Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 31

“Are you full?”

Shi Zhimiao’s calm yet utterly cold voice rang in Tang Wuyun’s ears.

The beef Tang Wuyun was chewing suddenly tasted much better. What’s the difference between this and saying “Let’s hit the road after you’re done eating?”

Lu Ya glanced at Tang Wuyun before quickly averting her gaze, idly spinning the glass in her hand.

They had agreed to Tang Wuyun’s request to wait until after the meal to talk.

Now, except for Tang Wuyun, the four of them had finished eating.

Tang Wuyun, feeling the weight of their gazes, coughed. “Uh, not yet.”

In truth, she was already about eighty or ninety percent full.

Tang Wuyun was trying to stall for time.

Bai Jin, sitting beside her, thoughtfully peeled a shrimp and placed it in her bowl. “Take your time. Don’t rush. Eat more.”

Tang Wuyun stared nervously at the headless, shelled shrimp in her bowl, the feeling of a last meal growing stronger.

She picked up the shrimp, chewed slowly, and swallowed. Her anxiety intensified with each bite, but no matter how much she stalled, the outcome would remain the same.

Tang Wuyun steeled herself, summoning the courage of a drunkard, and downed a glass of orange juice in one gulp.

“I’ll tell you!”

Shi Zhimiao smiled, gave a slight nod, and casually waved her hand. The servers in the room withdrew.

The other three: “……”

Help me…

What kind of drama are these two putting on? They’re such good actors.

No wonder Tang Wuyun always teases Shi Zhimiao with “domineering CEO” jokes. Sometimes Shi Zhimiao really does act like one.

Under the intense gaze of four pairs of eyes, Tang Wuyun took a deep breath.

She opened her mouth, then closed it, repeating this hesitant back-and-forth six or seven times.

Bai Jin, unable to bear it any longer, finally urged, “Just spit it out already!”

Tang Wuyun pressed her forehead against her palm. “I don’t even know where to start.”

She hadn’t even organized her thoughts yet.

Pei Yinxi: “Then I’ll ask. Why did you suddenly block us?”

She didn’t give Tang Wuyun a chance to refuse, cutting straight to the point: “Why did you suddenly block us?”

“Because…” Tang Wuyun licked her lips. “Because it was the last thing I could do.”

Shi Zhimiao frowned. “What do you mean, ‘the last thing you could do’?”

“Because…” Tang Wuyun tugged at her hair, sighing with a pained expression.

How am I supposed to explain this? They’ll never believe me if I tell them.

Lu Ya’s hand, which had been turning her cup, stilled. Her voice was cool. “If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Don’t waste our time.”

Tang Wuyun stared at Lu Ya, her throat bobbing as she realized Lu Ya was genuinely angry.

“I do want to tell you,” she blurted out.

Bai Jin pressed, “So what is it? Is it really that hard to say?”

Tang Wuyun took a deep breath and turned to Shi Zhimiao. “Miaomiao, I’m going to give you an example. Just follow what I say, no matter how absurd it sounds.”

Shi Zhimiao pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Imagine that in seven days, someone will come to take you. They’ll take everything you have—your career, your achievements, your friends.”

Shi Zhimiao frowned, interrupting. “Take me? In what sense? My position? Or…?”

Tang Wuyun paused, then suddenly picked up a glass of plain water and said to Shi Zhimiao, “Let’s say this is you.”

She then picked up a glass of orange juice. “And this is the one who will take from you.”

“By ‘take from you,’ I don’t mean simply exchanging this glass of water for this glass of orange juice.”

The four watched as she poured the water into the trash can and then poured the orange juice into the empty glass.

“I mean taking from you like this. Do you understand?”

Shi Zhimiao understood, but she also realized she had been wrong and didn’t dare ask further questions.

Bai Jin opened her mouth to speak, then turned to exchange a bewildered look with Lu Ya.

What is she talking about?

Pei Yinxi pressed her lips together, her gaze carefully studying Tang Wuyun’s face.

Seeing their silence, Tang Wuyun, disregarding whether she might frighten them, stated bluntly, “The body. I’m talking about the body.”

She tried to ignore their expressions, raising her hand to cut off their impending questions.

“Don’t interrupt me. Don’t say anything until I’ve finished.”

Shi Zhimiao nodded with difficulty.

Tang Wuyun placed the glass of orange juice directly in front of her. “If these people were to take over your body in seven days, using your identity to live their lives, and then use your authority without restraint to do whatever they pleased, even to flirt with various men using your body, what would you do?”

“Of course, you’d have no way to prevent them from taking over. Even suicide wouldn’t work; they’d still come.”

Having finally voiced the words she’d been holding back for so long, Tang Wuyun exhaled deeply, her breath trembling.

