Ex-Wife, Please Respect Yourself! - Chapter 2

“Whoa, now that someone mentioned it, I actually feel like these two people, who supposedly have nothing to do with each other, strangely have some CP vibes!”

“This is unexpectedly ship-worthy!”

“Speaking of which, isn’t it weird that Cheng Luo said she doesn’t know Zhai Qing? Anyone with an internet connection would know who she is.”

“And the Goddess actually lost her composure for a second. There must be something going on!”

“I smell the scent of a bickering couple. I’m shipping them already!”

“…”

In the lounge, Cheng Luo was scrolling through Weibo with a blank expression, her face turning paler the more she read.

Her assistant, Xiao Xi, said tremblingly, “Sister, I sent you a message about the last-minute relationship question added yesterday, but you didn’t reply to me.”

“Ah,” Cheng Luo was deeply immersed in the world of the internet. After struggling to process her assistant’s words, she waved her hand and said, “It’s fine. I just didn’t check my phone.”

Her sour mood wasn’t because of that, but because the “shippers” online were able to find “sugar” between two people who appeared to have no connection. Some netizens were even getting close to the truth.

Relentlessly, she clicked the report button on those posts. As for the netizens guessing that she and Zhai Qing had a bad relationship, she used her secondary account to give them a like.

Only her manager knew about her relationship with Zhai Qing. Her assistant only knew she had a daughter but didn’t know who the other parent was. After some thought, she sent a message to her manager.

[Cheng Luo: Can you help me report all the posts shipping me and Zhai Qing?]

Less than five minutes later, her manager replied.

[Manager: I am a manager, not a wishing lamp.]

[Cheng Luo: You cannot even do this?]

[Manager: Being so deliberate might provoke a backlash from the public. Besides, the scale is not that large; it is not causing you any loss.]

[Cheng Luo: My heart has been wounded.]

[Manager: Then work more to compensate for your wounded soul. Smile.jpg]

[Cheng Luo: I am cured. Fist-and-Palm-Salute.jpg]

Work finished at noon. Cheng Luo first went to a nearby mall for a shopping spree, buying plenty of clothes and toys for Nono, and of course, plenty for herself as well. Only when she was fully immersed in shopping could she forget the unpleasantness online.

When Cheng Luo returned to the villa, she was wearing a pair of exaggerated leopard-print sunglasses. Her upper body featured an open, tight leather jacket revealing a black camisole underneath, while her lower body was clad in baggy camouflage pants, topped with a cool beret. She looked bold and wild, completely different from her usual style.

“Auntie Liu, where is Nono?”

“Oh! Madam, why are you dressed like this!” Auntie Liu, being older with failing eyesight, almost did not recognize her.

“Why is Nono not home at this hour?”

“The young mistress and the little mistress went to the company together. The young mistress hired a teacher specifically to give lessons at the office.”

“Is that so? Are they coming back for lunch?”

“They are. The little mistress instructed me to call and notify her the moment you returned. They should be on their way back now.” After speaking, Auntie Liu went to the kitchen to get busy with cooking.

Cheng Luo sat on the living room sofa, bored.

She never knew Nono was taking early education classes. She remembered Nono went to kindergarten in the first half of the year, but stopped going after just a few days. To think she was following Zhai Qing to the company every day at such a young age. For the first time, Cheng Luo reflected on whether she was a bit negligent as a mother.

But soon, the door opened, and her daughter’s loud shout pulled her out of her low mood.

“Mommy!”

Cheng Luo quickly crouched down to catch her daughter, who came flying toward her. “Wow, Nono came back so fast.”

Today, Nono was wearing a pale yellow dress with two adorable buns tied on her head. As she ran, the hem of her skirt fluttered; she was incredibly cute.

“Mommy is so pretty today!”

“Nono is very pretty too!”

Click. Hearing the door close, she realized that Zhai Qing had actually followed her back, holding Nono’s small backpack. Zhai Qing used to never come home for lunch. In a slip of the tongue, Cheng Luo asked, “Why are you back too?”

Zhai Qing was wearing a white suit today. Her height of 175cm made her look well-proportioned and upright. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of her nose. Hearing the question, she merely looked up slightly. “I was not comfortable letting Nono come back alone.”

Cheng Luo had not forgotten the awkward situation on the show. She gave an “oh” and took her daughter to wash her hands.

It was a rare occasion for the family of three to gather at the dining table. Nono was quite excited today, constantly sharing happy things that had happened recently; her little mouth never stopped moving.

“By the way, Nono, why are you not going to kindergarten anymore?” Cheng Luo suddenly remembered and asked casually.

Suddenly, both the adult and the child at the table paused. Zhai Qing quickly returned to normal and answered, “There is no need to go. What kindergarten can teach, she can learn at home.”

“How can that be the same? There are many children in kindergarten, and Nono can make more friends.” Cheng Luo strongly disagreed.

At this point, Nono spoke up. Her head was lowered, and her tone was a bit dejected. “Mommy, it is because I do not like going.”

“Why? Did something happen?” Cheng Luo asked anxiously.

“The kids at kindergarten are too childish. I do not want to play with them.”

