After the Divorce, My Wife Is Impossible to Coax - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

After much persistent persuasion and soft-talk from An Zhaoyu, Lu Shen finally agreed to move back home, even giving An Zhaoyu a spare key to her own apartment.

As Lu Shen held the baby, An Zhaoyu hugged her from behind, saying somewhat aggrievedly, “Lu Shen, you’re not allowed to run away from home next time.”

“…”

An Zhou also hugged Lu Shen’s neck. Caught between the two of them, Lu Shen felt a headache coming on. This family would fall apart without her.

That evening, Lu Shen and An Zhaoyu sat together playing with An Zhou—a rare sight. An Zhou was so happy she didn’t even watch TV, chasing the two of them around with her short legs.

“I’m gonna catch you! The little tiger is catching people!” An Zhaoyu pretended to be terrified, making An Zhou even more excited. As the toddler was about to catch her, Lu Shen added with a smile, “Xiao Zhou, why aren’t you catching Mommy?”

“Mommy! Catch too!” An Zhou spun around to chase Lu Shen.

“Nyah-nyah, the little tiger can’t catch me!” An Zhaoyu intentionally caused chaos while the baby chased Lu Shen. It was a sweet kind of trouble. After being teased a few times, An Zhou stood in the middle of the living room, her little head turning back and forth between them. Then, she plopped down on the floor and stopped chasing.

“Why’d you stop?” An Zhaoyu approached tentatively.

“Hug,” An Zhou reached out her arms.

“That’s cheating,” An Zhaoyu refused to pick her up; the game wasn’t over.

“Mommy, hug,” An Zhou reached toward Lu Shen instead.

“Not playing anymore?” Lu Shen walked over, leaning down with a smile. Suddenly, the toddler lunged forward and hugged Lu Shen’s leg. “Caught you!”

Once Lu Shen picked her up, An Zhou turned to An Zhaoyu with a very smug smile. Cheating little brat, An Zhaoyu thought, pouting. To use such tactics at such a young age—playing the “cute” card. She walked over as well.

“Caught again!” An Zhou grabbed each mother with one hand, her flushed face glowing with happiness.

Amidst the fun, Lu Shen’s phone rang. It was Wei Qing. “Could you answer that for me?” Lu Shen asked, her hands full with the baby.

“Sure,” An Zhaoyu picked up the phone from the coffee table. “Wei Qing, what’s up?”

Hearing her voice, Wei Qing paused before telling them to come to the funeral parlor the next day for Wei Ruicheng’s funeral.

Wei Ruicheng had died instantly in the car accident. He was already dead by the time he reached the medical center. Wei Jinlin had been thrown in jail for intentional homicide; he didn’t even have time to argue before the evidence of him bribing the driver was delivered to the police station. Originally facing life imprisonment, his sentence was reduced to several decades because he was the only Alpha son left in the Wei family. It was unknown if Wei Ruicheng would find peace in his grave; the Wei family was shrouded in gloom, though for Wei Qing, it was all good news.

“Okay, got it.”

On Sunday, Lu Shen and An Zhaoyu took the baby to the funeral parlor. The family of three wore matching black T-shirts. The funeral parlor was massive, with several families holding services simultaneously. The Wei family was just one of them. Some relatives had suggested booking the entire venue to give Wei Ruicheng a grand send-off, but Wei Qing refused, claiming she didn’t want him to be lonely in the afterlife. He’s dead; why waste money on the whole venue?

In the mourning hall, a black-and-white photo of Wei Ruicheng sat in the center, surrounded by white candles and wreaths. His Omega wife was crying so hard she could barely breathe, while Wei Qing, dressed in a solemn black suit with a white flower pinned to her pocket, calmly and methodically received the guests.

He Linghan was there too, sitting in the hall with Lin Kezhi. She didn’t show the typical grief of a parent outliving a child; she was strictly there to support Wei Qing. Most guests were business partners who had long been oppressed by Wei Ruicheng’s pheromones; they were secretly delighted. Wei Qing seemed much easier to handle than her father—an unmarried Omega whose family wasn’t as strong as the He family. Surely, the Wei family would eventually be swallowed by an outside Alpha.

