The Ex-Wife of the Scumbag A Who Abandoned the Female Lead - Chapter 28

What else could Ru Xi Cheng say? Not wanting to appear too weak, she crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and declared, “Then you have to wear them too. It’s not just you who wants to see. I want to see as well.”

Shi Nuocen was taken aback for a moment, but then her beautiful eyes sparkled with mischief. “It’s settled then! I’ve already ordered several pieces in different styles.”

Ru Xi Cheng: “…” She’d been tricked!

“By the way, what are you planning to prepare as a gift for the dating show?” Shi Nuocen nudged her ex-wife’s arm.

“Confidential,” her ex-wife replied curtly before walking ahead.

“Hey, come on! Isn’t the whole point of you asking me to join the dating show to help you avoid unnecessary trouble? Shouldn’t we coordinate in advance and try to pair up?”

At this, Ru Xi Cheng stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her. Her beautiful, captivating eyes were filled with seriousness, as if trying to peer past the surface and into her very soul. Her voice was soft but resolute:

“Yes and no. Because you don’t necessarily have to choose me as your partner.” I hope you choose me because you genuinely want to, not because you’re bound by some contract clause.

As she spoke, a trace of sorrow flickered in Ru Xi Cheng’s eyes, leaving Shi Nuocen utterly confused.

The entire way, Shi Nuocen couldn’t stop thinking about her ex-wife’s words. The more she pondered, the less she understood what they meant. Yet, the expression on Ru Xi Cheng’s face kept replaying in her mind, making her feel uneasy. She unconsciously pressed a hand to her chest, sensing a dull, aching heaviness there.

She had no idea how long they’d been walking when the figure ahead suddenly stopped. Looking up, she realized they had arrived at the film studio.

Ru Xi Cheng glanced back and explained, “I brought you here because Director He wants to sign a contract with you and take some costume test shots.”

“Ah, the role of the maid who grew up with the empress!” Shi Nuocen recalled the opportunity and murmured, “I thought Director He had forgotten about me.”

After signing the contract, Shi Nuocen entered Ru Xi Cheng’s makeup trailer, and the two began getting ready together.

Since the maid’s makeup was simple and “uglifying” makeup was always easier than enhancing beauty. She finished quickly.

Standing in front of the backdrop and facing the camera, she first lowered her eyes slightly, adopting a humble and respectful posture. Then, clenching her fists, she portrayed the heartbreak and sorrow of the moment the empress declared their “separation.” Finally, dressed in men’s clothing and holding a sword, she stood in shadowy silence, her eyes fixed intently ahead as if guarding an eternal hope in her heart.

“Excellent! Truly excellent! So full of spirit! You’ve perfectly captured the feeling I wanted,” Director He praised, patting Shi Nuocen’s shoulder with great satisfaction. “Next, wait for the empress to finish her makeup, and we’ll take a few shots together.”

While waiting for Ru Xi Cheng to emerge, Shi Nuocen glanced at her reflection in the mirror and couldn’t help but sigh, resting her chin in her hand.

“Ah, being too good-looking can sometimes be a hassle. Like now, having to wear ‘ugly’ makeup just to play a role.”

“It’s not exactly ‘ugly’ makeup, just making you look more ordinary.” Director He chimed in cheerfully while studying the script.

“If it lowers my appearance, isn’t that ‘ugly’ makeup?” Shi Nuocen pouted.

“Young lady, don’t sigh. One day, when you land a leading role or a character that suits your looks perfectly, you won’t have to do this anymore.”

After Director He finished speaking, he added with a smile, “Even if you were to play a lead role, it would probably have to be the kind that emphasizes beauty. So, it’s better not to worry too much about appearances, or it might limit your acting range.”

Shi Nuocen thought it made sense and replied, “Thank you, Director He.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you took it to heart.”

As they spoke, Ru Xi Cheng emerged, adorned in the dignified and luxurious attire of an empress, and walked over to the two of them.

Director He glanced at her, then took a quick look at Shi Nuocen’s male attire before deciding, “Let’s shoot the scene where the female lead disguises herself as a man and sacrifices herself to protect the empress first, followed by the stills of their falling-out. Finally, we’ll remove some of the makeup and have Xiao Cen, playing the maid, apply makeup for the empress. Xiao Cen, you must strive to convey that mix of intimacy and reverence. Like sisters, yet still as mistress and servant.”

