Flash Marriage with My Ex-Boyfriend’s Nemesis chapter 21
Chapter 21: Slapping the Scum 4
Shen Zhiqian carried the birthday cake back to his car and drove into Ning Qingqing’s residential area.
Ning Qingqing had given him an access card, so he parked in the visitor’s parking lot.
He went to Ning Qingqing’s apartment building, swiped his card, and knocked on her door.
After three knocks, there was no answer. Shen Zhiqian pressed his ear to the door.
Confirming that no one was inside, he remembered that Ning Qingqing had blocked all his contact information, so he sent a message: “Qingqing, I’m waiting for you at your apartment.”
He carried the cake in one hand and used the other to input Ning Qingqing’s door code.
He entered the code, waiting for the unlock sound.
But after pressing the last number, the lock beeped three times, indicating an incorrect code.
Shen Zhiqian was stunned and tried again carefully.
But the same error message appeared.
He stood there, realizing Ning Qingqing had changed the password.
He felt a mix of emotions.
He remembered when Ning Qingqing moved in after graduation, she left her phone at home and he couldn’t find her.
He called everywhere.
Then Ning Qingqing came back and gave him the access code and added his fingerprint.
Shen Zhiqian knew the answer, but he tried his thumb on the fingerprint scanner.
Beep beep beep.
His expectations were extinguished.
She was serious. She really wanted to break up.
They had been together for nine years, and they had argued, but she was rational. Other girlfriends might casually mention breaking up, sometimes as a joke.
But Ning Qingqing wouldn’t. No matter how angry she was, she wouldn’t say anything that couldn’t be repaired.
Fear gripped Shen Zhiqian. He felt uneasy, so he messaged his close friends: “Is marriage really that important?”
The message startled his friends.
Someone joked, “No way, Qian, are you being forced into marriage?”
“Haha, Qian, did your girlfriend talk to you about marriage? I’m so lucky. My girlfriend said she wants to play for a few more years when I mentioned marriage!”
“Zhiqian, why are you suddenly asking this? I remember you’re against marriage?”
Shen Zhiqian replied, “She asked me before, and I didn’t answer directly. Now she wants to break up.”
“Your girlfriend is kidding. You’ve been together for years. It’s impossible to break up just like that, right? She’s probably just saying it in anger.”
“But seriously, Qian, haven’t you considered marriage? Girls can’t wait forever.”
Shen Zhiqian said, “We’re still young, I haven’t thought about it.”
“Qian, that’s your problem. She asked if you wanted to get married, but you didn’t give an answer. Girls need security.”
“Zhiqian, if you don’t plan to get married, and she’s traditional, I suggest you talk it out early and don’t waste each other’s time.”
Shen Zhiqian rubbed his temples after reading the last message.
Just as he was about to reply, a friend asked, “Qian, if you only have two choices: 1. You don’t get married, and you break up. 2. You get married. Which do you choose?”
Shen Zhiqian felt like he’d been hit.
After half a minute, he knew the answer:
He didn’t accept breaking up.
Although he resisted marriage, the thought of Ning Qingqing disappearing from his life suffocated him!
His heart had made the decision. He didn’t reply to his friends but opened his message to Ning Qingqing.
He didn’t know if his message would be sent after being blocked. He typed:
“Qingqing, I don’t want to break up. Let’s get married.”
He leaned against Ning Qingqing’s door, waiting for her.
That afternoon, Ning Qingqing went to the park. After her run, she noticed a lot of missed calls from an unknown number.
She called back and found it was from Shen’s security guard.
Guessing what happened, Ning Qingqing ignored it. She bought a bottle of water at a vending machine and walked home.
Nie Yu called: “Qingqing, I have something to do in the capital. I’m done now. Are you free? I want to introduce you to some people in the industry.”
Ning Qingqing needed to expand her network for Ningchuang Capital, especially in finance. “Okay, but I’m at the park. I need to go home and change.”
Nie Yu asked for her address. “I’m nearby. Let me take you shopping for clothes. We can chat about the industry on the way.”
