Helping My Ex-Wife Find Love Every Day - Chapter 20

Qiu Qing-shi’s expression was grave, as if the sky was about to collapse the next second.

Yao Xiang-yi was startled by her. She found a towel to wipe her face, then lifted a corner of the quilt and sat down, leaning against the headboard beside her.

Only one wall lamp was on overhead. The warm yellow light cast a fine, hazy veil over them, blurring their features.

On the television, Murong Yunhai was still relentlessly pursuing his relationship with Chu Yuxun.

Yao Xiang-yi finished wiping her face, then used the towel to dry her hands. She was extremely meticulous, wiping from the base of each finger upwards, joint by joint, until she reached her rosy fingertips.

Left hand finished, she moved to the right.

The heat in Qiu Qing-shi’s body hadn’t completely dissipated. Watching those long, distinct fingers, her body instantly seemed to feel their cool touch, making her heart pound.

Her breathing became short and rapid.

Qiu Qing-shi looked away, her gaze vaguely settling on a point in the bedroom.

“What do you want to talk about?” Yao Xiang-yi folded the towel and put it aside.

Her voice was faint, as soft as a feather, carrying a slight seriousness beneath the casual tone.

Qiu Qing-shi’s inner composure was rattled. She placed a hand over her heart, took a deep breath, and slowly and evenly exhaled.

“Are you… are you…” Qiu Qing-shi hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind, sitting cross-legged facing Yao Xiang-yi.

“Are you… not in love with me anymore?”

She emphasized the last part of the sentence, gradually clenching her hands around the blanket, pulling the fabric into dense wrinkles.

Her question took Yao Xiang-yi by surprise.

Yao Xiang-yi burst into a self-deprecating laugh: “Why would you ask that? Is it because I performed poorly just now?”

Qiu Qing-shi muttered: “Yes.”

Yao Xiang-yi was always defenseless against her. Her watery eyes seemed to look right into Qiu Qing-shi’s heart. With unprecedented seriousness, she said: “Qiu Qing-shi, no one in this world loves you more than I do.”

As she spoke, a wave of bitterness surged from her heart, lodging in her throat, stinging her like a fish bone.

But she worked hard to disguise it, making her expression look relaxed, even managing to force a slight upward curve to her lips.

Qiu Qing-shi was an excellent actress and her closest companion; she could tell that the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Choosing not to expose her, she moved on to the second question.

“Are you… keeping another dog outside?”

“Ab-so-lute-ly, not.”

Qiu Qing-shi nodded heavily: “Okay, I believe you.”

She understood Yao Xiang-yi’s character. She was always true to her word and wasn’t the type to be fickle. Otherwise, Qiu Qing-shi wouldn’t have risked losing fans by marrying Yao Xiang-yi so early, right after graduating from college and during her career’s ascent.

This answer was as effective as a sedative. Qiu Qing-shi felt greatly relieved.

Her work was demanding, and prolonged separation was common. Take last year, for instance—the days they spent together as a couple did not add up to a full month.

Fortunately, Yao Xiang-yi was ugly back then, otherwise, there would have been at least one seductress trying to climb into her bed every day.

But circumstances change. Yao Xiang-yi suddenly became heavenly beautiful, rich, and powerful. Even Qiu Qing-shi, with her great self-control, couldn’t help but feel aroused at the sight of her. What chance did others have?

She had analyzed the current situation, and it was favorable to her: Yao Xiang-yi had neither transferred her affection nor indulged in casual affairs; her whole heart was still tied to Qiu Qing-shi. The chances of salvaging their marriage were high.

Besides, what couple doesn’t go through a seven-year itch? They had been inseparable since childhood. An occasional itch was perfectly normal.

They just needed to scratch it together.

“Last question,” Qiu Qing-shi bit her lip, formulating the words carefully, trying to be as subtle as possible: “Are you… very tired from work lately?”

