Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 27.1

Death seemed to be the word Chi Nian dreaded the most, and Zhang Yuning could roughly guess it had something to do with the moon.

Judging by her reactions, the person referred to as “the moon” might have already passed away due to an accident or illness. Chi Nian always blamed herself, always drowned in guilt. Her helplessness, powerlessness, and even regret were all projected onto herself.

What was it that made Chi Nian think Zhang Yuning resembled the moon? In what way? Appearance, personality, or something else? In the end, she was just a substitute.

Chi Nian hadn’t even used any force. Her palm had merely brushed lightly against Zhang Yuning’s face, lighter than swatting a mosquito. Yet, that touch hurt far more than when she had been caught peeking into the bag earlier. After Zhang Yuning nodded, Chi Nian pulled her into a tight embrace.

Had she truly mistaken her for the moon? Otherwise, how could the emotions pouring out of her be so overwhelming?

Chi Nian had loved a woman once. Someone who might have once illuminated her world or held extraordinary significance in her life. But in the end, the moon had left, leaving Chi Nian in nothing but darkness.

“You won’t die. I won’t let you die.” Chi Nian’s arms tightened around Zhang Yuning, who sat stiffly, her heart feeling as though it had been stabbed. The pain sharper than any of her physical wounds.

She wasn’t afraid of Zhang Yuning dying. She was just afraid of losing the moon again. But Zhang Yuning wasn’t the moon.

A pang of displeasure struck Zhang Yuning’s heart, and she pushed Chi Nian away. “You should rest. I’ll set up the light for you.” She didn’t want to lose herself in the world of the moon and Chi Nian, it felt like stolen time.

She was indulging in something that didn’t belong to her, yet her heart had already been thrown into chaos by Chi Nian.

“Stay with me,” Chi Nian pleaded, gripping her hand, unwilling to let go.

“I’ll grab something to eat and come back later to sleep.” Zhang Yuning kept her gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact. Looking into Chi Nian’s eyes only made her sad. Her curiosity about the moon grew stronger so much so that she resolved to uncover the truth about this person.

Chi Nian didn’t insist. After sipping a few mouthfuls of sobering tea, she lay down. Zhang Yuning turned off the room lights and plugged in the moon lamp. Its soft, rotating glow cast a gentle radiance.

She noticed Chi Nian’s gaze fixed on the lamp, the starlight in her eyes dimming as if fading away. Zhang Yuning quietly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her before exhaling deeply.

The thrilling, perilous day had finally passed. Another date had been crossed off Chi Nian’s notebook, with the next one scheduled half a month later.

In the days that followed, Chi Nian seemed to be recuperating, as if the social engagements had drained her energy. She began to rest and recharge, maintaining a disciplined routine of eating and sleeping. She even ordered a large batch of plants to decorate her workspace.

It was hard to believe someone like Chi Nian could be such a homebody. One who lived healthily and contentedly. She practiced yoga, meditated, read books, watered plants, watched movies, listened to music—anything quiet and peaceful, Chi Nian enjoyed.

She made no demands of Zhang Yuning. The two coexisted more like roommates, gradually adapting to each other’s habits and growing more harmonious. At times, Zhang Yuning would catch herself staring at Chi Nian, struck by the fleeting thought that this person seemed to have come from another world.

She had once doubted whether this was even the real Chi Nian. But after witnessing the way influential figures responded to and supported her during those social events, there seemed to be no question about her identity.

Yet this Chi Nian remained an enigma. Or perhaps something had happened along the way that had transformed this heiress into someone entirely different.

Could it be that Miss Chi’s drastic changes and the loss of the moon are related?

Finding clues online proved difficult, so Zhang Yuning decided to switch tactics to investigate the truth about the moon. Although Chi Nian had told her to just ask, how could she bring herself to voice the questions she truly wanted answered? Zhang Yuning had always been the type to uncover whatever she wanted to know on her own, but with Chi Nian, she kept hitting roadblocks and setbacks. It left her feeling somewhat frustrated and unwilling to give up. She still wanted to get to the bottom of things.

The midday sunlight streamed through the glass as Chi Nian, wearing headphones, stared blankly at the screen. Zhang Yuning wanted to go out, so she walked over to the work area to ask for permission.

