Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 19

19

Embarrassment spread through the air.

Jiang Ciyi, realizing her slip of the tongue, turned her head away, avoiding eye contact. Only the reddened tips of her ears betrayed her, exposed to the air.

Cheng Xing, after a moment of awkwardness, quickly stood up, stepping on the dress worth hundreds of thousands. The slippery fabric made her wobble slightly, but this time, with excellent balance, she steadied herself on the ground.

She immediately gathered the dress and set it aside. Her mind seemed filled with countless thoughts, but when she tried to focus on any one thing, all she could recall was the moment just now.

Jiang Ciyi had said she was… big.

Big…

Was it a jest, a tease, or perhaps flirtation?

Cheng Xing felt it wasn’t any of those. It seemed more like something said in a flustered attempt to ease the tension.

Yet, it only made the atmosphere even more awkward.

The air around them grew thin, as if oxygen was scarce, leaving a suffocating sense of unease. Cheng Xing turned around, fastened the buttons of her loungewear, took a few deep breaths, and then noticed that Jiang Ciyi had already put on the top of her loungewear and was struggling to put on the pants.

Cheng Xing quickly tossed the dress aside and went to help her with the pants.

Her fingertips accidentally brushed against Jiang Ciyi’s thigh, igniting a spark that felt like it set her entire body ablaze, a burning sensation as if she were being roasted over a fire.

The more she felt this, the less she dared to look at the other woman.

After helping Jiang Ciyi dress, Cheng Xing lifted her onto the wheelchair.

Jiang Ciyi was very light, with a small frame and little flesh on her body. It was likely because she was too busy with work to eat properly. Later, when she was with the original owner, the latter had promised extravagantly to make her the happiest woman in the world and to pamper her until she was plump and healthy.

Yet, on the first day of their marriage, she was locked in a dark room.

The human heart is unpredictable.

Cheng Xing sighed inwardly and wheeled Jiang Ciyi to the bathroom, but she didn’t rush to leave.

Jiang Ciyi’s makeup today was light, but she was still wearing some. Cheng Xing first squeezed some makeup remover onto a cotton pad and handed it to her, then soaked a towel in warm water, leaving it slightly damp without wringing it out completely. After Jiang Ciyi wiped her face, Cheng Xing handed her some face wash.

When the face wash foamed up on Jiang Ciyi’s face, Cheng Xing handed her the damp towel again.

This process repeated five or six times, and Cheng Xing showed no signs of impatience.

Midway through, Jiang Ciyi felt uncomfortable and said she could manage on her own.

But Cheng Xing demonstrated the difficulties with the bathroom’s sink. She had already noticed while washing up earlier that the sink’s design was not user-friendly.

Even for someone like her, with full use of her limbs, washing her face was inconvenient, let alone for Jiang Ciyi.

Leaving Jiang Ciyi alone here would be like setting her up to struggle or embarrass herself.

After explaining this, Cheng Xing patiently assisted her. Washing with a damp towel was less thorough than rinsing with water, so Cheng Xing carefully checked Jiang Ciyi’s face after each wipe to ensure no makeup residue remained.

By the eighth wipe, the tip of Jiang Ciyi’s nose had turned red, and she asked, “Is it clean now?”

“There’s still a bit.” Cheng Xing said, pointing to her lower eyelid. “The eyeliner isn’t completely off.”

She handed the towel back to Jiang Ciyi.

Jiang Ciyi wiped a few times but couldn’t get it right.

Seeing this, Cheng Xing gently took the towel from her hand and said softly, “Let me help.”

Leaning forward, she focused intently on Jiang Ciyi’s lower eyelid, gently wiping it with the warm towel.

Then, Cheng Xing showed her the towel, which had a clear streak of black eyeliner.

Jiang Ciyi asked, “Is there more?”

“No, that’s it.” Cheng Xing replied, turning to rinse the towel, wring it out, and hang it up neatly.

Jiang Ciyi kept her eyes fixed on Cheng Xing’s back.

When Cheng Xing turned around, their gazes met, and the earlier scene in the room flashed through her mind again. Her ears twitched, and her heart itched with an odd sensation.

