Helping My Ex-Wife Find Love Every Day - Chapter 33

Xiao Lili was reapplying her makeup in the dressing room.

Getting married was physically exhausting. She woke up at 3 AM, was surrounded by people, spinning like a top—doing makeup, styling her hair, changing clothes, receiving the groom’s party, serving tea, holding a red umbrella… After going through the entire sequence, she was practically half-dead.

She finally made it to the hotel, thinking she could catch her breath and rest in the dressing room, but unexpectedly, when she checked Weibo, she found that Qiu Qingshi had once again overshadowed her.

She slapped the mirror, gritting her teeth, wishing she could tear Qiu Qingshi to shreds.

Goddammit!

She had originally hoped to completely outshine Qiu Qingshi on her wedding day! After all, this was her home field. With the most beautiful makeup and the most gorgeous wedding dress, she didn’t believe Qiu Qingshi could steal her thunder.

Who would have thought… Qiu Qingshi actually bought a trending topic and self-disclosed a pregnancy. She was indeed the little biao-bei (darling/mistress) of the devil in human form, Yao Xiangyi.

Xiao Lili touched her visibly pregnant belly. Isn’t my premarital pregnancy even more explosive news than hers?

Her exclusive makeup artist was already used to her fits and knew the frequency, which mainly correlated with how often Qiu Qingshi trended. She really couldn’t understand why Xiao Lili insisted on competing with Qiu Qingshi for beauty. Wasn’t this just intentionally causing herself stress?

The makeup artist ignored her outburst, held the powder puff, and continued to touch up her makeup, gently advising: “Sister Lili, today is your big day. Try to be happy.”

Happy, my foot!

Xiao Lili glared at her reflection in the mirror and called Mei Kaixuan: “Did you not see the trending topic? Are you still indifferent? Spend money and suppress Qiu Qingshi’s trending topic!”

The dressing room was neither too big nor too small, divided into an inner and outer area. The outer area was the largest, and the two sofas against the walls were filled with girls playing amongst themselves, mostly familiar faces from the entertainment industry or wealthy socialites. Xiao Lili loved to judge people based on their status; ordinary people couldn’t be her jimei (sisters/besties). Inside were two small rooms: the one on the left was for changing clothes, and the one on the right was for makeup. Xiao Lili was in the latter, speaking so loudly that all her jimei heard her plan to suppress Qiu Qingshi’s popularity.

A dozen pairs of eyes exchanged meaningful glances across the room. Where their gazes met, sparks flew and crackled. The playful chatter abruptly stopped, and the spirit of gossip burned fiercely.

Xiao Lili noticed the nearly eerie silence outside. She gestured for the makeup artist to close the door.

Mei Kaixuan suspected that his fortune was bad this year; his artists were more troublesome than the last. Bai Mengzhao was brainless, and this woman, Xiao Lili, had no brains at all. He wished he could slap both of them a few times.

“Who can suppress the news of Qiu Qingshi’s pregnancy?” Mei Kaixuan said earnestly.

Xiao Lili was not like Bai Mengzhao; even if her popularity wasn’t what it used to be, her wings were still sturdy, so he wouldn’t push her too far.

“So I should just let her ride roughshod over me?”

She didn’t release the news early or late, but specifically during her wedding, which was clearly intended to cause trouble. From university to the entertainment industry, she had never once beaten Qiu Qingshi. She could occasionally mock her wife, Yao Xiangyi, for being ugly, but now she had suddenly become stunningly beautiful, constantly appearing in the news, more like a superstar than a celebrity. She couldn’t avoid seeing her even if she wanted to. The critical point was that even she found herself attracted. It’s so damn frustrating.

“Vengeance is a dish best served cold; don’t worry, I’ll remember this grudge for you!”

A hint of malice flashed in Mei Kaixuan’s eyes.

He would find an opportunity to fight fire with fire.

Yao Xiangyi transformed into a shadow, sticking tightly to Qiu Qingshi, going wherever she went, and constantly calling her “Babe.” They were showing off their affection right in everyone’s faces.

Qiu Qingshi couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly jogged away to hide in the restroom.

Yao Xiangyi followed her in, closed and locked the door, pinned Qiu Qingshi against the sink, and kissed her mouth.

Qiu Qingshi’s face was flushed purple with anger: “…Mmm… there are people here.”

Yao Xiangyi winked: “I checked, there isn’t.”

