Husband Does the Backbend
The Gu family manor bustled with activity in preparation for the return of Young Master Gu and Ning Yi from S City. Both Song Lan and Elder Gu had wrapped up their affairs early to be home for a family dinner.
Song Lan and Elder Gu were naturally delighted, but no one was as thrilled as the Gu family’s kitchen staff.
They weren’t just welcoming back their Young Master and Madam—they were welcoming back their saviour!
The kitchen had been in low spirits these past few days. Without Madam around, Elder Gu had barely touched his food, Song Lan was eating sparingly to maintain her figure, and the young master Gu Le was dining out with his mischievous friends. The chefs had no chance to showcase their talents!
Now that Ning Yi had returned, the head chef waved his ladle with enthusiasm, ready to whip up a meal that embodied the warmth of home.
Ning Yi smiled. “Sounds good, sounds good.”
Today, she was determined to eat her fill—times twelve.
When Song Lan saw Ning Yi pushing Gu Cheng’s wheelchair through the door, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle change between them. Gu Cheng, still wearing his usual aloof expression, reached his hand out to Ning Yi as they entered.
Nothing seemed different, yet there was a newfound sense of closeness between them.
Song Lan stifled a giggle behind her hand.
Although Gu Cheng’s legs hadn’t recovered yet, the doctors predicted that, like his other organs, they would gradually heal over time. It wouldn’t be long before Gu Cheng could leave the wheelchair behind and fully showcase his charm. By then, their relationship would surely grow even stronger.
The family dinner that evening was especially sumptuous, and Ning Yi single-handedly swept through the entire table.
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
Gu Le, intrigued by their trip to S City thanks to Zhao Weining, was particularly interested. Being a huge fan of Wander, he had watched the live stream and nearly cried from envy. If only he had been there! He could have gone on stage as a lucky audience member to play VR games with Wander.
With starry eyes, Gu Le asked, “Sis-in-law, you’re close with Captain Wan, right? Ahhh, I want to game with him too! Can you introduce us?”
The teenage Gu Le, still in his awkward phase, idolized esports players. And Wander, with his good looks and skills, was everything Gu Le wanted to be.
Ning Yi, busy devouring her meal, took a moment to respond, “Hmm, yeah, we’re pretty close.”
Gu Cheng gave her a sidelong glance, expressionless.
Gu Le, oblivious to his brother’s reaction, excitedly said, “Ahhh, can you get me his WeChat? I saw he even did companion gaming with Jiang Linyi—I’m willing to pay for it too!”
Ning Yi thought, Goodness, I just said I wouldn’t spend money on gifts, and here we are sending another poor sucker to the chopping block.
Ah, the law of conservation of energy.
She waved her hand dismissively. “No worries, I’ll talk to him. He’ll probably play with you for free.”
Bro, he’s just a bro.
It’s nothing.
Gu Le was over the moon. “Thank you, Sis-in-law!”
Song Lan, watching the younger generation with amusement, didn’t criticize Gu Le too much despite his obsession with gaming. Though the Gu family appeared intimidating to outsiders, they weren’t overly strict with each other.
Since the passing of Elder Gu’s son, it had been Gu Cheng managing the younger generation.
However, as Gu Cheng observed his younger brother and wife beaming over Wander, he wasn’t sure who to address first—Gu Le or Ning Yi.
In the end, Gu Cheng calmly placed a piece of chilled cucumber salad onto Ning Yi’s plate.
It was cold. And green.
Ning Yi ate it without a second thought. “Thanks, hubby!”
Gu Cheng: “Is it good?”
Ning Yi beamed. “How could something my hubby serves not be good?”
Gu Cheng sneered faintly. *Ha.*
The rest of the table laughed as well.
—They’re so in love. How wonderful!
At this rate, they’d probably have kids by next year, the elders thought with hope in their eyes.
After dinner, Gu Le eagerly wanted to follow Ning Yi to contact Wander.
