Campus Ace Girl

He gazed at her calmly with his dark eyes, without speaking.

She curled her lips into a cold smile: "Don’t think I don’t know, you’re just pestering me to make me show I care. Fine, I’ll tell you, besides feeling disgusted, I have no other thoughts... If we must still be a couple, then you should get checked for diseases every six months. Of course, it’s best if we sleep in separate rooms. If you still want to have children, you might consider IVF!"

"IVF?" Chu Ci smiled indifferently, "Mrs. Chu, you don’t believe I’m desperate enough for a child, do you? If it’s IVF, why marry a wife at all? Just search for the best genetics."

She glared at him.

Chu Ci maintained his unhurried smile, and after a moment, said: "Why trouble you, Mrs. Chu, right?"

Zhao Mo Ran didn’t want to talk to him any longer, closed her eyes, "Chu Ci, I’m tired."

"Alright, rest if you’re tired." He sat on the sofa, "Let me know if you’re uncomfortable... and I’ll look after this ugly little thing for you."

"She’s not an ugly thing." Zhao Mo Ran couldn’t help but get angry.

Chu Ci was quite good-tempered: "No matter, even if she’s ugly now, she won’t be when she grows up."

His gaze locked onto her gentle face, thinking their child wouldn’t be ugly. Zhao Mo Ran, too angry to speak, was indeed very tired, and uncomfortable, slowly fell asleep.

Chu Ci was initially reading a magazine, but then put it down to check on the little one in the bassinet. A nurse, noticing him looking, smiled and said: "Mr. Chu, the baby is sleeping."

"I’d like to hold her." He said softly, then reached out and picked up the little one.

Very light, like a feather without weight, Chu Ci effortlessly held her, looking down at the little one in his arms, wearing a prepared pink cotton outfit, pink but not tender.

He showed slight disdain, plucking at her little yellow hair, "Grow up quick, being this ugly won’t do."

Speaking of this, comparisons with Bo Xichen’s family, Bo An An, came to mind, very beautiful... Also from the Zhou’s and the Wang’s, all quite pretty, he looked again at the one in his arms, frowning —

Where lies the problem?

The nurse observed his changing expression and quietly reminded from the side: "Mr. Chu, the baby is still small."

The idea arose if this father was dissatisfied with the baby’s appearance, not wanting her?

Chu Ci glanced at her, his voice faint: "Wouldn’t I be allowed to hold my daughter even a little?"

The nurse immediately fell silent.

Alright, you’re tough!

Chu Ci gazing at his daughter, contemplatively asked: "What can the mother eat to help the child grow whiter and tenderer?"

The nurse forced a smile: "She’s still small, she’ll get whiter with some nurturing, most babies look like this at infancy."

Chu Ci looked at her again, said nothing further, concentrating on sitting down with the child on the sofa.

The nurse couldn’t hold back and said: "Mr. Chu, you can’t do this, the baby needs to sleep, you’ll wake her up."

Just as she finished speaking, the little one surprisingly awakened, mysteriously without crying, eyes like little black beans staring at Chu Ci, small and ugly.

Chu Ci pinched her cheek, "Not sleeping at midnight?"

The nurse was worried sick: "She’ll cry."

"She’s not crying now." Chu Ci emphasized, showing considerable dissatisfaction towards the nurse.

But just after he said this, the little one in his arms cried out, and Chu Ci felt a sudden warmth on his leg... he shifted the little thing, glimpsed, indeed, a wet diaper.

Chu Ci didn’t move, being a first-time father unsure what to do. Luckily, the nurse was quick, immediately took the child from his hands, placed her in the crib and changed her diaper, saying: "The baby is too small, let her sleep herself."

She paused again and said: "It’s because she’s not satisfied with you that she wet you."

Chu Ci was in disbelief, frowning: "Impossible. She’s just a little thing."

The nurse had finished with the baby, straightened up: "But she can sense you don’t like her."

