After the Divorce, I Ended Up with My Ex-Husband’s "White Moonlight" [Transmigration] - Chapter 23

Someone to spoil her…

Qin Shi thought back to what she knew of Ning Qi’s past: her parents’ divorce, failing the college entrance exams, the subsequent death of her father, and finally, after finally marrying the man she loved, ending up divorced.

To have loved so much only to let it all go now—it must be incredibly painful.

“Qin Shi, what’s with that look?” Ning Qi wondered. Had she really reached the point of being a tragic figure of pity? There was absolutely no need for that! She suspected she might have overdone it with her earlier “sob story” and caused a misunderstanding.

“Let’s eat,” Qin Shi said, masking her slight heartache and the stinging sense of sympathy. “The food is getting cold.”

“Oh!” Ning Qi took a large mouthful of rice. She was relieved that Qin Shi didn’t dwell on the topic. After all, those experiences belonged to the original owner of this body, not her. She only knew about them through the girl’s diary; if Qin Shi kept digging, Ning Qi would surely slip up.

The two fell into silence, save for the rhythmic tick-tock of the living room clock. Ning Qi enjoyed the meal immensely. Compared to her own “lethal cooking,” this was like heaven and earth.

“Qin Shi, I’ve decided I can’t eat your cooking anymore.”

“Why?” Qin Shi looked puzzled.

Ning Qi put on a mock-sorrowful face. “Isn’t it obvious?” Qin Shi watched her quietly until Ning Qi finally burst out laughing. “It’s too delicious! With your food as a comparison, how am I supposed to stomach my own cooking ever again?”

“If you like it, I can cook for you in the future,” Qin Shi offered.

“Qin Shi, if you talk like that, I’m going to take you seriously,” Ning Qi replied, smiling as she began clearing the dishes.

“I am being serious,” Qin Shi smiled back. “Why would I lie about something like that?”

Ning Qi froze for a split second, realizing that Qin Shi might actually mean it. She asked in a half-joking tone, “Qin Shi, are you this serious about everything you do?” A woman of her word, through and through.

“However,” Ning Qi added with equal gravity, “you’re far too expensive a chef. I certainly can’t afford you.”

If Qin Shi’s fans knew she had enjoyed a home-cooked meal made by the goddess herself, Ning Qi would undoubtedly be crowned the luckiest person of the year. If it happened every day, the fans would probably want to skin her alive. No thanks, I’d like to live a few more years!

“It’s just along the way,” Qin Shi said dismissively with a smile.

As if she plans to cook here every day! Ning Qi didn’t press further, but she could see that Qin Shi was incredibly skilled in the kitchen—she must have practiced a lot. She had gone abroad for advanced studies and her family was wealthy, so there was no need for her to be frugal. Was she simply doing it for the joy of cooking?

After tidying the table, Ning Qi nudged Qin Shi toward the TV. “Miss Qin, you just sit here quietly and watch television. I’ll handle the kitchen.” Doesn’t this woman ever want to slack off? Even at someone else’s house, she’s working so hard.

Qin Shi sat on the sofa, somewhat resigned. A moment later, Ning Qi approached carrying a square plastic box. She placed the box on the coffee table and squatted down in front of it, opening it under Qin Shi’s watchful eye.

“Haha, it’s actually just snacks!” Ning Qi laughed. Qin Shi had been watching her with such intense focus, as if the box contained some state secret.

Realizing she had been a bit too reactive, Qin Shi slightly turned her head away. Ning Qi, seemingly oblivious, pushed the snacks toward her and explained, “My little box is fully stocked with all kinds of things.”

“Watching TV is a bit boring, so I found something else for you to do.”

“I’m telling you, this is my favorite box because,” Ning Qi paused for dramatic effect, “it’s full of food!”

Perhaps because she couldn’t eat such things in her previous life, Ning Qi was now obsessed with them. Since she arrived in this world, the snack supply in the apartment had never run dry.

“Alright! I’m going to get busy now!” Feeling her arrangements were complete, Ning Qi headed into the kitchen.

As Ning Qi walked away with a light step, Qin Shi glanced at the box. There was a small bear sticker on the inside. Just how much does this person love little animals? She really is like a child.

Qin Shi shook her head and used the remote to flip through the channels. Sounds drifted from the kitchen from time to time. Even though her usual channels were on, she found herself becoming absent-minded. After a moment of thought, she turned off the TV and walked into the kitchen.

“Why did you stop watching?” Ning Qi asked, surprised. “Couldn’t find anything you liked?”

“It was fine. I just…” Qin Shi paused. “I remembered I have some things to—”

Before she could finish, the pitter-patter of rain struck the windowsill. The sound grew louder instantly. One of the windows was still open, and the fresh, damp scent of rain rushed in.

The summer rain was sudden and heavy. Ning Qi felt a surge of delight—this was the first time it had rained since her arrival. However, for Qin Shi, who had just been about to leave, it wasn’t quite as welcome. The two shared a look before Ning Qi broke into a grin.

“Qin Shi, don’t they say, ‘On a rainy day, I don’t keep the guest, but Heaven does’?” The timing of that old couplet is just too perfect.

“It’s fine,” Qin Shi said, her resolve to head home unshaken by the weather. “Do you have an umbrella?”

“Would you believe me if I said no?” Ning Qi countered.

“Actually, I really want to keep my guest here,” Ning Qi teased. “Qin Shi, I’m almost finished cleaning up. Since the Heavens have decided you should stay and keep me company a while longer, why not just stay?”

Qin Shi still looked a bit conflicted.

“Just think of it as accompanying this…” Ning Qi almost said lonely old woman, but realized she wasn’t that old yet. Since Qin Shi thought she was childish, she went with: “…accompanying this ‘childish kid,’ okay?”

When she still saw no reaction, Ning Qi pulled out her trump card. “Qin Shi, I get so bored on my own. Just stay with me a bit longer!”

She spoke in a wheedling, coquettish tone. Her voice was soft and sweet; even though she didn’t actually touch her, she gave off the same “clingy” vibe as a small child tugging at someone’s sleeve. Her eyes darted about with a lively spark, practically screaming that she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

Qin Shi hesitated. Facing that expression, she suddenly found it impossible to refuse.

Seeing the shift in Qin Shi’s face, Ning Qi knew she had won. “Great! Since you’ve agreed, I want to watch a movie. Let’s watch one together in a bit, okay?”

She didn’t even give her a chance to decline. Qin Shi gave a slight nod, and Ning Qi cheered inwardly. This tactic was one she used often; it worked wonders on her parents, her brother, and Sister Mu—provided the request was somewhat reasonable, of course.

She really is like a child, Qin Shi thought. Every emotion and thought was laid bare in her every movement. Yet, for some reason, it was undeniably cute.