Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 86

86

[Awoo! Congratulations, Host! Strategy progress: 75%. Reward: 200,000 HKD. Keep up the good work~~]

As Cheng Xing was washing up at Tinglan Mansion, the mechanical, synthesized voice of the system echoed in her mind.

She didn’t pay it much attention. What concerned her more was the moment when she was telling Jiang Ciyi a story earlier, and the system had suddenly glitched.

To her surprise, as soon as the question surfaced in her mind, the system provided an explanation.

[Awoo! Your story contained implied references, but the references were not clear enough to determine a violation. Following the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” no penalty will be issued.]

Cheng Xing: “…Oh.”

In simpler terms, what she said was in a gray area between violation and compliance, so the system couldn’t issue a warning.

At the same time, Cheng Xing felt a bit relieved. Thankfully, she hadn’t mentioned anything about transmigrating into this world.

Otherwise, she would surely have faced the system’s punishment.

After returning home, Jiang Ciyi washed up first. By the time Cheng Xing finished and stepped out, Jiang Ciyi was already lying quietly in bed. Her phone was placed face-down on the nightstand, and two dim yellow table lamps illuminated the room.

Jiang Ciyi had left the bedside lamp on Cheng Xing’s side on.

The only sound in the room was Jiang Ciyi’s soft breathing. Not wanting to disturb her, Cheng Xing tiptoed back to the bed and reached to turn off the lamp.

Jiang Ciyi’s body instinctively shifted closer to her.

Initially, both Jiang Ciyi and Cheng Xing slept on the edges of the bed. At some point, though, they began gravitating toward the center.

The vast double bed no longer felt like it was divided by a galaxy; now, only a small gap remained between them.

Tonight, it was especially close.

Jiang Ciyi was sleeping a little farther from the edge than usual. If Cheng Xing slid just a bit closer after getting into bed, she could easily pull Jiang Ciyi into her arms.

But Cheng Xing only sat on the edge of the bed, the soft mattress sinking slightly under her weight.

Jiang Ciyi, still asleep, seemed to sense something. Her brows furrowed briefly, and Cheng Xing reached out to gently smooth them.

Under the dim yellow light, Cheng Xing gazed at her sleeping face.

Jiang Ciyi’s eyelids fluttered but didn’t open. Her lips parted slightly: “Is it nice to look at?”

Cheng Xing: “…”

Caught staring, she felt a touch of embarrassment but didn’t let it show. Pretending to be calm, she replied, “Very nice.”

“You can look tomorrow too,” Jiang Ciyi said calmly. “It’s late. Go to sleep.”

Cheng Xing’s fingers brushed over her brow. “I’m not sleepy.”

“You slept late last night too.” Jiang Ciyi noted.

Perhaps because her time here was running out, an invisible pressure weighed on Cheng Xing. Lately, she’d been sleeping lightly and struggling with insomnia.

But she hadn’t shared this with Jiang Ciyi. She only murmured, “You sleep first. I’ll watch you.”

Jiang Ciyi: “…”

Suddenly, Jiang Ciyi opened her eyes. Those clear, cool eyes met Cheng Xing’s gentle gaze.

Her voice was usually cold, but softened by Cheng Xing’s eyes, her tone warmed slightly. “Don’t you think that’s a bit creepy?”

“Is it?” Seeing she was awake, Cheng Xing leaned closer. Her arm reached over Jiang Ciyi’s head, gently pinching her ear as if playing with a toy. Her face turned toward her, half-blocking the light on Jiang Ciyi’s face. “I just want to look at you.”

“It’s not like tomorrow…” Jiang Ciyi paused mid-sentence, as if realizing something, and pressed her lips shut.

“You can look tomorrow too.” Cheng Xing said softly. “But I can’t sleep now.”

Jiang Ciyi asked, “When will the world in your story end?”

Cheng Xing froze. “I don’t know.”

“If that world ends, will you disappear too?” Jiang Ciyi pressed.

Cheng Xing: “…”

She hadn’t expected Jiang Ciyi to connect the dots so quickly.

Just as she was about to respond, the system in her mind issued a warning about a violation.

An NPC this smart only made the player seem foolish.

Cheng Xing could only laugh it off. “The story I told you is just a story. Why do you keep linking it to reality?”

Jiang Ciyi’s gaze burned into her, as if trying to spot any trace of a lie in her eyes.

Cheng Xing lowered her eyes and placed her hand over Jiang Ciyi’s. “Go to sleep.”

