Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chen Xiaoqian wore a seemingly simple sweater, but the fit was excellent, with only delicate embroidery on the cuffs, understated yet luxurious. Wang Xiaohong recalled seeing it in a magazine, from a well-known brand, where the price of one sweater could buy several gold bracelets she coveted.

Just this one sweater made Wang Xiaohong realize that this is the true demeanor a wealthy wife should have. Those demeanor she thought rich people had seemed vulgar and childish in comparison.

Taste is something money can’t buy. Although Wang Xiaohong was once so close to wealth, in the end, it all came to nothing like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

Seeing Wang Xiaohong just staring blankly at her without speaking, Chen Xiaoqian was in no rush to speak, she pulled a chair and sat by the bed, looking at Wang Xiaohong with a calm expression.

Having reached this point, Chen Xiaoqian had no need to hit someone when they are down, as the look in her eyes towards Wang Xiaohong was just like looking at a stranger.

Chen Xiaoqian understood very well that once she walked out of this door today, they might never meet again in this lifetime, and there was no need to trouble a woman who had already lost everything.

"Chen Xiaoqian, seeing me like this, are you secretly happy in your heart?"

"Not at all."

"Not at all? After what I’ve done, the Yu Family must detest me, especially after this..." Wang Xiaohong said bitterly; she didn’t know how she managed to ruin a good hand she held.

"Don’t overrate yourself; you’re not worth hating," Chen Xiaoqian said, seemingly calm yet indifferent.

This sentence easily drew the line between Wang Xiaohong and her; Qian wasn’t deliberately stepping on anyone, she was simply stating facts. After today, Wang Xiaohong thinking of clinging to the Yu Family would be impossible.

Wang Xiaohong was stunned for a few seconds; her character should feel angry, feel despised, but at the moment her heart felt empty. After experiencing this ordeal, seeing how Chen Xiaoqian maneuvered with the bad guys, Wang Xiaohong understood that she and Chen Xiaoqian representing the Yu Family were worlds apart.

They were never on the same level; there was a vast distance in their thinking. She naively thought she could challenge the Yu Family in retaliation for being forced to step down.

"Actually, I know you all look down on me... Chen Xiaoqian, I called you here just to ask you one thing. Please, since I’m about to leave, help me solve this confusion in my heart, okay?"

"Speak."

"Do you think after people die, they can really be reborn?"

The words "reborn" coming from Wang Xiaohong’s mouth made the previously indifferent Chen Xiaoqian sit upright instantly, with a hint of vigilance in her eyes.

Could it be that Wang Xiaohong had discovered something?

Wang Xiaohong seemed oblivious to Chen Xiaoqian’s unusual expression, looking at the ceiling with confusion as she narrated her inner struggles.

"Actually, not long ago, I read a romance novel from Taiwan, which depicted a girl who died and returned to her teenage years to start anew, making up for past regrets and keeping her former husband. I was deeply touched by it."

At that time, online novels hadn’t become popular, with only some foreign short stories around. This theme became very popular later.

Listening now, it sounded like a completely new concept.

"Novels are always virtual." Chen Xiaoqian earnestly looked at Wang Xiaohong, trying to find clues from her expression.

"Yes, they’re all fake..." Wang Xiaohong sighed. She knew all too well that books are fake, but having reached her present situation, she found breathing difficult, always recalling past good times, unwilling to face reality, seeking solace in novels.

"Chen Xiaoqian, I came to you because I wanted to ask if rebirth truly existed, and if I returned to the past, repented, tried being a good woman, would Yu Mingyi and I have a chance?"

Wang Xiaohong insisted on meeting Chen Xiaoqian just to ask this. She knew such a fantastical thing as rebirth didn’t exist, but her heart felt void; she wanted an answer.

Before, she didn’t trust Chen Xiaoqian, but after seeing her deal with villains, Chen Xiaoqian became an absolute authority in Wang Xiaohong’s heart.

"Do you want to hear the truth or comfort?" Chen Xiaoqian relaxed upon hearing this, realizing Wang Xiaohong didn’t know about her matter, only wanting to unravel her own doubts.

"Of course, the truth. I know you might not believe me, but I never intended to harm my brother; it was my mom..." Wang Xiaohong wanted to defend herself, but felt no one would believe her now.

"I believe you. Please continue."

"Sometimes I can’t sleep, like being possessed, repeatedly thinking, if I could return to my younger self, live well with my second brother, adhere to women’s virtues, would I not end up like today?"

"Since you want the truth, I’ll tell you. Though rebirth novels often emphasize repentance, from my perspective I very much dislike such stories. First, every protagonist’s love for the male lead isn’t true love; rather than love, it’s love for his wealth and status upon his rise. If it were love, why do those chaotic actions occur? Have you seen anyone who truly loves being lazy and indulgent, humiliating their husband with other men?"

Chen Xiaoqian’s words were sharp, nearly taking Wang Xiaohong’s breath away, but Chen wasn’t targeting her, merely stating facts.

"Repentance, in itself, is ironic. Pursuing wealth and men became an obsession, altering one’s personality to fit men’s family, striving to become all sorts of virtuous, to cater even at one’s expense—is this truly love? Wang Xiaohong, I’ll tell you, even for someone bad like you, there’s your own character. No love is based on distorting oneself to please others, so repentance is a false proposition."

"I don’t quite understand what you mean... Are you saying someone like me is forever unworthy of true happiness?" Wang Xiaohong despondently asked.

"Of course not. I always believe a woman’s happiness lies in her own efforts. First, you must understand the meaning of life; whether you’re good or bad, those labels are others’ perceptions. Our ultimate purpose isn’t anything but finding ways to keep ourselves happy. If you truly have a repentant heart, why cling to the notion of dying once and seeking to please others through self-sacrifice? Start striving from now on—everything is still possible."

"Still possible?" Wang Xiaohong asked in surprise, feeling she had already exhausted all options in life.