After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 2

A gentle touch brushed across Jiang Shiyuan’s heart, attempting to soothe her wounds. Yet the resentment within her crystallized like frost in the night, gathering drop by drop.

Jiang Shiyuan’s sobs grew more violent, like a child who couldn’t be comforted no matter what. Pei Xiangwan began to doubt herself: Had she done something wrong? Why did her attempts to comfort only make Jiang Shiyuan cry harder? Was this approach not working?

“Jiang Jiang, my little Jiang Jiang, let me buy you some candy. Please stop crying.”

Jiang Shiyuan tilted her head slightly, her vision blurred by tears. Her voice trembled as she said, “I… I need you to tell me what I did to make you hate me.”

Pei Xiangwan stared in awe. Was this the legendary beauty in tears?

Jiang Shiyuan possessed a pair of exquisitely alluring fox-like eyes, their amber irises capable of ensnaring souls with ease. Her delicate, upturned nose was flushed pink from crying, making her appear utterly pitiful and endearing.

Her porcelain-smooth skin radiated a natural, ethereal beauty, requiring no artifice. She resembled a pure, innocent white fox, stirring feelings of tenderness and protectiveness in those who beheld her.

“Say something!”

Jiang Shiyuan gripped Pei Xiangwan’s collar and yanked her forward, their noses nearly touching. They were so close that Pei Xiangwan could hear every breath Jiang Shiyuan exhaled.

“Tell me why you hate me and won’t talk to me!” Jiang Shiyuan’s voice grew louder, drawing the attention of passersby. Pei Xiangwan felt their gazes piercing through her.

Pei Xiangwan pressed her index finger to Jiang Shiyuan’s soft lips. “Shh! Don’t shout so loudly.”

Are girls’ lips really this soft? Like cotton candy.

The delicate touch on her lips silenced Jiang Shiyuan’s tantrum as if by magic. Pei Xiangwan took her hand and led her forward, the girl she held in tow remaining dazed the entire time.

Qiao Yanxin: …So I’m just left here waiting silently, and this is what happens?!

Jiang Shiyuan was gently guided onto a bench, where she seemed to sink into a trance, utterly unresponsive. Her gaze remained fixed blankly on the person before her.

Pei Xiangwan’s features were exquisitely refined, with striking three-dimensionality. Her nose was high and straight, her facial contours smooth and graceful. Her lips were full and lush, her skin as rosy as peach blossoms, radiating a subtle glow. Beneath her deep, luminous eyes lay a single beauty mark.

Though her appearance hadn’t changed, to Jiang Shiyuan, Pei Xiangwan’s face held an irresistible allure, like a poison that left her addicted, conjuring illusions of hope and longing.

Why does she seem so different now? So much more beautiful… Is it just my imagination?

“Jiang Jiang, it’s Mama!”

Jiang Shinian frowned, wondering if she had misheard. “What did you say?” she asked.

Pei Xiangwan bit her lip. Damn it, my big mouth! How am I going to fix this? Think, think, think! “I… I said the sun is really hot.”

“Shouldn’t you answer my question from earlier?” Jiang Shinian stood up. She had never held any hope for Pei Xiangwan’s cooperation. If she could have gotten an answer easily, would she have needed to wait this long?

Pei Xiangwan felt trapped. After all, she wasn’t the Pei Xiangwan from the novel. The book hadn’t even explained why the two had fallen out. How was she supposed to answer?

A gust of wind swept through, swirling sand and fallen leaves into the air. Seeing this, Pei Xiangwan pressed Jiang Shiyuan’s head against her chest, shielding her from the dust.

Jiang Shiyuan could clearly hear Pei Xiangwan’s strong heartbeat, as if it were beating just for her.

Unconsciously, her own heart began to race. A faint, elegant fragrance of gardenias drifted into her nostrils, the refreshing scent reminiscent of a distant mountain breeze, bringing a sense of tranquility and comfort.