Lu Congwen sat on the other side, staring blankly at the coffin. Wei Ruicheng’s death was gruesome, but he was more afraid for his own end. After all, he had a hand in most of what Wei Ruicheng had done. Lu Shen’s previous warning echoed in his ears; he felt this was divine retribution.

Ye Jinhua was there as well, sitting two meters away from Lu Congwen with Lu Yi, whispering together. Lu Shen went to greet her grandmother and aunt. Catching Lu Shen’s eye, Lu Congwen shivered and looked away.

“Lu Shen, you… at least offer a stick of incense.”

“Grandfather, are you confused? He helped ruin my mother. The fact that I’m not setting off firecrackers is already being respectful,” Lu Shen said coldly. “I’m only here to see that he’s really dead.”

“Don’t talk like that! This is a mourning hall!” Lu Congwen’s teeth chattered. He was superstitious—otherwise, the Lu house wouldn’t have been built in the mountains for Feng Shui.

“I’ve done nothing wrong, so what is there to fear?” After her grandmother and aunt finished fussing over the baby, Lu Shen turned toward the He family. “Besides, Mommy will protect me from heaven.”

Lu Shen didn’t offer incense, and neither did An Zhaoyu. Her own mother was sitting by Grandma eating melon seeds; not laughing out loud was already the height of respect for Wei Ruicheng.

“Oh, look at this cute baby!” He Nanchun saw An Zhou, brushed away the melon seed shells, and pulled her into a hug.

“Grandma!” An Zhou’s eyes curved into smiles, then she called out to He Linghan and Lin Kezhi, “Great-Grandma!”

The wrinkles around the elders’ eyes crinkled with laughter. “Xiao Zhou is a little lucky star.” In this cold, somber hall, this corner was filled with warmth. If there was any more laughter, Wei Ruicheng’s coffin lid might not be able to hold him down.

Lu Shen chatted with Lin Kezhi briefly. She had been managing Lin Kezhi’s health, and her glands were much more stable now.

“Lu Shen, I heard you plan to develop an oral medication to wash away markings?” He Linghan spoke with her usual commanding presence, though she softened her tone.

“Yes, Grandma,” Lu Shen nodded. She had already held a meeting with Fu Xinglan and Liang Wei. Liang Wei had been so excited she ran two laps around the inpatient building with the meeting notes.

“If you need help, you can come to me,” He Linghan looked at her with deep appreciation. If Lin Kezhi had access to such medicine back then, she would have suffered so much less.

“I will. However, I believe this cost should be borne by the perpetrators, not the victims,” Lu Shen replied calmly. Wei Ruicheng had helped promote her new inhibitors, and Aunt Lu was working on it too. For the next project, she still wanted to squeeze some money out of Lu Congwen. Wei Qing would also leave the laboratory to Fu Xinglan.

“That makes sense,” He Linghan nodded with a smile. She then spoke to the baby, who was acting spoiled with her mother, “Our Xiao Zhou must grow up to be as capable as her mothers.”

Aside from her regrets regarding Lin Kezhi, her biggest regret was her eldest daughter, He Tingbai. She thought protecting an Omega perfectly was enough, but she ended up raising a “love-brain” who ignored her own daughter and was easily tricked by Wei Ruicheng.

“Fortunately, Qing-qing has her head on straight,” He Nanchun patted her mother’s hand to comfort her. He Linghan glanced at Wei Qing, who was navigating the relatives with ease, and sighed quietly. Every hardship He Tingbai avoided had been suffered by Wei Qing. The child had secretly learned business management and social navigation from her since she was small, never showing her pain. Her ability to stand alone now was her own strength.

