Abusing Her Husband?!
Of course, the noble body of Eldest young master Gu could never suffer hearing loss due to something as trivial as earwax!
After all, it had undergone three years of meticulous care by a thirty-person team.
Ning Yi reluctantly backed off, wiping at imaginary tears in her eyes. “Hubby, this is all I can do for you!”
Gu Cheng: “…Thank you.”
Any more and he might not survive.
In the end, the professional doctors took over, handling Gu Cheng’s body with precision and expertise.
Ning Yi, ever so considerate, volunteered: “Hubby, I know you’re busy, and your time alone isn’t enough. Feel free to borrow mine.” She graciously replaced Gu Cheng on the examination table. “I’ll lie here for you, it’s no problem at all!”
When it came to lying down, Ning Yi was absolutely a professional √
While Gu Cheng worked twice as hard, she napped twice as long. And since his hearing wasn’t restored yet, she was enjoying her quiet five-star bed arrangement.
Gu Cheng’s expression remained unreadable.
Not like he could refuse.
After a full set of tests was completed, Ning Yi even managed to sneak in a nap.
“…” Gu Cheng sometimes couldn’t help but marvel at her dedication to lounging.
The doctors concluded that Eldest young master Gu’s bodily functions were all perfectly intact. However, his hearing and walking abilities remained inhibited due to unknown factors. Based on the current progress, though, they predicted spontaneous recovery in due time.
Dr. Qian cautiously suggested: “It’s still best for Eldest young master Gu to rest as much as possible. Avoid jumping straight into high-intensity work; after all, your body has been dormant for years.”
Both Old Gu and Mrs. Song took this advice to heart.
Old Gu spoke up firmly: “Ah Cheng, the entire company knows you’ve returned. With today’s technology, meetings can be held online. There’s no need to rush back every day. Focus on recovery.”
Gu Cheng, his expression calm, replied: “Grandfather, I’m fine—”
“Don’t push yourself. Look at how worried Xiao Yi is.” Old Gu pointed out.
Gu Cheng turned slightly, only to see Ning Yi’s face plastered with concern, the perfect image of a wife worried for her husband tirelessly fighting for the family.
Gu Cheng: “…”
Old Gu continued: “And speaking of rest, isn’t there a promotional event at Biyu Cloud Villa? Why don’t you and Xiao Yi stay there for a couple of days? The environment is perfect for recovery.”
Mrs. Song smiled gently. “Ah Cheng, you’ve only just woken up, and your relationship with Xiao Yi is improving. A little trip could help you grow even closer.”
Biyu Cloud Villa was a high-end wellness estate developed by the Gu family years ago, with several villas under Old Gu’s name. In the original story, the “post-apocalyptic survival” event was a promotional stunt for the estate. For Gu Cheng, it was a clever marketing ploy to sell houses. For the main characters, it was a pivotal moment in their romance.
“I’m too old to visit those villas anymore, but they’re yours now,” Old Gu said warmly, looking at Ning Yi. “Xiao Yi, we’ve all seen how much effort you’ve put in these past years. You’ve earned this.”
Ning Yi’s eyes sparkled with emotion: How touching!
Everyone in the family was so kind, except for Gu Cheng, who was a certified miser!
“Of course, there’s a little test for you,” Old Gu added, holding his tea with an amiable but purposeful gaze. “There are five villas under my name in that area. Xiao Yi, if you can clean one up, it’s yours.”
This was his way of testing her character. The true measure of a person, after all, revealed itself over time, especially in adversity. Would Ning Yi stand firm by Gu Cheng or waver under temptation?
Ning Yi was stunned. Clean a villa to earn a multi-million-dollar property?
“Wait… there’s such a good deal?!”
From being cast as the “evil concubine” of a story to becoming the pampered, low-effort wife of a billionaire CEO, her luck just kept escalating! Wealth and freedom were within reach!
In an inspiring, cartoonish heroic tone, she declared: “Don’t worry, Grandfather! Leave it to me!”
Turning to Gu Cheng, she asked with a grin: “Right, hubby?”
Gu Cheng: “…”
Why is she looking at me? It’s not like *he’s* the one cleaning.
Meanwhile, Gu Le perked up from the side-lines. “What about me, Grandfather?”