When the wind subsided, Pei Xiangwan pulled away from Jiang Shiyuan. Lost in thought about how to answer, she failed to notice Jiang Shiyuan’s slightly flushed cheeks, tightly pressed lips, and hand clutching her restless chest.

Thump, thump, thump.

So fast… so fast…

“Jiang Jiang, listen to me, hey!” She snapped her fingers crisply near Jiang Shiyuan’s ear, jolting her back to attention.

“I was being crazy, treating you like that. I’m sorry, Jiang Jiang. I’ll never act crazy again! Can we still be good friends?”

Jiang Shiyuan scoffed, her voice dripping with contempt. “So, you were just acting crazy for a whole year? Pei Xiangwan, everyone thinks I’m a fool. Do you think I’m a fool too?”

Her hands clenched the hem of her skirt, trembling violently, the fabric crumpled into a mass of wrinkles.

Pei Xiangwan lowered her gaze, her long lashes concealing the raw hurt and disappointment in her eyes. Her silent anguish hung between them like a heavy chain, tugging painfully at Jiang Shiyuan’s heart.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Shiyuan, Pei Xiangwan was inwardly cursing her novel counterpart, unleashing every curse she knew.

Bullying my precious daughter, and now I’m stuck taking the blame? This hole is impossible to fill.

Pei Xiangwan fidgeted with her fingers. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them.

“This time, it’s my turn. I’ll protect you, Jiang Shiyuan.”

Jiang Shiyuan stared at Pei Xiangwan, her eyes as clear as spring water, devoid of contempt, filled only with tenderness.

That gaze left her mesmerized, almost blurting out an agreement. But the inner turmoil plunged her into conflict, two warring voices clashing fiercely within her, making her decision waver.

One voice argued: Why forgive her so easily? No matter how much she insulted you, called you annoying, you still clung to her for a whole year! Haven’t you realized she’s not worth your devotion?

The other countered: Her eyes look genuinely sincere, not like she’s lying. Maybe she truly regrets her mistakes. Isn’t reconciliation what you’ve always wanted? It’s finally here—why hesitate?

Jiang Shiyuan watched Pei Xiangwan’s furrowed brow, creased with worry, and the stray green leaf that had fallen into her hair. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she reached out.

Her fingertips plucked the leaf, then released it. The leaf twirled lightly in the air before settling quietly on the ground.

“It’s okay. Let’s just let things unfold naturally. I’ll keep my word, Jiang Jiang.”

Get out of the way, everyone! No one will hurt Jiang Jiang!

Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze locked onto Pei Xiangwan.

“Words are easy to say, aren’t they?”

Pei Xiangwan stepped closer, forcing Jiang Shiyuan to retreat. Xiangwan reached out and gripped her wrist. “Don’t back up—you’ll fall.” She brushed away a tear sliding down Jiang Shiyuan’s cheek with a gentle finger.

“Time will tell, won’t it?” Her smile shone like a brilliant star, radiating a warmth as dazzling as the midday sun, leaving Jiang Shiyuan momentarily spellbound.

The azure sky gradually blended into a warm golden hue, enveloping their figures in a golden glow.

“Let’s walk home together.”

“No need. We’re not going the same way.”

Pei Xiangwan smiled, knowing she would be rejected, but she hadn’t expected such a blunt refusal.

“Not the same way? Aren’t we neighbors?” Jiang Shiyuan ignored her and continued walking, maintaining a subtle distance between them as they moved forward, one behind the other.

The lingering rays of dusk stretched their shadows long across the ground.

Jiang Shiyuan occasionally glanced back, unaware that Pei Xiangwan had noticed her furtive glances.

Pei Xiangwan found the gesture endearing, her lips curving into a smile. “Afraid I’ll get lost? Don’t worry, I won’t disappear.”

Jiang Shiyuan glared at her. “No, I’m not!” She quickened her pace, snapping fiercely, “It would be better if you did get lost!”

