A Kiss
At midnight, Ning Yi’s enthusiastic encouragement didn’t manage to get the legs to stand.
But they did have sensation and a little strength.
It seemed recovery would only progress with the advancement of the story.
Pushing the wheelchair out of the bathroom, Ning Yi thought to herself: Singing “Gu the Brave” to hubby’s legs in the middle of the night? What if he gets moved to tears? ^3^
Of course, her real goal was to secretly monitor Gu Cheng’s condition! Especially after discovering his body-swapping ability. After her inspection, the trust crisis between the couple was temporarily resolved.
The original plot at this point revolved around Ding Ziyue enjoying the attention she received after announcing her relationship with Jiang Linyi, while retreating back into the high society circle due to concerns about disruptions to her life.
The annual *Elite Sports Day* was one of the key events for the socialites of City A. Unlike ordinary sports events, this one involved extravagant activities, off-road challenges, and outdoor team-building exercises.
Jiang Linyi, feeling guilty about disrupting Ding Ziyue’s life, naturally accompanied her to participate in the circle’s event.
As for the original Ning Yi, this part of the story had no scenes for her. By now, the original Ning Yi had been punished by Gu Cheng for abusing him during his vegetative state, and she was on the brink of being sent to a psychiatric hospital.
Lying back in bed, Ning Yi thought to herself: He can’t punish me now, right?
Gu Cheng, eyes closed, wasn’t asleep either.
He was pondering when his legs would fully recover. Perhaps it required some sort of catalyst.
But in this world, what could that catalyst be?
As he was thinking, a pair of hands suddenly wrapped around his neck.
Gu Cheng’s eyes snapped open. “?”
Ning Yi: Oh, you’re awake?
The hands quickly retreated.
Nothing to see here. Just a quick test.
If the plot eventually pushes Gu Cheng into full-on villain mode, how could she reasonably defend herself (or pre-emptively eliminate him)?
Gu Cheng: “?”
The couple lay quietly in bed for a while.
Suddenly, Ning Yi’s eyes flew open.
“Hubby, you’re awake! Why didn’t you give me the secret code?”
“?” Gu Cheng’s tone was low and steady in the dark. “What secret code?”
Ning Yi burst into a makeshift chant: “Stand up! Stand tall! To the humblest dreams, and to the cries of the dark ni—”
Gu Cheng reached out and covered her mouth. “Goodnight.”
“Oh.”
Finally, the latter half of the night was peaceful.
—
The next morning, when Gu Cheng woke up, Ning Yi yawned and sat up as well.
He glanced at her. “You’re getting up?”
Ning Yi’s usual routine was to sleep much later and laze around during the day.
Rubbing her eyes, she mumbled, “I have to lead the charge… My company is waiting for me…”
Her words made Gu Cheng chuckle.
He tapped her forehead lightly, shattering her early-morning resolve, and she flopped back into the soft, cozy blankets.
“You don’t have to wake up early.”
The point of gifting her the company wasn’t to make her work hard. That logistics company was fully self-sufficient—her presence didn’t matter.
Otherwise, why would he choose that specific company as her gift? Heh.
Groggy, Ning Yi gazed at Gu Cheng. At that moment, she thought he had an undeniable charm.
“Hubby, you’re so handsome, it’s blinding me…”
“How can anyone be this handsome? Seeing you first thing in the morning makes me so happy!”
Gu Cheng paused while tying his tie, then smirked faintly.
“Black suits me.”
He picked out a watch from the wardrobe and, in one fluid motion, clasped it on his wrist. His side profile was lethally perfect as he asked casually, “Should I change the tie colour?”
“Zzz…” Ning Yi was already asleep.
Gu Cheng: “…”
Forget it.
—
That day, Ning Yi slept until she was fully refreshed before getting up.
What a wonderful world, where you can eat well, sleep well, and make money effortlessly!
She cheerfully stepped out of her room, only to encounter some staff in the hallway. To her surprise, they immediately blushed and lowered their heads.
Ning Yi: OvO What’s going on?
Not only were their faces red, but they also huddled together, whispering behind cupped hands.
Ning Yi’s sharp ears picked up every word.
“Last night, Madam was so enthusiastic!”
“I heard her asking, ‘Did it feel good?’ over and over!”
“Eldest Young Master Gu didn’t make a sound… It must have been…”
Ning Yi: O-O Wait, it’s not what you think!!
