After the Divorce, My Wife Is Impossible to Coax - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The newly-freed Captain An was ushered out of the Glandular Department by Dr. Lu, who ordered her to follow doctor’s instructions and rest at home.

“How are things going between you and Shen Shen?” He Nanchun asked with deep concern.

The 10:00 AM sunlight spilled through the large floor-to-ceiling windows into the dining room. An Zhaoyu and the baby sat at the large dining table in the An residence. The table was covered with a snow-white cloth and set with exquisite cutlery. It had been a long time since she had sat down for a leisurely breakfast with her mother.

“I’m pursuing her,” An Zhaoyu said, using a fork to break up the dense, tender scrambled eggs into tiny pieces to feed An Zhou. “Xiao Zhou, open wide, ahh.”

An Zhou had just woken up. She sat in a high chair with an off-white cartoon bib around her neck, her tiny hands reaching toward the plates from time to time. Before her was a plate of soft, fragrant French pancakes drizzled with golden maple syrup and topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Next to them were a few slices of freshly baked, crispy bacon glistening with oil.

This looks good, An Zhaoyu thought. Much more presentable than a sandwich.

“Mom, ask the cook to teach me how to make these French pancakes sometime.”

On the other side of the table were fresh croissants, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, brushed with a light layer of butter. Those are good too; I’ll learn them next time.

“Huh? Why do you want to learn this?” He Nanchun didn’t know her rebellious Omega daughter had already started cooking.

“So I can make them for Lu Shen,” An Zhaoyu said with a smile.

The breakfast at the An house was incredibly lavish. Besides the main courses, there was refreshing homemade yogurt sprinkled with honey and nuts, fresh fruit, and freshly brewed rich coffee.

“You’ve never made anything for me,” He Nanchun pretended to be upset, but her heart was full of relief. Her daughter had matured significantly.

“Once I learn, I’ll make it for you first.”

“You just want to use me as a test subject for Shen Shen’s dishes, don’t you?”

An Zhaoyu raised an eyebrow and didn’t deny it.

“It doesn’t matter. Our Xiao Zhou will grow up fast, and then she can use her mom to test dishes for her own wife,” He Nanchun said, looking at An Zhou with adoration.

An Zhou’s eyes darted across the plates. She grabbed a small piece of apple and stuffed it into her mouth. The moment she bit down, her eyes lit up, and she made “mmm-mmm” sounds of satisfaction, making He Nanchun laugh.

“It’s still early for that,” An Zhaoyu said, watching her.

After breakfast, Captain An decided to take her daughter out for some sun. She changed An Zhou into a light pink dress embroidered with cute flowers, which complemented the baby’s rosy skin. She chose a wide-brimmed straw hat to protect her delicate face and applied a layer of fragrant baby lotion.

All set. An Zhaoyu picked up a small water bottle and headed out.

She first took An Zhou to see the Track Manager. He had been asking her out for a meal for a long time, and she hadn’t been in the mood, but she had time today.

“Captain An is getting harder and harder to book. Such a busy person,” the Manager said, sounding a bit dissatisfied and a little jealous.

An Zhaoyu didn’t pay much attention to him. Seeing the baby’s eyes go wide at the Formula race cars, she pulled out her gold card. “Next time, get me a small bumper car.”

The Manager was shocked by her request. “Do you think this place is an amusement park?”

“It is an amusement park,” An Zhaoyu replied matter-of-factly. “It’s just an expensive one played by adults.”

The Manager rolled his eyes. To show respect for the champion, he had specially changed into a formal suit. “Fine. Consider it a meeting gift for your daughter,” he said, handing the gold card back.

“So kind. Tell me, what do you want from me?”

“Can’t I just be happy for you?”

An Zhaoyu gave him a look that said ‘Do I look like I believe you?’

“I’m sincerely giving you a gift as the champion,” he said, a hint of regret on his face. “But you are even stronger than I imagined.”

After the official race recordings were released, the Manager saw that she hadn’t just left while the two Alphas were fighting, and he saw the footage of her saving Wen Su. He knew then she would be a star. Even now, some Alphas online were questioning her win, claiming she only won because Wen Su crashed. If she had left early, the public backlash would have been immense.

“It was the right thing to do,” An Zhaoyu said dismissively.

“What are your plans next?”

“I plan to start an all-Omega flight team,” An Zhaoyu said, making no effort to be modest.

Now that Wen Yuncheng was capable of leading the old District 2 team, she wasn’t considering the Alphas. If they had a new captain, great; if not, they could disband. She believed every gender should have a flight team. People said Omegas weren’t suited to be pilots? She was going to train an elite Omega squad just to show them.

