Transmigrated As The Villainous Scumbag Wife Of A Disabled Tycoon - Chapter 88
88
In gatherings like this, it’s inevitable to run into a few familiar faces.
To be precise, they were acquaintances of the original host.
The circle was small, and the original host had been a prominent figure within it. However, after Cheng Xing transmigrated into this body, she deliberately cut off all ties with these people and rarely appeared at such events.
Her sudden appearance now naturally stirred curiosity, and many approached to greet her. But noticing the subtle tension between her and Lu Qi, people began whispering, trying to dig into the history between the two.
Lu Qi had gone abroad after high school and only recently returned. What kind of grudge could she have with Cheng Xing, a local heiress? Could it involve Su Manchun?
It wasn’t surprising that people made this assumption, as the original host’s erratic behavior had often revolved around Su Manchun. But how was Lu Qi connected to her?
Soon, gossip spread. Someone with connections revealed that during their time studying abroad, Su Manchun and Lu Qi had been close. A person who lived in the same student apartment as them mentioned seeing Su Manchun leaving Lu Qi’s room early in the morning more than once. For a while, the two were inseparable, often dining together.
Another rumor suggested that Lu Qi was set to marry into the Cheng family as Cheng Xing’s second sister-in-law, which might have sparked Cheng Xing’s hostility.
Beyond that, no one knew the specifics.
Some curious onlookers approached Liu Ning to ask, but Liu Ning snapped irritably, “How the hell would I know?”
She now thought of Cheng Xing as a complete lunatic. Not long ago, Cheng Xing had invited everyone to her house to gawk at her “disabled beauty show,” and now she was acting like a reformed saint?
Others might not know, but Liu Ning had known Lu Qi for a while and had mingled in their circle long enough to be aware of Lu Qi’s high school bullying antics. Bullying someone out of boredom was no big deal for people like them.
It was only after visiting the Fusheng Bookstore that Liu Ning learned the person Lu Qi had bullied back then was Cheng Xing’s current wife.
It was quite a melodramatic twist.
But for people like them, seeking revenge for a wife with no significant backing seemed unlikely. Settling scores years later was a bit too late, wasn’t it? Between the Lu family and a powerless wife, the choice was obvious—the Lu family was far more important, especially since the Cheng and Lu families were currently business partners.
Who would’ve thought Cheng Xing would be crazy enough to seek justice for her wife?
Liu Ning was dumbfounded. She had assumed Cheng Xing was here to make peace today.
Unaware of others’ thoughts, Cheng Xing noticed the growing attention on her and Lu Qi. As Lu Qi’s expression darkened, Cheng Xing’s lips curved into a smile, and she released her grip.
Lu Qi’s hand ached as if her bones were about to break, but Cheng Xing acted as if nothing had happened, casually grinning and asking, “So, what does Miss Lu want to play today?”
Even if she wanted to make a scene, she wouldn’t do it blatantly, especially since this wasn’t even Lu Qi’s turf.
Cheng Xing’s goal was to crush Lu Qi in every aspect she prided herself on.
From that day at the dinner table, Cheng Xing had realized Lu Qi was an arrogant person who also harbored some fear and apprehension toward her sister, Lu Xishi. Though protective of her family, Lu Xishi was likely a strict figure, or she wouldn’t be able to manage the vast Lu family enterprise.
Cheng Xing was willing to bet that Lu Qi wouldn’t dare tell Lu Xishi about today’s events. Even if she did, Lu Xishi wouldn’t drag her to the Cheng family to demand an explanation.
They weren’t kindergarteners anymore. Mistakes made and wrongs committed should be faced by the individual.
That’s why Cheng Xing provoked Lu Qi so fearlessly.
Glancing down, she noticed Lu Qi’s hand was bruised, her fingers trembling in pain. Cheng Xing’s smile grew brighter.
Her smile ignited Lu Qi’s fury. “What? Is Miss Cheng challenging me to a match?” Lu Qi spat out each word through gritted teeth.
The angrier she got, the more brazenly Cheng Xing smiled.
It was clear to everyone that Cheng Xing had won their earlier confrontation.
“I’m up for a few rounds,” Cheng Xing said. “Depends on Miss Lu’s mood.”
“Since we’re at the racetrack, let’s race horses.” Lu Qi declared, unwilling to see Cheng Xing’s smug grin any longer. She scanned the vast racetrack. “Old rules: each picks a horse, and the fastest one wins.”
