The Secret of Second Marriage

After I watched him finish washing the clothes, I opened my phone and ordered takeout. I ordered several servings of fruit salad and two cups of coffee. I walked over to him with the coffee and fruit and asked, "Want some?"

"I'm actually a little thirsty."

Shen Xing took a serving of fruit salad, took a deep breath, and said...

I sat on the sofa with a cup of coffee, watching TV with him.

We looked at each other.

Shen Xing took out a tissue and wiped the sweat from my forehead. He said in a suddenly soft voice, "Man, when I was working part-time at Starbucks, I heard a girl say that if a man is willing to wash a woman's underwear and cook for her, he must be a very gentle and reliable man."

Although I'm 10 years younger than you, I'm considerate. Could you please consider me?

"Get lost! Don't make jokes like that all of a sudden, okay? It makes me feel guilty... I'm never letting you do my laundry or cook for me again."

I suddenly saw his eyes and said.

Shen Xing still held my arm and nestled my head on his shoulder, saying, "Okay, I was just kidding. Even if we're just friends, I should take care of you when you're sick."

"Man, I won't wash anyone's underwear except for you. I'm a germaphobe too."

I asked, "Really?"

Shen Xing said, "I'd be a turtle if I lied to you."

I suddenly asked Shen Xing a question: "Shen Xing, have you ever met someone in your life who has always lived in your heart, who was your first love, and whose heart aches slightly whenever you think of her?"

For the rest of your life, in the vast sea of ​​people, no matter how many relationships you've had or how many other women you've met.

But she will always be unique in your heart. Do you know how much weight the phrase "white moonlight" carries for you men?

Shen Xing said, "Man, you are my white moonlight."

"Isn't this annoying? People are talking to you seriously."

I think Shen Xing was joking, and his acting was so good, his eyes were so sincere that I couldn't tell he was lying.

Shen Xing suddenly smiled, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, and said, "Fine, don't believe me then."

As a woman who's been through it all, what kind of sweet talk haven't I heard? How could I possibly believe Shen Xing? I don't know what he's after in me. Is it my maturity and charm, or is it that he's just naturally drawn to older women, finding them more appealing?

I don't want to think about it anymore.

Shen Xing was used to this attitude and said to me, "I bought eggs and put them in the refrigerator's cold storage room. I also bought healthy meats and vegetables such as beef, corn, broccoli, shrimp, and cucumbers."

Remember to eat on time. The crew only gave me one day off; I have to go now.

"Then I'll take you there."

I put on my coat and talked to him.

"No need, it's windy outside. You've just recovered from a cold, don't catch another one."

Shen Xing grabbed me: "I'll take a taxi and leave in a bit, you're not allowed to see me off! You know I don't like seeing people off."

I sighed and said, "I'll call you a taxi. Be careful on the road and have a safe trip."

"No"

Shen Xing carried the large backpack he had brought with him, which contained his computer, cell phone, and some daily necessities.

He took a bank card out of the pocket inside his backpack and handed it to me: "I have something for you. There's more than 1 yuan in this bank card."

This is what I earned while filming in Hengdian recently. Don't think it's too little; I know you spent a lot of money on me when I was hospitalized for stomach problems last time!

"Need not"

I was taken aback and said, "I'm older than you, I'm the older sister, it's only right that I spend money on you. Besides, this money is what you earned through hard work filming, I can't accept it... You need money for food and sleep in Hengdian."

"Man, have you suddenly had a change of heart? You don't even have to pay back the money I owe you."

Shen Xing suddenly looked at me with a sad gaze for a long time and said to me.

"But I should give this money... I said before that I'm a man, and I can earn money to give you and Tangtang a good life."

Here, take this 1 yuan. I just want you to see that I'm willing to take responsibility. I'm not a child anymore.

The more serious Shen Xing's expression became, the more I felt he was acting.

In my eyes, he was just a greenhorn in his early twenties. That liking was too short-lived; I was just a passerby in his life.

The responsibility he talks about is unreliable, and I feel I can't afford to gamble on it, plus I know him too well.

The reason he keeps saying he likes me is perhaps just a way to fill the void in his life, or a fantasy—a fantasy that he can be happy with me and have a home with me.

He has been lonely for too long, and perhaps even he himself doesn't know what true love is like.

...This strange feeling is indescribable, but I am about 10 years older than him, and from the perspective of someone who has been through it all, I think he is immature and a bit naive.

In the end, I didn't accept the bank card. Instead, I secretly slipped it back into his pocket, gave him a big hug, and said, "Go back to Hengdian."

Since my divorce, I've become a very pragmatic woman, you could say I love money more than anything. It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted by this 1 yuan.

After all, food, clothing, housing, and transportation all require money.

But I just didn't want Shen Xing's money. Maybe it's because deep down I felt sorry for him. I felt sorry for this young man. He has had such a hard life. I hope he can have a better life.

No matter how glamorous, youthful, handsome, and talented he may appear on the outside, the loneliness and solitude behind him are like a child abandoned in a bustling city, surrounded by crowds of people, yet still unable to feel warmth. I understand that feeling.

But he and I are destined to be different types of people.

I'm already in my thirties, and it seems like I have no other pursuits in life besides making short dramas, managing my social media, taking on some gigs, saving some money, buying a house, and working hard for my daughter's and my future.

