After the Divorce, My Ex-Wife Suddenly Became an Alpha - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: It’s Time To Pay Your Debt

Kasha had other matters to attend to. Once she confirmed that Colonel Chi was indeed safe and sound, she smiled and took her leave. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the always inseparable Ding Yao who followed her, but instead Ding Yao quietly trailed after Gu Jin Xiao.

The two walked into the office one after the other. As soon as they sat down, the smile on Gu Jin Xiao’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, serious expression. She gestured for Ding Yao to take a seat and asked in a low voice, “Did something happen at the old mine?”

Ding Yao immediately shook her head. Sitting upright, she replied calmly, “Director Gu, everything is proceeding according to plan. While everyone was busy celebrating the Moon Festival, Sister Yan and the others secretly moved all the equipment out of the mine. You don’t need to worry.”

Gu Jin Xiao let out a faint breath of relief. “That’s good.”

She looked at Ding Yao. “The starship from the Ordnance Department will arrive at N92 next week. We don’t have much time left. These next few days will be tough, so as soon as everything is ready, contact me immediately.”

Ding Yao naturally had no objections to this task. After accepting the order, she hesitated for a moment, then voiced the concern that had been weighing on her mind: “Director Gu, I think… maybe you should tell Colonel Chi about this?”

“This whole incident with the mole rats has stirred up a lot of trouble. Especially since Colonel Chi got involved, the inspection teams from Capital Star have been visiting the mine frequently. Even though we moved everything ahead of time… the risk is still too high. With her sharp instincts, I’m afraid she’ll eventually sense something’s off.”

As a former military cadet herself, Ding Yao had a high opinion of Chi Yue Jing — even more so after noticing the deep feelings between her boss and the colonel, which seemed obvious to everyone but the two of them. She felt compelled to say something.

Besides, they could really use such a strong ally right now.

Gu Jin Xiao nodded. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

After Ding Yao left, Gu Jin Xiao leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Her pale fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, her thoughts drifting.

For as long as she could remember, she had always relied on her own judgment. Even in front of her mother, she’d kept a small part of herself hidden, never fully revealing her true thoughts. But now, facing Chi Yue Jing… did she really have to do the same?

After all, Chi Yue Jing had always believed in her without question — and had stood firmly by her side.

Memories flashed through her mind, making her gaze waver. Her fingers unconsciously twined together.

She should trust her a little more, too.

By dusk, Gu Jin Xiao stepped out of the mine’s main gate. From a distance, she spotted the familiar dark green off-road vehicle parked under a tree. Chi Yue Jing stood in front of it, head lowered, reading something.

People came and went around her, but she still stood out — tall and graceful, like a vibrant young tree. Noticing Gu Jin Xiao’s gaze, she looked up, eyes clear and filled with a subtle smile.

She walked over, naturally taking the folder from Gu Jin Xiao’s hand. “Tired from work today?”

Gu Jin Xiao smiled and shook her head. As Chi Yue Jing took a few steps ahead, Gu Jin Xiao suddenly paused, turned back, and reached out to take her hand.

The motion made Gu Jin Xiao chuckle. “It’s only two steps to the car.”

“Even if it’s two steps, I still want to hold your hand.”

Chi Yue Jing opened the door for her and responded casually, “I didn’t see you all day. If I weren’t afraid of embarrassing you, I would’ve hugged you right there at the gate.”

That caught Gu Jin Xiao off guard. She paused while buckling her seatbelt and blushed. “…You wouldn’t dare.”

If she really hugged her like that in front of everyone, where would Director Gu’s dignity go?

Chi Yue Jing glanced at her, the setting sun casting golden light through the window and painting the side of Gu Jin Xiao’s face in soft hues. With her head slightly lowered, the seatbelt pressed gently against her chest — the curve of her figure enough to make one’s heart skip.

Chi Yue Jing’s lips curved upward. “Mm, I wouldn’t dare.”

“After all, our Director Gu is so powerful and commanding… how could I ever disobey?” Her voice dropped slightly, tinged with teasing warmth. “Besides, I couldn’t bear to upset my dear wife for no reason.”

Gu Jin Xiao could barely stay in the car another second. Her heart was racing uncontrollably, and her mind involuntarily recalled the more shameful moments from the night before. She raised a hand to her chest, then turned her head away. “All that talking made me hungry. Drive.”

“Okay,” Chi Yue Jing laughed, starting the engine. “I made all your favorites. Let’s go home.”

