Reborn After Divorcing The Obsessive Genius Heiress - Chapter 3

Qiu Wu had imagined what Luo Bai would look like, but none of her mental images quite matched the person now sitting across from her.

She was neither Terminator-like nor reminiscent of Lin Daiyu, nor did she resemble any of the wealthy young women Qiu Wu had encountered before, those who had gazed at her with either mocking or flirtatious eyes.

If Qiu Wu had to describe her in a single word, it would be “divine.”

The woman’s jet-black hair was meticulously tied back, revealing a smooth forehead and softly contoured face. Her skin was like flawless white porcelain, even paler than that of typical Luodong residents. Straight eyebrows framed dense lashes, and her lips were a delicate shade. Her eyes were pure black, with slightly upturned corners that gave them a sharp yet refined look. When she gazed at others, her eyes were like a calm mirror, reflecting no trace of emotion. Her figure was perfectly balanced—neither frail nor imposing, but precisely right. Even the unremarkable FutureTech work jacket she wore seemed impeccably tailored and spotless on her.

If the heavens had created others with capricious abandon, throwing together whatever was at hand and tossing the result out into the world, then when creating Luo Bai, they must have been possessed by a craftsman’s spirit, meticulously sculpting her piece by piece according to their own vision.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain why Qiu Wu’s eyes felt so incredibly comfortable the moment she saw Luo Bai.

The woman’s hands, resting on the table, were adorned with a pair of snow-white, thin gloves—equally slender and graceful, like meticulously sculpted works of art.

“Y-you… hello. I’m Qiu Wu.” It wasn’t until the woman across from her frowned slightly, a hint of confusion in her expression, that Qiu Wu finally regained control of her tongue.

She hurriedly set down her coffee cup, nervously rubbed her hands against her pants, and her mind was a complete blank.

What should I do now? Smile? Shake hands? Or apologize first for starting to eat before she arrived?

Luo Bai showed no reaction to her nervousness—neither mocking nor comforting. She simply tilted her head slightly, her voice genuinely puzzled. “You… look a little different from your photos.”

Qiu Wu: “……”

Sister, are you unaware that makeup exists in this world?

“…Ahem.”

Qiu Wu couldn’t suppress a laugh, and her tension immediately eased.

“I’m wearing makeup. Well, you know, just… to make a good impression on you.” She lowered her gaze slightly, looking up at Luo Bai from a slightly tilted angle.

Lin Ya had once remarked, “From that angle, you’re so cute I almost started lactating.”

Luo Bai showed no reaction to Qiu Wu’s flattery, merely nodding slightly. “I understand. However, my personal aesthetic leans more toward you without makeup.”

Qiu Wu: “…Thank you.”

The blunt rejection stung, her gaze flickering away.

Luo Bai glanced at her watch. “Would you mind having tea first before we discuss business? It’s my afternoon tea time.”

Qiu Wu hastily shook her head. “Not at all.”

Luo Bai then proceeded to leisurely enjoy her tea. She precisely cut a neat square from the cake with her fork, ate it, took a sip of coffee, cut another identical square, ate it, and sipped again.

By the time the square cake was finished, her coffee was also gone.

Qiu Wu was utterly mesmerized, almost wanting to stand up and applaud.

“Don’t you find it bland?” she asked, having devoured more than half the cake while Luo Bai was occupied. Like the coffee, it had only the faintest hint of sweetness and aroma.

If a place like this opened near a school, it wouldn’t last half a day before complaints shut it down, she thought.

Luo Bai wiped her mouth and calmly met Qiu Wu’s gaze, sending a chill down her spine.

Is she angry?

Luo Bai’s demure manner while eating cake had momentarily made Qiu Wu forget that this woman was the Qiu Family’s lifeline—someone she absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.

“I don’t think so,” Luo Bai replied calmly. “But the Eternal Restaurant does reduce the intensity of flavors to minimize stimulation. Excessive seasoning can trigger unnecessary cravings. Food is meant to satisfy survival needs, not create further problems.”

