Chapter 31: The Greedy Deceiver

“Because I love you.”

Hearing this, Xie Moluo promptly didn’t want to say another word. She hadn’t expected Lian Mei’s skin to be this thick.

Indeed, Lian Mei was with her just to use her as a stepping stone, right? Look how convincingly she’s faking it. Anyone watching would exclaim, “Divine love!”

No matter what Xie Moluo was thinking, right now, a camera was pointed at her face.

Between romance and career, she had to grasp at least one of them, right?

Xie Moluo said nothing, simply lifting a smile of pure bliss.

Two bare-faced beauties, framed by the lens, were very pleasing to the eye.

The Technical Director had already done his homework on the couple’s background. Having worked in the entertainment industry for years, he saw right through what kind of person Lian Mei was. Watching Xie Moluo humble herself to cover for Lian Mei, painstakingly crafting an image of a loving wife on camera, he sighed inwardly.

But his mission here was to stir topics, to create buzz. Pure sweetness alone couldn’t serve as fodder for episode highlights.

The Technical Director put on his genial smile. “Your relationship truly makes people envious! Hahaha. Regarding your love story, many fans are curious. We’ve randomly selected a few small questions for you to answer for the fans. Is that alright?”

Before the camera, how could one say no?

Xie Moluo smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Lian Mei’s arm, still around Xie Moluo’s shoulder, didn’t drop. Right now, her nose was filled with a pleasant, subtle fragrance.

Maybe because she’d been an animal for too long, but her senses of smell and hearing were far sharper than normal.

The faint, floral shower-gel scent on Xie Moluo was something Lian Mei thoroughly enjoyed.

Watching Lian Mei’s eyes grow slightly dazed, her head slowly leaning closer, Xie Moluo pressed her lips tightly. Beneath the cover of her jacket, her slender, pale hand fiercely pinched Lian Mei’s thigh.

A sharp pain shot through her thigh. Lian Mei’s previously unfocused eyes instantly snapped back to clarity. With a forced smile, she withdrew slightly from Xie Moluo. Only then did Xie Moluo release her grip, smiling at the Technical Director.

The Technical Director pulled out his script. “How long did you two date?”

Lian Mei skimmed her memories, only to find them surprisingly vague. Clearly, the Original Owner hadn’t bothered to remember things properly. She only knew it was fast; they got together not long after.

“Five days,” Xie Moluo answered quickly.

The Technical Director pressed on, “How long have you been married?”

Xie Moluo: “Almost three months.”

Clearly a whirlwind romance.

A dark glint flashed in the Technical Director’s eyes. “I wonder, with such a rapid marriage… did both sets of parents approve?”

Unfortunately, she had fallen out with her family over a woman like this and was living poorly now…

Xie Moluo visibly stiffened. She hadn’t expected such a pointed question. Hesitation flickered in her eyes; she didn’t want to answer.

“My parents have been dead for over four years now. I doubt I need their consent.”

Lian Mei’s lazy drawl came from beside Xie Moluo’s ear. Just as Xie Moluo turned her head, she saw Lian Mei raise an eyebrow at her.

“If they knew I married such a beautiful and virtuous partner, they’d probably be overjoyed in their graves.”

“Ah… this… I’m sorry, I touched upon a painful topic,” the Technical Director said, somewhat awkwardly. He’d focused on the angle of Father Xie and Mother Xie’s disapproval and completely forgotten that Lian Mei was an orphan.

“Since you know it’s painful for me, perhaps you can change the topic. Otherwise, I’ll become even sadder.” Lian Mei pursed her lips, blinking, turning the tables on him.

The Technical Director quickly said, “Yes, yes…”

He proceeded to ask several more ordinary questions. Xie Moluo answered them all flawlessly, leaving no hook to use as tabloid fodder. The Technical Director reluctantly had to turn his attention back to Lian Mei.

Technical Director: “Miss Lian, what kind of work have you been doing since your Girl Group disbanded? We haven’t really seen you on screen much.”

