Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 30

Tang Wuyun ruthlessly “invited” Shi Shuwu out of the bathroom.

“Really won’t reconsider?” Shi Shuwu asked through the tightly closed bathroom door, refusing to give up.

Tang Wuyun’s muffled voice came through the door: “I’m not sick. I don’t need to see a doctor. Even if I were, I wouldn’t go.”

Her tone was stiff and stubborn.

Shi Shuwu pursed her slightly parted lips. “Fine,” she said, leaning against the door without another word.

She sensed Tang Wuyun’s resistance; pushing further might only anger her.

Tang Wuyun’s gaze fell on the doorway. The shadow cast through the frosted glass was clear—she knew Shi Shuwu was still standing there.

“Have you started washing yet?” Shi Shuwu suddenly knocked on the door.

Tang Wuyun moved her lips, her voice calm. “No.”

Shi Shuwu lowered her head, anxiously staring at her phone. The screen displayed her chat with Tang Wuyun, still marked with that glaring red exclamation mark.

Clutching her phone, she felt a surge of anxiety. She wanted to ask Tang Wuyun to re-add her, but she feared rejection.

Shi Shuwu tilted her head toward the door, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly.

After a long silence, Tang Wuyun asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I…” Shi Shuwu opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. She slammed her eyes shut and lightly bumped her head against the door twice, forcing out a dry, “No, it’s nothing.”

Tang Wuyun, who had already guessed most of what was happening, stared in silence.

Why would she bump her head against the door if it’s nothing?

What’s bothering her so much?

Tang Wuyun tilted her head, peering into the shadows where Shi Shuwu leaned against the door, her curiosity piqued. “What’s really going on?”

Shi Shuwu scratched at the door with her fingers.

“Um, you…”

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds passed, and Tang Wuyun still hadn’t heard the rest of the sentence.

Tang Wuyun stepped closer to the door, pressing, “What about me?”

Sensing the approaching footsteps, Shi Shuwu grew even more flustered. Why is it so hard to ask for her contact information?!

Tang Wuyun didn’t wait any longer. She pulled the door open.

The two women stood face-to-face.

Shi Shuwu froze for a moment before forcing a stiff, artificial smile.

Tang Wuyun narrowed her eyes, studying her with curiosity. Why does Shi Shuwu seem so… off?

“What were you going to say?” Tang Wuyun asked.

Shi Shuwu bit her lip, turning her head away and whispering, “Give me your phone for a second.”

She decided to take matters into her own hands.

Tang Wuyun used my phone yesterday, so it’s perfectly fine if I use hers for a moment too, right? Absolutely no problem at all.

“My phone?” Tang Wuyun asked.

What did Shi Shuwu want with her phone?

Tang Wuyun lowered her head, her hand unconsciously patting her body before she quickly realized, “Oh, right, my phone’s next door. I didn’t bring it with me.”

Shi Shuwu, who had finally mustered the courage to speak, felt her mind go blank.

The hope she had been clinging to died instantly.

“Ahem, never mind. It’s nothing,” Shi Shuwu said quickly, turning her back to Tang Wuyun and walking toward the door. “I need to pack. Luo Zhuo said she’s almost here to pick me up.”

Hearing that Shi Shuwu was leaving, Tang Wuyun’s gaze anxiously followed her retreating figure, her complex emotions instantly turning into agitation.

“Oh, is that so?” Tang Wuyun replied dryly. “Ahem, I haven’t seen Luo Zhuo in a while.”

“You can say hello when she gets here,” Shi Shuwu offered.

Tang Wuyun mumbled a response, her mind racing with anxious thoughts.

She couldn’t think of any reason to ask Shi Shuwu to stay longer, nor could she imagine what good it would do if she did.

Tang Wuyun realized that she and Shi Shuwu weren’t even friends anymore, which only deepened her frustration.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask to be added back.

This parting might be their last…

Tang Wuyun stared fixedly at Shi Shuwu’s busy figure. Her gaze landed on the phone Shi Shuwu had tossed onto the bed, and a sudden realization struck her.

The phone!

Remembering Shi Shuwu’s earlier request for her phone, Tang Wuyun slapped her forehead, her eyes lighting up.

“You wanted my phone earlier, right? I’ll go get it from next door. Wait for me!” Tang Wuyun blurted out the words in a rush, then pushed open the door and hurried out without looking back.

Shi Shuwu turned around to find Tang Wuyun already gone.

She was dumbfounded.

She was still feeling down about what had just happened. How had the conversation suddenly jumped back to this?

Before Shi Shuwu could dwell on it, Tang Wuyun returned.

Tang Wuyun handed Shi Shuwu her unlocked phone.

“Here, use it however you want. I’m going to take a shower.”

To make it easier for Shi Shuwu to use the phone, Tang Wuyun turned and walked into the bathroom without a second glance.

