Helping My Ex-Wife Find Love Every Day - Chapter 22

Qin Chun had drafted several versions of the Divorce Agreement, but Yao Xiang-yi was never quite satisfied with any of them and sent them back to be revised.

Qin Chun worked diligently without complaint. She managed to finish the latest version before the end of the workday and sent it to Yao Xiang-yi for review without delay.

Yao Xiang-yi mentally criticized her for picking the perfect moment.

Qiu Qing-shi looked over upon hearing the notification sound—

Yao Xiang-yi was one step ahead of her, slamming the laptop shut with lightning speed.

It was clearly an attempt to hide the obvious.

Qiu Qing-shi looked suspicious. She took a step back, surveying her from head to toe: “Is there something you can’t let me know?”

Yao Xiang-yi remained calm and composed: “No.”

Qiu Qing-shi didn’t believe her for a second: “Dare you let me see?”

Yao Xiang-yi ignored her.

Her behavior only increased Qiu Qing-shi’s paranoia. However, recalling their recent constant arguments and how they had only just reconciled, she felt that escalating the matter would make her seem unreasonable.

Moreover, there was no reason to press further. She and Yao Xiang-yi had agreed before marriage to allow for sufficient personal space.

So, she offered Yao Xiang-yi a way out: “Work-related?”

Qiu Qing-shi pondered for a moment, her eyes as deep and dark as a distant mountain.

She landed a kiss on Yao Xiang-yi’s brow: “Then let’s eat first.”

The dinner, as always, was exquisite and delicious.

Yao Xiang-yi and Qiu Qing-shi chatted idly, discussing the reality show, My Mother-in-Law is Here.

Yao Xiang-yi thought it was inappropriate for Du Song-zhi to film a variety show. If she started relentlessly pressuring them to have a baby during the filming, Yao Xiang-yi wouldn’t be able to escape.

Qiu Qing-shi disagreed. Her mother was indeed decisive, but she knew her limits. Yao Xiang-yi’s worries were excessive.

The key was that Qiu Qing-shi owed a favor to the show’s producer. A small kindness should be repaid fully, so she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, refuse.

The conversation ended with both sides holding their ground, leading to an inconclusive result.

As Yao Xiang-yi finished dinner, the last sliver of sunset in the western sky was swallowed by the descending night.

Outside Amazing Star Tower, the lights were dazzling, and the colorful neon shimmered, creating an extraordinarily extravagant world.

Yao Xiang-yi stared, lost in thought.

All living things are but a fleeting existence.

She licked her bitter lips, a faint, mocking laugh escaping her throat.

Qiu Qing-shi didn’t notice her low mood. She cleared the dishes, kicked off her heels, and lay down on the sofa, opening a ticket purchase app to choose a film.

Her fair toes, one by one, were delicate and smooth, like a branch full of white pear blossoms in spring.

She placed a cushion behind her waist, allowing her instep to be straight and beautifully arched. She glanced at Yao Xiang-yi, who had returned to work: “Darling, is there anything specific you want to see?”

Yao Xiang-yi supported her chin with one hand and fiddled with the mouse with the other, her gaze skipping through the lines of the Divorce Agreement.

She replied casually: “Pick what you like.”

The domestic film market mainly relied on four major holiday slots: the Spring Festival, Summer, National Day, and New Year’s Day.

Good and quality films were released during these periods. The plots were exciting, big stars gathered, and domestic and Hollywood movies crowded together like a clash of immortals.

But it was only early May now, and the films essentially had nothing worthwhile to see.

“How about… a horror movie?” Qiu Qing-shi’s delicate eyebrow arched slightly.

Yao Xiang-yi lifted her head from the computer screen, her eyes cool: “No.”

Qiu Qing-shi was displeased: “You said I could pick what I like. You’re going back on your word.”

Yao Xiang-yi ignored her, continuing to look through her email, specifically checking the file Qin Chun had compiled earlier regarding Bai Meng-zhao.

