Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 22

Tang Wuyun’s own audacity terrified her, her palms sweating profusely, yet she forced herself to maintain a calm facade.

Perhaps Pei Yinxi’s generosity had emboldened her, causing her to become recklessly overconfident.

She had acted so impulsively—how could she have dared to do that to Shi Shuwu?!

Tang Wuyun mentally screamed for help, barely daring to breathe.

Shi Shuwu stood frozen, stunned by Tang Wuyun’s actions. She unconsciously swallowed, her long lashes blinking slowly. Whether it was her own racing heart or Tang Wuyun’s, the pounding rhythm reverberated like thunder in her ears.

The atmosphere solidified in that moment.

Shi Shuwu felt both shocked and absurd.

How could this be happening?

How could Tang Wuyun be so unreasonable?

Did she really have to let Tang Wuyun kiss her to prove herself?

Even in this utterly irrational situation, Shi Shuwu remained considerate of Tang Wuyun’s feelings, fearing she might react violently. Instead of forcefully pushing her away, she gently placed her hand over Tang Wuyun’s lips.

“Tang Wuyun, aren’t you being completely unreasonable?” Shi Shuwu voiced her frustration. “Do you really need to resort to this to believe me?”

“But why?”

What had she done wrong? Why should she have to make Tang Wuyun believe her, only to have her first kiss given away in a daze?

Tang Wuyun seized the opportunity to retreat.

Her gaze was complex as she stared at Shi Shuwu.

This is truly different, so different. The rift between us is too deep.

Tang Wuyun finally believed it: this was the Shi Shuwu she loved.

But if that were the case…

Tang Wuyun’s pupils trembled imperceptibly. She could hardly bear to recall what she had done, nor could she believe it.

At that moment, Tang Wuyun felt herself on the verge of collapse.

Instead of answering Shi Shuwu’s question, she forced herself to appear calm and asked earnestly, “Why did you come?”

Shi Shuwu clenched the hand that had touched Tang Wuyun’s lips, her voice trembling with barely suppressed fury. “Why shouldn’t I come? If they can ask you for explanations, why can’t I? Why should I be left in the dark, misunderstood by you?”

“Why can you talk to them properly, but not to me?”

“We were supposed to be…”

“Because we can’t be friends anymore,” Tang Wuyun said, her voice dry.

She took another step back, widening the distance between them, and turned her head away, unable to face Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu’s mind went blank for a moment before Tang Wuyun spoke again.

“I believe you now. You don’t hate me, and I understand I misunderstood you.”

“I’m sorry.”

Tang Wuyun knew her actions today had been excessive toward Shi Shuwu. She was acutely aware of her own wrongdoing in this matter, torn between conflicting feelings.

The atmosphere fell silent once more.

Shi Shuwu’s brow furrowed slightly. This had been her goal all along—to clear up Tang Wuyun’s misunderstanding. Yet now that the misunderstanding was resolved, she found herself strangely unhappy.

Finally, Tang Wuyun couldn’t bear the tension any longer.

“I’m just a friend to you, not that important. I’m surprised you’d come looking for me under these circumstances,” she said, her voice calm but lacking conviction, the usual sharp edge gone.

Tang Wuyun clenched her palm, finally voicing the question that had been weighing on her: “But have you considered how we should interact now that the misunderstanding is cleared up?”

The truth was, she had once liked Shi Shuwu, which made friendship impossible.

Facing Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun couldn’t bring herself to say the word “like.” Instead, she avoided the term and analyzed the situation with her.

Her surprise at Shi Shuwu’s appearance on the variety show stemmed from this very reason. Didn’t Shi Shuwu understand this?

Tang Wuyun’s logic was simple: Shi Shuwu had no reason to come here and suffer. If she was angry, she could have found an opportunity to scold her.

But Shi Shuwu was acting strangely. She clearly wasn’t angry; she simply wanted to clarify the misunderstanding. Yet choosing this critical moment to film a variety show—wasn’t that just inviting trouble?

Was it worth sacrificing so much for a misunderstanding?

And what would happen after it was cleared up?

Shi Shuwu lowered her gaze, growing even more silent.

She knew this would happen.

Luo Zhuo had asked her the same question. She had deliberately avoided thinking about it, focusing only on clarifying the misunderstanding first, deliberately evading the issue.

Shi Shuwu couldn’t help but resent Tang Wuyun’s impulsive Weibo post. Why did she have to say it? Wouldn’t it have been better to keep it to herself?

Realizing her thoughts were somewhat irrational, Shi Shuwu stopped avoiding the issue.

Apart from being lovers, there truly seemed no other possibility for her and Tang Wuyun.

And even that option was now off the table, since Tang Wuyun had only liked her in the past.

