The Secret of Second Marriage

My breathing was a little unsteady. The police helped me into their patrol car and took me to a gas station in a service area of ​​the county town closest to the mountains. They bought me a cup of hot coffee.

I drank a cup of hot coffee to calm myself down and asked Officer Geng how things were going.

He was my bodyguard. He fought those people to save me, and after I escaped, I lost track of his whereabouts.

I don't want anything to happen to him because of me.

The police seemed to know I was a celebrity and a public figure, so their chief came to see me that very night.

The director said, "Ms. Jiang, don't worry, my colleague has already called an ambulance to take her to the hospital to have her wounds bandaged. The doctor examined her and there's nothing to worry about her life."

Those people weren't kidnappers; they were probably itinerant human traffickers. Their goal was simple: money, not life.

Ms. Jiang, no matter what, it is our police's dereliction of duty that you were injured and had an accident on our turf.

I apologize! We didn't know you would be filming here ahead of schedule, otherwise we could have helped arrange some police protection.

We're so sorry to have upset you about this! We at the police station feel really bad about it!

"I hope the murderer is caught as soon as possible so that no more girls will be killed."

I say.

After I finished giving my statement, one of the officers, Officer Zheng, gave me his contact number. He told me that he would call me if there were any developments in the case, and that if I continued to film in their mountainous area, they would arrange for police to escort me.

This is the first time I've experienced the benefits of being a public figure.

The reason the police are so concerned about my case is largely because I'm a celebrity; a single Weibo post or a single sentence can make me trend on social media.

I nodded and said okay.

I had a feeling that this kidnapping was still targeting me, because the police said that the gang of criminals seemed to be from out of town and had been following me for almost a week, scouting the area before committing the crime.

If it weren't for Uncle Geng, and my ability to remain calm and hide in the mountains by the highway at the crucial moment, I might have been sold to a remote mountain area and never returned if they had caught me and stuffed me into a van.

I feel a chill run down my spine just thinking about it.

The news reports about female college students being trafficked are actually true.

After I calmed down, I called the director and told him about being kidnapped.

The director offered me a few insincere words of comfort, saying that since it was our first time working together, he wouldn't really care whether I lived or died.

He told me, "Jiang Man, it's so good that you're alright."

When we go there to film, we bring a professional crew. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I know you want this film to be a good one, and as the director, I appreciate your good intentions.

However, you absolutely must come to the press conference at 9 a.m. today. You are a newcomer and also the lead actor. If you don't come, the press release will say that you are acting like a diva.

For an artist, such negative news is a major blow to their public image!

"Okay, director, I understand."

That's how the workplace is. Even if I've just escaped death, I still have to accept my job as soon as possible, without any room for negotiation.

At around 3 a.m., the sky was still dark, with stars faintly shining. The night breeze made one's mind exceptionally clear.

It's a new day again.

I asked the police to take me to the highway exit, and then I took a taxi to Hengdian.

The police took my phone number and told me to let them know I was safe when I got there.

I was very sleepy in the car, but I didn't dare to sleep. I idly scrolled through my phone and found that Shen Xing had called me more than a dozen times, but I didn't answer.

After I answered the phone, I said, "Hello, what's up?"

Shen Xing said: "The director sent a message in the group saying that you went to the mountains to hone your acting skills and were almost kidnapped and trafficked."

"Man, I'm really worried about you. I want to come see you."

"No need, I'm safe now. I've taken a taxi back to Hengdian via the highway, it should only take four or five hours..."

"I'll wait for you at the Hengdian Expressway toll station. I need to see you before I can feel at ease."

Shen Xing was extremely nervous on the phone.

I said, "No need, I'm really fine now."

"Man, why didn't you call me immediately when you were in danger?"

Shen Xing suddenly asked me a question that really hit home.

I said, "What's the point of calling you? The signal is bad in the mountains. Besides, I can't rely on others to save me every time I encounter a crisis. I have to rely on myself to save myself."

Shen Xing said, "I understand, sis. Are you very sleepy right now? You're afraid to sleep in the car. I'll hang up the phone and video call you. WeChat video will be on the whole time. I'll stay here and watch over you. You can sleep for a while, just consider it me keeping you company, okay?"

"Shen Xing, why are you so good to me? You know perfectly well that we can't be together."

I say.

Shen Xing said, "Sister, you know what? Sometimes, the connection between two people is predetermined. Maybe I owed you something in my past life, do you believe it?"

Do you believe it? I don't.

I don't believe in past lives or reincarnation.

Maybe I was just too sleepy.

I hung up the phone, and Shen Xing called via WeChat video. I thought about it for a moment and then answered. Shen Xing was on the other end of the WeChat call. He had very fair skin, delicate features, big, deer-like eyes, and a tall, thin figure. He really looked like a handsome idol boy band member.

Seeing this face suddenly made me wide awake, and I wanted to look at it a little longer. I have to say, Shen Xing's looks are truly stunning.

Shen Xing said, "Sis, I'll stay with you while you sleep for a while."

"it is good"

I say.

The driver, a middle-aged man, wasn't very talkative. He hadn't spoken to me since I got on the bus. I guess he was having some wild thoughts because he saw me, a young and pretty woman, taking a night bus.

