One Pet Gets Married - Chapter 78

“Well, I’m getting a bit hungry. Fancy something to eat?” Chang Ye asked, replacing her mask as she climbed down from the arcade machine.

“Sure, let’s go eat,” Zhou Yi nodded, straightening up.

After tidying themselves, they left the arcade and headed towards a well-reviewed restaurant they’d found online.

The day flew by, time seeming to sprout wings and take flight before they knew it.

It was already 11 PM when Zhou Yi dropped Chang Ye off at home.

The buildings in this area were old and dilapidated, the environment poor. One streetlight was broken, making the place resemble the impoverished neighborhoods often depicted in slice-of-life dramas.

“I’ll head back now. I’ve got things to do tomorrow,” Chang Ye said, unbuckling her seatbelt and turning to Zhou Yi. “You should get some rest too.”

“Alright,” Zhou Yi nodded.

Chang Ye inclined her head, then slung her bag over her shoulder, opened the car door, and put one foot out.

Zhou Yi watched her back, hands on the steering wheel. She took a deep breath and suddenly called out, “Little Ye.”

“Hmm?” Chang Ye, about to close the door, turned back to look at her.

“That day when you said you missed me… was it true?” Zhou Yi asked, her heart racing.

“Huh?” Chang Ye raised an eyebrow. “I… said something like that?”

“Mm-hmm…” Zhou Yi nodded. “You said it when you were drunk on your birthday.”

Hearing this, Chang Ye lowered her head, staring at the ground. After pondering for a while, she quirked her lips. “Well, we were close friends for so many years, and people tend to get nostalgic as they get older. So I guess it’s normal.”

“Is that so…” Zhou Yi looked at her. “So, no matter what, I still have a place in your heart, right?”

Chang Ye turned her head away, gazing at the road. The tip of her nose tingled slightly. She swallowed and turned back to Zhou Yi. “Zhou Yi, I’m getting tired. I think I’ll head in now.”

Hearing Chang Ye’s words, Zhou Yi finally nodded. “Alright.”

Then Chang Ye gripped her bag strap and quickly walked into the building, running up the stairs.

Zhou Yi watched from below as lights in the building lit up and went out floor by floor. She slowly hugged herself.

When Chang Ye got home, the living room light was on. Her roommate, wearing an oversized T-shirt, sat there eating a box of fried noodles while watching a variety show on her tablet.

“You’re back?!” The roommate waved at Chang Ye, biting off a mouthful of noodles.

“Mm,” Chang Ye nodded, changing her shoes.

“Where’d you go?”

“Just wandering around,” Chang Ye smiled, taking off her bag and holding it.

“Oh, right, Little Ye, I’m not renewing the lease next quarter,” her roommate added.

“Huh?” Chang Ye was stunned. “So suddenly?”

“Yeah, my ex-boyfriend…” The roommate scratched her head. “We got back together.”

“Got back together?” Chang Ye raised her eyebrows again.

“Yes, so I’m planning to move out and try living with him for a few months,” the roommate said, swallowing her noodles and taking a big gulp of warm water. “Though my friends don’t approve, I think people just need time to adjust to each other. No one’s perfect in every way; everyone has their flaws. But everyone deserves a chance to be forgiven. I’m not without faults either. Someone without any flaws and perfect in every way wouldn’t be human, they’d be a god, and there are no gods in this world. Anyway, we’ll take it slow, grow together, and if it really doesn’t work out, we can say goodbye then.”

“Mm, others’ opinions are just their opinions. You’re the ones living your lives, so you should weigh it for yourself,” Chang Ye said, rubbing her shoulder. “I’m going to take a shower now.”

“Okay!”

After showering, Chang Ye returned to her room. She sat on the bed, combing her freshly dried hair with her fingers. Her movements gradually slowed as she reached for a vase on the bedside table.

It held a bouquet of dried flowers, made from the fresh flowers Zhou Yi had given her last time.

Looking at the dried flowers, Chang Ye finally hugged the vase to her chest.

Two weeks later, the episode of “Drinking and Chatting” featuring Tang You’an aired.

Song Xici had no scenes to film that night, so she curled up on her hotel bed with a bag of snacks, eagerly waiting to watch.

She couldn’t stop laughing at Tang You’an’s adorably foolish comments on the show.

After the show ended, Song Xici logged onto Weibo and checked the trending topics.

In just a few months, the trending topics about Tang You’an had completely changed.

