Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 33

For the two days after arriving in Xiangyun, the three women remained holed up in Pei Yinxi’s home. Tang Wuyun was fine on the first day, but the second night brought a series of nightmares, likely triggered by the relentless thunderstorms.

Pei Yinxi: “Did you wake up early, or did you pull an all-nighter?”

It was only seven in the morning. If Pei Yinxi hadn’t received a phone call and needed to leave, she’d probably still be asleep. She frowned as she walked over to the sofa and gave the drowsy Tang Wuyun a sharp tap.

Though she asked the question, Tang Wuyun’s pale complexion made it clear she hadn’t slept at all. Her face was haggard, and she gazed at Pei Yinxi with weary eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

She wanted to sleep, but fear kept her awake. Her dreams kept rewinding, replaying the same terrifying scenes. Tang Wuyun planned to stay up until Lu Ya or Pei Yinxi woke up, so at least someone would be there when she inevitably woke up screaming.

Right now, she was guarding the living room as they prepared to leave.

“Sister Pei, you’re finally awake. Can you stay in the living room with me for a while? I’ll sleep here.”

Pei Yinxi paused, studying Tang Wuyun thoughtfully. “Nightmares?”

Tang Wuyun nodded, then pointed to the storm-darkened window, her voice filled with grievance. “And the thunder and rain… I’m scared.”

The rain had been pouring all night, punctuated by occasional thunderclaps and relentless wind. Tang Wuyun couldn’t ignore the commotion.

Pei Yinxi frowned slightly. Tang Wuyun had never been afraid of thunder before, and she had no reason to lie now.

She sat down beside Tang Wuyun and asked casually, “When did you start being afraid of thunder and rain?”

Tang Wuyun slumped back against the sofa, hugging a pillow, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “Just recently…”

She fell silent.

Pei Yinxi leaned closer to check on her and realized Tang Wuyun had fallen asleep after uttering just those few words.

After a moment’s contemplation, she reached for the nearby blanket and draped it over Tang Wuyun, adjusting the air conditioning to 25 degrees Celsius.

What had happened to Tang Wuyun was deeply unsettling, and the damage she had inflicted on herself was painfully obvious.

Pei Yinxi didn’t fully believe Tang Wuyun’s explanation, but her immediate priority was Tang Wuyun’s mental and physical well-being. Perhaps she could use those words as a starting point to uncover deeper issues.

She finally understood why Tang Wuyun had insisted on following her everywhere. It wasn’t just dependence; it was Tang Wuyun’s fear of being alone, her profound lack of security.

Pei Yinxi checked the time on her phone. After a moment’s thought, she got up and walked to Lu Ya’s door. Afraid of waking Tang Wuyun, she knocked softly while simultaneously calling Lu Ya, hoping to rouse her.

A minute later, Lu Ya opened the door, her hair a tangled mess and her face full of resentment.

She squinted one eye open and complained in a soft, sleepy voice, “…Sister Pei, do you even know what time it is?”

Pei Yinxi explained in a low voice, “Go sleep with Wuyun in the living room. She had a nightmare and stayed up all night, too scared to sleep. She just asked me to stay with her, but I have work and need to leave right away.”

Lu Ya’s brain slowly booted up. The words circled in her mind a few times before she finally understood what Pei Yinxi had said.

She nodded slowly, squinted, and shuffled into the living room. After a blank glance in Tang Wuyun’s direction, she instinctively collapsed onto the other sofa.

The two women lay at right angles to each other, forming a perfect L-shape.

“Sister Pei, bye…” Lu Ya mumbled, but she was already asleep before she finished the sentence.

Pei Yinxi sighed softly and draped a blanket over Lu Ya as well. Then, her brow furrowed with worry, she hurried out the door.

I’ll be back by noon at the latest.

Tang Wuyun woke up once, startled by a clap of thunder. She glanced around, her heart still pounding, and saw Lu Ya curled up asleep nearby. Her anxiety eased, but she wondered where Pei Yinxi had gone before drifting back to sleep.

The next time she woke up, it was to the rich aroma of chicken soup simmering in the kitchen, making her mouth water.

Tang Wuyun squinted and slowly sat up.

Noticing the movement beside her, Lu Ya saw Tang Wuyun finally stirring, though her eyes remained closed. She waved a hand in front of her face.

“Hey, wake up.”

