After My Death, Everyone Repented (Transmigration) - Chapter 54

For the entire month of October, Xie Shaoyun recuperated in the hospital.

It wasn’t particularly boring, there were plenty of text messages and phone calls. Work-related calls started coming in nonstop from the third day she woke up, most of them from Qin Wan.

Xie Shaoyun didn’t pay them much attention and quietly stayed in the hospital for a month. Strangely, her entire family avoided mentioning her discharge.

One day in late November, Xie Cheng and Feng Qianqian came to visit Xie Shaoyun at the hospital. She joked with her mother, “Mom, are you planning to keep me locked up like a caged canary?”

Feng Qianqian reached out and ruffled Xie Shaoyun’s messy curls a few times. “I think staying in the hospital is fine. What if you fall into a coma again next time?”

Xie Shaoyun held her mother’s hand and apologized, “I won’t let it happen again.”

Then she turned the same apologetic gaze toward Xie Cheng.

Xie Cheng didn’t say much, giving her a light hug before telling her, “Being sick and getting treated isn’t a big deal. Good luck never needs to apologize to Dad.”

“There are people outside who want to see you. Will you meet them?”

Xie Cheng stood there, instinctively reaching for his cigarette case. He had already pinched one between his fingers, but when he met Xie Shaoyun’s eyes, he tossed it into the trash.

Xie Shaoyun thought for a moment, her long curls falling against her cheeks. She looked up and asked, “Who?”

“Professor Feng, Professor Xie, retired professors from Nancheng University. They…” Xie Cheng paused. His innate sense of propriety prevented him from commenting on whether their behavior was inappropriate, so he simply looked at Xie Shaoyun and asked, “Do you want to see them?”

The Xie family had historical ties with Xie Guangqi’s ancestors. Recently, Xie Guangqi had visited the old lady, invoking his mother’s past friendship with her, which had rekindled the connection.

The old lady had casually invited Xie Guangqi to her 80th birthday celebration.

After learning about this, Xie Cheng felt the decision should be left to Xie Shaoyun. If she wanted to avoid it, he would handle it.

Feng Qianqian carefully tucked Xie Shaoyun’s stray hair behind her ear, visibly displeased. But Xie Cheng had discussed it with her beforehand they would respect their daughter’s wishes.

So she only said irritably, “They’re so eager to latch onto the old lady’s connections. Both of them are completely unreasonable. With such high education, yet their character is lacking. Their own child is gone, and now they’re obsessively fixated on someone else’s daughter, crossing boundaries and disrupting others’ lives. Isn’t that just selfish?”

“Has Grandma’s birthday already passed?” Xie Shaoyun asked after Feng Qianqian finished speaking.

“It was postponed,” Feng Qianqian said. “You were in a coma, how could the old lady be in the mood to celebrate? Besides, it wasn’t her actual birthday yet. The fortune-teller said that celebrating two months early according to tradition could prolong her life, but the old lady herself said customs weren’t as important as her granddaughter.”

Xie Shaoyun couldn’t help but smile. “Then the white-glazed vase I bought probably isn’t good enough anymore. Should I also handwrite a ‘Fortune’ character and paint something for Grandma?”

“Do what you can. If it doesn’t work out, your dad has plenty of calligraphy and paintings in his collection.” After chatting for a bit about the old lady, Feng Qianqian changed the subject. “So, do you mind seeing those people?”

“I don’t mind.”

In truth, when those people from the past were brought up again, Xie Shaoyun felt completely at ease this time.

It seemed that the only thing that had ever made her hesitate was whether to give Chi Yi a chance to get close to her. And once that question was resolved

In those past events, whether the people who wronged her or sought her forgiveness would come knocking, whether they recognized her identity for Xie Shaojun, the outcome remained the same. The Xie Shaojun of her past life was already dead.

The moment she died, forgiveness and absolution ceased to exist in Xie Shaojun’s world. The reason she gave Chi Yi a chance was because, on the path that forced her toward death, Chi Yi had been the scenery.

Xie Shaojun met Xie Cheng’s gaze. “Before, I avoided them because I felt it had nothing to do with me.”

“But now,” Xie Shaojun answered honestly, “if they insist on coming, let them. There’s no need to constantly avoid a group of irrelevant people or take them too seriously.”

Xie Cheng let out a long sigh, patted Xie Shaojun’s head, and smiled, saying those people were indeed unimportant and not worth dwelling on.

