After My Death, Everyone Repented (Transmigration) - Chapter 39.1

The hot pot restaurant was located next to Jile Tang on Xining Road.

It wasn’t too far from the mall.

Since it was peak dining hours, the roads were congested.

The G-Class stood out conspicuously on the street, its wide body occupied two lanes. A traffic officer approached, stopping by the driver’s side and knocking on the window.

Before Xie Shaojun could react, Chi Yi instinctively glanced at the officer’s badge, unbuckled her seatbelt, and prepared to handle the situation herself.

“Chi Yi.” Xie Shaojun called out to her. Chi Yi turned her head, meeting Xie Shaojun’s gaze.

“Hmm?”

“It’s nothing.” Xie Shaojun’s puppy-like eyes curved into a smile. “Don’t worry.”

“Can you grab my driver’s license for me? It’s in the storage compartment.”

Chi Yi froze for three seconds. She had originally planned to make a phone call, but for some reason, she didn’t act on any of those unnecessary impulses.

Following Xie Shaojun’s request, she found the driver’s license in the storage compartment, pulled out the palm-sized booklet, and handed it over.

Xie Shaojun rolled down the window, exchanged a few words with the officer outside, then took the vehicle registration certificate from the dashboard and passed it over.

Traffic regulations didn’t prohibit driving a G-Class on the road. Before long, after all the documents were checked, the officer signaled for them to proceed.

Xie Shaojun wasn’t a slow driver. As the car merged back into the lane, the late summer evening breeze brushed against their faces. The two-lane road was empty of other vehicles, and the view opened up. Chi Yi watched the receding nightscape and smiled.

“What are you smiling at?” Xie Shaojun asked casually.

Chi Yi said, “I once asked you why you drive a G-Class.”

Xie Shaojun didn’t remember how she had answered because at the time, they had been arguing fiercely over a parking spot. When it came to fights fueled by anger, Xie Shaojun didn’t have Chi Yi’s sharp memory, she only recalled Chi Yi’s expression back then.

Xie Shaojun glanced at her. “So, what did I say?”

“You said the G-Class was your dream, that it gave you a sense of security.”

Xie Shaojun shifted gears and replied offhandedly, “Do you understand me now?”

“No.” Chi Yi answered honestly.

Xie Shaojun gave her a strange look through the rearview mirror. Chi Yi was sitting sideways, her peach-blossom eyes slightly widened, her gaze brazenly fixed on Xie Shaojun’s face. After a moment, just as Xie Shaojun was about to tell her not to stare so rudely

Chi Yi averted her eyes and said, “The reason I was angry that day was because I couldn’t understand why you’d avoid me and place your dreams and sense of security in something like a car. The idea that a person could be less reliable than an object felt too strong. For example, my dreams and sense of security aren’t things a car can provide.”

This childish, bizarre reason left Xie Shaojun stunned.

For a moment, she didn’t know what expression to make. At the next traffic light, she signaled for a turn and stared blankly at the hazy, golden glow of the streetlights ahead.

After a pause, Chi Yi asked, “Aren’t you going to ask me who can influence my dreams and sense of security?”

She might as well have written the answer on her face, probably thinking her roundabout way of flirting was sophisticated.

Xie Shaojun felt an indescribable mix of amusement and melancholy.

Truthfully, she hadn’t failed to notice Chi Yi’s changes. Flirting was something Chi Yi struggled with it was like trying to master computational mathematics to the point where a machine could process the data, but the human brain simply couldn’t handle such vast numerical arrays, forced to bow to innate limitations.

Chi Yi was like that clueless human, attempting to compete with a computer in data processing.

She condescended to learn emotions more complex than her usual way of thinking, her eyes often brimming with innocence and confusion, making it impossible for anyone to bear the thought of troubling such a Chi Yi.

Xie Shaojun found her own resolve feeling rather cheap. Chi Yi always wore that look, making Xie Shaojun’s heart ache as well.

She couldn’t help but think of Chi Yi as someone easy to take advantage of.

As a grown woman, being tempted was a perfectly normal thing.

With desire at the forefront, waving the banner of hormones supreme, it was only natural for Chi Yi to gaze at Xie Shaojun with pure, innocent longing, wanting a response from her.

The car window rolled down, letting in a few minutes of cool breeze.

Chi Yi was still waiting for Xie Shaojun’s answer. Xie Shaojun narrowed her eyes, deliberately avoiding her gaze, and turned off the engine.

Without looking at her, she said, “We’re here.”

She took the initiative to shift the topic: “Is this the place?”

Half of Chi Yi’s face was cast in shadow as she answered softly, “Mm.”

“I never noticed there was a hotpot restaurant here before.”

The two exchanged idle, meaningless chatter.

Though her expression was downcast, Chi Yi didn’t make things difficult for Xie Shaojun, feigning composure as she followed the conversation: “You’ve never been here before?”

The hotpot restaurant had a villa-style exterior, with three cars parked in front.

While waiting for a parking spot, if the conversation stalled here, Xie Shaojun would clearly sense Chi Yi sitting in the shadows, her profile etched with gloom and disappointment.

