Picked Up a White Cut Black Wife - Chapter 2

“Is this where my wife lives? It’s so beautiful!”

Shen Zhao closed the door, her face grim, and turned on the various appliances in the house. The girl followed closely behind her, peppering her with questions.

“Wife, what’s this?”

“Wife, what are you doing?”

“Achoo!”

Shen Zhao put down the remote and glanced at her condescendingly.

If it weren’t so late and she was too tired to deal with her, she would never have brought this clingy pest home.

She definitely wasn’t tricked! And she certainly didn’t feel any pity!

Shen Zhao sat down, intending to call the woman over for a talk. But before she could speak, the woman had already sidled up beside her, tilting her head to rest it on Shen Zhao’s shoulder. As if anticipating this, Shen Zhao shifted away, creating a meter of distance between them.

The practiced ease of the movement was almost heartbreaking.

After all, the woman had leaned on her like this the entire drive home!

She’d truly been fooled by this woman’s innocent, harmless act!

“Wife.”

“Shut up!” Shen Zhao rubbed her throbbing temples. “Sit there and don’t move.”

The girl pouted, reluctantly mumbled an “okay,” and sat with her hands folded on her knees, looking surprisingly obedient.

“Hey, what were you doing there tonight?” Shen Zhao asked.

“Wife was there,” the girl replied.

“What do you mean? Were you waiting for me specifically?”

Are these hit-and-run scam teams now organized and premeditated?

The girl nodded earnestly.

Shen Zhao’s eyes flickered as she discreetly activated the voice recorder on her phone.

“Wife, what’s that in your hand?” The girl leaned forward, trying to get a closer look.

Dismissing it as idle chatter, Shen Zhao set her phone aside and pressed on, “So, you admit you did it on purpose?”

“Huh?” The girl seemed confused. “What?”

“I’m asking, were you waiting for me specifically?” Shen Zhao repeated.

The girl nodded immediately.

“Ha.” Shen Zhao couldn’t help but let out a short, derisive laugh. “So, when you saw my car approaching, you just threw yourself in front of it?”

“Mm-hmm, because Wife was there.”

Caught off guard by her blunt honesty, Shen Zhao suddenly found herself speechless. What shamelessness!

“Wife,” the girl began inching closer, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “I…”

“Don’t move! Sit properly!”

The sudden, raised voice startled the girl, making her flinch and obediently straighten up.

“I’ll ask you one last time,” Shen Zhao said. “What do you really want? How much money?”

“No money? I don’t want anything! Just my wife, I just want my wife…” As she spoke, the girl lowered her head, large teardrops rolling down like pearls.

She acts like she’s simple-minded, but she’s actually quite clever. A full meal versus constant hunger—she knows the difference!

Wait… just the two of us here. Is there really any need for such a dramatic performance?

Despite these thoughts, Shen Zhao frowned, grabbed a tissue, and handed it to her, saying with a hint of exasperation, “Have you always gone around randomly calling people ‘wife’? You don’t look that old. There are plenty of things you could be doing. Running out into the street to stage accidents in the dead of winter? What if something really happened?”

Her words offered little comfort. The girl’s shoulders began to shake, the quiet room filled with her soft sobs.

“Hey, you… you’ve had enough!” Shen Zhao felt flustered. Anyone who saw this would think I’m bullying her!

The girl suddenly looked up, her face streaked with tears, a fragile vulnerability mixed with stubborn resolve. “I only want my wife. I don’t want anyone else!”

Why come to me if you won’t go to anyone else? Do you really think I’m that easy to bully?

“Wife,” the girl whimpered, subtly inching closer to Shen Zhao. “Wife…”

Sensing the movement, Shen Zhao tossed aside the tissue, grabbed her phone, and stood up abruptly, backing against the wall. “Sit down! Who told you to move? I’ve recorded everything you just said, so don’t even think about trying to scam me now! If you’re smart, you’ll leave immediately. Otherwise, I’m calling the police!”

The girl shook her head violently at the mention of leaving, tears streaming down her face like a broken faucet, blurring her vision.

Damn it, why is she crying so pitifully?

Damn it! She’s a con artist! And a damn good actress! Why am I feeling sorry for her?

Frowning, Shen Zhao hardened her heart and said firmly, “Did you understand? If you did, get out now! Or wait for the police to arrest you. Then…”

The girl’s face paled dramatically. “P-police?”

“Exactly. If you don’t leave now, I’m calling them.”

“No, don’t, Wife!” The girl leaped to her feet. “Don’t kick me out! Don’t leave me!”

Thinking her words had finally taken effect, Shen Zhao scoffed, “Scared now? If you know what’s good for you, leave now, and I won’t hold it against you.”

“Does Wife really not want me anymore? Are you really going to kick me out?” The girl stared straight at her, her eyes like a clear spring, the surface rippling with layers of emotion while a storm raged within.

