Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 34

“Are you really secretly pleased?” Shi Shuwu asked Tang Wuyun deliberately, her tone teasing and probing, her gaze fixed intently on Tang Wuyun’s face, trying to discern something from her expression.

Earlier at dinner, Lu Ya had teased Tang Wuyun, but she had remained silent. Now that only the two of them were left in the living room, Shi Shuwu naturally wanted to seize the opportunity to talk more with Tang Wuyun.

Facing Shi Shuwu’s smiling eyes, Tang Wuyun braced her hand on the sofa and leaned back slightly as Shi Shuwu leaned closer, her nervousness making her retreat a little.

Truthfully, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shi Shuwu was deliberately flirting with her.

What the hell?

“Now that the housing issue is resolved, of course I’m happy,” Tang Wuyun replied evasively, trying to dodge the question.

Shi Shuwu chuckled softly, but didn’t press further.

Just then, Pei Yinxi arrived with some sliced fruit for dessert.

She placed the fruit on the coffee table. “Here, have some fruit.”

Then she turned to Lu Ya, who was squatting in front of the refrigerator, and said irritably, “We just finished eating! How many boxes of ice cream are you going to eat in one day?”

Over the past three days, with Tang Wuyun and Lu Ya around, the fridge had been stocked with an abundance of snacks and drinks.

Lu Ya covered her ears, pretending not to hear, while Tang Wuyun craned her neck to ask Shi Shuwu, “Shuwu, do you want some ice cream? The small kind, about the size of your palm. It’s not much—strawberry, vanilla, matcha, and chocolate. Want to try some?”

Pei Yinxi: “……”

Tang Wuyun turned and leaned against the sofa back, declaring, “I’ll take chocolate.”

Shi Shuwu thought for a moment. “Matcha, please. Thank you.”

Bai Jin, passing by, grabbed a box for himself as well.

The four sat together eating ice cream. Pei Yinxi watched them, a half-amused, half-exasperated expression on her face, and suddenly pulled out her phone to snap a photo of the row of seated figures.

Bai Jin looked puzzled. “Sister Pei?”

Pei Yinxi raised an eyebrow, glancing down at her phone without looking up. “It’s delicious. Enjoy it. I just sent the photo to your manager.”

“Especially you, Lu Yaya. You’ve had several boxes today already.”

Lu Ya’s composure instantly crumbled. “Sister Pei!”

Bai Jin’s expression froze as well. The ice cream in his mouth suddenly tasted anything but sweet.

Tang Wuyun, who didn’t have a manager to restrain her, giggled gleefully, her laughter particularly unrestrained.

Sensing the hostile glares from Bai Jin and Lu Ya, Shi Shuwu nudged her with her elbow.

Tang Wuyun’s smile finally softened a little.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s unusually relaxed demeanor, Pei Yinxi’s lips curved into a deeper smile.

“Wuyun, you seem so happy. Is it because you have a new manager?”

Tang Wuyun’s smile froze.

“A new manager?”

She didn’t have one right now.

Pei Yinxi crossed her arms and waved her phone screen at Tang Wuyun. “A’Miao has already arranged a manager for you. Don’t worry about getting along—it’s Jian Yihui, someone you know.”

“Who?!” Tang Wuyun’s pupils dilated in shock, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Jian Yihui? The same Jian Yihui who had always been stern and fiercely strict with her?

Tang Wuyun felt like the sky was falling.

Even Shi Zhimiao, their boss, faced Jian Yihui’s relentless scrutiny. How could she possibly have a good life now that she was under Jian Yihui’s thumb?

Now it was Lu Ya and Bai Jin’s turn to gloat, as they were equally terrified of Jian Yihui.

Tang Wuyun immediately started searching for her phone, muttering indignantly, “I won’t do it! I refuse! How could Miaomiao treat me like this?!”

She immediately dialed Shi Zhimiao’s number.

Shi Shuwu felt a fleeting three seconds of sympathy for Tang Wuyun before returning to her ice cream, unconcerned.

