Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 804: Epilogue (Part 11)

"Of course it matters, Lin Chuxia. Do you have any idea how I’ve been surviving lately? I've been living like a stray dog, without a roof over my head or even the ability to set up a small stall for business, all because I told you the truth. That loyal dog you keep has been hunting me like a maniac, even though I’m a victim in this too. My life wouldn't be this miserable if it weren't for Lin Jiayi, yet Gu Peng puts all the blame on me. He wouldn't let me go in my past life, and even in this life, I’ve suffered enough, but he still insists on suppressing me. If my life is ruined, then no one else gets to have a good life either..."

His tone grew more violent as he stood up.

Lin Chuxia finally realized the reason behind Li Guangyuan’s sudden descent into madness.

It appeared that Gu Peng had been making things very difficult for him recently.

Knowing Gu Peng’s tactics, he was more than capable of making someone's existence a living hell if he chose to target them.

"Li Guangyuan, don’t you just want to go back to the beginning? I will go with you. Just leave the child out of this; from the very start, this has had nothing to do with her," Lin Chuxia said, taking another step forward.

Qin Yang also moved closer, adding, "Since I’m involved in the bureau, you can count me in as well."

"Forget it, Deputy Minister Qin. Why would I bring you along? I have no desire to gain another enemy. However, this child isn't innocent either; she shouldn't have been born into this world in the first place. Lin Chuxia, since you’ve agreed, I’m leaving now. You’d better move fast, or you won’t be able to keep up with me..."

"No!"

Lin Chuxia’s eyes widened with fury as she watched his movements.

Suddenly, a shadow bolted from the side, charging directly at Li Guangyuan.

With incredible speed, that person snatched the child from Li Guangyuan’s arms, shouting "Catch!" just before the momentum carried both him and Li Guangyuan over the edge of the building.

Qin Yang reacted instantly, lunging forward to catch the falling Qi Qi.

Qi Qi continued to wail, her sense of grievance intensifying the moment she saw her father.

Meanwhile, Lin Chuxia’s eyes remained locked on the spot where the two men had disappeared.

That was Gu Peng.

When did he get here?

They had fallen together!

The surrounding people snapped into action; some hurried to Qin Yang to check the child's condition, while others ran to the edge to look down.

Chaotic noises drifted up from the ground below.

There were piercing screams, frantic shouting, and the approaching wail of sirens...

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

Inside the Office of the Director of the City Public Security Bureau.

He JianShe poured a glass of water for Lin Chuxia and asked with concern, "Was the little one badly frightened?"

Lin Chuxia accepted the water. "She’s alright. She cried for a long time that day until her voice went hoarse, but after resting at home, she’s mostly back to her usual self."

He JianShe nodded. "I still think it would be safer to let your father examine her, but you insisted on keeping this from him. If the old man hears about this from someone else later, he’ll be demanding answers from me again."

Lin Chuxia gave a faint smile. "I’ll take Qi Qi to see Master tomorrow so he can check her over. My mother hasn't been herself lately either, so I want him to look at her as well."

Qi Qi was a resilient child. Although she had been terrified that day, she settled down once she was in her father's arms.

It was actually her mother who was struggling with guilt for letting the child fall into such peril, especially after hearing about Li Guangyuan’s death. She had been restless for days.

She refused to visit a hospital, claiming she was fine and adamantly declining to go.

Having Master examine her would be a good way to help her recover her balance.

He JianShe passed some files to Lin Chuxia. "These are the results of the investigation. It’s no wonder Li Guangyuan snapped. Records show his life has been a disaster recently. His stall at the night market was destroyed, and his rent was hiked up, forcing him back to his old family home. Recently, news arrived from Hai City that his ex-wife and two sisters were arrested for prostitution. His mother had a stroke when she found out. Once the village heard the news, Li Guangyuan couldn't show his face there. Honestly, Gu Peng really has a way of doing things. He didn't appear to be involved in any of it, but my gut tells me he played a part in every single incident."

As a police officer, he had to rely on evidence.

But as a former soldier, his instincts were incredibly sharp.

He could only mention these suspicions privately to his fellow disciple, as he couldn't make official accusations without proof.

"Perhaps the weight of his life became too much, and he decided to take his revenge out on society..."

