Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 18

18

Cheng Xing knew Jiang Ciyi was smart, but she hadn’t expected her to be this smart.

It could be a bluff, or perhaps she had already found evidence and was testing her here.

When Jiang Ciyi’s eyes locked onto someone, it felt as though they could pierce through to their very soul.

Standing before her, Cheng Xing felt utterly exposed, as if all her little schemes had been laid bare.

But there was no way she could admit to this.

How could she possibly be responsible for such a heinous act?

Cheng Xing fell silent for a few seconds, while Jiang Ciyi let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” Cheng Xing countered.

Jiang Ciyi replied, “I just figured something out.”

“What?” Cheng Xing asked.

“Who stands to gain the most from my car accident.” Jiang Ciyi said. “That person is the most likely culprit.”

“So you’re convinced I hired someone to harm you?” Cheng Xing’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No, Jiang Ciyi, why would you think that?”

Jiang Ciyi didn’t respond. Her cool, detached gaze was like a sharp blade, making Cheng Xing feel as though she’d been plunged into the depths of winter.

Then, Cheng Xing calmly explained, “I know the accident caused you great harm, but you can’t accuse me of being the mastermind just because I didn’t respond immediately. I was silent because your theory is too far-fetched. Why would I hire someone to hit you? What would I gain from your death?”

Indeed, she had no motive—only the original host did.

At this moment, Cheng Xing firmly believed she was not the same person as the morally corrupt original host.

“But I’m not dead, just disabled.” Jiang Ciyi said. “A disabled person with no support and no mobility.”

Cheng Xing: “…”

Jiang Ciyi’s piercing gaze made Cheng Xing increasingly uneasy, her back breaking out in a cold sweat.

Even Jiang Ciyi’s face seemed to carry the weight of judgment.

She had already passed judgment on Cheng Xing in her heart.

This realization stirred complex emotions in Cheng Xing—admiration for Jiang Ciyi’s intelligence, mixed with regret for the tragedy that had befallen her.

But—

“Jiang Ciyi, you’re reasoning backward from the outcome, using the result to deduce the process and pin down the perpetrator’s motive. That’s… probably wrong, isn’t it?” Cheng Xing started confidently, but her voice faltered under Jiang Ciyi’s intense stare.

Jiang Ciyi raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

Cheng Xing cleared her throat. “First, before the accident happened, the outcome was like Schrödinger’s cat in a box—whether it’s black or white, you only know when the box is opened. There were many possible outcomes: minor injuries, severe injuries, a vegetative state, or death. How could I have known it would lead to your current situation?”

“Second, for someone who wants to marry you, your disability from the accident puts them in a moral bind. Whether the marriage proceeds or how it begins—if I were to end it abruptly, I’d be seen as a heartless villain, and all my previous affection would seem fake. But if I go through with the marriage, there’d be countless obstacles. Why would I create so much trouble for myself?”

“Third, though my first two points make sense, you can’t rule out the worst possibility.”

After some hesitation, Cheng Xing decided to voice this option to make Jiang Ciyi think. She didn’t want to be the one to mislead Jiang Ciyi’s thoughts or let her live in ignorance forever. Once her mission was complete and she returned to her own world, Jiang Ciyi deserved to see the original host face justice.

Cheng Xing’s voice was soft but heavy. “The other person is inherently evil, willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That’s why the possibility you’re considering could have happened.”

Their eyes met, neither backing down.

After a few seconds, Jiang Ciyi clapped her hands.

Cheng Xing asked, “Was my analysis reasonable?”

“Those books you gave me—did you read them too?” Jiang Ciyi asked.

Cheng Xing nodded. “A bit, but I don’t know much.”

Jiang Ciyi let out a casual “Oh” and said lightly, “It’s getting late. Weren’t you tired? Go to sleep.”

She breezed past the topic as if it were nothing.

Cheng Xing felt like she’d just ridden a rollercoaster, her heart soaring and plunging in a matter of minutes.

“I am tired,” Cheng Xing yawned, “but your scary theory just woke me up.”

Jiang Ciyi responded with a faint, “Oh?”

“You’re throwing around terrifying accusations in the middle of the night—it’s like telling a ghost story,” Cheng Xing said. “My soul nearly left my body.”

“If you haven’t done anything wrong, you shouldn’t fear ghosts knocking.” Jiang Ciyi said, pushing her wheelchair toward the bathroom. Cheng Xing hurried to help push her, continuing the conversation. “In the dead of night, guilty or not, anyone would be scared of ghosts knocking. Are ghosts supposed to be some kind of benevolent creatures?”

“Is there such a thing as ghosts in this world?” Jiang Ciyi asked.