“So, do you want to shower or soak in a bath?” Cheng Xing coughed lightly, trying to dispel the unusual atmosphere.

“Either is fine.” Jiang Ciyi said. “You don’t need to worry about me. Go to bed.”

Cheng Xing glanced at her legs. “I’m fine, not tired yet. Are you hungry? You barely ate anything tonight.”

“I’m okay.” Jiang Ciyi replied.

“‘Okay’ means you’re hungry, right?” Cheng Xing glanced at the clean bathtub. “How about this: you play on your phone in the room for a bit, and I’ll fill the tub with water so you can have a nice, relaxing hot bath. By the time you’re done, dinner will be ready.”

“You’re cooking?” Jiang Ciyi raised an eyebrow.

Cheng Xing paused, giving an awkward smile. “Of course not. I’ll have the maid do it.”

Jiang Ciyi let out an “oh” but then advised her not to go out, warning that running into Xu Zhaozhao or her grandmother might stir up trouble.

Cheng Xing, however, turned on the bathtub’s faucet, letting hot water flow in slowly. She tested the temperature and rummaged through a nearby cabinet, pulling out various bath supplies: rose petals, milk, bath salts, and a packet of Chinese medicinal herbs. Out of professional habit, Cheng Xing sniffed the herbs—it was a blend of herbs to promote bl00d circulation.

Glancing at Jiang Ciyi’s legs, she added the herbs to the bath.

The scent of the herbs immediately filled the bathroom, mingling with the steam from the hot water.

After setting everything up, she wheeled Jiang Ciyi out and closed the bathroom door to keep the heat in.

Seeing Cheng Xing sniff the herbs, Jiang Ciyi asked, “You know about Chinese medicine?”

“A little,” Cheng Xing said, pausing. She couldn’t hide her limited expertise, but she also couldn’t reveal too much. “I studied a bit with an old master before, but I lost interest and stopped.”

This explanation fits the original owner’s persona.

Jiang Ciyi didn’t press further, sitting in her wheelchair with her eyes closed, feigning rest.

Cheng Xing asked what she wanted to eat—noodles or rice?

“Either is fine.” Jiang Ciyi said. “Whatever’s easiest.”

She didn’t stand on ceremony with Cheng Xing. If the other woman wanted to be attentive, she’d let her. Who knew when she might be locked in an attic again, unable to eat anything?

Cheng Xing thought for a moment. “Let’s have noodles then. Vegetable noodles. Dr. Lan said your stomach isn’t great, so you need soft foods to nourish it.”

“Fine.”

Soon, the bathtub was filled. Cheng Xing wheeled her back in, and the strong herbal scent made Jiang Ciyi sneeze as soon as she entered.

Cheng Xing hesitantly asked, “You’re not allergic to Chinese medicine, are you?”

“No,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I’m just not used to the smell.”

“You’ll get used to it.” Cheng Xing said, testing the water temperature again. It was slightly hot, but that was necessary to stimulate the nerves in Jiang Ciyi’s legs.

She instructed, “The water’s a bit hot, but it won’t harm your skin. You can support yourself with your arms on the sides and just soak your legs to stimulate the nerves. Once the water cools a bit, you can lie back and soak fully. The herbs in there are for wellness. You might feel a slight itch on your skin, which is normal. Don’t scratch, or the herbs will seep into your skin and make you itch more later.

You can keep your clothes on while soaking. I’ll knock before coming in to help you with some leg relaxation—just a light massage. Wait about ten minutes until you’re not sweating anymore, and I’ll take you out and help you change into fresh loungewear.”

When it came to her area of expertise, Cheng Xing grew serious. Her tone remained gentle but carried an undeniable firmness.

After saying all this in one breath, she paused and asked, “Is that okay?”

Jiang Ciyi wheeled herself to the edge of the tub and tried to stand using the tub for support. Relying entirely on her core strength, it was a laborious effort.

Cheng Xing instinctively wanted to help but held back, realizing this was a chance to observe her condition.

Jiang Ciyi’s face flushed with effort as she struggled to move her body. Her legs, however, were like rigid pillars, completely immobile, as was her hip. Moving them with her upper body strength was a monumental task.