Previously, anything related to Tang You’an was generally negative. People would sincerely say things like “Please leave the entertainment industry” or “Like if you hate Tang You’an.” But now, comments like “Tang You’an is so cute” and “Oh my god, how can she be so adorable?! I’m a fan now!” were prevalent. Many fans had even started promoting the air times of her upcoming drama.

In this short period, Tang You’an’s fan count had nearly reached 30 million. Though still fewer than top celebrities, this growth rate was astonishing for just a few months.

Moreover, in various online polls from gossip accounts asking questions like “Who’s the coolest female celebrity in your eyes?” or “Which actress’s drama are you most looking forward to in the second half of the year?”, Tang You’an consistently received an exceptionally high number of votes.

Song Xici then clicked into the comments section of Tang You’an’s latest promotional Weibo post.

“I want a girlfriend like Tang You’an to pamper me, wuwuwu…”

“Tonight, I’m jealous…”

“Daddy, I want to date her!”

“Dream on, she’s mine.”

……

Seeing these, Song Xici laughed out loud. She coughed once, then picked up her phone to reply: “Let this empress see which little spirits dare to steal my wife.”

Within seconds, Song Xici received Tang You’an’s response: “I won’t let them steal me away.”

Seeing this, Song Xici smiled and continued asking: “By the way, I’ve always wanted to know, how do you manage to see my comments and reply instantly?”

Tang You’an replied: “I’ve got you on special alert, silly.”

Reading this, Song Xici propped her face on her hand, smiling again.

Onlookers: “(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻”

After replying, Tang You’an also sat there grinning foolishly at her phone.

“Ms. Tang, come for a makeup touch-up!” the makeup artist called.

“Oh!” Tang You’an looked up and walked over.

But after a while, her phone vibrated again. So even while tilting her chin up for the makeup artist, Tang You’an unlocked her phone and held it high, checking if Song Xici had sent her anything.

Life on set had its ups and downs. The downside was that her character was a miserable one, so her clothing, possessions, and living conditions were all shabby in the early and middle parts of the story. After filming like this, the already slim Tang You’an lost seven or eight pounds, becoming even more alarmingly thin. Describing her as “skin and bones” wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

However, her acting skills were visibly improving, which was a good thing. Standing in different characters’ positions and understanding different people in various environments gave her a small taste of the complexity of human nature.

Perhaps this was why she now enjoyed acting. Besides not wanting to embarrass Song Xici and wanting to earn a lot of money, this was another reason.

Late July.

Amid the overlapping cicada calls, heat waves engulfed the entire city. The ground was scorching hot from the blazing sun, turning the world into a large-scale battlefield.

The filming efficiency for Tang You’an’s current drama was quite high. In just a month and a half, they had completed two-thirds of the filming. Of course, this might also be because the script itself was relatively short.

At the same time, “The Courtier,” Tang You’an’s first drama filmed here, finally aired.

On the first day of broadcast, it achieved exceptionally high ratings. Of course, this was partly due to the lead actors being both popular and skilled performers. Additionally, Tang You’an’s recent surge in popularity, Xiao Meimei’s considerable fan base, and Director Chen’s consistently well-received dramas all contributed to the high viewership from the start.

After several episodes aired, it immediately sparked heated discussions among the public.

At first, Tang You’an didn’t have many scenes, but she still managed to capture attention. Her historical costume, paired with her agile movements, was a stark contrast to her previously lackluster acting. People were left stunned.

Viewers praised her: “Marvelous! Completely different from her previous work. Who said Tang You’an’s acting was exaggerated?!”

However, some still found fault:

“She looks too fierce.”

“Her gaze is too masculine, I don’t like it.”

These comments were quickly countered: “As an assassin in the early part of the story, did you expect her to be sweet? Did you think she was cotton candy or something?”

Overall, the majority of comments were complimentary.

Of course, for Tang You’an, the most gratifying thing was being praised by Song Xici. When she learned that Song Xici watched the drama whenever she had free time and couldn’t stop watching, she felt she had truly accomplished something.

As time passed and more episodes aired, Tang You’an’s character, Gu Moyan, underwent changes in appearance. Her attire became increasingly refined, and her eyes began to show traces of melancholy due to love. This made her character more well-rounded and touching, leading viewers to eagerly anticipate more of her scenes.

Her character’s pitiable storyline and stunning appearance made every frame look like a painting. Fans couldn’t help but screenshot Tang You’an’s scenes and create numerous GIFs.

“A glance back, a hundred charms born; the six palaces’ beauties pale in comparison. What kind of celestial beauty is Tang You’an? She’s truly perfect for historical dramas!”

