Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 03

The place where Chi Nian was held captive was in the villa area next to the Chi family’s research base. This neighborhood was almost exclusively inhabited by high-tech R&D personnel from the Chi Shang Group. One of the villas was rumored to be Chi family property, which was why Zhang Yuning had tracked it down.

She had disabled the surveillance system and skillfully bypassed security to reach the villa. Originally planning to infiltrate
through the basement, she hadn’t expected the password lock on the door to trigger a trap upon being cracked nor had she
anticipated finding Chi Nian imprisoned inside.

Everything in this environment was fake; the sky, the garden, the golf course—all meticulously crafted by technology. Just as Chi
Nian had said, everything they saw inside was what the house wanted them to see, like a dream where reality and illusion blurred.

The elevator ascended three floors, bringing them directly to the first level. Logically, the entire place should have been under
surveillance, including the glass chamber. Although Zhang Yuning had deliberately used a signal jammer to block all transmissions,
their escape had been suspiciously smooth.

Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

After walking a few steps with Zhang Yuning, Chi Nian asked, “Where are we going?”

“To my vehicle first, then we’ll leave this place,” Zhang Yuning replied. Sensing Chi Nian’s silence, she added reassuringly, “The
bike is hidden in the park. After that, we’ll go wherever you say.”

Chi Nian nodded.

Zhang Yuning preferred riding motorcycles, and hers was stashed deep in the park. She walked briskly, completely disregarding Chi
Nian, who was struggling to keep up in high heels. The terrain was hilly, with steep ascents and descents even with steps, it was
exhausting.

At 3 a.m., the night was still deep, and the park was empty except for the occasional lonely streetlight.

Glazed Island was an island nation, and the capital city where they were located was called Glazed City. The city had vast coastal
waters and an intricate network of waterways. The park was lush with subtropical plants, and as dawn barely broke, a cool breeze
rustled through the coconut trees.

For concealment, Zhang Yuning had parked her motorcycle on higher ground. The path up was lined with steps, but the sides were flat
enough for a skilled rider to navigate.

Chi Nian, arms crossed, trudged along with difficulty before finally stopping, breathless from the frantic pace.

Zhang Yuning, with her long legs, moved swiftly, but Chi Nian couldn’t keep up. When a gap of nearly ten steps opened between them,
Zhang Yuning realized the footsteps behind her had ceased. She turned to see Chi Nian standing with a hand on her waist, refusing
to go any further.

Bent slightly at the waist, Chi Nian braced one hand on her knee, one foot on a higher step, the other below. Even in this
position, her custom-fitted dress revealed no flaws, the waistline hugged her perfectly. The sight of her figure in that scarlet
gown stirred memories in Zhang Yuning, ones that made her ears burn whenever they surfaced.

“Do you even remember there’s someone behind you?” Chi Nian’s tone carried a hint of displeasure, snapping Zhang Yuning out of her
reverie.

“What kind of person wears high heels and a dress like this while escaping?” Zhang Yuning retorted as she doubled back.

“Even escaping doesn’t mean I have to look sloppy.”

“You could’ve worn sneakers. Don’t tell me a place that big didn’t have any casual clothes or sports shoes?”

Chi Nian shot her a resentful look, frowning. “No, I don’t wear those.”

“So, your wardrobe is just designer gowns and limited-edition heels?”

“Yes.”

“Got it.” Zhang Yuning sighed inwardly, typical rich heiress behavior. She slowed her pace as she reached Chi Nian’s side.

As she was about to walk slowly, Chi Nian grabbed her: “You’re just going to leave me like this?”

“I already came down to wait for you. What more do you want?”

It wasn’t like she could take off her own shoes and give them to her.

Chi Nian simply stared at her without speaking, as if waiting for a satisfactory solution.

Zhang Yuning, still held by her, accidentally brushed against Chi Nian’s hand. Her fingers were icy cold, a stark contrast to the
early summer night’s chill.

Chi Nian wasn’t forcing her to do anything, but Zhang Yuning couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt. The memory of Chi Nian’s
provocative words in bed, even the glimmer of tears, made it hard not to feel sympathy.

But she couldn’t keep bending her principles for Chi Nian. Her code was simple: never bow to emotions, never let anyone lead her
around, never yield to threats. Even working for the Xiao family’s third daughter was out of gratitude, a choice she made
willingly.

A life free of attachments, that was all she wanted. To live freely, peacefully, until old age.

But Chi Nian was her employer. Shouldn’t she adjust her attitude?

“Fine, let’s rest for a bit.” Zhang Yuning scanned the area it seemed safe enough and chose to compromise. After all, she was the
bodyguard, and Chi Nian was the boss.

“My foot’s blistered. No amount of resting will fix that.” Chi Nian lifted her ankle, revealing raw, red skin where the back of her
foot had rubbed against the shoe. The black stilettos, about six centimeters high with pointed toes, were clearly custom-made. A
delicate chain studded with real diamonds looped around her ankle. Ironically, the most expensive part was what had caused the
injury.

As Zhang Yuning pondered what to do, Chi Nian stood and raised her hand. “Carry me.”

“What?”

“I won’t repeat myself.” Chi Nian’s expression was serious at first, but then it melted into a playful smile. “You promised to
protect me.”

“I’m a bodyguard, not a nanny.”

“So, you won’t carry me?”

“I’ve never carried anyone before.” Zhang Yuning had lived independently for years, never bending to please anyone. From the moment
she could remember, she knew she had to rely on herself. It was her own arrogance and pride that had once led to disaster until the
third daughter of the Xiao family gave her a second chance, opening a new world where she could stand on her own.