This question directly targeted Lian Mei’s past. Lian Mei quickly skimmed the Original Owner’s memories from that period. Still very blurry—meaning the Original Owner hadn’t cared to remember much. But the gist was understandable.

Lian Mei crossed her legs, a slender index finger twirling a lock of hair. “Singing at a bar.”

It wasn’t a secret. Anyone could look it up online. The internet had mocked her for it back then, saying she debuted for nothing.

But the main reason was her singing was off-key. Whether back in the Girl Group or currently singing at the Bar, she constantly went off-key.

But the Bar owner, considering she had debuted and had a tiny bit of fame, plus looked gorgeous, kept her on as a Resident Singer to draw in shallow admirers.

Technical Director: “Is that so? Then how did you and Miss Xie meet?”

Xie Moluo watched Lian Mei somewhat nervously, wondering what she’d say. Back then, she’d been… well, captivated by beauty? Entranced by Lian Mei’s looks, she’d just foolishly approached her.

“Love at first sight,” Lian Mei said, placing her hand on Xie Moluo’s head and ruffling her hair. Facing the camera, she smiled, her lips curving gracefully. “I fell for her at first sight, then relentlessly pursued her until she agreed, and finally dragged her to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get the certificate.”

Xie Moluo’s pupils contracted slightly. How was it that she didn’t know this version? Hadn’t she been the one… But mindful of the recording cameras, her expression quickly returned to normal. She even put on a sweet smile.

Technical Director: “…” How was this different from what he’d researched?

Since there were four couples total, the time allotted for each pair was limited. They couldn’t spend too long on any single couple.

The Technical Director signaled the Cameraman to cut the shot and told them to pack their luggage and depart as soon as possible.

Technical Director: “We hope you can finish packing within half an hour, so you don’t meet the other three couples too late. We’ll wait for you in the Underground Garage.”

Xie Moluo stood to see the Production Team out.

“Sorry for the wait. We’ll pack as quickly as possible and come down to find you,” Xie Moluo apologized.

Their luggage should have been packed last night, but she’d been so furious she’d completely forgotten about it, causing the Production Team to wait for them.

Once Xie Moluo saw them off and returned to the living room, she found Lian Mei still sitting there. With a complicated expression, she looked at her. “You were the one who wanted this show. Consider it… a divorce trip.”

The current state of their marriage was the complete opposite of the show’s theme.

Sitting on the couch, Lian Mei uncrossed her legs and reached up to scratch her hair, unsure what to say to salvage this marriage. After all, the original owner was just too horrible. If it were her, she’d divorce too—immediately!

“Uh…” Words rolled in her throat, then were swallowed back. Finally, she asked, “You haven’t given me the travel details for this season of the show yet. I don’t know what luggage to pack.”

Xie Moluo said stiffly, “…I’ll send you the document.” With that, she took out her phone, forwarded it to Lian Mei, and then went back to her room to pack.

Getting up and walking, Lian Mei opened the file, only to find a sparse document—just a few lines on the page, making her suspect Xie Moluo had sent the wrong thing.

There was no information about the other three couples, no destination. But it did state the recording duration: four days, three nights.

The last line of the file read: Hope every couple can have a profound and unforgettable sweet journey.

Lian Mei raised an eyebrow. This show was being quite mysterious.

She searched online for the filming locations of Sweet Travel‘s previous two seasons. The first was in a rural village; the second on a deserted island.

Overall, it seemed the show liked to toss its guests into less-than-ideal environments for filming.

“Creak—” The second bedroom door opened. Xie Moluo, suppressing her anger, said in a low voice, “You have twenty minutes to pack. What are you doing?”

“I-I’ll pack right away!” Jolted, Lian Mei instantly dashed into the bedroom.

Xie Moluo watched Lian Mei vanish before her eyes in a flash and reached up to pinch her own face. Was her expression that terrifying? This was the first time Lian Mei had shown such fear towards her.