But just as Ning Yi stepped outside, Gu Le was stopped cold by a low voice.
“What game are you playing?”
“Huh? A—a zombie game.”
Gu Cheng’s calm gaze bore into him as his fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his wheelchair.
Gu Le’s legs started trembling as the childhood fear of his older brother’s dominance surged back into him.
Even though he was scared, Gu Le was still Gu Cheng’s biggest fanboy.
His brain worked overtime as he thought of the CP-shipping fans on CMore. Inspiration struck, and he said, “Captain Wan may be cool, but he’s got nothing on you, Bro! You’ll always be the coolest!”
Gu Cheng’s expression didn’t change. “Really?”
Gu Le nodded earnestly. “When have I ever dared lie to you, Bro? It never ends well!”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Gu Cheng’s lips.
True.
The only person who dared lie to his face with impunity was Ning Yi.
Gu Le, sensing he might have guessed a bit of his brother’s thoughts, carefully added, “In any case, I’m sure Sis-in-law loves you. She even told Mom that you’re her one and only god, her eternal light, her guiding star!”
Gu Cheng: “…”
“You actually believe that nonsense.”
No, wait—he wasn’t supposed to care whether Ning Yi loved him or not.
“All right, get lost.”
“On it!”
Gu Le promptly rolled away, round and cheerful.
Gu Cheng pinched the bridge of his nose.
He couldn’t quite figure out why he cared.
But—well, they were legally married. Wasn’t it perfectly reasonable to care? Even without involving personal feelings, it made logical sense.
With this line of reasoning clear, Young Master Gu decisively made up his mind: from now on, he would unapologetically care.
Ha.
What was the alternative? Becoming a cold and green cucumber?
Having sorted out his thoughts, Gu Cheng immediately switched to work mode.
Three days away had left plenty of work piling up in City A. Surrounded by eight assistants, each struggling to keep up with his pace and intensity, he dove into clearing the backlog.
Gu Zhisong and the other relatives had been unusually quiet lately, not even sending money to Ning Yi. She found herself missing that particular stream of income and eagerly anticipated their next “attack.”
After all, every attempt was futile—just another dish for Gu Cheng’s imperial fortune feast!
Gu Cheng was well aware they wouldn’t give up so easily. The future of the eastern district’s land development would shape Gu Corporation’s direction for the next decade. His recent attendance at the Internet Innovation Summit marked a clear pivot from real estate toward emerging technologies.
For most employees, following Young Master Gu was the right choice. Before his accident, he had been the undisputed king of decision-making. Many had witnessed the rapid expansion of the corporation’s commercial empire first-hand, a feat that inspired awe. Three years later, his return still carried the aura of a king, decisive and bold.
But for the extended family members who had built their wealth in real estate, finding footing in a new industry was difficult. Arrogant and resistant to change, they clung to their old ways, unwilling to adapt to new trends.
Each one of them was a problem.
For Gu Cheng, however, these issues were mere hurdles. His life was 99% devoted to crafting a commercial legacy. The remaining 1%? He could spend it entertaining Ning Yi.
He paused.
Make that 2%.
Meanwhile, Ning Yi had spent her first day back home lying around.
That evening, she cheerfully whipped up a small feast for herself, stuffed her round belly, and went right back to lounging.
CMore’s growth trajectory was excellent. She continued refining the framework she had created while delegating business matters to Zhao family professionals. She only needed to step in when technical challenges arose.
Gu Cheng, on the other hand, was as busy as ever after returning from S City. Between advancing projects, tracking the summit’s developments, and negotiating with CMore and gaming companies, his schedule was packed.
Watching her husband’s busy routine, Ning Yi felt deeply touched.
What’s his is mine. What’s mine… is also mine!
The main reason Ning Yi didn’t want to reveal her identity to Gu Cheng was to avoid letting their marriage affect their business partnership. What if she got morally blackmailed? Or worse, roped into becoming a “technical resource” for their family without compensation?