There was no need for them to have any further contact.

Shi Shuwu lowered her head and sighed heavily.

“You’re right.”

Tang Wuyun, who had been desperately searching Shi Shuwu’s face for any glimmer of hope, felt as if her heart had been stabbed by those words.

It’s over.

Right, right, right—bullshit! What part of what she said was right?!

A maelstrom of conflicting emotions churned within Tang Wuyun. She felt like she was about to split into two separate personalities.

Her remaining rationality urged her to maintain some dignity, to appear composed and analyze the situation calmly with Shi Shuwu.

But inside, she was crumbling, desperate to die. This was all her fault!

Tang Wuyun couldn’t imagine how to salvage this situation.

What now? She regretted speaking the moment the words left her mouth. Why did she have to cling to her pride? Wouldn’t it have been better to play dumb along with Shi Shuwu?

Tang Wuyun discreetly pinched her thigh. Acting so composed! How could you act so composed? Why didn’t you just pretend to be dead?

Now look what you’ve done!

It was her own ridiculous pride that prevented her from playing dumb.

How could someone as conflicted as me even exist in this world?!

Shi Shuwu was at a loss for what to do. Her thoughts were in utter disarray, and she didn’t even notice Tang Wuyun’s subtle movements.

Perhaps because she had never dealt with such a profound issue before, Shi Shuwu now felt completely overwhelmed.

Was Tang Wuyun really just an unimportant friend to me?

All she knew was that she didn’t want to lose Tang Wuyun as a friend, yet she had no reason to keep her.

At that moment, both women’s hearts were entangled in remarkably synchronized complexity.

This problem is truly impossible to solve.

But standing there in awkward confrontation wasn’t getting them anywhere. The tension between them grew palpable.

Tang Wuyun simply retreated into her practiced state of detachment.

Shi Shuwu licked her dry lips and suddenly spoke, “So, we’ve cleared up the misunderstanding. But does that mean I have to forgive you just because you apologized?”

Tang Wuyun’s mind went blank. “…Huh? Oh, right. You’re right, that makes sense.”

But now…

As both women struggled with their inner turmoil, Shi Zhimiao’s voice shattered their tense standoff.

“Tang Wuyun!”

Shi Zhimiao shouted through gritted teeth at the figure hiding in the corner.

She was practically speechless with fury. How long has it been since I restarted the broadcast, and these two are already trending again?!

Tang Wuyun’s consciousness trembled. She peeked out from the corner, meeting the gaze of those eyes that seemed to want to obliterate her on the spot. For some reason, she felt inexplicably guilty.

“What’s going on?” she blurted out.

Seriously? Couldn’t you have just sent a private message?

If you have questions, wait your turn! There are plenty of people here. What’s with cutting in line?

I only offer one-on-one service.

Shi Shuwu, looking visibly uncomfortable, stepped out from beside her.

She had nothing more to say to Tang Wuyun.

Shi Zhimiao glanced at Shi Shuwu, then repeatedly at their mouths. Whether it was her imagination or not, the more she looked, the more convinced she became that they had kissed.

She took a deep breath. “Do you realize you’re live on air right now?”

The livestream had crashed completely because of them and was still being frantically restored.

Tang Wuyun tilted her head, noticing the several heads peeking out from behind the corner. Good grief, what’s happening? Why is everyone here to watch my humiliation?

Shi Shuwu, less concerned with the drama, nodded. “Yes, we know. Should we head upstairs now?”

She asked about the procedure with remarkable thoughtfulness and professionalism.

Shi Zhimiao gritted her teeth. “You knew you were live and still dared to kiss?”

The words burned like acid on her tongue, twisting her face into a grimace as she spat them out.

Tang Wuyun nearly jumped out of her skin. She instinctively raised her hand to cover her mouth, then hastily lowered it, waving her hands frantically. “I didn’t!”

Shi Shuwu’s gaze involuntarily shifted away.

She hadn’t blushed when Tang Wuyun’s face had been pressed close to hers, but now that they’d been publicly exposed, her cheeks suddenly flushed crimson and burned with heat.

She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, and shook her head. “Ahem, there’s really nothing going on. Are you misunderstanding?”

Beside her, Tang Wuyun’s small face was flushed with panic. “Kissing?! We didn’t kiss!”

Lu Ya shouted from the corner, “Stop pretending!”

Zhang Rui: “There’s a photo!”

Luo Xiting: “The truth is out!”

Tang Wuyun refused to believe it. This was utter nonsense!

Shi Shuwu also wanted to deny it, but the scene between her and Tang Wuyun earlier, if captured on camera, would be difficult to explain. Moreover, given everyone’s unwavering conviction, the so-called “photo” might be a cleverly angled shot that created the illusion of a kiss.

