My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 11

I’m not scared here, Chi Nian replied, her expression steady.

Huh?

The statement was odd. Could this place really be safer than the Dean Apartment? Even at its worst, that was a business-class apartment in the city center, with top-notch security systems and regular patrols.

Go back to work, Chi Nian said, her composure restored. She lightly pressed her forehead, smoothed back her hair, and gazed out the window. The moonlight is so bright tonight. It’s almost as bright as a lamp.

Zhang Yuning sensed that Chi Nian was thinking about her Moon again, making the lamp she had made seem redundant. She crouched down to unplug it, but Chi Nian stopped her. What are you doing?

If we don’t close the curtains, the moonlight can serve as a nightlight. You love the Moon, right? You won’t need this lamp.

The moon is the moon, and the lamp is the lamp.

That would be too bright, defeating the purpose. I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to sleep well, Zhang Yuning said, feeling inexplicably awkward. The moon was indeed an irreplaceable lamp.

She still wanted to take the lamp away, but Chi Nian suddenly stood up and drew the curtains, blocking out all moonlight and leaving only the night lamp’s glow in the room.

Then I want lamplight tonight, not moonlight, Chi Nian declared firmly, her calm, water-like eyes radiating an unexpected resolve.

Zhang Yuning gazed at her, puzzled. Why are you doing this?

If there’s light in the room, why would I need to look at the moon? Chi Nian’s captivating eyes shimmered with a radiant glow that made Zhang Yuning’s heart flutter. Unable to meet that gaze, she blurted out, I truly can’t understand you.

You don’t need to understand me. I’m going to sleep now, Chi Nian said, regaining her usual composure and issuing a clear dismissal. After a tense silence of over ten seconds, Zhang Yuning frowned and said, Good night. She glanced at the ugly lamp but said nothing more, retreating to the study, Chi Nian’s gaze lingering in her mind.

Distracted by the commotion, Zhang Yuning couldn’t focus on her work. She felt restless. Remembering Chi Nian’s social engagements, she opened her tablet and phone to review surveillance footage.

The Chi Nian portrayed in news reports was a social butterfly, a dazzling dancer with countless suitors—all either wealthy heirs or the children of high-ranking officials. Rumor had it that her exceptional social skills had once helped Chi Shangqing secure a major deal. She was carefree and loved to play, making friends easily but disliking business, which kept her from ever getting involved in the family’s industries—a decision that would later prove problematic.

Zhang Yuning couldn’t resist searching for old photos and videos of Chi Nian online. She truly captivated attention wherever she went. Whether facing interviews or being filmed, she carried herself with effortless grace, her eyes seeming to smile, even flirting with the camera.

Chi Nian had been so genuinely happy back then, basking in Chi Shangqing’s doting care and protection. Now, even when socializing, she wore a mask, her smiles never reaching her heart. Toward Zhang Yuning, she was always cold and distant, as if she had suffered some devastating blow.

Perhaps the car accident and subsequent confinement had changed her. After all, people often react strongly to major traumatic events. But where had the scar on her head gone? Zhang Yuning felt that Chi Nian was hiding too much, leaving her with no clues to work with.

The screen filled with images of Chi Nian, each one giving off a different vibe. Zhang Yuning rested her chin in her hand, her thoughts in disarray. She told herself to remain calm she would eventually uncover something useful for the Third Miss. She yawned and continued working.

Moments later, her phone began vibrating incessantly. It was the alarm system installed in Chi Nian’s car, indicating someone had approached and lingered too long. Zhang Yuning immediately snapped awake, opened the surveillance feed, and spotted two figures lurking suspiciously near the vehicle.

Could the Chi Family have found her? she wondered. She climbed onto the bay window, opened it, landed on the equipment platform, and pushed off the wall to jump down. Fortunately, it was only the second floor, about the same height as climbing over a fence. She kept one eye on the surveillance feed as she sprinted toward Chi Nian’s car.