The Ex-Wife of the Scumbag A Who Abandoned the Female Lead - Chapter 45.2

This time, the reply was slower. The class monitor was probably thinking it over.

About a minute later, she received the class monitor’s response: “I understand. Thank you.”

Shi Nuocen then checked the messages from others, which were mostly similar in tone. She replied to each one patiently.

In truth, she was just using this to distract herself. She didn’t want to keep thinking about her ex-wife. But the replies eventually came to an end, and as soon as she had a moment of quiet, her thoughts began to wander again.

Especially since the frequent mentions of Class A in the recent interactions reminded her of Zhao Zhao, the main love interest in the original storyline. Thinking of Zhao Zhao inevitably led her thoughts back to her ex-wife.

And then she recalled the shocking discovery she had made not long ago.

It felt like a tangled mess in her heart, difficult to sort out. When she carefully reflected on the past, it seemed her ex-wife had always been helping her and had never done anything to harm her. Even the agreement they signed was, strictly speaking, more beneficial to her.

Lost in these thoughts, Shi Nuocen subconsciously glanced at the wall separating them. Her ex-wife lived next door. Pressing her forehead against the cold wall, she couldn’t help but wonder: Ru Xi Cheng, what exactly are you trying to achieve with all this?

“Sis, why are you writing Auntie Orange’s name on the wall?” a child’s puzzled voice asked.

Snapping back to reality, Shi Nuocen was startled to realize she had been unconsciously tracing her ex-wife’s name over and over with her finger.

She looked at her fingertip and found herself at a loss for words in response to An’an’s question.

What Shi Nuocen didn’t know was that her ex-wife was doing something quite similar.

Ru Xi Cheng leaned against the same wall, as if doing so could bring her closer to Nuocen, as if she could feel the other’s presence. Nuocen’s icy gaze kept resurfacing in her mind. Why had Nuocen suddenly looked at her that way? Had someone said something to her?

Ru Xi Cheng hung her head, letting her disheveled hair fall loosely. Her heart was in turmoil. She wanted to ask, but she was afraid of being seen as annoying. Just then, her phone rang. She initially didn’t want to answer, but thinking she needed something to distract herself, she picked it up.

Glancing down, she saw it was Shi Fanxing calling.

As soon as the call connected, Shi Fanxing asked without preamble, “Xi Cheng, how are things between you and Nuocen?”

Ru Xi Cheng opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond. If she said things had eased, how would she explain that earlier look? If she said they hadn’t, it would only feel like a knife twisting in her heart. So, she chose silence.

For a moment, only the sound of their breathing could be heard through the receiver. Shi Fanxing understood: “It seems things still aren’t going well.”

“Mm,” Ru Xi Cheng softly murmured in agreement.

“I think we need to resolve the current situation as soon as possible. With Nuocen’s temperament, we can’t afford to delay. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to fix.”

These words struck a chord deep within Ru Xi Cheng’s heart, and she grew instantly agitated: “Then what should I do?”

Did that mean giving up on the dating show? Ru Xi Cheng understood the other party’s choice. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but found herself at a loss for words. A pessimistic thought crept into her mind: Was Nuocen saying this because she no longer wanted to be associated with her?

During the subsequent solo activities, both the online viewers and the participating guests were surprised to notice that Ru, the actress who had always maintained impeccable composure in front of the camera, seemed visibly disheartened and distracted. She kept unconsciously glancing in Shi Nuocen’s direction, as if wanting to speak but hesitating. It wasn’t until after the mid-break, when the recording resumed, that she managed to rein in her emotions.

This change occurred because Ru Xi Cheng had received a phone call during the break. Her agent, deeply concerned, informed her that netizens were already buzzing about her unusual behavior. If Ru Xi Cheng continued in this state, it wouldn’t just affect her own reputation but could also harm Shi Nuocen’s career.

Ru Xi Cheng remained unmoved by the first part, but the moment she heard it might impact Nuocen, she immediately forced herself to regain her composure and returned to her usual demeanor.

After the dating show recording concluded, a swarm of entertainment reporters crowded the exit. Ru Xi Cheng’s unusual behavior during the program had piqued their interest, and they couldn’t pass up the chance to dig for details. Even a few words from the top-tier celebrity would guarantee their monthly targets.

Reporters also attempted to interview Shi Nuocen, though their questions inevitably circled back to the identity of the person she had confessed to.

“Orange Sis, I just checked over there. It’s packed with reporters. We can’t leave through that exit!” Ru Xi Cheng’s assistant was frantic, scanning the surroundings for an alternative escape route.

