Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 21
21
Cheng Xing noticed that Jiang Ciyi had changed.
Perhaps because she sensed this change, Jiang Ciyi had softened in response.
Seeing Jiang Ciyi’s mischievous smile, Cheng Xing couldn’t help but smile too, agreeing to her suggestion: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely prepare a very thoughtful gift for you.”
Guan Linmin, satisfied with the response, asked Jiang Ciyi if she wanted to come downstairs to greet the wives of various families.
Jiang Ciyi excused herself, saying she wasn’t feeling well. Guan Linmin paused. “Do you need me to call the family doctor?”
“No need.” Jiang Ciyi replied. “I’ll be fine after some rest.”
Guan Linmin instructed Cheng Xing to take good care of Jiang Ciyi, ensuring she wasn’t left alone even if Cheng Xing went to hang out with her friends.
Cheng Xing found it odd. Just days ago, when Guan Linmin visited the hospital, she had practically wanted to drag them both to file for divorce on the spot. Yet, in less than two days, her attitude had completely reversed.
However, with Jiang Ciyi present, Cheng Xing didn’t ask further questions and urged Guan Linmin to go entertain the guests gathered to celebrate her birthday.
Pushing Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair, Cheng Xing asked helplessly, “Have you thought about what gift to give yet?”
“You’re the one giving the gift.” Jiang Ciyi teased, feigning innocence. “Did I hear you wrong just now?”
Cheng Xing said, “So you’re not giving anything? You’re still her nominal daughter-in-law, you know.”
“Your gift is enough.” Jiang Ciyi said, shirking the responsibility entirely. “Your sincerity alone can represent both of us.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
In truth, she was still completely clueless about what to give.
Cheng Xing had slept in late, nearly until noon.
The banquet was set to continue into the evening.
Guan Linmin was a social butterfly. While Cheng Kunshan was busy with business outside, Guan Linmin took charge of maintaining relationships with the wives of other families, often playing cards or shopping together. There was a lot of finesse involved in these interactions.
Cheng Kunshan’s business success owed much to Guan Linmin’s ability to charm at various social gatherings. She was open-hearted and generous, never hesitating to share profits, which made other families eager to associate with her.
Recently, she had been frequently bringing her eldest daughter-in-law, Qin Zhiyun, to various events. Qin Zhiyun appeared gentle and unassuming but was sharp and calculating. Before marriage, she had been a public relations manager at the Qin family’s company, and after marrying into the Cheng family, she managed two companies simultaneously. No one dared underestimate her.
In Jianggang’s social circles, it was widely believed that the Cheng family would reach even greater heights with Cheng Zimo’s generation.
As for Cheng Xing?
She was just a spoiled rich kid who lived off the family’s wealth.
The family didn’t expect her to achieve anything significant.
Cheng Xing was aware of this, as it was mentioned in the original novel. However, no matter how powerful the Cheng family was, they couldn’t compare to the prestige of a century-old aristocratic family. When faced with Jianggang’s top elite family, they were like ants trying to shake a tree. In the original story, the Cheng family went bankrupt overnight, becoming a major headline in financial news and trending on social media for a week.
New headlines emerged daily.
So, as long as Cheng Xing could win over Jiang Ciyi, she could avoid this tragic ending.
At the moment, Cheng Xing was hungry. The pastries and drinks at the banquet couldn’t satisfy her empty stomach. After pushing Jiang Ciyi downstairs for a quick round, she spotted a few familiar faces but couldn’t match names to them.
When someone greeted her, she nodded and smiled politely before pushing Jiang Ciyi away.
The kitchen was bustling with preparations for the lunch banquet. Spotting a helper, Cheng Xing asked her to prepare two portions of fried rice.
The helper, swamped with work, was about to snap at the unreasonable request but looked up to see the young miss of the house. Known for her fiery temper, the helpers were wary of her. The helper’s attitude immediately turned respectful. “When would you like it, Miss?”
“As soon as possible.” Cheng Xing said. “Send it to my room.”
The helper bowed. “Yes, Miss.”
“Make one portion with softer rice.” Cheng Xing added.
Afterward, she pushed Jiang Ciyi out of the kitchen. Both were dressed simply, looking more like they were casually wandering at home than attending a birthday banquet.
The custom-made gown Jiang Ciyi wore yesterday had been ruined by Cheng Xing, who was already bracing herself to pay for it. She had felt a pang of regret when she woke up.
Before heading out, Cheng Xing had grabbed two random outfits from the original owner’s wardrobe.
