Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 801: Epilogue (Part 8)

He had sacrificed half a lifetime of labor, fueled by the singular desire for them to cross paths again in their youth.

However, despite this reunion, they were now unable to remain even casual acquaintances.

Gu Peng dialed her number repeatedly as dusk turned to night. Finally, the connection was made once more.

"Gu Peng, stop calling, I know everything now. I don’t blame you for what happened in the past, let’s just let it go."

Lin Chuxia’s composed voice drifted through the receiver, and Gu Peng broke into a sudden, bitter laugh.

Qin Yang had claimed she would no longer ignore him, but even though she had missed countless calls, Gu Peng remained indifferent to that fact.

He simply refused to believe that Lin Chuxia could truly sever all ties with him.

"Do you really have to be so heartless? You actually believed that scumbag Li Guangyuan’s words, and didn’t even give me a chance to explain?"

"I didn’t believe his words, nor do I think you need to explain anything to me, Gu Peng. Everything is in the past; even in my previous life, I didn’t dwell on such matters. Do you think in this life, I would hold onto them? I thank you for giving me the chance to live again, to have a new life, and that’s all."

"And that’s all, and that’s all...," Gu Peng’s laughter was so intense it forced a cough, "I did so much for you, and all I get is one thank you, Lin Chuxia, I don’t need your thanks."

"Then what do you need? My life to give to you again?" Lin Chuxia paused, "If that’s what you want, I’m always here for you to take."

"Lin Chuxia, you know what I want," Gu Peng shouted.

"I’m sorry, what you want, I can’t give. Gu Peng, I’ve said it before, you can’t force matters of the heart, why hold on so stubbornly? Let it go, for yourself, and for me too."

To be honest, discovering that Gu Peng had reincarnated for her sake left Lin Chuxia with a flicker of guilt, but it was quickly overshadowed by the manipulation behind the act.

He had meticulously plotted his rebirth for her, yet was that not simply another way to control her?

While others weigh profits and losses, Gu Peng was calculating the very threads of her life and death.

This brand of affection was far too heavy; she found it unbearable.

...............

With a loud "bang," the courtyard door was kicked open with violence.

Hui Zi, returning from the latrine, jumped in alarm. "Damn, which little bastard is so oblivious, not even looking at where they are, daring to cause trouble here... O... Old... Boss?"

Hui Zi nearly failed to recognize the man before him.

Never before had he seen the boss looking so pathetic.

Years ago, when they dominated West Street, why had they started calling Gu Peng the boss? It was because Gu Peng was a fierce fighter.

It started as a minor incident; seeing Gu Peng’s arrogant posture as he stood on their territory, they had intended to teach him a lesson.

Instead of schooling him, they were the ones who received a brutal beating from Gu Peng.

Beyond that, it felt as though they had provoked a demonic god, eventually leaving them with no choice but to submit and address Gu Peng as boss.

In fairness, Gu Peng was loyal, securing numerous advantages for them once he took charge.

He possessed a sharp vision; back then, their crew only collected protection money and handled petty trades.

Gu Peng led them to the Southern regions, returning with high-demand merchandise.

The two screening rooms they established became as crowded as any major theater.

Particularly during the late-night hours when suggestive films were played, the profits poured in like a flood.

Simply put, without their boss, they would have lacked the foresight to find such lucrative paths.

Yet, this same boss had been thrashed, his face a mess of bruises and swelling.

"Boss, who had the nerve to do this? I’ll get the brothers and we’ll definitely get revenge for you."

Hui Zi turned to leave in a rage, but Gu Peng pulled him back.

"Come inside with me."

"Boss, name the word."

Gu Peng grabbed a towel to clean his face. "Go find out what Li Guangyuan has been up to lately."

Hui Zi caught the meaning instantly.

Li Guangyuan was a familiar target; the boss frequently had them 'keep an eye' on him.

Looking at the boss’s dark expression, it was clear that Li Guangyuan was in for a miserable time.

Gu Peng certainly wouldn't let him off easily.

He hadn't anticipated that Li Guangyuan had also reincarnated, let alone that he possessed his secrets.

The man had even unearthed the truth regarding Lin Chuxia’s accident in her previous life and revealed it to her.

Had he known the man was capable of such interference, he would have finished him off before leaving the previous life.

..................

Meanwhile, upon returning to 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, but his focus shifted the moment Qin Yang walked in.

He even climbed down to walk a circle around Qin Yang, inspecting him.

"This is really something, you’ve learned to fight too now, huh? You went for a fight and ended up looking like this, better head out, before the neighbors see and it embarrasses me."

Qin Yang had checked his reflection in the car mirror; while most of his face was fine, the bruise at the corner of his mouth was glaringly obvious.

Sensing Old Sir He’s mockery, Qin Yang quickly defended himself, "Master, even though I got hurt, the other guy looked worse, his face was like a pig’s head. My injury was just a moment of carelessness, took a sneaky hit."

"Well, that’s more like it," Old Sir He grunted with approval, pleased to hear the opponent suffered more.

"They say if you don’t have the skills, don’t take on big tasks. If you don’t have what it takes, stay out of trouble, stop making Chuxia and the kid worry, a man should protect the home, not make the women fret."

Qin Yang gave a heavy sigh, "Master, when have I caused trouble? This time I was really pushed too far, but the matter is resolved. Can you find me some medicine, something that works right away, otherwise, Xiaxia will worry seeing me like this when I go back."

Old Sir He gestured toward his swollen lip, "With a face like that, what medicine can work instantly? I think you’d better admit your mistake to Xiaxia honestly."

"Please, Master, you’ve got it wrong, I’m not scared to admit it, I’m afraid Xiaxia will worry. Didn’t you also say not to make the wife and kids worry? I remember you have a bunch of injury medicines, aren’t they in this drawer?"

Qin Yang paid the old man no mind and began tossing through the drawers.

He was determined not to let his wife fret over him.

Old Sir He observed that when it involved Xiaxia, Qin Yang could become quite stubborn and unreasonable.

It was a clear sign of how deeply he treasured her.

"The leftmost drawer, the one on the outside."

Qin Yang retrieved the ointment and applied it while looking in the mirror. Noticing several bruises on the back of his hand, he smeared the medicine there as well.

He then sat down with his hands spread out, waiting for the magic to happen.

After fifteen minutes, he peered into the mirror once more.

"Master, your medicine isn’t working, it hasn’t done anything."