Impossible. She had no morals. They shouldn’t even dream of it!
After getting used to sharing a bed during their trip, the same arrangement continued back at the Gu family manor.
The household staff and bodyguards vividly remembered the rumours from before: that Madam had played the role of a seductive spider demon and completely captivated Young Master Gu, keeping him holed up in their room.
Young Master Gu and Madam were always up to something innovative!
Naturally, they wouldn’t dare disturb.
—
That night.
While Gu Cheng reviewed stock analysis on his laptop after a bath, Ning Yi lay seductively on the bed in a strappy silk nightgown, calling out to him.
“Hubby~ come to bed early!”
“Mm.” Gu Cheng replied perfunctorily, sparing her a glance. Then, after a pause, he asked, “Aren’t you cold?”
Her smooth, pale shoulders were exposed. It was unclear what she was trying to achieve.
Ning Yi, as expected, got even more excited when teased.
Seeing her husband’s cold expression, she dramatically kicked the covers off herself.
Her porcelain skin was smooth and delicate, and the curves of her body were perfectly outlined by the nightgown.
Anyone would agree she was a stunner.
Inspired by Wander’s knack for flirty banter, she narrowed her eyes seductively and murmured, “How could I feel cold when I see you, hubby? You’re my fire.”
Gu Cheng stared at her in silence for a few seconds before calmly saying, “Just say what you want.”
There’s no need for seduction.
Feigning shyness, Ning Yi replied, “I knew it! Hubby, you always know how to satisfy me! I’m going to be the happiest little birthday girl in the whole world, aren’t I?”
Gu Cheng focused back on his work. “Mm. Sure.”
Undeterred, Ning Yi continued to gaze at him passionately. “If hubby isn’t sleeping, I’m not sleeping either. I’m your baby!”
Gu Cheng closed his eyes briefly, speeding up his work. “I’ll sleep. Cover yourself with the blanket.”
Ning Yi hummed a little tune as she pulled the covers back over herself.
When Gu Cheng finally got into bed, he noticed she was still humming—a birthday song, endlessly dropping hints.
Gu Cheng: “…”
She really was a handful.
If he didn’t give her a proper birthday celebration, she’d never let him live it down.
Gu Cheng shook his head helplessly.
“Got it,” he said, reaching out to pinch Ning Yi’s wrist in a warning. “—Lie down properly.”
Not to be outdone, Ning Yi flipped over, wrapping both him and the blanket in her arms, effectively turning the dignified Young Master Gu into a human pillow. “Hehe^3^”
Gu Cheng turned his face slightly, staring at her bright eyes in the dark. After a long pause, he sighed.
Fine. If she wanted to use him as a pillow, so be it.
Boundaries are like dominoes—once you let one fall, the rest follow.
After a day full of antics, Ning Yi decided that was enough for tonight. Time to settle into a blissful sleep!
She slowly closed her mischievous eyes. “Good night, hubby! Good night, Big—”
Gu Cheng’s voice interrupted her in the darkness. “Don’t greet it.”
Ning Yi burst into giggles.
Fine! I’ll do it in my heart!
Good night, Big Positivity!
—
The next morning, when Ning Yi woke up, Gu Cheng had already been out of bed for hours. She yawned contentedly and stretched lazily.
Her quality of sleep had been improving lately, and her sensitive hearing barely bothered her anymore. Of course, that might also have been because the entire floor of the house was left empty at night—no servants, no bodyguards in sight.
She wasn’t sure why, though.
At breakfast, Song Lan waited for her and watched warmly as Ning Yi happily devoured two baskets of soup dumplings. With a kind smile, she said, “The jewellery sets showcased at the last exhibition have been nominated for awards. We’ll need to take some display photos. Since the jewellery belongs to you now, I wanted to let you know. And honestly, I think no other model would suit them better than you.” Song Lan’s voice softened as she added, “After the shoot, I’ll pick a lovely set for autumn as a birthday gift for you. How does that sound?”
