When Ning Yi opened her eyes, she found herself sitting in a luxurious hospital room.
A needle was clutched in her hand, its tip stained with blood.
Clearly, she had just stabbed someone.
Having not wielded such a humorous cold weapon since the apocalypse, Ning Yi thought: Holy crap?
—Reincarnated as the Evil Stepmother?
Then she was thrust into the plot of a brainless romance novel about wealthy families. She quickly learned: The strikingly handsome man lying in the hospital bed—whom she'd just pricked—was Gu Cheng, the novel's most powerful business tycoon. He'd been in a vegetative state for three years after an accident.
Originally, the female lead Ding Ziyue was betrothed to Gu Cheng since childhood, a status that had long made her the envy of society's elite young ladies.
Little did anyone expect the tycoon would remain unconscious indefinitely. Fortunately, she discovered she was actually the switched-at-birth fake heiress.
Once the real heiress, Ning Yi, was found in the countryside and brought back, the mission to marry the vegetative man naturally fell upon her shoulders.
Not only that, but Ding Ziyue was discovered by her real family—an even more powerful dynasty—and pampered like a precious jewel!
Meanwhile, Ning Yi hadn't enjoyed a single day of luxury. Returning to the elite circle only to be forced into widowhood, her life starkly contrasted with Ding Ziyue's pampered existence.
It was no wonder her psyche twisted, leading her to vent her frustration by abusing her disabled husband.
Little did she know the tycoon's consciousness had remained passively lucid within his body—deprived of all senses except touch and pain!
The abuse only fueled his dark transformation.
When he eventually rose to power, sweeping through the business world once more, Ning Yi, that vicious psychopath, was the first to face brutal retribution.
After enduring this trashy plot, Ning Yi momentarily couldn't decide who was more unlucky—the tycoon or herself.
It felt like if they could switch places, they'd probably find some common ground.
Both fucking victims.
But victimhood aside, after three years of survival in the apocalypse, Ning Yi had shed most of her moral compass and empathy along with her quality of life. She only considered strategies that benefited herself.
Today marked the first time the original host was permitted to visit Gu Cheng since marrying into the Gu family. Outside the hospital room, nearly all of City A's elite had gathered. Most looked down on the original host—if Gu Cheng remained unconscious, they'd sneer at her for being a widow; if he woke, they'd mock her as unworthy.
Ning Yi held the needle, staring at the boss, and seriously considered—
Since the needle was already in place, why not just finish him off? That way, she wouldn't have to endure his torment later.
But then she remembered—this was a society governed by law. Random violence wasn't acceptable.
Ning Yi sighed wearily and yawned. She'd finally escaped the apocalypse only to end up in this terrible role. When would she ever achieve her simple dream of eating well, drinking well, and lying down to sleep soundly?
She snapped the needle shut and closed her eyes: "Why don't I lie down for a bit, honey?"
Of course, this was just a fleeting thought.
Yet suddenly, a faint air current rippled through the air, like a breeze brushing past her ear and the hospital bed—as if something had changed.
Ning Yi, with her keen senses, instantly opened her eyes.
But she found—why was everything still pitch black?
Not only that, but the constant cacophony of sounds—which had always seemed overwhelming due to her acute hearing—had vanished entirely. The entire world now consisted solely of the soft, plush sensation beneath her.
Huh? This felt strangely familiar...
As if to confirm Ning Yi's suspicion, the "Ning Yi" seated beside the bed slowly rose to her feet.
The moment "she" opened her eyes, a dark light surged within them—like a beast caged too long, cautiously and gloomily peering at the long-lost light.
Once accustomed to standing and seeing normally, Gu Cheng's first sight was himself lying on the bed.
He fell silent. Out-of-body experience?
But when he slowly raised his hand, what met his gaze was a slender, pale female wrist—five fingers exquisitely delicate... clutching a needle.
Gu Cheng narrowed his eyes. So, he had actually swapped bodies with this person.
Ning Yi's heart sank.
An inexplicable connection made her acutely aware that she had truly swapped bodies with the big shot.