She had been too preoccupied these days and had completely forgotten about it. Upon opening it, she immediately found a gem—Bai Meng-zhao was an orphan, raised by adoptive parents.

Based on her extensive experience with reading ‘infatuation-type’ idol dramas, Bai Meng-zhao was likely the heir to a wealthy family, stolen by family enemies shortly after birth, and ended up in an orphanage…

And the wealthy family had never given up searching for her over the past two decades. Bai Meng-zhao would soon be recognized and returned to her family.

A wealthy family.

A staple of modern novels.

Qiu Qing-shi was truly lucky; she married into a wealthy family twice. Was her life on cheat mode?

“Please, please, can we watch a horror movie?” Qiu Qing-shi stamped her foot, as if throwing a tantrum.

Yao Xiang-yi said ruthlessly: “No.”

Qiu Qing-shi pouted: “Hmph.”

At midnight, they drove to a nearby commercial area. All the shops inside were closed. They parked in the garage and took the elevator up to the seventh floor.

The midnight screening crowd was usually dominated by couples. There were quite a few people watching the movie, their chatting voices blending together. It wasn’t rowdy, but it wasn’t quiet either.

Qiu Qing-shi liked places with people. It felt like a grand adventure.

Slightly excited, she volunteered to fetch the tickets. Yao Xiang-yi stopped her, and Qiu Qing-shi’s eyes filled with the look of “Baby is having a small tantrum.”

Yao Xiang-yi couldn’t win against her. She instructed her to wear a mask and let her go, while she played the claw machine in the waiting area.

Qiu Qing-shi returned quickly, having also bought two hot drinks and a large bucket of popcorn.

Yao Xiang-yi teased: “High-calorie snacks. If Su Ti-la were here, she’d be nagging you again.”

Qiu Qing-shi shoved everything into her arms at once, complaining sweetly: “Just between you and me.”

Then she nudged her aside, claiming the controls of the claw machine.

One hundred tokens later, she hadn’t managed to claw up a single prize.

Qiu Qing-shi’s self-esteem was severely wounded. As if challenging someone, she said: “Daddy, buy me another hundred tokens.”

Yao Xiang-yi glared at her: “Don’t call me ‘Daddy’ anywhere other than in bed.”

It easily makes my blood boil…

Qiu Qing-shi leaned in close to her ear, whispering huskily: “Daddy~ Daddy~ Daddy~”

Yao Xiang-yi no longer wanted to watch the movie…

She wanted to find a hotel room…

The announcement sounded just in time, rescuing Yao Xiang-yi from her predicament. A magnetic, pleasant female voice announced that boarding for the midnight screening was beginning.

Yao Xiang-yi and Qiu Qing-shi walked hand-in-hand to the entrance queue.

Their tall figures and distinguished demeanor easily drew attention from those around them. The young couple in front of them repeatedly turned their heads, secretly peeking at them, especially Qiu Qing-shi.

Qiu Qing-shi didn’t try to hide, her eyes full of smiles.

Now, the young couple felt embarrassed. They looked quite young, and Qiu Qing-shi guessed they were college students.

The girl clutched the strap of her crossbody bag, blushing, and asked shyly: “Excuse me, are you Qiu Qing-shi?”

Qiu Qing-shi glanced left and right, pulled down her mask, and gave a bright smile: “Would you like an autograph?”

The cold, high-status actress was so approachable!

The girl nodded vigorously, frantically pulling a pen out of her bag: “Yes, yes!”

She was too excited to control her volume, causing the surrounding people to turn and look their way.

Yao Xiang-yi, quick as a flash, immediately pressed Qiu Qing-shi’s head into her chest.

Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd, sending shivers down their spines.

Don’t mess with them. Don’t mess with them.

Everyone retreated their gaze.