She had only given her husband a purely innocent massage!
Yet rumours of Gu Cheng and his wife being utterly inseparable began circulating once again within the villa.
Gu Cheng must have felt the awkward atmosphere as he left that morning, right? Thinking about how he was probably more exasperated than she was, Ning Yi suddenly felt balanced again.
Just act like nothing happened! With a carefree expression, Ning Yi left the villa.
No shame here! Yay!
—
After a hearty lunch at home, Ning Yi finally headed to the company.
Sitting in the car, she pondered how, now that she was a boss, she might need to adopt some of the domineering aura that Gu Cheng exuded so effortlessly.
She turned on her phone’s front-facing camera and tried to channel the “ultimate boss” vibe, but no matter how she looked, her face didn’t carry the same commanding presence.
So, she searched online for “how to project a domineering CEO aura.”
The top three results:
– “If she doesn’t survive, all of you will die with her!”
– “If she runs away, you’ll all pay the price!”
– “If she sheds a single tear, everyone will accompany her in death!”
Ning Yi: “?”
—
Twenty minutes later, Ning Yi stepped out of the car with a friendly, approachable smile.
Forget the “die-with-me” threats; I’ll just be a good boss instead. When I want to flaunt, I can always borrow my husband’s aura. Decision made! ^3^
Inside the Gu Corporation headquarters, where Gu Cheng was in a meeting, he suddenly felt a faint itch at the tip of his nose.
Who’s cursing me now?
—
After stepping out of the car, Ning Yi was greeted by the general manager. She kept her arrival low-key, quietly taking a look around without drawing attention.
Unlike certain business emperors who commanded an entourage of assistants and bodyguards wherever they went, Ning Yi preferred to keep things casual.
She didn’t feel much like a boss, after all. Even with her high-earning platform in the background, she had never played the part of an overbearing figure.
The logistics company operated like a well-oiled machine, with daily inventory checks, goods inspections, and seamless coordination between the warehouse and the finance department.
As Gu Cheng had said, the company functioned perfectly with or without a boss. Its orderly system ensured smooth operations.
Still, from her perspective as a top-tier architect, there was massive room for improvement, especially in digitization and efficiency.
Strolling through the facility with her hands behind her back like an old grandpa, Ning Yi took mental notes and quickly grasped the company’s situation.
Finally, she leaned against the doorframe of a large office, watching employees manually input data line by line.
After observing for a moment, she asked, “Doesn’t your hand get tired from all that typing?”
The employee turned around, startled to see a stunningly beautiful woman standing there. Then it clicked—this was their new boss, *the* wife of their big boss.
Remembering that she was the woman Gu Cheng personally picked up after work, the employees instinctively smiled ingratiatingly. Boss’s wife was a role you always wanted to stay on good terms with!
But Ning Yi waved her hand dismissively.
The aura of a “CEO king” didn’t suit her. Neither did the imposing air of a tyrannical boss. She opted for camaraderie instead.
“Hey, bud, scoot over. Let me try.”
The employee hesitated but got up, thinking to themselves how these kinds of characters were always portrayed in dramas—beautiful, flower-vase boss’s wives, keen on meddling in their subordinates’ work for no reason.
But as they silently grumbled, they watched Ning Yi’s slender, fair fingers fly across the keyboard. In mere moments, she had created a basic input program.
“Manual data entry? What kind of efficiency is that? With at least a 5% error rate? That’s way outdated.” Ning Yi worked like a digitized robot. She even considered building a more advanced system but stopped herself, realizing that making too big a splash right after arriving might draw unwanted attention from a certain *king.*
The process was quick. Her typing speed and processing power left everyone in awe. When she was done, she dusted off her hands and stood up, turning to see the employees staring at her in shock.
“0口0”
“!!!”
Holy crap, she’s not a flower vase at all!
With a friendly wave, Ning Yi said, “Alright, back to work, everyone.”
“Yes, ma’am!!”
—
After inspecting her little company, Ning Yi concluded that she still lacked a certain something when it came to exuding a CEO aura.
What’s missing?
As she descended in the elevator, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror, admiring her stunning face.
Maybe… it’s the lack of a wheelchair!
Haha ^_^
Taking jabs at her husband never gets old.
Ning Yi scrolled through her phone, guessing that Gu Cheng, the domineering business mogul, was still in a meeting at the moment.