Shi Nuocen had no desire to face the media either. In the end, Ru Xi Cheng’s agent came up with a plan: the assistant and the artist would swap clothes, creating a diversion to draw the reporters’ attention, allowing them to slip away unnoticed from a corner.

However, this method wasn’t feasible for Shi Nuocen, as she didn’t have an assistant.

“I’m fast. I’ll just make a run for it,” Shi Nuocen suggested, growing impatient after being stuck for half an hour.

Just then, a fellow artist she was acquainted with approached. “How about borrowing my assistant?”

Shi Nuocen’s eyes lit up, thinking it was a workable idea.

But when the assistant emerged, a slender somewhat shy young man who gave her a tight-lipped smile, Shi Nuocen fell silent. She felt a wave of relief that she hadn’t worn a skirt that day; otherwise, it would have been quite awkward for the young man.

While they were changing, Ru Xi Cheng tried to apologize but was stopped. Shi Nuocen’s attitude was firm.

She glanced sideways at her ex-wife and shook her head. “There’s no need to apologize. Actually, what you said wasn’t wrong. It was my impulsiveness that caused this.”

The timing, location, and manner of the confession had all been poorly chosen, inevitably leading to a misguided outcome.

Meanwhile, online, Ru Xi Cheng’s unusual behavior had sparked wave after wave of discussion.

Imaginative netizens couldn’t help but speculate: Could it be that the renowned actress had developed deep feelings for the beautiful Cen during the dating show, only to discover that Cen was in love with someone else? Feeling deceived, she might have wanted to have a serious “conversation” with her.

Many people expressed agreement with this point, as they felt that without such an explanation, it would be difficult to make sense of Actress Ru’s strange behavior.

However, a significant number of people refuted this claim: “It definitely can’t be like that! Have you all forgotten how cold Actress Ru was to the beautiful Cen on the girl group stage?”

Online discussions about Actress Ru were rampant, and there were also many discussions about Shi Nuocen, especially among those who disliked her. They laughed mockingly: “Hahaha, she brought this on herself! Now she’s cut off her own support. Let’s see how she’ll soar after this!”

After Shi Nuocen and her companions safely avoided the reporters, she intended to return to the hotel. But she had only taken a few steps when a gentle yet unyielding force tugged at the hem of her clothes. Shi Nuocen immediately had an idea of who it might be. Turning around, she saw it was indeed Ru Xi Cheng.

Her brow arched slightly, and she was about to coldly ask what the other wanted when a slightly hoarse, soft voice spoke: “Nuocen, come home with me today, okay? An’an misses you.”

Hearing this, especially the mention of “An’an,” softened Shi Nuocen’s heart for a moment, slowing her steps to leave.

Seeing this, Ru Xi Cheng’s eyes brightened, and she continued, “You didn’t come home yesterday, and An’an was very unsettled. She seemed to blame herself a little and barely ate any dinner. When I asked her what was wrong, she wouldn’t say.”

“An’an didn’t eat much for dinner?” Shi Nuocen’s brow furrowed slightly, her gaze at her ex-wife seeming to ask, “Why didn’t you do something about it?”

Under that gaze, Ru Xi Cheng lowered her head and said softly, “At first, An’an was reluctant to eat. Later, when I told her you had something urgent and couldn’t come back, she ate a little. If you still don’t come home today…”

She left the rest unspoken, but the implication was clear.

Shi Nuocen stared steadily at her ex-wife, suspecting that she had deliberately spoken and acted this way. Yet, she couldn’t deny that it had touched her compassion.

Regarding An’an, she also felt a pang of guilt. Her actions the day before had been inappropriate. At the very least, she should have said goodbye to An’an before leaving.

An’an had mustered great courage to face the outside world. If her actions had caused the child to develop negative feelings, Shi Nuocen would undoubtedly feel deeply remorseful.

Standing in place, Shi Nuocen gazed ahead, her thoughts flickering uncertainly. On second thought, even if she and her ex-wife had no emotional ties, there was still the agreement between them. Her ex-wife had paid, so she ought to fulfill what they had originally agreed upon.

Once she had sorted out her thoughts, she turned her head and met her ex-wife’s eyes directly. Ru Xi Cheng’s eyes seemed veiled with a hazy mist, countless emotions silently swirling within, making it painful to behold.

Shi Nuocen paused for a moment, slightly averted her gaze, and murmured quietly, “I’ll go back with you and continue staying there.”

Ru Xi Cheng immediately lit up with joy, as if the other had suddenly come to a realization. Though she didn’t know the exact process, this outcome was more than satisfying.

She lowered her gaze, discreetly wiping the tears from the corner of her eye, then looked around. The sky had darkened, with a crescent moon hanging high above the overlapping mountains, dotted by a few stars. A gentle breeze rustled the treetops, creating a soothing sound.

