Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 47
47
Angry?
Cheng Xing didn’t react at first, staring at the screen for a few seconds before letting out a laugh.
A laugh born out of exasperation.
How dare Jiang Ciyi bring up last night?
Clearly, she was the one in control, so why did it feel like she was the one being teased in the end?
Jiang Ciyi always had a knack for defusing awkward situations, only to steer them into even more awkward territory.
But she was also refined enough not to let the awkwardness linger. The next moment, Cheng Xing received another message from her: [No need to pick me up tonight. I have a team-building event.]
Seeing the words “team-building,” Cheng Xing was reminded of her current workplace frustrations. She didn’t feel comfortable venting to Jiang Ciyi, so she replied half-heartedly: [Alright.]
After that, Jiang Ciyi didn’t respond. Cheng Xing’s gaze drifted around the quiet office, occasionally interrupted by the sound of typing or flipping pages, before settling back on her phone.
No one cared if she slacked off.
This workplace was pretty relaxed.
But Cheng Xing clearly felt ostracized.
As an “airdropped” insider with connections, she had disrupted the office’s original balance. As a result, everyone ignored her, and no one was willing to include her in their work.
Cheng Xing flipped her phone face-down, forcing herself to shake off the low mood.
A moment later, her phone buzzed slightly.
She picked it up and saw another message from Jiang Ciyi: [Are you really okay? Not adjusting well to your first day?]
Cheng Xing: […]
She didn’t know how her sense of helplessness had reached Jiang Ciyi through the screen, but somehow, Jiang Ciyi had picked up on it.
For a brief moment, Cheng Xing felt her eyes well up.
It was the kind of grievance you swallow down, only for someone to pinpoint and articulate exactly how you feel.
The feeling of not needing to say it out loud, because the other person just gets it.
Cheng Xing’s thumb brushed across the phone screen before she replied: [Yeah. No one’s paying attention to me.]
She didn’t bother hiding her feelings and said honestly: [Probably because I’m an airdropped insider. After my self-introduction, they just left me hanging.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Didn’t you go there to coast?]
Cheng Xing: […]
She hadn’t expected Jiang Ciyi to see through her initial intentions, and for a moment, she felt guilty. But—
[Before I came, yeah, I planned to coast. I specifically chose a position where I could slack off.]
[But after getting here, I realized I can’t do that. You have to do your job properly when you’re in a role. I want to prove something so my grandmother and the others won’t look down on me, right?]
[Especially in this environment, where I feel so out of place. The air itself feels suffocating.]
Once she started, Cheng Xing poured out all the changes in her mindset throughout the day to Jiang Ciyi.
Initially, she had planned to coast, but after arriving, she didn’t want to anymore.
Slacking off wasn’t her style.
Her original goal in joining the company was to show her grandmother that she wasn’t just a spoiled rich kid who could only mooch off the family. Even if she couldn’t match her older brothers’ achievements, she still had her own ability to survive.
After sending the messages, Cheng Xing realized she’d been venting a lot of negativity, which didn’t seem fair to Jiang Ciyi, who was also new to her job. She quickly retracted one of the messages.
Jiang Ciyi responded: [Why’d you retract it?]
Cheng Xing: […It’s not great to dump this on you.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Then who are you going to tell?]
Cheng Xing: […]
For a moment, Cheng Xing was at a loss for words. She really didn’t have anyone else to confide in.
If she told Guan Linmin, Guan would probably make a big scene to back her up. Then the entire company would know she was the precious heiress of the Cheng Group. Her colleagues’ attitudes would do a 180, and she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Or maybe Guan Linmin would just tell her to quit and go have fun instead—why put up with the hassle?
As for telling Cheng Zimo or Cheng Zijing?
First, they weren’t that close. Second, complaining about not fitting in on her first day would make her sound spoiled and whiny, like she was tattling.
Right now, the only person Cheng Xing could open up to was Jiang Ciyi.
She wouldn’t spill her secrets and had enough emotional intelligence to comfort her.
