Jealous?
That day, a secret circulated quietly among the servants of the annex:
Rumour had it that while Master Gu Cheng’s body had recovered somewhat, it wasn’t completely restored yet!
And the only one who seemed to truly know the intricacies of his condition was the young madam.
The staff whispered among themselves but dared not say much or spread the gossip further, fearing that knowing too much might lead to their untimely demise at the hands of Master Gu Cheng.
—
The next morning.
Gu Cheng woke up, his face cold as ice.
Beside him, Ning Yi was sprawled across the bed, fast asleep, blissfully serene and utterly at ease. Clearly, the thought of sharing a bed with him hadn’t troubled her in the slightest.
Gu Cheng sneered, a low and icy chuckle escaping his lips. “Hah.”
—
Upon learning that Gu Cheng’s hearing had completely recovered, Song Lan was overjoyed and at a loss for words. The old master, leaning on his cane, was also visibly moved.
“Ah Cheng, you can really hear now?”
Sitting in his wheelchair without his bone-conduction headset, Gu Cheng’s expression was brooding and dark as he nodded. “Yes.”
Song Lan, relieved after days of tireless work, looked at Ning Yi with gratitude practically spilling from her eyes. “Xiao Yi, you’re truly the Gu family’s lucky star!”
The old master echoed her sentiments: “Indeed!”
Even Ning Yi, usually thick-skinned and brimming with self-confidence, couldn’t help but feel a bit bashful under the seniors’ unreserved praise.
“Hehe.” She awkwardly scratched her head.
Gu Cheng observed her indifferently, his gaze unreadable.
—
Upon hearing the news, Gu Le, the runaway younger brother, scurried back to the Gu household with a face full of excitement.
“Bro! Your hearing is finally back!”
To protect his green-dyed hair from his brother’s wrath, Gu Le had ingeniously twisted it into dreadlocks to disguise the green. Hah, problem solved!
And with his brother’s hearing restored, Gu Le was sure he’d be in a better mood. What better day to return home? Big brain move, right?
Gu Cheng glanced at him and spoke coldly, “Do you want to cut it yourself, or should I do it for you?”
Gu Le: QAQ
Why?! What did I do to upset you?! Why are you targeting me?!
Meanwhile, Ning Yi stood off to the side, twiddling her fingers and looking up at the ceiling.
He’s still angry even after a good night’s sleep. This stingy husband is way too petty!
What’s the big deal? All she did was imply that he wasn’t, well… capable! Sure, he will be in the future, but right now? Facts are facts!
Gu Le was dragged off by the servants, wailing, to get his hair cut.
When he returned, his freshly shorn hair revealed a clean and refreshed look. His naturally good features now shone unobstructed, transforming him into a striking young man.
Ning Yi couldn’t help but admire him, though she wondered out loud:
“Why were you messing around with green hair and dreadlocks in the first place?”
Without the green hair, the previously rebellious youth now looked like a proper heartthrob.
But Gu Le, having lost his “dragon-slaying blade” along with his green hair, was clutching his head in despair.
“Sis-in-law, why is my brother so grumpy? Waaah!”
Ning Yi thought his new look was excellent, but she patted his shoulder to console him anyway.
“It’s because he’s… uh… on his period.”
Gu Cheng, moving past, deadpanned: “…”
I can hear you now.
—
In the days that followed, Gu Cheng worked tirelessly to prove himself capable, ruthlessly expanding projects and asserting dominance in the company. The entire corporation worshipped him with renewed fervor, creating a near-fanatical corporate culture.
In contrast, the work culture at Ning Yi’s company was far more relaxed.
As CMore grew, Zhao Weining’s small business expanded severalfold, but Ning Yi didn’t need to show up in the office. As the undisputed technical core of the company, her mere presence was enough to inspire awe.
After a successful internal beta test, CMore’s live-streaming platform officially launched.
The platform quickly attracted an array of new influencers, with live streaming becoming the hot trend. Among the streamers, Wander stood out the most.
Wander, who had a fanbase of several hundred thousand, left his previous platform amid legal disputes. His move to CMore was seen by many as a risky gamble.
In a dimly lit room illuminated only by the glow of his monitor and keyboard, Wander leaned back in his gaming chair, headphones on.
Once again, he pulled up the two-day survival-themed live broadcast replay.
There, he saw a certain someone teaching zombie NPCs how to enunciate properly and walk with purpose.
A faint smile played on his lips.
This world just got a little more interesting.
Wander, a top-tier game streamer, had a loyal fanbase that tuned in daily to watch his flawless gameplay and shower him with virtual gifts. He rarely showed his face, and even when he did, a black mask hid most of it—but his captivating eyes alone cemented his reputation as a handsome enigma. On his first stream on CMore’s new platform, fans flooded in to check out the experience.