“You really dare to dream.”

“You bet. If your daughter wants to join my team later, remember to bring plenty of money.”

The Manager’s daughter had been influenced by him since childhood and dreamed of being a pilot. The Manager had hoped she would be an Alpha, but her pre-differentiation results suggested Omega was more likely.

An Zhaoyu had no specific career expectations for An Zhou. She figured having a champion mother was enough. If the Manager wanted to push his kid, he’d have to pay up.

“…” The Manager wondered how the person at home could stand the Captain’s sharp tongue.

“Mama, water-water,” An Zhou looked up, her straw hat nearly falling off.

“Okay,” An Zhaoyu knelt to give her water and straightened her hat.

“She looks like a good prospect. Those bright eyes—flying requires great vision,” the Manager noted.

“Don’t. Good vision is useful for anything,” An Zhaoyu cut him off, covering An Zhou’s ears. “Don’t say things she doesn’t want to hear.”

“How do you know she doesn’t want to hear it? I’m praising her,” the Manager said, thinking her parenting style was a bit unconventional. “With your genes, she’ll be amazing. And don’t you want an Omega team?”

“She’s my daughter, of course I know,” An Zhaoyu had hated hearing what she “should” be like when she was a kid. “I don’t need her strength to build my team. Her Mommy has good genes, too.”

The Manager tried to argue that flying should start from a young age, but she just picked up An Zhou and left. “Remember the Formula bumper car. Make it colorful!”

An Zhaoyu then took An Zhou to her old university. She hadn’t been back in years. It was noon, and the century-old trees provided plenty of shade. Sunlight flickered through the leaves, creating dappled shadows on the students carrying backpacks to lunch.

A SSS-rank Omega with a baby attracted many stares. Despite her mask, students pointed her out; she was the “Senior” featured prominently on the campus posters since winning the championship. Everyone knew the wine-red-haired Omega was the racing champion.

Seeing so many people for the first time, An Zhou wasn’t shy. She looked around curiously from her mother’s arms. An Zhaoyu didn’t stop, though; she was here to see Professor Xu, a kind female Beta who had written her recommendation letter and always believed in her.

In the meeting room of the Flight Technology building, several airline HR representatives were recruiting graduating students.

“Professor Xu,” An Zhaoyu entered.

“Xiao Yu, is this your child? She’s so big already!” Professor Xu’s hair had turned silver-white. She wore a navy knit sweater and an elegant black skirt, her gentle smile reflecting the poise of an intellectual.

“Yes, she’s over a year old,” An Zhaoyu brought her to the desk. “Xiao Zhou, say Grandma.”

“Grandma,” An Zhou said clearly.

“Aw, such a good girl,” Professor Xu gave her a beautifully wrapped candy and then introduced An Zhaoyu to the HR reps. “This is the most outstanding pilot from our graduating class. You should all know her now—the champion.”

An introduction wasn’t necessary. An Zhaoyu knew these HR reps well; they had all rejected her during her final interviews.

The atmosphere was awkward. Professor Xu mentioned that four or five Omega graduates were struggling to find jobs this year. They were excellent, just like An Zhaoyu had been, but were being rejected because the airlines only wanted Alphas.

“Professor, tell them to come find me at the Medical Center,” An Zhaoyu placed her Captain’s business card on the table and gave the reps a cool, steady look. She never hid her feelings, including her dislike.

Her blunt contempt was felt by every HR rep in the room. Their expressions were sour. On the wall behind them hung a large photo of An Zhaoyu winning the race, and the hallways were lined with her interviews. She was the star of the school’s recruitment posters this year.

“If Captain An is interested in joining X-Air, we would provide a specialized position for you,” one HR rep said, breaking the silence. An Zhaoyu’s media value now far exceeded her technical value.

Once one spoke, the others couldn’t stay silent. They all began offering her positions with salaries far higher than normal pilots. To them, profit was more important than pride.

It was satisfying to see the people who had once told her she should just change careers now doing a 180-degree turn.

“The thick-skinned nature of Alphas truly lives up to its reputation,” An Zhaoyu clapped her hands. “You were the ones who said Omegas couldn’t be pilots, and now you’re the ones lowering your heads to invite an Omega to join. What, did you all get into a collective car accident and lose your memories?”

“Keep dreaming.”

The Alphas were left speechless by her stinging words. Her attitude made it clear she couldn’t be swayed. Professor Xu knew her personality and said nothing; An Zhaoyu had suffered greatly from discrimination, and her reaction was understandable.