Cheng Xing paused. “I’ve never seen one. Have you?”

“Nope.” Jiang Ciyi replied.

Cheng Xing was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond, when Jiang Ciyi added, “So how did you conclude that ghosts aren’t benevolent?”

Cheng Xing: “…?”

“People say so.” Cheng Xing replied. “The older generation always said that.”

“Following the crowd,” Jiang Ciyi commented lightly as her wheelchair stopped in front of the sink.

Cheng Xing froze for a moment before saying, “Being too perceptive isn’t always a good thing.”

She looked at Jiang Ciyi. “Too much wisdom leads to pain.”

Jiang Ciyi: “…”

What a petty comeback.

In the mirror, only Cheng Xing’s upper body was visible. Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair was too low to show more than the top of her head.

Having seen the impressive features of Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair in the entertainment room earlier, Cheng Xing asked if she could adjust its height. Jiang Ciyi nodded.

The wheelchair rose, lifting Jiang Ciyi almost as if she were floating, reaching about the height of Cheng Xing’s shoulders.

It was still a bit short, but for a disabled person, this wheelchair was a godsend.

Cheng Xing had never seen anything like it.

When she’d touched the wheelchair earlier, she could tell it was made of high-quality materials, likely costing a fortune.

She hadn’t realized it had so many advanced features.

Cheng Xing grabbed two hair ties, handing one to Jiang Ciyi and casually tying her own hair up for convenience while washing up.

Jiang Ciyi glanced at her. “Straight to washing?”

“What else?” Cheng Xing nodded. “Remove makeup, wash face, brush teeth, shower, change into pajamas, and sleep.”

Jiang Ciyi looked at Cheng Xing’s dress, then at her own, and reminded her, “These are haute couture. They need to be returned to the styling center later—don’t get them dirty.”

Cheng Xing: “…”

The original host would’ve known these rules.

But Cheng Xing didn’t. Though she’d absorbed some of the original host’s memories, there were still many gaps.

Memories typically surfaced only when triggered by relevant people or events, but common knowledge like this wasn’t in the original host’s memories.

That’s why Cheng Xing kept stumbling into pitfalls since arriving here.

…Unfair.

“Oh,” Cheng Xing faked a yawn. “I’m so tired I forgot. Let’s go change first.”

She pushed the wheelchair forward a step, and it automatically stopped, its extended supports folding back as it returned to its original height.

Very smart.

Cheng Xing was stunned, wondering if technology had already advanced this far.

She didn’t say it out loud, just muttering to herself internally.

After pushing Jiang Ciyi into the room, she opened the wardrobe, revealing an entire walk-in closet.

The original host loved vibrant, colorful things. A whole wall was filled with expensive designer bags, some still with tags on.

But everything was neatly organized, making it easy for Cheng Xing to find what she needed.

She grabbed two sets of pajamas and looked for underwear. When it came to picking out underwear, she didn’t know Jiang Ciyi’s size and kept glancing at her.

Jiang Ciyi said expressionlessly, “D.”

Cheng Xing silently averted her gaze, pulling out a light pink set from the original host’s collection, priced at 79,999.

…She couldn’t fathom the world of the wealthy.

With the pajamas in hand, Cheng Xing looked at Jiang Ciyi, who had tied her hair into a low bun, looking like an innocent college student. But her cold expression was impossible to ignore.

Jiang Ciyi’s beauty was unique—captivating yet intimidating, hard to look away from but equally hard to stare at.

If Cheng Xing had to compare her to a flower, the only fitting one would be a poppy—beautiful but laced with danger.

Cheng Xing asked how she wanted to change. Jiang Ciyi told her to take the pajamas to the bathroom to wash up while she stayed in the room.

Cheng Xing worried she wouldn’t manage, given how heavy and delicate today’s dress was, but she hesitated to offer help, afraid it’d come off as inappropriate.

“I’ll go first, then.” Cheng Xing said, reluctantly heading to the bathroom, glancing back every few steps. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay,” Jiang Ciyi replied, looking down at her dress, figuring out where to start undoing it.

In the bathroom, Cheng Xing slipped off the expensive haute couture gown, set it aside, and changed into pajamas. She quickly removed her makeup, the process smooth and efficient.

When she stepped out, she found Jiang Ciyi still in her wheelchair, her intricate orange tie-dye gown half-removed, exposing her shoulders. The diamond necklace around her neck accentuated her delicate collarbone, and her skin glowed softly.

Jiang Ciyi exuded an indescribable allure.

Beautiful enough to steal one’s soul.

Thankfully, she wasn’t a siren.

Otherwise, Cheng Xing would’ve been reduced to nothing.