Bai Jin exclaimed in realization, “This sounds like a transmigration novel! Miaomiao is the one being possessed. It’s such a cliché!”

If Tang Wuyun wanted to make up an excuse, couldn’t she have come up with something less ridiculous? Does she think we’ve never read a novel before?

Just as Bai Jin was about to criticize Tang Wuyun, she saw Tang Wuyun nod earnestly. “Yes, it’s a novel.”

With that, Tang Wuyun turned her gaze away from Bai Jin and focused on Shi Zhimiao. “Miao, what would you do?”

Shi Zhimiao didn’t understand. Instead of answering, she stammered, “This…”

This is too absurd, Tang Wuyun!

But Tang Wuyun nodded vigorously.

“That makes sense,” Shi Zhimiao said.

Tang Wuyun slammed her hand on the table, her voice rising in agitation. “Forget about what makes sense! Just tell me—if you were in this situation, what would you do?!”

Shi Zhimiao fell silent, feeling Tang Wuyun was being unreasonable.

Noticing Tang Wuyun’s heightened emotions, Pei Yinxi rose and walked behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder and patting it gently. “Calm down, we’re listening.”

She then turned to Shi Zhimiao. “A’Miao.”

Pei Yinxi signaled Shi Zhimiao to cooperate with Tang Wuyun for now.

Shi Zhimiao paused for two seconds. “Alright, let me think.”

Though she found the scenario absurd, she still tried to imagine herself in that hypothetical situation.

Lu Ya and Bai Jin exchanged worried glances, then turned to Pei Yinxi for answers. What was going on?

Pei Yinxi shook her head silently, urging them to keep listening, her heart heavy with concern for Tang Wuyun’s mental state.

The room fell into an abrupt silence. After a few minutes, Shi Zhimiao stared blankly at Tang Wuyun.

She rubbed her eyes, her voice utterly drained. “If I were in that situation, I would transfer all my assets and shares to you all. I’d also find a way to disband my staff.”

Tang Wuyun’s uncontrolled emotions suddenly quieted when Shi Zhimiao said she would divide her assets among them.

How dare she act so generous? Her money is still in her own pocket…

But a moment later, Tang Wuyun found an excuse for herself: It’s because she went out during the typhoon.

Shi Zhimiao continued her analysis, “If those people succeed in taking me down, I’ll definitely cause them trouble. I might deliberately offend some of their business partners to create opportunities for my own comeback.”

“Of course, I’ll never let them harm my friends or family. Even if they wouldn’t actually hurt them, I won’t let them take advantage of them. That’s why I’ll sever all ties with everyone while I still have time.”

At this point, Shi Zhimiao paused and looked up at Tang Wuyun.

“Although this will clearly signal to everyone that something’s wrong, that’s precisely my intention. I want to alert them that I’m not acting normally. If you come looking for me for any reason, you’ll soon realize I’m not the same as before. I don’t expect you to uncover the truth, but at least you’ll sense that something’s off.”

Tang Wuyun picked up the glass of orange juice in front of Shi Zhimiao and took a small, satisfied sip, lowering her head.

This was precisely why she had asked Shi Zhimiao for an example.

Ignoring Tang Wuyun’s subtle gesture, Shi Zhimiao glanced at Lu Ya, who seemed hesitant to speak. She tilted her chin slightly. “What’s the matter?”

Lu Ya: “Why didn’t you just tell us directly?”

Shi Zhimiao chuckled softly. “Because if I volunteered the information, people would dismiss it as attention-seeking. They’d think I’m crazy. But if they discover the truth themselves…”

Tang Wuyun scratched her head, looking puzzled.

Was that really what I was thinking back then?

She couldn’t remember clearly. Maybe… perhaps.

All she knew was that everyone was busy and had no time for her. The internet signal was unreliable, and she couldn’t even leave the house.

She had been completely overwhelmed, utterly broken. Driven mad by torment, she could only think of going insane, her mind filled with thoughts of madness, madness, madness.

Lu Ya nodded slowly, indicating she understood.

Shi Zhimiao continued, “As for her using my body to sleep around with others, I can’t stop that. But if I’m forced to retire, I’ll publicly reveal my sexual orientation and make as big a scene as possible…”

Shi Zhimiao trailed off, unable to continue. The other three listeners immediately recalled Tang Wuyun’s past actions.

Good heavens, suddenly it all makes sense!

Pei Yinxi, who had been observing Tang Wuyun’s every move with her head lowered, noticed the woman’s frequent nodding, which confirmed everything.

It did seem like Tang Wuyun was trying to deceive them.

But more than that, she seemed completely unhinged.

