All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 40

Morning came before dawn, lights flickering on in students’ homes. Northern winter days broke late and darkened early. As a college exam candidate, Beixia’s school required 7 a.m. arrival. Her window’s light glowed at 6.

Stuffing books into her bag, Beixia dressed and washed her face. Passing the living room to the kitchen for water, she saw, as expected, dishes piled in the sink.

Beixia washed them.

Zhou Xi stirred, groggy.

Waking, she felt disoriented, clutching blankets, unwilling to rise. Hearing faint sounds, remembering she had to drive Beixia, she forced herself up, grabbing a thin blanket to wrap around herself. Her nightgown’s strap slipped off her shoulder, cotton slippers dragging. Yawning, she shuffled to the living room, grumbling, “You woke up and didn’t call me? Almost overslept again.”

Seeing Beixia tidying the kitchen, Zhou Xi yawned, directing, “Eat breakfast before going. Food’s in the fridge, heat it. I’ll change.”

She swayed, worrying Beixia she’d walk into a wall, eyes half-closed.

Luckily, though sluggish, Zhou Xi made it to the bathroom.

Beixia took food from the fridge—stocked with semi-prepared and ready meals, unaware when Zhou Xi refilled it. She heated buns and milk in the microwave. Zhou Xi, splashing her face, shivered from the cold water, fully awake.

The old gas heater warmed slowly, chilling her during morning washes or after the bathroom. Zhou Xi planned to replace it—winter was too long for this misery.

Everything needed money. Sighing, she resolved to prepare for today’s TV station interview and start a side hustle, or she couldn’t afford Beixia’s pocket money.

Other kids had it; Beixia would too!

Clenching her fist, Zhou Xi’s heart blazed.

Dressed, she entered the living room. Beixia had heated breakfast, waiting instead of eating. Zhou Xi, in a good morning mood, smiled, “Morning.”

“Morning.” Beixia nodded, pushing money on the table as Zhou Xi sat, whispering, “I don’t need this.”

Zhou Xi’s eyes widened—her pocket money for Beixia.

Frowning, she sternly said, “Elders give, you don’t refuse. Didn’t you learn that?”

Beixia eyed Zhou Xi’s youthful face, hardly an “elder.” Her personality didn’t fit either.

Unaware of Beixia’s inner jab, Zhou Xi insisted it was pocket money, pushing it back, “Since I took you in, I’ll cover all your expenses, including monthly allowance.”

Girls needed things to buy. Zhou Xi wanted Beixia free to spend, make friends.

Beixia, eyeing the money, asked softly, “Isn’t your money tight?”

Zhou Xi’s eyes widened, oddly thinking, “Is Beixia refusing because she worries I’m broke?”

Grinning, she ruffled Beixia’s neat hair, “Not your concern.” Seeing Beixia’s gaze, she rubbed her head again, laughing, “Relax, I can afford this.”

Beixia looked at the money. Zhou Xi nudged it closer, “If you live with me, don’t return it.”

Beixia took it.

After breakfast, time was close. Zhou Xi drove Beixia to school, dropping her at the gate, opening the window, “Don’t agree to anything your teacher says today. If there’s an issue, have her call me. You have my number.”

Beixia nodded. Zhou Xi, curious, asked, “I didn’t give you my number, did I? How’d you know?”

Beixia glanced at the windshield’s parking contact sticker.

Following her gaze, Zhou Xi paused, then laughed, “Pretty smart.”

Beixia’s face hid in her scarf, muffled, “I’m going.”

Zhou Xi waved, smiling, “I’ll pick you for lunch. Don’t forget.”

Beixia nodded, blending into the crowd entering school.

Watching her vanish, Zhou Xi drove to the Education Bureau, dropped her letter in the complaint box, checked the TV station’s route, and headed for her interview.

For today’s interview, Zhou Xi wore light makeup, hair up, in a professional three-piece suit—blazer, trousers, coat, and scarf. Parking, she checked the time—fifteen minutes early, perfect.

Carrying her documents and laptop bag, she registered at the entrance, took the elevator to the TV station’s HR department.

Monday mornings at the station were hectic. Zhou Xi’s interview was for a traffic radio planner-director role. Arriving, HR had just finished a morning meeting. Asking for the HR manager’s office, she knocked, standing poised, “Hello, I’m Zhou Xi, here for today’s interview. Are you free?”

HR manager Guan Fang looked up, struck by Zhou Xi’s presence. Beauty always caught attention. Standing, she said, “You’re Zhou Xi? I’m free.” Noting the time, Zhou Xi was ten minutes early—a punctual person.

