Oops, I’m the Scumbag Ex in Her Storyline - Chapter 20
The next morning, Xin Yan was jolted awake by her alarm. Her head felt like it had a lead ball inside—heavy, aching, and throbbing. She forced herself out of bed and stared into the mirror at a version of herself that looked half-dead. Bit by bit, the memories of last night came rushing back.
……
It’s bad enough that I got drunk and couldn’t shut up… but did I seriously almost blurt out the truth?!
And even worse—why do I remember it all so clearly?! That’s not how it works in dramas! Aren’t people supposed to forget everything after drinking?!
Utterly mortified, Xin Yan buried her face in her hands and groaned against the wall for a while, venting all her shame and despair. After letting it out, she dragged herself into the bathroom.
There was a student in the house who needed to be taken to school. She really didn’t have time for a full emotional meltdown.
Her head hurt. Her eyes hurt. When she opened the curtains, she finally understood the pain of being a vampire.
What most people would call pleasant morning sunshine felt like a blinding spotlight to Xin Yan. She dug out a pair of sunglasses and put them on. With the school being quite a distance away and time running short, she decided to skip breakfast and headed straight to the garage. As a result, Bei Lanlan ended up leaving even later.
When Lanlan saw the gleaming white sports car parked outside, she hesitated briefly, then climbed in.
The car seats were supposedly ergonomically designed to cradle the human body, making you feel like you were reclining rather than sitting. Lanlan couldn’t quite tell the difference, but the driver’s seat definitely seemed to be lulling Xin Yan to sleep.
Wearing large black sunglasses that covered most of her face, Xin Yan looked paler than usual, the aftermath of her hangover visible. Her sleek hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. She leaned slightly to one side, one hand supporting her brow. She looked elegant… and a bit fragile.
Then, in the next second, she snapped out of it—elegance gone, replaced by sheer panic.
“You… You ready to go?” she asked awkwardly.
Lanlan nodded and fastened her seatbelt. “What about you? Are you okay to drive?”Xin Yan had never driven a sports car before and was still trying to figure out the controls when she heard the question. She waved it off. “I’m fine. Let’s go. Navigation says we’ll get there in thirty minutes—though two stretches are marked red, so we might hit some traffic.”
As she spoke, she started the engine and focused on driving. She barely glanced at Lanlan in the passenger seat.
Lanlan had been waiting for her to say something—to look her way, at least. But Xin Yan didn’t even turn her head. A hint of frustration rose in Lanlan’s chest.
What she didn’t know was: Xin Yan didn’t dare look at her.
She was terrified Lanlan would suddenly ask, “What did you mean yesterday when you said you liked me?”
She had no way to explain it—and any explanation might only make things worse.
Avoidance may be cowardly, but damn, it’s effective.
Luckily, their drive went smoothly. What was supposed to be a 30-minute trip only took 25. As soon as the uniquely shaped white sports car rolled up to the school gates, it drew attention. Students craned their necks to see who was inside.
It was a chilly autumn morning. Driving with the top down was either a fashion statement or a sign of poor judgment. Xin Yan, fortunately, had the sense to keep the top up.
As she parked, mentally preparing herself for what was to come, she finally turned to Lanlan and asked, “Do you have everything—”
She froze.
Lanlan was sitting upright, calm and composed. She gave Xin Yan a light glance that seemed to say: Congratulations, looks like your eyesight finally recovered.
Xin Yan: “…”
Lanlan was wearing that red dress. She sat with perfect posture, her neck tilted just slightly. As Xin Yan looked up, her eyes landed on the little star-shaped necklace around Lanlan’s neck.
Xin Yan was momentarily speechless.
Lanlan waited. And waited. When nothing came, she gave up and asked, “What were you saying just now?”
Xin Yan paused for a beat, then answered, “I was saying… you look especially beautiful today.”
Lanlan had been hoping Xin Yan would comment on her new outfit—but she hadn’t expected her to say something that direct.
The compliment threw her off. Her body stiffened a little, and after a moment of silence, she muttered, “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.”
Only then did Xin Yan remember what she had originally meant to ask. “Wait—did you bring everything you need today?”
Lanlan replied, “I did.”
“And school ends at 4:30, right?”
“Correct.” Lanlan turned back to look at her. “Are you really coming to pick me up?”
“Of course,” Xin Yan said matter-of-factly. “You don’t have a license. It’s too far to walk home. I can’t just leave you to figure it out.”
You could have the chauffeur pick me up instead.
That thought hovered in Lanlan’s throat, but for some reason, she didn’t say it. She got out of the car and, under the curious stares of other students, headed toward campus.
Xin Yan wanted to call out a few final reminders but held back, afraid Lanlan would find her nagging. She simply rolled the window down and watched, eyes following Lanlan until she disappeared from sight.
Just then, Xu Suyu arrived for work. Her car was across the street. Watching Xin Yan’s face—so clearly torn between worry and reluctance—Xu Suyu felt like something about her own morning had gone awry.
Lanlan’s already gone. No point putting on a show now if the audience isn’t even here.
Deciding to mind her own business, Xu Suyu ignored Xin Yan entirely. As the light turned green, she stepped on the gas and drove straight into the university.
Back in her car, Xin Yan sighed, restarted the engine, and gave herself a little pep talk.
Everyone has to grow up sometime. I’m a mature, professional woman. I should be able to read my own paperwork.
…
At home, she nagged Lanlan.
At the office, she got nagged by An Zhiyuan.
He had barely started talking—three minutes tops—before Xin Yan cut him off. “I didn’t do it on purpose! Weren’t the Arab guests supposed to abstain from alcohol? I thought those were all soft drinks!”
An Zhiyuan deadpanned, “Those were for the guests. Did you see Mr. Adubo drink any last night?”
Xin Yan: “…No.”
Shoulders slumping, she asked gloomily, “Should I go apologize?”
“If you’re talking about insulting his guests—don’t bother. He didn’t understand any of it. But if you mean leaving early—then absolutely yes. After you left, President Song spent the whole night pitching her company’s growth strategy to him. Unfortunately, I have to tell you, Xin, that our competitive edge in that deal vanished the moment you gave yourself to the wine and music.”
Xin Yan: “……”
Expressionless, she stared at An Zhiyuan for three seconds, then casually looked down and muttered, “Got it. But I’m not going today. I need to pick Lanlan up.”
An Zhiyuan: “……”
So this is what it looks like when a ruler stops attending morning court.
No wonder those ancient officials eventually tried to strangle Yang Guifei to death.
________________________________________
Author’s Note:
Lanlan: I am not Yang Guifei.
An Zhiyuan: Heh.
Lanlan: Yang Guifei’s game was weak. If we’re being honest, I’m more of a Su Daji. Right, Bigan?
An Zhiyuan: …