Xie Shaojun rested her arm on the window ledge, not entirely understanding why she felt compelled to account for Chi Yi’s disappointment.

After a moment’s thought, she changed the subject to something Chi Yi might find interesting, telling her she hadn’t really explored the capital in four years.

After the car accident, she was in a coma for two years.

Upon waking, she underwent rehabilitation to get out of the wheelchair, then spent another year in Sri Lanka.

“The city’s developed so fast many of these buildings went up later.”

The car suddenly fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Chi Yi’s breathing grew faint.

The details of Xie Shaojun’s recent years were something Chi Yi had learned more thoroughly from others than from Xie Shaojun herself. Yet hearing it recounted in Xie Shaojun’s own voice still summoned an indescribable ache in her chest.

Chi Yi glanced several times at Xie Shaojun’s hand before lowering her lashes and brushing the back of her own hand against Xie Shaojun’s, as if to confirm she was real.

Only then did Chi Yi speak Xie Shaojun’s name.

Xie Shaojun turned her head: “Hm?”

She sensed Chi Yi had much to say, but in the end, Chi Yi only stared into Xie Shaojun’s eyes and asked, “Will you disappear again?”

Xie Shaojun wasn’t sure if Chi Yi had misspoken, using the word “disappear” to describe her death from cancer in her past life.

She studied Chi Yi’s face her expression was focused, as if unaware of any verbal misstep.

“Life and death are unpredictable. No one can say for sure.”

Meeting Chi Yi’s suddenly anxious gaze, Xie Shaojun pursed her lips and murmured, “But it’s not so easy for me to die again. I had a full checkup earlier this year, I’m healthy.”

“You might be curious about how I survived. Actually, this body was always mine. Four years ago, I was in a severe car accident and fell into a long coma. It was during that time that I lived out Xie Shaojun of Nancheng’s previous life.”

Xie Shaojun looked into Chi Yi’s eyes and asked, “Does that sound absurd to you?”

“It makes sense,” Chi Yi answered without hesitation.

Without even the slightest doubt, she calmly looked at Xie Shaoyun and accepted the whole matter.

Perhaps because Chi Yi indeed appeared composed and unruffled, without pressing for details, Xie Shaoyun felt slightly more at ease. She herself didn’t quite understand how this timeline jump had occurred.

After the car accident, the system contacted her, saying she would never wake up from the crash. To survive, she had to complete ten dimensional role-playing missions in succession to earn a chance at rebirth.

Thus, Xie Shaoyun accepted the quick transmigration tasks. While in a coma, she began her role-playing missions.

By the time she completed the missions and returned, regaining her memories, many things remained unclear, such as the lost memories from when she was six years old as the villainess Xie Shaoyun in her past life, or why the previous dimension overlapped with her original one. Xie Shaoyun herself didn’t fully grasp the entire situation.

So she didn’t explain it clearly to Chi Yi either.

Strangely, Chi Yi didn’t ask.

When their eyes met, Chi Yi only said, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

This was the third time Chi Yi had asked this question. Xie Shaoyun couldn’t help but give her a curious glance before thinking it over and saying there was nothing she needed help with at the moment.

For a brief moment, Chi Yi’s expression turned complicated. She let out a subdued “Oh” and deliberately averted her gaze.

After a while, as if struck by a thought, Chi Yi repeated the same question again.

“You want to help me?” Chi Yi nodded. Xie Shaoyun asked, “Repaying a favor?”

Chi Yi paused, then said, “Whatever you say.”

Earlier, three men and two women had stepped out of the Maserati. Two of the older ones had been seen before at a business banquet hosted by Xie Cheng, their attire and taste impeccable. Xie Shaoyun’s large G-Class was easy to recognize.

The two approached to greet Xie Shaoyun. After exchanging pleasantries, their gazes subtly drifted toward Chi Yi in the passenger seat.

Xie Shaoyun discreetly blocked their line of sight, politely declining their invitation to go upstairs together. Using parking as an excuse, she followed the flow of cars toward the entrance, where a valet promptly approached.

Tossing the keys to the valet, Xie Shaoyun stood by the revolving door, waiting for Chi Yi to catch up. She tilted her head, studying her for a moment.

Chi Yi wore minimal accessories a white silk crossover blouse paired with black trousers.

Her long, straight black hair cascaded naturally down her back, unaltered by straightening or softening treatments, its smooth arc resting at her waist.

A simple, casual outfit, yet one that would never seem out of place in any setting.

Before their marriage, Xie Shaoyun had assumed Chi Yi disliked makeup, as her bare face and light makeup appeared nearly identical.

In reality, however, Chi Yi’s outings involved meticulously designed looks her makeup, outfit pairings, even the precise arc of her hair, all curated by professional stylists, lending her an unmistakable air of elegance.

The only discordant note was the silver skull pendant around her neck. Upon closer inspection, Xie Shaoyun noticed the skull was wrapped in a soft, cloth-like material, cushioning where it touched Chi Yi’s collarbone.

As Chi Yi moved, the skull slipped out from her collar. Xie Shaoyun watched as Chi Yi, expression unchanging, tucked it back into her clothes with an almost petty possessiveness.