Youngest Master Gu had no ambition for the family fortune—he knew without his brother, the estate would shrink severalfold. But he did love excitement, and the survival event sounded like a blast! Plus, it was being livestreamed through Ning Yi’s platform. Maybe he’d even go viral!
Old Gu gave him a sharp side-eye. “What are you going for? It’s a couples’ retreat.”
Gu Le: “I’ll be good! QAQ!”
Old Master Gu’s decision to test Ning Yi wasn’t just about evaluating her—it was also a way to observe any changes in Gu Cheng. Whether Gu Cheng realized it or not, his time with Ning Yi had softened him a little. He was no longer the emotionless ice sculpture he had been three years ago.
Ning Yi, with a bashful smile, said, “I’ll make sure to have a wonderful time there with my husband!”
Gu Cheng gave her a silent glance.
For some reason, he felt a bad premonition brewing.
Something told him that she wasn’t going to bring him anything good.
Since Old Master Gu had already given the directive, Gu Cheng had no choice but to bring Ning Yi, a few assistants, and his security team led by Song Yan to Biyu Cloud Villa.
On the way, Assistant Zhou provided updates to Gu Cheng.
“Eldest young master Gu, we’re collaborating with the CMore platform for this campaign. While Biyu Cloud Villa targets the high-end residential market, CMore’s user base includes a significant number of potential luxury consumers. Their registered users have also reached a critical mass…”
Ning Yi listened in for a while and nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”
Her platform truly fit seamlessly into this world, perfectly integrated into the novel’s storyline. With the Zhao family backing the company, mature management and business systems were already in place. All Ning Yi had to do was maintain the technical core and act as their spiritual leader. (^v^)
Gu Cheng leaned back in the car, closing his eyes as he listened and pondered.
Even though this was supposed to be a restorative trip to a mountain villa, he didn’t let himself relax. Wearing a crisp shirt and slacks, he sat in the back seat with his hands neatly folded on his knees.
This small company had caught Gu Cheng’s attention long ago for its astute market positioning and the Zhao family’s support. However, he hadn’t expected it to develop into such a prominent platform.
The platform’s founder intrigued him.
They seemed to have a deep understanding of the vanity-driven dynamics of the elite and knew how to capitalize on it. Plus, their technical expertise was solid.
With the upcoming Internet Innovation Conference next month, Gu Cheng expected the founder to make an appearance. It would be an interesting opportunity to meet them.
Meanwhile, Ning Yi sat to the side, giddy.
Business? Leave that to the businessmen. She was just a tech-savvy architect with core technical skills. Once the company expanded, went public, and secured its place, she could cash in her equity and achieve financial freedom. The rest of her life would be smooth sailing!
However, knowing they were heading to Biyu Cloud Villa, Ning Yi couldn’t avoid colliding with the main plotline involving the male and female leads. On the way, she recalled the original storyline.
The day before the post-apocalyptic survival event—today—there was a launch banquet at Biyu Cloud Villa, hosted by the event organizers to flatter Gu Corporation and promote the villas. The banquet showcased the interior design and layouts to the elite crowd, hoping to drive sales.
During this event, male lead Jiang Linyi would make a surprise appearance to support female lead Ding Ziyue, elevating her status to a highly envied socialite. As an A-list actor and heir to an aristocratic family, Jiang Linyi was the ultimate “if I don’t succeed, I’ll just inherit the family fortune” type. Apart from Gu Cheng, no one else in the circle could compare to him.
Once the survival event began, Jiang Linyi’s heroic protection of Ding Ziyue during crises would further cement their relationship, earning envy from everyone. Even Jiang Linyi’s fans couldn’t help but be drawn to the female lead’s charm, shipping their CP enthusiastically.
The pinnacle of a romance novel: the world collectively cheering for, and loving, the couple.
Ning Yi had founded CMore partly to capitalize on this. She created a stage for their love story and monetized it.
Recalling the plot, Ning Yi opened the CMore backend from her phone and added a trending topic tag for the event:
#TheMostBelovedOne
When Ding Ziyue saw the tag, she was thrilled. This was practically tailor-made for her! It was clear that even fate wanted her to be the centre of attention.
