The Secret of the Superstar

Chapter 1

1.

The day I flew back home, some dude just cold-cocked me in the street, yelling I was a homewrecker.

Reporters swarmed me, like bees to honey, asking if I was being kept by Ruan Linlin, the CEO of Ruan Corporation.

I stared at them, dumbfounded, and pulled out our wedding photo from seven years ago.

“What are you talking about? I’m her freakin’ husband!”

Everyone froze, and the guy who punched me went paler than a ghost.

That’s when I found out that while I was overseas, Ruan Linlin had been cozying up with some C-list celebrity.

Everyone in their social circle just assumed he was the future Mr. Ruan Corp.

Turns out they were trying to catch him in the act.

But the joke was on them, he was the other man.

Later, Ruan Linlin tried to explain it away: “Chad, you’re always out of the country. I’m a normal woman, I have needs. He’s just a little star, he’s not a threat to your position. Why do you even care?”

“Can you just stop with the bull crap.”

I shoved the divorce papers at her. “Because, frankly, I’m disgusted.”

2.

“Chad, when Grandma’s gone… you… you need to take care of yourself, and take care of Linlin.”

Grandma weakly reached out, stroking my face from her sickbed.

I sniffled, nodding, my voice thick.

That night, my last living relative passed away.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my wife back home:

[Grandma passed away.]

A reply came back quickly:

[I’m sorry to hear that, I’m sure she’s in a better place.]

[Can you manage everything on your own over there? If you need anything, you can call my sister, she’s in the States too.]

[I have important stuff to deal with, I’m sorry, I can’t be there with you, Chad.]

The same soft tone, hadn’t changed in seven years.

Except maybe she talked less now and didn’t call as much.

I remembered when I first left for school, Ruan Linlin would call me like eight hundred times a day.

We got married when things were at their peak, and then we were separated by an ocean. She was my rock.

I didn’t suspect anything, just figured she was busy.

After all, her parents had big expectations for her, running Ruan Corporation all by herself. She probably didn’t have time to chat all day.

I shut off my phone, handling everything by myself.

Looking at the blue sky, I had the urge to go back.

It’d been seven years.

From coming to America to study to taking care of Grandma, we’d been apart for too long.

She’d be thrilled if she knew I was coming home.

I opened my phone, staring at her cat profile picture, and after a moment, closed the chat.

I decided to surprise her.

3.

Two days later, I landed.

On the way to her place, I texted her:

[Where are you?]

Two hours later, the cat profile picture lit up: [At home.]

I smiled: [Guess where I am?]

Ruan Linlin: [I’m guessing… New York?]

[Wrong! I’m home! Get ready to welcome your hubby!]

As soon as I sent that, the cab pulled up.

There it was, the beautiful house we bought together, the one that belonged to us.

It didn’t belong to the Ruans or the Chads, just us.

All our sweet memories were there.

I picked up my phone, expecting her to be jumping with excitement.

But after a few minutes, she sent a period, followed by: [Are you serious?]

Confused, I replied: [Of course! Why would I joke about this?]

I sent her a picture of the house, and she replied immediately.

That familiar, cool voice, just like fine wine.

“Chad,” she said, sounding annoyed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I wanted to surprise you. I’m super tired from the long plane ride. Let’s talk in person.”

I hung up and walked into the house.

There wasn’t a single servant there.

The clean living room was spotless, but the windows were shut tight.

I opened them, then opened the cabinets.

Inside, our matching mugs sat unused.

The house was so clean it was as if no one lived there.

“Linlin?”

I called out, but there was no reply.

The house was eerily silent.

4.

After checking the bedrooms, I was sure Ruan Linlin didn’t live here anymore.

Why would she say she was home?

I called her, and she said, “I moved downtown, for work. I knew you’d get the wrong idea, that’s why I asked you why you didn’t tell me.”

“Honey, just wait for me there, I’ll come pick you up.”

I felt relieved.

While waiting, I posted on social media.

My phone blew up.

Everyone was shocked, asking when I got back.

[This afternoon.]

I replied, and all my friends congratulated me, asking how long I was staying.

I replied: [I’m not leaving. Grandma passed away, I don’t have to take care of her, so I’m coming back to work.]

The chat went quiet for a second.

Then a message popped up: [You’re back?]

It was from someone I didn’t know too well.

So I replied: [Yeah.]

They sent another one: [Does Ruan Linlin know?]

[Of course, she does.]

I thought it was strange and asked: [Why do you ask, Mr. Johnson?]

Johnson, the CEO of a company and also a friend, replied:

[It’s just, you don’t seem to follow local celebrity news.]

Celebrity news? I felt strange.

I don’t follow celebrity gossip, so what?

The conversation ended there, and Ruan Linlin’s car showed up.

Last time I saw her was half a year ago when she came to America for New Year’s.

I walked over to her, and she grabbed my arm. “Did you miss me, honey?”

Ruan Linlin smiled, and I tapped her nose. “A lot.”

I wanted to go to the Chinese restaurant that we used to frequent when we were in college.

The fancy car made everyone stare.

I heard them talking:

“Who is that woman? She looks familiar.”

“Is that her boyfriend? He’s so handsome.”

I grinned.

Seven years ago, we got married.

It was a small wedding, with just family and close friends.

She waited for me.

I wanted to get back to her for her birthday.

After dinner, she pulled up to a hotel.

“Chad, you came back so suddenly, I didn’t prepare anything at home. Can you stay in a hotel for tonight?”

Ruan Linlin sounded sincere.

I asked, “I have my own toiletries. We can stay in the same room, right?”

Ruan Linlin frowned. “It’s a mess there, I’ll let you know when I have it ready.”

“Okay.”

It was already late.

I didn’t want to argue.

5.

The next day, Ruan Linlin took me to a house downtown.

It was cleaned and it had men’s clothes.

We went shopping and ate dinner.

To make up for it, she took time off work and we went hiking.

Ruan Linlin was out of breath, but I was still fine.

I’d been working out.

I carried her up the hill.

As we sat on top and watched the sunset, I noticed she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.

I asked, and Ruan Linlin said she put it away.

I pulled out my phone. I got a notification that her bracelet was ready.

It was a gift for her birthday.

It would be delivered in three days.

6.

The day the bracelet arrived, I made lunch and brought it to Ruan Linlin.

But as soon as I got there, a man in black blocked me.

He punched me in the face!

“You freaking homewrecker!”