Seeing her absorbed in her work with headphones on, Zhang Yuning didn’t disturb her immediately. Instead, she waited nearby for a while. When Chi Nian noticed her presence, she didn’t pause her task, continuing with undivided focus.

Only after fifteen minutes had passed, seemingly finishing a phase of her work, did Chi Nian remove her headphones and look at Zhang Yuning. “Something wrong?”

“You don’t have any plans to go out these next few days, right?”

Chi Nian didn’t answer right away. Her gaze drifted to the calendar on the desk before she pulled out a black notebook from her bag and flipped through it. Zhang Yuning noticed her pausing on a page that recorded today’s date.

Calmly closing the notebook, Chi Nian lifted her eyes and asked, “You want to go out?”

“Yeah, I want to go cycling. Staying cooped up at home every day is suffocating.”

Chi Nian frowned, lowering her head as she tapped her pen lightly on the desk. Then she turned to look out the window. A few faint dark clouds had drifted in, dimming the sunlight. In the distance, towering buildings were shrouded in an ominous gloom, as if a storm was brewing with overwhelming force.

“There’s going to be heavy rain today. Don’t go out.”

“It’s only two now. The weather forecast says the rain won’t start until five. I’ll be back before then.” Zhang Yuning couldn’t sit still. She had thought of a way to investigate who the moon was and was eager to act on it.

Chi Nian still hesitated, so Zhang Yuning added, “We’re also running low on backup medicine at home. I’ll buy some more while I’m out.” She fabricated another excuse, hoping Chi Nian would agree.

She couldn’t understand why Chi Nian wouldn’t let her go out in the rain. Was it because she had caught a chill from getting drenched last time?

Right now, the sky was still clear. The dark clouds in the distance would take time to roll in. While parts of Liuli City were already experiencing rain, it would likely be a while before it reached their area. Chi Nian stood by the window, lost in thought. Her mind always inscrutable, her heart always an enigma. Who was it that filled those unfathomable depths?

“Wear more layers. If it suddenly starts raining, don’t rush back in the downpour. Absolutely do not get soaked. If you can promise me that, then you can go. But if you break your word…” Chi Nian turned to face her, her expression unusually stern, devoid of its usual smile. “…then I’ll never allow you to go out alone again.”

“Fine, I promise.”

Chi Nian’s expression softened slightly. She walked up to Zhang Yuning, tilting her head slightly as she gazed at her, her eyes brimming with natural affection. “I know you keep your promises. I also know you value your freedom. Don’t worry, I won’t hold you back forever. I’ll give you your freedom back.”

Her hand gently brushed Zhang Yuning’s cheek, the intimacy in her actions, expression, and words flowing effortlessly. It didn’t feel like an act, more like a long-ingrained habit.

Words like these, so considerate and understanding, easily touched the heart and were undeniably charming. But Zhang Yuning didn’t want to respond. Every gesture, every word from Chi Nian was all for the sake of that moon.

Zhang Yuning was fixated on figuring out exactly how she resembled the moon. Remaining unmoved was her best response and her best form of self-protection.

She gave a faint hum in acknowledgment, grabbed a gray baseball jacket, and put on a denim cap before heading out. The wardrobe here always had clothes she liked not only did they fit perfectly, but they also covered all her style preferences.

Suddenly, it occurred to Zhang Yuning that these might have been prepared for the moon. Or perhaps this wardrobe had always belonged to the moon, and she was just benefiting from it by chance. So, the moon must have a similar figure to hers. That would explain why Chi Nian’s gaze burned even hotter whenever she wore these clothes.

What an irritating feeling. Sullen, she trudged to the door, only to be stopped by Chi Nian.

“Be back within three hours, and don’t get caught in the rain.”

Zhang Yuning suddenly remembered that the last time, Chi Nian had refused to let her leave for days because of continuous rain. What did that have to do with her discomfort? If the moon used to fall ill after getting drenched, surely their similarities didn’t extend to that as well.

Catching a cold from the rain was perfectly normal. Anyone with a slightly weaker constitution might end up coughing or sniffling. But someone as perpetually sensitive to the cold as her was rare.

“Are you afraid I’ll get sick like last time if I get wet?” Zhang Yuning couldn’t help but ask.

Chi Nian nodded. “Summer hasn’t arrived yet. Getting soaked in this weather makes it easy to catch a cold.”

“My symptoms last time didn’t seem like a cold.”