Tang Wuyun slumped against the sofa back, rubbing her eyes with a raspy voice. “What time is it? The chicken soup smells amazing.”

Lu Ya: “It’s two in the afternoon. Hurry up and wash your face—I’m starving.”

She turned and called out to Pei Yinxi and Bai Jinxi in the kitchen, craning her neck: “Sister Pei! Jin Jin! Hurry up with lunch—she’s awake!”

They had wanted Tang Wuyun to sleep longer, so they started with the soup first. The rice hadn’t been cooked yet, and the two in the kitchen were now preparing the side dishes, their timing perfect.

Tang Wuyun paused, her mind clearing slightly. “Jin Jin’s here too?”

Lu Ya nodded. “She just got here. She’s off this afternoon and goes back to work tomorrow morning.”

“Oh…” Tang Wuyun took a moment to gather herself, then slowly got up and checked her phone for messages.

Shi Shuwu: I’m setting off for Xiangyun today.

Shi Shuwu: Just finished breakfast and packing.

Shi Shuwu: At the airport now, still…

Shi Shuwu: How are you still not awake?

Shi Shuwu: The airport is so boring.

Shi Shuwu: I’m boarding the plane.

These messages were sent before noon.

Then, half an hour ago:

Shi Shuwu: ?

Shi Shuwu: It’s almost 2 PM. Are you still asleep? Or haven’t you checked your messages?

Shi Shuwu: I’ve landed. The airport is quite far from the city center.

As Tang Wuyun scrolled through the messages, her mind gradually cleared, and she was now fully awake.

She patted her forehead and quickly replied: I only fell asleep this morning. Just woke up now.

Lu Ya kicked Tang Wuyun’s leg, urging her, “You know how to check your phone. Hurry up and wash your face.”

“I know,” Tang Wuyun said, retreating slightly. She stretched languidly, letting out a comfortable sigh.

She added, “I’m replying to Shi Shuwu. She’s in Xiangyun too, just arrived.”

Pei Yinxi’s voice drifted from the kitchen, “Are you talking about Shi Shuwu? Ask if she’s eaten yet. If she’s nearby, she can join us.”

Bai Jin chimed in, “Yeah, the food’s a bit too much anyway. Four people can’t finish it all.”

Tang Wuyun scratched her messy hair, thought for a moment, and nodded.

She hadn’t seen Shi Shuwu in a couple of days.

She quickly texted Shi Shuwu, worried she might not have seen the message. Just as she was about to call, Shi Shuwu replied.

Shi Shuwu: Send me your location.

Seeing no sign of refusal, Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up, and she immediately sent her location.

Shi Shuwu: Ah… I just passed by there ten minutes ago.

Shi Shuwu: I’ll turn back now.

Tang Wuyun: Okay! (Heart-eyes emoji)

Tang Wuyun quickly tossed her phone aside and rushed to the bathroom to wash up.

Lu Ya clicked her tongue.

She wouldn’t budge when I was urging her earlier.

Lu Ya glanced toward Tang Wuyun’s room, pondered for a moment, and suddenly got up to follow her.

Tang Wuyun, mid-toothbrushing, looked up in surprise as Lu Ya barged in.

Lu Ya leaned against the doorframe, her face brimming with gossip. “Do you think Shi Shuwu’s coming over because you’re here?”

Tang Wuyun’s brushing paused. She quickly shot Lu Ya a how could you even think that? look and shook her head without hesitation.

Absolutely not. I wouldn’t even dare to dream of such a thing.

At best, Shi Shuwu and Tang Wuyun were just acquaintances who could invite each other to dinner—nothing more.

Lu Ya shrugged, thought for a moment, and then urged again, “Hey, why don’t you seize this opportunity while she’s here to talk to her about renting a place?”

During her recent conversations with Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun hadn’t mentioned her housing plans.

Lu Ya felt frustrated by her friend’s lack of initiative.

Tang Wuyun’s toothbrushing gradually slowed as she pondered the suggestion. After a few seconds, she shook her head vehemently.

She refused.

The nightmare she’d had earlier that day had convinced her to abandon the idea.

Just imagining Shi Shuwu suddenly showing up at her home sent a chill down Tang Wuyun’s spine. It would be even more terrifying than Shi Shuwu’s unexpected visit during the thunderstorm.

The mere thought of those scenarios made her scalp tingle. Enough is enough, she thought.

