Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 36.1

After hearing her mother’s words, Cheng Lang nearly thought she was hallucinating.

“Wait, don’t hang up—what did you just say? Where are you?”

Her mother repeated herself.

This time, Cheng Lang heard it clearly—Jiangcheng Airport, boarding soon, landing at 10:30 PM.

Landing in Shangjing Airport.

For several seconds, Cheng Lang felt a tightness in her chest, as if something was stuck that she couldn’t spit out.

Her mother spoke with flawless logic:

“I just want to see you. You’ve been abroad for two years. I didn’t even get to see you for New Year’s. Now you’re back, and I still haven’t laid eyes on you. Every time I call, you say you’re busy with work. What, is seeing you harder than climbing to heaven? I asked you to come home for the Dragon Boat Festival and you said you were too busy. Fine, you’re busy. So, this old lady will come instead. We won’t trouble you two

to pick us up, alright?”

“I mean—you…”

“What about me? Alright, enough. I’m boarding now.”

Then, just before hanging up, her mother added, “Oh, right. I figured showing up unannounced might cause trouble, so we booked our own hotel. It’s near the research institute—see, we’re being considerate.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

She really hung up.

Cheng Lang stared at her phone, too angry to speak. After calming herself down, she tried calling back—of course, the phone was off.

She pressed her fingers to her temple. Her mom had said she was traveling with Song Zhen’s father. So, Cheng Lang tried calling him too—another mechanical voice: powered off.

Great. The two elders were really on the plane.

Standing there a long while, Cheng Lang finally called her father to verify.

His explanation made her head pound even more.

“You know how your mom is. Once she makes up her mind, I can’t talk her out of it. She secretly bought the tickets, said she wanted to give you both a surprise, and absolutely forbade me from calling to warn you…

But Langlang, not to blame you, you haven’t been home in ages. She misses you. You know her temper…”

He rambled on, full of gentle excuses for her mother.

In their home, her mother always had the final say. Her father rarely got involved in decisions.

There was nothing more to be done. Father and daughter exchanged a few more words and ended the call.

Just then, Song Zhen came out of the patient room. Cheng Lang opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak. Song Zhen walked right past her, and Cheng Lang didn’t even know how to begin explaining that their parents were arriving that very evening.

As Song Zhen walked away, Cheng Lang stayed silent. Rubbing her temples again, she felt her headache worsening.

Everything in the Adrenaline Division continued as usual.

Cheng Lang resumed monitoring Mrs. Brown.

Though distracted at first, she gradually calmed down as she waited and mulled things over.

At first, the news of her mother coming to Shangjing for the Dragon Boat Festival felt like a disruption. But then she remembered—Song Zhen’s father was coming too. Her mother didn’t know they were divorced, sure, but it had already been over a month. For Song Zhen’s father not to know either…

There was only one explanation:

Either Song Zhen hadn’t yet had time to tell him, or… she didn’t dare to.

Given his heart condition, it made sense. Heart patients must avoid emotional shocks.

Cheng Lang lowered her eyes, finally steadying herself.

After their fallout, she never begged for forgiveness. She didn’t even apologize. Instead, she had focused on the Z-serum development, using the project to pressure Song Zhen and delay the divorce.

On one hand, it was pride. She couldn’t bring herself to humble herself before Song Zhen.

On the other, it was because—deep down—she knew even if she did beg, it wouldn’t work.

She knew Song Zhen too well. Rational to the extreme, she wouldn’t be moved by pleas. Rather than handing her power, it was better to use what Song Zhen cared about to stall—faster, more efficient.

That plan ultimately failed, but it only underscored how impervious Song Zhen was to either sentiment or strategy.

Under such circumstances, Cheng Lang had no idea how to approach Song Zhen again, to talk things through, to ease the tension between them—especially when Song Zhen had clearly drawn a boundary.

But one thing was certain—Song Zhen would never neglect her father.

If Song Zhen hadn’t told him about the divorce before their visit, she definitely wouldn’t break the news during their stay.

Which meant… perhaps their arrival wasn’t such a bad thing.

Even if they no longer lived together, for the sake of appearances during the holiday, they’d have to accompany their parents. At least they’d have to pretend.

And that was time spent together.

Cheng Lang had been at a loss for how to break the ice with Song Zhen.

Now, maybe the parents’ visit had handed her a chance.

With her mind made up, she regained her composure.

That evening, under the joint lead of Song Zhen and Zuo Tian, Mrs. Brown underwent her final check-up. Everything looked good.

The Adrenaline Division’s second team officially announced: Mrs. Brown was fit to return home.

Everyone who was supposed to show up, did: Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown’s sister, her parents.

Even those who weren’t expected came too—Tong Rou and Tong Yun—dropping by to offer congratulations.

As director of District Three’s Research Institute, Tong Rou had waited quietly the night Mrs. Brown underwent treatment. After hearing of the success, she hadn’t insisted on a meeting—just asked Vice President Rong to pass along her congratulations before taking Tong Yun back to the hotel.

This whole mess had been sparked by Tong Xianglu, but if not for her, Mrs. Brown wouldn’t have made it to five months.

The follow-up treatment was also based on a formula derived from Tong Xianglu’s patented compound, which ultimately informed the treatment plan.

Song Zhen had always been open about this. No embellishments.

