Xie Sui comforted Lin Wanwan, his heart filled with conflicted pain, not for himself, but for Lin Wanwan. Why must such a good person encounter so many upsetting things?
As for Cheng Yiming on the ground, he had already fainted. Although Xie Sui hated him to death, he couldn't let him die just like that, ruining Lin Wanwan's entire life.
Murder meant paying with one's life.
“Wanwan, listen to me. You go back quickly, leave this to me.”
Lin Wanwan, who had lost her initial ferocity, was now scared. “No, I did it, I’ll take responsibility. Can you… can you take care of the children?”
She was afraid that Xie Sui, because of Cheng Yiming, would doubt that the children weren't his and abandon them.
Xie Sui’s heart ached intensely. He wished he could kill Cheng Yiming right now. “It’s alright, he won’t die. I can handle it. You need to be obedient now. Nothing else matters. Take care of the children. I can handle this, trust me.”
In the past, Lin Wanwan wouldn’t have believed him. But the current Xie Sui, calm and wise, was very trustworthy. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
Lin Wanwan wiped her tears, pretended nothing was wrong, and left the small courtyard.
Only then did Xie Sui find someone to send Cheng Yiming to the hospital, and he waited outside for him to wake up.
The story he told was that he saw Cheng Yiming collapsed on the ground and kindly brought him to the hospital. In this era, people were less likely to fake injuries for compensation and more likely to be praised for their good deeds, so no one suspected him.
When Cheng Yiming woke up, his head still throbbed. His memory was stuck at the moment he parted ways with Lin Wanwan. Gritting his teeth, he asked, “What happened to my head?”
“Didn’t you bump into it accidentally yourself?”
The voice sounded a little familiar. Cheng Yiming looked and his pupils instantly constricted. “Why are you here?”
Xie Sui smiled and said, “Who else did you think it would be? I actually saved your life. Shouldn’t you be thanking me? We’re acquaintances, after all. You should at least give me a banner of appreciation.
However, Cheng Yiming, what kind of wicked thing did you do? Your head was smashed open. You’ll have to be careful when you go out from now on. Perhaps next time you won’t wake up.”
Though Xie Sui was smiling, the coldness in his eyes made Cheng Yiming’s heart tremble. “Really? I don’t know what happened.”
“Really?”
In both his lives, this was the first time Xie Sui hated someone so much, for hurting Wanwan.
“Cheng Yiming, my Wanwan is gentle, timid, kind, and virtuous. I love her more than my own life. If anyone hurts her even a little, I’ll make their entire family pay. Do you believe me?”
Cheng Yiming’s smile was incredibly awkward. Did he know something?
“I know. You and your wife are so loving. Who wouldn’t envy you? I’m happy for Wanwan. We’re friends too.”
Xie Sui let out a scoff. He had met shameless people before, but this was the first time he had met someone so utterly shameless. “Don’t insult the word ‘friend.’ Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve done. Killing you would dirty my Wanwan’s hands. You’re not worthy of such an honor. Your medical expenses are fifty. Give them to me.”
Xie Sui wasn’t the type to do good deeds and foot the bill. He demanded the medical expenses, and Cheng Yiming’s face turned ugly. He hadn’t gotten any money from his scheme, and now he was injured and had to pay. He felt like he was going to throw up.
Reluctantly, he paid. Xie Sui took the money and left, his icy gaze treating Cheng Yiming like a dead man.
For this incident, Xie Sui didn’t go to Public Security Officer Huang. Instead, he found Chen Weimin and hired a few ruffians to keep a constant watch on Cheng Yiming.
He hadn’t sought him out before, but Cheng Yiming’s sudden reappearance made Xie Sui suspect it wasn’t a coincidence.
He bought some candies, all of Lin Wanwan’s favorites. When she was in a bad mood, eating something sweet would help.
It was a pity there was no authentic chocolate. These were the best.
When he returned home, Lin Wanwan was still somewhat absent-minded. Seeing Xie Sui, she became noticeably more self-conscious, wanting to ask but afraid to, like a startled rabbit.
Xie Sui wished he could kill Cheng Yiming ten, a hundred times over. Hurting Wanwan was unforgivable. He wanted to make his life more painful than death.
The children could tell she was in a bad mood and obediently did their homework, not causing any trouble.
“You’re back. Have you eaten?”
“Yes, I’m a bit hungry. I want to eat the noodles you made.”
Lin Wanwan forced a smile. “Then I’ll make them for you.”
“Add two fried eggs.”
Xie Sui acted as he always did, trying to help Lin Wanwan relax.
After finishing a bowl of noodles, he played with the children for a while. When the room was empty except for the couple, Xie Sui took her hand. Lin Wanwan instinctively flinched, her eyes filled with pain. Xie Sui embraced her with concern. “Wanwan, you really don’t need to care about these things. Doudou and Dingding are my sons. I really don’t want to see you like this.”
Lin Wanwan said, “I can’t help it. I don’t know why it’s like this.”
“It’s not your fault. And that scoundrel’s words might not be true. After all, no one knows exactly what happened that night.”
Xie Sui had also been drunk that night. He woke up in the morning and was found by the villagers with Lin Wanwan, their clothes disheveled. They were inexplicably married like that.
Cheng Yiming’s implication was that he had taken advantage of Wanwan first, and Xie Sui had just picked up the pieces. Xie Sui reserved judgment; he needed to investigate this matter thoroughly.
Otherwise, it would be a hurdle Lin Wanwan could never overcome in her life.
This wasn’t thirty years later when women were still very conscious of their chastity, and changing boyfriends was like drinking water. A wife who hadn't had an abortion or miscarriage was considered good enough.
It was impossible for Xie Sui to say he didn’t mind. After all, men hoped for perfection. However, compared to Lin Wanwan’s suffering, this slight hesitation was fleeting. What he felt more was hatred for Cheng Yiming.
Lin Wanwan fell asleep, but even with her eyes closed, her brow remained furrowed. Since his rebirth, Xie Sui had brought her happiness. Now, because of a scoundrel, Lin Wanwan had fallen into pain again.
Xie Sui held her, his mind racing with thoughts. He didn’t fall asleep until a long time later.
The next morning, Xie Sui woke up. Lin Wanwan was already up. The courtyard was filled with the children’s laughter as they washed up and ate breakfast before going to school.
Grandma Xie returned from her walk, carrying some fried dough sticks. The old lady was becoming more energetic with age. Seeing Lin Wanwan’s somber expression, she asked Xie Sui, “Did you bully Wanwan?”
Xie Sui replied, “No, how could I bear to? I wouldn’t even bully my son, let alone my wife!”
Doudou and Dingding: …
Dad, have some decency.
Lin Wanwan’s heart felt even more pained. Such a good family. She was truly unworthy of their kindness.
Xie Sui sighed inwardly. This hurdle had to be overcome by Lin Wanwan herself. She had to come to terms with it herself.
“I’m back.”
Xie Min hadn’t entered, but her voice reached them first. Why was she back so early in the morning?
Xie Min wasn’t alone. Chen Weimin was with her. Both of them looked rather off. Xie Sui couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Was something up?
“Mommy, we missed you so much.”
The two daughters ran into her arms. Xie Min kissed each of them, her heart filled with joy seeing her lively and adorable daughters. “Mommy missed you too. Were you good children?”
Xie Sui said, “Of course they were good, much better than you. Brother Chen, is something the matter?”