Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 24

Pain?

Shi Shuwu pondered this.

“So I not only cursed at you, but I also hit you?”

Otherwise, why would Tang Wuyun be in pain?

Tang Wuyun’s hand froze as she squeezed toothpaste onto her brush. She lowered her gaze to her wrist, the skin smooth and flawless, without a trace of injury.

Of course suicide would hurt.

The terror, despair, and regret that had intertwined in that moment were emotions she never wanted to experience again.

Noticing Tang Wuyun’s absentmindedness, Shi Shuwu reached out and poked her, urging her to answer.

Tang Wuyun snapped out of her reverie, raised an eyebrow, and continued squeezing toothpaste onto her brush. “Yeah, you just lashed out without warning. It really hurt.”

Shi Shuwu opened her mouth to say something, but Tang Wuyun thrust the toothpaste-covered brush into her hand.

She paused, hesitated for a moment, then took it.

Today, Tang Wuyun is actually being gentle and considerate.

Tang Wuyun unwrapped a new toothbrush, glanced sideways at Shi Shuwu, and smirked. She cleared her throat deliberately and added, “But I reacted quickly. I threw a punch right back. You had no idea how weak you were—I knocked you flat in one hit.”

Instead of teasing her, Shi Shuwu turned to Tang Wuyun, her expression puzzled. She hissed softly, “Hiss.”

“That doesn’t make sense. If that’s the case, it’s even less likely that I was the one who did it.”

Tang Wuyun blinked, suppressing a laugh. “How so?”

Does knocking Shi Shuwu down make me less likely to be the culprit?

What, do I have to let Shi Shuwu knock me down instead?

Shi Shuwu reached out and pinched Tang Wuyun’s slender arm, her tone dismissive. “Someone like you? I could knock you down with one hand.”

Tang Wuyun muttered, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re the strongest.”

Her tone clearly conveyed zero belief.

Shi Shuwu narrowed her eyes, scanning the bathroom before her gaze settled on the ceramic cup filled with water in Tang Wuyun’s hand.

Under Tang Wuyun’s bewildered stare, she took the cup and squeezed.

Tang Wuyun heard a crack.

She stared at the hairline fracture in the cup, instinctively swallowing hard.

Shi Shuwu remained completely unfazed, her expression unchanged. The cup had cracked as easily as she’d said it would.

Well, well, well! This girl’s been practicing!

Holding the cup, Shi Shuwu took Tang Wuyun’s hand, concealing her smugness as she raised an eyebrow. “Here, go brush your teeth. Hold it tight, or the water will leak out.”

She added as an afterthought, “This cup is surprisingly durable. It only cracked, didn’t shatter.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

She felt like she was cracking too.

“Thanks for not hitting me yesterday,” she said dryly.

Otherwise, she might have really been done for.

Shi Shuwu nodded. “I’m quite emotionally stable.”

She felt remarkably good about herself.

Tang Wuyun glanced at her cracked cup and couldn’t resist asking, “Have you trained? Why haven’t I heard about it?”

Shi Shuwu shook her head. “Not really trained. Just enough to knock you down.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

She was definitely intimidated.

Shi Shuwu explained, “I’ve always had a strong grip. I picked up some basic techniques, otherwise why would so many action films cast me?”

“That’s why I said, whoever knocked you down with one punch definitely wasn’t me.”

Tang Wuyun stood there, brushing her teeth in a daze, completely bewildered by the unexpected surprises Shi Shuwu kept revealing. For every sentence Shi Shuwu spoke, Tang Wuyun nodded like a docile child.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s submissive demeanor, Shi Shuwu grew even more speechless. “What’s wrong with you? I’m not going to hit you.”

Tang Wuyun rinsed her mouth and quickly replied, “I knew you weren’t the type to hold grudges.”

Just that you still haven’t forgiven me.

“Ahem, you can punch me if you want, just don’t knock me out.”

