She shouldn't have relied on Xia Yichen, that useless man.
But her body was truly unwell, feeling as if it were falling apart.
She didn't expect Xia Yichen to give her any money; she only hoped he would gain some sense in the future and learn to manage himself.
Tomorrow was the day she'd move.
There were still many things at home.
She also needed to pack important documents.
As for everything else, she'd sell what she could.
After all, any valuable jewelry had been looted last time; all that was left were clothes, shoes, and bags.
Bags and shoes could be sold second-hand for some money, but used clothes were probably unsellable.
While she was lost in thought, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Startled, Xia Wanfu, who was lying in bed, sat bolt upright.
In the dim doorway, a tall figure stood, backlit, his face obscured.
Xia Wanfu's voice trembled, "Jiang..."
"Brother Ze Xi, is that you?"
The person at the door swayed, then walked step by step to the bedside.
Through the dim moonlight, she could make out the rough outline of his face.
It was indeed Jiang Ze Xi.
He had returned.
Xia Wanfu's heart filled with joy, and for a moment, all her worries vanished.
Jiang Ze Xi stood by the bed, looking at her with tender eyes.
Deep affection and reluctance were evident in his gaze.
A wave of alcohol hit her nostrils, and Xia Wanfu's heart sank. Her smile became a little strained.
He had been drinking.
Returning this late, had he been to a party again?
But she dared not ask, nor could she complain.
However, she believed that with time, Jiang Ze Xi would only love her.
He was such a good person.
She believed he would never be someone who would stoop so low.
Xia Wanfu's smile returned, and she said softly, "Brother Ze Xi, you're back."
As she spoke, she got out of bed and reached for the light switch on the wall, intending to turn on the light.
Her hand had just touched it, but before she could press it, a large hand grabbed hers.
The hand was burning hot, as if it would scorch her skin.
Xia Wanfu immediately felt flustered, but it was mingled with joy.
"Brother Ze Xi, what are you doing?"
Jiang Ze Xi's tall figure enveloped her.
The intoxicating scent of alcohol made her feel even more intoxicated.
He said in a hoarse voice, "I missed you so much."
His eyes were hazy, seemingly not entirely sober.
Xia Wanfu's heart felt as if it had been smeared with honey; the entire air felt sweet.
In the dim moonlight, their shadows, pressed tightly together, were cast on the wall.
Late at night, the night insects sang their hearts out, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
...
The next day.
When Xia Wanfu woke up, she was alone in the bed.
Her body felt as if it had been run over by a vehicle; she had experienced intimacy twice with no gentleness shown.
Her complexion was a little pale, and her mood was not good.
After washing up, she forced herself downstairs despite her discomfort.
Today, she had to go back to the Xia family.
In the living room sofa.
A man was casually lounging, legs crossed, leaning back with a lazy, elegant posture.
His collar was slightly open, revealing tight, flowing muscle lines, messy yet sexy.
Hearing the gradual descent of footsteps from the stairs, he lazily lifted his gaze.
His eyes were as gentle and amorous as ever, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Xia Wanfu felt not only physically uncomfortable but also a pang in her heart, her emotions complex.
What bothered her was that Jiang Ze Xi, knowing she was uncomfortable, showed her no compassion.
"Come here." Jiang Ze Xi looked at her as she walked towards him with gentle eyes and beckoned her with a finger.
Xia Wanfu managed a strained smile, her body and mind worn out.
She always felt that Jiang Ze Xi was playing hard to get.
Only when he held her, speaking tenderly of missing her, loving her, could her heart find some solace.
Perhaps, she had truly fallen.
No longer wanting to wake up.
As soon as she reached Jiang Ze Xi's side.
She was pulled into his arms, and he leaned close to her ear, speaking softly, "Does it still hurt? I've asked someone to prepare some ointment for you."
Xia Wanfu's heart instantly shifted from gloom to sunshine.
She had thought he didn't care about her discomfort, her pain.
"I'm fine, it's just..."
Jiang Ze Xi gently pressed his lips to hers, kissing her tenderly as he said, "It won't happen again. I'm sorry."
Xia Wanfu couldn't help but smile, all the gloom dispelled.
She nestled obediently in Jiang Ze Xi's arms, her tone a little aggrieved.
"Were you drunk yesterday? Did you go to a party again?"
Jiang Ze Xi remained silent, but his expression didn't change.
Xia Wanfu's heart tightened again.
She wondered if she was being too controlling.
But she was already Jiang Ze Xi's girlfriend.
In a relationship between a man and a woman, loyalty and responsibility were the bottom line!
If he were still as he used to be, wild and dissolute, she definitely wouldn't be able to tolerate it.
After a long while, Xia Wanfu could no longer contain herself and couldn't help but want to turn her head to see Jiang Ze Xi's reaction.
Only then did she hear Jiang Ze Xi say gently, "I had a business engagement yesterday. There won't be any more parties."
"Okay."
Xia Wanfu believed him because she felt that Jiang Ze Xi wouldn't lie.
"You just believe me like that?"
Jiang Ze Xi's tone was calm, but his eyes held a complex emotion.
Xia Wanfu chuckled lightly, "Yes, I believe everything you say."
Jiang Ze Xi fell silent again, only tightening his arm around Xia Wanfu.
In the past, another woman had said similar words.
She had said: I believe everything you say.
After a moment, Xia Wanfu said, "I need to go back to the Xia family. Can you let me take me back to the city?"
Jiang Ze Xi nuzzled her ear and said tenderly, "I'll go back with you!"
Xia Wanfu frowned, not really wanting Jiang Ze Xi to go back with her.
Because this trip was for moving, and facing the debt collectors, she would be very embarrassed.
And it would be troublesome if Xia Yichen saw him.
Given his shameless nature, it would be impossible to get rid of him if he clung to her.
Just as she was thinking of how to brush him off, she heard Jiang Ze Xi say, "I'll wait for you at home! Go early and come back soon. I'll have the driver take you."
Xia Wanfu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "My house has been mortgaged to pay off debts. I'm just going to get my household registration book, ID card, and other documents. I'll be back soon."
"Mm." Jiang Ze Xi acknowledged and let her go.
After breakfast, Xia Wanfu left.
Jiang Ze Xi had the driver take her to the Xia family and then sent the driver away.
She could take a taxi back; she wouldn't be free for a while.
Besides picking up things, she also had to deal with the troublesome Xia Yichen.
The debt collectors hadn't arrived yet, so early in the morning, she used the key to open the door and entered the house.
The living room was a mess. The floor was covered with cardboard boxes and remnants of takeout trash.
Xia Yichen was lying on the sofa, snoring loudly.
The clothes he was wearing were the same ones he had on when she left.
In the sweltering heat of summer, he didn't bathe or change clothes. Only he could stand it.