In her vision of the storyline, Jiang Linyi would dote on her relentlessly during the event. While others struggled to find resources or fled from zombies in fear, she would bask in his unwavering protection.
Surely, if Ning Yi saw this, she’d be consumed by jealousy!
Excited, Ding Ziyue couldn’t resist sending a message to Ning Yi:
[Sister, I know we didn’t part on the best terms last time, but I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I still hope you’ll join the post-apocalyptic survival event—it’ll be so much fun! Don’t be scared~]
[If you come, I’ll do my best to protect you ❤️❤️]
Ning Yi glanced at Ding Ziyue’s message and ignored it.
What would be the point of her attending? She’d ruin their fun and steal the male lead’s chance to shine. How would the romance develop? She was a proper cannon fodder character, after all.
But Ding Ziyue, afraid Ning Yi wouldn’t show, sent another message:
[The first-place prize is fifty thousand yuan. It probably doesn’t mean much to you, but it shows how seriously the organizers are taking this!]
Ning Yi: ?
Ning Yi: Say no more. I’m in.
Money! Who would say no to more money?
As Assistant Zhou finished his report and received the list of participants for the survival event, he glanced at Ning Yi through the rear-view mirror.
“Is Madam also participating in tomorrow’s event?”
Gu Cheng, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
His dark, indifferent gaze first landed on the assistant before shifting to Ning Yi.
Why didn’t he know about this?
Ning Yi replied shyly: “Since it’s an event my husband is sponsoring, I should show my support!”
After all, if Gu Corporation was sponsoring it, winning the prize meant taking money directly from Gu Cheng’s pocket. Heh heh.
Assistant Zhou nodded, his tone understanding: “Ah, so that’s how it is!”
Gu Cheng silently observed their conversation from the side, his gaze cold.
This tone—how familiar are they?
Ning Yi nodded enthusiastically. “Even though this activity is so thrilling and dangerous, I know my husband won’t let me get hurt. He’ll silently care for and protect me. With his concern, I’m not afraid of anything!”
Gu Cheng’s face remained impassive.
He had agreed to the charade of pretending to dote on her publicly, but there was no need for such pretences in front of his trusted assistants.
Ning Yi, however, didn’t care how he reacted.
Assistant Zhou, on the other hand, was thoroughly dazzled.
Gu Cheng didn’t bother responding to Ning Yi’s theatrics, but he did notice her dramatic movements in the back seat. Coldly, he reminded her, “Watch your head.”
She was about to bump into the glass.
Ning Yi quickly covered her head. “Oh, okay.” Her clever brain must not be damaged.
Gu Cheng, satisfied with his warning, turned his head away without further comment.
From the front seat, Assistant Zhou couldn’t help but remark, “Eldest young master Gu, you and Madam have such a wonderful relationship!”
Ning Yi beamed. “Of course!”
Gu Cheng: From what angle?
He scoffed internally.
As they drove deeper into the mountains, the lush greenery became denser.
Biyu Cloud Villa, nestled amidst verdant hills and clear waters, occupied a prime location in A City. It was a natural oxygen bar and, from the land value alone, exceedingly expensive. Even the villa district’s entrance gate was understated yet luxurious—a full stone-carved structure exuding a sense of rustic elegance.
Hearing that Eldest young master Gu was arriving, the property management staff had already gathered at the gate. When they spotted his car, they rushed over to greet him.
Assistant Zhou responded on Gu Cheng’s behalf with a few polite remarks.
The security barrier lifted, and the car proceeded smoothly into the heart of the villa district.
True to his word, Old Master Gu had sent his secretary along to oversee Ning Yi’s cleaning and title transfer tasks.
“The villa we’ve entered now is the crown jewel of this area,” the secretary explained. “It boasts unparalleled views, an all-bright layout, and a four-story linked design. It’s fully equipped, with a minimalist yet elegant decor…”
Ning Yi listened intently—after all, it was about to be hers.
When the secretary finished, he added, “Madam, we’ll have to trouble you to clean this villa today. Once you’ve completed the task, I’ll report back to the Old Master.”
Ning Yi nodded solemnly. “Understood.”
No problem—she had two people’s worth of effort. It shouldn’t be too hard.