Until this moment, no matter how beautiful the scenery, it had felt barren in her anxious heart. But now, she found the ordinary nightscape utterly enchanting, as if she could linger here forever without growing tired.

It was because her mood had shifted, and because she was with her.

The two of them got into the car together. While driving, Ru Xi Cheng wanted to start a conversation but feared disrupting the rare atmosphere. Shi Nuocen, arms crossed, gazed out the window at the fleeting scenery, her expression pensive. Her ex-wife’s emotionally complex eyes kept resurfacing in her mind. She clicked her tongue in frustration, pinched the bridge of her nose, and tried to think of something else.

“Are you tired? There’s a pillow and an eye mask in the back. We still have half an hour until we get home. You should rest.” Ru Xi Cheng spoke slowly, carefully observing her reactions. Seeing no objection, she tentatively played a soft melody.

The gentle, soothing music felt like lying on a grassy field. Shi Nuocen found it calming, and a wave of drowsiness washed over her. Unconsciously, she tilted her head and closed her eyes.

The car gradually slowed down. Ru Xi Cheng glanced at her profile from the corner of her eye. After a period of physical and emotional exhaustion, she cherished this moment of tranquility, hoping it could last a little longer.

But no matter how slowly they drove, they eventually reached their destination. As they approached home, they saw a little girl standing obediently under a streetlamp, her eyes fixed intently on the intersection. The moment she recognized the familiar car, her eyes lit up, and she ran over on her short little legs.

Just as Ru Xi Cheng was about to wake Shi Nuocen, she suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze clear and alert, as if she had never been asleep.

Witnessing this, Ru Xi Cheng froze for a moment, unconsciously biting her lip as a thought crossed her mind: Could it be that Nuocen had pretended to sleep to avoid talking to her?

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the strange idea. The next second, however, Shi Nuocen propped her chin on one hand and cast a curious glance her way. Ru Xi Cheng stiffened, feeling as though her earlier foolish expression had been caught red-handed. How embarrassing.

Just then, An’an reached the car door, stood on her tiptoes, and upon seeing Shi Nuocen, began waving her arms excitedly while repeatedly calling her name: “Sister Cen!”

Shi Nuocen waved at her through the car window. As soon as the door opened and she stepped out, the little girl tightly wrapped her arms around her leg.

An’an’s affectionate demeanor softened Shi Nuocen’s expression. She reached out and gently patted the girl’s head, teasing, “We’ve only been apart for a day, and you already miss me this much?”

“Mm-hmm, I missed you so, so much!” An’an nodded vigorously.

Shi Nuocen felt her heart warm, and she couldn’t resist kissing the girl’s chubby cheek.

An’an shyly covered her face with her hands, blinking her big eyes as she secretly peeked at her.

“I heard you didn’t eat properly last night. That’s not good, you know,” Shi Nuocen said, holding An’an’s small hand as the two of them, one tall and one small, walked together toward the Ru family villa.

“Mhm, I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again,” An’An said, looking up with an earnest and obedient expression.

“That’s a good girl. No matter what happens, you must always eat well so you can grow up quickly.”

“Mhm, I know. Yesterday, I thought maybe I had upset you, and that’s why you didn’t come back.” As she spoke, a flicker of seriousness crossed An’An’s round, bright eyes.

Shi Nuocen gave her a look that was both puzzled and amused. “Why would you think that?” she asked, mentally retracing her steps. As far as she remembered, her interactions with An’An before leaving the Ru household yesterday had been perfectly pleasant nothing out of the ordinary.

An’An twisted her fingers together. “Because I asked you a question on the computer. I was wondering if I shouldn’t have asked or if I disturbed you, and that’s why you got angry.”

Huh? What was she talking about? Shi Nuocen frowned slightly, feeling a bit lost. “What question did you ask me?”

An’An lifted her head in surprise. “You didn’t see it?”

Shi Nuocen paused mid-step. Her intuition told her there was something she didn’t know. Something potentially important. Slowly, she crouched down to meet the little girl’s gaze and asked gently, ” An’An, can you tell your sister what really happened?”

An’An tilted her small head. “Well, you showed me a game before and said you’d introduce me to your little shifu.”

As An’An recounted the story, Shi Nuocen quickly recalled the incident. She remembered how her usually sharp and clever little shifu had acted strangely slow that day, which had left her feeling a bit disappointed. But she couldn’t understand how this was connected to her shifu again.

Just as she was silently puzzling over it, An’An’s next words took her by surprise!

The little girl recalled, “Then, that day, I saw your little shifu on Aunt Chengzi’s computer. I also saw someone who looked a lot like you on the screen. I even made the little shifu walk back and forth, and then I asked if it was you, Sister Cen. But right after I asked, the person who looked like you disappeared from the computer.”

