Halfway through the meal, Xi Leyao’s messages arrived.
Several in a row—Song Jinhe couldn’t ignore them even if she wanted to.
She set down her chopsticks, picked up her phone, glanced at it, and pursed her lips helplessly.
“Who is it?” Jiang Yuan asked between bites of meat, noticing her expression.
“Xi Leyao,” Song Jinhe told her.
[Xi Leyao: Are you home yet?]
[Xi Leyao: Have you eaten properly?]
[Xi Leyao: It’s hot out—buy some cold water on your way back.]
[Xi Leyao: Once I get paid this month, we’ll move to a different neighborhood. It has to have air conditioning and a washing machine.]
Looking at these four messages, Song Jinhe thought for a moment before typing a reply.
[Song Jinhe: I haven’t made it back to the rental yet. I ran into Jiang Yuan and her fiancé, and Fu Jingchuan called me a pauper. He even said I don’t have the status to speak to him now. It’s all your fault—if you weren’t so useless, I wouldn’t have been insulted.]
[Song Jinhe: You’re worthless!]
[Song Jinhe: Crying bunny.jpg]
Xi Leyao, who had just reported the Blue Sky Bar for fire safety violations, saw the messages, and his eyes darkened.
His wife had been humiliated again because of him. It was his lack of capability.
The more Xi Leyao thought about it, the worse he felt. He drove to the riverside, watching the rippling water. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pack of Double Happiness cigarettes, took one out, and lit it.
He hadn’t smoked a single one of these cigarettes before. While delivering food, he sometimes encountered security guards who wouldn’t let him in. In those situations, Xi Leyao would offer a cigarette and say a few polite words.
Some would accept the cigarette and let him pass, while others, even if they didn’t, would at least tell him where he could enter.
Xi Leyao wasn’t addicted to smoking—even during his entrepreneurial days, he never let himself develop the habit.
But seeing Song Jinhe’s messages, his chest tightened with discomfort.
How bright and charming Song Jinhe used to be—the way she sweetly called him “husband” had melted Xi Leyao’s heart.
The memory of her smiling and clinging to him was something he could never forget.
It was this gentle, sweet wife who, even during his most difficult times, never thought of leaving him.
She used to have the best of everything—clothes, food, and daily necessities—and even when she wanted cake, she worried about burdening him.
How could anyone say such harsh words to someone as beautiful and lovely as Song Jinhe?
No wonder people said those in wealthy circles only fawn over the powerful and trample on the weak.
His wife was being bullied by these people.
He only took one puff at the beginning—the rest of the cigarette slowly burned away on its own.
Just as Xi Leyao put out the cigarette and prepared to stand up, a voice came from behind: “Handsome, if you have any problems, let’s sit down and talk. Don’t do anything rash.”
The voice grew closer, and before he could react, a pale hand grabbed Xi Leyao’s wrist.
The warm touch against his skin sent shivers down his spine.
Without thinking, he shook off the hand and stared at the woman with guarded eyes. “Who are you?”
The female lead, Ji Zhi, took two steps back, nearly stumbling as she struggled to keep her balance.
Even after being shaken off like that, Ji Zhi didn’t get angry. She smiled at him and said, “I’m Ji Zhi. Are you okay?”
“Are you facing some difficulties? You can vent to me. Since we’re in this world, we shouldn’t be so desperate over a little setback, right?” Ji Zhi said, reaching out again to grab his wrist.
Xi Leyao, however, found this woman utterly baffling. When had he ever said he wanted to die?
If he died, wouldn’t it just benefit those men who had their eyes on Song Jinhe?
Especially that Lu Xing—he and Song Jinhe were husband and wife, yet he dared to come and sow discord between them.
Xi Leyao didn’t respond. He turned and walked back up the slope.
Seeing him head back, Ji Zhi followed with a cheerful smile.
“Handsome, are you having trouble with your delivery job? You can tell me about it.”
“In life, not everything goes as planned. When you face difficulties, overcome them, defeat them, move past them, and stride toward a brighter future.” Ji Zhi chattered away behind him, worried that Xi Leyao might lose hope again and attempt suicide.
Listening to her words, Xi Leyao found them unbearably noisy. Did he not already know these truths?
He could climb back to the top, but what he lacked was capital and people who believed in him.
He sat on his electric scooter, placed his phone on the holder, opened the app, and started accepting orders.
Ji Zhi continued talking nonstop, pouring out basket after basket of encouraging words.
“You’re very noisy.” Xi Leyao paused what he was doing, glanced at her, and spoke calmly.
“I know what I want.”
After saying this, Xi Leyao twisted the throttle and rode off, leaving Ji Zhi alone where she stood.
Watching his retreating figure, the bright smile on Ji Zhi’s face instantly vanished.
So aloof, just like in her previous life.
This time, she would definitely make Xi Leyao fall for her.
A greedy and lustful woman like Song Jinhe didn’t deserve an outstanding man like Xi Leyao.
Ji Zhi had been reborn, returning to the year she was 25, during the time when Xi Leyao, the once-rising star of the capital, had gone bankrupt and was struggling as a deliveryman.
Xi Leyao was delivering food every day during this period. This man, who had once stood so high, must have been suffering deeply after his sudden downfall.
As long as she comforted and redeemed him during his lowest moments, when Xi Leyao rose to the top again, she would surely have a place by his side.
As for Song Jinhe, that greedy and lustful woman, she would eventually be cast aside and become a plaything for others.
Xi Leyao arrived at the store to pick up the delivery, and another message popped up on his phone.
He tapped on it, and more messages followed.
[Song Jinhe: Xi Leyao, you useless man! The dress I wanted is sold out, and I can’t buy it anymore!]
[Song Jinhe: Image/]
[Song Jinhe: Ahhh, it’s sold out! How am I supposed to look stunning in photos now?]
The dress in the image was a red and black Lolita-style gown. The skirt wasn’t very long, ending just above the knees, with layers of red and black tulle intricately overlapping. A red bow adorned the chest area.
It was beautiful, stunning. Xi Leyao couldn’t even imagine how gorgeous Song Jinhe would look wearing it.
But the dress was already sold out, and he lacked the means to hire a private designer to create a custom version for Song Jinhe.
Xi Leyao pressed his lips together, clenching his fists in frustration at his own helplessness.
[Xi Leyao: I’m sorry…]
[Song Jinhe: Hmph! All you know how to say is ‘sorry.’ Can’t you find me another one? You don’t care about me at all.]
[Song Jinhe: I don’t care, I want you to get me a similar one in a week.]
[Song Jinhe: If you can’t get it, I won’t talk to you anymore.]
Seeing this last message from Song Jinhe, Xi Leyao’s heart tightened, and he quickly dialed a voice call.
Wearing headphones, he twisted the throttle as he headed toward his destination.
Once Song Jinhe answered, he hurriedly said, “I’ll buy you a set that’s almost the same. You can’t ignore me.”