Though the original host had been a reckless spendthrift, she had some experience in this area. Having merged with some of her memories, Cheng Xing agreed without hesitation. “Sure.”
Normally, such casual bets attracted many participants with modest stakes, just for fun. But with the electric tension between Lu Qi and Cheng Xing, no one dared join in, opting to watch the drama unfold.
Lu Qi had organized this event to show off her new foal, so naturally, she chose it for the race. The foal was white with a patch of brown mane, its coat glossy and eyes like black beans. Its legs looked sturdy, but when Lu Qi led it out, it moved sluggishly, as if recovering from a serious illness.
To ensure victory, Cheng Xing consulted her system for help, only to be told it was just a system and couldn’t interfere in their dispute.
Rolling her eyes, Cheng Xing mentally cursed the useless system and headed to the stables.
The stables were large, housing over a hundred horses. The original host’s extravagance extended to every aspect of her life—she was a top-tier VIP at Jianggang’s luxury malls and this racetrack. A staff member led her to the finest stables.
For fairness, the horses available were similar in size to Lu Qi’s foal. Cheng Xing scanned the options. Though unsure which horse would guarantee a win, she knew which ones would likely lose, narrowing her choice to three.
Lu Qi, arms crossed, mocked, “Still haven’t picked? Are you choosing a concubine or what?”
Cheng Xing glanced at her. “The best horse deserves careful selection. Your patience is as small as your heart.”
“You!” Lu Qi glared, about to retort when Cheng Xing pointed at a horse. “I’ll take that one.”
Her choice was a brown horse with a white patch on its mane. She didn’t know its breed, but its determined eyes stood out.
As a staff member led the horse out, he whispered to Cheng Xing, “Miss Cheng, this horse just recovered from a serious illness. Would you like to pick another?”
Cheng Xing shook her head. “No, this one’s fine.”
The staff brought the horse out, and Cheng Xing patted its head. It snorted arrogantly, indifferent to her touch.
“Perform well, and if you beat that foal, I’ll give you the best hay.” Cheng Xing said.
“You’re talking to a horse?” Lu Qi sneered. “Are you a horse, or does it understand human speech?”
“I don’t know if it understands, but you definitely don’t,” Cheng Xing replied with a chilling smile.
Lu Qi scoffed. “What’s the point of arguing? Let’s settle it on the racetrack.”
“Bring it on.” Cheng Xing patted the brown horse’s head. “Come on, don’t you want to win that foal’s heart? Only the strong are admired. If you’re weak, it won’t even glance at you.”
The brown horse seemed to understand, rearing up with a spirited neigh, looking proud and ready.
Cheng Xing patted it again. “Good boy. Win this, and I’ll give both of you the best hay.”
The brown and white horses stood at the starting line. Trained daily by professionals, they were familiar with the racetrack, though they had never raced each other.
Before the race began, the brown horse tried to sidle up to the white one, but the white horse raised its head haughtily, ignoring it. The brown horse stomped its hooves, returned to its position, and its eyes grew even more determined.
The starting gun fired, and both horses bolted from the line.
Foals like these could easily run dozens of kilometers, but as pampered recreational horses, they lacked raw strength. The racetrack was three kilometers per lap, with one lap deciding the winner. Obstacles were set along the course.
At the start, the white horse surged ahead, its hooves moving like a motor, speeding forward. Lu Qi’s face lit up with smug satisfaction, glancing at Cheng Xing, who was focused on the race, recording a video on her phone.
Cheng Xing sent the video to Jiang Ciyi.
Jiang Ciyi replied instantly: [So this is what you’re up to?]
Cheng Xing: [The white one is Lu Qi’s, the brown one’s mine. Who do you think will win?]
Jiang Ciyi: [The brown one.]
Cheng Xing: [Why?]
Her fingers typed quickly: [You’re not just picking my side because I chose the brown one, are you?]
Before she could send the message, Jiang Ciyi sent a long response:
[The white horse seems injured. It hesitates slightly with each step, likely wanting to end the race quickly. Its strides are small, relying on frequency to keep up, but that’ll cause more pain later. The brown horse, on the other hand, has better stamina and endurance. It’s like an 800-meter race—the white horse might have a short-sprint advantage, but in a long run, the brown horse will win.]
The detailed analysis was clearly prepared before Cheng Xing’s message. It showed Jiang Ciyi’s expertise.
