After My Death, Everyone Repented (Transmigration) - Chapter 36

Since it was getting late and Chi Yi was completely drenched, she didn’t insist on returning to the city after receiving clean clothes. Instead, she told Secretary Wang that she planned to rest for two days.

Secretary Wang booked Chi Yi the best hotel near the seaside park.

Two hours later, right on the dot, Xie Shaojun was woken up by Chi Yi.

Chi Yi didn’t fully disturb her, she just talked a lot when Xie Shaojun remained motionless and unwilling to open her eyes.

Xie Shaojun responded angrily, and Chi Yi immediately fell silent. It seemed she just wanted to confirm whether Xie Shaojun was still alive.

Too weak to even muster the energy to scold Chi Yi for interrupting her sleep, Xie Shaojun gave up on berating her altogether. Instead, she formally told Chi Yi not to wake her again, or her soul wouldn’t be able to hold on.

Chi Yi was even more anxious than Xie Shaojun herself. She asked if there was any way she could help.

After repeating the question twice, Xie Shaojun hesitated for a moment.

Still half-asleep, she simplified the explanation the system had given her and told Chi Yi a half-truth:

“The reason I can appear in the skull is because my existence is tied to your vitality. If you stay healthy and free from illness or harm, my soul will feel a little better. So don’t get sick, Chi Yi.”

A few seconds later, Chi Yi nodded attentively and seriously.

She carefully took Xie Shaojun off and placed her on the soft hotel bed. As if treating an actual person, she gently tucked the skull necklace under the blanket. Then, without another word, she whispered softly, “Goodnight.”

That evening, Secretary Wang received a bizarre phone call. After deciding not to take a shower, Chi Yi suddenly developed anxiety.

She said she was worried her necklace might be stolen if it left her sight, so she asked Secretary Wang to buy and set up a surveillance camera on the bedside table in the middle of the night.

Only after Secretary Wang delivered the camera did Chi Yi finally feel at ease enough to take a bath.

Dinner was served at the dining table in the suite, a meal from a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Chi Yi ate more than usual, which surprised Secretary Wang. “I thought you’d prefer to cook for yourself,” she remarked.

Chi Yi’s response was equally baffling. “For the sake of my health, it’s better if I don’t cook anymore.”

After dinner, something even more astonishing happened. Chi Yi took the elevator downstairs and jogged for thirty minutes along the long green path outside the hotel.

It was a rare sight exercise was something Chi Yi acknowledged as beneficial for health, but she rarely had the time for it. Even the treadmill at home seldom saw her use it.

Unless Xie Shaojun dragged her onto it for a workout.

When Chi Yi finished her run and bumped into Secretary Wang in the hotel lobby, the latter was holding a stack of documents, assuming she was finally ready to work overtime.

“Push it to tomorrow. I need to rest,” Chi Yi said.

“But Mr. Lawrence will probably require a personal apology from you” Secretary Wang trailed off, though it was clear she was actually in a good mood.

She quickly took the files from Chi Yi’s hands, the corners of her eyes crinkling with several happy creases.

Chi Yi glanced at her and said, “Tell Chi Jia to apologize on my behalf first. I’ll call Lawrence personally tomorrow.”

After wrapping up work matters, Chi Yi went straight upstairs.

The hotel wasn’t particularly high-end, but the room was clean. The soft sound of the keycard unlocking the door was the detail Chi Yi appreciated most.

In the room, the floor lamp was on. Chi Yi had finished showering in the adjacent bathroom before entering the bedroom.

She kept all sounds to a minimum, first checking the room temperature. After adjusting the thermostat to a more sleep-friendly setting, Chi Yi lifted the quilt and settled onto the pillow on the opposite side of the skull necklace.

Lying on her side, she gazed unabashedly at the delicate silver chain with its dangling skull pendant. She raised her hand, wanting to touch it, but hesitated, afraid of disturbing her.

So Chi Yi withdrew her hand, her lips trembling slightly before she silently mouthed to the skull: “There’s something I didn’t get to tell you, Xie Shaojun, thank you for coming back.”

