As far as Huo Zhiyuan was concerned, he knew his nominal wife fairly well.
She was the kind of person you could read at a glance.
Vain, materialistic, and shrewd.
Fortunately, she also had a clear understanding of herself.
Her goals had always been simple, fame, wealth, and status. She never asked for anything beyond that.
Whenever they appeared together in public, she treated him more like a superior than a husband. Every time they attended an event side by side, Huo Zhiyuan could clearly sense her discomfort and restraint.
It reminded him of how his employees acted when trapped alone with him in an elevator.
They couldn’t wait for it to end so they could escape.
Not like the Xue Yanxin standing before him now.
This version had practically chased him down, moved in uninvited, and acted as though she’d known him for years.
Most suspicious of all…
She had chosen to do it after he’d gone bankrupt.
Based on everything he knew about the old Xue Yanxin, she should have run as far away from him as possible.
She understood better than anyone that if he could bring her glory while standing at the peak, then once he fell into the abyss, he would only bring storms into her life.
Someone as calculating and materialistic as she was would never stay for another person.
His thoughts drifted back to the last time he’d seen her.
She’d been drunk.
Reeking of alcohol.
Far bolder than usual.
She had grabbed his collar with bloodshot eyes, nearly hysterical as she shouted,
“Is it true? Did you really go bankrupt? Tell me!”
“How can you be this useless?”
“You were the rightful heir, and you actually got kicked out by some outsider, an illegitimate son!”
“You’re pathetic!”
“If I’d been born into the Huo family as the eldest legitimate grandson, I would’ve…”
“Blech!”
She’d suddenly vomited all over herself.
Foam appeared at the corners of her mouth before she lost consciousness.
By the time she reached the hospital, she was in critical condition.
Yet somehow…
After just one night…
She recovered completely.
The doctors even said she could be discharged as soon as she woke up.
After paying her hospital bill, Huo Zhiyuan left.
He had assumed she’d disappear from his life forever.
Instead…
Only a few days later…
She moved out of her hotel and into his apartment building.
Not only that…
She seemed like an entirely different person.
Ever since he’d gifted her the villa, she’d been living in a luxury suite at a five-star hotel while the house underwent renovations.
It suited her perfectly.
Convenient.
Luxurious.
And satisfying her vanity.
The villa had already been finished for two months, and most of the formaldehyde had long since dissipated.
All it needed now was one final professional air treatment before it was ready to move into.
If she were planning to relocate…
She should have moved into the villa.
Not into this old apartment.
After all…
Living here would only lower her status.
So what’s your real objective?
Were you sent by… them?
Resting his chin on one hand, Huo Zhiyuan absentmindedly rubbed his fingers together, a habit he had whenever he was deep in thought.
Suddenly…
A possibility flashed through his mind.
Is she… really Xue Yanxin?
Given his current situation, he couldn’t afford to overlook even the most impossible possibility.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Run another background check.”
After a brief pause, he added,
“Find out whether Xue Yanxin has a twin sister.”
“Or a twin younger sister.”
…
The next morning…
Xue Yanxin made two sandwiches for breakfast.
It wasn’t because sandwiches were her favorite.
Compared to steamed buns or noodles, they were simply much easier.
A few slices of bread.
Two fried eggs.
A couple of raw cabbage leaves.
Several slices of luncheon meat.
A squeeze of mayonnaise.
Stack everything together…
Done.
It took less than ten minutes.
Her hands stayed clean.
The kitchen barely got dirty.
She only had to wash a single pan.
Besides…
She had always imagined that a high-and-mighty CEO like Huo Zhiyuan must have grown up eating steaks and toast.
Surely he’d prefer sandwiches over buns and noodles.
Carrying two sandwiches out of the kitchen, she noticed Huo Zhiyuan already dressed in a neatly pressed suit.
He was changing into his shoes by the front door.
Apparently, he was heading out.
“Where are you going?”
She blinked.
“Want me to wrap the sandwich so you can eat it on the way?”
“You made breakfast?”
Huo Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
After all…
She had spent more than an hour making yesterday’s dinner.
Now she’d only been in the kitchen a few minutes.
“Yeah.”
“I made sandwiches.”
“They’re super easy.”
“If you’re leaving, I can package yours for the trip.”
“No need.”
He stopped changing his shoes and walked back toward the dining table.
As always…
He pulled out a chair for her before taking his own seat.
While eating, Xue Yanxin gradually slipped into the role of a worried mother lecturing her son.
“I know you’re too proud to use my money.”
“But things are different now.”
“When you’re out and about, save money whenever you can.”
“Sometimes taking the subway or bus is much more cost-effective than hailing a taxi.”
“Especially the subway.”
“You never have to worry about traffic.”
She suddenly looked at him.
“Wait.”
“Do you even know how to ride the subway or take a bus?”
Before he could answer, she shook her head.
“Never mind.”
“I’ll teach you.”
Like an enthusiastic community volunteer, Xue Yanxin immediately took out her phone and carefully demonstrated how to scan QR codes with Alipay and WeChat to pay for public transportation.
When she finally finished explaining…
She looked up.
Only to discover Huo Zhiyuan staring at her as though she were an idiot.
His expression remained perfectly blank.
“I’m only broke.”
He paused.
“I’m not brain-dead.”
“Even elementary school students know how to do this.”
His tone practically screamed,
You seriously thought I needed lessons for that?
Out of courtesy…
He still added,
“Thank you.”
Unfortunately…
Xue Yanxin felt none of that courtesy.
Instead, it felt like she’d shown off swordsmanship in front of a legendary general.
Utterly humiliating.
“If you already knew…”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
She complained while taking an angry bite out of her sandwich.
I’d finally thought I’d get the chance to be the great tycoon’s teacher for once…
“It’s rude to interrupt someone.”
“Especially when they’re trying to help.”
Huo Zhiyuan replied casually.
“Well…”
She pouted.
“I somehow feel even more offended now.”
Seeing her sulking expression…
Huo Zhiyuan let out a laugh so faint it was almost impossible to notice.
Then he said politely,
“Thank you for the sandwich.”
After finishing breakfast, he wiped his mouth, picked up his briefcase, and headed out.
Watching him leave, Xue Yanxin guessed he was either looking for a job…
Or had already found one.
Looks like I should start job hunting too.
I can’t keep living off my savings forever.
If I ever get seriously sick again, all this money will disappear in no time.