My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 2

Run? Not really. Zhang Yuning had willingly walked into this situation, and she accepted whatever consequences might come, whether she’d been tricked or not.

Chi Nian’s seductive smile brought back vivid memories of their intimate moments, leaving Zhang Yuning endlessly captivated. What a terrifying woman, she thought.

Shaking off her thoughts, Zhang Yuning refused to let Chi Nian’s moral blackmail bind her. Chi Nian acted like a seasoned player whether it was consensual or a calculated scheme, what had happened had happened.

At most, I’ll take some responsibility.

How long do you want me as your bodyguard?

Three months, Chi Nian replied without hesitation, as if she’d already planned it out.

Deal, Zhang Yuning agreed readily.

The corners of Chi Nian’s lips curved upward, her smile pure and captivating as she lowered her gaze. She seemed genuinely pleased.

Casually adjusting her bra strap, she turned her back and raised an eyebrow. Fasten it for me.

Zhang Yuning didn’t refuse. She pulled the bra straps together, then paused. Which hook?

You’ve touched it before. Figure it out yourself.

Zhang Yuning felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. Her mouth moved as if to speak, but no words came. At this moment, Chi Nian’s teasing was just as provocative as it had been in bed.

Chi Nian seemed to savor the moment. She tilted her head slightly, her jawline sharply defined, her smile both restrained and teasing. For the next three months, you must stay by my side, never leaving my sight. If you do well, I’ll set you free.

Fine, Zhang Yuning replied.

First, we need to find a way out, Chi Nian said, straightening her posture and adjusting her shoulder straps. Her voice remained steady and calm, her composure unshaken even in this crisis. This composed demeanor stood in stark contrast to the lively, cheerful heiress portrayed on television.

Escape was paramount. Zhang Yuning knew they couldn’t linger the trap had already been sprung, and any delay would risk alerting their pursuers.

Zhang Yuning scrambled out of bed. Half-naked, her clothes lay scattered on the floor, evidence of her earlier impatience. She could hardly believe she had participated so eagerly.

Chi Nian remained seated, as if admiring a rare beauty, her gaze never leaving Zhang Yuning as she dressed.

Zhang Yuning ignored the intense scrutiny. Standing at 172 centimeters tall, her shoulder-length hair featured streaks of smoky gray highlights. For her night raid on the Chi Family estate, she had worn practical attire a black fitted jacket over a casual tank top, slim-fit pants tucked into ankle boots. She embodied androgynous chic with effortless grace.

Fortunately, her backpack was still there. Since she needed to escape this place, she had to move quickly. She half-tied her hair up, habitually put on her fingerless gloves, and carefully scanned her surroundings.

This place was utterly bizarre. The layout resembled a large dormitory, with hardly any partitions. Though she had arrived at night, the room was as bright as day, dazzlingly lit. The ceiling wasn’t a typical suspended one instead, it simulated a realistic sky. Even the nearby garden looked both real and artificial.

Most critically, the room was clearly enclosed by glass, yet she couldn’t find any doors. Whether there were surveillance cameras was uncertain. Zhang Yuning pulled out her surveillance scanner from her bag, preparing to plan her escape.

She searched everywhere for a way to break through, tapping here and checking there. Meanwhile, Chi Nian had changed into a red slip dress made of smooth silk satin. The deep V-neck and off-the-shoulder design revealed a hint of her fair cleavage beneath the draped neckline. This fitted mermaid-style dress, resembling an evening gown, accentuated her curves and made her look utterly alluring.

A splash of red entered Zhang Yuning’s field of vision. She couldn’t help but look up. Chi Nian was sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, her long, languid hair falling over her chest, collarbones faintly visible. She smoothed her hair, letting half cascade down her back and the other half drape over her shoulder.

You’re escaping dressed like that? Zhang Yuning didn’t look up, squatting down to rummage through her toolbox. Chi Nian didn’t answer immediately, and soon her crimson figure entered Zhang Yuning’s field of vision.

A luxurious cage deserves a noble captive, don’t you think? Chi Nian seemed to be mocking herself as she squatted down beside Zhang Yuning, the curve of her cleavage particularly prominent.

Zhang Yuning’s accidental glance made her heart skip a beat. The feel and softness of that area were still vividly fresh in her memory, impossible to forget. Yet Chi Nian’s words carried weight, leaving Zhang Yuning unable to refute them.

You’re right. No matter how luxurious a place is, once it’s used to confine someone, it’s no different from a cage.

Chi Nian smiled without replying, instead asking earnestly, Any leads?

There should be robots here. Your Chi Family is at the forefront of technological research and artificial intelligence, which explains how this place is so advanced. Zhang Yuning scanned the surroundings with a detection device. The instrument registered readings, but she couldn’t pinpoint the surveillance cameras.

Zhang Yuning’s sharp brows furrowed as she fell into deep thought, rapidly devising a plan. Unaware of her focused gaze, she didn’t notice Chi Nian staring intently at her, her eyes filled with tender affection, a faint, lingering light hinting at a profound infatuation.

There are robots, but no rooms.

How do you even get out of here? Zhang Yuning asked the crucial question. If Chi Nian was confined here, she’d still need to eat. The garden and golf course weren’t just for show. Was Chi Jing not completely evil, or did he have ulterior motives for such lavish confinement?

Me? I just walk out.

Huh?

I open the door.

