When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 94: Chi Mo 48

When he’d divorced Chi Mo, he was simply going with the flow. For one, Chi Mo’s health really was in decline at the time. For another, he truly hadn’t been ready to get married. But his family was rushing him, and Chi Mo happened to be very fond of him back then, so Zheng Chen had let himself be pushed into the wedding.

But it was only after the wedding that Zheng Chen realized he didn’t want to be married so young; he wanted to have fun for a few more years. So, after Chi Mo fell ill and was hospitalized, he quickly brought up divorce. Conveniently, he could then use her as an excuse to explain away his unhappy first marriage.

That way, his parents wouldn’t pressure him about getting married again. And naturally, he got what he wanted. But Zheng Chen never in his wildest dreams imagined that Chi Mo would become famous. She was more exceptional, more dazzling than ever before.

Just as Zheng Chen was pacing restlessly, his phone rang. A smile touched his lips when he saw the caller ID. But before he could even speak, he was hit with a verbal onslaught from the other end of the line.

"This is Zheng Chen, isn’t it? What do you want with our Chi Mo?" Chi Mo’s mother got straight to the point, giving Zheng Chen no opportunity for pleasantries or reminiscing.

Zheng Chen was stunned; he hadn’t expected Chi Mo’s mother to answer. He vividly remembered how she had raised hell during the divorce. And frankly, he knew he was the one at fault in the matter.

Besides, his family and the Chi family had been on good terms before. After the incident, the two families completely cut ties.

Zheng Chen forced a smile. "Auntie, is Momo free? It’s been so long..."

"She’s busy," Chi Mo’s mother stated firmly. "Don’t call again. You’ve separated, so you should both get on with your own lives. There’s no need to maintain these lingering attachments."

Zheng Chen gave a bitter smile. "But... but I regret it..."

"Then you can live with your regret." Chi Mo’s mother was incredibly blunt. "A breakup is a breakup. You can’t just say you’re sorry and expect everything to go back to the way it was. We’re all adults. You need to be responsible for your own choices."

"Don’t contact Chi Mo anymore. Even if she were willing to see you, we would be firmly against it."

"I’m not willing," Tan You said, putting down her book. "People don’t fall in the same place twice. Don’t message me anymore. I won’t read them."

Zheng Chen hadn’t realized Chi Mo was right there. He fell silent for a long moment. "Is there... is there really no chance at all? But you’ve been single all these years... I thought..."

"You thought I was still carrying a torch for you?" Tan You found this amusing, propping her head up with her right hand. "I may not be like you, able to walk away so coldly. It’s true that it takes me a long time to move on, and that process is draining."

"But precisely because it takes me so long to let go, I’ve become far more guarded than before. I won’t give myself to someone so easily again. And that goes double for the same person. Everything between us ended the moment you asked for a divorce."

"The reason I’m not seeing anyone isn’t because I’m hung up on you. It’s because I have more important things to do than date. You’re really not that important."

"Hang up," Tan You said briefly. "Mom, I feel like having poached shrimp for lunch. Let’s not let some nobody ruin our mood."

Her mother hung up immediately. "I’ll have your dad go to the market and get them. What else do you want?"

Tan You looked up at once. "Anything delicious."

Her father picked up a down jacket and put it on. "Okay, I’ll just see what looks good at the market. I’ll whip up something special for you for lunch."

Tan You waved her hands. "Oh, you don’t need to get that much. I’ve already gained a couple of pounds since I got back. I need to practice dancing a bit longer this afternoon."

If she dared to go back five or six pounds heavier, Tan You knew without a doubt that Teacher Wen would be the first one to chew her out.

After the call ended, Zheng Chen stood on the balcony, utterly dejected. Chi Mo’s words had completely crushed his wishful thinking. He couldn’t believe that the Chi Mo of the past, who never knew how to refuse anyone, could be so cold now.

Zheng Chen’s mother sighed. "Come on inside. It’s the New Year; don’t walk around with such a long face."

Zheng Chen stared into space. "Mom, I regret it. But is the price of that regret too high?"

His father’s face was grim. "You regret it now? What were you doing for the past two years? You seemed to be having plenty of fun. If you didn’t want to make a marriage work, you should have just said so. Why did you have to drag Chi Mo’s name through the mud?"

"The only reason you regret it now is that you see Chi Mo has become famous and successful, and you can’t stand it. You’re my son. You think I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours?"

"You were the one who wanted the divorce, and now you’re the one who regrets it. Do you think this is a game? Let me tell you, a man like you isn’t fit for marriage. Don’t go ruining some other nice girl’s life."

Zheng Chen’s mother grew anxious. "Why are you getting so angry? You know your heart isn’t strong."

She helped his father sit down in the living room. "For the past few years, your dad has been too ashamed to face Old Chi. They used to be the closest of friends."

Zheng Chen pursed his lips. "I know. I was in the wrong."

His father had been quite healthy before, but because of his son’s antics, the two families had a complete falling out. His dad felt guilty toward his old friend, and his health had suffered for the last two years.

After catching his breath, his father said, "I don’t care how you amuse yourself outside, but you are forbidden from bothering Chi Mo again. If you persist in this folly, you don’t have to come back to this house anymore."

Zheng Chen’s phone call was ultimately just a minor hiccup in Tan You’s life, and she paid it no mind. That is, until she received a package from Director Liu. "Movie tickets?"

"Mhm. The movie’s about to be released. You sent me tickets to your dance recital last time, so I’m returning the favor with a few of my own." Director Liu’s voice was warm, and he sounded exceptionally kind, nothing like his fierce on-set persona.

"Thank you, Director. I was just thinking of things to do with my parents," Tan You said with a grin. "Now I can take them to see the movie."

"Exactly. Let them see how brilliantly you shine in the movie," Director Liu chuckled. "After it premieres, you’ll undoubtedly be the most talked-about person from it."

Tan You laughed. "You’re exaggerating. All I did was a single dance. It’s really not that big a deal."

"Trust me, I’m never wrong about people," Director Liu said meaningfully. "Wanna bet?"

"What’s the wager?" Tan You’s eyes widened slightly. "I don’t really have anything to offer. It’s not like the stakes are for me to dance in your next project, right?"

"That’s it!" Director Liu slapped his thigh. "I’m dying to see more of your dancing. If you lose, you have to take the role next time my film needs a dancer."

"That’s a given. As long as I’m able to dance, I’d never pass up an opportunity to be in one of your films," Tan You said with a laugh. "We don’t need to bet on that."

Director Liu basked in the warm glow of Tan You’s unabashed flattery. "Good, good. You’re an interesting one, kid."

Tan You smiled. "You’re pretty interesting yourself, Director."

The two ended the call, still laughing. Her mother was overflowing with curiosity. "You were in a movie? Why didn’t you tell us?"

Tan You looked confused. "I didn’t?"