"After Becoming the Protagonist's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife" (ABO) - Chapter 10

Inside the softly lit bedroom, under the warm glow of the bedside lamp, Wen Qingyun sat quietly as Rou Rou carefully fed her spoonfuls of porridge. Her expression was peaceful and gentle.

Wen Qingyun could technically feed herself, but her hands were too unsteady. She often spilled, unable to guide the spoon accurately to her mouth. Honestly, the four-year-old Rou Rou was more precise than she was.

“Ahh—open wide… Good girl, Mommy! Eat lots of food so you can grow big and tall!” Rou Rou said in her sweet, sing-song voice, coaxing her mother as if she were a little child.

A’Mei, standing nearby, couldn’t help but smile at the scene. She had initially offered to help feed Wen Qingyun, but Rou Rou had insisted on doing it herself. And to everyone’s surprise, she was very careful. Her small hands didn’t spill a drop.

It was like watching a baby bird feed its injured mother—a scene so tender that warmed the heart.

******

After the old butler had been forced to leave, Wen Qingyun had been left completely dependent on others. It was thanks to A’Mei stepping up that she hadn’t completely fallen apart. That was also why Wen Qingyun didn’t push A’Mei away now.

“Miss Wen, President Qin really has changed,” A’Mei said softly after Wen Qingyun finished the porridge and took her medicine. “Today, when she found out what Su Ma (Aunt Su) had done, she immediately fired her and even pressed charges. Su Ma’s now a criminal suspect and was taken away by the police. Su Xiaorong was also taken by Su Yuecha.”

“She even took Rou Rou out today and bought her lots of new clothes. I really think President Qin wants to make things right with you.”

A’Mei was gentle and careful with her words, hoping this news might lift Wen Qingyun’s spirits.

But instead of looking pleased, Wen Qingyun’s face darkened. Her hand reached under her pillow and gripped a small folding knife—something she had picked up while going upstairs in the study not long after she woke up.

To Wen Qingyun, the more “good” Qin Ran acted, the more suspicious it seemed.

A’Mei noticed her expression shift and wisely chose not to say anything more. She quietly gathered the dishes and left the room.

Downstairs in the living room, A’Mei paused in surprise. Not only because Qin Ran was there, but another woman had arrived—an older woman in her fifties.

She recognized her immediately. It was Fu Ma—Fu Zhifen—the old butler of the Wen estate.

Everyone had called her “Fu Ma.”

A’Mei hadn’t expected Qin Ran to bring Fu Ma back. Clearly, she was serious about correcting her past mistakes.

Though she looked much more worn than before, Fu Ma still stood tall with her hair neatly pinned and her lips pressed into a straight line. Her expression was serious, and her eyes were full of worry.

“Fu Ma, I’m really glad you came back,” Qin Ran greeted her sincerely. “You don’t have to change a thing. Just do things the way you always have. Miss Wen is in her room upstairs—please go see her. I’ve also asked a lawyer to come by. When you have a moment, could you help her freshen up? We’ll talk more together after.”

After calling the lawyer, Qin Ran had immediately contacted other members of the Wen family to get Fu Ma’s number. As soon as she got it, she called and invited her back.

*****

Fu Ma had come into Wen Qingyun’s life twenty years ago after escaping an abusive marriage and losing her own child. She had no family and had nowhere to go. Wen Qingyun’s father had been looking for someone to care for his daughter and had taken her in. Since then, Fu Ma has been like a second mother.

After being forced out, she had stayed nearby, renting a small place while quietly looking for a way to return.

So when Qin Ran called, she came right away.

Fu Ma didn’t say much to Qin Ran. She just nodded and walked fast going upstairs.

Qin Ran watched her stubborn figure disappear up the stairs and shook her head. Another one who didn’t like her—just like Wen Qingyun.

At this point, she wasn’t hoping to turn their feelings toward her into anything positive. She’d be happy if their hostility just come back toward to normal. As long as they didn’t try to take her down, she’d consider that progress.

Once the divorce was finalized, they could all go their separate ways and be strangers again.

