My Mysterious Darling Wife (GL) - Chapter 4

Eight Tones Road, running north-south through Glazed City, served as the city’s central axis and its most bustling thoroughfare. To the east stood the administrative district, while the west was lined with commercial office buildings. The tallest structure was the Chi Shang Group’s landmark skyscraper, dominating the skyline, yet flanked by the Xiao Group’s twin towers.

Chi Nian was headed to Dean Apartments, the rear garden of Eight Tones Road. Not a luxury residence, but a mid-to-high-end apartment complex primarily housing white-collar professionals. Under Chi Nian’s guidance, Zhang Yuning rode her bicycle into the complex. Before dawn, they attracted no attention. Chi Nian gained entry using fingerprint recognition, as if everything had been prearranged.

The apartment was on the top floor, the 68th story. Standing in the elevator, Zhang Yuning glanced nervously at the security camera. Will this really keep us hidden? What if the Chi Family finds us?

What’s bothering you? Chi Nian sensed her apprehension.

We’re right under Chi Jing’s nose.

So what?

Is the most dangerous place really the safest? Zhang Yuning didn’t understand her strategy. After finally escaping, shouldn’t they be planning to avoid Chi Jing and plotting their counterattack?

Chi Nian was far from simple. Her every action made Zhang Yuning suspect that the seemingly innocent, cheerful, and outgoing heiress was merely putting on an act for the world.

The power struggles within elite families ran deep. Chi Nian possessed only shares, lacking the crucial connections needed to challenge the old shareholders led by Chi Jing.

Chi Nian didn’t answer, instead yawning wearily. The elevator chimed, opening onto a private, single-unit residence. Logically, apartments on this floor should have been two units per floor—decent for a city center location, but hardly befitting Chi Nian’s status.

Yet the moment Chi Nian unlocked the entrance, Zhang Yuning realized how narrow her understanding had been. Two units had been merged into one, the entire floor transformed into a luxurious penthouse. The entire eastern wall had been replaced with glass, offering a panoramic view of the city’s glittering skyline. From this vantage point, the towering headquarters of Chi Shang Group and Xiao Corporation stood in clear view, unobstructed by other skyscrapers.

There was no balcony, yet every corner offered breathtaking views. A telescope and a camera with a telephoto lens stood before the glass wall. The entire home was voice-activated, and a desk facing the glass wall was equipped with a computer, laptop, projector, and a robot assistant—everything needed for a fully functional office.

Zhang Yuning noticed the house was clearly divided into two distinct zones the eastern section served as the office area, while the western section was the living quarters. The layout featured two bedrooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen, with sliding doors separating the two zones like parallel worlds intersecting. On one side lay the cutthroat arena of fame and fortune, while on the other, the quiet sanctuary of ordinary life.

I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up at 700 AM for breakfast, Chi Nian said, disappearing into the master bedroom.

I’m a bodyguard, not a… Zhang Yuning’s protest was cut short by the sound of the door closing. She hadn’t even been given a chance to refuse, though it seemed refusal wasn’t an option anyway.

She wasn’t a nanny. Was she now responsible for daily chores in addition to personal security? Zhang Yuning knew how to cook, but cooking for someone else was a first for her.

This place must have been prepared in advance. Had Chi Nian planned this all along? Zhang Yuning found her behavior puzzling, completely unsure of what would come next. If Chi Nian were to reclaim her family’s business in the future, it would be a tremendous boon for the Third Miss. Should she inform her patron about this plan?

No need to rush. There were still three months left. She needed to thoroughly investigate the doubts swirling in her mind.

Zhang Yuning walked thoughtfully into the kitchen. The double-door refrigerator was stocked with fresh ingredients, all meticulously arranged in advance. If I’m supposed to be imprisoned, how did I end up in a place like this? It wasn’t surprising that Chi Nian owned a house, but how could she calmly move into such a fully equipped residence while facing both a car accident and house arrest?

Having not slept all night, Zhang Yuning felt drowsy. She made herself an Americano at the coffee machine on the kitchen island. As she walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, the eastern horizon was faintly brightening, the sun still hidden but casting a faint crimson glow. It was as if the night were desperately clinging to its reign, resisting the encroaching dawn.

Rubbing her tired eyes, Zhang Yuning began to retrace the events of the previous night.

Zhang Yuning ran a small clinic, treating only minor ailments like colds, fevers, and allergies. With minimal investment, she managed the clinic herself, employing just one nurse. The nurse was notoriously unreliable, often skipping work. When the doctor was absent, the nurse could only sell over-the-counter medications.

After seeing the news that day, Zhang Yuning decided to investigate the Chi Family’s residences that night. She had previously explored five of their lavish mansions, discovering that Chi Jing maintained a nomadic lifestyle, housing different women in each residence. None of these investigations yielded any significant information.

The R&D Base was her final destination. When she fainted, she hadn’t suffered any serious injuries, suggesting the collapse was likely due to the drugs.

When had the drug been administered? How could it have driven her, a woman of unwavering resolve, and Chi Nian to lose control and end up in bed together?

Afterward, she and Chi Nian had worked together to find a way to escape. Their escape had been remarkably smooth, encountering no obstacles whatsoever. Not even the alarms had sounded, and no one had pursued them. It was almost too easy, making Zhang Yuning wonder if Chi Nian had orchestrated the entire scenario. She even began to doubt the authenticity of the car accident.

