Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 42

Shi Shuwu’s phone call during lunch left Tang Wuyun feeling deeply unsettled.

She finally realized what she had overlooked when she publicly outed Shi Shuwu online.

It wasn’t just the internet users who were watching them; Shi Shuwu’s family and friends were too.

Tang Wuyun had always assumed Shi Shuwu didn’t see her as anything more than a friend, so she never worried about this.

Now, the belated realization sent Tang Wuyun into a panic. Her every move had likely been scrutinized by Shi Shuwu’s family all along.

“Hello, Miaomiao, save me!” Tang Wuyun ran back to her room and called Shi Zhimiao, her voice trembling with despair.

Shi Zhimiao answered the call to find Tang Wuyun’s tearful plea for help.

She remembered Tang Wuyun had only just gone to Shi Shuwu’s place today. What could have possibly happened between them? Why did she need saving?

Shi Zhimiao glanced at the time. “What’s wrong? You’d better make it quick. I’m boarding my flight soon.”

She was at the airport, having rushed back to China temporarily because of Tang Wuyun’s situation. Now, she had to return overseas to resume her work.

Tang Wuyun paced frantically around her room, her voice dripping with flattery. “Boss, my dear boss, you’re the boss of our show! Could you please ask the editing team to make my relationship with Shi Shuwu look a little friendlier?”

“Maybe they could cut out those scenes where I was being mean to Shi Shuwu?”

Tang Wuyun regretted her past actions. She couldn’t even bear to recall the things she had said to Shi Shuwu during filming.

Just thinking about it made her feel like the sky was falling. Her behavior had been truly awful.

Shi Zhimiao remained silent.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she had given Tang Wuyun the mistaken impression that she was too easy to talk to.

Finally, Shi Zhimiao couldn’t resist delivering her own “domineering CEO” line: “Do you even know how many billions I deal with every day?”

And now she had to be bothered with this trivial matter?

Tang Wuyun pinched her throat and drawled, “Aiya, Boss~”

Shi Zhimiao’s cheek twitched, a chill running down her spine.

She was thoroughly disgusted.

“Get lost. I’m hanging up,” Shi Zhimiao said, about to end the call.

“Wait!” Tang Wuyun immediately stopped her, blurting out, “If you help me with this, I’ll tell you something about Sister Pei and you!”

Shi Zhimiao’s brow furrowed deeply, her expression darkening.

Her voice turned icy. “Don’t use that as leverage.”

She hated anyone using Pei Yinxi as a bargaining chip, and Tang Wuyun was no exception.

Sensing Shi Zhimiao’s displeasure, Tang Wuyun immediately realized her mistake. She lowered her head instantly. “Miaomiao, I was wrong.”

That was close. I almost made Shi Zhimiao angry.

I clearly underestimated Sister Pei’s importance in Miaomiao’s heart.

Shi Zhimiao snorted coldly. “Why are you suddenly so concerned about the show’s editing?”

Hearing that Shi Zhimiao didn’t want to dwell on it, Tang Wuyun’s guilt vanished. She quickly explained, “I was rude to Shi Shuwu before. I’m worried her family might dislike me after watching the show.”

Tang Wuyun nervously picked at the bedsheets with her fingers.

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

She sighed, feeling utterly helpless when it came to Tang Wuyun.

Shi Zhimiao scoffed, “Oh, so you finally realize you were being rude to her?”

Tang Wuyun’s poor attitude had been evident during the live broadcast, and the replays had been circulating online ever since. Netizens had dissected every moment of her interactions with Shi Shuwu, especially the tense argument in the car.

Was it too late for Tang Wuyun to try to make amends now?

Tang Wuyun lowered her head, looking dejected. “There was a misunderstanding back then…”

She quickly added, “I know I was wrong.”

Shi Zhimiao sighed softly. “I’ll ask the editors to remove the clips where your attitude looks particularly bad. But that’s all I can do. The rest will have to play out naturally.”

“Your current relationship with Shi Shuwu… if we deliberately edit the footage to make it seem like you two were getting along, netizens will see it as a blatant attempt to create a ‘couple’ for publicity. The production team will be accused of scripting the show, and neither your fans nor Shi Shuwu’s will buy it.”

Shi Zhimiao wasn’t entirely sure if the production team would actually take this approach. As a boss who valued her employees’ autonomy, she didn’t want to micromanage or interfere excessively with their work.