Ning Yi: Sniffle. Mother-in-law is too good to me.
Unlike my stingy husband, who needs constant nudging—and still might not deliver!
“Of course, Mom! Where will the shoot be?” Ning Yi asked after swallowing her dumpling.
Song Lan beamed. “We’ve arranged the most professional indoor studio in the city. Gu Cheng’s assistant and the bodyguards will take you there. No pressure—it’s just like walking the runway that day. You’ll do wonderfully.”
At that moment, Gu Cheng, fully dressed for the day, walked by. Hearing Song Lan’s words, he let out a cold chuckle.
“Runway? Who was it that was ‘wonderful’?”
Ning Yi thought: Hehe.
Today, I can be wonderful again.
In the end, Gu Cheng assigned Ning Yi four bodyguards and an assistant to accompany her to the shoot.
—
On the way to the studio, Ning Yi casually opened her phone to check her messages.
And right there, on her 01 account, was a message from Ding Ziyue.
[Hey, want to chat?]
[I know your heart is wandering too.]
Ning Yi: This is comedy gold.
Still the same flavour as always!
So now the female lead wants to become *my* light?
Ding Ziyue, after sending the message, smiled smugly. She was certain the person on the other end—a socially awkward techie—would be thrown into a tizzy. Surely, they’d be flustered, heart racing, over this subtle yet slightly flirty greeting from the goddess they secretly admired.
When no reply came for a long time, Ding Ziyue was unsurprised. Of course, she thought. A tech geek would be too shy to respond right away to a beauty like me.
She imagined 01 clumsily waving their hands in joy over her message while nervously overthinking their reply.
Ding Ziyue chuckled. So easy to charm!
By comparison, Wander was proving far harder to win over. He had yet to show any signs of falling for her, which was a bit troublesome.
But Ding Ziyue was confident that her grand birthday party would change everything. Surely, Wander would be captivated by her, and Jiang Linyi would feel lucky to have such an extraordinary girlfriend.
As for Jiang Linyi’s childhood friend—
Ding Ziyue glanced at the studio her brother had rented for her birthday poster shoot.
Rumour had it that woman was handling the photography.
Well, there’s no way she can compare to my pampered life as a socialite heroine!
According to the plot, her relationship with Jiang Linyi was due for a major breakthrough at this birthday party.
And for that, the involvement of characters like Eldest Young Master Gu was essential.
This time, Ding Ziyue was determined to achieve her goal.
—
After reading Ding Ziyue’s message, Ning Yi simply locked her phone.
Oh, and she adjusted her VPN while she was at it. She’d already tinkered with her IP location to show a different city before. Now, she decided to take it a step further and plant herself abroad.
—Kyrgyzstan.
How far does my heart have to wander now?
With Ding Ziyue’s level of intelligence, it might take her a while to figure things out. Hopefully, the distance will discourage her, and she’ll stay focused on her pampered romance plotline!
The car soon arrived at the studio.
The photographer assigned to capture Ning Yi’s jewellery showcase was named Song Qingmei.
At first glance, Ning Yi thought Song Qingmei had a particularly unique aura—like a faint, distant ink painting.
Unlike Ning Yi’s bold and striking features that carried an almost aggressive beauty, Song Qingmei was the epitome of the “soft aesthetic” often praised online. Her hair, eyebrows, and lips were all light-coloured, exuding a refined and artistic elegance.
The name felt familiar to Ning Yi. She flipped through the plot in her mind—
Song Qingmei… Qingmei (childhood friend)?!
So, this was the childhood friend of the male lead, Jiang Linyi—the one destined to make Ding Ziyue ridiculously jealous. Seriously, could the author of this brainless romance have put a little more effort into naming characters?
“Hello, you’re the model from the runway show, right?” Song Qingmei approached with her camera, her tone gentle.
Ning Yi nodded. “Yes, I’m Ning Yi.”
Song Qingmei gave a faint smile. “I know. You’re quite famous.”
