Chapter 13 Half the Sky of Popularity
Wait until Grandma’s memorial passed before divorcing?
Nan Xiao froze for a moment, not fully grasping it.
Then she realized—there was an old saying in Beicheng, that only after forty-nine days could the deceased enter reincarnation.
Forty-nine days… nearly two months. That must be why Old Master Xie said what he did.
Unconsciously, she glanced at Xie Chengyu. He also looked back at her, and she hurried to say, “I’m fine with it.”
Seeing no objection from her, Xie Chengyu said coolly, “Alright.”
Old Master Xie nodded. “Then the two of you will stay here at the old residence during this time and keep your grandmother company.”
Nan Xiao pressed her lips together. Truthfully, she wanted to say that Old Madam Xie had never liked her—staying in the old house might even anger her spirit.
But the dead deserved peace. There was no point voicing such things. Besides, she would be busy with filming soon and wouldn’t have much time at home anyway. So she only nodded.
As for Xie Chengyu, he was always buried in work, spending more than ten hours a day at the company. Home or hotel—it made no difference to him. He also gave a simple “Fine.”
When the two left the study, Aunt Zhang lowered her voice and asked, “Master, are you truly going to let them divorce?”
A sharp gleam flickered in Old Master Xie’s eyes. “Of course not.”
That had only been a delaying tactic.
Before, it was understandable that they had no feelings after three years apart. But now, with a month of living together day and night—surely they would grow close.
He simply didn’t believe otherwise.
“Sir, Madam, would you like dinner?”
It was already past five when they came out of the study. A servant stepped forward respectfully.
Nan Xiao touched her stomach—she was indeed hungry. At that moment, Xie Chengyu suddenly said, “I want pigeon soup.”
He was looking directly at Nan Xiao.
She blinked, momentarily stunned, before nodding. “Alright, I’ll make it.”
She didn’t know why he suddenly wanted her pigeon soup. Because it tasted good?
Quietly, she went to the kitchen, laid out the ingredients and spices, lit the stove, and began preparing everything step by step.
The marriage was still in effect. She told herself over and over—it was her duty as his wife to cook for him, nothing more.
At the kitchen doorway, Xie Chengyu leaned lazily, watching the busy figure at the stove, momentarily lost in thought.
Over the years, he had occasionally sketched an image of this woman in his mind.
Nan Xiao, his legal wife. Skilled in soups and pastries, able to make a dozen kinds of each.
She never disturbed him. Whenever she delivered food, she left it quietly at the secretary’s office, sending only a short text before slipping away.
She must be gentle, maybe a little timid.
Zhou Wen had once told him—she wasn’t a full-time housewife, but a screenwriter.
Three years ago, after graduating, she had married him.
Since then, she had stayed home writing scripts, producing several works and creating classic characters. She was talented and empathetic.
So, though he had never returned home, he still vaguely understood the kind of woman his wife was—only her image in his mind remained indistinct.
Soon the soup was ready. Nan Xiao ladled it into a bowl. A long, slender hand reached out beside her. “I’ll do it.”
She hesitated, then handed the bowl over. “Alright.”
She only served one bowl. The second she packed away in a container to drink later.
Xie Chengyu had meant to ask why she wasn’t eating with him, but when his gaze fell on the mask covering her face, the words stalled.
Nan Xiao left the kitchen, planning to rest upstairs. Just then, her phone rang—it was Zhou Ruicheng.
“Xiaoxiao, filming starts next week. I’ve picked a new female lead—Feng Xue’er. What do you think?”
Feng Xue’er? She’d been in the industry for years, with good looks and solid acting skills. Nan Xiao replied, “I think she’s fine.”
“Good.” Zhou Ruicheng continued, “The male lead is confirmed too—Xiao Zekai.”
Xiao Zekai—he had debuted three years ago, handsome, explosive in talent, with a great personality. One of the top idols, practically half the sky of popularity.
Securing him was no small feat. Zhou wasn’t really asking for her opinion, only informing her.
But when he finished speaking, Nan Xiao didn’t respond. Curious, he pressed:
“Xiaoxiao, why so quiet? We got Xiao Zekai! Aren’t you excited? Happy? Thrilled?”
“……”
“Yes, I’m happy,” she answered softly.
“Heh, I knew it! You must be so overwhelmed you can’t even speak, right?”
“Xiao Zekai just won Best Actor, and rumors say he’s going to step back from TV to focus on films. For him to take our drama, it’s unbelievable…”
Zhou Ruicheng kept chattering. Nan Xiao listened quietly, eventually hanging up after some time.
Slowly, she walked to the window, her gaze drifting, lost in thought.