Worried about upsetting Tang Wuyun, Shi Zhimiao added after a moment’s thought, “You should also consider Shi Shuwu’s feelings. She might be concerned about how this could affect her future career and might not want to be paired up with you at all.”

Even though the situation had already been somewhat affected, it was still better than the production team adding fuel to the fire.

While the show’s broadcast would undoubtedly cause their CP fans to skyrocket, for those fans, naturally occurring sweetness always tasted better than manufactured drama.

Tang Wuyun nodded solemnly. “I understand. This is enough.”

With Shi Zhimiao’s support, Tang Wuyun’s anxiety finally eased slightly.

In her work and life, Shi Zhimiao was practically the pillar holding up half the sky for her.

Shi Zhimiao wasn’t busy at the moment and, with nothing else to do, was happy to chat with Tang Wuyun. “Did you meet her parents?”

She’s really grown up.

Tang Wuyun blushed slightly. “Oh, come on…”

She cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, I just… I actually have something important to tell you.”

Shi Zhimiao pursed her lips, her gaze deepening. There was nothing between her and Pei Yinxi, so if Tang Wuyun had discovered something, it was likely bad news.

“Never mind. You don’t have to tell me.”

Hearing it would only disrupt her mental state. She needed to maintain a positive mindset for upcoming business negotiations with her friends.

Tang Wuyun blinked, confused. “Huh? Why wouldn’t I tell you? I think it’s really important.”

Shi Zhimiao sighed heavily. “I…”

Tang Wuyun cut her off before she could make up an excuse about not wanting to hear it. She chuckled softly and blurted out, “Shi Shuwu asked me yesterday if Sister Pei likes you!”

She added, “And before she asked that, I’d never told her anything about you!”

So why did Shi Shuwu think that? Did Shi Zhimiao really not want to know?

Tang Wuyun, for one, was dying to find out.

Shi Zhimiao numbly pulled the phone away from her ear, confirming that it was indeed Tang Wuyun who had spoken. She clutched her chest, her heart pounding erratically.

Her Dao heart was truly in chaos now.

Shi Zhimiao slowed her breathing, carefully choosing her words. “Why would Shi Shuwu think that?”

She swallowed hard, anxiously awaiting the answer.

Had something unusual happened last night?

Tang Wuyun chuckled sheepishly. “…I was so tired yesterday, my mind was foggy. I didn’t take it to heart and didn’t ask…”

“But don’t worry, I’ll go ask right now!”

Shi Zhimiao gripped the phone tightly after the call ended. She squeezed her eyes shut and took deep breaths.

The few minutes it took Tang Wuyun to run off and get the answer felt like an eternity to her.

Shi Shuwu was cornered at her bedroom door by Tang Wuyun, who was calling her name throughout the house.

She held the rental agreement Tang Wuyun had asked her to sign.

“What do you need?” Shi Shuwu asked, handing Tang Wuyun the contract to review.

Tang Wuyun nodded vigorously. “It’s about what happened today.”

After speaking, Tang Wuyun immediately took the contract. Seeing that it pertained to renting the apartment, she signed it without hesitation.

Shi Shuwu was about to advise Tang Wuyun to carefully review the terms when Tang Wuyun abruptly pulled her back into the room.

After hearing Tang Wuyun’s question, Shi Shuwu didn’t play coy. Instead, she eagerly analyzed their discoveries from the previous night.

Tang Wuyun’s face darkened. “…So they never cared about me at all.”

She hadn’t even known about the drama unfolding last night.

And not a single person had mentioned it to her this morning.

“You’re right, absolutely right,” Shi Shuwu affirmed.

Tang Wuyun immediately called Shi Zhimiao.

Shi Shuwu watched quietly from the side. Tang Wuyun hadn’t left and hadn’t asked her to leave, which meant she could hear everything.

For the sake of juicy gossip, Shi Shuwu was willing to temporarily lose her sense of tact.

Shi Zhimiao, anxiously waiting at the airport, answered instantly.

When she heard Tang Wuyun verbatim repeat Shi Shuwu’s analysis, her heart stirred slightly.

Tang Wuyun rattled on, “I understand why you wanted to share a room with Sister Pei, of course. But Sister Pei was acting so strangely. She usually dotes on me so much—how could she let me sleep alone? I was completely drunk, I even threw up!”

Shi Zhimiao pursed her lips, sounding uncertain. “But yesterday she was the one who offered to stay with Yaya.”