“Wow, the stream is so smooth, no lag at all!”
“The rocket animations are in 3D? Take my money!”
“This platform really is made by the legendary 01!”
Wander played as calmly as ever, but his viewer count steadily climbed. Then, a bombshell notification flashed across the stream:
“01 has entered the room.”
The chat exploded.
“OMG, 01 is here! Respect to Wander for the clout!”
“Boss meeting boss! This is history!”
“Don’t be stupid—01’s the platform founder, of course, they’re here to boost the hype.”
What started as a simple platform check-in for Ning Yi—aka 01—suddenly turned into a major event. By evening, #01Wander was trending at the top of the platform’s charts.
Ning Yi scratched her chin. “Now that I’ve been noticed, wouldn’t it look stingy if I didn’t send some gifts?” she thought. Being the CEO of a booming company and flush with cash from multiple sources, she didn’t hesitate. A line of extravagant gifts flowed into the stream under her username.
“Feels good to be a rich patron!” Ning Yi thought smugly. For a moment, though, she remembered tabloid stories about husbands secretly donating massive sums to female streamers, only to get caught by enraged wives demanding refunds.
“Eh,” she shrugged. “Not like our marriage is real. Bet he won’t even notice, right?” She giggled to herself, watching the streamer’s insane skills.
But her private bubble burst when a cold, familiar voice interrupted her.
“Ah Yi, what are you doing?”
Ning Yi froze and snapped her phone shut. Spinning around with an exaggerated smile, she purred, “Oh, husband~ What brings you here~?”
Under her overly sweet demeanour, something seemed… off. Suspicious, but not enough for him to care. As long as her actions didn’t affect his safety or their shared ability, he had no intention of meddling in her private life.
“Let’s go,” he said, turning away. “It’s time for dinner.”
Ning Yi practically skipped after him, grinning. “Good thing he doesn’t care about my little indulgences!” she thought.
A cool, unbothered husband who didn’t mind her spending? Perfect.
“Hubby~” she called again.
The tone of her voice tickled his newly restored hearing. It was different—not just a name in his mind or through an earpiece. Something in the sound clung to him.
“What is it?” he asked, pausing to wait for her.
Ning Yi sauntered closer, placing her hands lightly on his wheelchair.
“The sky’s cleared up,” she said softly, leaning in.
“And?”
“The rain has stopped,” she continued, her eyes sparkling. “I think you’re capable again.”
Gu Cheng: “…?”
Gu Cheng: “Shut up.”
When Ning Yi pushed Gu Cheng into the dining room, she was surprised to find that they had guests.
Just as expected after their encounter at the private restaurant, Wen Zheli had arrived with her parents to pay their respects. As family friends, it made sense for them to visit after her return.
Today, Wen Zheli had meticulously dressed up, opting for a tasteful and elegant look that was modest enough to please the elders. Her subtle makeup and refined outfit exuded a graceful, intellectual charm.
Hearing the sound of Gu Cheng’s wheelchair, Wen Zheli’s heart fluttered as she turned her gaze towards him—only to first see Ning Yi.
Ning Yi was dressed casually, wearing a long-sleeved top with a cartoon bunny print and loose, comfortable pants. Her face was bare of makeup. Though Wen Zheli had to admit she still looked beautiful, she couldn’t help but smirk internally.
Men are visual creatures, she thought. Ning Yi dressing like this every day was practically sabotaging her own appeal.
“Ah, Gu Cheng, Ning Yi is here! Come, take your seats,” Song Lan greeted warmly.
Given that both the Wen family elders and the Gu family patriarch were present, the seating arrangement was formal. Old Master Gu took the head seat, with Song Lan seated to his right. Traditionally, the seat directly opposite belonged to Gu Cheng.
Wen Zheli had already anticipated this and deliberately positioned herself and her parents on Song Lan’s side of the table. This way, the light behind her would highlight her best profile whenever Gu Cheng looked her way.
Ning Yi, oblivious to these social gymnastics, had only one focus: the food on the table.
When they reached the spot below the main seat, Gu Cheng glanced at the table setting, then turned slightly to Ning Yi, nodding towards the seat. “You sit here.”
Both Wen Zheli and Ning Yi froze.
Ning Yi’s thoughts spiralled: “Husband! How did you know I wanted to sit across from that Iberian roast suckling pig?! I love you!”
Gu Cheng’s expression remained neutral. He knew because he had endured the consequences of sharing her food cravings.
It wasn’t about being considerate. He simply didn’t want to deal with her swapping bodies mid-meal to eat his share of meat again.
