Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 23

Tang Wuyun, having finished speaking to Shi Shuwu, lay down on the bed next to hers, pulled the blanket over herself, and turned her back to Shi Shuwu.

She had decided to communicate with Shi Shuwu, but Shi Shuwu seemed completely unfazed.

Shi Shuwu rose and walked to the edge of Tang Wuyun’s bed, suddenly asking, “So you still want to sleep in my bed?”

Tang Wuyun’s heart skipped a beat. She immediately sat up.

Shi Shuwu grinned mischievously. “And you said you weren’t trying to take advantage of me?”

Flushing with embarrassment and panic, Tang Wuyun pointed to the opposite bed and stammered, “Then… is that your bed?”

Why else would Shi Shuwu have been sitting there earlier?

Shi Shuwu stood by the bed, looking down at Tang Wuyun. “Stop trying to change the subject. Just admit you want to sleep with me.”

“Yes, yes, yes! You’re right, you’re right, you’re absolutely right!” Tang Wuyun said, throwing back the blanket as she spoke.

Just as Tang Wuyun was about to get up, Shi Shuwu suddenly retreated, inexplicably returning to the bed she had been sitting on earlier.

Shi Shuwu nodded gravely. “I knew it all along.”

Then she pulled back the blanket, lay down, and leaned against the headboard.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

So she was just teasing me on purpose.

Tang Wuyun let out a low hum, not daring to voice her objections. She silently lay back down, turning her back to Shi Shuwu.

I actually managed to stay here successfully.

Come to think of it, this was the first time she had ever slept in the same room as Shi Shuwu.

Tang Wuyun felt a surge of excitement.

I hope Shi Shuwu doesn’t think I’m trying to take advantage of her.

Tang Wuyun closed her eyes and pondered for several minutes, but heard no movement behind her.

What’s Shi Shuwu doing? Asleep?

She slowly, painstakingly turned around, trying to steal a glance at Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu watched Tang Wuyun’s slow, awkward turn for nearly a full minute before finally losing her patience.

Her first words were mocking: “Did you have a stroke or something?”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

After a moment of hesitation, Tang Wuyun swiftly turned around.

Her gaze fixed on Shi Shuwu’s hand.

A phone?

“Where did you get that phone?”

Everyone else had their phones confiscated. How did Shi Shuwu get one?

Shi Shuwu typed on the screen as she casually replied, “Have you forgotten who Shi Miaomiao was back then?”

“She went to the production team to get her laptop and phone. As her temporary roommate, she got mine for me too.”

Tang Wuyun propped herself up on one arm, her gaze sweeping across the room. As expected, a laptop and a phone sat on the desk in the corner.

When she had abruptly pushed Miaomiao out earlier, Miaomiao hadn’t had time to grab them.

The fact that Miaomiao hadn’t returned for them likely meant she was worried that coming back would prevent her from leaving again.

Tang Wuyun mentally teased Miaomiao as she threw back the covers and got up to walk to the desk.

Shi Shuwu’s attention was drawn by the movement. Seeing Tang Wuyun open Miaomiao’s laptop, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is that polite? Using someone’s electronic devices while they’re gone? What’s wrong with you, Wuyun?”

Tang Wuyun explained, “Miaomiao always brings her laptop when she goes out, and it’s never some generic brand like this. This must be the program crew’s.”

Shi Shuwu: “Really? But it seems to have a password.”

Tang Wuyun nodded dejectedly, as expected.

A glance out of the corner of her eye caught sight of Miaomiao’s phone, which she had also left behind. Even though she knew the password, she knew better than to touch it. That would be crossing a line.

Tang Wuyun sighed in frustration. All she wanted was to check the internet and figure out what was going on, but it was proving so difficult.

Should she go find Miaomiao and ask for the password?

Tch, never mind.

She shouldn’t bother Miaomiao right now.

Hearing Tang Wuyun’s sighs, Shi Shuwu asked curiously, “What are you trying to do?”

Tang Wuyun turned around, resting her hand on the back of the chair. She glanced at the phone in Shi Shuwu’s hand, a thought sparking in her mind. “Let’s go online.”

Shi Shuwu raised an eyebrow. “What do you want to find out?”

Sensing an opening, Tang Wuyun quickly replied, “I want to know what’s going on with that Lu Lin who got exposed.”

Shi Shuwu’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. She just wants to gossip? We’ll see him tomorrow after the recording. Why is she so downcast?

“What’s this? You’re worried about him?” Shi Shuwu said as she began typing on her phone, quickly searching for information about Lu Lin.