Shi Shuwu’s face was lined with black marks.

Her standards are really low.

Shi Shuwu decided to ignore her and turned to face the mirror, focusing on her morning routine.

Tang Wuyun suppressed a chuckle, her mood buoyant.

After finishing her morning routine first, Tang Wuyun left the bathroom. When Shi Shuwu emerged, she saw Tang Wuyun removing the towel covering the camera.

The production crew had assured them the cameras would be turned off after the live stream ended the previous night, allowing them to rest undisturbed. Still, the women remained cautious and covered the lens.

“Hey? Hello? Are we on? Is it recording?” Tang Wuyun waved enthusiastically at the camera.

Shi Shuwu quickly scanned the room, relieved to see all electronic devices had been hidden. Her anxiety eased.

If a surprise live stream had started this morning, the presence of their phones or other devices would have been difficult to explain to viewers.

“It’s eight o’clock. They should be on by now,” Shi Shuwu said, joining her.

As soon as the words left her lips, the camera in front of Tang Wuyun nodded up and down.

Tang Wuyun waved again, greeting brightly, “Good morning!”

Throughout breakfast that morning, Tang Wuyun greeted everyone with a cheerful “Good morning!”

“She’s in such a good mood. Did she win an award last night?”

“Or maybe she finally got a boyfriend. They were so distant last night, but now they’re practically glued together.”

“I saw them coming out of a room together today!”

“Really, really!”

“Tsk, no wonder…”

The two who overheard the whispers: “……”

Tang Wuyun took a few steps closer to Bai Jin, mimicking their hushed tone. “Psst…”

The surrounding area fell silent for a moment.

Zhang Rui clicked her tongue. “How interesting.”

Tang Wuyun snorted. “I was just saying hello, but look at them, each one thinking something else.”

She was genuinely in a good mood.

Life had returned to normal, and Shi Shuwu hadn’t changed at all. It would have been strange for Tang Wuyun to be unhappy now.

Pei Yinxi pulled Tang Wuyun away slightly.

“They’re explaining the rules now. Pay attention.”

Tang Wuyun nodded obediently and returned to her spot, even smiling at Shi Shuwu beside her.

Shi Shuwu mentally groaned. Can’t Tang Wuyun ever just be quiet for a minute?

The staff member announced: “First place in the exploration mission: Blue Team, 80% progress. Second place: Red Team, 50% progress. Third place: White Team, 40% progress. Last place: Yellow Team, 20% progress.”

“Blue Team’s life countdown increases by one hour; Yellow Team’s life countdown decreases by one hour.”

Zhang Rui was covered in question marks. She asked Luo Xiting beside her, somewhat indignantly, “Huh? We’re only at twenty percent?”

That can’t be right, she thought. I thought my summary was pretty logical.

Luo Xiting blinked blankly. “Did we go in the wrong direction?”

Tang Wuyun and the others strained to suppress their laughter, their faces tight with the effort. After all the fake information they’d fabricated, who else would be punished?

However, the hidden Traitors likely knew the truth. They didn’t need to investigate at all. The success of this sabotage was entirely thanks to them pointing it out.

With this reward, the one-hour penalty Tang Wuyun and Ji Ziyin had incurred was now restored.

Ignoring the crowd’s confusion, the staff member continued speaking through the megaphone, clearly not finished.

“During dinner last night, the Traitors among you collaborated to complete their respective hidden missions. All members’ life countdowns have been reduced by one hour.”

Tang Wuyun exchanged a subtle glance with Shi Shuwu.

Last night, everyone interacted a bit. Did anyone behave unusually?

Tang Wuyun looked around. Apart from Shi Shuwu, she suspected everyone.

No, I have to stick with Shi Shuwu today.

As the group pondered, Bai Jin suddenly said, “Wuyun’s behavior last night was quite unusual.”

And it certainly grabbed everyone’s attention.

