Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 24.1

Maybe it was from sheer shock—or maybe there just wasn’t any reason to doubt it.

Rong Mo, who was usually calm and collected, stared with wide eyes and blurted out his instinctive reaction without thinking.

And the moment those words left his mouth, it was as if Song Zhen had been struck at her weak spot. Her expression froze stiff, her face flushed with embarrassment, and cold sweat began to bead at her temples.

The corridor fell into a long, heavy silence that lasted for several tense seconds.

Just as Rong Mo thought he ought to say something to ease the atmosphere, the previously quiet Zhu Sui suddenly burst out laughing, flashing neat white teeth as if she’d heard the most absurd thing in the world.

“Brother-in-law, what on earth are you imagining!”

Her reaction instantly shook Rong Mo’s initial certainty.

He instinctively glanced at Song Zhen again—only for Zhu Sui to sling an arm around her shoulders, raise an eyebrow with playful amusement, and tease,

“Professor Song, since when did we have that kind of relationship?” Then she added with mock seriousness,

“But since my brother-in-law brought it up… it is getting late, Professor Song, do you maybe want to—”

Song Zhen’s face turned scarlet.

“No, no! I don’t want to—”

Before Zhu Sui could finish, Song Zhen frantically shook her head in denial.

She was never good at handling this kind of teasing—and Zhu Sui had never flirted with her like this in front of others before.

No—now that she thought about it, Zhu Sui flirting with her at all was a first.

Rong Mo, watching their reactions, instantly felt all of his earlier suspicions drain away.

Even with all the “evidence” in front of him, he now felt utterly ridiculous for having jumped to that conclusion.

Worse than ridiculous—he’d even blurted it out loud. Ugh, why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut!

As Rong Mo fell into a daze, Zhu Sui took the opportunity to push things even further, leaning in so close her face was nearly touching Song Zhen’s. She chuckled softly,

“Professor Song, why are you so nervous? I haven’t even said anything yet…”

Her voice curled at the end, dripping with flirtation.

Song Zhen, blushing furiously from ears to neck, waved her hands frantically like she might burst into tears at any moment.

Seeing this, Rong Mo was overcome with guilt.

The next second, he grabbed his shameless little cousin and pulled her aside, scolding sternly,

“Suisui, come here! What are you doing messing with Professor Song like that?!”

Zhu Sui retorted with confidence,

“Didn’t you just say—?”

Rong Mo’s face was burning with embarrassment as he stammered,

“I—I…”

Then, in full big-brother mode, he admitted his mistake:

“Alright, alright—I misunderstood the situation!”

Even with all the signs pointing otherwise, seeing Song Zhen so flustered and Zhu Sui acting so nonchalant made Rong Mo feel like the fool here.

And Zhu Sui, with a perfectly innocent face, added fuel to the fire:

“A misunderstanding? That’s a huge misunderstanding. What gave you that idea?”

Hearing her righteous tone—even Song Zhen, who was involved—started to feel like there really was nothing going on.

Rong Mo felt it too. The more she pressed, the more wrong he felt.

Yeah… how did he even get that idea?

Still under Zhu Sui’s scrutinizing gaze, Rong Mo explained the details that had seemed suspicious. After listening, Zhu Sui gave a drawn-out “oh” and shrugged casually.

“Today was important—you know, the military tribunal was in session. Afterwards… well, your dad will probably tell you when you get home. Anyway, Professor Song’s application to establish Team Two got approved, and everyone was really happy. I had a couple of beers, so I asked her to drive me.”

“As for the stuff… My fridge was empty. If you hadn’t pointed it out, I wouldn’t have even noticed.” Zhu Sui tapped her forehead dramatically, then turned to Song Zhen with exaggerated sincerity.

“Really troubling you, Professor Song. I got a little fuzzy from the beer.”

But in Rong Mo’s ears, the meaning was completely different.

Today marked the official approval of Team Two. Song Zhen, out of gratitude or respect, invited her superior Zhu Sui to join her—but Zhu Sui was busy. Still, given the social norms, once the invitation was extended, how could she say no?

So it became: drive Zhu Sui home, carry her groceries—it was just too much.

Rong Mo instantly felt ashamed. He shot Zhu Sui a glare.

“How can you be so inconsiderate?”

Then turned to Song Zhen, all warm smiles and sincere apologies.

“Professor Song, please don’t take it the wrong way. Our Suisui’s still young and impulsive—she doesn’t always think before she acts…”

As if Song Zhen dared take offense!

She was already riddled with guilt!

But that guilt was immediately misunderstood by Rong Mo as embarrassment.

In the end, when Rong Mo left, both of them were deeply embarrassed—Song Zhen for hiding the truth, and Rong Mo for not only jumping to conclusions but also inadvertently putting pressure on someone who had done him a great favor.

Only Zhu Sui—who saw right through both of them—stood there, perfectly composed, quietly nudging one red-faced person, then the other. A big liar, smiling with all the innocence in the world. So well-behaved!

“Since Suisui invited you in, Professor Song, don’t be shy—rest for a bit before heading out. I’ll be off—I have to get home to Xiao Yi. You know how it is with pregnant women—gotta spend more time with her. Oh, and the invitation—please don’t forget it! Xiao Yi made me promise over and over to give it to you.”

“I’ll be going now—don’t see me off. Bye!”

“Professor Song, you have to come, alright?”

