A Guide to Divorce for Middle-Aged Lesbian Couples - Chapter 4

In the conference room, Shrek, the head of the gaming department, handed the contract with a beaming smile to Shen Xingchuan, who sat in the main seat.

Shen Xingchuan didn’t take it, but nodded to Shrek: “President Shi, you handle the specifics. I’m just here to observe. Please, carry on.”

In truth, the specific details had been finalized by both parties long ago. Today was merely for the formal signing and photo op. However, at the final moment, the Big Boss had appeared, leading her two chief managers in a silent entry that nearly scared both sides to death.

The agent was a seasoned veteran of the industry who had been fried in the oil of experience countless times. Even under high pressure, they were able to step forward with extreme enthusiasm to socialize: “Thank you so much, President Shen, for taking care of our Huaian. To think you’d come personally despite your busy schedule.”

“Not at all. I also wanted to better understand the company’s new project. Mr. Xie, how old are you this year?”

The Big Boss coming personally to offer condolences… it seemed Ms. Su’s pillow wind last night had blown quite effectively. Xie Huaian thought to himself, flashing a smile that revealed his tiger teeth: “Twenty-two.”

Very good, separated from thirty-four-year-old Su Sixian by a twelve-year marriage gap. Shen Xingchuan had a shallow smile on her face, but her eyes held a coldness she hadn’t even noticed herself. She took the tea Bona handed her and spoke in a light, breezy tone that carried a pointed implication: “The achievements and influence of a spokesperson and a game are mutual. Although youth is the greatest capital, I hope Mr. Xie can conduct himself with integrity during the contract period.”

This isn’t a condolence! It’s a blatant threat! Xie Huaian’s smile froze on his face.

Could it be that Ms. Su told her about that embarrassing night? The one where I got drunk because of a breakup and called her at midnight, crying and begging her to pick me up, only for her to lose her patience and dump me at a hotel?!

God as my witness! I, Little Dog Xie, absolutely had no intention of interrupting the night life of President Shen and her wife!

Looking at the guilty expression of Suspect Xie and his clearly shady, dodging eyes, Shen Xingchuan picked up her teacup and leisurely enjoyed the high-quality green tea.

Everyone present was confused for a moment. However, the agent was particularly sharp-eyed and noticed something from the butterfly-style cufflinks pinned to Shen Xingchuan’s sleeves.

Aren’t those the gifts Movie Queen Su personally designed and produced for her 30th birthday, given away in a Weibo lottery to thank her fans? The cufflinks, necklaces, and earrings featuring butterfly elements were only produced in batches of one hundred each. They’ve been marked up to six figures on second-hand markets.

Who would have thought! President Shen is actually a fan of Movie Queen Su! Well, that makes things easy!

The agent said with a beaming face: “You must be referring to the rumors between our Huaian and Ms. Su. We have already clarified that. We’re all one family.”

One family! Is this the modern era’s new way of referring to a green hat? Shen Xingchuan pursed her lips and smiled lightly. “Is that so? I had a lot to do this morning and didn’t have time to look at the news or the latest newspapers.”

“News… newspapers? President Shen’s hobbies are truly unique.” The agent let out two awkward laughs.

Seeing the conversation take a turn for the weird, Bona quickly took out his phone, opened Weibo, and handed it to her: “President Shen, this is the latest news.”

The top trending topic on Weibo was Su Sixian Xie Huaian, followed by a bright red “Explosive” tag.

Clicking in, the first pinned post was a Weibo Su Sixian had posted an hour ago.

“My own kid. Doesn’t have a girlfriend yet, matchmaking online.”

Below it was Xie Huaian’s reply: “Sis, you really are my biological sister!”

Su Sixian followed up: “Cousin. Remember to transfer the PR fee.”

The melon-eating masses below were outputting passion.

“Ahhh! As expected, beauty is transmitted through blood!”

“Sister! I am your younger brother’s wife whom you haven’t met yet!”

“Brother! I am your sister’s girlfriend, nice to meet you! Please take care of me!”

“Go away! I got here first, don’t you know.”

“Actually, I’m okay with either! Look at me!”

So it was… a brother-in-law. Shen Xingchuan looked up, Xie Huaian was staring at her with innocent puppy eyes.

The agent sharply captured a hint of tension in the atmosphere: Could it be that President Shen likes this type of puppy boy?!

Her fingers flew across the keyboard under the table, showing the phone screen to Xie Huaian without leaving a trace.

“Such a big leg to cling to, hurry up and hug it! Women! They all like the young ones!”

Xie Huaian moved his eyes away from the phone screen, took a deep breath, and gave a bitter smile to his winking, clueless agent.

Digging up my sister’s corner?! I still have some lingering attachment to this world, okay?! Also! Where did my ‘pillow wind’ that cost me a Chanel bag go?! Even the cold air of Siberia isn’t as cold as my heart right now!

Su Sixian, who had finished her pick-up shots, was chatting idly with a senior who had come to visit the set but ended up being roped in by the director to film a cameo Easter egg.

“Sister Tingman, I’ve already finished filming, and you’re only just getting here. Even the daylilies wouldn’t stay fresh this long.”

Tingman poked her little head: “You little brat. I haven’t appeared in a domestic movie for so many years. This time, I filmed a cameo for your movie for free, and you’re still being picky! Got any candy?”

“Hypoglycemia. You aren’t on a diet, are you?”

“What diet. I’m already in my forties. I’m not going to compete with you young people.”

Su Sixian rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a piece of dried tangerine peel candy to hand over.

