Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 43

“My mom said she really admires your arrogance and audacity.”

Facing the withdrawn Tang Wuyun, Shi Shuwu showed no mercy. She repeated her mother’s sarcastic remarks verbatim, delivering them to Tang Wuyun without softening the blow.

Though she desperately wanted to comfort Tang Wuyun and tell her everything would be okay, the truth was far from it.

Shi Shuwu’s mother had been watching Tang Wuyun’s every move.

Tang Wuyun buried her face in her hands, hugging her head in despair.

Lu Ya quietly turned away. “Ahem, you guys… want to play a game?”

She glanced at Tang Wuyun, suppressing a laugh. Poor thing, she thought, but I can’t help wanting to laugh.

There was no comforting Tang Wuyun; she had to endure this alone.

The only thing Lu Ya could do was distract her, trying to numb her despair with a game.

Tang Wuyun huddled in the corner of the sofa, her back to the others, her voice listless. “I’m not in the mood.”

Her dejection was painfully obvious.

Shi Shuwu feigned ignorance of the reason for Tang Wuyun’s mood. “It’s okay,” she said deliberately. “My mom won’t interfere with my friendships.”

Tang Wuyun tilted her head slightly to look at Shi Shuwu.

Friendships, of course, she wouldn’t interfere with. But Tang Wuyun’s goal was to become Shi Shuwu’s girlfriend.

Hadn’t she made her feelings clear enough?

Anyone could see it. So what did Shi Shuwu mean by saying that?

Just friends?

Tang Wuyun’s heart turned ice-cold, a chilling discomfort that made her shoulders visibly slump. She buried her face deeper into the pillow, crushing it out of shape.

Her pitiful appearance failed to soften Shi Shuwu’s heart. Instead, Shi Shuwu repeated calmly, “Oh, right, I forgot. We’re not even friends.”

Tang Wuyun: “……”

The memories of the past resurfaced, her own words ringing in her ears like a demonic echo. She closed her eyes, her mind flooded with the phrase, “We can’t be friends.”

How long will Shi Shuwu hold onto this?

I really know I was wrong! I was so, so wrong!

Tang Wuyun, consumed by remorse, blurted out, “Can you just forget all that stupid stuff I said before?!”

She turned away awkwardly, her face a mask of misery as she stared silently at Shi Shuwu.

Shi Shuwu’s jaw tightened slightly. She struggled to maintain her composure, determined not to be swayed by Tang Wuyun’s pitiful expression.

“Why should I forget? I thought what you said that day was perfectly accurate.”

Tang Wuyun bit her lip, clenching her fists as she retorted, “No, it wasn’t!”

Beside them, Lu Ya had already closed her game interface, her eyes darting between the two women with keen curiosity.

She couldn’t resist asking, “What did she say?”

What else is there that I don’t know?

Tang Wuyun looked up, her gaze meeting Lu Ya’s curious scrutiny, while Shi Shuwu’s expression remained calm in the corner of her eye.

Their indifference and composure pierced Tang Wuyun’s anxious heart like daggers.

Tang Wuyun completely lost her composure.

“Fine, play your games!” she snapped angrily, shoving the pillow into Shi Shuwu’s arms. With those parting words, she rose, slipped on her slippers, and stormed upstairs.

Shi Shuwu called after her, “Hey!”

Tang Wuyun ignored her, quickening her pace on the stairs.

Shi Shuwu got up and followed.

Left alone in the living room, Lu Ya pouted. “Ugh~”

She finally understood: her presence was clearly interrupting their romantic moment.

Now that both of them had rushed upstairs, it was hard not to suspect they were doing it on purpose, just to be alone together.

Outside Tang Wuyun’s bedroom door, Shi Shuwu blocked the closing gap with her foot. Under Tang Wuyun’s accusatory glare, she squeezed her way inside.

Smiling, Shi Shuwu shut the door and said in a rush, “Don’t be mad, I was just teasing you.”

She’d taken the joke too far, not expecting Tang Wuyun to lose her composure so easily.

And now, after losing it, Tang Wuyun was sulking and expecting Shi Shuwu to chase after her and apologize.

Feeling far more mature than Tang Wuyun, Shi Shuwu couldn’t help but wonder, “Are you really older than me?”

It wasn’t hard to see why she doubted it. After all, Tang Wuyun often acted quite childish.

Tang Wuyun glared at Shi Shuwu, her eyes flashing with indignation.

“My mental age is younger than yours!”

Shi Shuwu nodded with a smile. “You’re certainly quite childish at heart.”