Thus, only Tang Wuyun stubbornly denied the “facts,” while Shi Shuwu lacked the confidence to refute them.

But Tang Wuyun’s stubbornness shattered completely the moment the screenshot from the live broadcast appeared on the screen upstairs.

Shi Shuwu stared in disbelief at the large screen in the hall, prominently displayed before the crowd.

The screen showed a carefully cropped screenshot from the video: a shot of her and Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun: “!”

Shi Shuwu: “!”

So everyone had been watching the live broadcast the whole time?

So…

Tang Wuyun once again considered moving to another planet.

Now Shi Shuwu shared that thought.

It was all Tang Wuyun’s fault! Why did she have to do it like that?!

Shi Shuwu felt an overwhelming urge to strangle Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun didn’t dare look Shi Shuwu in the face.

Fourteen people sat in the brightly lit hall, every single one of them staring at the two protagonists who had crashed the live broadcast.

Their gossipy gazes carried a hint of mockery.

Someone suddenly blurted out, “So we’ve been filming a romance show all along?”

As soon as the words were spoken, the group seemed to be released from a pause button, their pent-up excitement erupting.

Luo Xiting was the first to chime in, “I’m kind of shipping them now.”

Ji Mingyin was practically vibrating with excitement. “Ahhh, my OTP is finally real!”

Lu Ya ran to Tang Wuyun and shook her arm. “Quick, tell us! Who made the first move?”

Qiao Mian’s eyes lit up. “Since the broadcast is still down, could you two just kiss again for no reason? Just for us to watch?”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Could they at least be a little discreet about saying these things to her and Tang Wuyun’s faces?!

Where’s the manners?!

Her legs felt like lead as she shuffled behind Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun was all too familiar with this kind of situation. So, it’s still Tang Wuyun’s fault, huh? She felt like she was dying inside.

Shi Shuwu’s expression and actions were enough to convince everyone present that something was going on between them.

Tang Wuyun’s scalp tingled with dread. Now I’m in so deep, even jumping into the Yellow River won’t wash this away.

She felt like she was suffocating.

“I hate you boundaryless freaks!” Tang Wuyun snapped.

Zhang Rui clicked her tongue. “Alright, alright. Just enjoy your secret romance while it lasts. Remember to keep it PG during the live stream.”

This torrent of accusations nearly drove Tang Wuyun to despair. “We’re not dating! Nothing’s happening!”

Shi Shuwu, unable to play dead any longer, quickly chimed in, “That’s right, we’re not. We just exchanged a few words earlier. The scene on the screen is a misunderstanding.”

They had parted ways earlier, yet these people were already assuming they were dating? Is this even fair?

Bai Jin remained skeptical, pointing at the live stream footage. “Look at yourselves! Do you even believe your own excuses?”

Tang Wuyun closed her eyes and reflexively threw another punch. I really deserve to die.

She had severely underestimated Shi Shuwu’s intentions.

Ignoring Tang Wuyun’s outburst, Shi Shuwu earnestly explained to everyone, “That was just a shadow. We didn’t actually kiss. I blocked it.”

Tang Wuyun: “……!”

Is that even an explanation?!

As expected, the others’ gazes toward them became even more ambiguous.

They had known from the start that Tang Wuyun’s initial denial was a misunderstanding, given how flustered she had been.

But everyone had been deliberately teasing them, otherwise they wouldn’t have joked about it so publicly.

So the truth was… they had actually wanted to kiss but hadn’t managed to?

Tang Wuyun’s breath caught in her chest, and she whirled around in exasperation.

“Can you—!” Her voice rose in panic, but when she met Shi Shuwu’s gaze, her confidence faltered. Her voice softened instantly, and she said stiffly, “Can you… just… stop talking?”

Please, just stop talking.

Shi Shuwu’s words were enough to drive her mad!

She never seemed to consider Tang Wuyun’s feelings at all!

Shi Shuwu belatedly raised a hand to cover her mouth.

Pei Yinxi, seeing the two women practically steaming with frustration, decided to mediate.

“Alright, alright, if they say they didn’t kiss, then they didn’t. We’re filming a show here.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Tang Wuyun felt like she was about to cry.

Sister, your words don’t exactly sound like you believe me either.

Shi Zhimiao interjected smoothly, “The director will remind us when the live stream starts. You two…”

She paused, then waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind. Whatever.”

After that kiss, nothing could possibly be more explosive.

Shi Shuwu was speechless.

She felt like Tang Wuyun had completely ruined her.

Tang Wuyun secretly glanced at Shi Shuwu from the corner of her eye.