Zhou Xi shook Guan Fang’s hand. Guan Fang smiled, inviting her to sit.

Zhou Xi handed over her resume, sitting across from Guan Fang’s desk.

Guan Fang skimmed it, already familiar from Zhou Xi’s application. She asked, “Your resume says you’re from Z City, previously a listed company’s new media manager. With your talent, Z City offers better prospects. Why return?”

Sitting straight, Zhou Xi smiled, “You’re right, new media has more potential in Z City, but my dream isn’t new media. I want to be a planner-director, eventually creating my own show.”

Guan Fang nodded, smiling.

She asked, “Your previous salary was likely higher. What are your thoughts?”

Zhou Xi deflected, “If your company values me, I’m sure we’ll agree on a satisfactory salary.”

Guan Fang laughed, asking, “Do you have past work or project materials? If possible, provide a copy for our internal discussion.”

At this stage, Zhou Xi sensed approval.

Opening her laptop, she showed Guan Fang non-confidential projects, highlighting successful ones with strong data. Guan Fang copied the materials, and they chatted amicably before Zhou Xi left.

Leaving the station, Zhou Xi felt confident about the job. Guan Fang explained the vacancy— the previous planner-director was promoted, leaving the role open. If hired, Zhou Xi would start there, potentially planning her own show after learning the station’s workflow.

Exhaling, her breath puffed white mist.

Checking the time, still early, Zhou Xi found a nearby café, ordered coffee, and considered her side hustle.

Yesterday, she thought about starting a new media video channel, but editing required time and energy she wouldn’t have after joining the station. Writing the complaint letter sparked an idea—columnist.

A columnist only needed to write, focusing on parenting, family, and exam prep.

The system’s book list and online columns she read while researching e-books inspired her. Learning to be a good guardian, why not turn those insights into articles for a column? It could bring income.

Acting fast, Zhou Xi compared platforms, chose the best fit, registered, and picked “Xia Li” as her columnist name.

Done, she checked the time, closed her laptop, packed a small cake from the café, and went to pick Beixia for lunch.

Unable to cook, she’d make do with eating out.

At noon dismissal, Beixia packed slowly. Her deskmate, for once, didn’t rush to the cafeteria, hesitating, watching Beixia tidy her desk. She asked softly, “Did you know all the answers on yesterday’s math paper?”

No wonder she hesitated. Today, the math teacher collected homework, checked completion, then lectured. Her deskmate, weak in basics, zoned out, unable to follow. She assumed Beixia was the same—both bottom-ranked. But Beixia listened intently, as if understanding. Glancing at her paper, her deskmate didn’t notice at first, then realized, eyes wide—Beixia’s multiple-choice answers were all correct!

Swearing, she sat beside Beixia, who hadn’t altered answers. Written in pen, no erasures. Distracted, she couldn’t follow the lecture but caught the answers. Checking Beixia’s paper, every question was right. She saw Beixia write it last night—no corrections. A pen left marks if changed.

After class, she studied Beixia’s paper closely—no alterations. Shocked, it was like Mars hitting Earth, a new species discovered. Was Beixia pretending to be weak?

Thinking back, Beixia often skipped homework, slept in class, yet answered correctly when called on. Thought to be luck, now it was clear—she knew the answers!

Why?

Her deskmate, puzzled, wanted Beixia to explain.

She asked, watching Beixia push her chair and leave.

Leave…

Deskmate: !?

Chasing, she called, “Beixia, wait!”

Beixia didn’t want to answer Wu Huimin’s question. Could she say her neglect was self-abandonment? Good grades—who cared? Her aunt wished she’d fail college exams, drop out, work, sparing her fees.

Tightening her bag’s straps, only Zhou Xi, that fool, barged in, saying she’d raise her.

Beixia thought Zhou Xi expected her to achieve, like her parents, to become useful to society.

Wu Huimin chased, chattering. Beixia stayed silent. At the gate, Wu asked, “Not eating at the cafeteria?” Assuming Beixia was headed there.

A black car’s window opened, waving. Beixia saw Zhou Xi, telling Wu Huimin, “My guardian’s here.” She walked off.

Wu Huimin watched Beixia enter the pretty woman’s car, jaw dropping.

Guardian? That stunning woman was Beixia’s guardian?

Dazed, she went to the cafeteria. Late, only scraps remained. Taking a random serving, she ate, thinking—Beixia was pretty, small face, delicate fingers, pale skin, just lacking color. Compared to Cui Lin, popular with boys for her generosity, Beixia seemed prettier, just low-key, head down, lost in thoughts, out of place.