But then, overhearing my conversation with Shen Xing, he actually struck up a conversation with me, saying, "Beautiful lady, so you're already taken. When you got in the car, I wanted your contact information. Could I treat you to a meal?"

"Your boyfriend is so worried about you on the phone, concerned for your safety, and afraid that it's not safe for you to take a night bus alone. He's been video calling you the whole time."

"Just relax and get some sleep. I wouldn't dare do anything inappropriate, especially since your boyfriend has been video chatting on WeChat the whole time."

"Driver, please drive faster, I need to get to Hengdian early this morning."

I say.

"Are you an extra?"

The driver said, "I heard that many young people are going to Hengdian to film movies. Filming is indeed very hard work; you have to stay up all night and get up early... Miss, why don't you get some sleep first? I promise I'll get you to Hengdian on time."

I dozed off in the back seat, and when I woke up it was already past 7 a.m. The sun was up, quite big, hanging in the blue sky, and the golden morning light was shining on the roadside bushes. Today was another bright and sunny day.

The driver exited the highway at Hengdian.

I saw a black sports car parked at the highway exit, and I recognized it immediately as Shen Xing's car.

We were always video chatting on WeChat.

Hearing me move, he asked, "Sis, are you awake? I'm waiting for you at the highway tollbooth exit. Get in my car, I'll take you to the press conference."

"OK, thanks"

After I finished speaking, I passed the toll booth, took out my phone to scan the code and pay the toll, and asked the driver to stop the car at the highway exit.

After the driver collected the fare, he dropped me off at the tollbooth on the highway.

Shen Xing got out of the car to pick me up. The driver glanced at her and exclaimed in shock, "Your boyfriend is so handsome, and he looks so young! Beautiful lady, you're really something!"

I smiled, not knowing what to say.

Shen Xing was wearing a white tracksuit and light gray casual pants.

He helped me into the car, then sat in the driver's seat, stepped on the gas, and the sports car sped off to the press conference in Hengdian.

The launch ceremony and press conference for the TV series were held in Hengdian World Studios. The director, producer, lead actors, and a huge crowd of people were present.

According to Hengdian's customs, the crew hired a Taoist priest and offered incense with a pig's head. In the morning, we, the main actors, attended the opening ceremony, burned incense, and prayed. Afterwards, everyone received a red envelope.

As the female lead, I only found out after I arrived that they had cast a male lead named Gao Xiao. He looked a lot like the male lead in period dramas—tall, with very white teeth, and exceptionally handsome.

Although Shen Xing did not participate in the filming of this drama, he took leave throughout the entire process, wearing a mask and hat to cover himself up completely, and pretended to be a staff member to stay by my side. Several times I was afraid that the fans in Hengdian would discover that the young man behind me was the popular actor Shen Xing.

To be honest, I was deeply moved by the fact that he went to such lengths for me.

The opening ceremony finally ended around 11 a.m.

The director had to leave.

The other main actors also left.

I also plan to go back and prepare, to properly pack my things, because I'm going to the mountains to film next week.

At noon, I took Shen Xing to a nice restaurant near Hengdian for lunch.

I didn't expect to run into President Jiang as soon as I walked out of Hengdian.

He drove here. When he heard that I was coming to attend the opening ceremony, he had his driver drive the car from Beijing to Hengdian just to see me.

I felt quite awkward because Shen Xing was right behind me, and we bumped right into President Jiang, who was looking for me.

President Jiang looked exceptionally handsome in his suit and tie, exuding an air of elite composure in every gesture.

He came over, looked at me, and said, "Man, I heard about what happened last night. I'll find out who did it as soon as possible."

"Thanks"

I say.

"Who is this?"

President Jiang looked at the boy following behind me.

Shen Xing suddenly seemed a little lost. When she saw President Jiang coming over, she subconsciously moved closer to me, standing in a position very close to me.

In a moment of impulsiveness, I blurted out, "This is my new assistant."

When President Jiang saw Shen Xing behind me, he didn't give her a second glance, nor did he greet her.

At this moment, Shen Xing was dressed in staff clothing, completely covered up, wearing a black mask and hat, carrying my things in her hand, head down, silently...

President Jiang was dressed in a bespoke shirt and suit, looking particularly aloof.

I said to President Jiang, "President Jiang, I have other things to attend to, so I won't be able to invite you to lunch."

"Jiang Man, don't go, I need to talk to you."

Mr. Jiang took my hand, then gave Shen Xing behind me a deep look, and said to him, "Give me her things. I have something to discuss with your boss. You can go back now."

Shen Xing knew how much President Jiang meant to me. Although she felt wronged, she still handed me the things and turned to leave.

After Shen Xing left, Mr. Jiang and I found a parking lot.

I said, "We've already broken up, why are you still contacting me?"

"I heard you were almost kidnapped in the mountains last night, and I'm worried about you! I know I've neglected you lately, and I'm planning to cancel some of my work to spend more time with you!"

President Jiang said.

"No need, we've already broken up. Don't do anything unnecessary."

I said, "President Jiang, isn't that right?"

"Man, don't be angry."

President Jiang said, "Get in the car! I'll take you out for dinner and then back to Beijing. My grandmother wants to see you."