LLASBWUH Chapter 20

Can We Hold Hands?!

“Hubby, I’m targeting the vital points!” Ning Yi’s bright eyes sparkled with pride as she boasted.

“Did you see that? Direct takedown! Your darling wife is unstoppable!”

Her impressive moves were like a vibrant splash of colour on the stage of this over-the-top romance-themed game. 

Gu Cheng, of course, didn’t actually stand up from his wheelchair. 

To anyone observing, his expression hadn’t changed a bit. He remained perfectly composed, but internally, he issued a warning: “That’s enough, Ning Yi.”

Coincidentally, the zombie pinned under Ning Yi’s hand was also flailing its arms weakly, whining, “Sis, that’s enough…”

“Fine, fine.” Ning Yi finally let go, snatching the last string from the zombie’s wrist and shoving it into her pocket. Before releasing him, she patted his shoulder with the benevolence of a mentor, saying, “Keep working on it for next time, alright?”

The zombie covered its face in shame, muttering, “Got it, sis,” before scurrying off. 

[HAHAHAHA I can’t take this anymore, she’s killing me with laughter!]

[What a treasure Ning Yi is!]

Ding Ziyue stood frozen, her jaw slack. This wasn’t right!

In her dream, she was supposed to be the centre of attention. As the woman Jiang Linyi risked everything to protect, she was meant to captivate the public, earning adoration and curiosity about their romantic journey. 

But now, Ning Yi had stolen all the spotlight! 

Jiang Linyi, too, had been fully engrossed in his emotional turmoil with Ding Ziyue, but when he saw Ning Yi’s fearless profile, a strange sense of doubt crept into his mind.  

Why had he just acted like it was the end of the world? 

It seemed unnecessary. As though some unseen force had pushed him into making that dramatic sacrifice, as if not pampering Ding Ziyue would have been an error. 

But why? What didn’t make sense? 

As the game ended, each participant had a different look on their face. 

The organizers, however, were overjoyed with the incredible response. They emerged to congratulate the survivors. 

“Congratulations, everyone! You’ve survived the apocalypse and proven yourselves to be brave survivors!” 

Ning Yi crossed her arms, internally rolling her eyes. Survived? These folks would’ve been toast in a real apocalypse.

Ding Ziyue, clutching all the strings she’d gathered with help from Jiang Linyi, Gu Zeyu, and several other wealthy participants, eagerly awaited the results. 

Surely, she still had a chance at first place. 

Her anticipation grew as she imagined what people must be saying about her online. And Gu Cheng… he must have watched the livestream, right?

Her fame must already be skyrocketing! 

This apocalypse-themed survival event, streamed live on the CMore platform, had drawn millions of viewers. The organizers had cleverly tied the theme to messages about environmental conservation and cherishing human civilization. They’d even showcased the stunning surroundings of Biyu Cloud Villa. 

The campaign was a complete success. Surely, Gu Cheng would be thrilled. 

….

When Gu Cheng arrived at the awards ceremony in his wheelchair, his expression was ice-cold. 

The event might’ve been a success, but his mood clearly wasn’t.

The moment this man appeared, half the livestream viewers who had logged off earlier surged back online.

[Ahhh, it’s Gu Cheng! He’s here!]

[Can’t wait to see him present the award! So excited!]

[He’ll give it to his wife, right? I’m already shipping them!]

The awards ceremony took place in Biyu Cloud Villa’s grand hall. Gu Cheng was seated in the most prominent position, his presence commanding attention without the need for words or gestures. 

His indifference only added to his magnetic aura, making him the undeniable focus of the room. 

At the same time, he sent a mental message to Ning Yi: “Come here.”

Ning Yi was happily munching on a mini cake at a side table. Hearing his call, she asked, “What is it, hubby?” 

Gu Cheng’s tone was cool. “I have something to say.”

Ning Yi tilted her head, thinking: What’s with the attitude?

Considering it was a public setting with everyone watching, she figured Gu Cheng wouldn’t dare do anything dramatic. So, she strolled over leisurely. 

However, Ding Ziyue and the other socialite heiresses immediately started whispering among themselves. 

