The harsher you treat him, the better I can heal him~
Gu Cheng: ?
Upon returning to the annex, the crowd of onlookers outside the ward—unqualified for visits—had been ushered by Gu family servants to the banquet hall to await dinner.
Gu Cheng stepped outside the ward just as his mother, Song Lan, emerged.
Song Lan was a formidable businesswoman. The jewelry brand she founded was a time-honored gold standard in China. After Gu Cheng's accident, she and Old Master Gu had jointly propped up the conglomerate, balancing the internal dynamics of the Gu family.
Yet no matter how much money and resources were poured in, Gu Cheng remained unconscious. Restlessness was already stirring within the Gu family.
Song Lan closed the door, wiped her eyes, and looked up just as "Ning Yi" approached.
She composed herself and nodded lightly. "You're here?"
Gu Cheng halted, the icy gloom that had settled since their bodies switched easing slightly. "—Mom."
Song Lan paused slightly. She hadn't expected her daughter-in-law to address her so familiarly.
Gu Cheng could see that though Song Lan remained impeccably composed, a hint of exhaustion lingered in her eyes.
Song Lan snapped back to attention, noticing the cake in his hands. "This is..."
The maids and nurses did leave snacks in Gu Cheng's room periodically to add a touch of home, but had his daughter-in-law gone to such trouble? She'd been worried Song Lan might harbor resentment...
Gu Cheng glanced down too, then his expression darkened as he remembered why he'd brought the cake.
Though he couldn't reveal the bizarre body swap to Song Lan now, he could lay the groundwork by subtly revealing Ning Yi's true character—ensuring a smooth divorce when he eventually returned to his own body.
So Gu Cheng replied coolly, "Oh, these? I brought them for myself."
The words "lazy and greedy" practically wrote themselves across his face.
Song Lan paused. Was this child being honest?
Having spent too long in high society, she'd seen countless socialites and heiresses. Ironically, she found herself drawn to girls who were genuine, unpretentious, and authentic.
Ning Yi seemed promising. If she could pass a few minor tests, the Gu family would certainly treat their daughter-in-law well.
"Go eat," Song Lan said with a gentle smile. "Remember to save room for dinner."
Gu Cheng: "...?"
Why did she look so pleased?
Ning Yi lay on the bed, blissfully dozing for a moment longer before waking up with pinpoint precision.
——Takeout's here!
"Husband~" she called in her mind.
Just then, Gu Cheng had paused by the bedside, checking she hadn't drooled all over her own face.
Hearing her, his footsteps halted.
Her perception was this sharp?
Clearly, this body could only detect the faintest air currents.
Gu Cheng asked calmly, "Can you switch back now?"
Ning Yi replied politely, "Not yet." But he was trying hard to make it happen.
Gu Cheng glanced at the wall clock, squinting as he calculated the time.
They had switched three times today. The first two were complete round trips. After the third, however, a cooldown period emerged—nearly two hours had passed since.
He needed to swiftly grasp the patterns and limitations of body swapping to gain greater initiative.
Perhaps this was also a crucial turning point for breaking free from his vegetative state.
"It's okay, husband," Ning Yi murmured tenderly while lying flat. "Since this swapping has already happened, I'm willing to endure more pain lying here for your sake, so you can be free."
After all, her greatest life goal now was to eat well and sleep soundly! She'd also find time to use her post-apocalyptic all-around skills to make some money, so that when the big shot woke up, she wouldn't get swiftly counterattacked.
Gu Cheng's lips curved upward at the words, yet his eyes held no trace of humor: Hypocritical.
After another moment, Ning Yi's swap ability returned to normal.
Gu Cheng silently noted the cooldown duration: approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.
He'd expected returning to his own body would feel routine, yet upon reentering that sealed, deathly silence, he felt an uncontrollable surge of restless agitation.
After briefly tasting freedom, the darkness became unbearably more oppressive.
Ning Yi, having returned to her own body, remained silent.
Human nature was inherently selfish, after all.
He was no exception.
Gu Cheng fell silent in the darkness for a moment, his voice growing colder: "Hey."
There was no response from the other side.
The silent darkness felt like an endless tide. A sudden doubt crept into Gu Cheng's mind.
Could it be that swapping bodies and regaining freedom was merely a delusion born from his own mental breakdown after being trapped?
"...Hey," Gu Cheng's voice was icy, "you—"
"First, my name isn't 'Hey'."
Her voice finally reached him.
"Second, I'm eating cake," Ning Yi's voice was muffled, "Honey, feeling lonely? Want to listen to a food broadcast?"
Ning Yi was deeply devoted to her food.
