Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 71
71
A sense of helplessness about the inevitability of fate engulfed Cheng Xing entirely.
It was just like the day she saw Xu Zhaozhao kidnap Jiang Ciyi and drive into the sea with her.
The atmosphere in the hospital room took a sharp turn for the worse. Cheng Xing didn’t want to dampen the mood, so she considered changing the topic to smoothly move past it.
But her mind was filled with scenes of Jiang Ciyi and Shen Qingxue being affectionate.
Even though the two rarely appeared together.
Just from the descriptions in the original novel, she could vividly picture it.
The mere thought of it made it impossible for Cheng Xing to feel happy.
However, she didn’t have time to dwell on why she felt so upset.
Then she heard Jiang Ciyi ask, “Why are you so certain?”
Cheng Xing looked up, “Huh?”
She realized she’d let something slip, boldly acting like a prophet, which aroused Jiang Ciyi’s suspicion.
“Just a feeling,” Cheng Xing said. “We’ll end up divorced anyway, and after the divorce, it’s only normal for you to like someone else.”
“And in Jianggang, if you’re looking for someone more impressive and intimidating than me, Miss Shen is the obvious choice.”
“Is marriage about finding a backer?” Jiang Ciyi countered. “Because she’s impressive, I should go to her? But how do you know that if I go to her, she’d marry me?”
“I…” Jiang Ciyi paused, glancing at her legs. “My legs are disabled, and I have no background. Why are you so sure Miss Shen would be with me?”
Cheng Xing froze, blurting out, “Because you’re beautiful.”
“There are plenty of beautiful people,” Jiang Ciyi said. “Why me?”
Cheng Xing: “…”
Seeing Cheng Xing at a loss for words, Jiang Ciyi pressed on, “So, what exactly do you know?”
At the Cheng family banquet when the name Shen Qingxue came up, Cheng Xing had acted strangely, constantly glancing at her and looking nervous when she spoke with Miss Shen. At the time, Jiang Ciyi had simply thought it was like many others at the banquet—wary of Shen Qingxue’s power and influence.
But now, Cheng Xing’s behavior seemed entirely different.
Among the many people Jiang Ciyi had crossed paths with, there were plenty with good prospects—Xu Congshi, Gu Qingfeng, and even Gu Qingfeng had subtly expressed interest in her.
Yet Cheng Xing specifically mentioned Shen Qingxue, someone she’d only met once.
In that one meeting, they hadn’t exchanged more than ten sentences. How could there be any connection?
Cheng Xing’s explanation didn’t hold water.
But there were moments when Cheng Xing seemed inexplicably certain, like when discussing her career plans or casually mentioning family matters, acting secretive yet dropping hints.
Jiang Ciyi was someone who thought deeply and was skilled at noticing details.
When Cheng Xing was lying or trying to hide something, her little habits were obvious and easy to spot.
So… Jiang Ciyi was more inclined to believe that Cheng Xing knew some secret she couldn’t share.
How did she know it?
Jiang Ciyi’s gaze was sharp, staring directly at Cheng Xing.
Cheng Xing looked away but could still feel her piercing stare, her heart pounding. She even had a moment to marvel at Jiang Ciyi’s sharpness.
She had only said a few casual words, but Jiang Ciyi could always pick up on the smallest clues and unravel them.
And she never shared her thought process.
She just dropped the conclusion like a bombshell, catching Cheng Xing off guard.
Cheng Xing, helpless, tried a different angle. “If you keep doing this, how am I supposed to talk to you in the future?”
Jiang Ciyi: “Hm? Why not?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Cheng Xing said. “But you always overthink and then interrogate me. If this keeps up, I’ll have to watch every word I say.”
“It’s fine. You can speak freely.”
“Can you stop overanalyzing everything?”
“…That’s a bit hard.”
Cheng Xing sighed helplessly. “You’re just a forensic doctor, not a detective. There’s no need to be so vigilant in everyday life, especially with me.”
Jiang Ciyi looked at her, her lips curving into a strange smile that gave Cheng Xing chills. She was already thinking of ways to deflect and move past this topic.