Shi Nuocen froze, her mind going blank as if struck by a sudden blow. Her pupils contracted. Though An’An’s explanation was limited, if she understood correctly, An’An seemed to be implying… Could it be that the little shifu had always been controlled by a real person? And that person was…

A memory from long ago suddenly surfaced in her mind. She couldn’t help but ask, “An’An, you said you once heard me sing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,’ right?”

An’An tilted her head and nodded firmly.

“Where?” Shi Nuocen’s voice was dry, carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

“Huh?” An’An didn’t quite understand at first.

Shi Nuocen took a deep breath. “Where did you hear me sing it?”

This time, An’An understood. She thought for a moment, then replied in a soft, slow voice, “I think Aunt Chengzi played it for me.”

So that’s how it was! Since she had already suspected as much, Shi Nuocen’s emotions didn’t fluctuate too wildly, but she couldn’t help feeling shocked.

At this moment, some things that had once felt confusing seemed to vaguely connect, making her both incredulous and convinced that only this could explain those events.

For instance, how she had never run into her ex-wife over the past few years, yet after being driven out by Shi Fanxing, she kept encountering her frequently. There were also the subtle clues her ex-wife had revealed, and of course, the sudden drastic change in her older sister’s attitude.

In fact, everything had left traces.

Faintly, she felt as if she had stepped into a chess game set up by someone else, and she might just be a pawn in it. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Was it solely her ex-wife’s doing, or did Shi Fanxing have a hand in it? Why would she, or they, do this? What was the purpose? Could it be that she was truly being manipulated?

Just as Shi Nuocen’s mind was unsettled and filled with doubt and suspicion, she saw Ru Xi Cheng approaching from the path. For a moment, her gaze toward the other was filled with distrust and wariness.

Upon meeting such a look, Ru Xi Cheng’s steps faltered, her entire figure stiffening as she stood frozen like a statue.

What’s wrong with Nuocen? Why is she looking at me like that? As if I were her enemy. Ru Xi Cheng felt hurt and inexplicably wronged.

An’An, caught in the center of this strange atmosphere, felt confused but also a little scared. Instinctively, she tugged at Sister Cen’s hand and said, “Sister, let’s go home.”

That soft voice snapped Shi Nuocen out of her thoughts. She stood up, rubbed An’An’s little head, and said with feigned nonchalance, “Alright, let’s go home.”

As she turned, she caught a fleeting glimpse of relief on her ex-wife’s face. Shi Nuocen narrowed her eyes slightly. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to confront her ex-wife directly and demand answers, but she felt that doing so might only put the other on guard if they intended to hide the truth. So, she decided to find out on her own.

When they reached the little girl’s door, Shi Nuocen pushed it open. She wasn’t oblivious to her ex-wife’s hesitant expression but pretended not to notice, holding An’An’s hand as she walked in. The door slammed shut behind them, cutting off someone’s lingering gaze.

At the moment the door closed, she seemed to faintly hear a sorrowful sigh, which inexplicably weighed on her heart.

Leaning against the door, she tilted her head back slightly and pinched the bridge of her nose. The pained expression on her ex-wife’s face lingered in her mind.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” An’An tugged at her sleeve, her small face tilted upward with a hint of unease.

“It’s nothing, I’m just a little tired,” Shi Nuocen said with a forced shrug as she walked to the bed and sat down. With one arm around An’An, she opened her phone and saw numerous unread messages, all from her classmates in Class E.

First was the class monitor’s message:

Nuocen, have you seen? The latest girl group competition requires classes to draw lots for head-to-head matchups! All members of the winning team advance to the next round, while the eliminated contestants will be chosen from the losing class. I’m so nervous! I don’t know if the class monitor has to draw the lots, but my luck has never been great. What if we draw Class A?

Shi Nuocen furrowed her brow slightly. The girl group program team had made such an arrangement: from Class A to Class F, the six classes would compete in pairs, and the dozens of contestants to be eliminated in the next episode would all come from the losing classes. Moreover, it was said that the losing classes would have to compete against each other again, though the specifics would depend on the program team’s requirements.

After thinking for a moment, she replied: “Don’t worry too much. Since we’re here, let’s make the best of it. Besides, if you really get matched against Class A, are you just going to give up?”

The other person quickly sent a new message: “Of course I won’t give up! I have to give it my all, not just for myself, but also to honor all the hard work I’ve put in lately!”

Replying so quickly, they must have been waiting by their phone. It seemed the class monitor was really under a lot of pressure. Shi Nuocen thought this to herself as she typed: “With that kind of determination, you’re already halfway there!”