“Okay.” Ning Qingqing waited at the park entrance and saw a black car. Nie Yu got out and they went to a nearby mall.
“Qingqing, you’ll meet investors in the capital. I’ll introduce you as Ms. Ning’s daughter.” Nie Yu said:
“You lack experience. Listen carefully, ask questions if appropriate, and write down anything you don’t understand. I’ll explain later.”
Ning Qingqing responded. “Okay, I have many questions. I’ll need your help, Brother Nie!”
Nie Yu laughed. “Qingqing, Ms. Ning is very happy. I think it’s because you’re joining the company.”
They went to the mall. Ning Qingqing chose a professional yet youthful outfit and went to the dinner with Nie Yu.
Ning Qingqing listened to Nie Yu’s briefing on the way, so she quickly recognized the people.
The dinner was pleasant. Everyone praised Ning Qingqing for being beautiful and intelligent. Ms. Ning had a capable successor.
Nie Yu paid, sent everyone home, then said to Ning Qingqing, “Qingqing, I’ll take you home.”
It was almost 10 PM. Ning Qingqing had learned a lot and felt energized.
They chatted about her job in the car and arrived at Ning Qingqing’s apartment.
The security was good, so Ning Qingqing didn’t let him walk her up. He had a 6 PM flight.
Saying goodbye, Ning Qingqing went upstairs and answered Gu Youchen’s call in the elevator. “Qingqing, are you home?”
“Mm, I’m in the elevator.” Ning Qingqing said, “I’ll be home soon.”
Across the street, Gu Youchen leaned against his car, on the phone.
After the signing ceremony, he was supposed to have dinner with clients, but the CEO’s wife had appendicitis, so the dinner was canceled.
Seeing the CEO rush to the hospital, Gu Youchen wanted to see Ning Qingqing and took a private jet back.
It was late, so he planned to just see her from afar.
“Ding!” Ning Qingqing’s elevator arrived.
As she walked out, she asked, “Did your dinner end?”
A familiar male voice interrupted her: “Qingqing—”
At the same time, Gu Youchen’s voice came from the phone: “Mm, just ended.”
Ning Qingqing held her phone, stunned by two voices, one from the phone, one in reality.
The lights flickered. There was a sweet cream scent in the air.
The lights flickered again. Ning Qingqing saw Shen Zhiqian at her door.
He was wearing a shirt and trousers, his tie removed, his shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up.
But his agitation disappeared when he saw Ning Qingqing.
“Qingqing, I couldn’t reach you, so I waited here.” Shen Zhiqian looked at Ning Qingqing, feeling like it had been ages since they last saw each other.
He stepped closer, reaching for her.
But Ning Qingqing stepped back.
Shen Zhiqian held the cake. He looked hurt. “Qingqing, I’m sorry I couldn’t celebrate your birthday. Don’t be angry. Let’s celebrate today, okay?”
His words reached Gu Youchen’s ear.
Ning Qingqing hadn’t hung up. Gu Youchen’s voice came from her ear. “Qingqing, is he at your door?”
Ning Qingqing felt torn between two worlds. She said to Gu Youchen, “Mm, but I’ll handle it.”
Then, she said to Shen Zhiqian, “Thank you, no need. We’ve broken up. Take the cake back.”
Shen Zhiqian didn’t move. “Qingqing, let’s talk.”
Before Ning Qingqing could speak, Shen Zhiqian interrupted, “If you want to get married, we can…”
“Sorry.” Ning Qingqing didn’t expect Shen Zhiqian to compromise, but she had no time to think.
“I’m already married.”
“Wh-what?” Shen Zhiqian looked at Ning Qingqing, forcing a smile. “Baby, don’t joke like this… It hurts…”
“I’m really married. I’m talking to my husband.” Ning Qingqing pointed to her phone.
Author’s Note:
If Qingqing hadn’t broken up, Shen Zhiqian might never have understood his feelings. But now, it’s too late.
Next chapter: a showdown. I’ll update at midnight on the 5th.
