I Don’t Want to Be the Heroine Anymore - Chapter 11

“W-wife…???”

Everyone thought they had misheard, their eyes widening as they stared at the two. “President Xun, did you just say…”

“I said Mang Ke is my wife,” Xun Fangyun replied, ruffling the little rabbit’s head as she addressed the crowd. “Didn’t you all know I was already engaged?”

Of course, they knew she was engaged—but no one knew who she was marrying!

Xun Fangyun chuckled softly, continuing to pat Mang Ke’s head. “Because I’m usually busy with work, I often don’t have time to accompany her. So, thank you all for being willing to have tea with her today.”

Everyone: “…”

The room fell into a terrifying silence.

Wh-what was with that doting expression?!

Could it really be that the person Xun Fangyun married was this girl standing right in front of them???

How did the situation flip so suddenly???

That girl dressed in cheap clothes, carrying a bag that was an outdated model worth just over twenty thousand—she was actually Xun Fangyun’s wife???

Everyone couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, especially those who had rolled their eyes at Mang Ke or spoken rudely to her. They were now unsure whether they should rush over and apologize immediately.

At best, they were just women standing in the shadows of wealthy men, ranked by their husbands’ status. Now that they had offended Xun Fangyun’s newlywed wife, if she turned out to be the petty type, they’d all be in trouble!

As everyone stood dumbfounded, Yue Yin also froze in place.

What???

The girl she had been trying to cozy up to was actually her first love’s wife?!

Was this for real???

How did things get so messy???

She had actually tried to flirt with her love rival, even inviting her to lunch and a tea party—this was… unimaginable.

The thought alone nearly made Yue Yin choke on her own breath.

In stark contrast to the intense psychological turmoil of the group, Mang Ke’s side was much simpler.

Xun Fangyun patted Mang Ke’s head repeatedly, as if scolding a child, making Mang Ke a little uncomfortable.

“Don’t scold me anymore, I know I was wrong,” Mang Ke mumbled.

Xun Fangyun lowered her voice. “What exactly were you wrong about?”

“Well… I just wanted to go out and have some fun. Staying at home all the time is so boring,” Mang Ke grumbled, grabbing Xun Fangyun’s hand.

“Oh?” Xun Fangyun snorted. “So, keeping you at home is torturing you?”

“Not exactly…” Mang Ke said. “I just don’t have any friends, so I wanted to go out.”

Xun Fangyun glanced at the group behind them and whispered to Mang Ke, “You want to be friends with people like this?”

Mang Ke shook her head like a rattle-drum.

Those women carried bags worth millions—she could never afford that. How could she possibly hang out with them?

She’d much rather drink milk tea and watch movies in peace.

Xun Fangyun smirked in understanding. She despised these gossipy women too. If they had free time, they should focus on progressing the plot and finishing this book sooner.

“Do you still want to keep drinking tea?”

“No, it doesn’t taste good…”

Xun Fangyun pinched the little rabbit’s cheek. “Then hurry up and come with me. Can’t you tell I’m here to rescue you?”

Mang Ke beamed like a flower, clutching Xun Fangyun’s hand. “I can tell! Let’s go quickly!”

Xun Fangyun held Mang Ke’s hand and turned to the group, saying, “We have some matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now. Please continue enjoying your tea.”

Mang Ke quickly grabbed her bag from the side and bowed to them. “We’ll be going now. Let’s keep in touch when you have time~”

The two came and went in a flash, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Leaving only a room full of people staring at each other in bewilderment.

“Oh my god, did I just say something wrong?”

The woman in green who had earlier criticized Mang Ke was now drenched in cold sweat. “My husband is a manager at Xun Fangyun’s company. What if she fires him because of this?!”

The woman in black was also flustered. “I even made fun of her earlier. If she holds a grudge, I’m done for!”

“Yue Yin, what on earth is going on here?”

Someone tugged at Yue Yin’s sleeve and asked, “Weren’t you Xun Fangyun’s first love? How could you not even know she got married, let alone who the other person is? You got us into so much trouble!”

Yue Yin snapped out of her daze and rolled her eyes at them. “You dug your own graves, and now you’re blaming me? Did you really think I’d bring someone to the tea party for no reason? Bunch of idiots.”

With that, she picked up her things and left.