That night, Chi Yi had the longest, most peaceful sleep she’d had in two years.

She dreamed she was standing in front of a landmark shopping mall in Beicheng. Outside a popular cake shop, a long line had formed.

Chi Yi stood alone, silently waiting in the endless, hopeless crush of people. The sun was scorching that day, its heat baking her face. Someone ahead bumped into her.

She sidestepped, and as she lifted her gaze, her eyes casually landed on a woman seated under the awning of a nearby café. The woman had long, cascading curls that reached her waist and wore a scoop-necked black dress. Many eyes in the crowd were drawn to her.

Chi Yi couldn’t look away.

She noticed the woman holding a paintbrush, careless enough not to notice the streak of green pigment staining her fingers. She swung her legs idly, wearing a pair of flat wooden sandals. Even seated, her height would likely surpass Chi Yi’s in heels.

But she didn’t stand. Instead, she kept swinging her legs, her puppy-dog eyes slightly lowered, wholly absorbed in her sketchpad. Only half of her striking profile was visible, the curve of her lips particularly arresting.

After watching for a long while, as if sensing Chi Yi’s gaze, the woman suddenly looked up, her eyes searching until they locked onto Chi Yi. Recognizing her, those red lips curled into a dazzling, radiant smile.

She called Chi Yi’s name, her tone playful and demanding: “Chi Yi, I want cake.”

Chi Yi couldn’t help but smile back. “Next time, don’t sit with your legs crossed like that it’s bad for your spine.”

At her chiding, the woman obediently uncrossed her legs.

“When’s the cake coming?”

“Soon,” Chi Yi promised, still smiling, until tears welled up in her eyes.

After two years apart, her little puppy had grown breathtakingly beautiful. Once overlooked, now the center of attention. It filled Chi Yi with dissatisfaction, yet she knew she had no right to demand anything anymore.

But then Xie Shaojun walked up to her, cupping her face. “Honestly, how can you cry while smiling?”

She wiped Chi Yi’s tears away, her lazy voice light and coaxing: “There, there, don’t cry.”

Chi Yi stared at her intently, afraid that any disturbance might drive her away. Softly, she asked, “Will you leave again?”

And then, Chi Yi woke from the dream.

She sat in bed, lost in thought for a long while.

The skull necklace beside her teased, “Chi Yi, aren’t you getting up for work? It’s already seven.”

Chi Yi’s body stiffened. Xie Shaojun rolled into her palm, and Chi Yi lifted her until their eyes were level. “Xie Shaojun,” she asked, “can you say my name again?”

Xie Shaojun glanced at her, and just as Chi Yi thought she wouldn’t respond

Xie Shaojun called out to her, “Chi Yi.”

“You had a nightmare, didn’t you? It’s all fake, don’t be sad.” Xie Shaojun might not have realized it herself, but there was a hint of coaxing in her tone.

Chi Yi’s eyes brimmed with intense warmth, but she feigned ignorance and held it back, lowering her gaze. Xie Shaojun gave her a strange look and said, “You should see a psychologist. I’ll take you.”

Chi Yi obediently agreed, then went to the bathroom for a quick three-minute shower. Without drying her hair, she stepped out, changed out of her robe, and got dressed.

Xie Shaojun, exasperated, called Chi Yi’s name again: “When there are outsiders around, don’t you know how to be a little more reserved as a woman?”

Chi Yi wanted to say, You’re not an outsider, but she couldn’t voice those words. She didn’t even understand what she was trying to do herself, so she couldn’t answer Xie Shaojun’s question.

Instead, she picked up the skull, gently stroked it, then sidestepped the issue, offering an insincere apology like a schoolchild: “I didn’t know you’d mind. Sorry.”

Then she covered Xie Shaojun with the discarded bra.

Xie Shaojun began energetically scolding her, cycling through the same few phrases: “How did you become so careless? You’ll end up with no friends at this rate.”

