Failed to Run Away After Transmigrating as the Scummy Alpha's Wife of the Villain - Chapter 23

Skipping Jiang Wan’s self-indulgent bragging, all nine guests had finally gathered, and they could now return to their rooms to rest.

 

 

Chi Yuan stretched lazily, bid everyone goodnight, and left with Jiang Ci following closely behind.

 

 

“Tsk, so bad, just terrible,” Gu Meng sighed as he collapsed onto the sofa, his phone screen displaying a game-over message.

 

 

Gu Ning poked him. “Who are you calling bad? With stats like yours, you’ve got no right to talk. You were completely useless in carrying the team.”

 

 

Gu Meng pointed at himself. “I meant me. I’m just no good at this game. Ningning, you should play solo from now on. Little bro here can’t keep up with you.”

 

 

Gu Ning rolled her eyes and started a new match on her own.

 

 

Wang Wen, who had somehow sidled over unnoticed, nudged Gu Meng’s arm and discreetly gestured toward the two figures ascending the stairs, keeping his back to the camera. “What’s going on with them?”

 

 

Gu Meng blinked, immediately understanding what Wang Wen was hinting at.

 

 

Ever since arriving at the villa, the atmosphere between Chi Yuan and Jiang Ci had been… odd. Aside from a brief greeting when they first met, they hadn’t exchanged a single word.

 

 

But to say they were fighting wouldn’t be accurate either.

 

 

Gu Meng had caught Chi Yuan sneaking glances at Jiang Ci multiple times—glances that would sometimes make her rub her nose shyly, lower her head, and blush. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, only for both to immediately and knowingly look away.

 

 

Rather than anger, it felt more like… they were sulking.

 

 

Wang Wen: “They were fine when we left on Friday. What happened over the weekend to make them like this? Did they two…” He crossed his pinkies in front of his chest, slowly bringing them together.

 

 

Gu Meng glanced at the gesture and nodded. “Probably. And then maybe something happened after.”

 

 

Wang Wen’s expression fell, worry creeping in. “Will it affect tomorrow’s vote?”

 

 

Monday was Momo’s turn for the Village Chief experience day, and the revote would take place that same evening.

 

 

“If they’re fighting, will Chi Yuan still vote for Jiang Ci? Then our Red Team alliance would be at a disadvantage.” Wang Wen scanned the other guests, already brainstorming ways to salvage the situation.

 

 

Gu Meng frowned. “What Red Team alliance? Don’t go making things up. Let me remind you—this show isn’t about picking sides or forming cliques.”

 

 

Wang Wen wagged a finger. “Naïve. So naïve.”

 

 

“The production team didn’t give us a script, but they deliberately made the Village Chief selection process competitive—games, challenges, voting, and now this experience day. What do you think they’re trying to do?”

 

 

Gu Meng: “You’re saying they’re pushing us to take sides and create drama for ratings?”

 

 

Wang Wen spread his hands. “Exactly. Entertainment value. I was wondering why the director didn’t assign us any personas—what if things got awkward? But now it makes sense. Just the Village Chief vote alone is enough to spark conflict.”

 

 

“But…” Gu Meng scratched his head. “What’s the big deal? Whether it’s Sister Jiang or Momo as Village Chief, I think either would be fine. Why would anyone fight over it?”

 

 

Wang Wen clapped a hand on Gu Meng’s shoulder, his tone grave. “It’s all about revenge, Gu Mengmeng!”

 

 

Gu Meng’s face darkened. “If the fans want to call me that, fine. But don’t you start. Use my real name.”

 

 

 

Beside them, Gu Ning, who had been playing a game while attentively listening to their conversation, let out a derisive snort. “You clearly adore that fan nickname to death, yet you still pretend otherwise.”

 

 

Wang Wen said earnestly, “To be honest, I’ve had enough of the production team and those directors and assistant directors. The only reason I’ve continued participating from the last episode till now is because I’m unwilling to accept defeat—I want to win against the production team just once.”

 

 

“They go out of their way to make things difficult for us, so we should find ways to trip them up too.”

 

 

“Jiang Ci is so clever. If she becomes the village head, she’ll have some authority. Next time the director assigns us tasks like chopping wood, do we really have to comply obediently?”

 

 

Gu Meng was utterly stunned, while Gu Ning’s fingers trembled so much that he misfired a major skill in his game.

 

 

Gu Meng: “Chopping wood? Are you serious?”

 

 

Wang Wen lowered his voice, “Remember when I got voted out that day? When I returned to the interview room, I happened to see the director and scriptwriters discussing next week’s show script. The moment I entered, I heard the director instructing the props team to prepare nine axes.”

 

 

Gu Meng looked completely shattered. “And then? Were they for chopping wood?”

 

 

Wang Wen shook his head. “They stopped talking as soon as I came in, but what else could axes be used for? Nine axes, nine guests—it’s a perfect match, not one missing.”

 

 

Gu Meng swallowed hard, gradually convinced by Wang Wen’s reasoning, and said with lingering fear, “You’re right. Momo has a gentle personality. She was the most diligent in completing the fruit-picking task last time. If she becomes the village head, she might side with the production team, and then we’d have no way to resist.”

 

 

“The village head has special privileges—any requests she makes, the production team has to agree to.”

 

 

Wang Wen gave him a look that said ‘finally, you get it’ and added, “Besides, during previous missions, Jiang Ci was very responsible and took care of each of us. I genuinely believe she’s qualified for this.”

 

 

“I’ve already calculated—with the votes from you twins, me, and Chi Yuan, it’s four against three. We’re set.”