As the elevator doors closed, Rong Mo’s final words were still directed at Song Zhen.

Inside, she was locked in battle with herself: I’m a liar… but I had no choice…

Meanwhile, Zhu Sui tapped the invitation against her palm and let out a low tsk, muttering with a raised brow,

“Zhu Yi really pulled a move this time…”

She had personally asked her husband to hand-deliver the invite to Song Zhen. Clearly, this wasn’t just about expressing gratitude.

Back home, Song Zhen sat in silence for a long time before she snapped out of her daze.

She stared at the invitation in front of her, her expression complicated.

Rong Mo was sincere about inviting her—but Zhu Yi…

Zhu Yi already knew about her relationship with Zhu Sui, yet had still emphasized over and over that the invitation be delivered.

It was obvious—those reminders weren’t just about thanks.

She wanted to meet her.

Meet her, as Zhu Sui’s girlfriend.

But if they met—what would they even talk about?

After all, she and Zhu Sui weren’t really like that at all…

Song Zhen’s head throbbed.

While she sat there brooding on the couch, Zhu Sui walked over, glanced at her, then casually plucked the invitation between her fingers and said lightly,

“Why stress about it? If you really don’t want to go, then just don’t.”

Song Zhen looked up, confused.

“Can I really just… not go?”

Zhu Sui chuckled, leaning against the couch with arms folded, carelessly flipping the invitation in her hand. Her voice was cool and detached.

“Why not?”

“First of all, you saved her life. You’re her benefactor. She should be grateful for that. Secondly—still because of that—think about it: across all three military sectors, who else has ever successfully suppressed a Phase Two disorder? Your contribution to the Rong family is immense. So what if you skip a party? What’s she gonna do—repay kindness with resentment?”

The logic was so unshakeable—

Song Zhen was momentarily stunned.

Then Zhu Sui smiled again, all the cool arrogance gone. Her tone turned gentle, her posture relaxed as she leaned against the sofa, looking at Song Zhen with warmth.

“And most importantly, I know the kind of person my cousin is. She’s not someone who confuses right and wrong.”

“Relax, Song Zhen. You’ve done a great thing for Zhu Yi. That won’t change, no matter what.”

“She told me that herself.”

“If you’re happy, then go. If not, don’t. I’ll bring a gift on your behalf either way.”

In a few words, Zhu Sui had paved a smooth road forward for Song Zhen—whether she went or not.

It was classic Zhu Sui: thoughtful, precise, never overbearing, always just right.

Song Zhen looked at her intently. They’d been living together for a while now, but she still found Zhu Sui’s personal charm… captivating.

Irresistibly so—to anyone.

Zhu Sui tilted her head and grinned.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something to make you mad?”

Realizing she was teasing, Song Zhen quickly shook her head.

Then after a pause, she looked up with resolve.

“I’ll go.”

That caught Zhu Sui by surprise. She raised an eyebrow and sat up straighter.

“Oh?”

Her tone was laced with disbelief.

Song Zhen let out a long breath, then looked seriously at Zhu Sui and said, “So, about what we talked about before… I know I haven’t really kept my promise these past few weeks. I haven’t been in the best state.

But now that we’re married and living together, I realize I can’t keep avoiding your side of things. I think… it’s time I faced it head-on.”

She smiled, as if she had truly made peace with herself.

“You can avoid something for a while, but not forever. Eventually, I’ll have to meet your parents.”

Even if she managed to avoid it during the pregnancy, once there’s a child, she wouldn’t be able to keep running.

Zhu Sui raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. “Thinking pretty far ahead, aren’t you, jiejie?”

Song Zhen flushed with embarrassment again.

But Zhu Sui had her mind on something else entirely. She flashed a mischievous, sly smile and asked teasingly, “Can I be bold and ask—when you say you’re keeping your promise… are we talking about physical intimacy?”

They had agreed to live together first, slowly get used to each other, then gradually move into physical contact—and when the time was right, to have a child.

Song Zhen couldn’t hold up under Zhu Sui’s gaze, but she didn’t back down either. Gritting her teeth, she nodded.

Lately, it had been Zhu Sui taking care of everything. As her spouse, Song Zhen hadn’t done even half of what she had promised.

She hadn’t just failed to get used to her—she was still actively avoiding even normal physical touch. And yet, Zhu Sui had never complained.

Zhu Sui’s smile widened—not too bright, but there was a sparkle in her eyes, like starlight, luminous and gentle.

She reached out her hand, long fingers extended.

Song Zhen blinked in surprise, then slowly extended her own. Their hands met, warm and steady. In that unhurried moment, the simple gesture carried a quiet intimacy.

Still smiling, Zhu Sui said, “Let me introduce myself properly. Zhu Sui. Welcome to our home. I look forward to sharing a beautiful marriage with you.”

Song Zhen froze for a second, then smiled back and took her hand. “Song Zhen. I hope we’ll get along well too.”

But Zhu Sui didn’t let go. She looked down at their interlocked hands and said with a playful note, “This is the first time I’ve held your hand, jiejie.”

Song Zhen stiffened and instinctively tried to pull away—but couldn’t.

Zhu Sui just kept looking at her, gaze so focused and powerful it felt like it could physically hold her in place.

After a moment, Zhu Sui tilted her lips up. “Jiejie, you’re blushing.”

The gathering Zhu Yi hosted for her pregnancy brought in friends and family—all wealthy, powerful people.