Chapter 69 Unable to bear the occasional smell of alcohol she brought home, the unfamiliar scent on her body…

After returning from the cemetery, Jin Zhao and Jiang Xiliu's relationship improved for a while.

Jin Zhao seemed to have accepted the fact that his eyesight was damaged, and he began to learn Braille on his own initiative.

Once, on a whim, he wanted to take Xiao Da downstairs to play, but was stopped. Only then did he realize that Jiang Xiliu no longer allowed him to go out alone.

Jin Zhao accepted this time very quickly. He didn't say anything, handed Xiao Da over to the bodyguard, and went back to his room for a nap.

After lunch break, he calmly sat down at the table and continued his self-study.

Jin Zhao's life became more regular.

Every day without fail, she studies a Braille article; every week, she makes a video call with Grandma Jin; and every month, she accompanies Jiang Xiliu back to the Jiang family's old house.

Jiang Xiliu treated him fairly well; aside from not letting him go out alone, she let Jin Zhao do almost everything he wanted.

Of course, Jin Zhao himself didn't have any demands.

But in any case, that year was the most peaceful and harmonious time in their short married life.

Everything is getting better, including Jin Zhao's eyes.

On a very ordinary morning, he opened his eyes and was no longer surrounded by thick blackness. Although he still couldn't see anything clearly, there was some light in front of him.

"Xi Liu." Jin Zhao's voice was filled with surprise and joy, so much so that he forgot about the young lady's morning grumpiness and woke her up before the alarm clock rang.

He didn't care about being slapped by the young lady and happily continued, "My eyes seem to be able to see a little light again."

After examination, it was found that the stubborn blood clot in Jin Zhao's brain was indeed showing signs of dissipating.

However, Jin Zhao still couldn't see anything until the blood clot completely dissipated.

The doctor advised him to be hospitalized for observation so that they could respond to any issues that might arise. Jiang Xiliu was actually reluctant to let Jin Zhao come into contact with the outside world, but she also didn't like him being blind.

She thought about it for a few minutes and finally agreed to the doctor's advice.

After the blood clot in Jin Zhao's brain dissipated and his vision was restored, Jiang Xiliu, for some reason, changed her previous behavior and even gave him his cell phone.

Jin Zhao is very well-behaved; he doesn't use his phone much except to contact his grandmother and Jiang Xiliu.

They were like any ordinary young couple, with one taking care of external affairs and the other managing the household.

Jin Zhao stayed home, taking care of their dog and their resilient hamster, while Jiang Xiliu worked hard outside.

Why did their relationship deteriorate again later?

Jin Zhao thought about it for a long time and felt that it was probably because he had become too greedy.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiliu focused all her energy on her work, becoming even busier.

Jiang Fuhuai officially abdicated, and Xi Zhen handed over the hotel business to her daughter. The couple began to travel the world, leaving Jiang Xiliu to support the family business alone.

This is the final test, and Jiang Xiliu wants to do her best.

Jin Zhao knew she was under a lot of pressure.

The seemingly glamorous CEO Jiang will collapse on the sofa at home, grumbling about how tired he is, and saying he's going to rebel and quit tomorrow.

Jin Zhao knew she didn't want to talk about work after she got home, so he didn't ask too many questions. He just silently stayed by her side, massaging her legs, arms, and head.

Because he understood how hard she worked, Jin Zhao never questioned her about the occasional smell of alcohol she brought home, the unfamiliar woody scent on her body, or the man who brought her home from downstairs. He trusted her.

But believing doesn't mean having no emotions; all the grievances were hidden in Jin Zhao's calm gaze.

Emotions piled up, growing larger and larger, like a balloon inflating to the point of bursting, until it could no longer hold a breath.

Winter is very cold.

It was almost midnight, and Jiang Xiliu still hadn't gone home, nor had she told him in advance that she had something to do.

Jin Zhao stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, hesitated, and finally made a phone call to Jiang Xiliu.

"Hello."

The clear, gentle male voice that answered the phone didn't feel unfamiliar to Jin Zhao.

Just a few hours earlier, Jin Zhao was repeatedly watching the period drama he starred in.

Jin Zhao liked watching this drama because Jiang Xiliu once casually praised him, saying, "He looks alright, his character in the drama is good, and he only needs time to become a big star."

Jiang Xiliu was right. The period drama, which didn't make much of a splash when it first aired, suddenly became popular after ten episodes. The man praised by Jiang Xiliu in the drama gained millions of fans overnight and was even called the "Nation's Good Husband".

Jin Zhao, with a learning mindset, has watched this period drama several times.

"Hello? Who is it? Why aren't you saying anything when you call?" The man on the other end of the line was clearly not very patient and was a completely different kind of person from the character in the drama.

Jin Zhao opened his mouth, but didn't dare to ask a single question.

The man waited a while, but still didn't hear anyone speak. He cursed, "Are you sick?" and hung up the phone.

At midnight, a new advertising slogan popped up on the commercial building opposite the floor-to-ceiling windows: "Apples stay fresh forever, peace is always with you." (1)

Jiang Xiliu, who had just returned from the restroom, pushed open the door and saw her phone being held by a currently popular male star. Her face turned slightly cold, and her voice was serious: "What are you doing with my phone?"

This event was specially organized by the staff for Jiang Xiliu, and the male celebrity was also invited specifically for her.

Two days ago, Jiang Xiliu asked her assistant to prepare several autographed photos of this male celebrity. The quick-witted sales director immediately got the idea and specially invited the celebrity to come and sign photos for President Jiang on the spot.

