The Ex-Wife of the Scumbag A Who Abandoned the Female Lead - Chapter 31

As a guest in the Alpha and Beta group, Shi Nuocen stared at the array of gifts on the round table, utterly perplexed.

Vinyl record, necklace, sneakers, diary, wristwatch, laptop, gaming console.

She truly had no idea which one her ex-wife had prepared.

The host beamed and announced, “Alright, everyone may begin selecting now. You have 15 minutes.”

In this group of guests, the most prominent figures were undoubtedly Actor Zong and Director Liu, followed by a top-tier male actor and the rapper from a breakout band. If Shi Nuocen could guess which gift was from her ex-wife, she would risk offending others to snatch it first. But at the moment, she had no clue not even a hint.

Actor Zong deliberately approached her and whispered, “Xiao Cen, which gift do you think Actress Ru prepared?”

“I don’t know. I can’t guess.” Shi Nuocen initially thought the gaming console could be ruled out, but then she recalled how her ex-wife had once encouraged her to play a certain game and grew uncertain again.

Actor Zong analyzed, “The vinyl record is probably from the Queen of Love Songs. The sneakers might be from the leader of the idol girl group. I’ve long heard she’s into sports.”

When it was time to choose, Actor Zong and Director Liu politely deferred to each other before Director Liu finally made the first pick.

After some thought, Director Liu eyed the globally limited-edition sneakers but regretfully gave up upon realizing they were men’s shoes in the wrong size. The sneakers were later taken by another male newcomer whose feet fit them.

Director Liu ultimately chose the wristwatch.

Actor Zong pondered briefly and picked the vinyl record.

Top male star Ye Yue selected the necklace.

The rapper took the gaming console.

When it was Shi Nuocen’s turn, she hesitated for a moment before choosing the laptop.

Compared to the harmony in this group, the situation among the Omega and Beta guests was slightly more complicated.

The round table was still laden with gifts, such as: a photo album specifically, Ru Xi Cheng’s photo album; a bracelet, skincare products, a decorative ornament, high heels, a plush toy, a tea set, and surprisingly, even a wig.

Su Tian’er, the girl group leader, glanced at the photo album and teased, “Seems like the person who gave this has a pretty obvious intention.”

A popular actress who had just won this year’s Best Actress award winked playfully and added, “Actress Ru, want to fulfill the wish of whoever gave this album?”

But Ru Xi Cheng simply picked up the plush toy and smiled gently. “No need, I’ll take this one.”

“Oh, this plush toy looks handmade. The craftsmanship is decent, but it seems like the maker is still a beginner, lacks a bit of refinement. Could it be Actor Zong’s work?” guessed Bei Yi, the Queen of Love Songs.

Su Tian’er chose the bracelet but regretfully put it down after spotting a small inscription inside. “Feels like picking this might offend someone.”

The others leaned in to look and saw the engraved line: [For the most beautiful person]. They fell silent for a moment, then all turned to Ru Xi Cheng, who held the highest status and was indeed the most beautiful among them.

Just then, a second-tier Beta male star poked his head in, snatched the bracelet, and twirled it on his finger. “If no one wants this, I’ll take it. After all, ‘the most beautiful person’ doesn’t specify male or female, and I’d say I’m the best-looking among the male guests here.”

That may be true, but your actions are too hasty. Everyone couldn’t help but silently criticize.

“Alright, time’s up! Next, the big screen will reveal the answers. If guests have mutually chosen each other’s gifts, they will be successfully paired in the first round! The remaining unpaired guests will enter a lottery session, leaving the red thread of fate to the heavens. After today’s activities conclude, guests can send anonymous confession messages in the evening to express their feelings. Of course, the messages are anonymous, but you’re allowed to hint at your identity!”

As soon as the host finished speaking, the guests, separated into two rooms based on their gender and preferred gender for pairing, simultaneously turned their attention to the big screen. First, the results of the mutual gift selections and successful pairings were revealed. A large question mark appeared on the screen, spinning faster and faster until it exploded with a bang. Amidst colorful fireworks, a number gradually emerged!

“Congratulations! Congratulations! Four pairs have successfully chosen each other. A new record for the show!” The host was the first to applaud. “Now, let’s see which four pairs they are!”

“Wow, it’s Actor Zong and Queen Bei, Brother Ye and Captain Su, along with two pairs of non-celebrity guests.”

Shi Nuocen entered the lottery room and found herself facing her ex-wife from a distance. She couldn’t help but rub the tip of her nose, feeling nothing but resignation. In the end, she drew a second-tier Beta male star.

Her ex-wife drew Rapper Rap, who was overjoyed and immediately improvised a rap on the spot with an explosive sense of rhythm. Shi Nuocen, appreciating it up close, felt as if her soul had been elevated.

The live audience had already started heated discussions.

[The show is so sneaky; dare they reveal who the original gift givers were?]

[I don’t care about the others, I only care about who gave the bracelet. Thankfully, the idols are all harmonious, or this could’ve started a fight!]

