After the Divorce, My Ex-Wife Suddenly Became an Alpha - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Embracing the Moon

The car pulled into an open space in front of a white building. Gu Jin Xiao stepped out, carrying a mint-green insulated food container in her hand, and quickly made her way up the hospital steps.

“Director Gu!” someone called out. It was Kasa’s voice—a young girl with chocolate-colored skin, her expression urgent as she ran over. Following closely behind her was Ding Yao, carrying a gift bag.

Gu Jin Xiao stopped. “Why are you two here together? Did something happen to Lulu and Lili?”

She remembered that Kasa’s two younger sisters were also staying at this hospital. After the tunnel was excavated that day, everyone had rescued her and Chi Yue Jing, while Lulu had been hiding in another tunnel and was found and saved by Ding Yao, who was searching the area at the time.

Kasa shook her head with a smile. “They’ve recovered well. Thank you so much for covering their medical expenses… We’re not here to visit them today. We came especially to check on Colonel Chi.”

Of the two tunnel rats subdued by Chi Yue Jing, the one called Brother Kun had died during the collapse, while the other, Woke, barely survived. Following instructions from Chi Yue Jing and Gu Jin Xiao, Sister Yan had guarded him closely. When he was turned over to the patrol unit for interrogation, it was discovered that a shocking profit chain lay behind everything.

These people weren’t just using child labor in the mines; they were also secretly selecting suitable boys and girls to abduct and smuggle to other planets. Over the past few years, hundreds of children had been trafficked out of N92. Their parents either thought they had died in mining accidents or had simply gotten lost—never realizing they might have suffered a far worse fate.

“If it weren’t for you and Colonel Chi, we probably never would’ve gotten to the bottom of this…” Kasa’s voice choked as she recalled the sight of desperate parents kneeling in front of the patrol station, pleading. “I heard Colonel Chi even applied for a special military investigation unit. Everyone’s really grateful. This is a small gift we pooled our money to buy and asked us to bring over.”

Gu Jin Xiao had been busy handling all the aftermath and hadn’t had time to follow up on the interrogation. Hearing this, she immediately said, “Then let’s go together. I’m sure she’s also eager to know how it’s progressing.”

Chi Yue Jing’s hospital room was in the VIP section on the fifth floor. It was afternoon, and the ward area was busy with visiting families. The windows and doors were open, letting in a cool breeze that helped dispel the stifling air.

Inside the room at the end of the hall, Chi Yue Jing, dressed in a blue hospital gown, sat quietly by the bed. Her long hair was down over her shoulders, giving her a softer look than her usual commanding presence. When she heard the door open, she looked up and smiled brightly at Gu Jin Xiao. “You’re here!”

But the moment she saw the two guests following behind her wife, the light in her eyes paused ever so slightly.

Gu Jin Xiao didn’t notice the change in her expression and said with a smile, “They came just to see you.”

After everyone exchanged greetings, Gu Jin Xiao went to the pantry to prepare lunch. Ever since Chi Yue Jing got injured, she had arranged for a nearby restaurant with good reviews to deliver meals, which she then brought to the hospital herself.

While she was serving the food, Ding Yao opened the gift box—a beautifully arranged fruit basket full of fresh produce. For a working-class family in N92, it was clearly a heartfelt and expensive offering. Gu Jin Xiao glanced at the fruit and whispered, “This is too much. Later, help me prepare some rice and flour to distribute to everyone in return.”

After giving the instruction, she sorted through the fruit and noticed a cluster of fresh lychees—an extremely perishable fruit, rarely seen in N92. Holding the bunch, she decided to wash them and bring them to the bedside.

“Lychees don’t keep well. Since we’re all here, let’s enjoy them together.” She placed the plate on the small table and explained softly to Chi Yue Jing.

Chi Yue Jing looked at her with gentle eyes. She didn’t seem to care about the value of the fruit and just quietly said, “Sit with me for a while.”

Her voice carried a hint of playfulness. Gu Jin Xiao blushed, unable to resist, and sat in the chair to her right.

Kasa then began sharing what she’d learned at the patrol station. As a family member of one of the victims, she had been acting as a liaison between the patrol and the community. Upon hearing that the Federal Government had ordered a full investigation and rescue operation, a sense of relief appeared on everyone’s face.

Chi Yue Jing listened quietly and exhaled softly. “At least all our efforts weren’t in vain.”

Even if not all the children could be recovered, the attention from the higher-ups meant local officials would be forced to take it seriously and not just brush it off.

When the conversation turned lighter, her attention went to the plate of lychees. Their red peels were covered in condensation, looking irresistibly fresh. This kind of sweet-and-sour fruit had always been Gu Jin Xiao’s favorite. Thinking of this, she looked up and, sure enough, saw Gu Jin Xiao dazing off, her moist lips slightly pursed and glistening like they’d been kissed by light.