Ning Yi smiled back, unreserved and confident.
Song Qingmei, however, carried an ever-present melancholy between her brows.
She had grown up alongside Jiang Linyi in a well-off family, yet she seemed perpetually burdened by an inexplicable pain. This sorrow deepened after Jiang Linyi met Ding Ziyue—not because she loved him and was heartbroken, but because she couldn’t understand why she kept being pulled into his life.
Why did she need to stay connected to Jiang Linyi, to care about him, to repeatedly appear between him and his socialite girlfriend?
Though she didn’t want to play this role, she always ended up doing so. This internal conflict kept her trapped in perpetual misery, unable to find someone who could break the cycle.
This lingering sorrow made her the perfect choice to photograph ‘Mermaid’s Tear’, a jewellery set designed to evoke feelings of despair and hopelessness. Its style matched Song Qingmei’s artistic sensibilities perfectly.
After understanding Song Qingmei’s vibe, Ning Yi felt hesitant.
‘Mermaid’s Tear’ truly was a piece steeped in pain. In her case, the pain stemmed from her husband wearing wear ten-centimetre heels for her!
Should I borrow another pair for today? Ning Yi wondered, rubbing her chin.
Far away at a corporate meeting, Gu Cheng suddenly felt a tickle in his nose.
Who’s cursing me?
—
Ning Yi went to the dressing room to change into the outfits prepared for the shoot. Unlike the glamorous runway attire, today’s wardrobe reflected Song Qingmei’s personal style—subtle, fragmented, and requiring a delicate artistic touch.
Ning Yi posed for two sets of photos. Initially, she felt awkward standing alone in front of the camera, but Song Qingmei’s soft-spoken and clear guidance helped her relax over time.
The ‘Snowflake’ jewellery set turned out beautifully.
But when it came to ‘Mermaid’s Tear’, Song Qingmei couldn’t get the right feel. Her brows furrowed as she tried different angles, repeatedly apologizing to Ning Yi, saying it was her own state of mind and not the model’s fault.
Ning Yi felt a pang of guilt.
Actually, it might be the model’s fault!
Could Gu Cheng’s artistic performance really be better than mine?
Song Qingmei sat to review the photos, radiating a quiet aura of sadness and self-reproach.
Ning Yi could guess the source of Song Qingmei’s melancholy. Unlike other characters in this world, Song Qingmei seemed slightly more self-aware, faintly recognizing the illogical forces driving her actions. She couldn’t pinpoint what was pushing her, but she could sense its presence.
As a sensitive and artistic individual, it was no wonder she struggled with her emotions.
In contrast, Ding Ziyue fully embraced the brainless plotline, charging ahead without resistance. Ning Yi almost wanted to dedicate ‘The Lonely Brave’ to her. Who says only those in the spotlight can be heroes?
After some thought, Ning Yi pulled out her phone and asked, “Do you play games?”
Song Qingmei looked surprised. “Huh?”
—
Half an hour later.
“Ahhh, can you save me?!”
“On my way, on my way.”
With a lollipop in her mouth and her phone in her hands, Ning Yi swiftly took down several zombies surrounding Song Qingmei with effortless precision. Watching Ning Yi mow them down was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Although their chances of winning were slim, Ning Yi carried the team, slaying over twenty zombies before they eventually lost.
As the game ended with their human characters lying in a pool of blood, Song Qingmei didn’t feel sadness. Instead, she felt an unfamiliar sense of release.
“See?” Ning Yi said, her words dripping with cheerful brutality. “When you’re sad, angry, or in pain, just take it out on others. After all, this stupid world isn’t our fault.”
This mindset had kept Ning Yi mentally healthy during the apocalypse. Despite poor food, worse sleep, and constant danger, she stayed optimistic and resilient.
Maybe it’s because I don’t have a heart, Ning Yi thought. But it’s better than prolonged suffering.
Song Qingmei had never met someone like Ning Yi. The rush from the game still lingered in her mind, and she truly felt a bit lighter.