Lu Ya reminded Tang Wuyun, “Miaomiao’s overseas for business. She probably doesn’t have time to deal with you.”

In just a few days, Shi Zhimiao had already flown to several countries. It was clear how much those two days of variety show filming had cost her in lost earnings.

Tang Wuyun’s call went unanswered, but not because no one picked up—the other party had manually hung up.

When she sent a text message accusing Shi Zhimiao, she received only a curt “Get lost.”

Tang Wuyun: “As expected, domineering CEOs are arrogant and unreasonable.”

Speaking of CEOs, Tang Wuyun recalled a character on her conquest list and fell into deep thought.

She absently scooped up melting ice cream, feeding herself bite by bite, her mood darkening with each passing moment.

Shi Shuwu stole several glances at Tang Wuyun, noticing she maintained the same blank expression, as if perpetually lost in thought.

Had Jian Yihui’s blow been so devastating to Tang Wuyun?

She still hadn’t recovered.

Shi Shuwu pursed her lips, secretly mocking Tang Wuyun’s fragile mental fortitude.

After a long silence, Tang Wuyun finally couldn’t hold back. She asked Pei Yinxi, who was eating fruit, “Sister Pei, do you know what the relationship is between Qiu Mo and Miaomiao? We met them at that banquet before.”

She added, “They seemed to be getting along really well. He even asked for my contact information, saying Miaomiao’s friends are his friends too. I didn’t want to be rude and refuse.”

Almost all the men who had tried to “conquer” her had some connection to her, and they were all of respectable status and background.

Tang Wuyun strategically took a sip of water, her eyes fixed intently on Pei Yinxi.

Hearing Tang Wuyun mention this man, Pei Yinxi instinctively frowned. “Qiu Something-or-other?” she asked.

Wuyun was so startled that she choked, spitting out the water she was drinking and coughing violently.

Tang Wuyun frantically patted the tea off her clothes as Shi Shuwu calmly sat beside her and pulled out a tissue to wipe her down.

Lu Ya and Bai Jin were also choking slightly, their faces stiff, but Tang Wuyun’s dramatic reaction drew all the attention, so no one noticed their discomfort.

Tang Wuyun clutched her mouth, the water having gone down the wrong way. Tears welled in her eyes as she coughed violently.

So that’s the guy.

Pei Yinxi raised an eyebrow, his expression surprised. “You know him?”

Tang Wuyun waved her hand frantically, coughing several more times before forcing a dry laugh. “No, cough, nothing. It’s just… I used to insult him.”

She had thoroughly insulted every target she planned to seduce.

Hearing this, Pei Yinxi’s tense expression relaxed. He looked up at Tang Wuyun. “What do you mean ‘insulted him’? Did he do something to you?”

Tang Wuyun waved her hand again. “No.”

She quickly asked, “Are he and Miaomiao close?”

Childhood sweethearts, or something.

Tang Wuyun’s expression soured. She hated this guy even more now.

Pei Yinxi shrugged. “I don’t know. A’Miao never told me much about him.”

Lu Ya timidly raised her hand and asked, “So… did Miaomiao tell you they were childhood sweethearts?”

Would Shi Zhimiao really introduce Pei Yinxi to him that way?

Pei Yinxi blinked. “Not exactly. Qiu Mo told me they were childhood sweethearts.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “A’Miao also said they’ve known each other since they were little.”

The three women in the room—excluding Shi Shuwu—simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Shi Shuwu, utterly confused, could only stare blankly. It feels like I’m missing something important.

She tugged at Tang Wuyun’s pajama sleeve. “Why are you suddenly asking about that Qiu What’s-his-name?”

Tang Wuyun pressed her lips into a thin line and said darkly, “I hate him.”

Pei Yinxi asked, “Why? You two don’t even interact.”

Tang Wuyun’s lips twitched. “I just hate him. No reason.”

