Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 24

Zhang Yuning was stunned. She rubbed her finger over the spot several times, confirming that the needle mark had indeed vanished. This meant her wound-healing ability could close even a tiny puncture overnight so despite remembering the injection, there was no evidence left to prove it.

 

This wasn’t a dream. Chi Nian had tried to cloud her judgment and memory, but in reality, it was simply because the syringe and needle mark had disappeared. Zhang Yuning clenched her fists, patiently waiting until Chi Nian fell asleep before getting up again to examine the syringe she had taken from the clinic.

 

But the syringe was utterly ordinary, no different from those commonly used in clinics and hospitals. Ubiquitous, even purchasable online. There was no trace of liquid left inside, clean as if it had either evaporated or been wiped away.

 

Or perhaps this was just a used syringe from the clinic, not the one Chi Nian had used. Given Chi Nian’s cautious and meticulous nature, she wouldn’t leave behind evidence of her actions at least, not anything that would allow Zhang Yuning to uncover her intentions now.

 

A good night’s sleep was out of the question. Tonight was destined to be sleepless. She had to stay composed. Even if she wasn’t playing along with Third Miss’s scheme anymore, she needed to investigate this thoroughly for herself.

 

Why had Chi Nian injected her? What was Chi Nian really after? Zhang Yuning decided to stay by her side and get to the bottom of it.

 

There were no secrets that didn’t eventually come to light, no perfect crimes. If it was man-made, there would always be traces. Precision instruments had margins of error, code had bugs, and even the most meticulous plans would reveal flaws.

 

She had acted on impulse, never expecting to stumble into a massive conspiracy one she had walked right into. Zhang Yuning even suspected that her so-called “walking into the trap” had been part of the plan all along.

 

The most terrifying part? Who could predict a person’s spur-of-the-moment decision? She had gone to the Chi family that night purely out of frustration after being knocked out and hearing about Miss Chi’s disappearance. The idea had formed during the day, and she acted on it that same night, no one else could have known.

 

How had all of this even happened?

 

She needed to stay calm and handle this carefully. Zhang Yuning hid the items she had collected, tossing the syringe outright. In her phone’s encrypted data, there were two sets of numbers. She had already memorized them.

 

One was the two other timestamps on the same page as the injection record, likely marking dates one month and two months from now.

 

A horrifying calculation surfaced in her mind: these three timestamps, when added together, spanned roughly three months. The realization sent chills down her spine.

 

The past was already gone, but when the future was recorded in advance, it felt like having a noose around her neck. Knowing she was being dragged toward hell, powerless to stop it.

 

The other data point was also a future date, the nearest being tomorrow. So Zhang Yuning had to enter a state of “preparedness.”

 

Tossing and turning, she watched as Chi Nian slept soundly, not moving an inch after turning over, her breathing so quiet it was inaudible. Zhang Yuning gazed at the spinning moon, instinctively reaching out to touch it but at the thought of the word “stand-in,” she withdrew her hand. Perhaps only by finding out who the original was could she solve the mystery of her own role as a substitute.

 

Just then, a reply arrived from Lan Chengjin’s email. It contained just a few simple lines:

 

The Chi family is hosting a board banquet tomorrow. Protect Miss Chi.

 

Again, it was about protection, not a single word about her request to meet.

 

The third young lady had foreknowledge of the Chi family’s board of directors’ cocktail party, which means she has an insider in the Chi family; most likely Chi Nian herself.

 

Tomorrow’s focus would be that cocktail party. Chi Nian would undoubtedly attend.

 

But if she went to the board meeting alone, could she handle it? Zhang Yuning felt a pang of worry but why should she care? Ridiculous…

 

Just as she was lost in thought, the second email arrived, another reply from Lan Chengjin: “The third young lady has agreed to meet. Tomorrow night, Qiaotou Hotel, 8 PM.”

 

Finally, her request for a meeting had been accepted. Zhang Yuning let out a sigh of relief. Getting to see Xiao Changying in person was no easy feat. As long as she could grasp some key clues, many problems would resolve themselves.

 

Zhang Yuning returned to her room and closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep, only to hear Chi Nian’s voice: “Go to bed early. We have plans tomorrow.”

 

Was she still awake?