She’s not angry, is she?

Noticing Tang Wuyun’s cautious gaze, Shi Shuwu was puzzled. Had Tang Wuyun ever acted this way toward her before?

Unbelievable.

But her mood was too low, her thoughts still too chaotic, to bother deciphering Tang Wuyun’s intentions. She simply pretended not to notice and turned away.

As soon as Shi Shuwu left, Tang Wuyun slumped dejectedly toward Pei Yinxi.

Pei Yinxi patted her shoulder in reassurance.

When the live stream resumed, the group had moved outdoors to an open-air barbecue prepared by the production team. Two long tables were pushed together, comfortably seating all sixteen participants.

Tang Wuyun muttered to herself, This really feels like a company team-building event.

To avoid disrupting the group’s dynamic, the production team decided to cancel the live Q&A segment. The live stream display screens in the hall were removed, as anyone could imagine the chaos the comments would have caused.

In contrast to the harmonious atmosphere around the dining table, the live stream chat was a chaotic mess.

Finally, the stream’s back! I’m not going to trash the production team today. They’re amazing!

Absolutely incredible! The production team captured such a bombshell moment! Hahaha!

Ahhh, they’re amazing! My ship is real!

Who still remembers Tang Wuyun saying, “Your ship is fake”?

Are Tang Wuyun’s fangirls already crying their eyes out in the bathroom? (doge.jpg) Your wife has her own wife now~

Your wife kissed her wife! (smirk.jpg)

LOL, you guys really know how to rub salt in the wound.

Why are they sitting so far apart? You could fit a few cows between them! What’s with the distance? Are they trying to avoid suspicion?

That’s just trying too hard! The more they hide, the more obvious it is!

So Shi Shuwu isn’t straight either, right? That makes sense.

Ahhh, my wives!

I genuinely don’t understand you guys. You’re being ridiculous! Shipping everything will only hurt you in the end.

Whose fans are these? Why haven’t they given up yet? I’m at my wit’s end.

Speaking of which, where are the solo stans of these two lovebirds? The chat’s surprisingly peaceful, no arguments at all.

They’re dead. Don’t @ them. Thanks. (smile.jpg)

Tang Wuyun sat beside Pei Yinxi at the corner of the table, feeling safer by her side. Shi Shuwu sat diagonally across from them at the other end of the long table.

Their deliberate separation and obvious tension made the others tactfully refrain from teasing them. Still, everyone secretly wondered what they had discussed earlier, sensing that something was off between them—they hadn’t been like this during the day.

Tang Wuyun chewed on her enoki mushrooms with mechanical disinterest, stealing glances at Shi Shuwu. Noticing Shi Shuwu’s own distracted demeanor, she inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

Their reverie was short-lived, as the production team’s activities forcibly pulled their wandering minds back to the present.

“While everyone’s eating, let’s play a few quick games,” a staff member announced. “The penalty for losing is simple: you’ll have to respond to a randomly selected comment about yourself from our online viewers.”

“Viewers can leave comments on the latest post on the show’s official Weibo account.”

With so many guests, the games were divided into three groups, each playing their own game.

Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu weren’t assigned to the same group.

Tang Wuyun’s group played a ring-pull game with five participants.

In the ring-pull game, each player took turns inserting a playing card into the ring pull of a canned cola. The card would lift the ring pull until it popped open with a hiss, ending the game.

Shi Shuwu’s group played the classic variety show game: guessing the word taped to their forehead.

Tang Wuyun found the games quite interesting, though she would have preferred the punishment wasn’t replying to netizens’ comments.

She didn’t lose the first two rounds. But in the third round, she moved too forcefully while inserting the card, and the moment she lost, her teammates burst into laughter, teasing her with perfect synchronicity.

Zhang Rui immediately brought over a box of crumpled paper balls, her voice dripping with schadenfreude. “Come on, come on! The production team picked out some questions from the comments section for you. Pick one.”

Tang Wuyun nervously grabbed a paper ball, praying the production team hadn’t chosen anything too harsh.

Wife, wife, would your wife mind if you had another wife?

Tang Wuyun stared blankly for several seconds, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Did the production team really just randomly pick questions from the comments? How could they even allow this?

The others crowded around, eager to see what the question was.

Zhang Rui carefully read the question aloud, word by word, catering to the audience’s curiosity.

The crowd struggled to suppress their laughter, trying not to distract Shi Shuwu, who was completely absorbed in the game. The question was far too pointed.

Tang Wuyun’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she felt an inexplicable urge to burrow into a hole. She bit her tongue and forced an awkward smile at the camera. “I don’t have a wife, haha.”