I hope it’s what I think it is.

The way things were progressing so smoothly felt strange to Shi Shuwu.

Her fingers slowly tapped the screen of Tang Wuyun’s phone, her gaze scanning the friend list. There were only a few names listed.

Shi Shuwu was slightly surprised.

So, Tang…

But what exactly happened to make her act so decisively?

This is just… bizarre.

Shi Shuwu glanced nervously at the bathroom door, as if guarding against Tang Wuyun suddenly emerging. She strained her ears to listen.

She successfully removed her account from the blacklist and added it back.

Her profile picture appeared on the chat screen, and Shi Shuwu felt a pang of hesitation.

Should I message her now, or leave it there deliberately for her to see and contact me?

Shi Shuwu scratched her head in frustration. This question was unexpectedly difficult, even harder than the most challenging math problem she’d ever faced.

Her dilemma was resolved when the phone automatically went dark and locked.

Well, that’s that. No more pondering. I can’t do anything now.

Tang Wuyun washed up as quickly as possible, towel-drying her hair before emerging from the bathroom.

Seeing Shi Shuwu still in the room, she secretly exhaled in relief.

Hearing the movement, Shi Shuwu quickly looked up. Their eyes met briefly before both women instinctively averted their gazes.

Tang Wuyun, drying her hair with a towel, casually approached, trying to strike up a conversation. “When is Luo Zhuo arriving?”

Shi Shuwu bent down to pick up her suitcase and replied softly, “She’ll be up soon.”

Tang Wuyun’s hand, still drying her hair, slowed. She licked her lips, glancing at her phone, wondering if Shi Shuwu had done what she suspected.

“Your phone’s here. I’ll head out now,” Shi Shuwu said, interrupting Tang Wuyun’s thoughts. She quickly pushed her suitcase toward the door, anxious to avoid any questions about what she had done with Tang Wuyun’s phone earlier.

Tang Wuyun watched Shi Shuwu leave, failing to notice the desperate retreat in her retreating figure.

The room fell silent. Tang Wuyun sighed softly and walked to the bed to pick up her phone.

With a nervous flutter, she unlocked the device. The chat screen immediately opened, revealing a familiar profile picture at the top of the list.

Tang Wuyun’s lips curved into an involuntary smile, her mood brightening instantly. Humming a tune, she took her phone back to the bathroom to finish drying her hair.

“Oh, Sister Pei, I’m not putting on makeup. Let’s go downstairs to eat.” Tang Wuyun grabbed Pei Yinxi’s suitcase and started pushing it toward the door.

Pei Yinxi followed behind her empty-handed. “What’s the rush?”

Tang Wuyun hesitated before blurting out, “I’m hungry.”

Pei Yinxi followed her downstairs, still skeptical.

When they reached the living room, Pei Yinxi saw Shi Shuwu chatting with Chi Zhimiao and finally understood. She let out a dry laugh.

Hearing the laugh, Tang Wuyun felt a little embarrassed and quickened her pace.

She hurried over to the group, waved at Luo Zhuo, and greeted her, “Long time no see.”

“Hmm… it has been a while,” Luo Zhuo replied, narrowing her eyes as she sized up Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun stole a glance at Shi Shuwu before asking Luo Zhuo, “Are you heading back now?”

Luo Zhuo paused thoughtfully. After a few seconds, she replied, “No, I’m busy. I have a dating show to film.”

The others gasped.

Shi Shuwu turned to Luo Zhuo, her gaze blank. Dating show? What dating show? When did I agree to do something like that?

Tang Wuyun’s composure crumbled. Her incredulous gaze fixed on Shi Shuwu. Who? Shi Shuwu is doing a dating show?

She couldn’t even imagine the scene.

Not a hint of jealousy?

Seeing Shi Shuwu’s silence, Tang Wuyun couldn’t resist asking, “Are you out of work or is your family struggling to make ends meet?”

“Or is your company about to go bankrupt?”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

She had no idea. She suspected Tan Qingyu had gone mad.

An awkward silence descended.

Pei Yinxi noticed Luo Zhuo suppressing laughter beside her. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Does this variety show still need participants? Could Wuyun join?”

Chi Zhimiao nodded from the side. “I’m her manager. I approve.”

Tang Wuyun considered for two seconds before firmly rejecting the offer. “I wouldn’t go even if you begged me.”

Shi Shuwu finally spoke up. “I don’t know anything about this. My manager might have lost her mind.”

Seeing Shi Shuwu suspect Tan Qingyu’s sanity rather than her own, Luo Zhuo finally burst out laughing.

Her shoulders shook with laughter. Everyone understood the joke except Tang Wuyun, who looked utterly bewildered.

Tang Wuyun couldn’t hold back. “What are you laughing at?”

