My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 14

The slap stunned Zhang Yuning, and even Chi Nian showed rare surprise. But when she realized her bag had been touched, her anger flared.

Why be a decent person when you can be a thief? Chi Nian’s words cut deep, but Zhang Yuning, clutching her cheek, merely scoffed, Miss Chi, get your facts straight. Without me, the ‘thief’ who pried open the Chi Family’s gates, would you even be here?

Chi Nian’s expression froze, like an iceberg in the arctic, encased in layers of ice, impenetrable to any sun. Her aura turned glacial, an inviolable chill piercing Zhang Yuning’s heart.

I’ll say it again, Chi Nian rose, and Zhang Yuning followed suit, her face flushing crimson and then paling, whether from the blow or rage.

She stood her ground, refusing to back down. Even if she felt guilty, she wouldn’t tolerate Chi Nian’s insults.

The two women faced each other like warring factions, tension crackling between them. Chi Nian spoke only half a sentence before Zhang Yuning glared back, unyielding. In that moment, the power dynamics of boss and bodyguard vanished, replaced by raw, simmering animosity.

You’re not allowed to touch my bag, ever. It must never be lost. You need to protect it even more than you protect me. Chi Nian treated the bag as if it were her life. Zhang Yuning glanced at the bag on the floor—a bag worth over a hundred thousand yuan couldn’t possibly be that important, could it?

She smiled dismissively. More important than your own life?

Yes.

It was a casual question, but Chi Nian answered with solemn seriousness, repeating firmly, More important than my own life.

Zhang Yuning’s smile faded. She realized Chi Nian genuinely valued the bag. Unable to resist, she asked, What’s inside?

None of your business. Don’t let your curiosity get the better of you.

I’m not curious about the bag, I’m curious about you, Zhang Yuning retorted bluntly, frowning. You were in a car accident, yet there’s no scar on your head. You were imprisoned by Chi Jing, yet you’re not afraid of being captured again. If you’re not Chi Nian, why do you own luxury cars and properties? But if you are Chi Nian, why are you so different from the Miss Chi I know?

Zhang Yuning blurted out all her doubts at once. Since their argument had escalated to physical confrontation, there was no need to hold back anymore. This situation was beyond a mere quarrel it could easily turn into a fight.

Who could have imagined Chi Nian would resort to violence? If it had been anyone else, Zhang Yuning would have retaliated immediately. She wouldn’t forget this slap.

You doubt me?

It’s hard not to.

But I’ve never doubted you, Chi Nian said, leaning closer. Zhang Yuning lowered her gaze, meeting Chi Nian’s striking face. Those piercing eyes always carried a hint of sorrow.

Beneath those deep pupils lay a wounded soul, shattered by cracks and scarred by pain. Chi Nian was only twenty-six, the heiress of a billionaire family—how could she be like this?

Zhang Yuning could never reconcile this woman with the Miss Chi she used to know.

Yet she claimed to have never doubted her?

What do you suspect me of? I’m a thief, you know?

Promise me. Chi Nian didn’t answer, stepping two paces closer until they were almost touching. Zhang Yuning retreated a step, creating a small distance. What?

Don’t touch my bag again. I’ll forgive you this time. Chi Nian’s assertive tone, a mix of warning and coercion, provoked Zhang Yuning’s rebellious spirit. She chuckled softly. Forgive me? You struck me first. I saw nothing. I don’t need your forgiveness.

Zhang Yuning’s right cheek still burned with pain, radiating heat as if it were about to swell. She stroked her face, her anger plain on her face. Yet it wasn’t so much anger as the humiliation of being struck by Chi Nian without being able to retaliate. This wasn’t just because of their social standing, but because she knew she could never bring herself to hurt Chi Nian.

This was her fatal weakness.

Chi Nian’s gaze softened instantly, her eyes fixed on Zhang Yuning’s face. Her expression shifted, a mix of heartache and regret, the emotion unreadable.

The world in her eyes was a mystery—simple sorrow, complex emotions, ever-changing.

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, faint but enough to reveal the red mark on Zhang Yuning’s cheek. Chi Nian reached out to touch it, but Zhang Yuning slapped her hand away. Don’t touch me.

Though meant as a retaliatory rejection, Zhang Yuning saw a flicker of sadness in Chi Nian’s eyes. Yet she pressed forward. Let me see, she insisted, trying to touch Zhang Yuning’s face.

What are you doing?! Zhang Yuning’s movements grew frantic. As she retreated, she shoved Chi Nian away with force. Chi Nian stumbled and fell, her foot landing squarely on the newly purchased gift box. A sharp crack echoed through the room.

Oh no, Zhang Yuning thought, a sense of dread washing over her. My foot is so heavy—did I crush it? She had completely forgotten about the unopened lamp on the floor. Chi Nian’s expression grew even stranger. Instead of being angry about being pushed down, she stared at Zhang Yuning’s foot, her pupils dilating as she asked urgently, The moon lamp—is it the moon lamp?

Chi Nian was visibly agitated, but in the dim light, the packaging was barely visible. How could she recognize it as the moon lamp at a glance?

