Chapter 4

When Gu Qianxi saw Cheng Su's name on her phone, she was still clutching the divorce agreement Zhao Yan had given her.

The private room was silent, the lingering scent of sandalwood filling the air.

Only after the iPad's AI robot finished reading the contents of the electronic divorce agreement did Gu Qianxi answer Cheng Su's call.

"G-Gu, President Gu, it's me, Xiao Cheng," Cheng Su stammered, her voice trembling.

Gu Qianxi was speechless, still unable to understand why Cheng Su was putting on such a show even after being reborn. Acting in person was one thing, but acting even when I can't see her?

"President Gu, are you busy?" Cheng Su's voice came through again, her tone cautious.

Gu Qianxi's voice was cool and clear as she retorted, "Xiao Cheng?"

Why is she calling me Xiao Cheng again?

"Um, yes, it's me, Xiao Cheng, the one staying at your place."

How modest. The one staying at my place isn't Xiao Cheng, she's practically the Great Demon King Cheng, a Heavenly King Covering the Earth Tiger in disguise.

"What is it?" Gu Qianxi asked.

Cheng Su mumbled in a rush, "Ah, um, I wanted to ask what time you'll be back so I can plan dinner."

Gu Qianxi replied calmly, "It's currently 2:09 PM."

Cheng Su choked, feeling awkward. It was probably just after lunch for them; who would ask about dinner at this hour?

Gritting her teeth, Cheng Su forced herself to say, "I want to get a head start on selling my vegetables."

Gu Qianxi leisurely flipped through the divorce agreement and replied, "The auntie who cooks for me is here."

Cheng Su blurted out without thinking, "The auntie just said she had an emergency and couldn't come."

I just made that up on the spot. I hope Gu Qianxi doesn't press me on it.

Gu Qianxi didn't seem convinced. "We could just order takeout."

"Takeout isn't healthy and it doesn't taste good."

"And your cooking is healthy and delicious?"

"I'll stake my ten years of cooking experience on it."

Gu Qianxi smiled, this time genuinely amused by Cheng Su's antics.

"Really?"

"I'll stake my head on it."

"Oh."

After the call ended, Gu Qianxi took a sip of her coffee, a faint smile lingering on her lips.

Zhao Yan, sitting opposite her, watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement. She let out a low "tsk" and remarked, "I don't know, you two seem kind of sweet. Flirting a bit."

Gu Qianxi didn't hear clearly. "Hmm? What did you say?"

"Holy shit," Zhao Yan exclaimed, growing more suspicious. "No way, no way! I even drafted the divorce agreement for you. You're not going to turn around and make up with her, are you?"

Gu Qianxi smiled softly. "How could I? Don't worry, the divorce will definitely happen. It's just not the right time. My uncle is keeping a close watch on me lately. If I divorce now, he'll find out immediately and use it to undermine my credibility with the shareholders, trying to kick me out of the Gu Group."

Zhao Yan knew Gu Qianxi was in a difficult position at the company, but she didn't fully understand the complexities of the wealthy elite. "You know, this old man is still so energetic at his age. Doesn't he ever get tired?"

Gu Qianxi sneered. "It's all for his useless son."

Changing the subject, Gu Qianxi asked, "By the way, Yan Yan, do you remember Bai Wansheng from our university club?"

Zhao Yan frowned in thought. "Vaguely. Didn't she go to Toronto for graduate school after graduation?"

"Yes, that's her. Could you try contacting her for me? I'm afraid my uncle might cause trouble for her if I reach out directly."

"I understand. Don't worry."

Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Cheng Su leaned against the wall, frozen in place.

Damn, my ear is so itchy. It feels like Gu Qianxi just breathed on my ear.

Cheng Su shivered a moment later, The big shot really lives up to her reputation. So captivating.

Still savoring the moment, someone suddenly appeared beside her and took her hand.

This time, Cheng Su jumped in fright, stumbling backward and hitting the corner of the desk with her lower back.

Ouch! She bent over, gasping in pain.

The person before her tried to move closer. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Cheng Su straightened up, maintaining a distance, and demanded coldly, "What do you want?"

