Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 43

43

Seeing Xu Zhaozhao on the verge of an outburst, the old lady lowered her eyes and said coldly, “Enough.”

Just two simple words, and all of Xu Zhaozhao’s unvented emotions were choked back.

“I’m sorry, Grandmother.” Xu Zhaozhao said obediently, lowering her head with a pitiful, bullied expression.

Cheng Xing, standing nearby, looked puzzled. “You’re questioning your sister-in-law, so why are you apologizing to Grandmother? Is it because you said something wrong and upset her? Grandmother is always so magnanimous; how could she get angry just because you said a few extra words?”

Her voice was gentle, her face adorned with a smile. Halfway through, she even turned to the old lady for confirmation. “Right, Grandmother?”

The old lady shot her a sidelong glance, her face full of exhaustion. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Let’s eat.”

Cheng Xing, pleased with herself, responded cheerfully, “Alright!”

Finally, they had a quiet meal. However, neither Cheng Xing nor Jiang Ciyi was hungry, so the two of them only nibbled at some vegetables.

To avoid giving themselves away, they ate slowly and deliberately. Only when the old lady put down her chopsticks did they follow suit.

Cheng Xing even pretended to be stuffed, patting her stomach and saying, “I’m so full.”

Xu Zhaozhao, hearing this, glanced at her, her hand clenching into a fist at her side. She had been watching them the whole time they were eating—they barely touched their food. How could they possibly be full?

They must have eaten something outside.

But Grandmother seemed tired today, likely annoyed by the noise and wanting some peace during the meal, which was why she stopped Xu Zhaozhao from speaking further.

Xu Zhaozhao gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay silent.

But her expression didn’t escape Cheng Xing’s notice. Cheng Xing deliberately flashed her a smug smile, one that screamed provocation.

And Xu Zhaozhao could do nothing about it.

While it was satisfying to feel happy herself, seeing her rival in pain was even more cause for celebration.

Cheng Xing wasn’t one to take things lying down. She, too, had been pampered growing up, and she wasn’t about to indulge someone like Xu Zhaozhao.

Now, with Xu Zhaozhao fuming, Cheng Xing stood up happily but kept her tone calm, pretending to be composed. “Grandmother, we’re full. We’ll head back to our room now.”

“Wait,” the old lady said, wiping her mouth with a silk handkerchief without lifting her eyes.

Cheng Xing’s hand rested on Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair, standing behind her. She turned slightly to look at the old lady. “Grandmother, is there something else? Feeling a bit full and need a walk? I understand.”

Cheng Xing smiled, adopting a compliant tone. “How could I forget something like that? It’s just that Xiao Jiang worked all day and must be tired. I’ll take her upstairs first and then come find you. A hundred steps after a meal, and you’ll live to ninety-nine. Since your health isn’t great, it’s probably due to lack of exercise. I’ll take you for a walk later, just around the road outside Tinglan Manor, all the way to the main avenue and back. You’ll definitely sleep well tonight.”

At these words, Xu Zhaozhao’s scalp tingled.

That road! It was at least three kilometers!

The old lady, already worn out from a day of torment, felt her eyelids twitch but showed no outward reaction. With a hint of disdain, she said, “No need for you to accompany me. I’ll have Zhaozhao walk with me later.”

“Oh.” Cheng Xing’s lips turned downward, her tone disappointed. “Alright. If Grandmother doesn’t want me to join, it must be because I’ve done something to displease you.”

Her passive-aggressive tone stopped there, leaving the usual follow-up unsaid.

Normally, one might add, If you’re unhappy with me, just say it, and I’ll change.

But Cheng Xing had no intention of changing or listening to the old lady list her faults. She just wanted to irritate Xu Zhaozhao.

“Never mind.” Cheng Xing said to the old lady. “Grandmother, I specially arranged those companions for you today. Did you enjoy their company? Shall we continue tomorrow?”

The old lady’s mouth twitched. “No need.”

“Then they must not have done a good job.” Cheng Xing said. “I’ll give them a bad review.”

“No need,” the old lady interjected. “Those two know our family is tied to the Cheng Corporation. If you leave a bad review, the PR department will have a mess to clean up.”

Cheng Xing’s eyes lit up. “Grandmother, you’re so thoughtful!”

She’d hit the old lady’s weak spot, and it worked.

The old lady gave a cold huff. “Enough flattery. If you had even a fraction of your brothers’ sense, I wouldn’t always have to pick at your flaws.”

“Well, no helping it. My brothers are just too smart,” Cheng Xing said candidly. “As their sister, I’m proud. After all, being born into this family is a skill in itself.”

The old lady: “…”

“Stop bantering with me,” the old lady said, catching the glances Xu Zhaozhao kept sending her way. Suppressing a frown, she said in a low voice, “I have something to tell you.”

Cheng Xing suddenly had a bad feeling. She knew the old lady’s visit to Tinglan Manor wasn’t just for a short stay.

