Chapter 30 The Young Lady in the Wheelchair 30: If You Don't Go, I Won't Go

As the year draws to a close, the final exams at No. 1 High School have long since ended. However, the senior students still need to stay at school to wait for the explanation of all the exam papers before they can leave and officially begin their winter vacation.

This process of explaining the exam paper lasted for two weeks, until finally the winter vacation started, almost right around the same time as Xi Congshuang's annual leave.

At the end of the year, winter snow fell on the treetops in the garden downstairs, and the earth was covered in silver, as if it had been covered with a white short-pile blanket.

After much hesitation, Zheng Momo finally agreed to Xi Congshuang's request for leave. She already had annual leave, but now she was asking for an additional week on top of that.

The reason is that her cousin is getting married. The two of them grew up together and are very close. She doesn't want to miss one of the most important moments in her cousin's life.

After a moment's thought, Xi Congshuang agreed to the leave request.

Zheng Momo was both excited and worried. In the current situation, there was no need to worry too much about leaving Xi Congshuang to recover alone. The main problem was that Xi Congshuang needed to massage and stretch her legs every day, and she couldn't do these things by herself.

For several days in a row, Zheng Momo was worried about this matter, hoping that a divine soldier would descend from the heavens and perfectly replace her to assist Xi Congshuang in restoring health.

However, finding a suitable replacement is not easy. Xi Congshuang promised her a vacation, but she might not agree to let a stranger take her place to assist with massage and stretching.

"I'm going to split apart! Why can't I split apart? I can be split in two, one to attend my cousin's wedding, and the other to stay in the Xi family! Ahhh!" Zheng Momo squatted down, holding her head, and wailed softly.

"..."

Xiao Liu passed by, and Xiao Liu comforted her, giving her half a peeled orange.

It may not have any effect, but it's sour, so it can make her feel a little sour.

Patting her on the shoulder, Xiao Liu said, "Keep it up."

"What is this? Ugh, it's so sour!" Zheng Momo was indeed soured and couldn't get up for a long time.

After a while, she went downstairs with a face that looked ten years older from the sour taste, intending to find something to eat to dilute the sourness.

Looking out from the stairs, I saw Cheng Zhishu sitting on the ground playing with Naonao. Naonao had grown up and was quite strong. He was playing with Cheng Zhishu and they were evenly matched.

Xi Congshuang did not join in the play between the cat and the person; instead, she sat to the side reading a book, a scene of serene beauty.

"Meow--"

When Nao Nao got angry, she pounced on Cheng Zhishu and knocked her to the ground, then nibbled on her hair a few times to vent her anger.

"So fierce! I just touched your tail and you bit my hair. Do you know how precious hair is to humans?" Cheng Zhishu grabbed the white cat by the armpits and lifted it up, listing the cat's crimes.

The cat doesn't understand; it's a deaf cat. Hitting it will only make it more arrogant; it won't do any good at all.

The cat was stuck under its armpit and couldn't move, which annoyed it. It stretched out its hind legs to step on Cheng Zhishu's mouth.

However, the cat misjudged the distance and stepped on a softer spot.

"!" Cheng Zhishu groaned, her vision went black for a moment, and she turned to the side, clutching her chest.

Cheng Zhishu's HP value -999

It hurt terribly, excruciatingly. In that instant, it was as if her life was flashing before her eyes.

Cheng Zhishu grabbed Xi Congshuang's trouser leg and shook her weakly, saying, "Princess, please avenge me—"

Nao Nao wagged its tail, still eager to continue playing.

"This naughty cat is bullying people." Xi Congshuang picked up Naonao, who was trying to continue chewing on her hair, gave it a flick on the head, and let it go.

The princess helped the warrior drive away the evil cat demon king and even gave him a loving pat on the head.

The warrior's HP instantly increased by 999, and he was revived on the spot.

At this moment, Zheng Momo finally made up her mind, walked to a corner by the window, and told them her thoughts.

Cheng Zhishu was shocked and jumped up: "Shall I give my sister a massage and stretching?"

The more Zheng Momo spoke, the more reliable she seemed, and her tone became more fluent: "Yes, I will teach you then. The steps are not complicated and you don't need to worry about acupoints. You only need to massage and stretch once a day to prevent muscle stiffness."

"..." Cheng Zhishu listened, her thoughts drifting, and she couldn't help but look at Xi Congshuang's legs under the blanket.

Massage, stretching, me?

Then... then wouldn't that mean we have to touch it with our hands...?

She was willing; compared to what Xi Congshuang had done for her, this seemed insignificant.

Zheng Momo had obviously thought of this issue as well, and tried to ask for opinions from both sides, but the focus was on Xi Congshuang's thoughts.

Unexpectedly, Xi Congshuang refused; she was unwilling.

Xi Congshuang laid a book on her lap: "No need, it's only a few days, no need to trouble yourself."

