The 'Involution King' Second Female Lead Quits [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: A Good Catch!

When Li Jianwei received the invitation from Shu Heng, she didn’t overthink it. It was completely normal in their industry to have a drink and chat after a shoot. She also needed to maintain a good relationship with the heiress, so she was happy to go.

Seeing the heiress casually open a bottle of Burgundy worth over a hundred thousand yuan and pour it directly into a wine glass for her, Li Jianwei’s heart ached a little. This kind of red wine should be decanted for a while, even a ninety-year vintage, to reach its best taste.

“Teacher Li, I toast you with this glass. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days,” Shu Heng said, raising her glass before tilting her head back to take a big gulp.

Shu Heng drank a little too fast, and some of the liquid spilled from the corners of her mouth, tracing a path down her neck and disappearing into her collarbone, creating a sense of subtle seduction.

Why did Shu Heng shower so early? It wasn’t even eight, and she was already in her pajamas. Was she planning to pass out after getting drunk?

Lost in thought, Li Jianwei didn’t notice anything amiss and took a sip from her own glass. The expensive red wine seemed to taste more mellow after it entered her mouth, with a sweet and fragrant aftertaste. Li Jianwei, who had only crammed some wine knowledge for a role, was clearly not a true connoisseur. She could only judge it as either good or not good.

Shu Heng was proactive and talkative. When she saw Li Jianwei was interested in her cat, she pulled out her phone and started sharing pictures of the panda. Seeing a video of the panda doing a real backflip, Li Jianwei leaned in, her eyes wide with amazement. “What a talented little cat. I can’t wait to meet Panda.”

“Teacher Li, I’m also very talented,” Shu Heng chimed in, trying to redirect Li Jianwei’s attention to herself. “I can even perform a backflip for you.”

Li Jianwei raised an eyebrow. “But Panda is a little cat. You’re not, Shu Heng. You can’t compare the two.”

“Teacher Li, that’s species discrimination,” Shu Heng said, shaking her wine glass. “I’ll punish you with another drink.”

Li Jianwei smiled, clinking her glass against Shu Heng’s. The crisp sound of glass echoed in the room. Shu Heng tilted her head back, downing the remaining red wine in her glass. Li Jianwei, not to be outdone, let her throat bob up and down as she swallowed the priceless wine.

“Teacher Li, how’s your alcohol tolerance?” Shu Heng asked while pouring her more wine. “If you can handle it, I’ll have another bottle sent over and we can drink to our hearts’ content tonight.”

“I’m pretty average. One bottle is enough for the two of us,” Li Jianwei said, looking down at her glass, a flash of hesitation in her eyes.

Something isn’t right. Is Shu Heng trying to get me drunk? But why? Is she trying to get me to reveal my true intentions because she found out I was trying to get close to her?

A sense of caution grew in Li Jianwei’s heart. Shu Heng seemed simple and easy to read, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of scheming. If Li Jianwei hadn’t always been so vigilant, she would have fallen into countless traps in the endless social events she’d attended.

“Okay, then we’ll stick to this one bottle.” Shu Heng wasn’t surprised by the answer; she had been prepared. When only two-fifths of the red wine was left, Shu Heng took two cans of Sprite from the mini-fridge in her room.

“Teacher Li, I heard that mixing red wine with Sprite in the right proportion makes it smoother to drink. Let’s try it today,” Shu Heng suggested with a smile. Without waiting for a response, Shu Heng opened a can, poured some of the Sprite into her own wine glass, and pushed the unopened can toward Li Jianwei. She clearly wasn’t giving her a chance to refuse.

Shu Heng raised her glass. “Teacher Li, wanna try?”

This action made Li Jianwei even more alert. She didn’t know what red wine and Sprite tasted like, but she knew it would make them get drunk faster, as carbonated drinks increase the rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream.

So Shu Heng’s innocence is only relative. She must have seen through some of my actions.

Li Jianwei’s mind raced, but she kept a gentle smile on her face. Under Shu Heng’s expectant gaze, she opened the Sprite and poured a similar amount into her glass.

“Cheers~” Shu Heng’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and she gave herself a silent cheer. Teacher Li didn’t refuse to drink with me, so does that mean she also has some interest and is looking forward to what happens next?

“Cheers,” Li Jianwei replied, her smile unchanged. She was already thinking about when would be the right time to pretend to be drunk. She didn’t want to lose this valuable connection, especially one that she could maintain just by providing emotional support. She knew she would regret it if she lost it.

