Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 30

Who could resist the gentle fragility of Chi Nian? Zhang Yuning leaned forward slightly, allowing herself to be softly embraced by Chi Nian, who seemed to lack even the strength to hold someone properly.

Zhang Yuning didn’t dare hug her too tightly, merely stroking her back lightly, her face unconsciously pressing against Chi Nian’s hair, breathing in the faint fragrance lingering there.

Her heartbeat began to race erratically again. Chi Nian nestled in her arms, her head resting against Zhang Yuning’s upper arm. From this angle, she could just see Chi Nian’s ear. It no longer seemed to be bleeding, and there was no visible wound, though what lay beneath the surface remained unknown.

In the dimly lit room, Chi Nian was like a highland flower blooming in the dark of night, solitary on a seaside cliff, beginning to wither after years of enduring wind and rain. Yet she refused to succumb. Each time life battered her, she still stood proud between heaven and earth, weathering the relentless tides of time, enduring the stormy years with unyielding resilience.

Zhang Yuning wanted to hold her tighter, then tighter still. But every time her arms flexed slightly, all she felt were the bones beneath Chi Nian’s skin. She seemed to have grown thinner. Though Chi Nian was in her arms, she felt impossibly distant.

“I’m fine now.” Chi Nian slowly pulled away from Zhang Yuning’s embrace and lay back down. “Don’t overthink it. Just do what you need to do.”

“You asked me to hold you but you were really trying to comfort me, weren’t you?” Zhang Yuning’s heart ached. She could clearly sense that Chi Nian hadn’t sought the embrace for herself but had instead perceived Zhang Yuning’s low spirits, her bruised emotions.

Chi Nian tugged at the blanket, forcing a faint smile. “What difference does it make? I hugged you because I wanted to.” With that, she patted Zhang Yuning’s hand and wearily lay back down, her bag still placed securely by the pillow.

“Get some rest.” Zhang Yuning adjusted the blanket for her and quietly stepped out.

Her heart was being led along by Chi Nian and the most terrifying part was that she was fully, rationally aware of it, yet she plunged in headfirst anyway.

Chi Nian was unwell, unhappy. What could she do for her?

Perhaps the best way was to do something useful for Chi Nian. Besides, if she didn’t get to work soon, she’d really end up as nothing more than a bodyguard even the skills she prided herself on would be overshadowed by those hackers from the dark web.

She threw herself into the task. The names Yu Qinghua and Ai Lin sounded vaguely familiar, though not deeply memorable likely from exam questions about their research when she was studying for her medical license.

Zhang Yuning started by hacking into the internal network of the Bioresearch Institute, then traced back to the universities the two had graduated from. She worked backward along their timelines before finally tackling the information network of Bohr Corporation.

What kind of entity was Bohr Corporation? It could be said that nearly all the medical equipment and drug patents in Liuli Island were researched and produced by this company. Their devices and medicines were sold worldwide, with partnerships in hospitals across the globe. Bohr’s equipment was exorbitantly expensive, and while their cancer-targeted drugs were gradually becoming more accessible, their pricing remained steep.

They had always led the world in medical advancements—robot-assisted surgeries, AI-driven blood tests, fully automated diagnostic machines. Each iteration of these technologies was Bohr’s doing. Projects abandoned by the state, unethical research halted by regulations—Bohr dared to continue them. That was how they had managed to poach top talents like Yu Qinghua and Ai Lin.

As she sifted through this information, Zhang Yuning often found herself lost in thought. She even wondered—could Chi Nian be suffering from some form of cancer herself, hence her urgency in assembling a medical research team to push forward with anticancer drug development?

So, what role did she actually play? This was the question Zhang Yuning couldn’t figure out the most—what kind of existence was she to Chi Nian? Why had she been chosen? There were simply no answers to these questions.

But she felt she was getting closer to the truth step by step, believing that more clues would emerge. Besides, wasn’t there another date marked in Chi Nian’s notebook in a few days? Based on the previous pattern, it should be related to chills, so… was it going to rain in a few days?

Her mind wandered, and she opened another tab to check the weather forecast. Unexpectedly, it was going to rain for the entire next week. This, Liuli Island had seen much more rain this year than in previous years.

Never mind, she should focus on the important tasks first. Zhang Yuning immersed herself in the world of code and information, temporarily pushing everything else to the back of her mind.

