Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 83
83
Cheng Xing couldn’t sleep.
At 3:30 a.m., she opened her eyes, grabbed her phone, and quietly left the room.
Before leaving, she tucked the blanket around Jiang Ciyi.
Jiang Ciyi’s sleeping posture was as usual, her breathing soft and shallow.
In the faint halo of light filtering through the gap in the curtains, Cheng Xing could see her face, and a subtle smile tugged at her lips.
The smile faded as she stepped out the door.
The sprawling Tinglan Mansion was enveloped in silence.
When Cheng Xing first arrived, there were people taking turns keeping watch at night, but after she grew accustomed to the place, she had done away with that rule.
She went downstairs, poured herself a glass of warm water, and ran her fingers along the frosted surface of the glass.
The texture of the frosted glass felt comforting, perfect for thinking.
The words she had said to Jiang Ciyi before bed were sincere, a solemn expression of her feelings.
She had never confessed to anyone in her life, and she never imagined her first confession would happen in such a context.
Confessing wasn’t a big deal.
Liking someone? She admitted it.
But liking someone, before admitting it, could be ignored or avoided.
You could pretend you didn’t like them to sidestep things you didn’t want to think about or face.
Once you admitted it, though, there was no escaping it.
Everything was laid bare under the sun, with no place for her feelings to hide.
To Jiang Ciyi, this confession didn’t seem like a big deal. She had responded calmly, without any emotional outburst when questioned.
Cheng Xing, however, was different. After the initial nerves came even more tension.
After speaking with Jiang Ciyi, she started wondering how they would interact moving forward and calculated how much time was left until the three-month deadline the system had mentioned.
Roughly forty days.
Jiang Ciyi showed no signs of being able to stand again.
It was likely she would fall into the next cycle, facing a cold, hostile Jiang Ciyi once more.
Her mind buzzed with countless possibilities, but ultimately, it returned to reality.
Truthfully, she hadn’t wanted to admit her feelings.
Not until Su Manchun showed up.
Su Manchun’s appearance had provoked Jiang Ciyi—and Cheng Xing as well.
When she stood on the staircase and locked eyes with Su Manchun, her heart tightened involuntarily.
Those emotions, which didn’t belong to her, surfaced frequently, and it took all her effort to suppress them.
In the dead of night, Cheng Xing pressed her hand to her chest and murmured to herself, “Are you still in this body?”
No answer came.
Cheng Xing still couldn’t tell if it was the original owner’s lingering feelings influencing her or if the original owner was still residing in this body.
She worried that if she didn’t cut ties with Su Manchun completely, the original owner might fight her for control of this body.
More importantly, Jiang Ciyi would feel insecure.
Jiang Ciyi had stayed with the Cheng family out of desperation, and it had taken Cheng Xing a long time to earn her trust.
Su Manchun’s appearance could make Jiang Ciyi stop trusting her.
All her efforts would have been for nothing.
So, Cheng Xing had to tell Jiang Ciyi about her feelings—her affection, her bias, her heartbeat.
She had to let Jiang Ciyi know: Jiang Ciyi was someone cherished too.
After saying it, an invisible weight settled on Cheng Xing’s shoulders.
She wanted to be as carefree as she’d imagined, to have a passionate romance and then return to her original path.
But now, she felt more like a chess piece, utterly out of control.
Cheng Xing didn’t dare think about the future.
Yet she couldn’t help but think about it.
The more she thought, the more powerless she felt.
Unable to find answers, Cheng Xing opened her phone to play a sleep-aid audio and return to her room to rest.
When she opened it, she saw a message from Cheng Zimo sent at 11 p.m., saying that Lu Xishi had invited them to meet tomorrow.
It was past midnight, so technically today.
Cheng Xing was puzzled.
The funeral had been unpleasant, but at least everything had been made clear. Why meet again?
Was it to stand up for her sister or to apologize?
Cheng Zimo’s follow-up voice message clarified.
“She said she’s inviting us to dinner to clear things up. It’s an apology.”
Cheng Zimo’s voice was as steady as ever, and Cheng Xing didn’t refuse him.
If it wasn’t a meeting she absolutely had to attend, Cheng Zimo wouldn’t have mentioned it.
Cheng Xing tapped the screen and replied with one word: [Okay.]
