My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 15

After the commotion, Zhang Yuning lost her appetite for cooking. One person made instant noodles, another ate fruit, one retreated to the study, and another stood on the balcony, each ignoring the others.

The red mark on the side of Zhang Yuning’s face had faded slightly, though it was still visible. She sat motionless before the game screen, the interface frozen on the start button.

Chi Nian’s slap had dredged up painful memories Zhang Yuning had tried to bury. Since the age of six, her memories were all of the slums daily beatings, routine abuse. Wealthy people would vent their frustrations by beating someone in the slums, earning a hamburger or a few coins for their trouble.

After escaping that life, Zhang Yuning used the opportunities granted by the Third Miss to learn various skills. When she finally had the power, she returned to the slums and taught every bully a lesson, finally venting her pent-up rage.

But Chi Nian’s slap was different from the fists and feet of those thugs. Zhang Yuning stared at the shattered lamp fragments on the table, recalling Chi Nian’s heartbroken gaze. She didn’t understand, yet she felt compelled to repair the broken thing.

Mending something shattered into so many pieces would require immense patience and effort. First, she’d need to figure out how to reassemble it, then buy glue to reinforce the structure. But the cracks would always remain.

Zhang Yuning decided to take a chance.

She opened her computer, and a pop-up window immediately caught her attention a trending news item from Glass Island titled Woman Resembling Miss Chi Spotted at XX Supermarket. Zhang Yuning’s heart skipped a beat. She clicked the link and found a series of photos of Chi Nian shopping at the supermarket, accompanied by detailed captions noting that she was accompanied only by a female bodyguard. Was this a case of mistaken identity, or was it a genuine sighting?

Damn it! She’s been exposed! This cursed intuition is always spot-on when I don’t want it to be.

Zhang Yuning shot to her feet, her mind racing. What should I do? It was only a matter of time before someone traced the news back to her and came looking—not just the Chi Family, but the police were also searching for Chi Nian. Should she seize this opportunity to expose Chi Nian, pretending ignorance?

If this woman wasn’t Chi Nian, she couldn’t possibly bear the weight of that identity. But if she was Chi Nian, she would inevitably make more moves and attract even greater scrutiny. The legendary Miss Chi was a social butterfly, moving through the upper echelons of society—high-ranking officials and wealthy heirs—with effortless grace.

Perhaps… I should let this Miss Chi reclaim her rightful place. Zhang Yuning slowly sat back down. She could have hacked into the news backend to delete the article, but instead, she closed the tab and decided to wait and see how things unfolded.

That evening, Zhang Yuning prepared a light meal for Chi Nian. The two exchanged few words, each showering separately and going about their own business. Throughout the evening, Chi Nian received several phone calls and spent much of her time with a tablet, its screen glowing with an unknown purpose.

Before ten o’clock, Zhang Yuning began to feel drowsy, yawning incessantly. The past few days had been particularly sleep-deprived while she could pull all-nighters, she needed to catch up on rest to avoid feeling drained.

Xiao Zhang, come to bed, Chi Nian’s voice called out just as Zhang Yuning’s head began to nod against the table. Rubbing her eyes, Zhang Yuning recalled Chi Nian’s earlier offer to sleep with her. She certainly knows how to time her requests perfectly, Zhang Yuning thought. Her bed is large enough, and as long as we don’t touch, there’s no harm in sharing.

Zhang Yuning pressed her fingers to her temples as she walked to the bed. Chi Nian was already lying back against the headboard. There was no bedside lamp, and the moon was hidden behind heavy clouds, casting a gloomy pall over the night—a reflection of her own mood.

With such easy access to news online, Chi Nian must have seen the reports herself. Why hasn’t she reacted at all?

The curtains were drawn tight, and the bedside table still held that rickety, handmade lamp—it was a miracle she hadn’t smashed it yet. Zhang Yuning’s bed was actually two small beds pushed together, creating a spacious but awkwardly divided surface. As she lay down, ready to sleep, Chi Nian called out, Xiao Zhang.

Hmm? She didn’t turn her head.

Does your face still hurt?

No, it doesn’t.

Zhang Yuning didn’t want to continue the conversation. She closed her eyes, ready to sleep, but Chi Nian’s hand landed on her shoulder. Turn your face so I can see.

There’s no need. I’m really fine.

Why pretend to care after hitting me? Zhang Yuning didn’t need this kind of concern, but Chi Nian didn’t let go, pressing down harder on her shoulder. I want to see.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep if she didn’t comply, Zhang Yuning reluctantly turned over, still keeping her eyes closed to avoid meeting Chi Nian’s gaze.

She could feel Chi Nian’s closeness, her warm breath brushing against her face. If this were a dream, they might already be kissing. Keeping her eyes closed felt safest. She didn’t want to know if Chi Nian was scrutinizing her or doing something else. Zhang Yuning held her breath, afraid her own breath might touch Chi Nian’s face. Once their breaths mingled, anything could happen.

After a long moment, Chi Nian’s soft voice broke the silence. I’m sorry.

The remorseful tone carried a hint of guilt. Zhang Yuning frowned and opened her eyes, only to find Chi Nian lying beside her, having crossed the gap between the beds. Their faces were inches apart. When Zhang Yuning met Chi Nian’s pained gaze, she immediately lowered her eyes and turned away.

It’s okay. I’m tired.

