Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 13

When people are up to no good, they seem to have endless energy, undeterred by hardship or fatigue.

Tang Wuyun rolled up her pants and waded into the stream, bending over to search the water with meticulous care. Passing guests stopped to watch, intrigued.

They weren’t fools. If Tang Wuyun had taken off her shoes and stepped in, there must be something valuable hidden beneath the surface. Their eyes scanned the water, searching for clues, and some had already removed their shoes and begun rolling up their pants.

This was Tang Wuyun’s fourth scam. The previous three, with Shi Shuwu and the others acting as accomplices, had been remarkably successful.

Feeling her performance had reached its peak, Tang Wuyun straightened up, feigning exhaustion. She paused to rest, then casually glanced to the side. Her eyes lit up, her expression instantly shifting to surprise and delight.

Lu Ya’s face turned serious. She immediately understood and followed Tang Wuyun’s gaze inch by inch. Her vision wasn’t poor; a bronze treasure chest quickly came into view.

Before Tang Wuyun could even take a step, several people had already sprinted toward the chest, splashing through the water. Lu Ya led the charge.

“Doesn’t it hurt your feet?” Tang Wuyun asked, her eyes widening. The bottom was covered in sharp rocks.

She was suffering inwardly, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she immediately “rushed” toward the treasure chest, gritting her teeth against the pain to keep up the act.

Shi Zhimiao stood on the bamboo raft at the shore, inwardly marveling at Tang Wuyun’s increasingly polished performance.

Hidden in the shadows, Shi Shuwu observed with admiration. She longed to join Tang Wuyun in the water and play her part, but it wasn’t her turn yet.

Seeing Lu Ya sprinting through the water, Tang Wuyun couldn’t help but call out, “Lu Ya Ya, don’t run! Be careful you don’t get hurt!”

Some of the rocks in the water were sharp and could easily cut feet.

Lu Ya ignored her warning and only sped up.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Fortunately, Tang Wuyun was only two meters from the treasure chest. With quick reflexes, she grabbed it.

“I’ve got it now,” she announced, deliberately emphasizing their numerical advantage to imply it was up for grabs. “Even if there are more of you, don’t think you can take it.”

With that, Tang Wuyun glanced at Shi Zhimiao, who was relaxing on the bamboo raft, and nodded toward her. “Besides, I have a teammate.”

The others in the water had already stopped moving when they saw Tang Wuyun’s actions, their attention now focused on Shi Zhimiao, who sat comfortably on the bamboo raft, enjoying fruit with a blissful expression.

This guy looks like he’s here on vacation, even making Tang Wuyun do all the work.

Lu Ya remained unmoved. Her group of three—Qiao Mian and Jiang Wenfei were with her—subtly surrounded Tang Wuyun.

“Want to team up? We’ll share information,” Lu Ya said, turning to Luo Xiting, who was alone. Luo Xiting was on the same team as Zhang Rui, but currently, she was the only one present.

Luo Xiting agreed immediately without hesitation. Alone, she stood no chance, so this was the perfect opportunity.

The four of them cornered Tang Wuyun in the water.

Tang Wuyun found herself in a bind, unable to advance or retreat.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s helpless expression, the four felt a surge of satisfaction. Why does this feel so good?

Lu Ya crossed her arms, propped one foot on a nearby boulder, and smirked down at Tang Wuyun with a cruel grin.

“Be smart and hand over the treasure chest now!”

Qiao Mian lifted her chin. “Yeah, hand it over!”

Tang Wuyun’s forehead creased with annoyance. Are they really putting on this ridiculous act for me?

The four of them genuinely resembled the petty thugs who used to shake down students for protection money outside school gates.

Shi Shuwu, who had been hiding nearby and witnessing the entire scene, could only stare in disbelief. Is this the magic of reality TV? Turning everyone into childish fools?

Shi Zhimiao resisted the urge to facepalm. How can someone be even more dramatic than Tang Wuyun? Does this really feel good?

Tang Wuyun subtly hid the treasure chest behind her back, remaining silent but making her refusal clear through her actions.

After a few seconds of troubled thought, Tang Wuyun suddenly turned to Luo Xiting. “Xiting-jie, let’s team up! We can do 3v3. Our groups have already collaborated twice—Xiao Rui must have told you about it.”

Indeed, the first time was when Zhang Rui discovered the treasure chest with a genuine clue, and the second time was when Tang Wuyun’s group “gifted” them a fake clue.