Jiang Ciyi: “I hope so.”

After returning from the amusement park, Cheng Xing hadn’t discussed what happened there with Jiang Ciyi.

Everything that happened there was too beautiful, like a dream.

Talking about it might shatter the dream, so she avoided the topic.

But something itched in Cheng Xing’s heart. She felt something had subtly shifted between her and Jiang Ciyi.

Yet Jiang Ciyi’s attitude toward her didn’t seem much different from before.

After a moment of silence, Cheng Xing couldn’t hold back. “A’Ci.”

“Hm?”

“Well… we…”

“What?”

“We…”

“It’s a confession,” Jiang Ciyi said, blinking. Her lashes brushed against Cheng Xing’s palm, her breathing steady as always, her tone candid. “We’re in love.”

Her bluntness made Cheng Xing feel a bit shy.

Cheng Xing didn’t dare move her hand. As long as she couldn’t see Jiang Ciyi’s eyes, she felt braver.

She could also pretend to be calmer.

But her palm was sweating, and her lips felt cool. When she spoke, she couldn’t help but stammer, so she spoke slowly: “…Oh.”

“Miss Cheng,” Jiang Ciyi said with a smile, “can we sleep now?”

Cheng Xing: “…Yes.”

Jiang Ciyi’s lips curved slightly, her mood visibly bright.

Whether it was because of their new relationship or because she’d teased Cheng Xing, Cheng Xing leaned toward the latter. She lay beside Jiang Ciyi, pulling the blanket up slightly.

Jiang Ciyi let out a soft scoff. “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

Cheng Xing lay flat, staring at the ceiling, her whole body feeling warm. “It’s a bit hot.”

“It’ll get cold at night.” Jiang Ciyi said.

Cheng Xing paused, turning her head. “Are you trying to get me to hold you?”

Jiang Ciyi shook her head. “I didn’t…”

Before she could finish her denial, Cheng Xing had already pulled her into an embrace, though she didn’t dare look at her.

Lying on her side, holding Jiang Ciyi, she could hear a strong heartbeat.

She wasn’t sure if it was Jiang Ciyi’s or her own. The room fell silent, filled only with their intertwined breathing and heartbeats.

It was Cheng Xing’s first time in love, her first time holding someone so closely while sleeping.

Especially someone she loved.

In forty days, she might not be able to hold her anymore.

But in the time she had, she wanted to give Jiang Ciyi all the love she could.

Cheng Xing’s head rested near Jiang Ciyi’s ear, her warm breath grazing the skin of Jiang Ciyi’s neck.

The delicate, fair skin of Jiang Ciyi’s neck gradually flushed red. Cheng Xing’s face was warmed by the heat, and as if possessed, she pressed a soft kiss to it—just a light touch of lips to skin.

Even so, Cheng Xing felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest.

Jiang Ciyi’s voice was soft, breaking the silence, but in the atmosphere, it felt intimate.

She said, “Your lips are a bit cold.”

Cheng Xing licked her lips. “Are they?”

Caught off guard, Jiang Ciyi turned her head, their foreheads touching, their lips only a finger’s width apart.

Cheng Xing’s eyes sparkled as they met Jiang Ciyi’s cool gaze.

Jiang Ciyi lowered her eyes to Cheng Xing’s lips, which shimmered faintly.

Acting on impulse, Cheng Xing asked, “Can you… warm them up for me?”

After saying it, she nearly bit her tongue off.

It sounded so much like a flirtatious line.

But… with her girlfriend, maybe it was okay?

Girlfriend. Mine.

The words flashed in her mind, and Cheng Xing couldn’t help but smile.

Jiang Ciyi leaned in and kissed her.

The room wasn’t cold—especially with the constant-temperature air conditioning on, short sleeves were comfortable.

But under the covers, their lips were cool.

Their lips pressed together, as if warming each other.

…

Two buttons on Jiang Ciyi’s pajama top were undone, revealing a patch of fair skin that dazzled the eyes.

But Cheng Xing stopped abruptly. Her fingers lingered on the buttons, her forehead pressed against Jiang Ciyi’s as she panted softly. “Is this too fast?”

Jiang Ciyi’s voice had changed, losing its usual cool edge, now soft and heart-tugging.

They hadn’t gone all the way, but in the lingering kiss, her voice grew even softer.

Cheng Xing swallowed hard, regaining her composure, and rebuttoned the undone buttons.

Jiang Ciyi looked at her, her gaze seemingly asking—You can stop here? Are you even a qualified girlfriend?