Tang Wuyun turned to yank open the door, ready to usher Shi Shuwu out.

You’re already making me angry, and instead of apologizing, you’re just provoking me more!

Shi Shuwu stepped back, blocking the door handle.

“Look at you, always so impatient.”

As she teased, she casually took Tang Wuyun’s hand.

The moment their palms touched, Shi Shuwu’s expression tightened, and her heart skipped a beat.

She abruptly released Tang Wuyun’s hand.

Feeling her wrist being flung away by Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun froze in shock.

What does this mean?

Does she find me repulsive?!

Tang Wuyun, already on the verge of tears, now completely broke down.

Shi Shuwu actually finds me repulsive!

Shi Shuwu clenched her fist, realizing she could no longer face her own actions toward Tang Wuyun.

Seizing the opportunity to grab Tang Wuyun’s hand like that… it really felt like I was being a creepy pervert.

My hands… I just can’t seem to control myself around her.

Even though I know Tang Wuyun wouldn’t mind, I need to set boundaries. I can’t deliberately touch her with such thoughts in mind.

“What do you mean?” Tang Wuyun asked, her expression hurt.

Just a few days ago, Tang Wuyun would have been afraid of Shi Shuwu’s harsh words, fearing they would sting her. But after witnessing Shi Shuwu’s kindness and indulgence toward her these past few days, Tang Wuyun had come to deeply understand that while the other woman’s words might still be unpleasant, her intentions were genuine.

Shi Shuwu pointed to Tang Wuyun’s wrist and said bluntly, “I was afraid you’d think I was touching you or taking advantage of you.”

Tang Wuyun’s gaze went blank.

Huh?

This reason?

If it were anyone else, I might have believed it, but this…

Tang Wuyun stared dumbly down at her hand.

She even used the word “touching.” Is it really that serious?

Well, if Shi Shuwu says so, then touching… touching it is.

The tips of Tang Wuyun’s ears flushed slightly. Shi Shuwu’s concern proved she wasn’t just interested in friendship.

The gloom that had been hanging over Tang Wuyun vanished instantly.

She lowered her head, secretly smiling to herself, and instantly cheered herself up.

Shi Shuwu frowned and waved her hand in front of Tang Wuyun’s eyes. “What are you smiling about?”

Convinced she was hiding her smile perfectly, Tang Wuyun instinctively pressed her lips together.

Shi Shuwu struggled to suppress the corners of her lips, restraining her smile.

She asked with feigned seriousness, “I’m not laughing. What’s wrong?”

Shi Shuwu stared at her, speechless.

Tang Wuyun’s shoulders were shaking with laughter. Did she think Shi Shuwu was blind?

Fine, laugh if you want to.

“Luo Zhuo is picking me up tomorrow. We have work, so I’ll be leaving early in the morning. I’ll probably be gone for two days.”

Shi Shuwu paused, then asked, “You’ll be okay sleeping alone, right?”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes darted around. If I say I’m not okay, would Shi Shuwu sleep with me every night after this?

She secretly indulged in the fantasy for a moment, then dismissed it as wishful thinking.

After a moment’s deliberation, she chose to answer honestly: “I’m only scared when it rains.”

Shi Shuwu’s gaze darkened slightly, her voice softening instinctively to reassure her: “It’ll be okay. It’ll get better.”

“Even if it doesn’t, it’s fine. I won’t let you be alone on rainy days anymore.”

Tang Wuyun’s eyes lit up, and she nodded contentedly.

Was this Shi Shuwu making a promise to her?

Tang Wuyun’s heart swelled with warmth.

“It won’t rain during the filming,” Shi Shuwu said, glancing at the weather forecast on her phone. She handed it to Tang Wuyun. “Even if it does, Lu Ya will be here.”

She couldn’t resist adding, “You and Lu Ya should rest well at home. I’ll take you to the filming once I’m done with work.”

Tang Wuyun nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

Shi Shuwu paused, then continued, “About the place you used to live… could you give me the door code? I’ll be working nearby. If it’s convenient, I can pick up some of your things and check for anything unusual while I’m there.”

She had hesitated for a long time before bringing this up.

Tang Wuyun shook her head firmly. “Don’t go.”

She didn’t know if there were any malevolent entities there. What if Shi Shuwu got trapped and tormented too?

Tang Wuyun shook her head again, her expression tense. “Please don’t go.”

Shi Shuwu sighed softly and nodded in compromise. “Alright, I won’t go.”

Tang Wuyun continued to watch her intently, her expression serious and earnest.