She didn’t dwell on Fu Ma’s attitude. While she waited downstairs for the lawyer to arrive, Fu Ma entered the upstairs room and saw both Wen Qingyun and Rou Rou.

Wen Qingyun hadn’t expected Qin Ran to bring Fu Ma back.

Fu Ma had always fiercely protected her. After the Wen patriarch had fallen ill, she’d argued countless times with “Qin Ran”—until finally, she’d been dismissed.

“Rou Rou’s gotten chubby,” Fu Ma said, as she was looking at both of them. “But you—you’ve lost so much weight again. Sick, injured… damn that woman! All for money, she’s not even human anymore!”

“Back then, your father ran a background check on her. Clean as a whistle. Both parents were teachers. She was a good student, obedient—you liked her, so she came to live here as your husband. And now? She turned on you just like that, a white-eyed wolf, trying to snatch the whole Wen family!”

As she spoke, Fu Ma’s tears began to fall. Her voice trembled with suppressed anger as she looked between mother and daughter.

Wen Qingyun raised her hands and gesture for Fu Ma to calm down. They had learned sign language together long ago, so they could communicate without speaking—especially useful when they didn’t want children to hear.

“She brought me back, and now she’s suddenly being kind to you and Rou Rou? Don’t fall for it. Don’t agree to anything just because she’s pretending to be nice.”

“She told me earlier that she invited a lawyer to come talk. I don’t know what kind of dirty trick she’s got in mind this time, but I’m not afraid of her. I’ve still got some savings—I’m already looking into hiring a damn good lawyer.”

Fu Ma wiped at her eyes as she signed, her hands were steady despite her emotion.

She had always treated Wen Qingyun like her own daughter. Seeing her like this now, Fu Ma wouldn’t hesitate to pour every last penny into helping her.

Wen Qingyun’s eyes turned slightly red as she read her signs.

“I won’t trust her again.”

That’s what Wen Qingyun signed back.

No matter what Qin Ran did now, she wasn’t going to be fooled again.

She had already paid a terrible price for trusting the wrong person once.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find a way. I’ve checked on your father—his health is stable. If we can bring in the top neurosurgeon, there’s still a chance for surgery.”

“I also managed to send word to your senior schoolmate. If she learns what happened, I’m sure she’ll help. She’s just tied up in a classified project right now and isn’t in the area. But you mustn’t lose hope. Take care of yourself first—only with your health can you fight back against that snake.”

Fu Ma’s voice was gentle, but the courage behind her soft Omega frame and tender tone gave Wen Qingyun strength.

While Fu Ma continued to comfort Wen Qingyun and remain on high alert toward Qin Ran’s “ulterior motives,” downstairs, the lawyer Qin Ran had invited finally arrived.

He was once the Wen family’s legal advisor and an old acquaintance of the family. However, as a lawyer, he was calm and strictly professional—he kept things by the book.

Qin Ran brought the lawyer up to the study on the second floor, then went to Wen Qingyun’s room to call her over.

Wen Qingyun, now freshly cleaned and dressed thanks to Fu Ma, was supported out of the room. Her long hair was neatly brushed and hung smoothly down her back. She wore a high-neck beige dress with a matching belt that emphasized her slender waist and elegant figure.

Fully conscious, Wen Qingyun appeared almost indistinguishable from a healthy person, except for her unfocused gaze and emotional detachment.

She was, quite simply, stunning.

Her features were impeccably balanced and her was beauty striking like a dramatic style. Even without makeup, her natural brows were well-shaped, and her facial structure was refined—deep brow bones, long black lashes, a delicate, high nose, and lips with a perfect cupid’s bow. Her appearance radiated grace and allure.

If Su Yuecha’s looks were those of a delicate white lotus—a dainty, gentle beauty—then Wen Qingyun resembled a peony in full bloom: proud, noble, and striking. With her aloof air and flawless features, she had the commanding beauty of an aristocratic heiress.

Just standing there silently, no one could imagine she was a woman suffering from illness.

Qin Ran was taken aback by how breathtaking she looked. This kind of beauty, she thought, only existed on TV.