Jiang Ciyi: [You have two paths right now. One, become so competent that the position can’t function without you—that’ll shut everyone up. Two, buy milk tea and cakes for everyone, greet everyone in the office with a smile, and humbly ask a friendly senior to guide you step-by-step.]
Jiang Ciyi was calm and composed, offering solutions.
Not only did she provide a Plan A, but she also had a Plan B ready.
Most newcomers would go with Plan B.
Cheng Xing couldn’t help but ask: [Which one are you?]
Jiang Ciyi: [The first one.]
Cheng Xing: […I think I can only go with the second one.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Doesn’t matter. The second option doesn’t make you lesser. You’re just leveraging human nature to gain an advantage, so don’t miss any opportunity to learn.]
Through the screen, Jiang Ciyi seemed to have everything under control, as if she held all the cards.
Cheng Xing could almost hear Jiang Ciyi’s cool, calm voice casually saying these words in her ear.
Confident yet relaxed, offering valuable workplace advice.
Cheng Xing replied earnestly: [Got it. Thanks, Teacher Jiang.]
Jiang Ciyi: [?]
Cheng Xing checked her phone balance and saw she still had over 100,000 yuan in her WeChat wallet. She immediately transferred 52,000 yuan to Jiang Ciyi.
Jiang Ciyi sent a string of ellipses: [What’s this for?]
Cheng Xing: [Tuition.]
Jiang Ciyi didn’t accept it.
Cheng Xing added: [Don’t you have team-building tonight? Keep some money on you. If you see something you like, buy it. Call me after the event, and I’ll come pick you up.]
Jiang Ciyi: […My senior will drive me.]
Cheng Xing: [No way! You’re not single. Your senior’s had a long day at work too. I’ve been slacking all day, so I’ll come get you.]
Jiang Ciyi didn’t reply.
Cheng Xing belatedly realized that saying “you’re not single” was a bit too suggestive.
It didn’t quite fit their contractual relationship.
But retracting it now would seem like she was trying to cover something up.
After hesitating for two seconds, Cheng Xing sent a follow-up: [Teacher Jiang worked hard giving me a lesson today. Thank you, Teacher Jiang!!]
Jiang Ciyi: […]
Cheng Xing could almost sense Jiang Ciyi’s exasperation through the screen.
She quickly urged: [Take the money, take the money. What kind of teacher doesn’t accept tuition?]
Jiang Ciyi: [It’s too much.]
Cheng Xing: [Not at all. You didn’t just teach me a lesson—you also soothed my anxiety. My mood went from cloudy to clear, like finding a bright village after wandering in the dark. This tuition is actually too little. I should give more.]
Jiang Ciyi: […]
[Fine, give more then.]
Caught off guard by the reply, Cheng Xing paused before sending 13,140 yuan.
[Teacher Jiang, our partnership will last forever, 1314! You’re practically an angel! I even think you’re wasted as a forensic doctor—you should be a therapist or career coach. You’re amazing!]
Cheng Xing went all out with the flattery. Texting meant no one could see her embarrassment.
Plus, she was genuinely bored.
Sitting in the suffocating office air was far less fun than chatting with Jiang Ciyi.
Jiang Ciyi accepted the money and replied curtly: [Noted.]
Cheng Xing, feeling playful, responded: [Yes, Your Majesty!]
[Your humble servant shall retreat for a few hours.]
[I’ll pick you up after your dinner tonight~]
[No drinking, eat less spicy food, and don’t get hurt.]
Jiang Ciyi: [.]
After chatting with Jiang Ciyi, Cheng Xing’s mood improved significantly. She opened a food delivery app and browsed. Money was the one thing she didn’t lack, so she didn’t care about the cost of winning people over with treats.
She ordered tiramisu from a highly rated nearby shop and coffee from Baskin.
One for everyone.
With some time left before the end of the workday, Cheng Xing gave up on personal tasks. Determined to prove herself, she focused on Daisy, who seemed the most approachable. She stared at Daisy until Daisy, slightly embarrassed, quietly asked, “Why are you looking at me?”
