This statement was earth-shattering.
Gu Cheng... Gu Cheng was offering his life to Ning Yi?!
What on earth was going on?!
The elite circle, who had just moments ago been mocking Ning Yi with wild abandon, now fell completely silent—after all, these words came from Gu Cheng himself!
The real Gu Cheng, speaking with his own face, his own mouth!
It wasn't someone else speaking for him!
Meanwhile, Gu Cheng's voice echoed coldly and darkly within his mind: "Ning Yi."
In full view of everyone, the two were communicating telepathically.
After getting her satisfaction, Ning Yi started acting spoiled: "Husband, did I say anything wrong? Don't you think I played a crucial role in your awakening? Don't you love me so much that you'd take on my period pains for me, always thoughtfully telling me to lie down and rest, and being so generous with your money buying me all those colorful clothes!"
Gu Cheng replied, enunciating each syllable deliberately. "Indeed, Yi. Well said."
Ning Yi countered with a sudden display of vulnerability: "Husband, I only say this because you have no idea what those people outside say about me! Waaah!"
Gu Cheng: "..."
How could he not know? He'd heard it all for her.
But Gu Cheng was utterly worn down by her antics.
Ning Yi's performance was flawless!
The big shot had awakened, meaning the original plot was now in full swing. The female lead's pampered life came with buffs—Ning Yi needed to secure her own protective umbrella for the future!
Now, in front of everyone, she'd used Young Master Gu's golden words to stamp herself as his benefactor.
Ning Yi: I'm fucking a genius!
Ding Ziyue, however, took ages to snap out of it—How could this happen?! Why would Young Master Gu recognize Ning Yi as his benefactor?!
Suddenly it dawned on her—it must be because Gu Cheng had only heard her voice and hadn't seen her face, leading to this misunderstanding!
Ding Ziyue, frantic with worry, forgot that Gu Cheng's hearing hadn't fully recovered yet. She immediately stepped forward, her voice like a nightingale in an empty valley, trying to jog Gu Cheng's memory: "Young Master Gu, have you mistaken her for someone else?"
It's me! Your light is me!!
The figure on the bed murmured without speaking—in truth, Ning Yi was stifling laughter.
Instead, the "Ning Yi" beside him spoke up.
Gu Cheng asked coolly, "Mistaken identity? Does he have other wives?"
This single sentence left Ding Ziyue speechless, her face flushing red then pale.
By now, Song Lan and Old Master Gu had calmed their initial excitement, casting subtle glances at Ding Ziyue, puzzled by the young lady's agitation. Though they still didn't fully understand how Ah Cheng had met Ning Yi, her role in his awakening was undeniable. Thus, his gratitude toward her was entirely justified!
Song Lan then realized that Gu Cheng, having just regained consciousness, shouldn't be exposed to so many outsiders. He immediately called the butler, instructing the security team to reinforce their presence and escort all the visitors out.
Gu Cheng had lain unconscious for three years. The security team he had personally assembled recognized only him. Now that Ah Cheng had awakened, they could resume their duties.
As Ding Ziyue was escorted out, resentment twisted her face nearly beyond recognition—because Ning Yi wasn't an outsider! She could remain standing in Gu Cheng's hospital room!
Having avenged the herring can incident, Ning Yi switched bodies back.
But no sooner had she steadied herself in her own body than Ding Ziyue grabbed her arm and hissed urgently in her ear: "Don't think I don't know about how you abused the young master! Ning Yi, just you wait!"
Ning Yi: "?"
Holy crap. Suddenly she understood why the female lead called herself Gu Cheng's light!
Turns out Ding Ziyue somehow learned the original plotline, so she always believed she came to heal Gu Cheng after the original host abused him.
"Mm-hmm," Ning Yi nearly choked on laughter, forcing politeness. "Very well!"
Seeing Ning Yi's confident demeanor, backed by Young Master Gu's support, Ding Ziyue nearly spat blood again: That confidence should have been hers!
The other members of the elite social circle, also escorted out of the Gu residence, seethed with envy and resentment.
——Gu Cheng, the object of everyone's admiration in this circle!
Now that he'd awakened, still as handsome and aloof as in their memories, how could they not be consumed by jealousy?!
