Chapter 24: The Ex-Wife Strikes

Shang Qi thought it made sense, so she chatted with Mu Lichen as they walked. They exchanged details about their ages, hobbies, favorite colors, and favorite foods. Without realizing it, they had been talking for over an hour. Just then, Shang Qi’s phone rang. Seeing "President Luo" on the caller ID, she immediately stepped aside to answer.

Luo Yichen asked, "What are you doing? I miss you!"

"Nothing much. I'm sleepy and want to go to bed early!"

At that moment, a car drove by, honking its horn. Hearing the noise, Luo Yichen asked, "Are you at home? Why does the background sound so chaotic?"

"I am at home. I have the television on!" Shang Qi answered nervously.

"Didn't you say you were going to sleep?"

"Yes! I fell asleep watching TV and was woken up by your call. I'm tired; I'm hanging up."

After hanging up, Luo Yichen felt something was off. His intuition told him that Shang Qi was hiding something. After finishing the call, Shang Qi walked back and said, "My mom is urging me to go home! Let's go!"

Mu Lichen guessed that it had been Luo Yichen on the phone. He didn't say much and drove Shang Qi home. Once she returned, her parents began pestering her about how the meeting went. Shang Qi said, "Dad, Mom, we just had a meal, chatted a bit, and exchanged contact information. It’s too early to say anything concrete; it depends on how we get along in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiufen smiled and said, "So, you both left a good impression on each other, then!"

"I suppose so!"

"Then keep seeing each other."

"I know."

With that, Shang Qi hid in her room. Thinking of Luo Yichen, her mind was in a whirl. Her parents' opinions made her even less confident about their relationship. She didn't know what the outcome would be and feared that others would oppose them if their relationship were discovered.

Luo Yichen attended a cocktail party that evening, where many financial tycoons were present. Xi Jingpeng’s recent obstruction had served as a reminder that he needed to broaden his financing channels. He had come specifically to take the opportunity to meet more people in the field. During the banquet, Luo Yichen spotted Yin Guizhen.

She was maneuvering among a group of bank executives. With the Yin family facing a capital shortage, she had no choice but to deal with these people. Although she appeared to be at a disadvantage, she was actually in control of the entire situation. The eldest daughter of the Yin family was not someone to be trifled with; she had her own ways in social circles.

Luo Yichen was slightly tipsy and went outdoors to sober up. After calling Shang Qi, he saw Yin Guizhen walking unsteadily, accompanied by a man in his fifties. He heard the man say, "Miss Yin, slow down! My car is right ahead."

Yin Guizhen pushed him away, saying, "I... have a car..."

The man was persistent, still clinging to her and beginning to get handsy. Although Luo Yichen had divorced Yin Guizhen, he didn't want to watch her be taken advantage of. He walked over and asked, "Guizhen, why are you so drunk?"

The man seemed annoyed by his appearance. After Yin Guizhen recognized him, she said to the man, "Do you know who he is?"

The man recognized Luo Yichen and quickly tried to slink away with his tail between his legs. But Yin Guizhen grabbed him and said, "Don't go! This is my ex-husband. Let me tell you a secret: he has problems in that department, which is why I remained a virgin even after five years of marriage!"

Hearing this, the man’s face turned pale. Seeing the dark look on Luo Yichen’s face, he thought: Why did my ears have to hear something they shouldn't have? However, Luo Yichen had rarely been involved in scandals in recent years. Could it be true, as his ex-wife claimed, that he had issues? If so, hearing this today might just be a death sentence.

Luo Yichen grabbed Yin Guizhen. Her face was flushed, and she was wearing a low-cut evening gown. The heavy scent of alcohol mixed with her perfume was intoxicating. Luo Yichen couldn't help but frown, taking off his suit jacket and draping it over her.

The old man turned to run, but Luo Yichen said, "You know what to do, don't you?"

"Yes, President Luo, don't worry!" he replied respectfully.

Luo Yichen nodded, signaling him to leave. Yin Guizhen was quite drunk and could no longer stand steadily. Luo Yichen picked her up and put her in his car. Given the state of things with the Yin family, he couldn't just drop her off directly. He told his driver, "Take her back to the Yin residence first, then come back to pick me up."

Just then, Yin Guizhen reached out and grabbed him. She said, "Luo Yichen, don't go! Tell me clearly, why didn't you touch me for five years of marriage? Is it true that you have a physiological problem?"

The driver, who had been with Luo Yichen for many years, knew how to handle such situations. Feeling it was inappropriate to listen to their private affairs, he immediately opened the door and stepped out. Luo Yichen snapped, "Stop talking nonsense! I am perfectly normal."

"Oh? Then prove it to me!"

Emboldened by the alcohol, Yin Guizhen threw away all sense of shame. She took off Luo Yichen's jacket and threw herself into his arms with bare shoulders. At the same time, her hands were already reaching for his belt. Yin Guizhen had never seduced a man like this before; her movements were clumsy.