Qiu Qing-shi could feel Yao Xiang-yi’s young and strong heartbeat, slightly faster than usual, like the prelude to a warm love song.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

Qiu Qing-shi reluctantly pulled away from her, a light layer of blush blooming on her cheeks, making her look like a sweet, dazzling peony flower—every glance from a bystander became a fleeting, breathtaking moment.

She apologized to the girl, put her mask back on, and took the pen: “Where should I sign?”

The girl nervously pulled open her jacket zipper, pointing to her white T-shirt: “On the shirt, is that okay?”

Qiu Qing-shi signed her name just below the shoulder.

Signatures required special practice for celebrities, differing greatly from their actual handwriting. They needed to be expressive, dynamic, and flowing to look good.

The girl’s boyfriend was also itching for one: “Actress Qiu, could you sign one for me too?”

He didn’t wait for Qiu Qing-shi to agree, pulling at his shirt hem, his denim jacket held taut: “Sign right here. I’ll never wash this jacket in my life. It’ll be a family heirloom, hung in my living room!”

Qiu Qing-shi was amused by him and picked up the pen again.

The movie was playing in Theater Seven.

Qiu Qing-shi had bought the most ideal viewing seats.

People were still trickling in. The overhead lights were bright, and the big screen was showing trailers for summer blockbusters. One of the comedies featured a cameo by Chi Gu-yuan.

She cameoed as an expressionless CEO, wearing a white shirt, black suit, and sunglasses, stepping out of a Rolls-Royce with an air of arrogant swagger.

Yao Xiang-yi was popping popcorn into her mouth, one piece at a time. Her cheeks were puffed out like a marmot. She burst into laughter upon seeing Chi Gu-yuan’s scene.

Qiu Qing-shi laughed along with her: “Daddy, she’s imitating you.”

Qiu Qing-shi immediately corrected herself: “As if she’s worthy!”

Just as the words settled, the lights dimmed, plunging the theater into darkness.

Qiu Qing-shi thoughtfully helped Yao Xiang-yi put on her 3D glasses.

The big screen lit up, showing the Dragon Mark—the public screening license from the National Radio and Television Administration—in the center.

The movie began.

Yao Xiang-yi was meticulous in everything she did, and she was equally focused on watching the film.

A few minutes in, she sensed something was off. She leaned over and humbly asked: “Is this a comedy? It feels eerie. Did we sit in the wrong theater?”

Qiu Qing-shi bit the straw of her hot drink and answered earnestly: “Black humor.”

Yao Xiang-yi suddenly understood and continued watching.

Ten minutes later.

Yao Xiang-yi asked again: “Didn’t you say this movie was a major production? Why are there no A-list actors? I don’t recognize many of them.”

Qiu Qing-shi forcibly held back the corner of her lips from turning up: “The big director has a quirk. He likes to use new actors.”

The explanation was very convincing.

Yao Xiang-yi believed her.

Another ten minutes later.

She roared, letting out the first scream in the entire theater.

“Liar! This is a horror movie!”

Yao Xiang-yi’s eyes were red with anger, accusing Qiu Qing-shi of her wickedness.

Qiu Qing-shi was already doubled over in her seat with laughter, clutching her stomach. She even shed two heartless tears of joy.

After she had her fill of laughter, she opened her arms: “Give me a hug.”

Every time they watched a horror movie, the CEO Yao Xiang-yi would turn into a frightened kitten, frantically burrowing into her arms. Qiu Qing-shi absolutely loved this feeling of being needed by her lover.

Yao Xiang-yi was furious.

To salvage her CEO image, she refused Qiu Qing-shi’s offer of comfort and insisted on watching the rest of the film.

Qiu Qing-shi was not having it. Who takes their wife to a horror movie with pure intentions? It was only to take advantage of the situation.

“I want a hug. I want a hug.”

“No hug.”

Qiu Qing-shi leaned over and forced an embrace upon Yao Xiang-yi, disregarding her commitment to virtue.

Click.

…Someone in the corner snapped a photo of the scene.

…And submitted it to a major Weibo entertainment account.