She hadn’t even started when her phone rang. It was as if someone knew she and Gu Cheng had arrived at the villa.
She glanced at the screen—it was Gu Zhisong:
[Gu Cheng went to Biyu Cloud Villa? The doctors said he needs rest?]
[What’s his condition? Take a photo and let me see.]
Ning Yi: Oh-ho.
Gu Cheng’s gaze shifted toward her, dark and probing.
His oppressive stare could usually make an entire roomful of people at Gu Corporation squirm, but Ning Yi felt absolutely nothing. She simply remained still.
After a moment, the other side got the hint and followed up with a bribe:
[Transferred 200,000 yuan.]
Ning Yi was satisfied. Now that’s the proper way to ask for help!
She raised her phone and snapped two quick photos of Gu Cheng, not bothering to consider the angle.
Gu Cheng, sensing her surreptitious photography, instinctively tensed his jawline. The resulting side profile was stunningly perfect.
Then he lowered his gaze slightly and asked, cold but seemingly indifferent, “What are you doing?”
Ning Yi sent off the blurry, hastily-taken photos to Gu Zhisong for his interpretation and happily pocketed the money. Only then did she take a closer look at the pictures.
Why does this man look so flawless even from random, unflattering angles? His side profile was proportioned with the precision of a ruler, from the sculpted nose bridge to the sharp jawline, and even his eyelashes were remarkably long.
While Ning Yi was usually liberal with her exaggerated compliments, she refrained this time. Praising him too truthfully might make him conceited!
She looked up at Gu Cheng. “Your uncle wanted to know about your health and asked for a photo, so I sent one.”
Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow, his tone flat. “Oh.”
Her honesty was unexpected, but for some reason, it left him slightly irked.
Then he asked, “Who’s ‘Old Bitter Melon’?”
“Your little uncle,” Ning Yi explained. “Because ever since your kingly return, he’s been so worried that his face turned green and wrinkled—like a bitter melon.”
Gu Cheng paused, considering it.
“…It’s quite accurate.”
Ning Yi’s good mood soared as she pocketed the tens of thousands from Old Bitter Melon—what a great day for income!
And once she officially owned this villa, she’d have even more!
“Let’s get started, hubby!”
Her spirits high, Ning Yi surveyed the villa with an air of determination. This wasn’t just any luxurious property—it was the crown jewel. The views, the layout, the decor—all perfectly aligned with her dream of a carefree, pampered life.
Ning Yi: I’m in love. Sob sob sob.
She grabbed a mop and vacuum from the utility closet and did a quick walkaround.
The floors and walls were already pristine.
The only issue was…
It’s too big!
For the first time in her life, Ning Yi found herself thinking: A house can actually be too spacious!
True to Old Master Gu’s word, the secretary wasn’t just there to explain the property—he was clearly monitoring her progress.
Ning Yi pondered briefly, then glanced at her lazy husband sprawled on the couch, diligently working.
Her expression turned soft and pitiful as she picked up the mop. Despite her well-trained arms (capable of snapping a zombie’s skull in an apocalyptic scenario), she deliberately waved it weakly across the floor.
I’m so delicate.jpg.
To the secretary’s eyes, she was quietly and diligently getting to work.
In her mind, however, Ning Yi’s monologue was relentless.
“Hubby, I’m not tired, really.”
“This vacuum isn’t heavy at all. My hands don’t hurt one bit.”
“The stairs aren’t steep at all. I’m not exhausted—so wonderful.”
Gu Cheng: …
“If someone could help me, he’d be the most perfect, handsome man in the world. I’d love him forever, with all my heart. He’d be my one and only. If only he’d lend a hand…”
Gu Cheng, flipping another page of the financial report, commented dryly, “Didn’t you already claim you’re devoted to me?”
Ning Yi: Tch. No feelings whatsoever, this man.
“Hubby, you’re so heartless—”
Before she could finish, the two of them suddenly swapped bodies again.
Now seated in the wheelchair, Ning Yi raised her hand innocently. “Not me! Totally random.”
She had intended to try persuading him some more before using her trump card.
Gu Cheng looked down at the mop in his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Another random swap.
The swaps seemed to be happening more frequently. Still—
With indifference, Gu Cheng set the mop aside.