“Thank you.”
Ning Yi was a rare person who didn’t add to her tension but instead offered a reprieve from this twisted world.
She was… comforting.
Song Qingmei lifted her camera. “Let’s try again.”
“Sure~” Ning Yi replied brightly.
After Ning Yi and Song Qingmei finished their game, Wander happened to start his livestream, coincidentally choosing the same zombie game.
He casually opened his friends list, looking to randomly drag some unlucky player into slashing zombies with him.
And there she was—Ning Yi, online one minute ago.
Wander paused, then invited her to join.
That little ingrate! Ever since she returned to City A, she hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye, let alone send a message. Meanwhile, Ding Ziyue had been bombarding him with incomprehensible texts.
Wander waited for Ning Yi for a while.
His fans noticed something was up and started teasing him.
[Who’s Brother Wan waiting for?]
[Let me guess, feels like there’s only one answer.]
[Sister Ning, come on, come on, come on!]
Wander, tapping his keyboard, ignored their jokes but kept glancing at his phone every couple of seconds.
Then, Ning Yi’s profile went dark.
Wander: “…”
He clicked his tongue and turned to match with random players. “Let’s go.”
His fans, however, weren’t about to let the moment pass without poking fun.
[LOL, Sister Ning logged off as soon as Brother Wan got on.]
[‘Gu de Mo Ning’ fans are thrilled!]
[‘Wan Shi Ru Yi’? A hard BE ending!]
[Rhyming so perfectly, you’re stealing the bamboo shoots, LOL!]
Wander was so annoyed his teeth were practically grinding.
He almost didn’t feel like streaming anymore!
—
Meanwhile, Ning Yi was focused on her work.
After all, Song Lan’s jewellery being nominated was a big deal. If the photos could help secure the award, it would be fantastic. Ning Yi just hoped her performance wouldn’t backfire.
Song Qingmei, being overly perceptive, had already noticed something unusual. She could distinctly sense a difference between the Ning Yi wearing ‘Snowflake’ at the jewellery showcase and the one wearing ‘Mermaid’s Tear’. It was in the aura, the gaze, the subtle details—almost as if there were two different souls in Ning Yi’s body.
Ning Yi winced. Too perceptive for her own good. Even Song Lan hadn’t picked up on such nuances.
Of course, Song Qingmei wouldn’t leap to a science-defying conclusion like soul-swapping. Ning Yi simply wanted to meet her artistic standards.
She pondered for a while, trying to channel sadness, despair, and a broken spirit.
But then she realized…
She wasn’t despairing at all!
This world was too good—delicious food, steady career growth, a wealthy husband to exploit, and daily drama to enjoy. She was practically living the dream. What was there to despair about?
So she could only resort to Plan B. ^3^
—
One minute later, Gu Cheng was standing in the studio, expressionless.
“Hubby, come on, just a couple of photos! It’s for Mom!” Ning Yi coaxed.
“Once we’re done, I’ll switch back, okay? I’ll even give you a leg massage tonight.”
Gu Cheng: “…”
One moment, he was standing by his office’s floor-to-ceiling windows, contemplating the bustling city and his vast commercial empire.
The next, he’d been dragged into a studio to pose for a photoshoot.
Ning Yi grinned cheekily. “I’ll massage *all three legs* if you want!”
Gu Cheng: “…”
“Shut up.”
Does she even know what that means? She’s bold enough to just spout anything.
Song Qingmei adjusted her setup with a serious expression. “Let’s try again.”
Gu Cheng was silent for several seconds, utterly speechless, before resigning himself to help her.
The body-swap mechanics were as unfair as ever—he couldn’t even hold Ning Yi’s hand, let alone regain control over the situation. He was used to it by now.
Looking at her outfit, Gu Cheng noted the light, gauzy dress she was wearing. The design wasn’t overly elaborate, with trailing ribbons that gave it an ethereal and fragmented feel.