“Just remember what I told you. I don’t want to spend another night taking care of a giant.”

“Giant…?” Zhang Yuning was speechless. At 172 cm and 55 kg, she was tall and slender—how did that make her a giant?

Before she could protest, Chi Nian walked over, adjusted the brim of her cap, and said with a smile, “Dressed like this, you could pass for 18. You look a bit like a college student.”

A chill ran down Zhang Yuning’s spine. She had deliberately dressed younger to blend in as a student. Was Chi Nian just making an offhand remark, or had she actually seen through her intentions? If so, that was terrifying.

If Chi Nian could anticipate her every move, Zhang Yuning would start suspecting that her brain had been implanted with a chip, allowing Chi Nian to monitor her every thought.

But that was too far-fetched. She’d just take it as a coincidence.

“I’ll be back by 5 p.m.”

“What if you break your word?” Chi Nian actually didn’t trust her.

Zhang Yuning thought for a moment before replying, “If I break my word, you can do whatever you want with me.”

“Do whatever I want?” A faint glimmer of amusement flashed in Chi Nian’s eyes. “I told you not to call me ‘Miss Chi,’ yet you’ve only gotten more comfortable with it.”

So, she was still hung up on that title.

“I don’t know what else to call you.”

“Call me by my name.”

“Chi Nian?”

“That’s still too distant.”

Zhang Yuning’s heart sank as she realized the reason. Though she wasn’t sure if she was overanalyzing or just being overly sensitive. “Why don’t you just tell me what your moon calls you? I can oblige.”

Chi Nian’s expression stiffened. The faint smile vanished from her lips, and the slight furrow of her brows made her look both stern and resigned.

“Call me whatever you want,” she said before turning and walking back inside.

“So, the moon’s special name for you is something I’m not worthy of using, huh?”

Zhang Yuning didn’t even know why she had uttered those bitter, sour words. Just saying them made her feel uncomfortable all over. Chi Nian didn’t turn around or give any response, leaving Zhang Yuning filled with regret. Speaking such words was like grinding her own pride into dust.

She should just shut up. From now on, she shouldn’t make such sarcastic remarks—they sounded awful. Forget how Chi Nian, the person involved, must have felt; even she herself found it unbearable. What if the moon was truly an unhealed wound in Chi Nian’s heart? Wouldn’t her words be like rubbing salt in it?

Zhang Yuning swung her leg over her motorcycle and sped off toward the prestigious university Chi Nian had graduated from Liuli Academy.

Chi Nian had once been a campus celebrity, so perhaps clues about the moon could be found where she had studied. Disguised as a student, Zhang Yuning entered the campus and visited various places—clubs, the student council, dormitories—using subtle methods to gather information. She discovered that Chi Nian had once had a close friend, but that friend seemed to have already left Liuli Island and moved abroad.

During her school days, Chi Nian had been quite high-profile. Her photos still adorned the campus culture wall. Posing as a freshman exploring different clubs, Zhang Yuning learned these details. She also accessed the school’s intranet and uncovered Chi Nian’s academic achievements.

Turns out, she had been a top student in business administration, even producing notable academic results. However, rumor had it that she wasn’t particularly fond of studying, so she hadn’t pursued further education. Chi Nian didn’t care much for such achievements. She preferred participating in various club activities, balancing both dynamic and quiet pursuits.

This aligned with Zhang Yuning’s understanding of the young Miss Chi. As for the rumored best friend who might be the moon, Zhang Yuning hadn’t found any photos yet only confirmation of her existence. She wasn’t publicly displayed, though she was said to have been an outstanding individual.

It seemed that even within the school’s records, the moon had been meticulously protected by Chi Nian.

The Chi Nian on the campus culture wall radiated youthful energy, smiling

Zhang Yuning glanced at the time, drained the last of her coffee, and prepared to head back to Dean Apartments. She still had half an hour, plenty of time to return before five.

After packing up her laptop, she reached the café entrance only to find dark clouds looming overhead. Rain seemed imminent. The weather forecast had changed; initially predicting rain at five, it now appeared the downpour would arrive earlier.

She should make it in time. Chi Nian’s condition was simple: don’t get caught in the rain. The ride from here to Dean Apartments took twenty minutes, she had enough time.

