She Wants to Divorce Me

Ji Yaoguang’s hand froze above Chang Yu’s head, unsure whether to touch or withdraw. Seeing Chang Yu sit up in bed, glaring angrily, she feigned nonchalance and retracted her hand. Heaven knows, she only intended to smooth Chang Yu’s furrowed brow, nothing more. Chang Yu’s anger surely stemmed from a misunderstanding. After a dry laugh, before Ji Yaoguang could speak, she heard Chang Yu’s deliberately lowered voice: “Get out!”

This is our bedroom… Of course, Ji Yaoguang dared not further provoke Chang Yu, not even attempting to defend herself. She could only slink out of the room, closing the door behind her. Chang Yu was a light sleeper, awakening when Ji Yaoguang entered. She had held her breath, wondering what this fool was doing standing there, only turning on the light when she saw her reach out. In that moment of illumination, she hadn’t missed the love, reluctance, and struggle in Ji Yaoguang’s eyes. She believed love still existed in Ji Yaoguang’s heart, just as she herself couldn’t forget. All the coldness was merely a façade, but the weariness and exhaustion were genuine. A barely audible sigh escaped her lips as she turned off the lamp, the helpless smile on her face instantly swallowed by darkness. She forced herself to forget Ji Yaoguang’s gaze.

Finally succumbing to fatigue, Ji Yaoguang curled up on the sofa and fell asleep. Upon waking, her first action was to check her phone for the time—still three years in the past. Was everything after the divorce a dream? Or was she still struggling in a dream, unable to find an exit? Frowning at her phone, she set aside these thoughts and searched the house, confirming Chang Yu had left. She recalled Chang Yu was filming a commercial recently. Then they had divorced, and Chang Yu had left the industry, disappearing from public view.

Eight out of ten missed calls were from her manager, Su Ci.

“Hello—” Ji Yaoguang had barely uttered a word when the other end unleashed a torrent of speech.

“Ji Yaoguang, are you planning to vanish? What’s going on with you, not answering calls for a day? And what’s this between you and Chang Yu? Have you seen what the media’s writing? Don’t bring your personal life into work, okay? Look at your career since debut—do you have any work you can be proud of? I always thought you weren’t cut out for acting. Why didn’t you pursue singing instead? Yet you chose this path.” It was all familiar rhetoric; Ji Yaoguang had heard it countless times. Initially, she had been noticed by the company through a singing competition, “The Voice of Millions,” while in school. They had wanted to package her as a singer, but she refused, choosing to pursue acting. Fortunately, with her pretty face, the company hadn’t opposed her choice. But now— Her manager wasn’t wrong. She sighed softly, moving the phone away until the other side calmed down, then replied coolly, “Don’t arrange any scripts or commercials for me recently.”

“What exactly do you want? Even the company higher-ups are starting to have issues with you. If it weren’t for Chang Yu’s influence, they would have long ago—” Su Ci’s tone was filled with exasperation. She didn’t finish her thought, but mentioning Chang Yu reminded her of something else. “I heard Chang Yu’s contract is expiring, and she’s not planning to renew. Do you know what’s going on?”

Could she be leaving the entertainment industry? Ji Yaoguang’s heart skipped a beat, her voice urgent: “Sister Su, I don’t know. What’s happening? Is Chang Yu not planning to continue acting?”

“Chang Yu is your wife, isn’t she? Don’t tell me the rumors are true, that you’ve had a falling out?” Su Ci continued, “It’s not that she’s quitting acting altogether. She recently accepted a script. I just heard she’s planning to leave the company and is already preparing to set up her own studio.”

In Ji Yaoguang’s memory, Chang Yu had left the entertainment industry after their divorce. Had everything changed? Was this return to three years ago not the same as she had experienced before? Ji Yaoguang frowned, feeling troubled. Finally, she cast aside all emotions, resigning herself to taking things one step at a time. “Sister Su, Chang Yu and I do have some minor issues, but it’s absolutely not like what the rumors say. By the way, do you know what role she recently accepted?”

Su Ci replied, “Director Li Ou’s ‘The Treacherous Courtier.’ I originally wanted to get you a role, but seeing your current state, it’s better not to invite criticism.” Ji Yaoguang had heard of Li Ou, a veteran director in the industry known for his historical dramas filled with national vendettas. He had a strong personal style, and his recent historical epics had received critical acclaim and numerous awards. Of course, he was also famous for his high standards for actors. Someone like Ji Yaoguang, often labeled as eye candy, would definitely not meet his approval. He had even publicly criticized Ji Yaoguang’s acting skills.