"Ning Yi just happened to snatch the opportunity while Young Master Gu was incapacitated! She's quite the schemer!"
"Young Master Gu only spoke so uncharacteristically today because he just woke up. I refuse to believe he'll keep acting possessed like this!"
"The Nings are weak anyway. Ning Yi has nothing but her face—no real talent. Young Master Gu will grow tired of her sooner or later."
…
"No worries. We'll just outshine Ning Yi at other events. Now that Young Master Gu's awake, he'll see who's truly worthy~"
Listening to this, Ding Ziyue finally felt a bit better.
Yes, she would be the most dazzling among all the socialites and heiresses. Gu Cheng would realize it sooner or later!
There was still time before the grand apocalypse-themed event. She had to start preparing now!
Then she'd crush Ning Yi in every aspect! Make her utterly humiliated!
After three years, Grandma, Grandpa, and the younger brothers could finally communicate with Gu Cheng. Ning Yi, ever the dutiful daughter, graciously left the room to give them space.
Gu Cheng was awake now, but not fully conscious. As a major cannon fodder character in this story, she had two possible paths!
One: Use her body-swapping ability to become the pampered, lazy darling of the big shot! Cling to the most powerful leg in the entire book.
Two: Actively advance her career. If she couldn't latch onto that powerful leg, then become the big shot's investment target in the internet sector!
Hehe.
Either way, she had ample resources to keep living the good life—eating well, sleeping soundly, and basking in bliss.
When Ning Yi picked up her phone, she found it flooded with messages.
Zhao Mo Chu: [Holy crap, Young Master Gu really is Young Master Gu! My account blew up!!]
Zhao Weining: [Holy crap, Sis Yi, hold the fort! Our platform's about to crash!!!]
Programmer 2: [Big Sis, come quick!!]
Programmer 3: [Help!!]
Ning Yi: Hmm?
Zhao Mo Chu had posted a series of photos on her main gossip account @Jasmine-Scented-Squirrel, captioned [Big Shot Returns, Earthquake Alert], and it instantly blew up the internet.
Of course, she didn't dare photograph Gu Cheng directly. Instead, she snapped blurry shots of the elite circle gathered outside someone's hospital room—the hazy imagery only fueled the gossip-hungry crowd's frenzy.
Ning Yi hadn't even known where Zhao Mochu was moments ago. But wherever the gossip was, she was there.
Just as Zhao Mochu had once told her, "Gu Cheng" was a magnet for attention, standing apart from the rest of the elite circle.
CM was a platform designed to showcase the lives of the wealthy elite, and the man who commanded the most attention in that circle was instantly guessed by the gossip-hungry netizens who had rushed to the scene.
[Holy crap, is that Young Master Gu!?]
[My phone wallpaper is still that photo of him being named one of Asia's 100 Sexiest Men!]
[Is the billionaire CEO heartthrob finally making his comeback?!]
[Holy crap, is anyone tracking Gu Corporation's stock price?! Holy crap]
[Hold up, I spotted the highlight—that green-dress equestrian beauty! I saw her! What's her connection to Mr. Gu? AAAAH this pairing is too good, let me fangirl for a sec]
Soon, news of Gu Cheng spread like wildfire across platforms and elite circles alike.
This buzz completely overshadowed the female lead by a mile.
Ning Yi checked the real-time data in the backend. Thanks to Gu Cheng, CMore's daily traffic and active user numbers hit an all-time high—no wonder their servers couldn't handle it.
Though overtime maintenance was needed, Ning Yi was deeply touched!
—Her husband had just woken up and instantly became her rising cash cow!
How heartwarming!
With 01 at the helm, CMore's entire tech department stabilized. Following the big boss's technical guidance, they quickly secured the servers, delivering the smoothest gossip-watching experience to netizens!
Not only that, but their marketing department landed commercial partnerships, starting to rake in the cash!
Ning Yi worked while declaring her love: "Husband, I'd give my life for you."
"..." Gu Cheng didn't want to recall that line. "Shut up."
To celebrate Gu Cheng's awakening, Song Lan had the servants completely refurbish the entire Gu family estate.
It looked thriving and prosperous, ready to welcome Gu Cheng back after three years.
However, Gu Cheng still faced some barriers in communicating with the outside world.