With the approval of Song Lan and Old Gu Ning Yi bashfully took the seat.
Wen Zheli’s expression turned complicated.
Was Gu Cheng deliberately doing this to distance himself from her? First pretending not to recognize her, and now this?
The rest of the seating arrangement was straightforward. Even Gu Zhisong had to settle for a lower-ranked spot, facing Gu Le across the table. He was displeased to see Ning Yi sitting so confidently but didn’t dare to object in Gu Cheng’s presence.
Still, Gu Zhisong smirked inwardly. This woman was already under their financial control. Tonight, they’d deliver another blow to break her spirit and weaken Gu Cheng.
The meal began, with dishes elegantly served as polite chatter filled the air.
“Grandpa Gu, Aunt Song, it’s been so long,” Wen Zheli began with poise, her gentle tone reflecting her upbringing as a refined lady of the Wen family.
Eager to emphasize the contrast between Ning Yi and Wen Zheli, Gu Zhisong chimed in, “It’s true, Zheli. You’ve grown even more beautiful over the years.”
Wen Zheli smiled demurely, secretly observing the dynamics of the Gu family. Based on Gu Zhisong’s behaviour, it seemed clear that Ning Yi wasn’t well-regarded by the elders. How could she be, with her lacklustre background?
As the conversation turned to Song Lan’s upcoming jewellery showcase, Wen Zheli effortlessly inserted herself into the discussion, highlighting her latest design. Song Lan admired her talent but maintained a clear boundary—no matter how talented Wen Zheli was, she was still an outsider.
Meanwhile, Ning Yi was too busy devouring the feast to contribute to the conversation.
The chefs had gone all out. Knowing how much Ning Yi loved to eat, they’d doubled the number of dishes on the table. Every bite seemed to bring her closer to nirvana.
The roast suckling pig was particularly heavenly—crispy skin, juicy and tender meat, perfectly cooked to release an irresistible aroma.
Even Gu Cheng found his attention drawn to her unrestrained enthusiasm. Was it really that good?
Wen Zheli, unaware of Gu Cheng’s wandering thoughts, continued animatedly, “Among the pieces on display, there’s a jade set that I’m especially fond of…”
Ning Yi paused mid-bite, recalling the original plot. Ah, yes, the jade set. In the novel, the male lead had dramatically purchased it for the female lead, a scene designed to flaunt his wealth. The showcase also featured a dazzling array of gemstones, diamonds, pearls, and gold.
And, of course, the high-stakes gambling stone event.
Gu Zhisong and his backers planned to use the gambling stone segment to embarrass Gu Cheng. Though Gu Cheng’s dominance was undeniable, a loss at this event would allow them to spread rumours that he wasn’t invincible.
Ning Yi thought to herself as she chewed, But Gu Cheng *is* invincible!
Old Bitter melon, your entire life’s misfortune lies in betting on the wrong team!
In this world of brainless romance, logic is often thrown out the window! Just like how Gu Cheng was forcibly bedridden for three years without reason, his unmatched business acumen and decision-making skills also defy logic.
And Ning Yi? She’s a pragmatist. She clings tightly to Gu Cheng’s golden thigh, ready to enjoy a life of effortless wins.
As Gu Cheng sipped his tea, he glanced down and saw a hand resting on his leg.
“…”
Ning Yi was physically hugging his thigh, smiling sweetly. “Husband, you see how Old Bitter melon schemes against us? He’s definitely planning to use me as a weapon to hurt you. You have to treat me extra well this time!”
Gu Cheng held back his frustration. “Ning Yi, did you wash your hands after eating?”
The guilty paw retreated sheepishly.
Ning Yi: Nope. Hehehe.
Gu Cheng: “…”
Their silent exchange was unnoticed by others, but Wen Zheli caught Gu Cheng’s subtle glare at Ning Yi. His dark, frosty eyes seemed to carry a warning.
Wen Zheli’s heart, which had been tense, finally settled.
Clearly, Gu Cheng wasn’t satisfied with Ning Yi.
She didn’t want to appear judgmental, but the difference between Ning Yi and Gu Cheng was just too vast. How could Ning Yi possibly deserve someone like him?
Turning her attention back to Gu Cheng, Wen Zheli softened her tone. “Brother Gu Cheng, you haven’t changed a bit after all these years. I still remember in New York, you aced every course. All of us international students were always borrowing your notes…”
Gu Cheng’s expression remained unmoved.
The past was irrelevant. What mattered now was his recovery—when would his legs fully regain function? When could he be truly “capable” again?