Qiu Qingshi waved her small, pink fists: “Then that’s perfect. I’ll tear off your mouth, and no one will see.”

Yao Xiangyi loosely held her slender waist, purposefully pouted her lips, and invited the “tearing.”

“Why didn’t I ever realize you were this thick-skinned before?” Qiu Qingshi wriggled, attempting to break free.

Yao Xiangyi tightened her arms, making it impossible for her to move, and gently coaxed: “Are you still angry?”

Qiu Qingshi glared, her eyes slightly red at the corners: “If I divorced you for no reason, wouldn’t you be angry? Not only that, but I’d also be making you leave with nothing! From now on, you’re free, no one controls you. Go wild wherever you want!”

Yao Xiangyi pecked a few times along her taut jawline, and said contentedly: “I’ve handed over all my salary cards to you. All the money is with you. Where could I possibly go?”

“I don’t want it, give it back to you!”

Yao Xiangyi indeed reached out, her eyes full of hope, wishing for her to return the cards.

Slap.

Qiu Qingshi smacked her palm and scolded teasingly: “Dream on.”

“All my money is yours. Spend it however you want,” Yao Xiangyi said with a warm and gentle smile in her eyes. “Just remember to give me an allowance every month.”

The meaning was obvious: the economic control of the household had fallen into Qiu Qingshi’s hands.

Qiu Qingshi couldn’t help but be surprised. Yao Xiangyi was used to acting imperious and resisting discipline. Even when she spoiled and loved her before, it was with a “Supreme Overlord grants you this favor” attitude. These past few days, however, she was clearly trying to curry favor, like a little kitten wanting its owner to kiss, hug, and lift it up high.

I’ve seen it all now.

Qiu Qingshi voiced her confusion.

Yao Xiangyi seemed stumped. Her tongue pressed against her teeth as she considered how to answer. Could she just say directly: I’m trying to convince you to divorce me so we can live happily ever after together? Qiu Qingshi would definitely teach her a lesson right then and there.

As soon as Yao Xiangyi hesitated, Qiu Qingshi suspected she was hiding something. Raising an eyebrow, she demanded: “Have you done something to betray me?”

“Don’t let your imagination run wild,” Yao Xiangyi said, her eyes full of sincerity. “Am I the type of person to fool around?”

“Then why are you being so unbelievably obedient?”

Yao Xiangyi buried her head in Qiu Qingshi’s neck, greedily inhaling the fresh scent of her skin, and said huskily: “When we get home tonight, and you’ve satisfied me, I’ll tell you then.”

Qiu Qingshi’s heart rate suddenly spiked. Her legs went weak, and she sank into Yao Xiangyi’s soft embrace, quickly pushing against her shoulder: “No perversion allowed.”

“I’ve been kicked out of the house for half a month; don’t you miss me?” Yao Xiangyi feigned a pitiful look, her hand slowly creeping down, inching towards Qiu Qingshi’s tempting behind, but it was intercepted halfway.

Qiu Qingshi tossed away her hand. As if still angry, she grabbed it back and bit it once, though without force, more like a tickle. Her soft tongue accidentally brushed the skin of Yao Xiangyi’s thumb joint, which was quite seductive.

Yao Xiangyi deliberately played the rogue: “Babe, one more bite.”

Qiu Qingshi couldn’t maintain her composure. Why couldn’t she just speak properly instead of looking so sexually frustrated!

“I hate you.”

Yao Xiangyi dropped the corners of her eyes: “Don’t say that, you’ll hurt my feelings.”

“Let go of me.” Qiu Qingshi turned her face away, acting like she was pouting.

Yao Xiangyi took advantage of her distraction and leaned in to kiss her mouth again.

“You’re… so annoying…” Qiu Qingshi fiercely resisted, desperately trying to push her face away.

Yao Xiangyi, with strength from who knows where, initiated a forceful, passionate kiss. Qiu Qingshi wanted to resist, but her arousal made her instinctively crave Yao Xiangyi, driving away her rationality. What began as a clear rejection secretly turned into acceptance. She hooked her arms around Yao Xiangyi’s neck, changing to a more comfortable position…

Her lipstick was thoroughly kissed off…

Yao Xiangyi got what she wanted. She licked her lips, seemingly still not satisfied, and moved to initiate another kiss.

Qiu Qingshi was not about to fall for her tricks repeatedly. She pushed her away, examined her swollen lips in the mirror, and became instantly enraged: “I told you to be gentle, but you wouldn’t listen. How am I supposed to go out and face people now?”

