Healing the Black Lotus Female Supporting Character (Transmigration into a Book - ABO) - Chapter 22

When Friday finally arrived—Hua You’s birthday—she slipped into class just as the morning bell rang… and was immediately stunned by the bold message on the blackboard:

“Happy Birthday to the ‘Sleeping Beauty Demon Queen’!”

Beside it was a giant doodle of a smiley stick figure, and the classroom erupted into cheerful applause and laughter.

She didn’t need to guess—this was almost certainly the work of Lin Lingwan, the class’s resident art pro. Rumor had it they’d been secretly whispering about something in the dorm last night.

Hua You was genuinely touched. It wasn’t just about the attention—it was the warmth of being cared for, even from unlikely sources. Even Teacher Xu had let it slide, though he added teasingly:

“Another year older, but still barely making it to class on time?”

Hua You put on her signature innocent grin. “Teacher Xu, you know I can never wake up properly! I’ll definitely be earlier next time.”

The whole class burst into laughter. A bit flustered, she slipped back to her seat and greeted the girl beside her,
“Good morning, Sister Bian.”

Bian Chengyi paused her note-taking and turned to her,
“Morning.”

Her face was as calm as always—but inside, something stirred.

So many people like Hua You…

Throughout the morning, classmates came over in waves—some to wish her a happy birthday, others bearing sweets and drinks. Hua You laughed, waving them off.

“I really don’t need more,” she joked, pointing at Bian Chengyi. “Our ‘Class Rep Xishi’ feeds me all the time—I’m practically immune to snacks at this point. Save them for yourselves! We’ve got a tough battle ahead today!”

It was, after all, a Friday—test day.
And this week was science track exams.

The difficulty had ramped up, and complaints echoed through the halls by the time the tests ended.

“This question is inhuman,” groaned Lu Qianzi, slumping into the seat next to Hua You. She flipped through the paper in despair. “Hua Hua, don’t tell me you didn’t think it was hard?”

Hua You: …How do I even answer that?

For her, a test designed with the college entrance exam in mind wasn’t “hard,” per se. It just took more or less time, depending on how well you prepared.

Bian Chengyi, however, was a bit quieter than usual today.

After they submitted the physics test, she lingered with her scratch paper, drawing line after line until finally sighing softly and putting her things away.

Naturally, Hua You noticed.

“Sister Bian,” she asked gently, “was it tough?”

Bian Chengyi shook her head.
“After all the math tutoring you’ve given me, I think I did okay on that. But physics… it was really hard.”

Hua You blinked.
“We haven’t even started reviewing physics together yet. Just wait—once you get a few tutoring sessions from Teacher Hua, you’ll be golden.”

She ended with a sly grin, playful and full of spark.

Bian Chengyi still looked a little pale, but her mood visibly lifted.
“No more talk of tests. It’s your birthday today. Go grab your stuff—we’ll put it in the trunk and head to the mall.”

“Deal.” Hua You had never been shy about enjoying Bian Chengyi’s generosity. She gave her arm a quick, cheeky squeeze before dashing out the door with her backpack.

The mall they were headed to was downtown, about a 20-minute drive from school. On the way, Hua You spent the entire ride reviewing the physics paper on her phone’s notepad, pointing out the key concepts:

“So under the framework of force analysis, we should have applied this formula…”

Just as she excitedly stepped out of the car, ready to bolt into the mall, Bian Chengyi gently tugged at her sleeve.

“What’s wrong, Sister Bian?” she turned back, puzzled—only to see her slip a folded note into her sleeve.

The handwriting was unmistakably Bian Chengyi’s—calm, elegant strokes spelling out:

“¥2000 Gift Voucher – Signed: Bian Chengyi”

Hua You’s eyes widened.
She knew Bian Chengyi came from money, but casually handing over ¥2000 like this? That was next level.

“This is too much…” she murmured. “I only gave you a few-yuan leather bracelet last time…”

“Just take it as me making up for not knowing what to get you,” Bian Chengyi replied. She glanced at her watch, her voice gentle but firm. “We’ve got over an hour before your dinner reservation. Let’s look around the mall for a bit.”

Hua You, clearly a little sheepish, nodded.
“O-okay… but we’re just looking, alright?”

In the real world, Hua You had grown up an orphan, with little experience in such luxurious malls.
But she wasn’t someone who’d let herself feel small in these spaces. Even when she found herself quietly wondering when she’d ever be able to afford such expensive things, she kept her chin up.

Still, receiving a gift like this out of the blue—a voucher worth thousands—made her heart beat just a little faster. Part of her was thrilled.
The other part… was a little anxious.
Can I really accept something this extravagant?

Bian Chengyi seemed to sense the thoughts swirling inside her.

“Just think of it as tutoring fees,” she said casually. “Or whatever helps you feel better about it.”