 

“Mm, I’m going to sleep now.” Zhang Yuning attributed all of Chi Nian’s kindness to her being a stand-in for someone else. She didn’t know whose shadow she was benefiting from.

 

She no longer tried to decipher Chi Nian’s goodwill, nor did she let those inexplicable concerns unsettle her. None of this had ever been meant for her—whether it was because of her looks or some other resemblance that made her a substitute. In this kind of melodrama, she refused to play any role.

 

“You don’t need to get up to make breakfast tomorrow. Sleep in.”

 

“Why?” Zhang Yuning had even set three alarms to jolt herself awake, afraid of oversleeping. Chi Nian shouldn’t be disrupting this routine unless she had a reason.

 

“You haven’t been sleeping well lately. Rest properly. Tomorrow’s engagement is in the evening.”

 

It sounded considerate, but Zhang Yuning no longer read into it. All their conversations were just ordinary exchanges now.

 

But if the engagement was in the evening, what about the meeting with the third young lady? She couldn’t help but ask, “What time is tomorrow’s event?”

 

“Tomorrow night, 8 to 9 PM at Qiaotou Hotel. Wait for me for an hour. If I’m not out by 9, force your way in.” Chi Nian’s instructions were strange yet logical, as if she was anticipating something while cleverly giving Zhang Yuning an opening.

 

This timing perfectly overlapped with the third young lady’s appointment. This wasn’t a coincidence, it had to be arranged. The third young lady had deliberately chosen this time, likely knowing Zhang Yuning would be free then.

 

At the board cocktail party, a personal bodyguard like her naturally wouldn’t be allowed inside. The security would be handled by specialized personnel, meaning there would be a brief window where she wasn’t by Chi Nian’s side. A lot could happen in that single, uncontrollable hour.

 

In such a public setting, danger was unlikely, but there was no guarantee. Zhang Yuning found herself at a disadvantage. The key to tomorrow’s game might very well lie with the third young lady.

 

“Tomorrow is just the Chi Shang Group’s board cocktail party, right? No one else?”

 

“What do you want to know?” Chi Nian’s tone grew guarded.

 

“I have no interest in your engagements. I’m only asking to assess the security situation and what weapons I should bring.”

 

Chi Nian paused before answering, “All 22 directors of Chi Shang Group will be there, including Xi Mengge.” Her voice sounded weak, perhaps from exhaustion.

 

After removing her makeup, Chi Nian looked utterly drained, as if all vitality had been sucked out of her. She collapsed onto the sofa, resting with her eyes closed for a long time before finally dragging herself to the shower.

 

Socializing was Chi Nian’s forte; she navigated social gatherings like a fish in water. Yet, from recent observations, the stark contrast between her public persona and her private self was glaringly obvious. After negotiations, she often seemed utterly drained, returning home in silence, simply resting quietly.

 

Chi Nian remained with her back turned, her tone devoid of any emotion.

 

“I get it. You should rest.” Zhang Yuning lay flat on the bed when she heard Chi Nian say, “Xiao Zhang.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Come hold me.”

 

Zhang Yuning would usually resist intimate gestures, hesitating in moments like these. But the thought of being just a stand-in made her feel there was no need to take things too seriously.

 

Wordlessly, she moved closer, wrapping her arms around Chi Nian, her hand sliding past her waist to rest on her forearm. Chi Nian interlaced their fingers, holding her hand before bringing it to her lips for a kiss. Then, nestled in the crook of Zhang Yuning’s arm, she drifted off peacefully.

 

Staying detached was key; none of this had anything to do with her. Zhang Yuning had to keep reminding herself to avoid being pulled in, yet each time, her heart ached faintly.

 

She hated this feeling.

 

But holding Chi Nian felt so good; so good that she wished the night would stretch longer, that this could be an endless dream. Chi Nian leaned into her, and she leaned into Chi Nian. Was this what it felt like to be truly close?

 

Yet when moonlight crept through the curtains, eager to spill into the room, Zhang Yuning found her emotions bitterly ironic.

 

In Chi Nian’s heart, perhaps she was thinking of her moon using Zhang Yuning only as an outlet for that longing.

 

It didn’t matter anymore…

 

Zhang Yuning didn’t know when she finally fell asleep, only that the dreams about Chi Nian had started again. Her presence was like an accident in life, yet also a destined encounter. In those dreams, Chi Nian was always tenderly by her side. Their souls connecting, their bodies entwined in passion.

