She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

Chapter 40: Chapter 0040: He’s Also the Most Expensive Rice Worm in Sea City

“Are you sure you want me to get into the specifics?”

Huo Tingxiao’s deep voice sent a shiver down Mu Lan’s spine. @@novelbin@@

Suddenly, she remembered the intimate moment they had shared the day before, when it seemed…possibly…probably…in fact, she had vaguely agreed to something.

But during those moments, wasn’t she just speaking casually? Did that really have to be taken as a verbal promise?

Annoyed, she smacked her forehead. This man was actually scheming against her!

“You’re taking advantage of my vulnerability.”

...

“Anyway, you agreed.”

This kind of cheekiness nearly made Sister Li burst into laughter.

However, at times like this, it was better for her to give them some space, so she tactfully turned around and left, choosing not to be a third wheel anymore.

The moment Sister Li stepped out, Mu Lan couldn’t hold back any longer.

“What the hell is this? Summon me at your will, dismiss me at your convenience? You were the one who told me to come work at the company, and now you’re saying I should stay at home and prepare for pregnancy? I’m just supposed to obediently listen to you?

Huo Tingxiao, I’m a person, not a pet. When you’re pleased, it’s this way, but when you’re not, it’s that way.”

Watching her rant, Huo Tingxiao remained completely unruffled.

He knew she wouldn’t compromise easily.

“The secretary job was never suitable for you. I had you join the company on a whim.”

So, he was blatantly admitting his capriciousness?

“So what? After I’ve gradually gotten familiar with the work of a secretary, you just…”

“Are you sure that’s the job you want to do?”

Huo Tingxiao put down his chopsticks, folded his arms, and leaned his elbows on the table—a classic negotiation stance.

“I…”

That question indeed stumped Mu Lan. She wasn’t doing the job because she liked it.

“It’s best to cut your losses in time and steer things in the right direction.”

Cut losses in time?

Mu Lan suddenly remembered Sheng Xueqin saying something similar, except she was referring to her marriage with Huo Tingxiao.

Previously, they were both on the verge of divorce, but then the amnesia incident happened. All her choices seemed to be made for her, as if she was just being pushed along passively.

“What if my direction is to be a free-loading parasite?”

She said such things on purpose, not wanting to see Huo Tingxiao looking so smug, as if he had her all figured out.

“Then you’ll be Sea City’s most exalted parasite.”

“…”

Oh my goodness, this man must have taken the wrong medicine! What was with this indulgent tone?

Mu Lan buried her head and ate diligently, not daring to speak carelessly for fear he would come up with more sayings that would give her goosebumps.

After seeing Huo Tingxiao off, Mu Lan immediately called Shen Zichu to arrange a meal, mentioning she would bring a friend along.

Shen Zichu’s first question was whether the friend was a beauty.

Only after receiving a positive response did he agree with glee.

Gu Xiaoman, who was usually swamped with work, perked right up upon hearing her best friend had organized a dinner, and that a male god would be attending.

It was the same Japanese restaurant as last time, the party of two turned into three, and upon seeing Gu Xiaoman’s cute and round face, Shen Zichu was somewhat conflicted.

Ah, she wasn’t quite his type.

But since she was there, it wouldn’t be polite to show it.

Gu Xiaoman, for a change, was the epitome of ladylike behavior, which made Mu Lan feel as if she was suddenly superfluous.

“Shen Zichu, Gu Xiaoman, meet each other.”

Looking at the blunt introduction, anyone unaware might think she was a match-making consultant at a marriage bureau.

“Dr. Shen, we’ve met before, hello hello, here’s my business card.”

“Oh, is that so? What a coincidence.”

In truth, Shen Zichu didn’t remember this at all, but he couldn’t very well dampen the girl’s enthusiasm, could he?

Mu Lan was burying her head in her food, pretending to be invisible, while Gu Xiaoman stealthily kicked her under the table.

The heartless one, she should at least try to drum up some conversation.

“How come I didn’t see you at the old Sheng Family master’s birthday banquet?”

“I was on a business trip. Why, did you miss my tall and handsome figure?”

Shen Zichu’s off-key manner left Mu Lan with a face full of embarrassment.

Ah, Gu Xiaoman, such a sucker for a pretty face. How on earth was she attracted to such a slick dude?

“It was okay, I guess. You missed quite a show though.”

Mu Lan joked while nibbling on a crab leg.

“Did you have a confrontation with Sheng Xueqin?”

“Sheng Xueqin? Who’s that?”

Gu Xiaoman realized there was gossip she hadn’t heard of.

“Eh? Gu Xiaoman, is it me who has amnesia, or is it you? Who did you say Sheng Xueqin is?”

Mu Lan rolled her eyes at Gu Xiaoman. That girl’s mind was all on Shen Zichu; she couldn’t even speak coherently.

“Ah? Is that the white lotus who called you? You met her already?”

Seeing both their eager faces, Mu Lan generously gave them a brief run-down of the day’s events, of course leaving out a small part.

Like the part about Huo Tingxiao insisting she have his baby, which she would never dare to mention.

“Amazing, really a scene to behold. You go, Lanlan. That fighting spirit of yours is quite something.”

“I can’t help but say, amazing! Those Sheng Family people, each one of them could eat you alive and not leave any bones behind, killing without bloodshed. Those little knives hidden in their words… tsk.”

Shen Zichu’s exaggerated face nearly made Mu Lan burst out laughing.

“Actually, I always wanted to be just a spectator, but the circumstances wouldn’t allow it.”

The three of them ate and drank merrily, but Gu Xiaoman noticed that Shen Zichu deliberately kept his distance all throughout, which made her a bit sad.

After bidding farewell to Shen Zichu, Mu Lan pinched Gu Xiaoman’s cheek. It was so chubby, so satisfying to pinch.

“Seeing your idol, and you’re still so downhearted?”

“Didn’t you see he’s just not that into me? Sigh, it seems my type isn’t popular.”

Gu Xiaoman’s spirits were low, and she wasn’t her usual lively self.

“That’s his loss, not yours. In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful and cutest.”

“Oh come on, I know exactly what I weigh. But hey, there’s plenty of time ahead of us. Hmph, who knows? Maybe one day he’ll see my shining points.”

“Exactly, maybe one day Shen Zichu will suddenly go blind?”

“Mu Lan, I think you’re asking for it. Come here, you wait till I get up and hit you on the knee!”

The two left the Japanese restaurant, laughing and jostling, headed off to shop.

———-

Huo Tingxiao arrived at the company feeling refreshed. Secretary Jian, upon learning of Mu Lan’s resignation, was momentarily stunned, then went about his duties as usual, proceeding to the HR department to handle the matter and follow up.

Soon, the news of the President’s wife’s resignation spread throughout the entire building, and the queen of gossip topics in the break room became the President’s wife’s various affairs.

Once the vacancy in the secretary’s office was announced, some were eager to try their luck, and for a time, HR’s inbox was close to bursting.

However, among the many résumés, one particularly brilliant application had the HR department buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating the live performance of this candidate on the day of the interview.