She worked until the sky darkened, until heavy rain poured outside the window, before she finally snapped out of her focus. She closed her eyes deeply, taking a short break. Glancing at the time, it was already 2 p.m.—no wonder her stomach was growling. Chi Nian still hadn’t gotten up. She stood and began stretching her limbs.

Today had gone relatively smoothly. Completing Chi Nian’s task within two days wouldn’t be difficult. But since it was past mealtime, Chi Nian would probably be hungry when she woke up. The thought of making desserts for Chi Nian crossed Zhang Yuning’s mind. She had been considering this because she’d noticed that sweets really could lift one’s mood. Whenever she felt inexplicably low or negative, eating something sweet made her feel much better.

Assuming Chi Nian was both physically weak and in a bad mood, Zhang Yuning started preparing. The most amazing thing about this apartment was that it never lacked any ingredients. It was as if someone replenished them daily. Whatever she needed was there: tart shells, ingredients for Four-Red Soup, not to mention all the kitchenware.

After an hour of bustling in the kitchen, she finally had some results. To save time, Zhang Yuning brought her laptop to the kitchen island, working in the intervals while waiting for the desserts. She simmered Four-Red Soup, made egg tarts and fruit mille-feuille, and prepared a salad in case Chi Nian preferred something light.

The kitchen island became her makeshift desk. Too hungry to wait, she nibbled on a piece of bread while everything else on the table was prepared for Chi Nian. She just needed to fill her own stomach.

The more she searched, the heavier Zhang Yuning’s heart grew. Some of the content and phrases she came across were hard to ignore. The information she had retrieved so far was relatively easy to uncover, but the deeper she went, the more challenging it became. It would take a lot of time to decrypt the more complex internal networks with intricate encryption protocols.

But even just the content she had now was already shocking enough.

Zhang Yuning was staring blankly at the screen when the video intercom at the door rang. She listened carefully, confirming it was coming from the entrance. Could someone actually be here to see Chi Nian? Remembering Mo Lindi’s unexpected visit, it didn’t seem too strange. Could it be her again?

She walked over to the screen and saw a man standing outside. Wasn’t this the same man Chi Nian had met the first time she went out? The youngest executive-level scientist at Chi Shang Group, only 35 years old. If she remembered correctly, this man should be Cheng Nuo.

Based on Zhang Yuning’s speculation, Cheng Nuo was likely a core figure in the R&D team and Chi Nian’s trusted confidant, as he had no scandals and their meetings were more private compared to others.

“Is Miss Chi here?” Cheng Nuo asked from outside when no one responded.

Zhang Yuning hesitated—should she open the door first or go inform Chi Nian? Why would he show up here right after Chi Nian fell ill?

Better to assess the situation first.

She opened the door to find Cheng Nuo dressed neatly in a shirt and trousers, looking quite dashing. His round-framed glasses added a scholarly air to his demeanor.

“Hello, is Miss Chi in?”

“She’s resting. What do you need?”

Cheng Nuo paused, as if considering whether to speak. He didn’t seem particularly guarded, a stark contrast to his earlier attitude when mentioning the “female bodyguard.”

“There was an incident at the Twin Towers. I wanted to make sure she’s alright.”

“She’s fine. Like I said, she’s resting.” Zhang Yuning couldn’t help but wonder if Cheng Nuo had feelings for Chi Nian, going out of his way to check on her after the Twin Towers incident. Couldn’t this have been handled with a simple phone call?

Her tone wasn’t exactly friendly as they stood on either side of the doorway. Cheng Nuo peered inside politely and asked, “May I wait inside? There are a few things I’d like to discuss.”

“She’s not feeling well. No telling when she’ll wake up.” Zhang Yuning shut him out with that remark. Cheng Nuo scratched his head but maintained a gentlemanly smile. “Then I’ll wait outside. I won’t disturb you two.”

You two… That phrasing was oddly suggestive. Zhang Yuning assumed he was playing some reverse psychology game and was about to close the door when Chi Nian’s voice came through: “Let him in.”

Zhang Yuning turned in surprise and noticed that Chi Nian had changed out of her nightgown into a T-shirt and pants at some point.

“You’re alright?” she asked, seeing that Chi Nian’s complexion had improved slightly, with some color returning to her face.

“I’m fine. Have him wait in the study.” With that, Chi Nian turned and walked away.

Zhang Yuning glanced at Cheng Nuo and reluctantly let him in. “Come in.” If he was one of Chi Nian’s trusted associates, she shouldn’t be hostile. But this inexplicable sour displeasure—what was that about?