She opened her group chat, [The OG Handsome Programmers’ Club], and saw that they were @mentioning her.
On her birthday, they had all gathered in the group to send her red envelopes, too shy to meet their goddess in person. Ning Yi, in turn, had happily sent back a few big red envelopes of her own. Later, they had seen Ning Yi’s extravagant gift list online, and Zhao Weining was the first to wail:
[Sis, you have other companies now!]
[Are you going to abandon us? QAQ]
[Waaaa, crying monkey.jpg]
Ning Yi, sounding like a total player, replied gently: [Of course not, this is still home.]
[Awww!!!]
[Excited noises!!!]
Zhao Weining added: [So, Sis, are you coming to our house? My brother said he saw you at dinner the other day.]
(And after coming back, his brother had even started supervising his gaming practice. Competing with who? How annoying!)
Ning Yi thought for a moment: [Let me ask Gu Cheng.]
The programmers in the group collectively winced.
*Sigh.* So sweet.
But then they remembered Gu Cheng’s jaw-dropping gift list, and they figured their goddess boss totally deserved such treatment from a big shot.
Ning Yi texted Gu Cheng: [Hubby.]
No reply.
Ning Yi: [Dearest hubby.]
Gu Cheng: [?]
Since when can you casually change my title?
In the conference room, everyone fell silent as Gu Cheng picked up his phone, assuming it was an urgent business matter.
Gu Cheng unlocked his phone and spent two seconds reading her message:
[Hubby, Zhao Weining invited me to visit their house~]
[Are you coming?]
He was in the middle of negotiating a billion-dollar project and obviously didn’t have time for social calls.
[No.]
He replied curtly and locked his phone, placing it back on the table. Handling personal messages during work hours was not in line with his principles.
The executives resumed their presentation, relieved to see Gu Cheng’s attention return to the screen.
But two seconds later, Gu Cheng picked up his phone again and quickly typed another message:
[Take Wang Wu with you. Don’t stay out too late.]
Ning Yi: [Yay!]
Only then did Gu Cheng put his phone down for good.
…He’d pick her up after work anyway.
—
The Zhao family residence was located on the other side of the city, in the same affluent neighbourhood as the Ding family and other elites.
When Ning Yi stepped out of the car, she noticed several familiar faces from the elite circle of City A, including Ding Ziyue’s friend, Wen Xiaoman.
Dressed in sporty outfits, they were heading to the villa’s private gym.
At first, they instinctively wanted to sneer at Ning Yi, but the memory of her ‘legendary gift list’ suddenly resurfaced, overwhelming them.
What did Ning Yi do to deserve this?
Why would Gu Cheng treat her this way?
No matter how hard they stared at her, they couldn’t figure it out.
Fortunately, this year’s Elite Sports Day presented a built-in disadvantage for Ning Yi.
The event required male-female pairings, so all the young ladies had partnered with their husbands, boyfriends, or eligible bachelors from the elite circle.
As for Ning Yi’s husband? No way he’d accompany her to an event like this.
Sure, Gu Cheng might spend lavishly on her, but could she truly reclaim her position as the most admired figure in their hearts? Not until Gu Cheng stood up from his wheelchair. Even after all this time, he was still sitting in it.
This thought offered the socialites a strange sense of balance.
After all, if Gu Cheng *did* recover—if he were as handsome, wealthy, and commanding as ever—they’d all be consumed by envy.
Wen Xiaoman smirked at Ning Yi. “I heard from Ziyue that you’re planning to partner with your e-sports friend for the event?”
Even if that Wander guy was good-looking, he wasn’t from the elite circle. His status simply didn’t measure up.
“?” Ning Yi blinked. I haven’t even talked to Wan-ge yet.
Ding Ziyue is quick with her gossip, isn’t she?
—
Indeed, Ding Ziyue had been spreading the word far and wide. She feared her grand scheme might fail, so she made sure everyone knew Ning Yi would be partnering with Wander for the sports event.
If Wander couldn’t play the devoted male side character, he’d at least serve as a pawn to advance her storyline.
Ding Ziyue felt incredibly lucky—not only was she the most pampered, but her foresight gave her an unparalleled advantage.
To prepare, Ding Ziyue had been training tirelessly for days, determined to crush Ning Yi at the sports event. Her goal was to set up a stark contrast between herself and Ning Yi, with her and Jiang Linyi as the golden couple.