Getting into the tub, a simple step for most people, was an impossible feat for Jiang Ciyi at that moment.

Yet, in the past, she had been able to do it.

Even so, Jiang Ciyi didn’t ask for help.

Until—

She tried to lift one leg into the tub with her hand, but the shift in her center of gravity made her wobble dangerously, like a leaf about to fall from a tree in autumn.

In a flash, Cheng Xing rushed to her side and caught her.

Holding her waist and shoulder, Cheng Xing saw the sweat on Jiang Ciyi’s forehead from her efforts, her lips pale, and her face flushed.

For some reason, Cheng Xing felt a pang of sorrow and even blamed herself for her earlier inaction.

With just a little effort, she could have helped her into the tub, yet she had let her struggle.

Cheng Xing wrapped one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, easily lifting her. Her voice softened as she said, “Don’t push yourself. You can’t do it yet. Take it slow.”

Jiang Ciyi turned her head away, as if unwilling to let Cheng Xing see her in such a vulnerable state.

Cheng Xing placed her legs into the hot water, and her loungewear instantly clung to her skin, soaked.

Following Cheng Xing’s instructions, Jiang Ciyi propped herself up with her arms. Her legs had no sensation at all. Whether the water was boiling or freezing, she wouldn’t feel it. Even if her skin were burned, her expression wouldn’t change.

But she still wanted to stand.

Even if there was only a sliver of hope, she wanted to try.

Her stubbornness struck Cheng Xing deeply. Standing nearby, her emotions were complex. After a moment, she said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Hm?” Jiang Ciyi’s cheeks were damp with sweat-soaked strands of hair, which didn’t detract from her beauty.

Though the hot water couldn’t restore sensation to her legs, it warmed her body. Combined with the bathroom’s heater set to 27°C, the room felt like a sauna.

Her eyes, usually cold, softened in the heat, almost as if they could speak.

Cheng Xing, however, avoided her gaze, saying flusteredly, “It’s nothing.”

Turning to the door, she added with her back to Jiang Ciyi, “I should’ve helped you into the tub earlier. I’m sorry.”

Jiang Ciyi was slightly taken aback. “There are things I can do myself.”

“But with me here, you don’t have to struggle so much.” Cheng Xing said. “You can let me take care of you. It’s what I should do.”

Jiang Ciyi paused. “Why?”

Cheng Xing thought to herself, Because I’m here to atone for my sins!!

But aloud, she said gently, “Because we’re wives. And because I’ve done too many things wrong before. I’m sorry.”

Cheng Xing didn’t dare face more of Jiang Ciyi’s questions.

She had been too emotional just now, watching Jiang Ciyi try again and again, like a patient in rehabilitation, clinging to the faintest hope of recovery despite falling repeatedly.

That scene touched something soft in Cheng Xing’s heart.

Flustered, she went downstairs, not to find the maid but to make a simple bowl of vegetable noodles herself, with a poached egg at the bottom.

Timing it just right, she carried the noodles upstairs.

When she knocked and entered the bathroom again, Jiang Ciyi was lying in the tub, her head resting on the edge.

Her face was covered in sweat. Cheng Xing grabbed a washcloth to wipe it off, then reached into the water to massage her leg muscles.

Afterward, she took a large bath towel and lifted Jiang Ciyi out, water dripping back into the tub and splashing onto herself.

Cheng Xing showed no sign of distaste. With great patience, she placed Jiang Ciyi in the wheelchair and knelt to massage her legs.

The process lasted ten minutes.

Cheng Xing worked diligently, and Jiang Ciyi didn’t stop her or ask where she’d learned the technique.

Cheng Xing’s change seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them.

After finishing, Cheng Xing brought fresh loungewear for Jiang Ciyi, letting her change the top herself but offering to help with the pants.

Jiang Ciyi agreed, and a minute later, called her in to assist with the pants.

This time, Cheng Xing focused solely on the task, helping her change without distraction. She tossed the wet, dirty clothes aside for the maid to handle tomorrow, then wheeled Jiang Ciyi back to the room.

After all the time spent in the bathroom, the noodles had softened, which was better for Jiang Ciyi’s stomach.

