The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Changes to Take the Black Moonlight Script - Chapter 51

Shang Shiqian was stunned.

Was Wei Yixian about to cry?

How was that possible?

Shang Shiqian found the absurd thought laughable.

But as she watched Wei Yixian’s eyes grow increasingly red, her confidence wavered, and she felt a twinge of helplessness.

What if Wei Yixian really started crying?

Should she comfort her immediately, or pretend not to notice to preserve Wei Yixian’s dignity?

Honestly, in all the time she’d known Wei Yixian, she had never seen her cry.

So much so that when Wei Yixian’s eyes reddened, there was a fragile beauty to it.

Wait, what am I thinking!? Shang Shiqian reined in her wandering thoughts.

But after some deliberation, what came out of her mouth was: “Did you get sand in your eyes?”

Wei Yixian: ?

Are you even listening to yourself?

The system chimed in with sarcasm: [Host, are you serious? There’s no sand in this room. You might as well ask if she misses Old Mr. Wei too much.]

Shang Shiqian retorted: [Little Black System, you’re not human so you wouldn’t understand! In a situation like this, if I ask her if she’s about to cry, she’ll stubbornly claim it’s just sand in her eyes to save face as the domineering CEO. I’m just cutting to the chase and saving her the trouble, isn’t that better?]

Wei Yixian: …

She sneered inwardly: Should I thank you for being so considerate?

[See? She’s not crying anymore.] Shang Shiqian added.

The system: […Is it possible that people don’t feel any emotional fluctuations when they’re utterly speechless?]

“There’s no sand,” Wei Yixian turned her head away, as if unwilling to let anyone see her on the verge of tears.

Shang Shiqian quickly said, “I’m not moving out because of her.”

“Then why?”

“Before I answer that, I want to ask you something,” Shang Shiqian paused briefly. “Ah-Hang, what am I to you?”

Wei Yixian turned back to face her, her eyes were completely dry, with no trace of tears!

She parted her lips slightly and asked, “Will the answer change your decision?”

Shang Shiqian shook her head without hesitation.

As harsh as it might be, before she could clarify her own feelings, it didn’t matter whether Wei Yixian saw her as nothing more than a stand-in in some twisted game or had genuinely developed feelings for her, Shang Shiyu, and was engaging in this ambiguous relationship her decision to leave wouldn’t waver.

In the past, the only thing in her life that required deep exploration and clarity was Go.

Whether it was family or friends, she never had to worry about how to build those relationships emotional bonds formed naturally.

Because of that, she had missed many people and let down many heartfelt intentions.

Now, she wanted to delve deeper, to understand herself, she didn’t want to leave with a muddled, half-baked relationship hanging over her.

Wei Yixian turned away again. “Then I refuse to answer your question.”

The childish gesture lightened the heavy weight in Shang Shiqian’s heart just a little.

She smiled. “I keep my promises. I’ll still come to tutor you tonight, and I’ll pick you up from work on Monday… unless you refuse.”

Wei Yixian scoffed but didn’t lash out with any harsh words.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“…Oh.”

Shang Shiqian asked, “Do you still want to study tonight?”

“I’m too tired. Another time.”

“Alright, then get some rest early.”

With that, Shang Shiqian returned to her room.

Watching Shang Shiqian’s retreating figure, Wei Yixian had a fleeting moment where she desperately wanted to expose her true identity.

Perhaps then she would stay.

But even if she did this, there was no guarantee she could keep her.

—Shang Shiqian hadn’t left with Shang Xiaowu because she was pretending to be Shang Shiyu. If she realized someone had recognized her and no longer needed to maintain the disguise, she would undoubtedly choose to return to the Shang family.

Moreover, according to the system’s judgment of Love Points, exposing Shang Shiqian’s identity would only introduce more variables.

For example, at this stage, by pretending not to know Shang Shiqian’s true identity, any kindness she showed her—even something as small as picking her up—would be seen by the system as a positive action.

But if she revealed Shang Shiqian’s identity and they resumed their legal marital relationship, many of her efforts would become expected behavior, and the system might not increase the Love Points.

There was more.

During the system’s earlier interaction with Shang Shiqian, it had reminded her of something else.

If the Zhou family’s schemes fell through and they were driven to desperation, they would inevitably seek revenge on her.

—She suspected that in the “original story,” they had targeted Yin Zaishui for two reasons: first, because Yin Zaishui had ruined their plans;

Second, because in the original story, there had been signs of her rekindling an old flame with Yin Zaishui. Unable to get to her, they had sought revenge by hurting Yin Zaishui.

Now, with the rumors of the Caged Canary, the situation had undoubtedly become even more unpredictable.

