Chapter 379 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (36)

Chapter 379: The Rigid Wife in a Republic of China Story (36)

"Tang Qing..."

"Are you here for me?"

Perhaps influenced by Qu Wanran's words, Fang Zhuo also found himself thinking that Tang Qing had deliberately planned to meet him at today's event.

"Are you... here because of the divorce?"

When he asked this question, Fang Zhuo couldn't help but reveal a flicker of hope in his eyes.

So...

She really didn't want to let him go after the divorce?

Did she regret it?

The mere possibility made Fang Zhuo feel an obvious sense of eagerness, even thrill, hidden in his heart!

"Tang Qing..."

He was about to say more, but Qu Wanran suddenly cut in sharply, "The matter of the divorce is already settled. Even if you regret it now, it's too late!"

"Tang Qing, the divorce agreement clearly states... after the divorce, the wife may not harass the husband for any reason!"

Her voice was shrill. At this moment, Qu Wanran resembled a mother hen fiercely protecting her chicks, standing firmly in front of Fang Zhuo, every word a warning for Tang Qing, the ex-wife.

A few steps away, Xiao He stood by her young lady’s side. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but roll her eyes hard!

These two were really something else.

Her young lady hadn’t even said a word, yet they were so eager to make assumptions!

"Miss Qu!"

Xiao He spoke up, "Which of your eyes saw my young lady harassing Young Master Fang?"

Her form of address had changed. Xiao He no longer held back as she once did in the master-servant relationship, and her words were even more biting: "If anything, it's you, Miss Qu..."

"Your behavior has been consistent—chasing him before the divorce and continuing to do so even after."

"When it comes to the art of pestering someone, our young lady is no match for you."

Her words instantly silenced the room!

With these remarks, Xiao He had completely torn down Qu Wanran's facade!

The rouge on Qu Wanran’s cheeks flushed to a dark, purplish red, like liver meat!

Her expression was utterly grim, her eyes fixed fiercely on Tang Qing as she gritted her teeth and said, "I just knew it!"

"You're definitely jealous of me and Senior Brother Fang Zhuo..."

"So! You showed up today deliberately, trying to come between me and Senior Brother!"

"You simply don’t understand what we have between me and Senior Brother Fang Zhuo..."

Here we go again!

Xiao He could already imagine what Qu Wanran was about to say next!

Nine times out of ten, she would bring up how they went abroad together for studies, how they connected and understood each other, how they kept each other company...

Just the same few stories over and over again, things Qu Wanran had to bring up every day, always finding a chance to brag.

"Qu Wanran."

Before that tired old love story could be spoken, Tang Qing suddenly spoke up, interrupting Qu Wanran's sentimental reminiscing.

"You and Fang Zhuo have no need to explain anything to me now."

"After all... I have no interest in rehashing your love story."

She’s still putting on an act!

She obviously came here deliberately today!

She had to show up today, of all days, just when I’m at my happiest!

It’s obvious she’s targeting me and Fang Zhuo!

Qu Wanran’s breath became ragged, her eyes turning fierce. "Then why are you here?"

"Don’t tell me you also received an invitation to the tenth anniversary?"

Her tone was dripping with sarcasm; Qu Wanran was certain that Fang Zhuo’s ex-wife would never be among the publisher’s invitees!

Xu Jing’s invitations were reserved for translators familiar to the publishing house.

That Tang Qing was nothing but a shut-in bitter woman—no pedigree, no refinement, no connections. The only time she probably ever made the newspapers was when her divorce from Fang Zhuo was announced.

What kind of connection could she possibly have with the publishing editors!

A wave of superiority surged through Qu Wanran, seemingly reinforcing the rightness of her relationship with Fang Zhuo. She subconsciously straightened her shoulders.

She was just about to suggest that Xu Jing have the intruders removed.

Right at that moment!

Xiao He confidently pulled out a foiled invitation from her sleeve!

"Miss Qu, are you talking about this?"

Xiao He said disdainfully, "Seems like she did receive one."

The moment that foiled invitation was revealed!

Qu Wanran’s breath nearly stopped!

How can this be!

How could she have one?

Her first reaction was to look at Fang Zhuo, gritting her teeth as she asked, "You gave it to her?"

"Your invitation—you gave it to her?"

Fang Zhuo was utterly perplexed. Qu Wanran's pushy attitude rubbed him the wrong way, and he replied, annoyed, "How could that be?"

"My invitation is at home..."

So where did hers come from?

Qu Wanran immediately turned her gaze to Xu Jing!

Xu Jing actually thought it over carefully before speaking slowly, "All the translators who were supposed to come today have signed in..."

No sooner had she spoken!

Qu Wanran blurted out, raising her voice, "Then hers must be fake!"

Her eagerness to pass judgment even made Xu Jing pause in surprise. She coughed awkwardly, thought for a moment, and added, "Well, not exactly..."

"There's still one who hasn't shown up..."

"Who else hasn't come?!"

Like a prosecutor hunting for discrepancies, Qu Wanran widened her eyes, scrutinizing the sign-in sheet from top to bottom!

Trying to figure out who was missing...

At that moment, Xiao He cut in, "Miss Qu, stop looking."

"Her pen name is 'Nan Xu.'"

Nan Xu?

Which Nan Xu?

The realization of who 'Nan Xu' was dawned on her, and Qu Wanran, who had been so combative, was completely stunned!

How could it be!

How could she be Mr. 'Nan Xu'?

This translator, who had emerged not long ago, was like a sudden morning star in the night sky! With an extremely domineering and forceful presence, she had burst onto the radar of every publisher!

'Nan Xu' was too outstanding!

The translations of these economics monographs were professionally impeccable. From a translator's perspective, the word choice and sentence structure were masterful! To translate such dense economics texts so accessibly, while even capturing the literary quality of the text...

An absolute master!

But...

How could such a master be Tang Qing?

The other attendees were also aware of Nan Xu's caliber. Hearing Xiao He's words, they buzzed with incredulous chatter:

"Is this little girl pulling our leg? How could she be 'Nan Xu'?"

"I always thought 'Nan Xu' must be an economics professor. She's actually this young?"

"How old is she? I still can't wrap my head around all that economics stuff..."

Amid the whispers, everyone's gaze focused on Tang Qing alone!

So young!

Economics was also a relatively new field. In today's ever-changing and unpredictable world, most economic theories were modeled after Western economic patterns.

Only in the books translated by Nan Xu was a broader perspective on economics hinted at.

This perspective was newer! More elevated!

From the glimpses they'd caught, all industry insiders had assumed that this translator named 'Nan Xu' was at least a professor-level figure...

Now, an economics professor... was actually Tang Qing?