Chapter 93: Enjoying Bossing Around the Ex-Wife

Li Mingye lay on the bed, one hand holding a cigarette, the other scrolling through his phone. Bare-chested, his hair slightly tousled, he exuded a roguish charm that held a strange allure, making it impossible for her to look away.

“You’re here,” Li Mingye said upon seeing her, extinguishing his cigarette and sitting up straight.

“Cough, cough.” Zhang Xiluo coughed a few times. “You don’t even smoke, so why do you keep wasting cigarettes?”

It was the first time in all these years she had asked this question.

Since deciding to leave him, Zhang Xiluo no longer felt timid or hesitant around him; she was much more at ease.

Seeing him now only reminded her of that damned dream—she really shouldn’t get too close to him.

Li Mingye was a toxic man.

“Maybe I just like secondhand smoke better,” he mused. “I haven’t really thought about it; I’m just used to it.”

“Where’s your caregiver? Let him help you get dressed; I’ll wait downstairs,” Zhang Xiluo said, shifting the topic as she felt this one was trivial.

“He’s not here. You’ll have to do it.”

“Do you enjoy being served by your ex-wife that much?” Zhang Xiluo shot him a cold glance. Even if she didn’t come to feed him today, he still had every reason to make her wait on him.

How had she never noticed before what a scoundrel he was?

The more she insisted they were no longer connected, the more he tried to boss her around—it was utterly infuriating.

“Yeah,” Li Mingye admitted. “Pick whatever clothes you want, just don’t make my former in-laws wait impatiently.”

“...” Zhang Xiluo was speechless; he was learning fast.

She opened the wardrobe and selected a black suit, then approached him to carefully help button his shirt.

As she fastened the buttons, she had the fleeting illusion that they were still married—that every day she tidied his shirts and ties, living the happy life she had once longed for.

“Have you heard about Zhou Lixun?” Zhang Xiluo deliberately brought up Zhou Lixun, grounding herself back in reality. “Reporters have been staking out my place. It’s easier for them to snap pictures if you’re with me.”

“Mhm,” Li Mingye replied briefly, then fell silent.

Zhang Xiluo was not surprised. After all, Zhou Lixun was Zhou Yao’s father—her future father-in-law. Unlike Zhou Yao, Li Mingye hadn’t clung to her indefinitely; that was at least something.

“Put on your pants yourself; I’ll help with the belt,” Zhang Xiluo said, slipping the trousers onto his legs before turning her back to him.

Li Mingye dressed and then came up to her, signaling for her to straighten his outfit.

“Didn’t expect you to be so skilled,” he admired the neatness of his shirt and belt, things he had always done himself before.

Zhang Xiluo hesitated slightly. Should she tell him that she had secretly practiced imitating his technique for a long time?

“There are lots of things you don’t expect. Let’s go,” she said, leading the way out and quickly descending the stairs, trying to put some distance between them.

Li Mingye first went to the study, took a file folder and a box of tea leaves, then followed her downstairs.

Zhang Xiluo drove at a moderate pace; Li Mingye sat beside her, visibly anxious.

“Did you buy your driver’s license?” he sneered.

Zhang Xiluo rolled her eyes, thinking that if he had ever been hit by a car, he’d be scared too.

She hadn’t been so afraid before. After seeing Zhou Lixun’s car accident, her fear deepened, and she drove more cautiously.

“Look, even that guy pushing a tricycle is about to pass you,” Li Mingye said, rolling down the window and pointing outside.

“If you think I’m slow, then get out and walk,” Zhang Xiluo retorted, signaling and pulling over to the curb.

Li Mingye was speechless, watching her focus on driving made him want to laugh.

“Not getting out? Then I’ll keep driving.” Without waiting for his reply, she continued forward.

By the time they arrived home, it was already half past five.

Mrs. Zhang and Mr. Zhang were busy cooking in the kitchen, and Zhang Xiluo’s uncle was helping set the table outside the kitchen.

“Mom, Dad, Uncle,” Zhang Xiluo greeted as she opened the door. “Li Mingye is here.”

“Uncle, Auntie, Uncle,” Li Mingye politely greeted them, having thought carefully about the proper titles.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhang responded coldly, while her uncle warmly welcomed him.

“Have a seat,” her uncle said, setting down a plate and sitting opposite Li Mingye on the sofa.

Zhang Xiluo conscientiously went to the kitchen to help, bringing out dishes and arranging them on the table.

Mrs. Zhang preferred eating at home, rarely dining out and often choosing to cook herself, especially when there were few guests.

Soon, the table was laden with dishes.

Li Mingye and her uncle chatted amiably. He handed over the file folder he had brought, and her uncle looked deeply grateful.

During the meal, her uncle raised his glass to thank him for his help. During that difficult time, no one dared interfere with her uncle’s affairs.

Even Mr. and Mrs. Zhang felt powerless; the entire Longcheng business and political circles avoided him.

“I can’t say much about you and Luoluo, but for this matter, I thank you,” her uncle said.

“You’re too kind,” Li Mingye replied.

Her uncle and Li Mingye downed three glasses in succession, while Mr. and Mrs. Zhang remained silent.

Zhang Xiluo felt somewhat out of place at the table and ate quickly with her head down.

“Let’s keep things separate. You and Luoluo shouldn’t see each other anymore,” Mrs. Zhang finally said, looking at Li Mingye. “Some things have seriously affected her life. She has a long life ahead and can’t have it ruined because of you.”

Li Mingye’s expression flickered. His brows furrowed deeply as he sincerely replied, “It won’t affect her life. I’ll handle it.”

Mrs. Zhang was about to say more but was stopped by Mr. Zhang.

“Tonight is mainly about Xiao He inviting him for dinner. We’ll talk about other things later,” Mr. Zhang said, raising his glass to Li Mingye.

Li Mingye had been poured quite a bit by her uncle. He never mentioned his injury and held his cup with both hands as he drank. Whether from pain or genuine intoxication, his steps were unsteady.

“I’ll take him back. You look after your dad and uncle,” Mrs. Zhang said, not wanting them to have contact.

Zhang Xiluo nodded and turned to pour water for them.

Just then, Mr. Zhang suddenly vomited, covering himself.

“Ah, you old man, if you can’t drink, don’t drink so much!” Mrs. Zhang sighed helplessly, helping him to the bathroom to clean up. “Xiluo, go take Mr. Li back and come back early.”

“Okay, got it,” Zhang Xiluo replied reluctantly, grabbing the car keys and following Li Mingye out.

Watching him walk, she worried he might step on her foot next. She had always thought Li Mingye could hold his liquor, downing bottle after bottle in bars without issue.

This was hardly any and he was already drunk.

She suspected he was faking it. Not going to help him up, she watched him get into the car and then got in herself.

Li Mingye leaned back, eyes half-closed, his face contorted in pain.

“Stop pretending. We’re already out; we’ll be home soon,” Zhang Xiluo said. Li Mingye didn’t respond, so she urgently called his name again, “Li Mingye?”