days.

Friend gatherings? They’d go together, with Song Xici helping to deflect shrimp, alcohol, and other prohibited foods.

Shopping, buying things, watching movies? Of course they’d go together—what kind of person wouldn’t?

“By the way, what are we eating for the episode I’m recording? Has it been decided?” Tang You’an messaged Zhao Zixi while shopping with Song Xici at the supermarket.

“I think they said barbecue, seems quite lavish. Why, getting hungry?” Zhao Zixi replied with a puzzled yellow emoji.

“Really? That’s great!” After replying, Tang You’an stood there smiling, stroking her chin.

“What are you suddenly so happy about?” Song Xici asked, turning back after tossing a bag of brown sugar into their cart.

“Nothing,” Tang You’an said, quickly putting away her phone and shaking her head with a smile.

“You’re lying,” Song Xici scrutinized her from head to toe.

So Tang You’an said nothing more.

“Are you just happy to get away from me after being stuck together for months?” Song Xici took two steps forward, then turned back to look at her.

“How could that be?” Tang You’an immediately shook her head anxiously.

“Ah, I understand. That’s how it goes—familiarity breeds contempt. No matter how beautiful the flower at home, you get tired of looking at it after a while.” Song Xici sighed.

“That’s impossible!” Tang You’an hurriedly denied.

Song Xici burst out laughing and patted her shoulder. “Alright, I’m just teasing you.”

Hearing this, Tang You’an finally relaxed.

“Hey, what else did we need to buy? You’ll be on your own, so we need to prepare thoroughly,” Song Xici mused, looking at the cart and tilting her head in thought.

“It’s fine, I’m a grown woman. I’m not afraid, and I can buy anything I’m missing,” Tang You’an gazed at her.

“No matter how grown up you are, in my heart you’re still just my baby,” Song Xici glanced at her and sighed. “Alright, let’s go check out!”

As they queued to pay, Tang You’an watched Song Xici’s back, feeling a twinge of melancholy.

Since the show was filming in another city, Tang You’an would need to fly there. After finishing this show, she’d immediately head to yet another city to film a camera commercial. This meant the couple would have to be long-distance for a while.

After returning home from the supermarket, they barely rested before Song Xici started helping Tang You’an pack. They worked well together—one folding clothes while the other placed them in the suitcase, one organizing skincare products while the other packed medications. Before long, two suitcases were packed.

After showering, Song Xici checked her phone and realized it was already 11 PM. Thinking about their impending separation, she felt increasingly reluctant to part.

“What’s wrong?” Tang You’an asked, seeing Song Xici staring blankly at the ceiling after returning from her shower.

As soon as Tang You’an lay down, Song Xici rolled over and buried herself in her embrace.

“Hmm?” Tang You’an stroked her hair.

“I don’t want you to go…” Song Xici closed her eyes. “Now it’ll be so long before we can be together again. You have work there, I have work here. It’s so annoying.”

Hearing this, Tang You’an kissed her forehead and held her tighter. “You’ll miss me that much?”

“Of course…” Song Xici mumbled, then placed her hand on Tang You’an’s shoulder. “No matter what, remember to think of me!”

“That’s not something I need to remember…” Tang You’an smiled tenderly.

“You…” Song Xici’s brow furrowed instantly.

At that moment, Tang You’an pressed her finger to Song Xici’s lips: “Because you’re always in my heart.”

“Sweet talk,” Song Xici laughed, lowering Tang You’an’s hand. “Smooth talker.”

“I only sweet talk you, I’m only smooth with you,” Tang You’an’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“Pfft…” Song Xici couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

The next day.

For once, Song Xici woke before the alarm. After hastily washing her face, she helped Tang You’an carry a suitcase downstairs and saw her off.

After Tang You’an got into the car, Song Xici stood there watching her leave, smiling and waving until the car disappeared from view. Only then did she return to the apartment.

Walking to the fish tank, she bent down to look at the big grass carp, Sugar Sugar, for a while. Smiling, she grabbed a handful of fish food and sprinkled it in.