To further emphasize her perfect life, Ding Ziyue updated her CM account with highlights of her wonderful day:
“To maintain a healthy body~ so I can live up to the love from him and my family~ [photo][photo]”
The comments section was flooded with praise.
[Disciplined and gentle, no wonder Jiang Linyi fell in love with her!]
[Ahhh, I heard the elite circles across several provinces are hosting a joint sports event soon. I can’t wait!]
Ding Ziyue’s lips curled into a smug smile as she continued her weightlifting reps with determination.
To defeat Ning Yi at the sports event, any hardship is worth it!
—
Meanwhile, Ning Yi brushed off Wen Xiaoman and her condescending remarks, thinking: Well, since it’s already out there, might as well invite him.
She sent a message to Wan-ge: [1]
As usual, his reply came instantly: [Here.]
Ning Yi chuckled. Living online as always, huh?
Coincidentally, Wander was streaming at the time, and all his viewers saw him suddenly receive a message, which he promptly replied to. Though wearing a black mask, his eyes lit up with a faint smile.
Ning Yi: “About the elite sports event—are you coming?”
Wander: “Are you inviting me?”
Ning Yi: “Yep!”
Wander chuckled twice, his voice low and pleasant. At least you still have some conscience, Little 01.
Wander: “1111.”
Ning Yi: “1.”
Their exchanges were always quick and instinctive, understanding each other perfectly.
This applied to combat too. While Ning Yi might be a tech and communications specialist, anyone who survived the apocalypse wouldn’t be a physical weakling. She simply preferred lying flat these days. If it came down to it, she was still the most compatible partner Wander could have.
Wander put his phone down, his mood visibly lifted as he resumed gaming.
The fans in his livestream chat were curious and kept asking about “Ning Jie.”
Wander smirked under his mask. “Huh? I’m not smiling.”
“Just happy that there’ll be some action soon.”
As he adjusted his silver earring, his smile carried a hint of post-apocalyptic wildness. Perfect. Time to stretch these muscles a bit.
—
When Ning Yi finally arrived at the Zhao family home, Zhao Weining was already waiting with starry eyes.
To welcome 01, the youngest Zhao brother had even requested an outside chef, making the evening dinner far grander than usual.
Ning Yi was delighted and thoroughly satisfied.
Meanwhile, her programmer buddies were envious when they heard she was dining at Zhao Weining’s place.
That evening, Zhao Weiying also joined. It was only polite for the adults to be present when hosting a guest. He even asked why Gu Cheng hadn’t come, but considering Gu Cheng’s busy schedule, it wasn’t surprising he couldn’t attend every meal with his wife.
The rest of the table included Zhao Weining and Zhao Mochu, both of whom were very familiar with Ning Yi, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.
Ning Yi never held back at meals. After finishing one serving of black pepper Australian short ribs, she happily went for another. Delicious!
Watching Ning Yi eat with such enthusiasm, Zhao Weiying’s gaze swept across the table—from the equally cheerful Zhao Mochu to the sulking Zhao Weining, who was idly poking at his meat without eating it.
“Eat more!” Zhao Weiying scolded his younger brother sternly. “Look at her!”
Zhao Weining: QAQ Why is this a competition now?!
—
After dinner, Ning Yi initially suggested playing games with Zhao Weining.
However, Zhao Weiying, who had retreated to his study, suddenly reappeared with a parental smile. “You two competing? I’ll referee.”
Ning Yi: “?”
Zhao Weining: “??”
He desperately wanted to yell, What’s wrong with you?! but didn’t dare.
Having been overshadowed by Gu Cheng in terms of male charisma for years, Zhao Weiying had accepted that. But when it came to family, no way could his siblings fall short compared to Gu Cheng.
“Forget it, bro!”
“It’s fine; I’m not busy right now.”
In the end, Zhao Weiying was held back by his brother, while Ning Yi was whisked away by the giggling Zhao Mochu.
“Don’t mind him,” Zhao Mochu explained. “Middle-aged men always have weird obsessions.”
Ning Yi paused thoughtfully. If people view Gu Cheng and Zhao Weiying as peers… does that mean Gu Cheng is also a middle-aged man?
But wait, his birthday’s next month—no, he’s still 29!
—
In Zhao Mochu’s room, Ning Yi took in her surroundings. The large room was filled with posters of celebrities from her teenage years to the present, showcasing her fangirl and internet-addict status.
