The Female Lead Keeps Forcing Me to Take My Meds [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Merry Christmas, Zhishu

In the conference room, Teacher Wu had been waiting for a while. Hearing the low chatter outside, she looked up.

It was already time for evening study, so the school was quiet, with shadows moving in the treetops.

The conference room door was wide open, and she could see two figures walking toward her against the night breeze.

The older woman was seated in a wheelchair, talking to the person beside her with her head turned to the side.

With the recent drop in temperature, she had added a jacket over her long sleeves. A white turtleneck was accessorized with a platinum sweater chain, which softened the monotonous look, making it simple yet elegant.

The girl, not yet fully grown and with a slightly slender figure, walked by her side, head slightly bowed as she spoke to the woman next to her.

The atmosphere between them was harmonious. Though Cheng Zhishu felt somewhat guilty and embarrassed, she didn’t feel mortified.

She had originally thought that Miss Xi, being very young, would be helpless in such situations and would handle things either too drastically or too carelessly. But she hadn’t.

And Teacher Wu hadn’t expected her to be so attentive to Cheng Zhishu’s education.

She made the effort to come to the school personally every time—a level of responsibility that surpassed most parents.

Soon, the two entered the office.

Xi Congshuang appeared calmer than expected and had already seen the love letter.

Teacher Wu poured two glasses of hot water, giving one each to Xi Congshuang and Cheng Zhishu, and began discussing the issue of early romance.

Cheng Zhishu stood meekly, accepting the lecture. She thought she must have lost her mind to be reading a love letter—the kind she never used to read and would immediately put into the shredder—at a time when her homeroom teacher could appear at any moment.

Sigh, fate is against me.

She begged for forgiveness, but some of those love letters were signed, some weren’t, and they were mixed in a pile, making them hard to distinguish.

She used to return them one by one based on the clues, but that only made the situation worse.

Unstoppable letters appeared in all sorts of places. Once, a letter fell out of a folder during class and was almost seen by the math teacher. The situation was so perilous it nearly scared the soul out of Cheng Zhishu.

Cheng Zhishu couldn’t understand why this was happening until Shangguan Yin told her that personally returning the letters gave the senders no discouragement, so she should stop returning them.

Cheng Zhishu, who was still unaware of the complexities of the human heart, asked why.

“Because some people said that being returned a love letter feels like receiving it directly from the most beautiful girl in the world. They’re not sad at all; they actually feel subtly thrilled.”

“…”

Cheng Zhishu had never considered this kind of perverse logic. Stunned that “big cities breed big ideas,” she silently resorted to using the shredder.

This finally alleviated the situation, and she no longer worried that opening a book would cause a love letter to fall out.

But despite all her careful planning, a single mistake proved her undoing. She still died by the hand of a love letter.

She was caught reading one by her homeroom teacher, who even called a guardian.

What fault could she possibly have?

She just wanted a second chance at marriage.

Teacher Wu genuinely considered Cheng Zhishu her star student and spoke earnestly about the issue: “In truth, I know this can’t be blamed on Zhishu. She is still young, and her understanding of life may not be entirely clear.”

“Indeed,” Xi Congshuang said seriously, seemingly following the teacher’s line of thought.

Teacher Wu: “And she has already entered the third year of high school. If she maintains her current performance, getting into A University is definitely not difficult. This is important for Zhishu’s future…”

Xi Congshuang: “You are right.”

Her gaze fell on the paper on the desk. She picked up the love letter in front of the teacher and read it carefully.

Teacher Wu always had a good impression of cooperative parents, so she spoke more than usual, completely unaware that Cheng Zhishu on the side wished she could find a crack in the conference room floor, bury herself, and never reappear.

Xi Congshuang was absent-minded: “I highly agree with the teacher’s perspective.”

As she spoke, she looked down at the paper.

The handwriting was delicate and clear, and the phrasing was not explicit but beautifully poetic, conveying affection through ink.

The light-colored stationery carried a faint, floral perfume scent, easily bringing to mind a fresh and elegant young girl.

Green, naive yet direct.

After reading it, she casually placed the love letter back on the desk. No emotion could be discerned from her expression, but Cheng Zhishu was involuntarily nervous.

Did she have no other thoughts after seeing it?