Yao Xiang-yi thought seriously. Since her awakening, her mood had been restless, and she had skipped work twice as often as she worked: “It’s alright.”

Qiu Qing-shi’s emotions sharpened slightly. She pressed: “Do you feel weak in your limbs… or easily fatigued and languid?”

Yao Xiang-yi wondered why her questions were getting stranger: “I think… maybe.”

Once a person passes twenty-five, their physical fitness noticeably declines.

It was true that the Yao family had many descendants, but they were all good-for-nothings. The old man was getting old and couldn’t handle big responsibilities. Since she was conscientious, all the burdens fell on her alone.

She was busy with work during the day and socializing at night, spinning like a top all day long. Her body was definitely not as good as it used to be.

Qiu Qing-shi slapped her hand, her eyes full of understanding.

She was the woman who had topped the “100 Most Beautiful Faces in the Asia-Pacific Region” list for three consecutive years—it wasn’t just her face, but her figure, her demeanor…

Absolute beauty in both bone and skin!

A single photo of her could easily go viral! Her fans consumed her beautiful photos daily. Even a block of wood would struggle to remain unmoved.

Yao Xiang-yi, that annoying one, was completely taking her fortune for granted, unable to enjoy the temptation of her uniform.

There could be no other reason than an emergency in her physical health.

Qiu Qing-shi felt a pang of heartache. She arranged the pillows, supporting Yao Xiang-yi’s back, and helped her lie down. Then she pulled the quilt up, covering her snugly: “Xiang-yi, you mustn’t overwork yourself. What will I do if you wear yourself out?”

Qiu Qing-shi rested her head on Yao Xiang-yi’s arm, gently patting her stomach in rhythm, like soothing a child to sleep: “I was too eager tonight. I shouldn’t have tried to seduce you. Don’t worry. I’ll postpone my schedule. I’ll stay home with you recently and help you recuperate properly.”

As she spoke, she rubbed her face against Yao Xiang-yi’s neck: “We’ll face this difficulty together.”

And while they were at it, they could stabilize their precarious marriage.

Yao Xiang-yi’s forehead was lined with exasperation: “You don’t need to.”

Qiu Qing-shi nipped her chin, the force perfectly calibrated between playful and seductive, leaving a faint ring of teeth marks and moisture.

“Don’t be shy.”

“I truly don’t need it.”

Her lack of interest tonight was entirely due to being put in a bad mood by that jerk Murong Yunhai…

Qiu Qing-shi used the tone of the head of the household: “No refusing!”

Yao Xiang-yi couldn’t argue, so she chose silence.

The two were close, their chests pressing tightly together without speaking.

The bedroom was filled with a long-lost tranquility and peace. Time was stretched out, leisurely and slow.

Qiu Qing-shi enjoyed this intimate proximity, humming contentedly twice.

She asked in a clear, gentle voice: “Xiang-yi, have you been unhappy lately?”

“No.”

“I just feel like you’re being hot and cold toward me.”

Yao Xiang-yi looked up at the ceiling, saying weakly: “Perhaps I really am too tired.”

Qiu Qing-shi traced circles on her collarbone: “From now on, we won’t argue or give each other the cold shoulder, okay?”

Yao Xiang-yi gently stroked her back, closed her eyes, and after a long moment, said: “…Okay.”

Perhaps I won’t have the chance to in the future anyway…

Qiu Qing-shi extended her arm, wrapping it around her waist: “But you have to promise to stay away from Bai Meng-zhao. She seems strange.”

Yao Xiang-yi slowly asked: “Strange how?”

“…I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I feel like she’s not as gentle and humble as she appears. She might be an extraordinary person someday.”

The original female lead is naturally no ordinary person.

Yao Xiang-yi murmured: “I agree.”

Qiu Qing-shi picked up a strand of her long hair, curling it around her finger, and commented disdainfully: “A scheming, fake white lotus.”