Tang Wuyun’s face twisted momentarily. “Why are you being so insulting?”

Shi Shuwu chuckled softly at Tang Wuyun’s reaction.

Tang Wuyun’s displeasure grew more pronounced. “What’s so funny? You know I like girls, yet you still say things like that. Aren’t you insulting me?”

She pouted and muttered, “You’re the most insensitive one here.”

Shi Shuwu nodded without a hint of remorse, her tone arrogant. “Yeah, I know. But I’m doing it on purpose, just to tease you.”

Serves you right for making me feel so uncomfortable, Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun bit her lip, unable to retort.

Right, Shi Shuwu…

Shi Shuwu scrolled through her phone, her expression tightening. Suddenly, she called out, “Shi Shuwu!”

“Mm,” Shi Shuwu replied, glancing up from her phone screen. She handed the device to Tang Wuyun. “Here, it’s all here. Read it yourself.”

Tang Wuyun wanted to apologize.

But… apologizing now would be so awkward. Besides, it’s not like I’ve never apologized before.

Sighing inwardly, Tang Wuyun stood up and walked to the bedside to take the phone.

“Years ago, he caused a fatal car accident and had someone take the blame. Now the truth has been exposed,” Shi Shuwu said, tilting her head to observe Tang Wuyun’s expression. The phone’s glow illuminated Tang Wuyun’s slightly gloating face, and Shi Shuwu’s lips curved into a faint smile. She continued, “Besides that, all his dirty secrets have been dug up, including his recent attempt to hire someone to buy dirt on you.”

Tang Wuyun scrolled through the screenshots of the chat logs showing him trying to hire someone to smear her.

“What’s wrong? Did a few honest words and insults break him?” Tang Wuyun laughed at the phone as she read.

Good, good, good!

May it all come crashing down on him.

When she saw fans defending her in the comments section, Tang Wuyun’s smile widened even further.

Aww, I still have such devoted fans! I could cry.

Tang Wuyun’s eyes darted around as she subtly shifted her gaze from her phone. “Um… could I check my Weibo?”

Shi Shuwu leaned back against the headboard, nodding casually. “Go ahead.”

After all, there was nothing secret on her phone.

Tang Wuyun felt increasingly that Shi Shuwu was kind and easy to talk to.

When she searched for her Weibo account, she remembered her follower count had dropped by tens of thousands. Now, it seemed to have surged by hundreds of thousands.

Tang Wuyun was bewildered.

Could I have misremembered?

Driven by curiosity, she opened her Super Topic Community.

The screen was flooded with “Wife” comments, and scrolling down revealed more of the same.

Huh?

Tang Wuyun retreated, her mind buzzing with confusion. She typed her name into the search bar, wanting to gauge her recent online reputation.

As soon as her name appeared, Shi Shuwu’s name automatically followed…

Tang Wuyun glanced at the results with curiosity.

Oh, wow.

#TangWuyunShiShuwu

#VarietyShowLiveStream TangWuyunShiShuwuAllegedlyFighting

#TangWuyunShiShuwuWhisperingOffMic

#Shadow TangWuyunShiShuwuKissing

Tang Wuyun bit her lip, stealing a glance at Shi Shuwu.

Sensing her gaze, Shi Shuwu looked back with a puzzled expression.

Tang Wuyun immediately averted her eyes and clicked on the post titled “Tang Wuyun Dream Girl.”

How strange.

Tang Wuyun’s expression kept shifting, making Shi Shuwu restless. Curiosity piqued, she wondered what the other woman was looking at.

“What are you looking at?” Shi Shuwu sat up and grabbed Tang Wuyun’s arm, tugging her down.

Caught off guard, Tang Wuyun found herself sitting beside Shi Shuwu’s bed, her cheeks flushed.

Tang Wuyun’s heart tightened. The thought of being on Shi Shuwu’s bed made her feel strangely uneasy, as if the mattress were burning her bottom.

Shi Shuwu, focused on her phone, swiped through the screen a few times. After reading the content, she paused for a moment before commenting, “Tsk, you’re quite narcissistic.”

She’d been scrolling for quite a while. So Tang Wuyun really loved being called “wife” by others.

Tang Wuyun’s mind buzzed. Shi Shuwu leaned back against her, propping herself up on her arm. Tang Wuyun’s hand holding the phone trembled with nervous sweat.

They weren’t actually that close, maintaining a reasonable distance, but Tang Wuyun’s imagination ran wild, conjuring increasingly suggestive scenarios.

