Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 13

Song Zhen was stunned. She turned to look at Zhu Sui.

Zhu Sui turned back to face her as well, her long eyes reflecting fragments of the setting sun. Her mid-length hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, the golden light shimmering through the strands, giving them a soft, dreamy glow that made her dark hair gleam like satin.

She was beautiful—almost too beautiful, with a strange, hypnotic charm.

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment suggestion. They had already discussed it over the past couple of days.

Song Zhen had agreed to give Zhu Sui a child. After thinking it over for two days, she decided not to complicate things—they would go about it naturally, rather than visiting a hospital for artificial insemination.

That way, they wouldn’t need to present a marriage certificate and risk exposing their newly registered relationship.

Since they were going to do it the natural way…

Zhu Sui insisted they live together—to develop some emotional rapport and become more familiar with one another.

Song Zhen already felt she owed Zhu Sui enough through this marriage and had no objections. Besides, once the child was born, they would likely co-parent for a time. It would be chaotic enough adjusting to a newborn without also having to awkwardly get to know each other on the fly.

Still, she didn’t expect Zhu Sui to ask her to move in immediately after picking up the marriage certificate.

Caught off guard, Song Zhen didn’t know what to say. Zhu Sui tilted her head.

“Didn’t pack yet?”

She had, mostly. Everything was already boxed. The real issue was—

“…Isn’t this… a bit fast?”

Zhu Sui didn’t answer the question. Instead, she said,

“I’ve already submitted my reply to headquarters. The transfer order is being processed. I’m still free today, but in a few days… it might be just you. Letting an Omega move alone? That doesn’t feel right to me.”

Song Zhen’s attention snagged on the first sentence.

“You already replied?”

“Yeah. I did that the day I got it. One, because my supervisor was waiting. Two, because since we’ve decided… I want you to feel at ease as soon as possible.”

Song Zhen opened her mouth but didn’t know how to respond.

Zhu Sui had only received her transfer order the night they drank together. She’d seemed reluctant, and having just returned from overseas, she could have easily postponed things…

It was impossible not to be moved. But “thank you” suddenly felt too small. Song Zhen stared at her for a while before whispering,

“Moving today is a little rushed… we might go late into the evening…”

“That’s fine. I’m an Alpha—I can carry things, help you out. No problem at all.”

Zhu Sui was insistent. Song Zhen no longer tried to resist.

They drove back to the house near the military medical university.

Most of Song Zhen’s things were already packed. She just needed to double-check that nothing was left behind. As she tidied up, Zhu Sui wandered the apartment, taking everything in.

At one point, Song Zhen noticed her frequently glancing at the walls.

“What is it?” she asked, puzzled.

Zhu Sui shook her head.

“It’s just… not what I imagined.”

Seeing Song Zhen’s confusion, she added honestly,

“I thought there’d be wedding photos or something on the walls. But it looks like only you ever lived here.”

There wasn’t a single trace of Cheng Lang’s presence.

“Oh… we got married in a rush. Signed the papers and she flew overseas. We didn’t even hold a wedding. Originally, we’d planned to—” Song Zhen lowered her gaze. That same dull ache from the morning at the civil affairs bureau welled up again. She laughed at herself. “We were going to hold one when she came back… but now there’s no need.”

“Honestly, maybe it’s for the best. Hardly any relatives or friends knew. Saves the awkward explanations later…”

“Heh… ha…”

The more she tried to justify, the worse it sounded. Song Zhen trailed off, feeling the weight of Zhu Sui’s gaze on her. She didn’t dare meet it—she already felt ridiculous enough.

A moment later, Zhu Sui gently said,

“I think the water’s boiled in the kitchen. I heard it.”

“!”

Startled, Song Zhen remembered the kettle and quickly rushed in to make tea. But as she reached for the tea leaves, she suddenly realized: Zhu Sui had just given her an out—a graceful way to retreat from the awkwardness.

Song Zhen pressed a hand to her forehead. She was two years older, yet around Zhu Sui… why did she always feel like the younger one?