However, Shen Xing is only in his early twenties, and his life is just beginning to take off. As a new actor, he is hardworking, talented in acting, and his looks are on par with any of the popular young actors on screen.

One day, he will definitely become a big star in the entertainment industry. He will have many female fans and do amazing things, while I am just an ordinary middle-aged woman.

……

I stood on the balcony window, watching Shen Xing leave. His figure disappeared at the entrance of the community. In the end, he couldn't bear to spend money on a taxi. Instead, he scanned a yellow shared bike at the entrance of our community and rode it to the airport with high spirits.

I felt empty inside, so I went back to bed, snuggled up, and started playing on my phone.

It's rare that I have some free time while I'm sick, so I'm checking the messages in the group chat.

We have a group chat for making short dramas. Director Zhang Zhiwei posted a celebratory poster in the group, saying that our traffic on Douyin short dramas has exceeded 100 million views. The company invested more than 500,000 yuan in this drama, but the channel profit and GG profit exceeded 8 million yuan.

If it makes money, it means the short drama is a success.

Director Zhang sent a 1 yuan red envelope in the group, and I grabbed more than 150 yuan with my phone.

Everyone in the group is posting it, thank you Director Zhang.

I also sent a message thanking Director Zhang.

Director Zhang Zhiwei saw my message in the group chat and immediately contacted me, saying, "Man, your film is very well made. After the data came out, the company's boss and producer praised us for our excellent eye for casting. Although they are newcomers, their acting skills are very good."

"Thank you so much, Director Zhang, for your support and encouragement, as well as your guidance during filming. Without you, I probably wouldn't have been able to perform as well as I have today."

I say.

Director Zhang said, "Don't mention it. It's mainly your talent, your flair, and your experience that allowed you to immerse yourself in the female lead's character so well during filming."

In addition, you have a very good image; you're the kind of beautiful woman who is dignified, elegant, and has a delicate, chrysanthemum-like face. You're in Liu Yifei's category—a natural beauty.

It's just that my career as a housewife held me back before. But don't worry, once you sign with our company, I will definitely mentor our own people.

"Let me recommend a few short dramas we're shooting today. They're popular scripts, some with a historical setting and some with a modern feel, all focusing on romance, revenge, and satisfying action. Take a look at the scripts first, and we'll talk about it later. After you sign the contract, you can join the crew. What do you think?"

"OK"

I replied immediately.

I think Jiang and I have broken up. Although I'm incredibly reluctant to let go, there's nothing I can do. Adults have to accept that things don't always go as planned...

I wish President Jiang and his first love a happy ending.

I'm going to focus on my career now. I'll sign a contract and join a film crew. I'll be busy filming every day, and my days are quite fulfilling.

I need to save more money; only when my wallet is full will I not be afraid of tomorrow.

I used to think that I could rely on a man. As long as I hid behind my husband and was a good wife, someone would protect me from the wind and rain and keep me away from the troubles in the workplace.

But now I don't think that way anymore; I've suddenly come to my senses.

No one in this world is as reliable as yourself. You can rely on a man to stabilize your career, but you should never completely depend on a man, otherwise the consequences will be dire.

Director Zhang said, "Man, we've invited the whole crew to a big hotel for dinner tomorrow. You have to come to the celebration banquet too!"

I said, "Okay."

After I finished chatting with Director Zhang, I suddenly received a message from President Jiang on my phone.

He said, "I saw the short drama you filmed; it was high quality and got a lot of viewers. Congratulations, Man!"

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang."

I was being very polite, but I was being very sincere.

Although Mr. Jiang and I had some misunderstandings before, we may never be able to go back to the way things were.

However, I am still very grateful to him for helping me during my most difficult time, introducing me to the company, and encouraging me to get back on my feet.

Mr. Jiang sent me a red envelope, saying he was on a business trip out of town and would be back tonight.

I did not accept his red envelope.

As for whether he'll come back tonight, I no longer care.

I bundled myself up tightly in the afternoon, picked up my daughter from school, had dinner with her, helped her with her homework, and then went to bed.

Lying in bed with the lights off and my eyes closed, I thought I could calm down and get a good night's sleep.

But I don't know if it's because I slept too much during the day, some fragments of memories suddenly popped into my head, about Shen Xing, about President Jiang, about my ex-husband.

I regret why Mr. Jiang and I couldn't be together in the end. Why couldn't I turn a blind eye? After all, Mr. Jiang has connections, ability, and good looks. If I were with him, my daughter and I would have someone to rely on.

I thought about it and realized I still couldn't tolerate a mistress. The person Mr. Jiang truly loved was his "white moonlight," but I didn't understand why he was so good to me. Can a man really be two-faced?

I thought about it for a long time, and finally drifted off to sleep.

……

The next morning, President Jiang returned.

He wanted to see me at my door?

I put on my slippers and opened the door. Mr. Jiang was standing in front of me, dressed in a suit and tie. He was tall and strong, and his handsome face exuded a faint aloofness under the light.

Perhaps it was his expensive shirt, suit, and leather shoes that made him look like he was wrapped in gold, exuding an extraordinary aura.

He took out two gift boxes, one large and one small, and gave them to me: "Did you pick these out for you and Tangtang?"