Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 40

Shi Shuwu jostled Tang Wuyun in her arms, nearly dropping her. She carried Tang Wuyun to the door, where Pei Yinxi opened it for her.

As Shi Shuwu carried Tang Wuyun into the room, Pei Yinxi gently reminded her, “I’ve had Yaya’s room cleared out for you. You can sleep wherever you like.”

It was a thoughtful gesture, showing consideration for Shi Shuwu’s comfort.

Normally, Shi Shuwu would have politely declined, not wanting to trouble her. But after overhearing some explosive gossip, she nodded decisively. “Okay, thank you.”

She felt she had better judgment than Bai Jinmian.

Pei Yinxi chuckled softly, nodded, and closed the door behind her.

The room was now sealed off, the silence broken only by the uneven breathing and racing heartbeats of Shi Shuwu and Tang Wuyun.

“Tang Wuyun, get up already. Stop pretending,” Shi Shuwu said, jostling her again. She narrowed her eyes and probed, “I know you’re faking.”

After a few seconds of silence, the woman in her arms remained unresponsive.

Shi Shuwu refused to give up. “Tang Wuyun?”

She took a step forward, cradling Tang Wuyun, and threatened, “If you keep pretending to be drunk, I’ll just drop you on the floor.”

Tang Wuyun’s head remained comfortably nestled against Shi Shuwu’s neck. Hearing the threat of being dropped, she tightened her grip around Shi Shuwu’s neck, nuzzled her cheek against her neck, and mumbled, “I’m not drunk.”

Shi Shuwu’s heart fluttered at the nuzzle, but her face flushed crimson.

Tang Wuyun’s behavior certainly suggested she was drunk, but Shi Shuwu remained wary. She carried Tang Wuyun to the bedside, bent down, and gently lowered her onto the bed.

“Stop clinging to my neck,” Shi Shuwu said, still bent over, reaching behind her neck to pry Tang Wuyun’s arms loose. “Let go and lie down properly.”

Tang Wuyun not only clutched Shi Shuwu’s collar but also grabbed a handful of her hair.

After struggling for a while, Shi Shuwu gave up.

She braced herself on one arm and patted Tang Wuyun’s face repeatedly with her free hand. “Tang Wuyun! Tang Wuyun! Tang Wuyun!”

No matter how Shi Shuwu called, the person on the bed only whimpered and refused to respond.

Shi Shuwu’s neck ached. She pinched Tang Wuyun’s cheek and tentatively called, “Shangguan Wuyun?”

Tang Wuyun’s face immediately scrunched up in a grimace. She glared at Shi Shuwu and slapped her neck with a smack, then rolled around on the bed several times, trying to distance herself from the annoying voice that had dared to call her by that name. She hated it.

Seeing Tang Wuyun about to roll off the other side of the bed, Shi Shuwu hastily climbed back onto the mattress and pinned her down, forgetting to cover her neck.

“Didn’t you say you could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?” Shi Shuwu rapped Tang Wuyun’s forehead several times, annoyed. “You liar.”

If she couldn’t handle her liquor, why insist on drinking so much? And then egg them all on to drink too, just to show off.

Shi Shuwu rubbed her neck where Tang Wuyun had slapped her. I really shouldn’t call her “Shangguan” anymore, she thought. Even drunk, she can’t resist hitting people.

The room door was knocked on again shortly after. Shi Shuwu abandoned her mischievous plan to pinch Tang Wuyun’s nose for the moment.

She opened the door to find Pei Yinxi standing there.

Pei Yinxi handed Shi Shuwu a set of pajamas and a towel. “These are for you, all new. We have plenty since they stay over often. You’ll find disposable underwear in the drawer beneath the wardrobe in Wuyun’s room.”

“As for Wuyun, just leave her be. Let her stay messy.”

Shi Shuwu smiled and nodded her thanks. “Thank you.”

Pei Yinxi was truly thoughtful and considerate.