Yet she knew she was overreacting. These were just her own imaginings; the reality might be completely different.

Tang Wuyun sighed inwardly. Life is so hard.

Lu Ya scoffed dismissively. “Tch~”

She assumed Tang Wuyun was just being shy and cowardly.

Tang Wuyun glared at her resentfully, then quickly rinsed her mouth.

“No, I’m staying with Sister Pei. I don’t want to live alone anymore.”

Though Tang Wuyun said this, she still wanted her own place, not necessarily renting from Shi Shuwu.

Even though Pei Yinxi didn’t mind her staying indefinitely, Tang Wuyun knew it wasn’t right.

Lu Ya tilted her head, puzzled. “You mean you’re moving in here permanently?”

Tang Wuyun paused, then nodded emphatically, deliberately saying, “Exactly! From now on, wherever Sister Pei goes, I go too. I’m going to cling to her like a charm.”

Lu Ya choked.

She stared at Tang Wuyun, her expression suddenly turning strange.

Tang Wuyun: “???”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Even if her words were a bit much and her skin a bit thick, did Lu Ya really need to look at her like she was a pervert?

Lu Ya’s next words were a critical hit: “I think you’re not just in love with Shi Shuwu, you’re also in love with Sister Pei! You’re in love with two people at once! Your intentions toward Sister Pei are… Augh!”

Before Lu Ya could finish, Tang Wuyun kicked her leg, sending her sprawling out the door.

“How dare you say such nonsense!”

“If I had such thoughts, Miaomiao would kill me!”

Lu Ya stumbled backward two steps.

“You kicked me!” she protested indignantly.

Tang Wuyun raised the glass in her hand, menacingly threatening Lu Ya, “I’ll do more than kick you—I’ll hit you too.”

She regretted not having Shi Shuwu’s ability to crush the glass with her bare hands. That would have scared Lu Ya to death.

Lu Ya turned and fled toward the living room, screaming Pei Yinxi’s name at the top of her lungs.

“Ah! Sister Pei!”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

“Sister Pei! She’s going to kill me!”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Tang Wuyun took a deep breath and slammed the bathroom door shut, deciding to simply ignore the situation.

She once again wrestled with the question of whether to rent out the room, reconsidering her options.

How quickly I’ve changed my tune, she thought, instantly forgetting her earlier firm refusal to Lu Ya.

Typical of me, she mused, saying one thing and doing another.

By the time Pei Yinxi arrived at the apartment entrance with Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun had finally emerged from her room, fully ready.

Bai Jinxi couldn’t fathom what she had been fussing over. No matter how much she primped, she was still wearing the same pajamas and her face remained makeup-free.

She secretly voiced her confusion to Lu Ya.

Lu Ya cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered into Bai Jinxi’s ear, “She was fixing her hair.”

Didn’t you notice how meticulously styled it is? Lu Ya continued. It might not look much different, but it’s all about the feeling.

Bai Jinxi’s lips twitched, offering a succinct summary: “…So she was just admiring herself in the mirror, huh?”

While Shi Shuwu and Pei Yinxi were taking off their shoes in the entryway, Tang Wuyun crept over and secretly punched each of them once.

Though she couldn’t hear what they were saying, their expressions and glances made it clear they were talking behind her back.

Lu Ya immediately tensed, opening her mouth to shout toward the entryway, “Pei… Mmph!”

Tang Wuyun swiftly clamped her hand over Lu Ya’s mouth, glaring at her with a panicked expression.

Bai Jin: “……”

Bai Jin remained silent, retaliating by punching Tang Wuyun twice in the small of her back.

This scene unfolded just as Pei Yinxi and Shi Shuwu entered the room.

Pei Yinxi: “……”

How childish and embarrassing. If Shi Zhimiao were here, at least she could stop them from fighting.

Shi Shuwu raised an eyebrow, watching Tang Wuyun with amusement.

Pei Yinxi sighed softly and waved her hand at them. “Stop bickering and come eat. Wuyun, stop bullying Yaya.”

Lu Ya straightened up instantly, slapping Tang Wuyun’s hand away.

She turned to continue tattling, “Sister Pei, she hit me again!”

Tang Wuyun, who was nervously waving a polite greeting to Shi Shuwu, didn’t even glance at her.

Bai Jin also nodded at Shi Shuwu.

