My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 20

Chi Nian was acting strangely, so Zhang Yuning stopped pressing her. She noticed, however, that Chi Nian was becoming increasingly drowsy. Her daily naps required an alarm to wake her, and sometimes, fearing she wouldn’t hear it, Zhang Yuning would wake her manually.

During her breaks, Zhang Yuning would work on repairing the Moon Lamp. The last few fragments were particularly fragile, requiring extra care to piece together.

Tomorrow will be a clear day, won’t it?

The rain gradually subsided after a week of relentless downpour. As dusk settled, a rainbow arched across the horizon, a hopeful omen of clear skies. The earthy scent in the air finally gave way to the crisp fragrance of green leaves, and the breeze carried a faint salty tang. Rumor had it that the heavy rains had caused unusually high tides, submerging nearby beaches.

That evening, the long-absent moon finally peeked out to reward the world below. As the weather cleared, Zhang Yuning completed the Moon Lamp’s repairs.

She tested the lamp, and the light was still functioning normally, though some minor gaps remained. These flaws wouldn’t affect its nighttime illumination. After aligning the base and lamp with the magnetic field, the bulb began to float steadily under the magnetic force. With a gentle nudge, it began to rotate on its own.

The Moon Lamp’s slow, deliberate rotation didn’t diminish its effect. The simulated lunar surface, bathed in its glow, surpassed even the hazy, gentle light of the real moon. Zhang Yuning suddenly felt as if she had plucked the moon from the sky and brought it home.

So this was what people meant when they jokingly said, Reach for the moon and pluck it from the heavens. Stealing stars and gifting the moon—with enough determination, anything was possible.

Carrying the lamp carefully, Zhang Yuning walked from the living room to the bedroom. Chi Nian was no longer on the balcony, but there were sounds coming from the kitchen. She switched the Moon Lamp to night mode, placed it on Chi Nian’s bedside table, and let it rotate.

It was only 530—could Chi Nian already be cooking? Zhang Yuning slid open the kitchen door and found Chi Nian indeed bent over, chopping vegetables. Her hair was loosely tied back with a hair tie as she sliced mushrooms with practiced ease, her knife skills evident.

This was baffling. Chi Nian had grown up never lifting a finger, surrounded by maids and butlers. How could she possibly know how to cook, let alone perform such ordinary tasks?

Is she really Chi Nian? Zhang Yuning doubted her identity again. If she wasn’t, all the strange inconsistencies could be explained a fake heiress who had acquired a massive fortune? Or someone targeting the Chi Family for their own purposes? Could she even be working for Chi Jing, the two of them staging a feud so he could seize his sister’s shares?

Could the real Chi Nian already be dead?

Then why had she come to Zhang Yuning? What use could she possibly have for her? Zhang Yuning was just a nobody. Whether Chi Nian hired hackers or sought help from her dark web contacts, it had nothing to do with her. Was it simply because she had主动送上门去—offered herself up?

Zhang Yuning was utterly baffled. Her gaze drifted unfocused as she stared at Chi Nian, lost in thought. Once this line of reasoning had been opened, her mind raced, spiraling into a chaotic web of possibilities, yet ultimately arriving at no certainties.

Chi Nian was like a complex scientific formula, concealing layers of data incomprehensible to outsiders. No matter how deeply Zhang Yuning delved or how much she pondered, she couldn’t decipher it.

Frustration gnawed at her. She was also annoyed that she couldn’t crack the encrypted records—it would be absurd if she, an IT professional, couldn’t break code. Regardless of the format or content, she should be able to find a way.

These could also be Chi Nian’s unique way of keeping records. If she wanted to keep a secret, no one could ever uncover it.

Either help out or go sit down. What are you standing there for? Chi Nian sensed Zhang Yuning’s gaze without looking up.

I can handle this myself. How can I let the boss cook? Zhang Yuning rolled up her sleeves, ready to work, but Chi Nian cast her a gentle glance. Just keep me company tonight for Western dinner. You don’t know my preferences, so I’ll take care of it.

What’s the occasion for Western dinner tonight?

Chi Nian paused her busy hands, looked at Zhang Yuning, and smiled slightly. Every day is a good day.

What secret is she keeping now? Zhang Yuning thought, preparing to leave the tiny kitchen.

Put the Moon Lamp on the bar counter, Chi Nian instructed.

You have sharp eyes.

Chi Nian began plating the dishes, her expression ambiguous, as if weighed down by unspoken thoughts. No candles tonight. Moonlight will have to do as candlelight.

Seriously, there’s nothing special about today? Zhang Yuning still found it odd. Chi Nian rarely ate Western food at night, let alone prepare such a romantic dinner.

As I said, every day is a good day.

She gave the same answer again. Zhang Yuning hummed softly and didn’t press further. She carefully placed the Moon Lamp on the bar counter, plugged it in, and watched as it continued its slow rotation. Like an hourglass draining sand, it silently carried away time, leaving no trace.

Exquisite plates held steaks, broccoli florets, and cherry tomatoes arranged as colorful accents. After setting out the dinner, Chi Nian opened a bottle of red wine and poured half a glass into each of the two stemmed glasses, fussing over the arrangement for a moment.

Zhang Yuning sat at the dining table, waiting. She didn’t look up at the sound of the wine being poured. She often liked to gently flick the Moon Lamp too much force would cause the globe to detach and be drawn back to the base by magnetism, so she could only nudge it lightly.

Western cuisine with red wine, Chi Nian finally said, carrying the glasses over.

