I Became the Female Lead’s Current Obsession - Chapter 29

After walking out of the archery range with Hou Xue, Jiang Qing forced herself to calm down. She pushed aside thoughts of Zhuo Tao and adjusted her strategy.

First, she had to prevent Hou Xue from interacting with Zhuo Tao to minimize any unpredictable variables. Second, she would interfere with Zhuo Tao’s affairs—but not yet.

Jiang Qing wasn’t stupid. She had no intention of confronting the real and fake Miss Zhuo face-to-face at a vacation resort.

All she needed to do was bait Zhuo Tao with something tempting enough. The girl would walk right into the trap herself.

Gathering intel might be tricky. After all, in the original story, this secret had been kept from the Zhuo family for years without exposure. But that wasn’t her concern—this was the kind of thing Xu, Jiang Bin’s

seemingly all-powerful assistant, should be worrying about.

Xu would certainly inform Jiang Bin, but Jiang Bin’s attitude toward the matter was never a real obstacle. Jiang Qing couldn’t think of any reason he’d want to stop her.

In fact, if things stirred up trouble for the Zhuo family, it could even benefit the Jiangs. Jiang Bin might even help smooth things along quietly. As for her, Jiang Second Miss could take credit in silence—but that would come later.

Once she had sorted through the pros and cons, Jiang Qing sent Hou Xue off to grab her a drink from a vending machine and quickly dialed Assistant Xu.

“Brother Xu, do you have a moment? I need another favor,” she said, standing on a cobblestone path, idly kicking at pebbles. “I need some background on someone—Zhuo Tao from the Zhuo family, and a woman named Fan Ya who’s close to her.”

Xu paused for a few seconds. Then, with some hesitation, he said, “If I remember correctly… Fan Ya is Miss Zhuo’s girlfriend.”

“You’re more gossipy than I thought, Brother Xu,” Jiang Qing teased. The two of them had a decent relationship. “But I’ve got a juicy bit of gossip myself. Want to hear it?”

“Of course, Miss Jiang. Please, go on.”

“Fan Ya’s identity isn’t simple. She approached Zhuo Tao because of the Zhuo family. I want to know why.” Jiang Qing hinted heavily.

Xu caught her meaning and chuckled. “Understood. I’ll get you a satisfactory answer as soon as possible.” After a brief pause, Jiang Qing vaguely heard someone speaking to Xu in the background before he added,

“By the way, Miss Jiang, the Chairman hopes you enjoy your trip. And take care of yourself.”

“…Tell him thanks for me,” she replied softly, still not quite used to the idea.

After a bit more small talk, she hung up.

Jiang Qing knew exactly what it meant to make that call.

She wasn’t particularly bold; she liked to think things through. And now that the call was over, the feeling of melancholy crept back in.

Just then, Hou Xue returned right on cue, handing her a bottle of orange soda.

Jiang Qing grinned and raised an eyebrow. “Only kids like sweet soda.”

“Mm.” Hou Xue didn’t deny it. “Coffee and green tea are too bitter.”

The bottle cap had already been opened. Jiang Qing tilted her head back and took a sip. It was sweet and tangy, with soft, fizzy bubbles that rose up her throat—refreshing, but not overwhelming.

“Let’s get another one,” Jiang Qing said. “I think you’ll like it.”

“Okay,” Hou Xue nodded.

________________________________________

That evening, everyone had planned a small barbecue near the waterfall. Unexpectedly, Jiang Qing declined.

“I’ll pass. I just want to rest in the room a bit. You all go have fun.” Her tone was calm but firm, leaving no room for persuasion.

Jiang Xing looked disappointed. Xu Miao seemed a little apologetic, possibly misreading her intentions.

“If Sister Qing’s not going, I don’t feel like it either…” Sun Qian voiced what many were thinking, but Jiang Qing deflected her with a playful pat on the head.

Hou Xue hadn’t been interested in the barbecue to begin with and made no attempt to persuade her. “I’m not going either.”

“Let me be alone for once. Just for a while.”

This time, Jiang Qing refused her.

The one who said she wouldn’t let her go now pushed her away.

Hou Xue frowned, wanting to speak but realizing she didn’t actually have a valid reason to argue.

She had gotten so used to being around Jiang Qing that she could hardly remember what it felt like to be alone.

“Mm.” After a long moment, she managed a simple response.

If it’s what you want, I’ll give it to you.

Jiang Xing and Yuan Yu put the fruit and beer in the stream to chill. The staff had already set up the grill and lit a small bonfire.

“Do you know how to grill?” Jiang Xing poked Yuan Yu.

“You came to a BBQ without knowing how to grill? Show-off…” Yuan Yu grabbed some skewers and lined them up on the grill.

“Honestly, I don’t,” Jiang Xing admitted, placing a skewer of chicken wings directly over the flames—unfortunately right on a flare-up.

“…Yeah, I can tell,” Yuan Yu said dryly, snatching the skewer. “You didn’t even oil it. What are you trying to do, serve us charcoal?”

“I said I don’t know how,” Jiang Xing rolled his eyes.

“Then just stay out of the way,” Yuan Yu grumbled, putting him to work hauling supplies.

Xu Miao and Sun Qian sat nearby. Sun Qian, her curiosity piqued, watched Yuan Yu grill. Though she had just complained about Jiang Qing not coming, she was clearly enjoying herself.

