Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 55
55
Gu Qingfeng followed the staff to the temporary meeting room set up by the film crew and sat down to the right of the director, remaining silent.
A script meeting could only have two outcomes: either they agreed with her proposal and continued filming, or they rejected it, leading to her contract being terminated.
Unexpectedly, just as she took her seat, Xu Zhaozhao approached her with red eyes, looking aggrieved and apologetic, as if someone had bullied her.
“Sister Qingfeng, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you…” Xu Zhaozhao’s words were cut off mid-sentence as Gu Qingfeng raised her hand. “Stop.”
Her tone was cold and detached. “I’m not interested in your apologies or your sob story. Just give me the result.”
Gu Qingfeng scanned the room, her gaze landing on the director, whose face was full of pleading. She immediately understood that they hadn’t reached a decision yet.
Considering their previously pleasant collaboration, Gu Qingfeng lowered her head to check her phone, her voice cool and composed. “Fine, continue your discussion. I can give you ten more minutes.”
Xu Zhaozhao opened her mouth to speak again, but the director stood up and gently tugged at her, signaling her to stay quiet.
This script meeting was unnecessary to begin with. The screenwriter had no real say, and the director was constantly navigating the expectations of various parties. He didn’t dare offend the investors or Gu Qingfeng, trying to balance both sides but finding it nearly impossible. All he could do was offer smooth, diplomatic words.
The lackluster discussion bored Gu Qingfeng, and just then, a message popped up in a group chat.
[Jiangjiang Gugu Family]
[Shanshan: @All, I’m craving Western food today. Anyone want to sponsor me? ~]
Gu Qingfeng was the first to see it and sent a red packet.
Within seconds, several more red packets appeared in the chat.
After Jiang Shanshan claimed all the red packets, the group went quiet for a moment.
[Shanshan: Alright, I declare Mommy the champion today! Congrats to Mommy for being the most generous sponsor, earning a sweet kiss from your darling daughter! Mwah mwah mwah!]
Bored out of her mind, Gu Qingfeng typed two words: [Overdramatic.]
Immediately after, another message popped up: [Rigged.]
Jiang Shanshan fired back: [@Gu Qingfeng @Gu Qingqiu, you guys are just jealous!!]
[Gu Qingqiu: @Shanshan, please return the LU bag I bought you. Thanks.]
[Shanshan: Oh, Big Sis, you love me the most! Mwah mwah mwah. Love you! Saranghae~]
[Gu Qingfeng: @Shanshan, please return the Patek Philippe watch I bought you. Thanks.]
[Shanshan: Boo-hoo, Second Sis, you dote on me the most! Mwah mwah mwah. Love you! Saranghae~]
Jiang Shanshan halfheartedly placated the two, only to receive two “beating” emojis in return.
She then tagged their mother to mediate.
Ms. Gu Ling sent a shrugging emoji. [Darling, you know I can’t win against those two.]
[Shanshan: @ElegantForeverJiangLady, Mommy! Control your daughters!]
Ms. Jiang sent four red packets in a row: [No fighting. Work hard.]
Gu Ling: [Thumbs-up.jpg. As expected of you, workaholic.]
Ms. Jiang: [I’m planning a trip next month, so I need to prepare in advance. Gotta go. Love you, honey! Mwah mwah!]
Gu Ling: [The kids are here! Mwah mwah mwah mwah!]
A string of ellipses pushed their conversation to the top of the chat.
Jiang Shanshan sighed helplessly: [I shouldn’t have let you two be in the same frame. Now I’m stuck eating dog food all alone in a foreign land.]
Gu Qingfeng looked at the screen, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she typed: [Cold dog food stuffed into your mouth, yet you still don’t get that it’s time to leave the group.]
Jiang Shanshan: […]
Jiang Shanshan: [Fine, fine, you want to play like that?]
Gu Qingfeng: [?]
Suddenly, a news headline appeared on the screen: Popular Actress Gu Qingfeng Spotted Entering Hotel with Mysterious Woman.
Even the usually aloof Gu Qingqiu chimed in: [New?]
Gu Qingfeng: […That’s old news.]
