Xu Tang frowned and clicked into the post to take a look.
The account was from an entertainment media outlet. The Weibo claimed that the two had already begun living separately. After attending the elder’s birthday banquet the previous night, they each got into their own cars and went to different residences. It was obvious they were no longer living together, and they had not even arrived at the banquet together or accepted interviews. As for the reason for the separation, it was unknown—possibly related to Zong Xuan’s recent rumors.
In the accompanying photos, the two of them got into different cars—Zong Xuan returned to the villa, while Xu Tang’s car entered the residential area where he currently lived.
Such “hard evidence” seemed to leave no obvious flaw.
The post was published around 11:30 p.m. last night. Xu Tang did not know whether Kang Duo had avoided contacting him because she thought he was already asleep, or whether she simply had not seen it.
However, it did manage to suppress the trending heat around Shi Duo.
He grabbed his phone and called Kang Duo first.
After picking up, Kang Duo asked directly, “You saw it?”
“Mm…” Xu Tang said calmly. “We didn’t notice anyone following us yesterday. I didn’t expect we’d be photographed.”
The reporters at the banquet had all been pre-arranged and coordinated, but no one expected paparazzi hiding in the underground parking lot. That momentary oversight had led to them being photographed.
“They were probably originally there to shoot Shi Duo,” Kang Duo said somewhat frustrated. “Since Shi Duo didn’t show up, they caught you two instead. What do you think? We have two options now—either we explain it as a misunderstanding, or we directly admit you’re already in the process of divorce. I’ll start shaping your public image accordingly.”
Xu Tang thought for a moment. “Has Zong Xuan’s side contacted you?”
“They have,” Kang Duo replied. “Early this morning Wen Hui called. Zong Xuan said he’ll leave the decision to you—whatever you want to do, they’ll cooperate. Wen Hui wants to meet you in person, but I didn’t agree immediately. I said I’d check with you first.”
Xu Tang understood immediately why they wanted to meet. “Alright. Arrange a time.”
Because a separation announcement would require coordinated PR, and both sides needed alignment.
Wen Hui seemed to have been waiting for this. As soon as Kang Duo contacted her, she immediately agreed to meet at any time.
Since the topic of separation needed quick resolution, the meeting was set for the afternoon at Xu Tang’s residence.
Going out was risky; there might still be reporters outside. His address was not officially exposed, but with the photos already out, it was essentially compromised.
In the afternoon, Kang Duo brought Wen Hui over.
Wen Hui even brought fruit and snacks out of politeness on her first visit.
“Wen Jie, it’s enough that you came. You didn’t need to bring anything,” Xu Tang said with a faint smile.
“It’s proper,” Wen Hui replied. She genuinely liked Xu Tang and felt that Zong Xuan and Xu Tang together were good for each other. Xu Tang was clean-minded, not after money, and not the type to drag Zong Xuan into hype or damage his image. She could not understand what Zong Xuan had been thinking before. Now that he regretted it, it was already too late.
Kang Duo brewed tea for the three of them.
After they sat down, Wen Hui spoke first.
“Xu Tang, I know this request is a bit much, but I really have no choice. I didn’t expect you two would divorce, so we haven’t prepared any PR strategy for this.”
“Kang Duo is probably more prepared than I am, but even she hasn’t started building your public image yet.”
“I know Zong Xuan is… not great. I don’t think there’s anything worth forgiving. Sometimes I get angry at him too. But can you do me a favor and delay the divorce by half a year? Give me time to handle the PR and stabilize his image.”
Xu Tang understood very well. Once the divorce was announced, it would affect both of them. Without coordinated PR, Zong Xuan would suffer, and even Xu Tang could be dragged into speculation.
He did want the divorce, but he did not want to destroy Zong Xuan, nor shift all responsibility onto him.
After thinking, he looked at Kang Duo.
Kang Duo was straightforward. “I’ve already prepared plans, but I haven’t started execution. If half a year is too long, three months is also fine. That gives Wen Jie time—and also gives me time.”
Wen Hui looked at Xu Tang pleadingly.
Xu Tang considered for a moment.