Perhaps it was for the best that Shang Shiqian moved out for a while. Reducing their interactions would minimize the risk of her being implicated.

What happened eight years ago, she would never let it happen again.

That night, Wei Yixian sat motionless for a long, long time, like a statue.

Early the next morning.

The villa’s security noticed Shang Shidai’s car parked outside.

Wei Yixian’s expression was icy, the dark circles under her eyes adding a gloomy, chilling aura.

How could she not realize that Shang Xiaowu must have had a hand in Shang Shiqian’s decision to move out!?

“President Wei, should we open the gate?” Pu Feifei asked.

Wei Yixian took a sip of coffee. “No.”

The only reason she hadn’t had Shang Xiaowu chased five miles away was because she didn’t want Shang Shiqian to have to walk that far. It didn’t mean she would let Shang Xiaowu come to her doorstep and cause trouble.

Pu Feifei wanted to ask: Since you resent this so much, President Wei, why didn’t you stop Xiao Shang from moving out?

She suddenly felt that Wei Yixian’s thoughts were truly hard to decipher.

A moment later, Wei Yixian’s private phone rang.

The call was from an unknown number.

Wei Yixian put it on speaker, and Shang Xiaowu’s voice immediately blared out: “Wei Yixian, open the gate! I know you’re home—stop hiding inside and ignoring me.”

Wei Yixian sneered. “Are we close? The Shang family is desperate to draw a line between us. So why are you here? And why should I let you in? Do you think this is your home?”

“You!” Shang Xiaowu was left speechless and could only retort sarcastically, “Oh, so you’re mad now.”

Wei Yixian’s patience ran out. “Anything else?”

As she was about to hang up, Shang Xiaowu snapped, “Fine, don’t open it. But don’t think you can force Shang Shiyu to stay with these underhanded tactics.”

Wei Yixian decisively ended the call.

She gripped her phone and glanced outside.

Why wasn’t it raining today?

Since she needed to move her luggage to Weng Qizheng’s place first, Shang Shiqian woke up earlier than usual.

She went downstairs and saw Wei Yixian, as usual, already up early drinking coffee and playing tennis, which made her secretly relieved.

However, Wei Yixian was probably still upset with her and barely acknowledged her.

Only when she was about to leave did Wei Yixian mention, “I have class tonight.”

Shang Shiqian: “What time?”

“Ten…” Wei Yixian corrected herself, “Nine.”

With Shang Xiaowu’s involvement, Shang Shiqian could leave anytime now—using the excuse of the last train to make things difficult for her wouldn’t work anymore.

Better to let her finish class early and get some rest sooner.

Shang Shiqian beamed: “Okay.”

After breakfast, Shang Shiqian left.

Wei Yixian didn’t see her off.

Pu Feifei escorted Shang Shiqian out and then came back to ask Wei Yixian, “Boss Wei, why didn’t you let us take Xiao Shang? We might’ve even found out where she lives.”

Wei Yixian replied indifferently, “As long as she has the tablet, there’s no need to deliberately track her down.”

Pu Feifei suddenly realized fruit phones could locate fruit tablets.

No wonder Boss Wei was so calm and even encouraged Xiao Shang to take the tablet. That was her plan all along.

“What about Chu Fei…?”

“Let them continue their shifts.”

Pu Feifei glanced at Wei Yixian and suggested, “Boss Wei, why don’t you get some sleep?”

When she got up at 4 a.m. to check the villa’s security, she heard noises in the entertainment lounge and thought there was a break-in.

She even brought bodyguards to investigate, only to find Wei Yixian there playing the claw machine!

Not only that, but she had also decorated the plushies with merchandise bought two days ago from the Go Museum’s gift shop.

Those stuffed toys, piled up in the entertainment lounge, were still neatly lined up on the basement-level sofa.

She sighed inwardly: It’s been so long since I’ve seen Boss Wei lose it!

Though before, when she lost it, she’d fire people now she just implodes internally. Much more restrained.

Wei Yixian said, “No need. I’m heading out soon.”

–

Shang Xiaowu successfully picked up Shang Shiqian and immediately started venting angrily.

Shang Shiqian was both amused and exasperated. “Why didn’t you just call me?”

“Why would I call? It’d make me look desperate… This was your decision anyway.” Shang Xiaowu tried hard to distance herself from the matter.

Shang Shiqian asked, “Did you eat breakfast?”

Shang Xiaowu grumbled, “No.”

“Good thing I brought you something.” Shang Shiqian pulled out the juice Pu Feifei had prepared for her and a packed sandwich from her bag.

Shang Xiaowu scoffed, “I’m not eating Wei Yixian’s food!”

“Then I’ll save it for lunch. Can’t let it go to waste.”