Bai Jin’s remark jogged everyone’s memory.

Pei Yinxi shot Bai Jin an approving glance.

Tang Wuyun froze, feigning innocence. “Is teasing our CEO considered ‘unusual’?”

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

My palm is itching again.

Completely unfazed, Tang Wuyun turned to Bai Jin. “Jin Jin, why are you attacking me right off the bat? What’s brewing in that little mind of yours?”

Shi Shuwu quietly sidestepped two steps away from Tang Wuyun, subtly lowering her profile. She had no desire to become the target of the group’s collective scrutiny.

Tang Wuyun’s heart sank as she caught Shi Shuwu’s subtle movements.

“Where’s the basic trust between people?” she lamented.

Shi Shuwu blinked innocently. “I do trust you,” she insisted.

Yet as she spoke, she edged a few more steps away.

Tang Wuyun stared in silence.

Shi Shuwu sighed helplessly.

Now that everyone was watching her, she had to outwardly conform, even if she privately believed Tang Wuyun. Otherwise, she’d become a suspect herself.

Shi Shuwu’s actions had the desired effect.

To the others, it seemed she, too, suspected Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun, still sharp-witted, likely understood Shi Shuwu’s intentions.

“Fine,” Tang Wuyun conceded. “Since you trust me so much, I’ll stick with you today.” She emphasized the last few words, closing in on Shi Shuwu with a predatory smile, as if declaring she had already marked her prey.

Shi Shuwu wore an expression of disdain, yet also one of helpless resignation.

Unaware that the two had begun their act, some breathed sighs of relief that Tang Wuyun would only follow Shi Shuwu, while others gloated at the spectacle.

After the rules were explained and everyone prepared to leave, Pei Yinxi called out to Tang Wuyun, “Why don’t you come with me?”

Since everyone already suspected Tang Wuyun and didn’t want to be with her, and her assimilation count had just reset, she figured she might as well turn the pretense into reality.

Tang Wuyun waved her hand, glanced at Shi Shuwu, who was already a few meters away, and winked at Pei Yinxi. “No thanks, Sister Pei. I’m going to hang out with Shi Shuwu for a bit.”

Do you think I’m stupid? she thought. If I go with Pei Yinxi and Shi Shuwu never sees me again, I’ll definitely become the villain.

To Pei Yinxi, this looked like Tang Wuyun was seizing an opportunity to spend time with Shi Shuwu.

Pei Yinxi smiled. “Alright then.”

Before leaving, Tang Wuyun jerked her chin toward Bai Jin, who was standing nearby. “Sister Pei, don’t team up with Jin Jin. She stepped on me the moment we met—she’s clearly trouble.”

Bai Jin: “……”

Pei Yinxi chuckled, dismissing Tang Wuyun’s words as mere complaining.

“I understand. Now hurry along. If Shi Shuwu gets too far ahead, you won’t be able to catch up.”

“Ah?” Tang Wuyun quickly turned around at the warning. Seeing Shi Shuwu walking further away, showing no sign of waiting for her, she hastily called out, “Sister Pei, I’m off!”

With that, she turned and dashed off.

Pei Yinxi: “……”

Tang Wuyun hurried over to Shi Shuwu, her wide-legged brown cargo pants billowing as she ran. The numerous pockets bulged with props and cards.

“Why didn’t you wait for me? Why were you walking so fast?” Tang Wuyun panted, her voice a soft complaint.

Shi Shuwu tilted her head to look at her. “If we’re putting on a show, we might as well go all the way. Why were you running so hard?”

Her gaze drifted involuntarily to Tang Wuyun’s slightly disheveled hair, still damp from her run. After a moment’s thought, she removed the hair tie from her wrist and handed it to Tang Wuyun.

“Here, it’s pretty hot today. Tie your hair up, or put it in a bun if you prefer.”

Tang Wuyun accepted the hair tie without hesitation, glancing down at its navy blue color—a perfect match for her short blue shirt.