Zheng Momo was still worried: "But Miss, this isn't just a few days, it's almost two weeks."

Xi Congshuang lowered her brows: "I said no, and that means no."

Both of them were startled, and Zheng Momo looked at Xi Congshuang with apprehension.

"..."

Xi Congshuang closed the book and drove away in her wheelchair. Naonao, rolling around on the ground, followed on her paws, trying to jump onto the wheelchair.

Just like Zheng Momo's unsuccessful attempt to persuade her, Nao Nao also failed to jump onto the wheelchair and was left outside the elevator car door.

Nao Nao raised its head and shouted at the closed elevator doors, "Meow!"

Only after returning to her room did Xi Congshuang loosen her grip on the trouser leg, the fabric of which she had crumpled.

Beneath the brown trousers were a pair of legs, scarred and atrophied from a car accident, far from aesthetically pleasing, left stiff and helpless to be manipulated.

She couldn't bring herself to expose her weaknesses, nor was she willing to.

After staring at the crumpled area for a long time, Xi Congshuang slowly bent over and raised her hand to cover her eyes.

Deeply and slowly, the pent-up frustration that had been building up in his chest was released.

"Smart Butler".

The electronic female voice replied, "I'm here."

Xi Congshuang: "Close the curtains."

"On duty, curtains closed."

Only when the room went dark did Xi Congshuang lower her hand, slowly lean back in her chair, her long neck arching gracefully, letting herself quietly sink into the darkness.

*

The last video conference of the year began in Xi Congshuang's study and ended two hours later. No one noticed anything wrong with the person on the other end of the video; everything seemed normal.

The computer screen went black as a hand switched the page and opened a video software.

"Fine, you insist on an answer, don't you? Then I'll tell you, the child is indeed not yours. It's my revenge for my infidelity. Are you satisfied now?"

"How could the child not be my biological child? We clearly have the same blood type!"

"Are you the only person in this family with type A blood?!"

The world suddenly fell silent, and then the background music abruptly began, pounding and shaking the soul.

The red apple that quietly appeared next to the computer: "..." Where is this?

Finally remembering that she hadn't seen her host for a long time, Red Apple went online to visit and offer encouragement to complete the mission as soon as possible.

The moment I appeared, I was bombarded with this melodramatic dialogue, and I almost thought I had come to the wrong place.

Xi Congshuang glanced at it: "The Honkai value has dropped again? I didn't do anything."

She didn't hear the system notification either.

"I didn't come here for that." Red Apple said, embarrassed, flapping its wings as if trying to find a place to land on the desk.

Then it slowly landed on the pile of documents next to the desk, attempting to use external force to reach a height where it could look Xi Congshuang in the eye.

The dialogue on the computer screen continued, with the two main characters arguing incessantly about the child's bloodline, their rapid-fire delivery creating a tongue-twister effect.

Having investigated its host, it naturally knew a lot about Xi Congshuang, including that she was a successful elite in her original world and that she had a hobby of watching melodramatic dramas.

After all, it had been lurking in the shadows observing Xi Congshuang for two whole weeks, until she was really about to give up, at which point it finally showed up and asked to sign a contract to become a mission taker.

Xi Congshuang: "Did you need something from me?"

Red Apple: "It's nothing, I just wanted to chat with you."

"Everything's been going well lately. Your Honkai value has dropped from 36 to 15. You only need five more points to complete the mission! Aren't you happy?"

Xi Congshuang calmly translated: Everything has been going smoothly lately, so why is there still no new progress after so long? We're just one step away, so please don't let your guard down. I'll be very happy after completing the task.

This is to expedite the process.

“Okay, you don’t smell very happy.” Red Apple was used to Xi Congshuang’s taciturn nature and didn’t care much.

In a way, this is the real Xi Congshuang: aloof, arrogant, and looking down on everyone as if they were trash.

Xi Congshuang, having overheard its nonsense, interrupted it, asking, "Is there a time limit for completing the mission?"

Red Apple: "Yes, and the sooner the better. If you don't complete the task and stay in this world longer than the original owner's death time, your life progress in the original world will continue."

"..."

Xi Congshuang pressed the space bar, pausing the TV series playing on her computer.

In her original world, she was terminally ill and had only a few days left to live; she was about to die before she transmigrated.

This time, she remained silent for longer than she had during her first encounter with the system; the computer screen was the only source of light in the study.

Red Apple: "The host came here for a healthy body, and now the process is nearing completion. So please keep up the good work, complete all tasks as soon as possible, and return home soon."

"Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

The round, bright red system had no eyes, but Xi Congshuang felt like she was being watched.

Xi Congshuang: "What will happen to 'Xi Congshuang' after this mission is completed?"

Red Apple: "Live according to the established plan until 'Xi Congshuang' dies ten years later."