Chu Ci furrowed his brow deeper, "Where have I shown I don’t like her?"

The nurse fell silent, aware this man was beyond saving... She went to take a nap, whereas Chu Ci was sleepless, occasionally looking at his wife then at the little ugly thing, until early morning when he finally napped briefly, waking to find the little ugly thing comfortably nestled in her mother’s arms, nursing contentedly.

Chu Ci walked over, gently ran a finger through the curls, hoarsely said: "Looks like she’s whiter now."

Zhao Mo Ran pressed her lips, "Not so quickly."

She continued nursing, avoided lifting her eyes, dared not look at him.

This time, Chu Ci didn’t leave, waiting until she finished feeding to wash his face, just in time as a household servant arrived bringing clothes, changing into a neat attire.

Secretary Yin came over, spoke with Zhao Mo Ran, delivered a gift to the baby, lastly looked at Chu Ci, stating: "There are important matters at the company, Mr. Chu, do you want to deal with them?"

Chu Ci looked at her, after a moment, lightly nodded: "Wait for me outside."

Secretary Yin murmured, chatted more with Zhao Mo Ran, then withdrew, quite tactful and faultless, yet Zhao Mo Ran naturally imagined what might be going on. After feeding the child, she ate something, regained strength, then said: "Attend to your matters first, if necessary."

Chu Ci didn’t speak, merely gazed at her.

She smiled faintly: "Chu Ci, you truly might consider, if you really like her, marry her, it doesn’t matter to me."

He was incensed, let out a cold laugh: "Have you made her your savior or what? Zhao Mo Ran, you really think ahead, others believe she stole your husband, truth is you couldn’t wait for it any longer, or you’ve thought about restoring with your ex along with my daughter, but don’t forget, having once been my woman, bearing my child, can Gu Fei not mind a woman I’ve used?"

In the past, such degrading tone would’ve wounded her, but not now, she responded calmly: "I never thought that way."

"So are you wholeheartedly considering for me?" Chu Ci sneered sarcastically: "I wasn’t aware you had such concern; planning for me."

Finished speaking, adjusted his attire: "This matter, don’t involve yourself, I’ll handle it."

He spoke and was about to leave, Zhao Mo Ran called him: "Chu Ci, I’m serious."

Chu Ci looked back, his gaze hostilely fixated on her.

She pressed her lips, softly said: "I’m genuinely tired, can you let me go, and let yourself go too."

She didn’t want to sacrifice herself for his and Chu Yan’s love...

Chu Ci gazed at her vulnerable yet earnest expression, first tightened his lips, then curled them slightly, coldly said: "Why should I? Zhao Mo Ran, wouldn’t think I spent so much money just for you to bear a child for me right?"

He remained discontent, quickly departed.

Arriving at the door, Secretary Yin closed it for him, and quietly said: "Song Yunfei sent the pictures to the media, seems like she’s forcing a confrontation."

Finished speaking, she watched Chu Ci intently, curious about his thoughts.

Chu Ci didn’t speak right away, proceeded to the elevator, once inside, finally said: "First erase those pictures from the net, also find her people to silence her, and additionally, locate her family."

Secretary Yin cautiously asked: "What’s your plan? Send her abroad?"

"Wouldn’t that be too easy for her?" Chu Ci said coldly.

Secretary Yin was startled, observing his boss.

Chu Ci didn’t say anything more, but his entire body was frozen cold...

*

Two hours later, Song Yunfei cautiously pushed open Chu Ci’s office door, wearing a puffy skirt.

Chu Ci was inside, but he wasn’t working. He was sitting behind the desk, leisurely smoking a cigarette, with a stack of documents in front of him. Seeing her enter, he said lightly, "Sit down and talk."

His attitude made her uneasy; she had done something out of line, relying on his affection for her, and besides, hadn’t his wife only borne him a daughter? She felt she had a chance, so she made those photos public.

