Alcohol hit hard—I nodded off, overcome by drowsiness.
I thought he'd leave me in the car, but I woke up in my bed the next day.
Second time he'd carried me to bed. Strange.
Head throbbing, I showered, changed—felt better, but starving.
Assuming Hugh Pei was gone, I skipped underwear, wore a sheer silk nightgown, and went downstairs for food.
Halfway down, I saw three men on the couch—staring up at me.
Hugh Pei was there, holding cards. At the sight of my outfit, his face turned blacker than a pot.
"Whoa—eyes closed!" Lucas Lu pushed another man's head down.
I fled upstairs, cursing Hugh Pei. Why home so often? Possessed?
When I returned, dressed properly, they'd stopped playing, chatting.
Hugh Pei's close friends—I knew them, barely.
Lucas Lu, Evan Yu, Jake Fu—all wealthy heirs. Evan was different—no family business, a doctor.
They knew he hated me—never saw me as his wife.
Even helped him chase Lila Wei, back then. Except Evan.
They watched me go to the kitchen, silent.
I made egg noodles, ignoring them.
"Let's go." Hugh Pei stood.
Lucas and Jake followed. Car engines faded. I slurped noodles—good riddance.
After breakfast, I applied light makeup, headed to the hospital.
Checkup first, then Julian Qi.
Mammogram—lucky, just mild hyperplasia.
I filed the report, then went to Julian's room.
Lila Wei was there again.
" Lila, my leg's hurt, not my hands—I can feed myself," Julian said, mouth full of apple she'd fed him.
Lila Wei laughed crisply. "What? Complaining about my care?"
"Never—best care ever! I love you, Lan Lan!" Julian beamed, eyes only for her.
I coughed, breaking their moment.
Julian looked surprised. "Sis Zoe, you're back?"
Lila Wei stood, offering her seat. "Sis Zoe, sit."
Up close, her beauty struck me. I thought of Evan Yu—just passing by.
In past lives, Hugh Pei met Lila Wei first, then Evan through him.
What if Evan met her first? Would he fall for her too?
I sighed, smiling at Lila Wei. "Nothing—wanted to introduce a doctor. Great hands—good for Julian's stitches."
"Sis, you're too kind—it's really nothing," Lila Wei said, embarrassed. "He's tough—basketball scrapes all the time."
I nodded. Next time—get them together.
With Lila Wei there, no chat. I left after minutes.
On the way back, I bought more herbs.
"Leo Li—hired the housekeepers?" I called.
"Ma'am, bringing them to your place now."
"Good."
Half an hour later, at Fengzhou Garden, Leo had them working. He was efficient.
He introduced me—they bowed. "Ma'am."
I handed the herbs to the fairest-looking one. "Decoct this—bring it to me."
I went inside to rest.
Later, Auntie Liu brought the dark broth. "Ma'am, your medicine."
I eyed the soup, then her—still attractive. She looked... familiar.
"Your surname, Auntie?" I asked politely.
"Liu, ma'am."
"Thank you, Auntie Liu." I smiled, dismissing her.
I watched her leave—face, figure, 70% like Lila Wei.
Small world—like dominoes falling.
Bumped into Lila Wei's boyfriend, hired Lila Wei's mom?
I texted Leo for their files, focusing on Auntie Liu's. Emergency contact—usually spouse.
Name in that column—my lips curved.
Eva Liu, Victor Wei. I knew those names. In past lives, I'd dug up Lila Wei's background—her parents' names stuck.