"However, her death has nothing to do with the female lead, and the Xi family won't go bankrupt. The female lead has no reason to do these things, so perhaps she'll have a good relationship with the Xi family?"

At that time, Cheng Zhishu will rise to great heights and fulfill his lofty ambitions.

Actually, that's not what Xi Congshuang wanted to ask.

But she couldn't find the answer to what she wanted to ask.

The red apple leaped off the pile of documents and flew around Xi Congshuang: "Host, you don't need to worry about what happens next. By then, you will be in the next world, continuing to achieve your goals."

After flying for a while, it couldn't resist stopping on the back of the chair.

There are some things that can't be said, but Xi Congshuang smells delicious right now, making it irresistible to get closer.

It feeds on intense emotions and has nothing to do with human flesh and blood.

When it first met her, it judged that Xi Congshuang's emotions were very palatable, but she was too ill and her emotions were not very strong, which made the system very sorry.

However, Xi Congshuang was incredibly delicious right now. Her intense emotions almost made the system faint. Her inner turmoil, confusion, and pain that she herself hadn't even realized were subconsciously drawing the system in.

Red Apple: "To be honest, you are the most likely person I've ever seen to complete all the tasks... Host, I really have high hopes for you."

"Knock, knock, knock." The knocking interrupted Red Apple's next words.

It hurriedly left behind the words, "The female lead is here. Keep going, I won't bother you anymore," and then turned and disappeared.

"Knock, knock, knock." The gentle knocking sounded again.

Xi Congshuang closed the computer screen, turned on the desk lamp, and the study became much brighter: "Come in."

Outside the door, Cheng Zhishu turned the doorknob, slowly pushed open the solid wood door, and shuffled in.

Xi Congshuang wondered when Cheng Zhishu had become so slow. She looked up and saw Cheng Zhishu holding up the white cat in her hands, shielding her face.

Nao Nao, who was making eye contact with Xi Congshuang, exclaimed, "Meow!"

It struggled to get down, using all four paws to pry at Cheng Zhishu's hand. She let go, and the white cat landed nimbly, leaping to Xi Congshuang's side and pawing at her blanket.

This kitten is a bit hyperactive; its claws are mischievous, and it always likes to paw at everything in front of it.

Xi Congshuang lowered her head and tapped the cat's head: "No."

On the other end, another question was asked: "What about me? Can I?"

Cheng Zhishu, who had just been holding up the cat as a shield, squatted down next to her, her shoulder touching the wheelchair.

With her other free hand, Xi Congshuang touched Cheng Zhishu's forehead and slowly pushed her away: "You can't either."

Cheng Zhishu looked a little regretful. Instead of pressing for an answer, she grabbed the hand that was pressing on her forehead and said, "If it's not allowed, then it's not allowed."

"It's time to eat. Why don't we eat first and then talk?"

Xi Congshuang withdrew her hand from patting the cat's head and patted the other head instead: "Sorry to keep you waiting, I'll go down now."

A few days later, Zheng Momo left with her suitcase.

Before leaving, she promised Xiao Liu and Cheng Zhishu that she would bring back a suitcase full of local specialties, and that none of them should leave, so that they could all come and taste the flavors of her hometown.

Li Mi, who had driven people to the airport, asked with a lollipop in her mouth, "What about me?"

Zheng Momo patted her shoulder: "Yes, yes, yes."

Li Mi was finally satisfied and turned the car keys in her hand: "Get in the car."

With the Spring Festival approaching, the Xi residence has been decorated anew, and the festive atmosphere is gradually becoming stronger.

Chairman Xi also returned to the Xi residence to live permanently, and the number of people in the house has increased.

Occasionally, when Cheng Zhishu goes out, she sees different strangers, most of whom are well-dressed and speak elegantly.

Some even treated her like a maid or relative, wanting to bring her over to do chores.

"Calling me?" Cheng Zhishu was taken aback, wondering if they were calling her.

The other person recognized her and viciously elbowed the person next to him, saying, "Are you crazy? That's Xi Congshuang's person."

"What? This is the child Xi Congshuang adopted?"

"I've seen her at the company. Assistant Ni personally brought her into Xi Congshuang's office. Who else could it be but her?"

"That needs to be made up for."

It's easy to tell from their conversation that these people are afraid of Xi Congshuang. That fear completely ignores their legs; they feel like retreating just from hearing her name.

After whispering among themselves for a while, the two stopped beckoning Cheng Zhishu over and came over themselves.

The young man smiled kindly: "It's not convenient to visit my older cousin, so this is just a small gift. Please don't mind."

It's not Chinese New Year yet, so this red envelope is inappropriate, and judging by its thickness, it's quite valuable.

Cheng Zhishu took a step back: "You're too kind, I don't need anything."

"..."