Cheng Xing sent an excited emoji: [How do you know so much about this?!]
The next second, Jiang Ciyi recalled her message and replied simply: [Hmm.]
Cheng Xing: [I already saw it.]
Jiang Ciyi: [You can pretend you didn’t.]
Cheng Xing: [Memory wipe spell?]
Jiang Ciyi: [You picked it first, so you’re the smart one.]
Cheng Xing: [You’ve studied horses too?]
Jiang Ciyi: [A little.]
Cheng Xing sent a “wow” and looked up. The race was halfway done, and as Jiang Ciyi predicted, the white horse was slowing down, its lead shrinking as the brown horse gained speed steadily.
Cheng Xing shouted from the sidelines, “Run faster! You’ll get hay when you’re done!”
The brown horse surged forward, overtaking the white one.
The white horse, unwilling to lose, pushed harder despite its pain, its competitive spirit undeniable.
Cheng Xing texted Jiang Ciyi: [You were right.]
Jiang Ciyi replied coolly: [Congrats.]
On the track, the outcome was still uncertain. The white horse kept pushing, and the brown horse, sensing its struggle, glanced back. In that moment, the white horse surged ahead.
As the finish line approached, Lu Qi, no longer calm, shouted, “Run, or I’ll starve you!”
Cheng Xing yelled, “Come on! Win, and you get good hay. Lose, and it’s bad hay!”
The crowd: …?!
Since when was Cheng Xing so humorous?
Cheng Xing didn’t care about their reactions. She was confident in her brown horse, especially since the system had finally done something useful. When she was hesitating between the three horses, it had given her a hint, calling it an extra reward.
Cheng Xing had teased, “Do I have to curse you to get rewards?”
The system howled: [Arf!!!]
It sounded like a frustrated dog with no way to fight back.
Trusting the system, Cheng Xing chose the brown horse. Everyone else got cheats when they transmigrated—why shouldn’t she?
As she pondered, the brown horse overtook the white one again. The white horse looked unsteady, its legs trembling with each step, on the verge of collapse.
After passing it, the brown horse slowed, trying to nuzzle the white one, but the white horse roared and drove it away. Spurred on, the brown horse sprinted the final 200 meters with strides twice as wide as the white horse’s, unstoppable.
It crossed the finish line first, then ran an extra dozen meters in excitement.
The white horse, exhausted, collapsed to its knees right after crossing the line, the heavy thud making Cheng Xing wince.
Despite its pain, the white horse looked at Lu Qi, sensing her displeasure. Lu Qi’s face was dark as she snapped, “Useless thing.”
The white horse let out a mournful neigh, lowering its head in shame, a sight that tugged at the heart.
Cheng Xing, surprised by its intelligence, called for staff to treat it immediately.
Lu Qi sneered, arms crossed. “What a saint you are.”
“Compared to you, I’m just a bit better.” Cheng Xing replied, sensing the intense gaze beside her. Not wanting to linger—especially with Su Manchun nearby, whose past scandals with the original host could spark gossip—she said, “I won. I’ll take your horse.”
Their initial bet was simple: five thousand yuan, pocket change for them. But Lu Qi had called her cheap, raising the stakes to the horses. The white foal, a gift from Lu Qi’s mother worth a million, matched the brown horse’s value. If Lu Qi lost, the white horse would be Cheng Xing’s, and vice versa.
A million wasn’t a small sum, even for them. Losing the white horse meant losing face, especially since it was tied to Lu Qi’s mother. If word got out, Lu Qi would be humiliated, and her sister Lu Xishi would hear about it.
Lu Xishi had warned Lu Qi not to do anything detrimental to the Lu family. Losing publicly would be a disaster.
Cheng Xing had enough in her account to buy a horse, originally saved for Jiang Ciyi. But she took the gamble—and won.
Lu Qi’s face was grim, but she couldn’t lash out. Losing her temper would only confirm she was a sore loser, and word would reach Lu Xishi.
Unwilling to let it go, Lu Qi taunted as Cheng Xing prepared to leave, “Just one round? Is this your idea of crashing my party? Pretty weak.”
Cheng Xing paused. “You want another round?”
“Next, we race on horseback.” Lu Qi said. “What do you say?”
Drawing on the original host’s decent riding skills and her own experience riding on the grasslands, Cheng Xing wasn’t intimidated. She’d even beaten Xu Jingcheng in a car race without practice and became friends with her. What was there to fear?