“Fine,” Jiang Ciyi agreed readily. “I’ll try to ignore it in the future.”
Cheng Xing: “…”
She hadn’t expected Jiang Ciyi to agree so easily and was a bit skeptical. “Really?”
“Nope,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I hope you’ll show fewer slip-ups in the future.”
Cheng Xing: “.”
So, she didn’t believe her but let it slide.
That afternoon, Cheng Xing learned that Guan Linmin had woken up and considered whether to visit her.
In the end, she decided to go.
But outside the hospital room, she heard Guan Linmin arguing with Cheng’s father, demanding a divorce. Hesitating at the door, unsure whether to enter, she heard Cheng Zijing greet her, “Xingxing, why don’t you go in?”
Cheng Xing looked embarrassed. “Mom and Dad are fighting.”
“Tch,” Cheng Zijing remarked. “Just woke up and already arguing. Such energy.”
Cheng Xing asked what he’d been doing, and Cheng Zijing said he’d been handling company matters, holding an online meeting in an unused office.
Cheng Xing gave him a thumbs-up. Cheng Zijing bent her hand back, holding it warmly, and said softly, “You’ll always be our little sister, got it?”
Cheng Xing pursed her lips, silent.
“Don’t overthink it,” Cheng Zijing said. “Things are set now, and it’s hard to say who’s right or wrong. But as long as you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t need to bear the consequences.”
For some reason, a wave of warmth surged in Cheng Xing’s heart, but it wasn’t her own emotion.
She was definitely touched by Cheng Zijing’s words.
Knowing she wasn’t related to him by bl00d and that his real sister had died because of her, yet he could still say such inclusive words.
These words were clearly meant to ease her current emotional burden.
But Cheng Xing wasn’t moved to the point of tears.
The next moment, tears rolled down her cheeks, and she even wanted to seek comfort. She pressed her lips tightly to keep from speaking.
Her heart suddenly ached. Clutching her chest, she crouched down, alarming Cheng Zijing, who immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”
Cheng Xing grabbed his arm. “I’m fine.”
But the moment she spoke, the pain in her chest intensified, as if she were being controlled.
She desperately tried to suppress it, even pressing her chest a few times, and only then did the feeling subside.
With it, the overwhelming emotion faded.
It was as if the original host’s emotions had suddenly overtaken her body, trying to make her act and feel according to the original host’s mindset.
Cheng Zijing nervously went to call a doctor, but Cheng Xing pulled him back. “I’m okay now.”
“Really?” Seeing her calm down, Cheng Zijing was still worried.
“Maybe I ate something bad at lunch,” Cheng Xing said. “My stomach suddenly felt off.”
“You should still get a full check-up to be safe.”
“Later,” Cheng Xing said, pointing inside. “Let’s see Mom first.”
The arguing inside had quieted down. Cheng Kunshan never argued with Guan Linmin, only staying silent. If pushed too far, he’d simply say he wouldn’t divorce.
Guan Linmin was like someone punching cotton, cursing a few times before running out of steam.
Cheng Xing pushed the door open. Guan Linmin took her hand, wanting to speak but stopping, leaving them in silence.
“Hey, why are you crying?” Cheng Xing wiped her tears. “I’m still your daughter.”
Guan Linmin shook her head, eyes downcast. “I’m sorry, Xingxing.”
“What are you sorry for?” Cheng Xing said. “It’s not like you did anything wrong.”
Cheng Xing patted her shoulder to comfort her, though she still had doubts about the situation.
Initially shocked and thinking the system could do anything, she believed it.
But later, something felt off. After thinking it over, she realized it was about appearances.
The original host looked very much like Guan Linmin. Although it was her face now, Xu Zhaozhao didn’t resemble her as much.
Especially since Xu Zhaozhao had single eyelids, while both Guan Linmin and Cheng Kunshan had double eyelids. Though recessive genes were possible, the likelihood was low.
So, Cheng Xing planned to test her DNA against Guan Linmin’s or Cheng Zijing’s.