Pei Yinxi didn’t leave. She gestured toward the kitchen. “I had A’Miao make some hangover soup. Would you like some?”

Shi Shuwu paused, then nodded. “I’ll get a bowl for Tang Wuyun too.”

Pei Yinxi raised an eyebrow. “She hates it. She probably won’t cooperate.”

Getting Tang Wuyun to take even a sip was like pulling teeth.

Shi Shuwu smiled. “Let’s try anyway.”

Hmph, won’t drink?

I’ll just pour it down her throat.

As expected, Tang Wuyun hated the soup. But she never had a chance to refuse.

Shi Shuwu pulled Tang Wuyun up and sat behind her, letting her lean against her.

“Open your mouth and drink. You’ll feel terrible if you don’t.”

Her voice was gentle at first, coaxing.

But Shi Shuwu’s patience quickly wore thin. Gripping Tang Wuyun’s jaw, she threatened fiercely, “If you don’t drink, I’ll sell all your game accounts.”

“I…” Tang Wuyun’s eyes were blurry with tears, but the ordeal had roused her somewhat.

Shi Shuwu pressed the bowl to her lips. “No ‘I’s. Just drink.”

Tang Wuyun’s head swam, the ceiling spinning. With immense effort, she managed to convey her thought: “Gonna… vomit…”

Before she could finish the word, her body betrayed her. She doubled over to vomit, but Shi Shuwu swiftly set down the bowl and grabbed the trash can from beside the bed, holding it in front of Tang Wuyun’s face.

Shi Shuwu let out a huge sigh of relief. It had been a close call.

She patted Tang Wuyun’s back, her brow furrowing in distaste. “Ugh, just hold it yourself and throw up.”

Tang Wuyun obediently followed instructions, hugging the trash can as she vomited.

In her haste earlier, Shi Shuwu had spilled a good portion of the hangover soup on the bedside table. She grabbed some tissues to wipe it up, then handed a few more to Tang Wuyun, who had just finished throwing up.

Tang Wuyun desperately wanted to rinse her mouth. She picked up the bowl from the bedside table, mistaking it for water, and took a big gulp without looking. She immediately spat it out, tears welling in her eyes.

Shi Shuwu scored another point.

What a mess.

Now more than half.

After spitting and gagging for a while, Tang Wuyun asked, “How did I get back to my room?”

Then, in a pitiful voice, she added, “I want to wash up.”

Finally, she demanded, “Why did you sell my game account?”

Shi Shuwu stared blankly.

So after all this fuss, that’s all she remembers?

Just as Shi Shuwu was about to answer, Tang Wuyun slumped sideways, collapsing back onto the bed.

The bright light stung her eyes. Tang Wuyun raised an arm to shield her face, her voice weak. “My head still feels dizzy.”

Shi Shuwu pushed her upright again.

Her voice tight with forced calm, she ordered sternly, “Clean up the mess.”

Tang Wuyun nodded vigorously, sat up in bed, and bent down to tie up the trash bag.

She emphasized again, “I want to wash up.”

Shi Shuwu remained expressionless and continued to direct, “Take out the trash first.”

Tang Wuyun paused to consider. “Alright.”

In the dining room, the few people who hadn’t left yet watched Tang Wuyun follow behind Shi Shuwu. First, she tidied up the living room trash, then the kitchen waste, and finally approached their table.

Pei Yinxi asked, “Why are you suddenly up?”

She also couldn’t help but scrutinize Tang Wuyun, who was surprisingly walking steadily. Is the hangover soup really that effective?

Shi Shuwu rubbed her forehead. “She threw up earlier, which cleared her head a bit.”

With that, she tugged Tang Wuyun closer and gestured with her chin toward the trash can under the table. “Take out the trash from that can too.”

Tang Wuyun bent down smoothly. “Done.”

Shi Shuwu nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Now we’ll go downstairs and throw it all away.”

Tang Wuyun sighed heavily, carrying several trash bags. “Okay.”

