After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 3

Night quietly descended, the stars glittering like countless jewels scattered across the dark velvet of the sky, transforming the night into a dreamlike spectacle.

Jiang Shiyuan rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the starry expanse through the window. After a long while, she pulled a thick notebook from her drawer, opened it, and began to write:

July 4th: She spoke to me…

Jiang Shiyuan slapped her cheek in disbelief, the sting confirming that this was real.

Will Wanwan speak to me again tomorrow? This feels like a dream, too surreal to be true.

“Ouch, ouch! I’ve got a stiff neck! My neck hurts so much!” Pei Xiangwan rubbed her stiff neck, trying to ease the pain.

Adjusting to the new environment was proving challenging. Last night, she had devised a plan to successfully approach Jiang Shiyuan and prevent her from being hurt by that 渣女 again.

She put on the school’s custom uniform: a white shirt emblazoned with the school’s unique emblem and a red striped tie.

Looking in the mirror, her face remained unchanged. She had half-expected her appearance to transform, like in those novels.

Pei Xiangwan scrutinized herself in the mirror, thinking, It doesn’t matter, my face is still as beautiful as ever!

Aunt Zhang, seeing Pei Xiangwan come downstairs, greeted her with a warm smile. “Miss, breakfast is ready.”

Pei Xiangwan tried to nod, but the sharp pain in her neck made her gasp. “Hiss~”

Aunt Zhang, concerned, rushed over. “What’s wrong, Miss? Where does it hurt? If you’re not feeling well, we should…”

“It’s nothing, just a stiff neck. It’ll be fine in a few days,” Pei Xiangwan waved her hand dismissively.

She sat at the table, eating her sandwich, but Aunt Zhang still looked worried. “Miss, why don’t I give you a massage? It might help.”

“No need, no need.”

Eager to run into Jiang Shiyuan, Pei Xiangwan ate her breakfast much faster than usual. She hurriedly gulped down a mouthful of milk, grabbed her bag, and strode to the door.

The moment she opened it, her eyes met those of the person standing across the hall. The little fox seemed frozen in place, as if someone had pressed the pause button.

Pei Xiangwan slowly descended the steps, closing the distance between them. A radiant smile bloomed on her face. “Playing statue? Or were you waiting for me?”

Jiang Shiyuan’s doughy face flushed pink, transforming into a soft, mochi-like strawberry snow skin mooncake. Her fox-like eyes, always brimming with tears, held little intimidation even when glaring at Pei Xiangwan.

“I… I wasn’t waiting for you! Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Shi Bao! How much longer are you going to dawdle? You’ve been dragging your feet for half an hour already! Do you want to be late?”

Exposed on the spot, Jiang Shiyuan lowered her head, so absorbed in her embarrassment that she didn’t even notice Pei Xiangwan approaching. All she wanted was to crawl into a hole and disappear.

“So you were waiting for me!”

Pei Xiangwan’s gentle voice, carrying the fragrance of gardenias, drifted toward Jiang Shiyuan. By the time she looked up, Pei Xiangwan was already standing before her, a head taller. Jiang Shiyuan tilted her head back to gaze up at her.

“This girl, why won’t she just say yes!”

Jiang Shiyuan’s mother, Yu Wei, opened the door, ready to speak, but froze at the sight before her. The words vanished back into her throat.

They’ve made up! They’re even holding hands!

Hearing the door open, the two girls turned to see Yu Wei beaming with an aunt-like smile. “Carry on, carry on,” she said.

“Good morning, Auntie!” Pei Xiangwan greeted with a radiant smile, as bright as the warm spring sun.

Yu Wei’s smile widened. “Good morning, Wanwan! You’ve changed.” She’s turned back into my little sunshine…

A flicker of panic flashed in Pei Xiangwan’s eyes, but it quickly vanished. “What do you mean, changed?” she asked, though her heart was pounding with fear of being discovered as an imposter. Sweat beaded on her palms.

“You’ve become even cuter! You’re both going to be late for school. Why don’t you and Shi Bao go together, Wanwan? What do you say?”

Jiang Shiyuan blurted out, “Mom! She has a car.”

Pei Xiangwan ruffled Jiang Shiyuan’s hair. “That sounds lovely! I’d love to take Shi Bao to school too!” I’ve been wanting to pet this little fox for ages. It feels so nice!

Jiang Shiyuan’s cheeks flushed at the touch on her head, leaving her speechless. As if possessed, she found herself sitting in the back seat with Pei Xiangwan.

Leaning back against the car seat, Pei Xiangwan couldn’t suppress a grin. I’m such a clever girl! Now I can take my darling daughter to and from school every day and deepen our bond.