The two women, drinking from the same bottle, had different thoughts. One’s excitement was growing, while the other’s guard was rising.

As the wine bottle and cans emptied, Li Jianwei and Shu Heng’s faces became visibly flushed. Li Jianwei was still doing well, having mixed wine with baijiu in the past. The Sprite mix only made her appear more inebriated, but she was mostly still clearheaded. Shu Heng, however, was not doing so well. Her background meant she never had to attend endless drinking parties for resources. Her lower tolerance meant she was the first to get blurry.

“Teacher Li, we finished a bottle!” Shu Heng’s head was spinning, but she still remembered why she invited Li Jianwei to drink with her.

“Mmm,” Li Jianwei replied a beat later, making her eyes look dazed as if she were completely gone.

“Hiccup~ Teacher Li, can I ask you a question?” The red-faced Shu Heng hiccupped. The Sprite’s carbonation made her feel bloated.

Li Jianwei swallowed silently and slowed her speech. “Of course. What do you want to ask? You can ask anything.”

“Hehe, I want to ask, Teacher Li, do you really like the fans who have always supported you?” Shu Heng blinked hard, trying to remember her prepared speech.

Li Jianwei slowly nodded, her words slightly slurred. “Of course. I’m very grateful to them. If it weren’t for their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“Then that means you also like me!” Shu Heng’s voice grew louder. “I’m also a fan of yours, Teacher Li! Just like the one you met before, I’ve supported you for six years!”

“I really liked you when I was in college!” Shu Heng’s words came faster, and her tone grew excited. “When I was scouted to be an artist, I wanted to work with you, but I never got a good opportunity. Your schedule was always so full. You were either filming or shooting commercials. Every time a role was announced, the second and third female leads were already cast, so I couldn’t work with you.”

“One time, I finally found an opportunity, but Sister Qin said my time was already booked by an advertiser and told me to finish my work first! By the time I was done, you had already started a new project.”

“But fate brought us together. I finally met you.”

“Even though that night I was set up by a disgusting man, I met you, Teacher Li! We even became good friends, so it was a blessing in disguise.”

“That person was so bad. He held a grudge just because I rejected his advances. Men are so petty.”

Shu Heng’s words poured out like a flood, and Li Jianwei couldn’t find a single chance to interrupt. She could only listen intently. Shu Heng grew more animated, completely abandoning her planned words and saying whatever came to mind without a filter.

“Teacher Li, you like your fans, and I’ve been a fan for a long time, so you like me, right?” Shu Heng changed the subject, then grabbed Li Jianwei’s hand, her deer-like eyes filled with anticipation for a positive answer.

“Yes, I like you just as I like my fans,” a rational Li Jianwei answered, restraining herself.

At this point, Li Jianwei finally understood. All her guesses had been wrong. For the past hour, she had been fighting an imaginary battle. The heiress was still the simple heiress she seemed to be, and she was incredibly easy to deceive, completely unlike what Li Jianwei had imagined.

A hint of guilt rose in Li Jianwei’s heart for misunderstanding Shu Heng. Her tone became much gentler and more sincere. She decided not to deceive the heiress’s feelings and to keep their relationship within the scope of mutual affection between an idol and a fan.

Li Jianwei: “Thank you for always supporting me. I will make up for the gift I owe you. Please give me some time to prepare.”

“So, you’ve accepted my confession, Teacher Li?” Shu Heng’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help but stand up and cheer. “Yay, I knew you liked me, too! Hehe! I super like you, Teacher Li!”

With that, Shu Heng opened her arms and hugged a still-stunned Li Jianwei.

Li Jianwei had clearly forgotten a crucial fact: drunk people have no sober logic, and you shouldn’t try to reason with them. Shu Heng was a perfect example. At this moment, she didn’t care if the feeling was an idol’s affection for a fan. She just knew Li Jianwei had said she liked her, and she was thrilled to get the answer she wanted.

“No, my liking for you is the same as for my fans,” Li Jianwei tried to correct her.

Unfortunately, Shu Heng was in a strange state of excitement, like some men who only hear what they want to hear.

“I like you the same way, Teacher Li!” Shu Heng shouted back.

“Teacher Li, can you give me a kiss? Not the one we had when we were pretending to be a couple for a discount, but a kiss as a real couple,” Shu Heng said seriously.

