Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 13

13

Guan Linmin smiled, trying to smooth things over: “We all see how much Xingxing cares for Xiao Ci. She’s just overly sensitive. It’s no big deal—we’re all family.”

At the old residence, Guan Linmin transformed into a tactful, charming figure, even affectionately calling Jiang Ciyi “Xiao Ci.”

It was a stark contrast to her demeanor at the hospital.

Cheng Xing, however, didn’t buy her words. Still, out of respect, she merely let out a soft hum and stayed silent.

But the Old Madam shot her a sharp glance. “Xing’er has been spoiled rotten all these years, all because of you two,” she said, referring to Cheng Xing’s parents. “Now she doesn’t even understand basic manners, talking back when I say something. Does she even respect me, her grandmother?”

“Grandmother, don’t be upset. You’ve just gotten off the plane and must be tired from the journey. Don’t let these things ruin your health—I’d be heartbroken.” Xu Zhaozhao said, gently supporting the Old Madam. Her voice was soft and melodious, like a nightingale.

Whether it was flattery or finesse, it worked. The Old Madam was delighted.

With a light scoff, the Old Madam looked at Cheng Xing with disdain. “All these years, it’s still Zhaozhao who cares about me the most. Unlike some people who marry an unlucky cripple and then dare to defy their eighty-year-old grandmother.”

An unlucky cripple?

That was a direct insult.

And it wasn’t just aimed at Jiang Ciyi—it targeted Cheng Xing as well. Even Guan Linmin’s expression soured. “Mother, that’s a bit… inappropriate.”

“What? You can do it, but I can’t say it?” The Old Madam’s eyes narrowed. “I told you years ago that raising your daughter like this would spoil her rotten. And now? Do you know how people were gossiping about me on my way back?”

The Old Madam had flown back on a private jet, whisked straight to the residence in a convoy of four or five cars. Everyone she met was busy fawning over her—who would dare gossip?

It was nothing but moral grandstanding, an excuse for her domineering attitude.

Cheng Xing saw through it but remained silent, listening quietly.

Guan Linmin, however, began to bristle protectively. “Who did you meet on your way back? Which old friend did you see? What did they say about Xingxing? You just said you don’t trust your own granddaughter, but you’ll believe some outsider? Are you getting senile?”

Guan Linmin had been pampered since childhood. The night before, when the Old Madam returned, Cheng Kunshan had spent hours coaxing his wife to give the Old Madam some face. After all, the Old Madam had always loved to throw her weight around.

The old master had passed away early, leaving the Old Madam to single-handedly run the Cheng family’s business, doubling the company’s revenue. When she handed it over to Cheng Kunshan, the business thrived further, cementing their status in Jianggang. While they couldn’t compare to the two mysterious families in the city, the Chengs were among the elite in Jianggang’s high society.

Now, in her old age, the Old Madam had grown increasingly stubborn. She lived abroad most of the time, but whenever she returned, it was with great fanfare.

Cheng Kunshan understood this, but having been suppressed by her for years, he didn’t dare resist, and he expected his children to follow suit.

The living room wasn’t just filled with their immediate family. Cheng Xing’s uncle’s family, her aunt’s family, and even her two usually absent brothers, who were always busy, had arrived earlier than her.

This made Cheng Xing, who arrived late, stand out glaringly.

Guan Linmin had thought a few harsh words would be the end of it, but the Old Madam kept going.

Finally, her temper flared. Her two sons tried to hold her back, but one sharp glance from her, and they let go.

The Old Madam slammed her cane on the floor. “Cheng Kunshan!”

“Enough, Grandmother.” Cheng Xing interrupted, hearing the Old Madam’s sharp tone directed at her father. She knew the Old Madam was about to start pointing fingers while cursing others. “I don’t want to hear any more snide remarks about Jiang Ciyi or me from an eighty-year-old woman.”

Jiang Ciyi was someone she brought here—why should she have to endure this kind of humiliation?

Cheng Xing had never seen such an unreasonable Old Madam at home before. Bickering with the younger generation, meddling in their marriages, and stirring up trouble even after everything was settled.

…Quite bizarre.

Her own grandparents and maternal grandparents had always doted on her. During summer or winter breaks, they’d worry they weren’t giving her enough when she visited.

But at the hospital, Cheng Xing had dealt with people even more overbearing than this Old Madam.

