Transmigrated as the Chongxi Wife of a Critically Ill Young Lady - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

At 3:30 AM, in a cramped rental apartment, the bright white light from the lamp was as brilliant as the midday sun. The air conditioner’s breeze blew directly onto the bed, but Cen Xia was too lazy to adjust the temperature. She just pulled her blanket higher, wrapped herself up completely, and continued devouring the novel on her phone. Just as she was in the middle of a thrilling part, a strange voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

—Jiang Jiang, I’m so tired, I just want to get some good sleep…

The voice was filled with a profound sense of helplessness, and it squeezed Cen Xia’s heart with a pang of pain. She felt a tear well up in the corner of her eye, and she quickly drifted into a light sleep.

“In a day of brilliant sunshine, soaring songs, joyous laughter, and great fortune, we welcome a new couple: the beautiful union of Ms. Ji Wanqing and Ms. Cen Xia. Today, I and everyone here have a special role: we are witnesses to the love of this new couple. On their behalf, and on behalf of their families, please allow me to extend our heartfelt gratitude and warm welcome to all our esteemed guests!”

Applause erupted around her. Cen Xia woke up from her slumber with a smile, her eyes opening to a luxurious hall decorated in black, red, and gold. The dazzling light made her eyes ache. After blinking a few times, she made out the guests below, all dressed in elegant and extravagant clothes—prominent, well-known figures.

“Now, with a warm round of applause, let’s welcome our two newlyweds!”

The joyful wedding march began to play, and confetti exploded in the air. Cen Xia could feel the soft carpet beneath her feet. She lowered her gaze to see her diamond-studded white wedding dress trailing on the red carpet.

—This dream is so real. I don’t want to wake up.

Just as Cen Xia was marveling at the feeling, a “ding” sounded in her head, followed by a cold, mechanical voice.

“Congratulations, Host, you have successfully bound the “Post-Marital Happiness Index System.” You are now the chongxi wife of mission target Ms. Ji Wanqing. Your survival rate in this world is determined by the happiness index of your other half. Please, Host…”

“Stop!” Cen Xia interrupted the mechanical voice mid-sentence. She wasn’t entirely sure what she had just heard. “You said I’m what?”

“Ms. Ji Wanqing’s chongxi wife.”

“Chongxi wife?”

Cen Xia’s gaze followed the red silk ribbon in her hand. The other end was attached to a luxurious wheelchair. In a gold-rimmed frame on the wheelchair was a photograph of a girl in a long white dress.

Her silky hair fell onto her delicate, snow-white skin. Her elegant swan neck gave her a noble air. Looking closer, Cen Xia noticed her tightly-pressed lips, her high nose, her deep-set eyes, and a hint of cold, understated beauty that gave her an air of distant aloofness. Beyond that, the brokenness in her eyes…

Before Cen Xia could analyze it further, the host’s voice rang out again.

“Everyone praises the beautiful bride, who is like a flower in Jiangzhou City. Some say she is a rose, others a peony, but today, no matter what kind of flower she is, she will be calling Mom and Dad! Ms. Cen Xia, please change your address and say ‘Mom and Dad’!”

Cen Xia’s train of thought was pulled back. She couldn’t help but grumble to herself.

—Heh, with a title like “chongxi wife,” you still want me to call you Mom and Dad? In your dreams!

Just as she was about to close her eyes and go back to sleep, the system’s voice started buzzing again.

“Host, please do not ignore me. You died from staying up late to read a novel. The Transmigration Bureau has sent me to bring you here to execute a mission. You must adapt to your identity as quickly as possible and ensure the wedding is a success. Otherwise, this world will collapse, and you will face death.”

Dying from a late-night novel binge made Cen Xia’s heart skip a beat. Just as she was about to ask the system what it meant, someone gently nudged her.

“Ms. Cen Xia? Ms. Cen Xia?”

The physical touch instantly jolted Cen Xia’s mind awake. She looked at the four middle-aged people standing in front of her. She hesitated, took the microphone, and bowed to the plump, elegant couple.

“Dad, Mom!”

Having grown up in a welfare home for disabled children, the words “Dad” and “Mom” came out awkwardly.

Following the host’s enthusiastic guidance, the couple finally handed Cen Xia a heavy red packet. She held the thick stack of cash, her heart swelling with joy. She glanced at the other couple next to them, and in a flash, all the memories of the original Cen Xia’s life passed through her mind.