Ignored, Lu Ya shifted her gaze to Shi Shuwu. Her eyes darted around before she suddenly pointed at Tang Wuyun and declared, “Shi Shuwu, she hit me!”

The others fell silent.

Shi Shuwu, suddenly put on the spot, awkwardly held back a smile. This situation wasn’t her responsibility anymore.

Lu Ya’s shocking outburst caught Tang Wuyun completely off guard. Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment and anger, and she shoved Lu Ya onto the sofa with force.

“Why didn’t I just beat you to death?!”

Lu Ya rolled off the sofa and scrambled to her feet. “Sister Pei! Look at her!”

Pei Yinxi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

How embarrassing. Utterly humiliating.

Their guest had barely stepped inside, hadn’t even had a sip of water, and was already witnessing this childish squabble.

Fortunately, Tang Wuyun wasn’t foolish. Before Lu Ya could say another word, she grabbed Shi Shuwu’s arm and pulled her toward the kitchen, completely ignoring Lu Ya.

Bai Jin swiftly intervened, seizing Lu Ya by the back of her collar to prevent her from making further a fool of herself.

Lu Ya: “……”

She sighed dramatically, glaring at Bai Jin. “Jin Jin, you don’t understand! Let go of me! I’m trying to get Shuwu’s attention so I can chat with her.”

With that, she tried to stride toward the kitchen.

Bai Jin yanked her back by the collar without mercy.

“Why are you butting in on those two lovebirds?”

Are you trying to be a third wheel?

Pei Yinxi chimed in, “We can talk about whatever it is during dinner.”

There were no rules against talking during meals.

Lu Ya stomped her foot impatiently.

“This can’t wait for dinner!”

If Shi Shuwu refused to rent to Tang Wuyun and everyone heard it at the table, wouldn’t that just put Tang Wuyun on the spot?

That would be so rude!

Bai Jinxi didn’t know what Lu Ya was up to, but seeing her urgency, she instinctively loosened her grip.

Lu Ya darted away immediately.

Pei Yinxi: “……”

In the kitchen, Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu were washing their hands.

Tang Wuyun casually asked, “Are you here for work?”

Shi Shuwu replied flatly, “No.”

Tang Wuyun’s heart skipped a beat. Could Lu Ya have been right?

She blinked, her heart pounding.

Just then, Lu Ya squeezed between them, even shoving Tang Wuyun aside.

“Shi Shuwu!” Lu Ya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement, looking even more thrilled than Tang Wuyun.

Shi Shuwu looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

Tang Wuyun gritted her teeth in frustration.

Lu Ya turned on the faucet they had just turned off and began washing her hands, her words flowing without pause. “Do you know why Tang Wuyun got so angry she wanted to punch me earlier?”

Shi Shuwu arched an eyebrow, glancing at Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun looked equally confused.

Before Shi Shuwu could ask, Lu Ya answered directly, seizing the moment before Tang Wuyun could react. “She wanted to ask if she could rent your apartment here, but she was too embarrassed to ask you herself. So I asked for her.”

Tang Wuyun: “!”

That’s what I was thinking, but did I actually say that? I remember telling Lu Ya it was impossible!

Lies!

Tang Wuyun’s neck and face flushed crimson with anger. “You’re making things up!”

Shi Shuwu was inwardly surprised. She carefully observed Tang Wuyun’s reaction, sensing that Lu Ya had struck a nerve. Tang Wuyun’s anger seemed rooted in embarrassment.

Does she really want to live there?

Lu Ya grinned. “I’m done washing up. You two take your time.”

She wiped her hands and turned to leave, eager to avoid being a third wheel.

Tang Wuyun felt like her heart was about to explode from frustration.

A hint of amusement flickered in Shi Shuwu’s eyes as she said softly, “My apartment is about a twenty-minute drive from here, not too far. If you want to stay, you can just head over. I’ve moved to Xiangyun now and live there too.”

Even the thick-skinned Tang Wuyun felt awkward at these words.

How could she possibly have the nerve?

She quickly waved her hand. “I—cough—I won’t rent. I’ll be staying with Sister Pei from now on.”

Shi Shuwu paused for two seconds before asking, “You have nowhere else to go?”

Tang Wuyun scratched her cheek awkwardly. “No, it’s just… I want to stay here.”

She wasn’t destitute; she simply needed company.

But to Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun’s behavior seemed like mere embarrassment.