She really had prepared a full table of Gu Jin Xiao’s favorite dishes: glossy sweet-and-sour pork ribs, lotus-wrapped sticky rice, and a plate of chilled crystal shrimp soaked in plum wine and huadiao — each piece glistening with a soft amber hue and bursting with fragrance.

Gu Jin Xiao’s mood lifted immediately. Once the table was set, she eagerly picked up a shrimp and began peeling.

The shrimp meat came off easily, revealing translucent pink flesh that looked exceptionally fresh. She popped it into her mouth — the texture springy, the flavor rich with the sweetness of the shrimp and the aroma of huadiao mingled with the tartness of preserved plum.

She quickly ate three or four pieces, then noticed Chi Yue Jing hadn’t touched the dish at all. Instead, she quietly ate the ones Gu Jin Xiao didn’t care for, her chopsticks avoiding the shrimp entirely.

Seeing her sitting there so calmly, Gu Jin Xiao paused, then without a word, carefully peeled another shrimp and held it out toward her.

The delicate shrimp was nestled between her pale fingertips, the contrast of white skin and amber meat visually striking. Chi Yue Jing’s eyes flickered, and without hesitation, she leaned forward and bit down.

Not just on the shrimp — her lips brushed against Gu Jin Xiao’s fingers too.

The warmth, softness, and slight dampness of the contact sent a shock through Gu Jin Xiao. She froze, not sure how to react.

She had meant for Chi Yue Jing to hold out a bowl.

Before she could recover, Chi Yue Jing had already swallowed the shrimp, leaving a lingering warmth on her fingers. She looked up and smiled brightly.

“Thanks. It’s delicious,” she said.

Oh… it really was.

The rest of the meal, Gu Jin Xiao found herself a bit distracted. She absentmindedly ate most of the crystal shrimp, the warmth rising in her chest until even her breath carried the scent of huadiao.

After her bath, that dizzy feeling only intensified. Leaning against the bathroom door, flushed and dazed, she asked, “Just how much wine did you use in that dish?”

Why did it feel like the floor was spinning?

Chi Yue Jing hadn’t expected her to get tipsy so easily. A bit flustered, she helped her to the bed and said apologetically, “The vendor said it was a special vintage… I didn’t think using it in cooking would have such a strong effect. Lie down for a bit — I’ll get you some water.”

When she came back with the glass, Gu Jin Xiao had already been conquered by the bed, curled up in the cushions, hugging a fluffy pillow with a blanket half-twisted around her waist. She stirred uncomfortably, twisting her hips a little. The hem of her nightshirt had ridden up, exposing a stretch of fair, delicate skin.

The sight of that pale waist, smooth like mutton jade, made Chi Yue Jing’s throat tighten.

She placed the glass on the nightstand and leaned down to pick her up. But Gu Jin Xiao, impatient and drowsy, reached out and wrapped her arms around her neck, snuggling against her like a soft cloud.

Relaxed by the alcohol, a bit of pheromone unconsciously slipped out — the sweet scent of neroli washing over Chi Yue Jing like a wave of temptation. Holding her close, she tried to speak.

“Jin Xiao,” she whispered, brushing against her ear, “can I kiss you?”

When the woman didn’t respond, she pulled her even closer and murmured, “If you don’t say anything… I’ll take it as a yes.”

As she spoke, she leaned down.

Half-dreaming, Gu Jin Xiao imagined her childhood dog greeting her after school — wet nose nudging her face. She raised a hand instinctively to push it away… and instead touched warm skin.

Her eyes fluttered open to meet Chi Yue Jing’s flushed face, her clear peach blossom eyes dark and unreadable.

Before she could speak, she was gently pressed down again…

“Chi Yue Jing!” she exclaimed, pinned and flustered. “This is not what we agreed on!”

“I’m just kissing you,” came the low, smoky reply by her ear. “As for the rest… if you can get up, I’ll stop. Deal?”

Despite her words, she clung tightly, making escape impossible. Gu Jin Xiao struggled, only to feel dizzier. She gave up and kicked her lightly, muttering, “Liar!”

She didn’t know how long it went on, only that she felt like she was going to melt. Just as she was losing herself in the heat, a sound broke through — something was ringing.

It was the personal terminal on her nightstand.

Chi Yue Jing reached for it, pulling the blanket up to cover her and sitting up. She handed the device over and connected the call.

Ding Yao’s urgent voice came through:

“Director Gu, there’s been an incident at the docks! Are you… available right now?”