The next morning, when Cheng Xing woke up, the bed was empty.
Jiang Ciyi had gotten up at some point. Cheng Xing reached out to touch the other side of the bed—it was cold.
As she sat up, Jiang Ciyi emerged from the bathroom.
Perhaps because she’d grown used to the environment and this lifestyle, she no longer found the sound of the wheelchair rolling over the floor unbearable, so she slept deeply.
She didn’t even wake up when Jiang Ciyi wheeled herself to the bathroom.
Cheng Xing ran a hand through her hair, messing up her long locks. “What time is it?”
“Still early,” Jiang Ciyi said. “You can sleep more.”
Cheng Xing picked up her phone from the nightstand. It was almost eight.
After getting up and washing up, it would be time to take Jiang Ciyi to the lab.
“You’re not going to work today?” Cheng Xing asked.
Jiang Ciyi replied, “I can go in later.”
Hearing this, Cheng Xing didn’t go back to sleep. She rolled out of bed, went to the bathroom to splash water on her face, and barely woke herself up.
She’d only slept four hours and had no appetite in the morning.
Sister Zhou had the maid make nourishing porridge, but Cheng Xing only ate a small bowl, while Jiang Ciyi ate quite a bit.
Cheng Xing waited for her to finish before driving her to work. In the car, neither spoke.
The confession from the previous night didn’t seem to have caused much of a stir between them. Jiang Ciyi’s demeanor was much the same as always—quiet and reserved, her face still cold.
Unable to stand the awkward silence, Cheng Xing turned on the car’s music and hummed along casually.
After passing three intersections, Jiang Ciyi finally spoke, her voice soft but cutting through the music. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“A bit,” Cheng Xing admitted. “I was thinking about a lot.”
“Was it because of what you said to me last night?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
If you listened closely, you could hear a slight tremor in her voice.
She wasn’t as composed as she appeared.
Cheng Xing, focused on driving, didn’t notice and said candidly, “Not entirely.”
As she debated how to explain it to Jiang Ciyi, Jiang Ciyi changed the subject. “Are you going to work today?”
“No,” Cheng Xing said. “I took a few days off. I’m meeting Big Brother today.”
Since it involved Jiang Ciyi, though she wasn’t asked to go, Cheng Xing felt she should mention it.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ciyi’s brows furrowed at the mention of Lu Qi’s name, though she quickly relaxed. Cheng Xing caught it in her peripheral vision.
“Between you and Lu Qi…” Cheng Xing didn’t ask directly what had happened but said, “Is there any chance of reconciliation?”
If it was a misunderstanding that caused their conflict, there might be a chance to resolve it.
But if it was as Cheng Xing suspected… they could only be enemies.
Jiang Ciyi’s response was firm. “Impossible.”
Cheng Xing nodded. “Got it.”
Jiang Ciyi gave a faint smile. “What do you get?”
“I definitely can’t reconcile with her today,” Cheng Xing said. “You and I are one now. I can’t forgive her on your behalf.”
“What if the Lu and Cheng families have a business deal and you’re forced to play along?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Cheng Xing paused. “I’m neither the CEO nor an actor. Why drag me into the middle of this?”
“But you’re a Cheng,” Jiang Ciyi said, her voice cool, her eyes lowered.
Cheng Xing smiled lightly. “Didn’t you say yesterday? I’m your wife. I’m on your side.”
Jiang Ciyi: “…”
The atmosphere in the car finally lightened, the tension easing.
Cheng Xing’s earlier worries faded when she saw Jiang Ciyi’s guarded expression.
Now, she just wanted to do something that made her happy—and made Jiang Ciyi happy.
Besides, she didn’t like Lu Qi anyway.
Seeing Jiang Ciyi smile, Cheng Xing asked, “Anything you want me to do to her? Like a little revenge?”
“No need. Do what you need to do,” Jiang Ciyi said. “My issues with her… you don’t need to get involved.”
Jiang Ciyi wanted to say she’d handle her own revenge.
But she lacked the confidence to say it.
If she hadn’t married Cheng Xing, she might never have had the chance to attend the same banquet as Lu Qi or drink the same wine.
Since school, she’d known Lu Qi was in a different league.
Even marrying Cheng Xing didn’t make her powerful enough to take on Lu Qi.
So she could only watch Lu Qi continue to shine.
