Mysterious Beautiful Wife at Home (GL) - Chapter 36

Zhang Yuning’s first instinct was to take Chi Nian to the hospital, but Chi Nian was still conscious and shook her head, saying, “No hospitals. I’ve had enough of that place.”

Had enough? Only someone chronically ill would say they’ve had enough of hospitals. Was Chi Nian really sick? Yet the last medical report showed no abnormalities—weakness, bleeding from the ears and nose, a pallid complexion, unexplained fatigue and drowsiness—what kind of illness was this?!

“You can’t go on like this. You need to be hospitalized.” Zhang Yuning’s fingers trembled with panic, convinced that Chi Nian hadn’t undergone thorough enough examinations. She scooped Chi Nian up, rushed to the break room, and even kicked the door open.

“Don’t panic, Xiao Zhang. I’m fine.” Chi Nian’s voice was steady, her composure unshaken as she stood up on her own, walked to the sink, and bent down to wash away the blood from her nose and mouth. Then, she began leisurely reapplying her makeup.

Zhang Yuning watched her, brows furrowed, her heart in turmoil. The sight of Chi Nian bleeding so heavily from her nose had sent waves of panic, tension, and fear crashing over her. She even wondered—what if something really happened to Chi Nian?

If this game of schemes truly reached its conclusion, would the price be Chi Nian’s health collapsing?

Was that what she wanted? Zhang Yuning even thought—if everything Chi Nian was doing was truly for her own survival, would she willingly pay any price, gladly be treated as an experiment, a substitute, as long as Chi Nian could live?

How foolish. What a ridiculous notion. Who did she think she was trying to move?

“Do you know what’s wrong with your body?” Zhang Yuning couldn’t help but ask. Chi Nian was applying foundation, her movements uninterrupted as she replied, “You were there for the checkup. Aside from being weak, there’s nothing wrong. It’s just a nosebleed. No need to panic.”

“Nosebleeds can be a sign of leukemia or tumors, and you’ve been screened for those. But drowsiness, weakness, bleeding from the ears and nose—that’s not a minor issue.”

“Then what do you think it is, Dr. Zhang? I’ve already listened to you and gotten checked.”

“Go for another examination in a few days. Some illnesses have progression periods, and symptoms vary. Your complexion is worse than before, even if your spirits seem a bit better.” Zhang Yuning was certain there was something seriously wrong with Chi Nian’s health, yet no known illness matched her symptoms.

She also wanted to probe Chi Nian’s stance. If she had already been diagnosed with something and was now simply researching medication to save herself, it made sense that she wouldn’t want to go to the hospital. Based on all the current clues, it could be inferred that the medical team had been assembled to develop some kind of drug. As for the research aspect, it was unclear whether it was solely to support this goal or if there were other plans.

Chi Nian was applying lipstick now, the vibrant red hue masking the pallor of her lips. With makeup on, her beauty was flawless. Once, Zhang Yuning had thought she simply loved looking good, using cosmetics to enhance her appearance. Now, it seemed it was all to conceal the signs of illness.

Even the daughter of wealth and privilege couldn’t escape the torment of fate. What was the point of fighting for money and power? In the face of life and death, they were as insignificant as ants. When illness trampled over a person, they became like fish on a chopping board, powerless to resist.

How could humans ever triumph over heaven? How could they change their fate? They couldn’t defy the heavens, couldn’t defy reality.

Chi Nian pressed her lips together lightly, silent for a moment before saying, “Fine, I’ll go for another checkup. But you have to promise me one condition.”

“You don’t even care about your own health, yet you’re trying to bargain with me?”

“I only got checked to put your mind at ease.”

Zhang Yuning’s heart felt heavy, as if weighed down by an immovable boulder. Yet Chi Nian always spoke with such lightness—whether she was confident in her plans, certain of victory, or truly unafraid of her illness, indifferent to life and death.

But no—if she truly feared nothing, she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to buy out the dark web and assemble her own team.

The same unanswered question lingered in Zhang Yuning’s mind: Why me? Why was I chosen?

“What condition do you want me to agree to?” Zhang Yuning asked.

Chi Nian turned her gaze toward her. Her delicate makeup enhanced her naturally beautiful face, but her cold, deep eyes were like a lonely sea, an isolated island watching countless ships pass by, enduring years of solitude.

A strange feeling.

She lifted her gaze slightly, her forced smile like a withered flower, unfocused. Chi Nian seemed to be studying something precious, her brows gradually tightening. Her fingers brushed the corner of Zhang Yuning’s eye, her thumb lightly tapping.

Only then did Zhang Yuning realize her vision had blurred—warm tears had spilled over, unnoticed. The cool touch of Chi Nian’s fingers wiping them away made her aware of the dampness.

She quickly lowered her head, rubbing her eyes. “I didn’t sleep well last night. My eyes are sore.”

“I thought you’d say sand blew into them while riding.”

“Maybe that too.”

She expected Chi Nian to tease her further, but instead, her hand gripped Zhang Yuning’s shoulder—not a comforting touch, but a desperate, helpless clutch.

In that moment, Chi Nian seemed almost guilty. She lowered her head, frowning, swallowing hard as if forcing down surging emotions.

“You never cry.” Chi Nian’s voice was distant, as if she wasn’t even speaking to Zhang Yuning.