Did Gu Cheng even call her? Why is she taking the initiative to approach him?

Does she really think that being his wife means she can cling to him like this?

Or does she think she’s secured first place? What an attention-seeker.

Gu Cheng’s gaze remained calm as he watched Ning Yi approach. Then, he beckoned her closer with a subtle gesture.

The assistant behind Ning Yi approached respectfully, handing her a thin object.

“Madam, this is from the Young Master.”

Ning Yi was taken aback. What could it be? It felt light and flat—could it be a bank card? A check?

Excitement flickered in her eyes. So generous already? This doesn’t seem like the stingy hubby I know!

With a bashful smile, she eagerly took it and turned it over.

—It was a pack of disinfectant wipes.

Ning Yi: “?”

Gu Cheng’s thin lips curled into a faint, cold smile. “Wipe your hands, Ah-Yi. You just touched something dirty.”

Otherwise, he couldn’t bring himself to test the body-swap handshake theory.

Ning Yi: I swear, if these wipes weren’t so soft, I’d strangle you with them.

Where’s my money?

All that effort—where’s my giant pile of money?!

—

The organizers, brimming with smiles, quickly stepped forward to commence the awards ceremony. 

Since Gu Cheng was present, no one dared waste a single second. After all, every moment of this man’s time translated into millions in productivity. 

Still, with a celebrity like Jiang Linyi on-site, they couldn’t miss the opportunity to milk the hype. So, before announcing the results, the organizers invited Jiang Linyi to the stage for a short speech. 

The crowd’s attention finally shifted to the superstar. 

Strangely, though, when Gu Cheng had appeared earlier, Jiang Linyi hadn’t drawn the same level of focus. Normally, an A-list actor like him should’ve been the most eye-catching figure in the room. 

Straightening his tactical jacket, Jiang Linyi ascended the stage gracefully. 

His striking appearance—standing at 6’1” with sharp, handsome features and deep, captivating eyes—drew soft sighs of admiration. Ding Ziyue, seated below, shyly met his gaze, her cheeks tinted with a delicate blush. 

“This event truly impressed me,” Jiang Linyi began, his voice warm and resonant. “The organizers put in tremendous effort, and the gameplay was excellent. The zombie NPCs were especially lifelike.” His gaze swept across the audience. “I was particularly moved by the camaraderie among some of the participants.” 

Ding Ziyue basked in the spotlight, her heart swelling. He must be talking about me!

The barrage of compliments aimed at Ding Ziyue only made her glow with pride. She even stole a glance at Gu Cheng to gauge his reaction. Would Gu Cheng mind?

If they started competing over me… how would I even choose?

Full of anticipation, she sneaked a look at him—only to find him staring at Ning Yi with a blank expression. 

He was watching her devour her third plate of cake. 

Gu Cheng’s expression remained unreadable, but his inner thoughts were hard to ignore: Her appetite’s great. 

“Thank you, Jiang Linyi, for your remarks!” the host finally announced. “And now, let’s reveal the winner of this apocalypse-themed survival challenge!” 

Ding Ziyue stepped onto the stage with a confident smile, ready to bask in the adoration of the cameras and the audience. 

Ning Yi, hands behind her back, leisurely followed behind. 

The host couldn’t help but tease, “Who do you think collected the most strings? Aren’t we all excited to find out?”

The audience erupted into laughter:

[LOL, is there really any suspense?]

[Even the host can’t keep a straight face.]

Unaware of what was to come, Ding Ziyue remained confident. In the dream, I was the winner, and my romance with Jiang Linyi went viral. Now that CMore has tailored hashtags for me, I’ll only shine brighter!

“Let’s count the strings one by one! Survivors, please show your strings!” 

Ding Ziyue held up her bundle with a poised smile. “Ready~!” 

From the audience, Jiang Linyi gazed at her sweet smile, his heart inexplicably stirred. 

Every string she placed on the floor represented the love and protection of her knights. 

Most other survivors ran out after three or four strings, while Ding Ziyue had tossed out ten and still had more to spare. 

Glancing to her side, she noticed that Ning Yi also still had strings left. 