She expected Chi Nian to be angry at the rejection, but instead, the woman just stared at her in silence. When their eyes met,
Zhang Yuning instinctively looked away. There was something about Chi Nian’s gaze that pierced straight through her defenses,
stirring something inexplicable in her chest every time.

The Chi Nian on TV wasn’t like this.

Chi Nian didn’t get angry. She just waited, wordless, making Zhang Yuning increasingly uneasy. The standoff continued, Chi Nian’s
hand still raised.

Zhang Yuning’s resolve wavered. Maybe she should treat her employer differently. But then again, was this just another one of Chi
Nian’s games?

Whatever. It was only three months. Just as she was about to give in, Chi Nian dropped her hand in frustration. “You won’t even
carry me when I’m hurt. How can I trust you to protect me?” With that, she limped forward.

So, the tantrum finally surfaced. Zhang Yuning felt like she’d won this round but once she decided to act, she followed through.
She strode ahead, cutting Chi Nian off, and said breezily, “How could I refuse? Come on, princess.”

Chi Nian studied her. “You’re not forcing yourself?”

“Not at all. Even if I were, you’re the boss. For these three months, I’m at your service.” To make it easier, Zhang Yuning stepped
down to a lower level, turned Chi Nian around, and crouched slightly, adjusting to the perfect height. “Hop on.”

Knowing when to back down, Chi Nian wasn’t truly angry, but she remained motionless. Zhang Yuning, having squatted for so long that
her legs ached, turned to look at the woman behind her. She noticed an inexplicable sadness in Chi Nian’s gaze a look that vanished
the moment their eyes met, as if it had never existed.

“Sorry, I forgot this dress can’t be carried piggyback,” Chi Nian said slowly.

Zhang Yuning gave her a once-over. The luxurious gown clung to her body from shoulders to calves, restricting her movements so much
that walking this far was impressive enough. Had Chi Nian really forgotten? Or was she just toying with her?

“What else do you expect me to do, then?” Zhang Yuning straightened up, checking her watch impatiently but keeping her tone
measured. “It’s just five more minutes. Can you manage?”

“Carry me,” Chi Nian said, spreading her arms again.

Zhang Yuning stared at her in disbelief. “A princess carry?” There was no other way.

Chi Nian nodded with a smile.

“I—”

“You’ve already slept with me. What’s there to be shy about carrying me?”

Zhang Yuning pressed a hand to her forehead. That line again. To stop Chi Nian from saying anything more outrageous, she
surrendered with a wave. “Fine, fine. I’ll carry you.”

The mention of that night made Zhang Yuning feel like she was being choked. It hadn’t felt like a dream. It had been too real, too
vivid, and she had enjoyed it. Yet parts of it were hazy, leaving her frustrated and powerless to refute.

She bent down into position, and Chi Nian bit back a laugh, looping her arms around Zhang Yuning’s neck. With one hand supporting
Chi Nian’s slender waist and the other lifting her legs, Zhang Yuning stood effortlessly.

Chi Nian was light probably under a hundred pounds despite her height of 165 cm. She nestled naturally against Zhang Yuning’s
shoulder, as if they’d done these countless times before. Zhang Yuning quickened her pace, anxious to avoid being caught. If
pursuers caught up, fighting while carrying Chi Nian would be impossible.

Chi Nian’s breath tickled her neck in warm, rhythmic puffs, sending an itch through her. Determined not to let it show in her grip,
Zhang Yuning walked even faster, afraid Chi Nian might notice her wandering thoughts.

“Slow down. There’s no rush,” Chi Nian murmured by her ear.

“You won’t fall. Relax.” Zhang Yuning just wanted to put her down. Why did holding Chi Nian make her heart race like this?

Was it because Chi Nian looked stunning in that dress? Or because of what had happened between them? She didn’t know.

She wasn’t the type to swoon over beauty even the Xiao family’s half-blood third daughter, whose looks were unmatched, had never
fazed her. Yet Chi Nian held onto her tightly, leaving Zhang Yuning confused.

Those five minutes of carrying Chi Nian were an emotional whirlwind. Finally, the car came into view.

“We’re here,” Zhang Yuning said, setting her down at once.

“Thanks. Let’s go.”

Thanks? Seriously?

Zhang Yuning wheeled the bike out, then, noticing how lightly Chi Nian was dressed, shrugged off her jacket and handed it over.
“Put this on. It’ll be windy when we ride.”

Chi Nian crossed her arms, amused. “How rare. You’re actually being considerate.”

“You’re the boss. Can’t have you freezing.”

Chi Nian didn’t say much, smiling brightly as she took it and slipped it on, her grin widening. Zhang Yuning then took the helmet
off the handlebars and said, “Put this on for safety.”

“No, it’ll mess up my hair.” Chi Nian’s slightly curled locks and polished appearance clashed with the rugged motorcycle. She
outright refused anything that might ruin her image.

“Is your hairstyle more important than your life?”

“Both are important.”

“Put it on,” Zhang Yuning insisted.

“No.”

Unable to persuade her, Zhang Yuning gave up. She had considered offering her own helmet, but Chi Nian wasn’t interested.

Beauty, it seemed, trumped everything else.

She fastened her helmet, swung her leg over the seat, and steadied the bike with her long legs. Before she could say anything, Chi
Nian had already settled behind her, wrapping her arms around Zhang Yuning’s waist with natural ease. In a low voice, she said,
“Take me to Bayin Road.”

Her words, mingling with the roar of the engine, sounded like a declaration pointing them toward an unknown turning point. And all
the while, that exorbitantly expensive handbag in Chi Nian’s grip never left her side.