As Shang Shiqian moved to put the box back in her bag.

“Lunch shouldn’t be something so nutritionally lacking!” Shang Xiaowu snatched the sandwich, eating with one hand while steering with the other.

“Can’t you just pull over first?”

“This sandwich isn’t worth me taking extra time to savor.”

Shang Shiqian watched her sister with amusement.

Shang Xiaowu felt uneasy under her gaze. “What?”

“I’ve realized that after all these years, Wei Yixian has never done anything to you. She really has a good temper, huh.”

Shang Xiaowu: “…”

She huffed angrily. “You might look like Shang Qiguan, but your personality’s nothing like hers. She’d never praise Wei Yixian in such a roundabout way.”

Shang Shiqian didn’t argue. “Is that so?”

Shang Xiaowu fell silent.

Because she felt uncertain inside.

–

Shang Shiqian didn’t have many belongings just some clothes and basic toiletries apart from her personal items.

Shang Xiaowu looked around the apartment that could be taken in at a single glance, barely suppressing her disdain: “You live here?”

“Why else would I come?”

“It’s so small,” Shang Xiaowu muttered under her breath.

Shang Shiqian replied, “I live alone. I don’t need a big place.”

To her, an apartment was just somewhere to rest. She could eat at the university cafeteria, and on weekends when she wanted to cook at home, she had the necessary utensils.

As for playing Go, the living room would suffice. What’s more, being close to East City University meant she could stay late and return whenever.

Once they finished tidying up, they left.

Then Shang Xiaowu spotted the parking ticket stuck on the car window and stomped her foot in frustration: “Not only is this place old and tiny, but there isn’t even a proper parking lot?!”

Shang Shiqian chuckled and said, “Alright, you should head back. I can just walk to the university.”

“I’m going to East City University too, remember?”

So, Shang Shiqian ended up getting a ride from Shang Xiaowu to East City University.

On her way to the Treasure Pavilion, Shang Shiqian greeted Chu Fei: “Good morning, Sister Chu.”

Chu Fei nodded at her. “Morning.”

After Shang Shiqian entered the Go Room, Chu Fei immediately reported to Wei Yixian: “Miss Shang greeted me as usual. She didn’t deliberately avoid me.”

“…Mm, got it.”

The call ended.

Wei Yixianturned back to his seat and gestured to the person at the other end of the conference table. “Please continue.”

The accounting firm’s representative resumed the PowerPoint presentation. “So far, we’ve identified fabricated accounts receivable in Zhou Ran Group amounting to 6.68 billion yuan, with corresponding revenue also suspected of being falsified.”

Wei Yixian asked, “Anything else?”

“There are also suspicious business revenues. For instance, between 2020 and 2022, certain segments of Zhou Ran Group’s business saw a tenfold increase in revenue, despite domestic orders declining significantly. Most orders came from overseas. Upon investigation, we found that the majority of these companies were shell entities, meaning these revenues are likely fabricated as well though we lack concrete evidence yet.”

Xie Mei interjected, “Zhou Ran Group recently softened their stance. They’re willing to transfer 67% of their shares to us, provided Wei Corporation agrees to issue shares to Zhou Ran’s original shareholders.”

Wei Yixian had initiated the acquisition of Zhou Ran Group without prior notice, directly approaching their shareholders with the offer.

However, these shareholders collectively held only 33% of the shares, while the remaining 67% were dispersed among the Zhou family.

In other words, the Zhou family held absolute control over Zhou Ran Group.

This was precisely why they dared to demand an exorbitant price of 68 billion yuan.

Xie Mei added, “They probably panicked when we suddenly halted the acquisition, fearing their plans would collapse. That’s why they’re being more flexible now.”

Wei Yixian asked, “If their financial fraud is exposed, how much would it affect Wei Corporation?”

This drew objections from some attendees: “It’s best not to expose this. It won’t benefit us.”

Wei Corporation’s acquisition of Zhou Ran Group was a hostile takeover. Success would be one thing, but failure could very well turn them into the next takeover target.

Fortunately, the Wei Group had not yet formally targeted the Zhou Ran Group, so the impact was limited.

However, they believed the board might still support completing the acquisition deal despite knowing about the Zhou Ran Group’s financial fraud and even help cover it up.

Because even if it were exposed later, the only ones penalized would be the relevant personnel of the Zhou Ran Group and Wei Yixian, who was in charge of the acquisition.

Yet, before exposure, the profits they stood to gain could be several times even a dozen times greater.

Wei Yixian’s gaze turned cold. “There are two days left before the market opens on Monday. I’ll give you two days to figure out how to minimize the risks.”

The meeting ended.