Or was it the result Cheng Zhishu least wanted: Xi Congshuang felt absolutely no sense of crisis and completely viewed her as a junior.

Cheng Zhishu’s heart sank further.

Teacher Wu didn’t notice the undercurrent in the conference room. She continued her earnest talk, finally hoping that Xi Congshuang would talk clearly with Cheng Zhishu afterward and cautioned her not to worry too much.

Xi Congshuang watched Teacher Wu collect the love letter and smiled: “I will.”

Leaving the conference room, Xi Congshuang didn’t let Cheng Zhishu push her. She operated the wheelchair herself.

Once out of the conference room and away from others, Xi Congshuang said, “You don’t need to see me off. Go back to class first.”

It wasn’t time for school to end yet; Cheng Zhishu still had one class remaining.

Cheng Zhishu’s hands at her sides were clenched into fists. She lowered her head and apologized: “I’m sorry, Sister. I disappointed you.”

She remembered that Xi Congshuang’s reason for taking her from Wencan and providing refuge was to sponsor her.

Now, she was misbehaving at school using Xi Congshuang’s sponsorship, leading to her guardian being called in multiple times.

It seemed she had failed at everything.

Xi Congshuang pressed her palms on the wheelchair armrests. After a few seconds, amidst the sounds of students reading aloud upstairs, she said, “Go to class. I’ll wait outside for school to end.”

With that, she activated her wheelchair and left. Not far away, Li Mi was waiting to meet Xi Congshuang and take her to the car.

Cheng Zhishu returned to the classroom, immediately burying her head in her work. Shangguan Yin wanted to speak with her, but seeing her bad mood, she kept quiet and also focused on her studies.

After school, Cheng Zhishu packed her bag and silently left with the crowd.

The car was still parked in the familiar spot, responsible for taking her home after evening study. Only this time… Xi Congshuang was also there.

Cheng Zhishu took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, walked up, and opened the car door.

The interior light was on, and the familiar slender figure was seated on one side, looking up when she heard the sound.

Cheng Zhishu’s back stiffened slightly, and she hesitated.

Xi Congshuang: “It’s cold outside. Get in the car first.”

Without much hesitation, Cheng Zhishu got into the car, shutting the autumn wind outside. The car’s interior light dimmed.

Li Mi started the car and drove in the pre-set direction.

The entire way, Cheng Zhishu was hesitant. She urgently wanted to salvage her image in Xi Congshuang’s eyes, even if it was just the “little sister” status Shangguan Yin had mentioned.

She truly couldn’t stand returning to a distant, unfamiliar relationship.

Xi Congshuang broke the silence before her: “Have you been avoiding me recently because of that love letter?”

Cheng Zhishu choked up, denying it without thinking: “No.”

Why was everyone talking about that love letter? It was nothing. She didn’t even know who wrote it.

Xi Congshuang: “If not, then why?”

“Although someone advised me to give you appropriate privacy, this is my first time doing this, and I’m not sure how to manage it. I also bear some responsibility for today’s incident; I shouldn’t blame you.”

“…”

Not just Cheng Zhishu, but even Li Mi, who was driving, felt complicated and unsure what to think.

Xi Congshuang looked ahead: “On this matter, I actually agree with Teacher Wu. I still believe it’s too early for you. If you want to start a relationship, it shouldn’t be now.”

The system’s description only said that the female lead was alone until her imprisonment. However, she didn’t blindly believe that the current Cheng Zhishu should be as detached from love as the description suggested. There was no longer the arrogant young miss tormenting her and squeezing her living space.

In a secure life, having a need for affection was only natural.

That’s what she thought.

Xi Congshuang: “You don’t need to apologize for this. I will not stop sponsoring you. I can sign a contract with you. This is not a threat.”

Why was she still so serious at a time like this? Cheng Zhishu interrupted her: “What about you?”

Xi Congshuang: “What?”

Sensing that the situation was about to escalate into an argument, Li Mi quickly raised the divider.

A driver with excellent professional ethics should know which gossip is safe to listen to and which isn’t.

However, her movement was still too slow, and the stubborn question drifted through the gap.

“Didn’t Sister say she was considering marriage?” Cheng Zhishu asked forcefully. “Why are you asking me why I’m avoiding you? Because this is a very complicated question. Do you really need to hear the answer?”

