The CEO’s Cannon-Fodder Ex-Wife (1)
Brain Storage Area.
The female lead of this book is not a good person!
The first world feels a little chaotic to me… Enter at your own discretion.
“System, come out. We need to talk.”
Ning Xin sat on the bed, rubbing her forehead with a sigh.
The electronic voice in her mind sounded.
【Host… You can’t blame me entirely for this.】
【The schedule was too tight and the mission was too urgent. Headquarters had no choice but to recall you from your vacation…】
Just a second ago, Ning Xin had been enjoying herself on the beach. Then everything suddenly went dark, and she was transported into a small world.
Honestly… she was a little annoyed.
But she had indeed spent quite a few points during her recent vacation. Thinking about her nearly empty wallet…
Fine.
“Forget it. Just transfer the plot to me…”
Ning Xin couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
【Okay!】
The electronic voice sounded unusually excited.
As long as this troublesome host agreed, his performance would be guaranteed!
This world was the story of an overbearing CEO who eventually married the wealthy young lady who had pursued him for years.
The male lead, Jiang Xiao, was a genius from a young age, the founder of T&G and the heir to the Jiang Group.
The female lead, Jian Wei, was the eldest daughter of the Jian family. Their families were evenly matched in status. She had fallen in love with her brother’s friend when she was still young and inexperienced, but unfortunately, there was a seven-year age gap between them.
In Jiang Xiao’s eyes, she had always been nothing more than a younger sister.
And the original owner was the unlucky cannon-fodder ex-wife.
The original owner and Jiang Xiao had entered into a marriage of convenience. They had only met for the first time when they went to register their marriage.
Both of them were cold and reserved by nature.
Jiang Xiao’s coldness came from his status, family background, and the arrogance that accompanied his exceptional abilities from a young age.
As for the original owner… she was simply lazy and carefree. Growing up in a privileged family had made her indifferent toward almost everything. She often gave people the impression that her attitude toward life was simply, As long as I’m alive, that’s enough.
But people didn’t necessarily die of old age. Death could come at any time.
The original owner was simply that unlucky.
Less than a year after marrying the male lead, she died in a car accident on her way to the airport.
After her death, Jiang Xiao had no intention of entering another marriage.
Unfortunately, his parents kept pressuring him to have an heir. In the end, Jiang Xiao reluctantly gave in and allowed them to arrange everything.
Jian Wei had already fallen deeply in love with Jiang Xiao, while the Jian family also needed the Jiang family’s support.
So Jian Wei’s older brother, Jian Heng, brought up the idea of a marriage alliance with Jiang Xiao.
The two eventually married, and the female lead finally got what she wanted.
Three years later, Jian Wei gave birth to a son and lived happily ever after.
“What was the original owner’s wish?”
【The original owner believes that the female lead stole the happy life that should have belonged to her. She wants to rewrite the ending, separate the male and female leads, and enjoy her own life properly.】
“No problem.”
“What point in the story are we at right now?”
【Yesterday, you and Jiang Xiao just registered your marriage. Tonight is your wedding night. He’s still entertaining guests at the banquet and will probably return to the room in about half an hour.】
Ning Xin glanced at the nightdress she was wearing and walked toward the wardrobe.
It was filled with the latest seasonal styles. She picked out a silk robe and wrapped it around herself, casually tossing the burgundy one onto a chair.
【The male lead is coming back soon. Do you have any plans, Host?】
Ning Xin walked over to the desk and pulled open a drawer.
As expected, there was a fresh notepad and a fountain pen inside.
She sat down and uncapped the pen.
“Write a contract.”
【…Huh?】
“Businesspeople value contracts above all else.”
Ning Xin lowered her eyes as the pen moved across the paper.
“Since this marriage is essentially a business partnership, then we should follow business rules.”
“If you don’t understand, you can leave.”
【Got it.】
Ning Xin smiled faintly.
Yes, I trained him myself.
*
By the time Jiang Xiao pushed open the door, it was nearly midnight.
The wedding banquet had continued until ten. After that, his father had summoned him to the study for another half-hour to discuss a company acquisition.
With alcohol slowly coursing through his bloodstream, he loosened his tie and looked up at the room.
Then he stopped.
His new wife wasn’t lying on the bed, shyly waiting for him as he had expected, nor was she sitting at the vanity removing her makeup.
Instead, she was sitting on a single sofa by the window, wearing a cream-colored silk robe. A folder rested on her lap, and she held a glass of water in her hand.
The floor lamp beside her cast a warm glow over the room.
She looked up at him, her gaze as calm as though she were looking at a business partner.
“Mr. Jiang.”
Ning Xin spoke.
“Can we talk for five minutes?”
Jiang Xiao narrowed his eyes.
His impression of Ning Xin was rather vague.
They had met for the first time yesterday when they registered their marriage. She had been dressed in a proper suit, her fingertips slightly cool when they shook hands, and she had simply said, “Pleasure doing business with you.”
At today’s wedding, she had linked her arm through his as they toasted the guests. Her smile had been perfectly composed, and her manners impeccable.
Some of the older members of the family had privately commented that the daughter of the Ning family was certainly beautiful, but perhaps a little too dignified. She seemed rather cold and difficult to get along with.