As she walked, she twisted her hair into a bun, her peripheral vision catching Shi Shuwu’s long, loose hair. “If you’re giving this to me, what about you?”

Shi Shuwu waved dismissively. “I don’t mind the heat.”

Yesterday, it had become clear that Tang Wuyun couldn’t tolerate the heat. She’d spent most of her time wanting to play in the water, and had even volunteered to film a promotional ad for the program’s sponsor just to get an ice cream.

Tang Wuyun’s mind raced. She was adept at self-persuasion, convincing herself that the hair tie Shi Shuwu had brought was meant for her.

Shi Shuwu is so kind, she thought. She’d rather be hot herself than let me suffer.

Just as she was basking in her self-induced excitement, she saw Shi Shuwu pull a white bucket hat from her crossbody bag and put it on.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Shi Shuwu smiled politely. “I don’t like getting sunburned.”

Tang Wuyun instantly retracted her enthusiasm.

Honestly, why didn’t she bring an extra?

As if anticipating Tang Wuyun’s thoughts, Shi Shuwu explained, “I recommended one to you before. You should have a black one at home.”

The unspoken implication was clear: Tang Wuyun already had one, but she hadn’t brought it herself—a silent understanding between them.

Tang Wuyun’s thoughts began to wander again. In the past, it could have been dismissed as friends recommending matching items. But now, if she wore it, it would undeniably be a couple’s item.

After all, the outside world was full of onlookers eager for gossip.

Tang Wuyun had checked her suitcase earlier and found only a few outfits and no hats. Yet she felt no regret.

“The fact that I’m even here on my own is already unbelievable,” she mused.

Shi Shuwu looked puzzled.

“What do you mean?” Shi Shuwu asked.

Tang Wuyun reached for Shi Shuwu’s crossbody bag, her tone casual. “Because someone else took over my account, that’s why I was released.”

Shi Shuwu didn’t understand the words, but she understood Tang Wuyun’s actions.

She slapped away Tang Wuyun’s hand as she tried to rummage through her bag.

“Sneaking through my bag? How rude!”

Tang Wuyun winced, clutching her hand and blowing on it repeatedly. She grimaced in pain—Shi Shuwu’s slap had really stung!

“I wasn’t sneaking! I was being completely open and aboveboard. Now, show me the card and item you found yesterday.”

Shi Shuwu clutched her bag tighter against her chest.

“No.”

Tang Wuyun scoffed, bending down to rummage through her own pockets. She pulled out one item after another, scattering them haphazardly on the ground.

“Then look at mine! Let’s figure out how to use our cards and items.”

Shi Shuwu glanced at the scattered items, but her interest was minimal.

Her mind was still stuck on Tang Wuyun’s casual remark about “someone else taking over my account.” Though Tang Wuyun had said it so casually, Shi Shuwu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“Who’s taking your place?” Shi Shuwu asked. “And what number are they using?”

What else do I need to say to get her to tell me?

Shi Shuwu couldn’t shake the feeling that Tang Wuyun was holding back.

Tang Wuyun smiled, unhurried. Instead of answering, she reached out and tugged at Shi Shuwu’s crossbody bag.

“Help me pack these.”

With no table nearby, they couldn’t sit down to discuss this properly. Tang Wuyun began stuffing her props into Shi Shuwu’s bag.

Shi Shuwu stared in silence.

Unable to resist Tang Wuyun’s persistence, she reluctantly released her grip, letting the other woman dump everything into her bag.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with all this stuff and leave you behind?”

Tang Wuyun sighed helplessly. She didn’t want to do this either.

“I have no choice. Too many people suspect me. I feel like I’ll be eliminated soon, and these things will just go to waste. Better to leave them with you.”

Even if Bai Jin hadn’t publicly humiliated her, the others would still target her. The only difference would be whether they had a legitimate excuse.