“There’s one more thing your dad has to make a request in advance. Since you’re being discharged, you can go out and wander around, but you must bring bodyguards when you leave. Just so your mom doesn’t worry, alright?”

“Sure.” Xie Shaojun answered without hesitation, leaving Xie Cheng momentarily speechless. He had prepared a whole speech to persuade her but now stared at her in surprise.

“Sweetheart, are you in love?” Feng Qianqian suddenly realized, leaning in to scrutinize Xie Shaojun’s face.

“Not at all.” Xie Shaojun lowered her eyes and replied naturally.

“Before, Old Xie brought up the bodyguard issue countless times, and you always refused. Did the sun rise from the west today? Also, when we first came in, who were you talking to on the phone?”

“A business partner.” Xie Shaojun said without batting an eye.

“Discussing an art exhibition with a business partner involves asking what they had for dinner, whether it was good, and what they’ll eat next?”

Xie Shaojun lowered her gaze and told Feng Qianqian she wanted an apple.

Feng Qianqian peeled the apple and handed it to Xie Shaojun.

Xie Shaojun took a bite, immediately frowned, and complained that the apple was too sour.

Such an obvious attempt to change the subject. Feng Qianqian studied Xie Shaojun, certain her daughter was acting strange probably in love.

So, she employed both kindness and authority, saying that if Xie Zangxing were the one visiting today, Xie Shaojun wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Xie Shaojun sighed helplessly. “Fine.”

“Do you really want to know?”

Both parents nodded eagerly.

“Then let me finish this apple first.” Xie Shaojun took a theatrical bite, pretending to eat seriously, but after finishing, she still didn’t give them an answer.

“When the relationship is official, I’ll tell you, alright?”

Some things if Xie Shaojun wanted to say them, she would.

If she didn’t want to speak, even if someone pried her mouth open with a shovel, she’d keep it shut. To put it less delicately, she was stubborn.

It wasn’t that she thought her relationship with Chi Yi couldn’t be mentioned. The real issue was that ever since agreeing to “give it a try” with Chi Yi, their connection had been maintained solely through phone calls. The relationship wasn’t officially confirmed yet.

There were things Xie Shaojun hadn’t asked Chi Yi about, but sooner or later, she would have to clarify them. Then there was the matter of her soul separation a life or death issue. Before, she might not have cared much, but now, she wasn’t alone.

Chi Yi was on a business trip in France. A few times, she had tried to fly back in the middle of the night, only to be stopped by Xie Shaojun.

They needed time to resolve certain problems. This time, Xie Shaojun was being cautious. She believed that when Chi Yi was ready, and when she herself was ready, then they could meet the parents.

Xie Shaojun brushed it off with a couple of vague remarks and briefly explained the bodyguard situation to her parents, saying a friend had mentioned it before and she had already been considering hiring one herself.

In reality, Chi Yi had been bringing it up incessantly for the past half month, calling so frequently it was almost absurd.

After all these days, Xie Shaojun had been nearly brainwashed by Chi Yi’s relentless persuasion. So when Xie Cheng brought it up, she agreed almost without hesitation.

After all, she suffered from soul detachment upon physical contact, and the last incident with the doll dissolving had been far too dangerous. Admitting she had a problem, safety had to come first.

Xie Shaojun agreed to Xie Cheng’s suggestion, but before he left the hospital room, she teased him: “Good thing it’s me, and I don’t plan on switching parents. Did you hear the nonsense you were spouting earlier? Anyone listening would’ve thought you were dividing up a daughter with some distant relatives. Look how mad you made Mom, her face turned black. You’ll probably get kicked out of the bedroom tonight.”

Xie Cheng turned back to glare at her, the veins on the back of his hand bulging from Feng Qianqian’s pinching grip.

Leaning against the doorframe, he scolded her with a laugh: “Ungrateful brat. Who do you think I’m doing this for? If I weren’t worried you’d keep torturing yourself over two irrelevant people, forcing yourself to endure, do you really think I’d give my daughter away?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Xie Shaojun waved him off. “Go explain that to Mom.”

The day before she was set to be discharged, Qin Wan called again three times in a row.

Xie Shaojun answered after stepping out of the shower.

Qin Wan asked if she was better yet, complaining about how long she’d been hospitalized and when she planned to leave.