For some reason, Chi Yi looked at her reflection in the mirror and, for the first time in two years, smiled a genuinely happy smile.

Once dressed, she picked up Xie Shaojun, who seemed unwilling to engage with her. Xie Shaojun turned her back, clearly uninterested in responding.

Chi Yi gazed at her fondly and asked, “Xie Shaojun, is there anything I can do to help you?”

Xie Shaojun didn’t answer at first. After a moment, she turned back to face Chi Yi.

Chi Yi’s eyes held the kind of innocent sincerity that Xie Shaojun had always liked soft and trustworthy.

But Xie Shaojun didn’t want to trouble Chi Yi too much. She was also worried that her real-world identity might worsen Chi Yi’s psychological condition.

The demands of the system could be ignored, but this time, her soul had been separated for the longest duration yet. Xie Shaojun was genuinely concerned about her own body.

After a long silence, she sighed and said, “Let’s see the psychologist first. Your health is important. If you’re healthy, I can be healthy too.”

Chi Yi agreed. For some reason, she repeated her earlier question: “Is there anything else you need me to do for you?”

Xie Shaojun didn’t notice the fading hope in Chi Yi’s eyes. She replied, “We’ll talk about it later.”

Then, as if casually, she added, “Are you planning to see a doctor in Shanmian County? Do you have a regular physician?”

Chi Yi forced a smile, one Xie Shaojun, with her limited field of vision, didn’t see.

But Chi Yi’s answer eased Xie Shaojun’s worries.

“I have a regular doctor,” Chi Yi told her. “Yesterday, President Xie invited me to his home. I’ll pay him a visit while I’m there.”

Then Chi Yi called Xie Shaojun’s name: “Xie Shaojun, can I bring you along?”

Xie Shaojun replied with a hint of amusement, “Of course.”

Chi Yi glanced at her, then tucked her into her pocket, explaining that it was softer there.

Xie Shaojun didn’t mind. A short while later, as Chi Yi left the hotel, Xie Shaojun asked in a perfectly natural tone, “So, are you heading straight to Sijiu City now?”

Chi Yi shook her head and explained to Xie Shaojun in great detail: “I called to schedule a time last night, but since someone in their family is in a coma and hospitalized, I’ll have to wait until next week to visit.”

Xie Shaojun let out an “Oh.” The hospitalized person was undoubtedly Xie Shaojun herself, since her soul had left her body, she’d need IV nutrients.

But being hospitalized meant there wasn’t any major issue. Lost in thought about her physical condition, Xie Shaojun didn’t notice the faintly hurt expression on Chi Yi’s face.

After arriving in Shanmian County, Chi Yi didn’t immediately return to Nancheng. Instead, she spent the day volunteering at an orphanage she had donated to.

She was constantly on the move, surrounded by people, so Xie Shaojun didn’t make a sound or ask to come out.

On the way back, Chi Yi drove herself. Oddly enough, even though she had brought a driver, she had given both the driver and her secretary the day off.

It was raining outside, and Chi Yi kept the car moving at a steady, unhurried pace. Her Audi didn’t have the ruggedness of a G-Class, but it was one of the highest-performance cars in the world, so the noise was minimal.

Only when they reached the highway did she pick up speed, maintaining a smooth and controlled pace throughout. For this reason, she wasn’t wearing high heels but had switched to a pair of newly bought sneakers pristine white, still carrying the faint plastic scent of fresh packaging.

The car’s air conditioning wasn’t set too low, just the right temperature for sleeping.

Xie Shaojun slept until 8 p.m. She had a feeling she might be about to return, had Chi Yi not stubbornly and mercilessly woken her up, she might have gone home already.

Once awake, Xie Shaojun stayed silent.

As a disembodied soul, she really needed sleep. Just moments ago, the familiar prelude to dizziness had begun to wash over her. If Chi Yi hadn’t interrupted, she might have already returned.

And once again, she found herself hanging around Chi Yi’s neck. Chi Yi had changed into a clean, high-quality cotton turtleneck.

It seemed she had only put Xie Shaojun back on after changing.