Seeing there were still a few hours before work, Song Xici applied a face mask and lay on the lounge chair, repeatedly listening to “A Gift for You,” the song Tang You’an had composed and performed for her on “Literati Gathering.”

In the car, Tang You’an gazed absent-mindedly out the window at the passing scenery, occasionally smiling to herself.

On the first day of recording, Tang You’an met with the show’s crew and other guests, then prepared to film in the afternoon.

While getting her makeup done, the makeup artist smiled at her and asked, “How do you take care of your skin, Ms. Tang? You look so radiant and youthful, with such dewy skin.”

Tang You’an smiled gently in response. “I don’t do anything special. My wife just makes sure I eat well every day.”

“Ah, the official answer,” the makeup artist thought to herself.

At that moment, Tang You’an’s assistant chimed in with a smile: “That’s right. Ms. Song truly cherishes her, afraid she might melt if held in her mouth or break if held in her hands. Ever since Ms. Tang’s injury, she’s been strictly controlling her diet. She’s repeatedly instructed me to watch over her and not let her eat anything that might be bad for her health.”

“Stop, stop! I can’t take any more of this dog food!” the makeup artist exclaimed, waving her hands.

The young assistant giggled and added, “Ms. Song says she wants to grow old hand in hand with Ms. Tang, healthy and happy!”

Hearing this, Tang You’an glanced at her assistant, then looked down at herself in the mirror, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Alright, alright, don’t say anymore. I’m kicking over this bowl of dog food!” the makeup artist huffed.

By the time styling was complete, it was around 7 PM. Tang You’an then joined the others and entered the studio.

Today, Tang You’an tried curled hair for the first time. Paired with her delicate features and a youthful yellow crop top with suspender shorts, she looked not only far from old-fashioned but quite vibrant. At over 1.70 meters tall with long, straight legs, she was undeniably leggy. As she walked into the studio, even the host, Xie Wan, couldn’t help but stare at her legs.

After everyone was seated in the filming studio, recording began.

Host Xie Wan finished the show’s standard opening and introduced Director Chen Feng and the main cast members. Then they opened the grill and started chatting.

Having not seen Zhao Zixi and Xiao Meimei for a long time, Tang You’an felt little pressure doing the show with them. Perhaps due to the pleasant atmosphere, it felt like a gathering of old friends, quite warm and familiar.

Beside the electric grill were various vegetables and meats, including the large shrimp that Tang You’an particularly loved. She couldn’t help but swallow as she stared at it.

But as she picked up her chopsticks, Song Xici’s worried face flashed in her mind. So despite her craving, she ultimately avoided the shrimp and chose other items to grill and eat.

The show’s conversation mainly revolved around everyone’s little anecdotes from daily life, without any of the tension typically associated with recording a show.

“You’an, there are tiger prawns here. Won’t you try some? Everyone gets two,” Xie Wan said, noticing Tang You’an hadn’t touched her portion of shrimp. Thinking she might be too far to reach, she pushed the plate closer.

Tang You’an swallowed hard upon hearing this, then shook her head. “I don’t dare eat it…”

“Why not?” Xie Wan asked, eyes wide.

“Her wife won’t let her,” Xiao Meimei laughed.

“Wow, is that so? I wouldn’t have guessed you were so henpecked, You’an!” Xie Wan said, chopsticks in hand and smiling broadly.

“Huh?” Tang You’an took a sip of water and looked up at her, then waved her hand in confusion. “No, it’s mainly because it’s a ‘heating’ food. We’re worried it might be bad for my injury. I’m planning to grow old with my Xici, so I can’t risk any problems.”

“Alright, alright, I get it. You’re a married woman. Let’s close the ‘show off your love’ channel. Next——” Xie Wan said, placing a piece of beef on the grill.

“It’s not showing off. We never show off our love,” Tang You’an said, picking up a piece of black pork and putting it on her plate. “We’re simply in love.”

“That’s going too far! Please consider the feelings of us single dogs, won’t you?” Xiao Meimei leaned over and patted Tang You’an’s shoulder as she spoke.

“I can’t. You should hurry and find someone to take care of you. I can only manage to take care of Xici,” Tang You’an turned her head and smiled sweetly at Xiao Meimei, delivering a verbal jab.

