The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 2

1.2 The Love Rival Secretly Likes Me

The topic #ActressTangVisitsSet quickly climbed the trending list after paparazzi photographed Tang Jing picking up Sun Sijia from the filming location.

In the pictures, they appeared physically close and got into the same car together.

Ying Tianhe, Tang Jing’s manager, checked the trending list as soon as she woke up, as usual, to see what was happening in the entertainment world.

She didn’t expect the biggest piece of gossip to involve her own artist.

When Tang Jing answered the call from her manager, she wasn’t surprised. She had just finished breakfast and stepped out onto the balcony, phone in hand, enjoying the morning breeze while taking the call.

Ying Tianhe sounded frustrated. “Tang Jing, you are a double Best Actress winner. Do you even remember how you made a name for yourself in this industry? You cannot throw it all away just because of Sun Sijia.”

“I understand.” Tang Jing gazed at the artificial lake in the distance, her thoughts drifting back to her early days. At that time, she was just a background actress, moving from one set to another, until Ying Tianhe discovered her and signed her.

With Ying Tianhe’s strong management skills and Tang Jing’s determination, she gradually rose from minor roles to starring roles.

It was Ying Tianhe who helped Tang Jing become who she was, and it was also Tang Jing’s success that cemented Ying Tianhe’s status as a top-tier manager.

The original version of Tang Jing had cared so much for Sun Sijia and poured resources into her because she saw a reflection of her younger self in her.

Tang Jing lowered her gaze, concealing the emotions in her eyes. “I know what I’m doing.”

Ying Tianhe snapped, “You always say that, but I have told you so many times to stop getting involved with her, and yet you still do.”

Tang Jing replied calmly, “We’re just friends.”

“Do you even believe that yourself?” Ying Tianhe asked sharply.

“I do.” Tang Jing smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Sister Ying. I still have a long career ahead. I would never risk my future.”

In the original story, Tang Jing’s reputation was ruined because of Sun Sijia. In the end, she died tragically in a fire.

Thinking about that, Tang Jing’s lips curled into a faint, emotionless smile. Her eyes fell on the mission feedback sent by the main system.

Back then, she followed the plot exactly, advancing the progress of the world and making the scumbag male lead feel regret. But just before the task was completed, the entire mission world collapsed, and she found herself back in the original world.

The reason was hidden in the side mission section. It was related to the resentment level of the male lead.

At that time, she had wanted to complete the task quickly, so she followed the script. She let herself be abused by the protagonist in every way, eventually dying a tragic death.

But now that she had seen the male lead’s resentment level, everything made sense.

There is not just one way to make a scumbag feel regret.

The first time she did a mission, she believed that by treating the scumbag exceptionally well and then dying miserably, she could trigger his guilt and become the unforgettable regret of his life.

But now, after reading that hidden task, she had come to a new understanding.

Before you can love someone else, you have to learn to love yourself.

Tang Jing asked, “Sixty-six, I remember that when the world progress reaches a certain point, I can start acting freely. What is that number?”

The last time she did a task, she strictly followed the plot and did not pay attention to that detail.

Now she realized that every piece of advice her elite mentor gave her was truly valuable.

The system responded, “When the world progress reaches fifty percent, the host may act freely, as long as the character’s basic personality remains unchanged.”

With this information, Tang Jing finally felt confident.

The current world progress was only at ten percent. She still had to continue pretending to pursue the scumbag and act like someone clinging to his coattails until progress reached fifty percent. Only then could she break free from the original storyline.

Not long after Sun Sijia brought up a certain question, her true intentions began to show.

When Tang Jing arrived at the restaurant they had agreed on, she stepped inside and immediately heard a familiar voice. Her steps paused for a moment.

Sun Sijia noticed her and quickly waved.

The woman sitting across from Sun Sijia turned around. The moment Tang Jing saw her face, she forgot how to breathe and softly said, “Senior?”

The system reminded her, “Host, your target is calling you.”

Tang Jing quickly pulled herself together. She reminded herself that she was still on duty. She tried to keep her expression calm and avoided looking at the woman too much.

But whether it was her figure or her face, Tang Jing could not help but glance again and again.

To Sun Sijia, it looked like jealousy. She stood up quickly and explained, “Sister Tang, this is the senior I told you about. Her name is Meng Xue. She took good care of me back in high school.” Then she looked at Meng Xue and added, “Senior, this is Tang Jing, the actress I’ve mentioned to you many times.”

Meng Xue stood up with a smile and reached out her hand. “Hello, Miss Tang.”

Tang Jing knew she should ignore her and sit down coldly. But she could not stop herself from taking her hand.

Her grip was too strong, and Meng Xue winced slightly in pain.

Tang Jing noticed and loosened her hold, though she still felt reluctant to let go. Everything about this woman, from her face to her posture, was exactly like her former mentor at the agency.

The reason she joined the Quick Transmigration Bureau in the first place was because of that mentor.

But how could it be possible? How could the scumbag’s beloved high school senior look exactly like her mentor?

“Sister Tang?” Sun Sijia frowned as she watched Tang Jing hold her senior’s hand for so long without moving. Her tone revealed her annoyance. The way Tang Jing looked at Meng Xue gave her a strong sense of unease.

