Chapter 1: The Kind of Wife You Can Sleep With!

[I want to become you, and then love myself properly.]

In the dim light between morning and evening, the woman lying on her side in the wicker chair held a yellowed, brown-paper book. On its first page was a single line, startlingly clear; beside it, water stains had spread, and in two places the droplets were still fresh.

Just like the tears at the corners of the woman’s eyes, still not dry.

Her hair was pinned up, yet it was still easy to make out the few streaks of white hidden within it.

No one knew how much time had passed. As the sky fell silent, the woman picked up the book and murmured softly, “Bengbeng.”

She couldn’t see it clearly, but she remembered everything.

It was the third year since Ji Wushan had left.

Xue Erbai was aging into ruin.

---

“President Xue? President Xue...?”

An afternoon nap was a habit Xue Erbai had kept for many years.

Sometimes it lasted half an hour, sometimes only ten minutes, but today she had slept so deeply that she only woke when she heard that familiar yet distant voice.

Xue Erbai jolted awake from her dream; her fingertips sank into the sofa, the corners of her eyes red. She looked toward the voice and saw the woman standing there.

She wore a business suit, black-framed glasses on her nose, her features neat and faintly youthful.

It was indeed Qiao You, who had been by her side for years.

Not the more mature, more meticulous Qiao You Xue Erbai had never known.

Not the one from the dream.

Xue Erbai withdrew her scrutinizing gaze. Her newly awakened voice was still a little hoarse as she asked lazily and impatiently, “What is it?”

“Director Tian has arrived; she’s at the entrance...”

Hearing Qiao You’s report, Xue Erbai’s fingers twitched slightly. She took a quiet breath and said, “Let her in.”

Qiao You turned and left.

Xue Erbai watched her back, her gaze gradually going unfocused.

The pain splitting through her head spread like a knife. She pressed a hand to her forehead, and the scene from the dream flickered again and again.

[ Xue Erbai, see you at the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow. ]

[ Thank you for taking care of me during this time. ]

The one who had said those words in the dream was her new wife, Ji Wushan.

Her face was pale, unlike the gorgeous, carefully made-up look she wore when they were together.

The sorrow between her brows had replaced the coolness that once made Xue Erbai’s heart race.

And after that...

She never saw Ji Wushan again.

“President Xue, Director Tian is here.”

Qiao You returned and gave her a soft reminder.

The familiar voice made Xue Erbai’s expression turn thoughtful. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to shake off Qiao You’s voice.

But Qiao You’s voice was persistent.

[ President Xue, Miss Ji... I can’t find her anywhere. ]

[ Miss Ji... can’t be found... ]

In the end, Xue Erbai stood up and looked straight at Tian Qiyue.

This was the market department director she had just promoted three months ago. Xue Erbai tugged at the corner of her lips and asked in a low voice, “How are things in Province Y?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around. Tian Qiyue began her report in a gentle voice.

At first, Xue Erbai was still somewhat groggy and couldn’t quite take it in.

But the snack chain project in Province Y had been personally approved by her three months ago, and Tian Qiyue was someone she valued.

By her expectations, this report should have been even more outstanding; she had no reason not to listen.

Her mood gradually settled. Xue Erbai sat back down and looked at the research report on the table.

When the report ended, Xue Erbai put down the materials and nodded in approval. “Manager Tian, organize the site selection plan and budget breakdown for the pilot stores this week; Qiao You, coordinate with the supply chain department as well and connect with warehouse and logistics resources in the new first-tier cities.”

“Understood, President Xue. I’ll follow up on the plan and report to you immediately if there are any issues.”

After Tian Qiyue left, Qiao You was still standing beside Xue Erbai, about to bring up the coordination work when Xue Erbai suddenly said, “Help me book a restaurant.”

Xue Erbai and Ji Wushan had entered into a business marriage.

Or rather, this marriage was Xue Erbai’s unilateral seizing of an opportunity.

At first, Ji Wushan had not been her intended match. The Ji family’s finances had collapsed, and they were everywhere seeking cooperation. Xue Erbai was, in a sense, the one who had taken the initiative to come to their door.

She first arranged to meet Ji Wushan’s father, Ji Xian, and then found Ji Wushan herself.

She came with a contract, her bearing casual and unrestrained.

“My mother wants me to settle down earlier; that way, my position in the family business will be more secure.”

“Your family’s gambling debts are a bit much, but not beyond what can be paid.”

“You have looks, and your social standing and upbringing are both enough. Let’s get married.”

“Two-year contract. Let’s try living together.”

In truth, she was gambling too; she was gambling that Ji Wushan understood her own situation, understood that the gambling debts were making things difficult for the Ji family, and that in front of Xue Erbai—or any other blind date—they didn’t amount to much.

Then, she won her gamble.

What she received was a marriage certificate, plus the chance to keep the relationship going by contacting each other once a week.

Exceptions were made for occasions they needed to attend together; they just had to coordinate in advance.

“...Today?”

“Yes!”

Qiao You hesitated slightly as she looked at Xue Erbai. She felt that something was off ever since Xue Erbai woke up.

But there was nothing unusual about her when it came to work.