Perhaps still not fully sober, Tang Wuyun blurted out what was on her mind, complaining in a aggrieved tone, “You’re not being considerate at all. I’m still drunk.”

Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was still around, Shi Zhimiao grinned mischievously at Tang Wuyun. “So, do you remember anything you said?”

“Huh?” Tang Wuyun replied, her heart sinking at the question.

Could I have done something embarrassing while drunk?

Her drowsy eyes widened as she blurted out, “What did I say?”

Shi Zhimiao raised an eyebrow.

Bai Jin shook her head with a tut-tut.

The two women exchanged knowing glances, refusing to elaborate.

Tang Wuyun quickly turned to Pei Yinxi for answers.

Pei Yinxi smiled dismissively. “It was nothing.”

Shi Shuwu, her face flushed, grabbed Tang Wuyun’s arm. “Hurry, let’s go throw out the trash.”

I can’t bear to hear them repeat those words again, she thought. Tang Wuyun might have no shame, but I do.

The helpless Tang Wuyun was half-dragged out the door.

After disposing of the trash, the group walked back together.

Tang Wuyun tugged at Shi Shuwu’s sleeve, her voice listless. “I’m so sleepy.”

Her head had cleared up considerably after throwing up, but now the dizziness and drowsiness were returning.

Shi Shuwu steadied Tang Wuyun’s arm. “Go brush your teeth and take a shower. You’ll be able to sleep then.”

Tang Wuyun’s head drooped weakly.

Shi Shuwu murmured, “Your head must be pounding.”

She reached out and gently tilted Tang Wuyun’s chin upward.

The delicate texture of Tang Wuyun’s skin made Shi Shuwu unconsciously give it a light pinch. Realizing the inappropriateness of her action, she quickly withdrew her hand while Tang Wuyun was still sluggish from the alcohol. Softly, she said, “You can’t hold your liquor. You should drink less in the future.”

Why put yourself through this misery?

Shi Shuwu supported Tang Wuyun as they walked a short distance. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, “Are you clear-headed now? Can you understand me?”

Tang Wuyun paused for several seconds before responding slowly, “Mmm… but I’m so sleepy.”

Her voice was thick with drowsiness, as if she might fall asleep at any moment.

Shi Shuwu lowered her gaze, watching Tang Wuyun’s unsteady steps. She knew the other woman was struggling to stay upright.

With a soft sigh, Shi Shuwu suddenly reached out and swept Tang Wuyun into her arms in a horizontal carry.

Tang Wuyun gasped as her feet left the ground, quickly wrapping her arms around Shi Shuwu’s neck. Her half-closed eyes widened slightly.

Shi Shuwu teased, “You’re having such a hard time walking. I’m afraid you’ll collapse on the floor later.”

Tang Wuyun looked like every step was an ordeal.

Tang Wuyun stiffened slightly, patting Shi Shuwu’s shoulder. Her voice was tinged with embarrassment. “…I can walk. Put me down.”

Shi Shuwu chuckled. “It’s too late to be shy now. Sister Pei and the others already saw me carrying you back to the room.”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes glazed over.

Ah, so Shi Shuwu carried her back to the room.

Perhaps still under the influence of alcohol and emboldened by it, Tang Wuyun quickly gave up struggling and nestled her head against Shi Shuwu’s shoulder.

Obeying her instinctive desire, Tang Wuyun rubbed herself comfortably against Shi Shuwu. Shi Shuwu didn’t even want her to move to press the elevator buttons.

As they reached the elevator, Shi Shuwu called out to the person in her arms, “Tang Wuyun.”

“You’re not asleep, are you?”

Tang Wuyun mumbled sleepily, “So sleepy.”

The corners of Shi Shuwu’s lips curled upward. “I have a question for you.”

Tang Wuyun: “Mmm…”

Shi Shuwu cut straight to the point: “Does Pei Yinxi like Shi Zhimiao?”

Tang Wuyun’s already sluggish brain immediately short-circuited.

