The Secret of Second Marriage

But the woman you truly love is still Xia Weiwei.

President Jiang's feelings for me are simply a case of loving someone because of their relationship with him.

I will no longer allow myself to remain stubbornly deluded.

Suddenly, President Jiang asked me, "Man, if I hadn't shown up tonight, would you have missed me?"

I said, "I will miss my daughter."

Mr. Jiang looked at me with an expression that I couldn't decipher... Perhaps he thought that I should be thinking about him the most at this moment.

But when I was in the detention center, I really didn't think about President Jiang or Shen Xing. The only person I missed was my daughter.

I'm worried that after I go to the detention center, my daughter will be left without anyone to take care of her. What will happen then? Also, having a criminal record will affect my daughter's academic performance in the future.

Maybe I'm not as love-obsessed as I used to be. For me, real life is about the mundane things, about my daughter and I being able to depend on each other, and about earning money to support my daughter's education.

As for men, they are like clouds in the sky, the moon in the water, and flowers in a mirror; you can't fathom their hearts, and they might change their minds any day.

Mr. Jiang, Juan, the three of us finished discussing and are about to head back.

But just then, a taxi rushed up and stopped in front of me. Shen Xing got out of the car.

He had put on makeup and styled his hair, and he was starting to look more and more like a celebrity. He was still as handsome and dashing as ever, with fair skin, big, doe-like eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin red lips.

He was really handsome, wearing a white tracksuit with a black down jacket, jeans, and sneakers.

He was carrying a designer sports bag, wearing a mask, and came up to me, looking at me intently.

Both President Jiang and Juan were attracted by the young man in front of them.

Juan asked me, "Man, who is this guy? Wow, he's amazing! Judging from his clothes, anyone who didn't know better would think he's a top male celebrity visiting you from a film set."

I've never seen such a handsome and refined-looking guy before. He looks just like Lu Han! Tell me quickly, who is he? Is he a relative of yours?

"He's my nephew; he came to see me about something."

I don't know why I suddenly lied and said that.

I am a woman in my thirties, divorced, and have been through marriage.

Shen Xing is about 10 years younger than me, and he's still a handsome young man.

We don't seem like a good match at all. I have a sense of shame; lying is wrong, but I just feel a little bit ashamed...

I can't bring myself to tell my best friend Juan and my boyfriend, President Jiang, that Shen Xing is someone I'm having an affair with.

Perhaps no one's humanity is 100% righteous and kind; everyone has a small, dark side hidden within.

Shen Xing came up to me and stood face to face with President Jiang. He was very tall, and even in sneakers, he was about the same height as President Jiang.

However, their styles are completely different. One is a mature, successful man in a suit and tie, while the other is a handsome young man with a cute, puppy-like figure, like he stepped out of a comic book.

These two are really good-looking.

Juan looked at this and then at that, almost swallowing hard.

I stood there awkwardly, wishing I could disappear into a crack in the ground.

President Jiang said very generously, "Man, I didn't expect your family to have such good genes. You're so beautiful, and your nephew is also very good-looking."

I asked Shen Xing, puzzled, "Why are you here?"

Shen Xing didn't expose my lie, but went along with what I said: "Could the gentleman over there please leave? I have something to say to my aunt privately?"

I said to Mr. Jiang and Juan, "I'll go over there with him and talk. You two take a taxi back first, and I'll take a taxi back myself later."

Mr. Jiang said very politely and gentlemanly, "It's alright, I'll wait for you."

Juan also said, "Wow! Man, your nephew is so handsome! He must care about you, his aunt, right? He rushed over as soon as he heard you were detained. Go and explain things to him quickly, so he doesn't worry."

I had no choice but to talk to Shen Xing by the roadside not far away.

I asked him, "How did you know I was at the police station?"

Shen Xing said, "This world is sometimes very big, and sometimes very small. Isn't it a coincidence? I have a college classmate who works as a DJ and dancer in a bar. She recently told me that she often sees you and your best friend going to bars and paying for things. She heard that you've recently broken up and are feeling down."

I asked her to keep an eye on you. Today you got into a fight at the bar, and she immediately took a picture and sent it to me. So I flew over from Hengdian right away to prepare for your bail.”

"I'm sorry to have worried you, but I'm fine now."

I said it in a relaxed tone.

But I was very shocked because I didn't expect that Shen Xing, who had already gone to Hengdian to film, would still be thinking about me, and that his classmates would be keeping an eye on me in the bar.

What a coincidence this world is!

But thinking about it, it's quite normal. Shen Xing used to perform a lot when he was in school. In order to earn money through part-time jobs, in addition to teaching piano, he would go to bars with his classmates to dance and play guitar. So it's normal that some of his friends and classmates work in bars.

Shen Xing glanced at President Jiang and asked me, "Did he help bail you out? He's President Jiang."

"Yes"

I replied.

Shen Xing asked, "Are you still dating him? Or have you already broken up?"

"Adult matters are none of your concern, little brat. Go to Hengdian and focus on filming your movie. My relationship with President Jiang is none of your business!"