While Guan Linmin was emotional, Cheng Xing plucked a strand of her hair.
Guan Linmin didn’t notice, only complaining about Cheng Kunshan, who stood silently nearby.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy.
Cheng Xing found it hard to bear. Having gotten what she needed and sensing that Cheng Zijing and the others had more to discuss, she left.
Guan Linmin had just woken up, and the matter of Xu Zhaozhao being the Cheng family’s biological daughter needed discussion.
Clearly, it wasn’t something they could talk about in front of Cheng Xing.
Cheng Xing comforted Guan Linmin a bit more, then tactfully used Jiang Ciyi as an excuse to leave.
The moment she stepped out, she let out a heavy breath. Opening her palm, she saw a strand of Guan Linmin’s hair and one of Cheng Zijing’s, which she’d plucked when leaning on him earlier.
With these, the rest would be easier.
Instead of testing at this hospital, Cheng Xing drove to a specialized DNA testing facility, filled out the paperwork, and returned to the hospital.
After meeting Su Jiaming, Cheng Xing felt uneasy and couldn’t sleep well, perhaps because she was on a narrow folding bed, barely able to turn over.
Nightmares plagued her all night.
Waking at 5 a.m., while Jiang Ciyi was still asleep, Cheng Xing checked flights from Jianggang to Jing City. The earliest was at 7 a.m., the latest at 9 p.m.
Wanting to verify something, she booked a 7 a.m. business-class flight to Jing City.
But she was worried about leaving Jiang Ciyi, so she called Sister Zhou to come take care of her.
She stayed in the hospital room until Sister Zhou arrived, then left for the airport.
At the airport, she used the VIP lane and texted Jiang Ciyi, making an excuse about going to Jing City.
The plane landed early in Jing City.
The airport was just as she remembered, with only minor differences, like some shops she thought had closed still being open.
She carefully observed her surroundings, finding them similar to Jianggang.
But she’d arrived at an interesting time—Jing City had just had a big snowfall.
The snow on the roads had been cleared overnight, but patches remained in shaded corners. It was a cold day, especially for Cheng Xing, who’d come from Jianggang in a thin jacket. Shivering as she left the airport, she hailed a taxi.
Once inside, the driver, with a slightly accented Beijing dialect, asked, “Where to, miss?”
Without hesitation, Cheng Xing gave her home address.
The driver drove a few hundred meters, then stopped to search for the destination. Meanwhile, Cheng Xing texted Jiang Ciyi: [Landed safely. Have you had breakfast?]
Jiang Ciyi: [Yes. You?]
Cheng Xing: [Ate at the airport. It was okay.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Better than nothing.]
Cheng Xing: [It just snowed in Jing City. So cold.]
Jiang Ciyi: [You’re underdressed, aren’t you? Buy a down jacket.]
Cheng Xing sent a nodding emoji, though she was nervous in the taxi.
Then the driver said, “Miss, that address doesn’t exist.”
Cheng Xing gave her high school’s address. The driver paused. “That doesn’t exist either.”
She tried her university, and this time the driver confirmed it.
Cheng Xing asked him to drive to the south gate, so she could walk from there to find her way home.
Her university wasn’t far from her house.
Half an hour later, the taxi stopped at the south gate of the Chinese Medicine University, facing a food street. The open shops were familiar, but upon closer inspection, they weren’t.
Having studied here for eight years, she knew every shop and their histories.
But none of the owners looked familiar.
It was as if… Su Jiaming’s existence was an exception.
Her heart sank, but she didn’t give up. She rented a shared bike and rode toward her home along a familiar yet strange route.
Ten minutes later, she reached a familiar street, blocked due to subway construction.
This street should lead to her home.
Standing by the road, Cheng Xing looked around at the familiar yet unfamiliar place.
The street was bustling, with people passing by, some in groups of friends.
The world felt lively, but to Cheng Xing, it was empty.
Everyone seemed like an NPC, living and dying by a set program.
Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.
But at least she’d confirmed something.
Still, she didn’t give up. She walked further, finding familiar landmarks, but at her destination, a wellness center stood where her family’s herbal pharmacy should have been.