Tang Wuyun’s voice turned sharp, immediately derailing the conversation. “What does that mean? So I really am less important to Sister Pei than Lu Yaya!”

Shi Shuwu, who had been silent until now, clicked her tongue. Even this is a competition? How childish can Tang Wuyun get? Isn’t having me here enough?

Hearing the noise beside her, Tang Wuyun finally remembered Shi Shuwu’s presence and turned to look at her with a puzzled expression.

Shi Shuwu scoffed, crossing her arms. “When Bai Jin offered to take care of Lu Yaya yesterday, your Sister Pei agreed without hesitation.”

And the sudden formality between them felt so unnatural.

Tang Wuyun fell into deep thought.

Why does this feel so familiar?

She glanced at Shi Shuwu, and a flash of insight struck her. I remember now!

Clutching her phone excitedly, she exclaimed, “Miaomiao, let me tell you, when we were filming the show earlier…”

Suddenly realizing Shi Shuwu was still present, Tang Wuyun’s voice trailed off abruptly.

She cleared her throat and averted her gaze from Shi Shuwu.

Casually gesturing toward the contract in Shi Shuwu’s hand, she said, “Well, I’ll be going now. You keep busy, okay?”

With that, she turned and fled.

Shi Shuwu narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms, and tilted her head.

So something happened during filming? And why is Tang Wuyun afraid to let me hear about it?

Meanwhile, in Tang Wuyun’s room:

Shi Zhimiao’s voice came through the phone: “Xixi did tell me yesterday that you only switched rooms with me because you wanted to sleep with Shi Shuwu.”

Tang Wuyun replied absently, “Mm-hmm, figure it out yourself.”

Her mind was consumed by Shi Shuwu’s earlier scrutinizing gaze. She felt that if Shi Shuwu were left to ponder alone any longer, she would quickly arrive at the truth.

Hearing Tang Wuyun’s attempt to dismiss her, Shi Zhimiao chuckled.

She suddenly asked, “Didn’t you say earlier you wanted to send Qiu Mo to prison?”

Tang Wuyun blinked in surprise. “Ah… I was just saying that off the cuff.”

Why is Shi Zhimiao bringing this up now? Could it be…?

Sure enough, the next moment Shi Zhimiao said, “Then let’s get him in there. He seems to be in some serious trouble lately, quite a sticky situation. I’ll find some time to help him resolve this quickly, so he can start sewing sooner.”

Tang Wuyun stared in disbelief. “But… isn’t that…”

Is this right?

Shi Zhimiao spoke as casually as if asking what she had for lunch today.

“Aren’t you childhood friends? If you hurt him, aren’t you worried his family will come after you?”

Shi Zhimiao frowned, her tone turning sharp. “Who are you trying to disgust? Childhood friends? Who told you that?”

She had been trying to help Tang Wuyun, and now Tang Wuyun was trying to disgust her.

“What a conscience!”

Tang Wuyun retorted defensively, “Sister Pei said it!”

Shi Zhimiao: “……”

Since Pei Yinxi had said it, what could she possibly argue?

Tang Wuyun paused, then added, “Looking back, Sister Pei seemed pretty upset when she mentioned it.”

Shi Zhimiao: “Hanging up.”

Before Tang Wuyun could even process the information, Shi Zhimiao had abruptly ended the call.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

She’s probably rushing off to explain things to Pei Yinxi.

“Tch, hang up then,” Tang Wuyun muttered, pocketing her phone.

She opened her room door, intending to find Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu might not be as quick-witted as me, Tang Wuyun thought, but she’s definitely smart enough to pick up on something fishy.

She hurried back to Shi Shuwu’s room, knocked briefly, and pushed the door open without waiting for a response.

Shi Shuwu was sitting at her desk. She looked up at the doorway, and their eyes met.

Tang Wuyun closed the door behind her and walked inside, forcing a casual tone. “Why are you still in your room?”

Seeing Shi Shuwu staring at her without a word, Tang Wuyun felt awkward for a moment before explaining, “I’m a bit bored.”

Shi Shuwu glanced at her phone screen, where their mother was holding a finger to her lips, squinting her eyes in warning not to reveal they were video calling.

This is terrible. I need to make Tang Wuyun break this awful habit of barging into my room right after knocking.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders tensing slightly, and replied stiffly, “If you’re bored, you can go downstairs and watch TV with Lu Ya.”

Shi Shuwu hoped this would also remind their mother that Lu Ya was at home too, not just her and Tang Wuyun.