 

Sometimes, Zhang Yuning watched herself with Chi Nian as an outsider; other times, she was immersed in the moment, unable to break free. She even wondered if the person in her dreams was the original “moon,” merely taking on her own form.

 

Dreams distorted by emotions always left a mark. Even knowing they were false, fleeting, even contradictory, the moment they surfaced, they still carried a fleeting intoxication. Thankfully, it was just that fleeting.

 

By the time Zhang Yuning woke at eleven, Chi Nian was already gone.

 

Told me not to wake up early, but sleeping this late is ridiculous. She smacked her forehead, exasperated with herself.

 

In the past, Zhang Yuning had been particular about beds. Years of drifting had made her overly sensitive to unfamiliar sleeping spaces. Yet this time, moving from home to Dean Apartments, she hadn’t struggled with that because Chi Nian was always beside her. What truly unsettled her were her own emotions.

 

Though the evening was reserved for social engagements, preparations might be needed. Zhang Yuning got up quickly, freshened up, and found the apartment empty—no sign of Chi Nian in either the work or living areas.

 

It’s almost lunchtime. Where did she go?

 

She picked up her phone, only to realize she didn’t have Chi Nian’s number. They hadn’t even added each other on social media. Once separated, there was no way to reach her.

 

Did she go out alone? Zhang Yuning paced back and forth, phone in hand.

 

Chi Nian’s identity had already been revealed, so it was indeed acceptable for her to appear in public. However, given that she had previously been a target and had suffered multiple attacks, wasn’t it dangerous for her to leave home like this?

 

Zhang Yuning walked into the office area and glanced at the building across the street. Was Chi Nian perhaps at the headquarters of Chi Shang Group? Since there was a board of directors’ cocktail party in the evening, it made sense for her to return to the company today. But Chi Nian had never officially worked a day in her life. Would she really be able to handle it?

 

Her thoughts began to spiral.

 

Zhang Yuning entered the office area, where nothing seemed to have changed. The printer, computer, and projector were all still on, but there was no sign of anyone.

 

She must be preparing for tonight’s event. Chi Nian didn’t seem like the type to do anything without certainty. As for what the board of directors’ cocktail party might entail, Zhang Yuning found it hard to predict. It felt like a setup, a banquet with hidden dangers.

 

Two more hours passed, and even meal time had come and gone, yet Chi Nian still hadn’t returned. Zhang Yuning had no appetite and no desire to look for food. Instead, she felt restless and uneasy.

 

She couldn’t just keep waiting like this. So, she turned on Chi Nian’s office computer, inserted her decryption USB, and attempted to hack into the building’s security system to check the surveillance footage and see when Chi Nian had left.

 

This kind of task was child’s play for her. Cracking such a program and infiltrating the building’s surveillance system would take only half an hour. Zhang Yuning’s fingers flew across the keyboard as lines of code flashed before her eyes. Focused intently on the screen, she waited patiently until she finally gained access to the system. She pulled up all the building’s surveillance footage and rewound it to the relevant time.

 

Based on Chi Nian’s routine, she had breakfast at 7 a.m., so she must have left after that. Zhang Yuning set the time to early morning and watched at triple speed, her eyes fixed on the elevator and the lobby. The biggest advantage of Dean Apartments was its extensive surveillance coverage, almost no blind spots. Anyone coming or going would be captured on camera.

 

But strangely, Chi Nian was nowhere to be seen in the public area footage. Zhang Yuning had already checked up to 9 a.m., seeing only the usual flow of office workers. She recalled their first time leaving through the private elevator. Those were private passages, and the parking lot was too.

 

Could it be a separate surveillance system? Since Dean Apartments was located in the city center, commuting was extremely convenient. The residents here were a mixed bag. White-collar workers sharing apartments, high-earning professionals living alone, and even mysterious wealthy individuals like Chi Nian, who had rented out an entire floor.

 

So, the standard surveillance system likely only applied to ordinary residents. Chi Nian lived in the penthouse suite at the very top. She was the kind of person who could reserve an entire parking level. Zhang Yuning frowned. If she wanted to hack into the encrypted surveillance system, it would take at least half a day. She couldn’t wait that long.

 

For now, the only option was to check the parking lot to see if Chi Nian’s car was still there.