Luo Zhuo composed herself, her smile softening. “I was just making things up to tease you.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Shi Shuwu elbowed Luo Zhuo, annoyed.

Luo Zhuo fell silent, though the smile remained on her face.

Shi Shuwu glanced at the main hall doors and gestured, “Well, we should be going now.”

Tang Wuyun nodded slowly, her expression blank.

Pei Yinxi suddenly spoke up, “Are you in a rush? Why don’t we have lunch together?”

Now that everyone was here, it would be a good opportunity to hear what Tang Wuyun had been through.

Chi Zhimiao chimed in, “The restaurant I booked isn’t far from here. Let’s eat together before you leave.”

Bai Jin and Lu Ya, who were coming down from upstairs, overheard their conversation from a distance.

Bai Jin quickly added, “Yeah, it’ll be more lively with more people!”

Lu Ya nodded silently in agreement.

Shi Shuwu glanced at Tang Wuyun, who waved her hand with a smile.

“No, thanks. You all rarely get together like this. I don’t want to intrude.”

Though she knew the others wouldn’t mind, Shi Shuwu still wanted to be considerate.

Hearing this, Pei Yinxi, who had been pondering whether Tang Wuyun would cry in her arms or Shi Shuwu’s after revealing the truth, looked up at her, her voice tinged with disapproval.

“What’s this about intruding? You’re practically an honorary member of our team already.”

Shi Shuwu blinked, tilting her head. “Hmm?”

Tang Wuyun’s back stiffened. She quickly lowered her gaze to the floor, her heart racing.

Bai Jin smiled warmly. “Actually, we know you quite well.”

Lu Ya couldn’t resist adding, “Because we used to hear people praising you every single day.”

Especially the kind who never stopped gushing.

Shi Shuwu’s heart stirred, and her gaze unconsciously drifted to Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun bit her lip tightly, awkwardly kicking at the floor.

Sensing everyone’s subtle yet undeniable attention focused on her, Tang Wuyun took a deep breath. She touched her flushed neck, looked up at Shi Shuwu, and invited her, her voice slightly strained, “Um, Sister Pei’s right. It’s not really an inconvenience. Just lunch. Why don’t you come with us?”

Shi Shuwu raised an eyebrow, shook her head with a smile, and declined. “You guys go ahead. Maybe we can eat together another time.”

“Goodbye!” she called cheerfully, waving to the group as she pulled a reluctant Luo Zhuo away, who kept glancing back.

Rejected, Tang Wuyun pressed her lips into a thin line, looking as if she never wanted to speak again.

Chi Zhimiao cleared her throat. “Well, let’s get going too.”

The business van Chi Zhimiao had arranged was waiting at the entrance. The five of them piled into the vehicle.

Pei Yinxi asked, “What do you think of Shi Shuwu now?”

The other three immediately perked up their ears.

Tang Wuyun stared blankly out the window, sighed softly, and answered without hesitation, “Contradictory.”

Utterly contradictory.

She had realized her predicament the moment she rushed back to grab her phone to call Shi Shuwu.

She wanted to tell herself to let it go, but couldn’t resist drawing closer.

Tang Wuyun was acutely aware that she was once again being drawn into Shi Shuwu’s vortex.

Pei Yinxi didn’t press further.

Meanwhile, in the other van:

Luo Zhuo whispered insistently in Shi Shuwu’s ear, “Why aren’t you going? Why aren’t you going?”

Shi Shuwu was thoroughly annoyed.

“I told you, it’s not appropriate.”

Luo Zhuo didn’t understand. “The other five don’t mind. Why are you the only one objecting?”

Shi Shuwu rubbed her face and took a deep breath. “Didn’t you hear what they said?”

Luo Zhuo shrugged. “Yeah, they know you well—’unofficial member.'”

Shi Shuwu pressed, “Do you think they said that because of Tang Wuyun?”

Luo Zhuo blinked and nodded.

“But what’s my relationship with Tang Wuyun?” Shi Shuwu asked.

Luo Zhuo fell silent, the fiery passion of her shipper’s heart suddenly cooling.

It’s definitely not a good idea for you to go. If you did, it would imply you agree with that kind of talk.

“Why didn’t Sister Tan come?” Shi Shuwu asked, seizing the opportunity to change the subject.

Luo Zhuo stretched lazily, sighing, “She said she didn’t want to see you.”

Shi Shuwu protested, “Why not?”

Luo Zhuo chuckled, explaining, “Sister Tan said she had a strong premonition that you’d come back and tell her you wanted to date someone.”

“That’s ridiculous! Sister Tan’s just being paranoid. I told her you wouldn’t do that—you’ve only been out for two days!”

“But Sister Tan insisted she understands you. She said every day she doesn’t see you is a day less she has to worry, so she stayed away.”

“Hahaha!”