I replied dismissively.

Actually, I'm not quite sure if there will be a future between Mr. Jiang and me...

My perfunctory attitude caused the light in Shen Xing's eyes to slowly fade. He looked at me seriously, seemingly lost in thought, and took a deep breath. We fell into silence.

Five minutes later, I broke the silence and finally said to Shen Xing, "You should go back. It's windy at night, and you just finished filming in Hengdian. You also had stomach surgery last month, so you're very susceptible to catching a cold."

Shen Xing shook her head, determined not to leave, and said to me, "Man, I don't want to leave right now."

Tell me, why have you been going to bars so often these past few days, drinking alone and even getting into fights? Are you in a bad mood? Is it because of your ex-husband, because of President Jiang, or because of... me?

I have indeed been in a low mood lately, and although I am reluctant to admit it, a large part of the reason is that President Jiang's white moonlight, Xia Weiwei, has returned.

I learned that I had become a substitute for another woman. Although I appeared quite carefree on the surface, the pain in my heart lingered, reminding and stimulating me about this ridiculous, fleeting affair with President Jiang.

Stop being so narcissistic.

I said, "Anyway, it's not for you. Shen Xing, I'm older than you. I'm divorced and raising my daughter alone. I'm exhausted from working in society. I really don't have the mood to think about love anymore."

"Do you think I can't support you and Tangtang?"

Shen Xing asked me.

"Please, I'm begging you, let's not talk about this anymore, okay?"

I said, "Shen Xing, I'm not some noble woman. I lie too, just like I said you were my nephew in front of President Jiang."

Because I don't want President Jiang and my friends to know about our relationship. I don't want people to laugh at me, Jiang Man, for dating a guy more than ten years younger than me. Do you understand?

"Jiang Man, am I really that embarrassing to you?"

Shen Xing said to me with tears in her eyes.

"Isn't my sincerity worth anything? I may not be as successful as President Jiang, but at least my feelings for you are genuine. Besides, I can endure hardship, and my career will gradually improve. Why can't you leave me with a little hope? Did you have to say such cruel things to me?"

I simply remained silent, calmly watching Shen Xing.

"The word 'sincerity' is too heavy; I dare not ask for it, nor can I afford it."

Sincerity is a fickle thing. How many people in this glamorous and calculating city can truly live a life of unwavering devotion and love only one person? I once gave my heart to my ex-husband, Xue Fan.

She accompanied him to Hengdian World Studios in Beijing, started from scratch, and struggled for a full 10 years. She supported his postgraduate entrance exam, did his laundry and cooked for him, and was a full-time housewife, wholeheartedly managing the family and taking care of their daughter, so that he could focus on his career without any worries.

And what was the result? Day after day, I became a haggard old woman. He had an affair and, in order to be with his mistress, he resorted to any means to force me and my daughter to leave with nothing.

Sincerity is trampled on and rendered worthless.

Who else would I dare to love?

After a long while, Juan and President Jiang got into the luxury car.

They were waiting for me in the car.

Shen Xing said, "Man, the drama I'm playing as the second male lead in Hengdian will wrap up filming next month. I've signed with an agency and will soon be going to film in another production."

I'm going back now.

"Okay, congratulations! I wish you all the best and that you become incredibly famous!"

I say.

Shen Xing looked at me with a particularly complicated expression. He wanted to hug me, but he tried his best to restrain himself. In the end, he said to me, "The reason I told you this is that I want to prove myself. For the next 365 days, I will be filming in Hengdian every day. No matter how hard or tiring it is, I will definitely persevere."

Jiang Man, one day I hope you'll see me on screen. One day, when I've gained enough fame, I'll come back to find you.

I will prove to you that although I am younger than you, I am no less capable than those mature older men, and I will earn money to support my family through my own efforts.

I hope that while I'm gone, you'll live a good life, take good care of yourself, and stop going to bars to drown your sorrows in alcohol. Drinking is bad for your health...

"Man, can you promise me? Even if life is tough, at least try to be happy, okay?"

I lowered my head, not wanting Shen Xing to see my sad expression.

I almost couldn't hold back my tears.

I know that it's impossible for us.

He's young and has such a bright future. Once he becomes a big star in the entertainment industry and gets to know so many beautiful celebrities, will he still remember the existence of a nobody like me?

I don't want to gamble on an impossible future.

Give me your hand.

Before saying goodbye, Shen Xing took a gift from his backpack and gave it to me. It was a doll he had sewn for me by hand, along with a note with his email address on it. He handed it to me and said, "Man, I might be staying in Hengdian for a long time. If you're feeling down or have anything on your mind, just email me."

I will be your secret confidant.

He paused for a moment, then added, "This email address is online 24/7. I will read every single one of your emails. I wish you happiness."

"Then, take care of yourself too."

I say.

Shen Xing smiled bitterly, then stood by the roadside, smiled at me, and said, "Man, goodbye... I don't know when we'll meet again. Bye-bye, I'll miss you."