What an ironic life.
Jiang Ciyi didn’t share these thoughts with Cheng Xing, nor did she want to recount the past.
It was shame, not a badge of honor.
After that topic, they chatted about trivial things, as if nothing had changed.
But Cheng Xing could sense that Jiang Ciyi’s mood had dipped since Lu Qi’s name came up.
Cheng Xing dropped Jiang Ciyi off at the lab, parked the car, and accompanied her upstairs.
Xu Congshi had just arrived, sipping milk. Seeing Jiang Ciyi, she tossed her a carton. The sucking sound of the straw echoed as she greeted, “This early?”
“You’re late.” Jiang Ciyi said.
Xu Congshi shrugged. “Maybe. Been too tired lately.”
The cooler weather was perfect for sleeping.
Cheng Xing prepared to leave after escorting Jiang Ciyi.
Xu Congshi tossed her a carton of milk too. Cheng Xing didn’t catch it, and it rolled on the floor. She picked it up, laughing. “Senior, you didn’t mean to share, did you?”
“You got it, that’s enough,” Xu Congshi said playfully.
Cheng Xing raised the carton in thanks. “Appreciated.”
At the elevator, Cheng Xing added to Xu Congshi, “Senior, take care of my A’Ci today, alright?”
Xu Congshi rolled her eyes, waving her off. “Go.”
Jiang Ciyi watched the elevator number change to “1” before looking away.
She squeezed the milk carton and entered the office with Xu Congshi.
Once inside, Xu Congshi’s expression shifted. She tossed her empty carton in the trash and told Jiang Ciyi to follow her into the office.
Jiang Ciyi thought it was about the experiment, but Xu Congshi rummaged through a pile of documents on her desk and pulled out a sealed folder.
“What’s this?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Xu Congshi leaned on the desk, serious. “Something about Cheng Xing.”
“Like the last one?” Jiang Ciyi guessed quickly.
“I don’t make a hobby of digging into people,” Xu Congshi said, sidestepping a direct answer. “At the funeral, I saw someone who looked familiar, so I checked. That led to this.”
Jiang Ciyi looked at her intently.
“Given how you two are now, this probably won’t change anything,” Xu Congshi said. “I’m not trying to break you up. But I think you should know some things.”
Xu Congshi wasn’t one to judge from a moral high ground.
If she didn’t need Jiang Ciyi’s help, she wouldn’t care about Cheng Xing’s actions, let alone investigate.
But since she’d gotten involved, she followed through.
People like Cheng Xing weren’t uncommon in their circle.
Those in power used their influence and wealth to bully others.
Bystanders didn’t dare speak up, nor would they.
Xu Congshi didn’t partake, but she wasn’t ignorant.
The law of the jungle ruled their world, especially for teenagers.
Before, when Xu Congshi gave Jiang Ciyi the earlier documents, she’d offered some advice.
Someone like Cheng Xing, who’d bullied others for Su Manchun, might one day turn on Jiang Ciyi.
After all, Jiang Ciyi had no power or influence.
But seeing them together lately, Xu Congshi knew love wasn’t easily broken.
She gave Jiang Ciyi the documents to prepare her.
Better to know now than be blindsided later.
After handing over the folder, Xu Congshi dismissed her.
Back in her office, Jiang Ciyi pulled out the previous documents Xu Congshi had given her. They detailed how Cheng Xing had violently targeted people in school for Su Manchun, even attacking someone for glancing at her.
The worst case was a girl who wore the same skirt as Su Manchun.
Su Manchun wore the authentic version, the girl a knockoff.
One day, Cheng Xing mistook the girl for Su Manchun from behind, and Su Manchun witnessed it.
From then on, the girl became Cheng Xing’s “toy.”
Whenever Cheng Xing was upset or in the mood, she’d torment her.
Locking her in the bathroom and dousing her with water, gluing her chair, pouring eraser shavings into her cup, destroying her favorite toy.
Reading it was chilling.
This was why Jiang Ciyi insisted on separating the two Cheng Xings.
She couldn’t love a bully.
She loved the current Cheng Xing.
Even if she had a split personality, Jiang Ciyi was firm in loving this one.
As someone who’d been bullied, she could never forgive a bully.
Opening the new folder, the photo inside made it clear why Xu Congshi said it stemmed from the funeral.