Oblivious to Tang Wuyun’s tension, Shi Shuwu continued scrolling through her phone with amusement.

“Though you have to admit, Sister Tan says this was a blessing in disguise. Coming out has actually gained you more girlfriend fans than you lost.”

Tang Wuyun blinked in surprise. “Sister Tan? Your manager?”

Shi Shuwu nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

She withdrew her hand, lay back down, and tugged the blanket up, her voice tinged with resentment. “She told me not to follow your example.”

Tang Wuyun was momentarily confused. “Follow my example in what way?”

Was she talking about going crazy?

Tang Wuyun had only lost her composure when she was backed into a corner. No normal person would ever act like that.

Could it be that Shi Shuwu wasn’t normal?

Shi Shuwu glanced at her, her tone casual. “Coming out, of course.”

The expression on Tang Wuyun’s face froze. She averted her gaze, unable to meet Shi Shuwu’s eyes.

She now deeply regretted her misunderstanding of Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu studied Tang Wuyun with keen interest.

“The day you posted that Weibo, I wanted to respond.”

“But I didn’t have time. My account was taken offline by the company, and I couldn’t log back in.”

There was a hint of grievance in Shi Shuwu’s voice.

If she had responded in time, would Tang Wuyun have misunderstood her?

Tang Wuyun opened her mouth, her voice barely a whisper. “…I’m sorry.”

She had caused considerable trouble for Shi Shuwu and her team.

Shi Shuwu pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed on Tang Wuyun’s face, silent.

Tang Wuyun lowered her head, her knuckles white as she gripped her phone.

The silence in the room grew suffocating.

“So, can you tell me why you suddenly posted that Weibo that day?”

Shi Shuwu finally spoke.

She genuinely wanted to understand.

Tang Wuyun handed Shi Shuwu’s phone back, a smile playing on her lips as she replied, “Because I felt like I didn’t have many days left, so I wanted to go a little crazy.”

“I even cursed out everyone at my old company, from top to bottom. I never would have dared to do that before.”

Shi Shuwu quietly watched Tang Wuyun, not reaching for the phone. When her gaze landed on the other woman’s gradually reddening eyes, her heart sank.

Tang Wuyun pushed the phone forward again. “Thanks. I’m done with it now. Here you go.”

Shi Shuwu reached out, her fingers brushing past the phone as she firmly grasped Tang Wuyun’s wrist.

“Tang Wuyun, is something wrong?”

Tang Wuyun’s heart leaped. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Shi Shuwu’s grip held firm.

Trapped by Shi Shuwu’s hold, Tang Wuyun knew she couldn’t escape until she answered.

Concealing the panic in her eyes, she forced a dry laugh. “I’ve just been lying around at home all day. What could possibly be wrong?”

Just my bad luck, she thought. What else could I do when something so bizarre happened to me?

Shi Shuwu clearly didn’t believe her.

“Are you sick?” she asked.

Like a terminal illness or something, she thought.

That’s how it always goes in novels and dramas.

Tang Wuyun’s lips twitched. “No, I’m perfectly healthy.”

Shi Shuwu remained skeptical. “Really?” She stared into Tang Wuyun’s eyes, trying to detect any hint of deception.

If you’re sick, get treatment. Hiding it won’t help.

Tang Wuyun’s eyes widened. “I should be asking if you’re sick!” She twisted her wrist, trying to break free from Shi Shuwu’s grip.

Shi Shuwu paused, then released her. “What do you mean?”

Tang Wuyun rubbed her wrist, sizing up Shi Shuwu. “Could you have… you know, multiple personalities?”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Her response was complicated. “No, I’m perfectly normal.”

The only one who’s been normal all along is Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Really? Is it possible you just don’t know?”

Shi Shuwu poked Tang Wuyun’s forehead. “Are you okay?”

“Wait, have you actually seen my other side?”

Shi Shuwu froze, a sudden realization flashing through her mind. She jerked her head up, understanding dawning.

“The one who called you disgusting?!” she blurted out urgently.

Tang Wuyun was stunned. She rose from the bed and backed away, her face tense. “You know?”

Shi Shuwu’s heart sank. She frowned. “What do you mean? Could it be true?”

“When did I ever curse at you? When?”

Realizing she had misunderstood—that this was the Shi Shuwu from this world—Tang Wuyun exhaled in relief. She steadied herself and silently sat back down.

For a moment, she had almost thought the sky was about to fall again.

Meeting Shi Shuwu’s intense gaze, Tang Wuyun thought, Shi Shuwu is so perceptive. She’s already guessed most of it.