The wedding quickly moved on to the next segment. When no one was looking, Cen Xia secretly pinched her own thigh, the sharp pain making her gasp.

—So, I really did transmigrate into the novel?

Cen Xia quickly reviewed everything that had just happened. Based on her years of experience reading novels, she was certain she had transmigrated into that yuri romance story.

The original host had the same name as her and was spoiled by her family from a young age. Her life was smooth sailing until the age of twenty-four, when her birth parents married her off as a business pawn to the disabled eldest daughter of the Ji family. The original host couldn’t accept this reality and attempted suicide with pills before the wedding, but she failed and ultimately became the chongxi wife.

And the person she was bowing to now was Ji Wanqing, the eldest daughter of the Ji family… or rather, her future funeral portrait.

Thinking about her status as a chongxi wife, Cen Xia’s mood was a bit complicated. Then another thought occurred to her: Ji Wanqing is a wealthy heiress. If she dies, won’t her vast fortune be all mine?

System: “You’re overthinking it. Your survival rate in this world is determined by the happiness index of your other half. If she dies, how can you live?”

The cold electronic voice was a bucket of cold water on her self-serving daydream. Cen Xia froze for several seconds before it sank in. Forget the wealth and glory! Please, Young Lady, whatever you do, don’t die!

System: “…”

It paused to buffer before continuing.

“Your mission target, Ms. Ji Wanqing, was the former queen of the music world. A year ago, she suddenly lost her voice at her own birthday party. The Ji family exhausted all their resources visiting famous doctors, but they couldn’t find a solution. Ms. Ji Wanqing couldn’t accept this reality and began to isolate herself. First came depression, then she became bedridden, and now she’s been hovering on the brink of death for a long time. Please, Host, use your cheerful and lively personality to heal her.”

Cen Xia listened, digested the information, and then asked in a hesitant but sincere voice.

—She’s already on the brink of death. Are you sure my cheerful and lively personality can save her?

System: “That’s your problem.”

Cen Xia: …

“Sister Cen Xia, please follow me to the dressing room to change into your toasting dress.”

The sweet voice of a staff member pulled her back to reality. Cen Xia composed herself. Whether I can save her or not is for later. The most important thing right now is to get through this wedding, right?

Using her intelligence and years of experience navigating the workplace, Cen Xia followed the wedding’s procedures step by step. After a full day of busyness, the Ji family couple took her to the young lady’s villa in the evening.

The villa was in a beautiful and highly private area. Two rows of professional security guards stood at attention, saluting as they approached. The Ji family couple nodded back, their “old money” demeanor on full display.

Accompanying them was the second daughter of the Ji family, who was now the heir to the company. She was tall, and a long, form-fitting red dress hung on her. The warm summer breeze ruffled her hair, blowing across her stern, serious face, giving her an air of deep-seated arrogance.

Inside, an elderly woman and a group of servants stood in a line. Though advanced in years, the woman appeared very capable and sharp, her every movement proper and elegant. She gave a slight bow to the Ji family couple and the second young lady, her attitude respectful.

“Hello, Mr. Ji!”

“Hello, Mrs. Ji!”

“Hello, Second Young Lady!”

When she got to Cen Xia, she hesitated slightly.

Mrs. Ji said, “This is Xiaxia. We’ve brought her to meet Wanqing. How is she? Is she awake?”

Upon hearing this, the old woman quickly bowed to Cen Xia. “Hello, Madam!”

Despite having navigated the wedding all day, being greeted so respectfully by an older woman still made Cen Xia uncomfortable. She politely replied, “Hello, Auntie!”

Mrs. Ji introduced her: “Xiaxia, this is Auntie Song, our housekeeper. She’s been with us for a long time. If anything is unfamiliar, you can talk to her directly. Don’t be shy!”

She then looked at Manager Song.

The older woman immediately understood, nodding. “Yes, Madam. If you need anything at all, you can find me.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Manager Song led them upstairs while chatting with Mrs. Ji.

The house had three stories. The first floor was the reception area, decorated in an exquisite and elegant style. Looking around, the balcony, tea room, dining room, and kitchen were all laid out cleverly. The study, lounge, and guest rooms were on the second floor. The entire third floor was Ji Wanqing’s living space.

They went straight to the third floor. The door to her room was closed. The light from the ceiling lamps spilled onto the door, giving the high-end gray a golden glow.

