After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 35

“Yes,” Pei Xiangwan replied firmly.

Lin Su sauntered forward, her eyes brimming with disdain. “Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe we should call a professional.” Her tone dripped with dismissiveness, as if Pei Xiangwan’s actions were utterly foolish.

Pei Xiangwan frowned. “For something this small? Why would we need to call anyone?”

Lin Su said nothing more, merely muttering, “Fine,” and falling silent. She refused to get her hands dirty with the foul-smelling filth; simply being in this place was already her limit.

Pei Xiangwan’s heart pounded with urgency. She wrenched open the lid, and the kitten’s cries grew more frantic, as if it were about to give up. Its trembling paws tore at Pei Xiangwan’s heart, and she felt the weight of its helpless wails. Without hesitation, she reached in, her fingers already coated in sticky grime. Only one thought echoed in her mind: Almost there, almost there, just a little further.

Pei Xiangwan’s hand closed around the kitten’s tiny body. So small, she thought, thank goodness it’s okay.

Jiang Shiyuan’s heart surged and plummeted in rhythm with Pei Xiangwan’s movements. She watched silently, her emotions rising and falling in perfect sync with the other woman’s actions.

She watched Pei Xiangwan’s expression shift from an initial frown of concern to a radiant smile, a joy as if she had saved not just a tiny animal, but the entire world.

Pei Xiangwan could smell the kitten’s pungent, complex odor—acrid and overwhelming. But she was dirty herself, so it didn’t matter.

As Pei Xiangwan carefully lifted the kitten into her arms, moonlight bathed her in a gentle glow.

The air seemed to freeze, with only the kitten’s cries echoing through the night sky like a poignant melody. Pei Xiangwan lowered her gaze to the tiny life cradled in her arms, her eyes glistening with tears of tenderness and warmth.

“Jiang Jiang, give me the clothes,” she said softly. The kitten continued to cry hoarsely, its small body trembling.

She took the clothes Jiang Shiyuan offered and wrapped the kitten snugly, leaving only its head exposed for breathing. Two black paw prints now adorned Pei Xiangwan’s white T-shirt, like badges of gratitude bestowed by the kitten.

As the cat drew closer, the stench hit Lin Su full force, making her gag uncontrollably. She stumbled backward, clutching her nose.

“What do we do with the cat now?”

Pei Xiangwan, too lazy to deal with this scumbag, suppressed her anger and said, “Of course I’ll take it to the vet. What else would I do? I can handle it myself.” She stood up with some difficulty, her legs numb from kneeling.

The kitten mewed in her arms as she began to walk forward.

“I’ll go with you, Wanwan,” Jiang Shiyuan said, stepping forward to take Pei Xiangwan’s wrist.

Lin Su grabbed Jiang Shiyuan’s arm. “Pei Xiangwan said she could go alone. There might be more cats here. We should stay and keep searching.”

Jiang Shiyuan shook off Lin Su’s hand, smiling softly. “I’m worried about Wanwan. Sister Lin, you should go back first. We can continue searching tomorrow.” Her voice was as gentle as the night breeze, yet carried an undeniable firmness, like the brightest star in the night sky, radiating a warm, unwavering light.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, moonlight filtering through the branches to dapple the ground.

Jiang Shiyuan left with that beam of light. The wind howled, branches swayed violently, and the surroundings were pitch-black. Deep within the darkness, a monstrous maw opened, hungry to devour everything in its path.

Lin Su burst into laughter. In the darkness, her face was invisible, leaving only her eerie, ghostly laughter echoing through the night.

She loathed those who lived easy lives, yet she was drawn to their innocent charm—a charm as pure and white as blank paper, driving her to madness with the urge to splatter that pristine surface with black ink.

Once started, there would be no end.

“Jiang Jiang, what are you doing here?” Pei Xiangwan turned to Jiang Shiyuan, noticing her attempt to approach. Absolutely not. Pei Xiangwan reeked of sewage, not to mention the incessantly mewing kitten in her arms.

The combined stench of cat and woman was overwhelming. Pei Xiangwan quickly backed away. “Don’t come closer! Stay back, Jiang Jiang.”

The Little Fox froze, but whether it was Pei Xiangwan’s fierce expression or her raised voice, the halted creature’s eyes turned red, and tears welled up. “Why are you pushing me away again?” she whimpered, her voice thick with hurt. “Is it wrong for me to be near you now?”

Pei Xiangwan stamped her foot in frustration. “That’s not it! I stink! You’re so clean and fragrant—you’ll get dirty if you stay close!” The kitten in her arms continued to mew incessantly, while the Little Fox sobbed. Pei Xiangwan didn’t know what to do. Maybe I should just chop myself in half, she thought wildly. That way, I wouldn’t have to panic and stomp around, and it would solve both problems at once.

“Don’t cry, sweetie. I really can’t wipe your tears right now.” She freed one hand, palm open and grimy.

“See? Let’s go. If we linger any longer, I’ll be completely marinated.” Her voice was full of affection, without a trace of impatience.

Jiang Shiyuan followed closely behind. “Okay, but I don’t mind you being dirty.”

“I know, but I don’t want that. I want Jiang Jiang to stay just as she is now, forever.”

How could a noble white swan soil her feathers? I’ll handle everything.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Jiang Shiyuan stepped forward and gripped Pei Xiangwan’s arm. She had a feeling that if she didn’t hold on tight, Pei Xiangwan would run away, to a place she could never find.

Jiang Shiyuan’s grip tightened, leaving a deep red mark on Pei Xiangwan’s skin. She wanted to tear her apart right then and there. Why must I wait until she loves me? The kitten’s piercing meow snapped Jiang Shiyuan back to reality.

