Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 25

The atmosphere was silent for a while. Qiu Luo stared at Cheng Yu’s fingers, while Cheng Yu stared at the book in front of her.

No one spoke.

Eventually, Cheng Yu closed the book, her fingers gently clasping the edge. Her voice was calm.

“I still need to study. Why don’t you go outside and enjoy the snow for a while?”

Qiu Luo instantly relaxed, tension melting from her shoulders.
“Yes, yes! I’ll go out and look at the snow.”

Anything to escape this painfully awkward situation—she welcomed it.

But once she got outside, she saw that the ground had already been swept clean by the servants. Snow remained only on the trees and the tops of the walls, and the air was bone-chilling.

Qiu Luo turned to glance back at the tightly closed study door.

There’s a warm stove in there… What snow am I supposed to enjoy out here? I’m just asking to freeze!

They say “it’s not the snowfall that’s cold, it’s the thaw after”—and it was true. She’d barely stepped outside, and already her body felt frozen to the core.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she decided to head back. Even if she couldn’t return to the study, she’d go back to Cheng Yu’s room. It was simply too cold to stay outside.

Just as she turned, she nearly bumped into a maid behind her.

Startled, Qiu Luo patted her chest.

“Xiao Miao! When did you sneak up on me? You scared me half to death—didn’t make a sound!”

Xiao Miao smiled sweetly.

“I was sent by Miss to accompany you in watching the snow.”

Her smile was pleasant, but inside she was rolling her eyes.

Is Miss Qiu silly or what? What’s so good about snow anyway? It’s freezing! Happens every year. Nothing new or exciting!

Seeing the maid’s warm smile, Qiu Luo didn’t feel quite so cold anymore. She nodded with a touch of composure.

“Mm, yes, I came out to enjoy the snow. It’s quite a beautiful scene. If only there were a few friends to brew tea, recite poetry, and appreciate it together—what a delight that would be.”

Xiao Miao kept smiling.

“Yes, just thinking about it sounds delightful.”

Delightful my foot, she grumbled silently. Tea and poetry in this cold? Give me a warm bed any day. What kind of idiot shivers in the freezing cold just to play pretend at being refined?

But Qiu Luo felt validated and looked off into the distance with a sigh.

“Well, the snow doesn’t seem like it’ll stop anytime soon. Viewing it alone is a bit lonely, so I think I’ll return to my room for now. When your Miss has time tomorrow, we can go look for plum blossoms together.”

So clever! Only an idiot would freeze for no reason. This place must be in the north of Nanyue—must be well below zero. If she didn’t get inside soon, her ears would freeze off.

Xiao Miao nodded along with a smile.

“Yes, it would be much better if our Miss were with you.”

As if our Miss would ever do something so foolish. She’s never once gone out in the snow. Every year, that young master Shen from the Shen family invites her to search for plum blossoms, and every year she refuses.

But this year? This year the sun must’ve risen in the west.

No… it must be because the person is finally right.

Xiao Miao frowned, studying Qiu Luo from head to toe.

What exactly is this girl’s charm? She’s cute, yes, but not extraordinary. Compared to Young Master Shen, who’s known as a “gentleman like jade,” she’s far behind.

Then it hit her.

That’s it—Shen is a man, Qiu Luo is a woman. That must be the reason!

Miss never showed interest in any man all these years because… she doesn’t like men at all! Miss likes women!

Convinced she’d discovered the truth, Xiao Miao followed along. But when they reached the plum grove at Qingshi Temple, she saw several refined young ladies greeting Cheng Yu warmly, while Cheng Yu responded with her usual indifferent expression.

Now Xiao Miao wasn’t so sure anymore.

Her Miss seemed cold to everyone—except Qiu Luo.

So maybe it wasn’t a gender thing. Maybe it was just… Qiu Luo.

Xiao Miao turned to look at Qiu Luo…

Qiu Luo was watching Cheng Yu closely as the latter bent down to sniff a plum blossom.

“A faint, cold fragrance,” she murmured.