To her surprise, this flimsy excuse worked perfectly. Pei Yinxi, Lu Ya, and Bai Jin all nodded in agreement.

Pei Yinxi: “Me too.”

Lu Ya and Bai Jin: “We hate him too!”

Shi Shuwu, the only one who hadn’t voiced an opinion, remained silent.

Pei Yinxi cleared her throat. “Um, this Qiu Something-or-other… I’ve met him once or twice. He’s so arrogant, I hate him too.”

Shi Shuwu decided to go along with the group.

Though she still didn’t understand why Tang Wuyun had suddenly brought him up.

But the next moment, she understood.

Tang Wuyun asked, “Can we think of a way to get him thrown in jail too?”

The four of them stared in stunned silence.

Pei Yinxi eyed her skeptically. “You really hate him for no reason?”

For no reason?

Isn’t this some deep-seated grudge?

“Wait, what do you mean ‘thrown in jail too’?” Shi Shuwu’s sharp mind picked up on the discrepancy.

A flash of insight struck her. Recalling the recent scandal that had rocked the internet, she turned to Tang Wuyun, incredulous. “So you were the one who got Lu Lin arrested after all!” Zhang Rui suspected you all along!

Lu Ya’s eyes widened. “What?!”

Bai Jin froze, “Huh?”

Tang Wuyun quickly waved her hands. “No, that’s not it! I just happened to think about how that guy got locked up, and I wondered if this one could…”

She trailed off, realizing how absurd her sudden urge to get someone locked up sounded.

Pei Yinxi asked, “Did he commit a crime?”

Tang Wuyun scratched her cheek and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Bai Jin glared at her. “Then why are you just making things up?”

Tang Wuyun pouted. “I was just daydreaming.”

Seeing the four of them staring at her like she was crazy, Tang Wuyun fell silent for a moment before blurting out, “Actually, I’d rather kill someone.”

The others stared at her in stunned silence.

Shi Shuwu suggested, “Are you under too much stress? Maybe you should talk to someone about it?”

Pei Yinxi nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun didn’t think so. “Is there anyone like that?”

The four of them nodded emphatically. “Absolutely!”

If Tang Wuyun weren’t so averse to hearing it, they would have suggested she see a therapist.

Shi Shuwu, ever tactful, avoided suggesting therapy directly, knowing Tang Wuyun would bristle at the suggestion.

Little did the others know, Shi Shuwu had already proposed therapy to Tang Wuyun, who had vehemently rejected the idea. If not for her awareness of Tang Wuyun’s aversion to the topic, Shi Shuwu wouldn’t have bothered choosing her words so carefully.

Just as everyone else was feeling the pressure, Tang Wuyun suddenly felt it too. She raised a hand to rub her temples.

“It’s true,” she murmured to herself. “Even when I brushed my hair today, several strands fell out.”

The thought nearly crushed her.

Lu Ya muttered under her breath, “…Who doesn’t lose hair?”

Tang Wuyun patted her hair. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Then, in a pitiful tone, she added, “The pressure was already overwhelming, and now Miaomiao has assigned Jian Yihui’s manager to me. I feel even more stressed now.”

The four fell silent.

As they chatted, a distant rumble of thunder echoed through the sky, which had been quiet for some time.

Drawn by the sound, Tang Wuyun turned to gaze out the balcony, her brow furrowing in displeasure.

“How long is this rain going to last?”

Pei Yinxi carefully observed Tang Wuyun’s expression. When a thunderclap boomed, only Bai Jin jumped in fright. Tang Wuyun merely furrowed her brow slightly, showing no trace of fear.

Why isn’t she scared this time? Pei Yinxi wondered, puzzled.

As Tang Wuyun turned her head, her gaze met Pei Yinxi’s questioning eyes. She paused, glanced at the startled Bai Jin, and instantly understood Pei Yinxi’s confusion.

This is hard to explain.

Tang Wuyun opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, falling silent.