He Linghan’s views had changed. She used to think Omegas needed protection and should be happy like little princesses. Now, she believed Omegas needed real skills; even if it was hard work, they had to keep power and money firmly in their own hands. On this point, she was very satisfied with An Zhaoyu. All the suffering she endured learning to fly was paying off now, and she had even brought back a great-granddaughter.

“Mom, where’s my brother?” After winning Lu Shen back, the first person An Zhaoyu wanted to notify was An Wenyao. She had specifically told her mother not to tell him so she could do it personally. She was dying to show off.

Lu Shen glanced at her, her expression neutral. This little bird still needs to be kept on a leash.

“Your brother will be here soon. I think he’s seeing an Omega girlfriend,” He Nanchun said. An Wenyao was more steady than An Zhaoyu and usually didn’t cause her worry.

“Oh, he has a girlfriend,” An Zhaoyu said dismissively. “Is he coming specifically to compete with me? He can’t compare.”

“You! Wish your brother some luck!” He Nanchun poked her forehead.

Just then, An Wenyao walked in with an Omega. As soon as An Zhaoyu saw him, she immediately grabbed Lu Shen’s hand, interlacing their fingers as if this were a matchmaking event rather than a mourning hall.

“Brother, Lu Shen and I aren’t getting divorced. She’s my wife for life,” An Zhaoyu blurted out before he could even speak, her eyebrows and tone arching upward. “You don’t stand a chance anymore.”

“…” Everyone, from He Linghan to An Wenyao, looked speechless. He Linghan, who was just feeling satisfied with An Zhaoyu’s maturity, wanted to take it back.

“Oh,” An Wenyao’s eyelid twitched. Before he could even react to their joined hands, the Omega he was with squeezed his hand tightly.

“Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Zhang Simeng,” An Wenyao said, pulling the girl forward.

Lu Shen and An Zhaoyu were both stunned. “Xiao Yu,” Zhang Simeng said with a strained smile. She then greeted the elders politely. He Nanchun wasn’t a parent who insisted on social standing; she saw that the girl was polite and nodded, willing to get to know her first.

“Do you and Xiao Yu know each other?”

“We were classmates,” Zhang Simeng said softly. “What a coincidence,” He Nanchun thought. Wouldn’t that mean she was Lu Shen’s classmate too? “I met Xiao Meng when I went to pick up An Xiao Yu from the bars recently,” An Wenyao explained briefly.

That was a bit awkward—it turned out it was thanks to An Zhaoyu. An Zhaoyu’s face soured, and she stood silently next to Lu Shen. “You really have a lot of fate. Before, Xiao Yu helped her brother pursue Shen-shen, and they ended up married. Now Xiao Yu helped Wenyao find a girlfriend, who is also a classmate,” He Nanchun laughed.

“Indeed,” An Wenyao sat down by his mother. He had given up on Lu Shen countless times, but when An Zhaoyu said they weren’t divorcing, he still felt a pang of jealousy. An Xiao Yu is just too lucky.

“Ahem,” An Zhaoyu coughed twice. She looked at Zhang Simeng with confusion, but couldn’t ask in front of everyone. She wanted to say: Zhang Simeng, is your brain fried?

Zhang Simeng caught her gaze, her eyes brightening. Does An Zhaoyu still care? Choosing to be with An Wenyao was a calculated move. He was An Zhaoyu’s closest blood relative. Once they were married, she could see An Zhaoyu often. And didn’t An Zhaoyu like pursuing her “sisters-in-law”?

Are you crazy? That depends on who the sister-in-law is! An Zhaoyu realized what she was thinking and almost laughed in anger. Did Zhang Simeng think she had some weird fetish? She just liked Lu Shen.

The two of them exchanged looks under Lu Shen’s nose, failing to notice that Lu Shen’s expression had turned cold.

“This must be Xiao Zhou. So cute, she looks just like Xiao Yu,” Zhang Simeng knelt and took the toddler’s hand. “Who are you?” An Zhou pulled her hand back, curious about this stranger. “I’m your future auntie,” Zhang Simeng said in baby talk. “Do you want a little brother or sister to play with?”