Though they weren’t to her taste, Jiang Ciyi was hungry and ate every bite.

Cheng Xing sat across from her, watching with satisfaction.

When Jiang Ciyi put down her spoon, a bead of sweat lingered on her nose. Cheng Xing quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe it off.

Jiang Ciyi’s expression shifted slightly, and Cheng Xing realized she’d overstepped. She pulled her hand back, explaining, “I… I saw the tissue was too far for you.”

Jiang Ciyi said faintly, “Oh.”

Cheng Xing: “…”

That gave her a scare.

For a moment, she had genuinely treated Jiang Ciyi like a girlfriend she was caring for.

Seeing her pretend to be strong, seeing her fight against life’s challenges.

Every moment was touching.

But—she was just the target Cheng Xing needed to win over.

Cheng Xing grew wary. She couldn’t fall for her target, or the consequences would be dire.

There was only one bed in the room.

Cheng Xing had already considered this. To give Jiang Ciyi enough sense of security, she wouldn’t share the bed.

So, she would sleep on the sofa.

She lifted Jiang Ciyi onto the bed, tucked her in, and said, “It’s getting cold tonight, so keep the blanket on. If you’re afraid of the dark, leave this lamp on. I’m going to take a shower and then sleep on the sofa. Don’t worry.”

She arranged everything and patted Jiang Ciyi’s arm. “Goodnight, Jiang Ciyi.”

Jiang Ciyi glanced at the less-than-spacious sofa and frowned slightly. “Do you have a blanket?”

“I’ll find one later,” Cheng Xing said. “It’s fine. I’m tough. A jacket will do. It’s late, so you sleep first.”

Jiang Ciyi looked at the bed, which could easily fit three people, and hesitated briefly but didn’t invite Cheng Xing to share it.

Cheng Xing turned off all the room’s lights except the one by Jiang Ciyi’s bed, grabbed fresh loungewear, and headed to the bathroom.

The hot water cascaded over her body, finally giving her a moment to breathe.

The day had felt endlessly long.

Cheng Xing was exhausted, a kind of indescribable fatigue weighing on her. Her head was foggy, and she was only holding herself together to shower.

But the next second, a cute mechanical voice rang in her mind: [Awoo! Congratulations, Host! Strategy progress: 10%. Reward: 200,000 HKD. Keep up the great work!~]

[Awoo! You’re the smartest, most talented, wisest, and most amazing host I’ve ever seen! Reaching 10% strategy progress in just one day—completing the strategy is just around the corner! This is so awesome!]

[Awoo! By the way, here’s a huge secret: if you complete the strategy within a month, the Interstellar Host Administration will grant you three wishes.]

Cheng Xing: “…”

She nearly exploded. “Can you not pop up while I’m showering?!”

System: [Awoo! The system doesn’t want to either, but you’ve been so busy today! I couldn’t find a good time to show up.]

Cheng Xing: “…”

“Then why not just send me back?” Cheng Xing said. “I didn’t do anything wrong. The original owner did. Just because we share the same name, you dragged me here. I’m exhausted.”

The system fell silent.

Cheng Xing gritted her teeth. “You little…”

[Woof woof!]

Cheng Xing: “…”

[Awoo! The system just wants to build a better world and fulfill every host’s wishes. If you go back now, you’ll be a dead person. Sure, you haven’t done anything wrong now, but in your entire life, have you never done anything wrong? Don’t speak too soon, Host.]

Cheng Xing: “…Then tell me what I did! If I’m going to die, at least let me die knowing why.”

[Awoo! Reporting to Host: your mission here is an order from the Interstellar Fate Administration. The system only executes commands. After you complete the strategy and the tasks assigned by the system, you can redeem wishes.]

“Including going back to my original world as a living person?” Cheng Xing asked.

The system paused, then said firmly: [It’s a bit difficult, but yes, it’s included.]

Cheng Xing frowned. Completing the strategy in a month was too tall an order.

Jiang Ciyi was a guarded woman. Getting her to lower her defenses and accept her would be tough.

“Does it have to be within a month? I’m already this tired. Can’t you cut me some slack?” Cheng Xing asked.