“Wen Jie, since we’ve known each other for so long, I don’t want to make things difficult for you. I also understand that once our images are damaged, it affects a lot of people behind us who depend on this for a living.”
“So let’s compromise. You tell Zong Xuan to sign the divorce agreement and give it to Kang Jie. I agree to postpone the divorce by six months. After six months, no matter how PR turns out, we’ll officially finalize it.”
He had considered delaying the divorce announcement without signing anything first. But there are no airtight secrets in this world. Even with confidentiality agreements, leaks were still possible.
So it was safer to sign the agreement first.
Wen Hui was already satisfied with this outcome and immediately agreed.
“I’ll go talk to Zong Xuan right away.”
After Wen Hui left, Xu Tang deflated like a punctured balloon, leaning back on the sofa without speaking.
Kang Duo tapped his forehead. “Weren’t you pretty strong just now? What, already deflated?”
“There’s no one else here,” Xu Tang said quietly.
“You…” Kang Duo sighed. “I really don’t understand what you’re thinking sometimes.”
“I don’t either.” Xu Tang closed his eyes. “If I weren’t in this industry, maybe a divorce would just be a divorce. No one would care. I wouldn’t need to manage anything.”
“Don’t say that nonsense,” Kang Duo quickly cut him off, afraid he would say something like quitting the industry.
Xu Tang gave a faint smile. “I know. I was just thinking out loud. I’m fine. You go ahead if you’re busy. I’ll draft the statement later and send it to you.”
“You have a lot of people relying on you,” Kang Duo reminded him. “Rest for a few days. Don’t take new work. If you can, write some songs. Your next album is about to start prep anyway.”
“I know.”
After Wen Hui returned, she relayed Xu Tang’s decision to Zong Xuan.
Zong Xuan considered it for a while, then took out the divorce agreement from his study and signed it. He handed it over to Wen Hui.
If Xu Tang was willing to compromise, then he would too.
It was only a signed agreement, not the final certificate—there was still room.
“You should think about it less,” Wen Hui said softly. “If you’ve decided, just go pursue him properly. If it’s meant to be, you’ll end up together.”
“I know. I’m fine.”
Wen Hui looked at him and sighed inwardly.
She told him to return to filming next week so he could finish before the Spring Festival.
Zong Xuan agreed.
As long as life continued, work still had to go on.
Later, Teng Yizheng messaged him, asking if he was free to have a meal.
Zong Xuan replied that he was busy and would meet after the Spring Festival instead.
Not because he lacked time—but because he simply did not want to go.
That evening, Xu Tang posted a Weibo statement:
“I appreciate everyone’s concern. I am currently living separately from Zong Xuan because I am preparing for my new album, and he is too clingy, which affects my creative inspiration. So I am temporarily staying at my own place to finish writing my songs and will move back after I’m done. Please don’t worry.”
The post quickly received many comments:
“LOL, is Zong Yingdi that clingy??”
“So cute, unexpected gap-moe!”
“Only me feeling a bit sorry for him?”
“Sorry but not sympathetic—creative inspiration can’t be interrupted!”
“Feels like he’s going to be separated all the time if Xu Tang keeps releasing albums every year…”
Xu Tang was about to close the page when Kang Duo messaged him again—the media that reported the separation had reposted it, adding:
“They send their car back home every day just to pretend everything is normal. If separation is really that simple, why bother faking it?”
Xu Tang sneered and reposted:
“We’re not actually separated. I change clothes daily—sending the car home to pick up clothes or items, does that offend anyone? Sometimes I go back for dinner too. Is it strange for a car to enter and leave a residential area? If normal routines are questioned like this, then if I really don’t go home someday, won’t you all explode?”
Comments immediately exploded again:
“Is Xu Tang channeling Zong Xuan??”
“Hahaha this is amazing, keep it up!”
“These media outlets are really disgusting, always twisting things.”
“Support Xu Tang! Support Zong Xuan!”
“If this counts as separation, my parents must be divorced every week…”
After reading, Xu Tang closed the computer.
He exhaled slowly.
Sometimes he felt hypocritical—but this was the world he lived in. He had no choice but to think ahead for himself.