MAPF Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Sensitivity – A Wave of Numbness

Xie Shiwei gradually grew accustomed to life here.

During the day, he chatted with Wang Guanjia (Butler Wang) in the villa, probing him for past stories. At night, he and He Qin lived peacefully in separate rooms, coexisting harmoniously. When idle, he would play games and, along with Zhang Yingjun, send WeChat apologies to those he had offended in the past.

After a week, Wang Guanjia applied to return home for a visit. Before leaving, he dragged a huge suitcase that was quite the contrast to his thin frame, and bid Xie Shiwei a reluctant farewell at the door.

Just as He Qin entered, Wang Guanjia immediately shifted his target. With swift eyes and hands, he blocked He Qin and rattled off a hundred and one instructions on how to take care of Xie Shiwei.

Fearing that He Qin would become impatient, Xie Shiwei quickly sent Wang Guanjia out the villa gate.

Apart from Wang Guanjia, the other servants in the villa did not have to work night shifts. They would finish their tasks and return to their rooms in the back building to rest.

Without Wang Guanjia’s incessant chatter and concern, the large, empty villa became quiet.

The magnificent crystal chandelier reflected in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, casting layers of light, making the villa seem somewhat deserted.

Xie Shiwei gazed in the direction of Wang Guanjia’s departure, reluctantly looking for two seconds, before suddenly snapping back to reality in the third second.

Holy crap, was he actually missing Wang Guanjia?

He Qin saw his reluctance, and felt that Xie Shiwei’s habit of needing someone to accompany him was the same as before; still just a child.

After showering, He Qin waited for Xie Shiwei in the bedroom.

Xie Shiwei, wiping his hair, asked, “What’s up?”

He Qin glanced at the medicine bowl: “The medicine for tonight, do you need me to prepare it for you?”

How could Xie Shiwei dare trouble He Qin: “No need, no need, I’ll do it myself, you go and rest.”

Despite his words, He Qin watched Xie Shiwei brew the medicine and drink it all before leaving, reminding him before leaving: “We’re going to your house tomorrow, don’t get up too late.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll set ten alarms.”

.

Saturday.

Before going out, Xie Shiwei primped in front of the mirror, styling his slightly long hair and changing into an expensive new outfit.

A white cashmere turtleneck sweater with a plaid pattern, paired with cuffed black jeans and uniquely designed narrow-toed leather shoes, topped with a black, long wool coat.

Xie Shiwei’s body was exactly the same as the original owner’s, so the clothes fit perfectly, and he was very satisfied.

However, he had been tortured by the original owner’s wardrobe quite a bit these days. The clothes inside were all shockingly trendy, bizarrely shaped, colorful, and outrageously flamboyant.

He found some that were barely wearable to get by for a few days, intending to find some time to buy some normal clothes. Chen Ning had people send him several sets, saying that he should dress more generously now that he was married, which solved his immediate need.

Chen Ning might be a bit malicious, but her taste was really good.

This outfit was classic and simple, and very flattering.

Xie Shiwei thought regretfully and narcissistically, if he had been this rich when he was alive, and didn’t have to be so worn out, dressing like this every day and swaggering around at school, he would definitely have a group of handsome guys surrounding him and offering him affection.

In the living room, He Qin had already been waiting impatiently, tapping his fingers on the watch face, counting the seconds. Suddenly, seeing Xie Shiwei’s silhouette descending the stairs, he paused his raised index finger for a second before letting it fall, disrupting the rhythm.

Xie Shiwei usually wore ten colors on his body, gaudy and unbearable, like the flamboyant paintings of a third-rate artist. Even though he had restrained himself somewhat these days, he had never seen Xie Shiwei dress so, normally.

Black clothes and black hair, noble and upright, finally matching his status.

Xie Shiwei walked over, smiling brightly, and called him to leave.

He Qin walked over. As the two stood side by side, he realized that he was habitually, frequently, ignoring a fact.

