After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 21

Pei Xiangwan unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Jiang Shiyuan. “Don’t wait for me after school, Jiang Jiang. Qiao Yanxin and I have some things to take care of, so I won’t be riding back with you today.”

“I see.” She’s going back to that place again.

Jiang Shiyuan’s aura was terrifyingly cold. Though she smiled, her smile felt like it could flay someone alive.

Assuming Jiang Shiyuan was upset about not going home together, Pei Xiangwan reassured her, “I’ll bring you something nice tonight. I’m off now. You should head home too. Bye-bye-bye-bye!”

Something nice? I shouldn’t get my hopes up… I shouldn’t start thinking Pei Xiangwan has changed.

They parted beneath the shade of their usual tree, each walking in opposite directions, growing further and further apart… until only the lush sycamore remained, its green leaves rustling in the wind.

“Help… Why is she here? Isn’t she supposed to be studying fashion design? I’m going crazy.”

“Me too. She always has this weird smell about her.”

“Probably just the stench of poverty.”

The mocking laughter and belittling whispers pressed down on her like a heavy boulder, forcing her head to droop. Ma Wanqing could only stare at her worn shoes, wondering how long they had accompanied her.

Is it true that talent alone isn’t enough in this world? If no one sees it, what’s the point? But with money and status, anything is attainable, and no one dares criticize you. As for me? I’ll always have endless stairs to climb and dreams I can never realize.

“What is she even looking for… Will she ever have friends?”

“Probably just others like her—disgusting.”

The short stretch of road felt like an eternity. It was as if she had been walking for a day, a year, countless years. She couldn’t escape; how could she?

The whispers were her greatest fear. She felt their gazes piercing through her, their laughter mocking her. Her resistance only intensified their cruelty.

She had reached the place the person had mentioned, but this was hurting her. The one who had saved her would become like her.

Ma Wanqing stopped, wanting to give up. But the voice she couldn’t forget echoed in her mind.

“Oh! You found it! Are you here to see me?” Pei Xiangwan heard the commotion outside and came out with Qiao Yanxin to investigate.

The earlier jeers and gawking crowd vanished as if they had never existed. Not a sound remained. Some worried whether Pei Xiangwan had overheard their earlier remarks, but no one paid any attention to Ma Wanqing.

“Y-yes…” Ma Wanqing kept her head bowed, as if she lacked the spine to ever look up.

Trembling, she handed Pei Xiangwan the school uniform jacket from her bag. The uniform had been meticulously cleaned, and even the bag itself was the best one her family owned.

“Thank you for this,” Pei Xiangwan said with a smile as she accepted the bag. “You’re welcome, but it’s really me who should be thanking you for bringing it all the way up here.”

No one had ever thanked Ma Wanqing before—not even her own family. She looked up in stunned disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.

The next moment, Pei Xiangwan’s smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression that seemed on the verge of anger. Ma Wanqing grew frightened, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.

Pei Xiangwan shouted at the lingering crowd.

“What are you staring at? Haven’t you had enough? I’m one of you, satisfied? Stop spreading rumors and read a book for once. Are you doctors? All you talk about is infectious diseases and filth.”

Pei Xiangwan couldn’t stand these sneering, self-centered, and self-righteous people.

The crowd scattered in terror at her outburst, fleeing as if from a disaster, each running faster than the last. Only one girl remained, arms crossed, her face twisted in disdain.

“She’s just a low-class person. Even if she’s not sick, her fingernails are disgusting. Her very existence is a mistake.”

“And Pei Xiangwan, you have even less right to help anyone.”

She advanced step by step, her brow furrowing in disgust as she saw Ma Wanqing blocking her path.

“Get out of my way.”

Ma Wanqing’s legs seemed to have lost all control, rooted to the spot. She couldn’t move them; they no longer felt like her own. Qiao Yanxin, assessing the situation, quickly tugged at Ma Wanqing’s sleeve, pulling her aside.

Though the girl tilted her head back to look up at Pei Xiangwan, who stood a head taller, she showed no fear.

The girl glanced at Ma Wanqing, who stood frozen like a headless goose, then turned back to Pei Xiangwan.

“Pei Xiangwan, you’re even filthier than her.”

Pei Xiangwan was utterly bewildered. Is this girl crazy? Why is she cursing me the moment we meet?

The girl’s exquisite features were twisted into a frown, as if she were glaring at a heinous criminal or a heartless betrayer. Flames seemed to flicker in her round, almond-shaped eyes, and a small mole dotted the tip of her delicate nose, lending her an air of sweet, icy beauty.

Pei Xiangwan scanned her memories, but couldn’t place the girl. Who is she? We’ve never even crossed paths.

“Do I know you?”

The question infuriated the girl, shocking Qiao Yanxin, who was watching the drama unfold. Has Pei Xiangwan’s brain been kicked by a donkey? She can’t even remember her ex-girlfriend!

Then again, Pei Xiangwan changed girlfriends faster than she changed clothes. Forgetting one was hardly surprising, especially since the girl she truly loved hadn’t returned to the country yet.

“Pei Xiangwan, you’re such a scumbag!” The girl raised her hand to slap Pei Xiangwan, but before she could strike, a teacher’s booming voice cut through the air.

“What are you all staring at?! Why are you crowding around here?! Disperse! Disperse!”

The girl spat, “You’ll regret this,” and turned to leave.

“Psycho,” Pei Xiangwan muttered, watching her retreating figure.

Pei Xiangwan continued to call out to Ma Wanqing, “Hey, are you okay? It’s all over now. Don’t be scared.”

Ma Wanqing nodded, but her head remained bowed.

Pei Xiangwan extended her hand. “We should get to know each other properly. I’m Pei Xiangwan. What’s your name? You haven’t told me yet.”

Ma Wanqing clenched her fists, hesitating to respond. Pei Xiangwan didn’t withdraw her hand, understanding that this would take time.

Qiao Yanxin tugged at Pei Xiangwan’s sleeve and whispered urgently, “Are you crazy?! What are you doing?”

“Guess.”

For Pei Xiangwan, it was only a few minutes, but for Ma Wanqing, even that brief time felt like an agonizing ordeal. As if finally steeling her resolve, she slowly raised her hand, the movement making her resemble a sloth. Ma Wanqing briefly touched the tip of Pei Xiangwan’s index finger before immediately withdrawing.

“I… Ma Wan…qing… Class is starting… I have to go… Goodbye,” she stammered hurriedly, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito buzzing in one’s ear.

Pei Xiangwan didn’t stop her, as Ma Wanqing had already taken a large step forward. Pei Xiangwan had previously investigated Ma Wanqing and discovered she was a true genius, possessing unique talent in both design and conceptual thinking.

Those hands were a symbol of craftsmanship, something every design student should recognize. Yet no one praised or acknowledged her. Human nature is terrifying; they couldn’t tolerate someone like her existing.

Those hands were undeniably captivating. Though her classmates disliked her, her teachers adored her. She was always eager to learn, and her unique creations only grew more remarkable with each lesson. Who wouldn’t admire that?

“You’re insane, Pei Xiangwan! Oh my god, you’ve gone crazy since getting back together with Jiang Shiyuan! Waaah, you’re going to start acting foolish again!” Qiao Yanxin circled Pei Xiangwan incessantly, like a moth drawn to a flame.

Exasperated by the incessant commotion, Pei Xiangwan shouted, “Stop! What are you doing? What does getting back together with Jiang Jiang have to do with me acting foolish?”