“A kiss with no strings attached, just because we like each other.” Shu Heng went from hugging Li Jianwei to cupping her face. Their noses touched, and their dark eyes reflected only each other.

Shu Heng’s features were striking and bold, but not as deep and sculpted as Li Jianwei’s. She was the type of person who became more attractive the more you looked at her. Shu Heng’s magnified features were a shock to Li Jianwei, and she felt her heart skip a beat.

It was impossible to deny that Shu Heng had a captivating charm.

“We’re not a couple, just friends, an idol and a fan,” Li Jianwei said, holding her ground, struggling to resist the temptation of such beauty.

No, no, Li Jianwei, you just promised Sister Lu that you wouldn’t have a real relationship with the heiress! You can’t break that promise so quickly!

“Why? You like me, and I like you, so why aren’t we a couple?” Shu Heng tilted her head in confusion, her eyes full of bewilderment.

“Is it because I didn’t get you flowers, Teacher Li?” Shu Heng suddenly perked up. She let go of Li Jianwei and said in a hurry, “Wait for me, Teacher Li. I’ll call my assistant right now and have her bring ninety-nine roses. I’m going to confess to you publicly!”

“A ring? Do you also need a ring, Teacher Li? It’s too late to buy one now. I’ll have someone go to the safe and get a gem for you immediately!” Shu Heng turned and started looking for her phone. “What color do you like, Teacher Li? Or should I get you a gold bar? Gold holds its value the most, just like my love for you!”

“No, that’s not what I mean,” Li Jianwei’s head started to ache. Seeing Shu Heng about to walk away, Li Jianwei had no choice but to grab her and wrap her arms around Shu Heng’s arm to stop her from making the call.

“Then what do you mean, Teacher Li?” Shu Heng blinked slowly, her mood turning gloomy the next second. Her head drooped. “Does Teacher Li not like me? Am I just deluding myself?”

“Yes, I should have thought of this. When I was on that drug and hugged you before, you were completely indifferent, not interested in me at all.” Shu Heng’s emotions changed in seconds, going from cheerful to sad and hurt. “Teacher Li, why don’t you like me? Is there something I did wrong?” Shu Heng sniffled. When she looked up again, her bright, deer-like eyes filled with sad, watery kitten tears.

This made Li Jianwei instinctively hold her breath. Her grip on Shu Heng loosened, and she almost blurted out something comforting like “I like you, too.” She couldn’t help it; Li Jianwei had always had a soft spot for cats, especially since she couldn’t have one herself. She always cherished and pitied cats even more.

“No, you’re great. It’s me,” Li Jianwei said with difficulty, trying to look away so she wouldn’t give in to Shu Heng’s cat-like charm.

“I’m at the peak of my career. I have no plans to be in a relationship,” Li Jianwei said, emphasizing each word to make sure Shu Heng understood. “I don’t plan to date, and this has nothing to do with who is confessing to me. It’s purely my own issue,” Li Jianwei stressed. “You are great, absolutely great.”

Shu Heng blinked twice. “Then when do you plan to be in a relationship, Teacher Li?”

“At least…” Li Jianwei pursed her lips, deciding to use a stronger approach. “I won’t consider a relationship until I’m thirty.”

She was twenty-six this year, and so was Shu Heng. Four years would be enough for her to win Best Actress and then retire.

“Thirty?” Shu Heng’s movements slowed down, and her tearful eyelashes trembled slightly. “That’s okay! I don’t need a title before you turn thirty, Teacher Li!” Shu Heng shocked her again. “You said before that the future is uncertain, and we should seize the present! So we can talk about what happens in four years then. I’m willing to be in a secret relationship with you right now, sister!”

“As long as I can be with you, sister, I’m even willing to be your mistress!” Shu Heng’s words hit Li Jianwei hard, leaving her speechless.

What is wrong with this heiress? What in the world is she thinking about all day?

Oh, right. She’s drunk. Alcohol can make the brain slow, but it can also make some actions happen without thinking.

“A confession should be made when you’re sober. Let’s talk about this tomorrow,” Li Jianwei said, choosing the delaying tactic. The heiress might just be acting this way because she was drunk. She might regret it when she wakes up.

“But tomorrow is also the future, didn’t you say to seize the present, Teacher Li?” Shu Heng said seriously. “When I’m drunk, I only say what I want to say, I don’t talk nonsense.”

“Teacher Li, I’m very serious about my confession, and I’m very serious about liking you.”

