My Ex-husband Asked Me to Remarry Him Every Day
Chapter 296: Just Kidding

Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Just Kidding

Let him slowly atone for his sins.

A sudden clap of thunder startled the quietude.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, bringing a wave of mugginess and oppression.

Even the breeze that blew felt slightly uncomfortable and oddly brought a chill.

Qiao Xi stood quietly with her hands hanging down, her cool countenance devoid of expression, but unusually somber.

It was difficult to read her.

Shen Dang took Qiao Xi’s hand, her fingers soft to the touch, tempting one to give them a gentle squeeze, as smooth and cool as her skin.

Shen Dang wasn’t restless with desire, just held her hand a little tighter, hoping his warmth could be felt.

"It looks like it’s going to rain, shall we head back?"

His voice was low and gentle, bringing an intangible warmth to Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi pulled back her thoughts and responded with a sound, "Mhm."

The car hadn’t been driving towards the city center for long when large raindrops started pounding "pitter-patter" against the windows, accompanied by successive peals of thunder.

The thick curtain of rain seemed intent on washing away all the sins of the world.

Night had not fully fallen when the sudden downpour blurred everything ahead.

It was not safe to drive in such weather, and Shen Dang had no choice but to slow down.

Meanwhile, Qiao Nan cowered on her bed in her room, shivering, haunted by images of Qiao Zhenbin’s horrific state.

She hadn’t wanted him to die!

Even after all Qiao Zhenbin had done to her, Qiao Nan had never wished death upon him.

She was now experiencing fear after the fact.

"Boom—"

Another thunderclap.

"Ah!"

Qiao Nan screamed, covering her ears.

The blackout curtains shut out the already dim light outside; she hadn’t turned on the lamp, and the room was plunged into darkness.

The abrupt ring of her phone in the dark startled Qiao Nan, making her heart skip a beat.

Scrambling, Qiao Nan grabbed her phone and answered with forced calmness, "Young Master Chu, it’s thundering outside, and I’m really scared. Can you come over and stay with me?"

Her voice unconsciously betrayed a whine.

"I can’t," Chu Xiuyun flatly rejected her, not even bothering to make up an excuse, "Did you go to see Qiao Zhenbin?"

Qiao Nan replied cautiously, "I... I did go."

Chu Xiuyun’s lips curved with a hint of playfulness, "I’ve avenged you. Are you happy?"

Qiao Nan was stunned, "You helped me?"

"Didn’t you? When I asked if you needed my help, you didn’t refuse."

That was true, she hadn’t refused, but...

Could that be the same?

Qiao Nan was momentarily at a loss for words.

She didn’t know what to say.

It was as if she was caught in a beautiful illusion crafted by Chu Xiuyun, yet he was clearly rejecting her.

She couldn’t break free.

It was like a poison, frightening her, yet irresistible.

Chu Xiuyun’s voice took on a mocking tone, "Are you regretting it now?"

"He tried to sell you to an old man; I did all this to help you, and you’re still not happy."

Chu Xiuyun’s voice suddenly grew heavy, much like the weather outside, heavy and oppressive.

Qiao Nan suddenly grew desperate, "No, I don’t regret it, and I’m not unhappy."

Her expression was slightly stiff.

Chu Xiuyun seemed satisfied with her response, "Since you’re happy, shouldn’t you do something for me?"

The fox was finally showing its tail.

...

Shen Dang drove much slower than usual.

By the time the car reached Sheng Birch Mansion, the sky had completely darkened.

After the torrential downpour, the rain had begun to lessen.

Raindrops pattered against the car and the ground, coalescing into little streams.

"Stay seated."

Shen Dang spoke to Qiao Xi, circled the car to the passenger side, and opened the door for her, "Come on out."

He held a black umbrella in his hand, his fair slender fingers gripping the handle, creating a small sanctuary against the rain for her.

Qiao Xi stepped out of the car; Shen Dang closed the door with a "bang" and led Qiao Xi towards the building.

Shen Dang closed the umbrella and shook off the rain.

Peering over his shoulder into the sky, Qiao Xi saw nothing but a blurred mist, scarcely able to discern anything but a few lit lamps.

It was then that Qiao Xi noticed his shoulder was wet.

"Your clothes."

Shen Dang looked at her, "What?"

Qiao Xi pressed her lips together and pointed to his shoulder, "Your clothes are wet."

Shen Dang glanced at it and smiled dismissively at her, "It’s nothing serious, let’s go."

They took the elevator upstairs.

Inside, Shen Dang spoke indifferently to Qiao Xi, "You go take a shower, I’ll make some dinner. It’ll be ready once you’re out."

Qiao Xi replied with a "mm."

Her exhaustion was more mental than physical, leaving her drained of energy.

Shen Dang watched her back until she closed the door to her room, then he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen.

The fridge had just a few ingredients left; Shen Dang took out noodles, tomatoes, onions, and lean meat, planning to make pasta.

This was a simple dish, and in less than half an hour, Shen Dang brought out two servings of pasta and placed them on the dining table.

Not seeing Qiao Xi in the living room, Shen Dang knocked on her door.

The next second, Qiao Xi opened it.

Shen Dang’s gaze swept over her.

She was dressed in a simple home outfit, her hair - seemingly freshly washed - cascaded down her back, the slightly curled locks reaching her waist, emanating a gentle warmth, simple and neat.

"What did you make?" Qiao Xi stepped out of her room with graceful steps, softly asking him.

As she approached, Shen Dang caught a whiff of her subtle fragrance intertwining with his breath.

Shen Dang followed behind her, unconsciously touching his nose, "Pasta, the ingredients in the fridge were just right to make it."

"It’s enough."

Qiao Xi pulled out a chair and sat down, leisurely twirling pasta with her fork before tasting it.

Shen Dang watched her, naturally saying, "I’ll have Assistant Gao get some groceries tomorrow to restock the fridge."

Qiao Xi paused, "Doesn’t this tire you out?"

Shen Dang looked at her lazily, "If you’re worried about me getting tired, just accept my pursuit, and it won’t matter between boyfriend and girlfriend."

Qiao Xi took up the conversation, "Okay."

Shen Dang’s eyes darkened, "What did you say?"

Qiao Xi lifted her eyes to his, her phoenix eyes slightly curved, "I said okay."

Shen Dang’s voice was slow and deep with a smile that was profound, even a bit cold, "I’m not joking with you, and you shouldn’t joke with me either."

"I’m not joking."

Her expression and tone were so ordinary that Shen Dang didn’t even bask in happiness from his wish being granted.

"Then, are you being impulsive?" he probed.

Qiao Xi laid down her fork, crossed her hands on the table, and looked at him composedly, "I’m not being impulsive either."

She raised her eyebrows subtly, "Is Boss Shen lacking confidence in himself?"

Shen Dang chuckled softly, "I’m afraid you’re not thinking straight, and you’ll wake up in the morning regretting it."

Qiao Xi frowned, "Is that what you think of me?"

Shen Dang’s meaning was unclear, "It’s hard to say."

Qiao Xi’s smile was faint and cold, "Fine then, you can pretend I was just joking."