Lying on the two-by-two-point-two-meter king bed, Lian Mei excitedly kicked at the air.

‘Oh my god, my Wife was so cute just then! Her cheeks even puffed out! Wanted to poke them so badly… wouldn’t that be seen as perverted?’

After calming down, she found a backpack and stuffed three sets of clothes inside. After all, it was only four days and three nights. Three outfits should be enough. She added her toiletries, wallet, power bank, and phone accessories.

By the time she emerged with her backpack slung over one shoulder, Xie Moluo hadn’t come out of the second bedroom yet.

Sitting on the sofa, feeling rather cheerful, Lian Mei opened a mobile game on the Original Owner’s phone and started playing around aimlessly.

When Xie Moluo wheeled two suitcases into the living room, she was greeted by the sound of elegantly poetic curses streaming from Lian Mei’s phone.

Xie Moluo immediately frowned. The language was terrible. And what on earth had Lian Mei done to make the other side rage even harder?

The round ended in a swift surrender.

Watching Lian Mei put her phone away, Xie Moluo finally asked, “What did you do? Why are they swearing so viciously?”

Standing up, Lian Mei slung her backpack on. “Seems like I stole their kills or something, then wandered around everywhere.”

Xie Moluo: “…”

“Let’s go,” Xie Moluo said. “Don’t make the Production Team wait too long.”

“Alright.” Lian Mei headed for the door with her backpack, waiting for the elevator. She pressed the button and turned her head… to find no sign of Xie Moluo.

Lian Mei blinked, then backtracked into the apartment, only to see Xie Moluo pushing two large suitcases out.

“What’s taking you so long?” Lian Mei blurted out instinctively.

Xie Moluo gave Lian Mei a flat look, said absolutely nothing, and pushed the two suitcases right past her.

Standing by the elevator doors, Xie Moluo thought bitterly: Lian Mei only has a single backpack. She definitely didn’t bring much. When the time comes, I’m not sharing my stuff with her. That’ll teach her to complain about me being slow!

Just as Lian Mei reached her side, the elevator doors opened. Xie Moluo released one suitcase, lifted the other by its handle, and tried to haul it into the elevator.

“Let me.” Lian Mei’s voice sounded by her ear. Before Xie Moluo could refuse, Lian Mei gently moved her hands aside and effortlessly lifted the suitcase in with a single hand.

While Xie Moluo was still stunned, Lian Mei lifted the second suitcase inside as well.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Lian Mei laughed, sitting on a suitcase.

Xie Moluo: “…”

This was the first time she realized Lian Mei was actually this strong.

They didn’t speak all the way down until they saw the Production Team staff. Xie Moluo’s expression softened again.

Lian Mei, who’d been watching her out of the corner of her eye the whole time, secretly grinned.

“You’re here,” the Technical Director said, his brow relaxing visibly when he spotted them. He quickly called the Field Director over to help with the luggage.

Once they were all in the vehicle, the Technical Director reminded them, “The other three couples are already on their way now, so you’ll likely be the last to arrive.”

Xie Moluo nodded. “Understood.”

In show business, the first and last to arrive were always the most talked about. First showed politeness, easily connecting with later arrivals. Last arrival, if not the most famous, could be seen as acting like a diva—even if it wasn’t your intention.

While Xie Moluo was still strategizing how to build good relationships with the other three couples, a weight landed on her shoulder, followed by arms wrapping around her waist.

“Wife, I’m so sleepy. I’m borrowing your shoulder for a bit.” Lian Mei’s head nestled in the crook of her shoulder, nuzzling.

She’s an actor, right? Improvising a bit of a show shouldn’t be too hard.

Xie Moluo remained completely still, the corner of her mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

Lian Mei, you’re so fake! You never act this coquettishly!

The Production Team members sitting nearby very slickly turned on their cameras, planning to capture some small moments. If the couple ever became popular, they could use this as bonus material, letting netizens ship their “true love.”