Although his eyes, nose, and mouth had regained function, his hearing remained impaired. Song Lan and the others could only communicate via paper and pen for now, even considering hiring a sign language tutor.
The only person who could converse with Gu Cheng without hindrance remained Ning Yi.
After pondering for a moment, Gu Cheng suddenly recalled something. "..."
Ding Ziyue, though mentally disabled, had actually suggested a solution.
He instructed the butler to custom-make a new pair of bone conduction headphones tailored to his ear shape, ensuring superior sound reception. After all, he remained uncertain when his hearing might fully recover.
Butler: "Yes, Young Master!"
All members of the Gu household served Young Master Gu with exceptional efficiency. Within an hour, the headset was fitted and delivered. Knowing they could now speak to Gu Cheng, each family member eagerly awaited their turn, headset in hand.
Mrs. Song Lan gripped the earpiece, hesitating before cautiously asking, "Hello? Cheng? Can you hear Mom?"
Gu Cheng: "I hear you, Mom."
In truth, Gu Cheng had spoken to Song Lan many times before through Ning Yi's body. Yet for Song Lan, this marked the first genuine communication with her son in three years. She nearly burst into tears on the spot.
Gu Le was even less able to contain himself. He sobbed loudly right by Gu Cheng's bedside: Bro! You're finally awake! I knew you would wake up! I waited every single day! Do you have any idea how agonizing it was waiting for you—"
Gu Cheng couldn't take it anymore and lifted his eyelids: "Shut up."
Gu Le: "OxO"
The young master fell silent instantly.
Three years later, his brother's bloodline suppression remained as formidable as ever!
That overwhelming sense of dominance, crushing all beneath it—truly befitting his elder brother!
News of Gu Cheng's awakening had already spread far and wide. His former assistants, secretaries, bodyguards—all his old subordinates—had received word and begun returning. The king's return was imminent!
Watching everyone excitedly talk to Gu Cheng, Ning Yi stood quietly in the corner of the hospital room, not even daring to mentally contact Gu Cheng.
How to put it... It felt like cheating. (playful.jpg)
However, after Gu Le finished crying, she remembered to turn back and cue Ning Yi, saying to Gu Cheng, "Brother, you haven't met your sister-in-law yet, right? Shall I introduce you?"
After all, they were all people Gu Cheng knew well, and Ning Yi was probably the first person he needed to be introduced to after waking up.
Ning Yi blushed shyly: "It's not that I don't know him."
It was more accurate to say they were very familiar.
Gu Cheng's dark gaze followed Gu Le's words and landed on Ning Yi.
He paused for two seconds: "—Hmph."
Song Lan also smiled gently: "Come over, Yi."
Ning Yi shyly took two steps forward. "My husband just declared in front of everyone that I'm his life. He should know me."
Gu Cheng: "..."
"Ah, right! Right!" Gu Le suddenly understood.
Song Lan smiled softly from the side: But you two haven't actually spoken yet, have you?"
Ning Yi: "Hehe."
Gu Cheng: "Hmph."
Song Lan took Ning Yi's hand and walked to Gu Cheng's bedside, smiling kindly: "Come, A Cheng, Xiao Yi, let's formally introduce yourselves. You are husband and wife who've weathered the most difficult times together. You will surely weather any storm ahead."
Gu Cheng looked at Ning Yi.
Ning Yi looked at Gu Cheng.
Ning Yi's face was bright and innocent: "Hello, husband. Just call me Yi."
Gu Cheng: "Hmph."
If you don't show off now, when will you?
Song Lan was pleased with Ning Yi's performance and urged Gu Cheng: "Ah Cheng, introduce yourself too."
Gu Cheng's voice was cold, his eyes filled with malice: "I think... Ah Yi should know me quite well."
Ning Yi replied innocently: "No, no."
Gu Cheng's voice held a hint of amusement as he pressed closer: "Really?"
Song Lan couldn't understand why Gu Cheng, who had just woken up and called his daughter-in-law his benefactor with such warmth, had now reverted to his former cold, ruthless self.
"Gu Cheng, why this attitude?" Song Lan's tone remained gentle as he patted Gu Cheng's bed. "Do you have any idea how much Xiao Yi did for you while you were unconscious?"