Jiang Shiyuan turned to look at Pei Xiangwan. “What’s so funny?”

Pei Xiangwan feigned mystery. “I’m not telling you.”

“Hmph, I don’t want to know anyway.”

Jiang Shiyuan turned her head away, the lush green shadows of trees flashing past the car window. In this colorless black-and-white world, it was the only splash of color.

This is enough, she thought. I don’t need much. The corners of her lips lifted in a smile so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

As they reached the school gate, Jiang Shiyuan unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle. But her hand was caught in a warm grip, melting her ice-cracked heart in an instant and nurturing a new, vibrant crimson heart in its place.

A single touch, a word, a gesture—it could stir her heart or shatter her completely, leaving her open to ridicule.

She knew better than anyone that this was all an act. The person before her had personally fed her a rainbow-colored candy, letting her become addicted before pushing her into the abyss and watching indifferently as the cycle repeated endlessly.

The fortress she had built crumbled automatically at Pei Xiangwan’s approach. Jiang Shiyuan tried to pull her hand away from the tight grip, but she couldn’t bear to. She could only stare blankly at that hand.

“Wait, wait, wait! Don’t open it yet!” Pei Xiangwan said hurriedly. She jumped out of the car, ran around to the other side, and opened Jiang Shiyuan’s door.

“Come on out, little fairy.”

Jiang Shiyuan didn’t reply. Pei Xiangwan shielded her head with her hand to prevent her from bumping it.

Their intimate gestures drew the attention of other students.

A girl whispered to her friend, “Aren’t they supposed to be mortal enemies? Every time Pei Xiangwan looks at Jiang Shiyuan, it’s like she wants to kill her. How come she’s opening the car door for her now and smiling so happily?” She rubbed her eyes, unable to believe what she was seeing.

“I’ve gotten used to it after last night. Didn’t you see the forum? They were hugging yesterday, and Pei Xiangwan was the one who initiated it! I was there!”

Jiang Shiyuan felt like every passing student was staring at them. She quickened her pace, eager to escape the gazes.

Pei Xiangwan grabbed her finger. Jiang Shiyuan glanced down at her captured index finger, gently wiggled it, and let it slide across Pei Xiangwan’s palm.

At that moment, a voice as gentle as a clear spring washed away all the noise and distractions, flowing softly into the depths of her heart.

Pei Xiangwan, noticing Jiang Shiyuan staring blankly at their hands, said, “Wait for me after class. We’ll go home together.”

Seeing that Jiang Shiyuan still hadn’t looked up, Pei Xiangwan reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. “Did you hear me?”

Jiang Shiyuan’s amber eyes glowed, her rosy lips parted slightly, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. Her voice sounded unnatural as she replied, “I… I heard you.”

A single touch was enough to make her heart run wild.

Pei Xiangwan looked unconvinced. “Then tell me, what did I say?”

“You said…” Jiang Shiyuan couldn’t answer. Her attention had been completely focused on that hand and the gentle voice, leaving her utterly oblivious to Pei Xiangwan’s words.

Pei Xiangwan raised her hand and tapped Jiang Shiyuan’s forehead a few times, then smiled warmly.

“You know, if you didn’t hear me, just say so. Why pretend?”

Jiang Shiyuan grabbed the finger on her forehead, frowning and pouting, clearly annoyed. “Mind your own business!”

She flung the finger away, looking like a ruffled little fox, and turned abruptly, leaving behind her huffy silhouette.

Pei Xiangwan waved at Jiang Shiyuan’s retreating figure. “Remember to wait for me after class! We’ll walk home together!”

“No way! Go home by yourself!” Jiang Shiyuan glared back at her before quickening her pace and stomping away.

When Pei Xiangwan arrived at the classroom, Qiao Yanxin had already saved her a seat and waved her over.

Pei Xiangwan slumped into her chair, burying her face in her arms and listlessly running her fingers through her hair. I’m doomed! she thought miserably. I know absolutely nothing about design. I’ll have to start from scratch.

She had been so preoccupied with planning how to save Jiang Shiyuan that she’d forgotten she was the one in hot water.

Pei Xiangwan knew almost nothing about the original owner of her body. She despised emotionally unstable people and had always skipped over any information about “Pei Xiangwan.” All she knew was that the original owner was set to inherit her family’s luxury goods conglomerate.

If she were put in charge now, the company would likely collapse within months.

Qiao Yanxin nudged Pei Xiangwan with her elbow and whispered, “What’s wrong? Did Jiang Shiyuan kick you out?”