But this unease was not because she was afraid Tang Jing would fall for someone else. It was because she feared that the person Tang Jing might fall for was her own senior.

Tang Jing came back to her senses and let go of Meng Xue’s hand. “Let’s sit.”

Meng Xue looked a little disappointed. She stared at the hand that had just been held, then looked up again. At that moment, she caught Tang Jing looking at her, as if every subtle expression had been noticed.

Meng Xue’s ears turned red. She lowered her gaze to hide her embarrassment and quietly sat down across from Tang Jing.

Sun Sijia, unwilling to sit beside Tang Jing and also unwilling to sit across from her, chose the only remaining seat next to Meng Xue. She happily took the spot.

In the original story, Meng Xue had feelings for her.

Thinking of this, Tang Jing glanced at her again.

Sunlight streamed in through the glass window, bathing Meng Xue in a gentle glow. Her skin was fair and smooth like jade.

Recalling how that delicate hand had felt just moments ago, Tang Jing felt a strange stirring in her heart. She crossed her legs and asked in a composed tone, “Sijia, what did you want to talk about?”

When speaking to Sun Sijia, Tang Jing was always gentle and patient.

Anyone else would have felt honored, but not Sun Sijia.

Because she already had feelings for someone else, the kinder Tang Jing was, the more she resented her. She felt as though Tang Jing’s care was a chain around her, making it hard to breathe.

If Tang Jing could hear her thoughts at that moment, she would have sneered. Sun Sijia was the one who could not let go of Tang Jing’s support, yet she acted like she was the one being held back.

Although Sun Sijia disliked her, she never showed it on her face. She even smiled sweetly and said, “Sister Tang, my senior just returned from abroad and she has a lot of free time right now. I was thinking of bringing her onto Diverse Living.” She paused after saying that.

What she didn’t say was already clear.

Tang Jing’s gaze shifted to Meng Xue.

Her eyes were deep and intense. When she looked at someone, it felt like she was gazing at a lover.

Meng Xue didn’t dare meet her eyes, but she could feel Tang Jing’s gaze on her. It felt so real, as if it had weight, and her skin flushed a soft pink from the warmth of it.

The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, then down her neck, disappearing into the collar of her blouse.

Tang Jing asked, “Miss Meng, are you also in the industry?”

Meng Xue, trying to ignore her own embarrassment, mustered the courage to look up and replied, “I was working in Country H. I’m a member of the girl group MS1. This year, I’m planning to return and develop my career here.”

“A girl group?” Tang Jing looked at her thoughtfully.

Sun Sijia started to feel uncomfortable with the strange tension between them. She scooted a little closer to her senior and smiled at Tang Jing. “Sister Tang, could you help us out?”

Tang Jing had wanted to spend a little more time looking at that face that was identical to her mentor’s. But Sun Sijia’s sudden interruption made her feel irritated, and she had no choice but to pull herself back to the moment.

She turned to Sun Sijia and asked, “When does the show begin filming?”

“Five days from now,” Sun Sijia replied.

Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Jing stood up. “I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.” After speaking, she glanced at Sun Sijia, then looked at Meng Xue. “You two enjoy your meal. I have something to take care of.”

“Alright, Sister Tang.” Sun Sijia’s eyes lit up as soon as she heard Tang Jing was leaving.

But she failed to notice the disappointment in her senior’s eyes. Meng Xue watched Tang Jing as she walked away, and only when she disappeared from view did she finally look away.

Sun Sijia smiled and said, “Senior, you’ve always talked about Tang Jing. Now that you’ve finally met her, are you happy?”

Meng Xue nodded with a soft smile, but there was something distant in it. Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

The rest of the time, Sun Sijia kept chatting enthusiastically, but Meng Xue’s mind had already drifted far away.

On the drive back, Tang Jing asked, “Sixty-six, what just happened? Why was Mentor Shi here?”

The system replied, “Host, please hold on. I will run a check for you.”

While waiting for the result, Tang Jing thought of that familiar face and the feel of that soft hand. Her mood grew restless, and her expression turned impatient.

The system finally reported, “Host, I’ve confirmed that the supporting character in this world, Meng Xue, is actually Shi Wanqing, a top-tier agent from the Quick Transmigration Bureau.”

The car screeched to a stop at the side of the road. Tang Jing was stunned. “It’s really Mentor Shi?”

She felt like she might be hearing things. Either that, or she had hallucinated back at the restaurant.

The system continued, “The main system just issued new instructions. This solo mission has been changed to a paired mission.”

Tang Jing’s hands trembled slightly as she gripped the steering wheel. It wasn’t from fear, but from excitement. “You’re saying I’ll be doing this mission together with Mentor Shi?”

“Yes,” replied the system, its tone completely flat.

But nothing could dampen the anticipation in Tang Jing’s eyes. She immediately turned the wheel, ready to head back.

The system reminded her, “Host, please don’t forget your mission.”

Her car, which had just made a turn, looped around again and returned to its original direction.

This odd behavior attracted the attention of several people on the road.

Tang Jing stepped on the gas and drove straight to the company instead of going home.

She was going to be on a variety show with Mentor Shi. No, she should call her Meng Xue now.