Hou Xue stood behind them, near a moss-covered rock, aimless and distracted.

Soon, another grill was set up. Xu Miao wanted to try after observing, and Sun Qian cheered her on. Jiang Xing, feeling his masculinity wounded, went off to the water to fetch beer.

The four of them seemed to be having a great time. Only Hou Xue felt out of place.

She looked up at the stars.

She remembered someone once said they would give her the stars. And now, all she could do was look at the same sky as that person—from afar.

Empty. Restless.

Hou Xue didn’t belong here in the first place. Jiang Qing had dragged her into this world, only to disappear.

She had never truly accepted anyone—only Jiang Qing.

But now Jiang Qing had stormed into her life, thrust her into a foreign world, and suddenly claimed she needed “space.”

Hou Xue had chewed through a lot of candy tonight, but the sweetness had faded to a dull bitterness.

“Should we add chili? Everyone okay with spicy?” Yuan Yu asked.

“Anyone can sprinkle spice. I’ll do it. You go grill the tendon skewers,” Jiang Xing took over with enthusiasm.

“Wow, seasoning is key, okay? Let’s see if Young Master Jiang’s hands are good for more than just calligraphy,” Yuan Yu teased, but didn’t argue.

Their bickering resumed, accompanied by occasional girlish laughter.

The firelight grew brighter, reaching all the way to where Hou Xue stood.

It stung her eyes.

Suddenly, she realized she shouldn’t stay any longer.

Jiang Qing didn’t just want personal space.

Her eyes had said it clearly—there were things she couldn’t say, not that she didn’t want to.

Even if she didn’t want to—Jiang Qing had such a soft heart, she could never truly stay mad.

Hou Xue looked down and gave a faint smile.

________________________________________

Most of the resort was built into the mountain, and the air was just as fresh as Jiang Qing had expected.

Especially at night—the sound of summer insects filled the air, and the cool breeze reminded her of childhood.

When she was very young—six or maybe seven—she had lived in the countryside.

The air back then was just like this, and the sky just as dark, untainted by haze, filled with stars.

She thought she had forgotten, but she hadn’t.

People say forgotten memories are just hidden somewhere in the brain. But now that she’d been wholly transformed, how could she still remember things from so long ago?

Reincarnation—if you could call it that—was such a bizarre thing. And yet, she and the original Jiang Qing weren’t completely unalike.

Her appearance, in fact, was more similar to Hou Xue’s. Maybe that’s why she’d felt drawn to Hou Xue from the start.

Jiang Qing was grateful she had come here—grateful she’d met the younger Hou Xue.

All she’d ever wanted was to live well.

Like now—this was enough.

She was so satisfied, so afraid to lose it, that she became overly cautious.

Human emotions were so strange, so complex. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so silly for her moments of melancholy.

Jiang Qing reached up, trying to catch a star—and came up empty.

Just as she was about to lower her hand, a faint blue glow rose in the distance.

It hovered at the level of her palm.

As if she had caught a star after all.

The fireflies flickered upward along the river, like the stars in a celestial stream.

They flew up suddenly. Jiang Qing held her breath, afraid to scare them away.

She hadn’t seen fireflies in years.

She had once seen them in the countryside—greenish-yellow lights, emerging without warning from the grass, illuminating the dark.

It was beautiful.

Her first instinct was to grab her phone. She wanted to capture it for Hou Xue.

“Ugh, I should’ve brought her here. What was I being all dramatic for…” she muttered, snapping photos. “Why can’t I get a clear shot?”

It was late now. Jiang Qing, brave and naturally cautious, wasn’t afraid to venture into the woods alone. But she was so focused on the fireflies and her phone that she didn’t realize someone was behind her—until they were within two meters.

“Who’s there?” She turned, but saw no one.

It was pitch black, the only light coming from the fireflies. She turned on her flashlight.

Someone approached, reaching for her hand.

Jiang Qing braced herself—she was just about to flip them over—but the moment she touched the person and caught a whiff of their scent, something felt off.

Instead of taking them down, she shone the light on their face.

It was a face she knew well.

Hou Xue.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were at the BBQ,” Jiang Qing finally relaxed and lowered her phone. “Why didn’t you say anything? I almost threw you over!”

But Hou Xue didn’t respond. Just gave a soft “Mm.”

Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Qing asked, “How did you know I was here?”

“I just felt it,” Hou Xue said.

Jiang Qing hesitated, sighed. “Well, then let’s watch the fireflies.” She turned off the flashlight, and the world returned to its dim glow.

Maybe it was the night or the dreamy fireflies, but a layer of hazy intimacy hung in the air.

“…Why are you still holding my hand?” Jiang Qing asked.

A long pause passed.

Just as Jiang Qing was about to speak again, Hou Xue finally said:

“Second Miss, did you forget something?”

“Huh? I… I don’t think so?” Jiang Qing quickly ran through her memory. She didn’t recall making any promises.

“You said I wasn’t allowed to leave you.” A firefly flew near Hou Xue’s ear, its glow lighting one side of her face while the other remained in shadow. “I just want to know—was I the only one who took that seriously?”

Jiang Qing stood there, staring at the half-lit face.

Hou Xue was beautiful. In that yellow-green light, she looked ethereal and cold—so beautiful it made Jiang Qing feel something… something she had no words for.