Shi Shuwu considered this and realized it made sense.

After putting everything away, Tang Wuyun zipped up her crossbody bag, looked up at Shi Shuwu, and smiled. “Can I trust you?”

Their eyes met, and Shi Shuwu’s gaze flickered for a moment. She blinked slowly and shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I don’t even know who that person is,” Tang Wuyun paused, then added, “An outsider.”

The remark seemed abrupt. Shi Shuwu took a few seconds to realize Tang Wuyun was answering her earlier question.

An outsider?

What kind of outsider?

Shi Shuwu pressed further, “What’s their number?”

Regardless of their number, it wouldn’t stop Tang Wuyun from coming to film the variety show, right?

Tang Wuyun raised an eyebrow, stretched languidly, and patted her chest.

Consider that my answer. Whether Shi Shuwu understood depended entirely on how far she dared to stretch her imagination.

Satisfied with her answers, Tang Wuyun strolled forward with her hands behind her back, humming a cheerful tune, her mood buoyant.

Shi Shuwu’s brainwaves weren’t powerful enough to connect with Tang Wuyun’s. She could only perceive Tang Wuyun as being deliberately mysterious, putting on a show.

She followed Tang Wuyun in silence, clutching her heavy bag to her chest, her head bowed as she deliberately stepped on Tang Wuyun’s shadow with each careful step.

Noticing Shi Shuwu’s petty revenge, Tang Wuyun paused, then deliberately took a step back to break the pattern.

Shi Shuwu stopped.

Tang Wuyun chuckled. “Shi Shuwu, aren’t you being a little childish?”

Shi Shuwu nudged Tang Wuyun with her elbow, refusing to look at her, her gaze fixed on the shade beneath a distant tree.

Two figures stood there: Luo Xiting and Lu Yangming, the man who had supposedly spent the entire afternoon fishing yesterday, were chatting.

Shi Shuwu had stopped not because Tang Wuyun had moved, but because she had spotted a treasure chest hidden beneath the stone table beside them.

Tang Wuyun rubbed her lower back and followed Shi Shuwu’s gaze.

“Oh, Sister Xiting?”

Shi Shuwu raised an eyebrow. “Do you just call everyone ‘Sister’?”

Tang Wuyun chuckled softly. “It depends on the person. Sister Xiting has a funny quirk—she absolutely hates being called ‘Sister.’ She can barely suppress her smile when she hears it.”

Shi Shuwu nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, so when Zong used to trick me into calling her ‘older sister,’ was it because she liked hearing it?”

“Uh…” Tang Wuyun’s mind froze. She instinctively looked away, her eyes darting nervously, her ears flushing pink under the sunlight.

“Th-that… um, yeah…”

Under Shi Shuwu’s questioning gaze, Tang Wuyun turned to the camera and made a large “X” with her arms, repeating the gesture several times.

I hope the editors understand and cut this part out, she thought. Shi Shuwu might not realize it yet, but that doesn’t mean the viewers won’t.

The cameramen struggled to suppress their laughter, thinking of all the recent embarrassing moments they’d witnessed.

Shi Shuwu scoffed inwardly. I used to overthink things, but that doesn’t mean I’m still oblivious.

Tang Wuyun quickly changed the subject, pointing toward the shade under the trees. “Then… should we go say hello?”

After all, they’d already been spotted and were being watched.

Shi Shuwu nodded, then added, “Check under that stone table first.”

Tang Wuyun looked over at Shi Shuwu and immediately brightened.

“What’s the plan?”

Shi Shuwu stroked her chin. “Let’s move in before they get suspicious, then find a way to distract them.”

Tang Wuyun grinned mischievously. “No need for all that. I’ll grab it when they’re not looking, then make a run for it. I’ll get far ahead first.”

Without waiting for Shi Shuwu’s reaction, she bolted straight toward the group.

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Tsk, so reckless.