I’m allergic to alcohol. I can’t drink, Zhang Yuning replied. She had almost no tolerance for alcohol, having barely touched it since childhood. How bad was it? Once, after drinking a single bottle of beer, she turned bright red all over and slept for an entire day and night.

What kind of allergic reaction do you get?

Skin rash.

Chi Nian’s skeptical gaze held a hint of amusement. She still insisted on pushing the glass toward Zhang Yuning. Then just take a sip with me.

By ‘sip,’ you don’t mean chugging the whole glass, do you?

Chi Nian removed her apron, letting her long hair cascade down. With her head bowed, she gently brushed her hair to the right, pushed the plate forward, and looked up, her eyes gleaming. Whether it was the lamplight or a signal from her heart, her gaze lingered warmly on the plate, as if pouring a stream of warmth into Zhang Yuning’s heart.

Try the steak—it’s cooked to your preferred medium-well, Chi Nian said, resting her chin in her hands, not rushing to drink.

My preferred medium-well… Zhang Yuning disliked rare meat she preferred her steak well-done, with no trace of pink.

How did she know? I don’t think I ever told her.

Zhang Yuning ate without tasting, unsure if it was the difference in preference. She couldn’t discern the steak’s flavor, merely chewing mechanically, yet she still said, It’s delicious.

Eat more, Chi Nian replied, lowering her head to cut her own steak. But with each bite, she glanced at the Moon Lamp.

Her expression when looking at the Moon Lamp was identical to when she gazed at the moon itself, as if releasing all her tenderness.

Does the moon hold some special significance for you? Zhang Yuning asked casually.

Chi Nian turned to her. Yes, it does.

Is it a person or a thing?

Why are you curious about that?

If you think I shouldn’t be, I won’t ask.

Chi Nian smiled faintly. Aren’t you usually uninterested in other people’s affairs?

It’s all because you’re so mysterious and secretive, Zhang Yuning retorted, hating herself for caring. She had always been detached, indifferent to the world. As an abandoned child who had never received any kindness from the world, why should she care about others?

The Third Miss had shown her kindness, but their relationship was purely transactional, at best an employer-employee arrangement. Chi Nian, on the other hand, seemed genuinely concerned for her, even though the sincerity of that concern remained ambiguous.

Chi Nian suddenly set down her knife and fork, gazing earnestly at Zhang Yuning with eyes as gentle as water. Just remember, she said softly, I would never harm you.

Their eyes met. If sincerity could be conveyed through a gaze, Chi Nian’s expression surpassed any words, making it impossible not to believe her. Yet, as reason returned, Zhang Yuning still preferred to believe that all the world’s beauty had nothing to do with her.

Mm, she murmured, lowering her head to eat. Chi Nian raised her wine glass. A sip?

Zhang Yuning wasn’t afraid of a little wine. After clinking glasses, she took a large gulp. As she lifted the stemmed glass, Chi Nian’s reflection flickered in the transparent crystal. For a fleeting moment, Zhang Yuning saw such profound sorrow in those eyes, as if all the world’s grief had been gathered within them.

The Moon Lamp’s soft yellow glow illuminated Chi Nian’s profile, transforming her sorrowful expression into a spectrum of colors. Zhang Yuning suddenly understood grief wasn’t confined to a world of black, gray, and white. The world was saturated with sorrowful hues, each person bearing a unique shade, resulting in a kaleidoscope of grief.

The wine’s aroma burned down Zhang Yuning’s throat, seeping into her organs. Unaccustomed to alcohol, she felt her breath reek of wine, every part of her body uncomfortable. Chi Nian, however, raised her glass and drained it in one smooth motion, her expression unwavering, as composed as if she’d drunk a glass of water.

Yet Zhang Yuning’s vision soon doubled, her head growing heavier. Could I really be drunk after just one sip? She pressed a hand to her temple, supporting her forehead.

What’s wrong? Chi Nian set down her glass and moved closer. Zhang Yuning felt the world spin, Chi Nian’s face appearing slightly flushed, her eyes radiating a soft, almost luminous glow, as if they could speak.

I… Zhang Yuning couldn’t believe she was drunk from such a small amount of wine.

Let’s get you to bed. Chi Nian draped Zhang Yuning’s arm over her shoulder. Though her legs felt weak, Zhang Yuning clung to Chi Nian’s arm, struggling to reach the bed.

Before Chi Nian could lower her, Zhang Yuning lost her balance and collapsed heavily onto the bed, pulling Chi Nian down with her.

Something was wrong. Zhang Yuning felt her body going limp. This wasn’t the sensation of being drunk it felt more like she’d been drugged.

Chi Nian lay slumped beside her. Zhang Yuning forced herself to roll over and reached out to grab Chi Nian’s throat, but she couldn’t muster any strength. Why did you drug me? she demanded. Were you the one who drugged me in the basement too?

Chi Nian’s silence felt like a tacit admission. Zhang Yuning desperately wanted to use force to make her talk, but she was too weak to even lift a finger. Through her blurred vision, she saw anguish in Chi Nian’s eyes.

She felt like a fish on a chopping block, utterly helpless.

But then, Chi Nian’s eyes welled up with tears. Zhang Yuning squinted at her, and suddenly, she was being kissed deeply, her clothes being unbuttoned one by one.

Zhang Yuning’s eyes widened, her body stiffening. Her consciousness began to fade, blurring the line between reality and dreams.

Chi Nian’s kisses shifted from fierce to tender. As a sharp, stinging pain pierced her skin, Zhang Yuning forced her eyes open. She saw Chi Nian holding a syringe, injecting her with something. She couldn’t struggle her body felt weightless. A warm drop landed on her cheek.

No, that wasn’t rain. It was Chi Nian’s tear.