If only she'd tossed the needle first—no, wait—if only she'd just stabbed him to death!
Gu Cheng had already picked up the needle and was examining it.
The sharp pain in his arm moments ago—"Is this what caused it?"
Hearing that cold, magnetic voice, Ning Yi realized they could still communicate directly in their minds after the swap. Summoning what little politeness she had left, she explained, "I didn't stab you, okay? It's all a misunderstanding..."
But before she could finish, she felt the icy needle tip land on her arm, slowly tracing its path and sending a wave of goosebumps across her skin.
"—Scared?"
Gu Cheng lowered his eyes, staring at his own body without a flicker of emotion. Malice rose within him: "How does this feel?"
Blind. Immobilized. Trapped in perpetual darkness, helplessly at the mercy of others.
Fate had been cruel to him, allowing such a petty person to trample him underfoot.
Now that he was awake, he wouldn't hold it against them...
"?"
Before the dark aura in Gu Cheng's eyes could fully spread, he suddenly found himself back in his own body.
Ning Yi stood at the bedside, blinking once.
—Oops, she'd just thought about it again and switched back.
So body swapping was this casual?
All she had to do was think about it???
Gu Cheng, on the other side, clearly realized the swap was under the other's control. His heart sank heavily—this meant he was completely passive and restrained.
This vicious woman... what would she do?
—Ning Yi gazed at the big shot on the bed, her eyes gradually filling with emotion.
Who would've thought this trashy novel plot twist could be so useful?
In the apocalypse, she'd been surrounded by the cacophony of mutated creatures, living under constant threat with nerves stretched taut for three years without a single full night's sleep. Now, she had a place to rest—invisible, silent, soft, and clean.
Wasn't this big shot's body like a soundproof, zero-pressure, five-star hotel suite? And it was free, with 24/7 check-in.
Ning Yi: —Thank goodness I didn't kill him! TvT
So Ning Yi methodically disposed of the "cold weapon," stuffed a juicy, sweet orange into her mouth, then patted the big shot's shoulder. Proactively, she smoothly swapped bodies with him once more.
After completing all this, Ning Yi lay back on the bed, content and at peace, having gotten her wish.
When Gu Cheng opened his eyes again, he was standing by the bed.
Looking down, he saw the needle in his hand had been meticulously cleaned.
It was even bent into a heart shape.
Ning Yi slowly closed her eyes: "Husband, heart."
Gu Cheng: "..."
He clenched his fists, his eyes darkening with shadow.
This woman was supposed to be the wife arranged for him by his family—a vicious, abusive spouse who suddenly feigned deep affection, undoubtedly aiming to gain more advantages.
Gu Cheng lowered his gaze, silently transforming the hospital bed into a negotiation table: "I believe you understand my status. If we cooperate, I can provide you with everything you desire."
But across from him, only silence remained.
Gu Cheng's heart sank further, his gaze shifting.
It seemed this woman wasn't the foolish fool who only knew how to stab people with needles. Instead, she was quite calculating and remarkably composed.
Gu Cheng controlled his tone, retreating to advance: "Of course, the initiative is yours. If you..."
His voice was low and measured, his throat growing parched as he spoke, yet she remained utterly silent, like a seasoned master of the game.
A hint of apprehension finally flickered across Gu Cheng's dark, cold face.
"What exactly do you want?"
After a long pause, a response finally came from across the room.
Ning Yi: "zzZZZ"
Gu Cheng: "?"
Gu Cheng: "..."
Three years of Gu Cheng's restraint nearly shattered.
She was fucking snoring.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital room.
With the door stubbornly unopened, the socialite heiresses grew restless.
If Ning Yi hadn't emerged after so long, could it be that Young Master Gu had truly awakened? After all, the business empire Gu Cheng built with his own hands still operated by his rules. Gu Group's market value remained unmatched in City A. And then there was Gu Cheng's peerlessly handsome face... Truthfully, if the young master could just open his eyes, countless women would still line up to marry him.