"Is that so?" Gu Cheng said expressionlessly. "I'm not really sure."
Ning Yi pouted and rolled her eyes.
Song Lan continued, "Xiao Yi bathed you!"
Gu Cheng: ...I did that.
Song Lan added, "Xiao Yi chanted sutras, praying for your recovery!"
Gu Cheng: Like reciting a menu?
Song Lan continued, "Xiao Yi even restored your sense of smell!"
Gu Cheng: Yeah, with stinky bamboo shoots.
After listing all these details, Song Lan said earnestly, "See how good this child is to you!"
Ning Yi blushed and hid behind Song Lan: "Enough, Mom. Stop talking. I'm embarrassed."
She really is a little devil! Haha^3^
Gu Cheng: "..."
Song Lan: "Aren't you going to thank Xiao Yi?"
"..." Gu Cheng closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Thank you."
Thank you, world....
Finally, Ning Yi sweetly promised she'd keep working hard to help Gu Cheng fully recover his body!
This moved both Song Lan and Old Master Gu to tears.
—What a wonderful daughter-in-law, what a wonderful child!
Ning Yi pretended not to notice Gu Cheng's dark, icy, oppressive gaze. Thoughtfully, she mused: Now that her husband could barely use his other senses, and his hearing was passable with headphones, only his sense of taste remained gone—he couldn't experience the beauty of food!
It was truly pitiful!
Ning Yi must help him—and cement her role as his savior!
She devised a brilliant plan that would kill two birds with one stone!
Ning Yi: Hehe.
After they left, only Old Master Gu and Gu Cheng remained in the hospital room.
The old gentleman had suffered the profound grief of losing his son in middle age. Fortunately, his grandson proved exceptionally capable—not only did he shoulder the entire Gu Group, but within just a few short years, he tripled its business empire. Yet unexpectedly, Gu Cheng himself suffered an accident, leaving him bedridden for three years.
Over these years, Old Master Gu had resumed command, but his advanced age and the sheer scale of the Gu Corporation had left the enterprise teetering on the brink.
"Grandfather, you may rest assured," Gu Cheng's eyes were cold and sharp, yet his tone was unwavering. "I'm back."
Old Master Gu's face softened with relief. "Good... good!"
The elderly man was still unaccustomed to speaking while wearing earphones, yet he kept them on as he conversed with Gu Cheng in the hospital room for a long time.
After speaking with the elder Gu, Gu Cheng gained a more direct and clearer understanding of the internal situation at Gu Corporation. Previously, while inhabiting Ning Yi's body, the information he received had been limited. Now, he was truly accessing the inner workings of the upper echelons.
Gu Cheng's expression darkened.
The current Gu Corporation was run by fools, maintaining a fragile equilibrium through stock splits.
It was time to bring them all back to their senses.
After Old Master Gu left, Ning Yi peeked into the room from the doorway.
——"Husband~"
Gu Cheng sat alone, leaning against the headboard in deep thought.
His dark hair fell loosely over his brow. When he lifted his eyes, the curve of his gaze held a sharp, cold glint. From the bridge of his nose to the line of his thin lips, there was not a trace of warmth, casting a sombre shadow over his handsome features.
Seen this way, he truly resembled the cold, ruthless, and formidable business tycoon described in books.
But—
Ning Yi felt not a shred of fear toward him. She strode boldly into the room, her flattery flowing effortlessly: "Husband, you look so manly and handsome when you're deep in thought! Seeing you like this makes you even more charming!"
Gu Cheng had heard Ning Yi's exaggerated declarations of affection countless times before, but this was the first time he'd witnessed her delivering them from a third-person perspective.
Very well.
His gaze remained calm, his affection thin.
She was acting, as expected.
Gu Cheng's expression was impassive. "Is that so? Then Ah Yi will accompany me to the company tomorrow."
Ning Yi didn't catch up: "Huh?"
Gu Cheng's eyes held a hint of malice as he spoke slowly and deliberately: "Didn't you say those people look down on you outside, claiming I'd send you away from the Gu family once I woke up? Well, if you personally push my wheelchair and tend to my every need without leaving my side, they'll all see that I can't live without you."
Ning Yi: "..."
