Failed to Transmigrate, I’m Back Again - Chapter 6

This variety show is doing a live broadcast now? It feels like there are so many people this episode.

Tang Wuyun! Tang Wuyun is actually here! And Shi Shuwu too—these two women who keep me up at night!

They’re appearing together at this critical moment? Oh my god!

The director is a genius! The production team is amazing!

What an insane lineup! A CP free-for-all! I’m shipping everything!

When they stood together, I almost thought I’d clicked on a fan-made edit video…

The production team is the greatest! Aaaah! Group fans are celebrating the new year!

LOL, your group has been washed up for ages.

Wife wife wife! Tang Tang wife!

666, Tang Wuyun came out! Dream girl fans are going wild, right?

Career fans are going wild too! Our wife hasn’t worked in two years!

She still has career fans after coming out? Didn’t all the female fans turn into dream girls? (doge.jpg)

What nonsense are you all spouting? Her account was hacked! We haven’t even confirmed if she actually likes girls! Can you all calm down?

I’m here from the archives. Give up, sisters. Your girl is definitely not straight. Time to switch to dream girl mode!

Within minutes of the live stream starting, the program’s popularity skyrocketed due to Tang Wuyun and Shi Shuwu appearing together on camera.

Given the recent online buzz surrounding Tang Wuyun and her entourage, the production team barely needed to promote the show or buy trending topics. The “melon-eating masses,” their curiosity piqued by the Tang Wuyun incident, flocked to the stream like moths to a flame.

This was likely the darkest day of Tang Wuyun’s career.

With countless cameras pressed close, she felt surrounded by a sea of eyes. Even without seeing the live comments, she knew many viewers were tuning in to watch her humiliation.

Facing the live stream, Tang Wuyun closed her eyes briefly, her heart as cold as ashes. She remembered losing a significant number of followers before her account was hacked. They must all be cursing me now, she thought.

Completely unaware of her newfound legion of female fans, Tang Wuyun remained convinced she was being mercilessly vilified.

Determined to start anew in another world, Tang Wuyun resolved to isolate herself from everyone. After the veteran participants had drawn their blind box spheres, she strode forward decisively, quickly distancing herself from Shi Shuwu, who kept glancing her way.

Tang Wuyun was certain she couldn’t peacefully coexist with Shi Shuwu. Being too close made it hard to breathe; the psychological trauma Shi Shuwu had inflicted was too deep. Tang Wuyun felt she could never overcome that barrier.

She decided to find a corner to stay in alone after drawing her ball, determined to minimize her presence.

The other side of the blind box was transparent, facing the camera to show the live audience. Before drawing, the guests had to stir the balls themselves, all to prove the production team wasn’t rigging the results and that fairness was paramount. The color they drew was purely a matter of luck.

Tang Wuyun quickly reached in and grabbed a small blue ball. Paying little attention, she walked to the edge of the group, deliberately avoiding getting too close to Shi Shuwu under the subtle gazes of the others.

Shi Shuwu pursed her lips, her gaze lingering on Tang Wuyun’s hand before withdrawing her gaze once she’d clearly seen the color.

Tang Wuyun stood off to the side, pretending to be indifferent, her expression calm on the surface but her heart churning with anxiety.

She was currently the only blue ball on the field. There were still three blue balls left in the box, and none of her teammates had taken the field yet. Given these odds, Tang Wuyun figured they’d at least assign one teammate to her group. Her teammates were among her few sources of comfort here; ideally, they’d snag all three remaining blue balls.

Tang Wuyun frantically prayed inwardly. If that was too much to ask, she’d settle for just Sister Pei. She wasn’t greedy.

Bai Jin was the first of the three to take the field. She drew a red ball, and Tang Wuyun’s covert observation stiffened, her heart sinking a little. She took a deep breath, trying to reassure herself: It’s okay, there’s still hope.

Lu Ya went next and pulled out a white ball. She even shook it at Tang Wuyun with a regretful expression.

Tang Wuyun: “……”

It’s okay, it’s okay, there’s still Sister Pei. The odds of drawing a blue ball are even higher now. Sister Pei can definitely do it!

Tang Wuyun couldn’t help but glance at Pei Yinxi, who returned her gaze with a chilly look. Pei Yinxi could probably guess the full extent of Tang Wuyun’s inner turmoil at that moment. But she couldn’t help Tang Wuyun; this variety show was genuinely unscripted, and any attempts at rigging the outcome were impossible.