She could only suppress her doubts and agree before turning to arrange the restaurant.

Once Qiao You left, Xue Erbai began calling Ji Wushan.

Xue Erbai had starred Ji Wushan’s WeChat and phone number, so they were easy to find and easy to dial.

It just took a long time to get through.

The first call even hung up automatically, and Xue Erbai’s brow twitched.

Because of the dream she had just had of desperately searching for someone.

The chair turned; Xue Erbai had her back to Qiao You. Anxious because Ji Wushan wasn’t answering, her eyes reddened again.

“Hello?”

At last the call connected. Xue Erbai straightened. Hearing the unfamiliar voice on the other end, she asked in a trembling voice, “Who are you?”

“This is the emergency department of Xijing City People’s Hospital. The patient—”

Patient?!

Xue Erbai’s pupils contracted violently. She stood up, clutching her phone as she hurried outside. Qiao You, who had just returned from booking the restaurant, ran straight into her, but Xue Erbai didn’t stop. Her expression was grim.

Qiao You called after her and chased after her.

By the underground parking garage, Qiao You finally caught up to Xue Erbai. Seeing her bloodshot eyes, she immediately stopped her from opening the car door. “President Xue, let me drive.”

Xue Erbai turned to look at her. After a few seconds, her hand dropped, and she said, “Go to People’s Hospital.” She handed over the car keys and, without another word, got into the back seat.

Qiao You didn’t drive slowly, but she drove very steadily.

She glanced at Xue Erbai several times through the rearview mirror and saw that her expression was anxious.

After the car stopped, Qiao You was about to open the door for her, but before she could, Xue Erbai had already stepped out in one stride, leaving behind a single sentence: “Find Ji Wushan.” She went into the emergency department ahead of her.

Qiao You had followed Xue Erbai since graduating from university. Back then, Xue Erbai had only just entered management and was, in many ways, less composed than she was now; she handled things more impulsively.

But over the years, she had gradually established herself in the company.

In more than a year, Qiao You had only seen Xue Erbai lose her composure twice.

Once was when she told Qiao You to book a time at the Civil Affairs Bureau so she could marry Ji Wushan.

And the other was now.

So Qiao You was not surprised at all; she only nodded lightly.

--

The emergency room was noisy and chaotic. In her business suit, with her hair pinned up, Xue Erbai looked out of place; yet her expression was no different from everyone else’s.

Qiao You had originally stayed close behind her, but later split off to ask around.

At last, she saw Xue Erbai stop in front of an emergency bed and hurried over.

The heartbeat line on the monitor was straight.

Xue Erbai’s back bent.

“Pres—”

“Move aside, move aside!”

Qiao You, who had been about to step forward, was shoved away, and Xue Erbai was also asked to leave by the medical staff.

A few minutes later, the curtain was drawn back and a doctor called out, “Who is Li Qiang’s family?”

Qiao You: “...?”

She paused for a moment, then saw Xue Erbai straighten and turn to look at the bed next to it.

Ji Wushan had a wound on her forehead; blood had soaked through the bandage. Her eyes were tightly closed, and the cool distance she usually carried was gone, leaving behind something fragile and breakable.

Xue Erbai let out several breaths.

It felt like a roller coaster.

Her legs a little unsteady, she walked to the side of Ji Wushan’s bed.

Qiao You also immediately went over.

Naturally, there was nothing wrong with her condition. She spoke with the doctor, had Xue Erbai sign the forms, and followed behind as Ji Wushan was transferred to a ward.

For the entire afternoon, Xue Erbai stayed by the hospital bed.

After Qiao You finished dealing with the other matters, she returned to Xue Erbai’s side.

“President Xue, the driver has already been detained by the police. According to him, Miss Ji seemed somewhat dazed at the time and crossed the road outside the crosswalk, which is why...”

“Just handle it as you see fit.”

Xue Erbai hadn’t had a sip of water all afternoon, and her voice was even hoarser than when she had just woken up. When she said this, her eyes were fixed on Ji Wushan.

All she could think about was what the doctor had said.

[ The patient may have amnesia. ]

The person wasn’t even awake yet...

The possibility of that...

Wasn’t very high, right?

Qiao You left, and Xue Erbai continued to keep watch. Second by second, night fell.

Ji Wushan, who should have been sleeping peacefully in the bed, opened her eyes.

Xue Erbai sprang up from the chair in excitement, took the hand she had left outside the blanket, the one that wasn’t injured, and asked, “How do you feel?!”

“Does it hurt a lot?”

The question came naturally; Xue Erbai was simply so anxious that she blurted it out.

But when she met Ji Wushan’s eyes, which should have been cool and composed yet were now clouded with confusion, a little clarity returned to her.

But not for long.

The moment Ji Wushan pulled her hand free, tilted her head slightly, and asked, “You are...?” Xue Erbai blurted out, “Xue Erbai, your wife.”

Then her heart pounded wildly; the long-hidden crush she had buried for years nearly slipped out of control.

But on her face, she forced herself to stay calm, her voice pressing down on a barely perceptible tremor. “Seriously—the kind of wife you can sleep with!”

Author’s Note:

--

After thinking it over and over, I still wrote the old familiar formula; it fits better.