Yao Xiang-yi: The fake white lotus is your next wife.

The next day, Qiu Qing-shi initiated the story line of a domineering actress forcing love. Before dawn, she burrowed into the kitchen to concoct a “Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup.”

With skilled movements, she chopped the chicken, duck, and goose on the cutting board into uniform, neat pieces.

Once everything was simmering over a low flame, she finally had a moment to notify Su Ti-la to postpone her recent announcements.

Su Ti-la on the other end of the phone nearly went mad: “My dear lady, don’t stir up trouble! The entertainment industry changes in an instant! No one is a permanent top-tier star! You need to maintain your exposure!”

Qiu Qing-shi stuck out her tongue, knowing she was in the wrong: “Oh, you, making a fuss. My positioning is as an actress, not a traffic star.”

In the current chaotic entertainment industry, the term “traffic” was derogatory, synonymous with chasing money. Veteran actors looked down upon it, deeply disappointed and hateful of the trend.

Su Ti-la: “Why, though? So many gold-diggers are watching you. And you’re handing them the resources to steal?”

Qiu Qing-shi picked up a ladle to stir the contents of the ceramic pot: “Let them steal. If it’s mine, they can’t take it. I’ve been too focused on work all these years. I couldn’t balance career and love, and I neglected my Xiang-yi.”

Su Ti-la finally understood. Qiu Qing-shi was overcome by infatuation. She said with a mix of frustration and regret: “You weren’t like this before.”

“Because I was foolish before.”

Su Ti-la was extremely shrewd and didn’t believe her explanation. She probed: “Did President Yao really get involved with someone else outside?”

Qiu Qing-shi snapped: “No, don’t talk nonsense.”

Su Ti-la then teased: “Then is your sex life not harmonious?”

Short words, big impact.

Qiu Qing-shi’s wrist shook, and the ladle dropped into the pot.

Su Ti-la heard the sound clearly and burst into a loud, earth-shattering laugh.

Qiu Qing-shi could imagine her hysterical laughter, doubled over. She stomped her foot angrily, gritting her teeth: “You talk too much!”

Su Ti-la wasn’t done, shamelessly continuing to ask: “Is it you who can’t perform, or President Yao, hahahaha.”

Listen to these beastly words!

Qiu Qing-shi couldn’t let her ears be further polluted, so she simply ended the call.

Aunt Mi woke up on time. She stretched as she walked toward the kitchen and was both surprised and delighted to see Qiu Qing-shi occupying her space.

Qiu Qing-shi put down her phone and smiled with curved eyes: “Aunt Mi, go back and sleep a little longer. I’ll make breakfast.”

Aunt Mi gave her the same old praise: “Xiang-yi having you is truly a blessing she earned in a past life.”

Qt Qiu Qing-shi smiled sweetly.

The doorbell rang while they were talking.

Qiu Qing-shi and Aunt Mi wondered who would be visiting so early in the morning.

Aunt Mi unlocked and opened the door.

Her eyes immediately widened in shock.

Qiu Qing-shi thought a stalker fan had followed her home. She rushed over to see and was equally stunned.

“Dad!!!?”

The entrepreneur Qiu Fu-gui stood squarely in front of the door.

He had a thick head of snow-white hair. Because of the rushed journey, his newly permed curls were slightly disheveled. From a distance, he looked like he was cosplaying as Pleasant Goat.

Qiu Qing-shi: “Why are you here?”

Qiu “Pleasant Goat” Fu-gui’s eyes were blazing with fury: “I’m here to skin you alive!!!!”

He entered without invitation, marching straight into the kitchen without a word. He found a rolling pin in the cabinet—coincidentally, the very one Qiu Qing-shi had used yesterday.

He swung it once and, quite satisfied, told Qiu Qing-shi: “Not bad, quite sturdy. Breaking your legs won’t be a problem!”

Qiu Qing-shi was dumbfounded: “???”