The Chi Nian before her was undeniably suspicious.

Filled with questions, Zhang Yuning casually prepared breakfast. With half an hour until seven o’clock, her curiosity overwhelmed her. She walked to the door of Chi Nian’s master bedroom.

After hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand to knock but stopped. Instead, she gripped the doorknob and gently twisted it. The door wasn’t locked. The curtains were drawn, casting the room in near darkness, save for the soft glow of a small nightlight plugged into an outlet near the foot of the bed.

Aside from the king-sized bed, the room contained only a wardrobe. The minimalist decor was softened by the warm yellow light of the nightlight, which cast a gentle glow across the space.

Zhang Yuning crept to the bedside and found Chi Nian lying on her right side, curled around a pillow. Her left hand still clutched the strap of her bag, her posture remarkably alert even in sleep. This bag had never left her side, from the secret room to this place. Even if it were a globally limited edition, it shouldn’t mean much to someone as wealthy as Chi Nian, who could buy entire countries. Could it contain some secret?

Chi Nian’s sleeping face was beautiful, but her brow was tightly furrowed, as if she were in a state of high tension. Zhang Yuning recalled examining the car accident victims. Chi Nian had suffered a head injury, and based on the wound’s severity, surgery would have been necessary. Any surgery would leave a scar, and even with cosmetic procedures, given the timeline of the accident and recovery, there should still be some trace of it.

She seems to be sleeping deeply. I just need to be careful. If I’m caught, I’ll say I came to wake her up.

With this thought, Zhang Yuning moved to the inner side of the bed, crouched down, and gazed at Chi Nian’s sleeping face. A pang of emotion stirred within her, but she steeled herself and proceeded. Some strands of Chi Nian’s hair partially obscured her face. Zhang Yuning gently brushed them aside, remembering the wound had been above the temple. She carefully ran the pad of her index finger through the hair, searching for any hint of a scar.

Nothing. There was absolutely nothing. This defied logic. She hadn’t mistaken the person in the car accident—it was definitely Chi Nian. As a half-baked doctor, she couldn’t have misremembered the location of that obvious injury.

Was this truly the real Chi Nian? If not, why would she be in the Chi Family’s mansion at the R&D Base? If not, where would she have gotten the money to afford such a lavish residence? But what about the car accident scar?

A cascade of questions left Zhang Yuning even more bewildered, like finding another layer of fog within the mist.

Afraid of waking Chi Nian, Zhang Yuning withdrew her hand without discovering the old scar.

At that moment, Chi Nian’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed, leaving her bare arms exposed. Zhang Yuning stood up, preparing to quietly leave, but she felt a chill in the room. Worried Chi Nian might catch a cold, she couldn’t resist bending down to pull the thin blanket up.

However, Chi Nian had one hand tucked under the blanket and the other tightly gripping the bag strap, preventing Zhang Yuning from pulling it up. She tried to lift Chi Nian’s hand to tuck it inside, but Chi Nian suddenly opened her eyes, glaring at her.

What are you doing? Chi Nian’s voice was icy, her gaze sharp enough to pierce through anyone.

Zhang Yuning’s hand had brushed against the one holding the bag. Seeing Chi Nian’s reaction, she quickly released it, explaining palely, I came to wake you for breakfast.

Is it time yet?

Almost.

I said seven o’clock, and I don’t need you to come early, Chi Nian said sternly. Whether it was her excessive anxiety about the bag or her heightened vigilance, she remained lying on her side, pressing her hand even tighter against it.

Having her attempt at concern rebuffed so harshly, Zhang Yuning felt a surge of resentment. She turned to leave without another word.

Stop.

Zhang Yuning froze, but didn’t turn around.

You still haven’t answered what you were trying to do just now.

Zhang Yuning’s face paled instantly, but she merely turned slowly, her voice dripping with arrogance. What do you think I was doing? Stealing your precious bag? Or perhaps lusting after your beauty?

Chi Nian sat up, the blanket sliding off her shoulders to reveal she was sleeping naked.

Zhang Yuning felt her eyelid twitch involuntarily, her heart pounding in her chest. The memory of their bodies pressed together in bed flooded back—their bodies had been so close, so intertwined, as if they wanted to meld into each other.

Stop thinking such nonsense, Zhang Yuning thought, turning away to avoid looking at her. But then Chi Nian’s tone turned playful. The latter, perhaps. The former, definitely not.

I’m not interested, Zhang Yuning retorted, feeling irritated and about to leave.

You weren’t saying that last night.

Chi Nian’s demeanor shifted back to her usual relaxed, slightly amused self, teasing herself with ease.

That was just a temporary lapse induced by the drugs, Miss Chi. Surely you didn’t take it seriously? Zhang Yuning countered sharply.

Can you pretend it never happened?

I can. Can you? Zhang Yuning turned to face her, her voice icy.

Chi Nian fell silent. The dim light obscured her expression. After a moment, she leaned back against the headboard, a faint smile playing on her lips. No.

I’ll honor my promise to be your bodyguard for three months. You can rest assured of that.

Zhang Yuning still felt uneasy, her suspicions about Chi Nian’s bag undiminished. Whatever was hidden inside must be something significant. The more Chi Nian tried to conceal it, the more determined Zhang Yuning became to find a chance to peek inside.