Luo Zhuo laughed heartily for a while before realizing Shi Shuwu hadn’t said a word.

Suspecting something, she quickly turned to look at Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu, however, avoided her gaze, silently turning away and pressing her hands against the car window, looking out with a guilty expression.

Luo Zhuo: “……”

Luo Zhuo: “!!!”

Tan Qingyu was watching a livestream replay when she answered Luo Zhuo’s call.

Luo Zhuo: “Sister Tan!”

The shout was so loud that Tan Qingyu quickly pulled the phone away from her ear. “What’s wrong?”

Shi Shuwu was currently trying to cover Luo Zhuo’s mouth.

Luo Zhuo dodged Shi Shuwu while yelling, “Tan! Sister!”

Tan Qingyu: “What is it? Just tell me!”

Luo Zhuo blocked Shi Shuwu’s arm, speaking rapidly, “Catastrophic news! Your precious daughter got kidnapped within two days of leaving home!”

“You guessed right!”

Tan Qingyu: “……”

After a long, heart-stopping silence, she finally spoke, “This news could have waited until tomorrow. Why tell me now?”

What grudge do you hold against me, forcing me to lose another night’s sleep?

Luo Zhuo: “……”

Shi Shuwu snatched the phone and explained herself, “It’s not true. Luo Zhuo’s just making things up.”

She glared at Luo Zhuo after speaking.

Luo Zhuo laughed. “Do you even believe that yourself?”

Look how guilty you look.

Shi Shuwu stubbornly retorted, “How could I not know what I’m thinking?”

Luo Zhuo immediately pressed, “Oh? So what are you thinking?”

Shi Shuwu opened her mouth, hesitated, and then stopped, as if caught between speaking and remaining silent.

“Look, look!” Luo Zhuo pointed at her triumphantly. “What are you thinking? Why won’t you say?”

On the other end of the line, Tan Qingyu felt her heart sink. Unable to bear their bickering any longer, she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, Just let it all end.

“Your flight is this afternoon, right? I’ll pick you up tonight,” Tan Qingyu said, cutting through their argument.

Hearing that Tan Qingyu planned to pick them up that evening, Shi Shuwu’s heart tightened. “No need, Sister Tan,” she said quickly. “You should get some rest.”

She couldn’t possibly let Tan Qingyu waste her rest time.

Tan Qingyu scoffed coldly. “You’re the reason I can’t rest properly.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

“I want to hear what you have to say tonight,” Tan Qingyu continued. “Hang up now and don’t bother me again.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

I didn’t even make this call!

Shi Shuwu sighed deeply. It seemed a fierce battle awaited her tonight.

She tossed the phone back to Luo Zhuo, who was watching with amusement.

Luo Zhuo pocketed the phone, then suddenly leaned close to Shi Shuwu, deliberately widening her eyes as she scrutinized her from head to toe.

Shi Shuwu: “……”

She simply closed her eyes, preferring not to see.

Dissatisfied with Shi Shuwu’s reaction, Luo Zhuo poked her arm.

Shi Shuwu stiffened her face, staring back expressionlessly. “What?”

Luo Zhuo blinked and grinned. “Actually, when we were stuck at the airport the other day, you already realized you liked her, didn’t you?”

They had been stranded at the airport due to a typhoon. Shi Shuwu’s reaction upon seeing the trending topic online had been quite telling.

Luo Zhuo remembered gossiping with Shi Shuwu about whether she liked Tang Wuyun.

Shi Shuwu’s reaction had been quite odd.

And then Tang Wuyun had shown up and even joined the variety show, claiming it was to clear up a misunderstanding.

Who would believe that?

Tan Qingyu had called her paranoid, but it wasn’t that Shi Shuwu disliked Tang Wuyun; it was that Shi Shuwu hadn’t figured out her feelings quickly enough.

But Luo Zhuo never expected Shi Shuwu’s feelings to change so drastically in just a couple of days!

Hearing Luo Zhuo mention the airport, Shi Shuwu immediately retorted, “No! How could that be? What are you even thinking?”

Luo Zhuo chuckled. “See? You’re getting defensive again.”

Shi Shuwu protested, “I’m not being defensive! You’re just making things up.”

Luo Zhuo shrugged. “I don’t think I’m wrong.”

Shi Shuwu pursed her lips, fell silent for a few seconds, then reluctantly conceded, holding up two fingers and pinching them together. “Just a tiny bit.”

She had indeed felt a slightly different emotion that day, though she hadn’t understood it at the time.

Truthfully, she still didn’t fully understand it now. Matters of the heart were so complicated. It was only just before leaving that she had finally grasped something from her lingering reluctance.

“Mhm, mhm,” Luo Zhuo nodded, drawing an enormous circle with both hands and dragging out the words dramatically. “A ti~ny bit.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”