The entire dining table fell silent.
Ding Ziyue, who had just boasted about teaching Ning Yi table manners, turned pale.
When had Ning Yi, a country bumpkin, learned such impeccable table etiquette?
Her proficiency suggested she'd attended countless banquets—a level of perfection even Ding Ziyue couldn't match.
Ding Ziyue was instantly left awkwardly stuck in an embarrassing position.
Meanwhile, Gu Cheng, inhabiting Ning Yi's body, had his forehead creased with tension, too preoccupied to notice others' reactions.
Because someone was roaring into his ear with deep-throated fury—
Ning Yi practically shook his shoulders: "Braised pork! My braised pork!!"
Gu Cheng: "..."
Gu Cheng faced the crowd: "My apologies, I truly lack manners."
Ding Ziyue and her girlfriends forced smiles: "Hehehe."
Others swallowed nervously.
This was considered lacking manners?? Did that make them savages?
After the Gu family's small dinner gathering concluded, the elite socialites departed with mixed expressions.
These prominent young ladies had gathered here intending to probe Gu Cheng's condition. Judging by the Gu family's attitude, it seemed highly unlikely he was showing any signs of recovery.
Yet they had expected Ning Yi, that provincial heiress, to be meek and submissive. Instead, she behaved nothing like they had imagined.
Among the crowd, Ding Ziyue wore the most sour expression.
"She's already this arrogant while Young Master Gu is unconscious. What if he wakes up? Won't she think she can fly?"
"Honestly, I'm starting to hope Young Master Gu regains consciousness. Seeing Ning Yi like this, he'd definitely put her in her place."
"No doubt about it—Gu would dump her. How could he possibly fancy Ning Yi?"
After a pause, someone whispered,
"But... what if he does wake up? Would Gu and I still have a chance?"
"Ha ha ha, get lost—"
If Gu Cheng truly regained consciousness, it would spark a bloody, fierce battle.
Ding Ziyue, who had remained silent, smiled faintly.
Watching the socialites eagerly await Gu Cheng's awakening, her sense of superiority grew intensely, dissipating most of the resentment she'd harbored toward Ning Yi.
She would never reveal to anyone that, according to the prophecy in that dream, Young Master Gu would awaken soon.
His triumphant return would be as formidable as ever, and his first act would be to deal with that vicious woman, Ning Yi.
To hasten that day, her healing plan must be put into motion immediately...
When Song Lan was stopped by Ding Ziyue, she was somewhat taken aback.
Ever since Ding Ziyue abandoned her marriage alliance with Gu Cheng, Song Lan hadn't paid her much attention. What was this about today?
Ding Ziyue said, "Aunt Song Lan, I know Sister still struggles to accept me. She harbors resentment and tends to see the darker side of things, but it's all my fault. I'll try to win her over."
Song Lan raised her eyebrows slightly.
Having seen all kinds of people and heard every kind of speech, she detected a hidden meaning in Ding Ziyue's words?
Ding Ziyue wore an obedient smile. "I'm willing to visit Young Master Gu. After all, we've known each other since childhood. I believe he'll overcome this crisis."
Song Lan understood her purpose.
Her expression softened, yet she smiled. "It's fine. Now that Ning Yi is married to Acheng, we can leave this matter to her."
Ding Ziyue's smile froze.
Song Lan patted her hand and walked away.
Ding Ziyue stood rooted to the spot, stamping her foot in frustration.
Her life was a pampered romance novel—no one could stop her!
She would become Young Master Gu's light!
...
Song Lan approached Gu Cheng's hospital room and called out to "Ning Yi."
That evening, both she and the elderly Mr. Gu, who had been sipping tea on the second floor of the banquet hall, had been observing this daughter-in-law.
Ning Yi proved far better than they'd anticipated—open, confident, and unpretentious. Moreover... she seemed to be in quite good health. A hearty appetite was a blessing.
Song Lan and Old Master Gu agreed they needed to understand this daughter-in-law better, to welcome her into their family.
But right now, Ning Yi's body housed Gu Cheng.
He massaged his temples, warning her darkly, "Stop shouting."
Looking up, he saw Song Lan approaching with gentle steps.
