It’s Okay to Divorce - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

… Zou Tingshen was startled by her voice, his hands pausing in their motion.

“How come you stopped? Hurry up, keep going.” Mu Mian reached behind her, grabbing his wrist and placing it on her waist. “You can knead this spot a bit more—I’ve been on my feet all day, and my back is killing me. Giving birth is no joke.”

Zou Tingshen glanced at the wrist she’d just held, his heart feeling like it had been tickled by a feather—itchy and tingling.

He stole a look at Mu Mian’s profile, cleared his throat lightly, and averted his gaze before resuming the massage.

Mu Mian’s body was overly sensitive, and the acupressure felt incredibly soothing, drawing out more contented moans from her.

Zou Tingshen’s ears burned as he listened, casually mentioning in a nonchalant tone, “Keep it down—I didn’t close the window.”

“Whaaat??” Mu Mian clapped a hand over her mouth. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Did you draw the curtains?”

“No…”

Mu Mian sat up, her large belly protruding, and padded barefoot to the window. She pulled the curtains shut, let out a sigh of relief, then turned back to him. “Next time, make sure to close the curtains, okay? Otherwise, us being alone in a room together—do you have any idea how risky that is?”

Zou Tingshen had no experience sharing a room with a female celebrity, nor did he have the habit of closing windows or drawing curtains.

Mu Mian lay back down, grabbing his wrist again and placing it on her waist. “Continue.”

“…” Zou Tingshen couldn’t shake the feeling that he was like a dutiful slave right now.

Was this what a qualified father looked like?

Probably. A qualified father should care for the mother of his child. He thought.

Mu Mian let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Old Zou, what if this kid turns out like Nezha—stuck in there for three years without coming out? What am I supposed to do? My career… it’d be totally ruined.”

Mu Mian wasn’t afraid of childbirth itself; her only fear was her career going down the drain.

Zou Tingshen pondered for a moment before answering seriously. “If that really happens, you could go abroad and lay low for a few years. I’ll work hard in the meantime, and when you make your comeback, I’ll give you the best resources to get you back to the top.”

Mu Mian was stunned.

She turned her head, seeing the solemn expression on Zou Tingshen’s face, and knew he meant it. Her face softened with emotion, her lips quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Zou Tingshen noticed she was about to cry and quickly tried to stop her. “It’s what I should do—no need to get so emotional.”

No sooner had he spoken than Mu Mian wrapped her arms around his arm, nuzzling her face against his sleeve. “Old Zou, you’re like family! If I really have to step away from the spotlight, you better remember what you said today! When I come back, you have to let me ride your coattails!”

Zou Tingshen took a deep breath, feeling utterly helpless. “Of course.”

Mu Mian grabbed a notebook from the coffee table, flipped it open, snatched a pen, and shoved them both at Zou Tingshen. “You’re a big shot—you might forget what you said later. Come on, let’s put it in black and white as a supplementary agreement to add to the contract.”

“… Miss Mu, your ever-changing moods are quite shocking.” Zou Tingshen had tolerated her all evening and finally reached his limit. “You can’t push your luck like this.”

“Hey, Old Zou, be reasonable. You’re the one who brought it up—I’m just asking you to write it down so I can feel secure.” Mu Mian knelt on the sofa, meeting his gaze at eye level. “What? You’re going back on your word already?”

“I always keep my promises, but your actions are questioning my character.” Zou Tingshen’s tone turned icy, his face expressionless as he warned her. “Miss Mu, let’s get one thing straight: I can tolerate you pushing boundaries, but it’s not for your sake—it’s for our child.”

“Oho, listen to you…” Mu Mian crossed her arms, eyeing him. “The kid is mine—what’s it got to do with you? It’s parthenogenesis, okay! Watch your words!”

Zou Tingshen stared at her for a while, his voice flat. “Don’t forget, we’re married.”

“Yeah, contractually married.”

Zou Tingshen was clearly angry now, his tone sharpening. “Given how you keep crossing my lines, I think it’s necessary to add a clause to the contract: ‘Divorce immediately after the child is born.’”

“You’re afraid I’ll cling to you and refuse to divorce?” Mu Mian planted one hand on her hip, straightening up and pointing at her nose. “Me, Mu Mian—beautiful, talented, with endless prospects and no shortage of men—clinging to you? Ha, dream on! Add it if you want; I’m more worried you’ll be the one clinging to me.”