It was likely Xu Zhaozhao who had whispered something to her, prompting her to come here and stir trouble for the newlyweds.

Still, Cheng Xing maintained her composure. “Go ahead.”

“Zhaozhao’s film crew needs to use your house for a shoot,” the old lady said. “I’ve already agreed.”

Cheng Xing: “?”

Excuse me?

You agreed?

Who are you to agree?

Is this house yours?!

Cheng Xing mentally repeated these words three times, barely restraining herself from rolling her eyes. “May I ask, Grandmother, when is the crew coming?”

The old lady, assuming her compliance, said, “Tomorrow.”

Cheng Xing: “…”

The atmosphere grew tense, and the fake smile Cheng Xing had been wearing froze on her face.

In the heavy silence, Jiang Ciyi, who had been quietly sitting in her wheelchair, suddenly spoke in a cold tone. “This is the first time I’ve seen a dictionary idiom brought to life so vividly.”

Breaking the silence, someone responded, “What do you mean?”

It was Xu Zhaozhao.

Jiang Ciyi looked up at her. “You’ve performed ‘the cuckoo seizing the magpie’s nest’ to perfection.”

Xu Zhaozhao’s eyes widened. “Jiang Ciyi, you—! What right do you have to say that about us?”

“Perhaps… the marriage certificate?” Jiang Ciyi replied, glancing at her. “And the property deed.”

Cheng Xing, hearing the old lady’s words, let out an exasperated laugh, only now voicing it. “Exactly. I never agreed to this. On what grounds are they coming to our marital home to film? A’Ci and I have been married less than a month, and you, Grandmother, agreed to let Xu Zhaozhao bring a whole film crew into our home. Did you even ask us?”

“This house belongs to the Cheng family,” the old lady said coldly. “I have the right to decide on anything related to Cheng family assets.”

“But this house was a gift from my mother. In other words, it’s a wedding present from the Cheng and Guan families to A’Ci and me. It’s gifted property—what does it have to do with you, Grandmother?”

“Cheng Xing, don’t be ungrateful,” the old lady said, her eagle-like eyes, though clouded with age, still piercing enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

“It’s you who’s overstepped, Grandmother.” Cheng Xing retorted.

After a tense standoff, Jiang Ciyi yawned. “I’m tired.”

“We’re going upstairs.” Cheng Xing said softly, bending down to speak to her.

Their intimate, oblivious interaction only irritated the old lady further.

So she could speak gently to her wife, but with her, it was all confrontation?

Was this her upbringing?!

The old lady’s face grew darker. “Cheng Xing, this matter is settled. There’s no room for discussion.”

Cheng Xing pushed Jiang Ciyi’s wheelchair forward, her voice cold. “Then I have one thing to say: I don’t agree.”

Neither side could persuade the other, and Cheng Xing didn’t argue further.

But as they reached the elevator, the old lady suddenly said, “You and your wife.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over them as if seeing through something. “Are you pretending to be married to trick the family into giving you shares and this house?”

Cheng Xing immediately shook her head. “How could you think that?”

“You slept in separate rooms last night,” the old lady said. “What newlyweds, married less than a month, sleep apart? Cheng Xing, you can drop the act. Someone like you will never get the Cheng Corporation’s shares.”

In the end, the old lady still looked down on her.

Understandable, but the old lady was being utterly unreasonable.

Cheng Xing’s patience ran out. “Last night, we had a slight disagreement because of an uninvited guest, but it’s resolved now. Rest assured, we’re very much in love. You don’t need to worry.”

Standing in the elevator, she flashed a “kind” smile. “Also, I’ve never coveted the Cheng Corporation’s shares. If my brothers want to give me some, I’ll take them. If not, I don’t care. I have my own hands and feet—I won’t starve.”

Besides, she had her own skills.

The old lady frowned, but the elevator doors closed, taking them to the second floor.

In the room, Cheng Xing looked at Jiang Ciyi with some embarrassment.

Jiang Ciyi was sitting at the vanity, removing her makeup.

Though she’d worn light makeup to work that morning, it had mostly worn off by evening, so removing it made little difference.

Especially since Cheng Xing was used to seeing her barefaced, she thought Jiang Ciyi’s natural look could outshine most celebrities. That face would never be considered unattractive anywhere.

Achieving universal aesthetic appeal is hard, but Cheng Xing had an inexplicable confidence that Jiang Ciyi’s face could do it.

Cheng Xing patiently waited for her to speak first, but Jiang Ciyi was composed and said nothing.

She seemed preoccupied. After removing her makeup, she maneuvered her wheelchair to the bathroom to wash her face.

Cheng Xing stepped forward to push her there.

After washing her face, Jiang Ciyi’s skin was flawless, not a single blemish in sight, enviably perfect.

The bathroom’s lights were bright, and Cheng Xing stood there like a pillar.