Luo Xiting watched Tang Wuyun sprint toward her, her heart skipping a beat. But then she remembered—she was the villain here. Why was she nervous?

Excitement surged through her. After assimilating the fisherman last night, another prey had finally walked right into her trap—and it was Tang Wuyun.

Her assimilation condition required her target to drink water she offered, which shouldn’t be too difficult.

But before Luo Xiting could even pull out the water, Tang Wuyun suddenly bent down, pulled a treasure chest from under the table, and bolted away without a backward glance.

Not even a greeting.

Luo Xiting: “……”

Lu Yangming, barely suppressing a laugh, asked, “…Sister, are you still going to give her the water?”

Luo Xiting gritted his teeth. “Yes! Chase her down! She’s drinking it today!”

Tang Wuyun, clutching the treasure chest excitedly, sprinted toward Shi Shuwu, waving triumphantly.

Seeing Tang Wuyun lost in her own glee, Shi Shuwu took a deep breath and frantically pointed behind her.

Tang Wuyun whirled around in shock.

Good heavens, they’re still chasing us! Have they never seen a treasure chest before?!

“I thought you were all about being open and honest!” Shi Shuwu yelled, running alongside her.

Tang Wuyun retorted without missing a beat, “A person should always be upright and righteous!”

Shi Shuwu glanced back at their pursuers, still hot on their heels, and snapped, “This is just provocation!”

Tang Wuyun dragged her forward, nodding self-importantly even as she ran. “Exactly! I know I’m very brave!”

Shi Shuwu, exasperated by Tang Wuyun’s sheer audacity, gave up arguing.

Minutes later, both were gasping for breath.

Tang Wuyun panted, “This… chest… is it… special? Why are they… chasing us so relentlessly?”

She felt like she was about to throw up.

They had already passed several groups of onlookers, all watching the spectacle with amusement.

Shi Shuwu pulled Tang Wuyun along, her tone still relatively light as she remarked with a hint of disdain, “How are you so exhausted? Your stamina is terrible.”

Tang Wuyun wanted to cry but had no tears left. “Can we even compare?”

Shi Shuwu could effortlessly crush a ceramic cup with her bare hands. How could Tang Wuyun ever hope to match that?

By now, their exhaustion had slowed them to a jog. Tang Wuyun struggled to pull Shi Shuwu to a stop and pointed behind them.

“Look back at Sister Xiting. She’s even worse off than me.”

Shi Shuwu glanced back and saw Luo Xiting bent over, hands on her knees, gasping for breath.

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Why bother? Why all this resentment and bitterness?

Luo Xiting also felt like crying. What was I thinking, chasing after them on impulse? And now, because I’m chasing Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu, we’ve attracted a crowd. How embarrassing to stop now!

Couldn’t those two just compromise and stop running?!

“They’re ridiculously fast runners,” Luo Xiting muttered.

Beside her, Lu Yangming nodded in agreement. He’d never seen artists run like this before. Even he, who usually coasted through workouts, was completely drained.

Seeing Luo Xiting stop chasing, Tang Wuyun lost her will to run and tugged at Shi Shuwu’s arm, trying to sit down on the ground.

Shi Shuwu pulled her back. “Keep moving. We can’t stop now.”

Tang Wuyun simply leaned against Shi Shuwu, panting heavily as she braced herself against her arm.

She glanced back at Luo Xiting, her trembling finger pointing. “Seriously, Sister, what did I ever do to you? You chased me for miles!”

Luo Xiting wiped the sweat from her forehead. Damn it, she thought, I’m really giving it my all for this variety show.

Seeing the two women clinging to each other only deepened her heartache.

Her throat burned like fire, her chest heaving as she gasped, “If it weren’t for me, would you two be holding hands and running around, putting on a show for everyone?”

“If it weren’t for me, would you lovebirds be able to cling to each other like this?”

Running this far has only made them even more lovey-dovey! Almost broke my defenses, you know!