After enjoying a relaxing hot shower, Gu Xingyi felt even more exhausted.

He changed into clean clothes, retrieved his phone from the alcohol-scented pile of old garments, tossed them into the washing machine, and then stepped in front of the mirror to examine himself.

His overgrown hair obscured his eyes, his complexion was pale, and his face was covered with an unshaven beard—an unmistakable image of a shut-in.

Using his hand, he brushed his hair aside to get a clearer look at himself.

It was evident that with some grooming, this Gu Xingyi was still quite handsome; after all, he had once been a pretty boy who made a living off his looks.

Opening the bathroom door, Gu Xingyi stepped out.

He clearly saw the mother and daughter on the worn-out sofa shrink back simultaneously.

Shaking his head, Gu Xingyi ignored them and stepped out of the apartment.

Xia Xiyao was stunned, a sense of despair in her eyes.

Had he gone out to buy more alcohol? Wasn't he drunk enough tonight?

Would she and Xiao Nainai have to go hungry again tonight?

Biting her lip, her face turned pale as she looked down at her frail daughter, tears streaming uncontrollably.

"Mama, don't cry. Nainai isn't hungry anymore."

Xiao Nainai thought her mama was crying because of her own hunger. She quickly reached out her tender little hands to clumsily wipe Xia Xiyao's face.

Biting her lip, Xia Xiyao's tears flowed even more.

After a while, she softly spoke with a trembling voice.

"Nainai, be good. Mama will lull you to sleep. Once you're asleep, you won't feel hungry. Tomorrow morning, Mama will wake up early and make something delicious for you, okay?"

"Mm! Okay! Mama, don't cry!"

Holding Nainai gently, Xia Xiyao stood up. The wounds on her back ached with the movement, and her long-term malnutrition caused her vision to blur momentarily.

Still, she struggled to her feet, carrying her daughter step by step into the bedroom.

Lying on the bed, Xia Xiyao felt a bit more comfortable. She softly hummed a lullaby to coax little Nainai to sleep.

Watching Nainai slowly close her eyes, Xia Xiyao thought about the hardships they had endured since marriage, her heart filled with sorrow. She finally made a decision—to leave this hell tomorrow.

Even dying outside would be better than being tormented to death by this devil.

"Click~"

The sound of the door lock turning echoed, and Xia Xiyao, lost in thought, trembled again. Instinctively, she covered Nainai's ears, quietly listening for any movement outside.

Had the devil returned with more alcohol?

Pushing open the door, Gu Xingyi instinctively looked toward the sofa, surprised to find the mother and daughter had returned to the bedroom.

But had they eaten yet?

Staring at the food in his hands, Gu Xingyi hesitated for a moment before placing the dishes on the table and heading toward the bedroom.

Xia Xiyao remained tense, hearing his footsteps approach the bedroom. She quickly closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, praying he wouldn't come in, hoping he'd just drink and pass out on the sofa.

But the next moment, a knock sounded.

"Knock~ Knock~ Knock~"

"Ahem~ I bought some food for you two. If you're hungry, come out and eat. I'll sleep in the side room tonight."

Hearing his familiar voice, Xia Xiyao's eyes snapped open. She then heard his footsteps gradually recede, followed by the sound of the side room door opening and closing.

The room fell silent again, with only Xia Xiyao's tense breathing echoing in the bedroom.

At some point, Xiao Nainai had opened her eyes. She had clearly heard Gu Xingyi's voice and was curiously staring at the closed bedroom door.

That smelly papa actually didn't come to sleep in the room and even said he bought food?

Thinking about the food, she felt hungry again. She swallowed her saliva, looking expectantly at her mama.

The situation was so bizarre that Xia Xiyao didn't know how to react.

She couldn't trust him, but it seemed he was telling the truth.

Looking down at her daughter's hopeful eyes, Xia Xiyao mustered her courage, tiptoed to the bedroom door, and quietly opened it.

The warm orange light from the living room streamed in through the crack, and the aroma of food wafted in.

Peeking toward the dining table, Xia Xiyao saw two steaming bowls of fragrant white rice and four small dishes—two meat and two vegetables—arranged neatly.

Her eyes welled up, and the food in the distance became blurry.

He had actually bought food for her and their daughter!

Faced with this devil's sudden kindness, Xia Xiyao felt not joy but genuine fear.

Why was he doing this? What did he want from her now?

"Thump thump thump~"

Perhaps drawn by the aroma, Xiao Nainai, barefoot, toddled over, peeking through the door crack. Her eyes lit up, and she began to drool uncontrollably.

But she didn't act on her own. Instead, she looked up, her big eyes fixed on her mama.

Looking at the food on the table and then at her daughter's expectant eyes, Xia Xiyao helplessly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then smiled gently and picked up Xiao Nainai.

"Shh! Nainai, be good. Let's eat quietly."

Nainai's eyes sparkled even more, and she quickly nodded her little head.

Gently patting her head, Xia Xiyao carried her carefully to the dining table. The aroma made her own stomach growl.

Nainai quickly grabbed the chopsticks, scooped a mouthful of rice, and with her other hand, picked up a chicken drumstick, taking a big bite. It was clear she was very hungry.

Xia Xiyao's eyes filled with pain as she gently patted Nainai's back, telling her to eat slowly, though she herself hadn't touched her chopsticks.

Nainai looked up, her big eyes forming crescent moons. She held up the chicken drumstick and mumbled.

"Mama, eat~"

"Mm! Mama will eat. There's more on the plate!"

Looking at her obedient and understanding daughter, Xia Xiyao's eyes welled up again. She nodded gently and took a bite of the delicious drumstick her daughter offered.

How long had it been since she'd seen such a scene? She couldn't remember.

Lost in thought, Xia Xiyao turned to look at the closed side room door.

Inside, Gu Xingyi had heard the sounds outside. He sighed deeply; since transmigrating, he had sighed more than in his previous thirty years.

This original body's owner was truly infuriating, leaving him full of anger that could only be eased by sighing.

After sighing, Gu Xingyi began to ponder.

After getting a haircut and buying food, he realized the household had only 1,800 yuan left in savings.

If he had transmigrated just a bit later, this family might not have even had a pot left to cook with.

He needed to make money—fast!

Gu Xingyi laced his fingers behind his head, leaned against the bedframe, and stared silently at the white ceiling, deep in thought.

After a moment, he suddenly sat up, eyes lighting up.

Right!

How did he not realize it sooner? This was a parallel world!