After circling the grand banquet hall, they took the elevator back to the room.
Since Jiang Ciyi couldn’t move freely and they were at Cheng Xing’s house, she went wherever Cheng Xing took her.
She didn’t mind.
Back in the room, Cheng Xing rummaged through drawers while Jiang Ciyi sat on the sofa, catching a glimpse of the garden outside.
Yesterday, arriving late, she had only noticed that the cobblestone path seemed familiar. Now, looking at the garden full of tulips, she felt the same sense of familiarity.
Yet she was certain she had never been to Cheng Xing’s room.
In all the time she had known Cheng Xing, Cheng Xing had never brought her to the Cheng family home.
The moment Jiang Ciyi agreed to Cheng Xing’s proposal, Cheng Xing had bought a standalone villa in Tinglan Manor.
On their wedding night, she was locked in the attic of that villa.
That night, Cheng Xing’s true colors were something Jiang Ciyi would never forget.
Drunk and wavering between lucidity and intoxication, Cheng Xing sometimes mistook her for Su Manchun, grabbing her shoulders and asking why she went abroad, why she abandoned her. Moments later, sober again, Cheng Xing would grip her chin and demand to know who she really loved. They were married, so why did she keep those letters? Why did she treasure them on their wedding night?
In a rage, Cheng Xing smashed many things in the house and threw Jiang Ciyi to the floor, her wheelchair crashing onto her numb legs.
Cheng Xing, like a demon, leaned close and gripped her chin tightly. “In this life, you’ll only ever be my dog. If I tell you to go east, you won’t dare go west. I’ll make you suffer. Those who betray love in this world deserve to die! You’ll live in misery, wishing you were dead.”
The dark, oppressive aura Cheng Xing exuded that night made even Jiang Ciyi, a forensic doctor accustomed to dealing with corpses, shudder.
Even now, recalling it made her frown.
Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Jiang Ciyi turned, her expression cold, and saw Cheng Xing.
But this was a completely different Cheng Xing from that night—different, in fact, from the Cheng Xing of the past.
The moment she opened the attic door that night, Jiang Ciyi had sensed something different.
But could there really be two identical people in this world?
Jiang Ciyi leaned closer to her, if only to uncover the truth.
Her memories darkened her expression, startling Cheng Xing. “What… what are you thinking about?”
Jiang Ciyi pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and glanced away casually. “Nothing.”
“You don’t seem to like the garden outside.” Cheng Xing said. “Do you not like tulips?”
This Cheng Xing was perceptive, sensitive, and attuned to subtle emotional changes.
The old Cheng Xing would talk about new designer bags, fancy restaurants, or roses imported from some country, her entire being dripping with wealth. She never cared about Jiang Ciyi’s feelings or discussed her cases, wrinkling her nose in disgust if Jiang Ciyi mentioned anything gruesome.
But Jiang Ciyi didn’t dislike the garden’s flowers.
“No,” she said, maneuvering her wheelchair to the table where two plates of freshly made fried rice had been delivered, their aroma enticing.
“The tulips are blooming beautifully,” Jiang Ciyi said, taking a spoonful of rice. It wasn’t as appetizing as it looked; the rice was too soft for her taste. After swallowing, she continued, “It’s just that this place feels like somewhere I’ve seen before.”
“Lots of gardens are designed like this. It’s normal to feel déjà vu.” Cheng Xing said, not finding anything special about the garden, which she thought resembled a park flowerbed.
“The Cheng family probably hired a designer for this garden,” Jiang Ciyi said, taking another bite. “If your grandmother heard you say that, she’d probably fight you.”
“Then you’d crush her walnuts again.” Cheng Xing said with a laugh, recalling how Jiang Ciyi had effortlessly crushed a walnut the night before. “Have you practiced that? How did you crush it so easily?”
“I used to move body parts a lot.” Jiang Ciyi said.
Cheng Xing: “…”
The food in front of her suddenly lost its appeal.
Jiang Ciyi, unfazed, ate her fried rice expressionlessly. Halfway through, she looked up. “Can I have some of yours?”
Cheng Xing blinked. “What’s wrong with yours?”
“It’s not good.” Jiang Ciyi said.
Cheng Xing scooped a bit of Jiang Ciyi’s rice and tasted it. It was indeed too sticky.
“You shouldn’t eat rice this hard; it’s bad for your stomach.” Cheng Xing explained.