They entered the restroom one after the other, and she came out with no lipstick and swollen lips. Anyone who wasn’t an idiot would surely guess what happened.

The pregnancy trending topic hadn’t even been suppressed yet. Was she about to stir up another scandal because of a passionate kiss in the restroom?

Yao Xiangyi hugged her from behind: “Just say you had an allergic reaction.”

“What in the restroom would cause me an allergic reaction!”

That idea is terrible.

Qiu Qingshi stomped her foot and said angrily: “Yao Xiangyi, I truly owe you a debt!”

Yao Xiangyi, being a responsible CEO, notified Chi Guyuan to go to the dressing room and bring Qiu Qingshi’s bag, successfully solving her irritated wife’s problem.

Qiu Qingshi found her lipstick and carefully applied it in front of the mirror.

Chi Guyuan watched them without blinking, her gaze frank: “You two are way too lustful. If you really can’t wait, just go get a room upstairs and make it quick.”

Yao Xiangyi said seriously: “This way is more stimulating.”

Chi Guyuan: “…………”

Ah, ah, ah, my mind has gotten even filthier!

She gave Yao Xiangyi a thumbs-up.

“No wonder Qingshi doesn’t mind that you’re ugly and sticks by you—it turns out you have some exceptional qualities.”

Qiu Qingshi squinted at her, saying with murderous intent: “Do you think I’m dead?”

Chi Guyuan shook her head playfully: “I’m humbly learning from Bàba (Boss).”

Yao Xiangyi responded with a stream of suggestive remarks: “It’s all thanks to Qingshi’s good teaching.”

Qiu Qingshi’s temples throbbed violently. Having reached her limit, she put the lipstick away, raised both hands over her head, and cautiously took off the invisible, untouchable crown of “Hai City’s Number One Socialite,” placing it on the sink.

Yao Xiangyi saw the danger, quickly admitted her fault, and changed tactics: “I’m sorry, Babe. We’ll wait for you outside.”

The music had already started, and the wedding ceremony was about to begin. Guests were taking their seats, but Qiu Fugui arrived late, his expanding figure making him slightly breathless. He braced his hands on his knees, panting heavily, looking around frantically for Yao Xiangyi.

Tang Sili reminded Yao Xiangyi: “Your father-in-law is here.”

Yao Xiangyi hurried over to greet him, helping Qiu Fugui: “Dad, are you alright?”

Qiu Fugui pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead and asked excitedly: “Is Qingqing really pregnant?”

He regulated his breathing, straightened his back, adjusted his three-piece suit, and instantly transformed back into the robust farmer-turned-entrepreneur, exuding an aura of “refreshed spirit when good things happen.”

Yao Xiangyi replied honestly: “The media just blew it out of proportion, Dad. Don’t believe them.”

Qiu Fugui… deflated. He found a seat and sat down, silently bearing all his disappointment alone.

Yao Xiangyi felt bad and comforted him: “Dad, it’ll happen eventually; there’s no need to rush it right now.”

Qiu Fugui touched his head full of the “Pleasant Goat” style perm and lamented: “I’m old. I have no other wish than to hold a grandchild soon. Look at my white hair; there’s more of it every day.”

Chi Guyuan, sitting to her right, said thoughtlessly: “But aren’t you prematurely gray?”

Qiu Fugui: “…………”

Behind them, someone was calling “CEO Yao.”

Yao Xiangyi turned around, her eyes lighting up: “Director Zhou!”

Zhou Mengde was over fifty years old. Both his parents were university professors, so he came from an educated family. He looked tall and sturdy, but was actually a gentleman, maintaining perfect poise in all his gestures, exuding an air of refinement. He was slightly tanned from years of filming and directing movies.

The wrinkles around Zhou Mengde’s eyes crinkled with a smile: “I wanted to talk to you just now, but when I turned around, you were gone.”

Yao Xiangyi recalled her intimacy with Qiu Qingshi in the restroom and apologized: “A small situation came up suddenly. What did you want to discuss?”

Zhou Mengde went straight to the point: “My new movie is already in preparation. I’d like to invite Actress Qiu to play the female lead. I wonder if she would be willing?”

“She would be thrilled to star in a film directed by you, Director Zhou. There’s no reason for her to refuse. Why don’t you ask her, instead of asking me?”

“I heard she turned down all her recent work for you.”

Yao Xiangyi… paused, her expression stiffening.