 

 

“Wait,” Gu Ning interrupted their conversation, raising his hand hesitantly. “I don’t remember joining your Red Team alliance. How did I suddenly get represented?”

 

 

What the hell? A traitor?

 

 

Killing intent flashed in Gu Meng and Wang Wen’s eyes as they sandwiched Gu Ning between them.

 

 

Gu Meng: “Nineteen years of living together day and night—does our brotherly bond mean nothing to you? Won’t you stand by your younger brother?”

 

 

Wang Wen: “Heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking. Is a mere variety show worth turning brothers against each other? Gu Ning, how can you betray nineteen years of your brother’s unwavering companionship and care?”

 

 

Gu Ning was shaken so hard his eyes rolled back. Gu Meng wrapped an arm around his neck and vigorously “caressed” his fluffy hair, only stopping when Gu Ning raised his hands in surrender.

 

 

The noise of their roughhousing reached upstairs. Chi Yuan sighed, pushed open the door, and thought enviously, Their atmosphere is so harmonious.

 

 

Then she glanced at the silent Jiang Ci, swallowing back the words “Should we make up?” that had risen to her lips.

 

 

She couldn’t even tell whether what happened between her and Jiang Ci that night counted as a fight. It was just that their relationship had suddenly frozen over, with an inexplicable barrier forming between them that neither could break through.

 

 

Watching Chi Yuan calmly packing her luggage, Jiang Ci steeled herself and walked over. “You…”

 

 

 

But the moment she took a step, she felt her foot sink into something soft, followed by a dull “pop” of something bursting.

 

 

Chi Yuan slowly looked down and saw the lotion stuck to her sole, oozing a glob of white liquid:…

 

 

Heaven knows she hadn’t used much force—the cap of the lotion must have been loose to begin with, flying off and hitting the wall.

 

 

With a complicated expression, Chi Yuan glanced at Jiang Ci, whose face had suddenly turned bright red, then pointed at the clothes and cosmetics scattered across the floor. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask—are you not great at tidying up?”

 

 

Jiang Ci coughed lightly, trying to salvage her dignity. “I mean, I’ll just wear them again tomorrow. Leaving them out makes them easier to grab.”

 

 

Chi Yuan gestured at the pink dress in the corner and the twisted T-shirt and jeans on the nightstand. “They’re definitely easy to see—just not so easy to grab…”

 

 

Less than three days into their stay at Peach and Plum Village, Jiang Ci and Chi Yuan’s room had become so cluttered there was barely any floor space left. If not for Chi Yuan occasionally tidying up in the mornings, the piles on the floor, chairs, and coffee table would have only grown taller.

 

 

The suitcases were gradually emptying, but the room was filling up in other ways.

 

 

Chi Yuan had been relieved that Jiang Ci had only brought two suitcases—meaning limited clutter. But over the weekend, Jiang Ci returned with two more, packed so full they practically burst open the moment they were unzipped.

 

 

After a week of living together, Chi Yuan had figured it out: Jiang Ci was the type who could manage everything and take care of everyone—except herself.

 

 

Her cooking was flawless, her housekeeping impeccable—but only outside the bedroom door, only in front of the cameras.

 

 

When it came to her own little den, she couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger.

 

 

Jiang Ci hung her head in embarrassment, unable to defend herself.

 

 

Amused by this unexpected side of her, Chi Yuan picked up the lotion from the floor and casually gathered a few fallen masks from Jiang Ci’s suitcase, placing them neatly on the vanity and in the drawers.

 

 

Jiang Ci weakly insisted, “I’m not like this at home, you know… You’ve seen it.”

 

 

Chi Yuan raised an eyebrow as she tidied. “The living room is spotless, the bedroom is a mess, and the fridge is plastered with housekeeping service numbers—are you sure you’re the one who cleaned?”

 

 

Cornered, Jiang Ci realized her “domestic goddess” act wouldn’t hold up in front of Chi Yuan anymore. She might as well come clean.

 

 

“Honestly, I hate doing chores. But Peach and Plum Village is more of a lifestyle show. If my fans found out I’m actually this… uh, sloppy in private, my image would be ruined.”

 

 

“So before coming, I signed up for a housekeeping class. The cleaning, the cooking—all of it was last-minute cramming. Cooking wasn’t too bad—just measure right, control the heat, and it turns out fine. Seeing you all enjoy it made me really happy.”

 

 

Jiang Ci sighed, flopping onto the bed and kicking off her high heels into the shoe basket by the opposite cabinet. “But there’s no cameras in the bedroom, so I just… didn’t bother.”

 

 

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll snap a photo of your lazy side and show your fans?” Chi Yuan chuckled, sitting beside Jiang Ci and leaning in. “Or maybe spill more secrets—like how you count sheep like a kid to fall asleep, or how you squeeze face wash onto your toothbrush when you’re half-awake in the morning.”

 

 

 

Jiang Ci stared at Chi Yuan, who was grinning mischievously right in front of her, her ears turning so red they seemed about to drip bl00d. “When exactly did you notice? I had no idea.”

 

 

“And,” Chi Yuan suddenly reached out and pinched Jiang Ci’s earlobe, “when you feel embarrassed, your eyes unconsciously dart to the side, and your ears turn red.”

 

 

“Mmm—” Jiang Ci’s earlobe was a sensitive spot. Caught off guard by Chi Yuan’s touch, her entire body trembled as if electrified.

 

 

“Seems I’ve discovered another secret… Are your ears really that sensitive?”