Everyone felt a twinge of reluctance, yet none dared gamble on that one slim chance.
Amidst the crowd, only Ding Ziyue wore a serene smile. It was the composed demeanor of a favored winner in life.
While others wondered why Ning Yi lingered in Gu Cheng's hospital room, Ding Ziyue knew the truth—for she had glimpsed the future through a dream! Her psychologically twisted younger sister must already be abusing Gu Cheng.
Ding Ziyue smiled softly—unaware that Ning Yi would never guess Gu Cheng could sense all this and would awaken soon!
So all she needed to do was find an opportunity to tend to Gu Cheng's wounds and heal him after Ning Yi's abuse. Then, when Gu Cheng rose to power... she would be the light guiding him through the darkness!
Just as she pondered this, the ward door suddenly opened—
Gu Cheng emerged expressionless, his face a mask of icy gloom.
Though currently inhabiting Ning Yi's body, his presence silenced the crowd waiting outside.
What an icy beauty...
Though Ning Yi, this provincial heiress, might not be fit for high society, her beauty was undeniable... Her features were exquisitely refined: doe eyes half-closed, the outer corners deep and captivating; a thin, upturned upper lip, and a lower lip of perfect fullness. Her slender frame carried an air of grace, and the icy aura now surrounding her added an extra layer of mystery.
"Holy shit, she's actually this beautiful?" someone whispered.
A socialite beside her curled her lip in disdain. What good was beauty?
Just look at that expression—Gu Cheng must still be unconscious. Otherwise, why would "Ning Yi" look like she'd lost her father?
For a moment, the socialites felt both disappointed and relieved. They crowded around, scrutinizing "Ning Yi" from head to toe.
Having been isolated for so long, Gu Cheng felt profoundly uncomfortable. He spoke coldly, "Move aside."
That aura of superiority—cold and oppressive—made several people who'd crowded close gasp.
But then they burst into laughter. Ning Yi sure knows how to put on airs, huh?
Gu Cheng hadn't even regained consciousness, and this discarded heiress dared to put on airs?
Someone sneered, "Oh my, this display—one might mistake her for the real Young Master Gu himself!"
Another chimed in, "She's from the countryside. Marrying into the Gu family is her social leap—of course she's got to act superior!"
Gu Cheng met their faces with cold indifference. Before, they'd always beamed at him.
He'd never seen them like this.
Ding Ziyue stepped forward at the perfect moment, her voice gentle with understanding for Ning Yi: "Please don't speak like that. Xiao Yi must be hurting..." Why else would she mistreat Gu Cheng?
Everyone knew Ding Ziyue had just been formally recognized by the Ding family, now the pampered darling of the household. With the Gu family's eldest son as her protector, she commanded respect.
"Yueyue is truly beautiful and kind-hearted~"
"Truly the daughter of a distinguished family!"
Ding Ziyue smiled modestly, though her eyes betrayed unhidden pride and satisfaction.
She glanced at the ward door. Though she yearned to rush in and heal the suffering Gu Young Master, the crowded room made it unwise to act impulsively.
Instead, she took "Ning Yi" by the arm and said warmly, "Come, let me show you around the Gu residence."
Gu Cheng: "?"
Gu Zeyu strode over, tall and imposing. "Yueyue, I'll accompany you."
Ding Ziyue naturally didn't refuse. Gu Zeyu's protective stance would surely provoke Ning Yi. The more twisted her psyche became, the more it would highlight Ding Ziyue's kindness!
"Let's go~" she said with a smile.
Gu Cheng didn't refuse either.
He'd seize this chance to observe the Gu family's current state and quickly fill in the missing three years. Judging by the timeline, the projects he'd facilitated before his accident should be generating returns now.
Walking through the Gu family's grand estate, Ding Ziyue's smile grew bright with nostalgia. "Ah, this place—I used to come here often as a child. Aunt Song Lan always doted on me back then. Too bad I'm no longer her daughter-in-law..."
After speaking, Ding Ziyue seemed to suddenly realize her words might hurt "Ning Yi," and quickly added, "Ah, sorry, sis. I didn't mean it that way."