Meanwhile, Shi Shuwu, the person everyone was most interested in, was…

“Is it an idol?” Shi Shuwu asked Lu Ya, pointing to the name above her head.

Her expression was earnest, completely unaffected by the question beside her. Her entire focus remained on the game.

Fine, I can’t be bothered to criticize her, the audience thought.

Just as everyone was losing interest, Shi Shuwu suddenly read Tang Wuyun’s name.

“If it’s an idol… is it Tang Wuyun?”

Lu Ya chuckled and shook her head.

Tang Wuyun glanced over, unable to resist making her presence known. “I haven’t been an idol for years.”

Shi Shuwu glanced at her, offering a flat “Oh” with no discernible emotion in her voice.

Turning back to Lu Ya, her eyes lit up as she tugged on Lu Ya’s arm. “Let’s keep going, let’s keep going!”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Speechless, she realized Shi Shuwu was truly obsessed with the game.

Tang Wuyun was penalized several more times during the game, but the questions she drew weren’t as provocative. The production team was clearly being considerate.

Pei Yinxi was also penalized once, drawing a question that made her teammates’ hearts skip a beat:

Does Sister Pei have plans to date?

Pei Yinxi smiled. “The fan who asked this probably doesn’t know me very well. I’m an idol, after all.”

Just as expected.

Tang Wuyun sighed softly. Her beloved Sister Pei, the industry’s model idol, had blacklisted everyone who had ever confessed to her, claiming they were trying to ruin her career and had impure motives.

Pei Yinxi politely handed the slip of paper back to the staff member.

Under the furtive glances of Tang Wuyun and the others, Pei Yinxi smiled and added, “But I’m thirty now. My era seems to be passing. If I meet someone suitable, I’ll consider it.”

Shi Zhimiao’s eyes lit up for a moment, but the expression of joy quickly faded as she restrained herself.

Tang Wuyun nudged Pei Yinxi disapprovingly. “Sister Pei, thirty is still young!”

At 28, Tang Wuyun still felt like a recent college graduate.

Luo Xiting vehemently protested, “If you think you’re old, then what am I supposed to do? Cry myself to death?”

At thirty-three, she found Pei Yinxi’s words grating.

Pei Yinxi quickly apologized with a smile, busy smoothing things over with the group. She didn’t notice that Tang Wuyun, who had been clinging to her side, had slipped away.

Tang Wuyun stealthily squeezed next to Shi Zhimiao.

Qiao Mian, who had been pushed aside, glared at her irritably.

Tang Wuyun forced a smile. “I came to hang out with you guys and chat with Miaomiao for a bit.”

Qiao Mian clicked her tongue, her pointed gaze shifting to Shi Shuwu, who sat opposite them.

Do you think I’m stupid? Qiao Mian thought. Tang Wuyun has so many excuses. Who she really came to see is anyone’s guess.

Following Qiao Mian’s gaze, Tang Wuyun nervously glanced at Shi Shuwu. Their eyes met briefly before darting away.

Shi Shuwu seemed completely oblivious, turning back to continue her conversation with Lu Ya.

Tang Wuyun felt increasingly frustrated.

How can one person have so many worries?

Before they had truly opened up, Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu could still bicker casually. But after that conversation, the atmosphere between them had completely changed.

So this is what it feels like after the window paper is torn.

Now, Tang Wuyun couldn’t help but steal glances at Shi Shuwu.

During the day, she could manage to push these thoughts aside.

Shi Zhimiao had been putting on a cold act all afternoon, but Tang Wuyun never even approached her.

Originally not particularly angry, she found herself laughing in exasperation.

You said you came to chat, but you’re just sitting there daydreaming?

“Is something on your mind?”

Caught off guard by Shi Zhimiao’s sudden question—and even more surprised that Shi Zhimiao had initiated the conversation—Tang Wuyun snapped back to attention. “Ah, yes, yes! Miaomiao, are you happy today?” Tang Wuyun grinned mischievously, winking at Shi Zhimiao.

With Pei Yinxi and Shi Shuwu having paved the way, Tang Wuyun suddenly felt less afraid of the mess her own death would leave behind. She decided to take the offensive.

Shi Zhimiao scoffed coldly. “What? Are you looking for another chance to mock me?”

Tang Wuyun pressed her index finger and thumb together, making a zipping motion across her lips. “I won’t say a word. I was too forward before, but I wasn’t entirely wrong, was I?”

A significant reason for Shi Zhimiao’s sudden withdrawal from the entertainment industry was something she herself knew all too well. Tang Wuyun had merely pointed it out.

“Get lost,” Shi Zhimiao snapped, refusing to engage further.