 

She shut down the computer, erased all traces of her program, and out of habit, wiped away her fingerprints. This instinctive caution, born from her shady profession, could be called “a guilty conscience.”

 

Once everything was taken care of, Zhang Yuning hurried out. As she pulled open the door, she nearly collided with Chi Nian, who was just about to enter.

 

“Where have you been?” Zhang Yuning blurted out.

 

“I had some business to take care of,” Chi Nian replied calmly. Today, her makeup was perfectly balanced neither too heavy nor too light. She wore a black strapless dress, its shoulder straps fastened with platinum-crafted oblong clasps that added a touch of fashionable detail. The entire outfit exuded a subtle yet unmistakable luxury.

 

She stood tall and straight, holding a brown handbag. The pleated design of her skirt stretched from her abdomen to her side waist, the hem falling to her calves with a slit up to her thigh on the right leg, sexy yet undeniably alluring. She resembled a noble black swan, breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Though always stunned by Chi Nian’s outfits, Zhang Yuning remained rational and pressed on: “Why didn’t you call me when you went out?”

 

“You didn’t sleep well last night, so I went alone.” As she spoke, she stepped inside, reaching up to remove the claw clip holding her braided hair. A cascade of long tresses tumbled down. She didn’t even bother changing into slippers, walking barefoot.

 

“Next time you go out, call me. Aren’t I supposed to be your bodyguard, available 24/7?”

 

Chi Nian poured herself a glass of water and drank half in one gulp. She exhaled deeply, then turned to look at Zhang Yuning, tilting her chin up slightly as she leaned in close. “What? Worried about me?”

 

The warmth of her breath brushed against Zhang Yuning’s face, yet she remained unmoved. The words “stand-in” echoed in her mind like a surround-sound system, playing on loop.

 

“Yes, I’m worried. It’s my job.”

 

Chi Nian lowered her gaze with a faint smile, then unzipped her bag slightly and pulled out a check with two fingers, handing it over. “Your salary.”

 

Zhang Yuning was caught off guard. Her brows furrowed, and her heart clenched as if gripped by something unseen. She took the check and glanced at it, neither more nor less, exactly one million Liu coins.

 

She had only mentioned the amount casually, and Chi Nian had even said it wasn’t appropriate. Yet, she had prepared the check anyway. One million Liu coins could buy a house outright in the suburbs of Liuli Island. A substantial sum for an ordinary person.

 

“Thank you, boss.” She calmly pocketed the check.

 

“This is just the first payment.”

 

Zhang Yuning smirked, flipping the check between her fingers. “So being a stand-in is this lucrative? No bodyguard or bed partner could compare.”

 

Chi Nian watched her without a word, a flicker of sorrow passing through her eyes before she smiled gently. “As we agreed, after three months, you can name any amount you want.”

 

“Why three months?”

 

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. In any case, I won’t harm you or treat you unfairly.”

 

“Fine. I hope Miss Chi keeps her word. This money is coming awfully easy.” The conversation left Zhang Yuning uncomfortable, but she forced a tough reply. Did she even care about the money? Sometimes she treated wealth like dirt. Back when she worked for Third Miss, she never felt this conflicted about being paid.

 

That had been hard-earned, the fruits of her labor, and she had truly been worth every penny. But now? Zhang Yuning never knew she had the talent to make money like this. It felt ironic.

 

“It’s a deal.” With that, Chi Nian headed to the changing room. She seemed exhausted, her voice weak and drained.

 

Zhang Yuning stared at the check in her hand, a surge of emotion making her want to tear it apart. But why should she? Who would turn down money? Even if she didn’t use it now, it might come in handy later. Who would ever complain about having too much?

 

If Miss Chi was willing to splurge for the sake of her beloved moon, for a stand-in like her, then she’d take it. From now on, any favor Chi Nian threw her way, she’d accept without hesitation. She wanted to see just how much a stand-in for the moon was worth in the end.

 

After changing into a short nightgown, Chi Nian retreated to her room and didn’t come out again. She must have been tired, probably gone straight to bed for a nap.

 

She always seemed exhausted, needing long hours of sleep and ample rest. Chi Nian had just looked utterly drained earlier; even makeup couldn’t conceal her weariness.