That was, the person beside him came from Jiangcheng’s most prominent and prestigious family, a man of the clouds.

No matter how cynical and reckless he was, presumably as long as Xie Shiwei was willing, he could shed his playboy demeanor at any time and become such a precious appearance.

Or at least appear to be so.

.

The first time going home after marriage, of course, he couldn’t go empty-handed.

He Qin prepared two boxes of red wine brought back from a top-tier winery, while Xie Shiwei planned to go to the mall to pick out some jewelry and accessories for Xie Tian’an and Chen Ning.

The car drove to Jiangcheng’s most high-end shopping district, and after the two got out of the car, they went straight to the luxury brand store.

Xie Shiwei was a top VIP customer, and the staff greeted him warmly, leading the two to a private room.

Xie Shiwei first chose a belt for Xie Tian’an. Afterwards, the staff presented the new season’s jewelry on a pushcart.

Xie Shiwei looked at the dazzling array of colorful jewelry, screaming silently in his heart, but his expression remained as usual, as if he were a regular customer, calmly picking out a few grand and luxurious pieces, and asking for He Qin’s opinion.

He Qin chose a set of purple enamel hoop earrings, as well as a matching enamel necklace and bracelet.

Chen Ning was a very elegant woman, and purple suited her very well.

The salesperson smiled brightly: “This is a new product with limited global sales. Mr. He, you have a great eye. Young Master Xie is dressed formally and retro today, and this set is perfect for accessories.”

Xie Shiwei explained, “This is for my stepmother.”

“I’m sorry, I mistook their owner. Ms. Chen is also very suitable for this set,” the salesperson bowed, and then placed a box in front of Xie Shiwei, “Mr. Xie, please take a look at this.”

In the box, on the velvet cloth, lay a dazzling, flowing red stud earring.

“A flowing light series earring designed by the brand’s chief designer, single-piece, single-ear, produced in Switzerland, only 24 pieces are sold worldwide. This red anchor chain diamond and agate is simple and low-key, and the color and temperament are outstanding. Your skin is fair, it will look great on you.”

Xie Shiwei’s gaze was drawn to the little thing in the box.

He subconsciously reached out to touch his earlobe, feeling the earring hole in his left ear. He had worked as an earring model in college to earn extra money, so he specifically pierced his left ear.

Coincidentally, not only was the original owner’s body no different from his, but even his physical features were exactly the same, with an identical ear hole in the same location.

Could it be that there were countless Xie Shiweis in space-time, all with the same name and appearance, but with completely different fates?

Then, of the thousands upon thousands of him, which one was the luckiest?

Xie Shiwei fell into thought, his expression momentarily blank. The salesperson mistakenly took this to be Xie Shiwei’s love for the earring, so she took the earring off and handed it to He Qin, whispering with a smile, “Your husband likes it very much, please put it on for him.”

He Qin looked at Xie Shiwei with an inquiring gaze.

Xie Shiwei was still dazed, as if he didn’t hear, and didn’t react at all.

So He Qin took the earring, worth ninety thousand but less than one square centimeter, brushed the black hair from Xie Shiwei’s ear, pinched his soft earlobe, and pushed the red earring in.

A touch of shimmering red was dotted on the fair ear, like red plum blossoms in the snow.

Indeed, it looked good.

When Xie Shiwei’s earlobe was pinched by He Qin’s fingers, Xie Shiwei suddenly came back to his senses. His ear hole was suddenly filled with cold metal, and his skin was numb all over.

His ears were the most sensitive part of his body, turning red at the slightest touch.

When he was an earring model, he always put them on himself. Sometimes the photographer thought he was too slow and wanted to help, but he would sternly refuse.

Suddenly, with such contact, Xie Shiwei hurriedly raised his head to look at He Qin, his thick eyelashes fluttering, his eyes innocent and flustered, the red gemstone sparkling on his earlobe: “You…”

He Qin pulled away, and said in a low voice, “Hmm?”