She believed that as long as he couldn’t bear to part with her, he would divorce and be with her, and then she would become Mrs. Chu instead of a second or third-tier starlet.

But he wasn’t angry, which made her anxious. She thought he would at least have a fit of anger. So after sitting down, she didn’t wait for Chu Ci to speak and proactively said, "Chu Ci, I didn’t do it on purpose, those photos... I accidentally posted them."

Chu Ci smiled very gently, "It’s not your fault. I’ve already had someone delete all those photos."

She froze, staring at him, not understanding his meaning and feeling a bit disappointed.

Chu Ci then picked up the stack of documents in his hand, tossed it forward: "This is the new drama the company has arranged for you, take a look."

Song Yunfei didn’t want to talk to him about this. She thought he was angry, so he was using work to send her away. So, relying on her youth and favoritism, she bit her lip and said softly, "I don’t want to leave Beicheng, I want to stay by your side."

In the past when she acted coy, he would always hold her and comfort her. Even if he was reminiscing about someone else through her small face, she... didn’t care. As long as he favored her, it was fine. As long as she could gain tangible benefits, and she wasn’t satisfied with living like a pet; she wanted to be Mrs. Chu, to be a noblewoman.

She leaned on the desk, acting coy, fingers gently tracing the surface.

She believed, if he could leave his wife to comfort her, it meant she held more importance in his heart than his wife. So she had to push harder; at this moment, she mustn’t leave Beicheng.

Chu Ci raised his eyes, calmly looking at her, "This is the drama the company arranged for you, Miss Song."

The term "Miss Song" stung the young girl’s heart. Song Yunfei unhappily leaned against the desk: "I want to be with you."

Chu Ci glanced at her again, suddenly pressing the intercom: "Secretary Yin, please come in."

Within a minute, Secretary Yin entered through the door: "President Chu."

Chu Ci leisurely lit a cigarette, speaking calmly: "Miss Song might want to terminate her contract early. Calculate how much she’d have to compensate the company."

Secretary Yin smiled slightly: "Alright, President Chu."

Song Yunfei panicked, looking at Chu Ci in despair: "I don’t want to terminate the contract, I just don’t want to leave Beicheng, leave you, Chu Ci... Please, I’ll be obedient, I’ll be good, Chu Ci, don’t ignore me."

Chu Ci glanced at Secretary Yin.

Secretary Yin sighed quietly, then seriously said to the young, spoiled girl: "Then obey the company’s arrangement."

Song Yunfei, with tears in her eyes, reluctantly took the script, glancing at it in surprise.

This script was exactly what the company had arranged for her when she first joined. The character was awful, and it involved a lot of inappropriate scenes; performing it would ruin her future and make it impossible to pursue the image of an innocent young woman. Back then, she might have had no choice, but now Chu Ci actually wanted her to take on such a role...

She looked incredulously.

Chu Ci’s voice was indifferent: "Either follow the company’s arrangement or be considered in breach of contract."

Song Yunfei was very excited: "Chu Ci, you can’t treat me like this!"

Secretary Yin coughed lightly: "Miss Song, don’t be too emotional. President Chu has his reasons for arranging things this way."

But the young girl couldn’t comprehend the hint; she bit her lip: "Is this her idea? Is it her wanting me to leave you, to ruin my future?"

Secretary Yin silently rolled his eyes—

Zhao Mo Ran doesn’t care about you at all. Don’t make up drama for yourself. What’s your future anyway? This vase was elevated by President Chu; without his support, you’re nothing. You insisted on being the owner instead of a pet, and now you’ve suffered heavily. Hmph, it’s good that mother and child are fine. If something happened, even dying a hundred times wouldn’t be enough to pay for it.

Moreover, do you really think that Zhao Mo Ran doesn’t hold a place in President Chu’s heart? Even if she does, she’s not someone an outsider could compare to. When it comes to bullying, only President Chu would do that; outsiders wouldn’t have a chance to hit back.

