After My Death, Everyone Repented (Transmigration) - Chapter 70.1

After the New Year, Xie Shaojun was busy with the art exhibition and the preparations for the art gallery, so she hadn’t visited the tattoo studio for quite some time.

When Dami called her, Xie Shaojun was in the middle of discussing the preliminary theme of the exhibition with her supervisor.

“There are two things.”

Xie Shaojun asked her to wait a moment, raised her phone slightly, and glanced at her supervisor, signaling if she could step out to take the call.

The supervisor rolled up the finalized proposal, tucked it under his arm, and said, “Alright, go ahead with your business.”

Xie Shaojun had her secretary see the supervisor out. The secretary was a local from Nancheng. After Xie Shaojun arrived in Nancheng, her office was set up at the local association headquarters, located right next to the government building.

The secretary assigned to her was a local with a car. Xie Shaojun personally escorted the supervisor to his car and, on her way back, returned Dami’s call.

Dami teased her, “What kind of love potion did Chi Yi give you? I’ve never seen you work so hard before, it’s like you’re a whole different person.”

Xie Shaojun didn’t respond, letting her laugh it off. Eventually, she shot back, “If Chi Yi’s love potion is so strong, why are you the one complaining so much?”

“Fine… I can’t out-sass you,” Dami said. “I have something serious to talk about.”

“Go ahead.” Shedding the cautious tone she used with her supervisor, Xie Shaojun yawned and asked, “What’s up?”

Dami first brought up a minor matter, a few apprentices from the Nancheng University art department at their studio wanted to submit their paintings to see if they could be selected for the exhibition.

“Of course they can,” Xie Shaojun said. The selection process was open to submissions from all over the world, and everyone had a chance.

She sent Dami a link and told her to have the students register, fill out the forms, and email scanned copies of their artwork.

Dami asked, “Are there a lot of participants?”

“Quite a few. Submissions close at the end of April. As of today, we’ve received nearly ten thousand entries.”

Sorting through them would be a challenge, so once the exhibition theme was finalized, selecting the artworks would only get busier.

“Well…” Dami hesitated for a couple of seconds before saying, “Xie Zangxing and I are getting married. You…”

“Of course I’ll be there,” Xie Shaojun cut her off without hesitation. “Chi Yi already prepared the red envelope for me, and with the salary from the association, I’ll double it for my second sister-in-law.”

“Hehehe” Dami giggled on the other end of the line. “This is a win, my bestie is becoming my real sister now.”

After hanging up, Xie Shaojun turned around and saw Chi Yi standing not far behind her.

It was March, and the weather had warmed up. Chi Yi was wearing a silk blouse paired with wide-legged trousers in a cool-toned gray-green plaid.

The glasses on her nose bridge were the same pair from before the New Year, with slight fading on the temples.

Xie Shaojun had been busy lately, leaving early and returning late. Most days, they only exchanged a brief greeting in the early morning or late at night. Xie Shaojun hadn’t had time to remind Chi Yi to change her glasses, and Chi Yi, left to her own devices, had kept wearing the same pair.

Xie Shaojun took Chi Yi’s hand and asked why she had come at this time.

Chi Yi pretended to be nonchalant, saying she wasn’t busy and had come to pick her up after work.

Xie Shaojun couldn’t help but laugh. She paused mid-step, her bright eyes flickering as she gave Chi Yi a thorough once-over, taking in her eager demeanor.

With a knowing smirk, she called her out bluntly, “Liar.”

Chi Yi didn’t bother denying it. She looked at Xie Shaojun quietly for a moment, then smiled back, not the least bit embarrassed. Meeting Xie Shaojun’s teasing gaze head-on, she admitted without hesitation, “Yes, I lied.”

She asked again, “How do you always manage to see through me?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you. Why don’t you guess?” Xie Shaojun draped her arm over Chi Yi’s shoulders and guided her toward the elevator.

Along the way, Chi Yi offered two simple guesses, neither of which was correct. Xie Shaojun chuckled, tugging lightly at Chi Yi’s long hair before telling her to stop guessing just treat it as a secret between lovers.

“I’ll make it up to you with something else,” Xie Shaojun said.

Chi Yi lowered her eyes, murmuring an absent-minded “Oh,” then asked, “Can I take it myself?”

“Sure,” Xie Shaojun replied with a raised brow and a smile.

Chi Yi thought Xie Shaojun looked exceptionally beautiful at that moment, her lips like a dewy rose in the morning rain at Barton Manor. Staring for a moment, Chi Yi couldn’t resist rising onto her toes, leaning in until their foreheads touched, and pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Xie Shaojun’s mouth.