But Ning Yi wasn’t looking at her. 

Every time she tossed a string, she looked straight at Gu Cheng. 

Three strings. 

Five strings. 

Ten strings. 

Each string seemed to carry a message: “Still have more!”

Finally, all eyes were glued to Ning Yi as she nonchalantly reached into her bag… and pulled out string after string after string. 

By the time the count was over, she had placed fifty strings on the floor. 

The room fell into stunned silence. 

“Sis, there are only 100 zombies in total! You’ve single-handedly terrorized half of them!”

Even the organizers, who were certain she’d win, hadn’t expected her to go this hard. 

The audience? Absolutely losing it. Ning Yi was a legend now! 

Finally, even Gu Cheng couldn’t suppress a chuckle. 

The faint, almost imperceptible curve at the corner of his lips was immediately picked up by the eagle-eyed viewers. 

[Did you see that? Gu Cheng smiled!]

[He hasn’t smiled in *years*!]

[And he smiled while looking at his wife. My heart! This is too sweet!]

Ding Ziyue, on the other hand, couldn’t find her smile. 

Was Ning Yi so desperate to show off in front of Gu Cheng?! Hypnotizing him into submission wasn’t enough—now she wanted everyone to see Gu Cheng personally award her?!

This vile woman’s true colours would be exposed sooner or later! 

Meanwhile, Ning Yi kicked back and waited for her prize. 

At last, the award ceremony began, with Gu Cheng himself presenting the prizes. 

Due to his physical condition, Gu Cheng remained seated while the winners approached him to receive their awards. 

When it was Ning Yi’s turn, she confidently stepped forward. 

She accepted the red and yellow “500,000 RMB” placard and the accompanying bank card with a genuinely shy smile. 

“Hubby~ I love you so much~ Muah muah muah!” 

The organizers chimed in, “Let’s congratulate Miss Ning Yi!” 

The other participants offered sparse, reluctant applause—except for Jiang Linyi, who clapped with surprising sincerity. 

…There’s something different about this girl, Jiang Linyi thought. 

Ning Yi humbly waved at the crowd, slipped the bank card into her pocket, and basked in her triumph. 

She barely had a moment to celebrate when Gu Cheng’s calm voice reached her: 

“Ah-Yi, shouldn’t you be splitting that prize money with me?” 

Ning Yi: ??

Gu Cheng, his tone steady and deliberate, continued, “I slept in a tent for you. And dealt with a snake.” 

Oh, this miser.

Was this seriously something a billionaire should say? Competing with his wife over money? Ugh.

Forcing a smile, Ning Yi said, “Of course, hubby! Everything I gain is yours to share!” 

Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow. Oh? Really?

Ning Yi rummaged through her bag and pulled out a bottle of AD calcium milk, a chocolate pie, a packet of instant noodles, and a bottle of medicated oil. 

“Here you go, hubby,” she said, shyly cradling the items in her hands. 

The assistants and bodyguards behind them—like the tens of thousands of viewers—were all starry-eyed. 

[Awwww, so cute!]

Gu Cheng: “…Thanks.”

Ning Yi: “No need to be polite~ ^_^” 

—

With the event over, Ning Yi finally got her phone back. 

First things first, she checked on the data and the progress of her business empire. 

#MostBelovedOne# had exceeded expectations, blowing up thanks to the joint promotion with Gu Corporation and the involvement of a movie star like Jiang Linyi. The event was an absolute sensation. 

Iconic moments from the live stream were everywhere: the “celebrity knight-and-maiden embrace,” the “green onion snake-scare incident,” the “tree-top zombie lecture,” and Ning Yi simultaneously fighting off four zombies. 

Upon review, about 80% of the viral highlights featured Ning Yi. 

Fans were begging for her to open an account and start interacting online. 

Ning Yi: I already have one, you dummies. :O

CMore’s registered user base grew by a million in just two days, with many viewers sticking around to gossip and explore, becoming loyal active users. 

The buzz spread like wildfire in the tech world: CMore’s mysterious founder, 01, was about to strike gold.

