Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 12

Shi Zhimiao didn’t reveal on camera what specific crimes Lu Lin had committed to warrant his arrest, but she assured everyone they would find out after filming wrapped.

Tang Wuyun only knew that Lu Lin was morally bankrupt, involved in all sorts of shady dealings behind the scenes. However, none of those offenses seemed serious enough to land him in jail. Clearly, there was more to the story than she knew.

While inwardly gloating over Lu Lin’s misfortune, Tang Wuyun reached out to snatch the paper from Shi Zhimiao’s hand.

She planned to read the clues and leave immediately, determined to isolate herself from the group once again.

With a swift twist of her arm, Shi Zhimiao ruthlessly elbowed Tang Wuyun aside.

“What’s with all of you? Are you all hyperactive or something? What’s the rush?” Shi Zhimiao nearly cursed aloud. Why are my teammates all like this?

Tang Wuyun recoiled in pain, obediently withdrawing her hand and craning her neck to peer at the paper instead.

Four heads huddled together.

Some Whispers Carried by the Wind

“Hey? Are they wearing armor? This manor is full of strange people.”

“Dr. Carey recklessly brought students into Ephemeral Manor! I’ve lost contact with my students! I must find them! Damn you, Carey!”

“Where do you come from?”

“Wow, mechs! Wow, ancient costumes! Wow! It’s a giant cosplay convention!”

“What’s this ‘2002’? It’s clearly New Stellar Era 1153!”

“Dr. Carey, I met Ms. Anrenia! She said we’ve been missing for a year, but we only entered the manor ten minutes ago!”

“Only those tainted by time can perceive Ephemeral Manor’s existence!”

Completely bewildered, the four women straightened up simultaneously, exchanging puzzled glances.

Tang Wuyun blinked several times.

“So this is Ephemeral Manor?”

Initially, the card had simply read “XXX Manor,” and she’d assumed the production team hadn’t bothered to name it, deeming it unimportant.

Shi Shuwu nodded thoughtfully. A fragment of the story’s background had emerged: the manor’s inhabitants likely hailed from various time periods, all tainted by temporal corruption.

Which era do we students, who came here with our teacher, belong to? And are we really just ordinary students and teachers?

Suppressing her doubts for the moment, Shi Shuwu scanned the surroundings before suddenly asking Zhang Rui, “Why haven’t your teammates arrived yet?”

Zhang Rui was in the process of removing her utterly despised “Little Fool” watch. She found the device utterly ridiculous, its sensitivity to keywords so extreme that at least two out of every five messages were censored.

After snapping a clear photo of the clue, she casually replied, “Oh, because I didn’t call them.”

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

Since they weren’t on the same team, the group refrained from discussing the clues aloud, each silently pondering their implications.

Zhang Rui didn’t linger. After confirming she hadn’t missed any clues, she tactfully left.

Tang Wuyun reviewed the clues several times to ensure she had memorized them all before preparing to leave.

She intended to explore alone.

Seeing Shi Zhimiao post photos of her clues in the group chat, Shi Shuwu also shared a picture of the card she had obtained.

Upon seeing the card, Shi Zhimiao echoed Tang Wuyun’s earlier exclamation:

“Your luck is truly remarkable!”

Shi Shuwu’s expression brightened, and she nodded happily, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Tang Wuyun, standing nearby, let out a dismissive “hmph,” spoiling the mood.

She said coolly, “I’m leaving first. We should split up to find clues; it’ll be more efficient.”

“Wait!” Shi Shuwu grabbed her arm.

Tang Wuyun’s brow furrowed. With a twist of her wrist, she easily broke free from Shi Shuwu’s grip, her tone sharp as she demanded, “Why are you always following me?”

Was Shi Shuwu oblivious to their awkward relationship, or what?

Tang Wuyun was genuinely annoyed. It was as if someone had pressed a “follow” button on Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu’s expression went blank for a moment. Having grown accustomed to Tang Wuyun’s friendly and approachable demeanor with others, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of hurt at this impatient rebuke.

The atmosphere hung heavy for a few seconds.

Shi Shuwu didn’t try to hide her dejected mood. Her voice muffled, she explained, “I have an idea, but if you don’t want to hear it, just leave.”

Tang Wuyun clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into her palms. She struggled to suppress her pity for Shi Shuwu and to avoid condemning herself for her earlier harshness.

Seeing Shi Shuwu in such a state tormented her. The conflict within her felt unbearable.