With the successful outcome and no casualties—Mrs. Brown and her baby both safe—the Browns had no reason to reject Tong Rou’s well-meaning visit.

Even if they didn’t like her, they had to maintain civility.

Thankfully, Tong Rou understood decorum. She gave her gifts, offered a final apology and congratulations, and quietly stepped back without lingering.

The director of the First Research Institute personally saw the Brown family off, complete with flowers and decorations around the entrance—festive and bright, lifting everyone’s spirits.

If things had gone badly, it might have become an international incident. But the result was near perfect. Both District One and District Three had reason to celebrate.

Vice President Rong and the Adrenaline Division followed closely, smiling with genuine relief.

Once the car drove off, the director finally dropped his hand and let his tired smile fade. The weight on his shoulders had finally lifted.

“Not bad at all. The entire Adrenaline Division did a fantastic job. You all deserve to be recognized!” he said to Rong Yuan.

“It’s late tonight, and the Dragon Boat Festival is right after. Let’s handle the awards after the holiday. You’ve all earned a good break.”

Hearing such praise, the team couldn’t help but beam with pride.

It hadn’t been easy, but they’d made it. And the results—were good.

Later, the director held a short meeting to commend everyone, going over the contributions and confirming previously promised commendations, including second-class merit awards.

Tong Rou hadn’t left yet. Once things quieted down, she approached Rong Yuan again, asking to speak with Song Zhen about the treatment plan.

Rong Yuan looked at his exhausted team—dark circles under every eye—and diplomatically declined.

“The director said recognition will come after the holiday,” he added, effectively postponing the request.

He gently hinted that since Z-serum was an S-level project, if the Adrenaline Division wasn’t willing to share, there wouldn’t be much to discuss. And more importantly—they’d cleaned up a mess for District Three.

It would be best for District Three to leave well enough alone.

Hearing this, Tong Rou gave it some thought. In the end, she left with Tong Yun.

Before going, she glanced through the glass at Song Zhen, who wore a mask. Her features weren’t clear, but she looked gentle.

So young, barely over twenty. Still inexperienced.

Unable to read her fully, Tong Rou left without another word.

After the director departed, Teams One and Two returned to their respective labs for smaller internal debriefs.

Song Zhen had little to add. Rubbing her eyes, now finally free of the burden, she said cheerfully,

“You all worked hard. This success belongs to Team Two—you deserve every bit of credit.”

She smiled. “The director already said it clearly. Next month’s bonus—I’ll do my best to fight for it.”

“With the holiday coming, I’ll also send a red envelope in the group chat. Go home and rest well.”

“That’s it—meeting adjourned!”

Everyone was all smiles.

Who doesn’t love red envelopes and bonuses? We’re all just ordinary people, after all!

Zhu Sui, listening from the side, smiled too.

“Well, since Professor Song is sending one, I guess the department head can’t fall behind. I’ll go first.”

She really did send a random-amount red envelope to the group chat.

Song Zhen opened it—pretty generous.

She thought she got lucky until she saw that everyone else’s amounts were just as high.

She fell silent, her face flat. Ah—Zhu Sui just set a high base amount. Classic big spender behavior.

Not to be outdone, Song Zhen sent her own. Everyone scrambled for it. Song Zhen didn’t get much from Zhu Sui’s, but Zhu Sui got the highest cut from hers.

Comparisons are exhausting. Whatever. Let it go.

Song Zhen changed clothes, slung her bag over her shoulder, and looked forward to starting her holiday.

Zhu Sui was ready too and was just about to call her to leave when—

Cheng Lang opened the door to Team Two’s lab, looked at Song Zhen, and said seriously:

“Professor Song, do you have a moment? There’s something I want to say.”

After a brief pause, fearing that Song Zhen might resist, Cheng Lang added, “It’s about our parents.”

Song Zhen was momentarily stunned.

Zuo Tian, who hadn’t left yet, also stopped smiling.

“What? Tonight!?”

After Cheng Lang finished speaking, Song Zhen was clearly overwhelmed.

Cheng Lang pinched her temples, just as distressed. “I only found out this afternoon. Don’t yell at me.”

She paused again and suggested a solution, “There are two options. I’ll talk to my mom. As for your dad, you tell him—just… tell him we’re divorced. Then we can each take our parents separately.”

Nervously, she continued, “Or… we could just team up and pick them up together.”

Song Zhen protested, “Cheng Lang, my dad has a heart condition. Dropping the divorce news on him like this—how could I…”

Cheng Lang frowned and interrupted, “Which is why I said—we can go together to pick them up tonight.”

Song Zhen was left speechless.

Cheng Lang was uncharacteristically candid this time. “I didn’t tell my mom because I still had a bit of hope. As for your dad… well, that’s not on me, is it?”

In other words, Cheng Lang was implying it was Song Zhen’s responsibility that her father still didn’t know.

And she wasn’t wrong.

Not long ago, Song Zhen herself had been in a fog, unsure how to break the news to her family. Then, as more time passed, she hesitated to tell him over the phone. Her dad lived alone—what if he had an episode right after hearing it? She had eventually decided to wait until the long holiday and tell him in person… But now, things had blown up.

Seeing Song Zhen’s reaction, Cheng Lang finally understood how she felt earlier when she got that call from her own mother: a throbbing headache, nothing more, nothing less.