She had granted Ning Yi special access—making her the only person besides the nursing staff permitted unrestricted visits to Gu Cheng throughout the entire estate.
"For the past three years, Ah Cheng's physical care has been managed by the most professional team. You needn't worry about that. But now that you're the person closest to him, might we entrust the task of bathing him to you?" Song Lan observed Ning Yi's expression.
This was primarily to test Ning Yi's character and patience. Of course, Song Lan wouldn't let her suffer for nothing; she had already arranged another black card, intending to give it to Ning Yi in a few days.
Gu Cheng looked at his mother, paused for a moment, and then smiled.
"Sure, it's only right that I do this."
Song Lan looked at "Ning Yi," feeling touched.
This child agreed so readily—truly a kind-hearted soul.
Gu Cheng returned to the hospital room, gazing at his own body lying in bed. A flicker of interest stirred beneath his dark eyes.
He was actually looking forward to it—how would this wife, so full of professed affection, care for him?
"Honey, you're here." Ning Yi sensed his presence.
She was still teary-eyed over the braised pork. Cat-ear emoji: He left after just one taste—what a bargain for her deadbeat husband.
"Mhm." Gu Cheng replied, settling into the bedside chair. "Still upset?"
"Not at all. I thought about it—I'd gladly give it to you," Ning Yi whined inwardly but spoke with feigned emotion, "I'd do anything for you."
Gu Cheng's gaze turned icy. "Anything?"
Ning Yi showed no shame. "Of course, honey."
Gu Cheng propped his face on one elbow. "My mother has asked you to help bathe and massage me daily. I assume you're quite willing."
Ning Yi: "..."
Ning Yi innocently: "Too bad we can't switch places now, honey."
"Really?" Gu Cheng chuckled softly, his voice deep and magnetic. "Are you testing me?"
Ning Yi lay flat and comfortable. "I am testing you! I'm trying to think my way—"
—Tonight's Menu
Foie gras, hand-held Boston lobster, black truffle cheese, and the two-headed black pork she missed out on...
Gu Cheng leaned back in his chair, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "No rush. Take your time trying."
Ning Yi expressed her intense effort with a strained voice: "Mmm-hmm-hmm—"
If each swap cycle counted as one exchange, they'd already completed two and a half cycles today. The last half occurred after cooling down, and she'd inadvertently triggered another swap while eating the braised pork.
So the current cooling period would be roughly eight hours!
Enough for a good night's sleep ^_^
Gu Cheng was also pondering the swap mechanism.
This exchange had been abrupt and sudden. He only knew the approximate interval—roughly an hour—but no pattern emerged. Currently, the swaps felt highly random.
So... under this uncertainty, both parties were equally passive.
Gu Cheng's eyes darkened. This was actually a good thing.
He sat by the bed for a moment. Ning Yi, who had been struggling, gradually fell silent, apparently asleep again.
A cold, mocking expression flickered in Gu Cheng's shadowed eyes.
If Ning Yi were simply a lazy glutton, it would spare him the trouble.
He rose quietly, preparing to leave.
After taking two steps, Ning Yi's drowsy, slurred voice drifted from her half-asleep state.
"Braised pork belly… smells good, huh?"
Gu Cheng: "…"
Hmph. It smells so good I could puke.
Late at night.
Ning Yi slept soundly inside Gu Cheng's body.
But halfway through her sleep, she heard the hum of the computer's cooling fan.
Opening her eyes, she found herself sitting in a study in another building, facing an open laptop—clearly, Gu Cheng had been working.
She yawned. "Honey, did we switch back again?"
"Mhm." Gu Cheng's voice was wide awake. He recalled the computer screen from moments before. "—It was midnight."
After midnight, they automatically switched back.
This was a new pattern.
Ning Yi squinted, glancing at Gu Cheng's browser tabs. The big shot was already diving into business investment trends and cutting-edge tech developments—no wonder he remained unmatched even after his rise to prominence.
Without hesitation, she jotted down the names of several companies he was tracking.
Borrowing her husband's money-making strategies? Not unreasonable. It's all marital property anyway.
After her little "borrowing," Ning Yi was still exhausted.
Back in her own body, all the ambient noise returned—even the dogs running around the estate outside were audible. How could this compare to her free, soundproof, zero-pressure, five-star hotel king-size bed?