Secretary Yin didn’t speak, but Chu Ci opened his mouth indifferently: "It’s my intention. I dislike women being self-righteous and restless. I’ll give you two days to think it over."

Song Yunfei still refused.

Secretary Yin gently reminded: "Miss Song, your family has long been in debt from gambling, owing over 50 million yuan, all paid by President Chu; reportedly now there’s another debt of over 10 million yuan. Consider this carefully, and you’ll know what to do."

Song Yunfei was stunned, then said in a hoarse voice, "But those were... what Chu Ci was willing to do for me."

Secretary Yin also stated, "Now you’ve done something that made President Chu tired, making him unhappy."

It was only now that Song Yunfei understood; this was Chu Ci’s punishment for her. He didn’t just laugh off what she’d done, but instead... wanted to destroy her.

She shook her head, unwilling to believe: "I don’t believe you care about her that much. I don’t believe it, obviously you like me, you like my face... Chu Ci, don’t leave me alone; I can still go to Korea, I can still undergo surgery, this face will definitely look better. Please don’t leave me alone, there are so many things at home... all reliant on me."

Chu Ci’s face darkened.

Secretary Yin sighed: "But Miss, you need to be capable! You almost harmed Mrs. Chu. Alright, President Chu is already lenient, please leave."

Song Yunfei held the script, ask naively: "Chu Ci, will you still pay off my family’s debt? Will you come back to find me when I return to Beicheng?"

Chu Ci coldly laughed: "What do you think?"

Secretary Yin was speechless: Where did such a naive girl come from?

President Chu’s temper, not killing her immediately, is considered fortunate...

*

In half a day, Chu Ci had cleaned up his tabloid rumors thoroughly. Although they had spread enough, due to the Chu family’s influence, no one dared say another word, especially Zhao Mo Ran’s ears were undisturbed. In the ensuing period, Chu Ci acted like a 24-filial husband, staying at the hospital. Although he still found Chu Xun ugly, he occasionally held her, and when there wasn’t enough food, he would make milk for her, patting her to sleep... He would occasionally watch her bathe, then have the nurse take her for a bath...

Zhao Mo Ran didn’t know whether this was compensation or novelty; she didn’t stop him. When he was there, she stayed with him; when he wanted to hold the child, she let him. Fortunately, despite being a novice, he knew proper limits. Yet, there wasn’t much conversation between the couple; it seemed the only bond was the child.

A month later, her health had recovered, and Chu Ci took them both back to the villa. Besides, Zhao’s mother occasionally visited, and there were the Chu Changhe couple as well. Actually, Zhao Mo Ran was a bit afraid of them visiting. Chu Changhe treated her too well, while Mrs. Chu was too harsh, but she couldn’t refuse elders; moreover, she didn’t mention anything to Chu Ci...

Two months later, on a night, after coaxing Xun Xun to sleep, the name was still recorded in the household register, at Chu Ci’s insistence, saying it sounded nice... After Xun Xun fell asleep, she bent down, kissed her little face, and went to the bathroom for a relaxing bath. Taking care of the child personally was exhausting, especially as this child was particularly active. She didn’t know if it was a misconception on her part, but its smiling resemblance increasingly looked like Yan Yan.

Zhao Mo Ran looked up, staring at the LCD screen on the bathroom ceiling.

Indeed, being Mrs. Chu made life very comfortable; Chu Ci indeed didn’t treat her poorly. Yet, for her, it was merely living mechanically, apart from the child...

She thought, if divorce was impossible, having another child might be good, giving herself something to do.

Thinking like this, she didn’t realize someone was standing at the bathroom door.

Chu Ci, back from socializing.

He had drunk a little, originally just coming over to check on Xun Xun, as they’d been sleeping separately for a while. Unexpectedly seeing her in the bathroom, she seemed to be falling asleep...