My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 18

The bed is so big, there’s no need to cuddle, Zhang Yuning said, unwilling to confront her own vulnerability. Showing weakness to Chi Nian felt dangerous.

Their encounter had occurred under the influence of drugs, without conscious control or restraint. But now, something was subtly shifting between them, and she couldn’t accept it happening so quickly.

How could she open her heart to someone she barely knew?

The concept of emotional intimacy felt distant to Zhang Yuning. Beyond her loyalty to the Third Miss, she wanted no superfluous emotions.

This rain is supposed to last for days. We shouldn’t go out during this time, Chi Nian said, walking to the bedside and surprisingly opening her bag. Zhang Yuning’s gaze fixed on Chi Nian’s hands as she pulled out two thin notebooks, one black and one white, their covers clearly distinct.

Chi Nian wrote something inside the notebooks, not many words, more like making marks. She closed them after finishing.

What are you writing? If it’s about the itinerary, I can help you keep track, Zhang Yuning asked deliberately.

You had a fever for twelve hours and slept for six, Chi Nian replied.

Zhang Yuning was puzzled to see Chi Nian recording the times she felt unwell. Why are you keeping track of this?

My memory isn’t good, Chi Nian replied flatly.

There’s no need to remember something like this, is there?

I only remember what’s necessary, Chi Nian said calmly.

You risked everything to protect these two notebooks?

Chi Nian had just finished writing when Zhang Yuning spoke. She turned, her eyes shimmering with a fleeting, unreadable light. She calmly closed the notebook, tucked it back into her bag, and fell silent.

What unspeakable secret is she hiding that requires such measures? Zhang Yuning thought. But she wasn’t in a hurry now. Chi Nian’s week-long agreement with Mo Lindi was nearing its end, and soon many mysteries would be revealed.

What Zhang Yuning most wanted to know was her own significance in this whole affair.

Go take a shower, then come to bed.

Zhang Yuning glanced at the clock. It’s too early, isn’t it?

Aren’t you tired?

A little, but…

No buts. I’m tired too. Holding you for so long was exhausting.

Zhang Yuning shivered, recalling the mesmerizing feeling of being held in Chi Nian’s arms. Even a moment’s recollection stirred her heart into turmoil. With no reason to resist, she could only obey, heading to the shower early.

How should I hold her while we sleep? On her side? Facing me? What position should we sleep in? Zhang Yuning’s mind was in turmoil as she showered. She knew her bottom line with Chi Nian was gradually eroding.

Chi Nian had laid a swamp, and Zhang Yuning, fully aware of the danger, had jumped in anyway, constantly reassuring herself that she was only trying to gauge the swamp’s true depths.

As she washed, Zhang Yuning gently touched her body, recalling the chilling sensation and involuntarily shuddering. Her body now felt devoid of warmth, completely devoid of discomfort. This illness was bizarre, nothing like a common cold.

What kind of virus could it be? Zhang Yuning wondered, letting the shower stream over her as she pondered. Chi Nian’s reaction was even stranger than the illness itself. She possessed a profound, inscrutable depth, as if she saw through everything yet remained impassive. Her seemingly genuine, yet unsettlingly calculated, concern left Zhang Yuning uneasy.

The human heart was unfathomable, the most complex thing in the world. Zhang Yuning had witnessed the world’s darkness and the shadows of human nature, making her reluctant to trust anyone—Chi Nian included.

She turned off the hot water, took a deep breath, paused, and then pushed the lever toward the cold. If getting caught in the rain had caused her chills, could a cold shower confirm this?

As Zhang Yuning reached for the cold water faucet, Chi Nian suddenly burst into the bathroom, causing her to immediately retract her hand.

Chi Nian stood by the door, wearing a knee-length black T-shirt fastened only at the middle button. The wide neckline revealed her curvaceous figure beneath the sheer fabric, the delicate chiffon enhancing the garment’s transparency and lending her an alluring, captivating air—more enchanting than the soft glow of neon lights on a rainy night, like a lustrous black pearl radiating dazzling brilliance.

She seemed intimately familiar with the storage of Zhang Yuning’s belongings. This particular shirt, rarely worn and kept in an inconspicuous place, left Zhang Yuning wondering where Chi Nian had found it.

You’ve been showering for quite a while today, Chi Nian remarked, her timing impeccable, as if she possessed X-ray vision.

Zhang Yuning stepped out of the shower, calmly wrapping a towel around herself. She glanced at Chi Nian and said, You should at least knock before barging in.

I did knock, but you didn’t hear me.

Really? Zhang Yuning replied, wondering if she had been lost in thought.

Yes.