She was worried Jiang Ciyi might be upset.

But Jiang Ciyi’s expression was no different from usual—cool and silent.

Cheng Xing hesitated, then finally couldn’t hold back. “Can you… say something?”

“Say what?” Jiang Ciyi asked, squeezing toothpaste onto her brush, her voice calm.

“I spoke too quickly earlier and didn’t discuss it with you.” Cheng Xing said, recalling her bold words in front of the old lady. “If you don’t want to share a room with me, I can find an excuse to sleep in the other room.”

Though there was Sister Zhou, Guan Linmin’s informant, in Tinglan Manor, Guan Linmin knew about their situation and wouldn’t question them sleeping apart.

Cheng Xing could easily make up an excuse about taking things slowly, and Guan Linmin would believe it.

But the old lady and Xu Zhaozhao weren’t so easily fooled.

Newlyweds in their honeymoon phase sleeping apart was indeed suspicious.

Especially since they were playing the part of a loving couple in public.

“Are you treating me like your grandmother?” Jiang Ciyi glanced at her. “You’ve been so passive-aggressive with her, and now you’re being all coy with me?”

Cheng Xing’s face flushed, and she rubbed her ears to hide her embarrassment. “I’m not!”

“Then why say ‘if I don’t want to’?” Jiang Ciyi said. “It sounds like I have a choice, but I don’t.”

Cheng Xing realized her mistake and gave a helpless smile. “But I do need your opinion on this, A’Ci.”

Jiang Ciyi’s tone wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t harsh either, which meant she wasn’t angry.

Cheng Xing relaxed as she spoke. “If you’re not okay with it, I’ll find an excuse to deal with them.”

Worried Jiang Ciyi might feel threatened by sharing a room, she quickly raised three fingers in a vow. “If we share a room, I’ll sleep on the sofa or the floor. I won’t disturb you or take advantage of you.”

Jiang Ciyi gave her a faint glance. “Why not just make up an excuse to avoid them?”

Cheng Xing caught her implication. “Alright, I get it.”

Jiang Ciyi looked skeptical. “What do you get?”

“I’ll come up with an excuse,” Cheng Xing said, lowering her eyes and taking a deep breath. “I’ll say I was snoring, grinding my teeth, and farting in my sleep, driving you to the brink of a breakdown.”

She was even willing to tarnish her own image.

But Jiang Ciyi said, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?” Cheng Xing asked, confused.

“Is coming up with an excuse… hard?” Jiang Ciyi asked.

Cheng Xing sighed. “It’s not hard. It’s just that thinking about explaining things to them makes me feel… ugh. You know that feeling, right? It’s hard to describe, but you get it, don’t you?”

Seeing Cheng Xing’s almost ferocious expression at the mention of those two, Jiang Ciyi suddenly laughed.

It was a rare smile from her that evening.

“I get it.” Jiang Ciyi said, starting to brush her teeth, saying no more.

Cheng Xing, unsure of her meaning, asked, “So, you…”

After a nearly minute-long pause, she steeled herself and asked, “Are you okay with me staying in this room?”

Jiang Ciyi spat out her mouthwash and rinsed again. “I’m someone who honors contracts.”

She never answered directly, always circling around. Maybe it was a habit of clever people.

Cheng Xing had always thought she wasn’t dumb, but now she struggled to keep up with Jiang Ciyi’s train of thought.

After a moment of silence, Cheng Xing said, “A’Ci, can you be a bit more straightforward with me?”

Jiang Ciyi looked surprised. “Hm?”

“I mean, we’ve got two more months of this partnership. If you’re too cryptic, I might not understand. So, can you just tell me directly?” Cheng Xing asked nervously.

Jiang Ciyi stared at her.

Cheng Xing worried she might think she was stupid, but she really didn’t want to keep guessing with Jiang Ciyi.

Why bother?

Cheng Xing felt her energy should be focused on helping Jiang Ciyi recover her legs.

If Jiang Ciyi could stand again soon, all their problems would be solved.

Suddenly, Jiang Ciyi laughed, her shoulders shaking as she lowered her head in her wheelchair.

Cheng Xing leaned against the wall. “Are you laughing at my stupidity?”

Jiang Ciyi’s laughter stopped abruptly. She looked up, her clear eyes locking onto Cheng Xing’s, as if seeing through to a pure, untainted soul.

Something Jiang Ciyi hadn’t seen in years.

“No.” Jiang Ciyi said. “You’re very smart.”

“Huh?”

“Smart people know how to minimize communication costs.” Jiang Ciyi said lightly.

Cheng Xing: “…”

She couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a subtle jab.

But on second thought, Jiang Ciyi wasn’t the type to be passive-aggressive.

So… it was probably a compliment, right?

Cheng Xing’s lips curved into a smile as Jiang Ciyi said, “Let’s sleep together tonight.”