Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 15

15

The soft, cute mechanical voice of the system suddenly rang in Cheng Xing’s mind, and she instinctively wanted to respond to it.

Thankfully, she caught sight of Jiang Ciyi’s face just in time and stopped herself mid-sentence.

But the moment she opened the door, a faint syllable slipped out, so subtle that it was barely audible. Yet Jiang Ciyi noticed. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Cheng Xing replied, pushing Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair forward. She didn’t bother with the system for now, instead focusing on reassuring Jiang Ciyi. “If they say anything unpleasant later, don’t take it to heart.”

“Mm.” Jiang Ciyi responded lightly.

“You don’t need to pay attention to Xu Zhaozhao either. If she tries to bully you, I’ll stop her.” Cheng Xing said. “After all, my surname is Cheng. They won’t dare do anything to me.”

Not to mention, the original Cheng Xing was quite favored.

After all, she was the only daughter of the Cheng family in this generation.

The original Cheng Xing had two faces: one at home and one outside. Outside, she was domineering, spending money lavishly, throwing millions on a single golf game or frequenting extravagant venues. But at home, she was docile and obedient, never arguing with her parents—except when it came to her marriage with Jiang Ciyi, where they had a major falling out.

She played her role well.

Cheng Xing had initially planned to keep up the act, as it wasn’t really an act for her—it was just how she used to be. But she didn’t expect to run into this old lady the moment she stepped through the door.

The old lady wasn’t a key character in the original novel. The book never even mentioned this grand family banquet. Cheng Xing could only deal with things as they came, adapting to the situation.

Pushing Jiang Ciyi back downstairs, she saw the old lady already seated at the head of the long table, her expression stern.

The others were seated as well. Xu Zhaozhao was sitting in what should have been Cheng Xing’s father’s place, smiling sweetly as she placed a piece of shrimp on the old lady’s plate. “Grandmother, try this. I specially learned this dish from that chef you like. See if it suits your taste.”

“You’re so thoughtful, Zhaozhao,” the old lady said with a warm smile, her eyes brightening after tasting it. “It’s quite good.”

“I’m glad you like it, Grandmother. I was so nervous, afraid I couldn’t capture even half of that chef’s skill.” Xu Zhaozhao said with a relieved sigh. “I remember you always loved this dish.”

“You’re the only one in this family who remembers my preferences,” the old lady said fondly, patting Xu Zhaozhao’s hair. “It’s a pity your parents passed away so early. If they could see you now, they’d be so proud.”

“They’d be at peace knowing I’m living so well.” Xu Zhaozhao said with a smile tinged with bitterness. She didn’t forget to include the Cheng family. “Uncle and Aunt Cheng treat me like their own. My two older brothers are wonderful, and Sister Xing too. Coming to this family is a blessing from my parents in heaven.”

Hearing this, the old lady turned to her eldest grandson, Cheng Zimo. “Zimo, I heard you acquired a talent agency and transferred Zhaozhao’s contract there, giving her the best agent and the best scripts and directors. By the end of this year, I want to see Zhaozhao on the big screen. Any issues with that?”

Cheng Zimo had been silent, not expecting the old lady to suddenly shift her focus to him.

But he instinctively glanced at Cheng Xing, who was pushing the wheelchair. Ever since the couple came downstairs, the old lady had deliberately ignored them, as if giving them a show of authority.

Cheng Xing, usually impatient, seemed like a different person now, displaying unusual patience and waiting calmly.

Cheng Zimo paused for a few seconds, and the old lady’s brows furrowed. “Is my word as your grandmother no longer good enough?”

“Of course not,” Cheng Zimo replied formally. “I’ll keep your words in mind, Grandmother.”

“Zhaozhao is your sister. Shouldn’t you be thinking about these things without me having to remind you? You’re expected to take over the Cheng Group in the future. If you can’t even handle this, how can anyone trust you with the company?”

In the grand hall, the maids stood neatly around the room, the table laden with a lavish spread of eighty-eight dishes. Everyone sat in silence.

The old lady shot a stern glance at Cheng Zimo, who pursed his lips, looking displeased but bowing his head to admit his fault. “I was careless and didn’t consider it. I’ll make sure to support Zhaozhao properly from now on.”

Xu Zhaozhao chimed in, “Grandmother, don’t blame Big Brother. He’s so busy, how could he have time to worry about my little matters? I got into the film academy on my own, and I can land roles myself too. I just signed a contract recently and will start filming soon. I know you care for me, but I feel uneasy seeing you scold Big Brother for my sake.”

Her words caused most of the people at the table to change expressions.

What was Xu Zhaozhao doing?

Praising on the surface while subtly undermining—a classic manipulative move.

Cheng Zimo clenched his fists under the table, and even Guan Linmin looked ready to speak up. But then, in the tense silence of the hall, a sudden sound of clapping broke through.

Clap, clap, clap.

The crisp sound drew everyone’s attention. Cheng Xing, seeing all eyes on her, gave a gentle smile. “Sorry to interrupt your meal. Is there still a seat for us?”

“You didn’t show up after being called three or four times, and now you suddenly decide to join us?” the old lady said sharply without turning her head. “Have these years spoiled you so much that you don’t even respect your grandmother anymore?”

“You’re standing right in front of me.” Cheng Xing said with a smile, pushing Jiang Ciyi to an empty seat next to Guan Linmin. After settling Jiang Ciyi, she sat down herself.

Guan Linmin kept shooting her warning glances, signaling her not to provoke the old lady.

Cheng Xing returned a reassuring look, her voice gentle yet firm. “How could I not see you? It’s just that I walked in to hear criticism, which put me in a bad mood, so I acted a bit willful.”