And it was true—Zhang Yuning had never been one for tears. Since childhood, no matter the pain, injustice, or violence she endured, she never showed weakness.

She refused to bow—not to an unfair world, not to a cruel fate. Defiant to the core, she repaid every wrong in kind, surviving through retaliation.

But with Chi Nian, she couldn’t.

“I’m not crying.” Zhang Yuning changed the subject. “What do you want me to promise you?”

Chi Nian snapped back to the present, smoothing away her wandering thoughts with a faint smile. “There are two weeks left until the three-month mark. For the rest of that time, no defiance, no rebellion. Just listen to me, okay?”

Perhaps after Butterfly Manor, Chi Nian had sensed the shift in Zhang Yuning’s demeanor. She must have guessed she was planning something. Was she uneasy? Afraid her experiment would escape, ruining her plans? Or terrified her secrets would be exposed, unable to face the consequences?

Zhang Yuning intended to agree—just empty words to placate her. After all, with someone like Chi Nian, there was no need to keep promises. Playing dirty was fair game.

Yet, remembering Chi Nian’s vulnerable moment just now, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She even felt ashamed of her own underhanded thoughts.

“Fine. But when are you going back to the hospital?”

“Three days.” Chi Nian answered without hesitation. Did she already have something else planned?

“What are we doing these three days?” Zhang Yuning felt that Chi Nian was about to make another big move. With both teams now established, what would she do next?

Chi Nian stepped forward naturally, looping her arms around Zhang Yuning’s neck, her eyes brimming with laughter. “Let’s go watch a movie.”

“Huh? A movie?”

“There’s a new film out recently with Lu Jingyan making a cameo. I want to see it.”

Zhang Yuning stared at her, puzzled. This woman was truly unpredictable. Could she be meeting someone at the cinema? Some private theater, dark and secluded enough for a discreet exchange.

She really didn’t believe Chi Nian just wanted to watch a movie.

“Sure, let’s go.”

Today, Chi Nian’s outfit was far from extravagant—understated and unassuming. She had tied her hair into a rare high ponytail, wearing a sheer white T-shirt paired with black skinny jeans. Her plain white sneakers, though seemingly ordinary, were actually a limited edition from a high-end brand.

Dressed like this to meet someone? It didn’t seem like the style of the Chi family heiress. Zhang Yuning had no idea what Chi Nian was up to at the cinema. Though she followed her everywhere, she never quite understood the purpose behind her actions.

When they reached the motorcycle, Zhang Yuning slipped the helmet onto Chi Nian’s head. This time, Chi Nian didn’t complain about messing up her hair, obediently letting her fasten the strap.

Chi Nian always moved her with small gestures. Her hands resting on Zhang Yuning’s waist as she helped with the helmet, then clinging tightly to her as they rode.

Their subtle interactions continued even after they parked. Chi Nian held onto Zhang Yuning’s arm while waiting to buy tickets. They went to a regular cinema, though this one had VIP mini-theaters with tickets priced three times higher, making it easier to get last-minute seats.

Zhang Yuning often watched movies alone, usually projecting them at home, indifferent to the theater setting.

Who were they meeting today? Since they hadn’t eaten lunch, Chi Nian even insisted on buying snacks to bring inside. Zhang Yuning couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Only after entering the VIP theater did she realize it was a couples’ cinema—five pairs of seats, all occupied, leaving them in the far corner.

Zhang Yuning carried a bag full of snacks, all her late-night essentials—chips, cookies, bread, you name it. She’d even bought milk tea.

She remained convinced Chi Nian was here to meet someone. Once seated, Zhang Yuning kept scanning the room, scrutinizing the four couples already there—three male-female pairs and one female duo—their affectionate interactions making their relationships obvious.

With ten minutes left before the movie started, the screen played an advertisement for a Chi family product. Chi Nian poked a straw into the milk tea and handed it over. “Here, your favorite.”

“My favorite?” Zhang Yuning took it skeptically and found it was unsweetened lemon tea—a brutally sour, original-flavored drink most couldn’t stomach, but her absolute favorite.

Wait, how did Chi Nian know that? And she’d gone to buy the tea herself.

For some reason, seeing Chi Nian standing in line at a milk tea shop like any ordinary person made Zhang Yuning inexplicably sad.

She had assumed Chi Nian would at least go to a high-end theater.

She had assumed Chi Nian would never touch such casual snacks and drinks.

This didn’t seem like a setup to meet someone at all. What was she really here for?

Zhang Yuning refused to believe Chi Nian had come just to watch a movie. Unconvinced, she kept searching the surroundings.

“What are you looking around for?” Chi Nian finally noticed her absent-mindedness. From the moment they sat down, she had been searching for someone, but the target remained elusive.

“Aren’t you here to meet someone?”

“Meet who?”

“You always have a reason when you go out—hot springs with Miss Yu, horseback riding with Mo Lindi, and now a movie…”

Chi Nian suddenly laughed, opening a bag of chips and stuffing a piece into Zhang Yuning’s mouth. “Can’t we just have a proper date for once?”

A date.

Zhang Yuning’s mouth was full, and she chewed blankly, unsure how to respond. Chi Nian’s smile faded slightly. The dimness of the theater seemed to press down with a weight of melancholy. Then, forcing another smile, she turned to her and said softly, “There’s nothing else going on. Just stay and watch the movie with me today, okay?”

Why did it feel like she was pleading, almost desperately?