In my previous life, my wife and I shared forty years, a harmonious, devoted marriage. Our son was dutiful and intelligent, becoming a renowned medical expert both domestically and abroad. Surrounded by grandchildren, my wife and I treated each other with respect, and I lived out my sixty years in blissful contentment. After my death, my soul lingered in the world. To my shock, my seemingly loving wife hadn’t shed a single tear for me. After my cremation, she delayed my burial, instead tossing my urn into a cluttered storage room. My son, renowned for his filial piety, was actually eagerly urging his mother: “Mom, hurry and book the burial plot. Dad’s almost out of time.” Turns out, he wasn’t my biological son. His biannual “overseas assignments” were actually trips to spend time with his real father. And my wife’s annual “sister trips” were, in fact, rendezvous with her lover. They used my money to support another man, and after my death, they begrudged me even a burial plot. The pain was unbearable. When I opened my eyes again, I heard shouts: “Someone fell into the water! Quick, save them!” In my previous life, Jane Evans had, in a fit of pique with David Carter, jumped into the river. At the brink of death, David hesitated. As the son of the Evans family’s housekeeper, I risked my own safety to save Jane and ended up permanently disabled. In gratitude, she became my wife. Reborn, I pushed David Carter forward. This life, I’ll make sure you two get your happy ending. … David Carter, shoved forward by me, his eyes flashed with momentary anger, but he suppressed it, aware of the onlookers. “Mr. Carter, where are you going? Ms. Evans is in the water! Aren’t you going to save her?” Seeing everyone’s gaze fixed on him, I unhesitatingly turned to leave. But he blocked my path again. David stared at me coldly: “Arthur Hayes, you’re her family’s servant. You owe the Evans family a great debt. Now is the time to repay it! Get down there and save her! If anything happens to Jane, the Evans family will never let you go!” In my previous life, David was also present, but my eagerness to save Jane, and his cowardice, gave me the opportunity. I suppressed a cold sneer, feigning difficulty: “Mr. Carter, I was actually looking for you. I can’t swim. You, on the other hand, are the swim team captain. This chance for a heroic rescue should naturally go to you.” Only then did the crowd react. “Oh, it’s Mr. Carter! I heard the Carter and Evans families had an arranged marriage since childhood. Hurry and save her!” “I heard Ms. Evans and Mr. Carter were even a campus celebrity couple in college! Perfect for a heroic rescue!” Whispers rose and fell, and David was caught between a rock and a hard place. I tried to slip away amidst the confusion, but then Jane Evans’s cry for help came from behind me: “Arthur, save me! I know you like me! If you save me, I’ll marry you, okay?!” The crowd’s gaze shifted to me again. David’s eyes were shadowed with malice: “Ha, you’re not actually taking her seriously, are you? Jane’s just arguing with me. But since your young mistress has spoken, aren’t you going to save her?” I turned to look at the woman in the river. That face I had loved for decades, now smooth and youthful, free of wrinkles. But my heart, at the sight of her, was brutally torn. She knew I couldn’t swim, yet she wouldn’t let her lover risk himself. I suppressed the bitterness and feigned difficulty: “Ms. Evans, I can’t swim.” She almost eagerly replied: “Arthur, trust me, emergency services will be here soon. You’ll be fine.” I froze. Her eyes darted away: “I… I’m just guessing.” I instantly understood—she had been reborn too. After two lifetimes, she still wouldn’t let me go! Fury almost consumed my reason. I clenched my fists, feigning reluctance: “Ms. Evans, Mr. Carter is your childhood sweetheart. It wouldn’t be right for me to steal his thunder. Besides, how could I dare like you? You’ve misunderstood.” As the words fell, the scene went silent. Jane Evans almost forgot to struggle, standing stunned in the water. Was it my imagination, or was there a hint of panic in her eyes, besides shock? I turned sharply and left the scene. In my previous life, when Jane fell into the water, I plunged in to save her. A piece of wire scraped my leg. By the time I was rescued, the wound was bone-deep. Even with the doctors' best efforts, they couldn't save my right leg. I became a cripple. Jane, in gratitude, became my girlfriend. Two years later, we married. A year into our marriage, our son was born, intelligent and adorable. As our son grew, my responsibilities weighed heavier. Due to my disability, I endured countless stares and cold shoulders. For my wife and son, I worked three jobs a day, starting as a concrete worker, gradually becoming a contractor, and eventually founding a construction company. I never wanted Jane to suffer. I bought her the biggest house, the latest designer