Ning Yi: "Honey, needing me this much... I'm so touched."
"After all, Ning Yi is my wife from the beginning," Gu Cheng said.
"Heh heh." Ning Yi gave a forced laugh, then clapped her hands to signal the servants to bring in what she had prepared.
Ning Yi: "Of course I'm happy to push your wheelchair, honey! But I'd rather you recover quickly. Here, try this first!"
A cup of liquid with an eerie color was placed before Gu Cheng.
Gu Cheng: "?"
Ning Yi picked up a cup for herself. "Honey, just take a sip."
Though Gu Cheng's sense of taste hadn't returned, his sense of smell had been reawakened by her. The moment he lifted the cup, he caught an eerie, fishy stench: "...What is this?"
Ning Yi: "Freshly squeezed fish mint pop."
With that, she raised her own cup and took a large gulp without batting an eye.
Gu Cheng: "?"
Who exactly had the taste disorder?
Gu Cheng watched as Ning Yi finished glass after glass, even encouraging him: "Honey, drink up! Maybe it really will stimulate your taste buds!"
Gu Cheng assumed the problem was his own, so he forced himself to endure the smell and drank the juice sip by sip.
By the last sip, his mouth did detect a faint taste.
It was even more disgusting than the smell.
"..." Gu Cheng suppressed the urge to vomit with all his manners, frowning at Ning Yi. "You don't find this hard to drink?"
"Not at all," Ning Yi replied with innocent eyes. "I'm drinking raw coconut milk with bubbles."
It just happens to be the same color!
Gu Cheng: "?"
Ning Yi: "^3^"
Their eyes locked, and Gu Cheng was so furious he laughed.
Ning Yi, however, beamed with starry eyes: "How about it, hubby? Are you mad?"
"..." Gu Cheng said expressionlessly, "Ah Yi truly loves me."
"This is a diversion tactic! Killing two birds with one stone!" Ning Yi declared. "Honey, remember how I managed to flip you off with your own hand last time? It was all thanks to this urge to hit you—no, this surge of anger!"
Gu Cheng: "..."
"Angry? Furious?" Ning Yi's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Come on, give it a try!"
Gu Cheng: "..."
Finally, under Ning Yi's encouraging (or rather, goading) gaze, Gu Cheng tried to lift his leg.
It could indeed move.
But it could only rise two centimeters at most before stalling.
The invisible restraint hadn't fully dissipated.
Gu Cheng's expression darkened again, a black tide churning in his eyes.
—Honestly, being a tycoon is seriously satisfying! Just lie there and have everything handled for you!
Wouldn't it be even more satisfying to go to Gu Corporation tomorrow? Hehe.
Still, this was the first time since the body swap that Ning Yi had directly looked at Gu Cheng's body.
Thanks to a professional thirty-person team meticulously maintaining Gu Cheng's entire body over three years, along with constant strength traction training, his physique remained that of a normal adult male despite three years of inactivity. He possessed a pale yet not overly frail beauty.
Ning Yi began complimenting again: "Husband, your body is like a work of art!"
Gu Cheng couldn't be bothered to respond.
This woman was probably just closing her eyes and praising him insincerely anyway.
Ning Yi cooperatively removed her top, then her pants. She bent her head slightly, looking down from above.
"It's so long?!" she exclaimed.
Gu Cheng's hand paused abruptly before continuing his task as if nothing had happened.
This time, her praise carried a hint of genuine emotion.
A cool breath escaped his lips: "Hmph."
Ning Yi put her clothes back on while chatting with Gu Cheng: "It really looks like a boat."
Gu Cheng's lips curled up in restrained amusement, his voice indifferent: "It's okay."
Of course.
It was his male pride.
Ning Yi gasped, speechless for several seconds.
Gu Cheng's lips curved in a mocking smile: Was she scared?
Then she said, "That width must be over ten centimeters, right?"
Gu Cheng suddenly sensed something was off. "...Am I shaped like a rectangle?"
"Yes, honey, your feet," Ning Yi wiggled them, "a rectangular boat."
Gu Cheng: "."
Ning Yi: "?"
A few seconds later.
Ning Yi: "I was talking about your feet. What are you talking about?"
Gu Cheng: ". Nothing."