The office building was bustling with people, and the elevator doors ahead could open at any moment, revealing colleagues. Xie Shaojun froze briefly, but as Chi Yi pulled back, she swiftly removed her coat and draped it over both their heads.

Hooking an arm around Chi Yi’s waist, Xie Shaojun drew her close. Chi Yi’s breath lingered near Xie Shaojun’s lips as she leaned in, deepening the kiss.

It used to be Chi Yi who was busy, with Xie Shaojun adjusting to her schedule. But now, the roles had reversed.

“I wanted to go out with you, but I have to work overtime tonight.”

Chi Yi shrugged it off. “I thought it was something serious.”

She pulled out her phone, called her driver, and instructed him to bring her laptop over. Then, turning back to Xie Shaojun, she said she could keep her company while she worked.

Truthfully, Xie Shaojun was exhausted. Preparing for the art exhibition involved endless tasks selecting artworks, designing themes, securing commercial partnerships, and finalizing the exhibition catalog.

Yet, for some reason, with Chi Yi standing beside her, Xie Shaojun felt an unusual sense of reliance, a rare comfort. She rested her head lightly against Chi Yi’s shoulder.

Noticing, Chi Yi tilted her head to look at her, gently smoothing the creases on Xie Shaojun’s face with her fingertips.

“Xie Shaojun,” she said.

“What’s wrong?”

Xie Shaojun couldn’t hold back, her weariness seeping into her expression. “I’m just a little tired,” she admitted.

“There’s still so much work left tonight, and the reports I need to review…”

Chi Yi stood beside her, listening to her complaints. When Xie Shaojun finished, Chi Yi chuckled and asked, “Overwhelmed?”

Xie Shaojun had only meant to grumble half-jokingly about the exhibition’s demands, but Chi Yi seemed to understand her exhaustion and need for support. Steady as ever, she leaned close to Xie Shaojun’s ear and whispered, “I’ll help you sort it out.”

Xie Shaojun paused for two seconds before turning to look at her. A breeze swept Chi Yi’s bangs aside, revealing the full shape of her eyes. Xie Shaojun thought she had an undeniable elegance.

Not the kind of bright, dazzling beauty, but a quiet, compelling presence—much like Chi Yi herself. She could hardly be called gentle or considerate, occasionally even exuding the aloof, unyielding demeanor of a shrewd businesswoman.

But with Xie Shaojun, Chi Yi was different.

Always dependable, always there to lean on.

Unable to resist, Xie Shaojun wrapped her arms around Chi Yi’s waist. This time, without a coat to hide them, she pressed her face openly against Chi Yi’s cheek, accepting her offer. The elevator, having gone up and returned from the basement, stopped in front of them.

Inside, several colleagues stood waiting.

The people inside looked at them in surprise. A few recognized Xie Shaojun, who walked into the elevator with Chi Yi. They reacted belatedly and greeted Xie Shaojun.

Their eyes flickered toward Chi Yi, and someone asked, “Professor Xie, who is this?”

Xie Shaojun turned to look at Chi Yi, who was also gazing back at her. Feeling the warmth in their clasped hands, Xie Shaojun didn’t want to let go.

So she parted her lips and introduced Chi Yi to the person: “She’s my partner.”

“Ohhh so this is your wife.” The group’s expressions immediately shifted.

They studied Chi Yi with curiosity but didn’t dare to tease her.

Chi Yi stood gracefully in the reflective silver alloy elevator, every movement poised and elegant.

With her cool demeanor and impeccably tailored outfit, she exuded the aura of an unapproachable, high-powered elite in the eyes of outsiders.

Even when the elevator stopped and Xie Shaojun led Chi Yi to the office, none of them dared to approach or joke around.

Two weeks later, Xie Zangxing got married.

Xie Shaojun had flown to the capital early in the morning. The night before, she had attended a seminar in Beicheng and couldn’t adjust her schedule. By the time she arrived at the villa, the banquet had already begun.

“You’re so late,” Xie Qingcheng scolded her at the entrance. “This is unacceptable. It’s your second sister’s wedding, after all. As part of the family, even your wife arrived earlier than you.”

Xie Shaojun dodged Xie Qingcheng’s swatting hand and couldn’t help but retort, “Chi Yi came early because I asked her to help out.”