bags, and transferred all my company's earnings to her immediately. Just because she said "pink diamonds are so beautiful," I traveled across Africa, selected the largest pink diamond, and personally crafted a unique ring for her. On my return journey, I encountered armed robbers. To protect the ring, I nearly lost my life. When my son grew up, I sent him to the most expensive schools, to tutoring classes that cost two thousand an hour. Rain or shine, I personally drove him everywhere. I nurtured him into a celebrated medical expert overseas. When he married, I gave him a hundred million dollars as starting capital for their new home, and two villas valued at two hundred million. A few years later, he had a child, and I began taking care of my grandchild. I did all the chores, big and small, at home. I never let Jane touch housework; I wanted her to always be beautiful and radiant. And out of trust, I entrusted all our savings, bonds, stock funds, and jewelry to her keeping. I dedicated myself to this family, but due to overwork, I collapsed in my office at sixty years old. At my bedside, I was barely clinging to life. My grandson sweetly called "Grandpa" by my hand. My son held my hand, eyes red-rimmed, while Jane turned away, unable to look at me. Surrounded by my children and grandchildren, my marriage harmonious, I lived out my sixty years in happiness. Perhaps my soul lingered too long in the human world. After my death, my soul stayed, unable to pass on. And because of this, I saw that the moment I drew my last breath, my wife turned away, her face utterly expressionless. My son casually wiped away a tear, then nonchalantly told the nurse: "Pull the tubes. Free up the room for others." My grandson clung to my son: "Daddy, was my acting good? Daddy promised me a reward, don't go back on your word." I was stunned. My body was quickly bagged and sent to the funeral home. My wife didn't notify any of my friends or relatives. She simply posted a brief message on social media: "Old Arthur passed away this morning. He wanted everything kept simple. I hope everyone won't be too sad." My son even went back to work on the very day I died. Under the firelight, I watched my body slowly turn to dust, scattering into the air. And the woman waiting in the lobby was buried in her phone, texting, as if the burning inferno behind her had nothing to do with her. "David, he's dead. I only have you now." My soul floated before her, watching her flirt and confide in another man. Later, my urn was taken home by her. My son urged: "Mom, hurry and book the burial plot. Dad's almost out of time. Do you really want to be buried with this man?" Turns out, the son I cherished wasn't my biological child at all. His annual "official assignments" were just excuses to see his real father. And the travel photos Jane posted on social media all those years were just quick snapshots she took to show me after being intimate with another man. I saw them standing by David Carter's hospital bed, Jane weeping inconsolably: "David, you'll get better." My ashes were still tossed in the storage room, and they were already preparing for another man's funeral. The day David died, Jane Evans stood before his newly purchased grave, her face mournful: "I owe David so much in this life. After I die, I want to be buried with him." My son nodded, choking back tears: "Mom, don't worry. You'll definitely be with Dad." Sixty years of my life felt like a cruel joke. The pain was unbearable. Full of resentment, I lunged at the mother and son, but my body became lighter and lighter. When I opened my eyes again, I was here. Heaven had given me another chance. This life, I decided to live for myself! After returning home, I immediately found Mom and told her I wanted to leave the Evans family. Mom looked troubled: "The Evans family has been very good to us. We can't forget our roots." I pleaded patiently: "Mom, do you really want to see your son serve as a servant his whole life? Besides, after all these years, we've repaid their kindness." Mom still hesitated: "But, don't you like Ms. Evans?" All these years, she had witnessed my devotion to Jane, so she naturally knew my feelings. I shook my head bitterly: "Mom, you misunderstood. I don't like her." Before my words finished, a soaking wet Jane Evans rushed over, slapping me hard across the face. When she moved to strike again, I caught her wrist and fiercely flung it away. She gritted her teeth: "You dare resist?! Arthur Hayes! Why didn't you save me?" I took a step back, my face calm: "I can't swim." Jane Evans frowned: "Didn't you say you'd die for me?!" She remembered the vows I’d made in front of her all those years ago, yet she had completely forgotten how she betrayed me. I laughed: "Ms. Evans, how could you take a servant's teasing words seriously?" Jane Evans froze, her eyes flashing with shock and disbelief. Indeed, the old me wouldn't have dared to utter a