Jiang Shanshan, eager to stir the pot, wrote: [@ElegantForeverJiangLady @ColdGorgeousCEO-Gu, Mommies, Second Sis has been in this industry too long. All sorts of people try to ride her coattails and even stir up scandalous rumors about her! If her future sister-in-law sees this, she’ll be so mad she’ll starve herself at home and refuse to marry Second Sis!]
Gu Qingfeng: “…”
She immediately private-messaged Jiang Shanshan: [Looking for a beating?]
Jiang Shanshan: [Pfft.]
Soon after, several group mentions tagged her. Ms. Gu Ling was the first to object, sending two voice messages: “Darling, I’ve already set a date with them. Don’t keep being soft-hearted. Too many rumors will leave a bad impression on your blind date. What then?”
Gu Qingfeng: “…”
The mention of this made her already bad mood worse. [No arranged marriage. Give it up.]
“How can that be?” Gu Ling said earnestly. “Mommy promised Grandpa. You have to at least meet them and get along. Do you really want to anger Grandpa to death?”
Gu Qingfeng: [You didn’t anger Grandpa to death back then. Fulfill your own engagement and don’t pass the pressure to the next generation, Ms. Gu.]
“That was an accident—I met your mom! Otherwise, I would’ve fulfilled it. Besides, Grandpa wasn’t angered back then because he was young and strong. He’s old now and can’t handle the stress.”
Gu Qingfeng: […]
Well, damn.
She couldn’t argue with Gu Ling, but that didn’t mean she agreed with her approach. She chose silence, calmly watching the group chat scroll page after page, with mentions piling up.
She simply played dead, ignoring the messages.
After a long pause, the group finally quieted down.
Gu Qingfeng spoke up: [It’s been a while since our family gathered. Mommy, the last time I saw you was… last time. @ElegantForeverJiangLady]
It had been nearly half a year since she last saw her mother.
That’s why she was so stunned when she saw the mistress of Tinglan Mansion today.
Seeing someone who resembled her mother so closely stirred a wave of longing.
Back when they lived together, no matter how late she returned, they could always steal a moment to see each other.
But Gu Qingqiu, busy with company matters, was the first to move out to a place near the office. Then Gu Qingfeng entered the entertainment industry, constantly filming and practically living on set year-round. Little sister Jiang Shanshan was pursuing her PhD at the University of London.
As for Ms. Jiang, she had taken over the European operations of the Ryan Group, frequently traveling between Asia and Europe. This year, she had only returned to Jianggang once.
Most of the time, she and Ms. Gu traveled together, staying on some remote island for half a month.
The family was scattered across the globe, rarely seeing each other.
One morning, Gu Qingfeng woke up and saw a news article with a silhouette that made her wonder for a few seconds if it was her sister.
She had to message Gu Qingqiu to confirm.
Jiang Shanshan enthusiastically agreed with her and suggested everyone fly thousands of kilometers to London to “take care” of their lonely sister studying abroad.
After a brief discussion, Ms. Gu Ling decided to organize a family dinner in London next week.
She also scheduled a meeting for Gu Qingfeng with her blind date.
Gu Qingfeng sent three angry emojis to express her displeasure, all of which were ignored.
With no other choice, she put away her phone, her frustration mounting. When she looked up, she saw everyone staring at each other like fools, with no one taking charge.
Even the director remained silent.
The smile faded from Gu Qingfeng’s face as she said coldly, “Done discussing?”
The director glanced at Xu Zhaozhao. “Ask Zhaozhao.”
The sly director kicked the ball back to Xu Zhaozhao.
Caught in a bind, Xu Zhaozhao had spoken those words publicly but had no real intention of changing the script. In the past, people would yield to her after such a display.
But Gu Qingfeng was unmoved.
With all eyes expectantly on her, Xu Zhaozhao lowered her head and mumbled, “I’ll follow Sister Qingfeng’s lead.”
Gu Qingfeng scoffed, unimpressed, but said nothing more. She stood up. “Screenwriter, we’ll shoot according to the seventh draft we finalized.”
With that, she left the meeting room.
As soon as she boarded the RV, her assistant asked, “Sis, are we going to the hospital?”
