Volume One, Chapter Two: Blushing Beneath His Gaze

Last life, she was considerate of the Xie family’s financial burdens and, caught up in infatuation, loved Xie Yu to the point of losing herself.

When the Zheng family proposed a betrothal gift of only three hundred yuan, she was displeased but still agreed.

Perhaps because she agreed too quickly, Zheng Hongxia ultimately used lack of money as an excuse and gave just one hundred yuan.

She was unwilling, but Xie Yu accused her of being gold-digging and even questioned whether she had lost herself in money. Ashamed and angry, she reflected on whether she was asking for too much.

Looking back now, she realized how foolish she had been.

In 1988, when the average monthly wage was nearly seventy to eighty yuan, the minimum betrothal gift was two thousand. Giving only one hundred yuan—did they think they were buying a cabbage at the market?

Zheng Hongxia’s face flushed pale and blue, she spat fiercely, “Don’t regret this.”

Song Yi responded with a cold sneer.

She had tasted regret deeply in her last life; this time, regret was not hers to bear.

Song Yi’s mother watched Zheng Hongxia storm off angrily, worry etched on her face. “Nannan, what’s wrong? You’re not actually sick in the head, are you?”

Previously, her daughter had been wholeheartedly devoted to Xie Yu. When Zheng Hongxia came to propose, even sick, she had gotten out of bed.

Why suddenly refuse to marry now?

Song Yi’s nose tingled, and she hugged Li Yuhua tightly. “I don’t want to marry anymore. Didn’t Dad say before that the Xie family isn’t good? I think he has a point.”

Last life, her mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer in her early fifties and passed away soon after. It was a regret that weighed on Song Yi’s heart.

This life, she vowed to take good care of her mother and never let her fall ill.

Li Yuhua didn’t notice Song Yi’s abnormal tone and frowned. “But haven’t you always said Xie Yu is a university graduate?”

University graduates nowadays were well-off and destined for stable jobs. Besides, Xie Yu was handsome and looked reliable. Though she disliked Zheng Hongxia, she still had some satisfaction with Xie Yu.

Song Yi concealed the cold irony in her eyes. “So what if he’s a university graduate? That’s his achievement, his halo. None of it belongs to me.”

Last life, Xie Yu’s achievements were indeed impressive—he became a renowned professor, led a team that developed several famous projects.

But she was still Song Yi, unable to enjoy any of his glory and treated like a housekeeper in the Song family.

Xie Yu never brought her out in public, always excluded her from events, and never introduced her as his wife.

Then there were Xie Yichen and Xie Yifei.

Zheng Hongxia claimed that since she had raised Xie Yu to be a university graduate, she should also raise Xie Yichen and Xie Yifei. As a semi-illiterate mother, Song Yi was unfit to raise them.

She was unwilling, but Xie Yu agreed, so she had no choice but to comply.

But later, Xie Yichen and Xie Yifei were raised just like Zheng Hongxia—disrespectful and ashamed of their mother.

This led them to immediately switch loyalties when Jiang Shuwan, a talented and beautiful woman, appeared. They would rather let her burn in a fire than rescue their own mother first.

In this world, no one else’s halo can shine on another, not even between spouses. So this life, she would live for her own achievements.

“Mom, where’s Dad?” Seeing her mother about to say more, Song Yi quickly looked around and changed the subject.

Li Yuhua replied, “I think you’re really feverish and delirious. Your dad went to work; you forgot?”

Song Yi said “oh” but then suddenly remembered something and grabbed Li Yuhua’s shoulders. “Mom, what’s the date today?”

Li Yuhua frowned. “June 8th. Why?”

Song Yi’s expression changed, and she turned to rush outside. “Mom, I’m going to the county to look for Dad.”

Last life on this day, her father was working in the county when a piece of lumber fell from a truck and crushed his leg.

Because there was no timely treatment, he had to be amputated and passed away a few years later from despair.

Their family could no longer afford to support Xie Yu’s university fees. Zheng Hongxia was furious and cursed at them for days. In the end, Song Yi gritted her teeth, borrowed money, and silenced Zheng Hongxia.

This life, she would never make the mistake of marrying Xie Yu again, but she didn’t want her father to be harmed.

Stepping outside, seeing the dusty dirt road, Song Yi remembered it was 1986, and the Tianqiao Township where she lived was at least a two-hour walk from Juye County.

Her father’s accident happened at noon, and it was now ten o’clock. By the time she reached Juye County on foot, it would be too late.

Panicked and unsure what to do, her eyes lit up when she saw a 28-inch bicycle parked at the gate.

Riding a bike from the township to the county took at most half an hour—she could still make it in time.

Acting quickly, she strode over and pushed open the door. “Is anyone home?”

In the yard, a sturdy man was showering. Hearing her, he turned and frowned. “Song Yi? What’s up?”

It was June, and the noon sun shone brilliantly on the man’s sharply defined, slightly fierce but handsome face, as if surrounded by a halo.

He wore only boxer shorts, his bare upper body muscular and firm, legs long and honey-toned, exuding undeniable sexiness.

As he rinsed off, sparkling droplets scattered and slid down his well-defined eight-pack abs, evoking a strong sense of desire.

Song Yi’s face flushed deeply, uncertain. “Shang... Shang Chen?”

Right, Shang Chen lived next door—and he was the childhood fiancé she had been betrothed to.

But last life, after she accepted the proposal from the Xie family, she never saw Shang Chen again.

It had been nearly thirty years.

If not for Shang Chen’s striking looks, she might not have remembered him at all.

Shang Chen gave a faint “hmm,” his gaze drifting over Song Yi’s face and settling on her chest. “What do you want?”

The weather was hot; she had run urgently, her delicate face flushed and pink like a ripe peach.

Her qimao, soaked in sweat, clung tightly to her chest, making it appear full and perky.

Song Yi blushed in embarrassment and shot him a sharp look. “Yes, I do. Can I borrow your bike?”

That was why she disliked Shang Chen back then.

Every time he looked at her, his eyes were fierce, as if he wanted to devour her.

She hadn’t understood before, only felt afraid. Reborn, she now finally understood what that look meant.

In broad daylight, his... feelings were still the same, and he wasn’t even ashamed.

Shang Chen shook the water from his hair. “What do you need the bike for?”

Song Yi hurriedly said, “It’s urgent. Can you lend it to me?”

Bicycles were rare and precious then, and people rarely lent them out.

Shang Chen wiped himself dry with a towel and said calmly, “Wait here.”

With that, he turned and went inside.

Though anxious, Song Yi could only wait patiently.

Two minutes later, Shang Chen, dressed, came out and started walking away. “Let’s go.”

Song Yi was stunned. “Where?”

Shang Chen turned and looked at her. “You know how to ride a bike?”

Song Yi had wanted to say yes but thought of her rebirth and silently swallowed the words. “No... I don’t.”

A subtle smile flickered in Shang Chen’s eyes. “Hmm. Then I’ll take you.”

Song Yi: “...”