Her motorcycle could hit 130 km/h. Zhang Yuning weaved through traffic, bypassing red lights by taking alternate routes. She raced against the gathering storm. But halfway through, a cold raindrop landed on the back of her hand. It was really about to rain. She revved the engine, pushing forward just two more turns and she’d be there.

The rain came suddenly, fierce winds shaking the trees along the roadside. Feeling the raindrops splatter against her helmet, Zhang Yuning swerved into the entrance of an underground parking garage to take shelter, deciding to wait it out.

Even if she rushed back now, Chi Nian would assume she’d gotten wet. She removed her helmet, wiping off the raindrops, then brushed away the few beads of water clinging to her jacket. Outside, the skies opened up, torrential rain lashing the streets.

Trapped, Zhang Yuning felt a pang of frustration. In the past, she would’ve charged through only one intersection away. But now, bound by the terms of their arrangement, she had no choice but to restrain herself.

If her illness was truly linked to getting wet, how did Chi Nian know? Staring at the relentless downpour, Zhang Yuning suddenly felt the urge to test it. Her earlier attempt with a cold shower had been interrupted.

Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity? But how could she expose herself to the rain without Chi Nian finding out?

She glanced around; this was the entrance to a hotel garage. An idea struck her. She went inside, booked a short-stay room, took a cold shower, then meticulously dried off, changed clothes, and blow-dried her hair, leaving no trace.

The squall was as abrupt in its departure as its arrival. To prove she’d taken shelter, Zhang Yuning snapped a photo of the garage entrance before riding back during a lull in the rain.

If she fell ill again, it would confirm her most defining vulnerability: exposure to cold. In simpler terms, she couldn’t afford to get drenched or chilled. But she was 28 though some memories were hazy, surely she’d been caught in the cold before. Why was this happening now?

Zhang Yuning returned to Dean Apartments as if nothing had happened. After parking her motorcycle, she took the private elevator up. Chi Nian had registered her for facial recognition, granting her seamless access.

They still had no way to contact each other. It suddenly dawned on Zhang Yuning; shouldn’t they establish some means of communication? Otherwise, once separated, they’d have no way to reach one another.

The elevator reached the top floor. Zhang Yuning froze. The security door was ajar. Her heart skipped a beat. She checked the emergency exit door—locked. No one besides residents should be able to access this floor.

So why was the front door half-open? Had something happened to Chi Nian? Zhang Yuning tapped the intercom screen by the door, reviewing the playback footage. No suspicious figures had lingered outside.

She stepped in, closing the door behind her, and called out, “Miss Chi?”

No answer. Setting her bag down and slipping off her shoes, Zhang Yuning moved quietly, checking each room. Chi Nian was nowhere to be seen in the living area. She moved to the workspace, still no sign of her.

At this moment, torrential rain pounded against the glass curtain wall, and the overcast sky loomed oppressively, overwhelming in its approach. Due to the high floor, the rain hidden deep within the clouds felt almost within reach.

“Miss Chi?” Zhang Yuning grew tense. She took a deep breath and approached the desk, only to discover Chi Nian lying on the sofa, a book covering her face as she slept. The sofa was partially obscured by the desk, blocking the view earlier. Zhang Yuning exhaled in relief. It had been a false alarm.

Chi Nian’s bag rested on the inner side of the sofa, and in her hand was a white notebook. The book covering her face was an English medical text. Though Zhang Yuning had never studied foreign languages, she had read medical books before and had some familiarity with specialized literature in this field.

She stood still, using her phone to search the book’s title. She discovered it was a major breakthrough research topic in the medical field of Liuli Island related to cancer treatment drugs. Zhang Yuning knew about this. There had once been a group of biomedical scientists dedicated to this research, but it was later ordered to halt for certain reasons. The study remained incomplete, yet Liuli Island’s Bohr Corporation had recently developed a life-extending drug for cancer, marking a significant advancement for humanity.

Why was Chi Nian reading such a book? Zhang Yuning had always assumed she was working on a major scientific project. The people she had met before and the information she had retrieved all pointed to the research department.

Why the sudden interest in medicine? Was there a connection to her project?

Zhang Yuning’s gaze shifted to the white notebook. The contents inside were sparse, why would she need to review it so frequently? To reinforce her memory, or was she afraid of forgetting? There was something peculiar about Chi Nian’s behavior, something that didn’t align with normal habits.