[I suspect one person! That Shi woman! I feel like she’s capable of doing something like this!]

[You’re being too sensitive. It might not have been intentional. The engraving on the bracelet is so small and on the inner rim. Who would even notice?]

The Beta male star walked up to Shi Nuocen and gave her a critical once-over. “It’s you? Seems the almanac was right. My luck today is terrible.”

Shi Nuocen, with her back to the camera, sneered inwardly, thinking, You look down on me? Well, I look down on you too.

After giving the newly paired guests a moment to get acquainted, the host quickly raised the microphone and announced, “Next, let’s travel through time together! Please forget your current identities and follow the new lottery draw to return to a thousand years ago! In this new era, you can freely act according to your assigned roles.”

Despite complaining about his bad luck, the Beta male star insisted on drawing the lot. The result: their roles were [Old Husband, Young Wife].

Shi Nuocen: “…” What does this mean? Do I have to dress as a man and even glue on a beard to play an old man? After all, according to the novel’s setting, Alphas usually take the ‘husband’ role.

The Beta male star seemed to have thought of the same thing, and his expression turned sour.

Her ex-wife’s group drew the roles of [Newlyweds], complete with a scene of the bride being carried in a wedding sedan.

For a moment, all the guests, especially the Alphas, looked at Ru Xi Cheng as if he were a piece of Tang Monk’s flesh, something highly coveted.

Actor Zong quietly slipped over and whispered, “Xiao Cen, it’s an ancient setting, and you’re cross-dressing as a man again. This is the perfect opportunity to promote your movie!”

“You want me to crash the wedding?” Shi Nuocen was stunned. “But Brother Zong, you’re the male lead of the movie. Shouldn’t you be the one doing the crashing?”

Actor Zong awkwardly touched his hair. “I’m already paired with Queen Bei. It wouldn’t look good if I abandoned her to crash a wedding. Besides, don’t you and that guy hate each other? Are you really planning to play along with the relationship in the upcoming scenes?”

Shi Nuocen thought it made sense, but after glancing at the reactions of the other guests, she said, “But I feel like there won’t be a shortage of people trying to crash the wedding. Brother Zong, you’ve got to give me some support, right? You can’t expect me to go alone.”

“Don’t worry.” Actor Zong mysteriously pulled out his character assignment slip. “I drew the role of the princess’s consort. I’ll help you behind the scenes.”

He patted Shi Nuocen’s shoulder meaningfully. “Xiao Cen, we’re from the same crew, after all. As the saying goes, ‘Don’t let the good stuff flow to outsiders’. Keep the good stuff in the family. You must do your best to protect our Queen Ruying!”

Shi Nuocen wiped her face. “I’ll try my best.”

Feeling the potential gazes around her, a sense of crisis surged within her. Holding a guitar nearby, she declared with righteous indignation, “I know all of you want to snatch my Queen Ruying! But I won’t let you have your way! If you want to take her, you’ll have to step over my dead body!”

Some of those with ulterior motives: “…” Feeling guilty! Ashamed!

And so, after a quick one-hour costume change, the new scene began.

Shi Nuocen, dressed in a man’s long gown with a fake beard attached, had just stepped out of the makeup tent when she ran into Actor Zong, who was clad in lavish women’s attire. She couldn’t help but burst out laughing!

“Brother Zong, what’s this?”

“Don’t even ask.” Actor Zong was utterly dejected. He shook his wide sleeves and adjusted the hairpin at his temple before complaining, “I thought I was the consort, but I never expected the princess to be the one cross-dressing! This damn hidden plot!”

“Hahaha.” Shi Nuocen laughed unapologetically as she helped secure the decorations in his hair.

After a moment, Actor Zong remembered something and, shedding his despondency, clapped his hands together. “Being the princess is even better! More power, easier to help you! Anyway, whether this movie gets promoted or not depends on you now!”

Shi Nuocen couldn’t help but force an awkward laugh. The pressure was indeed immense! Taking advantage of the fact that the wedding procession hadn’t started yet, she recalled the post she had made earlier and quickly browsed through it. There were quite a few replies, some even arguing with each other.

For example, one person replied:
How to tell if you’ve fallen for someone? It’s simple! If you think of them often, whether you’re happy or unhappy, and want to share everything with them, that’s it.

But soon, someone refuted:
The above is misleading. It really depends on your original relationship with that person. What if you were already close friends?

Another person said:
If you often dream about them, especially those kinds of dreams; they say dreams reflect your subconscious.

But that’s not very accurate either. Like when I was obsessed with a celebrity, I’d dream about them, but I moved on quickly.

Scrolling further, she only grew more confused. Among the latest replies, someone asked:
Could you provide more details? It would be easier to help you figure it out.

A netizen named “Waiting for You” inquired:
Who is this person?

Shi Nuocen thought it over and decided to leave it at that. There was no way to explain it in detail anyway. Netizens these days were far too sharp; if they ever dug it up, it would affect both him and his ex-wife.

Suddenly, an idea struck him: Right! I can log into the game and ask my little master!