“Don’t be so harsh,” Tang Wuyun said, grabbing Shi Zhimiao’s arm and forcefully pulling her closer. She leaned in close, whispering in her ear, “Why all the secrecy? I could actually help you, you know.”

Shi Zhimiao yanked her arm free from Tang Wuyun’s grasp. Seriously, why does everyone keep grabbing me like this?!

Her face remained stony, showing no gratitude whatsoever. “I don’t need your help.”

Had her brain malfunctioned? Had she forgotten how Tang Wuyun had insulted her before?

Tang Wuyun’s words about her not being worthy of Pei Yinxi still rang in her ears.

Believing Tang Wuyun could help her was like believing Pei Yinxi also had feelings for her.

“Three seconds,” Shi Zhimiao said coldly. “Get out of my sight.”

Tang Wuyun, standing beside her, deliberately mimicked her words in a taunting tone: “Giiiive~ you~ three~ seeeconds~”

Shi Zhimiao gritted her teeth and roared, “Tang Wuyun!”

Are you tired of living?!

Tang Wuyun sprang to her feet, edging closer to Pei Yinxi while shouting recklessly, “That’s how tyrannical CEOs are! They never appreciate kindness!”

The others stared in awkward silence.

How did their private conversation devolve into a public argument?

Pei Yinxi was momentarily speechless.

Watching Tang Wuyun scurry back to her side with that shameless grin, Pei Yinxi couldn’t help but feel Tang Wuyun was getting a little too cocky.

Bai Jin, suppressing a laugh, asked the still-fuming Shi Zhimiao, “Is she being a brat again?”

Shi Zhimiao snorted coldly.

Tang Wuyun clearly overheard Bai Jin’s remark. She suddenly bowed ninety degrees to Shi Zhimiao and declared, “Reporting to the CEO, this young lady acknowledges her mistake!”

The sudden burst of internet slang from Tang Wuyun made everyone burst into laughter.

Even Shi Zhimiao, the one being teased, couldn’t suppress a smile. The embarrassment—for Tang Wuyun’s sake—completely shattered her icy facade.

Is Tang Wuyun toxic or something?!

Pei Yinxi’s shoulders shook with laughter, but she also felt embarrassed by her teammates’ antics. What is this even?

Tang Wuyun, never one to stay still, had to go and tease Shi Zhimiao.

After making everyone laugh, Tang Wuyun secretly glanced at Shi Zhimiao’s expression. Only when she was sure Shi Zhimiao wasn’t offended did she straighten up.

She stole another glance at Shi Zhimiao, gauging her reaction to Shuwu’s presence. Everyone’s laughing. She must be laughing too, right?

Shi Zhimiao did chuckle briefly, but the thought that Tang Wuyun only joked like this with her friends made her heart sink again.

Once this variety show wraps up, we might never see each other again.

The livestream finally ended as everyone retreated to their rooms to rest.

After washing up, Tang Wuyun paced restlessly around her room, a troubled expression on her face.

Even after Pei Yinxi completed her entire skincare routine, Tang Wuyun showed no signs of settling down.

“Stop pacing, you’re giving me a headache,” Pei Yinxi grumbled.

“What’s wrong?”

Tang Wuyun scratched her cheek, her face twisted with indecision. Finally, she kicked off her slippers and sat cross-legged on Pei Yinxi’s bed. “Sister Yinxi, it’s just… I have a friend.”

Pei Yinxi shot Tang Wuyun a peculiar look.

“Mm, she has a friend.”

“And then?”

Tang Wuyun bit her lip. “She has a girl she really likes.”

“Then one day, this girl found out about my friend’s feelings and went to her door, calling her disgusting and hurling all sorts of insults. My friend was a bit devastated, well, not completely devastated, just a little.”

“This happened ten times. She went through that scene ten times.”

Pei Yinxi frowned slightly. Shi Shuwu had insulted Tang Wuyun ten times?

When did this happen?

Yet today, Shi Shuwu had told her and Lu Ya that she was the one being misunderstood by Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun didn’t notice Pei Yinxi’s confusion. She lowered her head and said gloomily, “But then my friend suddenly realized that the person who had been insulting her wasn’t actually the girl she liked.”

Pei Yinxi was even more puzzled. She raised her hand to interrupt Tang Wuyun. “Wait, how could she mistake that?”

“Wasn’t the insults happening in person? How could she get it wrong?”

And if she was insulted ten times, why didn’t they ever talk about it?

This story was full of holes.

Tang Wuyun waved her hand dismissively. “Sister, don’t get hung up on that. It’s not the main point.”

Pei Yinxi raised an eyebrow. “That’s not the main point?”

Tang Wuyun lowered her head, dejected. “The main point is my friend. She’s a bit confused about her feelings for someone.”