The girl in the photo was there that day.
She was beautiful, even in all black, barefaced, drawing attention effortlessly.
Xu Congshi, perceptive, had sensed a connection to Cheng Xing from a few glances and confirmed it.
The girl was Luo Xi, a popular actress known for hit dramas, dubbed the “drama-proof actress” online.
She’d worked with Gu Qingfeng on Distant Moon, but after Xu Zhaozhao’s death, Gu Qingfeng left the project, and it was shelved.
Behind her glamour was a hidden story.
Xu Congshi’s network was vast, so uncovering this was easy.
Luo Xi was abandoned by her parents and raised in an orphanage. In middle school, the Cheng family’s matriarch, then a silver-haired executive, launched a sponsorship program to promote a new project.
Luo Xi was one of the recipients.
The Cheng Group covered all her expenses and provided housing.
She attended the prestigious Jianggang High School, where Cheng Xing studied.
For someone like Cheng Xing, born with a silver spoon, even poor grades meant elite tutors. For Luo Xi, it was a chance to change her fate.
She studied diligently, wore cheap clothes, and kept her meal budget under 50 yuan.
In that expensive school, 50 yuan barely kept her fed.
Her life was frugal, but her heart was full of gratitude and hope.
Until she wore a certain skirt, and her life turned upside down.
The bullying lasted two years. In her graduation photo, Luo Xi stood in the corner, eyes averted, thin as a beanpole.
Jiang Ciyi stared at the photo, and a tear fell onto the documents.
She wiped it away.
The photo slowly merged with her own memories.
At her high school graduation, she’d been the same—lacking confidence, shrinking into a corner, wishing to be forgotten.
But now, Luo Xi was a dazzling star.
Xu Congshi included a photo from the funeral, capturing Luo Xi’s complex gaze at Cheng Xing.
Jiang Ciyi understood that look all too well.
It was hate, resentment, powerlessness, and an inability to forget.
After a long moment, Jiang Ciyi closed the folder and exhaled deeply.
Cheng Xing arrived on time at the place Cheng Zimo had mentioned. Entering the private room, she saw Lu Xishi and Lu Qi.
Cheng Zimo hadn’t arrived yet.
Cheng Xing nodded at Lu Xishi in greeting, knowing full well she wasn’t one for formalities.
She sat diagonally across from Lu Xishi, texting Cheng Zimo: [Not here yet?]
Just as the message sent, the door opened.
Cheng Zimo entered, exchanging pleasantries with Lu Xishi, far more courteous than Cheng Xing.
Lu Qi, sitting beside Lu Xishi, looked quiet and docile, a stark contrast to her arrogance at Fusheng Bookstore with her entourage.
Once seated, the waiter poured tea and left.
Lu Xishi and Cheng Zimo discussed business cooperation. Cheng Xing smirked and texted Jiang Ciyi: [6.]
Jiang Ciyi, confused, replied with a question mark.
Cheng Xing: [Great prophet.]
Cheng Xing: [It’s really about cooperation.]
Jiang Ciyi’s reply was slow. [If it wasn’t about cooperation, they wouldn’t have called you.]
Given the Lu family’s status, if there was no deal, the matter would’ve ended at the funeral.
Meeting again to “clear things up” meant future meetings.
Besides business, the only other possibility was marriage, but Cheng Zijing had publicly humiliated Lu Qi, ruling that out.
Cheng Xing had little interest in their business talk.
The five-star hotel’s tea was excellent; she drank two cups before Lu Xishi changed the topic. “I was impulsive at the funeral. Qiqi was spoiled growing up and always listened to the family. After hearing our mother mention something about Cheng Zijing, she assumed it was settled, so she said those things to your sister.”
“She said more than that,” Cheng Xing countered, setting down her cup calmly.
Lu Xishi looked at her. “I asked her. She said she and your wife were high school classmates and friends, and she spoke out of turn, joking. But I don’t think a joke excuses it, so I have no issue with your actions.”
Cheng Xing paused.
She’d expected Lu Xishi to scold her, not be reasonable.
Whether this reasonableness was a facade for the Cheng-Lu deal, she couldn’t tell.
Cheng Xing just smiled and said nothing.
