Chapter 5 Mr. Pei’s Innocent Beauty

"Leo Li, go to a housekeeping agency and find a few reliable maids. The kind who are exceptionally good cooks, preferably with a nutritionist certification," I instructed Leo Li from the back seat, surrounded by a pile of supplements, after careful consideration.

"Yes, Madam," Leo Li replied.

After marrying Hugh Pei, both our parents had suggested hiring a few servants to clean, tend to the garden, and cook. But I, in my lovesick state, had refused.

In the love nest I shared with Hugh Pei, I felt that even one extra person would be an eyesore, disrupting our lovey-dovey time—like making out from the living room to the kitchen.

The result, as one could imagine, was that I lived a life of quasi-widowhood.

Since I was reborn, I shouldn't indulge in such foolish dreams anymore.

When I got home, I walked in front with my Prada handbag, while Leo Li followed behind, carrying a pile of supplements. As I opened the door, Hugh Pei was just coming down the stairs, adjusting his cuffs as he descended. The most casual movements were always the most charming.

"Leo Li, you can go now," I said, putting down my handbag.

Leo Li placed the supplements on the table, bowed respectfully to Hugh Pei, and then hurried away.

"There's a cocktail party in an hour. Your parents will be there. Get ready and come with me," Hugh Pei informed me blandly, not paying any attention to the pile of things I'd brought back.

He never wanted to take me to any events unless I was useful, for instance, if my parents were attending.

I hadn't been back to see my parents since my rebirth. It wasn't because I was unfilial, but after what had happened in my past life, I still felt a deep sense of guilt towards them and was a bit afraid to see them.

"Oh, okay," I said, heading upstairs.

I hadn't been idle these past two weeks. I'd bought a new batch of clothes, all of which were a stark contrast in style and cut to my previous monotonous wardrobe.

I chose a little red dress. It was off-the-shoulder with a rather revealing V-neck, but a layer of sheer fabric was sewn in, making it alluringly subtle. The skirt had a mermaid hem, revealing a pair of slender, straight calves.

Although I was excessively thin, I was also very fair. At five-foot-two, apart from my chest, I felt pretty good about myself.

As for Lila Wei's fresh and pure style, I didn't think it suited me at all. I wasn't in my 20s anymore.

After doing my makeup, I put on a set of crystal earrings and a matching necklace. They would definitely be dazzling under the spotlights. The more restrained I was before, the more flamboyant I would be now.

Hugh Pei was waiting for me downstairs. He was on the phone and didn't react at all when he heard me coming down, not even sparing me a glance. I didn't mind and went to wait in the car by myself.

A few minutes later, Hugh Pei came out. From the moment he got in the car until we set off, his eyes never rested on me for a second.

We didn't say a word to each other the entire way.

He drove his car, and I played on my phone. I had added Julian Qi on WeChat and was sending him warm greetings.

Me: Julian, if you don't like the hospital cafeteria food, I can have someone send meals over.

Julian Qi: No, no, miss, it's fine. I'm used to it.

Me: I forgot to buy you some nutritional supplements today. I'll bring some when I visit you tomorrow.

Julian Qi: Really, you don't have to be so polite!

Me: I'm not being polite. I really did hit you and put you in the hospital. Don't be embarrassed. Just let me know if you need anything.

Julian Qi and Lila Wei came from similar backgrounds. In front of Lila Wei, Hugh Pei was a handsome, rich heir. In front of Julian Qi, I could be the rich, beautiful heiress.

Thinking about it, it felt quite balanced, and a subtle sense of equilibrium settled in my heart.

The car stopped at a red light. Hugh Pei finally moved his neck and glanced at me, belatedly noticing my different look for the day. But, as usual, nothing good came out of his mouth. "That dress is a waste on you."

So, the drama trope where the female lead changes her style and stuns the male lead is fake.

I put down my phone, cupped my chest, and retorted, "Is it really that small? I even wore extra-thick padding today."

My overly bold gesture successfully made Hugh Pei's face darken again. He said coldly, "Zoe Xu, can you please watch your words and actions."

"Why?" I asked back.

I've been watching them for so many years. Was it any use? Someone who has died once tends to see things more clearly. Instead of constraining myself, I'd rather let my spirit fly.

"Don't forget your status," Hugh Pei said, his tone already hostile.

He didn't treat me as his wife, yet he demanded I act with the self-discipline of one.

I turned to look out the window, not wanting to speak. In the past, if Hugh Pei had taken the initiative to say even a few words to me, I would have been ecstatic and tried to find topics to keep the conversation from dying.

When we arrived at the party, Hugh Pei and I played the part of a loving couple for a while, chatting with a few familiar business partners. Then I found a place to sit and rest by myself.

As fate would have it, a young woman sat down next to me. A closer look revealed it was the "little white flower" who had been caught on camera with Hugh Pei at a hotel, sparking a media frenzy.

"Ching Ching, why are you sitting here all alone?" Another woman came over and asked the starlet, Ching Ching Pan.

"I'm just resting for a bit. Lulu, come sit with me," Ching Ching Pan replied, her voice incredibly sweet.

I realized Hugh Pei seemed to have a thing for women with pleasant voices. Lila Wei was one, and so were all the women he'd been linked with in the past.

The two started chatting next to me, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

Lulu Chen teased Ching Ching Pan. "Your Mr. Pei is over there. Aren't you going to go say hi?"

"Don't talk nonsense. What do you mean, my Mr. Pei? He has a wife," Ching Ching Pan replied with a playful pout.

"His wife hasn't been seen in ages. She's just a figurehead, right? Everyone knows you've been the closest to him recently. I heard he bought you a house?" Lulu Chen's voice was filled with envy.

"Mm, he's very generous to me," Ching Ching Pan said, her words laced with pride. "I don't even know why he's so good to me. I'm so lucky to have met him."

Hugh Pei was generous to everyone—except me, his figurehead wife.

Every woman he'd been rumored to be with had nothing but praise for him after they broke up. Such was the charm of money.

Just then, my parents walked over. Seeing me sitting alone, they asked, "Zoe, where's Hugh Pei? Why isn't he with you?"

At the mention of Hugh Pei's name, Ching Ching Pan and Lulu Chen immediately turned to look at me, their expressions surely a colorful sight.

I stood up and linked my arm with my mother's, whining playfully, "What's the fun in staying with him? It's just talking business with a bunch of people. It's much more fun to chat with you two."

My mother gave me a surprised look. I hadn't acted coquettishly with her in years.

"You two girls chat. I'm going to find Old Qin and the others," my father, a typical straight man, said, completely oblivious to my change in demeanor. He cheerfully went off to find his old friends.