In fact, Cheng Zhishu regretted it as soon as she spoke. She was too impulsive. Some words, once said, truly can’t be taken back.

Thousands of thoughts flashed through her mind, but Xi Congshuang caught the key point and frowned: “Who told you I was getting married?”

Cheng Zhishu’s breath was shallow. She turned her head toward the car window but met Xi Congshuang’s gaze. “No one told me. I heard it myself.”

For the first time, Xi Congshuang felt the urge to laugh in exasperation: “You’ve been avoiding me just because of that?”

“…”

Cheng Zhishu was silent. Cheng Zhishu did not deny it.

She knew what she should and shouldn’t do, but her tears and feelings were just too difficult to control.

Xi Congshuang reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and turned her around. A soft, cool handkerchief wiped away the tears overflowing from the corners of her eyes. Gently but firmly, she lifted Cheng Zhishu’s face and looked into her brown eyes.

The female lead the system claimed was so formidable turned out to be a stubborn crybaby who couldn’t hold back tears.

But then again, having been neglected by family since childhood, she would only be more sensitive.

Though it didn’t show on the surface, once a close person formed an intimate relationship that excluded her, she would feel as heartbroken as an abandoned small animal.

Xi Congshuang cupped her face with both hands, using her thumb to wipe away the tear stains from her eyes, and promised: “I am not getting married. I won’t marry anyone. You don’t need to avoid me.”

“…”

Cheng Zhishu almost cried out loud. Why did that sound like she wouldn’t even have a chance at a second marriage?

…

The autumn night brought rain. The downpour heralded the start of late autumn, and winter would follow once the continuous rain subsided.

After learning that Xi Congshuang would clarify with Chairman Xi that she had no intention of marrying in the next few years, Cheng Zhishu cautiously began to approach Xi Congshuang again, quickly becoming clingy.

Anything excessive would be counterproductive. If she told Chairman Xi she never planned to marry, it would only alarm the elder lady and lead to more intense scrutiny.

So, Xi Congshuang adopted the “delaying tactic,” a strategy used by most people.

As for the advice from Ni An, the person most experienced in fending off marriage pressure, it was temporarily outside of Xi Congshuang’s consideration.

A little privacy led to a love letter, a guardian being called, and an argument. If she continued to follow Ni An’s advice, Xi Congshuang didn’t know what kind of unexpected surprise her assistant might deliver next.

Ni An, for her part, dared not voice her anger and tearfully accepted the blame for giving poor advice that endangered the “kingdom.”

Whose career doesn’t include one or two such scapegoats? She just had to endure it; it wasn’t a big deal, and her salary hadn’t been docked.

Thinking this way, Ni An felt much better. She carried a bag of small cakes and milk tea into the elevator and, in front of everyone, delivered it to Xi Congshuang’s office.

Lest anyone misunderstand, Young Miss Xi herself did not eat these things. The recipient was naturally someone else.

Click.

Cheng Zhishu, who was doing her homework while waiting in the office, heard the sound and turned around. Seeing it was Ni An, her eyes showed disappointment.

Ni An placed the items beside her: “The boss is still in a meeting. She was worried you’d be bored, so she asked me to get you something to eat. This is a new item from the dessert shop downstairs; it tastes good. You should try it.”

Cheng Zhishu walked out from behind the desk to the coffee table: “It’s Christmas-themed packaging. It’s pretty.”

It was Christmas Day, and the festive atmosphere outside was lively. There was even a fireworks event at the plaza not far from the CBD. Cheng Zhishu had come specifically to catch the excitement of the fireworks.

As soon as school ended, Li Mi had driven her to Xi Group Headquarters, but her excited anticipation was met only with an empty office.

Xi Congshuang had an emergency meeting and wouldn’t be able to leave the company quickly, so she left a message for Cheng Zhishu to finish her homework at the desk.

Ni An sat and drank coffee, her thoughts elsewhere.

Life was truly amazing. One day, she was watching someone do their homework in Xi Congshuang’s restricted territory.

She suddenly remembered something: “Oh, right. The boss said the clothes she prepared for you are in the rest room. You should go change into them later. You can also take a shower if you like.”