“I’ve invited Lawyer Li. He’s in the study. Let’s go talk with him. A’Mei can stay with Rou Rou for now,” Qin Ran said quickly, snapping herself back to focus.

Fu Ma gave her no reaction, just helped Wen Qingyun along while softly reminding Rou Rou to go play with A’Mei.

Wen Qingyun still needed support to walk and staggered slightly as she moved.

Once they were seated in the study, both Wen Qingyun and Fu Ma were surprised to discover that Qin Ran had brought back the original lawyer from the Wen family—not the new one Qin Ran had hired after their falling out.

That alone was enough to catch them both off guard.

“I invited everyone here today because I want to redraft our divorce agreement,” Qin Ran began, her tone calm but firm. “Wen Qingyun and I are ending our marriage. I will return all the shares Wen Zhenheng gifted me back to her. Every property I’ve bought over the past five years, and all the companies where I’m the legal owner—everything will go back to Wen Qingyun.”

“I also won’t contest the custody of Wen Yirou. In other words, I’ll walk away with nothing.”

For a moment, the room fell into stunned silence.

Especially Wen Qingyun. The same Qin Ran who had once threatened her to surrender her shares was now willing to leave with nothing?!

“I’d like Lawyer Li to help us draft the new agreement. Please also list all the steps we need to take. Whatever can be done today, I’ll handle it right away.”

“I want to finalize this divorce as soon as possible. The Civil Affairs Bureau is still open—can we go now?” Qin Ran asked, turning to the lawyer without acknowledging their shock.

Lawyer Li stayed professional but furrowed his brows slightly. “That’s fine in principle. However, everyone here knows about Miss Wen’s condition. The law provides special protections for Omegas with health impairments. She must be capable of basic self-care in order for a divorce to proceed—or have a legal guardian who can represent her.”

“Old Mr. Wen is hospitalized and can’t act as her guardian. That means currently, the only legal guardian Miss Wen has is you, Ms. Qin. Which also means she can’t be the guardian of Wen Yirou. Unless she regains full civil capacity—that is, the ability to manage her own life and control her emotions—this can’t move forward.”

Qin Ran’s expression stiffened. “There’s no other way? Can’t Fu Ma act as her guardian?”

“No,” Lawyer Li shook his head. “Fu Ma isn’t a relative, and as an Omega over the age of fifty, she’s considered a care-dependent group, not a legal guardian.”

“…Seriously?” Qin Ran was at a loss. Was getting a divorce really this difficult?

The former Qin Ran had managed to force Wen Qingyun into giving up everything and voluntarily entering a psychiatric facility. Now, despite wanting to part ways peacefully, it was nearly impossible.

“Qin Ran, didn’t you already consult a lawyer? How could you not know this? Are you playing dumb?” Fu Ma snapped, fuming. “How is Qingyun supposed to live independently? We’ve seen countless specialists and tried so many treatments—none of them worked.”

The whole situation felt like a deadlock.

“I’ve heard that a pheromone therapists have made great advances in recent years,” Qin Ran said, thinking fast. “They’ve been able to treat cases that medicine alone couldn’t solve. Why don’t we consult the Pheromone Therapy Management Center and see if a therapist might help her regain her ability to care for herself?”

In the original storyline, Wen Qingyun eventually regained her independence—she could live on her own and even speak—because of her fated Alpha, a high-level pheromone therapist.

Which meant that such therapists could at least ease her condition, or even help reverse the damage caused by her neurological illness.

If self-care was the key to unlocking divorce, then this was her best path forward. And it gave her a perfect reason to track down that very therapist—Wen Qingyun’s destined Alpha.

With this thought, Qin Ran suddenly felt hopeful again.

But Wen Qingyun—who had sat silently up to now—reacted in the opposite way. At the mention of the therapist, her expression twisted with pain. She suddenly grabbed her head and trembled, clearly distressed.

She looked as if she was trying to run from something. She pushed to her feet and stumbled forward, but without Fu Ma to support her, she barely made it a few steps before collapsing.

Qin Ran rushed forward and caught her.