Zhang Yuning would have preferred Chi Nian to be more assertive or even aggressive. This gentle approach made her uneasy. She began to feel guilty about her own motives, realizing she had deliberately ignored the exposure of Chi Nian’s personal information, hoping to watch the drama unfold. Her true intention had been to investigate Chi Nian for the Third Miss, aiming to gain leverage in the power struggle between the two families.

Sleep well. It’s raining. Remember not to go out, Chi Nian said, not approaching any closer. She lay down on her side of the bed. Zhang Yuning remained silent, closing her eyes and desperately trying to fall asleep.

To her frustration, insomnia gripped her. Her eyelids felt heavy and sore, on the verge of tears, yet sleep eluded her. Afraid of waking Chi Nian if she moved, Zhang Yuning lay rigidly on her back, forcing herself to sleep, willing her mind to shut down, and refusing to open her eyes.

As she lay there, her consciousness began to drift. Her body felt weightless, as if floating upward. A woman’s voice echoed in her ears A-Ning… A-Ning…

Who is A-Ning? Is she calling me? Zhang Yuning opened her eyes to find herself in a vast, white expanse. There was nothing but endless white stretching in every direction. Her rational mind asserted itself This must be a dream. The voice grew fainter, dissolving into a jumbled, indistinct echo, impossible to decipher or identify.

A sudden, continuous buzzing jolted her awake. Zhang Yuning sat up abruptly, reached under her pillow for her phone, and saw an alert the security system would trigger an alarm if anyone lingered outside for more than five minutes. Though she was a heavy sleeper, she was highly sensitive to this particular vibration alert.

The sound’s eerie connection to her dream blurred the line between reality and illusion. She dared not make any sudden movements, quietly switched to night mode, and opened the camera app to check the live feed. It was Lan Chengjin.

The Third Miss must have something urgent to convey, Zhang Yuning thought. She was just here a few days ago. Has the news spread? If anyone had discovered my relationship with Chi Nian, police cars would have surrounded this place by now. Could the Third Miss have intervened?

Zhang Yuning cautiously glanced behind her. Chi Nian seemed to be asleep it was one in the morning, the peak of deep sleep. She slowly got out of bed, tiptoed to the study, put on a shirt, retrieved sneakers from the cabinet under the bay window, and climbed out the window in her shorts, carefully retracing her familiar route down the building.

Stepping outside, she realized it was raining. Zhang Yuning paid it no mind the wind was cool, and the raindrops felt chilly against her skin. She wrapped her shirt tighter, sniffed, and approached Lan Chengjin directly. Chengjin, what brings you here so late?

Lan Chengjin was strikingly beautiful but exuded an icy aura. Known for her decisive and efficient manner, she always wore her long hair in a neat bun and favored professional attire, projecting the image of a formidable career woman. As the Third Miss Xiao Changying’s most trusted aide and right-hand woman, she personally handled all critical matters.

The two women were accustomed to this method of meeting. To see Zhang Yuning, one simply had to stand under the surveillance cameras at the entrance for a brief moment, and a response would quickly follow—either Zhang Yuning would appear in person or a phone call would come.

Lan Chengjin, dressed in a crisp light blue suit and holding two phones, stated her purpose directly The Third Miss has instructed you to protect Miss Chi.

What does ‘protect’ mean?

Ensure her safety and follow her instructions.

Have the Third Miss and Miss Chi formed an alliance? Zhang Yuning asked, puzzled. The two women seemed to have no connection whatsoever, not even having met before.

Lan Chengjin shook her head. I don’t know. She offered no further explanation.

How long will this last? Miss Chi and I agreed on three months.

Follow Miss Chi’s instructions. I’ll contact you if anything comes up. With that, Lan Chengjin strode into the darkness, where her driver waited nearby. The entrance returned to its nocturnal stillness.

The rain intensified, its droplets drumming against the leaves with a rustling, almost grating sound. Zhang Yuning felt a growing discomfort, scratching her ear and rubbing her nose as she paused to catch her breath before retracing her steps.

As she climbed back down, she pondered the matter. The Third Miss was a controversial figure, rumored to have seized her inheritance through the ruthless destruction of her family. Her actions were unpredictable, yet she was undeniably ruthless, decisive, and utterly indifferent to human life.

But why had the Third Miss given such vague instructions? Was it to know her enemy? Yet she hadn’t specified any mission, merely telling Zhang Yuning to listen to Chi Nian and protect her well. Could there be some secret exchange of interests between the two women that Zhang Yuning was unaware of?

Back inside, Zhang Yuning removed her climbing gear, wiped her hair, and was about to return to her bedroom when she noticed Chi Nian had gotten up in the bathroom.

Startled, Zhang Yuning quickly explained, I just went to the bathroom. Are you up for the night? Remembering something, she hurried into the bathroom and said, I forgot to flush. She pressed the flush button while glancing in the mirror to make sure she didn’t look like she’d been out in the rain.

Chi Nian remained motionless, her thoughts tangled like a moonless night—calm on the surface, but filled with a desolate emptiness.

I thought you’d gone out.

I promised I wouldn’t go out, and I won’t.

Good girl. Just be obedient. Chi Nian turned and lay back down as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Yuning shivered, her nose itching. She rubbed it roughly, and a smear of bl00d appeared on her hand, likely from rubbing too hard.

Frowning, she wiped it off with a tissue, dismissed it as nothing, and collapsed back into bed.

I’m so tired. If I have to dream, please don’t let it be about Chi Nian again.