harsh word in front of her. I started to pull Mom away. She suddenly called out to me. "Stop! It's all your fault David got hurt! If he ends up a cripple, I won't let you go! Go to the hospital and apologize to the Carter family right now!" Looking at her furious eyes, my heart was desolate. Ten years of unrequited love, forty years of marriage. I loved her to my very bones, never wanting her to suffer. My conscience was clear, yet in her heart, I was merely David's scapegoat. Not to mention, in my previous life. David, relying on his connections and influence, made me act like a dog and eat dog food, pushed me down a mountain, made me lick their shoes… The Carter family always doted on their only son. Now, asking me to apologize to them was nothing short of sending me to my death. I wanted to drag Mom and escape. But Jane Evans called for people to pin me to the ground. Mom frantically kowtowed: "Ms. Evans, for Arthur's sake, as he once saved you, please spare his life! I'm begging you!" Jane Evans merely turned her head: "Arthur Hayes, if you don't want anything to happen to your mother, come with me quietly." I almost ground my teeth: "Alright, I'll go with you." She caught the suppressed hatred in my eyes, and she froze for a moment. Then, she suddenly ripped the good luck charm from my neck. As if in a fit of pique: "It's useless for someone like you! A worthless life. It's better for David to use it!" My eyes burned with rage: "Jane Evans, that's something my father left for me! Give it back!" How could she not know? In my previous life, on the day she gave birth, I carefully tied this amulet around her neck. I told her: "Jane, the year I was born, a Daoist priest said I would face a tribulation. My father crawled three thousand steps to get this amulet for me, telling me it must never leave my side. Now I give it to you, hoping for safe delivery for you and the baby." But after my death, she burned it along with all my belongings. Hearing this, Jane Evans paused, then, the next second, walked away quickly. … I was thrown onto the hospital corridor floor. Jane Evans whispered in my ear: "Just apologize properly, get the Carter family to forgive you. I can still let you work for the Evans family." With that, the hospital room door opened, and David's parents walked out, their faces grim. "You're that servant?" Mrs. Carter rushed over, kicking me to the ground. "It's all because of you! My son will be a cripple for the rest of his life! You, a worthless life, what right did you have to make my son save someone?" Several men rushed over, kicking and punching me. I felt as if all my limbs were splitting open with pain. "Enough." Jane Evans walked over, seemingly unable to bear the sight of my wounds. "Go apologize to David Carter." Blood streamed from my forehead, my vision a crimson blur. Her icy gaze softened slightly, and she instinctively reached out to wipe away the blood. I dodged, staggering to my feet. "If I apologize, will you let my mother go?" Jane Evans clenched her fist: "As long as David forgives you, I promise your mother will be fine." I nodded and walked into the hospital room. The people outside immediately locked the door from the outside. An hour later, I walked out again. The moment Jane Evans saw me, her eyes widened: “Arthur! You!” “Mr. Carter has vented his anger. You can let my mom go now.” With that, I collapsed to the ground. My body had multiple bone-deep wounds. My forehead, limbs, torso—almost no undamaged skin. The nurse who came to bandage me couldn’t bear to look. Jane Evans placed a thermos in front of me: "I heard you had a fever before you came. Eat something. I made this chicken soup myself." How ridiculous. In my previous life, I doted on her so much that I would even remove the seeds from watermelon before feeding it to her. This life, because of David, she actually cooked for me. I turned my head away: "Ms. Evans, you've vented your anger. Can I leave now?" Her face instantly changed. She slammed the thermos to the ground. "Arthur Hayes, what kind of tone is that? If you hadn't abandoned me, David wouldn't have had to go into the water to save me, and he wouldn't have been hurt! Don't you like me? Why did you stand by and watch me die?!" My tone was nonchalant: "How could a lowly servant like me be worthy of liking you? Ms. Evans must have misunderstood." Seeing my calm expression, Jane Evans felt an inexplicable panic in her heart, as if something was slipping away. She feigned composure, a mocking smile on her face. "Everyone in River City knows you're my lapdog, Arthur Hayes. Let me tell you straight, I love David. If I hadn't been angry with him, you wouldn't even have had the chance to save me!" I wasn't angry. I just nodded: "Then I wish Ms. Evans and Mr. Carter happiness and many children! Besides, my amulet has already been broken by Mr. Carter. I probably won't live much longer. You won't have to worry about me