Cheng Zhishu swallowed a pearl: “Clothes prepared for me?”

Ni An looked over: “It’s windy tonight, and you’ll be cold in your uniform. If you don’t want to change, you need to add a jacket.”

Cheng Zhishu: “I’ll change.”

Finally finished with the day’s work, Xi Congshuang returned to the office while talking to a colleague. The people accompanying her looked at the wheelchair beneath her with a hint of envy.

Being able to move around the company while seated and have people make way for you—how could that not be comfortable?

No one now regarded Xi Congshuang as a helpless invalid. They only thought it a pity that she had poor health, otherwise the Xi Group was very likely to be handed over to her.

In the office, Cheng Zhishu had already changed her clothes and was ready to leave as soon as the other woman returned.

Li Mi drove the car to the location and watched the two figures blend into the crowd and walk away.

She had to admit, she never would have believed her boss would ever go out to have fun with someone.

In fact, Cheng Zhishu also found it hard to believe. She hadn’t planned to go out with Xi Congshuang; their presence there was a last-minute decision.

The day before, on the way home from school, Cheng Zhishu casually mentioned Christmas, holding a promotional flyer someone had slipped her.

Since the next day was Friday, everyone was planning to go out, watch the fireworks, and enjoy a fulfilling weekend.

Xi Congshuang noticed the flyer in her hand and reached out to take it: “You want to go see it?”

It would be a lie to say she didn’t want to. Cheng Zhishu said, “I heard it’s grand, but there will be too many people. It feels a bit unsafe. Watching a live stream online sounds good too.”

Xi Congshuang flipped the flyer to check the time and location of the event: “Tomorrow night, the place isn’t far from the company. Do you want to go?”

Once decided, making plans wasn’t difficult. Cheng Zhishu nodded dazedly, feeling that her sister’s first marriage was beckoning to her.

There was no way she would refuse the invitation.

Once they were in the car and arrived near the plaza, Cheng Zhishu’s ethereal mood crashed back to reality, and she even wanted to retreat.

People, people, people! There were so many people outside that she was nearing claustrophobia. With Christmas and the weekend coinciding, the plaza and the riverbank were doubly crowded, a sea of people.

People of all ages and genders gathered near the commercial district. The fireworks would be set off across the road by the river, and there were only more people there.

Getting to the front viewing area to see the fireworks without obstruction seemed impossible.

Cheng Zhishu tightly gripped the wheelchair armrest, wanting to suggest they just give up. The fireworks weren’t important; she just wanted more time alone with Xi Congshuang.

Given the current situation had nothing to do with “alone time,” it was better to turn back.

Before Cheng Zhishu could speak, Xi Congshuang said, “It’s a bit too crowded to watch in the plaza with everyone else. I’ve booked a spot. Let’s go up and watch.”

Just as she finished speaking, an elegantly dressed woman appeared before them: “Miss Xi, please follow me.”

Guided by the staff, the two went up to the top floor of a high-rise building. This was originally an open-air restaurant, overlooking the gently rippling river below.

Brightly lit ships sailed on the river, and they could faintly hear melodious music or the laughter from the buildings below.

The space had been exclusively booked, leaving only Xi Congshuang and Cheng Zhishu, making it very peaceful.

The rest were staff serving them, standing at a noticeable but not too close distance, ready for instructions at any moment.

Cheng Zhishu hadn’t expected this maneuver—to directly secure the best location by booking a rooftop restaurant.

She walked to the railing and looked down, then quietly pulled her head back, offering Xi Congshuang the most simple of observations: “There are so many people down there.”

Xi Congshuang picked up a cup of coffee. She felt a bit sleepy: “You’re not afraid of heights?”

Cheng Zhishu looked down again upon hearing that: “Not really. I’m not very scared of heights.”

Xi Congshuang continued to drink her coffee, dispelling the exhaustion accumulated throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Cheng Zhishu was very curious about the open-air restaurant. After looking downstairs, she wandered around the vicinity. Suddenly, she exclaimed: “Sister, there’s an infinity pool here… Hiss, the water is cold.”

Xi Congshuang propped her chin and turned her head. Cheng Zhishu had already expanded her exploration area to the performance section. Xi Congshuang had already given instructions that no one should be there, leaving only the instruments and chairs.