As the prestigious Eldest young master Gu, he had never done such menial tasks in his life.
“No rush, Ah Yi. The swap will reverse on its own eventually,” Gu Cheng said, his lips curving into a faintly malicious smirk. “In the meantime, if you could get the study cleaned as well, that would be ideal.”
Ning Yi: You’ve got to be kidding me.
This stingy husband!
Her lips curved into a dangerous smile as she said earnestly, “Hubby, you know your Uncle Zhisong is monitoring your condition. The whole world thinks you’re just barely recovering, that you’re on your last legs. Do you know how to shatter those rumors?”
Gu Cheng remained expressionless.
“I’m giving you a chance to work out, to reclaim your image of vitality and dominance! This opportunity is a gift from me to you!”
Gu Cheng’s expression didn’t change. He even leaned back on the couch with an air of leisure, his tone teasing. “But this is your task, Ah Yi. How could I take it from you?”
It has nothing to do with me.
Ning Yi gritted her teeth.
Not only was he refusing to help, but he was lounging in her body, slacking off on purpose to make her look bad!
Oh, so he doesn’t want to give me the villa, huh?
Ning Yi’s eyes gleamed dangerously.
“Hubby,” she said sweetly, “you can move your entire upper body now, right?”
Gu Cheng felt a twinge of unease. “What of it?”
The moment he glanced over, Ning Yi shot him a playful wink.
In Gu Cheng’s body, with his cold, sculpted features, deep and penetrating eyes—she executed a wink so dazzling it practically radiated electricity, the kind of charm that could only be described as “shockwave of allure.”
Gu Cheng froze, his face tightening as he watched his own flawless visage make an expression it had never attempted in nearly thirty years of life.
The visual impact hit him directly.
“…”
And then, the sound of the door softly clicking shut echoed behind them.
Assistant Zhou, ever tactful, politely closed the door and retreated, silently choosing to blind himself to what he had just seen.
“I saw nothing, Eldest young master. Absolutely nothing.”
Zhou thought to himself, The relationship between Eldest young master and his wife is so good… it’s a little scary.
Inside, Gu Cheng’s expression darkened, his composure cracking just slightly. “…Ah Yi.”
Ning Yi, entirely unfazed, grinned mischievously. Let’s see you outplay me, old man.
“Hubby, I can not only babble nonsense now; I can also pout and say, ‘Muah muah, kissy kissy!’”
Gu Cheng: “…”
As if to prove her point, Ning Yi—still in Gu Cheng’s body—leaned forward and pursed his thin, perfectly sculpted lips into a ridiculous pout.
“Hubb-y~ Mwah~ Kiss-kiss~” she teased in the most exaggeratedly cutesy voice.
Gu Cheng was horrified at the sight of his own face making such expressions. Before Ning Yi could take it further, he barked, “Enough!”
Through gritted teeth, he muttered, “Ah Yi, you’re good. Very good.”
Finally, with a resigned sigh, he grabbed the mop.
Ning Yi, triumphant, cheerfully sipped her tea. “Hubby, for the sake of our little home, just put in a bit of effort! Show me your hard work!”
After all, this house is so big—I’ll consider sharing a few square meters with you later.
Gu Cheng turned to mop the floor, his silence the only sign of his defeat.
—
Two hours later.
From a distance, the old master’s secretary observed a touching scene:
“‘Ning Yi’” diligently wielded the vacuum cleaner, her every motion radiating focus and determination. Meanwhile, “‘Eldest young master Gu’” sat in his wheelchair, sipping tea. Though unable to participate due to his physical condition, he silently accompanied his wife, watching her with quiet devotion.
The secretary’s eyes softened.
What a heart-warming picture of love and partnership!
Gu Cheng’s security team and assistants, also watching from afar, didn’t dare disturb them.
Such a beautiful relationship!
Gu Cheng, however, could feel none of the admiration.
Straightening from mopping an entire floor, he rubbed his temples and instinctively gestured, calling out, “Song Yan, come help me—”
From across the room, Ning Yi wheeled over, grinning broadly. “Here comes your red-lip goddess!”
Gu Cheng closed his eyes, resigned. “Forget it. Don’t bother.”