Li Jianwei said nothing, just kept avoiding Shu Heng’s gaze. Shu Heng wasn’t happy with this. She cupped Li Jianwei’s face again. This time, she didn’t ask; she just leaned in and kissed her directly, making Li Jianwei’s eyes widen.

It was impossible not to feel anything. Li Jianwei was never a person without desires, and the heiress looked like a delectable little cat. But her rationality held her back, making her choose to control herself for a more long-term benefit.

“Teacher Li, you didn’t pull away from my kiss, so you have feelings for me!” Shu Heng pulled away and concluded. “I declare that from now on, we are an unofficial couple. Do you have any objections?”

Li Jianwei weakly raised her hand. “Isn’t this a little too hasty?”

“Hasty? We already kissed!” Shu Heng frowned, but then a look of sudden understanding appeared on her face. “I get it now. Let’s go somewhere else to continue!”

“Huh? What do you get?” Li Jianwei felt a sense of dread. With that, she was grabbed by the arm and dragged to the bathroom by Shu Heng.

With a certain subtle hesitation, Li Jianwei’s resistance wasn’t very strong as she was pulled along, only a couple of symbolic struggles. As her clothes were soaked by the shower, Li Jianwei’s eyes were still full of conflict and doubt.

The heiress’s innocence was real, and her boldness and stubbornness were also real. At this point, if nothing happened tonight, she would be in a very awkward situation when Shu Heng woke up. The heiress might even get angry and cut ties with her. But if something did happen, she would have to face Sister Lu and shift her focus from her career to the heiress.

Should I continue or not? Should I reject the heiress and stop before anything substantial happens? Or should I go along with her most impulsive whim?

Li Jianwei felt she was hesitating, but to Shu Heng, this was tacit consent. Li Jianwei hadn’t refused to be dragged over, hadn’t refused to get her clothes wet, and was indifferent to her actions of pulling off her clothes. Drunk or not, this was a golden opportunity to make a move! Seize the present, grab the chance, and you’ll have a better future tomorrow!

Shu Heng started to get excited. The steam from the shower boosted her confidence, and she was ready to prove her charm and redeem herself. Shu Heng was the first to make a move. Since they were both around the same height, she could cup Li Jianwei’s face and kiss her directly.

Three minutes later, Shu Heng kissed a soft chest, and after a gentle, tentative bite, she giggled, looking a little silly. Five minutes later, Shu Heng was nibbling on Li Jianwei’s neck, mumbling about how nice she smelled. Ten minutes later, Shu Heng was wrapped in a towel and was carried out of the bathroom, her wide eyes showing her complete surprise. Seventeen minutes later, Shu Heng’s breathing became shaky, and her arms instinctively tightened, wrapping firmly around Li Jianwei’s neck. Thirty minutes later, Shu Heng gasped for air, her body tensed, and broken moans spilled from her throat. An hour later, Shu Heng’s mind was blank. She only felt her eyelids were heavy, and then she lost consciousness, falling into a sweet dream.

…

Shu Heng didn’t black out when she got drunk, so she clearly remembered everything that happened last night when she woke up the next day. This included, but was not limited to, her irrational declaration that Li Jianwei liked her, dragging her into the bathroom, stripping off her clothes like a pervert, and taking the initiative to bite her, only to be picked up and carried out of the bathroom, completely swept away by passion.

Aah, even though the memory made her blush and her toes curl, the final result was really good!

But a problem arose: why was she the only one in bed? Did Li Jianwei regret it and run away?

Just as Shu Heng sat up with a jolt, the bedroom door opened, and a neatly dressed Li Jianwei walked in. “You’re awake? What do you want for breakfast?” Li Jianwei asked calmly, her expression the same as usual.

Was it all a dream? Did nothing happen last night?

A ridiculous thought flashed through Shu Heng’s mind, but it was dismissed as soon as she saw the fresh bite mark on Li Jianwei’s neck.

“Anything is fine. I’ll eat whatever you eat. I’m not picky,” Shu Heng said, becoming demure. She frantically wracked her brain, thinking about what to say next. Should she just ask Teacher Li if she remembered what happened? Or should she just assume they were a couple and test her reaction later with more intimate actions?

“Then I’ll order some porridge and dim sum. It should be here in about twenty minutes,” Li Jianwei said. Under Shu Heng’s watchful eyes, she touched the bite mark on her neck, a slow smile appearing in her eyes. “If you need something to chew on, you can add a steak. I think my neck needs a rest tonight.”