Xie Shiwei, unable to come up with a reasonable explanation, sullenly lowered his head.

The salesperson covered her mouth and smiled: “Mr. Xie is really cute, he’s even shy when his husband puts on earrings for him.”

Xie Shiwei, exposed like that, couldn’t save face, and quickly retorted that he wasn’t.

The salesperson coaxed him and said okay, and put the mirror in front of Xie Shiwei so he could take a good look at the style.

Before Xie Shiwei could appreciate the earrings, he saw that the base of his ear was completely red.

…

Was it his fault that he was sensitive and ticklish!

Even if it wasn’t He Qin, as long as it was a handsome guy, no, he estimated that even if an ugly man reached out to put it on for him, his ears would turn red!

Xie Shiwei was secretly angry, worried that He Qin would think too much. He turned his head to look, but He Qin had already left at some point.

He breathed a sigh of relief and took the earring off.

The salesperson asked if he wanted to buy it, and Xie Shiwei shook his head.

The earrings were beautiful, but the price was too high, and he couldn’t spend the Xie family’s money with peace of mind.

The salesperson used all her skills to promote it, but Xie Shiwei was unmoved. Just as she gave up regretfully, He Qin pushed the door open again: “Wrap it up, I’ve already swiped my card.”

Xie Shiwei’s mouth formed an ‘o’ shape.

The salesperson was overjoyed and clapped excitedly: “Wow, Mr. He, you are so generous, I wish you two a happy marriage! Please wait a moment, we will ship it out immediately!”

.

Even after sitting back in the car, Xie Shiwei was still dazed.

Holding the hard packaging box that was digging into him, he said thank you to He Qin, and asked, “Why did you buy me something so expensive?”

“Within my financial means.” He Qin put on his sunglasses, “We’re going to your house, I’m giving you a gift, and I also want your parents to see my sincerity, so they can rest assured and guarantee the cooperation will go smoothly.”

Xie Shiwei understood. This was part of the performance of a harmonious couple: “Don’t worry, I’ll put it on as soon as I enter the door, and I’ll definitely say that you bought it for me.”

“And I still owe you a favor, so consider it repaid.”

Xie Shiwei didn’t expect He Qin to remember, touched the earring, and said thank you again.

·

Jiangcheng has a lot of water, not only is it near the sea, but also has two rivers running through the city.

The garden villa area between the two rivers is where the old-fashioned wealthy families of Jiangcheng live.

The Xie family’s villa is a Chinese-style building, with courtyard walls and garden designs full of Eastern beauty, but the atmosphere inside the villa is not very pleasant.

Two magazines were spread out on the table, the main articles featuring their family.

Main headline: [Xie and He Families’ Century Poverty Alleviation Marriage, Xie Shiwei Goes Crazy in Public at Wedding! He Qin’s Expression Like Eating Shit!]

Sub-headline: [Xie Family’s Only Sprout is Useless, Rich Family’s Glory May End, Is the Downhill Road Coming So Early?]

Xie Tian’an was extremely displeased: “These business magazines are getting more and more undignified, not reporting on so many investment moves, just writing some fabricated and clichéd gossip!”

“The Xie family’s glory may end? It’s simply nonsense!”

“Alright Tian’an, the commercial era has changed owners, with the Sun family backing them, it’s reasonable for them to target us.” Chen Ning didn’t take it seriously, “Next week’s branch opening, let Shiwei and He Qin personally attend the opening ceremony and banquet, and I’ll contact the media to publish a report on the harmonious couple, and everything will be resolved.”

Chen Ning began to massage Xie Tian’an’s shoulders, Xie Tian’an comfortably closed his eyes, and sighed: “You always handle things so steadily, no wonder you used to be my most outstanding business assistant.”

Hearing these words, the smile on Chen Ning’s lips slowly disappeared, and a deep resentment appeared in her usually gentle eyes.

If it hadn’t been for Xie Tian’an asking her to resign from her position back then, she would probably be sitting in the position of vice president now!