Shi Shuwu pondered for a moment. “What I meant earlier wasn’t that I wouldn’t rent to you. If you want to stay, you can just move in—no rent required.”

But Tang Wuyun clearly wouldn’t agree to that. She would never take advantage of Shi Shuwu’s generosity.

Frowning in thought, Shi Shuwu tried to devise a compromise to coax Tang Wuyun into moving in.

Tang Wuyun opened her mouth, wanting to explain further, but Shi Shuwu quickly cut her off. “How about this? Since I’ll be living there too, you can just pay half the rent.”

Shi Shuwu smiled brightly, her expression radiant. “It’s settled then!”

Tang Wuyun: “?”

What have you been thinking? How did you suddenly decide this?

Tang Wuyun mentally grumbled, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice a single word of refusal.

If she wasn’t mistaken, it seemed she was about to live with Shi Shuwu.

Oh my god!

I never even dared to dream of something like this in my entire life.

Not only did Tang Wuyun not object, she even brazenly asked Shi Shuwu, “Is there enough room? Can I bring Lu Ya along?”

Pei Yinxi was busy with work and wouldn’t be staying home with them all the time. Besides, she was leaving in a couple of days.

Tang Wuyun had said she would follow Pei Yinxi wherever she went, but now that Lu Ya was with her, she didn’t necessarily need to stick to Pei Yinxi’s side.

Even though Lu Ya could be a bit annoying.

Shi Shuwu nodded. “Of course. It’s your apartment, so you can arrange things however you like. You can stay there from now on.”

Tang Wuyun was delighted, her face beaming with joy.

She happily imagined how she would stay at Sister Pei’s place whenever Sister Pei was home, and at her own apartment when Sister Pei was away.

Shi Shuwu waved her hand in front of Tang Wuyun’s goofy grin.

Is it really that exciting?

Tang Wuyun, who had been mentally planning her schedule, snapped back to reality.

Shi Shuwu reminded her, “They’re calling us for dinner.”

Tang Wuyun mumbled an embarrassed apology.

When the two finally emerged, the three others at the dining table exchanged teasing glances.

What took them so long to wash their hands?

Lu Ya frantically winked at Shi Shuwu, trying to get the verdict.

Shi Shuwu’s eyes crinkled with amusement as she nodded.

Lu Ya cheered inwardly.

I told you it wouldn’t be difficult!

And the fact that Shi Shuwu knowingly let Tang Wuyun go despite knowing Tang Wuyun’s feelings for her—what did that mean?!

Lu Ya felt like she was shipping them hard.

Once the two sat down, everyone began eating.

Watching everyone chat and laugh over their meal, Tang Wuyun felt a warm glow in her heart. This is true happiness, she thought. The life I want is this simple.

Lu Ya was currently asking Shi Shuwu if the production team had invited her back for the second episode.

Tang Wuyun immediately snapped out of her reverie, stealing a glance at Shi Shuwu from the corner of her eye.

Shi Shuwu nodded, quickly answering, “Yes, they did. I initially only signed for one episode, but after the live broadcast aired, my manager negotiated with the director to have me participate in the second episode as well.”

Indeed, though Tan Qingyu harbored resentment toward Tang Wuyun, she understood Shi Shuwu perfectly and had already secured her participation in the second episode.

Lu Ya’s eyes sparkled. “That’s wonderful! The three of us can travel together.”

Tang Wuyun, who had been focused on her meal, couldn’t suppress the upward curve of her lips. She felt immense satisfaction with Shi Shuwu’s manager. What a great manager! I like her!

Lost in her mental praise of Tan Qingyu, Tang Wuyun failed to notice Lu Ya was watching her.

Lu Ya, feigning nonchalance, deliberately asked Tang Wuyun, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Tang Wuyun choked on her food.

“What do you mean? I’m just eating!” Tang Wuyun protested weakly.

Bai Jin and Pei Yinxi showed no intention of helping Tang Wuyun, instead huddling together to discuss work.

Tang Wuyun’s voice was barely audible: “Just eating…”

Lu Ya teased her with a sly grin, “Are you secretly gloating? You must be absolutely thrilled inside, right?”

Tang Wuyun wanted to scream. Yes, that’s exactly how I feel, but could you please not say it out loud?!

She never expected Shi Shuwu to finally stop teasing her today, only for Lu Ya to take over, daring to say absolutely anything.