No matter how perceptive He JianShe was, he couldn't have guessed the truth about a rebirth.

Lin Chuxia, however, understood perfectly.

In their previous life, Li Guangyuan was a man of status, known as President Li.

Someone who had spent so much time at the top could never reconcile himself to a mediocre existence.

With his memories of the past life, Li Guangyuan was already frustrated with his current circumstances, and Gu Peng’s relentless pressure only made it worse.

Still, Lin Chuxia hadn't realized that Gu Peng had orchestrated so much from behind the scenes.

She remembered that Li Hongmei had vanished a long time ago, and a missing person report had even been filed.

Li Dongmei had also disappeared from the Zhang Family without a trace after Zhang Wenbin was imprisoned.

It turned out she had been with Li Hongmei all along.

As for Lin Jiayi, ending up in that trade with the sisters was undoubtedly Gu Peng's doing.

He had never held any regard for the Li Family.

In the past life, Li Guangyuan’s sisters had lived relatively easy lives, and Gu Peng used to tell her she was far too lenient with Li Jianren.

"What are your plans regarding Gu Peng?"

On that day, Gu Peng had stepped in to save Qi Qi, falling off the building alongside Li Guangyuan.

Li Guangyuan's injuries were fatal, and he passed away before reaching the hospital.

Gu Peng had been luckier; despite several broken ribs and a fractured arm, he had survived.

"The investigation is still open. We can't take action against him without proof, especially since his deeds that day could be seen as heroic. We’ll just have to wait for the final report."

Lin Chuxia nodded. "Thank you, Senior Brother. Is Gu Peng allowed visitors now? I want to see him."

"I'll have someone escort you there."

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

The hospital ward was thick with the scent of disinfectant.

Gu Peng was lying in bed, his arm and head heavily bandaged, with various tubes connecting him to life-support monitors.

Lin Chuxia had been informed by the physician that while Gu Peng survived, a fractured rib had punctured his organs, causing grave damage.

Even after the internal bleeding was managed, he faced a long road to recovery, and permanent complications were likely.

Sensing movement, Gu Peng opened his eyes.

A faint smile touched his lips when he saw Lin Chuxia. "You came. I thought you might want nothing to do with me in this life. I’m sorry; I didn't intend for things to end up like this."

Lin Chuxia stood by his bedside, watching him. "You didn't plan on surviving, did you?"

The situation had been desperate, but there had been other ways to handle it.

Though it was a gamble, Gu Peng had chosen the most extreme path.

Gu Peng let out a soft chuckle. "You’re still as sharp as ever; I can't hide anything from you. At the very last second, I felt a flash of regret and realized I needed to tell you I’m sorry."

"Why go to such lengths? Gu Peng, you are a man of great talent and ability. In our last life, you were the one telling me not to waste my time on bad people. Why couldn't you follow your own advice and move on? Pushing Li Guangyuan to the brink almost cost you your life. Was it really worth it? You seemed so carefree to the world in the past life; why couldn't you truly let go?"

She was aware that everything Gu Peng did was for her sake.

Because she knew that, she found it impossible to understand.

This applied to both her past and present lives.

In her previous life, onlookers saw her as a bitter wife neglected by her husband, a woman who had lost the ability to bear children.

Yet Gu Peng had remained unmarried for her, even going so far as to obsessively research time-reversal technology just to restart their lives.

In this life, she was already someone else's wife and mother.

She couldn't comprehend why Gu Peng was so fixated, or why he couldn't simply release her.

"Honestly, I don't know why I became so obsessed with one person," he said, looking up at Lin Chuxia as if trying to memorize her face. "I see it now; perhaps our timing was just wrong. They say it takes a hundred years of merit to share a boat and a thousand to share a bed; fate can't be forced if the time isn't right. Chuxia, please don't hate me. If there is a next life, whether we are a couple or not, I just want to stay by your side. Would that be alright?"

Lin Chuxia looked at him, watching as the hope in his eyes began to fade, before she finally spoke softly. "In the next life, let's be siblings—either brother and sister. You’ve spent a lifetime protecting me; let me be the one to protect you for once."

Gu Peng was stunned for a moment, then a genuine smile finally broke across his face. "Okay."

(The end of the main text)