After hearing Tang Wuyun’s explanation, Shi Zhimiao’s anger toward her completely dissipated. Not because she believed the story, but because she now suspected Tang Wuyun suffered from delusions of grandeur or paranoid delusions.

Shi Zhimiao said, “First of all, I can now understand why you did those things. I can forgive you.”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up instantly.

“But I want you to see a specialist first. Please cooperate.”

The joy that had momentarily lifted Tang Wuyun’s heart crashed to the ground.

So they didn’t believe her at all. They just thought she was sick and could be forgiven for it.

“I’m not lying to you,” she said weakly. “Everything I’ve told you is true!”

Tang Wuyun’s shoulders slumped, and she suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

Pei Yinxi’s hand tightened on her shoulder as she gently urged, “It won’t hurt to get checked out. It won’t take long.”

Bai Jin added, “The main thing is, what you’re saying just doesn’t make sense. Look at you now—you’re right here, perfectly fine. I can tell this isn’t the real you.”

Tang Wuyun opened her mouth, desperate to explain, but she couldn’t find the strength to argue.

She herself didn’t understand why she had returned.

“You…” Pei Yinxi was about to say something more.

Tang Wuyun cut her off. “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

Tang Wuyun lifted her hand to remove the hand resting on her shoulder, closed her reddened eyes, and struggled to compose herself. “Sister Pei, I know you care about me, but please don’t talk to me like I’m a patient.”

She couldn’t bear the thought that all the torment she had endured was being dismissed as mere symptoms of an illness.

The five of them finished their meal in a heavy silence.

As they filed out of the private room, Tang Wuyun kept her head bowed, her spirits visibly low.

Lu Ya trailed behind Tang Wuyun, silently watching her back. Deep down, she believed Tang Wuyun’s claims were true.

Rather than accepting such fantastical explanations, Lu Ya found it far more plausible that Tang Wuyun—the girl who had grown up alongside her—would suddenly declare her hatred without reason.

Yet Lu Ya couldn’t bring herself to refute Shi Zhimiao’s suggestion that Tang Wuyun see a specialist. She couldn’t shake the weight of Tang Wuyun’s words: “Even suicide wouldn’t work.”

Why wouldn’t it work? How did Tang Wuyun know that?

Pei Yinxi tugged at Lu Ya, whose expression was heavy with worry. “Yaya?”

Lu Ya snapped out of her daze, met Pei Yinxi’s concerned gaze, and blinked hard.

Lu Ya was unusually quiet today, and Pei Yinxi sighed helplessly, seeing her on the verge of tears.

It was a familiar sight. Years ago, Lu Ya would always cry whenever Tang Wuyun did.

“I was just asking about your plans. Jin Jin and A’Miao have work, and Wuyun said she’ll stay with me. What about you?” Pei Yinxi reminded her that Lu Ya had recently canceled all her work commitments.

Lu Ya hesitated, then blurted out, “I want to stay with you too.”

Before Pei Yinxi could even nod, Tang Wuyun quickly grabbed Lu Ya’s arm, taking charge. “Yes, yes, yes! That’s perfect! We’ll all stay together!”

The more the merrier!

Afraid Pei Yinxi might refuse, Tang Wuyun immediately gave her a pleading look. “Sister Pei, please say yes!”

Pei Yinxi: “……”

“Of course you can. Did I say no?”

They used to visit her often, and she had never turned them away.

Bai Jin and Shi Zhimiao, feeling inexplicably excluded: “……”

Bai Jin’s fingers twisted together in anxious knots.

Tang Wuyun muttered under her breath, “I want to go too…”

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up again. “Jin Jin’s coming too!”

Pei Yinxi moved her lips, wanting to remind them that Bai Jin had work and tell them to stop fooling around. But seeing Tang Wuyun suddenly brimming with energy, her previously lifeless demeanor vanishing instantly, she couldn’t bring herself to dampen her spirits.

As if anticipating Pei Yinxi’s thoughts, Bai Jin quickly explained, “I’m just going to be a mentor on a variety show. The filming location isn’t too far from Sister Pei’s place, so I’ll stay there during my breaks.”

After all, she wouldn’t be filming 24/7.

Pei Yinxi nodded, swallowing her words. She could only be grateful that her house had four bedrooms.

Finally, all four turned to Shi Zhimiao.

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

She despised them all and wanted to isolate herself from everyone.

Tang Wuyun chimed in with a smug grin, “We’re all staying at Sister Pei’s place, President Shi, so you’ll have to work alone~”

Her tone dripped with schadenfreude.

Shi Zhimiao’s fists clenched.

Lu Ya feigned innocence. “What if Miaomiao doesn’t come?”

Bai Jin chimed in, “Then it looks like we’ll have to keep Sister Pei company.”

Shi Zhimiao angrily yanked open the car door and climbed in, deliberately sitting alone in the front passenger seat, isolating herself from the group.