“And this shot! This fleeting glance, oh my god, I’m completely smitten!”

“I love Gu Moyan so much, I really hope she doesn’t die!”

Moreover, perhaps due to the character’s strong tragic undertones, which tend to evoke sympathy and leave a lasting impression, fan-created content such as fanfiction and fanart of Gu Moyan began to appear online.

Gradually, it became common to see users with profile pictures of Tang You’an as Gu Moyan or fan art of the character commenting everywhere.

Unexpectedly, this character’s popularity nearly rivaled that of Zhao Zixi’s female lead.

However, Zhao Zixi and Tang You’an were on the same team, so she wasn’t upset. In fact, she was quite pleased. After all, Tang You’an’s success only benefited her. Who wouldn’t want to see their artist become popular?

Yet, fame had its perks and its troubles.

For instance, a few months ago, Tang You’an could go shopping with minimal disguise and rarely encounter any strange incidents.

But now…

Once, while buying a drink at a beverage shop, she had barely finished ordering when three girls who had just walked up turned their heads in unison to look at her. What followed was an earth-shattering scream. They not only asked for her autograph and photos but also tried to remove her mask to kiss her face. In the end, they chased her down the street.

Terrifying.

The feeling of increasing popularity was great, as various commercials, endorsements, and scripts came pouring in. Roughly calculated, Tang You’an felt that if this continued, supporting a wife on her own wouldn’t be a problem.

However, the feeling of being separated by distance wasn’t so pleasant.

Every time she finished filming and returned to the hotel with her exhausted body, Tang You’an would lie on the bed, pick up her phone, and scroll through various apps.

She saw in her social media feed that Shi Xiaobao had announced she was no longer single. Although her partner looked a bit balding, he had a kind face. Shi Xiaobao had already moved in with him, and they had been practically inseparable these days.

Moreover, Zhao Zixi had also entered a relationship. Her partner was her manager, who had also been her close friend for many years.

This relationship announcement was like a bomb, exploding in the entertainment industry’s pond and causing ripples that drew countless onlookers.

Then, in her social media feed, Zhao Zixi shared many photos of their travels together. Watching the sunrise on the beach, cycling by the river, walking hand in hand eating street food in a characteristic foreign street—they looked sweet and happy.

Tang You’an lay on the bed, flipping through these photos, feeling a bit lonely.

After thinking for a while, Tang You’an called Song Xici.

“Hello?” After a few seconds, the call connected, and Song Xici’s voice came through.

“Xici, not asleep yet?” Tang You’an asked, sitting cross-legged on the bed after crawling up from her lying position.

“No, I’m not.”

“What are you doing?” Tang You’an asked.

“Haha, I’m eating some candy a little girl gave me,” Song Xici laughed.

“Oh…” Tang You’an fiddled with the bedsheet. “What kind of little girl?”

“Hmm… She has big eyes, round cheeks, and is small and thin. She’s very lively and cheerful. Overall, she’s quite a likable child,” Song Xici replied.

“You like her?” Tang You’an asked.

“Haha, she’s alright,” Song Xici said.

Hearing this answer, Tang You’an felt inexplicably uncomfortable. Although she knew this “like” was different from romantic “like,” she couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous.

Maybe her brain was malfunctioning, Tang You’an thought to herself.

“Is she cuter or am I cuter?” As if possessed, Tang You’an asked this silly question.

“Pfft…” Song Xici almost burst out laughing. “Of course it’s you! If you weren’t cute, would I be with you?”

Hearing this, Tang You’an smiled.

After a moment, Song Xici continued: “She also invited me to go to the Eucalyptus City Music Festival next week. She said it would be very lively and fun…”

“Next week?” Tang You’an looked up, staring at the TV wall opposite her.

“Yes.” Interrupted, Song Xici swallowed the next sentence she was about to say: “Do you want me to go or come keep you company?”

“You have free time?” Tang You’an asked.

“Mm, due to some reasons, I have two days off,” Song Xici said, smiling.

Tang You’an heard this, opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Finally some time off… but she didn’t think of coming to see her? Was she being too clingy, making Song Xici feel annoyed? So when she had time off, her first thought was to spend it with someone else?

Lowering her head, Tang You’an played with the bedsheet, closing her eyes for a moment.

How could she think like this? Although they were in a relationship, people should have their own social circles, right? She couldn’t expect Song Xici to revolve around her all the time. She shouldn’t make things too tiring for her. Besides, she didn’t have much free time here either, so even if Song Xici came, she wouldn’t be able to spend time with her.