“Still clinging to hope, huh?” For some reason, Shen Zhao’s heart skipped a beat when the girl called her “Wife,” but she couldn’t quite grasp the feeling, dismissing it as mere annoyance. “I’m not your wife! You’ve got the wrong person! And do I look like an idiot to you? Do you really think you can trick me?”

The girl fell silent, a sharp pain piercing her chest. How could this be? Wife would never treat her like this! Once, Wife loved her so, so much. She… she…

What had she done? What had she done wrong?

She couldn’t remember. She couldn’t remember!

But this person was clearly her wife! She had searched for so long—how could she have made a mistake? How could she possibly be wrong?

A suffocating wave of grief enveloped the room, chilling it to the bone, no match for the warmth of the central heating.

Shen Zhao’s heart clenched, as if gripped by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe. Suddenly, she felt a coldness on her cheek. She wiped it away and found her hand covered in tears.

What’s happening to me?

“Who are you?” Shen Zhao blurted out involuntarily.

One second, two seconds…

As if in slow motion, the girl lifted her head, a flicker of joy flashing through her tear-filled eyes. She rushed forward and embraced Shen Zhao tightly. “Wife, do you remember me? I’m… I’m…”

The girl’s much colder body pressed against Shen Zhao, who instinctively recoiled, only to be stopped by the wall behind her, her front and back chilled.

“Who are you?” Shen Zhao asked.

“I forgot,” the girl replied.

Shen Zhao stared in disbelief. “Forgot?”

“…I can’t remember,” the girl repeated.

“You don’t even remember your name?” Shen Zhao pressed.

The girl fell silent, as if trying to recall. After a moment, she said with a hint of disappointment, “I forgot.”

“Oh?” How interesting, Shen Zhao thought. She’s forgotten who she is, yet she remembers looking for her wife? The absurdity was too much to bear, and Shen Zhao couldn’t help but ask, “If you’ve forgotten everything else, how do you know I’m your wife?”

Unaware of Shen Zhao’s sarcasm, the girl replied earnestly, “I could never forget my wife.”

If you believe that, you’re a fool!

Having long witnessed the girl’s shamelessness, Shen Zhao remained unfazed, watching the scene unfold like a play. “Is that so?” she countered. “Then what’s your wife’s name?”

“She… she’s called…” The girl stammered, unable to utter another word for a long moment. Then, growing frantic, she insisted, “Anyway, you’re my wife! I’m sure of it!”

Still being stubborn! You won’t shed a tear until you see your own coffin!

“Wife, please don’t kick me out. Don’t let anyone arrest me, okay?” The girl pleaded softly, lifting her head from Shen Zhao’s embrace.

Shen Zhao turned away, her jawline sharp and cold. Playing the victim again? Who would feel sorry for you?

A few minutes later…

Fine. It’s freezing and dark outside. I’ll let her stay one night. Just one night! If she doesn’t leave by tomorrow morning, I’ll… Anyway, I won’t soften again!

“Just one night. Understand? I don’t want to see you here tomorrow morning!” With that, Shen Zhao pushed the girl away, stood up, and headed toward the bedroom. Seeing this, the girl immediately followed, but just as Shen Zhao was about to enter the room, the door slammed shut.

The closed door sealed off the outside world, offering a temporary respite. Overwhelming fatigue washed over Shen Zhao; she was too tired even to shower, wanting only to collapse into bed and sleep soundly.

Yet moments later, a persistent knock-knock-knock echoed through the room.

Shen Zhao ignored it, figuring the girl would give up eventually. She climbed into bed, pulled up the covers, closed her eyes, and tried to drift off.

But she had underestimated the girl’s tenacity. Finally, beyond endurance, Shen Zhao threw back the covers, strode to the door, and yanked it open with a dark expression.

“What do you want? Can’t you just leave me alone?”

The girl seemed startled, blinking after a long pause. She lowered her head and carefully clutched the corner of Shen Zhao’s robe. “I want to be with my wife.”

“Am I going to run away? I’m right here.”

“Then my wife won’t leave me?”

Shen Zhao snorted impatiently.

Assured, the girl slowly released her grip on Shen Zhao’s robe, looking reluctant to let go.

Shen Zhao pretended not to notice, turning away without hesitation and slamming the door shut. With the noise gone, she collapsed onto the bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Dust swirled through the air, and the clamor of voices filled her ears—some excited, others shocked—as ancient artifacts were carefully unearthed. Shen Zhao longed to examine them, but her body felt bound by some invisible force, rooted to the spot, completely unable to move.

Suddenly, the sky darkened. Looking up, she saw dense storm clouds gathering. Moments later, heavy raindrops began to pelt the newly unearthed scrolls, yet the workers seemed oblivious, letting the precious paintings and documents soak in the rain.

Shen Zhao opened her mouth to shout, but no sound came out. She struggled violently, finally regaining control of her body. Driven by momentum, she lunged forward…

At that moment, she woke up.