Xie Qingcheng turned around, seemingly ready to lecture her further, but when she saw the dark circles under Xie Shaojun’s eyes so severe they were almost pitiful, she suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Chi Yi.

“You two haven’t been together long, yet you’re both so busy every day. Doesn’t Chi Yi have any complaints?”

“Why would I complain when we share an office every night working overtime?” The voice came from behind Xie Qingcheng.

Xie Shaojun lifted her gaze to see Chi Yi walking gracefully toward her, holding a bouquet. She stopped beside Xie Shaojun, her hair elegantly pinned up, revealing her striking silhouette. Her floor-length, moon-white dress cinched at the waist, accentuating her slender figure.

With perfect poise, she linked arms with Xie Shaojun.

Handing the bouquet to her, Chi Yi said, “This is the bouquet Dàměi just tossed. After all this time, I realize I’ve never given you one. I’m sorry.”

Xie Qingcheng was caught off guard by the sudden display of affection and teased them for being so bold.

But Chi Yi, as if breaking character, calmly nodded in agreement with the compliment.

Speechless, Xie Qingcheng excused herself to greet other guests, grabbing a glass of wine before quickly walking away.

Xie Shaojun narrowed her eyes slightly, absentmindedly taking a few steps before suddenly turning to study Chi Yi’s profile. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Chi Yi neither confirmed nor denied it, feigning ignorance as she led Xie Shaojun by the arm into the crowd.

It almost felt as though this wasn’t Xie Shaojun’s event but Chi Yi’s.

Since they moved in the same social circles, many of the guests were familiar with both Chi Yi and Xie Shaojun.

Wherever they went, they became the center of attention.

As more and more eyes gathered on them, Xie Shaojun tugged at her casual outfit, leaned in, and whispered to Chi Yi, “Do we look like the ugly duckling and the swan?”

Chi Yi studied her seriously for a long moment before shaking her head.

“You look perfect just like this,” she said.

“My mom mentioned she prepared a backless evening gown for me in advance, but you took it away.”

Xie Shaojun asked casually, not in an accusatory tone. Chi Yi had no intention of answering and simply linked arms with Xie Shaojun, taking a few steps forward.

But after a few paces, perhaps recalling unpleasant memories, Chi Yi stopped. After a moment of thought, she asked Xie Shaojun, “Can you not wear it?”

“I don’t like seeing you dressed like that.”

Xie Shaojun had worn off-shoulder and backless dresses countless times in front of Chi Yi before, and Chi Yi had never once disliked them,except this time. Instead, Chi Yi had worn the haute couture gown meant for Xie Shaojun.

It was too unusual.

The bright overhead lights reflected off the glazed walls, filling the banquet hall with a dazzling glow, the same brilliance mirrored in Chi Yi’s eyes. Xie Shaojun looked at her, gently squeezing her palm.

“Chi Yi,” Xie Shaojun asked, “have you remembered something?”

“When?” she pressed.

Chi Yi didn’t meet Xie Shaojun’s gaze, standing still before finally nodding.

“I’ve recalled some fragments,” she said. “Not many.”

The banquet hall buzzed with noise. Xie Shaojun wanted to know what those fragments contained, but the next moment, they were surrounded by a crowd offering toasts.

Damei and Xie Zangxing’s wedding would be held in two locations.

The first was in the capital, styled in a semi-Western fashion.

The venue followed the Xie family’s banquet standards. Damei stood at the center of the crowd, and as Xie Shaojun approached, she noticed Damei had removed the blue earring she always wore and dyed her usual shoulder-length, highlighted hair a proper black.

Damei and Xie Zangxing stood side by side, nearly the same height.

Xie Zangxing wore a wedding dress, while Damei was in a suit, which made Xie Shaojun think about their dynamic in bed.

Arm in arm with Chi Yi, Xie Shaojun walked over, glanced at Damei’s all-black suit, and raised an eyebrow. “What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t want to wear it either,” Damei grumbled. “Your second sister insisted.”

She tugged irritably at the tight collar of her shirt, only to pull too hard and pop a button, revealing delicate collarbones marked with vivid love bites.

Xie Shaojun took one look and didn’t ask further.

Xie Zangxing, having dismissed the guests around her, immediately strode over, pulled Damei behind her, and wordlessly fastened the button, straightening her attire before turning to leave.

Xie Shaojun called after her, “Aren’t you going to entertain me?”

Xie Zangxing shot her a glance, then looked at Chi Yi beside her. Like a resentful older sister who’d lost her sibling’s attention, she smirked without warmth. “Don’t you have someone keeping you company?”