As their “loyal customer,” Tang Wuyun’s best move was to target Luo Xiting. Once she made her “loyal customer” feel comfortable, it would be even easier to manipulate him later.

Sure enough, Luo Xiting’s expression visibly wavered.

Luo Xiting was torn. She had initially harbored some resentment toward Tang Wuyun, but Tang Wuyun had just called her “sister”—a term Luo Xiting found utterly irresistible.

Sensing her hesitation, Tang Wuyun immediately pressed her advantage. “Xiting-jie, aren’t you worried they’ll just grab the box and run?”

Tang Wuyun knew exactly how Luo Xiting would react; she was deliberately playing on her vanity.

Lu Ya rolled her eyes at Tang Wuyun, her tone sharp. “What 3v3? Look at Miaomiao—does she look like she wants to help?”

Lu Ya’s words jolted the wavering Luo Xiting. She glanced at Shi Zhimiao, who nodded silently, her meaning unmistakable.

Just as Luo Xiting was about to make up her mind, Shi Shuwu reappeared, Ji Mingyin at her side.

“What’s going on here?” Shi Shuwu asked, her expression bewildered as she approached.

Tang Wuyun straightened her back, a smug grin spreading across her face. “Oh, look who’s here! Our team’s finally complete!”

Turning to Luo Xiting, she raised an eyebrow triumphantly. “Xiting-jie, have you decided yet?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Luo Xiting switched sides instantly.

She took two steps to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Tang Wuyun, declaring with righteous indignation, “What are you talking about? Our groups have cooperated twice already. Of course we’re going to help you!”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

The others: “……”

Sister, you’re not even pretending anymore!

The situation instantly froze into a tense stalemate.

Only Ji Mingyin, completely unaware of the scheme, remained slightly confused. But she could clearly see that the other groups were trying to snatch the treasure chest from Tang Wuyun. Their intentions were obvious.

Without hesitation, she rolled up her pants legs, kicked off her shoes, and called to Shi Shuwu beside her, “Quick, let’s get in too!”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

We’ve already reached the final stage of the act. There’s no need to actually go in the water!

Shi Shuwu opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. What do I do when the kid is so easily fooled? They had only just met, and she hadn’t had a chance to explain their plan to Ji Mingyin.

They hadn’t discussed it on their watches earlier, intending to explain in person. Keeping Ji Mingyin in the dark would prevent her from accidentally revealing the scheme and might even confuse their opponents.

“The water’s cold. You should come out first,” Shi Zhimiao interjected, trying to smooth things over. She turned to Lu Ya, who looked utterly frustrated, and began playing the “good cop.”

“Wuyun, why are you arguing with them? Let’s just have all three groups look at the clue together. Sister Pei’s group isn’t here anyway, so we won’t be at a disadvantage.”

This was their true objective: to trick as many groups as possible with false information. This way, both their “loyal customers” would be satisfied, and the “new customers” wouldn’t feel cheated.

Everyone turned to Tang Wuyun, the only one who seemed “aggrieved,” and unanimously approved the plan with satisfaction.

Tang Wuyun struggled to maintain a stoic expression, trying to appear cold and ruthless while subtly conveying a hint of resentment toward Shi Zhimiao. In reality, her heart was bursting with joy.

This is too much fun! Tang Wuyun thought, laughing inwardly. Shi Shuwu is a genius!

Receiving Tang Wuyun’s approving glance, Shi Shuwu’s smile brightened, her face radiating pride. I knew Tang Wuyun couldn’t resist praising me! she thought. Her earlier hostility must have had a reason.

Shi Shuwu easily forgave Tang Wuyun’s inexplicable behavior once again.

As Tang Wuyun approached, Shi Shuwu couldn’t resist saying, “You really are sick.” She nodded to herself with an air of understanding.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Enraged, Tang Wuyun gritted her teeth. “Can you swallow that ‘I’m sick’ nonsense back down! Don’t mention it again!”

Shi Shuwu nodded obediently. “Okay, I’m sorry.”

I shouldn’t have said that, she thought. It was thoughtless and didn’t consider Tang Wuyun’s feelings. My mistake.

Tang Wuyun was further infuriated by Shi Shuwu’s earnest demeanor.

She actually listened! Tang Wuyun fumed. Why am I so annoyed?!

Tan Qingyu could never have imagined that Shi Shuwu, whose words could choke a person, would reserve her full talent for infuriating others solely for Tang Wuyun.