…Damn it. Dignity utterly destroyed.
—
Meanwhile, luxury cars began to gather at the gates of the villa.
The Post-Apocalyptic Survival Game’s launch banquet was underway, with excitement at an all-time high. After all, not only was the event sponsored by Gu Corporation, but Eldest young master Gu himself was rumoured to be overseeing things on-site.
Clusters of socialites buzzed in excited whispers:
“I saw Eldest young master Gu’s car! That model and license plate—I’d recognize them anywhere.”
“This event is going to be huge! It’s co-promoted with the CMore platform, so the reach will be massive!”
“Eldest young master Gu is personally attending! I ‘have’ to win first place.”
“The cash prize doesn’t even matter! What matters is Eldest young master Gu personally presenting the award—ahhh!”
During the banquet, event organizers introduced the game’s mechanics. The apocalypse-themed survival challenge promised an immersive experience:
- Players would start with only a basic backpack.
- Supplies would need to be scavenged while evading zombie NPCs scattered throughout the forest.
- The boldest players could even steal from the “zombies” to gain an advantage.
- Rankings would be based on resources collected, and the player with the highest score would win not only the cash prize but also a personal award ceremony with Eldest young master Gu himself.
Someone turned to ask a particular socialite, “Yueyue, do you think you’ll win first place?”
Ding Ziyue, perfectly poised with her exquisitely done makeup, concealed her delight with a modest smile. “Perhaps.”
At that moment, a stir at the banquet hall entrance drew everyone’s attention.
Ding Ziyue’s heart leapt with excitement—it was happening, just as she’d dreamed!
As if out of a fairy-tale, Jiang Linyi—the dashing movie star and secret young master of a powerful family—stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the crowd until it landed on her.
Like a prince, he approached, the other guests parting to make way for him.
Ding Ziyue put on her best mix of surprise and shy delight. “Linyi-gege, what are you doing here?”
Jiang Linyi himself wasn’t entirely sure what had come over him lately. For some reason, this pure and delicate girl had taken root in his mind, impossible to forget. Even when she hesitantly invited him to this event, fully expecting rejection, he had, against all odds, agreed—risking his own reputation to be here.
“Didn’t you say you were scared of zombies and needed someone to protect you?” he murmured, raising his glass. “So, I’m here.”
Ding Ziyue’s eyes widened in awe, moved beyond words.
“Wow! So envious!”
“Yueyue already has her knight in shining armour!”
The other young women sighed with longing. After all, who wasn’t afraid of zombies? Who could imagine braving the woods and scavenging supplies on their own?
Ding Ziyue, on the other hand, had Jiang Linyi—an actual movie star—by her side, ready to protect her and treat her like a treasure. The envy in everyone’s eyes filled her heart with satisfaction.
She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Once the survival activity began, Ning Yi would surely find herself lost, resource-less, and terrified, fleeing from zombies in panic. Meanwhile, Ding Ziyue could stay by Jiang Linyi’s side, basking in his care and admiration.
The stark contrast between their situations would undoubtedly plunge Ning Yi into darkness and force Gu Cheng to finally see her true colours!
Ding Ziyue was savouring the moment when she suddenly heard someone exclaim in disbelief:
“What? Ning Yi and Eldest young master Gu moved into the Biyu Cloud Villa together?!”
“No way! Eldest young master Gu brought ‘her’ along?”
Gu Le, who had snuck over with Zhao Weining to join the fun, overheard the gossip and was immediately offended on behalf of his sister-in-law.
“Why not? My brother even gave her the villa!” he announced proudly.
“What?!”
The crowd was floored. Biyu Cloud Villa had an average price tag in the tens of millions. And Gu Cheng had given one to Ning Yi? A ‘country bumpkin’ like her?!
Ding Ziyue was so consumed with jealousy that she didn’t even register Jiang Linyi’s words by her side.
In a daze, she thought back to her dream—the sequence of events that had perfectly aligned with reality so far. The only deviation was Ning Yi. Somehow, Ning Yi’s presence had disrupted the expected outcome.
Instead of recognizing Ding Ziyue as his saviour, Eldest young master Gu had mistaken Ning Yi for the person deserving of his affection and attention.