“Jiang Jiang, I don’t mean anything bad. I want your future to be even better than now—just like this, where no one can control you and you can rule everything. Even if no one else supports you, I will.”

At least she wouldn’t leave now. As for the future… she’d worry about that later.

Jiang Shiyuan’s heart was a mix of emotions. She was touched, not just because she liked Pei Xiangwan, but more because she needed someone who understood her, who sensed her emotional fluctuations. It meant someone cared about her.

If Pei Xiangwan was devoted to that pure white camellia, Jiang Shiyuan could shed her fiery red and dazzling brilliance.

She had never stopped moving forward. As a child, she had been a delicate white camellia, constantly dripping with dewdrops that flowed endlessly from her petals.

But that was no longer the case. She had changed. She was now a red camellia, no longer needing protection. Though outwardly beautiful and delicate, she was far from harmless.

Yet, if Pei Xiangwan truly wanted it, it wasn’t impossible.

“Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang, there’s a pet hospital here! Let’s go in!” Pei Xiangwan exclaimed excitedly upon spotting the clinic.

“Okay,” Jiang Shiyuan replied.

As soon as they entered, the distinctive smell of the hospital filled the air. The doctor emerged to investigate, only to find a strikingly beautiful woman holding a kitten, her gaze sweeping over the doctor’s entire frame. Though her sportswear appeared ordinary, its price tag was far beyond what most people could afford.

“What seems to be the problem?” the doctor asked.

Pei Xiangwan quickly interjected, “I rescued this kitten from a sewer. Doctor, could you examine it and check for any illnesses or injuries?”

“Of course,” the doctor replied.

Pei Xiangwan carried the cat inside for the doctor to examine. She went to the restroom to wash off the grime that had dried on her hands, leaving rings of tiny black circles. Despite repeated washing, the foul odor lingered—the sewer’s stench was stubbornly persistent. She hoped that taking a thorough bath later would finally get rid of it.

Jiang Shiyuan sat quietly on a chair, waiting for the results. Even her most ordinary movements drew the attention of the few people in the clinic.

She took out her phone and typed a few words, startling Chen Cheng so badly that she leaped off her warm seat, pacing frantically like a monkey in a zoo.

Chen Cheng, oblivious to the danger, glanced at the screen again. The two characters were perfectly normal when used by others, but utterly ominous coming from her boss.

Chen Cheng.

Oh my god, this is terrifying! Every time the boss singles me out on WeChat, nothing good ever comes of it. Chen Cheng made a “V” sign with her fingers, desperately trying to recall if she had exceeded her targets.

Another notification popped up, and Chen Cheng frantically grabbed her phone from the table.

Meeting tomorrow.

Well, the little workhorse’s life was as good as over.

Under the dim yellow light, the spacious living room felt particularly heavy. Meng Yuan held a unique teacup in her hand, its pattern simple and understated.

There was no gold trim, only a delicate waterfall motif. The cup’s interior and exterior were both deep blue, as if concealing boundless depths of meaning.

She carefully blew on the rim of the cup, causing ripples to spread across the surface, mirroring the turbulent emotions churning within her.

Meng Yuan took a small sip of tea, then set the cup down, her gaze slowly shifting to Ning Xuemo, who was kneeling on the floor.

At that moment, Ning Xuemo’s face was pale, her legs trembling slightly.

“Xuemo,” Meng Yuan began, her voice tinged with sorrow, “I remember telling you how difficult it was for me to get where I am today. Raising you and giving you a good life was even harder.” She let out a mournful laugh.

Leaning back, the red jade and green gemstone pendant dangling from her earlobe swayed, the cold jade brushing against her cheek like an icy teardrop.

Meng Yuan felt no pain at that moment. Love was the easiest thing in the world to influence people. Only by discarding love could one achieve a better life. She had done it, but her daughter could not.

“Shouldn’t you focus on more important things? I’ve told you before, love is the least worthwhile thing to pursue. It’s utterly meaningless.”

Ning Xuemo gritted her teeth, her legs numb from kneeling. Her fingers dug into her thighs, as if this could alleviate the fury burning within her.

“No! Mother, you’re wrong! Love does have meaning!” Her voice shattered the stillness of the living room, raw with despair and defiance.

Ning Xuemo’s anguished cry drew a mocking laugh from Meng Yuan. “Really? From what I understand, Jiang Shiyuan doesn’t even like you. Why insist on clinging to this? I know you too well, Xuemo. I’ve already given you so many beautiful things.”

Meng Yuan gently stroked the rim of her teacup, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. She glanced at the servant standing in the corner and said casually, “It’s cold. Bring me a fresh cup.” The servant responded swiftly, her expression impassive, as if this were a routine request.

Meng Yuan’s gaze toward Ning Xuemo was utterly devoid of warmth, as if she were staring at a lifeless object. Yet even lifeless objects had their uses, and it was clear that Ning Xuemo, to her, counted as a useful one.

Meng Yuan leaned down, her fingertips gliding lightly across Ning Xuemo’s cheek with a hint of contempt.

“Xuemo,” she murmured, “you resemble that useless wretch, but don’t inherit any of her flaws.” Her laughter echoed through the dim room like the whisper of a vengeful ghost, sending a chill down the spine.

Outside the window, the night deepened, moonlight filtering through the curtains to cast a soft, yet lonely glow across the floor.

Meng Yuan stared at Ning Xuemo, a flicker of complex emotion crossing her eyes before being quickly masked by cold indifference.

“And you must understand,” Meng Yuan continued, her voice like the rustling of autumn leaves, a bone-chilling cold spreading through the air. “I can have a daughter, or I can have none at all.”

In the silent living room, the tangled threads of love and hatred continued to intertwine. Meng Yuan’s coldness formed an invisible cage, trapping Ning Xuemo within its confines. Her struggles seemed futile and desperate.