Gu Qingfeng’s back was still faintly aching, but she shook her head. “No need. We’re continuing filming later.”
“The director already spoke with Ms. Cheng. They said we can use the venue again tomorrow,” the assistant said, then added, “Dr. Jiang specifically instructed that if you have time, you must get a CT scan to confirm everything’s fine. Otherwise, it could cause big trouble later.”
Gu Qingfeng froze at the mention of Dr. Jiang, recalling the face so strikingly similar to her mother’s younger self.
If she weren’t so clear about her family’s affairs—and given how deeply in love her mothers were, ruling out any possibility of infidelity—she might’ve suspected Dr. Jiang was an illegitimate daughter.
Of course, such a thought would be incredibly rude to Ms. Jiang Ciyi.
Gu Qingfeng didn’t dwell on it, chalking it up to coincidence.
Perhaps because of that familiar face, she found herself quite fond of Ms. Jiang. She was polite, measured, and pleasant to be around.
So, after a moment’s hesitation, Gu Qingfeng nodded. “To the hospital.”
The assistant, delighted, immediately instructed the driver to head to the high-end private hospital Gu Qingfeng frequented.
Gu Qingfeng leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes to rest. The assistant quietly asked if she wanted an orange, but Gu Qingfeng shook her head.
“They were sent by Ms. Jiang,” the assistant said.
Gu Qingfeng’s eyes snapped open, and she rubbed her temple. “What else did she send?”
“A fruit basket and flowers,” the assistant replied. “You seem to care about Ms. Jiang a lot.”
Gu Qingfeng toyed with the fruit basket, closing her eyes again, her tone icy. “Some things shouldn’t be said.”
The assistant panicked. “Sorry, Sister Feng.”
Gu Qingfeng fell silent, but her mind inexplicably conjured the image of a woman in a wheelchair. The moment she pushed open the door and emerged, that silhouette struck her calm heart like a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless.
If she weren’t married…
Gu Qingfeng curled her fingers.
What a pity.
Cheng Xing woke up at ten in the morning after going to bed at three. Her arms were so sore she could barely lift them to grab her phone.
…This useless original host’s body.
Just two late nights, and she was already aching, even considering a trip to a massage parlor.
The room was empty. Jiang Ciyi must have been up for a while; her side of the bed was cold.
Cheng Xing groggily sat up, opened the curtains with the remote, and saw the bustling film crew outside, just as lively as yesterday.
After watching for a bit, she went to wash up. Cold water on her face snapped her awake.
Downstairs, she saw Jiang Ciyi sitting at the dining table, elegantly eating bread.
Cheng Xing greeted her, but Jiang Ciyi only glanced at her faintly. “Did you grab the cup?”
“What cup?” Cheng Xing sat across from her, puzzled.
Jiang Ciyi calmly said, “The cup I used for milk last night by my bedside.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
She glanced nervously at Jiang Ciyi, who turned to look out the window, as if it were a casual remark.
But to Cheng Xing, it felt like her lie had been exposed, her throat tightening. “Uh?”
“Don’t you usually take care of it?” Jiang Ciyi said. “I didn’t bring it down this morning.”
“I’ll get someone to take care of it, Miss,” Sister Zhou, standing nearby, quickly interjected.
“No need,” Cheng Xing said, stopping her. “I’ll grab it. I’m heading back to the room anyway.”
She glanced at Jiang Ciyi, who showed no reaction, as if she’d merely mentioned it in passing.
But why bring up the milk cup out of nowhere?
Was it really just a coincidence?
Cheng Xing grew wary, eating breakfast absentmindedly.
After breakfast, Jiang Ciyi asked if she’d slept well.
Cheng Xing nodded. “Decent.”
“Woke up in the middle of the night again?” Jiang Ciyi, sitting in her wheelchair by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the film crew, spoke in an even tone.
To Cheng Xing, it felt like a bolt from the blue.
Last night, she had indeed woken up sweating, taken a shower in the guest bathroom, changed into an identical set of pajamas, and tucked the worn ones at the bottom of the closet.
There was no way Jiang Ciyi could’ve noticed she’d been up, yet she mentioned the cup and now this.