bothering you anymore." Jane Evans sprang to her feet, her face pale. "How could that be? I just… I just lent it to him to wear. I didn't think he'd break it." "It doesn't matter," I said calmly, looking at her. "Consider this life repaid to the Evans family." She stood up frantically. The fear of losing something made her unable to look me in the eye. She could only suppress the anxiety in her heart, sneering: "So what? You're just a dog of our Evans family. We feed and clothe you and your mother. What part of you doesn't belong to the Evans family? Even your life belongs to me!" Just then, a nurse’s voice came from outside the door: “Ms. Evans, Mr. Carter says his wound hurts. He wants you to come check on him.” Jane Evans glanced at me nervously. But she saw I was only looking down. My eyes, once full of love, were now cold. That panicked feeling surged again. But then, she remembered how, in her previous life, no matter how she treated me, I loved her without complaint. It was well known that I, Arthur Hayes, was her devoted follower. If she gave me even a little affection, I would willingly give her my leg, even my life. She relaxed: “I’ll go see David. You rest well. I’ll come visit you. Don’t be difficult.” I was kept under watch, only occasionally hearing the nurses gossip. Jane Evans washed David Carter’s feet. Jane Evans went to pray for an amulet for David, kneeling until her knees were raw. Jane Evans personally made breakfast for David every day… All the things I had done for her in the past, she was now doing for David, one by one. I climbed out of bed, vaguely hearing them mention patellar graft surgery. Turns out, Jane Evans was keeping me captive because she wanted to use my patella to save David. Sure enough, that night, Jane Evans came to my room. She was unusually attentive and enthusiastic, even offering to examine my wounds and apply medicine. I coldly pushed her away: “Ms. Evans, is there something you need?” My coldness made her slightly flustered. But she still shook her head. After all, in my previous life, I loved her so much. Besides, it was just one leg. “Arthur, I promise you, the Evans family will take care of you for life. Don’t you like me? I can be your girlfriend, as long as you graft your patella to David Carter.” I laughed through tears. “Jane Evans, have you ever considered how difficult life would be if I became crippled?” She was indifferent: “David is so outstanding; he can’t be disabled. Besides… it’s just one leg, isn’t it? You love me so much, are you unwilling to make even this small sacrifice?” I looked at her, feeling as if decades had passed in an instant, leaving only disgust. All the cold stares I endured in my previous life due to my limp—she had never felt a hint of heartache over them. After a long pause, I nodded: “Alright, but first, I need to see my mother.” Jane Evans happily lunged into my arms: “Arthur, I know you love me most.” … The surgery was scheduled for a week later. Jane Evans called me every day, urging me to prepare. During this time, I visited the hospital once to get medicine for Mom, and inadvertently ran into Jane Evans, who was there with David for his surgery rehab. David took a grape from Jane’s hand, asking, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll run?” Jane Evans chuckled, “Don’t worry. His heart is mine; how could he run? It’s just one leg. Even if I asked him to give his life for you, he wouldn’t refuse.” David scoffed, “You wouldn’t actually agree to be his girlfriend, would you? That kind of lowlife, don’t you find him disgusting?” Jane Evans paused, as if making up her mind. “David, you’re the only one I love. I never want to be apart from you again. He and I are just putting on a show.” “Don’t worry, he’s so obedient, he’ll give you his patella willingly.” I lowered my eyes and chuckled. My heart no longer stirred. My phone suddenly received a message: “Boss Hayes, your flight is booked. Take a look.” … In a flash, the week was over. Early that morning, Jane Evans called me in a rush. “Arthur, why aren’t you here yet? The surgery’s about to start! If you’re late and delay the surgery, I won’t forgive you.” Even now, she was confident I would undergo this surgery. I looked at the plane about to take off and chuckled, “Sorry, Jane Evans. This life, you’ll probably still have to marry a cripple.” The line went suddenly silent. The next second, Jane Evans’s hysterical scream came through. “Arthur, did you… did you get reborn too…?” Before she could finish, I hung up. The plane lifted its nose, soaring into the clouds. She didn’t know that in this past week, I had used my memories from my previous life to pave my escape route. This thing called love, I’d tasted it before. It wasn’t good. I didn't want it anymore. I covered Mom with a blanket beside me, my gaze fixed on the blue sky. This life, I would live for myself.
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