Meanwhile, Ding Ziyue, despite being overshadowed, did manage to gain some online traction—thanks to her romantic storyline with Jiang Linyi. 

Some fans disapproved of the pairing, calling her “Sister-in-law,” while others cheered for Jiang Linyi, thinking he had finally found true love. 

Regardless, Ding Ziyue had decided to tightly bind herself to Jiang Linyi, both personally and professionally. 

From the back-end analytics, Ning Yi could see that Ding’s family had poured a ton of money into marketing for Ding Ziyue on CMore. 

Ning Yi: Lol. Thanks for the cash.

The press releases were working overtime, hyping Ding Ziyue as the “jewel of the Ding Group,” with deep dives into her beauty, her “soul,” and her impeccable character. 

But the biggest headline? Ding Ziyue was once Gu Cheng’s fiancée!

That single nugget of history skyrocketed her visibility. 

Tying her to Gu Cheng elevated her status by several notches, and naturally, public curiosity followed: 

• Why did Gu Cheng end up marrying Ning Yi instead? 
• Does Gu Cheng have any real feelings for Ning Yi, or was it a hollow aristocratic marriage? 

As Ding Ziyue’s PR team milked the narrative, “Ning Yi” became a trending topic online, her name growing ever more prominent.

Meanwhile, the mysterious founder of CMore, 01, was raking in the traffic and comfortably basking in her success. 

Zhao Weining, was moved to tears as he watched the influx of business proposals flooding in. 

“Following a boss like this… I’ve ascended to greatness! I’m no longer just the Zhao family’s useless third son! I actually have a legitimate career now!”

His second sister, Zhao Mochu, was also ecstatic—her personal account had hit an all-time high in popularity, all thanks to her endless stream of Gu Cheng x Ning Yi content. Overnight, she gained 200,000 new followers, crushing the Ding Ziyue x Jiang Linyi hype in the process. 

Originally, Zhao Mochu was just farming engagement for her account. But after poring over countless photos and clips of Gu Cheng and Ning Yi, even she had fallen head over heels for the pairing. 

“I mean, come on! Gu Cheng never had this kind of look in his eyes for anyone else! He’s like an iceberg that’s finally melting!”

When she excitedly called Ning Yi to gush about her newfound obsession, Ning Yi scratched her head in confusion. 

“Two random people, what’s there to ship?” 

Zhao Mochu retorted earnestly, “Problem is, neither of you look like random people.”

Gu Cheng, one of Asia’s top 100 most attractive men. 

Ning Yi, a stunning beauty with breath-taking features. 

And to top it off, they were an actual married couple. 

“It’s impossible *not* to ship you two!” 

Zhao Mochu went on, “By the way, Ding Ziyue and Jiang Linyi are calling themselves the ‘January Couple.’ You and Gu Cheng need a ship name too! What about the ‘Sincerity Couple’? Has a nice ring to it, huh?” 

Ning Yi, utterly disinterested, fiddled with her nails. “I don’t see the point. People shipping us? They should get a hobby.”

Besides, there was no way Gu Cheng would entertain this nonsense either. 

She turned her head and saw the “CEO of All Things Cold and Distant” himself, passing by in his wheelchair with his usual impassive demeanour. 

They were about to leave Biyu Cloud Villa, and Gu Cheng had one last meeting to attend. 

For some reason, just seeing his chilly, imposing aura made Ning Yi feel a mischievous urge to mess with him. 

“Hu~bby~” she called out in a drawn-out, singsong voice. 

Gu Cheng stopped in his tracks. “What.” 

Ning Yi, dripping with mock coyness, teased, “Darling, everyone online says we’re such a sweet couple, totally shippable!” 

Gu Cheng let out a cold laugh. “They must be bored.” 

Ning Yi, expecting his reaction, continued coquettishly, “What’s wrong with that, hubby? You love me, I love you, aren’t we the sweetest? People even want to give us a ship name!” 

Gu Cheng: “Hah.”

A ship name? Intrigued despite himself, he briefly considered the idea. Something combining their names… Gu Cheng had “Cheng,” and Ning Yi had “Yi.” 