“Bottom line—you deserve it. Don’t overthink it.”

Of course, Bian Chengyi had her own little thoughts too.
If Hua You felt just a bit like she owed her something… maybe—just maybe—she’d stick a little closer.

It was exactly this half-playful, half-possessive thought that had led Bian Chengyi to scribble out that voucher in the first place.

While she was briefly lost in her own thoughts, Hua You had already begun dragging her to “explore” the first floor—by which she meant standing at the entrance of a store, glancing inside, and promptly walking away.

After one round of such half-hearted browsing, Hua You turned to Bian Chengyi and declared with complete seriousness:

“I’ve looked. Nothing here suits me.”

Bian Chengyi: …Seriously?

Without a word, she grabbed Hua You’s hand and led her into a store with a name that began with a D—Hua You hadn’t even seen the full name before they were inside.

The store’s interior was lavish and elegant, every detail meticulously designed. The display cases and décor gave off the vibe of a miniature art gallery. Jewelry and bags were arranged with an effortless harmony.

To Hua You, though, everything screamed:
If you don’t have money, don’t even think about it.

She was already trying to figure out how to subtly and gracefully tug Bian Chengyi out of this obviously-not-for-teenagers boutique… when a saleswoman stepped forward with a bright, polished smile.

“Miss Bian,” she greeted warmly.

And just like that, Bian Chengyi revealed a side of her that Hua You had never seen before—refined, poised, and every bit the elegant daughter of a wealthy household. She gave only the slightest nod and said,

“Today I’m here with a classmate to look at some accessories. Just the smaller pieces—not bags or clothing.”

Hua You (internally screaming): So you’re a regular here??

The saleswoman ushered them in with practiced grace, asking someone to bring water while chatting casually.

“Miss Bian, your mother didn’t come with you today? Oh, you came straight from school?”

Bian Chengyi answered easily, her tone relaxed but polite.
She kept hold of Hua You’s hand—and could feel a thin layer of nervous sweat on her palm.

Hua You tried to maintain a look of innocent curiosity, but her grip was tight.
She might have looked calm, but she clearly wasn’t.

That unspoken dependence made Bian Chengyi’s voice go even softer as she turned to the saleswoman:
“Can we take a look at your new bracelet collection?”

In no time, several trays were brought over, each holding a line of delicate, sparkling designs.

And despite herself, Hua You’s eyes immediately—and embarrassingly—locked on to the one in the center.

The one that very obviously looked… the most expensive.

Even though the shop didn’t sell real gold, the prices were certainly real enough to make anyone flinch.

Focus, Hua You, she told herself, this is all marketing—don’t get hypnotized!

But her eyes still kept drifting to the bracelet in the center.

It was a bold gold piece, made of a slightly thick chain connecting two paperclip-style links. In the middle sat a delicate, hollow gold heart, inside of which dangled a single bl00d-red glass bead.

The saleswoman, clearly noting where Hua You was looking, smiled warmly as she introduced it:

“This is our Lover’s Heart Bracelet. The red bead in the center symbolizes one’s heart’s bl00d—it means you are the most treasured person in my heart. It can also mean giving someone the most precious thing hidden deep inside you…”

Before she could finish her pitch, Bian Chengyi picked it up, glanced at it briefly, then gently lifted Hua You’s hand to chest height and held the bracelet against her wrist.

Hua You’s skin was porcelain-pale, and that vibrant red heart popped even more brightly against it.

“This one,” Bian Chengyi said firmly, smiling as she looked at Hua You.
“Do you like it?”

Hua You blinked at her rapidly, face lightly flushed. She leaned in and whispered near her ear:

“I do. It’s really pretty… but I kinda think ¥2000 might not cover it. I’m pretty sure the tag started with a 5…”

“Oh, that’s no big deal,” Bian Chengyi said nonchalantly, turning her face slightly—though she was secretly enjoying this far more than she should.
“Just think of it as an early gift for next year’s birthday too.”

“Ah… but Sister Bian,” Hua You fumbled for an excuse, “I still want a gift next year too!”

“Then count it as advance payment for your future tutoring,” Bian Chengyi replied sweetly. She tilted her head and tugged Hua You along to the register.
“Don’t think too much about it. Honestly… it’s not just you. I think this bracelet looks beautiful, too.”

Before Hua You could find another excuse to protest, Bian Chengyi had already taken her hand with one of hers—and signed the receipt with the other.

A moment later, she opened the box, carefully removed the tag, and under the soft white lighting, fastened the bracelet around Hua You’s wrist herself.

Hua You felt like she could barely breathe.

Her fingers trembled slightly. Bian Chengyi, by contrast, remained perfectly composed—like she was admiring a flawless work of art.

As she fastened the clasp, Bian Chengyi murmured softly:

“So, it’s settled then…”

“For the rest of this semester—your time…”

“Belongs to me.”