Pretending to Be a Scumbag A, But Being Targeted by a Paranoid O - Chapter 17

Yun Shu woke up to daylight streaming through the window.

 

She blinked dazedly, still adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings.

 

After a few seconds, she sat up with a start.

 

It all came rushing back to her.

 

Yun Shu quickly glanced down at her sleeping position, realizing she had sprawled across the entire bed.

 

Oh no, did I do something embarrassing last night?

 

“You’re awake?”

 

Xie Tang was outside, placing the breakfast she had bought on the table. “Your toothbrush is on the sink. Brush your teeth and then come eat.”

 

Yun Shu nodded blankly and obediently followed her instructions.

 

By the time Yun Shu had washed up and changed, Xie Tang had already laid out the breakfast.

 

Yun Shu sat down, a mochi dumpling dangling from her mouth, and fidgeted through eight different poses in a minute. She asked tentatively, “Xie Tang, did you sleep well last night?”

 

Xie Tang took a sip of soy milk, her tone casual. “It was fine.”

 

Yun Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her earlier nervousness vanished as she bit into the sweet red bean filling of her mochi. “That’s good. I was just worried the thunder might have scared you.”

 

The corners of Xie Tang’s lips curved upward slightly.

 

Xie Tang couldn’t tell if Yun Shu had been frightened, but last night, during the thunderstorm, Yun Shu had instinctively burrowed into her arms, whispering “Jiejie” (older sister). It was then that Xie Tang realized how terrified Yun Shu was of thunder.

 

She had covered Yun Shu’s ears with her hands while gently patting her back, trying to help her relax.

 

But Xie Tang felt a subtle unease.

 

She knew Yun Shu’s “Jiejie” wasn’t meant for her.

 

She didn’t recall the Yun Family having another daughter.

 

Who could it be?

 

A biological sister?

 

Do they still keep in touch?

 

Does Yun Shu ever seek her out at other times?

 

Xie Tang took a sip of her soy milk, its taste sour and astringent.

 

She glanced at Yun Shu, who was happily eating mochi filling, and asked calmly, “You didn’t go home last night. Aren’t your family worried?”

 

Yun Shu shook her head. “No, I told Aunt Shen on WeChat.”

 

Only Aunt Shen, not this so-called “older sister.”

 

It must not be that important then.

 

Xie Tang took another sip of soy milk.

 

This time, it tasted much sweeter.

 

After finishing breakfast, they walked together to the alley entrance to hail a taxi to school.

 

When they reached the school gate and were about to part ways, Yun Shu lingered at the entrance, reluctant to go inside.

 

“I’m going to class now,” Yun Shu said, her eyes fixed on Xie Tang, as if waiting for something.

 

Xie Tang nodded. “Okay.”

 

“Then I’ll see you later.”

 

Yun Shu turned to leave, but her eyes lingered on Xie Tang’s, brimming with reluctance, like a puppy being abandoned. Her face wore such obvious disappointment that it was impossible to ignore.

 

Before she could take more than a few steps, Xie Tang called out, “Yun Shu.”

 

“The recent lessons have been quite challenging. If you have any questions, you can ask me on WeChat.”

 

Yun Shu’s eyes lit up instantly, as if afraid Xie Tang might change her mind. “Okay!”

 

“But you can’t keep ignoring my messages,” Yun Shu added fiercely. “Or I won’t talk to you anymore!”

 

Xie Tang smiled faintly. “Alright.”

 

Finally having a legitimate reason to chat with Xie Tang, Yun Shu spent the entire morning in high spirits, even finding renewed energy for her classes. She deliberately sought out some particularly difficult problems, planning to ask Xie Tang two questions each day and then use the opportunity to steer the conversation toward other topics.

 

By noon, she couldn’t resist messaging Xie Tang: “Xie Tang, Xie Tang, are you out of class yet?”

 

[Curious puppy emoji]

 

Meanwhile, Xie Tang was working a part-time job at a fried chicken restaurant.