I didn't look closely before, but now that I look closely, it's true. The clothes Cheng Zhishu is wearing are clearly designed by a famous designer. Judging from the style, they are most likely designed by the same designer as her.

It's all because I wasn't wearing my glasses.

The young man was about to say something, but Cheng Zhishu, eager to return, interrupted their unfinished conversation: "Don't worry, I won't say anything. I'm just passing by."

Although the man didn't seem to believe her, he still let Cheng Zhishu leave.

Away from the bustling area, Wenhai became quiet, like a secluded paradise amidst the noise.

It wasn't necessarily that those people were inconvenient to come and visit; it was just that Xi Congshuang didn't want to see them and was too lazy to deal with them, so she gave them a heads-up to leave in advance.

Recently, however, there have been more and more people coming here, and it is actually Chairman Xi and Xi Hanran who like to come here to seek peace and quiet.

Cheng Zhishu walked home, holding the kite in both hands. It was a swallow kite, exquisite and beautiful.

"Sister, look, it's a kite." She showed everything to Xi Congshuang as if it were a treasure.

Xi Congshuang woke up Naonao on her lap and put it on the ground: "Why did you bring a kite home after going out? If you want to fly it, you have to go to the golf course behind the house."

Cheng Zhishu held the kite high so that Naonao couldn't catch it: "This kite was given to me by Shangguan Yin. She invited me to go on a spring outing and fly kites on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year."

Upon hearing this, Xi Congshuang looked at the kite in her hand again. It was indeed very beautiful: "Where are we going to fly it? Did you agree?"

As she spoke, she picked up her phone to check the temperature and confirmed that it was a pleasant day, and that it wouldn't be easy to catch a cold while doing outdoor activities.

Cheng Zhishu shook her head: "Not yet."

Xi Congshuang: "Why haven't we taken the kite home yet?"

She thought that the two parties had already made an agreement, so Cheng Zhishu took the things home.

"Because I told her I was going home to ask my sister if she wanted to come with me. If she didn't, I wouldn't go either." Cheng Zhishu said confidently, without any fear of being beaten to death by her friend for standing her up.

When she sent the kite, Shangguan Yin threatened her in this way, and then she was so angry at Cheng Zhishu's answer that she shouted that she couldn't stand Cheng Zhishu's spoiled sister.

Cheng Zhishu, who was being scolded, didn't feel scolded at all. If Xi Congshuang never got married, she was willing to be a spoiled brat for life.

As long as I can be by her side, it doesn't matter what my status is.

"..."

Xi Congshuang caught Nao Nao again and put it on her lap to prevent it from catching the kite.

After a moment of silence, she said, "I might have something to do on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. I need to stay home and discuss it with my grandmother. If you like, don't waste the opportunity to go out with your friends. Go with Shangguan Yin."

Shangguan Yin, who was playing games at home, suddenly sneezed.

Cheng Zhishu squatted down and rested her chin on her knees: "I'm not that into flying kites, I just like going out to fly kites with you."

Xi Congshuang: "..."

He gripped his trouser leg tightly under the blanket, barely managing to resist the urge to push the person away.

Xi Congshuang sighed helplessly: "You're already a senior in high school, and you'll have fewer and fewer opportunities to go out with your classmates. Are you really not planning to go?"

Cheng Zhishu said decisively, "No, going out is not as comfortable as staying at home."

This statement sounds reasonable, but the underlying message is the same: if you don't go, then I won't go either.

The head resting on her knees was fluffy, and Xi Congshuang was surprised to find that she seemed to have grown quite a bit taller in the past six months, gradually shedding her girlish naiveté and revealing a hint of the charm that would follow.

The body beneath his palm was warm and supple, and if Xi Congshuang lowered her head, she could smell the fragrance of her hair.

The phrase she used to hate most suddenly echoed in her mind, deafeningly loud: "...having superfluous emotions... is weakness..."

The words she thought she had long forgotten struck her like a boomerang, hitting her right in the heart.

As if she had figured something out, Xi Congshuang loosened her clenched fist, looked into Cheng Zhishu's eyes, and slowly nodded.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

—Anyway, there's not much time left, so what's wrong with indulging a little?

Isn't that an easier and faster way to complete the task? It's always been this way, so why hesitate now? Who are you trying to impress with this pretense?

Cheng Zhishu was delighted and smiled brightly: "Great! I'll go talk to Shangguan Yin right away. She said there's a villa with nice scenery there, which is a good place to relax and enjoy the view."

Gathering up excess emotions, squeezing them out and letting them sink deep into the depths, the mismatched heartbeats gradually return to calm at this moment, the ripples they stirred dissipate, and it becomes as still as a deep well.

Xi Congshuang nodded again and said, "Okay."

"Honkai value -1, current Honkai value 14."

Xi Congshuang found the system notification sound increasingly grating.

————————

It's suddenly gotten so cold lately, the temperature has been down for several days.