Manager Song politely knocked on the door. “Miss?”

There was no response from inside.

She knocked again. “Miss, Mrs. and Mr. Ji have brought Ms. Cen over to see you.”

Still no response.

Mrs. Ji said, “I’ll do it.”

She bent her fingers and gently tapped on the door. “Wanqing, are you asleep?”

After a long, long time, the door to the room opened from the inside. The indoor lights spilled out through the crack.

The girl wore a long black dress. Her frail body was ramrod straight in her wheelchair. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her cold white skin, like unmelted ice and snow, made her face look even paler. Her eyes, which should have been as bright as stars, held not a flicker of light.

She slowly lifted her head, her empty eyes fixed on Cen Xia.

The moment their eyes met, Cen Xia’s heart tightened.

She had prepared herself mentally for many scenarios before coming here to meet her sick wife, but she hadn’t expected to feel so flustered when faced with this blank, emotionless gaze.

Cen Xia parted her lips, but before she could even say hello, Ji Wanqing turned her wheelchair away. Her slender fingers rested on the armrest, and her thin back was filled with a sense of utter solitude.

Cen Xia stood frozen for a moment before following Mr. Ji and the others inside.

Mrs. Ji looked at the bag in the second young lady’s hand. “Yanqing, take out your sister’s medicine. We’ll have Auntie Song warm it up for her in a bit.”

When Manager Song heard the word “medicine,” her expression brightened. There was a clear hint of wanting to take credit in her voice. “Madam, Miss has been taking her medicine on time these past few days. I also gave her tonight’s dose on time, according to the amount you instructed.”

Ji Yanqing unzipped the bag and took out a large pouch of herbal medicine, arrogantly tossing it to Manager Song. Her words were full of mockery. “You’re reliable, at least. I hope she recovers soon under your care!”

Mrs. Ji looked at her with an unreadable expression. Ji Yanqing didn’t say anything else.

Manager Song cautiously took the medicine, her eyes darting away. “It’s the instruction of the Old Madam and the Second Young Lady. I wouldn’t dare be careless.”

Ji Yanqing sneered, her arms crossed.

As they talked, Cen Xia remained alert and observed them closely. She noticed that the second young lady’s personality seemed a little unstable. Ji Wanqing’s status must have far surpassed hers in the past, otherwise, Ji Yanqing wouldn’t be so arrogant and jealous now, even with her sister in this state—jealous to the point where she would wish for Ji Wanqing to die soon.

Mr. Ji, on the other hand, was like a prop. He didn’t say a single word the entire time.

Ji Wanqing’s face was devoid of expression. She was like a beautiful statue, sitting upright in her wheelchair, seemingly oblivious to the conversation around her.

Mrs. Ji knelt down, gently tucking a stray strand of Ji Wanqing’s hair behind her ear. Her soft voice was filled with a mother’s unique warmth. “Be a good girl, Wanqing. You’ll get better after taking your medicine.”

She then looked at Cen Xia. “I’ve brought Xiaxia over. Today, she officially became your wife. She will take good care of you from now on!”

Cen Xia nodded obediently and walked over, kneeling beside Mrs. Ji. “Hello, Sister. My name is Cen Xia.”

Mrs. Ji placed Ji Wanqing’s hand in Cen Xia’s. The moment their fingertips touched, Cen Xia was suddenly alarmed.

—How is this girl’s hand so cold? Could she already be… dead? Did I transmigrate into a horror story?

The moment Ji Wanqing expressionlessly pulled her hand back, Cen Xia’s suspicion vanished.

Mrs. Ji gave a few instructions, specifically reminding Cen Xia to take good care of Ji Wanqing and to make sure she took her medicine on time.

When the group left, only Cen Xia and the young lady remained in the huge room. The atmosphere instantly became tense. The clock on the wall ticked, an unnerving sound that made Cen Xia’s heart race.

Ji Wanqing remained ramrod straight in her wheelchair, her back to Cen Xia, separated by a distance of about two meters.

This wasn’t going to work. Cen Xia steadied herself and slowly approached her. Just then, the wheelchair suddenly turned.

Ji Wanqing looked up, her icy-cold eyes fixed on Cen Xia. After a long pause, she moved her lips as if to say something.

Cen Xia’s full attention was on her, listening carefully. Ji Wanqing’s lips formed a clear word.

—”Scram.”

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