The Gu family, as befitting a top-tier aristocratic clan, possessed exceptional pastry chefs in their kitchen. The rich, sweet flavor spread across her tongue, followed by the soft, fluffy texture of the cake. Her dopamine began surging wildly.
Ning Yi generously shared her joy with her comatose husband: "Yum yum yum."
This time, Gu Cheng fell silent.
Ning Yi continued: "Munch munch munch."
Gu Cheng: "..."
Ning Yi: "I'll keep livestreaming my eating for you during the dinner later. Don't worry, honey, I won't leave you lonely."
"...Alright," Gu Cheng said expressionlessly, "Shut up."
Tonight, the Gu family was hosting a small private dinner in the banquet hall to entertain visiting elite socialites.
After eating that piece of cake, Ning Yi developed a keen interest in the Gu family's dinner.
This was also a plot point in the original storyline. Since the original protagonist was attending such an upper-class dinner for the first time, her inferiority and timidity made her too afraid to speak. She was ruthlessly dragged into the role of the contrast group by the confident and graceful female lead of the romance novel. After returning home, her mindset became even more twisted, and she doubled down on her abusive behavior—marking the beginning of her own downfall.
Ning Yi glanced at herself in the mirror before leaving the hospital room.
Sure enough, a good night's sleep made all the difference. In the apocalypse, she couldn't sleep deeply or eat properly. Though her features remained unchanged, her beauty had faded considerably. Now, Ning Yi looked completely refreshed, her delicate eyes and brows radiating a languid charm.
What was there to feel inferior about with looks like these?
Besides, this was just a mindless novel—how hard could it be to survive amidst a horde of zombies?
Ning Yi pushed open the door and strode into the banquet hall, head held high and chest thrust out.
All eyes instinctively turned toward her—
The icy aura had vanished from Ning Yi. Her exquisite, richly colored features held a relaxed, natural allure. Her posture was impeccably straight as she walked, drawing attention to her slender, tall frame, her incredibly narrow waist, and legs that seemed impossibly long...
Yet in high society, looks alone were useless.
The banquet hall's long tables were already nearly full. Hierarchy ran deep in elite circles; everyone's family background and status held a fixed place in their minds.
Ning Yi's ranking was undeniably at the very bottom.
She mentally asked Gu Cheng, "Honey, where should I sit?"
Gu Cheng, well-versed in such occasions, offered a coldly calculated suggestion: "Take the seat closest to the main table."
Ning Yi clapped her hands in satisfaction. "Exactly what I had in mind."
That spot was nearest the main course.
Gu Cheng's sneer was icy.
The moment Ning Yi sat down, all eyes inevitably focused on her. The man across from her scrutinized her from head to toe: "Go sit in the back. How dare you sit here?"
Ding Ziyue, hearing this, immediately stepped in with gentle diplomacy: "My apologies, Mr. Gu. My sister has never attended such a banquet and doesn't understand the etiquette. I'll escort her to another seat right away—"
Her actions drew sympathetic glances from those around them.
The original hostess would have slunk away by now, but Ning Yi remained unruffled, lifting her eyes to form a beautiful curve.
"What?" she said, perfectly at ease. "Is Gu Cheng's wife not allowed to sit here?"
The banquet hall fell silent.
Ding Ziyue's face froze, and Gu Zhison, who had spoken earlier, suddenly lost his words.
They could easily manipulate Ning Yi, a country bumpkin, but dare anyone challenge her when she bore Gu Cheng's name?
This was the Gu family. No one dared contradict her statement. Even if the man himself lay unconscious, his name alone was the rule.
Ning Yi felt no shame or moral guilt about leveraging the big shot's influence.
Hehe. Her happiness mattered most ^-^
Meanwhile, Song Lan, observing from afar, flashed a hint of admiration in her eyes—exactly. Gu Cheng's wife, the daughter-in-law of the Gu family, should possess this kind of backbone!
Song Lan delivered a brief speech from the main seat, thanking everyone for their concern for Gu Cheng, yet made no mention of his condition.
Afterward, the banquet commenced.
The banquet featured both Chinese and Western cuisine, with exquisitely prepared dishes that filled the air with enticing aromas. Ning Yi realized her seat couldn't be more convenient—the dishes arrived fastest here, and she could grab the best bites effortlessly.
So, feeling grateful, she offered to share with Gu Cheng: "Honey, since you can't eat these, let me describe them for you ^3^"
Gu Cheng: "..."
"This is pan-seared foie gras hand rolls—I'm having ten bites."
Gu Cheng remained utterly cold, yet surprisingly didn't interrupt.
Ding Ziyue's best friend beside her gritted her teeth. "She just sits there eating like it's nothing? What nerve."
Ding Ziyue's expression darkened too, but after a few seconds, she flashed a mysterious smile.
