The Ex-Wife of the Scumbag A Who Abandoned the Female Lead - Chapter 42

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“Yeah, we could barely keep up with your moves!”

“Was I dancing too fast?” Shi Nuocen asked while wiping the sweat from her face.

“No, your moves just had more explosive power, which pushed all of us to perform at our peak. But even though we tried our best, the stage presence still can’t compare to yours.” The girls from Class E smiled shyly.

“With more practice, you’ll definitely improve. Besides, now’s not the time to hold back. We’re at a critical moment.” Shi Nuocen thought of her ex-wife and Zhao Zhao, and the storm in her eyes grew increasingly turbulent.

The girls assumed she was referring to the second-round performance and nodded in agreement: “We need to work even harder too!”

After all, in terms of overall ability, Shi Nuocen was the strongest in Class E. If even the strongest was working this hard, what excuse did they have not to?

However, Luo Wan keenly noticed something off about Shi Nuocen. It was as if she was suppressing some pent-up frustration.

What was going on? Since they were in the same support group and, strictly speaking, teacher and student, Luo Wan naturally paid more attention to Shi Nuocen than others did.

When Luo Wan asked about another dance move, Shi Nuocen caught a glimpse of her disguised ex-wife peeking in their direction out of the corner of her eye. Zhao Zhao stood not far away, her gaze seemingly fixed on the ex-wife. Shi Nuocen couldn’t help but feel irritated and, momentarily forgetting that Luo Wan was of the opposite gender, reached out to correct her movements directly.

Luo Wan hadn’t expected this, and the sudden touch on a sensitive spot left her struggling to suppress any strange sounds. She had no spare energy to remind Shi Nuocen.

Thus, when this scene fell into Ru Xi Cheng’s eyes, it appeared unbearably glaring.

Nuocen was patient and meticulous, her gaze fixed intently on the girl. As for the girl, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes watery, and her pink lips pressed tightly together, exuding an unspoken allure.

Their bodies touched harmoniously, and they seemed perfectly matched.

Ru Xi Cheng’s hands involuntarily clenched tighter and tighter. Could there really be something between those two?

She instinctively took out her phone and instructed someone to investigate the girl’s background. After sending the message, she felt disgusted with herself for being so suspicious and paranoid.

After one last glance at the two, she left in a sour mood.

Zhao Zhao, puzzled, followed and whispered, “Aren’t you going to surprise everyone, Actress Ru?”

Ru Xi Cheng paused but didn’t turn around, afraid the negative emotions in her eyes would frighten the other. She replied apologetically, “I just received an urgent notice and have to leave immediately.”

Zhao Zhao took two steps forward, trying to see her expression. “Did you drive? Do you need me to take you?”

“No need.” Ru Xi Cheng avoided her gaze and quickly walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Zhao Zhao frowned. “She seemed upset. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Shi Nuocen noticed her ex-wife and Zhao Zhao leaving one after the other, which only deepened her irritation.

That evening, back at the Ru residence, they encountered each other on the staircase. They exchanged a glance but said nothing. As they passed by, even their eye contact vanished. Each went about their own business, deliberately ignoring the other.

An’An witnessed this scene, her big eyes wide as she tilted her head. She clearly sensed that the atmosphere between the two adults, which had just eased, was growing tense again. Unable to help herself, she sat by the door, propped her chin on her hands, and sighed: “The world of adults is so complicated.”

Shi Nuocen walked over to her and couldn’t resist patting her head. “Little ones like you shouldn’t sigh.”

An’An looked up at her. “Are you and Aunt Orange fighting?”

“Who said that?” Shi Nuocen feigned surprise.

“I saw it with my own eyes,” An’An puffed out her cheeks, looking particularly serious.

“If you call it a fight, that’s not quite accurate,” Shi Nuocen sat down next to An’An, aligning herself with the little girl. “Because I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s more like jealousy.”

“Jealousy? But vinegar isn’t sweet,” An’An’s head was filled with little question marks.

“Right, it’s not sweet, so I’m annoyed,” Shi Nuocen followed the little girl’s train of thought.

An’An rummaged in her pocket. “Here, have some candy.”

“You’re so sweet, An’An.” Shi Nuocen took the candy and gave her a big kiss.

Later that evening, when she logged into the game, she thought of her little master and decisively reached out:

“Little master, I’m troubled by something.”

It took several seconds to get a reply, but it was only two words: [What?]

Huh? Little master’s attitude seemed particularly cold today. Puzzled, Shi Nuocen pulled up the character settings. It wasn’t supposed to be the aloof type. How strange.

“Here’s the situation: There are three people. The first and second person currently have an emotional relationship, but the second and third person are destined to be together. The first person has been very careful and put in a lot of effort, but the second and third keep unexpectedly running into each other, as if guided by an invisible hand. Do you think the second person will leave the first? And what should the first person do? Push forward despite the difficulties or retreat knowing the challenges?”

Ru Xi Cheng nearly crushed her mouse as she read the long message on the screen. She had already received the investigation report on Luo Wan from her subordinates. It turned out this person was actually the hidden daughter of the wealthy Gu family, concealing her identity to break into the entertainment industry.

From what she knew, the Shi family was planning to collaborate with them recently, and there seemed to be talks of an arranged marriage. For Shi Nuocen to ask this question at this time, the implication was all too clear.

