1 My Dear Wife

Ji Nanfeng had been given a second chance at life, traveling back in time four years into the past. He laid deathly still on the hospice bedroom. His body felt stiff and he found himself unable to open his eyes. He could only listen to the ongoing talks unfurling before him.

"Mo Lixin, go bring Ji Nanfeng clothes. He may end up here for a long time. Isn't it that you want to take this opportunity to come here?!" The female voice spoke overbearingly.

Ji Nanfeng knew this voice. It was Anran… Duan Anran… his past lover, but in truth, she's nothing but a heartless and toxic beauty whom he foolishly and blindly placed his trust upon in the past.

"No… I… I… I don't know… how long will Ji Nanfeng be here? This… you didn't tell me…" A voice answered awkwardly, almost trembling yet somewhat soothing and gentle.

Lixin… my dear wife… it's you…

Before he married her, she used to call his name sweetly. His name seeping out from her mouth was always soft and full of love and care that no other gave him, but yet, on their wedding night, he forbade her from calling his name.

He remembered it ever so clear, the memory ingrained deeply within.

"Mo Lixin, don't be… what's the word… don't be disgusting. You don't deserve to call me Nanfeng. Remember, our marriage means nothing. The marriage to you is only because of a deal between your family and mines. It is better you get this through your head. Oh, and quit your job. You won't need it. And don't bother me."

It was their wedding night. It should've been the happiest time of their life, yet it was not so. Determined he was to bring his wife down. He'd berate her, insult her, make her feel as if she isn't worth anything less than trash. Because it was true, he thought. She was trash. And she believed it.

Soon after, he left the house. He did not see the expression his wife wore, but he knew it was anything but a smile.

He didn't let her out, did not want her to be in touch with society. He wanted her to be forgotten, just another person lost in the annals of history who'd never been given a chance to make a difference. He only wanted her to suffer from loneliness.

None imagined that a gentleman like him treated his wife in a manner unbefitting his image.

When his past memories came rolling in, Ji Nanfeng curled his lips in disgust. He loathed himself, loathed how hateful he was to her, loathed how he treated her. On God's name, she had passion. She loved designing, especially wedding dresses. He knew this. She dreamed of this, but before she could fly, he cut off her wings.

He was quite the bastard recalling the images of his past from beginning to end. It was painful, more so for his wife. She did not deserve such treatment.

The voice outside echoing in his ear dragged him back to reality.

"Mo Lixin, you should go and hurry up! When Nanfeng awakens only to see your face, his mood will only turn sour. You better hurry on out." Duan Anran's voice overflowed with disgust.

"I… can I stay for a short while…? I'll leave in a minute. I won't let him find me…" Mo Lixin said softly. She did not feel as if she was his, Ji Nanfeng's wife. Sometimes, she wondered why she'd come here. It isn't like he cares much for her.

"I tell you to go and leave. Why do you—" Before Duan Anran could finish, there came a sudden knock on the door. She paused immediately and tidied her appearance and donned a dignified look. She faced the door and shouted. "Come in!"

"Anran… oh… is this not Mo Lixin? Have you come to seduce Brother Ji? Hehe, I didn't peg you the type to do that. You're quite shameless. Have you no face? Do you not see the state Brother Ji is in?" Yun Ting, Duan Anran's good friend, mocked and sneered at Mo Lixin.

"I… no… I am…" Mo Lixin stuttered, unable to say the second half of her sentence.

She promised Ji Nanfeng she'd not speak a word of their marriage to others.