“Thank you.” Once inside, Cheng Nuo meticulously changed his shoes, arranging them so precisely it bordered on obsessive; perfectly aligned with the edge of the shoe cabinet.

Zhang Yuning led him to the study. On her way out, she ran into Chi Nian, who had applied light makeup and tied her hair into a ponytail.

“Prepare two Americanos.”

“You shouldn’t drink coffee on an empty stomach.” Zhang Yuning gestured to the dining table. “How about something else for you? I’ll make him a coffee.”

Only then did Chi Nian notice the items on the table. She walked over and glanced at them, murmuring to herself, “Four-Red Soup.” She recognized it at a glance.

“It’s not bad, and not too sweet. Don’t worry.”

Four-Red Soup was brewed from red beans, peanuts, red dates, and brown sugar. A tonic to replenish blood and energy. Whether it worked or not, it couldn’t hurt to try.

Chi Nian, still carrying traces of sleepiness, looked at Zhang Yuning without speaking.

“I’ll bring some pastries over too. Might as well keep things casual at home.”

“Alright, you decide.” Finally, a faint smile appeared on Chi Nian’s lips, and her voice regained some strength. Zhang Yuning’s mood lifted as well, and she cheerfully set about arranging things.

Chi Nian headed toward the study. Zhang Yuning noticed that Cheng Nuo’s demeanor upon seeing her was different from the first time. Now, they seemed like old friends, with none of the initial distance.

Chi Nian must value talent highly. Anyone who could come here and meet at home wouldn’t be an outsider. She shouldn’t judge Cheng Nuo with prejudice. The man was a “science fanatic,” his research topics so bold they had faced significant suppression. At one point, his talents were nearly buried, but after achieving breakthroughs in other fields, he regained his status as a core member and climbed the ranks steadily.

However, he had never abandoned the research he wanted to pursue over the years, and Zhang Yuning suspected that Chi Nian was particularly interested in his bold research topic.

After brewing the coffee, Zhang Yuning poured the Four Red Soup into a cup, found a tray, and arranged the snacks on it before carrying everything to the office area like a server.

She knocked and entered, interrupting their conversation. Chi Nian was flipping through something on her tablet, while Cheng Nuo stood up and thanked her: “Thank you for your trouble.”

“No problem.” Zhang Yuning glanced at Chi Nian, who was still reading English documents. Cheng Nuo adjusted his glasses, looking back and forth between Zhang Yuning and Chi Nian.

The silence among the three of them created an awkward atmosphere. Unable to bear it, Zhang Yuning said, “I’ll leave you to your work.”

“Xiao Zhang.” Chi Nian stopped her.

“Yes?”

“Send over the information you’ve gathered so far on Yu Qinghua and Aileen.”

“It’s not complete yet.”

“Send whatever you have.”

“Understood.”

Zhang Yuning’s computer was connected to all the devices in the office area, so Chi Nian could directly access the files on her phone or tablet. Still, Zhang Yuning didn’t have Chi Nian’s contact details—not even her email address.

Cheng Nuo was a researcher, yet Chi Nian wanted information on medical professors. This confirmed Zhang Yuning’s suspicion. Though the two fields seemed unrelated, they were likely part of a larger, interconnected project.

After stepping out, she compiled and sent over the information she had gathered.

Anyone who read the files on Yu Qinghua and Aileen would be astonished. The two had been classmates at Liuli Medical University. After completing their master’s degrees, they went abroad for further studies, eventually earning their PhDs and completing a groundbreaking research project on the origins of tumors. Their work uncovered the causes of certain cancers, methods of prevention, and ways to detect early-stage cancer.

This outstanding achievement earned them professorship at just 28 years old, and they were immediately recruited by the Liuli Biological Research Institute. They continued their research, specializing in cancer treatment and prevention, eventually establishing the SO Anti-Cancer Laboratory.

Unfortunately, Yu Qinghua later collapsed from exhaustion, and the laboratory was forcibly shut down. Their research methods had been extreme—not only did they conduct live drug trials on cancer patients, but they also experimented with genetic bloodlines. While the former was somewhat acceptable, the latter involved subjecting numerous infants to drug tests, injections, medical instruments, and even surgeries—a horrifying process.

It resembled the kind of unethical biotech research seen in sci-fi movies—bold yet cruel. This was what shocked Zhang Yuning the most.