Jiang Ciyi pursed her lips and put down her spoon. “Then I’m full.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
A moment later, Cheng Xing swapped their plates. “Eat this. Don’t starve.”
Jiang Ciyi picked up the spoon again. “Thanks.”
As she ate, Cheng Xing caught the faint smile on her lips.
“You were staring at the garden so intensely earlier, looking upset. I’m not used to it.” Cheng Xing said.
“What are you used to?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Cheng Xing thought for a moment. “This version of you.”
She added, “Jiang Ciyi, you don’t have to be so guarded.”
Always putting on a cold, unapproachable front, yet showing a playful smile when teasing others or a hint of joy when getting the food she wanted.
She was just a young woman, hiding behind a wall of indifference.
Jiang Ciyi was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m not that guarded.”
But as she spoke, her back was rigid, her voice laced with an icy distance.
Cheng Xing sighed, coaxing her gently. “Alright, do whatever makes you happy.”
Such a stubbornly strong girl.
After swapping plates with Jiang Ciyi, Cheng Xing didn’t eat much herself. Soon, Guan Linmin sent someone to invite them downstairs for the lunch banquet.
Cheng Xing didn’t want to face the crowd and, after checking with Jiang Ciyi, declined, promising to explain to Guan Linmin herself.
Once the messenger left, Cheng Xing sent Guan Linmin a WeChat message with a string of sleepy and crying emojis.
Guan Linmin was alarmed: [Sweetie, what’s wrong?]
Cheng Xing: [I just ate and I’m so sleepy. I don’t want to go downstairs.]
Guan Linmin, exasperated: [You slept until 11 and you’re still tired?]
Cheng Xing: [I was sick a few days ago, remember? Sleepy.jpg]
Guan Linmin’s voice message came with noisy background chatter, indicating the lively banquet downstairs. “Then rest well. What about Jiang Ciyi? Is she not coming?”
Cheng Xing: [She ate with me. We’re both resting.]
Cheng Xing: [Mommy, don’t forget, you dragged us both out of the hospital.]
Guan Linmin complained: [And whose fault was it that you ended up there?]
Cheng Xing: [That was my fault too. Why do you keep blaming her?]
Guan Linmin: [You’re my daughter, that’s why! If I hadn’t found out it was your fault, I wouldn’t have been so nice to her.]
Guan Linmin’s messages were rushed, lacking punctuation, but Cheng Xing deciphered them. Her voice message followed: “Dr. Lan told me you two fought over something trivial, and you locked her in the attic for a day. No wonder she’s upset. If your grandmother hadn’t come back yesterday, I would’ve had words with you. We’re a reasonable family. You were head over heels for her, but when things didn’t go your way, you bullied her. Let me tell you, that’s domestic abuse.”
Cheng Xing hadn’t expected Guan Linmin to be so reasonable, despite her indulgence of her daughter. The original owner had kept them in the dark.
Cheng Xing quickly apologized: [Sorry~~ I know I was wrong. I’m making up for it now.]
“Rest up, and we’ll talk about this later,” Guan Linmin said.
Cheng Xing: [Got it! Mommy, it’s your birthday, have fun and don’t be mad.]
Guan Linmin sent a cute, huffy emoji.
After chatting with Guan Linmin, Cheng Xing asked Jiang Ciyi what she planned to do that afternoon. Having declined all social activities, Cheng Xing was determined to make a thoughtful birthday gift for Guan Linmin.
In previous years, she had always prepared gifts in advance for her mother’s birthday. This year, she had already bought a handwoven scarf, stored in her room’s cabinet. The winters in Jing City were much colder than in Jianggang, and her mother often suffered from neck pain, so Cheng Xing had spent two months weaving the scarf in her spare time.
With only an afternoon left and limited materials, Cheng Xing wasn’t sure she could create something Guan Linmin would love.
Jiang Ciyi said, “Nothing to do. I’ll sleep.”
Cheng Xing drew the curtains, leaving only the bedside lamp on.
The original owner wasn’t studious, so there was no study or desk. Cheng Xing sat at the vanity table, using its light to work.
The light wasn’t ideal for detailed tasks.
Jiang Ciyi, watching her focused silhouette, asked what kind of gift she was making.
“I found some clay and wood-carving tools in the cabinet,” Cheng Xing said. “I’m going to carve a little figure and pair it with the clay. Not sure if it’ll turn out, but I’ll try.”
“Oh.” Jiang Ciyi said. “Need any help with the carving?”
“Do you know how?” Cheng Xing asked.
Jiang Ciyi shook her head. “No.”