An Zhaoyu discussed expanding recruitment for Omega flight students with Professor Xu. The pool of Omegas at the Medical Center was too small, and she needed more members to officially apply for a new team emblem.

After finished her business, she gave the HR reps one last look of disdain and left with the baby.

Next to her school was the S-City Academy of Drama. Several talent scouts noticed An Zhou, and three or four people approached An Zhaoyu to ask if she’d let the child film clothing commercials. An Zhou’s bright eyes and defined features made it obvious she would be a beauty. She was dressed like a stylish doll and wasn’t scared of the crowd.

It’s an option, An Zhaoyu thought. She took their cards, planning to discuss it with Lu Shen. The An family had the resources to let An Zhou try any circle she wanted.

After playing all day, An Zhou was still full of energy. An Zhaoyu picked up dinner from the An house and drove to Lu Shen’s door to wait for her to get off work. Lu Shen hadn’t given her a key.

An Zhaoyu sighed and told the baby, “The mission to chase your Mommy is not yet successful. Mama still needs to work hard.”

Lu Shen heard this the moment she stepped upstairs.

“You’re back!” An Zhaoyu and An Zhou’s eyes lit up simultaneously.

Lu Shen opened the door and said nothing.

“I took my medicine on time. I don’t feel any discomfort now. I checked my temperature at home; it’s 36.5°C,” An Zhaoyu said eagerly, like a student reporting a good grade. An Zhou hugged Lu Shen’s leg, calling “Mama, Mama.”

“Go inside first,” Lu Shen said with a hint of helplessness in her cool voice.

“We already ate at home. I brought this for you,” An Zhaoyu put the food on the coffee table and sat down, resting her chin in her hands to watch her. An Zhou mimicked the action, watching her too.

Lu Shen’s refusal never made it out of her mouth.

As she ate, An Zhaoyu chattered about her day. “Do you think Xiao Zhou could be a child model?”

“We could try,” Lu Shen said, thinking the baby’s dress was indeed very pretty today. An Zhou’s personality was like An Zhaoyu’s—bold and fond of crowds.

“I’ll contact them next week then,” An Zhaoyu picked the best-looking business card. “This week is for the early education class and the zoo.”

Her plan to keep Lu Shen from escaping was still in motion. The thought of spending the weekend with Lu Shen made her heart leap.

“Okay,” Lu Shen remembered.

After dinner, An Zhaoyu tried to wash the dishes, but Lu Shen stopped her. “Stay here and be with Xiao Zhou.”

“Oh,” An Zhaoyu felt a bit of loss at the rejection, but also a strange sweetness. Is she worried about me? She felt like a schoolgirl, constantly analyzing Dr. Lu’s behavior for hidden meanings but too afraid to ask. She wanted to ask for a spare key, but she knew the answer would be no.

There’s less than two months left, An Zhaoyu thought anxiously, counting the days. When she was with Lu Shen and the baby, time flew; when they were apart, it dragged.

When it was time to say goodbye to the baby, An Zhaoyu was reluctant. She knew Lu Shen wouldn’t let her stay over again.

“Mama’s going now. You have to miss me, and I’ll miss you too,” An Zhaoyu kissed the baby’s cheek. Then she looked at Lu Shen. “I’ll miss you too, Lu Shen.”

Lu Shen acted like she hadn’t heard, but she underestimated An Zhaoyu’s persistence.

“I’ll miss you a lot. Even more than I miss the baby,” An Zhaoyu walked over and said it clearly, word by word.

“That’s enough.” It was late. Lu Shen ushered her out, but not before stuffing two new-type inhibitors into her hand.

As a Glandular specialist, she could tell An Zhaoyu had been in heat the day before yesterday. She hadn’t said anything because their relationship made the topic awkward. An Zhaoyu took the inhibitors and left reluctantly.

But she had left behind a little traitor.

Once the “Mama” who had played with her all day was gone, An Zhou was clearly unsettled. She couldn’t focus on her toys and kept looking at the door, hoping An Zhaoyu would reappear.

Lu Shen saw her longing and rubbed her temples. Perhaps Captain An being too responsible isn’t entirely a good thing. She tried to be firm, but when she finished her shower, she found An Zhou had climbed back onto the sofa in the bedroom. The tiny child was curled up in the exact spot An Zhaoyu had slept, looking lonely and small.

Lu Shen suddenly felt like an executioner tearing apart a mother cat and her kitten.

An Zhaoyu was almost home when her phone rang. It was Lu Shen. The message was brief—only two words:

“Come back.”

Support