At least it was more modest than the deep-V gown she had worn at the jewellery showcase.
Fine.
Song Qingmei approached. “Are you sure you can do a backbend?”
Gu Cheng: “?”
Wait, do a what?
Song Qingmei had heard Ning Yi suggest that the model could do a backbend, allowing the photographer to shoot from above. She immediately thought it was a brilliant pose—
It evoked the imagery of struggle and pain, without tears—because a mermaid’s tears all flow back into the deep sea.
What a stunning metaphor!
She hadn’t expected Ning Yi to be so insightful.
“We’ll take a few shots first to see how it works. Just be mindful of your stamina, and let me know if you feel any discomfort,” Song Qingmei instructed.
Gu Cheng: “…”
In the end, CEO Gu had to clean up the mess his wife left behind.
Supporting himself against the wall, he slowly bent backward.
His face was as impassive as ever, but his entire demeanour screamed exasperation.
His back hurt.
“Yes! Perfect!”
“Hold it, slightly close your eyes—perfect—”
For the first time, Song Qingmei felt a sense of relief. “There it is—the feeling from the jewellery showcase.”
A hint of despair, a touch of struggle, and a trace of restraint.
It all came together to create a precarious, fragmented beauty that shone uniquely on her beautiful face.
Song Qingmei finally smiled.
Gu Cheng stood back up, still holding the wall for support.
Young Master Gu didn’t understand art.
He just wanted to know how any normal person could do a backbend and not look precarious.
—
“Thank you, Ning Yi.”
After the shoot, Song Qingmei expressed her gratitude, her gaze sincere as she looked at Gu Cheng.
To Song Qingmei, Ning Yi was a rare person who brought her peace. Hesitantly fiddling with the hem of her shirt, she asked, “I can’t get out of attending Ding Ziyue’s birthday party. Will you be there?”
It felt like if Ning Yi were present, the experience might not be so unbearable.
Gu Cheng didn’t make decisions for Ning Yi. Instead, he asked internally, She’s asking if you’ll go to Ding Ziyue’s birthday party. Will you?
He was curious himself since Ning Yi’s birthday was on the same day. Wasn’t she planning to celebrate properly?
“Of course, why not!” Ning Yi replied cheerfully.
She remembered from the original plot that Princess Ding’s birthday cake was made by an internationally renowned pastry chef. It was a masterpiece—eight layers, each with a different filling!
Who wouldn’t want to taste that?
Gu Cheng: “Fine.”
She could go eat her cake, and when she came back, they’d continue her celebration.
He glanced at Song Qingmei. “We’ll be there.”
Song Qingmei’s face lit up with a genuine smile.
—
The photos from Ning Yi’s shoot were soon finalized, needing little editing before being published online.
[OMG! Qingmei! My favorite photographer just shot Ning Yi! Dream collaboration!!]
[These photos are stunning. I’m speechless.]
[I’m obsessed with Ning Yi’s face… I can’t. I’m dead.]
[No wonder Gu Cheng is always jealous. If my wife looked like this, I’d never let her out of my sight.]
[Don’t worry, haha, ‘Wan Shi Ru Yi’ just had a hard breakup. Gu Cheng can relax.]
The internet erupted into heated discussion once again.
—
Ding Ziyue, closely monitoring all news related to Ning Yi, immediately retaliated by posting her own set of nine meticulously edited birthday poster photos.
[@DingZiyue: Almost time to be pampered into another year older~ [images][images]]
She refreshed the comments and likes repeatedly, checking if her post had surpassed the one featuring Ning Yi’s photos.
When she found it hadn’t, she promptly called her brother to bankroll a sponsored push.
“Brother~ didn’t you say I should be the most dazzling little princess?”
How could she let Ning Yi steal the spotlight?
Ding Yusen, preoccupied with more pressing matters—like trying to wrestle some control back for the Ding family from Gu Cheng’s dominant grip—still considered Yueyue’s birthday a top priority.