Pei Yinxi thought to herself with malicious glee, Well, this is truly beyond my help.

Tang Wuyun didn’t see Pei Yinxi go up, but she did see Shi Shuwu take the stage.

Shi Shuwu was visibly nervous. She had deliberately waited until the highest probability of being paired with Tang Wuyun before stepping forward. Seeing several people before her fail to draw a blue ball, she could no longer contain herself.

Tang Wuyun’s eyelid twitched violently. She had a terrible premonition!

The mask of composure on her face began to crumble under the strain. When Shi Shuwu produced a small blue ball, after a moment of heart-stopping dread, Tang Wuyun’s expression completely shattered. There must be foul play!

Tang Wuyun felt utterly hopeless, unable to accept this blow. She slammed her eyes shut, abandoning all pretense of maintaining her composure. Despair, deep and overwhelming despair.

Everyone else was enjoying the drama, oblivious to the turmoil in Tang Wuyun’s heart. They were all just watching the spectacle.

One of the guests let out a loud “Wow!”—not even bothering to hide their amusement, despite being on live television.

Tang Wuyun’s mind raced with chaotic thoughts. When she finally opened her eyes, Shi Shuwu was already standing beside her.

Shi Shuwu’s eyes sparkled as she winked at Tang Wuyun, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Her voice carried a hint of delight as she deliberately said, “Please take care of me.”

Tang Wuyun turned her head away, refusing to make eye contact or respond.

Her reaction was like that of someone sulking, as if Shi Shuwu had wronged her. The live audience, eager for gossip, watched them intently, while the live stream chat exploded with speculation.

Shi Shuwu wasn’t bothered by Tang Wuyun’s behavior. She knew Tang Wuyun misunderstood her and that it was natural for her to avoid her. Yet, in this moment, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had truly wronged Tang Wuyun in the past.

She had deliberately spoken to Tang Wuyun, expecting her to grudgingly return the greeting. But Tang Wuyun, determined to ignore her, even disregarded the live stream, refusing to offer even a perfunctory smile.

Tang Wuyun could feign innocence and charm with others, but when facing Shi Shuwu, she was cold and dismissive.

Shi Shuwu suppressed the strange emotions stirring within her, maintaining a composed smile for the camera.

Lately, Shi Shuwu felt she had become strange because of this whole situation, constantly overthinking bizarre things. Sometimes, she even resented Tang Wuyun for confessing her feelings.

Determined to clear things up with Tang Wuyun, Shi Shuwu confidently thought that perhaps after explaining the misunderstanding, Tang Wuyun would no longer reject her.

The team assignments concluded in awkward silence between the two.

Tang Wuyun politely greeted her teammate who had also drawn a blue ball. She didn’t recognize him—a rookie being promoted by his company to gain exposure on the variety show. These large-group variety shows always included newcomers who needed publicity, and having seniors guide them here was a perfect opportunity to break through.

A newcomer is good, Tang Wuyun thought, relieved. There’s no history between us.

The newcomer’s name was Ji Mingyin. Tang Wuyun had heard of him before; he had previously filmed a variety show with Lu Ya. Lu Ya had mentioned him, describing him as energetic and enthusiastic, like a naive college student who hadn’t yet been beaten down by the harsh realities of society. In fact, he was a college student, only twenty years old.

Tang Wuyun looked into Ji Mingyin’s smiling eyes—indeed, they were full of vitality, unlike her own, which felt half-dead.

One of their teammates was still en route, one of the three who hadn’t yet arrived. The director remained tight-lipped about their identity, adding to the mystery. But Tang Wuyun no longer cared; her lingering hope had long since died.

If the other teammate wasn’t Sister Pei, who it was hardly mattered. Besides, even Sister Pei couldn’t save her from this situation.

Pei Yinxi and Bai Jin were assigned to the same group. Before getting into their car, Pei Yinxi glanced back at the awkward trio, her eyes filled with pity.

Poor Ji Mingyin, she thought. Stuck with these two. The cheerful college student is about to learn the most mortifying—or perhaps the most thrilling—lesson of her life on this variety show.

Let’s just pray they don’t say anything outrageous during the live broadcast.

Meanwhile, Ji Mingyin felt neither awkward nor afraid. She was consumed by the fervor of a dedicated shipper, so excited she nearly skipped around the pair in circles.