The two women were highly controversial in their field, daring to do anything at such a young age. Now, however, they had vanished without a trace. Rumors claimed Yu Qinghua had fallen ill, while others said Aileen had disappeared. The truth was difficult to uncover.

Was Chi Nian trying to track them down to resume these terrifying experiments?

If so, she must be doing it to treat someone either herself or another person. And that process would require a large number of live test subjects including Zhang Yuning herself?

At this thought, her emotions surged. Perhaps Chi Nian’s kindness toward her was all for this purpose. Otherwise, why would she inject her? Chi Nian had been feeding her sweet lies to keep her compliant or maybe she was doing it for someone important to her, like Moon?

Zhang Yuning didn’t want to believe this was the truth. But if Chi Nian really had such intentions, she wouldn’t let her succeed.

She couldn’t let herself be deceived. She tried to stay sharp, everything before her eyes might be an illusion. She had to trust her own observations, judgment, reasoning, and instincts.

Chi Nian and Cheng Nuo had been holed up together the entire afternoon without emerging. As dusk fell, Zhang Yuning tried to search for any other traces of the two while also looking into Cheng Nuo’s background.

The man had no remarkable story; his life followed a conventional path. Unmarried and indifferent to fame and fortune, he was wholly devoted to his research, obsessively pursuing his chosen subjects. A fanatic, but fortunately only in the realm of scientific study. In daily life, he was decent enough, a stark contrast to his work persona.

Zhang Yuning used to avoid overthinking, but now her mind was constantly racing. The next step was to wait for Chi Nian’s next move and the timing of her next chills.

At six in the evening, Cheng Nuo finally left, clutching a stack of printed documents as if they were priceless treasures. He remained courteous; his eyes glued to the papers even as he walked.

If everyone had desires, Cheng Nuo’s was likely tied to his research.

After such a long conversation, Chi Nian must have been exhausted. Zhang Yuning stepped inside and noticed the pastries had barely been touched, though the four-red soup had been finished.

Her overthinking had left her irritable. Silently, she began clearing the coffee table while Chi Nian sat at the desk, engrossed in her screen, fully immersed in work.

Outside, rain streaked down the glass like a watery curtain, scattered droplets dotting the surface. In the distance, gloomy clouds loomed ominously, pressing down on the city’s towering buildings with an overwhelming weight.

The room was brightly lit. Zhang Yuning busied herself at the kitchen counter while Chi Nian remained in her workspace. By nine o’clock, she should have been preparing for her bath and skincare routine—why was she still working?

Worried about Chi Nian’s health, Zhang Yuning approached and knocked before pushing the door open. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Ten more minutes,” Chi Nian replied, propping her head up with one hand as she pored over a thick stack of documents. She always shredded them afterward, jotting new notes in a large, heavy conference notebook.

Zhang Yuning poured a cup of hot water and brought it over. Just as she was about to leave, she spotted a few crimson-stained tissues in the trash bin beside the desk. It could only be blood.

“Did your ear bleed again?”

Chi Nian looked up, following Zhang Yuning’s gaze to the bin. After a pause, she said, “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s clearly something, and you’re pretending it’s not. That’s how things really go wrong.” The words tumbled out like a tongue twister.

“I won’t die from it.”

The word “die” made Zhang Yuning’s heart clench. Frowning, she retorted, “You tell me not to say ‘die,’ yet you say it yourself. Double standards, huh?”

Chi Nian set down what she was holding, leaned back in her chair, and smirked at Zhang Yuning. “So, what if I am? Got a problem with that?”

Zhang Yuning nearly choked worse than if she’d swallowed a mouthful of dry bread. But when she noticed the details on Chi Nian’s face, her heart twisted again. Whether from incomplete cleaning or not, dried bloodstains lingered inside Chi Nian’s nostrils. Zhang Yuning was too familiar with the sight to mistake it.

“Were you just having a nosebleed?” she asked cautiously.

Chi Nian’s smile faltered. She lowered her head and rubbed her nose awkwardly. “The air’s dry.”

“You’re smart enough to come up with a better excuse.” Zhang Yuning was beyond exasperated. Was there really no way to get Chi Nian to a hospital? She was tempted to secretly draw Chi Nian’s blood and have it tested herself.

Zhang Yuning was a bit angry. Chi Nian couldn’t tell good intentions from bad, taking kindness for ill will—fine, she could just stay sick. With that, she turned and stormed out of the office. Shortly after, she heard Chi Nian seemingly make a phone call with someone.