“Sister Daisy, is there anything I can do?” Cheng Xing asked.
Daisy thought for a moment. “How about you visit the livestream rooms?”
“Sure.” Cheng Xing paused. “What should I know before going?”
She couldn’t just wander aimlessly.
Daisy felt they weren’t close enough yet. Besides, the team leader, Jiang Bai, hadn’t said anything, likely observing the newcomer’s abilities and testing her resilience. If Daisy intervened, she risked upsetting Jiang Bai.
Though the three of them usually worked as equals, key matters required clarity.
After some thought, Daisy deflected vaguely: “Just take a look around and observe their livestreaming styles.”
Worried the newcomer might misinterpret, she added: “Or browse short videos, dances, or head-bobbing trends to understand user preferences.”
“Got it.” Cheng Xing nodded.
Daisy had said all she would.
Not wanting to stay in the stifling office, Cheng Xing went to check out the livestream rooms. They were bustling—some sold clothes, cosmetics, or food, while others focused on gaming, eating, emotional advice, or talent showcases.
Floors three to seven were dedicated to the livestream department.
Floors eight to eleven housed the idol department, training aspiring idols.
In this novel’s setting, the domestic idol industry was as developed as in Japan or Korea, with variety shows offering performance stages and weekly offline theater shows, monthly mini-elections, and annual grand elections.
Wenxing Media’s idol department had taken over a failing company, signing over 200 idols of varying fame.
The industry’s top female idol, Song Xi, was with Wenxing Media. She’d topped the annual elections every year, with her popularity translating to billions in Hong Kong dollars. Her marketability was unmatched—any bag she carried in airport photos sold out, and she held two luxury brand endorsements, attending international red-carpet events yearly.
Floors twelve to fifteen housed HR, finance, and the actor department.
Wenxing hadn’t signed many actors, as their path differed from idols. Idols relied on stage performances and fan voting, but actors’ earnings were tied to fixed fees.
A top actor could outshine dozens of minor ones.
Idols needed practice venues, and the livestream department needed broadcast spaces, but actors’ stages were on set, so their floors were mostly for agent meetings or major contract discussions.
Cheng Xing had gathered this information online during her boredom, visiting each livestream room. Every room had a small team, not just “authentic” solo acts.
When she asked questions, some smiled and offered snacks, treating her as invisible. Others were aloof and ignored her.
Cheng Xing didn’t mind and observed aimlessly.
She wasn’t sure what Daisy wanted her to see, but logically, it was probably to identify each streamer’s strengths and which types suited specific niches.
That was the review team’s job, after all.
After visiting five or six rooms, the delivery service called, saying they’d arrived downstairs but needed an employee card to enter.
Cheng Xing went to pick up the order and returned to the review team.
The three team members were at a round table, flipping through documents and discussing morning interviewees, likely in a meeting.
Cheng Xing placed the items on the table. “Sister Daisy, Brother Bai, Brother Bo, you’ve worked hard.”
“I got some afternoon tea,” she said considerately, distributing the items. “Eat something before continuing. Don’t tire yourselves out.”
Daisy glanced at the tiramisu and coffee, exchanging a look with Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai said coolly, “Thanks.”
He showed no intention of inviting her to join the meeting. Daisy, however, asked, “Xiao Cheng, we’re having a meeting. Want to join?”
Cheng Xing: “…”
How democratic.
Even giving her a choice.
Cheng Xing smiled. “Of course.”
She sat next to Daisy.
Jiang Bai remarked, “You come to a meeting without a notebook? Planning to memorize everything with your brain?”
Cheng Xing immediately returned to her desk for a notebook, her tone humble. “Sorry, Brother Bai.”
She felt uneasy but couldn’t do much.
During her hospital internship, her instructors had been far harsher, scolding mistakes mercilessly. She’d seen a classmate reduced to tears, apologizing through sobs.
This was still within her tolerance.
During the meeting, she listened quietly, not expected to contribute opinions but at least grasping the review team’s process.