Qiu Luo leaned down and took a whiff too. Then looked up and said,

“Yes.”

I don’t smell anything…

As expected of the heroine—even her nose is better than a cannon-fodder like me.

Cheng Yu gently brushed her fingers over a petal and spoke softly,

“They say the plum’s fragrance comes from enduring the bitter cold. But I think… that’s not true. The fragrance is simply something the plum already possesses—it’s not created by hardship.”

Qiu Luo nodded.

“Well said.”

She could understand that sentiment. It reminded her of the story of the ugly duckling—people think the duckling becomes a swan because of hardship, but in reality, it was a swan all along.

So, Cheng Yu must be rejecting the glorification of suffering.

As Qiu Luo watched Cheng Yu’s thoughtful expression, she remembered how, in the novel, Cheng Yu eventually became a legendary tycoon, using her wealth and influence to aid the common people alongside the male lead, who rose in court politics.

At present, Cheng Yu was still at the beginning of her journey. The male lead had only just passed his scholar’s exam.

Speak of the devil, Qiu Luo had barely thought about him before Shen Yanding appeared, walking their way.

“Miss Cheng, Miss Qiu—what a coincidence.” Shen Yanding stopped a few paces away, his eyes glowing as he gazed at Cheng Yu.

But when his gaze shifted to Qiu Luo, his brows furrowed and his expression turned full of disdain—as if he’d just stepped in something filthy.

Qiu Luo: %#&!

Can the male lead please grow up? Discrimination is one thing, but do you have to be so obvious about it?

The novel must be lying. Smart? Strategic? Deep? This guy has to be possessed. He’s nothing like the book described—just a childish brat.

Even Cheng Yu noticed his attitude. She calmly stepped closer to Qiu Luo and took her arm before replying,

“Thank you, Young Master Shen. But we won’t keep you.”

“You’re not keeping me at all, Cheng Yu,” Shen Yanding quickly said, the sight of their linked arms clearly agitating him. But when he saw her about to leave, he panicked and tried to stop her.

Cheng Yu paused. She didn’t release Qiu Luo’s arm, and so Qiu Luo turned with her, eyes flickering with an unspoken frustration.

Really? The heroine and the male lead, always so tangled up.

Sensing her tension, Cheng Yu tightened her hold on Qiu Luo’s arm and looked seriously at Shen Yanding.

“Young Master Shen, you’re the one disturbing us. I don’t like having irrelevant people around when I’m alone with Qiu Luo.”

“Cheng Yu…” Shen Yanding looked stunned, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

But Cheng Yu wasn’t finished.

“There are plenty of flowers in the world. I don’t want you wasting your time and energy on me. I’ve said all I need to say—please understand.”

With that, she turned and walked away, still holding onto Qiu Luo.

Qiu Luo was half-floated along, her mouth nearly curving into a grin she could barely hold back. Inside, she was already cheering.

Well done, heroine. That’s how it should be. If you can’t return someone’s feelings, reject them clearly. Save yourself the trouble and spare them the effort.

Whether he could let go or not—that would be up to his own character. Cheng Yu had done nothing wrong.

She liked this. Admired it. Approved of it wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Miao, who had witnessed everything, quietly rubbed her forehead.

Still can’t figure out what Miss sees in this girl. Maybe Miss just likes silly types.

“Miss, if we keep going, we’ll reach the back mountain. Should we turn back?”

The ever-dutiful Xiao Miao spoke up. That area was too quiet—pretty, but not safe.

Cheng Yu nodded, then looked at Qiu Luo.

“Shall we go back, or walk a little more?”

Her voice was soft, her gaze clear as morning dew.

Still riding the high of the confrontation, Qiu Luo broke into a smile.

“Either’s fine. I’ll follow your lead.”

Her voice was gentle, tinged with warmth and subtle affection.

Cheng Yu looked at her for a moment, then quietly tightened her hold and leaned her head against Qiu Luo’s shoulder.

“Then let’s not walk anymore. Let’s just stand here a little while longer.”