Ru Xi Cheng thought to herself: In this scenario, the “second person” most likely referred to Shi Nuocen, the “first person” was herself, and as for the “third person,” it was practically self-explanatory!

She typed back directly: [It all depends on you! Will you leave?]

Shi Nuocen was baffled: What did she mean, “it all depends on me”? Was she suggesting a change in perspective?

She tried putting herself in the other’s shoes. If she looked at it purely from an informational standpoint, without involving personal feelings, she truly didn’t know what to do. After all, she had already experienced a failed marriage with her ex-wife. Trying again, she couldn’t guarantee history wouldn’t repeat itself. As for Zhao Zhao, she was young, beautiful, and gentle like a healing angel. According to the original novel’s plot, her ex-wife would likely be very happy with her.

But lately, her ex-wife seemed to be enjoying her time with her too. The more she thought about it, the less confident she felt about her chances. Hesitantly, she replied:

“If it were me, I might indeed leave.”

Upon reading these words, Ru Xi Cheng slammed the table abruptly, her eyes filled with deep hurt and disappointment. Suddenly, she wondered what all her efforts and meticulous planning had been for, if the other person was destined to leave anyway.

Just then, the door was gently knocked. The soft taps reminding her who it was. Opening the door, she saw it was indeed An’an.

“Auntie Orange, I brought you something,” the little girl said, holding up a small tray.

“Thank you, An’an.” Ru Xi Cheng’s despondent mood paused momentarily as she quickly took the tray and hugged An’an tightly.

The moment she held the soft, small body in her arms, she felt all her pent-up emotions overflow, and tears silently streamed down her face. At the same time, she sensed a warmth perhaps her efforts with Nuocen had been in vain all along, but at least An’an’s health had genuinely improved.

Maybe that was enough.

Ru Xi Cheng felt utterly exhausted and just wanted to rest. “An’an, how about sleeping with me tonight?”

An’an blinked her eyes and replied obediently, “Okay.”

As the little girl climbed into bed, she noticed the lit computer screen. Two game characters were in dialogue; one of them looked a lot like Sister Cen. The other seemed to be the “little master” Sister Cen often mentioned.

How strange. An’an shook her little head and, while Auntie Orange was sending a WeChat message to Sister Cen saying “An’an is sleeping over at my place,” she moved her tiny fingers and typed a few words on the computer screen:

[Are you Sister Cen?]

Unfortunately, Shi Nuocen didn’t see the message. At that moment, she had just received a WeChat from her ex-wife. Even through text, she could feel the cold and distant attitude. She wanted to say more but realized her ex-wife seemed to be avoiding her.

This only made her feel more frustrated. With no extra energy to check what her “little master” had said, she closed the page directly and lay down on the bed.

Was it really over between her and her ex-wife?

Before the second round of the girl group competition officially began, all contestants were required to record a message. They could say anything, issue pre-battle challenges or share daily life.

Shi Nuocen, however, felt lost. She had originally planned to confess her feelings during the finale, but now it seemed like even if she did, it would likely end in failure. Facing the camera, she opened her mouth but couldn’t find the right words.

Luo Wan, on the other hand, felt that the second round might be her last stage performance. Not wanting to leave any regrets, she decided to confess her feelings to Zhao Zhao right then. Still, she was too shy to say the name outright.

“From the moment I first saw her, I was drawn to her. She always shines so brightly, and wherever she is, my heart feels at peace. I don’t have much performance experience, and I’ve always been afraid of messing up, but she kept encouraging me. I want to tell this person: I like you. I’ve always liked you.”

Luo Wan spoke with genuine emotion, her shy yet determined expression deeply moving. The other contestants in the same studio were moved to tears, and even the cameraman couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up!

Shi Nuocen watched quietly, feeling that she should be as brave as Luo Wan. After all, the worst outcome would just be rejection.

“I also have someone I’m quite fond of. That person in the past ” As she spoke, scenes from their shared memories flashed through her mind, moments of laughter and misunderstandings intertwined. “I didn’t cherish it enough.”

She didn’t say much, letting time slip quietly into her recollections.

Besides, the past couldn’t be spoken of too plainly. Her ex-wife’s earlier stance on the trending topic had made it clear she didn’t want the public to uncover their true relationship, so Shi Nuocen had to keep her words vague.

It wasn’t until the cameraman signaled that time was almost up that she quickly wrapped up her thoughts, her cheeks flushed, and finished with, “I wonder if you could give me another chance. I li—”

The screen suddenly went black!

“What happened?” Shi Nuocen froze, then scowled. “At least let me say the last two words.”

The cameraman shrugged helplessly. “It’s all timed. The equipment automatically shuts off and saves when time’s up. Besides, with what you said earlier, who wouldn’t get your meaning? Missing a couple of words doesn’t matter. Unless you want to do it again?”

Do it again? During the recording, Shi Nuocen had already been blushing the entire time, pouring all her emotions into it. If she tried again, it might not feel as genuine.

“Forget it, let’s leave it like this.” As the cameraman said, she had already expressed everything that needed to be said.

She felt as if a dark cloud had lifted from her heart, but at the same time, a heavy sense of anticipation settled in. If Ru Xi Cheng saw this, how would she respond? Would she agree or refuse?

Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of confession, the other contestants in the studio unanimously chose to confess as well, turning it into a highlight of the show.