Walking over to the computer, Ning Yi noticed two photos stuck above the monitor: one of ‘her x Gu Cheng’ and the other of ‘her x Wander.’
Ning Yi: “?”
Zhao Mochu grinned cheekily. “CP fan dancing right in front of the main cast—I’m amazing, right?”
Ning Yi: “Shipping me with Gu Cheng is one thing, but how can you even ship me with Wan-ge?”
Zhao Mochu: “Oh, it works. Trust me, it works.”
Especially for this Elite Sports Day—‘Wan Shi Ru Yi’ was bound to make waves! Ding Ziyue had already been warming up the gossip in their circle, and Zhao Mochu was on high alert.
The combination of ‘Wan Shi Ru Yi’s sweetness and ‘Gu de Mo Ning’’s jealousy was going to create a spectacle. Wasn’t that worth looking forward to?
Ning Yi scratched her head, dragged into the hype by Zhao Mochu, who eagerly explained the context of the event.
“You don’t know this, but this year’s Elite Sports Day is a multi-province event. Even some elite families from Jiang Linyi’s circle are coming, including his childhood friend from the Song family and a bunch of his other friends. That’s why Ding Ziyue is planning to impress everyone—she wants to be the star.”
Zhao Mochu added gleefully, “By the way, the venue is on the west side, and that entire area, including the equestrian grounds, belongs to Gu Cheng. So technically, you’re the real hidden lady of the house!”
Ning Yi thought, Ah, no wonder.
Gu Cheng truly lived up to being the king of the story—his dominance was woven into every detail.
He’s so rich! I love it!
“As per tradition, the Elite Sports Day opens with performances,” Zhao Mochu continued, rubbing her hands with excitement. “I’m betting on Ding Ziyue going all out with a grand entrance. And the neighbouring province’s elites have some equally tricky characters. Ahhh, I live for this kind of drama!”
Watching Zhao Mochu’s increasingly menacing expression, Ning Yi couldn’t help but find it a bit intriguing herself.
Watching people fight… yeah, it was kind of fun.
She stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“But you won’t be sitting on the side-lines,” Zhao Mochu warned. “First, because you’re beautiful. Too beautiful. It’s hard for anyone to ignore you. Second, because you’re trending way too much lately. Gu Cheng’s extravagant gestures have shaken the ground, and the visiting elites will definitely be curious about where this ‘Ning Yi’ is.”
Ning Yi: “…”
Alright then.
“So, you’re really partnering with Wan-ge?” Zhao Mochu asked excitedly. “Won’t Gu Cheng stop you?”
Ning Yi: “Why would he? He doesn’t really interfere with my stuff.”
What a great husband—rich, chill, and low-maintenance!
Now that he wasn’t stingy anymore, Gu Cheng truly seemed like an amazing guy.
Zhao Mochu gave her a ‘you-can’t-be-serious’ look.
Gu Cheng doesn’t care about Ning Yi? What a joke.
She bet fifty cents that Gu Cheng would personally show up at the Zhao family to collect his wife.
“Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the sports event. No matter how you and Wan-ge perform, it’s going to be a hit online.”
“Got it, got it.”
Hopefully, Wan-ge’s apocalypse-level combat skills wouldn’t overwhelm the audience. And as usual, where the captain was, Ning Yi could comfortably slack off.
—
Later, Zhao Weining called Ning Yi over. With no one else around, he quietly brought up matters related to their platform.
Operationally, things had been stable, but Ning Yi, despite appearing lazy, kept everything running smoothly with lightning-fast efficiency. This left her with plenty of time to relax.
“If Gu Corporation’s capital investment goes through, they’ll insist on meeting you.”
Ning Yi stroked her chin.
The man I sleep next to insists on meeting me? Exciting.
Zhao Weining, concerned but supportive, suggested, “Sis, maybe you should be honest with Gu Cheng? He’d definitely be shocked, but also pleasantly surprised, and he’ll probably treat you even better after!”
Ning Yi thought, Gu Cheng didn’t even tell me about his body-swapping ability—there’s a lot you don’t understand about marital dynamics, kiddo!
“Let’s secure the funding first,” Ning Yi said. “I can offer some goodwill gestures, like refining the CM platform’s ecosystem to align better with Gu Corporation’s interests. If we’re meeting, it’ll be on contract-signing day.”
