Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 11

“What are you eating?” Zhang Yuning only remembered she hadn’t served her boss after finishing her meal. Chi Nian smiled faintly: “Isn’t there still a carrot in your fridge?”

“Uh… you can’t eat that, can you?”

“Why not? I’ve already eaten it.” Chi Nian reached for the bowl, but Zhang Yuning quickly grabbed it: “I’ll wash it myself.” She couldn’t believe that Chi Nian, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, had cooked instant noodles for her, let alone imagine her washing dishes by the sink.

It was like a celestial being tainted by dust. Always worrying that she might lose her grace, as if anything mundane would be a desecration.

A carrot such a strange thing. She thought only she would eat it. Would a normal person have a carrot for a meal?

Chi Nian had extremely high standards for maintaining her figure, barely eating anything at night just light meals. A carrot was passable, given there was nothing else here, and buying something now would be too late.

Zhang Yuning quickly washed the dishes and noticed the kitchen was spotless, as if no cooking had taken place. Had Chi Nian cleaned up right after making the noodles? Did she do housework?? Another string of questions arose in her mind.

If not for the eggshells and carrot peels in the trash, she wouldn’t have known anyone had used the kitchen.

“Next time, don’t bother with these chores. I can just eat the instant noodles dry.” For some reason, Zhang Yuning felt a twinge of guilt, as if she owed Chi Nian something. Even sleeping together hadn’t made her feel this way, just a bowl of noodles.

“You want a next time?”

“No, absolutely no next time.” Zhang Yuning shook her head repeatedly, putting the bowl away. “Uh, make yourself at home. I’ll get back to work.” She met Chi Nian’s gentle gaze again. Those eyes like a spotlight, warm on her skin.

Suddenly, Zhang Yuning recalled last night’s dream. The sensation of kissing Chi Nian lingering in her heart, along with many other intimate details. She shuddered at the memory. This kind of indulgent reminiscing was dangerous.

Feeling the weight of that gaze, she looked up. Chi Nian’s eyes were like a clear pool again, a sense of distance surfacing in them. She asked seriously, “Can you finish before two? I need the information.” When it came to business, there was always a heaviness in the air.

Zhang Yuning noticed Chi Nian’s bag had been replaced with a black one similar in size but different in brand and style. No matter which bag it was, she had never seen her open it. Whatever was inside must be important, given how she never let it out of her grasp.

“It won’t take that long. One o’clock.”

“Good. Don’t forget my seven o’clock breakfast.”

Yesterday, she had overslept, making Chi Nian prepare breakfast. Today, she had worked late, forcing her to cook noodles. As the nominal caretaker, Zhang Yuning felt utterly useless. She nodded. The one who eats is beholden. No matter what, Chi Nian was still her boss. After two meals like this, she couldn’t let it continue.

Back in the study, Zhang Yuning quickly got into the zone. Once immersed in the digital world, she became cut off from reality, oblivious to the passage of time.

She didn’t know how long she had been focused, but she had extracted 80% of the information. Among the names on the list, three were minor shareholders of Chi Shang Group, and six were high-ranking R&D executives. It seemed Chi Nian really was planning to return to the group and seize power.

Stretching, Zhang Yuning noticed the moon hanging outside the window. Rubbing her temples, she thought of Chi Nian and glanced toward the next room, the lights were already off. Checking her watch, it was midnight.

Isn’t Chi Nian afraid of the dark? She couldn’t sleep without a night light. What would she do without one here? Zhang Yuning stood up, realizing her legs had gone numb, and limped out to find Chi Nian sitting by the bed, gazing up at the moon.

There was no telescope here, but fortunately, the sky was clear tonight. The full moon shone brightly, its light like a radiant lamp illuminating the boundless night. No matter how dazzling the streetlights or the distant city glow, none could compare to the gentle glow of this hazy moon.

Would she be scared without a night light? Zhang Yuning worried Chi Nian might stay awake all night. She glanced around, her eyes landing on the top of the bay window. There were no spare bulbs at home, but she could always dismantle something.

Zhang Yuning had unusual hobbies and was quite handy taking apart and reassembling electronics was second nature to her, being an IT professional. She climbed onto the bay window, her head nearly touching the ceiling. The small bulb there was originally meant to light her way when she “jumped” out the window her term for emergencies when she needed to leave quickly without using the stairs.

She rummaged through the bookshelf for a toolbox, dismantled an extension cord, pulled out some wires, and repurposed a back-massaging rod to mount the bulb. Finally, she connected it to a plug-in cord to complete the circuit. The light flickered on.

But the brightness might disturb Chi Nian’s sleep. Zhang Yuning scratched her head, then spotted a stack of A4 paper on the desk. She folded sheet after sheet into an accordion shape, wrapping it around the bulb before covering it with another sheet to dim the light.

Perfect! Now it was just as soft as a regular night light.

Satisfied, Zhang Yuning nodded and carried the makeshift lamp to the oddly shaped room. Chi Nian sat curled up on the floor, knees drawn to her chest, her bag beside her, as if she had merged with the moonlight.

The room’s extended balcony held only a simple wardrobe, and a rug lay on the empty floor. Zhang Yuning’s solution for impromptu naps, ensuring she could sleep anywhere at home.

This cramped corner had somehow become Chi Nian’s favorite spot. She wasn’t fussy, unbothered by the small space or the dusty floor. Her deep brown camisole pajamas wrapped around her like a shadow, as if releasing the melancholy in her heart, beautiful yet heartbreaking.