After a moment of contemplation, Ji Yaoguang spoke, “Sister Su, I want to join the production. Even if it’s just playing a tea-serving maid, it doesn’t matter.” As long as Chang Yu is there.

“Ji Yaoguang, did you hit your head? You—” Before Su Ci could finish, Ji Yaoguang hung up. She knew Su Ci would handle everything, and even if Su Ci was unwilling to help, she would find a way into the production herself. After all, how could she win back her wife’s heart if she wasn’t constantly reminding Chang Yu of her presence?

After sitting on the sofa for a while, Ji Yaoguang opened Weibo. She remembered the flood of news online when they divorced. Back then, she had been dead set on divorcing Chang Yu and hadn’t cared about others’ opinions. But now it was different; she couldn’t let public opinion become a force driving Chang Yu away from her. The top trending topic was surprisingly #Self-Awareness#, four simple characters. A quick glance at the others seemed unrelated to her. Incredulous, Ji Yaoguang clicked on it, only to find the pinned post was from Zhao Qing, with over a hundred thousand reposts and still growing. When she opened the comments, anger surged within her.

Zhao Qing V: It’s important to have self-awareness.

@NotAZombieAccount: Is Goddess Qing talking about the big vase Ji?

@DontSearchImJustAnAlt: Definitely. What’s good about Ji Yaoguang besides her looks? She doesn’t deserve our Goddess Chang! PS: The doctor in “The Mute Woman” was stunning, Chang Qingshu forever unslaved.

@I’mJustAFaceObsessedSueMe: Isn’t it too much if it’s really about Ji Yaoguang? She and Goddess Chang are already married. Is Miss Zhao acting like a boastful mistress? Of course, I believe my goddess wouldn’t cheat. It must be someone’s wishful thinking.

@Qianli: Some people’s behavior is too unsightly.

@HerLittlePrince’sRose: Ji fans get lost. Look at what your idol is like, married but still flirting with men and women.

@ListeningToWindBlowingIceCream: Falling for a wild horse~

Ji Yaoguang was almost certain Zhao Qing’s ambiguous words were directed at her. Scrolling further, she found people even revealing news of her impending divorce from Chang Yu, even knowing about the lawyer’s visit. Suppressing her anger, Ji Yaoguang tried to calm herself before entering Chang Yu’s profile. Chang Yu rarely posted on Weibo, mostly just promotional photos and movie news. Opening her latest post, she found a flood of inquiries in the comments.

Have you eaten well? Are you preparing for final exams? Have you written your annual summary? Why so much free time to concern yourselves with others’ private affairs? Ji Yaoguang angrily typed out a response, then deleted it character by character. The tension in her mind was near breaking point. When she switched to her alternate account, she found her heart feeling empty. What was there left to argue about? Bystanders always criticize others from their own standpoint, expecting public figures to be saints, magnifying every mistake.

Lazily curled up on the sofa like a dejected person, she unconsciously drifted into sleep. She saw various scenarios she feared playing out, and when she suddenly awoke, she found a blanket covering her. Chang Yu had been home and still cared for her. This realization nearly brought Ji Yaoguang to tears. She hurriedly ran to the master bedroom, only to find some things missing. Chang Yu had only returned to pack her belongings. A new divorce agreement, already signed by Chang Yu, was placed on the bedside table awaiting her signature. It felt like being pushed off a cliff; her joy hadn’t even had time to spread before freezing on her face. Her heart aching, Ji Yaoguang crouched in the bedroom and dialed Chang Yu’s number.

“Hello.”

“Chang Yu.” Ji Yaoguang squeezed out two words.

“I’ve taken my things. The agreement is on the nightstand. Sign it and let me know when to come get it. Take care of yourself.” The usual calm tone.

How can I take care of myself without you? Ji Yaoguang desperately held back tears, but her words still came out choked. Chang Yu listened silently on the other end. Ji Yaoguang didn’t even know what she was saying. It seemed like minutes passed, or perhaps hundreds of years, when Ji Yaoguang suddenly exploded, shouting into the phone: “Chang Yu, I don’t want a divorce, do you hear me? I said I don’t want to divorce you! Chang Yu! Chang Yu…” In the end, she just kept repeating those two words.

The person on the other end also remained silent for a long time, with only soft sighs amplifying in Ji Yaoguang’s ear. “You’re still the same, aren’t you? If you’re unwilling to sign, so be it. Let’s separate for a while. It’s better for both of us, isn’t it?”