After all, her family ties shouldn’t affect financial negotiations. ^3^
Zhao Weining nodded. “Got it! Also, about that thing we worked on recently…”
The two stood in the dimly lit veranda outside the Zhao villa, discussing in hushed tones.
When Gu Cheng, led by the Zhao family’s butler, arrived, he saw the two talking closely and exchanging ideas.
The old butler suddenly felt a chill in the air.
Gu Cheng’s expression was calm, but his voice carried a sharp edge.
“What’s the topic? You seem so happy.”
Ning Yi turned, spotting her dazzling husband.
“Talking about big plans,” she replied cheerfully.
Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow, his gaze cold. “Big plans?”
“Yep, yep.”
Under Gu Cheng’s dark, piercing gaze, Zhao Weining began to shrink back nervously. Is he… jealous?!
But every word they’d exchanged had been about work! QAQ!
—
“If it’s such an important matter, Third Young Master Zhao can come to the corporation and discuss it with me directly,” Gu Cheng said as he took Ning Yi’s wrist. “There’s no need to bother my wife.”
Ning Yi glanced at him, thinking: Whoa, spot on!
This air of disdain for everything, this overwhelming aura that makes everyone tremble—it’s the ultimate boss energy!
As expected, all she was missing was a wheelchair. ^3^
After greeting Zhao Weiying briefly, Gu Cheng led his little “troublemaker” away.
Meanwhile, Zhao Weining was left behind to endure a glare from his elder brother, filled with disappointment. His mood plummeted further.
I didn’t do anything wrong! Why is this happening to me? QAQ!
Zhao Mochu, watching Gu Cheng escort Ning Yi away, wore a grin that could only belong to a devoted fan.
This sports event is going to be amazing. Gu Cheng, you better not drown in jealousy!
—
Gu Cheng, with his usual indifferent expression, got into the car with Ning Yi.
Assistant Zhou, seated in the front, asked with a smile, “Young Master, are we returning to the estate?”
“Mm,” Gu Cheng responded flatly.
But just as the car left the villa area, a call came in from Song Lan.
“Oh, you two don’t need to go back home!”
“Since it was Xiao Yi’s birthday recently, didn’t Ah Cheng gift her the Yunding Water Garden property? She hasn’t even seen it yet! I’ve already had it cleaned and prepared!”
Song Lan, already privy to all the villa staff’s whispers, was thrilled by how affectionate the couple seemed.
“You’re always staying at the estate; isn’t it time for a change? And Ah Cheng hasn’t had time to take Xiao Yi on a honeymoon since waking up, right? Stay there for a few nights!”
Gu Cheng glanced sideways at Ning Yi. The call was loud enough for her to hear clearly.
Her eyes lit up like stars. “Yes, yes, yes! Let’s go!”
My big house! Here I come!*
Gu Cheng replied to Song Lan, “…Fine.”
—
Yunding Water Garden, a high-end luxury flat, was spacious and open. Gu Cheng had shown Ning Yi pictures of it on her birthday, and she’d already been impressed.
When they arrived, Ning Yi’s joy was palpable from the moment she walked in.
The Yunding property was even newer than their Biyu Mansion villa. With its single-story design and younger, tech-inspired minimalist decor, Ning Yi was smitten.
She enthusiastically explored the flat and discovered it even came with a private gym—a perfect place to train for the sports event.
Gu Cheng, after dropping her off, immediately retreated to the study. For him, leisure didn’t exist in his vocabulary—let alone *honeymoons*.
By the time Gu Cheng finished his work and the assistants had left, the big house was quiet.
He went looking for Ning Yi and found her in the gym.
She was indeed “training.”
Her slender arms were lifting weights.
Meanwhile, on the table beside her: a chilled bottle of soda, her favorite kimchi-flavoured chips, high-calorie caramel popcorn, and a pile of handmade chocolate truffles.
Gu Cheng: “?”
Is this how you work out?
Ning Yi was happily enjoying herself, snacking while exercising.
Seeing Gu Cheng, she waved him over. “Hubby, want to join me?”
“No.”
His physical regimen was handled by a professional team, with fixed sessions and a strict plan—nothing like Ning Yi’s casual approach.
“Are you coming to the sports event in two weeks? You’ll get to see your darling in action!” she teased.
“Not interested,” Gu Cheng replied curtly. Finding time for a honeymoon was already hard enough, let alone such frivolous events.
“Fineee.”