Perhaps “Sincerity”? That would work. 

Ning Yi’s eyes sparkled. “Since I’m Ning, and you’re Gu, how about we go with—” 

Gu Cheng nodded faintly. “Hmm?”  

“Nigu (‘Monk and Nun’ Couple)! Isn’t it adorable?!”

Gu Cheng: “…”

—

The next day, Ning Yi and Gu Cheng prepared to return to the Gu family estate. 

With the promotional event wrapped up, Assistant Zhou compiled a report to brief Gu Cheng on the results. 

In just a few days, over a hundred wealthy clients had visited Biyu Cloud Villa to tour the villas. Ning Yi’s newly acquired villa alone had attracted inquiries from seven different buyers in a single day, with experts predicting property values would continue to rise. 

When Assistant Zhou finished his report, Ning Yi tilted her head back in satisfaction. “Ah, the joy of being rich!”

By the time they departed, the entire Biyu Cloud Villa project had sold five villas, totalling over a billion yuan in revenue. 

—

For Gu Cheng, however, a billion yuan wasn’t enough to elicit even a flicker of emotion.

The man wore a black shirt, the top two buttons casually undone. His posture was relaxed, but beneath his dark hair, his brows carried an aloof, commanding air. After hearing the report, he responded with only a faint “Mm.”

Ning Yi watched him from the side, her heart fluttering.

Gu Cheng felt her unblinking gaze and arched his thin lips into a mocking curve, exuding the charm of a mature man.

Ning Yi thought, her heart racing: When can I be as rich and cool as him?

Thinking about her platform’s recent success, she felt it wasn’t entirely impossible. One day… one day!

As they left the grand villa at Biyu Cloud Villa, Ning Yi waved dramatically in farewell.

“Mommy will come back to visit soon! Take care of yourselves!”

She glanced wistfully at the other villas. “And you, my dear brothers and sisters, wait for me too!”

One day, angels will come to clean you all!

The angel in the wheelchair next to her: “…”

—

Meanwhile, at the Gu family estate, Old Master Gu was greatly impressed upon hearing that Ning Yi had only taken one villa and returned home. 

“Not greedy! Such fine character!” 

Gu Cheng: Heh.

He knew the real reason but chose to remain silent.

—

On the way back to the Gu estate, the setup in the car was the same as always—driver and assistant in the front seat, Gu Cheng and Ning Yi in the back.

Gu Cheng rested his folded hands on his knees, his fingers tapping lightly.

Those who knew him well would recognize this as his habit when deep in thought.

Gu Cheng’s return from Biyu Cloud Villa seemed like nothing more than a casual retreat, much to the disappointment of certain individuals within Gu Group who had hoped for signs of weakness or frailty.

In reality, Gu Cheng was steadily consolidating his power and regaining control.

And as for the car accident three years ago that left him in a coma, Gu Cheng harboured lingering suspicions.

Now, Gu Cheng despised anything with a low safety margin. Anything dangerous—any person, any situation—had to be firmly within his grasp. 

The biggest anomaly in his life was currently Ning Yi.

Her ability to freely switch their bodies without his consent was an undeniable threat. The only viable way to establish control seemed to involve physical contact, which might allow him to regulate the body-swapping mechanism. 

But figuring out a way to achieve this without overtly initiating it… now that was a challenge. 

Gu Cheng would never take the initiative to shake hands. 

His gaze flicked to the side, landing on Ning Yi, who was sitting cross-legged, happily playing a game on her phone. 

With no emotional connection between them, she was already acting as if she ruled the world. If he indulged her further, how much peace would he have left? 

Gu Cheng’s dictionary had no room for the word indulgence. 

Precision was required—he needed a natural, seamless excuse for physical contact. 

Assistant Zhou glanced back, intending to report the upcoming schedule, but upon catching sight of Gu Cheng’s serious expression, he immediately went silent. 

From Zhou’s perspective, Gu Cheng’s furrowed brow and sharp, focused eyes clearly indicated he was contemplating the future direction of Gu Group. 

Zhou sat up straight, full of admiration, and turned back around.