Even her grandfather’s pharmacy was gone.
She kept searching and found her grandpa’s pharmacy, still called “Jishi Hall.” Excited, she walked in, only to find unfamiliar staff and a doctor she didn’t know.
…
All her hopes crumbled. Cheng Xing accepted that only Su Jiaming was the same as in her original world, or perhaps he was from her original world.
The reason was simple.
Su Jiaming had paused when he heard her name, and she suspected he was a transmigrator too.
If she could transmigrate, why not him?
Of course, just as she wouldn’t tell Su Jiaming she was a transmigrator, he wouldn’t tell her either.
She could only speculate.
The idea of a parallel universe was disproven—this was a different world.
She and Su Jiaming were likely both outsiders.
Undeterred, Cheng Xing visited favorite shops, ate spicy tripe, drank authentic yogurt, and bought gifts for Jiang Ciyi.
While eating zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) at a shop, it started snowing again, like a farewell.
Sitting by the window, she sent a photo to Jiang Ciyi. “It’s snowing, Jiang Ciyi.”
Jiang Ciyi: [I’ve never seen snow.]
Cheng Xing: [Then after you’re discharged, let’s go see snow together?]
Jiang Ciyi: [Why not go to Jing City?]
Cheng Xing: [Because it doesn’t snow often in Jing City.]
Jiang Ciyi: [How do you know so much about Jing City?]
Cheng Xing: […Don’t be so suspicious.]
Jiang Ciyi: [So, are you a god or a ghost?]
Cheng Xing: [^-^ A pretty female ghost.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Superstition isn’t good.]
Cheng Xing: [Then why ask?]
Jiang Ciyi: [Just joking.]
Cheng Xing: […Hahahahaha so funny!!]
Jiang Ciyi: [Very convincing sarcasm. Please stop, thanks.]
Cheng Xing: [What else? Should I tell the truth?]
Jiang Ciyi: [The truth is hard to hear. I’d rather not, thanks.]
Cheng Xing: [Your joke was hilarious, colder than Jing City’s weather.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Oh, then come back to Jianggang.]
It was a casual remark, likely sent without much thought, but it made Cheng Xing feel a sense of belonging.
In this rootless world, someone was waiting for her.
Among countless lights, one was left on for her.
Cheng Xing: [Do you eat zhajiangmian?! I’ll pack some. It’ll still be hot when I get back.]
Jiang Ciyi: [Can you bring it on the plane?]
Cheng Xing: […Probably?]
Jiang Ciyi: [If you can, pack it. If not, don’t bother. Just come back safely.]
From morning to night, Cheng Xing walked Jing City’s familiar yet strange streets, revisiting her university campus and watching the cold winter sunset. An indescribable sadness lingered.
She was a homeless wanderer, deeply missing her hometown and family.
The despair of crushed hopes rooted itself in her heart, unspeakable, so she could only process it silently.
But seeing Jiang Ciyi’s message felt like a frozen river cracking, emotions flooding out.
And bubbling up.
Cheng Xing typed solemnly: [Wait for me to come home. I’ll bring you zhajiangmian.]
Jiang Ciyi sent a “good” emoji.
Cheng Xing felt that the Jiang Ciyi on the phone was much softer and warmer than in person, perhaps due to the lack of her usual tone or the distance of the screen.
Craving this feeling, she sent: [Ciyi, wait for me obediently~]
Jiang Ciyi’s status changed to “typing” repeatedly.
Two minutes later, Jiang Ciyi: [Before 11 p.m. is fine.]
Cheng Xing slurped her noodles and booked an 8 p.m. flight back to Jianggang.
In the hospital room, Zheng Shuqing was chatting with Jiang Ciyi and noticed her texting with a subtle smile.
Curious, Zheng Shuqing glanced and saw Cheng Xing’s name before Jiang Ciyi turned off her phone.
Knowing Jiang Ciyi valued privacy and kept herself guarded, Zheng Shuqing didn’t pry.
But seeing who she was texting gave her a clue. She handed Jiang Ciyi an orange segment and asked, “Has your relationship with Cheng Xing improved a lot?”