“Even knowing the truth, she can’t help but reject and resist, yet she can’t stop wanting to pay attention to them.”

Pei Yinxi reached out and patted Tang Wuyun’s shoulder, speaking earnestly. “You’re overlooking another crucial point.”

Tang Wuyun blinked. “What?”

Pei Yinxi didn’t bother with pretense. “This girl also knows your friend likes her. And when your friend misunderstood her, she acted quite foolishly, right?”

The expression on Tang Wuyun’s face froze, a hint of defensiveness creeping in.

But Pei Yinxi didn’t let up. “So Shi Shuwu actually did nothing wrong. She was simply misunderstood and had to endure your unreasonable behavior. She’s completely innocent and utterly unlucky.”

Tang Wuyun hung her head, shamefully covering her face with her hands. “Sister Pei…”

Pei Yinxi sighed, her tone concerned. “Have you apologized to her yet?”

Tang Wuyun nodded. “But she didn’t accept it.”

Pei Yinxi clicked her tongue. “Tsk, you deserve it.”

Tang Wuyun’s face and ears flushed crimson with shame.

Now that Pei Yinxi had seen through her, she saw no point in continuing to hide her feelings.

“Sister Pei, I even told her today that we can’t be friends anymore—just regular friends.”

Her voice was thick with anguish, and Pei Yinxi could clearly hear the regret in her tone.

After speaking, Tang Wuyun quickly tried to justify herself: “But I wasn’t wrong. She knows I used to like her, so how can we possibly stay friends?”

To stop Tang Wuyun from picking at her fingers, Pei Yinxi grabbed a pillow and stuffed it into her arms, amused. “What do you mean ‘used to like her’? You’ve always liked her, haven’t you?”

Tang Wuyun shook her head earnestly. “Before, I genuinely thought I’d been blind and had truly been disillusioned.”

But now that she’d met Shi Shuwu again and spent time with her, that familiar, heart-itching feeling had returned.

Pei Yinxi frowned, unconvinced. “Aren’t you stuck in a misunderstanding?”

“The Shi Shuwu who made you feel blind and the one who disillusioned you—weren’t they both just your mistaken perception of her?”

Pei Yinxi concluded, “What you disliked was the imposter.”

Tang Wuyun blinked, sat up, and nodded vigorously. “That makes perfect sense!”

But she quickly slumped back down. “But what if the two Shi Shuwus are the same person?”

To be honest, she wasn’t entirely confident in her judgment.

This whole situation was too bizarre.

Clutching her pillow, Tang Wuyun’s expression turned bitter. “Besides, even now, just thinking about her makes me feel instinctively repulsed.”

Pei Yinxi didn’t understand what Tang Wuyun meant by “two Shi Shuwus,” nor could she fathom why such a far-fetched idea would leave Tang Wuyun with such a deep-seated psychological trauma.

Knock, knock!

“Sister Yinxi!” Lu Ya’s cheerful voice rang out from beyond the door.

The bitter, resentful Tang Wuyun instantly stiffened, her expression turning wary as she glared at the door.

Pei Yinxi rose to open it.

Tang Wuyun craned her neck to peek outside, her pupils dilating in shock.

Good heavens, Lu Ya had brought a whole crowd with her!

Pei Yinxi was equally taken aback.

“…What’s all this?”

Lu Ya planted her hands on her hips and leaned into the room. “We’re here for Tang Wuyun, of course!”

Bai Jin smirked. “We don’t have your patience, Sister Pei, or your forgiving nature.”

Luo Xiting nodded. “Does she really think a few sweet words will make me forget she blocked me?”

Tang Wuyun’s scalp tingled with dread.

Why couldn’t they rest, even at this late hour? Why were they so eager to confront her?

Lu Ya and the others had planned to give Tang Wuyun a good scolding before bed, but they never expected Pei Yinxi to side with Tang Wuyun and refuse to let them in.

Pei Yinxi’s voice was tinged with helplessness. “It’s too late now. She can’t handle all of you at once. Things will just get confusing. Let’s talk properly after work. She’ll explain everything to you then.”

Inside the room, Tang Wuyun was a mess of emotions. Sister Pei, you’re the best! She really needed some time to process everything.

After dealing with the crowd outside, Pei Yinxi returned to find Tang Wuyun sending her a heartfelt finger heart.

Pei Yinxi chuckled. “Alright, get some rest. I’ll go switch rooms with Shi Shuwu.”

Tang Wuyun sat up with a jolt, like a startled carp.

“Why?!”

Pei Yinxi stroked her chin. “Even though I didn’t fully understand what you were saying, I think you should spend more time with Shuwu. It might help you work through your trauma.”