Xie Shaojun replied that she was doing fine but didn’t mention her discharge the next day.

Qin Wan then tried to fish for details, asking which hospital she was in. She mentioned that since Xie Shaojun’s coma, the studio had accepted a Bulgari jewelry show in her name, but the other designers on the team weren’t skilled enough to handle the project.

Halfway through listening, Xie Shaojun cut her off indifferently: “Hmm, then cancel it.”

“How can you just cancel it like that? Do you know how much the penalty fee is?” Qin Wan gasped dramatically and quoted an exorbitant sum.

“That is a lot,” Xie Shaojun mused before adding, “But if the rest of the team can’t handle it, forcing the project could lead to major issues. The risks need to be discussed with the client upfront. If they don’t mind, then go ahead.”

Her tone was casual, completely unyielding. No matter how much Qin Wan tried to persuade her, Xie Shaojun’s stance remained firm.

Her point was clear: whether they proceeded depended entirely on the client’s attitude. They had a month to consider switching designers. If they refused to negotiate reasonably, any fallout would be on them.

“You can’t seriously be this saintly, taking the blame for someone else’s mistakes.”

Qin Wan was left speechless. Xie Shaojun didn’t spare her feelings or leave any room for compromise.

Ever since the night of the Lancy show, Xie Shaojun’s tone had noticeably cooled.

But after her sudden month-long coma and the fading of their previous unpleasant exchange, Qin Wan had assumed they could smooth things over with a conversation.

Lowering her voice, she tried to reason gently: “Junjun, I’m doing this for the studio’s sake. Do you really want to see the reputation of the studio you built with your own hands go downhill?”

“Most of its success is thanks to you. So if you want to take people with you, I won’t stop you.”

Xie Shaojun said with a faint, enigmatic smile, “Since we’ve come this far, Qin Wan.” She paused mid-sentence.

Qin Wan looked up, their eyes meeting.

“There’s something you might have misunderstood, I don’t intend to grow the studio into a big company. Painting is just a small hobby. I’m good at too many things, not just this. Like tattooing, animal care, hiking, tour guiding, Who knows, maybe one day I’ll pick up another side gig.”

Qin Wan was stunned by Xie Shaojun’s shockingly lackadaisical attitude and her outright refusal to strive for more. After a long, solemn silence, she asked, “Are you still half-asleep? Maybe we should talk another day when you’re in better shape.”

“No. I just suddenly remembered why I lost that freedom in the first place.”

Xie Shaojun told Qin Wan, “My life wasn’t as good as it is now. Back then, I was surrounded by terrible people, yet I lived more freely in those awful circumstances. Because someone once worked hard to protect the innocence of a young girl. Now that there are no more terrible people around me, I feel like I should be even more carefree.”

Qin Wan didn’t understand Xie Shaojun’s words. When she brought up the Bulgari show again, Xie Shaojun scoffed and cut her off. “How about this, Have you ever considered working for another studio?”

Qin Wan asked, “Xie Shaojun, think carefully before you speak.”

Xie Shaojun laughed. “Looking back, I regret it. I gave you chances countless times, I told you the Lancy show would be the last collaboration with Jian Qing.”

“Even before I fell into a coma, I never agreed to let you take on the Bulgari project.”

Qin Wan’s breathing grew noticeably agitated on the other end of the line. She called Xie Shaojun’s name, trying to explain.

Xie Shaojun interrupted her. “Let’s end it here. Thank you for the past. The future is vast, may you soar to great heights.”

Qin Wan fell silent for a long moment before angrily calling Xie Shaojun cruel.

Xie Shaojun agreed. “Yes, I am cruel.”

Then, in an even colder tone, she added, “Pass a message to Jian Qing for me: stop meddling in my affairs, or I won’t be responsible for what happens to her.”

Xie Shaojun hadn’t been in the best mood that day. When Xie Zangxing visited, she noticed and tried to distract her with idle chatter.

From Xie Zangxing’s rambling, unsubstantial romantic anecdotes, Xie Shaojun lazily picked out one interesting complaint.

Damei had repeatedly asked to meet Xie Shaojun, but Xie Zangxing kept putting her off, saying they’d arrange it later.

Meanwhile, Xie Guangqi, Jian Qing, and their circle had been searching everywhere for Xie Shaojun, but Lin Dan’s remarkably well-connected “friends” had blocked them all from entering the hospital.