“Then there you go.” Cheng Xing said with a smile. “Get some rest. I’ve got this.”
“Is this because I said you should make a thoughtful gift?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Cheng Xing nodded. “Yeah.”
“What were you originally going to give?”
Cheng Xing paused. “Hadn’t thought about it. Wasn’t planning to give anything.”
She was still adjusting to this world, overwhelmed and avoiding the banquet. If Guan Linmin hadn’t mentioned Jiang Ciyi, she would’ve skipped it entirely.
Having never lived with Guan Linmin, she lacked a deep emotional connection and hadn’t planned to put in much effort. Her earlier promise to give a gift was just a delay tactic, thinking she’d order something online and have it delivered.
But Jiang Ciyi’s words had raised Guan Linmin’s expectations, so Cheng Xing had to try.
Jiang Ciyi hadn’t expected such honesty and felt a bit awkward.
After a moment, she said, “Maybe I should help you.”
“No need.” Cheng Xing said gently, her voice soft and natural, not coaxing but genuinely kind. “Get some sleep. I might not even succeed, but I’ll give it a shot.”
“Alright.” Jiang Ciyi said, dropping the matter.
Though she had woken up late, Jiang Ciyi wasn’t sleepy. She watched Cheng Xing’s focused movements, her seriousness a quality Jiang Ciyi had never seen in her before.
Staring for too long, her eyelids grew heavy, and she soon fell asleep.
Cheng Xing didn’t notice, engrossed in her delicate work. The carving tools and wood were high-quality, likely expensive toys from the original owner’s childhood. They were easy to use.
Cheng Xing hadn’t done this in years. As a child, her grandfather kept her busy with such activities to keep her out of trouble. Over time, she developed a knack for it.
In college, she joined the wood-carving club and won a few awards, though the prizes were small, just a couple hundred yuan.
With her studies taking over, she hadn’t touched it in years.
Now, it felt familiar. She carved a chibi version of Guan Linmin, whose distinct features made the task easier.
The work required intense focus. Cheng Xing sat motionless for two hours, carving.
Once the figure was nearly done, she started on the clay, creating a scene. After researching clay techniques online, she shaped a string of lights and molded the clay into a bellflower model with a green clay base and colorful flowers.
Guan Linmin loved beauty, so Cheng Xing placed the carved figure on the grassy base. When the light was turned on, the bellflowers glowed warmly, and the figure looked relaxed, basking in the moonlight.
It was charming.
Still, Cheng Xing wasn’t fully satisfied with the carving and refined it while the clay dried.
Her phone, ignored on the table, lit up with messages from Liu Ning: [Is the plan for tonight still on?]
Liu Ning: [What the hell are you doing? Answer me.]
Liu Ning: [If you don’t reply, I’m going ahead with the plan.]
Liu Ning: [Her dad’s such a jerk. Gave him 100,000 yuan, and he came running. Tonight’s gonna be a show.]
Liu Ning: [Are you passed out or lost in that woman’s arms?]
Liu Ning: [Are we doing this or not? Screw it, I’m sticking to the plan.]
Cheng Xing missed all six messages, lost in her work.
A sound startled her. Jiang Ciyi had wheeled over, examining her creation. “Nice work.”
Cheng Xing’s hand slipped, nearly cutting herself, but Jiang Ciyi quickly grabbed her fingers.
Her cool touch snapped Cheng Xing out of her focus. Their fingers briefly intertwined—her pinky hooking Jiang Ciyi’s ring finger—before Cheng Xing pulled away, the cool sensation lingering.
“You’ve been at it for a while.” Jiang Ciyi said.
Cheng Xing stretched. “What time is it?”
“Five.” Jiang Ciyi said. “The dinner starts at six.”
Cheng Xing blinked, her eyes sore from the intense focus. She rubbed them. “It’s not done yet.”
Jiang Ciyi looked at the carving. “Is that your mother?”
“Yeah,” Cheng Xing said. “It’s missing something.”
Jiang Ciyi studied it, picked up the carving knife, and after a moment’s pause, made precise cuts, tiny wood shavings falling away.
Her movements were steady and professional.
At first, Cheng Xing doubted her skills, but then remembered Jiang Ciyi was a forensic doctor, adept with small blades.
With a few cuts and a puff of air to clear the dust, the carving looked significantly better.
Cheng Xing’s eyes lit up. “I couldn’t get it right, but you fixed it! How did you do that?”