Cheng Xing chuckled, pecking her lips lightly. “Baby, it’s only our first day.”

“Some people do it without being in love,” Jiang Ciyi said, her voice warm and teasing, the lilt in her tone like a hook tugging at Cheng Xing’s heart.

But Cheng Xing didn’t give in. She wiped the sweat from Jiang Ciyi’s forehead with a tissue and said softly, “Do you want to?”

She was sincerely asking for Jiang Ciyi’s opinion.

Jiang Ciyi paused, then said with a hint of challenge, “Don’t you?”

“We’ll take it slow,” Cheng Xing said, holding her hand and avoiding her gaze. “Some people seek physical pleasure without love, but I respect you. I want to take things step by step with you.”

Though our time is short, I want to give you the best memories in the world.

From hugs to kisses, to when the time is right, and it feels natural.

Not just acting on impulse.

It would feel like she was just trying to trick Jiang Ciyi into bed.

Cheng Xing shared her thoughts with Jiang Ciyi, who asked, “What’s the right time?”

Cheng Xing paused. “When you can take the lead.”

Jiang Ciyi caught the underlying meaning but asked, “Are you disliking my legs?”

Right now, even if they went further, Jiang Ciyi would only be at Cheng Xing’s mercy.

Cheng Xing could do whatever she wanted, but with Jiang Ciyi’s legs unable to move, she couldn’t reciprocate or meet other needs. It might feel exhausting or like being with an inflatable doll—lacking feeling.

Jiang Ciyi thought she was strong enough to handle it.

But she couldn’t deny that she still remembered things Cheng Xing had said before.

Jiang Ciyi had refused premarital intimacy, not out of conservatism, but because she hadn’t liked Cheng Xing that much back then.

But once married, she would have followed the unspoken rules of marriage.

Yet on their wedding night, Cheng Xing found the letters between her and He Miao, accusing her of emotional infidelity, even though she had long cut contact with He Miao.

Back then, Cheng Xing would still talk to Su Manchun on the phone, coaxing her gently with patience.

Jiang Ciyi despised that version of her. And yet, Cheng Xing had told her friends, “A disabled person whose legs can’t move—what’s the fun in that?”

“Might as well play with a doll; they sound better.”

“All she’s got is her face, and she’s always got that sour expression.”

“Who’d bother with her bad attitude?”

“…”

Later, because Jiang Ciyi refused to let her touch her, Cheng Xing locked her in the attic.

The attic was dark, with wind whistling through like someone crying.

Jiang Ciyi couldn’t feel the passage of time or see light.

Her mind kept replaying those words.

The more she thought about them, the more they stuck.

So when Cheng Xing said this now, Jiang Ciyi instinctively recalled those words. Her expression grew guarded, though she wasn’t angry.

She forced herself to separate the current Cheng Xing from the old one.

But sometimes, seeing the same face made her falter.

Cheng Xing was stunned. “Why would you think that?”

Jiang Ciyi looked at her without speaking.

“I would never despise you.” Cheng Xing said earnestly. “For me, just being with you is enough. As for that kind of thing, I’d be happy to do it with you. But with how you are now, I think you might feel uncomfortable.”

Cheng Xing reached to touch her face, but Jiang Ciyi instinctively flinched. Cheng Xing’s hand hovered but didn’t drop.

“My A’Ci is strong-willed and has a lot of pride,” Cheng Xing said. “I want to protect everything about my A’Ci.”

Including her dignity.

So they should wait until she could choose freely.

Afraid Jiang Ciyi wouldn’t believe her, Cheng Xing leaned close and whispered, “A’Ci, even kissing you makes me so happy.”

Jiang Ciyi fell asleep before Cheng Xing.

Cheng Xing, sleepless again, sat up and continued massaging and acupuncturing Jiang Ciyi’s legs.

Traditional Chinese medicine treated the root cause but worked slowly, requiring patience.

From Jiang Ciyi’s eyes these days, Cheng Xing could tell she no longer held much hope of standing again.

But Cheng Xing couldn’t give up.

She planned to take Jiang Ciyi for a leg check-up this week when she had time, combining Western medicine for targeted treatment.

The massage techniques and acupuncture were second nature to her, as if etched into her soul.

After the massage, Cheng Xing inserted the needles.

When a needle pricked Jiang Ciyi’s ankle, her toes twitched slightly.

Cheng Xing thought it might be a nighttime hallucination, so she recorded with one hand while inserting needles with the other.