The trio walked silently toward the car indicated by the staff. Tang Wuyun desperately wanted to ignore Shi Shuwu, so she focused most of her attention on Ji Mingyin. The younger woman’s excitement was impossible to miss; her eyes sparkled so brightly that Tang Wuyun couldn’t ignore them even if she tried.

Realizing they were live-streaming and that their silence was awkward, Tang Wuyun expertly broke the ice.

Smiling playfully, she teased Ji Mingyin, “Why are you always staring at me?”

She sensed a rare kindness from the college student—a genuine warmth amidst the crowd eager to condemn her. Feeling utterly alone, Tang Wuyun resolved to cherish this connection.

Seeing Tang Wuyun finally speak, Shi Shuwu also turned to Ji Mingyin.

Ji Mingyin nervously glanced at the camera and shook her head at both women. “I can’t say.”

Shi Shuwu scoffed, blurting out, “What’s there to hide? You’ve been on every trending topic imaginable. What’s the big deal?”

The air hung still for several seconds after her words. Shi Shuwu immediately regretted her outburst, mentally slapping herself for her loose tongue. Why did I have to say that so quickly?!

I hope Tan Qingyu isn’t watching the live stream.

Shi Shuwu nervously glanced at Tang Wuyun, her words laced with sarcasm. She braced herself for Tang Wuyun’s cold shoulder.

Tang Wuyun’s mind raced with conflicting emotions. Forcing a smile, she nodded at the flustered Ji Mingyin, her voice strained, “That’s right.”

The naive Ji Mingyin missed the bitterness and resentment in Tang Wuyun’s tone. Since she was allowed to speak, she couldn’t hold back any longer. “Hehe, actually, I’ve been your fan for ten years!”

Tang Wuyun visibly stiffened, realizing it was just this. Why was I so nervous? I thought she was going to ask about the trending topics.

Her smile brightened again.

But then Ji Mingyin blurted out, “I’ve been a fan of you two since elementary school!”

Tang Wuyun’s smile froze. She didn’t know whether to be more bothered by the “since elementary school” or the “you two.”

Either way, she didn’t like hearing it.

Sure enough, the “you two” wasn’t referring to her and her teammates, but to her and Shi Shuwu.

Ji Mingyin’s eyes sparkled. “I wished I’d be grouped with you two, even if it meant being single for fifty years! And it actually came true!”

She’s so greedy, Tang Wuyun thought, inwardly scoffing. Wishing for two things at once!

Shi Shuwu, meanwhile, looked utterly relaxed, finding Ji Mingyin quite agreeable. She certainly has good taste.

Encouraged by Shi Shuwu’s approving gaze, Ji Mingyin grew even more excited. “Double-stan euphoria! I’m that kind of fan!”

Tang Wuyun quickened her pace, practically sprinting to the car as if chased by a ghost. Good heavens! These young people really say anything these days!

She never imagined her luck could be this bad—either her teammates were Shi Shuwu herself, or they were fans of her and Shi Shuwu’s “couple.”

Shi Shuwu hadn’t quite grasped what “that kind of fan” meant, but since they were live-streaming, it was probably best not to ask. She smiled and praised, “Really? I think you have excellent taste.”

This kind of response was always safe.

Safe, my ass! Tang Wuyun had barely sat down when she heard that remark, and she nearly exploded. Do you even know what they’re talking about before you start praising them? Don’t come back later to mock me when you find out the truth.

Tang Wuyun ducked out of the camera’s view and took a deep breath, utterly annoyed.

Before she could even exhale, Shi Shuwu suddenly sat down beside her.

Tang Wuyun frowned. There were plenty of empty seats on the bus—what was Shi Shuwu up to?

She gritted her teeth and waited until the bus started moving slowly. Then she turned off her microphone and glanced at Shi Shuwu, who was secretly watching her out of the corner of her eye.

Shi Shuwu also turned off her microphone and met Tang Wuyun’s gaze.

Tang Wuyun’s expression remained cold, her voice low and controlled. “Everything they’re saying online is true.”

She could guess why Shi Shuwu had come to film this variety show. She probably saw the Weibo posts and assumed Tang Wuyun’s account had been hacked, believing everything she’d said before was false. That’s why she could now sit calmly beside her.

You want an answer? Tang Wuyun thought, answering directly. Now that I’ve admitted it myself, Shi Shuwu should stay far away from me. I won’t even have to tell her to leave.

Shi Shuwu paused for two seconds, swallowing the explanation she’d been preparing for days. Instead, she asked Tang Wuyun, “Why do you think I don’t like girls? Who gave you that impression?”