Pei Yinxi, annoyed, glanced at the three of them.

The trio immediately straightened up, obediently squeezed into the car, and set off for the airport.

Tang Wuyun, bored, unlocked her phone and began tapping aimlessly at the screen, repeatedly opening and closing her chat with Shi Shuwu.

Lu Ya, sitting beside her, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but Tang Wuyun’s phone screen was brightly lit and facing forward, making it impossible for Lu Ya to avoid seeing.

“Why don’t you just ask her to dinner?” Lu Ya blurted out, unable to contain herself.

Tang Wuyun froze, turning to look at Lu Ya. Sensing a softening in Lu Ya’s attitude, her expression relaxed slightly.

At the same moment, Bai Jin and Pei Yinxi, seated in the back row, simultaneously turned to look at them.

“Ask who?” Bai Jin asked, curious. Her gaze landed on Tang Wuyun’s phone, and she immediately understood. “Oh, Shi Shuwu?”

Pei Yinxi chuckled teasingly.

Tang Wuyun cleared her throat and awkwardly put away her phone.

Lu Ya looked puzzled. “Why didn’t you send it?”

Weren’t you just so eager to text him?

“I…” Tang Wuyun’s eyes flickered with conflicting emotions. She paused, her cheeks flushing slightly, and her voice was utterly conflicted. “I don’t know what we are right now. We can’t just be friends, but I can’t bear to cut off contact either.”

Bai Jin snapped her fingers. “Got it! This is what I call the ‘deliberately playing dumb’ phase of ambiguity.”

“There’s no rush. He’s not exactly pushing you away, so just keep things vague for now.”

Lu Ya didn’t quite understand, but she nodded anyway. “Yeah, just let things flow naturally.”

It was hard to tell if Tang Wuyun was listening. She reopened her phone.

Tang Wuyun: Have you eaten yet?

After sending the message, Tang Wuyun flipped her phone face down and exhaled nervously.

Lu Ya tugged on her sleeve. “Don’t be so stiff! Send him another emoji.”

“Okay, fine,” Tang Wuyun mechanically unlocked her phone and did as she was told, searching for an adorable cat emoji to send.

Anxiously, Tang Wuyun turned off her phone, then turned it back on, off again, on, off, repeating the cycle several times.

“Stop checking it! It’s only been a few minutes,” Lu Ya said, finally losing patience and pressing her hand down on Tang Wuyun’s phone.

Is she really this nervous?

Tang Wuyun nodded, worried that Shi Shuwu might remember the things she had said on the phone earlier and then refuse to talk to her.

A few minutes later, Shi Shuwu finally replied, her response belated.

Shi Shuwu: Ate a little. Just boarded the plane.

Shi Shuwu: What are you doing now?

Tang Wuyun immediately handed her phone to Lu Ya, silently pleading for help with her eyes.

Lu Ya’s expression was hard to describe. “…Weren’t you usually so chatty with her?”

Tang Wuyun hesitated. “I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.”

Back then, Shi Shuwu hadn’t known Tang Wuyun liked her.

“Just tell her the truth,” Lu Ya said, pushing the phone back to her.

Tang Wuyun nodded, her expression serious and focused as she typed: On my way to the airport. I’m going to stay with Sister Pei and live with her.

Shi Shuwu: Aren’t you going home?

Tang Wuyun: …No, I’m not. I don’t like it there anymore. I’m never going back.

On the plane, Shi Shuwu stared at the message, stunned.

Tang Wuyun had always praised that neighborhood, even recommending Shi Shuwu move there.

Why the sudden change of heart?

Had something bad happened there?

While Shi Shuwu was still pondering, Tang Wuyun sent two more messages.

Tang Wuyun: Except for Miaomiao, the rest of us are staying with Sister Pei.

Tang Wuyun: You know Sister Pei’s place—we had hotpot near there before.

Shi Shuwu frowned thoughtfully. Could it be near her apartment?

Though she rarely stayed there, Tang Wuyun seemed to know she had a place in that area. What was Tang Wuyun implying?

Was this a warning?

Shi Shuwu replied slowly: I remember. My apartment is nearby.

In the other car, Tang Wuyun and Lu Ya saw the message and, with perfect synchronicity, straightened up in their seats.

Tang Wuyun was overjoyed, marveling at the coincidence.

Lu Ya pointed at the phone, her voice firm: “This is definitely a hint! She’s implying something!”

Tang Wuyun looked bewildered. “Huh?”

Lu Ya began to meticulously analyze the message for her.

Meanwhile, Shi Shuwu was also staring at her phone, her mind racing.

In just a few short sentences, both sides had independently launched into a full-blown interpretive exercise.