Oops, I’m the Scumbag Ex in Her Storyline - Chapter 44.2

The performance hadn’t even started, and the auditorium was already as noisy as a marketplace. Yet even with the buzz of ten different groups combined, none were louder than this girl. Xin Yan thought her eardrums might burst.

Bei Lanlan glanced at Xin Yan, knowing full well she hated noisy crowds. So she leaned back slightly and said to the girl, “I hadn’t planned on coming, but I wanted to keep her company.”

She gestured to Xin Yan beside her. The girl looked over, and Xin Yan offered her a polite smile at just the right moment.

The student clearly hadn’t expected there to be an outsider. Loud and boisterous among classmates, she suddenly became embarrassed in front of someone like Xin Yan, a professional-looking adult. Her voice dropped as she stammered an apology.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you just now…”

Xin Yan smiled. “It’s fine. You’re Lanlan’s classmate?”

The girl nodded quickly. “Same class! And you are… uh, Bei Lanlan’s sister?”

She wasn’t the type who kept up with campus gossip, so she had no idea Bei Lanlan was regularly chauffeured to school by a rich, glamorous girlfriend. Xin Yan chuckled and was just about to clarify when—

“She’s not my sister,” Bei Lanlan cut in, faster than Xin Yan could speak. “She’s my wife. We’re already married.”

The girl’s jaw dropped. The revelation was beyond anything she could have imagined. Xin Yan was just as stunned, staring at Bei Lanlan in disbelief, unable to understand why she had said that.

It was pure impulse on Bei Lanlan’s part. Xin Yan had told her countless times—outside, they could say she was Xin Yan’s assistant, or her friend. If necessary, even her girlfriend. But under no circumstances were they to say they were married.

Xin Yan had never explained why, but Bei Lanlan understood anyway. And yet, tonight, she simply didn’t want to follow that rule anymore.

The performance began. The host’s warm, clear voice came through the speakers. Lights dimmed, chatter subsided, and spotlights illuminated the stage. Bei Lanlan had already turned her attention forward, her face faintly lit by the glow.

Xin Yan wanted to speak but held her tongue—this wasn’t the right time or place.

Still, throughout the play, her mind kept circling back to that one sentence.

Onstage, the actors performed with vigor. Waves of laughter rippled through the audience. But Xin Yan couldn’t focus, and neither could Bei Lanlan. Quietly, she studied Xin Yan’s profile in the dark auditorium—serious, distant.

Bei Lanlan’s heart beat faster, a mix of nervousness and excitement.

She knew she had done something Xin Yan disliked. And yet, truthfully, she had relished it.

God only knew how exhilarating it had felt to announce their relationship aloud, right in front of Xin Yan. Xin Yan always wanted her to be innocent, kind, compliant—a flawless good girl.

But she was anything but. She had long since broken those expectations. She liked to put up an act, liked going against Xin Yan, and liked even more the helpless expression Xin Yan wore afterward.

Taking a long, steadying breath, she forced herself to calm down and waited for Xin Yan to say her name.

Usually, her little tricks weren’t serious—Xin Yan might scold her but would eventually let them slide. This time, though, she had gone too far. Xin Yan wouldn’t let it go so easily.

Sure enough, as soon as the curtain fell, Xin Yan caught her by the arm.

“Lanlan, wait.”

The auditorium was still buzzing with chatter. Bei Lanlan led Xin Yan out through the back corridor. Just one wall over were the music department’s offices and a few practice rooms. She found an empty one, and they stepped inside.

At the doorway, Bei Lanlan turned, meeting Xin Yan’s eyes with a clear, unflinching gaze.

Xin Yan froze under her look.

“Go on,” Bei Lanlan said.

“…Go on with what?” Xin Yan asked.

Bei Lanlan hesitated, then repeated almost word for word what Xin Yan had always told her:

“Say that we’re not what people think we are. That keeping it hidden is better for both of us. That I’m still a student, and complicated identities only bring trouble. That from now on, I shouldn’t do this again in public.”

Xin Yan blinked. Her chest tightened. Not only were the words exactly what she would have said—the order, the tone, even the little habitual phrasing were all hers.

She gave an awkward laugh. “Sounds just like me.”

Bei Lanlan’s lips curved faintly. “Because I’ve remembered everything you’ve ever said to me. Too clearly. It’s impossible not to start sounding like you.”

There was an edge beneath her calmness. Xin Yan didn’t understand why she was taking this attitude. She tried to steer back to the point. “If you know all that, then why did you still say it?”

Bei Lanlan’s eyes flickered, then slid away. “…Because I’m tired.”

“Tired?” Xin Yan echoed.

Her gaze returned, now burning like a flame. “When I’m with you, I’m always hidden. Before, you kept me hidden because you liked Jing Chu, and you didn’t want her to know I existed. But now you say you don’t like her anymore. So why must I still remain invisible?”

Xin Yan hadn’t expected this. She hurried to explain. “I’m not trying to hide you—I just don’t want people to know about us—”

“What’s the difference?” Bei Lanlan cut her off.

Xin Yan faltered.

Bei Lanlan’s smile was chilling. “Whether we’re at home or outside, I’m invisible to them. Even when I’m right next to you, holding your hand, in their eyes I don’t exist. Am I really that insignificant?”

“Of course not! You—”

“Then why won’t you admit it?” Bei Lanlan interrupted again, eyes locked on her. “You keep saying it’s for my sake, but I’ve told you—I don’t care. So why won’t you acknowledge me?”

Because…

Xin Yan had no words. She thought not admitting it was protecting Bei Lanlan, leaving her a way out, ensuring her future wouldn’t be tainted by this relationship.

But denial didn’t erase the truth. No matter how she tried to conceal it, their relationship was real—and ongoing.

A sudden throb pressed at her temples. She lowered her head, lost and tangled in thought. Then, almost without knowing why, she looked back up at Bei Lanlan and blurted out:

“Do you want me to move out?”

Bei Lanlan’s expression changed instantly.

She stared at Xin Yan, lips trembling before she forced out four bitter words:

“I should’ve known.”

She couldn’t stay another second. Turning sharply, she ran out the back door. Light-footed as a swallow, she vanished before Xin Yan could even take more than two shaky steps after her.

Her legs felt weak. Just as she realized something was wrong with her body, her phone rang. She glanced in the direction Bei Lanlan had fled, torn, then looked at the screen.

It was from the nursing home. At nearly nine in the evening, such a call already made her heart leap in fear.

“Hello?”

“…What?!”

Her face went blank as she listened. “Wait, what do you mean the kitchen exploded? Did you buy a microwave or a bomb?! Was anyone hurt?”

When she heard it was only fright and no injuries, Xin Yan pressed a hand to her forehead, cold sweat dampening her back.

“You… you just wait! As soon as I have time, I’m coming over to settle this with you!”

On the other end, the staff member could only fall silent.

Even her threats had to be scheduled. Truly, that was CEO Xin.