Shi Nuocen felt it was quite challenging, but under Director He’s expectant gaze, she could only say, “I’ll do my best!”

“Not just your best, you have to give it a hundred percent. I’m planning to use these as promotional stills for the movie, especially if the atmosphere turns out well.”

Promotional stills for the movie! Shi Nuocen’s spirits instantly lifted, and her determination surged.

For the first scene, the protective stance. She was dressed in male attire, with smudged fake blood on her cheeks, holding a sword horizontally in front of her. The sharp gleam of the blade made her eyes shine with intensity. The empress, firmly shielded behind her, gazed ahead with a blend of softness and strength.

In the second scene, the falling-out. She was dressed as a maid, suppressing her emotions. Faced with the empress’s sudden outburst, she concealed her grievances deep within. Though the empress wore a stern expression, her slightly trembling hands beneath the wide sleeves hinted at her inner reluctance and struggle.

The third scene, applying makeup didn’t go as smoothly. Given the heavy responsibility Director He had entrusted to her, Shi Nuocen was afraid of messing up. Her nervousness made her prone to mistakes, especially since Director He didn’t intend to use camera tricks. She was actually supposed to apply makeup on Ru Xi Cheng’s face using ancient cosmetic tools.

Shi Nuocen studied the rouge for a while, her brows furrowed tightly. “Director He, you’re really putting me on the spot here. I can handle modern makeup, but with ancient makeup, I might end up creating an ugly empress.”

“Neither Xiao Cheng nor I are worried, so why are you?” Director He huffed impatiently. “Hurry up!”

“Alright then,” Shi Nuocen had no choice but to proceed under pressure.

As she held the ancient eyebrow pencil and gazed at her ex-wife’s face. Now styled with a traditional updo, familiar yet strangely distant. She gradually immersed herself in her character. The traits unique to Shi Nuocen faded from her eyes, replaced by increasing deference and admiration.

Ru Xi Cheng was moved by this loyal yet restrained gaze. It felt as if her body were soaking in warm water. Comfortable and gentle with an indescribable joy rising within her.

The atmosphere between the two intertwined, warm yet restrained. Were they sisters or mistress and servant? It seemed they had merged into one, no longer distinguishable.

Director He clapped his hands in satisfaction and laughed heartily, “Excellent! We’ve got another promotional still!”

By the time the two returned to the Ru residence, it was already 9 p.m.

When the servant approached and said, “There’s a delivery,” her expression seemed oddly uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Shi Nuocen immediately thought of the order she had placed and excitedly went to check.

Ru Xi Cheng paused for a moment, her face slightly numb. She guessed that the label on the delivery box must have been seen by the servant.

As she approached, she saw Shi Nuocen pushing two large cardboard boxes forward.

Ru Xi Cheng subtly moved to the back of the box where a white label was affixed and glanced down.

The recipient read: “The Movie Queen Ru’s Wife.”

Ru Xi Cheng: “…”

Pointing at the label, she opened her mouth, her voice tinged with urgency and dryness. “Why did you write this?”

“Just filled it in randomly,” Shi Nuocen replied indifferently.

Yet Ru Xi Cheng’s heartbeat only quickened. Could it be that, deep down, Nuocen already held considerable affection for her?

She clenched her fists, reminding herself to stay calm, but an irrepressible joy surged within her.

That evening, without protest, she obediently put on the seductive bunny girl outfit after her bath and even practiced poses in front of the mirror to accentuate her curves.

In the mirror, she had tied her long hair up, revealing her delicate face with only a few stray curls artfully styled into playful waves. The perky rabbit ears stood tall on either side, bobbing cutely with every turn of her head. The deep V bustier and butterfly-wing cutouts at the waist highlighted her sharp shoulders and slender curves. The fishnet stockings and fluffy bunny tail were tolerable, but one particular area felt conspicuously bare. Not a stitch of fabric, leaving her feeling exposed and chilly even when standing with her legs tightly together.

Uncomfortable, she took a few steps, placing one hand on her hip and tilting it slightly, arching her body into an S-curve. Gradually, she adjusted her expression, letting her eyes grow hazy and her lips pout seductively as she prepared to blow a kiss. Just then, the door lock clicked.

Ru Xi Cheng froze, breath caught in her throat, with no time to change her pose. As Shi Nuocen entered, she took in the entire scene, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she set aside the spare key her ex-wife had given her the previous night.