“Alright, alright, I’ll make sure you shine.”
—
Meanwhile, Ning Yi was in Gu Cheng’s office, diligently sitting through the assistants’ reports before concisely summarizing and relaying them to him.
She performed her role so efficiently, it was as if she were his personal secretary.
Gu Cheng finished Ning Yi’s photoshoot and informed her, “It’s done.”
Ning Yi’s rainbow-like praise followed immediately.
“Hubby, you’ve worked so hard! Even something as difficult as a backbend—you can do it! Is there anything in this world you can’t do? Nope, because you’re a god!”
Gu Cheng: I don’t feel like talking.
Ning Yi glanced at the time—it was already mealtime. She rubbed her stomach and said to Gu Cheng, “Hubby~ you can go back and continue working now~ I won’t disturb you. Make lots of money, okay? ^3^~”
Gu Cheng: “Heh.”
Ning Yi rubbed her hands together, preparing to initiate the body swap.
But after a few attempts, she found herself still seated in Gu Cheng’s office chair.
Ning Yi: “?”
—Great. Here we go again.
The swap mechanism had failed once more. It was so unreliable.
But fortunately—
“Hubby, I can’t swap with just my thoughts anymore, but we’ve got a new method now!”
They had discovered that threatening the other person’s body could trigger the body’s self-protection mechanism, forcing the swap to occur.
Gu Cheng asked warily, “What are you planning to do?”
“Don’t worry, hubby! It’s broad daylight—I won’t do *that*.”
That? That what?
Gu Cheng didn’t trust her at all.
Ning Yi quickly came up with a plan. She wheeled herself to the top of the staircase, confusing the bodyguards trailing behind her.
Then, “Young Master Gu” extended a leg toward the stairs, looking as if they were about to fall.
In an instant, ten bodyguards sprang into action.
“Young Master! That’s dangerous!”
“Be careful, Young Master!!!”
One grabbed the wheelchair’s handles, another positioned themselves in front of it, and the rest formed a protective circle around her.
Ning Yi: OvO
Even in Gu Cheng’s body, getting injured was a challenge.
And apparently, her brain didn’t believe she was truly going to harm Gu Cheng’s body, as the swap didn’t trigger.
She chuckled sheepishly and said to Gu Cheng, “Hubby, why don’t you try threatening my body?”
Gu Cheng raised his hand, looking at Ning Yi’s delicate wrist.
The inside of her wrist was thin and soft, with faint blue veins visible. It seemed fragile, but in reality, she was a master of mischief capable of driving someone to madness.
Forget it.
He couldn’t bring himself to pretend to harm her, not even as a bluff.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gu Cheng said, “Don’t worry about the work. I’ll take care of it when I get home.”
I wasn’t planning to do your work anyway, dear! Ning Yi thought.
She just wanted to eat her meal properly in her own body without worrying about appearances!
“Hubby, I’ll figure something out! Wait for me!”
If her brain didn’t believe she would actually hurt herself, she needed a way to make it believe.
Which meant—she had to come up with something convincing.
—
Half an hour later.
Gu Cheng noticed the silence and called out, “Ah Yi?”
“Coming, hubby!”
Gu Cheng was about to ask what she meant by “coming,” when suddenly, he found himself in a restaurant.
In front of a mountain of beef rice.
Gu Cheng: “?”
“Ta-da! Hubby!” Ning Yi beamed. “Bet you didn’t see this coming! I’m going to eat myself to death!”
Her brain clearly believed she would go through with it, and just like that—snap—the swap was complete!
The restaurant staff cheerfully chimed in, “No waste allowed~ You must finish everything you order!”
Gu Cheng looked up at the towering “mountain” of beef rice in front of him and fell silent for a few seconds.
“Hubby, see? I *could* have triggered your big positivity, but I didn’t!”
“Am I smart? Am I considerate?”
Gu Cheng’s expression was impassive as he thought to himself—
Maybe you should’ve triggered it instead.
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