Was Beixia rising now?

Eating, Wu Huimin realized—if the top struggler improved, was she next? Her inner self cried. No! She’d try too!

In the car, Zhou Xi handed Beixia the cake, “Hungry? Snack first.”

Beixia eyed the cake on her lap, opening the bag, glancing at it but not eating, looking at Zhou Xi. Zhou Xi, driving, didn’t notice.

Today’s Zhou Xi was stunning, Beixia thought earlier.

Made up, carefully dressed, like for a date, but her coat hid formal attire, more like business.

Smiling, Zhou Xi asked, “Saw you with a classmate. Your friend?”

No, Beixia thought, but saying so seemed too aloof.

People called her weird. She didn’t want Zhou Xi to think that. Normal people had friends; she didn’t. Softly, she hummed.

Zhou Xi groaned, “Should’ve gotten out to greet your friend.”

Why? They’re outsiders, Beixia thought, hearing Zhou Xi say, “I don’t know what you’re like at school. Wanna hear your friend talk about you.”

Zhou Xi cared about her? Beixia felt warmth, whispering, “What do you want to know? I’ll tell you.”

Zhou Xi, awkward, laughed, “Who gets info from the person themselves?”

Beixia: “It’s fine.”

Zhou Xi didn’t ask. They reached the restaurant.

Ordering two dishes and soup, Zhou Xi saw Beixia’s uneaten cake, “Not eating? Not your taste?”

Beixia shook her head, opened the box, offering Zhou Xi a fork to share.

Touched, Zhou Xi realized Beixia waited to share.

Taking the fork, they ate the small cake quickly. Zhou Xi set it down; Beixia pushed hot water over. Zhou Xi found Beixia so thoughtful—her kid knew how to care.

Thinking of herself at that age… Zhou Xi froze. No memories.

Pressing her temple, frowning, what was this? Why no past memories?

“Zhou Xi?” Beixia’s voice came distantly. Zhou Xi looked up, seeing her worried gaze, “You okay?”

Zhou Xi smiled, brushing it off, “Call me sister.” Shaking her head, “Nothing, just tired.”

Food arrived. They ate. Zhou Xi called the system, “System, why don’t I have past memories?”

The system’s flat voice replied, “Host requested to seal past memories with points.”

What? She did?

Oddly, Zhou Xi asked, “Can they come back?”

System: “Wrong passphrase, can’t unlock.”

A passphrase?

Zhou Xi tried common numbers—none worked. Why seal her memories?

Eating, deep in thought, Beixia noticed her distraction.

“Work tough today?” Beixia asked, usually quiet, listening while Zhou Xi talked.

Her voice snapped Zhou Xi back, surprised, “How’d you know I worked?”

Beixia said, “You got up early.”

“To drive you,” Zhou Xi laughed, curious what else Beixia would say.

“Your clothes, different from usual.”

Zhou Xi looked down—more formal.

She grinned, “Sharp kid.”

Beixia’s brows furrowed at “kid,” a slight ripple on her smooth skin, fading like waves.

She disliked Zhou Xi calling her “kid,” as if splitting them into adult and child worlds.

The adult world held what? The child’s, only passivity.

Beixia longed to grow up fast.

Zhou Xi served her food, talking work, “I interviewed today, a bit tiring, but I like it. It’s challenging. I might not always pick you up, or be home daytime. Thinking of hiring a nanny to cook, clean. What do you think?”

Not home? A stranger in the house?

Beixia caught those points. Head down, it was Zhou Xi’s home—she had no say. But a third person invading their space unsettled her. As a child, she pleaded softly, “Sister, no nanny?” Her sharp chin lifted, eyes pleading, fear clear, “I can do chores, cook. You’re only gone daytime—I’m at school. I’ll eat at the cafeteria. Don’t worry. If you’re hungry at night, I’ll cook. I worry about strangers.”

Zhou Xi hadn’t expected refusal, caught off guard, but said, “Exams are coming. Focus on studies. I’m an adult, I’ll manage. I just worry about you, not caring for you well.”

Studying parenting books, nutrition mattered for exam students. Zhou Xi could handle clothing, shelter, travel, but food stumped her. She could only cook noodles—not daily.

“Sister, no,” Beixia bit her lip, “You’re already caring well.”

Respecting her wishes, Zhou Xi relented, “We’ll try. If it doesn’t work, I’m getting a nanny.”

Beixia smiled, sweet enough to stun Zhou Xi.

“Thank you, sister.”

This kid.

Zhou Xi oddly felt the joy of nurturing.

Zhou Xi: Raising a daughter feels great.