The person on the video call crossed her arms, a knowing smile playing on her lips, clearly aware of Shi Shuwu’s intentions.

Shi Shuwu’s back stiffened. She still couldn’t discern the other party’s true attitude and now didn’t know how to respond.

Tang Wuyun walked to the desk, casually leaning against it with one hand, and replied, “Lu Ya’s no fun. She’s boring.”

Shi Shuwu gritted her teeth. “Is it fun to mess with me?”

As soon as she said it, she noticed the pair of eyes on the screen, which had been half-smiling, suddenly narrow. Shi Shuwu immediately realized she’d said the wrong thing again.

She closed her eyes in frustration.

I’m done for…

Tang Wuyun blushed at Shi Shuwu’s words.

She pouted, deliberately acting coy. “This… might not be appropriate…”

Shi Shuwu’s heart sank.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Ignoring the threatening gaze on the screen, she pointed toward the door, her voice low and firm. “You should leave now. I’m on the phone.”

Tang Wuyun blinked. “With who?”

Shi Shuwu gritted her teeth. Why do you always ask so many questions?! You’re so clueless!

She forced out two words through clenched teeth: “My… mom…”

Before she could finish, the person who had been silent on the phone suddenly spoke. “Yes, baby? What’s wrong?”

A hint of intense danger lurked beneath the gentle tone.

At least, that’s what Tang Wuyun thought.

Her heart pounding, she took a step back.

Shi Shuwu also sensed a faint chill in the voice.

Danger!

Tang Wuyun’s face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling as she muttered helplessly, “I’m done for… I’m so done for!”

Shi Shuwu took a deep breath. Though slightly nervous, she still glared at her phone, “Why does she call me ‘baby’?”

How embarrassing! Tang Wuyun is right here!

Shi Jiarong’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Shi Shuwu, how long has it been since you came home?”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Maybe she should just call me ‘baby’ after all. Hearing my full name is kind of scary.

When she glanced back at Tang Wuyun, the coward was already trembling as she retreated out the door.

Shi Jiarong’s tone turned sharp. “I asked you a question.”

Shi Shuwu waited until Tang Wuyun had closed the door before answering, “I’ll come home when I finish work.”

Shi Jiarong scoffed. “Oh? And where exactly are you working now?”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door…

Tang Wuyun frantically shook Lu Ya’s arm, wailing in despair, “We’re doomed! Lu Yaya! Your sister is done for!”

Lu Ya’s vision swam from the panic. “Just tell me what happened!”

Gritting her teeth, Lu Ya grabbed the hysterical Tang Wuyun.

Tang Wuyun covered her face with her hands, recalling her earlier conversation with Shi Shuwu. Her ears flushed crimson instantly.

Lu Ya stared at her, exasperated. “Just tell me!”

After all this panic, she still hadn’t said anything useful. What was Lu Ya supposed to do?

Tang Wuyun pressed her hands tighter against her face, whimpering and shaking her head.

“Forget it. You’re not ready to know.”

If Lu Ya found out, she’d tease Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu about it for days.

Lu Ya stared at her, speechless.

Just great!

Tang Wuyun really knew how to keep someone in suspense!

Downstairs, Tang Wuyun paced anxiously.

An hour later, Shi Shuwu finally emerged from her room and descended to the living room.

Lu Ya sat cross-legged on the sofa, engrossed in a game. She glanced up at Shi Shuwu, offered a casual greeting, and immediately returned her attention to the screen.

Unlike Lu Ya’s relaxed demeanor, Tang Wuyun sat rigidly upright, her gaze darting to Shi Shuwu’s face, trying to decipher any clues from her expression.

Shi Shuwu walked over with a stiff expression and sat down beside her.

Tang Wuyun licked her lips and cautiously asked, “Um… are you okay?”

Shi Shuwu crossed her arms, leaned back against the sofa, and retorted with a stern expression, “Why wouldn’t I be okay? What could possibly be wrong with me?”

Tang Wuyun felt like crying but couldn’t shed a tear. She had been asking about Shi Shuwu’s mother, not Shi Shuwu herself!

Taking a deep breath, she braced herself and asked, “Your mother… is she still alive?”

Shi Shuwu glanced sideways at Tang Wuyun, giving her a look that said, “How dare you ask?”

Instead of answering, she poked Tang Wuyun’s shoulder reproachfully. “You rude thing! barging into my room without permission!”

Tang Wuyun quickly lowered her head in apology. “I’m sorry…”

She had learned her lesson.