 

Zhang Yuning went to the kitchen to scavenge for food, settling for a couple of slices of bread to tide her over. A full stomach and proper rest had indeed rejuvenated her. Now well-rested, she had enough energy today to accompany and protect Chi Nian.

 

It was still early, so she went to the gym to throw a few punches, emerging radiant and refreshed. Yet, her mood remained persistently gloomy. Her usual life was uneventful, her emotions even more so each day spent doing things she enjoyed, dabbling in different fields, free and unburdened, a true drifter in society.

 

But now, whether she was gaming, working out, or even programming, nothing could properly distract her. Uncontrollably, her thoughts kept circling back to Chi Nian, to the absurdity of the doppelgänger trope, which struck her as utterly ridiculous.

 

She began digging into Chi Nian’s past. Something she hadn’t wanted to resort to, but Zhang Yuning was too desperate to know who this doppelgänger was. If this person existed or had existed, there had to be traces. Given how high-profile Chi Nian had been in the past, clues could surely be found through spending records, social appearances, or even private jet usage.

 

Zhang Yuning preferred living with clarity and certainty, so she was determined to uncover the identity of this doppelgänger. Chi Nian’s past was easy to research. After all, the Chi family was too prominent. With few members, Chi Nian had been the sole heiress, raised in luxury and frequently under media scrutiny since childhood.

 

Her focus was Chi Nian’s romantic history. Zhang Yuning started there, but after extensive searching, she found that Chi Nian had virtually no dating history at least, no publicly acknowledged partners. There were plenty of tabloid rumors and gossip, but none of the reports or articles dared to speculate or judge too boldly. Offending the Chi family could have dire consequences.

 

The Chi family had the power to suppress any news and manipulate public opinion at will, so much of what surfaced was merely superficial. Chi Nian also seemed to lack close girlfriends. Her life assistants and housekeepers were all older women, and her past bodyguards were mostly burly men. As for the rumored boyfriends and arranged marriages with wealthy families, none had ever been substantiated.

 

Unexpectedly, this deep dive yielded nothing.

 

Zhang Yuning rubbed her temples in frustration. No one had ever left her so utterly stumped before. Chi Nian kept getting the better of her, leaving her irritated yet powerless.

 

It suddenly occurred to her. Was the lack of information because Chi Nian had deliberately erased it? Had she protected this “moon” too well? Was it because she cared so deeply that she treated this person as a priceless treasure, shielding and cherishing them with utmost caution?

 

Of course. If the young mistress of the Chi family wanted to hide someone, it would be all too easy. It had to be this! Zhang Yuning felt a flash of clarity, but why did she feel no excitement at all? Instead, she was restless, even resentful.

 

Was it competitiveness? It had to be. After all, she had clawed her way up over the years and had some skills to show for it. Now, not only had she failed to uncover anything, but she hadn’t even caught a whiff of a lead. It was downright disheartening. Yes, that had to be it! But when had she ever been this unsettled over competitiveness before?

 

Zhang Yuning frowned. Just what kind of person could make Chi Nian care so much, to the point of such meticulous caution? Lost in thought, she stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the sky had darkened, and the moon now shone with a proud glow as if mocking her.

 

Wait, the moon? Why the moon? How could I have missed such a crucial clue? If they needed a stand-in like me, does that mean the real “moon” is no longer around?

 

With these thoughts racing through her mind, Zhang Yuning turned and hurried back to her computer. She typed “moon, accident” into the search bar, rapidly scrolling through the results, but nothing on the screen satisfied her. A wave of frustration washed over her again, and she found herself staring blankly at the monitor.

 

Perhaps lost in thought for too long, Zhang Yuning was so absorbed in staring at the computer screen that she didn’t notice someone approaching from behind until the reflected light cast a shadow. She quickly closed the laptop and turned to face Chi Nian, unable to utter a word.

 

“If you want to know something, why not just ask me directly?” Chi Nian crossed her arms and gazed at her, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

 

“It’s nothing. Just killing time while waiting for you.”

 

Chi Nian looked at her with an ambiguous expression, resting one hand on the desk and tapping the laptop lid with her fingers. “Bored enough to look up my moon?”

 

“What I look into is none of your business.” Zhang Yuning replied sullenly, even a little indignantly. She didn’t meet Chi Nian’s gaze, nor did she want to.

 

My moon… Hmph.