The sight made her smile. She picked up a round lychee, carefully cracked the shell, and peeled out a plump, translucent piece of fruit. Juice shimmered on the surface, making it look even more tempting.

She turned and naturally held it up to Gu Jin Xiao’s lips.

The sweet scent of the lychee hit Gu Jin Xiao instantly. Without thinking, she opened her mouth and took the fruit. Only after it was in her mouth did she realize how intimate the gesture had been. Across from her, Ding Yao and Kasa had both frozen, then quickly turned their heads away as if they’d seen nothing.

Utterly mortified.

Gu Jin Xiao’s face flushed crimson as she bit into the lychee. But Chi Yue Jing didn’t seem fazed at all and patiently said, “Don’t you like these? You’ve been staring at them for ages.”

The sweet and tangy juice flooded her tongue. Gu Jin Xiao ducked her head to hide her embarrassment, but her heart was pounding even harder than before.

Thankfully, Kasa quickly shifted the conversation to the upcoming Moon Festival, the biggest annual celebration in N92. Everyone would take to the streets to party all night, celebrating the longest day of the year.

“I heard this year’s sponsors were very generous, so the festivities will be grander than ever. You and Director Gu must come!” Kasa said cheerfully.

Chi Yue Jing smiled, intrigued. “Mm, we’ll be there.”

After chatting a bit longer, Ding Yao noticed that Chi Yue Jing looked a little tired and stood to leave, tugging Kasa along with her.

Kasa was still confused even after they left the room. “But we were having such a good time! Why did we suddenly leave?”

She hadn’t even finished introducing the three wonders and ten must-do activities of the Moon Festival!

Facing Kasa’s sparkling eyes, Ding Yao nearly laughed. She pulled her along and said, “Because Colonel Chi will be happier with just the two of them.”

This silly girl didn’t even notice—since the moment they’d walked in, Colonel Chi’s gaze had never left Director Gu. Who had the attention span for festival stories?

…

After the others had left, only Gu Jin Xiao and Chi Yue Jing remained in the room. Sensing that Chi Yue Jing’s gaze was still fixed on her, Gu Jin Xiao grew nervous for no reason. She bit her lip and asked softly, “Are you hungry? Should I heat up lunch now?”

Because of the unexpected visit, the food was still in the insulated container. It was already an hour past her usual mealtime—who knew if she was hungry?

But Chi Yue Jing shook her head. “Not just yet.”

Gu Jin Xiao’s eyes widened. “Why not? Are you feeling unwell?”

She jumped up in worry, her face showing clear concern. Before she could react further, Chi Yue Jing reached out and gently took her wrist.

“I’m not unwell,” she said calmly. “I just want you to stay a little longer.”

“Because every time I finish eating, you leave.”

Her tone carried a trace of sadness. Gu Jin Xiao’s skin burned where she was touched. She mumbled, “…I don’t… I mean, I just might have work, so…”

She trailed off, face flushed, clearly flustered. Chi Yue Jing looked at her intently and asked, “Do you feel uncomfortable being with me?”

The question caught Gu Jin Xiao off guard. She struggled to meet her gaze, looking like a nervous little animal. “…Of course not. I just… feel guilty.”

She had been blaming herself this whole time.

When the rescue team pulled them out, Chi Yue Jing had been covered in wounds, her forehead split by a falling rock, her once-white shirt stained with bl00d. She had used her own body to shield her, allowing Gu Jin Xiao to escape almost unscathed.

And what had she done in return? Even the food she brought to visit her was store-bought.

The thought made her eyes sting. She sniffled, trying to hold it together.

A tear rolled down and landed on the pale blue bedsheet, leaving a darkened spot.

Seeing her cry, Chi Yue Jing tightened her grip on her hand. “Jin Xiao…”

“I’m fine!”

Realizing she hadn’t been comforting Chi Yue Jing, but had instead ended up crying herself, Gu Jin Xiao became even more upset. She tried to pull her hand back, to stop herself from crying harder, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She let out a soft sob, utterly mortified.

Chi Yue Jing didn’t let go. Instead, she pulled her into a hug, wrapping her arms around her. One hand stroked her head gently.

“Don’t cry. None of this is your fault.”

“I was the one who always wanted to stay near you, pushing my feelings onto you whether you wanted them or not. I was the one who insisted on saving you—ending up like this is entirely my own doing. I did all of it just to get your attention. I just… wanted you to notice me. Maybe… remember me a little more.”

Her voice was soft like a summer breeze, sweeping away the clouds in Gu Jin Xiao’s heart. Nestled in that warm embrace, hearing those murmured words only made her cry harder.

“Don’t say that to comfort me,” she choked. “You’ve always been so good to me—why pretend it’s nothing, just to make me feel better?”

Chi Yue Jing fell silent for a moment. Then she sighed gently and kissed the top of her head.

“Jin Xiao, I’m not saying this to make you feel better. I just want you to understand one thing.”

“I’m good to you because I like you more than anyone else in this world ever could.”