“What was she thinking, setting up security like a fortress?” Xie Zangxing mused.

Xie Shaojun glanced at her.

Xie Zangxing continued, amused, “Getting to your floor requires passing through multiple checkpoints. What kind of hospital operates like this?”

Xie Shaojun thought about it and decided it was exactly the kind of thing Chi Yi would do. Suppressing a laugh, she told Xie Zangxing, “Don’t be so dramatic. You just lack experience.”

That night, she called Chi Yi.

Secretary Wang answered. Lately, Chi Yi had been taking Xie Shaojun’s calls personally, so Xie Shaojun was puzzled. “Is Chi Yi busy?”

Secretary Wang said no she was getting her makeup done.

Xie Shaojun was even more confused. Chi Yi wore light makeup for social engagements, but she was never too busy to answer a call.

Secretary Wang asked her to hold. The door to the dressing room opened, and the phone was handed to Chi Yi.

The stylist offered to adjust Chi Yi’s dress, but she coldly refused.

Only after the makeup artist left and they were alone did Chi Yi lower her gaze, a little aggrieved. “It’s so late. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Can’t sleep,” Xie Shaojun said.

“Couldn’t sleep because you missed me?” Chi Yi asked, sounding a little pleased. Xie Shaojun didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.

Chi Yi then mentioned she was in Toronto tonight.

Xie Shaojun asked, “You’re not in Paris?”

“There’s a high-profile banquet tonight. Haimi is hosting, so…”

“I heard you’re wearing a gown?” Xie Shaojun’s focus was here. Earlier, Secretary Wang had mentioned that Chi Yi’s long dress tonight was a custom-made mermaid-style piece, heavily designed around Haimi’s logo.

But the train was too long, making it hard to walk, and it was too form-fitting Chi Yi would never normally wear something like this.

In her own words, it was inconvenient, and she had no need to sway seductively.

Xie Shaojun’s bad mood dissipated somewhat, finding it amusing, so she asked Chi Yi, “Can I see it?”

Chi Yi refused without hesitation. “No.”

“Oh.” Xie Shaojun replied flatly, “Is this how all your suitors chase people?”

After about thirty seconds of internal struggle, Chi Yi finally relented and called over video.

At first, due to her refusal to cooperate, the angle was awkward, Xie Shaojun could only see Chi Yi’s chin and profile. She told Chi Yi to hold the phone farther away or have someone else hold it.

After much hesitation and Xie Shaojun’s urging, Chi Yi reluctantly raised her hand.

The frame lifted, revealing Chi Yi looking even taller than usual. She wore an orchid-colored strapless gown with a sweeping train.

Her heels were much higher than what she normally wore.

The dress fanned out over the red velvet carpet, its waistline tailored to hug Chi Yi’s figure. It was undeniably beautiful, cinching her waist and accentuating her curves though it probably felt suffocating.

“Very pretty,” Xie Shaojun praised.

Chi Yi pursed her lips, not particularly pleased with the compliment. Her peach-blossom eyes lowered as she averted her gaze. “Done looking?”

“Just a little longer.” Xie Shaojun pretended to admire it a few more moments, making Chi Yi visibly uncomfortable before asking, “Why do you seem unhappy?”

“Because you don’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with me wearing this. But if it were you, I’d be very upset.” Chi Yi honestly shared her thoughts, though she seemed a little embarrassed afterward.

She stiffly changed the subject, advising Xie Shaojun never to try wearing such clothes, saying Xie Shaojun’s figure was even more alluring than hers, so it’d be like wearing nothing at all.

Finally understanding Chi Yi’s bizarre train of thought, Xie Shaojun realized she was just as odd for being able to follow it. Suppressing a laugh, she replied, “Women in the arts usually don’t care about that.”

“I remember you used to like tattoos. Being a tattoo artist is nice wearing T-shirts, wide-leg pants, casual outfits. It suits you.”

Xie Shaojun couldn’t help but smile. “You’re absolutely right. Some clients get tattoos on their thighs, want to guess how I do those?”

Chi Yi immediately frowned and fell silent.

Xie Shaojun curled her lips and called out Chi Yi’s name. Chi Yi still didn’t seem entirely happy, but she responded softly.

“Since you don’t like wearing it, just take it off,” Xie Shaojun said to her. “Why force yourself?”