Every Monday and Friday morning, interviews were held. In the afternoon, they compiled lists of successful candidates and their recommended departments for HR.
It was like being HR for the livestream department while also taking on some leadership tasks.
Cheng Xing considered inviting everyone to dinner that evening. Since Jiang Ciyi had team-building, going home meant facing her grandmother and Xu Zhao Zhao’s snide remarks. Bonding with colleagues might make the office more bearable.
But when she suggested it, Daisy hesitated. “No, I have plans after work.”
“I need to pick up my kid.” Lan Bo declined.
Jiang Bai gave her a meaningful look. “Not going.”
Cheng Xing pursed her lips. “Alright, my bad.”
Unlike Cheng Xing’s struggles, Jiang Ciyi thrived in the lab.
She and Xu Congshi had worked on the same project before, though not deeply involved, so they knew each other’s character. Plus, Xu had personally extended an olive branch.
The past week, Jiang Ciyi had been reviewing the project’s preliminary data, poring over stacks of files. The experiments had failed countless times, but every failure was documented, seeking that one-in-a-million breakthrough.
Jiang Ciyi was exceptionally patient and read through materials quickly. Xu Congshi occasionally checked on her, reminding her not to strain her eyes.
Jiang Ciyi brushed it off. “It’s fine.”
After replying to Cheng Xing, she scrolled up and found her messages amusing, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
A cup of warm water appeared before her. Xu Congshi, in a white lab coat, glanced at her phone screen and said warmly, “Falling for her?”
“No way.” Jiang Ciyi quickly turned off her phone, flipped it face-down, and suppressed her smile.
Her movements were smooth, almost practiced.
Xu Congshi didn’t dwell on it, asking curiously, “Is this Cheng Xing really different from the old one?”
Jiang Ciyi thought for a moment. “Probably.”
She wasn’t entirely certain.
“Any evidence?” Xu Congshi asked. “Just a feeling?”
Jiang Ciyi nodded, then shook her head, smiling helplessly. “If I had evidence, I’d give you a definitive answer.”
Xu Congshi hummed, arms crossed and brows furrowed. “Have you fallen for the current Cheng Xing?”
Jiang Ciyi shook her head. “No.”
“Don’t deny it so quickly.” Xu Congshi pulled a file from his coat pocket. “This is the data you wanted. See if you can find any clues—maybe it’ll turn into evidence.”
Jiang Ciyi took it, realizing it was Cheng Xing’s past records.
These were hard for her to obtain, but Xu Congshi, being distantly related to Cheng Xing, had easier access.
“Thanks.” Jiang Ciyi flipped through a couple of pages before Xu Congshi said, “Whether as your collaborator or your senior, I need to warn you.”
“What?” Jiang Ciyi glanced up slightly.
Xu Congshi paused. “Don’t fall for her.”
“She was bad before,” he said slowly. “Now, she’s pretending. Plus, there’s Su Manchun between you two. The Su family doesn’t produce simple women. Didn’t Su Lengyue come looking for you yesterday?”
Jiang Ciyi replied, “She asked about details of the Wang Tingwan case.”
“Did you tell her?”
“The autopsy results were signed and submitted long ago. What could be said is in the files. What can’t be said, I obviously didn’t.”
“She won’t give up.” Xu Congshi said. “Back in school, someone offended Su Manchun. Cheng Xing led a group to trap them in a bathroom, dousing them with cold water and worse… I won’t go into details. You can read the file I gave you.”
Xu Congshi’s tone dripped with disdain. “If you have solid proof they’re not the same person, then fine, like who you want. If not, I’d advise against it.”
Jiang Ciyi listened quietly without responding.
“I know you think I’m wrong about you,” Xu Congshi said, reading her expression. She clearly didn’t think she liked Cheng Xing, so she wasn’t concerned. But—
“Jiang Ciyi, I have to remind you: curiosity is the first step toward liking someone.”
Jiang Ciyi’s expression finally shifted.
Curiosity?
Maybe.