The usual approach was to placate them, but that often only made them worse.

To make them listen, there was only one way…

“If you came back today to throw your weight around, to criticize me, my marriage, or even my parents in front of the family, then there’s nothing more to say.” Cheng Xing’s tone was gentle, her expression soft, but her voice was firm as she looked straight into the Old Madam’s sharp eyes. “I’m a filial granddaughter, and to ensure my grandmother lives a few more years, I’ll take my wife and leave.”

“There are plenty of people here to welcome you back—we won’t be missed.” Cheng Xing pushed Jiang Ciyi toward the elevator. “This way, we avoid an ugly scene that leaves everyone unhappy.”

“Cheng Xing!” Cheng Kunshan called after her.

“Xingxing!” Guan Linmin shouted too.

Cheng Xing’s lips curled slightly as she stood in the elevator, meeting the Old Madam’s gaze unflinchingly.

It was clear the Old Madam was furious. “Grandmother, keep playing your power games.” Cheng Xing said.

“You!” the Old Madam sputtered.

The elevator doors closed, and Cheng Xing, relying on the original host’s memories, pushed Jiang Ciyi straight to their room.

Once inside, Cheng Xing locked the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath.

The room was bathed in soft light. It was evening, and the sky was painted with clouds, casting a hazy glow over the light-colored room.

Jiang Ciyi maneuvered her wheelchair using the controls, facing away from Cheng Xing.

For a long while, neither spoke.

The villa’s soundproofing was excellent. Once the door was closed, no noise from outside could be heard.

Even if the living room downstairs was in chaos, Cheng Xing didn’t care.

Guan Linmin called, but she didn’t pick up.

She thought her mother might be upset, but a few seconds later, a message came through: [Well done, my daughter! Muah~~~]

Cheng Xing: “…?”

After a moment, the sound of Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair rolling across the floor broke the silence. She guided it to the window, where she could see the vibrant flowers swaying in the autumn breeze.

The back garden was filled with all kinds of flowers, blooming brilliantly despite the season’s usual decline. Every week, specialists brought in carefully cultivated flowers from abroad, tending to them meticulously to ensure they flourished.

Jiang Ciyi spoke softly, breaking the silence. “You’ve offended your grandmother.”

“Yeah,” Cheng Xing replied, pausing before sincerely apologizing. “I’m sorry, Jiang Ciyi.”

“Hm?”

“What they said to you was offensive.” Cheng Xing’s fingers brushed against the cool door, her voice gentle. “It wasn’t my intention, but I brought you here, and they’re my family. I’m really sorry.”

“But what they said wasn’t wrong,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I am a cripple now, aren’t I?”

“…”

“Jiang Ciyi, there’s a difference between disability and being a cripple.” Cheng Xing walked over, first noticing the vibrant flowers outside, then crouching down to look up at Jiang Ciyi.

Her eyes were a light hazel, naturally captivating yet distant, as if she kept everyone at arm’s length.

Cheng Xing explained softly, “Your legs can’t move for now—that’s a disability, but it doesn’t mean it’ll be that way forever. Being a cripple, though…” She paused. “Take me, for example. Before, I might’ve looked perfectly fine, but I was useless, only hurting others. That’s what’s truly contemptible.”

“And those people downstairs? They don’t even know how to spell ‘respect.’ They’re no better.”

Jiang Ciyi met her gaze, her eyes shimmering as if filled with countless stars. Suddenly, she raised her hand, her slender, cool fingers gently brushing against Cheng Xing’s eyelid.

Cheng Xing said firmly, “Besides, you have such a noble profession. How could you be unlucky?”

Jiang Ciyi’s gaze softened, and she looked at Cheng Xing as if lost in thought.

Noticing something was off, Cheng Xing waved a hand in front of her. Jiang Ciyi flinched, pulling her hand back as if shocked, reverting to her usual cold demeanor.

Cheng Xing asked, “What were you thinking about just now?”

Jiang Ciyi shook her head faintly. “Nothing.”

She was thinking of someone—someone who had once said the same thing, that she had a noble profession.

Cheng Xing could tell she was preoccupied and was about to ask more when a knock came at the door. “Knock, knock.”

“Who is it?” Cheng Xing turned to ask.

Xu Zhaozhao’s voice came from outside. “Sister Xing, Grandmother is calling you both downstairs for dinner.”