So she thoughtfully suggested to Gu Cheng, "Switch back, honey? You can use my body for work. I don't mind."
"I don't mind either," Gu Cheng replied in a cool tone. "Since we've switched back, I'm looking forward to you washing me tomorrow."
Ning Yi: ?
Ning Yi smiled broadly.
Maybe she should just kill him tonight?
The next day.
Ning Yi opened her eyes, yawning incessantly, earplugs still in place.
Even with the earplugs, she could still hear all sorts of noises, including the servants entering the other wing to clean in the early morning. Her sleep quality was drastically worse than when she was in Gu Cheng's body.
Ning Yi switched back to her own body immediately. "Honey, it's daytime now. Come over and continue working. I'm fine lying here."
Gu Cheng snorted coldly.
But he did have work to attend to.
He left the ward using Ning Yi's body.
In the corner, Ding Ziyue watched the "Ning Yi" walk away with a cold expression, a smug smile curling her lips—
Gu Zhisheng needed her brother's help to secure a partnership with the Ding family. Naturally, he'd assist her.
So what if Song Lan barred her entry?
She'd still find her way to Young Master Gu.
Watching the receding figure of "Ning Yi," Ding Ziyue felt a surge of excitement— Ning Yi would never know she'd seized the opportunity she'd created.
Ding Ziyue quietly pushed open the ward door and stepped toward the man on the hospital bed.
Gu Cheng remained unchanged from her memories. His high brow bones, deep-set eyes, and impeccable bone structure made his face sculpted even when his eyes were closed. Yet when those eyes opened, they were sharp and mesmerizing—just the thought made Ding Ziyue's heart flutter.
Lying there for so long had made him noticeably thinner, his complexion pale and gaunt, adding a sense of shattered grandeur to his fallen state. He lay there now, utterly still.
Yet Ding Ziyue knew that beneath that calm surface, a sea of pain and struggle must be churning!
Ning Yi: O.O?
She'd sensed someone approaching since earlier.
Their footsteps differed from Gu Cheng's, Song Lan's, or the previous attendants and servants.
This person moved with light, nimble steps, carrying a childlike, carefree madness.
Who could it be?
Ding Ziyue knew Gu Cheng had been a clean freak who disliked being touched even before the accident. Suppressing her excitement, she refrained from acting rashly, instead first examining the marks of abuse on his body.
After a thorough look, she pursed her lips. The exposed skin showed no wounds—her sister wasn't stupid; the injuries were surely hidden in concealed places.
So how could she make Gu Cheng understand that she was here to heal and redeem him?
Ning Yi waited like a spectator for a moment, then suddenly felt her hand being lifted.
Whoa! Ning Yi perked up instantly.
She racked her brain over the plot—didn't recall the main character having any romantic subplot with anyone?
Beyond locking his vicious ex-wife away in a mental hospital, Gu Cheng was an emotionless boss.
After awakening, his primary function was to suppress the male lead, suppress the male supporting character, suppress the entire cast—strong beyond reason, strong beyond logic. He forcibly created twists in the protagonist's romantic arc, just because.
After all, it was a brainless romance novel. The author was probably younger than her shoe size. Ning Yi could understand that.
At that moment, Gu Cheng was reviewing Gu Corporation's publicly released financial data from the past three years. The projects launched three years ago had all been completed successfully. Recently, it seemed they were pushing into new fields...
Ning Yi's voice drifted over, "Husband, someone's holding your hand."
"Who?" Gu Cheng asked casually, his eyes still fixed on the financial reports.
"I don't know."
"What are they doing with it?"
Ding Ziyue's face flushed, her heart pounding—this was Gu Cheng, the Gu Cheng who would forever be admired and revered by everyone. Holding his hand, her heart overflowed with tenderness.
Here I come, Young Master Gu!
Ning Yi had the answer: "They're writing on your palm."
Gu Cheng paused, his coldness tinged with confusion. "What does it say?"
Ning Yi studied it for a moment, then dutifully traced each stroke as she repeated the words aloud.
"I. Am. Ding. Ziyue."
"I. Came. To. Be. Your. Light."
Gu Cheng: "..."
Two seconds of silence.
"Is she an idiot?"