Though they were no longer skin-to-skin, whenever Chi Yi lowered her head slightly, her breath still brushed against the skull pendant. Even if Xie Shaojun couldn’t physically feel it, the thought alone made her uncomfortable.

Bored, Xie Shaojun stared at Chi Yi’s pristine white sneakers and listened to the rain for a while.

Only after the dull sensation of dizziness faded did she turn her attention back to Chi Yi.

Chi Yi had canceled her trip to Alaska yesterday, and her phone had been buzzing nonstop. When Xie Shaojun woke up, Chi Yi was on a long call via Bluetooth headset, Lawrence was chastising her for standing him up.

For the most part, Chi Yi just listened, occasionally responding with a few words in flawless French.

The reason Xie Shaojun could understand was that Chi Yi’s replies were simple: “Mm.” “Sorry.” “Before the contract is signed, no changes hold legal weight.” “I’d love to work with you again if the opportunity arises.”

That last line was particularly infuriating the other party hung up immediately.

Xie Shaojun couldn’t help but laugh.

At first, Chi Yi stiffened slightly, but then a trace of genuine, uncharacteristic emotion flickered in her eyes. Once Xie Shaojun had laughed her fill, Chi Yi sighed and called her name: “Alright, stop distracting me while I’m driving.”

“Is that how you always talk?” Xie Shaojun replied, unable to stifle another snicker.

She had just realized that Chi Yi’s self-centered social skills were indiscriminately applied to everyone.

“Is it really that funny?” Chi Yi asked, curious.

Xie Shaojun nodded: “Lawrence is a world-class billionaire. With the attitude you just had when speaking to him, it will probably be very difficult to secure any future cooperation.”

Chi Yi nodded slowly, agreeing with Xie Shaojun’s point: “He hung up the phone rudely just now, which proves your guess is pretty much on the mark.”

In the past, Chi Yi wouldn’t have explained such topics to Xie Shaojun.

On one hand, Chi Yi believed Xie Shaojun wouldn’t be interested in hearing it. On the other hand, Chi Yi considered work to be just that work. Bringing it into personal life would only amount to meaningless chatter. Since she and Xie Shaojun rarely had time alone together, there was no need to discuss work.

But now, Chi Yi really wanted to talk to Xie Shaojun about something, even if the topic might bore her. She was willing to say more.

She told Xie Shaojun: “It doesn’t matter. Many people have told me they’d never work with me again in the future, but when faced with absolute benefits, they all go back on their word.”

In the world of fame and fortune, interactions best embody the principle of profit above all. Enemies one second can become inseparable friends the next, as long as there’s mutual benefit.

Xie Shaojun gave Chi Yi a strange look, feeling like she was being unusually talkative.

Perhaps out of a woman’s pride, not wanting to be looked down upon by Chi Yi Xie Shaojun smoothly picked up the conversation, expressing understanding.

She had run several studios as her own boss and had encountered similar situations. For example, her current art studio’s partner, Qin Wan, was someone Xie Shaojun had poached from a competitor.

To lend credibility to her words, Xie Shaojun told Chi Yi: “My business partner has excellent social skills. Actually, I poached her from a competitor.”

“Business partner?” Chi Yi paused, then, as if recalling something, asked tonelessly: “Damei?”

That was a tricky question to answer, any response would risk exposing her identity.

But strangely, Chi Yi didn’t seem to think it was Damei either. She fell silent for a moment. The car exited the highway and entered the city, shadows and light flickering across Chi Yi’s thick lashes.

Xie Shaojun saw Chi Yi blink uncomfortably. She rolled down the window, and the car drove a long distance in silence.

Finally, as if unable to hold back any longer, Chi Yi asked Xie Shaojun: “You and your business partner are that close? Going to work together every day, traveling on business together, sharing a room. When you come back late, she waits for you outside the elevator in a bathrobe and calls herself your sister.”

Author’s note: Chi Yi, ah, my dear sister, don’t be difficult it’ll only bring misfortune.