 

Lately, everything Xie Tang tried seemed to hit a wall, as if someone were deliberately sabotaging her job search from the shadows. This was the best she could find so far.

 

During her 30-minute lunch break, she checked her phone and saw a message from Yun Shu. A smile she didn’t even realize was there spread across her face as she patiently replied, “Mm.”

 

Yun Shu’s response came quickly: “Xie Tang, have you eaten lunch yet?”

 

“I’m eating now,” Xie Tang replied.

 

Yun Shu sent a sticker of a cat staring intently: “I don’t believe you. Send a photo.”

 

At that moment, the girl working with Xie Tang entered the break room. As she set her lunch on the table, the usually quiet Capital University student asked, “Can I borrow your lunch to take a photo?”

 

The girl paused, then nodded. “Sure.”

 

She glanced at Xie Tang’s empty desk and asked, “Aren’t you going to eat anything?”

 

Xie Tang shook her head. “I’m not hungry yet.”

 

The girl let out an understanding “Ohhh” and lowered her voice. “Is it so your boyfriend won’t worry?”

 

Xie Tang’s hand froze for a moment before she replied, “No.”

 

The girl chuckled. “Don’t be shy. I get it. Every college student these days either works hard at part-time jobs or studies diligently so they can have fun with their partners on weekends without financial worries. I understand. You don’t have to hide it.”

 

Xie Tang pressed her lips together, but this time she didn’t argue.

 

Yun Shu continued studying while chatting with Xie Tang. After 1 AM, Xie Tang stopped replying to her messages.

 

Yun Shu focused on her studies. Suddenly, she overheard the girls next to her discussing something: “Hey, did you guys hear? There was a murder last night!”

 

Yun Shu wasn’t particularly interested, but she listened quietly while working on her problems.

 

“Ah? Where?”

 

“In that abandoned building near school. There’s this alley that’s super dark. I heard a high school student was walking home around 9 PM when someone dragged him into the alley and killed him.”

 

Yun Shu’s head snapped up almost instantly.

 

The abandoned building near school… that’s Xie Tang’s home!

 

“I’ve been down that alley before. It’s pitch black—no cars can even fit. You have to walk. I heard someone tried replacing the lights once, but the bulbs were all smashed the next day.”

 

“And get this: they still haven’t caught the killer.”

 

“Ah? That’s terrifying! Doesn’t that mean everyone living there is in danger?”

 

“Exactly! We should avoid that area from now on. The abandoned building is full of thugs anyway.”

 

Yun Shu’s heart grew colder with each word.

 

That time—around 9 PM—was about when she and Xie Tang had been walking home together.

 

She suddenly remembered the inexplicable anxiety she had felt last night. What if she hadn’t followed Xie Tang?

 

If they hadn’t been together, would Xie Tang have been in danger?

 

The thought sent a wave of fear washing over Yun Shu.

 

She glanced at the time—it was almost five o’clock.

 

She immediately texted Xie Tang: “Xie Tang, I need help with some problems.”

 

Xie Tang didn’t reply.

 

Yun Shu persisted: “This Lady has business with you tonight. 5000 for the night. Reply immediately.”

 

After a while, she simply found the news article and sent it to Xie Tang: “If you’re scared, This Lady can reluctantly take you in tonight.”

 

Still no response.

 

Yun Shu asked the System, “Tongtong, is there any way to find out where Xie Tang is?”

 

The System’s voice sounded somewhat dejected: No, Host. I can only sense Xie Tang’s location when her emotions fluctuate wildly or when she’s injured.

 

Yun Shu’s leg bounced anxiously.

 

She desperately wished she could install a GPS tracker on Xie Tang, so she could know her location at any time.

 

“Forget it.”

 

She stood up abruptly, her expression serious. “I’m going to find her.”

 

But the school is so big, how do you plan to search? the System asked.

 

Yun Shu glanced at the time, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll find her eventually.”

 

The System was right—the Capital was vast. When Yun Shu stepped outside, she felt a moment of disorientation.

