Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 801: Epilogue (Part 8)
He had sacrificed half of his life's energy to ensure they would meet again in their youth.
However, now that they were reunited, it seemed they couldn't even maintain a basic friendship.
Gu Peng dialed her number repeatedly until the sun set and darkness took over. Finally, the connection was established once more.
"Gu Peng, stop calling me. I've learned the whole truth now. I don't hold the past against you, so let's just leave it behind," Lin Chuxia said, her voice sounding remarkably composed over the line.
Gu Peng let out a sudden, sharp laugh.
Despite Qin Yang’s claims that Lin Chuxia would ignore him, and regardless of the many unanswered calls, Gu Peng remained undeterred.
He simply refused to believe that Lin Chuxia could truly sever their connection so coldly.
"Are you really going to be this ruthless? Do you actually trust the words of that scoundrel Li Guangyuan so much that you won't even let me explain?"
"I didn't necessarily believe him, Gu Peng, but I also don't think an explanation is necessary. Everything is buried in the past. I didn't cling to these matters in my previous life, so why would I hold onto them in this one? I am grateful to you for granting me the opportunity to live again and start a new life, but that is the extent of it."
"But that is the extent of it... that's all..." Gu Peng’s laughter turned into a fit of coughing. "I sacrificed everything for you, and all I receive is a polite thank you? Lin Chuxia, I have no use for your gratitude."
"Then what is it you want? Do you want me to give my life to you again?" Lin Chuxia paused for a moment. "If that is your demand, I am ready for you to take it whenever you wish."
"Lin Chuxia, you know exactly what I want!" Gu Peng bellowed.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot give you what you desire. Gu Peng, I've told you before: matters of the heart cannot be forced. Why remain so obsessed? Let it go—for your own sake, and for mine."
In truth, discovering that Gu Peng had undergone reincarnation for her sake brought a brief flicker of guilt to Lin Chuxia's heart. However, that feeling was quickly overshadowed by the realization of the schemes behind his actions.
He had plotted tirelessly to bring about this rebirth, but wasn't that just another method of manipulation?
While others might calculate profits and losses, Gu Peng was calculating her very life and death.
This kind of devotion felt far too heavy; it was a burden she could not carry.
...............
With a loud "bang," the courtyard gate was kicked open with great force.
Hui Zi, just returning from the latrine, jumped in alarm. "Damn it, which little brat is looking for trouble? Do they have no idea where they are? How dare they... O... Old... Boss?"
Hui Zi barely recognized the man standing before him.
Never before had he seen his boss looking so pathetic and disheveled.
Years ago, during their reign over West Street, Gu Peng had earned the title of boss through his sheer fighting ability.
It had started as a minor dispute; seeing Gu Peng’s arrogant attitude on their territory, they had intended to teach him a lesson.
Instead, Gu Peng had given them all a brutal thrashing.
They realized they had provoked a literal god of war and had no choice but to submit and call him Boss.
To his credit, Gu Peng was a loyal leader who secured many advantages for his followers once he took charge.
He possessed a sharp eye for business. Previously, the gang only collected protection money and traded small goods.
Gu Peng had led them to the Southern regions, returning with high-demand merchandise.
The two screening rooms they established were constantly packed, rivaling any professional cinema.
During the late-night hours when they showed more "intense" films, money practically poured in like a flood.
Simply put, without their boss’s foresight, they never would have found such lucrative paths.
Yet, this formidable leader had now returned beaten, his face a mess of bruises and swelling.
"Boss, who did this to you? Just say the word, and I'll gather the brothers to get our revenge."
Hui Zi turned to leave in a rage, but Gu Peng caught his arm.
"Follow me inside."
"Boss, whatever you need."
Gu Peng grabbed a towel to clean his face. "Go and find out exactly what Li Guangyuan has been up to lately."
Hui Zi understood the command instantly.
Li Guangyuan was an old target; the boss frequently had the boys "keep an eye" on him.
Seeing the dark look on Gu Peng’s face, it was clear that Li Guangyuan’s life was about to become very difficult.
Gu Peng had no intention of letting the man off easy.
He hadn't anticipated that Li Guangyuan had also been reincarnated, nor that he knew his secrets.
The man had even unearthed the truth regarding Lin Chuxia’s accident from her former life and revealed it to her.
Had he known Li Guangyuan was capable of such interference, he would have eliminated him before leaving the previous life.
..................
Meanwhile, upon arriving back in Yan City, Qin Yang made his first stop at Old Sir He’s residence.
Old Sir He was lounging on the heated brick bed watching the television. When Qin Yang walked in, the old man’s eyes locked onto him immediately.
He scrambled off the bed and began pacing around Qin Yang, inspecting him.
"This is quite the sight. So, you've taken up brawling now? You went out for a fight and came back looking like this? You’d better leave before the neighbors spot you and ruin my reputation."
Qin Yang had already checked his reflection in the car's mirror. Most of the damage wasn't too bad, but the bruise at the corner of his mouth was glaringly obvious.
Noticing Old Sir He’s mockery, Qin Yang offered a quick defense. "Master, I might be bruised, but the other guy looks far worse—his head is swollen like a pig's. My injury was only because I was careless and took a cheap shot."
"Well, that's slightly better," Old Sir He grunted, appearing satisfied that the opponent suffered more.
"They say if you lack the talent, don't take the job. If you can't handle yourself, stay out of trouble. Stop making Chuxia and the little one worry. A man’s duty is to protect his home, not to make his women anxious."
Qin Yang let out a weary sigh. "Master, when do I ever go looking for trouble? I was pushed to my limit this time, but it's settled now. Just help me find some medicine—something that works instantly. If I go back like this, Xiaxia will be terrified."
Old Sir He pointed a finger at the young man's swollen lip. "With a face in that condition, what medicine could possibly provide an instant cure? You're better off just being honest and apologizing to Xiaxia."
"Please, Master, you're missing the point. It's not about being afraid to admit it; I just don't want her to worry. Didn't you just say a man shouldn't stress his wife? I know you keep a stash of injury ointments. Aren't they in this drawer?"
Ignoring the old man’s grumbling, Qin Yang began searching through the furniture.
He was determined to keep his wife from being distressed.
Old Sir He watched him, noting that Qin Yang became quite stubborn whenever Xiaxia was involved.
It was clear evidence of how deeply he treasured her.
"The drawer on the far left, the outer one."
Qin Yang located the ointment and applied it while looking in the mirror. Noticing several bruises on his knuckles as well, he smeared the cream over those too.
He then sat down with his hands spread out, waiting for the magic to happen.
After fifteen minutes, he checked his reflection again.
"Master, this medicine of yours is useless. It hasn't done a single thing."