The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Changes to Take the Black Moonlight Script - Chapter 43

As the last glimmer of twilight vanished from the horizon, the lingering heat rising from the ground was carried away by the setting sun.

Inside the quiet, desolate house, the temperature gradually dropped.

Yet, Shang Shiqian increasingly felt as though a furnace had been placed in her arms.

In her dazed state, she almost thought she was about to endure another round of scorching heat with full awareness.

When she opened her eyes, she realized the source of the heat was Wei Yixian.

She reached up to touch Wei Yixian’s forehead unsurprisingly, she was burning up again.

Do people with naturally cold constitutions run higher fevers?

Shang Shiqian prepared to get up and fetch a thermometer, but before she could even lift her upper body, Wei Yixian woke.

Her gaze was hazy yet tinged with wariness. “Where are you going?”

Shang Shiqian glanced at the fabric clutched in Wei Yixian’s grip and said, “Getting a thermometer for you.”

“There’s a digital thermometer by the bedside.”

“A regular thermometer gives a more accurate reading.”

Wei Yihang’s fingers twitched slightly before she finally released Shang Shiqian’s clothes.

Shang Shiqian rummaged through the medical kit left by Doctor Qin, retrieved a thermometer, and made sure to sterilize it before bringing it to Wei Yixian.

Wei Yixian hadn’t eaten much in the evening, so Shang Shiqian guessed she must be hungry by now. “Do you want something to eat?”

Wei Yixian forced herself to stay alert. “No need.”

She felt that asking Shang Shiqian to stay with her had been a mistake. Once her fever spiked, Shang Shiqian would inevitably lose sleep.

So she said, “Go back and rest.”

Shang Shiqian neither agreed nor refused, simply tucking the thermometer under Wei Yixian’s arm.

After five minutes passed, she poured a glass of warm water for Wei Yixian and checked the thermometer.

“It’s already over 39.5°C.”

Shang Shiqian called Pu Feifei over.

Soon, Doctor Qin arrived as well.

While they administered an IV drip to Wei Yixian, Shang Shiqian first ate something, then freshened up before calling Weng Qizheng to request leave.

Though she had no symptoms, she had still contracted the flu. If she accidentally infected the students and affected their participation in the University Go Championship, it would be disastrous.

Weng Qizheng granted her five days off.

Shang Shiqian said, “Even if I can’t go to the school, I can still guide them via video calls.”

Nowadays, there were not only apps for online classes but also real-time game records, making remote teaching just as effective.

After discussing it with Weng Qizheng, Shang Shiqian mentioned the arrangement in their small group chat.

Her bout with the flu also served as a warning to the students preparing for the competition with the tournament approaching, they should avoid crowded places. Otherwise, catching the flu could render a whole year’s effort worthless.

Once she finished handling that, she returned to Wei Yixian’s room.

Wei Yixian and the doctor seemed to be arguing about something. Shang Shiqian happened to hear Doctor Qin say, “.You shouldn’t bathe or wash your hair with a high fever. Just wipe yourself down with some water. There’s no need to care so much about appearances in your own home.”

Wei Yixian replied irritably, “This is about personal hygiene, not appearances.”

“Suit yourself.” No good advice could sway someone determined to ignore it.

After entering, Shang Shiqian joined the effort to persuade Wei Yixian. “Wei Yixian, I think you should listen to the doctor.”

WeiYixian, sensing the dampness on her, scoffed. “Someone who’s already bathed shouldn’t chime in.”

Shang Shiqian: “…”

Why did it feel like Wei Yixian was picking a fight with her?

She came up with a compromise: “How about you tough it out for now and wait until your fever breaks tomorrow before washing? Otherwise, if you take a bath now but sweat profusely from the high fever afterward, wouldn’t that make the bath pointless?”

Wei Yixian remained silent for a long moment before finally agreeing.

Doctor Qin gave them a somewhat surprised glance but said nothing.

After half a night of effort, Wei Yixian’s temperature finally subsided.

During the night and the next morning, Shang Shiqian checked Wei Yixian’s temperature twice, both readings hovering around 37.3°C.

Though there was still some fever, the situation had improved.

However, it was only the second day of the flu, and other symptoms were still on their way.

Yesterday, there had been some coughing and pharyngitis; today, she had completely lost her voice.