Since the white horse was injured, Lu Qi picked a new one. Cheng Xing stuck with her brown horse, which nuzzled her sadly, as if complaining about the white horse’s rejection.
Cheng Xing patted its head. “Want to avenge your crush? Here’s your chance.”
Both donned protective gear and mounted their horses at the starting line. The track was cleared of obstacles—first to the finish line wins.
Lu Qi had been riding since childhood, trained to fulfill her mother’s love for the sport, as her sister Lu Li couldn’t ride due to health issues. Lu Qi’s skills were polished, though she hated being a spectacle.
Cheng Xing glanced at Lu Qi, who glared back venomously. Cheng Xing just smiled confidently, infuriating her further.
The gun fired, and Lu Qi shot forward like an arrow. Cheng Xing urged her brown horse, chasing closely. The million-yuan horse proved its worth, offering a smoother, stronger ride than the wild grassland horses she’d ridden before, though less spirited.
The wind roared in her ears as she pursued Lu Qi, closing the gap at every turn. “Don’t you want to avenge your crush?” she urged the horse, spurring it on.
The brown horse, true to its stamina, overtook Lu Qi halfway through, its speed relentless. Cheng Xing leaned forward to reduce drag, nearly thrown off as the horse surged.
She crossed the finish line first, reining in the horse under the afternoon sun. Despite the thrilling moment, her face showed no fear.
Lu Qi crossed soon after, clearly the loser.
Without a set wager, the race’s end felt anticlimactic. Cheng Xing handed the brown horse to staff, instructing them to feed it the best hay.
Lu Qi, radiating hostility, glared at her. “You lost again, Miss Lu,” Cheng Xing said with a smile.
To Lu Qi, that smile was pure provocation. She couldn’t accept defeat—her riding skills, honed since childhood, were supposed to be exceptional. “You cheated!” she accused. “What did you do to that horse?”
“Huh?” Cheng Xing blinked innocently. “Maybe because I encouraged it a bit?”
“You—!” Lu Qi fumed.
“Losing and cursing? Can’t handle it, Lu Qi?” Cheng Xing said, her tone dripping with disdain.
“You cheated!” Lu Qi shouted.
“Enough, Lu Qi,” a voice interrupted. Su Manchun stepped forward, frowning. “Accept your loss.”
“You’re siding with her?” Lu Qi sneered. “Of course, you always—”
“Lu Qi!” Su Manchun cut her off, her tone threatening.
Lu Qi laughed carelessly. “Fine, I lost. Do what you want.”
“I’m not interested in you,” Cheng Xing said. “Tonight, 9:30, Qingyu High School’s west gate.”
Qingyu High was where Lu Qi and Jiang Ciyi had studied, one of Jianggang’s top schools. Jiang Ciyi had earned her spot with stellar grades, while Lu Qi’s family donated a library to secure hers.
Cheng Xing had researched Qingyu High thoroughly, and with Zheng Shuqing’s help, she knew how Lu Qi had bullied Jiang Ciyi. She didn’t believe people like Lu Qi could change or empathize—she believed in retribution.
How to punish them? The law couldn’t touch events from years ago. So Cheng Xing would take matters into her own hands.
Jiang Ciyi claimed she’d forgotten, that it was in the past. But despite the years, she still had nightmares and cried over it. Those formative years, meant for experiencing kindness and beauty, had been marred by bullying.
Cheng Xing wanted Lu Qi to walk the same path Jiang Ciyi had. Justice delayed was still justice.
Lu Qi froze at the mention of Qingyu High. “What are you going there for?” Realizing the implication, she laughed mockingly. “You’re not seriously avenging your disabled girlfriend, are you?”
Cheng Xing ignored her, stating, “Come alone. I will too.”
This ensured no ganging up.
Lu Qi laughed until tears formed, glancing at Su Manchun. “This is the person you worried about abroad? She’s doing fine, all lovey-dovey with her disabled wife. You’re so unnecessary…”
Before she finished, Cheng Xing stepped forward and slapped her.
Lu Qi was stunned, raising her hand to retaliate, but Su Manchun held her back.
“Lu Xishi said if you can’t keep your mouth clean, I can discipline you for her,” Cheng Xing said, frowning. “9:30 tonight. Don’t be late.”