Wei Yixian stopped Xie Mei. “The Zhou family may seem kind on the surface, but they’re ruthless and have no bottom line. From financial fraud to setting up this acquisition trap, they must have planned this for a long time… If their scheme is ruined, there’s no telling how they’ll retaliate against those involved. Though I’m the one leading this, I can’t rule out the possibility that they might go mad enough to target you. Stay alert.”

“Understood.” Xie Mei hesitated. “President Wei, is it possible.”

“Speak your mind.”

“That their real target is actually you?” Xie Mei had a feeling the Zhou family deliberately waited until Wei Yixian took charge before laying this trap.

If that were true, then the Zhou family must have accomplices behind them someone who stood to gain enormous benefits from this.

The Wei family? Or Wei Yixian’s past enemies?

Wei Yixian wasn’t surprised. “We’ll know when we see who jumps the highest then.”

She added, “Also, remind Yin Zaishui to be careful. If possible, I’d prefer if she returned to Melbourne.”

Xie Mei had dealt with Yin Zaishui for a while now and said bluntly, “She might not be willing to go back.”

Wei Yixian fell silent.

She also doubted it. After all, the “original plot” wouldn’t let Yin Zaishui leave so easily.

If the white moonlight left, how would the story continue?

“Then arrange a bodyguard for her. Since she warned me, I owe her a favor.”

Playing the hero to save the beauty was out of the question. But she couldn’t just do nothing knowing Yin Zaishui might be attacked. If money could solve the problem, it was better than owing a debt of gratitude.

That evening.

Wei Yixian returned to Tianhao Garden.

She paused at the entrance before walking to the staircase leading to the basement.

Unfortunately, no sound came from below.

Nothing in the villa had been added or removed, yet it felt unnaturally quiet.

This was precisely what felt most abnormal.

Shang Shiqian had lived here for a month, yet left almost no trace.

Wei Yixian suddenly thought of Shang Shiqian’s lifespan.

Perhaps from the moment they reunited, Shang Shiqian’s revived lifespan had been short so short that she was always prepared to leave again.

Someone with inherently low material desires, consciously restraining herself, wouldn’t leave many traces behind.

Wei Yixian entered the guest room.

It was cleaned daily, and after Shang Shiqian moved out, it was so spotless it seemed no one had ever stayed there.

Wei Yixian walked around the room and finally noticed one difference.

She found a desk calendar.

The same one Shang Shiqian had gone downstairs in the middle of the night to retrieve.

Marked on it were important dates for Go tournaments and her daily study plans.

Later, the schedule was filled with the airshow opening ceremony, going shopping with Chen Yixun, and meeting Xiao Luomeng.

Wei Yixian wasn’t surprised at all that Shang Shiqian would note these things on her desk calendar. After all, if she didn’t write them down, she’d forget these appointments immediately.

It wasn’t that she was suffering from early-onset dementia at such a young age, it was just that her mind was completely occupied by Go. When she focused on it, she could filter out all other people and matters.

The latest entry on the desk calendar was scheduled for January 21 of the following year.

She did the math: she had met Shang Shiqian on May 21, which meant there were eight months until January 21 of next year.

The last time the Love Points exceeded 30%, the system had added half a year to Shang Shiqian’s lifespan.

Originally, she hadn’t understood how this lifespan extension was calculated.

But with this desk calendar, she suddenly figured it out.

Shang Shiqian’s initial schedule only covered one month, the handwriting was different, and June 21 was circled. From this, it could be inferred that when Shang Shiqian had just been revived, without any additional energy, her lifespan must have been only one month.

When the Love Points first exceeded 10%, there had been a lifespan extension but Wei Yixian hadn’t been present at the time and hadn’t noticed.

The second time, the Love Points had jumped straight to 32%, adding half a year to her lifespan in one go.

From this, it could be deduced that the first extension had added one month July 21 was also circled, but the following months’ 21st dates weren’t marked until January 21 of the next year, when the circle reappeared.

Exceeding 20% Love Points should have added two months, and 30% should have added four.

According to this formula, when the Love Points exceeded 40%, it was highly likely to add eight months.

Wei Yixian clenched her fists.

During the days she had been sick, she had done so many things with Shang Shiqian that should have demonstrated love so why hadn’t the Love Points exceeded 40%?

Couldn’t the criteria for judgment be a little more lenient?

Suddenly, the memory of her first time pretending to be drunk to provoke Shang Shiqian flashed through her mind.

If would the Love Points finally break through?

Wei Yixian: First day without my wife at home, missing her.

Can’t help but call the bodyguard: What’s my wife doing?

Chu Fei: She’s watching the graduation party, having a blast!

Wei Yixian: ?