Tang Wuyun’s shoulders slumped. “But why would she listen to you? Why would she cooperate with me?”

“Then maybe I should switch with Miaomiao instead.”

Pei Yinxi raised an eyebrow, answering without hesitation, “Okay.”

Tang Wuyun froze, her eyes widening in confusion.

Wait a minute… Did Pei Yinxi never intend to switch with Shi Shuwu? Was she just waiting for me to say that?

“Wait a minute, Sister Pei! You said you wanted to talk to me, that’s why you asked me to stay with you. Why are we switching back now?”

Pei Yinxi pulled Tang Wuyun off her bed, her tone dismissive. “Didn’t we already talk?”

Tang Wuyun: “?”

She’s just going to let me leave after that?!

Tang Wuyun started acting unreasonable. “So Miaomiao is more important than me!”

Pei Yinxi lay back down, pulled the covers over herself, rolled over, and continued to dismiss her. “I’m doing this for you and Shi Shuwu.”

Then she added, “If you don’t go now, she’ll be asleep.”

Tang Wuyun hesitated for a moment before finally leaving. She wasn’t doing this for herself, but for Shi Zhimiao.

Shi Zhimiao should be grateful to have such a helpful person like me.

The entire process of Tang Wuyun dragging Shi Zhimiao out of one room and shoving her into another took less than half a minute.

Shi Zhimiao: “???”

“Sister Pei wants to sleep with you,” Tang Wuyun said with a suggestive wink, her acting instincts kicking in. “Now we’re even.”

Shi Zhimiao’s face darkened. “Get lost!”

“Sure thing!” Tang Wuyun swiftly pulled the door shut.

The moment she turned around, the playful expression on Tang Wuyun’s face vanished.

She walked heavily to the door of Shi Shuwu’s room and stood there, hesitating to enter.

When Shi Zhimiao had left earlier, she had left the door ajar. Tang Wuyun pressed herself against the wall beside the door, cautiously peeking inside to assess the situation.

Instead, she found herself face-to-face with Shi Shuwu.

“Agh!” Tang Wuyun recoiled violently, clutching her chest and stumbling backward in terror.

Shi Shuwu’s silent presence at the doorway had startled her so badly her heart was pounding.

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Shi Shuwu opened her mouth, then hesitated, a hint of awkwardness in her expression.

She had merely intended to observe Tang Wuyun’s intentions, never expecting to frighten her so badly.

Facing Shi Shuwu again, Tang Wuyun felt utterly deflated. She cleared her throat nervously and asked, “Um, what are you doing standing at the door?”

Instead of answering, Shi Shuwu countered, “What are you doing here?”

“…Sleeping,” Tang Wuyun mumbled guiltily, her gaze darting away, unable to meet Shi Shuwu’s eyes.

Before Shi Shuwu could speak, Tang Wuyun quickly slipped into the room, fearing she’d end up sleeping by the door tonight.

Shi Shuwu turned to look at Tang Wuyun, genuinely puzzled by what she was thinking.

The atmosphere in the room felt strange, and Tang Wuyun felt uneasy all over.

“Um, if you mind…”

“Whatever. Say what you want, do what you want,” Shi Shuwu waved dismissively, not even looking at Tang Wuyun as she turned back to sit on her bed.

Tang Wuyun knew from her tone that things had gone wrong.

“Are you really annoyed with me right now?”

“After I said all those things to you, and now I’m suddenly here… do you hate me now?”

Shi Shuwu looked up, her expression blank. “Huh?”

She was just tired.

But Tang Wuyun’s words sparked a realization in Shi Shuwu’s mind.

“I hadn’t even noticed until you said that… so you came here to find me? And sleep with me?”

Shi Shuwu’s expression turned peculiar. She realized that despite knowing Tang Wuyun had come to take advantage of her, she felt no resistance whatsoever. In fact, her gloomy mood had brightened considerably.

This feels strange.

Shi Shuwu stated matter-of-factly, “You want to take advantage of me.”

Tang Wuyun tilted her head in confusion. “Huh?”

How did Shi Shuwu interpret that?

We’re clearly not on the same wavelength…

Tang Wuyun, now too flustered to engage in heart-to-heart talks, pointed at the two beds in the room and hurriedly explained, “I came to sleep in this room, not to sleep with you.”

Shi Shuwu raised her chin dismissively. “What’s the difference?”

“You even said you wanted to sleep with me during the day.”

Tang Wuyun tugged at her hair, feeling like Shi Shuwu’s next words might drive her to the brink of panic.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s reaction, Shi Shuwu grew even more convinced she had hit the mark.

“Why are you so quiet now?”

“Feeling guilty?”

Tang Wuyun: “……”