It was hard not to suspect…
“Yeah,” Cheng Xing said, mixing truth with lies to avoid a snowballing deception. “I couldn’t sleep last night, so I got up and exercised a bit. I only slept once I was exhausted.”
Jiang Ciyi gave a low chuckle, quickly suppressing it.
Cheng Xing asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Ciyi turned to Sister Zhou. “Sister Zhou, could you make me a coffee?”
Sister Zhou asked Cheng Xing, “Miss, would you like one?”
Recalling the bitter Americano from last night, Cheng Xing waved her off. “No, thanks.”
Once Sister Zhou left, Jiang Ciyi said, “Drinking that much coffee last night, no wonder you couldn’t sleep.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
Before she could ask, Jiang Ciyi continued, “The Americano’s smell is so strong, it’s bitter even to breathe in.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
“I drank the wrong one, believe me?” Cheng Xing tried to salvage the situation. “It smelled so good, I took a few sips. It’s actually to my taste.”
Jiang Ciyi smiled. “Is it? Sister Zhou, make Miss another Americano.”
Sister Zhou, at the coffee machine: “Got it.”
Cheng Xing: “?”
A strong Americano was placed before her. Jiang Ciyi sipped her steaming cappuccino, watching her with a playful glint in her eyes.
Cheng Xing forced herself to take a sip, hiding the bitterness.
“Sweet?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Cheng Xing: “…It’s alright.”
Maybe, possibly, a tad sweeter than her current predicament.
Fortunately, aside from making her finish the Americano, Jiang Ciyi didn’t press further or ask about last night’s events.
Like what kind of exercise she’d done.
Cheng Xing felt she’d dodged a bullet, but not without lingering unease.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Ciyi had noticed something.
It was as if a knife were held to her neck, and she stood at the edge of a cliff.
The one holding the knife gave her two choices: a slit throat or a leap off the edge.
Either way, it was death.
She could only choose a dignified way to go.
After weighing her options, she decided to continue drugging Jiang Ciyi to complete the task of healing her legs.
After coffee, Jiang Ciyi asked if she wanted to go for a walk or head straight to Zheng Shuqing’s for a class reunion tonight.
Cheng Xing asked why she didn’t stay home longer. Jiang Ciyi glanced at the bustling crowd outside, lowering her eyes. “Too many people.”
“Alright.” Cheng Xing assumed she wanted to go for a stroll and suggested a picnic to connect with nature, which could lift her mood and aid her leg recovery.
She proposed a picnic and searched online for suitable spots.
Since it wasn’t an overnight trip, they packed only what they’d need for the afternoon.
Sister Zhou prepared a bag, and Cheng Xing drove Jiang Ciyi out through another gate, only to find the film crew shooting there.
Gu Qingfeng, who had just finished a scene, was reviewing it with the director when a white Mercedes appeared, blocked by staff.
The car window rolled down, revealing Jiang Ciyi’s beautiful face as she spoke briefly with a staff member.
Their eyes met briefly.
As the car drove off, the director called Gu Qingfeng to ask her opinion on the take.
She nodded and sat down to rest.
She still couldn’t make sense of the fleeting jolt in her heart from that glance.
It felt like love, yet mixed with other emotions.
After a long pause, Gu Qingfeng took out her phone and messaged the only person she could confide in, Gu Qingqiu: [Busy?]
As twins, they shared similar personalities—both reserved—but Gu Qingqiu was even quieter, barely speaking.
Perhaps because she’d been working under Ms. Gu at the company, she’d developed a brisk, decisive demeanor.
Even her reply was a single question mark.
Gu Qingfeng found her own thoughts absurd, even shameful to type out to Gu Qingqiu, her heart tormented as if clawed by a cat.
She stared at the screen for two minutes, typed some words, found them ridiculous, and deleted them.
Gu Qingqiu video-called her, but Gu Qingfeng hung up immediately.
Gu Qingqiu asked: [In trouble?]
Gu Qingfeng: [A bit. Let me organize my thoughts.]
Hearing this, Gu Qingqiu knew it wasn’t life-threatening, so she grew impatient.
[I have a meeting in five minutes. You have five minutes.]
Gu Qingfeng rolled her eyes at her phone. Typical of her twin sister.