Shi Shuwu opened her mouth, reiterating her promise, “I definitely won’t go.”

“Really, I swear I won’t go.”

Only after Shi Shuwu’s repeated assurances did the tension ease slightly on Tang Wuyun’s face.

Realizing Shi Shuwu was even considering such a thing, Tang Wuyun couldn’t afford to be complacent. She immediately grabbed her phone to warn Pei Yinxi and Bai Jin, forbidding them from going as well.

Shi Zhimiao was temporarily unreachable, having already boarded a plane and left the country, so Tang Wuyun wasn’t too worried about her.

Her greatest concern remained Pei Yinxi and Bai Jin. She genuinely feared these two close friends might secretly investigate without telling her.

Shi Shuwu stayed by her side, quietly watching as she made the calls.

When Tang Wuyun couldn’t reach Pei Yinxi, a worried expression immediately clouded her face.

“Don’t worry too much,” Shi Shuwu reassured her. “They know their limits.”

Without fully understanding the situation, they likely wouldn’t act rashly. Even if they planned to go, they’d probably ask Tang Wuyun’s opinion first, just like Shi Shuwu had.

Unless they were being exceptionally stubborn.

Tang Wuyun took a deep breath and dialed Bai Jin’s number. It rang several times before she finally answered.

The moment the call connected, Tang Wuyun heard Bai Jin’s hushed, scolding voice.

“Ancestor, I’m recording a show here!”

“You’d better have a good reason for calling!”

Hearing Bai Jin’s voice, Tang Wuyun’s anxiety eased slightly.

She quickly explained why she was calling, ending with a plea: “Promise me you won’t go there, okay?”

To her surprise, Bai Jin replied, “It should be fine. We did mention last night that we wanted to check it out.”

Tang Wuyun: “……!”

Thank goodness I asked now! I had no idea my dear sisters were even considering this.

“Don’t go there,” Tang Wuyun urged. “There’s definitely nothing useful to find, and even if you did, it wouldn’t change anything.”

Why risk danger for something unknown?

Bai Jin paused, then gently reassured her, “Don’t worry. We just don’t want you to face that kind of thing alone.”

“Right now, all you need to do is adjust your mindset, get back to your normal life, make amends with the friends you offended, and then pursue Shi…”

“Jin Jin!” Tang Wuyun exclaimed urgently.

Bai Jin’s eyes had been red-rimmed when she heard the first half of Tang Wuyun’s words, but as she continued, Bai Jin sensed something was wrong and quickly interrupted her.

Thank goodness Shi Shuwu is still here, Tang Wuyun thought, realizing she had accidentally turned on the speakerphone.

Shi Shuwu probably didn’t hear anything, right?

Tang Wuyun subtly glanced sideways, stealing a glance at Shi Shuwu’s expression.

Shi Shuwu remained completely composed, her expression unchanged.

Good, she didn’t hear anything, Tang Wuyun thought, letting out a sigh of relief.

“What’s up?” Bai Jin asked.

“Nothing,” Tang Wuyun replied. “Jin Jin, you should go record your show. If you have any breaks, come find us here. We can chat more then.”

Bai Jin was indeed busy and didn’t have time for a longer conversation. She quickly agreed.

“Alright, I’ll come over tomorrow.”

She added, “If you can’t reach Sister Pei, don’t keep trying. She’s busy with some music festival right now and won’t have time for you. But don’t worry, Miaomiao is keeping an eye on her. She won’t let Sister Pei go off on her own.”

Tang Wuyun nodded obediently. “Okay.”

As Tang Wuyun hung up the phone, she received a voice message from Pei Yinxi saying she was busy and would call back later.

Tang Wuyun’s heart finally settled back into her chest.

Shi Shuwu couldn’t help but remark, “I’ve noticed your bond is truly remarkable.”

The entertainment industry is full of groups like theirs, but most eventually drift apart, with many ceasing contact altogether and some even publicly feuding online.

Although Tang Wuyun and her four bandmates had indeed pursued separate career paths, their personal relationships had only grown stronger.

Tang Wuyun proudly lifted her chin and pointed to herself. “That’s all thanks to me… and Lu Ya.”

Shi Shuwu raised an eyebrow, playing along. “How so?”

Tang Wuyun grinned, her voice brimming with pride. “Because back then, we were just two poor little orphans. Sister Pei’s sense of responsibility wouldn’t let her abandon us, and Miaomiao and Jin Jin felt so sorry for us too.”