Cheng Luo knew her daughter’s personality; she played perfectly fine with the neighbor’s younger sister who was a year younger. Why would she find kindergarten kids childish? However, seeing that neither the adult nor the child wanted to say more, she did not press further. The dining table simply became much quieter.

After finishing lunch, Zhai Qing had to head out for work again. Seeing her daughter still playing with toys on the sofa, Cheng Luo quickly followed her out and called out to her just as she was opening the car door.

“Hey, why does Nono not want to go to kindergarten? Was she bullied by the other kids?” Cheng Luo looked up at her seriously.

Zhai Qing’s gaze lingered on Cheng Luo. “She invited classmates to play at home. They found out she only has one mother and isolated her. Children can be a bit exclusionary toward those who are different.”

Cheng Luo was instantly incensed. “Who says she only has one mommy? Can a person be born from one person? Kids are just stupid!”

Zhai Qing’s gaze drifted imperceptibly over her angry face.

Seeing Zhai Qing’s look, Cheng Luo realized in hindsight what she had just said. “Cough, anyway, I will have a break after I finish filming my next project. How about letting Nono stay with me for a while? It is not appropriate for her to keep staying here.”

“There is nothing inappropriate about it. Besides, you waived custody,” Zhai Qing pointed out.

“But I still have visitation rights!” Cheng Luo retorted immediately. “And if I wanted custody, would you even give it to me?”

“No.” Zhai Qing left those two words decisively before driving away, leaving Cheng Luo alone with a chest tight from anger.

Back in the living room, Nono sat obediently in Cheng Luo’s arms, holding her hand while playing with a Rubik’s Cube.

“Nono, after Mommy finishes this project, do you want to come stay at Mommy’s house for a while?” Since she could not get through to the adult, Cheng Luo could only try with the little one.

“Mommy, this is your house!” Nono said very seriously.

“It is not. Your mother and I,” Cheng Luo felt it was not right to say it directly, so she changed her phrasing. “Mommy’s house has many toys bought for Nono, and there will only be the two of us.”

“Then what about Mama?”

Cheng Luo looked down and saw eyes that were very similar to her ex-wife’s, dark pupils, though Nono was young and her gaze still held an irrepressible innocence.

“You can see your mama when you come back. It is just staying with me for a while. Are you unwilling, Nono?”

“I am willing!” Nono chose her over Zhai Qing, which made Cheng Luo feel quite triumphant.

However, happy times are always brief. After Nono fell fast asleep, Cheng Luo quietly took her luggage and caught an early morning flight to a filming location over a thousand kilometers away.

The filming environment this time was very harsh, surrounded by mountains. After getting off the plane, they had to take a car and bump along rugged mountain roads for three hours. By the time they arrived, Cheng Luo felt like her backside was shattered, and she limped out of the car.

Fortunately, there was a fairly large inn in town with a decent environment. The crew and actors all stayed there. Cheng Luo and her assistant headed to their pre-assigned room.

The assistant opened the balcony door, which faced a range of undulating peaks. “Sister, the air quality in the mountains is much better. It is more comfortable than being in the city.”

Cheng Luo nodded in agreement and looked around. Their room was a suite, complete with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom; the living arrangements were actually quite good.

However, there were dark circles under her eyes, and her eyelids were getting heavier. She could not sleep on the plane and only felt the lack of sleep after arriving at the hotel. “Xiao Xi, I am going to catch up on some sleep. Just call me before dinner.” After saying that, she let out a timely yawn.

“Sure thing, Sister, do not worry.”

Cheng Luo drew the curtains, and the bedroom was instantly plunged into darkness. She curled up under the covers, and a moment later, the sound of steady breathing could be heard.

“…”

Ring ring! As soon as the bell rang, the previously empty hallway was immediately crowded. Cheng Luo held a stack of books in both hands, struggling through the crowd.

Today was particularly strange; the entrance to the office was also crowded with people. Usually, only class monitors would go there. Curiously, Cheng Luo stood on her tiptoes to look through the glass.

A woman in a black coat was turned sideways, talking to someone. Even with only half her face visible, her beauty was apparent, not to mention the powerful aura surrounding her.

“So beautiful! Is this Professor Zhai’s daughter?”

“Professor Zhai looks so young, yet he has such a grown daughter!”

“Is she from our school? I have never seen her before!”

“You would not know, then. Professor Zhai’s daughter graduated from here the year before last. She started her own business right after graduation and has become an outstanding alumna of our school!”

“…”

“Beauty, can you give me your contact info!”

Someone suddenly shouted loudly, and the people inside noticed the commotion and turned around.

The features were as picturesque as a painting. Her gaze felt light when it landed on someone, her face pale and clear, wrapped in a sense of hazy mystery.

Much later, Cheng Luo would never forget that single look. It even caused her to plunge headlong into this deep pool named Zhai Qing without a second thought.

At that moment, Cheng Luo was stunned in place. She watched as the ice beauty opened the door, moved through the crowd, and walked toward her.

“Student, are you looking for Professor Zhai Wen?”

Cheng Luo stared directly at her and nodded. In the next second, the woman actually placed an arm around her shoulder, bypassed the crowd, and led her into the office.

At that time, Cheng Luo had only one thought in her mind:

The ice beauty’s hand is actually warm.