—

An hour later, the car pulled into the sprawling Gu family estate.

The butler and household staff had lined up outside, prepared to welcome Gu Cheng and Ning Yi home. 

Ning Yi hopped out of the car first, clearly in high spirits.

Ah, the chefs at home… finally, real food!

She missed her private meals! 

But just as she bounced forward cheerfully, she heard a languid voice from behind.

“Ah Yi, aren’t you going to help me?” 

Her steps faltered. Assistant Zhou, who had been about to assist Gu Cheng, wisely withdrew his hand and stood quietly to the side. 

Gu Cheng’s expression was calm.

Test 1.0.

Ning Yi thought: You sly fox. So what if I swindled you out of 50 million and a villa? Now you’re calling me out for not being attentive enough in front of everyone?

With an exaggerated display of enthusiasm, she darted back toward him. 

Gu Cheng’s fingers twitched slightly at her approach, but his expression remained impassive as he raised his hand. 

Taking this opportunity, Gu Cheng had planned to naturally clasp her hands in his, testing the body-switching mechanism. 

However, Ning Yi’s hand completely bypassed his well-defined, elegant fingers. Instead, she reached under his arm and rested her hand on his shoulder. 

“I’ll support you like this! Come on, hubby!” she chirped. 

Gu Cheng: “…” 

The butler, maids, assistants, and bodyguards all fell into a brief collective silence. For a moment, everyone thought Ning Yi’s words had been: “Come on, bro!” 

It was all technique, zero affection. 

Gu Cheng, silently resigned, allowed himself to be “supported” in this manner. 

“Alright, let go,” he said evenly. 

Ning Yi feigned disappointment, pouting, “Hubby, why are you rejecting me again? Q3Q” 

So unpredictable! Such a fickle husband! 

The onlookers dared not criticize Gu Cheng, but their gazes collectively reflected a profound sympathy for Ning Yi. 

Gu Cheng: “…” 

Forget it. He’d find another opportunity. 

—

The next morning at breakfast, the dining table was laden with an array of delicacies. 

To welcome Ning Yi back, the Gu family’s kitchen had gone all out, preparing her favorite morning dim sum. 

Steamed chicken feet, black bean pork ribs, translucent shrimp dumplings, cilantro and water chestnut beef balls, stewed tripe, turnip cakes… 

Ning Yi’s eyes sparkled with happiness. Goodbye, apocalyptic survival! I love this world!

At the table, only Gu Cheng and Ning Yi were present. 

The old master rarely ate breakfast due to his age, Song Lan was busy with preparations for next week’s jewellery gala, and Gu Le had wisely stayed away to protect his green hair. 

Gu Cheng sat impassively, sipping a cup of black tea, his gaze occasionally flicking toward Ning Yi’s hands. 

“Master Gu,” Assistant Zhou stood beside the table, briefing Gu Cheng on the day’s itinerary. 

When he mentioned the upcoming jewellery gala being organized by Song Lan, Assistant Zhou hesitated, then glanced at Ning Yi, who had three shrimp dumplings stuffed into her cheeks, and said cautiously: 

“Master Gu, Miss Wen has returned from abroad.” 

Wen Zheli, eldest daughter of the Wen family. A renowned designer overseas, known for her beauty and talent. Most importantly, the Wen and Gu families were old friends, and Wen Zheli had been Gu Cheng’s classmate—practically childhood sweethearts. 

Gu Cheng responded with a faint “Mm.” 

He thought briefly: If I pretend to get up later and need support, that should provide a natural opportunity for hand contact.

Assistant Zhou cast another discreet glance at Ning Yi. While everyone had grown fond of her—especially after her impressive performance during the survival game—Miss Wen’s return posed a significant challenge. 

Miss Wen was ambitious, and the alliance of two prominent families carried weighty implications. Assistant Zhou worried that Ning Yi might be unprepared for what was coming. 

Gu Cheng, however, remained calm. 

Ning Yi, meanwhile, idly munched on her food as she recalled the name. 

Wen Zheli? Oh, the supposed childhood sweetheart?