Shi Shuwu snorted coldly. “I never would have guessed someone with your carefree personality could have grown up in a family like that.”

Tang Wuyun awkwardly touched her neck. She couldn’t tell if Shi Shuwu’s words were a compliment or sarcasm.

Shi Shuwu soon provided the answer.

“But it’s a good thing you have this kind of personality.”

Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t know what kind of Tang Wuyun I would have met.

Lu Ya, who was playing a game nearby, interjected with a jab at Tang Wuyun: “When we first met, she was so quiet and reserved. But Sister Pei spoiled her so much that she’s become like this now. Half the blame for her current state lies with Sister Pei.”

Tang Wuyun glared at Lu Ya.

Lu Ya was even more boisterous than she was—how dare she criticize her?

“If you’ve got the guts, say that to Sister Pei’s face.”

Lu Ya pouted, clutched her phone, turned her back to them, and resumed playing her game with renewed focus.

Shi Shuwu, with lightning reflexes, reached out and grabbed Tang Wuyun, who was about to get up and tease Lu Ya.

She yanked Tang Wuyun back beside her, pulling her arm with considerable force.

“Childish brat,” Shi Shuwu muttered.

Tang Wuyun huffed softly. Having been abruptly pulled back by Shi Shuwu, she found herself pressed close against her. Since Shi Shuwu had called her childish, she decided to take advantage of the situation and snuggle even closer.

Shi Shuwu’s grip on Tang Wuyun’s arm tightened slightly, her body tilting awkwardly from the pressure.

She turned to glare at Tang Wuyun, their eyes locking in a silent standoff.

The atmosphere fell silent. After a two-second pause, Tang Wuyun spoke, “Ah, right, I’m such a childish brat.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Tang Wuyun nudged Shi Shuwu again.

Shi Shuwu braced her other hand against her thigh to support her leaning posture.

She froze, momentarily considering shifting sideways to create some distance between herself and Tang Wuyun.

Shi Shuwu’s long lashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze, acutely aware that her recent behavior felt almost like she was possessed.

During her brief contemplation, Tang Wuyun quietly shifted away, ceasing to press against Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu straightened up, taking the opportunity to sit upright.

After a moment’s thought, she cleared her throat, patted her shoulder, and said to Tang Wuyun, “Give me a massage.”

Tang Wuyun was taken aback by Shi Shuwu’s sudden request. She quickly responded with an “Oh,” and placed her hands on Shi Shuwu’s shoulders.

Shi Shuwu closed her eyes. Reflecting on her actions in the kitchen earlier that day, she now realized with certainty that she desperately craved physical contact with Tang Wuyun.

It was an uncontrollable urge, a compulsion to be near Tang Wuyun.

The kind of joy that erupts from the slightest touch is truly maddening, an irresistible flutter in her heart.

Shi Shuwu raised a hand to her forehead. I’m done for. What am I going to do? I’m truly finished.

Seeing Shi Shuwu press her forehead and sigh, Tang Wuyun tilted her head from behind, her hand unconsciously slowing its movements.

She couldn’t help but wonder: Is Shi Shuwu so troubled because of something her mother said?

She couldn’t resist asking, “Did your mom scold you?”

Shi Shuwu shook her head. “No.”

Tang Wuyun paused, then finally asked, “Then… she must have scolded me, right? She probably really dislikes me.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she said the last part.

This is a disaster! What have I done…?

Shi Shuwu understood Tang Wuyun’s anxiety. She patted the hand on her shoulder, reassuring her gently, “No, you’re overthinking things.”

Tang Wuyun nodded, her voice still low. “You’re right. Auntie probably doesn’t even take me seriously.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let Shi Shuwu and her record a show together.

Sigh…

Shi Shuwu: “……”

Seeing Shi Shuwu’s silence, Tang Wuyun’s heart plummeted, instantly sinking to the depths of despair.

I knew it, I knew it…

Tang Wuyun sighed heavily, kneading Shi Shuwu’s shoulders.

Shi Shuwu finally spoke, attempting to comfort Tang Wuyun: “My mom said she quite admires you.”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Shi Shuwu’s lips twitched, and she nodded with difficulty.

“Um… she also said she particularly likes how you look when you’re going crazy.”

An eerie silence fell over the living room. The sound of Lu Ya playing games had long since vanished.

Crack

The sound of someone’s heart breaking.

Tang Wuyun’s heart instantly turned to ashes.