After a moment, she finally sent: [Do you think it’s possible I’m so starved for maternal love that I’ve fallen for a woman who looks strikingly like Mom when she was young?]
Gu Qingqiu took it in stride. [You’re in love with Little Sis?]
[I’m fine with it, but don’t have kids. The rest of the family might not accept it. I can help cover for you, but I’m not great at acting since I don’t know how.]
Gu Qingfeng suddenly felt that even if she told Gu Qingqiu she was in love with a pig and wanted to raise piglets together, Gu Qingqiu would pause for two seconds and then find her a pet hospital.
Was it blind indulgence and trust, or was Gu Qingqiu’s brain just wired differently?
Gu Qingqiu even asked: [Does Little Sis know you’re in love with her?]
Gu Qingfeng clarified: [I’m not in love with Little Sis! I just… saw a woman who looks a lot like Mom when she was young.]
Now it was Gu Qingqiu’s turn to go silent.
After a long pause, she asked: [Got a photo?]
Gu Qingfeng hadn’t taken one and answered honestly. But a sudden thought struck her—
[Do you think she could be Jiang Die?]
Gu Qingqiu replied, “Five minutes are up.”
“And Jiang Die is dead.”
Gu Qingfeng sat in her chair, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Cheng Xing, driving out of Tinglan Mansion, turned on the car’s music, letting songs play randomly.
As if recalling something, she asked Jiang Ciyi, “Did you see Ms. Gu just now? Did you ask about her injury?”
Jiang Ciyi paused. “I saw her but didn’t ask.”
“Why not?” Cheng Xing was a bit worried. “I wonder how her injury from yesterday is.”
“Because I saw her from the car, and you quickly rolled up the window.” Jiang Ciyi said.
“…Sorry.”
“I thought you did it on purpose.”
“Huh?”
Cheng Xing didn’t catch her meaning, and Jiang Ciyi didn’t elaborate.
The car fell quiet. Uncomfortable with the silence, Cheng Xing asked, “You didn’t go check out the film crew this morning?”
“No,” Jiang Ciyi said. “Too many people. And Ms. Gu was there.”
Cheng Xing chuckled. “Wasn’t the point to see Ms. Gu? To ask if she got a CT scan to avoid complications. A’Ci, you should repay kindness.”
“I had Sister Zhou check on her and sent gifts in your name,” Jiang Ciyi said softly, defending herself. “I do repay kindness.”
“Then you…” Cheng Xing stopped at an intersection, glancing at her.
Jiang Ciyi picked up her sentence. “I remember what I promised you last night.”
“Even though I was sleepy, my words count, Cheng Xing.”
Cheng Xing’s mind flashed to Jiang Ciyi’s comment about a strange possessiveness.
It was a bit strange, but the possessiveness was real.
She hated seeing Jiang Ciyi and Gu Qingfeng chatting happily or Jiang Ciyi showing too much concern for someone else.
Even if it was Gu Qingfeng.
From her perspective, she knew they were long-lost sisters, but they didn’t.
What if Gu Qingfeng fell for Jiang Ciyi?!
Though unlikely, what if?!
Cheng Xing was acting to prevent them from doing something they’d regret.
Yes, that’s it.
Comforting herself, she added, “I’m not trying to restrict your freedom, just… don’t get too close to others.”
“It’s bad for your reputation if people see.”
Jiang Ciyi turned to her. “For my sake?”
Cheng Xing: “…”
She coughed lightly. “For our sake.”
“Even if you like someone, two months won’t make a difference,” Cheng Xing said. “After we divorce, if you meet someone you like, I’ll give you a generous dowry and send you off in style.”
By then, Jiang Ciyi might have reclaimed her place in the top Jianggang family, becoming their most pampered heiress.
She wouldn’t care for Cheng Xing’s small gestures.
But it was a token of her sincerity. Cheng Xing smiled. “Someone like you will surely meet someone better than me.”
Jiang Ciyi was silent as the car’s music softened, a song reaching its end.
Like a foreshadowing of their relationship.
Jiang Ciyi said coldly, “If I can’t even keep someone like you, how could I keep someone better?”
Cheng Xing: “…”