Gu Cheng shot her a glance.
Such a low-level green tea.
Gu Zeyu sighed impatiently beside her, "Yueyue, why are you always apologizing to her? You've already given up your position for her. What else could she possibly want?"
That domineering defense was something a young girl simply couldn't resist.
Ding Ziyue's cheeks flushed as she discreetly observed "Ning Yi," satisfied to see a look of deep thought cross his face.
Gu Cheng did indeed recall Gu Zeyu.
He turned to face him, his tone cool. "Did you become an executive director after that incident two years ago? The one where you lost your place in the script during the Gu family shareholders' meeting, broke down crying, and sobbed uncontrollably?"
Gu Zeyu's expression suddenly darkened. No one knew about this incident except the senior executives present at the time—how could Ning Yi, a newcomer to the elite circle, possibly know?!
He instinctively turned to Ding Ziyue: "Did you tell her?!"
Ding Ziyue's eyes widened as she hastily denied it: "Of course not!"
She truly hadn't expected to have underestimated Ning Yi! Was he already trying to drive a wedge between her and Gu Zeyu?!
Sure enough, that's how twisted people are—unhappy themselves, they can't stand to see others happy!
Ding Ziyue couldn't spare him a thought, rushing instead to clear her name with Gu Zeyu.
Gu Cheng couldn't care less about them.
He cared even less about whether this would make enemies for Ning Yi.
—What did that woman's predicament have to do with him?
He was about to head to the main residence when a long, drawn-out yawn reached his ears.
Ning Yi had woken up.
The sleep hadn't been long, but it was the deepest slumber she'd experienced in ages!
Lying in bed, Ning Yi felt utterly limp and weary, so blissfully content she didn't want to get up.
At times like this, direct mental communication proved incredibly convenient. She asked Gu Cheng, "Where are you?"
Glancing around, Gu Cheng replied coldly, "The kitchen."
Ning Yi exclaimed with delight, "How did you know I was hungry? Shall we switch back?"
Gu Cheng sneered inwardly. This woman only cared about sleeping and eating.
First, he just happened to be passing by.
Second, even if Ning Yi wanted to switch, he held no control over it.
Yet several seconds passed, and neither had switched back.
Ning Yi's puzzled voice drifted over: "Huh? Why can't we switch?"
—Broken?
Gu Cheng halted in his tracks.
It seemed that even though she held the initiative, the duration of the swap... or perhaps the number of times, was subject to some limitation on her part.
Therefore—he wasn't entirely passive in her presence.
A slow smile curved Gu Cheng's lips, the pitch-black malice in his eyes surging like a tidal wave.
Ding Ziyue had just managed to calm Gu Zeyu down, feeling thoroughly annoyed. But when she turned and saw the wickedly cold expression on "Ning Yi's" face, her mood instantly lifted.
No mistake—that look. "Ning Yi" must be twisted and perverted to the core!
Gu Cheng left the kitchen with a crooked smile.
Ning Yi, across the room, tried switching places a few times but couldn't manage it for now, so she gave up.
"Husband—could you grab me a few cakes, honey~" Ning Yi called out shamelessly, "I haven't had any in years. Chocolate flavor, please."
"—Hmph." Gu Cheng nearly snorted in derision.
"Ning Yi," he murmured her name coldly, "I advise you to behave yourself."
Ning Yi lay on the bed, sighing inwardly.
She knew it—he'd flip in an instant!
Good thing she was prepared.
Her voice turned concerned: "If you won't bring me any, I'll just drool all over your face."
Gu Cheng: "?"
Ning Yi lay on the bed, chattering away leisurely, "I tried it. Your mouth can twitch about 1mm. And right now, someone's holding your hand—probably your mom."
Gu Cheng: "..."
Ning Yi: "Well?"
After a pause, she began babbling like a child: "Baba baba baba..."
Gu Cheng: "Enough!"
Veins bulged on his temples, black mist swirling around him as if tangible.
Half an hour later.
"Chocolate flavor, right?"