Chi Yi thought for a moment and explained that tonight’s banquet was important for Hai Mi’s image, with many overseas investors attending.

“Are you short on investment?”

Chi Yi replied, “It’s not exactly that. Once Hai Mi’s 6nm chip technology is publicly announced, all these issues will be resolved. But for now, I don’t want to disclose this internal development, yet I can’t let the scandal keep escalating, so I have to attend these events frequently.”

“If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. How much do you need? I can help you.” Xie Shaojun considered her available funds and casually made the offer.

Chi Yi was silent for a few seconds before saying, “I don’t need that.”

“I’m not joking. Think of it as me investing in your company,” Xie Shaojun insisted. “How much?”

Chi Yi named a figure. After a moment’s thought, Xie Shaojun said, “Alright. I might not have that much, but half of it would that work?”

Chi Yi looked at her incredulously. “Where would you even get that kind of money?”

“I’ve lived two lifetimes, my savings should be pretty substantial. And I’m quite frugal. You’ve met Zhu Sicheng, right? The real estate he manages was funded with my initial investment. And before I died in my past life, to prevent Jian Qing from getting my assets, I transferred everything to Damei for safekeeping. Plus, my father left me 20% of Sunshine Automotive’s shares. If that’s still not enough, you could always leak the news that you’re pursuing the third daughter of the Xie family from Sunshine Automotive.”

Xie Shaojun added, “I didn’t want to bring this up, but if you’re in trouble”

Chi Yi parted her lips, taking a deep breath. Secretary Wang, standing nearby, nearly laughed out loud.

“So, because you’re worried I’ll suffer, you’re willing to give me all your money unconditionally?” Chi Yi repeated slowly.

Xie Shaojun felt there was something off about Chi Yi’s phrasing, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what.

“Not give it’s an investment,” Xie Shaojun corrected.

Chi Yi didn’t argue. She nodded in agreement, accepting Xie Shaojun’s offer. After a long silence, she finally said, “Alright.” Then, softly, “Everything is yours.” And even softer, “I’m yours too.”

Ever since agreeing to “give it a try” with Chi Yi, the latter hadn’t improved much in emotional intelligence, she still often struggled with expression.

But she had started saying things she never would have before, like “I miss you,” or straightforwardly admitting, “I need you.”

She no longer asked Xie Shaojun with calculated intent, “What about you?” or “Do you miss me too?”

So when Chi Yi said, “I’m yours too,” Xie Shaojun didn’t feel like she was negotiating. Chi Yi’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if stating an undeniable truth, her heart laid bare.

Xie Shaojun pressed the phone to her ear, humming in acknowledgment, accepting Chi Yi’s affectionate words. Then she asked, “Anything else you want to say?”

Chi Yi replied, “No.” Then, “I’ll change out of this dress.”

“Alright. When are you planning to return?” Xie Shaojun mentioned that she was almost ready to be discharged from the hospital.

Chi Yi thought for a moment. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

After hanging up the phone, Chi Yi took off her tight-fitting dress and changed into a professional suit. She turned to Secretary Wang and asked, “Do you know why Xie Shaojun gave all her money to me?”

Secretary Wang looked puzzled and replied, “I don’t know.”

Chi Yi curled her lips, seemingly very pleased, and said, “I do.”

Secretary Wang was the only one who knew that Xie Shaojun might actually be “Xie Shaojun,” as she often worked closely with Chi Yi.

Whether the current Xie Shaojun was real or not, at the very least, her return had gradually brought warmth back to Chi Yi’s eyes like that of a living person. And that alone made Xie Shaojun real enough.

Thinking of this, Secretary Wang felt immensely grateful for Xie Shaojun’s reappearance.

Still, she reminded Chi Yi: “Tonight, the purpose of dressing like this is to put on a show of being at the end of your rope for the competitors, which will be reported by domestic media. In reality, Haimi won’t face any funding shortages for the next five years. So, as for Miss Xie’s money”

Chi Yi walked a few steps and took the elevator to the second-floor hall. Secretary Wang followed behind, thinking Chi Yi wouldn’t respond.

As the banquet hall doors opened, dazzling lights reflected in Chi Yi’s eyes. Secretary Wang heard her chuckle softly and say, “Her money naturally stays with her, but my shares can be given to her. She’s the one who asked me for them.”

Chi Yi emphasized the key point was in that last sentence.