Zhang Yuning stared back, puzzled, and calmly withdrew her foot, crouching down to inspect the damage. The box was completely flattened. Chi Nian crawled across the carpet, her voice frantic Is it broken?

Strange, Zhang Yuning thought. There was a hint of panic in Chi Nian’s eyes, as if she had completely abandoned her composure, lunging forward without a second thought.

Speechless at this bizarre behavior, Zhang Yuning slowly opened the crushed box. The lamp had been packaged with foam padding, the moon lamp and its base stored separately. Her foot had landed squarely on the partially exposed lamp head, and the force of her hasty, heavy step had shattered it.

It’s broken… it’s broken… Chi Nian’s voice was hoarse, as if she had suffered a devastating blow. It was as if her heart, not the lamp, had been shattered.

Just buy another one, Zhang Yuning said casually. It wasn’t a valuable limited edition if it wasn’t available in stores, there were plenty online. She couldn’t understand why Chi Nian was reacting this way.

Chi Nian cares about too many things, Zhang Yuning thought, and they’re so unpredictable. You never know what will set her off.

The room fell silent again. Chi Nian stared at the broken lamp, her eyes filled with despair. After a long silence, Zhang Yuning, seeing her distress, offered, I’ll clean this up and buy a new one.

Broken is broken, Chi Nian murmured blankly, her gaze vacant and teary. She looked at Zhang Yuning, her right hand lifting slightly as if to touch her face, but then dropping back down in sorrow. The grief on her face quickly dissolved into a weak, bitter smile. Can’t anything be changed?

What? Zhang Yuning didn’t understand her words. Chi Nian lowered her head, her hair falling forward to nearly conceal her face. Was she crying?

Zhang Yuning’s heart softened. Even if Chi Nian was being strange, even if there was no clear reason for her distress, even if it seemed utterly irrational, the sorrow etched on her face felt undeniably real.

Was I too harsh? Zhang Yuning wondered. Rummaging through her bag, saying those harsh words, even shoving her… Aside from touching that bag, Chi Nian had almost never spoken harshly to her, never held grudges, never lost her temper. Instead, she had always been so tolerant.

This won’t do. She can’t keep being like this. Zhang Yuning refused to be swayed by Chi Nian’s tears, nor would she indulge her supposed sadness. Who knows if she’s even being genuine? Even if she is, I’ll pretend she’s faking it.

After a few minutes of steadying herself with her hands on the floor, Chi Nian slowly lifted her head. A flicker of despair crossed her face before she regained her composure. Xiao Zhang, get me a calendar.

Zhang Yuning said nothing. Remembering there was one at home, she went straight to the study to search for it. After finally finding it buried under a pile of scattered papers, she returned to the living room to find Chi Nian carefully gathering the shattered pieces of the moon lamp.

Her movements were so slow, as if she were trying to piece it back together, determined not to miss a single fragment. The curtains had been drawn open, sunlight streaming onto Chi Nian’s kneeling back. Her frail, vulnerable figure stirred an uncontrollable pang of sympathy in Zhang Yuning’s heart.

Let me, Zhang Yuning said, her heart softening as she stepped forward. The calendar’s right here. Under the guise of handing it over, she grabbed the trash can and prepared to clean up the broken pieces. But Chi Nian refused. It can’t go in the trash.

It’s broken. I can replace the bulb.

No, Chi Nian insisted, carefully placing each shard back into the packaging box. Zhang Yuning noticed a cut on her finger. Your hand’s bleeding.

It’s nothing, Chi Nian replied, meticulously gathering the remaining fragments. A thin line of bl00d welled up from the scratch on her index finger. Zhang Yuning frowned and retrieved a bandage from the first-aid kit. Let’s put this on first.

When Chi Nian didn’t react, Zhang Yuning pressed the bandage into her hand and tried to take the moon lamp away. Chi Nian’s hand shot out to stop her.

I promise I won’t throw it away.

Only then did Chi Nian release her grip, glancing at the bandage in her palm. Her brow furrowed as she extended her hand, her voice pleading, Put it on for me.

In that moment, she resembled a pampered young lady, her expression and tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

Zhang Yuning silently took the bandage and gently wrapped it around the scratch. For those brief ten seconds, Chi Nian’s gaze remained fixed on her. She avoided the eye contact—it was pointless, meaningless.

Is it supposed to rain tomorrow?

Yeah, that’s what the weather forecast says.

The sudden change in topic caught Zhang Yuning off guard. Chi Nian withdrew her hand, picked up the calendar, and stared intently at it. Don’t go out tomorrow, she instructed. Do you hear me?

Whether I go out or not isn’t up to me, Zhang Yuning replied. You’re the boss, and I’m your bodyguard. I go wherever you tell me to.

Good. Then listen to me.

Mm.

Chi Nian, acting strangely, held the calendar and circled several dates with a pen. It was early April—no special holidays yet. Qingming Festival was approaching, so rain was normal. Did Chi Nian have some other plan in mind?

Xiao Zhang, Chi Nian suddenly turned, her face half in sunlight, half in shadow, the stark contrast creating an intense, conflicting impression in her eyes.

What is it?

Chi Nian paused, then flashed a bright smile. Sleep with me tonight.