Zou Tingshen nodded. “Since we’re in agreement, let’s add it.”

Heh heh heh… Mu Mian slammed the paper and pen onto the coffee table in frustration. “And that clause I mentioned earlier? That goes in as a supplement too!”

“What if I don’t?” Zou Tingshen wasn’t backing down.

He’d been nothing but considerate toward Mu Mian, only for her to question his integrity?

Mu Mian’s expression shifted in an instant. Clutching her belly, she flopped back down with a dramatic “Ow ow ow,” biting her lip, her face paling. “Zou Tingshen, you bastard—you’re trying to make me go into early labor…?”

Seeing her suddenly in pain, Zou Tingshen panicked. He cupped his hand over her swollen belly, his voice softening. “What’s wrong?”

“You pissed me off!!” She roared, veins bulging on her forehead.

It was safe to say she’d nailed that particular emotion…

Zou Tingshen caved. “Fine, I’ll add it. Whatever you want—happy now?”

Mu Mian instantly dropped the pained look, sitting up and pointing at him. “You said it—your word is your bond.”

“…You were faking!?”

“I was rehearsing my acting skills. I never said I was actually in pain.”

Zou Tingshen looked at her, his gaze frosty. “Impressive. Solid performance.”

“Thanks for the compliment!”

Zou Tingshen suppressed the rage building in his chest and swallowed it down.

One day, he’d let it all out.

—

Chen Sheng wandered around the villa until two-thirty in the morning. By the time he found the filming location, the crew had already wrapped for the night.

Yun Pei was the last to leave after listening to the director’s notes. As she was about to get into her car, Chen Sheng called out, “Miss.”

Yun Pei turned to look at him, sizing up this tall, elegant man, and froze for a second.

He was… still here?

“What do you want?”

Yun Pei’s assistant stepped in front of her. “Sorry, sir, we don’t do autographs.”

Chen Sheng smiled gently, his demeanor mild and unassuming. “My apologies—I’m not a fan. The crew’s done for the night, and there are no other cars around. I was wondering if this young lady could give me a ride.”

Under the dim lights, the assistant began appraising the man before her.

He was tall and well-built, dressed neatly, with a gentle aura. No makeup, yet his features were striking. Even standing next to Emperor Zou, he wouldn’t be outshone.

Before the assistant could refuse, Yun Pei spoke up first. “A toad lusting after a swan’s ride? Dream on—delusional.”

Faced with the sarcasm, Chen Sheng didn’t get angry; he just nodded with a smile. “Sorry to bother you.”

Yun Pei started to climb into the car, one foot already in, when a sudden dull pain hit her chest. It quickly spread to her shoulders, neck, jaw… then radiated to her arms and back.

Her vision went black, and she collapsed backward, caught just in time by her quick-handed assistant.

The assistant cried out in alarm, yelling at the driver, “Hurry! Call an ambulance!”

Chen Sheng’s expression turned serious at last. He instructed the assistant, “Get the patient into the car—quick!” After a brief pause, he added, “I’m a doctor.”

In her panic, the assistant followed his orders, trying to lift Yun Pei into the car—but as a girl herself, she lacked the strength.

Chen Sheng took over, steadily carrying Yun Pei and placing her half-reclined on the seat, with her head, shoulders, and knees supported by the armrests.

He loosened the tight clothing around her neck, chest, and waist.

After checking her over, he leaned down, almost whispering in Yun Pei’s ear to reassure her. “I’m a doctor. Don’t worry—you’re not in mortal danger. Try to relax and leave the rest to me.”

Yun Pei was in agony, terrified she might die en route, but Chen Sheng’s words eased her mind a little.

The ambulance arrived quickly, and Yun Pei was whisked away.

By the time Chen Sheng reached the hotel where the crew was staying, it was already three in the morning.

So late—Mu Mian was probably asleep. Chen Sheng booked a room, planning to see her the next day and surprise her.

Instead, the next morning, Mu Mian gave him a surprise.

Weibo’s top headline:

“Zou Tingshen and Mu Mian’s Secret Romance Exposed: Sharing a Room with Intimate Behavior.”