Wen Zheli continued reminiscing while keeping an eye on Ning Yi. She noticed that Ning Yi was solely focused on her meal, which only made her more confident. Clearly, Ning Yi was using eating as a cover for her inability to join the conversation.
“You weren’t just academically gifted; you excelled in sports too. Back when you played baseball, everyone gathered to watch you…”
Seeing Gu Cheng appear momentarily distracted, Wen Zheli assumed he was reminiscing too.
In truth, Gu Cheng’s ears were filled with:
“Whoa!”
“Really?”
“Husband, you’re amazing!”
Gu Cheng: “…”
Not even eating could stop her from chiming in.
But Ning Yi’s nonchalant attitude irked Gu Cheng in ways he couldn’t explain.
Couldn’t she tell Wen Zheli was deliberately bringing up topics to exclude her? Didn’t she care at all?
Ha.
Cold and irritated, Gu Cheng stayed silent.
Wen Zheli’s endless reminiscing met no response, leaving her a little embarrassed.
Sensing the tension, Wen Zheli’s parents jumped in to smooth things over. “Time flies so quickly. Back when Li Li and Gu Cheng played together as kids, who would’ve thought they’d study together abroad later? Our families are so close…”
Ning Yi, munching away, caught the implication and thought to herself: True, Wen Zheli’s calibre is leagues above Ding Ziyue’s. Too bad this story’s heroine is still Ding Ziyue.
Song Lan smiled faintly, not responding.
To ease the atmosphere, Wen Zheli had a servant bring out her prepared gifts. “Aunt Song, Grandpa Gu, I brought some small gifts from abroad. Nothing expensive, just a token of thoughtfulness.”
It was a polite gesture, and Song Lan graciously accepted. “You’re so thoughtful, Li Li. Thank you.”
But Wen Zheli wasn’t done. She turned to Gu Cheng and Ning Yi with a soft smile. “Brother Gu Cheng, I brought something for you…and Miss Ning as well.”
Having eaten her fill, Ning Yi finally looked up, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
Wow, bringing gifts too? How polite!
In her mind, she said to Gu Cheng, “Husband, your classmate is pretty nice!”
Gu Cheng shot her a side glance. Nice?
His frosty aura darkened further.
The servant handed over two gift boxes. One was a sleek black box with a simple ribbon tied into a bow. The other was a vibrant red box with an intricate silk knot closure that required careful handling. A careless tug could ruin the delicate design.
Taking a sip of her iced cola, Ning Yi thought, Ah, so she came prepared.
In the original storyline, Wen Zheli was a fierce rival to Ding Ziyue, so Ning Yi couldn’t afford to underestimate her.
The black box was clearly meant for Gu Cheng, while the red box—with its intricate, delicate knot—was hers. It exuded thoughtfulness but also posed a subtle trap.
If Ning Yi failed to untie the knot, it would make her look inexperienced, instantly elevating Wen Zheli in comparison. If she forced it open and damaged the elegant design, Wen Zheli could feign hurt feelings, saying something like, “If Miss Ning doesn’t like my gift, I can always prepare something else next time…”
—Ugh, too much hassle!
Ning Yi, stuffed and only wanting to lie down, had no patience for such trouble.
Her solution? Swap!
The next second, their bodies switched. Now Gu Cheng was holding the red box, while Ning Yi, in “Gu Cheng’s” body, received the black box.
The black box was simple—a straightforward ribbon, clearly designed to be “straight-man-proof.”
Gu Cheng gave Ning Yi a side glance. “?”
“Husband, I just want to see what you got!” Ning Yi fluttered her eyelashes innocently. “Please help me open the red one, okay? You’re so good at these things, right? Pretty please?”
Gu Cheng stared at her, his eyes narrowing slightly.
His lips curled ever so faintly.
From Wen Zheli’s perspective, “Ning Yi” hesitated after receiving the red box, casting a nervous glance at “Gu Cheng.”
She clearly didn’t know how to open it!
Wen Zheli’s smile lifted slightly in triumph.
But then, “Ning Yi” calmly placed her fingers on the intricate knot, and with practiced ease, undid the elaborate design without breaking a single thread.
Wen Zheli froze, her smile stiffening.
Song Lan, on the other hand, looked genuinely impressed.
Meanwhile, the actual Ning Yi was happily admiring the contents of the black box when she heard Gu Cheng chuckle softly.
…Deliberately taking his box, huh?
All the irritation Gu Cheng had been harbouring that evening dissipated quietly.
In his mind, he asked mockingly, “Ning Yi, you don’t want me to accept her gift?”
Ning Yi: “What?”
Gu Cheng, with a faint, teasing smile: “Jealous?”
Ning Yi: “?”
Are you out of your mind?
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