[Awoo! Completing the strategy within a month grants three wishes, with rewards decreasing over time. If you fail to complete the strategy within three months, time resets, the plot rewinds, and you’ll have to start the strategy over with your memories intact until you succeed within three months.]

Cheng Xing: “…”

So she was basically an NPC stuck in a looping world!

Cheng Xing had a million complaints but didn’t forget her priorities. “If I go back to my original world, will I still be Cheng Xing? Since you can reset time and rewind the plot, you must be able to send me back to before the car accident, right?”

The system fell silent again.

Cheng Xing finished her shower, changed into fresh loungewear, and lingered in the bathroom.

She had a feeling this system had more infuriating news, and she didn’t want to lose control and yell, lest Jiang Ciyi think she was unhinged.

After a long pause, the system replied: [Awoo! In theory, yes, it’s possible. But the Fate Navigator of the Main God World lost some data and is currently serving a three-month interstellar punishment. During this time, the Fate Elder of the Interstellar Administration is overseeing the Main God World. The Elder is too old to handle such tasks, so the Interstellar Agency just announced that the time-rewind function in the Main God World is disabled for the next six months.]

Cheng Xing: “…???”

These were things she’d never encountered before, and the mechanical voice only explained it once.

Exhausted as she was, she didn’t fully grasp it. “Is everyone at your Interstellar Administration this incompetent?”

System: [Awoo!!]

“Acting cute won’t help,” Cheng Xing said. “I’m already heartbroken. What did you mean just now? Explain it simply.”

[Awoo! It means you can’t use the time-rewind function for the next six months.]

“So even if I complete the strategy and go back to my world, I’ll only follow the current timeline—meaning after I’m already dead?”

[Awoo! Correct.]

“Then what’s the point of going back? I’ll still be dead! Can I take revenge? Can I stop my mom from dying? Can I prevent our family’s secret manual from being stolen? What’s the use of going back? To haunt people as a ghost?”

“Wait, no. I wouldn’t even need to pretend—I’d be a ghost, clinging to Su Jiaming’s back, draining his yang energy until he’s done for, right? Is that how your Interstellar Administration handles revenge?”

Cheng Xing was on the verge of a breakdown. The system stayed silent.

After a long pause, it said weakly: [Awoo! You can also choose to stay in this plane for six months after completing the strategy. Then the system will arrange a time-rewind and plot-reset package for you.]

Cheng Xing: “…”

Truly, only by going mad could one achieve world harmony.

Cheng Xing asked, “How is my strategy progress calculated? How do I earn strategy points? And where’s the money you sent me?”

[Awoo! Strategy progress is calculated based on the negative value of the target’s aversion to you. Sincerity is the best way to earn forgiveness, as observed by the system. Sincerity is the best form of communication between people. The reward money has been deposited into your bank account and will arrive within two working days, transferable across plane worlds.]

Cheng Xing checked and saw the money had indeed arrived.

The system, finally spared from further scolding, felt relieved and even asked proactively: [Awoo! Does the Host have any more questions?]

Cheng Xing frowned. “One last question.”

[Awoo! Please ask, dear Host.]

“Why do you keep saying ‘awoo’ every time you talk? Is it to seem cute?”

[…]

[Awoo! Annoying Host. It’s part of the system’s programming.]

[Awoo awoo!!]

If you ignored the slightly grating electric buzz, the little system was kind of cute.

With her questions answered and 10% strategy progress achieved, some of Cheng Xing’s fatigue lifted. After a brief rest, she quietly left the bathroom.

In the room, Jiang Ciyi’s soft, steady breathing could be heard. The lamp by her bedside was still on.

As Cheng Xing carefully sat on the sofa, she heard Jiang Ciyi sigh softly. Thinking she’d disturbed her, Cheng Xing said gently, “Sorry, did I wake you?”

Jiang Ciyi, lying in bed, replied, “No, I wasn’t asleep.”

Cheng Xing was surprised. “Why not? Did I make too much noise in the bathroom?”

“No.” Jiang Ciyi said, pursing her lips. Cheng Xing was now by the bed, looking at her gently.

After a pause, Jiang Ciyi said, “I need to use the bathroom.”