A flash of surprise crossed Tingman’s eyes, followed by a light laugh: “All these years and you still keep this candy in your bag. You don’t have ‘buried in an earthquake PTSD,’ do you?”

Peeling one and putting it in her mouth, Su Sixian shook her head: “This is called desensitization therapy. It’s what I used to survive back then.”

Tingman leaned back in her chair and looked up at the night sky: “It’s been twelve years since the earthquake, time really flies. By the way, did you ever find that person who was buried with you?”

Su Sixian shook her head.

Tingman gently patted her shoulder, comforting her: “The medical rescue at the scene was so chaotic back then, and you only knew the girl’s last name was Lin. It turned out everyone in the nearby villages had that surname, it’s normal that you couldn’t find her. Didn’t you donate to the village? Just consider it a thank-you.”

“I heard the construction there is quite good. When the school is completed in a few days, I plan to head over and take a look.”

Speaking of travel, Tingman instantly got excited. “Call me when the time comes. When we went there for location scouting back then, I thought the scenery was unparalleled!”

“Sure, you and Teacher Lu should come together then—relive your old romance!”

Tingman’s excitement vanished instantly, and she let out a heavy, disdainful huff: “Is she my dog Wangcai?! I have to lead her by a leash everywhere I go!”

Staff members were busy setting up lights and laying tracks, extras were crouching in groups of two or three in the corners waiting for their cues, and the floor manager was running around frantically. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the chaotic scene, drawing everyone’s gaze.

The woman didn’t look young. She had subtle wrinkles on her face, but those eyes that saw no dust made people afraid to look her in the eye. Her hair was simply pinned behind her head, a thin black turtleneck sweater outlined her lean figure, and her jeans made her legs look two meters long. If she weren’t carrying a paper bag in her hand, one would have thought she was there for a fashion show.

The floor manager was about to step forward to stop her, but then the director—who had been leaning back in his chair looking arrogant and making the young actor listening to his lecture turn red-eyed with fear—suddenly stood up.

“Teacher. Why are you here?” The tough guy director’s voice suddenly turned into a fawning baby voice, making everyone present curious about this person’s identity.

“Looking for someone.” The woman answered, her eyes fixed on Tingman, only to be met with a fierce glare—clearly, the anger hadn’t subsided yet.

“Oh! Teacher Ting’s scene is already finished. If you’re free, could you give me some pointers?”

Respectfully giving up the monitor seat, this famous rising director seemed to have returned to the grueling years of being crushed under this person’s wing while studying abroad. Bowing and scraping, standing like a lowly lackey.

The woman didn’t decline; she sat in the director’s chair, her long legs stretched out, supporting her chin with one hand. She frowned at the screen for a long time, and finally said only a few words: “Dim the lights, lengthen the shadows.”

“Yes, yes, yes! I knew something felt weird. Thank you, Teacher.” The director looked overwhelmed by the favor, nodding repeatedly, but then saw the person’s gaze fall on the cigarette pack he had left aside. He caught on instantly and, under the guise of a handshake, stuffed one into her hand.

“Sister Tingman, it looks like our Teacher Lu followed the scent of your perfume all the way here.” Su Sixian seized the opportunity to tease them.

“Most likely she had no inspiration at home and came out to ‘gather material’.” Tingman gave the approaching Lu Bai a sharp look, signaling for a certain someone to turn themselves in.

“They gave it to me. Didn’t smoke it.” Lu Bai tossed it casually, and the cigarette flew into the trash can. Seeing Tingman’s expression soften slightly, she handed over the paper bag.

“A sandwich. You didn’t eat dinner.”

Tingman huffed and stood up to walk ahead, yet she slowed her pace bit by bit, waiting for Lu Bai to catch up.

Tsk, tsk, tsk! To be able to train this industry lone wolf to be so submissive, Senior Tingman truly has a way with her wife. The family discipline is strict!

As Su Sixian was marveling, her phone rang. As soon as she picked up, she heard her puppy brother’s tearful accusation.

“Sis! You definitely don’t know what I went through! Even though I went abroad to study early on, I ate with you guys several times when I was a kid! That person of yours really doesn’t even remember my name!”

“She’s pushing forty, it’s normal for her memory to decline.”

Su Sixian thought to herself: Nonsense. She doesn’t even remember me, why would she remember you.

“By the way, that person of yours is really retro! Guess where she gets her news from?”

Hearing this, Su Sixian couldn’t help but recall distant years. In that era, news was spread either through TV or newspapers.

Sure enough, in the next second, the puppy roared: “News broadcasts and the latest newspapers! You heard me right! Who still reads newspapers nowadays?!”

Su Sixian coughed and explained for Shen Xingchuan: “Actually, she goes online too. But those ad pop-up news… it’s all about luck!”

There was a silence on the other end for a full three seconds, and then the call was disconnected.

“Sixian! The little princess said her ‘Little Fairy’ watch can’t get through to your or President Shen’s phones, so she called me in the end. She’s almost home and asked if you’re coming back tonight. I told her you have a social gathering.” Wang Dahua was so busy her mouth was dry, she picked up a bottle of water and chugged.

“Okay.” Su Sixian replied casually while applying lipstick.

Wang Dahua sensed something was wrong: “You haven’t told President Shen yet, have you?”

“Told her what?”

“That she has a daughter.”

Using her pinky to dab the lipstick, Su Sixian revealed a smile that could topple nations: “Of course not. I plan to give her a little surprise.”

“You’d better hope so.” Wang Dahua observed a three-second silence for Shen Xingchuan.