Two more needles showed no reaction, and she was about to give up. But when a needle pricked the sole of Jiang Ciyi’s foot, her toes curled again, a reflex to pain.

Cheng Xing was overjoyed. She saved the video and inserted another needle.

She decided to take Jiang Ciyi to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up. Adjusting the treatment plan early could help her stand sooner.

While waiting to remove the needles, Cheng Xing, bored, replayed the video of Jiang Ciyi’s toes curling over and over.

When you love someone, even their toes bring joy.

As she watched, she noticed Jiang Ciyi’s phone light up on the nightstand.

At 2:10 a.m., Zheng Shuqing called Jiang Ciyi.

Cheng Xing didn’t snoop, and since Jiang Ciyi’s phone was on silent, she let it ring until it hung up automatically.

But Zheng Shuqing was persistent, calling three times in a row.

Worried it was urgent, Cheng Xing removed the needles, took the phone to the bathroom, and answered, “Hello?”

She was about to introduce herself, but Zheng Shuqing’s drunken voice cut in: “Jiangjiang, has Lu Qi called you?”

Lu Qi?

Cheng Xing’s words caught in her throat.

Zheng Shuqing, slurring from drinking, sounded scared. “Lu Qi’s back in the country,” she said, nearly crying. “She asked if I was still in touch with you. This time, I swear I didn’t betray you, no matter what happens to my family. I’ll protect you. Believe me.”

Cheng Xing faced away from the bathroom mirror, looking toward the bedroom. The soundproof door blocked all noise, so she could speak freely.

But she didn’t respond.

Zheng Shuqing didn’t need a response. She was just scared. “Lu Qi asked for your contact info. I didn’t give it to her. Really. But be careful. If it comes to it, let Cheng Xing help. I’m so scared… If she bullies you again… what do we do?”

By the end, her voice was choked with sobs.

It was a fear that came from deep within.

Since her teenage years, Zheng Shuqing’s inaction had left her guilty toward Jiang Ciyi. She was just a naive girl back then, afraid of Lu Qi causing trouble for her or her family. Now, she feared Lu Qi targeting Jiang Ciyi again.

Cheng Xing’s pursuit of Jiang Ciyi had been so public that Zheng Shuqing, as Jiang Ciyi’s friend, had felt emboldened.

But recently, she’d heard rumors that Cheng Xing didn’t love Jiang Ciyi—she was just a substitute. With her “white moonlight” back in the country, Jiang Ciyi would soon be cast aside.

Being cast aside was entirely different from choosing to leave.

And now… Lu Qi was back.

That devil wouldn’t let Jiangjiang go.

When Zheng Shuqing got Lu Qi’s call, her hands trembled through the phone.

Even now, she hadn’t calmed down.

“Jiangjiang… are you asleep? I’m sorry for waking you…” Zheng Shuqing’s voice broke, her words barely coherent through her tears.

Cheng Xing finally spoke. “It’s Cheng Xing.”

Zheng Shuqing’s crying stopped abruptly, replaced by a hiccup.

She sounded startled.

“A’Ci’s asleep,” Cheng Xing said. “I wasn’t sleeping and saw you called a few times. I thought it might be urgent, so I answered.”

After explaining patiently, she asked, “What’s the deal with Lu Qi and A’Ci?”

“Nothing…” Zheng Shuqing denied instinctively.

Cheng Xing paused, her tone serious. “If you want my help, you’ll need to tell me what happened.”

Zheng Shuqing exhaled, sobering up a bit. Her words became clearer. “Jiangjiang didn’t tell you?”

“I don’t know,” Cheng Xing said. “We’ve met Lu Qi.”

Zheng Shuqing’s heart sank. “And…?”

“A’Ci doesn’t want to talk about it.”

“Then I can’t either,” Zheng Shuqing said firmly. “I betrayed her once before. I won’t do it again. Ask her.”

“What if Lu Qi’s already coming for her?” Cheng Xing said. “I need to know to help her.”

“But Jiangjiang doesn’t want you to know,” Zheng Shuqing replied. “Ask her.”

Cheng Xing didn’t press further, only probing, “Did Lu Qi bully A’Ci back in school?”

Zheng Shuqing hesitated. “Yes… and no.”

“Is your phone number your WeChat?” Cheng Xing asked.

Zheng Shuqing: “…”

“I’ll add you later,” Cheng Xing said. “If you ever feel like telling me, I’m all ears.”

After hanging up, Cheng Xing added Zheng Shuqing on WeChat.