Could Ning Yi have… drugged him? Tampered with his memory somehow?
It seemed plausible. Someone as malicious as Ning Yi, who could commit acts of abuse, would surely stoop to drugging him as well.
The thought left Ding Ziyue restless.
Jiang Linyi was great, of course. But being with him came with challenges and storms to weather. Gu Cheng, however, was born a king. Even after his reawakening, he remained a reigning emperor. To hold a place in his heart was the ultimate honour.
She couldn’t let Ning Yi keep manipulating him!
Ding Ziyue deliberately spilled water on her dress, then excused herself to change. Slipping away from the banquet, she headed upstairs.
—
Meanwhile, Ning Yi had taken a break from supervising Gu Cheng and was leisurely pushing the wheelchair across the expansive lawn of her new villa.
“Ah Yi isn’t watching over me anymore?” came Gu Cheng’s sinister voice in her head.
Every time he so much as thought about abandoning the cleaning task, Ning Yi would miraculously roll over in the wheelchair, prepared to blow him a ridiculous wink and pout.
Thus, to protect his dignity, Gu Cheng had no choice but to finish cleaning the entire villa, achieving the most physical activity he’d had in three years.
“Oh, hubby, you’ve already finished cleaning! Between us, no need for formalities,” Ning Yi said, utterly pleased.
Gu Cheng let out a cold laugh as he crouched to pick up the trash he’d just gathered.
In one day, he had learned all the household chores.
Only his Ah Yi could achieve such a feat.
—
As Ning Yi wheeled herself across the lawn, her sharp ears caught the sound of familiar footsteps. Footsteps she had grown accustomed to during her time “resting” in Gu Cheng’s hospital room.
It was her husband’s so-called ‘light’, the exuberant and slightly unhinged Ding Ziyue.
Sure enough, Ding Ziyue spotted the solitary “Eldest young master Gu” in his wheelchair, with the bodyguards stationed at a polite distance. The timing couldn’t be better—this was her chance to help him remember everything!
As a somber winter ballad began to play from her bone-conduction headset, Ning Yi nearly burst out laughing.
The moment Ding Ziyue’s voice rang out, she had to bite her lip to keep from cracking up.
“Hey, Eldest young master Gu, do you remember me?”
“Perhaps… you don’t know. But I’m here for you.”
“I know Ning Yi hurt you deeply, but it’s okay. You still have me.”
Ning Yi: “Pffft—HAHAHAHAHA.”
What had Gu Cheng endured? Even someone as heartless as Ning Yi felt a pang of sympathy for him.
Feigning composure, she closed her eyes to suppress her laughter.
To Ding Ziyue, however, it seemed that “Eldest young master Gu,” sitting in his wheelchair, was visibly affected. His elegant fingers trembled slightly on the armrest, his eyes shut as though grappling with overwhelming emotions.
He’s remembering, Ding Ziyue thought.
He must be recalling the light and salvation she had brought him!
Pain! Such profound pain!
Ding Ziyue felt both vindicated and heartbroken. She and Eldest young master Gu were meant to share a bond of light and redemption. How had it gone so wrong?
“Eldest young master Gu,” she called softly, her voice trembling with emotion. “It’s me. I’m still here.”
“Something must be blocking us!”
Ning Yi: Pain! Such unbearable pain!
—Trying not to laugh was too much to bear!
Ning Yi could only steel herself, clutching the wheelchair tightly as she turned to leave. She couldn’t risk saying a word.
Meanwhile, Ding Ziyue stood frozen, staring at “Eldest young master Gu’s” retreating figure. Tears welled in her eyes, as though she were the tragic heroine of some coming-of-age drama.
Then, she spotted “Ning Yi” walking out of the villa carrying a trash bag.
She couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You!”
She stormed over, blocking Gu Cheng—currently inhabiting Ning Yi’s body—and whipped out her phone.
“Ning Yi, are you the one who’s been abusing Eldest young master Gu? What did you do to him?!”
Gu Cheng stared at her with a blank expression, then looked down at his hands—now roughened from a day of labour he had never asked for.
Freshly “abused” by his wife, Eldest young master Gu was seething with barely contained fury.
“None of your damn business.”
This was their business as a married couple.
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