Seeing Wei Yixian open her mouth but produce no sound at all, Shang Shiqian: …

She handed Wei Yixian a tablet: “Type or write on this.”

Wei Yixian wrote on the tablet: “I’m fine now. You should go to school.”

Shang Shiqian replied, “Wouldn’t I just be spreading the flu to the students if I went? I’ve taken leave. I’ll be attending online classes at home these days.”

Wei Yixian paused for two seconds, then nodded.

After being scolded by Shang Shiqian and the system, Wei Yixian didn’t drag her sick body to work either, opting instead to work from home.

After breakfast, Xie Mei and Yin Lian arrived with a stack of documents for Wei Yixian to handle.

When the two of them saw Shang Shiqian, dressed in loungewear and carrying a glass of juice as she passed by, their shock was practically spilling out of their eyes.

However, Xie Mei was stunned because Shang Shiqian’s face truly looked identical to Wei Yixian’s late wife.

Yin Lian, on the other hand, was shocked, why was “intern” Shang Shiyu at Wei Yixian’s house?

And in pajamas, no less!

This was practically announcing to the world that she was living with Wei Yixian!

Could the recent rumors about the Caged Canary be true, and was Shang Shiyu the Caged Canary?!

A wildly inappropriate thought flashed through Yin Lian’s mind: “Well, looks like Consultant Yin, Wei Yixian’s first love, doesn’t stand a chance anymore.”

Both women were wearing masks, so Shang Shiqian didn’t notice their strange expressions and greeted them cheerfully: “Good morning, Assistant Xie, Sister Yin.”

“G-good morning.”

“Are you here to work? Just wait a bit, Wei Yixian is taking a shower.”

Shang Shiqian hadn’t expected visitors, so she wasn’t wearing a mask.

Worried about potentially infecting Xie and Yin with the flu, she quickly explained the situation before retreating to the basement level with her juice.

She had no idea how much turmoil her words had just caused the two of them.

Taking a shower first thing in the morning while sick? It almost sounded like—

Before their imaginations could run wild, Xie Mei received a message from Wei Yixian: “Third floor, study.”

Shang Shiqian had assumed Xie Mei and Yin Lian would be working there all day, but Xie Mei left soon after.

Xie Mei didn’t exit through the main door on the first floor. Knowing Shang Shiqian was in the basement entertainment lounge, she deliberately took the basement door leading to the garage.

And just as she’d hoped, she got the chance to scrutinize Shang Shiqian’s face up close.

With such a strong gaze directed at her, Shang Shiqian, who hadn’t yet immersed herself in a game of chess couldn’t possibly miss it.

From Xie Mei’s reaction, she understood: Xie Mei must have seen her before.

But she had no recollection of Xie Mei at all.

“Assistant Xie, are you leaving already?” Shang Shiqian asked.

Xie Mei snapped back to attention and nodded stiffly, “That’s right. Since President Wei can’t go to the company, there’s a lot of work I need to handle on her behalf. Secretary Yin can manage things here.”

“Oh!”

Xie Mei had already pushed open the corridor door but couldn’t resist turning back, “Why do you call them ‘sister’ but not me?”

She hadn’t noticed it before since she’d had little contact with Shang Shiqian.

But today, she’d heard Shang Shiqian affectionately calling out “Sister Pu” and “Sister Yin” left and right.

Yet when it came to her, it was always the very formal “Assistant Xie.”

As someone about to turn thirty, she knew she shouldn’t care about such things, but being treated differently still left a sour taste in her mouth.

Was she really that unlikable?

Shang Shiqian blinked in confusion before explaining, “Because Assistant Xie seems so composed and reliable you give off such an elite professional vibe that calling you ‘sister’ feels inappropriate.”

Xie Mei: …

She couldn’t even fake a smile.

While the compliment was flattering, she still wanted to be treated the same as the others!

Then again, remembering how Wei Yixian got addressed by full name by “Shang Shiyu,” she suddenly felt slightly better.

As if struck by a thought, Shang Shiqian asked curiously, “Assistant Xie, if I may ask, how long have you been Wei Yixian’s assistant?”

This wasn’t any secret. Xie Mei replied, “Over eight years. My first internship in college was assisting President Wei, though I wasn’t her assistant from the start.”