Soon, the friend request was approved.

Cheng Xing sent a message: [Looking forward to your reply.]

When Cheng Xing returned to the bedroom, Jiang Ciyi’s brows were tightly furrowed, as if trapped in a nightmare.

She rarely lost composure when awake.

This nightmare must be agonizing. She murmured, “Don’t… don’t…”

Even the silk blanket rose and fell with her movements.

Cheng Xing frowned, placing Jiang Ciyi’s phone back on the nightstand. Suddenly realizing something, she yanked the blanket off.

Jiang Ciyi’s nightmare seemed to peak, and her legs moved sharply.

Cheng Xing’s eyes widened.

…They moved.

She saw hope for Jiang Ciyi standing again.

But what nightmare was she having? Was it about the original Cheng Xing, or Lu Qi?

Her next sleep-talk gave the answer: “Lu… Lu… ah!”

Jiang Ciyi’s eyes snapped open, staring at the ceiling as if she’d just escaped death.

Her lips were pale as paper, as if they could crumble with a touch.

After a long moment, her vacant eyes shifted, noticing Cheng Xing standing by her bed.

Two streams of tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, soaking into the pillow.

She said nothing, but she looked like she might shatter.

Cheng Xing’s heart clenched. She knelt by Jiang Ciyi’s bedside, gently wiping her tears, and asked softly, “What did you dream about?”

Jiang Ciyi closed her eyes, and more tears fell.

Her voice was hoarse. “Some old memories.”

“About Lu Qi?” Cheng Xing said. “You called her name.”

Jiang Ciyi nodded.

“Zheng Shuqing called you earlier,” Cheng Xing said, recounting the call. Jiang Ciyi checked her phone and saw the call log. Opening WeChat, she found a flood of messages from a drunken Zheng Shuqing—a long confession of guilt.

Jiang Ciyi sent a quick “It’s okay” to comfort her.

She didn’t hold much of a grudge against Zheng Shuqing.

Zheng Shuqing was just timid and had family concerns to consider.

How could she blame her friend for not standing up to bullies when the real culprit was Lu Qi?

The bedroom was quiet. Jiang Ciyi said to Cheng Xing, “It’s cold.”

Cheng Xing got into bed and held her. “I’ll keep you warm.”

She didn’t press about Jiang Ciyi and Lu Qi’s past, but Jiang Ciyi spoke up. “I was poor in high school.”

“I didn’t have many friends. Only Zheng Shuqing reached out to me.”

“I don’t know why I offended Lu Qi. One day after school, someone lured me to an alley outside. She didn’t hit or curse me—just stared at me. Not just her, but a group of people, all staring like I was a clown in a zoo.”

Jiang Ciyi recounted her past and her nightmare to Cheng Xing.

Her storytelling was far better than Cheng Xing’s, vivid and evocative.

But every word seemed laced with bl00d.

The more Cheng Xing listened, the tighter she held her, as if trying to meld her into her bones.

“Gradually, I started fearing people’s gazes. I hated being looked at.” Jiang Ciyi said. “Sometimes, I’d be locked in the school bathroom. Buckets of cold water would be poured over me, soaking my clothes. I couldn’t get out.”

“Shuqing saved me a few times, but other times, I spent the whole night in the bathroom.”

“…”

Cheng Xing’s eyes reddened, her teeth gritted. “Are they even human?”

So young, yet so cruel.

Jiang Ciyi buried her head in Cheng Xing’s arms and asked, “Cheng Xing, did you ever bully anyone in high school?”

“No,” Cheng Xing said. “I was busy making friends and doing…”

She stopped mid-sentence.

That was her high school, not the original Cheng Xing’s.

But should she talk about her own past or the original’s?

Cheng Xing paused, then added, “High schoolers are busy with exams. Who has time for that nonsense?”

Then she cursed, “Lu Qi’s a piece of trash.”

Jiang Ciyi hugged her, saying with relief, “Good.”

Cheng Xing wasn’t sure what she was relieved about, but she stroked her back gently, comforting her. “A’Ci, I’ll help you.”

“Help me with what? Revenge?”

“Yes, if that’s what you want.”

Cheng Xing’s promise was unwavering.

But Jiang Ciyi mumbled, “It’s all in the past.”

“No.” Cheng Xing said, her voice tinged with tears. “She tormented you for so long. As long as you haven’t let it go, it’s not over.”

And after all these years, Lu Qi was still trying to bully her.

For Cheng Xing, that was unforgivable.