“Your matter is between you two, and I, as the elder sister, shouldn’t have interfered,” Lu Xishi said, pulling out two elegant gift boxes. “This is an apology for you and your wife.”
Cheng Zimo, sipping tea calmly, seemed to leave everything to her.
Even if she refused petulantly, he wouldn’t object.
Cheng Xing tilted her head, looking at the quiet Lu Qi. “Miss Lu, what do you think?”
Lu Qi froze, meeting Cheng Xing’s gaze briefly before looking away, muttering, “My sister’s right. My joke was out of line and offensive.”
Cheng Xing hadn’t expected Lu Qi to yield so easily.
Her apology seemed sincere.
But her quick glance at Lu Xishi betrayed her fear.
With the conversation at this point, if Cheng Xing pressed further, she’d seem unreasonable.
Still, she said unhurriedly, “Then you need to apologize to my wife.”
Lu Qi’s eyes widened.
“You offended my wife,” Cheng Xing said. “You should say sorry to her. Otherwise, calling just me here makes it seem like I’m the one you offended. It’s hard not to suspect you’re only apologizing because of our families’ deal…”
“That’s not the case,” Lu Xishi said quickly. “The Lu family doesn’t raise bullies.”
“I hope so,” Cheng Xing said with a faint smile, looking at Lu Qi. “Will you apologize?”
She put Lu Qi on the spot.
Lu Xishi’s gaze seemed to set Lu Qi ablaze. Lu Qi took a deep breath. “I will.”
Cheng Xing didn’t call Jiang Ciyi over, instead handing her phone to Lu Qi for a voice apology.
Lu Qi had never done this before. Glancing at Lu Xishi, she knew she couldn’t escape it. She apologized in a low voice.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, making her words clear despite her softness.
After, she returned the phone, catching Cheng Xing’s triumphant smile.
Lu Qi’s hand clenched into a fist under the table, nails digging into her palm.
Having gotten what she wanted, Cheng Xing lost interest in their talk and slipped out under the pretense of using the restroom.
In the restroom, she got Jiang Ciyi’s reply: [In a serious setting, you’re being impulsive. Is that okay?]
Cheng Xing: [It’s great.]
She’d typed a message about Lu Qi’s expression but deleted it, figuring Jiang Ciyi wouldn’t care.
Jiang Ciyi didn’t reply again.
Cheng Xing turned on the faucet at the sink, her back to the restroom door.
She overheard voices: “I heard the Chengs and Lus are here today.”
“Talking what? Business or fighting?”
“Business, of course. The south city project is likely their joint venture. But that’s not the point! Someone saw Miss Cheng and Lu Qi.”
“What about them? They don’t have bad bl00d.”
“Who said that? Remember Jiang Ciyi from Class 8? She married Miss Cheng.”
“No way! How’d she climb that high?”
“Back then, Lu Qi and Jiang Ciyi had drama… The rich are messy, for real.”
“Or what, the Chengs would really feud with the Lus over her? She’s just a trophy wife. They say Miss Cheng’s a player with a first love abroad. If not for that, would Jiang Ciyi have had a chance?”
“…”
Three women chattered like birds entering the restroom, their words veiled but clear to those in the know, relishing the gossip.
Cheng Xing turned off the faucet, wiping her hands with a paper towel.
The stall doors closed one by one. She stood there, casually playing a game of Snake.
In under three minutes, the doors opened again. The women saw her but didn’t react.
Until the last one, laughing, said, “Back then, Jiang Ciyi was bullied so bad she didn’t dare—”
Her gossip cut off upon seeing Cheng Xing.
Cheng Xing, arms crossed, said lazily, “What’s the juicy gossip? Let me hear it.”
“Miss… Miss Cheng,” the woman stammered, lowering her head.
Cheng Xing recognized her—not from the original owner’s memories, but her own.
Her face was plain but memorable due to a mole on her nose.
At Jiang Ciyi’s class reunion, this woman was gossiping about their class monitor’s love life.
Same person, different gossip.
“No worries,” Cheng Xing said. “Pretend I’m not here. Keep talking.”
Knowing her identity, the three shrank like quails.
“Nothing to say?” Cheng Xing asked.
They hurriedly promised never to badmouth Jiang Ciyi again, stumbling over their words.
Cheng Xing smirked. “Talking behind people’s backs will make your tongue rot, you know.”