Back then, she was interning in Wei Corporation’s production department. Old Mr. Wei was critically ill, and the company was in turmoil when Wei Yixian suddenly arrived as deputy department manager.

Despite being the Wei family heiress, the succession battle wasn’t fully settled, and internal factions kept causing trouble naturally, some deliberately undermined her.

When Wei Yixian took charge of a project, they left her with a skeleton crew, assigning her only clueless newcomers like Xie Mei and lazy veterans who shirked work.

But they underestimated Wei Yixian’s capabilities and Xie Mei’s judgment.

While others slacked off, she seized every chance to prove herself.

So when Wei Yixian eventually left the department, Xie Mei was the only one she took with her.

Shang Shiqian’s eyes widened in realization. They might have crossed paths before, but she hadn’t noticed.

“So you weren’t present at Wei Yixian and Shang Shiqian’s wedding anniversary celebration?”

Xie Mei gave her a strange look, wondering why she’d bring up Shang Shiqian.

Did this stand-in actually want to replace the original?

After a pause, Xie Mei said, “You guessed wrong, I was there. But I’d only just become a full-time employee. President Wei kindly gave me an invitation, hoping I’d network.”

Back then, the celebration was filled with East City’s elite. Merely attending was lucky, how could she have gotten close enough to toast Wei Yixian and Shang Shiqian?

Though after the event, Wei Yixian immediately returned to work, and Xie Mei somehow ended up pulling overtime.

Which was how she witnessed those things.

Xie Mei’s expression visibly darkened, as if some unpleasant memory had been stirred up.

Noticing this, Shang Shiqian said, “Assistant Xie still has to return to work, right? I won’t keep you any longer. Bye.”

“…”

Xie Mei left in frustration, muttering to herself.

Something felt off to her.

Not only was “Shang Shiyu’s” behavior strange, but Wei Yixian’s attitude toward “Shang Shiyu” also seemed oddly inconsistent.

“Shang Shiyu” was as relaxed and at ease in Tianhao Garden as if it were her own home, completely unlike her cautious demeanor at the airshow.

Perhaps Wei Yixian had given her the utmost leniency, allowing her to treat Tianhao Garden as her own?

But the real question was, why would Wei Yixian grant her such treatment?

Could it be related to that kinship test report?

Or had Wei Yixian already started seeing “Shang Shiyu” as a substitute for Shang Shiqian, falling into some emotional vortex?

Just as she thought of the kinship test report, the second testing institution called to inform her that the results were ready.

Xie Mei: “…”

The other institution had delivered results ten days ago. Your efficiency is seriously lacking.

Fortunately, Wei Yixian had already received the first report and hadn’t pressed for the second one.

The institution had its excuses, they didn’t work on weekends, and kinship testing was complex. Ten business days was actually efficient.

“I’ll come pick it up this afternoon.”

–

Third floor, study.

Yin Lian glanced at Wei Yixian, who was reviewing documents, then quietly typed a few lines on her phone.

After a moment, she hesitantly spoke up, “President Wei, Consultant Yin from Zhou Ran Group would like to schedule a meeting with you.”

“What for?”

Wei Yixian’s voice was hoarse, barely audible.

But in the quiet study, it was enough for Yin Lian to hear clearly.

Yin Lian replied, “Uh! She heard you were unwell and wanted to visit.”

Wei Yixian looked up at her. “Decline.”

After a pause, he wrote on a notepad: “In the future, have her contact the personal secretary for such matters.”

Yin Lian knew Wei Yixian was reprimanding her. Flushing red, she quickly acknowledged and replied to Yin Zaishui.

Initially, she hadn’t even been connected with Yin Zaishui. But after the incident where Wei Yixian had a “private meeting” with Yin Zaishui on the yacht, the latter had proactively added her via her phone number.

Given that Wei Yixian’s attitude toward Yin Zaishui had shifted, no longer refusing direct professional communication Yin Lian had accepted the friend request.

Normally, Yin Zaishui wouldn’t pry into Wei Yixian’s personal affairs, only reaching out for work-related scheduling.

But while discussing business earlier, Yin Lian had inadvertently revealed she wasn’t at the office.

Yin Zaishui, sharp as ever, had picked up on the hint and coaxed out the fact that Wei Yixian was ill.