“We had a small villa. Even though we all pursued our own paths later, we continued living together. Whenever work ended, we’d always return there. This arrangement lasted until Lu Ya graduated from university.”

Tang Wuyun counted on her fingers. “Actually, we still go back a few times each year. We definitely return for Chinese New Year.”

Their jobs meant they couldn’t gather often, constantly flying around. They ended up staying in hotels more frequently than at home.

Shi Shuwu nodded. “You’ve mentioned this before.”

Tang Wuyun paused, then chuckled. “Right, I forgot.”

She’d told Shi Shuwu so much that she couldn’t quite remember if she’d mentioned this particular detail.

Shi Shuwu continued, “Speaking of Chinese New Year, I’m going home after filming this episode. The last time I went home was during the New Year holiday.”

Tang Wuyun’s expression froze.

Going home… Could it be because of me?

Before she could fully process the thought, Shi Shuwu added, “I only signed up for two episodes of this show. I won’t be returning after this one.”

Another corner of Tang Wuyun’s world seemed to crumble.

Did Shi Shuwu’s mother not want them to film the show together anymore?

Seeing Tang Wuyun suddenly become inexplicably dejected, Shi Shuwu looked utterly bewildered.

What’s going on?

Shi Shuwu tentatively explained, “I don’t have any free time to film variety shows after this. I have a stage play to perform.”

Tang Wuyun blinked, finally choosing to confront her instead of spiraling into self-doubt. She asked directly, “Is it because your mother doesn’t approve?”

Shi Shuwu’s forehead creased with annoyance.

I should have just been clear from the start. Tang Wuyun’s overactive imagination was giving her a headache.

Shi Shuwu sighed. “My mother wouldn’t interfere with my work or my… personal life.”

Shi Shuwu’s gaze darted away, relieved she hadn’t spoken too quickly this time.

Mentioning “personal life” would have made it too obvious.

Tang Wuyun, her mind already racing with thoughts of the future, completely missed the subtle hint. She was growing increasingly bold in her fantasies, already envisioning her future relationship with her mother-in-law. To her, “personal life” sounded no different from “romantic life.”

Tang Wuyun pressed her lips together. “Just tell me straight—does your mother dislike me?”

Shi Shuwu pondered for a moment, then hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Seeing Shi Shuwu’s reaction, Tang Wuyun’s heart sank lower and lower.

Shi Shuwu sighed softly. “It seems she has some reservations about you, but not too many.”

Tang Wuyun’s head remained bowed.

Even that’s terrible news.

Shi Shuwu’s expression grew complicated. “It’s not entirely because of me.”

Tang Wuyun looked up blankly. “Huh?”

If not because of Shi Shuwu, then who else could it be?

Shi Shuwu took a deep breath. “Because of your zealous female fans.”

Tang Wuyun’s mind raced through countless possibilities.

She immediately retorted indignantly, “Fan behavior! How can that be held against me?!”

Shi Shuwu hesitated again, her expression growing even more complex.

Tang Wuyun couldn’t understand. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Am I wrong?”

This is a complete injustice! A total misunderstanding!

Shi Shuwu’s voice was strained. “What if your female fans are my mother’s students?”

Students and daughters? No wonder Shi Jiarong has reservations about Tang Wuyun.

Especially since Shi Shuwu was being so unhelpful.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

So Mom’s a teacher.

I was too hasty.

Tang Wuyun silently lay back on the bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

Ah… I’m done for.

Shi Shuwu: “……”

A few seconds later, Tang Wuyun quietly threw off the blanket and sat up.

I can’t help but ask, “How many?”

Shi Shuwu’s lips twitched. “Well, my mom said she’s already caught several students using their phones in class to dig up your old videos.”

“Oh, and she mentioned she hears your name every day now.”

Afraid of further discouraging Tang Wuyun, Shi Shuwu didn’t reveal the full truth.

Every time Shi Jiarong heard Tang Wuyun’s name, she immediately heard her own precious daughter’s name right after.

She was already sick of it, and it had even sparked a rebellious streak in her. Tang Wuyun? Shi Shuwu? Who are they? Are they really that famous? Ask her, and she’d say she didn’t know them, didn’t understand them, and didn’t care.

Tang Wuyun collapsed back onto the bed in despair, pulling the blanket even higher this time, completely covering herself.

Realizing she had completely failed to comfort Tang Wuyun and had instead crushed her confidence further, Shi Shuwu decided to shut her mouth.

Sigh, what can you do? Some people just aren’t as resilient as you are.