Who’s asking? Who likes who?

“Huh…?” Tang Wuyun mumbled, utterly bewildered.

Seeing Tang Wuyun’s genuine confusion, Shi Shuwu muttered, “So you really didn’t know? Maybe I was just imagining things?”

Tang Wuyun nuzzled against her again, slurring, “Miaomiao likes… Sister Pei…”

“Sister Pei doesn’t date. She’ll block you.”

As she finished speaking, the elevator dinged, announcing their arrival at the floor.

Shi Shuwu carried Tang Wuyun out, deep in thought.

Tang Wuyun struggled to get down, and Shi Shuwu quickly set her down.

The two walked through the door together.

Too exhausted to even greet her sisters, Tang Wuyun shuffled sleepily toward the bathroom in her slippers.

Shi Shuwu nodded at Pei Yinxi and the others before following Tang Wuyun to watch her brush her teeth.

Bai Jin sighed wistfully, “They look more and more perfect together.”

Pei Yinxi nodded. “They do seem well-suited.”

Bai Jin turned to Shi Zhimiao, who hadn’t voiced her opinion.

Smiling brightly, she asked, “Miaomiao, why are you just drinking and not saying anything? Are you jealous?”

Shi Zhimiao lifted her gaze to Bai Jin, her expression blank, but secretly glanced at Pei Yinxi. To her surprise, she found Pei Yinxi staring back at her.

Her eyes darted away, her guilt almost betraying her. She struggled to maintain her composure.

“Why would I be jealous?” she asked Bai Jin, feigning nonchalance.

Bai Jin shrugged and chuckled. “Just teasing. You’ve been drinking all night, haven’t you?”

With that, she helped Lu Ya to her feet.

“I’ll take Yaya back to our room. You guys keep eating.”

Lu Ya nodded vigorously. “Keep eating!”

In the bathroom, Tang Wuyun, now considerably more sober after washing up, assured Shi Shuwu that she wouldn’t fall asleep in the shower. Shi Shuwu then left the bathroom.

Shi Shuwu wasn’t overly concerned; Tang Wuyun was just taking a shower, so she shouldn’t fall asleep in there.

When Tang Wuyun emerged from the shower, the room was empty, and the dining table had been cleared.

Tang Wuyun dragged her heavy steps back to her room.

Shi Shuwu patted her shoulder. “Go to sleep. I’m going to take a shower.”

Tang Wuyun, still wondering if Shi Shuwu would share her room, collapsed into bed. Her head hit the pillow, and she sighed contentedly.

Finally, I can sleep.

By the time Shi Shuwu returned from her shower, Tang Wuyun was already sound asleep.

Shi Shuwu lifted the covers and slipped into bed. She poked Tang Wuyun’s cheek, but when the other woman didn’t react, she immediately lost interest.

She turned off the light and casually draped her arm around Tang Wuyun’s waist.

There’s no need to overthink this, Shi Shuwu reassured herself. If I want to hug her, I’ll hug her. It’s just a natural thing to do.

She slept soundly, holding Tang Wuyun through the night, completely at ease.

But the next morning, before anyone else woke up, Shi Shuwu, who had convinced herself it was no big deal, slipped away.

She couldn’t bear to face the inevitable teasing about Tang Wuyun—which would inevitably include her too!

Shi Shuwu admitted her heart wasn’t strong enough to stay. For now, she needed to escape.

The first thing Tang Wuyun did after waking up was look for Shi Shuwu.

“Sister Pei, where’s Shi Shuwu?”

Pei Yinxi, who was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, turned her head and gave Tang Wuyun an amused look.

“She left early, said she had something urgent at home.”

Tang Wuyun let out a disappointed “Oh.” After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Did she sleep with me last night?”

Pei Yinxi pressed her lips together, suppressing her smile. She cleared her throat and shook her head. “I’m not sure, but probably.”

“After all…” Pei Yinxi paused deliberately, leaving the sentence unfinished.