Luo Yichen pushed her away and said, "Guizhen, sober up! Are you so desperate for a man that you’ve lost all your self-respect?"

"Self-respect?" Yin Guizhen let out a wild laugh. She shouted, "Luo Yichen, you trampled on my dignity long ago. For so many years, I haven't lived like a woman at all. You know how many women you've had on the side. You can play around all you want, but you’ve even lost your own heart!"

Luo Yichen suddenly said, "For the first two years, I never betrayed you. I hoped that one day you would treat me sincerely and stop considering only the interests of the Yin family. But I waited for nothing and had to give up on you. I am not a promiscuous person; the occasional women I saw were only for solace. As for Shang Qi, I truly love her, and I will marry her in the future. Guizhen, I hope you understand that we have ultimately missed our chance."

Yin Guizhen hadn't expected such an explanation from Luo Yichen. Tears of grievance welled up in her eyes. She cried so miserably that it made Luo Yichen's heart ache. He and Yin Guizhen were childhood sweethearts, and he had once sacrificed everything for her. It was just a pity that they hadn't had a single day of happiness after marriage. The wounds in Luo Yichen's heart were reopened by Yin Guizhen.

After crying until she was spent, she said, "I can't live without you!"

Then, Yin Guizhen threw herself into Luo Yichen's arms again and kissed his thin lips. Her kiss was wild and burning, but it could not warm Luo Yichen's cold heart. Not wanting to continue this entanglement with her, he pushed her away firmly. Luo Yichen draped the suit jacket over her once more and stepped out of the car.

Yin Guizhen touched the familiar garment, smelling the scent Luo Yichen had left behind. Her eyes turned icy. At that moment, she vowed that she would win Luo Yichen's heart back...

At the beginning of the year, the Luo Corporation planned to renovate the office, with the Administration Department in charge. Following the recommendations of the administrative supervisor, Shang Qi was negotiating prices with three renovation companies. One of them invited her to visit their office for an inspection. Thus, Shang Qi went with the administrative supervisor and an assistant. This assistant was the very person who had caught Shang Qi and Luo Yichen in their "moment" before. Her name was Qi Yanran, a sharp young girl. This time, she was even more cautious in how she treated Shang Qi.

Throughout the inspection, the other party talked at length, but Shang Qi only cared about their recent project history. The inspection ended around noon. The company's boss, Lu Kai, invited them to lunch at a nearby restaurant. After the four of them were seated, Lu Kai asked, "What would you like to eat, President Shang? The curry brisket here is quite good."

"Anything is fine." Shang Qi answered casually. She didn't socialize often and wasn't good at such small talk.

Lu Kai was a straightforward man, so he didn't beat around the bush and ordered the meal. Since Shang Qi was in a rush, they ate quickly. Lu Kai kept talking about the project and didn't eat much. After the meal, Lu Kai gave the administrative supervisor a look. She immediately pulled Qi Yanran to the restroom.

Lu Kai said, "President Shang, you've seen our company's strength. Regarding the budget we submitted to the Luo Corporation, do you have any feedback?"

"The budget is currently being audited by the finance department."

"Since this is our first collaboration, I have made the greatest concessions on the price. I hope you can put in a good word for us, President Shang."

"President Lu, I always handle business strictly by the book."

Lu Kai smiled slightly and pulled out a gold card, sliding it toward Shang Qi. He said, "This is the deposit. Once the deal is done, I will give you a one percent commission."

Shang Qi refused, "I will not trade the company's interests for personal gain."

Thinking she was haggling, Lu Kai said, "Two percent."

Shang Qi glared at him.

Lu Kai frowned slightly and said, "Three percent. This is my bottom line. It’s better not to be too greedy."

Shang Qi said angrily, "I have nothing more to discuss with you."

Seeing her about to leave, Lu Kai stood up and grabbed her hand. "Wait."

Shang Qi tried to pull away. The two were deadlocked in a struggle. Just then, Yin Guizhen walked by. She happened to be dining with friends at the same restaurant and saw this scene. She mocked, "Why are you entangled with another man so quickly? Aren't you afraid that Luo Yichen won't let you off if he finds out?"

Shang Qi's expression changed, her eyes glaring at Yin Guizhen. Seeing that he had been misunderstood, Lu Kai quickly let go of her. Hearing the name "Luo Yichen," he couldn't help but look at Shang Qi in a "different light."

Yin Guizhen said to Lu Kai, "When chasing a woman, you should see what kind of person she is. Don't mistake a vixen for a pure maiden."

Shang Qi couldn't take it anymore and said, "Miss Yin, it seems you are quite relaxed after your divorce! You actually have the time to meddle in other people's business. Is your schedule so empty that you don't know how to fill the time?"

The word "divorce" was a major taboo for Yin Guizhen. Her face darkened. Lu Kai didn't want to be caught in this misunderstanding. Whether her relationship with Luo Yichen was real or fake, he couldn't afford to get involved in this mess. He said, "Miss Yin, you've misunderstood. This is my first time meeting President Shang. We were just discussing business."