Zhang Yuning placed the lamp on the floor by the bed. Once plugged in, the dark room brightened.

Chi Nian turned, puzzled. “You made this?” Her tone held no surprise.

“Make do with it. The brightness should be fine.”

Chi Nian shifted onto the bed, crawling to the headboard. Propping her chin on interlaced fingers, she studied the lamp with amusement. “It’s kind of ugly.”

“The brightness works, right? It’s like the one in your room. Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Admittedly, it was crude the A4 paper wrapped messily around the bulb, the top just a folded sheet. Function over form, clearly.

Chi Nian leaned closer, and Zhang Yuning caught that familiar scent again, intoxicating and warm. Out of the corner of her eye, she even glimpsed the distinct curve of Chi Nian’s cleavage. Just as she was about to shift away, Chi Nian murmured, “Don’t move.”

Her tense body relaxed, staying still.

“How did you know I like night lights?” Chi Nian reached out, flicking the unattractive top of the lamp. The scribbled characters on the paper looked like tiny black dots, fading into incomprehensible patterns, as if bugs had burrowed into the bulb.

“Don’t play dumb. You have one in your room.”

“Is that so?” Chi Nian looked up at Zhang Yuning, her eyes inexplicably filled with anticipation before quickly regaining composure and looking away, as if struggling to rein in her thoughts.

“Then you should rest early. I’ll stay up a bit longer to work.”

Zhang Yuning made to leave but noticed Chi Nian still holding onto her arm. The motion of standing halted, and she asked, “What’s wrong? Are you scared? I’ll be right next door, and there’s no door between us. No need to worry.”

“I’m not afraid here,” Chi Nian replied, her expression steady.

“Huh?”

That was a strange thing to say. How could this place be safer than the Dian Apartments? Even if those weren’t perfect, they were still high-end downtown apartments with top-tier security and regular patrols.

“Go do your work,” Chi Nian said, returning to her usual demeanor. She pressed her fingers lightly to her forehead, smoothed back her hair, and gazed out the window. “The moonlight is bright tonight. We don’t even need the lights.”

Zhang Yuning felt she was thinking about the “moon” again herself making the lamp she’d prepared seem redundant. She crouched to unplug it, but Chi Nian stopped her. “What are you doing?”

“If we don’t close the curtains, the moonlight can be your nightlight. Don’t you like the moon? This lamp isn’t necessary.”

“The moon is the moon. The lamp is the lamp.”

“But it’ll be too bright, counterproductive. I don’t want it to keep you awake.” Zhang Yuning felt inexplicably awkward. The moon truly was an irreplaceable light.

She still wanted to take the lamp away, but Chi Nian suddenly stood, drew the curtains shut, blocking out all moonlight, leaving only the dim glow of the nightlight in the room.

“Then tonight, I want lamplight, not moonlight,” Chi Nian declared firmly, her calm eyes now resolute.

Zhang Yuning stared at her, baffled. “Why are you like this?”

“If there’s light inside, why would I need to look at the moon?” Chi Nian’s mesmerizing eyes shimmered, their glow flickering in Zhang Yuning’s heart. Unable to hold that gaze, she blurted, “I really can’t figure you out.”

“You don’t need to. I’m going to sleep.” Chi Nian’s tone returned to its usual calmness, effectively dismissing her. The two stood in silence for over ten seconds before Zhang Yuning frowned and said, “Goodnight.” She glanced at the ugly lamp but said nothing more, retreating to the study, Chi Nian’s gaze lingering in her mind.

The encounter left Zhang Yuning unable to focus on her work, even stirring some irritation. Remembering Chi Nian’s social engagements, she opened her tablet and phone to review the surveillance footage.

In news reports, Chi Nian appeared like a social butterfly, an exceptional dancer with countless suitors, all either heirs to fortunes or political dynasties. Rumors said her social prowess had even helped Chi Shangqing secure major deals. She was carefree, playful, and sociable, but disinterested in business, never involving herself in the family enterprises. A decision that later sowed the seeds of trouble.

Zhang Yuning couldn’t resist searching for old images of Chi Nian online. Back then, she was dazzling wherever she went. Effortlessly charming in interviews, radiant on camera, her eyes smiling, even alluring when meeting the lens.

That Chi Nian had been so happy, basking in Chi Shangqing’s doting protection. But now, even in social settings, she wore a mask, her smiles never reaching her heart. With Zhang Yuning, she was never warm, always cold as if she’d suffered some devastating blow.

Perhaps the car accident and subsequent house arrest had changed her. After all, major life events can trigger stress responses. But where had the scar on her head gone? Zhang Yuning felt this version of Chi Nian before her held too many secrets, with no clear leads to follow.

The screen was filled with images of Chi Nian, yet everything felt different. Resting her chin on her hand, Zhang Yuning’s thoughts were in disarray. She told herself to stay calm. Sooner or later, she’d uncover something useful for the Third Young Miss. Yawning, she got back to work.

Before long, her phone buzzed incessantly. The alarm she’d installed on Chi Nian’s car had been triggered, meaning someone had lingered too long near the vehicle. Instantly alert, Zhang Yuning checked the surveillance feed and sure enough, two suspicious figures were lurking nearby.

Could it be the Chi family coming for her? She climbed onto the bay window, pushed open the pane, and dropped onto the equipment platform before kicking off the wall and landing cleanly. Thankfully, it was only the second floor about the same height as scaling a fence. Keeping an eye on the live feed, she sprinted toward Chi Nian’s car.