Was this some kind of deception? Could it be? But something like this couldn’t be faked, right? So, Chi Nian really was sick and urgently trying to set up a medical team?

Could she actually have cancer? The thought startled Zhang Yuning, filling her more with sorrow than anything else. Her earlier frustration vanished, replaced by even deeper concern for Chi Nian’s health.

But her mind was a mess, tangled in confusion. She didn’t know who between them was really the sick one. Her first bout of chills had only come after the injection, so logically, it shouldn’t have been caused by the shot. Yet Chi Nian’s weakness had started right after the injection. There was just no way to explain it.

Lost in thought, she saw Chi Nian emerge from the office area. She had assumed Chi Nian was getting ready to wind down for the night, but instead, she headed to the dressing room and soon reappeared in casual clothes.

“You’re going out?”

“Didn’t you want me to go to the hospital?”

Zhang Yuning froze for a moment before quickly catching on. “Right, the hospital. But it’s so late—won’t most departments be closed? Can you even get a full checkup?”

“I’ve already arranged it with the doctor. Let’s go.”

Why the sudden change of heart? The shift delighted Zhang Yuning. She grabbed a jacket and eagerly moved to the door. “Let’s go now.”

“Alright.”

Chi Nian’s concession felt like she was indulging her. There had to be a reason she had been so adamant about not going to the hospital before. Yet now she was willing to make the trip late at night, even proactively scheduling the appointment—was it just to ease Zhang Yuning’s worries?

Chi Nian was heading to an upscale private hospital, one with a dedicated department for the Chi family. They could go anytime for examinations or treatment. Minor issues were usually handled by their family doctor, but this time, a full physical was necessary.

On the way, Zhang Yuning couldn’t help but ask, “Why the sudden willingness to go?”

“To put your mind at ease.”

“So, you’re that confident there’s nothing wrong?”

“Yes. Otherwise, you’d keep nagging.” Chi Nian actually thought she was being a nuisance. But if this method worked, so be it. At least she was willing to go. Medical records wouldn’t lie.

Still, Zhang Yuning couldn’t help but entertain a petty suspicion—what if Chi Nian was colluding with the hospital to deceive her? Like passing off someone else’s test results as her own? But Chi Nian’s time was too valuable for such games.

If she really were sick, she would’ve known long ago. This trip would be pointless.

Once again, Zhang Yuning couldn’t decipher Chi Nian’s motives. Claiming she was annoyed by the nagging was really just masking concern—but that excuse was even flimsier than an outright lie.

Everything Chi Nian said had to be taken with a grain of salt.

“Are you doing this because you’re afraid I’ll worry, or…?” Zhang Yuning asked, treading the line between tact and directness.

Chi Nian, who had been resting her eyes, slowly turned her head at the question. “Aren’t you worried?”

“I am, but—”

“Then that’s that. No need for qualifiers. I know you don’t trust my words, but if you don’t believe me, there’s no point in asking next time.”

Zhang Yuning’s lips parted, but no words came out. Chi Nian always saw right through her—or rather, understood her too well.

Only by knowing someone’s character could you predict their reactions. But how long had Chi Nian even known her? That level of insight was terrifying.

She wore a sturdy armor, shielding herself with an impenetrable fortress. For this reason, she made no friends, fell in no love, offered no sympathy, and spared no kindness. She observed the world with detachment, watching life unfold with cold indifference.

Yet Chi Nian effortlessly shattered this outer shell, as if she held a key that easily turned the lock to the heart. Once a person’s vulnerability is exposed, it’s inevitable they’ll get hurt.

“Truth or lies don’t matter. I don’t want to spend all day taking care of an invalid,” Zhang Yuning replied indifferently. Only by keeping her distance could she remain rational about everything.

The corners of Chi Nian’s lips curled up, and she suddenly reached out to stroke Zhang Yuning’s chin. The hand gripping the steering wheel trembled slightly, but she pretended to stay composed, focusing on the road.

She wanted to pull away, but her body stiffened, frozen in place.

Though Zhang Yuning kept her eyes forward, her peripheral vision was filled with nothing but Chi Nian. The flickering glow of streetlights danced inside the car, but she didn’t dare glance sideways, tightening her grip on the wheel instead. Her lips pursed unconsciously.

Chi Nian tilted her chin up and chuckled. “You really are as tsundere as ever.”