Pei Xiangwan remained silent, continuing to follow. Jiang Shiyuan couldn’t take it anymore and whirled around. “Why do you keep following me?”

She shrugged. “No one’s following us.” She glanced behind her to make sure. “See? No one.”

Jiang Shiyuan pointed at her. “I’m talking about you! Why are you following me? Your car’s right behind us!”

Pei Xiangwan’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Want to join me, little fairy?”

Jiang Shiyuan huffed, her face flushed with mock indignation. “I! Do! Not!”

As Pei Xiangwan watched the other woman’s retreating figure fade into the distance, the smile vanished from her face. She slid into her car and gently massaged her forehead.

She needed to adjust to this body—and to its family and social connections.

She vaguely remembered the original Pei Xiangwan as cheerful and from a happy family.

How had she suddenly become so volatile?

Pei Xiangwan drove to Lanming Bay. As she parked in front of her villa, her gaze drifted to the mansion across the street. A familiar figure paced by the entrance, head bowed, lips moving slightly as if muttering to herself.

Jiang Shiyuan remained completely unaware of the eyes fixed on her. Her mind was preoccupied with the thought that Pei Xiangwan should have returned by now. Why hadn’t she seen her yet?

The golden sky gradually deepened into a deep blue, and the lights inside the house glowed like stars, illuminating the night. Clusters of blooming roses climbed the railings, their white and pink petals interspersed with a few crimson blooms. Scattered petals lay on the ground, crushed under Jiang Shiyuan’s restless feet as she paced back and forth.

“Waiting for me, little fairy?”

Jiang Shiyuan recognized the familiar voice and looked up. She saw Pei Xiangwan leaning against the car window, head tilted, waving slightly in greeting.

“I wasn’t waiting for you. I was feeding the stray cats,” Jiang Shiyuan retorted, her voice confident as she faced Pei Xiangwan. But as she turned away, her guilt surged, and she quickened her pace.

“My darling daughter is just too adorable!”

The car pulled into the garage, and Pei Xiangwan entered the villa. The ceiling resembled an exquisite web spun from golden silk by a spider, with crystal chandeliers suspended within the intricate mesh, casting flickering candlelight-like patterns across the room.

The housekeeper immediately rushed forward to take her belongings. Pei Xiangwan nodded. “Thank you.”

Aunt Zhang hung up Pei Xiangwan’s coat, smiling. “You’re too polite, Miss.”

Pei Xiangwan sat down, watching the hurried movements of the servants as they scurried back and forth like refugees, carefully placing dishes on the table.

This must be Aunt Zhang, the punching bag from the novel, she thought.

Whenever Aunt Zhang mentioned that Pei Xiangwan’s parents couldn’t make it home for dinner due to work, Xiang Wan would lose control. With crimson eyes, she would violently overturn the entire table of delicacies, screaming hysterically, “Not again! Not again! Get out! Get out!”

Every mention of her parents became a day of torment for Aunt Zhang.

Pei Xiangwan’s gaze was as deep and still as a bottomless pool, showing no trace of emotion. Yet it sent shivers down Aunt Zhang’s spine, making her voice tremble as she stammered, “M-Miss, the Mr. and Mrs. today… today…”

Hearing her stammering, Pei Xiangwan smiled gently and replied, “I understand.” She glanced at the appetizing dishes on the table. Who in their right mind would refuse such a delicious meal?

“Aunt Zhang, your cooking is excellent.”

Aunt Zhang’s face was a mask of disbelief. The young lady hadn’t lost her temper today and had even praised her! She quickly responded, “Thank you, Miss.”

“I’m finished, Aunt Zhang. I really enjoyed the meal today. Thank you for your hard work.” With that, she went upstairs.

Aunt Zhang stood frozen in place, her mind reeling. Was that really the young lady? That radiant smile… she couldn’t even remember how long it had been since she’d last seen it. She only vaguely recalled that it had vanished a very, very long time ago…