“No, I never cursed at you. Don’t overthink it.”

Tang Wuyun wasn’t lying this time. This version of Shi Shuwu had indeed never cursed at her.

Shi Shuwu shook her head, her eyes unwavering as she stared intently at Tang Wuyun. “There must be a reason for your sudden change in attitude. You used to be so kind to me.”

A hint of sadness flickered in Shi Shuwu’s eyes, tinged with hurt.

“But I’m perfectly fine. Even if something were wrong, Sister Tan and Luo Zhuo would notice it first, not you.”

So what exactly is the problem?

Tang Wuyun had only spoken casually, without giving it much thought. But hearing Shi Shuwu’s explanation, she realized it made sense.

She was also starting to feel confused.

Who could impersonate Shi Shuwu so perfectly?

Shi Shuwu’s face was etched with worry as her mind raced. Suddenly, she blurted out, “Could it be… I have a twin sister I never knew about?”

Tang Wuyun froze, then chuckled. “I think it’s more likely I’m lying to you.”

How could her family possibly make such a mistake?

Shi Shuwu tugged at the blanket, muttering under her breath, “But you’ve suddenly been so nice to me. There has to be a reason.”

Tang Wuyun stiffened, her mouth opening and closing. A sudden heat rose in her chest, heavy and suffocating.

“Today… I’m sorry.”

Hearing Shi Shuwu apologize again, Tang Wuyun frowned in annoyance.

“Stop apologizing. I don’t want to hear it.”

Tang Wuyun nodded obediently, her gaze drifting back to the phone.

She offered it to Shi Shuwu again.

“Do you still want your phone?” Her voice softened inexplicably.

Shi Shuwu gave her an odd look.

Before she could reply, Tang Wuyun glanced at the screen and said, “Oh? Your manager’s sister came out?”

Shi Shuwu blinked. “What?”

She picked up her phone, noticing Tang Wuyun’s curious gaze out of the corner of her eye. After a moment’s thought, she decided to share the conversation with her.

Luo Zhuo: I’m dying of laughter! Sister Tan finally sighs whenever she hears your name now.

Luo Zhuo: Her younger sister came out at home.

Luo Zhuo: She said Tang Wuyun inspired her courage, hahaha! Sister Tan says her sister only learns the bad things from you.

Shi Shuwu turned to look at Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun awkwardly looked up at the sky.

Luo Zhuo continued typing.

Luo Zhuo: Thanks to you and Tang Wuyun, Sister Tan is taking this well.

Luo Zhuo: What’s really bothering her is that her sister is dating too young and glued to her phone all day.

Luo Zhuo: Hahahahaha!

Shi Shuwu: What’s so funny?

Shi Shuwu didn’t understand what was so amusing about this. When had Luo Zhuo become so annoying?

Tan Qingyu’s younger sister was around fifteen this year, the age when romantic feelings typically begin to blossom.

But then again, were kids these days really starting to date so young?

Luo Zhuo: Because none of this is the main point.

Tang Wuyun couldn’t help but ask, “None of this is the main point?”

Shi Shuwu shrugged.

This time, Luo Zhuo sent a voice message directly.

The message was filled with uncontrollable laughter: “Hahaha! You won’t believe this! Sister Tan happened to overhear her sister excitedly shout ‘Wife!’ at her phone. She couldn’t help but walk over to investigate. And guess what? Hahaha! It turns out she was shouting at your wife!”

Shi Shuwu stared blankly, her head swimming with question marks.

What the hell?

Tang Wuyun bit her lip and turned to Shi Shuwu. “Your wife?”

Shi Shuwu blinked frantically. “I don’t have a wife!”

She immediately texted Luo Zhuo:

What the hell are you talking about?

Luo Zhuo’s voice message arrived almost instantly.

Tang Wuyun pouted, but then her eyes widened suddenly as she grabbed Shi Shuwu’s hand. “Wait!”

But Shi Shuwu had already pressed play.

“Hahaha! It’s Tang Wuyun! Sister Tan’s sister isn’t dating anyone—she’s just a hardcore fan! A die-hard ‘wife’ fan of your wife! Oh my god, I’m dying of laughter! It’s so hilarious! Sister Tan said her sister unilaterally declared you her love rival and told Tang Wuyun to wait another ten years! Hahaha…”

Luo Zhuo’s merciless voice echoed through the room.

Tang Wuyun bit her lip, her toes gripping the soles of her shoes. Her hands fidgeted awkwardly, unsure where to rest, and she didn’t dare look at Shi Shuwu.