“You’re ruthless!” Xiao Meimei glared at her.

Tang You’an didn’t argue, just smiled and popped the piece of black pork into her mouth, chewing contentedly.

“Tsk tsk tsk…” Caught off guard by this sudden serving of dog food, Zhao Zixi looked at the food on the table. “Is this barbecue or grilled lemon? Why do I feel like I’m getting more and more sour as I eat?”

Everyone burst into laughter at Zhao Zixi’s words.

“So, what do you think about the earlier online rumors that you two were only keeping up appearances?” Xie Wan asked.

“Oh, that,” Tang You’an paused, chopsticks in hand, thinking carefully. “I don’t bother with sour grapes.”

This set everyone laughing again, and the conversation soon moved on to other topics.

By the time they finished recording, it was late into the night.

Tang You’an returned to her hotel room and drew back the curtains, gazing into the distance. Despite the LED lights wrapping the skyscrapers before her, the view still felt somewhat lonely.

After some thought, Tang You’an opened her phone and checked her social media. She saw that Song Xici had posted two updates in the past few hours. One was a grid of cat pictures, expressing her desire to have a pet.

The other was a photo from a karaoke bar. It seemed she had gone out with Meng Meng and was having a good time.

Tang You’an looked at the photos, liked them, then dialed Song Xici’s number.

The call connected immediately, and a familiar “Hello” came through. The voice was comforting and made her miss Song Xici even more.

“Xici, aren’t you asleep yet?” Tang You’an asked with a smile.

“No, I just got back,” Song Xici replied cheerfully.

“Did you have fun?” Tang You’an inquired.

“Mm…” Song Xici took a breath. “It was alright…”

“Just alright? Weren’t you happy?” Tang You’an asked urgently.

“It’s not that… It’s just that you weren’t with me, so it was only somewhat good. If you were here, it would have been perfect!” Song Xici finished with a giggle.

Hearing this, Tang You’an couldn’t help but smile.

“How about you? Did the show recording go smoothly?” Song Xici asked.

“Ah…” Tang You’an leaned on the windowsill, gazing into the distance.

“What’s wrong? Did someone bully you? Who bullied you?” Song Xici asked anxiously.

“No, it went fine. It’s just that I was thinking about you the whole time during recording, and I’m still thinking about you now. It’s driving me crazy,” Tang You’an sighed after speaking.

Song Xici immediately burst into laughter on the other end of the line.

“It’s because you’ve completely bewitched me. In this life, don’t even think about escaping from my grasp! Or in the next life either!” Song Xici said with a hint of smugness after her laughter subsided.

“That’s fine by me. I don’t want to escape at all,” Tang You’an said, leaning against the window and grinning foolishly.

“Haha, good. Keep your word—liars are dogs!”

“Mm.” Tang You’an nodded, then looked up at the night sky. The stars seemed particularly brilliant tonight. If only they could watch them together.

“Xici,” Tang You’an called her name after a moment’s thought.

“Hmm?”

Tang You’an lowered her head, gazing at the complex web of roads in the city below: “I miss you.”

There was silence on the other end of the line for a long while.

Then Tang You’an heard Song Xici say softly: “I miss you too.”

“Oh, right, I’ll tell you something. Before you left, I secretly slipped a treasure in with your things. When you miss me, just find it and take a look. That should help!” Song Xici said playfully after a moment.

“A treasure?” Tang You’an asked, holding her phone at the window. She stroked the windowsill, then quickly turned and ran to her luggage. Cradling the phone between her head and shoulder, she opened one suitcase and started rummaging through it.

“Mm-hmm!”

“What kind of treasure?” Tang You’an asked, adjusting the phone with her hand. She opened the other suitcase and began searching through bottles, jars, bags, and clothing pockets, earnestly looking for the treasure Song Xici had mentioned.

“My heart,” Song Xici’s voice was as sweet as nectar. “I left it with you.”

Hearing this, Tang You’an stopped her search. She gripped the phone tightly, then sat down against the wall, shaking her head with a smile.

Author’s Note: It’s almost over