A moment later, Yin Lian said, “President Wei, Consultant Yin says she doesn’t have your personal secretary’s contact details.”

Wei Yixian: “…”

He wrote: “I don’t need you here right now. Find something else to do.”

Yin Lian retreated from the study.

Then she called Xie Mei for help.

After a brief silence, Xie Mei said, “President Wei told her to contact the personal secretary but didn’t provide the contact details. Is it possible he was blatantly refusing Yin Zaishui?”

Yin Lian had an epiphany.

Realizing how foolish she had been, she hid aside and slapped her thigh in frustration.

Shang Shiqian came upstairs to pour water and, seeing her like this, asked curiously, “Sister Yin, what’s wrong?”

Yin Lian forced a smile. “It’s nothing.”

Shang Shiqian studied her thoughtfully before asking, “Sister Yin, do you know how to set up live-streaming software for online classes?”

She had just tried the online class software and found some shortcomings in its practical use.

It would be much more intuitive if she could display real-time chess moves while explaining.

Yin Lian said, “Let me take a look.”

Shang Shiqian had only meant to distract Yin Lian, but to her surprise, Yin Lian actually knew how to operate it.

With Yin Lian’s help, Shang Shiqian could not only live-stream her explanations while demonstrating moves but also multitask efficiently.

Marveling at the rapid advancements in technology and the internet, Shang Shiqian didn’t forget to praise Yin Lian: “Sister Yin, you’re amazing!”

Yin Lian humbly replied, “Sometimes, President Wei needs to convey data more intuitively during video conferences. These are skills we secretaries must master.”

“With capable assistants like you, Wei Yixian must have a much easier time handling work.”

Yin Lian was so flattered that her earlier gloom instantly lifted.

When Wei Yixian messaged her secretary and got no reply, she went downstairs to investigate only to find her secretary had practically become Shang Shiqian’s assistant, rapidly typing notes with flying fingers.

Wei Yixian: “…”

–

At noon, after lunch at Tianhao Garden, Wei Yixian let Yin Lian leave for the day.

Yin Lian wasn’t sure if Wei Yixian was dissatisfied with her performance but didn’t dare ask.

Shang Shiqian, however, had no such reservations and asked directly, “You’re taking the afternoon off, right?”

Wei Yixian gave a faint “Mm” and instructed Yin Lian to return to the company in the afternoon to assist Xie Mei.

Yin Lian sighed in relief.

Shang Shiqian reluctantly saw her off: “Yinzi, what am I supposed to do (for my afternoon class) without you?!”

She wanted to poach someone from Wei Yixian’s side, but it was impossible.

Just as Yin Lian was about to say something, she noticed Wei Yixian silently appearing behind Shang Shiqian.

Without waiting for Wei Yixian to speak, she hastily boarded the waiting car and sped off.

Shang Shiqian turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight of Wei Yixian.

Wei Yixian’s expression darkened as she grabbed Shang Shiqian’s hand and wrote on her palm: “Is she that important?”

“She can type 420 words per minute even faster than a professional stenographer.”

Wei Yixian: “…”

She inexplicably smiled and continued writing on Shang Shiqian’s palm: “Nap time.”

Shang Shiqian: ?

Her fever had already subsided, why did she still need company for a nap?

Though puzzled, she didn’t hesitate to fetch the pillow she’d used earlier and bring it upstairs.

“I heard elevating your pillow helps with swallowing difficulties, making sleep less painful.”

Wei Yixian wrote on her palm: “Does it work?”

“Placebo effect.”

Wei Yixian: “…”

Wordlessly, she pulled Shang Shiqian down to sleep.

Shang Shiqian wasn’t sleepy, and Wei Yixian’s sore throat kept her awake.

Neither slept, but neither spoke.

Closing her eyes, Shang Shiqian couldn’t help but recall Xie Mei’s stories about Wei Yixian’s past.

Suddenly, she asked, “Wei Yixian, do you hate Shang Shiqian?”

Regarding why President Wei insisted on taking a bath despite being sick, our reporter conducted an interview with the parties involved.

President Wei: Personal hygiene.

Shang Si: Wasn’t it because you saw me taking a bath and decided you had to do the same?

An unnamed doctor: Hah, I think it’s more about not feeling comfortable sharing a bed without washing up first.

President Wei: ……