Amid Bai Jin’s grumbling about the weather, Tang Wuyun tossed the ice cream container into the trash and sighed softly.

She felt a little down. She seemed too fragile. In novels, protagonists who had experienced fantastical events like she had never seemed as timid or fearful as she was.

Tang Wuyun felt her mental resilience was woefully inadequate.

Noticing Tang Wuyun’s sudden gloom, Shi Shuwu reached out and patted her shoulder, drawing her attention.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Wuyun asked.

Shi Shuwu really wanted to ask Tang Wuyun what was wrong, seeing her so preoccupied, but she knew Tang Wuyun wouldn’t tell her.

She sighed inwardly. “I should get going. I haven’t even unpacked at the apartment yet.”

She turned to Pei Yinxi and smiled. “Let’s grab dinner sometime.”

Her belongings had already been delivered to the apartment, and she needed to hurry over and organize everything.

“Okay,” Pei Yinxi nodded, not pressing her to stay.

Tang Wuyun stood up. “I’ll drive you.”

Shi Shuwu considered it. Her place was bound to be a mess, and she didn’t want Tang Wuyun to see it like that. She’d call her over once she’d tidied up.

“No need, I’ll just take a taxi.”

Her plans had been rushed; she’d decided to come on the spur of the moment. Her team hadn’t prepared anything, and Luo Zhuo was busy helping Tan Qingyu with work, so she hadn’t come along either.

Tan Qingyu had called it “throwing good money after bad,” urging her to let things “sink or swim” on their own.

Shi Shuwu couldn’t agree with that assessment.

Tang Wuyun objected. “A taxi? What if someone recognizes you?”

Tang Wuyun pulled off her pajamas. “I’m going to change. Wait for me.”

Without waiting for Shi Shuwu’s reply, she hurried into her room.

Pei Yinxi, sensing Shi Shuwu was about to speak, quickly interjected, “It’s raining outside. Getting a taxi will take ages. Let Wuyun drive you. Besides, I wanted to rent your apartment anyway, so this is a good chance to check it out.”

Shi Shuwu moved her lips, but no words came out.

Tang Wuyun had already gone to change, leaving her with nothing to say.

Tang Wuyun emerged moments later in a casual outfit, though her dissatisfaction with her appearance was clear. She muttered about needing Pei Yinxi to have her stylist put together some proper outfits.

Pei Yinxi snapped impatiently, “Just go already.”

Tang Wuyun nodded. “Okay, okay. I’ll drop you off and come right back.”

Lu Ya pushed Tang Wuyun toward the door, whispering encouragingly, “You don’t have to come back today, you know.”

Shi Shuwu followed behind them, thinking Tang Wuyun had no choice but to return. Her own place was in no state to be cleaned up today.

“Mind your own business whether I come back or not,” Tang Wuyun retorted, still being pushed out the door.

Pei Yinxi watched them bicker and chatter their way to the entrance, then exchanged a glance with Bai Jin.

Bai Jin nodded solemnly.

They had been planning to discuss Tang Wuyun’s situation in private, away from her.

Who would have thought it would be so easy to get rid of this clingy girl?

Shi Shuwu had only just arrived before running off after them.

Lu Ya handed Pei Yinxi’s car keys to Tang Wuyun, saw them to the elevator, and then turned back.

By the time she returned to the living room, Shi Zhimiao had already connected Pei Yinxi’s video call. Dressed in formal attire, Shi Zhimiao appeared on the computer screen.

Lu Ya didn’t even sit down before launching into Tang Wuyun’s defense. “Wow, Miaomiao, don’t be such a hypocrite!”

Shi Zhimiao calmly explained, “I was busy then. I’m done now.”

Lu Ya snorted. “Do you really expect us to believe that?”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Pei Yinxi interrupted, cutting to the chase. “I think something terrible happened to Wuyun.”

“I know her well. I can’t believe someone as cheerful as her would suddenly fall ill and go mad.”

Shi Zhimiao fell silent, realizing upon reflection that her earlier words had indeed been too hasty.