“Then have fun,” Tang You’an said, thinking this way.

On the other end of the phone, Song Xici was silent for a moment, then asked: “So I’m really going there?”

“Go ahead,” Tang You’an continued to fiddle with the bedsheet.

“Alright then,” Song Xici sighed.

Then both of them fell into an inexplicable silence.

“Well…” After a while, Tang You’an stood up. “I’m going to take a shower now. I’m all sweaty and sticky, it’s uncomfortable.”

“Oh, go ahead,” Song Xici replied.

The tone was indiscernible, and over the phone, expressions were invisible.

Afterward, Tang You’an hung up and turned to walk towards the bathroom.

They say most couples in the entertainment industry easily break up because they’re often apart for long periods and don’t have much energy to maintain the relationship, leading to faded feelings… Standing under the shower, Tang You’an wiped her face and knocked her head lightly.

What a mess of thoughts. She didn’t know.

On the other side, Song Xici sat on the bed, kicking her legs. Oh, go ahead. Go ahead, go ahead, if you want to go, then go! Who’s afraid of whom!

Over the next few days, Tang You’an continued diligently filming her scenes.

In the drama, the female lead’s life was finally getting on track, slowly improving from having nothing. As things moved in a positive direction, the filming conditions for Tang You’an also gradually improved.

In the blink of an eye, almost a week had passed. When Tang You’an returned to her hotel in the evening, she saw Song Xici had posted a message in her social media feed saying “Setting off tomorrow, so excited!” She ran her hand through her hair.

It seemed Song Xici was quite looking forward to this music festival trip.

After a moment of silence, Tang You’an opened her chat with Song Xici: “Have you packed everything?”

Song: “All packed. [Picture]”

Tang You’an looked at the picture, then continued typing: “Do you want to double-check? Did you pack medicine? In case you catch a cold or your stomach acts up, it’s good to have it handy.”

Song: “I packed it, I packed it~”

“The music festival is outdoors, right? Won’t it be very sunny and easy to get heatstroke? Should you bring an umbrella?” Tang You’an continued asking.

Song: “I did bring a sun umbrella for walking around…”

“Oh…” Tang You’an pressed her lips together. “Your flight is at 9 AM tomorrow, right? It’s getting late, you should sleep early. It would be troublesome if you miss it.”

Song: “Alright, I know, I’ve set an alarm!”

Tang You’an looked down at her own hand. But she still wanted to see her so badly. However, when she saw Song Xici’s next message saying “I’ll go to sleep then, good night,” Tang You’an swallowed her words again and wished her good night as well.

The next day.

Tang You’an got up early, quickly washed and took care of her skin, then headed to the set wearing a loose T-shirt and denim shorts.

While getting her makeup done, the makeup artist left to find something. Tang You’an opened her phone and saw Song Xici had posted a set of nine photos on social media. They showed blue sky, green trees, a cat lying on a roadside bench, and the airport entrance.

The caption read: “Off on an adventure, so happy!”

After looking at it, Tang You’an silently handed her phone to her assistant. If only it were just the two of them going out together.

During a break after filming her morning scenes, Tang You’an took her water and phone from her assistant, got a boxed lunch, and sat down in the shade. She opened her social media feed.

“Well done, keep it up!” The director walked by, giving her a thumbs up.

“Mm, I will,” Tang You’an smiled.

“But is something bothering you? You look so gloomy,” the director asked, noticing she wasn’t as lively as before.

“No,” Tang You’an shook her head with a smile, opening her lunch box and poking at the vegetables and rice with her chopsticks.

After thinking for a moment, Tang You’an put down the lunch box and opened her phone to Song Xici’s chat.

Taking a deep breath, Tang You’an asked: “Have you arrived?”

“I’m here,” Song Xici replied. “A bit excited, so happy, super ultra happy, I’m over the moon!”

“Good, have fun then,” Tang You’an responded.

“Okay, totally fine, you can set your mind at ease. I’ll definitely have a great time, especially with a pretty girl accompanying me.”

Not knowing how to reply, Tang You’an frowned and put her phone aside.

Pretty girl, pretty girl…

Just as Tang You’an picked up her lunch box again, someone tapped her left shoulder.

Startled, she turned her head but saw no one. Then her right shoulder was tapped.

Finally, two slender arms reached around from behind her neck. A familiar perfume instantly filled her nostrils.

Tang You’an turned to look, momentarily stunned: “…Xici? Weren’t you going to the music festival…”

“Tell me to run off with someone else again, and I’ll kill you,” Song Xici threatened, leaning close to her ear.