According to the book’s plot, Wen Zheli was a noteworthy character who returned to compete with the female lead, Ding Ziyue, for the title of A City’s top socialite. 

Ning Yi leaned back, smirking internally. Let the drama begin! Fight, fight, fight!

As for Wen Zheli returning for her husband? Ning Yi was entirely indifferent. 

Assistant Zhou ventured, “Miss Wen will be attending Mrs. Song Lan’s jewellery gala next week. Master Gu, will you and Madam also be attending?” 

Gu Cheng’s gaze lowered to Ning Yi. “Do you want to go?” 

Ning Yi blinked innocently. “Is hubby buying me jewellery?” 

Gu Cheng’s voice was as cold as ever, laced with unmistakable indifference. “What value will you provide me in return?” 

He glanced at her hands again. 

Ning Yi pouted. “Hubby, I can protect you! I won’t let anyone hurt you!” 

Gu Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh?” 

Protection. Hmm… That’s an idea.

—

After breakfast, Gu Cheng pondered briefly before calling over Song Yan. He gave him a few low-voiced instructions. 

Song Yan’s expression flickered with surprise. 

But he was used to following Master Gu’s orders without question. If Master Gu commanded it, then it was correct. 

“Yes, Master Gu!” 

After finishing breakfast, Ning Yi found herself dragged along to Gu Cheng’s company. 

“Didn’t you say you wanted to protect me?” Gu Cheng’s expression was cool and indifferent. “I could use some of that.” 

Ning Yi: Ha-ha, fine.

Upon entering the company, Gu Cheng’s presence was like a storm passing through. Everyone was on edge, scrambling to perform under his scrutinizing gaze. 

Meanwhile, Gu Cheng busied himself as the cold and efficient CEO for the entire morning. 

Bored, Ning Yi borrowed a computer and began working on her code. As she worked, she noticed Gu Zhisong lurking nearby, his expression betraying hidden motives. 

He really seems to be waiting for something to go wrong with Gu Cheng’s health, she mused. 

The Gu Group was full of people harbouring ulterior motives. 

This family really needs me to hold it together!

By the time Gu Cheng emerged from the meeting room, he exchanged a subtle glance with Song Yan, who gave a small nod. 

The plan was in place. 

Gu Cheng betrayed nothing. 

Attempt 2.0

Gu Cheng led the way in his wheelchair while Ning Yi obediently followed. 

The 28th floor housed Gu Cheng’s presidential office. After exiting the elevator, they turned into a long corridor. 

Ning Yi trailed behind lazily, maintaining a casual distance of several meters. But after only a few steps, there was a sudden “click”—and the lights went out! 

The corridor was plunged into darkness. 

The bodyguards, oblivious to the plan, immediately tensed. 

“Master Gu!” 

“Circle around him!” 

“Someone check the circuit!” 

In the shadows, Gu Cheng remained composed, extending his hand behind him. 

He intended to naturally grasp Ning Yi’s hand—without any emotional implications—under the guise of gentlemanly protection. 

But in the darkness, Ning Yi’s eyes sparkled like twin searchlights. 

An ambush?! 

If you love him, you must protect him! I will fight for my big diamonds and pearls!

When she spotted a pair of ghastly white hands reaching out from a corner, Ning Yi didn’t hesitate. 

Now’s my time to shine!

She sprang into action, unleashing a flying kick. 

“Who dares lay a hand on my husband?!” 

At that exact moment, Gu Cheng’s outstretched hand met hers. 

In the dim hallway, their fingers briefly touched. 

But instead of clasping hands… 

Gu Cheng was holding Ning Yi’s soft, delicate foot. 

“Click!” The power came back on, flooding the corridor with light. 

In the brightness, Gu Cheng sat there, frozen, holding her dainty foot as everyone stared in shock. 

“Y-Young Master…” one of the guards stammered. 

Had the body-switch worked? 

No. 

Gu Cheng simply wanted to leave this world for a few moments. 

**Nomad: I hope you all liked this chapter dump. I’m feeling generous thanks to some awesome Ko-fi donations, so I figured I’d share the wealth. Consider it a little ‘thank you’ gift from me!

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