Three suitcases. That was everything Song Zhen owned.

Before leaving, she took one last look around, then shut the door. In that quiet moment of closing it, it felt like she was putting an end to a beautiful, bittersweet chapter of her life.

She’d been scrambling all day, but Zhu Sui’s home was well-organized.

From assigning her a room and helping unload luggage, to walking her through the layout—everything was handled smoothly.

It was called an “apartment,” but after a tour, Song Zhen realized it was nearly twice the size of her old place.

Considering Zhu Sui’s background, it made sense. In fact, the fact that it wasn’t a private villa almost felt… modest.

“You can use this bathroom,” Zhu Sui said, pointing. “I’ll use the one off the master bedroom. It’s been a long day. Go freshen up and get some rest.”

“Okay.” Song Zhen took the new towel and toothbrush from her hands, too tired to argue.

But just as she walked in, the phone she’d left outside rang. The caller ID read: Dad. Zhu Sui passed it through the door.

Song Zhen had just turned on the water—she didn’t expect her father to call at this moment. Startled, she still answered.

“Zhenzhen, how have you been lately?”

That simple, everyday question from a parent almost broke her.

“I’m doing fine, Dad…” she forced a smile through the lump in her throat.

“Cheng Lang came back, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Good. Then make sure you two get along, okay?”

“…Alright…” Song Zhen felt a sting in her eyes.

Halfway through the call, her father suddenly said,

“You sound strange… are you sick?”

Song Zhen tilted her head back, trying to keep the tears from falling. Her eyes were red. She shook her head—then realized he couldn’t see her—and said, “Just a little cold…” She paused, then changed the subject: “Dad, I found a route for the stabilizer. The Z-serum might be entering clinical trials soon…”

But her father wasn’t pleased.

“Who asked about your work! I’m telling you to take care of yourself. How many times have I said this—working overtime every day isn’t sustainable…”

His familiar nagging was the final straw. Under the warmth of that parental scolding, Song Zhen finally broke down, covering her mouth and curling forward with quiet sobs.

Assuming the call wouldn’t last long, Zhu Sui had left earlier. But when she returned to check in—intending to tap the glass and pass the phone back—she heard something and froze mid-step.

She heard faint, muffled crying.

Zhu Sui stood there for a long while. Then, silently, she withdrew the hand that had been raised.

Sometimes, not interfering is also a kind of tenderness.

—

Song Zhen took another leave of absence. A few peaceful days passed before work called again.

When Zuo Tian phoned her, Song Zhen was napping. The phone rang a few times before Zhu Sui answered it.

As soon as the line connected, Zuo Tian’s voice came through, rushed and anxious:

“Zhenzhen, where are you?! Some people just showed up at the lab saying the project is being upgraded and they’re shutting down the auxiliary lab—what’s going on?!”

Zhu Sui’s expression turned serious.

“Slow down. Explain clearly.”

After a brief pause, she added,

“She’s not available right now. But if they’re trying to shut it down, the national regulations require the principal investigator’s signature. Don’t panic. If they try anything forceful, call the police.”

Song Zhen was the lead on the auxiliary lab.

Zuo Tian calmed down slightly and explained the situation in full detail.

At the same time, in the Adrenaline Research Division—

“Dr. Cheng, Deputy Director Rong wants to see you.”

“Okay… what’s it about?”

Cheng Lang had signed off on the shutdown of the auxiliary lab that morning. She’d been distracted all day.

The colleague grinned,

“What else could it be? It’s about your promotion.”

Cheng Lang blinked. “Already?”

“Yep! Go quickly. The transfer order’s already on Deputy Director Rong’s desk.”

Joy flashed in Cheng Lang’s chest. She assumed the review had been completed before her divorce was finalized. Grateful, she quickly thanked the colleague and headed toward Rong’s office.

Perfect. She hadn’t expected things to move this fast—she’d been worried the divorce might delay things.

Heaven was truly on her side!

Smiling, she knocked on the office door. But less than ten minutes later, when she stepped out holding the transfer order…

Her smile had frozen on her face.