 

She realized she truly didn’t know where Xie Tang was.

 

“Never mind,” Yun Shu murmured to herself. “If I can’t find her, I’ll just wait at the alley entrance.”

 

She lost track of how many streets she searched.

 

As dusk fell, Xie Tang remained nowhere to be found.

 

Yun Shu leaned against a shop doorway, kicking a pebble beside her foot in frustration.

 

Xie Tang had just emerged from the shop when she saw this scene.

 

She still held her phone, which she had just unlocked to reply to Yun Shu’s messages.

 

“Yun Shu,” she said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

 

In the next instant, she saw the girl’s head snap up, her clear eyes now slightly reddened.

 

Xie Tang couldn’t help but soften her tone. “What’s wrong?”

 

Yun Shu suppressed the urge to rush forward and hug her.

 

She studied Xie Tang for a moment, realizing she must have come out for a part-time job during her afternoon break.

 

Thank goodness it’s just a part-time job and she hasn’t gone home yet.

 

Yun Shu’s eyes began to feel warm again.

 

She rubbed them. “Nothing.”

 

Xie Tang’s intuition told her it wasn’t that simple.

 

She quickly glanced at the messages Yun Shu had sent her, understanding everything.

 

Is she sending me all these messages because a murder happened there?

 

Yun Shu took out a patterned tissue and gently wiped the lingering sweat from Yun Shu’s forehead, her voice soft. “I’m sorry, I was working my part-time job this afternoon and didn’t see your messages.”

 

“Did you get scared?”

 

Yun Shu finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. She nodded, looking utterly miserable.

 

The System wanted to remind her about maintaining her persona, but it inexplicably felt that it shouldn’t interrupt this moment.

 

“Xie Tang,” Yun Shu said, “you can’t go back tonight. It’s too dangerous there.”

 

The murderer might still be lurking in some corner, waiting for their next victim.

 

She refused to let Xie Tang become that next victim.

 

Xie Tang knew Yun Shu was deeply shaken. She softened her voice even further. “Okay, I won’t go back.”

 

Yun Shu still looked terrified.

 

Xie Tang continued in an even gentler tone, “Tonight, wherever you want to go, I’ll go with you. Okay?”

 

Yun Shu looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. “Really?”

 

Xie Tang smiled warmly. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

 

Only then did Yun Shu relax slightly.

 

She glanced at the fried chicken shop behind Xie Tang, then focused on Xie Tang’s hands, her voice tinged with a tenderness she didn’t even realize she was expressing. “Why are you doing these jobs again?”

 

Xie Tang wore a fierce expression, clearly displeased. “If you need money, you should tell me. I’m your sponsor—would I ever let you suffer?”

 

Xie Tang’s voice remained calm. “The contract stipulates that you pay me 500,000 yuan for five months of companionship.”

 

“Yun Shu, you’ve already given me more than enough.”

 

Even with a degree from Capital University, finding a job paying 100,000 yuan per month wasn’t easy, especially now. Besides, she no longer wanted to accept a single penny from Yun Shu.

 

Yun Shu glanced at Xie Tang, then at the shop, and the two fell into a tense silence, as if Xie Tang were stubbornly refusing to yield.

 

Inwardly, Yun Shu grumbled to the System, “Why is Xie Tang always so reluctant to accept my help?”

n

The System pondered for a moment. Perhaps… she feels you’re giving her too much?

 

Yun Shu: “? But I haven’t given her anything at all!”

 

The System hummed thoughtfully. But you’ve given her freedom and love.

 

Yun Shu retorted fiercely, “No love!”

 

The System scratched its head. Alright, then. Human emotions are truly baffling.

 

“Xie Tang? You’re still here?”

 

A female voice broke the awkward silence.

 

It was the girl who had been working with Xie Tang that afternoon.

 

Clutching her tote bag, ready to leave for the day, she noticed Yun Shu and raised an eyebrow, teasing, “Wow, so your girlfriend came to pick you up.”

 

The remark flushed both Xie Tang and Yun Shu crimson.