Cheng Xing wasn’t one to obsess over looks, but who could resist beauty like this?

Even a stunning flower would make her stop for a photo—let alone a rare beauty like Jiang Ciyi.

But Cheng Xing didn’t dare linger. Reason trumped instinct, and after a quick glance, she turned away. “Uh, I didn’t mean to stare. Are you just starting to change? I’m done washing up. If you’re… not done, I’ll wait inside.”

Her words stumbled, the earlier sight still jarring her.

Then, Jiang Ciyi’s slightly weak voice broke through, trembling faintly. “I can’t get it off.”

The quiver in her voice, paired with her usual cool demeanor, tugged at Cheng Xing’s heart.

She turned abruptly, rushing to Jiang Ciyi’s side, her gaze darting nervously. Even though she was drawn to look, she avoided focusing, only catching glimpses with her peripheral vision.

“Help me with the zipper on the back.” Jiang Ciyi said, her voice frail.

Struggling with the zipper had drained her, leaving her too weak to even speak strongly.

Cheng Xing moved behind her but couldn’t immediately find the zipper.

These dresses, designed for aesthetics, often hid zippers well. As her eyes scanned Jiang Ciyi’s back, all she saw was smooth, fair skin and a slender spine, with the invisible straps of her bra.

The zipper was halfway down, the rest out of Jiang Ciyi’s reach.

But just looking, Cheng Xing couldn’t pinpoint it.

When Jiang Ciyi noticed her hesitation, she asked, “Can’t find it?”

“Yeah.” Cheng Xing admitted. “I can’t see it.”

Jiang Ciyi reached back, her arm twisting awkwardly, her voice tinged with strain. “Here, roughly.”

She could barely reach the spot herself.

Seeing her struggle, Cheng Xing steeled herself, scooped Jiang Ciyi up from the wheelchair, and said, “Sorry for this.”

The sudden lift startled Jiang Ciyi, who instinctively grabbed Cheng Xing’s neck. The soft fabric of Cheng Xing’s pajamas pressed against her skin.

Through the clothes, Jiang Ciyi could feel her warmth and her slightly quickened heartbeat.

Cheng Xing, too focused to notice, carried her to the bed and laid her down.

Jiang Ciyi frowned, a hint of anger in her eyes.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Cheng Xing hurried to explain. “I just thought this would be more comfortable for you.”

It’d also be easier to help her change. Sitting in the wheelchair, she couldn’t use much strength, but lying down, she could.

The original host had never helped Jiang Ciyi change. When Jiang Ciyi was first injured, her grandmother had helped, then Zheng Shuqing took over. After her grandmother’s passing, Jiang Ciyi had adapted remarkably, managing simple clothes on her own.

But this dress was too complex.

Its designer had prioritized beauty over functionality.

“Are you wearing something underneath?” Cheng Xing asked.

Jiang Ciyi pursed her lips. Despite her usual composure, a flush crept up her ears, though she coughed to mask it. “A strapless bra and leggings.”

“Good.” Cheng Xing said, looking at her. “Want me to help?”

As she spoke, her hand slid down Jiang Ciyi’s back, finding the zipper’s end smoothly. But as she pulled it down, her fingertips brushed Jiang Ciyi’s spine.

The cool touch made Jiang Ciyi shiver involuntarily.

Her body trembled, lying on the bed like a vulnerable rabbit.

Cheng Xing: “…”

The intimate moment made her mind wander, but she fought to stay focused, silently reciting the Diamond Sutra to herself.

Jiang Ciyi, thinking she was speaking, turned her head. “What did you say?”

Cheng Xing’s chanting stopped abruptly. She’d just removed the intricate dress, leaving them inches apart.

Swallowing hard, a flush spread from her cheeks to her neck, turning her tomato-red.

She stammered, “N-nothing.”

Jiang Ciyi sensed the awkwardness and, lying down, said, “It’s a bit cold.”

Cheng Xing understood immediately. “Right, I’ll get you dressed.”

She grabbed the pajamas but stepped on the tangled dress. The delicate fabric ripped with a loud tear, and she fell forward onto Jiang Ciyi.

Jiang Ciyi’s usually calm, cool eyes widened in shock, staring at her.

Cheng Xing, mortified, propped herself up, only to realize two buttons on her pajamas had come undone, leaving her neckline open.

From Jiang Ciyi’s angle, she could see everything.

…Cheng Xing never wore a bra at home.

Nervously swallowing, she stammered, “Uh… uh…”

Words failed her.

Jiang Ciyi, seemingly calm, pursed her lips and said, “Pretty big.”

Cheng Xing, brain lagging, blurted, “…Yeah, pretty big.”

A few seconds later, “W-what…?”