Lu Ya murmured softly, “I think what she said might be true.”

Bai Jin opened her mouth to protest, “But…”

Then she slapped her cheeks and sighed, “Oh well, even though I’m a staunch materialist, I can temporarily suspend my disbelief.”

“Can we just assume what she said is true and analyze it from there?”

Lu Ya raised her hand in agreement. Pei Yinxi and Shi Zhimiao nodded as well; they had been thinking the same thing.

Analyzing it was proving incredibly difficult. Tang Wuyun had presented them with a century-old enigma.

Meanwhile, Tang Wuyun, completely unaware of their discussion, was busy searching for her car in the garage.

Shi Shuwu followed her around the underground parking lot, arms crossed.

They had already circled more than half the garage without finding the car.

Finally, Shi Shuwu, who had been patiently waiting, couldn’t resist suggesting, “Should we just call and ask?”

“I feel like we’re close,” Tang Wuyun replied stubbornly, shaking her head. Her stubborn streak had kicked in, and she refused to give up.

Ten minutes later, Tang Wuyun opened the car door and declared triumphantly to Shi Shuwu, “See? I told you I could find it!”

Shi Shuwu smiled faintly and nodded, offering a perfunctory compliment against her better judgment: “Impressive. I definitely wouldn’t have found it.”

Tang Wuyun beamed and lowered her head to examine the car.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s movements, Shi Shuwu’s back tensed.

She asked with a stiff expression, “You don’t know how to drive?”

Tang Wuyun replied, “Of course I do! It’s just been a while, and I’ve never driven this model before. I’m just getting familiar with it.”

Shi Shuwu pressed her lips together, her anxiety growing.

After a moment of hesitation, she couldn’t help but suggest, “Why don’t I drive?”

Tang Wuyun shook her head. “No need for that. Relax, I’m a very steady driver.”

She would never attempt something she wasn’t confident in, let alone risk their lives.

Having just witnessed Tang Wuyun’s stubborn streak, Shi Shuwu couldn’t shake the feeling that Tang Wuyun was trying to prove herself to Shi Shuwu, fueled by distrust and resentment.

Shi Shuwu closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and resigned herself to the situation.

And so, Shi Shuwu remained on edge the entire drive, her heart finally relaxing only when Tang Wuyun safely parked the car beneath their apartment building.

Well, maybe I was just being overly sensitive, she thought. Tang Wuyun really is a steady driver.

The main reason for Shi Shuwu’s anxiety wasn’t just her overthinking; Tang Wuyun’s actions always seemed unreliable.

I need to calm down, Shi Shuwu silently reassured herself.

“We’re here. I should go,” Shi Shuwu said, unbuckling her seatbelt. She noticed Tang Wuyun staring at her, as if wondering why she hadn’t been invited inside.

After a moment’s thought, Shi Shuwu explained, “The apartment is too cluttered. There’s barely any room to sit. I won’t invite you in today. Come over after I’ve tidied up.”

Tang Wuyun, who had been staring at Shi Shuwu in a daze, blinked in surprise. She subtly masked the momentary disorientation in her eyes, surprised she had been caught daydreaming about Shi Shuwu.

Feeling a little embarrassed, Tang Wuyun quickly replayed Shi Shuwu’s explanation in her mind. After a moment’s consideration, she unbuckled her own seatbelt.

“Let’s do it together. I’ll help you tidy up.”

Without waiting for Shi Shuwu’s refusal, she opened the car door and stepped out.

Shi Shuwu sighed softly. Well, fine. I couldn’t have finished it alone in a day or two anyway.

She just hoped Tang Wuyun wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of her belongings. She truly had so, so, so much stuff.

Tang Wuyun was indeed stunned.

Shi Shuwu and Tang Wuyun worked late into the night, their bodies numb from exhaustion.

Good heavens, the entire house might as well become Shi Shuwu’s walk-in closet!