Shi Zhimiao frowned, puzzled by Tang Wuyun’s behavior. This is really strange. Doesn’t Tang Wuyun like Shi Shuwu? Why is she acting like this?

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Shi Zhimiao broke the awkward silence.

“We’re still filming the show. Can’t you two talk properly?” She first offered a mild rebuke to Tang Wuyun, then quickly turned to Shi Shuwu, picking up her thread and steering the conversation away from the conflict. “What’s your idea? Tell us about it.”

Shi Zhimiao felt bitter. I’m a CEO, for goodness’ sake! A CEO! And here I am, mediating between these two star-crossed lovers.

Shi Shuwu temporarily pushed aside her frustration and resentment, turning her back to Tang Wuyun and Shi Zhimiao as she spoke.

“Your treasure chest is bigger and more conspicuous than mine. We could put some fake clues inside.”

Shi Zhimiao’s eyes lit up, and without a moment’s hesitation, she agreed with Shi Shuwu’s plan. “Great idea! Let’s do it!”

Finding clues was crucial, but disrupting their opponents was equally vital.

In the next instant, she was already brainstorming what kind of misleading information they should plant.

Tang Wuyun lowered her head, tapping the ground with the toe of her shoe, her peripheral vision stealing glances at Shi Shuwu beside her, her thoughts unreadable.

Shi Shuwu tapped her finger on the treasure chest lid, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“We can stage a scene like before—’finding’ this chest in front of others, then feigning a struggle. Finally, we’ll offer a deal: trade the fake information inside for their real clues, or demand they temporarily refrain from using their items against our group.”

A win-win situation.

Shi Zhimiao’s eyes shone brighter, as if she had just been granted a divine revelation. Is this heaven?!

Tang Wuyun, who had been listening silently, couldn’t help but nod inwardly in admiration. Brilliant! Her eyes sparkled with excitement. This is fun! I want to play this way!

Shi Zhimiao clapped Shi Shuwu on the shoulder, her smile radiant. “How are you just as wickedly clever as Wuyun?” she exclaimed, unable to resist the compliment.

Tang Wuyun: Huh?

Hello? Who are you calling wicked?

I’m right here!

Shi Zhimiao’s perception of Shi Shuwu was similar to Lu Ya’s—both had been shaped by Tang Wuyun’s earlier praise. Now, even more so, it was clear Shi Shuwu was truly remarkable.

Hearing the praise, Shi Shuwu struggled to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Suddenly, she adopted a deeply dejected tone and said, “Originally, I wanted to use Tang Wuyun as bait. After all, everyone’s targeting her, so anyone who tries to steal the treasure chest from her would be sure to fall for the trap. Unfortunately, she refused. But it doesn’t matter. It’s still a treasure chest—everyone wants one.”

Shi Shuwu was certain Tang Wuyun couldn’t pull off this plan alone. She knew that apart from a few newcomers, no one present would be willing to reason with Tang Wuyun. They’d have to play the “tough cop” role to make it work.

Tang Wuyun, whose name had been called out, instinctively hunched her shoulders and gripped the soles of her shoes with her toes, feeling terribly embarrassed. So, I was just being presumptuous again, she thought.

Tang Wuyun’s face tightened, and she lowered her head, awkwardly picking at her fingers while silently grumbling to herself about Shi Shuwu’s sarcastic tone.

Shi Zhimiao found Shi Shuwu’s method particularly effective. The universally disliked Tang Wuyun only needed to stand there, and someone would inevitably want to kick her. Using her as bait was perfect.

The only problem was Tang Wuyun’s rebellious streak.

Shi Zhimiao clicked her tongue at the defiant Tang Wuyun and deliberately said, “Forget it, let’s not bring her.”

She refused to believe that Tang Wuyun, who always craved attention, would be uninterested in this.

Tang Wuyun’s hand-picking at her fingers paused. She stole a glance at Shi Shuwu, who was stubbornly facing away from her.

She awkwardly insisted, “Ahem, since you’re begging me, I’ll reluctantly agree.”

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

The urge to slap Tang Wuyun’s hand grew even stronger.

Shi Shuwu ruthlessly exposed her: “Get real. No one else wants to hang out with you.”

Shi Zhimiao couldn’t help but snort with laughter, thoroughly amused.

Shi Shuwu’s words were so satisfying to hear—they left her feeling utterly refreshed.

Feeling guilty, Tang Wuyun suppressed her urge to retort. She really hated listening to Shi Shuwu!