This was… a bit early. But An Wenyao wasn’t young, and his sister’s kid was already this big. He Nanchun didn’t say anything, her eyes on the baby. “No!” An Zhou answered flatly. “Why not?” Zhang Simeng tried to coax her. “Just no!” An Zhou seemed upset. No meant no. She turned and buried herself in He Nanchun’s arms, pointing her little butt at the outside world.

Pfft—An Zhaoyu almost laughed. That was her kid, alright. She shook Lu Shen’s hand, only to realize something was wrong. Lu Shen was ignoring her!

“Lu Shen, what is it?” she whispered. No response.

Dr. Lu was angry. An Zhaoyu realized it, reflected on what just happened, and then shamelessly continued, “Lu Shen, are you jealous?” Her words made the temperature around Lu Shen drop even further.

“I only like you,” An Zhaoyu said. With so many elders watching, she couldn’t get physical, so she could only use her words, resting her head on Lu Shen’s shoulder. Unfortunately, Dr. Lu was a block of ice that wouldn’t melt without a “hands-on” approach. Sitting behind them, An Wenyao’s skin crawled; he had never seen his sister like this. Does Lu Shen really like this?

Zhang Simeng wasn’t feeling great either. She tried to avoid looking at them, but her eyes kept wandering. The An Zhaoyu in front of Lu Shen was nothing like the one she usually saw. The arrogant “Demon King” who usually had a sharp tongue for everyone was now clinging to Lu Shen like a stray animal begging for affection. This reminded her of the An Zhaoyu who got drunk every day, and it hurt. Why does she care so much about Lu Shen?

A while later, Wen Xuan and Jiang Ling arrived, also hand-in-hand. Lu Shen looked over, frowning almost imperceptibly. Wei Ruicheng was dead, but the Wei family hadn’t fallen. Now Wen Xuan’s competitor was Wei Qing. She offered incense to Wei Ruicheng. President Wei being able to rest in peace is partly thanks to Wen Xuan.

“Wei Qing, it’s been hard lately. You look thinner,” Jiang Ling walked to Wei Qing and pinched her cheek. “I’m not,” Wei Qing said, glancing at Wen Xuan behind her, whose face was darkening. She quietly moved away. “Why are you like Lu Shen now? Can’t even be touched?” Jiang Ling grumbled. Wei Qing said nothing, just tilted her chin. Jiang Ling turned around, saw Wen Xuan’s jealous expression, and laughed. “Wei Qing is an Omega! Why are you jealous?”

Wei Qing also felt it was strange, but she was too busy with guests to pay much mind. She sent them over to Lu Shen’s group.

“Shen-shen!” Jiang Ling lunged toward her, but was blocked halfway by An Zhaoyu. “What?” Jiang Ling snapped. “My wife. Watch it,” An Zhaoyu said, stealing a glance at Lu Shen. “Aren’t you guys divorced?” Jiang Ling said crossly. “Not anymore,” An Zhaoyu bragged again, though with less confidence this time since Lu Shen was still mad. “Why not?” Jiang Ling didn’t want to talk to her and sat next to Lu Shen.

Great. An Zhaoyu glared at Wen Xuan. What’s the meaning of this? Can’t you control your wife? Wen Xuan didn’t have time to be jealous of her; she looked at Lu Shen with some unease.

Fine, fine, everyone likes looking at Lu Shen, An Zhaoyu thought, annoyed. She sat on Lu Shen’s other side and wrapped her arm around her waist. In public, Lu Shen gave her face and didn’t push her away. “We decided not to divorce.”

“Hahaha!” Jiang Ling laughed, then remembered where she was and stopped. “How are things with President Wen?” Lu Shen asked. Though the question was for Jiang Ling, she was looking at Wen Xuan, who avoided her gaze. “It’s alright,” Jiang Ling said, remembering Lu Shen’s words and feeling a bit shy. Wen Xuan was indeed very good to her, taking care of her in every way. As a normal Omega, it would be strange not to be moved.