Ning Yi's drastic personality shift could only mean one thing—she must be relishing the feeling of trampling on someone else by tormenting Young Master Gu! How else could she remain so calm and composed?
It seemed she needed to find a chance to visit him soon. Young Master Gu was still waiting for her rescue in the darkness!
Ding Ziyue rose gracefully, raising her wine glass. "Aunt Song Lan, since everyone is here today, I'd like to extend an invitation for next week—please join us at the Ding residence for my welcome banquet."
Envy rippled through the room:
"Wow, truly the cherished daughter the Ding family has nurtured!"
"Your family spoils you rotten, Yu-yu!"
Ding Ziyue glanced at Ning Yi, who was quietly eating, and sighed softly: "As you all know, I've unconsciously occupied my sister's identity all these years. I've always felt guilty and anxious about it. So, Yi... will you... come to the banquet?"
Typically, no fake heiress would admit to usurping another's place, but Ding Ziyue was different. Though she was the imposter, she now had a far more formidable real family. This allowed her to speak openly, even with a sense of superiority.
Ning Yi glanced at her briefly.
Ding Ziyue's words truly hit every one of the original host's pain points—if she said she'd go, how could she bear to see Ding Ziyue being doted on in her new home when her own biological parents barely spoke to her during her welcome back to the Ning family? If she said she wouldn't go, it would mean she harbored resentment and lacked magnanimity—Ding Ziyue had already made overtures of goodwill, and she was being ungrateful.
No wonder the original protagonist's psyche twisted so badly in the story that she'd even picked a hole in the tablecloth beneath the dining table.
For a moment, all eyes turned to Ning Yi, awaiting her response.
"Alright," Ning Yi nodded with a smile, then asked a concerned question: "But can your catering standards meet the level required for a Gu family banquet?"
Ding Ziyue froze.
Song Lan also turned to look.
Ding Ziyue never imagined Ning Yi would throw back an even trickier question??
If she claimed theirs was superior, it would imply belittling the Gu family—Song Lan would surely resent her. How could she then visit Young Master Gu? But if she admitted theirs fell short, how could she justify her earlier confident invitation—and the envy it had sparked?
—First she'd driven a wedge between her and Gu Zeyu, now she was setting traps. How calculating was Ning Yi?!
Ding Ziyue finally stammered out, "Of course... we'll do our best."
Ning Yi nodded with an air of supreme authority: "Well then, do your best."
Ding Ziyue's face nearly turned green.
What gave her the right to speak like that?! Was it because she could abuse Young Master Gu behind his back?
Once she healed Young Master Gu and helped him rise to power, she'd wait to see Ning Yi's miserable downfall!
Ning Yi savored a piece of basil-scented grilled sea bass while watching the female lead's face turn green.
Then, utterly satisfied, she cooed at Gu Cheng, "Honey, want some? Just say the word."
Gu Cheng's voice was cold: "I avoid greasy and meaty foods."
Ning Yi's tone was indulgent: You're just venting. I don't believe you."
Gu Cheng: "..."
Having survived on IV drips for three years, he could no longer tolerate the pungent flavors of meat or greasy foods.
Gu Cheng didn't interrupt her because the elite circles were inherently hypocritical. At social events like this dinner, someone like Ning Yi who genuinely focused on eating would be an outcast, shunned by others.
Gu Cheng's darkest intuition whispered that the worse Ning Yi's situation became, the more opportunities she'd have to swap bodies with him. Right?
Gu Cheng asked in a low voice, his words thick with dark malice: "Enjoying your meal?"
Ning Yi was watching the final showpiece of the evening's feast arrive—Jinhua's prized double-black braised pork belly.
When served, it gleamed translucent, its marbled texture resembling a work of art.
"Delicious!" Ning Yi murmured contentedly as she savored a bite, her invitation half-hearted. "I wish you could taste this, honey."
The words barely left her mouth when a strand of her hair fluttered in the breeze.
The next second, Gu Cheng had already cut himself over.
Gu Cheng: "..."
Ning Yi: "???"
She was just being polite, not seriously suggesting a swap!
Meanwhile, Gu Cheng sat expressionless at the table, his mouth stuffed with a huge bite of glistening braised pork belly that nearly fell out.
Ding Ziyue had been fixated on finding faults in "Ning Yi's" behavior. Now that she'd finally caught one, she hurried over to instruct him: "Oh dear, you don't understand table manners. Let me teach you..."
Gu Cheng took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to gag. He picked up the napkin, deftly folding it with his slender fingers before gently wiping the grease from his lips.
Every inch of his movement was impeccably elegant.
Then, clenching his teeth around that fatty morsel, he summoned every ounce of self-restraint.
He swallowed it down as if it were shit.
Ning Yi.
You're doing just fine.