Fortunately, it wasn’t quite that extreme. Everything fit into a single walk-in closet, though it was packed to the brim.

Tang Wuyun hung up the last long dress and finally couldn’t resist asking Shi Shuwu, who was carefully arranging jewelry in a cabinet: “Didn’t you say you were only staying for a short while?”

Tang Wuyun felt like Shi Shuwu was planning to live here forever.

Shi Shuwu cautiously shifted her leg, which had gone numb from squatting, and nodded earnestly. “That’s what I thought at first, but now I’m not so sure. Packing all this stuff was exhausting. It doesn’t seem worth it for just a short stay.”

“True enough,” Tang Wuyun agreed casually, stretching as she passed Shi Shuwu. The living room was still littered with unpacked cardboard boxes and storage containers.

But when she noticed Shi Shuwu remained motionless, Tang Wuyun grew puzzled. What’s wrong?

She took a few steps back and looked down at Shi Shuwu. “Why aren’t you getting up?”

Shi Shuwu tilted her head back to look at Tang Wuyun, her expression complicated. “My leg’s gone numb…”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up. “Which one?”

“My right leg.”

After Shi Shuwu answered, she expected Tang Wuyun to help her up. Instead, she saw Tang Wuyun smirk mischievously.

Tang Wuyun gently kicked Shi Shuwu’s right leg, then bolted out of the walk-in closet before Shi Shuwu could even gasp.

Tang Wuyun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, admitting to herself that she really was being a jerk.

When Shi Shuwu finally recovered, she stormed out to confront Tang Wuyun, only to find the living room empty.

She circled the spacious apartment, realizing that if Tang Wuyun had hidden, finding her in such a short time would be nearly impossible.

But Shi Shuwu doubted Tang Wuyun had hidden. More likely, she had simply left.

Tang Wuyun had spent four or five hours helping her organize, and it was already past 8 p.m. She probably wanted to get home.

As Shi Shuwu stood there, feeling dejected, Tang Wuyun’s voice suddenly rang out from above.

“Shi Shuwu, your room’s window is open. Air it out while it’s not raining.”

Shi Shuwu looked up, startled, and saw Tang Wuyun leaning against the gray glass railing, waving casually.

She couldn’t help but marvel. No wonder Tang Wuyun had once been the visual lead of their team. Even in such a casual pose, she looked effortlessly stunning, like a scene straight out of a magazine.

Shi Shuwu gazed at the scene, lost in thought.

I almost forgot there was an upstairs, mainly because we haven’t been up there today.

The upstairs had two bedrooms, a study, and a walk-in closet.

Shi Shuwu followed Tang Wuyun upstairs and peeked into the bedroom.

Noticing the changes in the room, she exclaimed in surprise, “How did you even make the bed already?”

She had originally planned to stay at a hotel tonight and hadn’t bothered tidying up the room.

Tang Wuyun lifted her chin proudly, boasting, “Because I’m so thoughtful.”

Seeing that Shi Shuwu hadn’t even considered tidying up the bedroom, Tang Wuyun knew she was careless—she hadn’t even thought about where she would sleep tonight.

Having already achieved a sense of accomplishment from tidying up, Tang Wuyun was now pondering how to arrange her own bedroom.

She murmured, “I need to tidy up my room too. Can I stay in the one next door? Hmm… I’ll just borrow your bedding set.”

Shi Shuwu was surprised again. “You’re… staying here?”

Tang Wuyun looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

I rented this place, so of course I need a room.

Does Shi Shuwu not want me living next door?

Shi Shuwu shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t expect you’d be staying here tonight. Feel free to use the bedding set—it’s all new.”

This time, it was Tang Wuyun’s turn to be stunned.

I didn’t say I was staying tonight, did I? I…

Shi Shuwu didn’t notice Tang Wuyun’s frozen expression as she turned to leave. “I’ll go get it for you. Wait here.”

Tang Wuyun was speechless, blinking at Shi Shuwu’s retreating figure.

What do I do now?