Jiang Ciyi nodded. “Mm.”
“Getting flirty?” Zheng Shuqing asked.
Jiang Ciyi paused. “What’s flirty?”
Zheng Shuqing, who’d never experienced romance but had seen plenty in novels, had written many heartfelt love stories. Though readers often criticized her romance as terrible, some kindly suggested she avoid writing it altogether.
Zheng Shuqing thought they just didn’t appreciate her talent.
Now, Jiang Ciyi was asking her.
Clearing her throat, Zheng Shuqing leaned in mysteriously. “It’s when you haven’t kissed, hugged, or even held hands, but your eyes are locked, testing each other, worried about others around them, caring about their every move but pretending not to.”
Jiang Ciyi considered her words, then asked, “Does that exist in marriage too?”
Zheng Shuqing: “…”
This was familiar yet unfamiliar territory.
She’d once written a marriage romance novel that alienated all readers—those who loved romance, those who didn’t, and fans of both leads.
It got over 100,000 comments on a platform, mostly saying the author should quit writing.
But Zheng Shuqing boldly replied, “No true love after marriage. If there is, it’s only with someone other than your spouse.”
Jiang Ciyi: “…”
Zheng Shuqing was about to continue, but Jiang Ciyi raised a hand. “Enough. Be quiet.”
Zheng Shuqing was stunned. “Huh? Why?”
“Remember your novel Strangers?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Zheng Shuqing nodded, her scalp tingling. It was her first experience with universal criticism.
“I think you lack talent for romance,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I remember the netizens’ comments, so I pointed you to a better path back then.”
Zheng Shuqing: “…”
Jiang Ciyi continued, “But asking you now, you’d probably lead me to a dead end.”
Zheng Shuqing clenched her fists, unconvinced but agreeing with Jiang Ciyi. Frustrated, she banged her head on the bed three times. “What can I do? It’s not my fault I’m emotionally stunted.”
“My fault,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I shouldn’t have asked you.”
Zheng Shuqing looked up. “But I know one thing. Jiangjiang, you’re never interested in people you don’t like.”
Cheng Xing returned to the hospital room at 10:40 p.m.
Due to snow in Jing City, the flight was delayed by ten minutes, but she rushed back.
Sister Zhou was in the room, and Jiang Ciyi was reading a book, already past page 200.
Cheng Xing took the zhajiangmian from the insulated bag, placed it by the bed, and sent Sister Zhou money for a late-night snack.
After Sister Zhou left, only Cheng Xing and Jiang Ciyi remained.
The sauce and noodles were separate. Cheng Xing mixed them and handed them over silently.
As if she hadn’t left all day.
Jiang Ciyi took a few bites. Cheng Xing asked expectantly, “Is it good?”
“Mm… not bad,” Jiang Ciyi said honestly.
Cheng Xing asked if she liked it, but before Jiang Ciyi could answer, her phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number from Jianggang.
Cheng Xing pointed at her phone and stepped out to answer. A gentle, sweet voice said, “Hello, the results for the samples you sent today are ready. Would you like them sent to your encrypted email, or will you pick them up in person?”
Cheng Xing was surprised by the testing facility’s efficiency, though she’d paid a premium. With no time to pick them up, she asked for the results to be emailed.
Hanging up, she sat back down. Jiang Ciyi casually asked, “Did you go to Jing City with friends today?”
Cheng Xing shook her head. “I went alone.”
She opened her email, where the results had arrived, and entered the password to view them.
Then Jiang Ciyi said, “Did you test your DNA against the Cheng family’s?”
Cheng Xing was stunned. “How did you know?”
She’d never shared her suspicions with Jiang Ciyi.
But Jiang Ciyi put down her chopsticks, wiped her lips with a tissue, and pulled a report from under her pillow, handing it to her. “You’re the Cheng family’s biological daughter.”
She paused, correcting herself, “To be precise, you’re Guan Linmin’s biological daughter and related to Cheng Zijing by bl00d.”
Cheng Xing: “…?”