Hubby truly doesn’t care who I team up with. How nice!
Having just worked out, Ning Yi’s cheeks were flushed, her skin dewy and radiant, making her look even more beautiful.
Gu Cheng glanced at her twice before saying, “Go to bed.”
Ning Yi shot him a mischievous smile. “Hubby, are you inviting me?”
Gu Cheng remained expressionless as he turned and walked away—to take a shower and cool down.
Later that night, lying in their new, spacious bed, it felt slightly unfamiliar.
Gu Cheng leaned against the headboard, reviewing financial reports, while Ning Yi rolled around beside him.
This bed was only about 0.1 meters narrower than their bed at home, but Ning Yi found it just inconvenient enough to disrupt her rolling. Finally, her foot landed squarely on Gu Cheng’s thigh, and she felt perfectly comfortable.
Gu Cheng: “…”
With her foot pressed against his leg, Ning Yi struck a pose reminiscent of kayaking. After all, there *was* supposed to be a kayaking event at the sports day.
She tilted her head coquettishly and asked, “Hubby, why are you still working? Aren’t you tired? Do you really have *that* much stamina?”
Gu Cheng smirked coolly. “Of course.”
His stamina? Ha. If she only knew.
Ning Yi, seeing his smug expression, couldn’t resist teasing him again.
“Hubby, what’s better looking—your financial report or me?” she teased, using his leg like an oar as she paddled the imaginary kayak. “Why won’t you even look at me? Hmm? Hmm?”
Gu Cheng grabbed her calf to stop her antics. “Quit it.”
Was she planning to paddle her way to the heavens?
Unfazed, Ning Yi craned her neck and pouted dramatically. “What’s wrong, huh? Is it because you’ve stopped cherishing me now that you have me? Have you found some other little piggy out there? Is that why you don’t love me anymore?”
Finally, Gu Cheng set his financial report aside, removed his glasses, and looked down at her.
“Acting up, are we?” he said.
She’d grown far too bold lately, spoiled by his indulgence. If he didn’t rein her in, she’d be running circles around him in no time.
Lowering his gaze to her slightly puckered lips, Gu Cheng’s expression turned thoughtful.
“Why are you so mean, hubby? I was just—”
He leaned in suddenly, as if to kiss her.
The distance between them closed to a mere centimetre when Ning Yi pressed a hand to his chest, stopping him.
Gu Cheng’s cool breath brushed against her nose, but she tilted her head back and, with a flash of wit, said, “Haha, you think I don’t know?”
Gu Cheng’s voice dropped as his thumb brushed over her delicate wrist. “Know what?”
Ning Yi pointed at his hand and grinned. “Holding hands lets you switch bodies, but grabbing wrists doesn’t—am I right?”
So kissing must be another trigger! Ning Yi had already suspected as much last night.
Gu Cheng: What kind of nonsense is this?
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her rosy lips babbled with confidence. “You think I can’t figure it out? Your body-switching mechanism, hmm? Last time, it happened when we held hands, palms pressed together. So, it must require physical contact. But it’s not just any touch—if it were, with how much I, um… take care of you every day, we’d have switched bodies dozens of times by now!”
Gu Cheng: “…”
Just how clever do you think you are?
“So,” Ning Yi continued, “the contact has to be specific, like matching parts—palms to palms. Therefore, there’s only one truth: kissing me must also trigger a body swap, right? Right?!”
Gu Cheng had enough.
Who said I wanted to kiss her?
He lowered his head again, but instead of her lips, his cool mouth landed on the side of her neck.
And he bit down.
Soft. Sweet.
His mood inexplicably improved.
Meanwhile, Ning Yi clutched her neck, her fair face flushed with disbelief. “?!”
Gu Cheng leaned back leisurely, watching her with an amused expression.
Ning Yi’s eyes filled with a mix of grievance and indignation.
—He bit me!
—Even zombies never managed to bite me!
“Waaah!” Ning Yi whined.
Gu Cheng observed her for a moment, then relented, lowering his head to expose his neck. “Go ahead, bite me back.”
Ning Yi growled like a tiger. “I’m not a zombie!!”
Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying I am?”
Ning Yi smirked darkly. “Biting isn’t exclusive to zombies, you know.”
“…?”
Did she just call me a dog?
Gu Cheng’s expression turned blank as he grabbed her hand.
“Fine. Let’s try again.”
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