Before Qiu Wu could apologize, Luo Bai offered this explanation.

It was a calm, objective explanation, devoid of any hint of “a pig can’t appreciate fine bran.”

How strange.

Qiu Wu felt both relieved and puzzled.

This woman seems utterly devoid of emotion…

Luo Bai pressed a button on the table, summoning a server who cleared their plates and brought each of them a glass of warm water.

“Now, let’s discuss the pre-wedding preparations,” Luo Bai said, tapping twice on her wrist-mounted screen. A holographic display projected between them, showing several documents.

We’ve only just met fifteen minutes ago! Couldn’t she have started with something less… abrupt?

Qiu Wu stared at the screen, feeling dizzy.

“Let me introduce myself first. I’m Luo Bai, born on January 10, 1125, making me 32 years old this year. I graduated from Luocheng University First Branch with a Ph.D. in Intelligent Robotics Development. Currently, I work at FutureTech’s Seventh Research Institute as Chief Engineer. I own three properties with a total estimated value of approximately 200 million Luocheng Coins. Here are the property ownership certificates. I also hold thirty-seven patents related to intelligent robotics development, but due to FutureTech’s confidentiality agreements, I can’t disclose them…” Luo Bai continued explaining, opening files on the screen to provide evidence as she spoke.

“Wait, wait, wait… hold on a second,” Qiu Wu’s mouth widened, and she finally couldn’t help but raise her hand to stop Luo Bai.

“Hmm?” Luo Bai paused, looking at her calmly. “Is there a problem?”

Everything is a problem, okay?

Qiu Wu had never found the world so baffling. She asked weakly, “Why are you telling me all this?”

This was completely different from what she had imagined.

She had thought that upon learning about her background, Luo Bai might consider her insufficiently “noble” and dismiss her with a wave of her hand.

She had even imagined Luo Bai disdainfully lifting her chin and saying, “Woman, I, the Eldest Miss of the Luo Family, am I not to your liking?”

Qiu Wu had even imagined being bundled into a car and transported to the Luo Family for the wedding, like a concubine stripped bare, rolled up, and delivered to the emperor’s bed in ancient times.

What she hadn’t expected was Luo Bai earnestly explaining her family’s assets.

Wasn’t this supposed to be an arranged marriage? A completely unfair one, where Qiu Wu had no choice at all?

Why did it now feel like an overly candid blind date?

“Why?” Luo Bai’s expression turned puzzled, as if she couldn’t understand. “Firstly, marriage requires sufficient understanding of one’s partner. Secondly, according to Luocheng law, a portion of these assets will become jointly owned by the married couple. If we divorce later, property division will be involved. I believe it’s necessary to inform you of this beforehand.”

Qiu Wu: “……”

She makes such perfect sense that I can’t even argue.

Wait, could this be a test?

In an instant, Qiu Wu’s mind flashed through countless plots of wealthy family infighting.

Is she trying to see if I’m after her money?

Qiu Wu cautiously replied, “You’re right. If you’re worried about property division, we can sign a prenuptial agreement. Even if we divorce, you won’t have to give me anything. I don’t mind.”

“That’s unnecessary. It’s your right,” Luo Bai said firmly. After confirming Qiu Wu had no objections, she continued her self-introduction.

She seems genuinely serious…

Qiu Wu silently raised her hand to prop up her chin, manually closing her jaw that had dropped in surprise.

In less than half an hour, she had confirmed one thing:

Never use any past experiences with others to try to understand Luo Bai.

Her arranged marriage partner seemed… perhaps… probably… not quite normal.

Her thinking was simple and direct, unconcerned with external matters like family wealth or other people’s emotions.

Qiu Wu’s face was contorted with pain, but Luo Bai remained completely unaffected, not even raising an eyebrow.

It was as if she had never lived in the human world.

Could she have actually transformed herself into a robot?