———

In the elevator, Mang Ke scratched her head and said, “Why did you suddenly show up like that? You scared me.”

Xun Fangyun let out a displeased grunt.

Mang Ke watched as the elevator slowly descended. Since it was a public elevator, it quickly filled up with people.

The crowd pushed Mang Ke further inside, forcing her to step back until she was pressed into the corner of the elevator.

When Mang Ke turned her head, she saw Xun Fangyun leaning against the elevator wall with a look of disdain, her expression clearly showing her displeasure at the people in front of her.

Mang Ke guessed that Xun Fangyun, being used to her CEO lifestyle, probably wasn’t fond of squeezing into crowded elevators like this. So she quickly maneuvered her way through the crowd.

Soon, Mang Ke made it to Xun Fangyun’s side.

“Excuse me…” Mang Ke said to the person in front of Xun Fangyun, squeezing herself between them like a human barrier.

Xun Fangyun leaned against the elevator wall, her dark eyes fixed on Mang Ke, brimming with amusement.

The cramped elevator was so crowded that even turning around was difficult. Mang Ke blushed under Xun Fangyun’s gaze and turned her head away, scratching her cheek.

The scent from Xun Fangyun’s body drifted to her nose—fragrant, but not like perfume.

It smelled like sunshine…

Mang Ke secretly leaned forward a little, trying to catch another whiff of that scent.

“Stop fidgeting.”

Xun Fangyun suddenly lowered her head and whispered into Mang Ke’s ear, “The elevator’s already this crowded. Why are you trying to burrow into my arms?”

Mang Ke’s face turned bright red. “I wasn’t—” she protested indignantly before biting her lip.

The elevator was so quiet that even the slightest whisper could be heard. Mang Ke didn’t dare say another word.

Xun Fangyun seemed to find this utterly amusing. She wrapped an arm around Mang Ke’s waist and pulled her closer.

Well, now Mang Ke didn’t have to sneak a sniff—she could indulge in that scent all she wanted.

The elevator descended slowly, stopping occasionally, and Mang Ke felt it was moving particularly sluggishly today. Why had it stopped on so many floors and still wasn’t full?!!!

Seeing Mang Ke’s ears turning red, Xun Fangyun reached out and gently tucked the long hair behind her ears, covering the flushed tips.

Mang Ke: “…”

Now they turned even redder.

Xun Fangyun’s hand rested on her waist, her fair neck right in front, and her fresh scent lingering at the tip of Mang Ke’s nose.

Mang Ke felt as though time had slowed to a crawl.

The little devil in her head had grown tired of poking her, lazily prodding her with a stick instead—

Xun Fangyun is so beautiful, with a slender waist, long legs, and plenty of money—isn’t she your dream partner?

Look how tightly she’s holding you—don’t you want to hug her back?

An elevator play, shy yet thrilling—don’t you want to give it a try?!

Biting her lip, her face burning, Mang Ke thought—forget about the “play” part, she just wanted to wrap her arms around Xun Fangyun’s waist!!!

That black trench coat draped over a leather skirt made her look both slender and striking.

Could she really hug her?!

Would she get beaten to a pulp if she did?!

Xun Fangyun was so fierce—what if she just tossed her out without a second thought? Where would she go to cry then?!

But… wuwuwu, this chance wouldn’t come again!

Her inner turmoil raged on, but by the time the elevator reached the first floor, Mang Ke still hadn’t mustered the courage to lift her hand.

Mang Ke: Useless, absolutely useless!!!!!!!!!!

Scolding herself internally, she trudged dejectedly after Xun Fangyun as they walked out.

“How did you get here?”

Xun Fangyun fished out her car keys and asked, “By bus?”

Mang Ke shook her head. “I took a taxi.”

“Then ride back with me.” Xun Fangyun turned to look at her and stretched out her hand. “Come here, don’t get lost.”

Mang Ke stared at her slender fingers, her heart racing like a startled deer, but in the end, she placed her hand in Xun Fangyun’s.

Fine, fine—if she couldn’t hug her waist, holding hands was good enough!

Xun Fangyun gripped Mang Ke’s hand, watching as her face flushed again. She found it fascinating how this paper-thin girl wore her thoughts so plainly on her face.

But… she didn’t dislike it.