"What do I want? What do you think you want? What did you mean last night?" The person's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Cheng Su was stunned. Why is she crying? I didn't even cry when I was being taken advantage of. What's she crying about?

Flustered, Cheng Su said, "Hey, why are you crying? I didn't do anything to you."

"So, you're breaking up with me? Were all our vows, our sweet words, just lies? None of it counts, all because of that blind woman."

Ah, Cheng Su realized. This must be A'Lan.

Cheng Su locked the door to the break room, wanting to avoid being cornered by onlookers eager to gossip.

"Um, A'Lan, don't you think we're better suited as friends?" Cheng Su tried to reason with her as calmly as possible. "Besides, I'm married. Being together would be unethical and unfair to you."

"You promised you'd get a divorce. You told me to wait for you."

Cheng Su's head was spinning. How did the original host manage to sweet-talk this young woman so effectively? It was as if she'd been brainwashed.

"No, do you really think I'm a good person? I'm fickle, indecisive, and always chasing after the next best thing. Someone like me doesn't deserve your affection. Please, stop liking me."

Cheng Su scoffed inwardly. Am I insulting myself? she thought. When I fight, who can stand against me?

The young woman's sobs grew louder and more desperate.

Cheng Su was at a loss. All she could do was offer tissues. Why do I have to deal with the mess of the original host's romantic entanglements?

This couldn't go on. Cheng Su quickly decided to text Sister Zhou.

Sister Zhou, help!!!

When she handed A'Lan over to Sister Zhou, Cheng Su looked at her as if she were a superhero.

Sister Zhou rolled her eyes at her.

Cheng Su said goodbye to Sister Zhou and sent her a message before leaving:

Cheng Su: Great kindness needs no thanks! Everything is understood without words!

Sister Zhou: Smile.jpg

Just act well in this drama, and I'll be eternally grateful.</strong>

Cheng Su: Don't worry! I've already ordered five copies of An Actor's Self-Cultivation on Taobao. Clasped hands.jpg

Sister Zhou: How did Xie Lan come to see you?

She's acting so heartbroken over you... Don't tell me there's something going on between you two?

Cheng Su hissed. Does Sister Zhou have some kind of cheat? How could she guess that?

Cheng Su: No, we cleared everything up.

Sister Zhou, still worried, added a warning:

We're just faking a CP with her. Make sure you don't fall for it yourself.

Cheng Su suddenly understood:

Got it! I'll keep it in mind!

By the time she finished dealing with this, it was already four o'clock. Cheng Su immediately took a taxi to the supermarket, planning to prepare a "Hongmen Banquet" at home and find a way to retract her divorce proposal.

At seven in the evening, Gu Qianxi returned home, her presence once again illuminating the room like a beacon.

Seeing her return, Cheng Su hurried out to greet her.

"You're back."

Gu Qianxi's outfit today was very chic. Even with basic pieces like a white shirt and wide-leg trousers, her aura made them look expensive. Today, she also wore sunglasses, which added to her cool and aloof demeanor.

Gu Qianxi wasn't really used to wearing sunglasses and wanted to take them off as soon as she got home. But seeing Cheng Su approaching, she suppressed the urge, afraid of startling her.

"You're actually wearing heels! They really suit your feet. Does your ankle still hurt? You didn't walk much today, did you? After dinner, do you want me to put on some medicine?"

Gu Qianxi had never realized a person could speak so many words in one breath until she saw Cheng Su after being reborn.

Without Cheng Su by her side, her day had been quiet, but also dark. Even though she had grown accustomed to life in darkness, the sudden plunge from light into endless blackness was still difficult to adapt to. How could a living person not crave light?

Cheng Su bent down to retrieve the shoes for Gu Qianxi to change into.

Gu Qianxi flinched back slightly.

Cheng Su awkwardly withdrew her hand. "Oh, right. I forgot you don't like physical contact. I'll be more careful next time. By the way, the slippers are right in front of your wheelchair."

"Mm," Gu Qianxi replied with a soft sigh.

The atmosphere between the two women was inexplicably awkward.

Cheng Su fidgeted with her hands and tried to break the ice. "Ah, aren't you taking off your sunglasses?"

She found Gu Qianxi's eye veil, placed it in her hand, and said, "Put this on. It'll be more comfortable at home."