Xu Zhaozhao tried to smooth things over. “Grandmother, let’s eat first, or the food will get cold. Sister Xing didn’t mean to make you wait. She’s with her wife, who’s less mobile, so it’s understandable it took some time.”

Cheng Xing: “…?”

“Zhaozhao, don’t defend her,” the old lady said with a cold huff. “She just looks down on me, this old woman. Hah, it’s laughable—my own granddaughter doesn’t measure up to someone else’s child.”

“Exactly.” Cheng Xing said, eyeing the colorful, fragrant dishes on the table. No one had touched their chopsticks, likely too caught up in the tense atmosphere, worried that an argument might escalate and flip the entire table.

But Cheng Xing smiled brightly, picking up a small bowl and casually piling it high with food from several dishes.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she placed the bowl in front of Jiang Ciyi, then looked up at the old lady. “After all, we Chengs are practical people, honest by nature, not great with words, and straightforward. We don’t play the game of saying one thing and meaning another.”

“Generally speaking, the latter suits scheming.” Cheng Xing continued, nodding to herself. “People like us are better suited for living simply. I thought I could relax at home, but it seems I still have to tread carefully. That’s quite tiring.”

The old lady’s eyes widened in anger. “Cheng Xing, you—!”

“Grandmother,” Xu Zhaozhao quickly intervened, soothing her. “Don’t be angry. Sister Xing has always been straightforward. You watched her grow up—don’t you know her personality? She just got married and is full of spirit. Why bother arguing with a younger generation?”

“But listen to what she’s saying!” the old lady snapped, glaring at Cheng Kunshan. “Old man, look at the fine daughter you’ve raised!”

“Mom,” Cheng Kunshan said, caught in the middle and wishing he could vanish from the table. “Let’s eat first.”

“I’m so angry I’m full. How can I eat?” the old lady retorted.

But Cheng Xing was eating leisurely.

No kidding.

This was a feast on a scale she’d never experienced!

Back home during New Year’s, her family would manage maybe twenty dishes at most. Many of the dishes on this table were completely new to her, so of course she was going to dig in.

Besides, she’d spent the last two days mostly in the hospital, where the nearby food was bland and watery. Today, she’d been whisked off to a styling center in the morning by Guan Linmin’s people, and the moment she arrived in the afternoon, she was clashing with the old lady and Xu Zhaozhao.

Talking was just lip service, but it still took mental energy.

Cheng Xing was starving. Having died once already, she wasn’t about to let herself waste away again.

Since she’d transmigrated into this novel, she was going to treat herself right.

Eat what she wanted, drink what she wanted, fight when she needed to, and complete her tasks. No need to take things to heart.

She was just atoning for someone else’s sins, after all.

So, while everyone at the table stared at her, Jiang Ciyi, initially coaxed into eating small bites, lost her appetite under their gazes and put down her chopsticks.

Cheng Xing, no longer ravenous, sat up straight and scanned the table with a gentle smile. “Why isn’t anyone eating? Grandmother’s full, but is everyone else full too?”

Everyone: “…???”

“Cheng Xing!” the old lady shouted her name, practically grinding her teeth. “Is this what your parents taught you? Ungrateful child!”

“Grandma,” Cheng Xing said, switching to a softer term of address, her voice warm and her smile gentle, looking utterly harmless, like a spring breeze. “You think none of us measure up and only like Xu Zhaozhao, and that’s fine. But don’t you think you should consider our feelings too?”

“Big Brother manages over a dozen companies, big and small. He handles hundreds of documents a day. Even on his wedding day, he’s rushing to international meetings. His wife barely sees him for eight hours a day. And you want him to manage Xu Zhaozhao’s affairs? From what I know, the agency Big Brother just acquired is a rival to Xu Zhaozhao’s current agency. If her contract is transferred now, she’d face a penalty of tens of millions. She doesn’t have that money, so the Cheng family would have to cover it. How many extra hours would Big Brother have to work to make up for that loss?”

“So only Xu Zhaozhao matters, and Big Brother deserves to suffer?” Cheng Xing said lightly, as if joking.

She pressed on while the iron was hot. “You call me an ungrateful child, but let me ask you—what have you done? We all know the younger generation should be filial, but as the saying goes, ‘a kind parent raises a filial child.’ If the elder isn’t kind, how can the younger generation be filial? Blindly obeying you, flattering you even when you’re wrong—that’s what people with ulterior motives do. If you don’t like something, we won’t do it. If all the Cheng family’s descendants acted like that, the family wouldn’t be far from ruin.”

“Cheng Xing, you—!” The old lady was livid, grabbing something and hurling it at Cheng Xing. It missed and hit Jiang Ciyi square on the forehead.

As it fell, they saw it was a well-worn walnut, used for fidgeting.

Cheng Xing hurriedly checked on Jiang Ciyi, her face darkening. She was about to say something when Jiang Ciyi spoke coldly, “What an old fossil.”

“You ill-omened thing!” the old lady stood, shouting. “Since when do you have a say in this house?”

“Don’t go too far!” Cheng Xing shot back, facing her head-on.

But Jiang Ciyi maneuvered her wheelchair back a bit, leaned down, picked up the walnut, and crushed it in her hand.

Everyone looked on in shock.

That… that was a walnut meant for fidgeting!

Jiang Ciyi looked at the old lady. “How am I ill-omened? Because of my profession?”

The old lady, startled by the crushed walnut, didn’t respond immediately.

Jiang Ciyi continued slowly, “If something happens to you one day, I might just be the one to find the culprit.”

“Compared to someone who performs on stage and wants to turn this family into a theater troupe, am I really the ill-omened one?” Jiang Ciyi raised her eyes slightly, letting out a soft scoff. “Blind in both eyes and heart.”

Everyone: “…????”