A year ago, in order to expand the company's business, he frequently traveled for work. There was even one time when he went to Shanghai three times in a row. At that time, I didn't suspect anything. I just thought that the company was growing too fast and that he was too busy with work.
It wasn't until one day that I caught a whiff of the perfume on him. The scent was strong and not one that I usually wore. My heart sank. He had always known what kind of perfume I used, and he knew how much I cared about the scent on him. Yet, he offered no explanation.
I asked him, "Why do you smell so strongly of perfume?" He looked at me with irritation and said, "What do you mean? Are you accusing me?"
"I'm not accusing you; I'm just asking," I replied.
"There's nothing to discuss. Stop being paranoid." His attitude made me feel quite ridiculous. Perhaps I was just overthinking it. But before, when he traveled for work, he always wanted me to come along. Back then, he would say, "Honey, I really want to take you with me on this trip so I don't have to stay in a hotel alone." However, during that period, he never mentioned anything like that again.
I felt something was off with him, but I still chose to trust him. I only asked about the perfume incident that once. Later, when he returned from his trip, I confronted him again.
He hugged me and laughed, "When I got off the plane that day, I ran into a female passenger who was wearing a lot of perfume. She must have had her eye on me and wanted to flirt, which is why she sprayed so much perfume."
I couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, "You're so full of yourself."
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. I'm just saying I have a clear conscience."
I shot him a glare, "I can't be bothered with you."
He smiled and pulled me into his arms, "Wife, don't be mad. I promise I won't upset you again next time, okay?"
I huffed, "That's more like it."
That incident was easily brushed aside by him.
Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was.
Foolish enough to believe everything he said.
In fact, there were many times he couldn't explain the origin of that perfume scent.
Yet, I deceived myself into believing his nonsense.
Once, he took me shopping and even bought me a bottle of new perfume.
I sprayed it on and thought it smelled nice, so I bought it.
After purchasing the perfume, he smiled and said, "Wife, I saw a new Durex product over there; let's go try it out."
"You can go try it; I don't like that brand."
"But I do."
I couldn't argue with him and ended up going with him.
Now that I think about it, his shopping trip with me wasn't spontaneous at all.
It was premeditated.
He wanted me to use that perfume to cover up his scent.
He really was ruthless.
Ruthless enough to deceive me time and again.
And yet, I kept falling for his tricks over and over again.
That evening, when I returned home from work, I noticed that Xie Zhong seemed a bit distracted. I thought to myself that he must be thinking about Xia Ranran.
So, I deliberately brought up the old house in front of him. “Honey, didn’t you say a while ago that the bathroom ceiling in that house was leaking? Is it fixed now?”
Xie Zhong paused for a moment, “Huh? Why are you suddenly asking about this?”
I walked over and took his hand. “I just suddenly remembered and wanted to ask you.”
“Oh, the client didn’t report this issue to me, so it should be fine now.”
I smiled, “Is that so? Then it should be fine.”
I secretly glanced at him and, sure enough, his expression was somewhat off. I thought he must be feeling guilty.
During dinner, he suddenly asked me, “Have you been to that house recently?”
My heart skipped a beat, and I almost dropped my chopsticks.
Feigning calmness, I asked, “Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”
He looked at me and pondered for a moment before saying, “It’s nothing. I just think that house has been unoccupied for too long. If you want to go back and take a look, I can accompany you.”
“Oh, I don’t have time lately. Let’s go back together when I have some free time.”
He nodded, “Okay.”
Looking at his hypocritical face, I really wanted to tear off his mask. But I knew I couldn’t. I needed to gather enough evidence before confronting him. That way, I could deal him a fatal blow.
After dinner, we watched TV together in the living room. Suddenly, my phone rang. I picked it up and walked out to the balcony to take the call.
A few minutes later, I returned to the living room and said to Xie Zhong, “Honey, my best friend asked me to go out for a bit. I’ll probably be back around eleven tonight.”
Xie Zhong smiled and said, "Alright, come back early."
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