After finishing her self-introduction, Luo Bai turned to Qiu Wu. “I have your basic information here, but it may not be complete. Would you like to add anything?”

“Y-yes, of course,” Qiu Wu replied, leaning back against the chair like a nervous job applicant. “Qiu Wu, born March 5, 1136 New Era, 21 years old this year. A senior majoring in industrial design at Luocheng University Seventh Branch. I am the adopted daughter of the Qiu Family, and I… don’t own any property. I’m in good health, but I didn’t bring my medical report. I can provide it later if you need it.”

Her voice grew softer with each word, realizing how little she possessed compared to Luo Bai. Even her so-called family was a mere facade.

“Mm,” Luo Bai nodded slightly, offering no further comment. “There’s one more thing I need to confirm. Do you want to marry me?”

Qiu Wu stared blankly.

Was it even a question of what she wanted?

They had only just met. While she found Luo Bai’s appearance very appealing, she was far from being so infatuated as to consider marriage.

Luo Bai spoke with unwavering certainty, “My goal is marriage. Since marriage involves two people, I need to confirm your willingness before proceeding with the next steps.”

What exactly are these “next steps”?

Qiu Wu pressed a hand to her throbbing head and, after a long pause, managed to say, “I… think so?”

This was the result of her careful consideration. Her impression of wealthy young ladies came mostly from Qiu Ji—temperamental, aloof, and perhaps even prone to violence.

Compared to Qiu Ji, Luo Bai seemed as emotionally stable as a temple bodhisattva.

Qiu Wu was destined to be sent into a political marriage by the Qiu Family anyway. Refusing Luo Bai would likely result in severe punishment. And if she were paired with someone like Qiu Ji, her future would be unbearable.

Better to just go along with it.

The thought brought a bitter smile to Qiu Wu’s lips.

If not for her debt to the Qiu Family—both financial and personal—she would have returned to Luoxi immediately after graduation.

It was harvest season then, and her younger sister was still small. Her grandmother couldn’t manage the farm work alone.

“Mm,” Luo Bai replied, oblivious to Qiu Wu’s melancholy. “Since we’re in agreement, I have two proposals. Option one is to marry immediately. Option two is to date for a period of time to see if we’re compatible before considering marriage. I’m open to either option. The decision is yours.”

A dating option?

Qiu Wu stared at Luo Bai’s impassive face.

You don’t look like someone who would date.

She cautiously asked, “I choose option two. Is that okay?”

No sane person would want to marry someone they’ve just met.

“Agreed,” Luo Bai nodded. “The dating period will be tentatively set for six months to a year. Either party has the right to terminate the relationship at any time.” She opened another document. “These are the dating rules I’ve drafted. Please review them and let me know if any revisions are needed.”

1. During the dating period, neither party may enter into a romantic relationship with another person. If necessary, a request must be submitted to the other party to terminate the dating relationship before pursuing another romance.
2. Time permitting, we will go on one date per week. The location and specific activities will be decided through mutual communication.
3. With mutual consent, we may engage in activities such as holding hands, kissing, cohabitation, and sexual intimacy. However, both parties must submit medical examination reports in advance and fully respect each other’s boundaries.

******

The rules were concise, fitting onto a single page, with each sentence clear and easily understood.

As Qiu Wu read, her head began to ache. She asked hoarsely, “What’s the basis for these rules?”

Luo Bai replied earnestly, “I have no personal experience with romance. To compensate, I analyzed data from Luocheng’s social media platforms regarding relationship topics, combined with Luocheng’s laws and universal ethical principles, to formulate these rules. Do you have any additions?”

“No, no, no!” Qiu Wu shook her head vigorously. Just reading this document made her tense; it was clearly written by someone completely out of touch with normal human relationships.

“Very well. I have no further questions. Do you have any for me?” Luo Bai closed her tablet and looked directly at Qiu Wu, as if preparing to sign a contract.

Actually, Qiu Wu did have one more question.

Gathering her courage, she asked, “Why… why do you want to get married?”

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