A massive black piano was placed in the most prominent spot. Cheng Zhishu felt the urge to play and touched the keys.

A waiter immediately approached to ask: “Miss, would you like some music?”

Cheng Zhishu quickly waved her hand: “No, no, I was just looking.”

After wandering about, Cheng Zhishu returned to Xi Congshuang’s side, looking up, waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Xi Congshuang propped her chin and looked: “Had enough fun?”

Cheng Zhishu scratched her face: “I’m a little hungry.”

Xi Congshuang almost forgot: “I’m hungry too, actually.”

The two exchanged a smile. Xi Congshuang raised her hand to call a server and ordered food.

Since they were only serving two people, the ordered dishes were quickly brought out. Not long after, the fireworks began to light up.

A spark shot up into the sky with a long, drawn-out whoosh, treating the inky-blue night sky as a canvas to bloom on.

This first firework was merely the prelude. With its start, more followed, competing to burst open in the night sky.

If the fireworks were compared to real flowers, Cheng Zhishu felt the ones before her resembled a spring garden.

Wow, Cheng Zhishu thought to herself. This was her first time viewing fireworks from this angle. She felt they were so close, as if she could reach out and pluck a star.

Her heart fluttered. Cheng Zhishu glanced at the person beside her.

Having finished dinner, Xi Congshuang leaned back in her chair, looking up, her eyes slightly lowered. The dazzling fireworks blossomed in her smoky-grey pupils.

She seemed to be watching, yet she was detached, appearing slightly bored.

Xi Congshuang was that kind of person: seemingly within reach, as if one could raise a hand and pluck a star. Only the person reaching out would know just how far away she truly was.

The server bringing their drinks also delivered a few boxes of sparklers. She mentioned that many people were buying them downstairs, that they looked great in photos, and that a server could help them if needed.

Xi Congshuang reached out, grabbed a box, tore it open, and shook one in front of Cheng Zhishu: “Want to play?”

Of course, Cheng Zhishu wouldn’t refuse Xi Congshuang’s invitation.

A lighter was placed nearby. Xi Congshuang lit a sparkler. The wire-held sparkler crackled and burned, and her eyes seemed to light up as well.

Seeing Cheng Zhishu staring blankly, she urged her: “Come on, why are you spacing out?”

Cheng Zhishu came to. She held a sparkler and leaned in. The one in her hand also began to crackle and burn.

“So this is what it feels like to light one of these. It doesn’t even last a minute,” Xi Congshuang said, holding a sparkler and drawing a circle in the air.

Cheng Zhishu mimicked her motion, drawing in the air. Only she drew hearts, drawing countless hearts right in front of her.

Xi Congshuang suddenly asked: “Do you think wasting one minute on this counts as neglecting proper duties for trivial pursuits?”

Cheng Zhishu instinctively replied: “I don’t think so. One minute is only enough for me to read the problem statement.”

The fireworks continued to bloom in the sky, yet neither of them looked up. They were both huddled together, busy lighting the sparklers the server had brought.

They even forgot when the fireworks temporarily ceased, only noticing the sudden silence—so quiet they could hear their own pounding hearts.

Xi Congshuang threw away the burnt-out sparkler in her hand and took a paper bag from her jacket pocket.

“I almost forgot to give you this,” Xi Congshuang said. “I hope you like it.”

Cheng Zhishu’s fingertips still held a sparkler about to burn out, fiercely giving off its last bit of light.

Xi Congshuang pulled a box from the paper bag and opened it, showing it to her.

Inside the long, rectangular box lay a platinum necklace, resting on deep blue velvet, reflecting tiny sparks of light under the lamp.

Xi Congshuang: “Your old chain’s clasp broke a while ago, and you hadn’t bought a new one, so I had this one made. I think it suits you very well.”

“I originally wanted to give it to you last night, but you mentioned wanting to see the fireworks, and I thought the fireworks would make a nice backdrop. This is my gift to you.”

“Merry Christmas, Zhishu.”

Cheng Zhishu was stunned. Behind her, the remaining fireworks began to bloom again. With a boom, sparks rained down in the sky.

Plop. The sparkler in her hand burnt out and dropped onto the pile of spent sparklers on the ground.