Capturing the Domineering CEO’s Divorced Wife, also known as “Not That I Don’t Want to Say I Love You”
She was an orphan who, because of one woman, had a fairytale world as beautiful as a princess’s, and because of one man, her fairytale world was completely destroyed, her heart lost because of this man, who would always ruthlessly ravage her body as if venting his anger, and then mercilessly trample her dignity underfoot, “You are only a tool for my sexual release, I married you just to destroy everything your father had.” Battered and bruised, she finally chose to leave, returning to being Cinderella, just when she was willing to be an ordinary, unremarkable, mediocre person, eight years later, he appeared again, still domineering and cold, but they were like strangers, he didn’t recognize her, and she silently played the role of a stranger, and she was no longer the little woman who would only passively endure his harm…
Xiao Lian Ling: Capturing the Domineering CEO’s Divorced Wife
[Not That I Don’t Want to Say I Love You: Preface] The morning in SZ City was still busy, with traffic congested on the streets, crowds surging and hurrying, but everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.
Standing in the skyscraper, overlooking the sunrise in the concrete jungle through the window, dazzling and warm, sunlight gently filling the office through the glass window.
Picking up the instant coffee, I walked back to the computer, struggling with my “Chess Piece,” the tapping of the keyboard the only sound in my office.
Suddenly, the office door swung open, a light floral fragrance softly caressing my face. An advertising slogan flashed in my mind: “When charm has sensual allure, attraction becomes more magical; ALLURE is the spokesperson of your personality.”
“Director, you’re wasted not working at my advertising company.”
Wearing three-inch heels and a fitted short skirt, she sat on my desk.
I closed my eyes, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes while trying to maintain my professional image, though I wanted to kick her off the desk as she always provoked my true nature.
“Ou Xueman, did your company go bankrupt? Why are you running to me so early?” I asked with a professional smile, though my words lacked courtesy.
The woman slapped my forehead, “Little darling, got promoted, got some attitude now, huh?”
“No matter how much attitude I have, it’s nothing compared to CEO Ou’s.” Helplessly, I stood up to close the door. “Please knock next time before entering.”
Swinging her wavy long hair, she lightly laughed, “OK, got it.”
As if in her office, she draped her small suit jacket on the chair in front of her desk, unbuttoning the top two buttons of her white shirt, slightly revealing her chest, rolling up her sleeves, and leaning back in the chair. Sunlight spread across her smooth face, making her look like a lazy, sexy cat.
Every time I saw her figure, I couldn’t help but compare it to my own, sighing at the unfairness of it all.
Time passed as she spoke, lit cigarette after lit cigarette. Smoke swirled around her fingertips, rising into the air and blurring her gaze.
The cigarette butts, stained with her lipstick, lay scattered in the ashtray. When the last cigarette in her pack was finished, her story concluded. She seemed to have exhausted her energy, slumping into the chair.
Although she never mentioned whose story it was, I knew she was telling her own, a narrative rooted in reality.
She picked up her cup and drank the cold instant coffee in one gulp, neither furrowing her brow nor complaining about its taste.
I watched her quietly. “What about the ending?” She had told me so much but had not revealed it.
Her long eyelashes cast shadows over her dim eyes. “There’s no ending yet, so I hope you can give this story an ending.”
A faint expectation returned to her eyes.
“You’ve met again, haven’t you?” I said with certainty.
I always felt she must have encountered that man again, prompting her to unleash the emotions she had buried for eight years, wanting to give her story an ending in reality, even if it was not perfect.
She was momentarily stunned, then laughed brightly. “Kiddo, didn’t I say you have a keen heart? Yes, we met,” her smile melting like ice, “but he didn’t recognize me.” A hint of melancholy wrapped around her voice.
I didn’t know how to comfort her. “So what do you want to do next?”
She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “What else can I do? Continue being a stranger by his side.”
I sat back in my chair, mulling over her story, and finally asked, “Why do you want to share this story?”
She brushed her hair and let out a light sigh. “Because I want to give this story an ending. In reality and in the story, I never had the courage to give it an ending.”
Sitting up, I looked deep into her eyes, seeing only darkness. After a long while, I said, “All I can offer is an ideal, perfect ending in my imagination.”
She gently closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she had regained her sharpness. “Kiddo, thank you.” Instantly, she changed her expression and teased, “But I want you to write it as a CEO story. I told you I have a CEO complex.”
I was stunned and rubbed my throbbing temples. “Isn’t he already a CEO? You know the difference between Chief Executive Officer and President better than I do.”
She stood up, tossing her thick, wavy hair. “Kiddo, a story is a story; it can be changed as you like. It’s settled. Start writing now. Send it on my birthday – it’ll be the best gift. I’m leaving the rest to you. Bye.”
She picked up her coat and left, bringing a fragrant breeze, leaving me staring blankly.
“Alright, Xuan, your dad and mom won’t say more. Get some rest early and be a beautiful bride tomorrow,” Tong Baichuan patted his daughter’s hand with love and pride. Though near his twilight years, he looked vibrant in his casual wear.
“Honey, I haven’t finished talking to our daughter yet,” Liu Qiusi said reluctantly.
“I still have so many things to say to her, and from tomorrow, she won’t be living in this home anymore…” Her tears crystallized, rivaling the pearls and jewels adorning her body.
Tong Baichuan embraced his wife. “Why are you crying? Our daughter is getting married, not becoming a nun. How can she feel at ease getting married if you’re like this?”
Liu Qiusi wiped away her tears and nodded. “Yes, Xuan, mommy shouldn’t cry, but…thinking that our daughter won’t be in Hong Kong often, I can’t bear to let her go.” She buried herself in Tong Baichuan’s embrace and sobbed softly.
“Mom, Xihuang said that after we get married, I can continue staying in Hong Kong with you. He’ll work hard, flying between New York and Hong Kong,” the girl smiled sweetly, comforting her parents.
Tong Baichuan praised his son-in-law and was glad his daughter had found such a husband. “Heard that? Our daughter isn’t leaving. It’s late, let Xuan rest. You’ll have plenty of time to chat later.”
Liu Qiusi, somewhat calmer, held her daughter’s hand. “Well, then dad and mom won’t say more. Get some rest.”
“Goodnight, Dad and Mom.”
“Goodnight.”
After seeing her parents out, she took a deep breath and turned to the pure white palace-style wedding dress on the bed.
A soft smile spread across her eyes. Tomorrow, she would be married, another turning point in her life. But why did she feel hesitant and uneasy? Wasn’t marrying him what she had always anticipated?
The room’s lights went out, darkness filling the luxurious space. Embraced by the darkness, she dragged her tired body to the window, curling up in the window seat.
Looking out at the deep blue night sky, thin wisps of clouds drifted above, with stars twinkling brilliantly like scattered pearls. The moon floated serenely in the Milky Way, casting gentle light that created a soft interplay of illumination and shadow in the room.