“I have something to say to you,” Lu Shen said, leading Jiang Ling away. “No!” Wen Xuan’s panic was obvious as she blocked Lu Shen. “What’s going on?” An Zhaoyu saw Lu Shen was being serious and went to help. “I’ll tell her myself. I will, Lu Shen,” Wen Xuan pleaded. “Just give me a little more time.”

“What is it? Why so serious?” Jiang Ling’s smile faded. It seemed Wen Xuan and Lu Shen were hiding a secret from her, and it didn’t seem like good news. With so many people around, Lu Shen didn’t push too hard. She just needed to warn Wen Xuan.

“Is it about Wen Su?” Jiang Ling whispered once Lu Shen sat back down. Wen Xuan was still watching them. Lu Shen said nothing. “I saw Wen Su. She’s doing well abroad. I’ve let her go,” Jiang Ling said. A few days ago, Wen Xuan had shown her a video of Wen Su. After her plane crash, Wen Su had developed a phobia of flying and couldn’t pilot anymore; Wen Xuan had found her a therapist. That’s enough.

Soon, Wei Qing approached and invited Wen Xuan to sit on the other side of the hall, claiming it was too crowded. It was a small excuse; she sensed Lu Shen had things to say to Jiang Ling. Wen Xuan knew if she lost control it would raise suspicion, so she reluctantly moved away.

“Has she marked you yet?” Lu Shen asked. An Zhaoyu internally marveled at how direct her wife had become. “Um… not yet,” Jiang Ling said shyly. “I’ve never met an Alpha like President Wen. I’ve given her chances, but she seems to be avoiding me. Lu Shen, is something… wrong with her body?” Jiang Ling couldn’t help but wonder if Wen Xuan had some “hidden difficulty”—after all, SSS-rank Alphas were very concerned with face.

Lu Shen had guessed the truth, but said only, “Go back and ask her yourself.” It was best for Wen Xuan to come clean. Lu Shen had given her two chances; if she still wouldn’t speak, Lu Shen wouldn’t wait much longer. Any longer, and Jiang Ling would be in danger.

Leaving the funeral parlor, An Zhaoyu continued her acting-spoiled routine. “Don’t be mad. Zhang Simeng and I have nothing to do with each other.” She opened the car door for Lu Shen. “Hard to say,” Lu Shen sat inside, buckled the baby into the car seat, and shut the door. “What do you mean ‘hard to say’?” An Zhaoyu got into the driver’s seat. “She might be your sister-in-law in the future.”

D*mn it. An Zhaoyu was furious just thinking about it. “She doesn’t like my brother at all.”

“Then who does she like?” Lu Shen stroked the baby’s head. “She likes—” An Zhaoyu almost trapped herself, stopping just in time. “I don’t know who she likes, but she definitely doesn’t truly like my brother.”

Lu Shen looked at her thoughtfully. “Lu Shen, she’s not like you. I don’t want her as a sister-in-law.” Zhang Simeng’s gaze made her skin crawl. Her future sister-in-law liking her? That was unacceptable. Her brother’s “green hat” would be two stories high. Even if she bickered with An Wenyao, it was internal. Lu Shen was the only one she would never give up. Zhang Simeng was clearly deceiving An Wenyao. She wasn’t entering the An family for him, but to be near An Zhaoyu. The thought of seeing Zhang Simeng every time she went home… she couldn’t even think about it.

“So, you want me to be your sister-in-law?” Lu Shen said coolly. “No!” An Zhaoyu panicked, getting tangled in the logic. “You’re mine! But she can’t be his!”

“You want her to be yours too?”

“…” An Zhaoyu was defeated. She didn’t expect Lu Shen to be so terrifyingly persistent when she was being serious. The more she explained, the worse it got, so she just gave up. “Only you are mine, and I am yours. I don’t care about anyone else. Let Zhang Simeng self-destruct for all I care. She can like whoever she wants.”

Lu Shen looked down and chuckled softly.

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