She didn’t hold back her praise. “You’re amazing, Jiang Ciyi. Incredible.”
Jiang Ciyi set down the knife and brushed her hands. “No big deal.”
Cheng Xing placed the figure in the scene, turned on the light, and the atmosphere came alive.
It was a truly thoughtful gift.
They changed clothes, and Cheng Xing packed the gift in a box.
By the time they were ready, the dinner was about to start. Cheng Xing placed the gift on Jiang Ciyi’s lap and wheeled her out.
The dinner was crowded with guests—some who had stayed all day, others arriving late.
Guan Linmin’s relatives were also present.
Qin Zhiyun stayed by Guan Linmin’s side, entertaining guests, while the old lady and Xu Zhaozhao, who didn’t enjoy the excitement, were in a room upstairs. Cheng Xing only realized they were back when she saw Xu Zhaozhao with pastries.
As she wheeled Jiang Ciyi downstairs, she felt out of place. Someone familiar waved at her.
Cheng Xing pushed Jiang Ciyi over, recognizing Chen Rui, Zhou Luran, and Liu Ning—her old friends, all spoiled rich kids like the original owner, well-behaved at home but wild outside.
Unable to mimic the original owner’s camaraderie, Cheng Xing planned to greet them and leave.
But Liu Ning clapped her shoulder. “Why didn’t you reply to my messages?”
Cheng Xing realized she’d left her phone in the room. “I was busy this afternoon. Forgot.”
“Whatever.” Liu Ning said, leaning in and whispering, “Everything’s set. We’re going ahead with the plan.”
Cheng Xing: “…?”
Confused, she mumbled a response.
After leaving the group, she grabbed a glass of champagne to calm herself. Looking around, everyone was busy.
Jiang Ciyi tugged at her sleeve, and Cheng Xing leaned down.
“I need the bathroom.” Jiang Ciyi said.
Cheng Xing nodded. “I’ll take you.”
“No need.” Jiang Ciyi said. “I know the way. You stay and mingle.”
Her friends’ stares had been intense, practically sparking. Jiang Ciyi didn’t like the attention and used the bathroom as an excuse to escape.
Worried, Cheng Xing followed. At a corner, she spotted a suspicious man.
Her mind flashed with memories—Jiang Shangnian, Jiang Ciyi’s adoptive father.
Why was he here?
Liu Ning’s words came back, and a bad feeling hit her. Were they planning to use Jiang Shangnian to humiliate Jiang Ciyi at the banquet? Was this the original owner’s plan?
This wasn’t in the book.
What was going on?
Without thinking, Cheng Xing called Xiao Yang, ordering him to take Jiang Shangnian to a room with security and keep him there.
She interrogated him, but Jiang Shangnian, a shameless rogue, insisted he was just looking for his daughter, who was living large while he was left on the streets.
Unable to get answers, Cheng Xing told Xiao Yang to watch him until the banquet ended.
She went to find Jiang Ciyi to tell her about her father. But as she reached the hall, she heard Liu Ning’s accusing voice: “Everyone saw it! My stuff fell out of your bag. How do you explain that?”
Liu Ning loomed over Jiang Ciyi, the room buzzing with whispers.
Jiang Ciyi said calmly, “I didn’t steal it.”
“But my million-yuan necklace fell out of your bag!” Liu Ning said indignantly. “If it hadn’t fallen out, I wouldn’t have known it was stolen! Everyone knows you’re just a working-class girl with a convict father. You stole it for him!”
Cheng Xing rushed forward, but a calm, unfamiliar voice interrupted: “You lost a necklace. Maybe she found it. Why are you so sure she stole it?”
The voice was refined, measured. The crowd parted, revealing Shen Qingxue—Jiang Ciyi’s childhood friend from the original story.
Cheng Xing froze.
Shen Qingxue looked at Liu Ning. “Are you framing her on purpose?”
Liu Ning scoffed. “Why would I frame a cripple? She stole it. Just admit it, apologize, and I’ll let it go. It’s just a million-yuan necklace.”
“I didn’t steal it.” Jiang Ciyi said. “I’ve never seen it.”
“You’re still denying it.” Liu Ning sneered. “Thief.”
Shen Qingxue chimed in, “Condemning someone without evidence? Interesting.”
Liu Ning glared. “Who the hell are you? This is none of your business.”
Shen Qingxue glanced at someone in the crowd. “Mrs. Liu, you’ve raised quite a daughter.”
Before anyone could react, Mrs. Liu stormed forward and slapped Liu Ning.