Gu Qianxi touched the eye veil and murmured a soft "Thank you."

Cheng Su was thrilled. Gu Qianxi had actually thanked her! Did this mean their relationship was becoming less stiff?

Lost in thought, Cheng Su didn't notice Gu Qianxi's shirt ride up slightly as she tied the eye veil, revealing a glimpse of her abdomen.

Her abs looked like a well-defined six-pack, exuding a sense of strength. I wonder how tall Qianxi is? Probably around 170 cm.

Cheng Su was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't realize Gu Qianxi had already rolled her smart wheelchair away. It was only when Gu Qianxi noticed she wasn't following and called out to her that Cheng Su snapped back to attention.

Clack, clack, clack went Cheng Su's heels as she hurried to catch up.

The two women entered the dining room.

In her element, Cheng Su became poised and confident.

She served Gu Qianxi a bowl of rice and a bowl of corn and pork rib soup, then sat opposite her.

"Try it. These are all my specialties."

"Scallops with vermicelli, steamed sea bass, steamed pork ribs with rice flour, and coconut chicken. This should be enough for both of us."

Gu Qianxi took a sip of the soup. It was wonderfully fresh and sweet.

Cheng Su was indeed an excellent cook, living up to her claim of over a decade of culinary experience.

But was Cheng Su really this skilled in my past life? I clearly remember her not even knowing how to boil instant noodles. Once, when she was hungry late at night, she suddenly decided to make a midnight snack and nearly blew up the kitchen.

Gu Qianxi wondered if her rebirth would affect others.

If not, what's the point of Cheng Su's change? If it does, why is she the only one who's changed?

Gu Qianxi refused to let such anomalies keep popping up under her nose. Now that she'd confirmed Cheng Su was an immeasurable and unpredictable variable, she wouldn't let her slip away easily or allow this variable to suddenly explode.

She would control the variable, keeping it manageable. She would control Cheng Su, making her her certainty.

Therefore, divorcing Cheng Su and letting her go was out of the question.

Cheng Su, biting on her chopsticks, kept her eyes fixed on Gu Qianxi. She nervously took a sip of soup to moisten her parched throat. "Um, President Gu, I wanted to discuss something with you."

Gu Qianxi said softly, "What is it?"

Though Gu Qianxi hadn't mentioned Xie Lan again, Cheng Su felt she should explain. "Xie Lan, you know her as A'Lan, we're just faking a couple for publicity. I'm sorry that person harassed you last night without understanding the situation."

Gu Qianxi's voice was indifferent. "I don't really care who it was. We're getting divorced anyway."

"No, we shouldn't get divorced," Cheng Su argued, forcing herself to contradict.

Gu Qianxi looked up and met her gaze, challenging her. "Why? You just said this morning that we weren't compatible."

"Yes, I said that, but I forgot the most crucial thing—the divorce cooling-off period."

"What about it?"

"Our situation doesn't qualify for the divorce cooling-off period. We don't meet the requirements, so the Civil Affairs Bureau won't process it."

"How don't we qualify? Is it that you don't want to divorce, or that I don't?"

Cheng Su froze, her hand clinging to the wallet as if it didn't want to let go.

"Hmm?" Gu Qianxi asked again.

"I'm joining a film crew in a few days for filming and won't have time to handle it," Cheng Su fabricated what she thought was a plausible excuse.

"Is that so?" Gu Qianxi used the light from Cheng Su's body to select a dish.

After picking out the dish, Gu Qianxi didn't eat it. She set down her chopsticks, crossed her arms, and smiled. "I don't think it's that you don't want to let go, or that you don't have time. I think you want to poison me, Cheng Su."

"Huh?" Cheng Su was bewildered.

"I'm severely allergic to fish. Didn't you know that?"

"Oh..." Cheng Su looked at the steamed sea bass, which had been touched. "I... I really didn't know. Did you eat it? Should I call Dr. Zhao? No, wait—this is a severe allergic reaction. We need to call 120. You have to go to the hospital."

Gu Qianxi watched silently as Cheng Su panicked alone. She saw tiny tears welling up in Cheng Su's eyes; she had scared her into crying.