The CEOs Second Choice

I had saved the Xu Familys funeral parlor with a million dollars, and in return, I married Ivy Xu. She detested me, wishing for my death every day. Finally, while she was engaging in flirtatious laughter with someone else, I died in a sewer not far from her funeral home. It wasnt until several days later, when my body was discovered, that Ivy became my embalmer.

Upon realizing it was me, she laughed out loud. At that moment, was she thinking of me or someone else?

...

On the third anniversary of my marriage with Ivy, I put on the purple suit she had sent me. The purple was garish, especially such a bright shade. Aware that my reserved nature was not endearing, I still donned it. It was the only thing she had given me during our three years of marriage. Could it be a sign that we could break the ice and reconcile?

Standing in front of the mirror, I looked at myself, mismatched with the suit, and a big smile appeared on my face only to deflate immediately. It was truly unattractive.

Ivy sent me a message urging me to get dressed and go to Eternal Peace Funeral Home to find her. It was a funeral parlor passed down through her family. The last time I set foot there was three years ago.

After straightening my collar and bringing the green grape cake that Ivy loved, I left the house. The route from my home to Eternal Peace Funeral Home, I had walked countless times, yet never reached the end in three years.

My heart became uneasy under the dim streetlights, beating out of control. I couldnt distinguish whether it was anxiety or the joy of a wish about to come true.

Holding the cake in my arms, I walked carefully as the suit shimmered with a faint purple glow under the light. I heard footsteps behind me, gradually approaching. Sweat trickled down my cheek into my neck. Perhaps the atmosphere was too fitting, and I became afraid.

Images of murder cases flashed through my mind, and I froze on the spot. The person passed by me, and I exhaled in relief, holding the cake tighter with a sense of survival.

I needed to hurry; Eternal Peace Funeral Home was not far, and Ivy was waiting for me. But in the next moment, the man turned around, and the axe in his hand flashed. Suddenly, intense pain hit, and the cake was smashed all over the ground.

The suit, mixed with a large pool of blood, was chopped to pieces. Amazingly, I was still alive. My soul floated in the air, watching the man throw my body into the sewer, then he struck my face with the axe several more times, disfiguring it beyond recognition.

Even my own face was disgusting to me. I didnt have time to watch the murderer at work. Since my soul was still here, could I still go see Ivy?

I controlled my body and floated towards the winding road. Eternal Peace Funeral Home was still lit, a stark contrast to the dark shops along the street.

Was she waiting for me? I tried to suppress my joy, remembering that I was already dead. I started praying that my body wouldnt be found, so as not to upset Ivy.

My body passed through the wooden door without any hindrance. The house was very quiet, with only the sound of cooking coming from the kitchen.

I floated towards the sound. Everything here had changed so much, except for the old wooden door at the entrance, which Ivys father had made himself, nothing was the same as in my memory.

The once empty shop, which only sold items, now had a lazy sofa, various potted plants, and a bay window with lace trim, making it warm and comfortable.

As I got closer, the sounds from the kitchen became clearer.

"Ivy, you make such beautiful dumplings," said a voice.

"How can I compare to you, Hanyuan brother? Youve been abroad for so many years, and your dumpling-wrapping skills are still so good," Ivy replied.

Their laughter was intimate, leaving no room for outsiders, not even a ghost like me.

I thought I was used to her sarcasm and indifference towards me, but seeing her laugh so brightly at another man, my heart missed a beat.

I had heard of this man. When our relationship wasnt so bad, she told me about him鈥擧anyuan Song, a childhood friend who later studied abroad.

When Ivy talked about him, her eyes sparkled with admiration, like a lovestruck girl.

This made me realize that Ivy had liked this man. Now he was here, on the day I died.

Was Ivy planning to introduce him to me? As I pondered, I suddenly heard my name mentioned.