She cleared her throat and sat up in bed.

“Um, I… cough… I’m going to sleep now.”

Tang Wuyun fled in a panic, nearly tripping over her own feet. Fortunately, her bed was right beside her. She mechanically lifted the covers and slid under them.

Shi Shuwu exhaled softly, raising a hand to cover her burning face. The heat wasn’t just in her cheeks; it surged to the tips of her ears, likely turning them crimson.

That Luo Zhuo! she thought. It’s one thing to ship them privately, but to flaunt it in front of us? “Wife this, wife that”—you can’t just say things like that!

After lying in bed for a while, Tang Wuyun felt a little better. Perhaps the blanket had given her courage. She turned to Shi Shuwu and said, “Um, tell my little fan to focus on her studies and not rush into romance. Yeah… that’s it.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Shi Shuwu slid down further, first shrinking into the blanket before whispering, “She doesn’t want to date early. She said she wants you to wait for her for ten years.”

After saying this, she couldn’t help but bury her face in the blanket and laugh.

She suddenly understood why Luo Zhuo had been laughing so hard.

Tang Wuyun gritted her teeth and pulled the blanket over her head, refusing to communicate with Shi Shuwu any further!

Shi Shuwu quietly lifted her head and stared at Tang Wuyun for a long moment.

Suddenly, she said, “We’re not even friends. Why should I help you deliver messages?”

Under the blanket, Tang Wuyun froze completely, holding her breath and remaining perfectly still.

After waiting for a long time and seeing no sign of Tang Wuyun emerging, Shi Shuwu sighed softly, realizing the other girl was deliberately playing dead. She stopped pressing the matter, got up, and turned off the room’s lights.

Whether we’re friends or not… Judging by Tang Wuyun’s behavior toward her, it didn’t seem to matter much anyway.

Tang Wuyun was a contradictory person. Now she seemed to be acting friendly again.

Compared to her attitude when they first met that day, Shi Shuwu was much more satisfied with Tang Wuyun’s current demeanor.

The relaxed mood she had finally achieved the previous night vanished the next morning.

When Tang Wuyun woke up to Shi Shuwu’s voice, her eyes were filled with terror.

Shi Shuwu couldn’t mistake the intense repulsion and resistance in her gaze. Her face grew serious as she studied Tang Wuyun.

Opening her eyes to see Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun took a long moment to recover from her shock. Only when she confirmed she was still filming the variety show did her lingering fear gradually subside.

Tang Wuyun leaned against the headboard, closing her eyes to calm herself.

Shi Shuwu pursed her lips and asked, “Did you have a nightmare?”

She added, “Was I in it? Or did I do something in your dream?”

Tang Wuyun slowly lifted her eyelids, gazing at Shi Shuwu, who was watching her with concern. The tightness in her chest eased slightly.

Sister Pei had been right—this Shi Shuwu truly could “wash” her eyes.

Stretching lazily, Tang Wuyun smiled. “I slept really well last night. No nightmares.”

The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, making Tang Wuyun’s clear eyes sparkle. So much better than those gloomy rainy days!

The thought of a new day beginning filled Tang Wuyun with excitement.

She deliberately asked Shi Shuwu, “Is today September 18th?”

Shi Shuwu paused, then nodded.

Good, time is moving forward.

After this silent reflection, Tang Wuyun threw back the covers and got out of bed, her smile brightening by several degrees.

She stood up straight beside Shi Shuwu, patted her shoulder lightly, and said in a cheerful tone, “Good morning!”

Her voice alone conveyed her obvious happiness.

Shi Shuwu, feeling utterly dejected, mumbled a reluctant, “Good morning.”

As Tang Wuyun headed toward the bathroom, she casually asked, “Have you washed up yet? I’m going to.”

“No, I’ll do it now,” Shi Shuwu replied.

She followed Tang Wuyun, her gaze fixed on Tang Wuyun’s back with a complex expression. “Are you sure you didn’t have any dreams?”

“Absolutely none,” Tang Wuyun said, shaking her head as she pushed open the bathroom door and stepped inside.

Shi Shuwu couldn’t resist speculating, “Then… could it be that the ‘me’ you saw before was just a dream?”

This seemed like the only logical explanation.

Tang Wuyun froze, turning to face Shi Shuwu. Her deep, dark eyes held an emotion Shi Shuwu couldn’t decipher.

“If that was a dream, it was the most terrifying nightmare I’ve ever had.”

“But dreams don’t hurt.”