Her gaze swept over Ru Xi Cheng with suggestive amusement before she crossed her arms and teased, “I didn’t expect you to be having so much fun on your own.”

“I wasn’t amusing myself,” Ru Xi Cheng insisted, wrapping her arms around Nuocen’s waist, her expression a mix of shyness and stubbornness. “You have to believe me.”

“Of course, I believe you,” Shi Nuocen replied, stroking the bunny ears and then trailing her fingers down Ru Xi Cheng’s cheek and jaw.

You don’t believe me at all, Ru Xi Cheng thought, biting her lip in frustration.

“That part is empty.” she murmured, unsure why she said it, her cheeks flushing crimson the moment the words left her lips. It sounded far too much like an eager invitation.

“Why so enthusiastic today?” Shi Nuocen paused briefly before understanding dawned. After all, she had bought the outfit and knew all its little secrets. “So enthusiastic it’s almost overwhelming.”

She chuckled, running a hand along her ex-wife’s smooth back and whispering close to her ear.

“Don’t rush. Let me take a photo for keepsakes first. Just your face, of course.”

After everything was over, Ru Xi Cheng lay on the bed, covered by a thin sheet, panting heavily.

The room was thick with the intertwined scents of their pheromones, inseparable and intimate.

Shi Nuocen, wrapped in a bathrobe, leaned against the headboard, scrolling through the photos on her phone. The more she looked, the more she thought, “The bunny girl outfit really does look best on you.”

She said it casually, but it was like poking a hornet’s nest, especially at such a sensitive and peculiar moment.

Ru Xi Cheng didn’t even pause to catch her breath. Propping herself up halfway, she shot Shi Nuocen a suspicious and dangerous glare: “Who else have you seen wearing it?” Was it because he thought that person looked good in it that he bought it for her?

Shi Nuocen, not thinking much of it, replied directly, “Just a girl from a bar. Probably got scammed by her boss. She had to work in a rather revealing bunny girl outfit. The three thousand you lent me last time, I actually lent it to her. Come to think of it, she even walked off with one of my jackets.”

With every additional word she heard, Ru Xi Cheng’s fists clenched tighter. She was furious, her face flushed bright red. Grabbing a pillow, she hurled it at him: “Shi Nuocen! You’re in my bed, yet you’re still thinking about another woman! Get out!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll go, okay?” Shi Nuocen dodged left and right, though it didn’t really hurt.

And so, what was supposed to be a passionate night ended in discord.

After Shi Nuocen left, Ru Xi Cheng noticed the fluffy bunny ears on the floor and remembered that he was supposed to wear something like that tonight, but instead…

“Liar! All you do is lie to me!”

The next morning, Ru Xi Cheng woke up with slightly swollen, red eyes, feeling groggy as she dragged herself to breakfast. She barely took a few bites before zoning out, clutching a pillow to her chest. After who knows how long, An’an’s door opened, and two figures; one big, one small emerged.

The little girl wore a pair of snow-white fox ears that swayed adorably with every step.

But Ru Xi Cheng reacted as if she’d touched a raw nerve. She shot to her feet, striking a pose as if ready to duel Shi Nuocen, and exclaimed repeatedly, “How could you! This is too much!”

As she spoke, she even reached out to snatch the fox ears. An’an, startled, froze in place, dumbfounded.

Shi Nuocen quickly wrapped his arms around his ex-wife’s waist, explaining urgently, “What are you thinking? This is a hairband I bought for An’an, not what you’re imagining.”

“Besides, you’ve totally misunderstood. That girl from the bar we just happened to cross paths, and I helped her out a bit, that’s all.”

His ex-wife seemed genuinely furious this time. Despite his explanations and attempts to soothe her, nothing seemed to work. She seemed trapped in her own world, oblivious even to An’an’s unusual behavior.

Shi Nuocen had no choice but to focus on comforting An’an first. The little girl, seemingly frightened, stayed silent but clung to him especially tightly. Remembering he had a girl group photoshoot to attend soon, he decided to bring An’an along. After all, his ex-wife was a mature adult. She ought to be able to work through her negative emotions gradually.

After putting a child-sized mask and a little hat on An’an, and making sure her clothes were tidy and her face unrecognizable, he took her hand in his, and they set off.

When they arrived at the girl group’s photoshoot location, a staff member stopped Shi Nuocen and asked with a smile, “Hello, miss, are you in the wrong place? This is for the girl group. The child program is over there.”