And yet now, sitting in their newlywed bedroom, she was speaking to him in the tone one would use to discuss business.
It was somehow… rather cute.
Interesting.
Jiang Xiao closed the door and walked over to sit on the sofa opposite her.
The sofa was soft, and he sank into it, crossing his long legs.
“Go ahead.”
Ning Xin pushed the folder toward him.
“I carefully reviewed the prenuptial agreement. It protects the interests of both families, but the terms regarding the marriage itself are rather vague.”
Her voice was calm and her speech measured.
“Since this is a business marriage, I suggest adding some specific clauses to clearly define our respective rights and responsibilities during the partnership.”
Jiang Xiao took the folder.
The handwriting on the paper was unfamiliar to him—elegant yet firm, with every clause clearly organized.
“This marriage shall be regarded as a business partnership. Both parties shall maintain their status as husband and wife in name while refraining from interfering with each other’s private romantic relationships…”
“At necessary social occasions, both parties shall cooperate in presenting themselves as a loving married couple in order to protect the reputation of both families…”
“If either party develops a stable romantic relationship, they must voluntarily request a divorce. Neither party may conceal such a relationship or engage in infidelity. The party in breach shall pay substantial compensation…”
“During the period of cohabitation, both parties shall respect each other’s lifestyles. Any marital intimacy shall require the consent of both parties…”
“The partnership shall initially last three years. After three years, if neither party wishes to terminate it, they may discuss whether to extend the partnership or have an heir…”
…
Jiang Xiao flipped through the pages one by one.
The clauses were extremely detailed. They even included provisions such as “Neither party may bring a rumored romantic partner home” and “Family gatherings must be coordinated at least three days in advance.”
The compensation amounts were outrageously high.
She was clearly protecting herself against something.
He put down the document and looked up at her.
Ning Xin held her glass of water and met his gaze.
Under the warm light, her eyes were a light brown, clear enough to reveal her emotions.
Yet at this moment, there was no trace of newlywed shyness or anticipation for her new life.
Only an almost cold rationality.
For some inexplicable reason, a sense of irritation rose inside Jiang Xiao.
He suddenly wanted to tear away the mask this little woman was wearing and see what was hidden underneath.
“Miss Ning, you’ve thought this through very carefully.”
Jiang Xiao spoke slowly.
“But I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Clause three. ‘Any marital intimacy shall require the consent of both parties.’”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The posture carried a subtle sense of pressure.
“What if I need it right now?”
The room fell silent for several seconds.
The system suddenly appeared in Ning Xin’s mind and screamed:
【He’s teasing you! Host, he’s definitely teasing you! Quick! Slap him!】
Ning Xin set down her glass. The ceramic base lightly touched the glass coffee table with a crisp click.
“Fine,” she said.
Jiang Xiao’s eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised by her answer.
He could clearly hear his own heartbeat.
Ning Xin stood up, the belt of her robe neatly tied.
She walked over to the bed and used the remote to turn off the main light, leaving only the two bedside lamps on.
The warm yellow light gave the room a subtle atmosphere.
Then she turned around and looked at Jiang Xiao, who was still sitting on the sofa.
Her tone remained as calm as if she were discussing what to have for breakfast tomorrow.
“What would you need me to do, Mr. Jiang? Do you have any preferences regarding how we should handle it? If you have any special requirements, I suggest discussing them beforehand to avoid an unpleasant partnership.”
Jiang Xiao stared at her.
She stood beside the bed, the light behind her outlining the soft edges of her robe.
Her expression remained completely composed, as though what she had just discussed wasn’t an intimate matter at all, but simply the division of responsibilities in a business meeting.
He suddenly let out a low laugh.
It wasn’t his usual polite and distant smile.
He genuinely found her fascinating.
He stood up from the sofa, his height casting a shadow over her.
“Ning Xin.”
“Hmm?”
It was the first time he had called her by her name. His voice was slightly hoarse from the alcohol.
“You’re more interesting than I expected.”
Ning Xin looked up.
So?
Just when she thought he was going to do something next, Jiang Xiao merely reached out. His fingers brushed past the strands of hair beside her cheek before landing on the remote in her hand.
He gently took it from her.
“So, let’s rest tonight. I’ll have my lawyer review the contract tomorrow before I sign it.”
He turned toward the bathroom, but stopped at the doorway and glanced back.
“Oh, and change your nightdress.”
He paused.
“Burgundy doesn’t suit you.”
The bathroom door closed, followed by the sound of running water.
Ning Xin stood there for a moment before the corners of her lips curved slightly.
【Host, why are you smiling?】
“I’m laughing because he’s clearly shaken, yet he’s pretending to remain calm.”
Ning Xin walked over to the vanity and looked at herself in the mirror.
“Looks like we’ve gotten off to a smooth start.”
【But he hasn’t signed the contract!】
“He will.”
Ning Xin removed her hair tie, allowing her long hair to cascade down.
“A businessman values profit. The terms I’ve given him are clear and fair. He has no reason to refuse.”
She glanced toward the bathroom, where the sound of running water continued.
“Besides…”
“The contract isn’t what’s important.”
The woman’s expression in the mirror remained calm and composed, but deep within her eyes, a faint spark appeared.