Zhang Yuning smoothed her dripping hair as Chi Nian casually retrieved a hairdryer from the medicine cabinet. Chi Nian moved through the bathroom as if it were her own home, never asking where anything was kept, helping herself to whatever she needed with uncanny familiarity.

I’ll do it myself, Zhang Yuning said, reaching for the hairdryer. Chi Nian raised her hand to stop her, her gaze fixed on Zhang Yuning’s eyes. I’ll blow-dry your hair.

No need. I’m not crippled.

Next time, you can blow-dry mine.

No way. We’re not even close, Zhang Yuning replied firmly, uncomfortable with such intimacy.

A playful smile tugged at Chi Nian’s lips. What counts as close? Is hugging not close enough? Is sleeping together not close enough?

I’m your bodyguard, not your…

Not my what?

Zhang Yuning fell silent, gently taking the hairdryer from Chi Nian to end the conversation. Chi Nian leaned closer, tilting her head with a smile. You could also be my bed partner.

Bed partner… Was Chi Nian trying to seduce her? This alluring woman kept flirting with her—how could anyone resist?

But Zhang Yuning refused to be constantly teased and manipulated. She decided to retaliate. Her bath towel hung loosely around her, and as Chi Nian’s gaze drifted downward, Zhang Yuning leaned in, bracing one hand against the wall. She closed the distance until their noses nearly touched.

I wouldn’t mind being your bed partner, Zhang Yuning said. I wouldn’t be losing out, after all. How could I refuse a beauty like Miss Chi offering herself?

Though it was meant as a joke, Chi Nian’s eyes suddenly deepened with affection. She gazed earnestly at Zhang Yuning and asked in a tender voice, Do you want me again?

The question sent a tremor through Zhang Yuning’s heart. Chi Nian’s warm breath brushed against her face, making her cheeks flush.

Zhang Yuning tilted Chi Nian’s chin upward, a surge of heat coursing through her. The dreams of recent days coalesced into a vivid new image. The passion and intimacy of the past few days began to replay in her mind, complete from beginning to end, like watching an explicit film. She saw every movement, every position, even the normally off-limits dirty talk, now seeping into her consciousness word by word.

Chi Nian didn’t flinch or retreat. Instead, her gaze intensified. She casually raised her hand to Zhang Yuning’s waist, gracefully accepting this so-called counterattack.

Zhang Yuning’s body stiffened. Her bath towel suddenly slipped, the chill jolting her back to reality. She quickly retreated two steps, grabbed the hairdryer, and lowered her head to dry her hair. Zhang Yuning simply couldn’t bring herself to do this while fully conscious and rational.

What was this? Friends with benefits? Even bedmates didn’t necessarily have to sleep together. She didn’t know how to face Chi Nian their relationship had become increasingly complicated.

Chi Nian crossed her arms and gazed at her, a faint smile playing on her lips. Without another word, she turned and left the room.

The roar of the hairdryer became the loudest sound in Zhang Yuning’s world. A little noise was better than listening to the turmoil in her heart. I need to shut out the world for a while, she thought, calming down and wanting to wrap herself up.

She desperately wanted to take another cold shower to wash away the spell Chi Nian had cast over her.

Zhang Yuning blew her hair dry for what felt like an eternity. By the end, she was holding the hairdryer mechanically, barely aware of what she was doing. Staring into the mirror, she suddenly noticed her haggard appearance dark circles under her eyes had deepened, and her skin looked sallow.

Just a few sleepless nights and I look like this? Zhang Yuning patted her cheeks, realizing she desperately needed to catch up on sleep. Ever since getting entangled with Chi Nian, she hadn’t had a decent night’s rest. Maybe it was time to start going to bed early and waking up early.

She walked to the bed and discovered her blanket was missing. Normally, they each had their own, maintaining a comfortable distance, but tonight, Chi Nian clearly had no intention of letting her rest easy.

Zhang Yuning’s face still flushed with lingering warmth. Seeing her approach, Chi Nian lay down, a smile playing on her lips. Come here and hug me.

Does it have to be like this?

Didn’t you say, ‘When a beauty offers herself, you’d be a fool to refuse’?

I can’t afford someone like you. Zhang Yuning climbed into bed, but before she could even settle in and figure out what to do, Chi Nian leaned in and wrapped her arms around her. Then consider it returning my hug, Chi Nian murmured, her voice suddenly weak and drowsy.

Chi Nian nestled against Zhang Yuning’s shoulder, pressing close in comfortable silence. Zhang Yuning’s gaze drifted to the black-and-white documentary notebook lying on the pillow. Lying on her side facing Chi Nian, she raised her left hand slightly, estimating the distance. It was within reach.

The secret in the bag isn’t just these notebooks, is it? Her curiosity stirred again, but the woman in her arms wasn’t fully asleep yet. Not yet.

One more try. I’ll take the consequences.