But the attempt to flatter backfired. Jiang Xiliu wasn't enthusiastic about the male celebrity. After accepting the autographed photo, she started talking to the sales director about the third quarter's performance. After discussing the performance, she made new demands on him. The sales director was sweating profusely and couldn't eat a single bite of food.

The male celebrity, who was being questioned, looked up blankly and carefully examined the phone in his hand. Suddenly, he noticed another identical phone on the table and quickly explained, "President Jiang, I'm sorry, I took the wrong one. I didn't touch anything." He made no mention of the phone call he had just received from her.

To increase his credibility, he also picked up his own phone. The two phones, side by side, looked exactly the same and were indeed difficult to distinguish.

This really seems to be just a misunderstanding.

Jiang Xiliu wasn't known for her good temper. She took the phone, coldly pulled out a few tissues, and wiped the phone clean after someone else had touched it.

This is practically giving male celebrities no face at all.

The sales director's legs went weak. He had invited this minor celebrity to cater to her tastes, but how did he end up offending someone?

He quickly winked at the minor celebrity and led his men to apologize.

Jiang Xiliu refused the drinks offered by the sales director and the male celebrity, and as for the others at the table, she didn't even glance at them before leaving.

When Jiang Xiliu returned home, the house was brightly lit.

Jin Zhao sat on the sofa, his eyes vacant, not fixed on the television screen opposite him, where the period drama was still playing on a loop.

Jiang Xiliu touched the autographed photo in her pocket, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

She approached with slightly unsteady steps, circled behind Jin Zhao, wrapped her arms around his neck, glanced at the newly introduced protagonist with obvious disdain, tugged at Jin Zhao's ear, and asked, "Why are you still watching this TV series? Do you like it that much?"

Jin Zhao turned his head slightly, the scent on his nose completely unfamiliar. His voice was dry and trembled almost imperceptibly: "Do you remember what day it is today?"

Jiang Xiliu bit his clean-cut cheek, leaving a complete circle of teeth marks with satisfaction. She rubbed it with her fingertips, pretending to be clueless: "What day was it? I can't remember."

She thought Jin Zhao would give her a vague hint, but to her surprise, Jin Zhao didn't bring it up again. Instead, he inquired about her schedule for the evening: "Why are you back so late tonight?"

Jiang Xiliu replied evasively, "I have work-related social engagements."

Jin Zhao continued, "What kind of work-related social engagement? Why weren't you told me beforehand?"

"It was a last-minute decision to visit and comfort our subordinates," Jiang Xiliu said patiently, adding, "They are all long-time employees of the company."

"Are they all people from your company?" Jin Zhao asked, as if he wanted to get to the bottom of things.

Jiang Xiliu frowned, her expression not very pleasant: "Why ask so many questions? You haven't even told me what day it is today?"

"The date doesn't matter, I just want to know if they're all people from your company." Jin Zhao looked at her stubbornly. "Also, why didn't you tell me you were coming home so late?"

Jiang Xiliu felt irritated, straightened up, and said coldly, "Do I need to report my itinerary to you? Don't take advantage of my kindness to me and interfere too much."

What's good for him?

The pent-up grievances made Jin Zhao's expression numb. He raised his hand and forcefully wiped the spot where Jiang Xiliu had bitten him: "Being good to me? The young lady's kindness is truly something I can't accept."

That sarcastic remark directly enraged Jiang Xiliu.

She reached out and grabbed Jin Zhao's hair, pulling him back so that the man sitting on the sofa had to look up at her: "What did you say? Say it again."

Jin Zhao lifted his eyelids and repeated, word by word, as Jiang Xiliu had asked: "I said, I am not worthy of it."

"Fine, very well." Jiang Xiliu hadn't drunk much, but she had still had some wine. Jin Zhao's words made her lose her temper. "So much backbone?"

She let go of his hand and patted his head: "My dog, my hamster, I'm taking them with me. You can live with your pride on your own."

Her last words before leaving were to the bodyguard at the door: "Close the door tightly, keep a close watch on him, don't let him out, and don't let anyone come to see him!"

The house was empty, with only Jin Zhao remaining.

He walked to the TV, turned off the annoying and unpleasant drama, and instead of going back to his room, he stood in front of the French windows and watched Jiang Xiliu's car drive away.

The few hours weren't too difficult. As the sun rose on the horizon, Jin Zhao stood up from the sofa, took a quick shower, and went into the kitchen.

Jin Zhao was cutting fruit when his phone rang urgently.

Perhaps because of the argument he had with Jiang Xiliu the night before, he was somewhat restless after waking up in the morning, and his hand was also cut by a sharp fruit knife.

Jin Zhao rinsed his injured finger briefly under the tap, then hurriedly went into the room and picked up his ringing phone.

It wasn't a number he recognized very well, but after thinking carefully, Jin Zhao vaguely remembered the string of numbers.

Perhaps it was a former classmate or someone he met during a part-time job?

Over the years, Jin Zhao has never changed his phone number, but after marrying Jiang Xiliu, he has never taken the initiative to contact anyone. Even if he receives invitations from other people, Jiang Xiliu will always directly refuse. Over time, no one will contact him anymore.

He cleared his mind of his chaotic thoughts and swiped to answer the call.

The cut fingertip bled again, wiping across the screen and leaving a mark.

Before Jin Zhao could even finish his "Hello, who is this?", he heard a frantic shout from the other end: "Zhao Zhao, come home right now! Something's happened to your grandma!"

Grandma... something happened to her?

Jin Zhao stood in the room, looked up at the tightly closed door, and suddenly rushed over.

"Open the door!"

"Let me out!"

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The author has something to say: (1) A Christmas Eve shopping mall advertisement that I found online.