Tang Wuyun’s eyebrows twitched. “After all what?” she demanded.

Shi Zhimiao walked past Tang Wuyun, chuckling softly as she chimed in, “After all, you two already slept together the first night.”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes widened. “!!!”

Without thinking, she retorted loudly, “That’s nonsense! We’re completely innocent!”

Slept together? She hadn’t even held Shi Shuwu’s hand!

Shi Zhimiao shrugged. “I’m not making it up. You said it yourself. Ask Xixi if you don’t believe me.” She nodded toward Pei Yinxi, her tone utterly confident.

Shi Zhimiao’s nonchalant demeanor sent Tang Wuyun into a panic.

Tang Wuyun’s entire body went numb. Did I really say that?

Pei Yinxi confirmed, “Yes, you did.”

Pei Yinxi’s words were like a death sentence for Tang Wuyun, whose mind was already in utter chaos.

Help! What did I even say?!

Tang Wuyun clutched her head in despair.

Argh! Why can’t I remember anything?!

Shi Zhimiao watched Tang Wuyun’s impromptu performance with amusement.

With a half-smile, she asked, “You really don’t remember anything?”

Tang Wuyun nodded vigorously, her face a picture of misery. “I don’t know! All I remember is taking out the trash…”

“You didn’t actually do anything,” Shi Zhimiao said, stepping closer and patting Tang Wuyun’s shoulder. She suddenly added with exaggerated enthusiasm, “You just clung to Shi Shuwu, insisting you wanted to sleep with her. She couldn’t shake you off—you kept clinging to her, repeatedly emphasizing that you two had slept together before.”

Tang Wuyun staggered back half a step, on the verge of collapse.

The sky had fallen…

Pei Yinxi chuckled at her reaction and added, “Why do you think she left before we even woke up?”

Tang Wuyun opened her mouth, about to say that Shi Shuwu had a family emergency, but the words caught in her throat.

Shi Shuwu had just moved here. What emergency could she possibly have?

Tang Wuyun clutched her head, her heart sinking like lead. Her face flushed crimson, she weakly protested, “We really didn’t sleep together…”

Though Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu might have seemed intimate, their interactions had always been strictly proper—except for that one time she’d unconsciously held Shi Shuwu in her sleep.

They had never crossed any boundaries!

The more Tang Wuyun thought about it, the more convinced she became of her innocence. She declared with righteous indignation, “We’re completely innocent!”

Pei Yinxi’s lips trembled slightly as she suppressed a laugh. She nodded, feigning skepticism, and said, “Alright, if you say nothing happened, then nothing happened.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Tang Wuyun fled back to her room in a panic. She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and immediately unlocked it.

Shi Shuwu hadn’t sent her a message.

Tang Wuyun stubbornly refreshed her phone several times, refusing to believe it.

Still nothing.

Why hadn’t Shi Shuwu messaged her after suddenly going back?

Why hasn’t Shi Shuwu messaged me?

Why?!

Tang Wuyun clutched her phone, tossing and turning in bed.

Maybe Shi Shuwu is just busy, she reasoned, deciding to give Shi Shuwu ten minutes to remember her.

Ten minutes passed, and still no message.

“Ten minutes is too short. Hmm… let’s give her another fifteen minutes,” Tang Wuyun muttered, making excuses for Shi Shuwu.

She stared at her phone again, repeatedly opening and closing her chat with Shi Shuwu, but nothing changed.

Fifteen minutes flew by. Tang Wuyun anxiously patted her face.

Why hasn’t Shi Shuwu contacted me?

Does she not want to talk to me anymore?

Did I do something wrong last night?

Should I send her a few messages?

Tang Wuyun’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing and deleting repeatedly.

After five minutes of this, she threw her phone aside, hugged her pillow, and rolled around, whimpering, “Aiyo, aiyo…”

Tang Wuyun began to spiral into self-doubt.

Her internal turmoil was only interrupted when Pei Yinxi called her out for breakfast.