It took Xie Shaoyun several seconds to realize why so many people had recognized Chi Yi tonight. It wasn’t because her looks were particularly striking, but because, with her driver absent, Chi Yi had carried her own bag, a pearl-embellished Hermès clutch, this year’s most coveted new release.

There’s only one bag like this in the world, and with it in her hand, anyone with a discerning eye would recognize Chi Yi’s status.

Xie Shaojun had initially thought to remind Chi Yi to leave the bag in the car, but Chi Yi remained unfazed, ignoring the eager onlookers itching to strike up a conversation.

The two walked side by side for a few steps when Chi Yi suddenly asked, “Does a place like this make you uncomfortable?”

Xie Shaojun countered, “Why do you say that?”

Chi Yi explained that she rarely visited Sijiu City and wasn’t familiar with the area. Earlier, she had been too preoccupied instructing her assistant to look up the hotpot restaurant’s name and hadn’t clarified the details, she hadn’t expected it to be this kind of place.

“How about we go somewhere else?” Chi Yi made as if to turn back.

Xie Shaojun swiftly grabbed her hand, and the moment they touched, both fell silent.

Chi Yi didn’t turn around. Her fingers were slightly stiff, but her palm was warm, much warmer than when she had secretly held Xie Shaojun’s hand in the car.

After a brief pause, as if not giving Xie Shaojun a chance to reconsider, she shifted her hand into Xie Shaojun’s palm, waiting to be held.

Xie Shaojun didn’t know why she ended up holding Chi Yi’s hand as they walked a few more steps.

She told Chi Yi, “No need to change. The atmosphere here is actually quite nice.”

A glimmer of amusement flickered in Chi Yi’s eyes as she let out a light, cheerful hum.

When they reached the elevator, where the light was brighter, they ran into the same two acquaintances from earlier.

Xie Shaojun naturally let go of Chi Yi’s hand and just like that, Chi Yi’s smile vanished.

Chang Fei had dinner plans tonight with Xie Qingcheng, a high-ranking official from Sijiu City’s Banking Regulatory Commission.

The gathering had already started when Chang Fei suddenly called in a few extra drinking companions.

The moment the private room door opened, the two newcomers spotted Xie Qingcheng and immediately plastered on smiles, raising their glasses. They downed three shots in self-punishment before sidling up to Xie Qingcheng, acting far more ingratiating than usual.

“Director Xie, I just saw your sister downstairs,” one of them said.

Xie Qingcheng’s brow furrowed. She pushed away the baijiu in front of her and took a sip from her wine glass instead.

Claiming she couldn’t handle her liquor—though in truth, she barely drank—she played the seasoned fox at the table. A couple of sips were just for show, while the rest of the alcohol was downed by the younger staff in her department. Sipping her red wine, she casually snapped a few photos of the gathering to send to her sister.

But before she could send them, she learned that her sister was actually eating hotpot in the same building.

Chang Fei was even more restless than Xie Qingcheng. She strode up to the newcomers and demanded, “Xie Shaojun’s here for dinner? Why didn’t you invite her in?”

The man hesitated. “We wanted to, but Miss Xie came with a friend, and that friend’s status…”

His words trailed off, and Xie Qingcheng, impatient with his half-spoken hints, cut straight to the point. “Which private room are they in?”

He gave the number, clearly eager to tag along, but Xie Qingcheng had already dismissed them. After excusing herself to her superiors, she strode out of the room, with Chang Fei hot on her heels.

Xie Qingcheng stopped abruptly. “You’re the host tonight. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to leave midway?”

“Come on, sis. If Xie Shaojun’s here, I’ve got to go say hello,” Chang Fei said without hesitation, slinging an arm over Xie Qingcheng’s shoulder. “Just a quick toast, alright? No ulterior motives.”

“Who’s your ‘sis’?” Xie Qingcheng brushed off the familiarity.

Chang Fei wasn’t angry either and shamelessly said, “Are you sure this won’t interfere with Xie Shaojun’s feelings? Just talking to her for a couple of words—do you really have to guard against me like I’m some thief?”

“Earlier, I asked you to call Xie Shaojun over for dinner, but you refused. Now you’re hoarding all the good stuff for yourself,” Chang Fei complained. “And before I even got a chance to make a move, some stray cat from outside has already set their sights on her.”

Xie Qingcheng hadn’t taken more than a few steps when she turned around, holding her thermos, clearly displeased with Chang Fei’s description of Xie Shaojun’s dinner companion. “Don’t talk nonsense. My little sister probably doesn’t have a girlfriend. Not all women share the same orientation as you.”

Chang Fei gave Xie Qingcheng a look that said she had no idea what she was talking about. “That’s because you don’t know how much Xie Shaojun attracts women.”

“After all these years, with her looks effortlessly charming, laid-back, those bright puppy-dog eyes, who wouldn’t fall for a girl like that? Have you seen her fingers when she holds a paintbrush? Long, fair, with soft, rounded fingertips. She loves sports, has a high level of education. Oh, and send me those photos of her working out at the boxing gym.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” Xie Qingcheng couldn’t help but retort. “Stop fantasizing. If you actually became my sister’s wife, I’d probably slap you on sight.”