Buried under the covers, Tang Wuyun grew increasingly distraught. It’s too much! Is it wrong to be so popular? Is it wrong?!

She felt suffocated.

Until Shi Shuwu yanked the blanket off her.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

Fine, literal suffocation.

Shi Shuwu looked down at her, a puzzled expression on her face. “Are you trying to sleep?”

Tang Wuyun snatched the blanket back, turned her back to Shi Shuwu, and said resentfully, “No, I’m not sleeping. I’m just pondering why life is so full of hardships.”

Shi Shuwu: “……”

“What kind of storms haven’t you weathered?”

And you’re still afraid of my mother?

Tang Wuyun spun around indignantly, her voice trembling with grievance. “This is different!”

Shi Shuwu just didn’t understand!

Tang Wuyun threw back the blanket and grabbed her phone. “I’m going to post on Weibo!”

Shi Shuwu moved swiftly, pressing her hand down on Tang Wuyun’s phone.

Her face was wary. “Trying to go crazy again?”

Tang Wuyun choked. “What ‘go crazy’? I’m just going to post something to encourage everyone to study hard!”

She needed to make her stance clear!

Shi Shuwu patted the back of Tang Wuyun’s hand.

“Stop messing around. Ask your agent first and see what they say.”

As she spoke, a peculiar expression crossed Shi Shuwu’s face. She never imagined she’d be the one advising Tang Wuyun to listen to her agent.

Usually, she was the one who drove her agent crazy.

Otherwise, Tan Qingyu wouldn’t have restricted her Weibo posting privileges.

For Tang Wuyun to make even Shi Shuwu realize the need for obedience, it only proved that she was even more unhinged than Tang Wuyun herself.

“The agent?” Tang Wuyun tossed her phone aside. “Forget it. The longer they take to remember me, the more comfortable I’ll be.”

She still wasn’t going to rush into it herself.

Shi Shuwu chuckled. “I thought you said you weren’t afraid of your agent at all.”

“Or your boss.”

Back then, she had bragged about being invincible, claiming to be the most powerful person in the world.

Tang Wuyun slapped the bed. “How can things be the same now? My boss now is Miaomiao.”

Anyone else with such connections would be strutting around arrogantly, but Tang Wuyun didn’t even dare to ask to enter the company’s front door.

Going there would guarantee a future of endless toil and servitude.

Tang Wuyun sighed in resignation.

During the two days Shi Shuwu was away from work, Tang Wuyun, with the help of Lu Ya and her friends, gradually managed to smooth things over with some of her former acquaintances.

Though many still sneered and mocked her, Tang Wuyun didn’t mind. She never had that many true friends to begin with.

As for her old connections, they no longer mattered. She had Shi Zhimiao now.

Lu Ya nudged Tang Wuyun, who was sprawled on the sofa, looking utterly unconcerned.

“Some people are only holding back because you’re popular right now. Who knows? They might bring this up on some show later just to humiliate you.”

Tang Wuyun’s once-empty friends list had now swelled with a motley crew of characters—every kind of weirdo imaginable.

She hadn’t bothered to screen them properly, adding anyone she vaguely remembered from the past and apologizing to them all.

Lu Ya was deeply dissatisfied with this approach.

Tang Wuyun sighed softly. “Yaya, even though I don’t get along with some of these people, I was the one who messed up first. I blocked them for no good reason and said some nasty things. I owe them an apology.”

The workload was overwhelming. Everyone had to craft several yin-yang messages, and for the past two days, they’d been frowning and sighing as they replied, leaving them with no energy or focus for anything else.

“When is Shi Shuwu coming back?” Lu Ya asked, her head throbbing from staring at her phone.

Shi Shuwu had been gone for two full days.

If she didn’t return soon, Tang Wuyun would surely fall ill with longing.

Though Tang Wuyun seemed completely absorbed in replying to messages, she secretly checked her chat with Shi Shuwu every few minutes. Lu Ya had witnessed this countless times, proving that Tang Wuyun was constantly thinking of her, yet stubbornly refused to send a single message.

Hearing Lu Ya ask about Shi Shuwu, Tang Wuyun finally stirred from her sprawled position on the sofa and looked up.

“You’re asking about Shi Shuwu? I don’t know when she’ll be back. Do you need something from her?” Tang Wuyun asked as she sat up.

She straightened her posture, solemnly opened her chat with Shi Shuwu, and before Lu Ya could respond, declared, “I’ll ask for you. She should be finished with her work by now.”

Lu Ya, who was about to say it wasn’t important, could only stare in silence.