As soon as she opened the door, Pei Yinxi asked, “Why haven’t you washed up yet?”

Tang Wuyun pouted, making up an excuse. “I just dozed off again.”

Pei Yinxi patted her arm, urging her, “Hurry and wash up. Breakfast is ready.”

Tang Wuyun nodded obediently and headed toward the bathroom.

But she stopped abruptly, turning back to ask Pei Yinxi, “By the way, Sister Pei, when did Shi Shuwu text you about the family emergency?”

Pei Yinxi glanced at her, puzzled, then thought for a moment before answering truthfully, “Just before you woke up earlier.”

Tang Wuyun’s shoulders slumped, her face falling into despair.

Shi Shuwu really did forget about me on purpose!

Pei Yinxi chuckled at her reaction, instantly understanding what was going on.

Afraid of hurting Tang Wuyun’s fragile feelings, she pretended not to notice anything was wrong and didn’t ask what was bothering her.

Instead, Pei Yinxi tactfully changed the subject, reminding Tang Wuyun, “Oh, I have a flight this afternoon, so I won’t be joining you for lunch.”

“Yaya said you asked her to move into Shi Shuwu’s apartment with you today. Remember to pack your things.”

Since Pei Yinxi would be away for over half a month, it made sense for Tang Wuyun and Lu Ya to stay with Shi Shuwu. Not only would it be more lively with three people, but it would also give Shi Shuwu and Tang Wuyun more time together.

Great! The three of them were going to record a show together in a few days.

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up.

Oh right! I almost forgot! I’ll get to see Shi Shuwu every day for a while!

“I’ll start packing right after breakfast!” Tang Wuyun declared, suddenly energized like she’d been injected with adrenaline, and hurried to the bathroom to wash up.

Ignoring Shi Shuwu wouldn’t work—they’d already agreed that Shi Shuwu’s silence wouldn’t stop her from coming over.

Under the teasing gazes of Bai Jin and Lu Ya, Tang Wuyun quickly finished breakfast and dragged Lu Ya off to pack.

Lu Ya, worn down by Tang Wuyun’s urgency, lost her temper.

What’s Tang Wuyun so anxious about? She keeps checking her phone. Honestly, Shi Shuwu isn’t going to run away.

If Tang Wuyun had known what Lu Ya was thinking, she would have vehemently protested. Shi Shuwu did run away this morning!

Pei Yinxi didn’t need her car for work, so Tang Wuyun brazenly commandeered it as her transportation back to Shi Shuwu’s place.

In the car, Lu Ya relentlessly pressed Tang Wuyun about whether she and Shi Shuwu had slept together.

“I said no! No! No!” Tang Wuyun snapped impatiently. “Why do you keep asking when I’ve already told you no?!”

Lu Ya pouted. “So… did you or didn’t you?”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

She was furious!

Did she really have to say it for them to believe her?!

“We’re here. Stop asking me and go ask Shi Shuwu,” Tang Wuyun said, quickly parking the car. She nimbly retrieved her luggage from the trunk and strode off.

Lu Ya hurried after her, catching up as they entered the elevator together.

Panting slightly, Lu Ya said, “If I actually ask Shi Shuwu, you’ll just get upset again.”

And she’d probably blush furiously.

After hearing Bai Jin’s description this morning, Lu Ya realized how awkward it would be to confront Shi Shuwu about what she’d said.

“Besides, I’m too embarrassed to ask her anyway.”

Tang Wuyun covered her ears, gritting her teeth. “Shut up!”

Lu Ya hummed softly. “You’re just lashing out because you’re embarrassed.”

Tang Wuyun snapped, “Don’t talk to me!”

She’d drive her to an early grave at this rate.

Shi Shuwu, waiting by the door, heard their bickering before she even saw them emerge from the elevator.

Lu Ya remained defiant. “Shi Shuwu is definitely more patient than you.”

Tang Wuyun’s face tightened. “Then ask her the same way you asked me. See if she doesn’t beat you to death.”