The house’s system recognized Chi Nian’s voice and keywords. The entire glass wall on the left began to glow with a blue light, displaying a computer-like interface with three-dimensional, textured buttons. A transparent keyboard appeared with operational instructions, and the glass door slid open with a whoosh.

Zhang Yuning knew Glazed Island’s technology was advancing rapidly and that the Chi Family specialized in this field, but she never imagined a house could reach this level of sophistication. She also realized she’d been played.

You could get out all along, and you were just messing with me? she snapped, stuffing her antique equipment into her bag and storming out without looking back.

Chi Nian’s smile didn’t fade as she followed, trying to coax her. Don’t be angry. When I said ‘get out,’ I meant out of this house.

Zhang Yuning refused to respond, ignoring her completely, as if she’d just been the butt of Chi Nian’s joke.

I don’t know how I got in, and getting out depends on you, Chi Nian said calmly, her composed tone and striking outfit radiating a captivating cold elegance.

Indeed, leaving this bedroom would present new challenges. Zhang Yuning, her emotions now calmed, couldn’t shake the feeling that Chi Nian was subtly guiding her.

Chi Nian asked, If we find the Main Control Panel, can we crack the security system here?

We can try, Zhang Yuning replied. She instructed Chi Nian to locate all the Voice Control Recognition keyboards. She needed to examine each one to understand the system before attempting to hack it.

Chi Nian complied, diligently assisting Zhang Yuning in understanding the system’s architecture.

Many advanced technologies relied on complex programming and intricate algorithms. The precise calculations and sophisticated instruments proved challenging for Chi Nian, an IT novice. As a self-taught IT enthusiast, she was a complete outsider compared to professional experts.

But they had to try. Even the most meticulously designed plans and systems had vulnerabilities it just took time to find them.

Zhang Yuning was fascinated by the technology. If the circumstances were different, she would have lingered much longer. The place resembled a high-tech museum, filled with AI projections, touch-sensitive controls, and cutting-edge innovations.

Strange, these are all fractional controllers. Where’s the main control panel? Zhang Yuning looked helplessly at Chi Nian, who simply shook her head and glanced at the wall clock, saying calmly, It’s two o’clock.

Don’t rush me. Rushing won’t help, Zhang Yuning retorted, assuming Chi Nian was reminding her of the time. Chi Nian merely smiled without replying, showing no intention of hurrying.

If we got in, we can get out. There’s no reason we can’t find the door.

Zhang Yuning returned to the kitchen interface. The Robot was charging, inactive. She’d heard that the Robot usually handled cooking, laundry, drying clothes, and cleaning. With technology advanced to this point, Artificial Intelligence had replaced human labor. Was this humanity’s tragedy or progress?

After about half an hour of tinkering, Zhang Yuning had mastered all the smart switches and functions, including the Robot’s operation and capabilities. Throughout this time, Chi Nian kept checking the time. Was she calculating something or waiting for something?

A while later, Chi Nian withdrew her gaze, picked up her expensive tan-colored designer bag, and prepared to leave.

Seeing her ready to go, Zhang Yuning asked, I haven’t even found the door yet, and you’re already leaving?

After a moment of silence, Chi Nian said solemnly, What you’re seeing now is only what this house wants you to see. Technology is just a self-deceptive trick.

Zhang Yuning stopped what she was doing and stared at Chi Nian, puzzled. Chi Nian smiled knowingly, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed toward the garden.

The seemingly nonsensical remark plunged Zhang Yuning into deep thought. It felt like a veiled hint, containing some crucial piece of information.

If this was truly Artificial Intelligence, it should be capable of surpassing human intelligence. To control all the switches in this house, it would require a complete and complex intelligent system. The main control panel could only be… Zhang Yuning’s gaze sharpened as she looked at the charging Robot.

The Robot was entirely white, designed to mimic human height and weight. If it were given a layer of lifelike synthetic skin, it would be virtually indistinguishable from a real person.

Zhang Yuning approached the Robot and accessed its control system. She first ensured the Robot remained dormant, then proceeded with a series of operations undisturbed. As expected, a hidden door in the garden opened, revealing an elevator that could transport people directly to the ground floor via pre-programmed switches.

Chi Nian, who had been teasing the parrot in its cage in the garden, turned to Zhang Yuning with a smile as the door opened. It seems choosing you to protect me was the right decision, she said, as if everything had gone exactly as planned. There was no surprise in her voice, nor any hint of delight.

Miss Chi’s guidance has been excellent, Zhang Yuning replied deliberately, sensing that Chi Nian had intentionally revealed this information. She suspected Chi Nian might already know the way out of this room and was subtly leading her step by step. Zhang Yuning resolved to play along with Chi Nian to the end, determined to see what other tricks she had up her sleeve.

Chi Nian’s smile faded, and she stood silently by the door. Her made-up face perfectly complemented her mermaid-tail dress, the long gown and flowing hair paired with a luxury handbag making her look like a runway model. When she smiled, she resembled a butterfly flitting among a hundred flowers—mysterious and alluring.

Even though Zhang Yuning had imprinted every detail of Chi Nian’s beauty in her mind, she remained outwardly indifferent. She gathered her belongings and walked to the door, where she noticed the parrot Chi Nian had been teasing earlier lying on its back, eyes rolled upward.

The bird is dead, Zhang Yuning informed her, surprised by the parrot’s sudden silence.

A caged bird is more liberated in death than in life, Chi Nian replied calmly.

Then why were you teasing it earlier? What was the point?

No point. It amused me. With this dismissive remark, Chi Nian strode into the elevator hall.