Cheng Xing didn’t drive after leaving the racetrack—her legs trembled from riding after so long, so she called a driver. The white horse was sent for treatment, and the brown horse seemed reluctant to part with her. On impulse, she bought it too.
Horses could be kept at the racetrack for a fee, but Cheng Xing considered building a stable in Tinglan Mansion’s large backyard. She’d thought about getting a pet but worried Jiang Ciyi wouldn’t like cats or dogs. Jiang Ciyi’s reserved nature might benefit from animal companionship, and their chat revealed her knowledge of horses, suggesting she might like them.
Even if she didn’t, they’d be in the backyard. Cheng Xing likely wouldn’t return to the racetrack, so this might be her last chance to see them. With her time running short, she wasn’t sure if keeping them was right, but the brown horse’s gaze softened her heart.
Back home, Cheng Xing showered, changed into pajamas, and knocked on the study to call Jiang Ciyi out for a medicinal bath, followed by a massage.
Fresh from the bath, Jiang Ciyi’s legs were warm and slightly flushed. As Cheng Xing massaged her knees, Jiang Ciyi gasped.
“Did I press too hard?” Cheng Xing asked.
“A bit painful,” Jiang Ciyi said, then froze. Pain? She hadn’t felt pain in so long.
Cheng Xing noticed but didn’t show overt excitement, continuing the massage. “You’ll be standing soon. I got you some pets—play with them, and you might even run and jump.”
“What pets? Dogs?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
“Nope. You’ll see tomorrow when they arrive.” Cheng Xing said.
Besides dogs, what pet could make someone run and jump? But Cheng Xing caught her meaning. “You like dogs?”
“They’re okay,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I don’t keep pets.”
The loss of a pet was too painful.
“You’ve never had one?” Cheng Xing asked.
“I fed a stray dog once—not a pet,” Jiang Ciyi said. “Ugly, black, with a broken leg, abandoned on the street, nearly dead.”
Her tone grew heavy, and she stopped.
“Did you nurse it back to health?” Cheng Xing asked.
“I practiced on it,” Jiang Ciyi said. “I stitched its leg.”
Cheng Xing didn’t ask why she didn’t take it to a vet—she knew Jiang Ciyi could barely support herself back then, let alone a stray. “But it was brave and strong, and it survived,” Jiang Ciyi said lightly, though Cheng Xing doubted her claim that it was “nearly dead.” In a forensic expert’s eyes, that meant it was truly on death’s door, yet Jiang Ciyi pulled it back.
Talking about the dog saddened Jiang Ciyi, but she quickly shifted, asking if Cheng Xing had pets.
“I’ve had a few,” Cheng Xing said, massaging her. “A dumb dog, a silly cat, a turtle, and goldfish.”
“That’s a lot. You must be experienced.”
“They didn’t last long,” Cheng Xing said wistfully. “They were already sick when I got them.”
“You killed a turtle?” Jiang Ciyi was shocked.
Cheng Xing: “…”
What could she do? Maybe she was cursed.
After dinner, Cheng Xing read in the study until 8:00 PM, then prepared to leave.
“Where are you going so late?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
“I’m meeting Lu Qi.” Cheng Xing said honestly.
“Qingyu High?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
Cheng Xing nodded. “Are you stopping me?”
Jiang Ciyi, on her wheelchair, lowered her gaze. After leaving the racetrack, she’d heard everything from Xu Congshi and Zheng Shuqing, embellished with rumors. Many knew Cheng Xing was meeting Lu Qi at Qingyu High, and some would likely watch in secret.
Cheng Xing’s actions for Jiang Ciyi were widely known, but with the Cheng and Lu families’ business ties, a public feud would be awkward for both.
Jiang Ciyi thought deeply but focused on Cheng Xing herself. “What’s your plan?” she asked calmly.
Cheng Xing had a detailed scheme: lure Lu Qi to a bathroom, lock her in a stall covered with eye stickers, douse her with cold water, and leave her there all night. But facing Jiang Ciyi’s pure gaze, she couldn’t voice such a vile plan.
Her lips parted, then closed.
“If you use the same despicable methods as her, how are you any different?” Jiang Ciyi asked.
“I’m punishing her.” Cheng Xing retorted.
“She bullied me. If anyone’s punishing her, it should be me.” Jiang Ciyi said, staring at her. “Or do you just enjoy doing this kind of thing?”
Cheng Xing was speechless.
After a tense silence, Jiang Ciyi said calmly, “Take me with you.”