But no matter her private thoughts, the moment she saw the lens aimed at them, Xie Moluo’s face immediately shifted to one of tender concern. “What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Lian Mei smiled and nodded, then dropped a line that made Xie Moluo want to beat her to death.

“Wife, I’ve realized I don’t kick in my sleep anymore. From now on, let’s sleep together.”

Oh ho, in name, she’s still her Wife. Sharing a bed isn’t too much to ask, right?

Xie Moluo: “…Just sleep. You must be tired.”

Why else would you be dreaming in broad daylight?

Lian Mei laughed, closed her eyes, and clutching Xie Moluo’s slender waist, breathing in the faint, clean scent of her shower gel, fell deeply asleep.

Not long after, Xie Moluo also closed her eyes, leaning her head against the car window and drifting into slumber.

Only the Production Team members inside the vehicle wore knowing smirks behind their lenses. Switching off the cameras, they too each closed their eyes and slept.

Under the Driver’s guidance, the scenery outside became increasingly remote.

They only awoke when the Production Team staff shook them.

“Here already?” Lian Mei drawled lazily, lifting her head to look out the window. It was an ancient, beautiful mansion Villa.

But this Villa, located in the middle of the Forest… seemed somewhat eerie no matter how you looked at it.

“Yeah,” the Technical Director nodded. He then took a small basket and placed it in front of them. “Please hand over your phones. During the show’s recording, contact with the outside world is prohibited.”

This was a standard practice for the show. Xie Moluo knew it well. She turned her phone off and placed it in the basket.

“Your phone.” Xie Moluo extended a hand towards Lian Mei.

Lian Mei handed her phone over, but since it wasn’t locked, a new message notification happened to flash across the screen. Xie Moluo saw it clearly.

【Baby Little Feng: Meimei, are you coming tonight? Did Xie Moluo forbid you from leaving the house?】

Xie Moluo nearly choked on her fury, rage blazing wildly in her heart.

She tossed the phone back to the still-oblivious Lian Mei, smiling through gritted teeth. “Meimei, someone sent you a message. You should reply.”

With that, she literally stepped over Lian Mei, jumped out of the vehicle, and strode purposefully towards the Villa.

Frowning slightly, Lian Mei wondered: What’s gotten into her now?

Picking up her phone to look, Lian Mei almost threw the device right out the window.

Who—who the hell is calling you “Meimei”?!

And “Baby Little Feng”?!!

This Lian Mei truly had no shame!

Frowning darkly, Lian Mei immediately blocked and deleted the contact, then tossed the phone into the basket.

Take it, take it away. Just looking at it was infuriating. Getting caught again. Just thinking about it was exhausting.

Getting out of the vehicle, she walked to the trunk. “Open up.”

The Technical Director exited the car and smiled at Lian Mei. “You can head inside first. The luggage will be delivered by us shortly.”

Lian Mei looked at him, smiling wordlessly.

The Technical Director’s smile began to crack. “This is the Production Team’s arrangement. We hope you can understand.”

Just as the director thought Lian Mei would refuse to comply with the rules, she held out a hand. “Mine and my wife’s toiletries. Give them to me. We aren’t used to using others’ things.”

Technical Director: “There are new items inside…”

Lian Mei remained silent.

Technical Director: “…Fine. Need me to help you carry them?”

In the end, carrying only her and Xie Moluo’s toiletry bags, Lian Mei pushed open the main doors to the Villa.

The moment she stepped inside, she discovered the Villa was resplendently opulent, every object within exuding luxury. Beyond that, four Maids in Maid Costumes stood at the entrance, smiling at her.

“Welcome to the Sweet Home.”

Lian Mei walked past them, smiling but saying nothing. Her nose, however, was filled with the pervasive scent of decay wafting from every corner of the Villa.

Lian Mei was certain: tonight, Xie Moluo would absolutely share her bed.

This show… seems like joining it was the right choice!