Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 5

“Y-you… I’m so sorry! I didn’t see anything… I’ll just… I’ll just leave now!”

The assistant frantically covered her eyes with her fingers, her face flushed crimson as she stammered and stumbled backward.

“There’s no need. It’s exactly what you think.”

“Do I have any other appointments this afternoon?”

Fang Qing stared at her shoes, startled by the icy tone. Her hand gripped the doorknob as she could only report the truth.

“N-no, Boss. I really didn’t see anything. I’ve lost my memory today. Yes, I’ve lost my memory today!”

Had she stumbled upon some dark, unspoken rule? What was Qin Zhi doing with a junior colleague from her own company in a hotel? Oh no, am I going to be silenced?

Qin Yinghou, the Best Actress, was notoriously picky, having gone through several assistants since joining the company. Fang Qing had only started recently and lived in constant fear, listening to the gossip spread by the veteran employees.

She never knew when she might lose her job.

The pay and benefits were good, but the constant anxiety was exhausting.

“Am I really that terrifying?”

“In any case, you’re not allowed to breathe a word of what happened today. It’s for everyone’s sake.”

Qin Zhi picked up the paper bag beside her and handed it to Sheng Mingluo, the slight rustle of the bag unusually clear in the quiet hotel room.

“Boss! I swear on my conscience—heaven and earth are my witnesses—I won’t say a word!” Fang Qing pressed her forehead against the hotel door, almost closing her eyes as she swore. Amitabha, Boundless Heavenly Venerable, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Jade Emperor—whichever deity is listening, please bless my career!

Sheng Mingluo nearly burst out laughing at the comical scene, but she managed to stifle her amusement, clutching the paper bag as she headed to the bathroom. It wasn’t until she started changing that she noticed something was off. The clothes seemed a size too big, hanging loosely on her frame.

A faint, pleasant scent lingered on the fabric. Sheng Mingluo realized these were likely Qin Zhi’s personal clothes. Feeling too embarrassed to ask for anything else, she decided she’d wash them and return them later.

The garment draped over her, the hem falling well past her thighs. The sleeves and collar were oversized, and Sheng Mingluo sighed. Even her black jeans peeked out from beneath the hem.

After all, Qin Zhi was slightly taller than her… Damn it, did the author mess with my height data? Sheng Mingluo suddenly realized she was a bit shorter than before—utterly absurd!

Don’t just Google things when you’re writing! How long has it been since the information on Baidu was updated?

This height was about the same as when she first debuted! I want to punch someone! I want to punch someone! I want to punch someone! Not only had she failed to become rich after transmigrating into this fanfic, she’d even gotten shorter! Someone save me!

Rolling up her pant legs, Sheng Mingluo finally stepped out in the hotel’s disposable slippers.

“Senior, you should go change too.”

“Thank you for today. I’ll return the clothes later.”

“Don’t be so formal. Let’s keep in touch.”

Qin Zhi’s words carried a deeper meaning. Sheng Mingluo nodded, acknowledging that they needed to figure out how to return to the real world together.

Standing by the door, Fang Qing felt like she’d overheard something earth-shattering.

Oh my god, am I even supposed to hear this?

Who could have imagined that two people who barely interacted at the company would be acting so intimately in the same hotel? This was the kind of thing that only happened in fanfiction!

Fang Qing was already inwardly cursing.

She furtively shifted her gaze from her shoes, fidgeting like a student being punished by standing in the corner. Not looking was better; the moment she glanced up, she was startled again.

A pile of disheveled clothing lay at the foot of the bed… sexy black lace trim. The world is going to hell, she thought. The world is going to hell.

Quickly averting her eyes, Fang Qing just wanted to escape this compromising situation.

“Hey, you don’t have to stand there… take a seat anywhere.”

Sheng Mingluo gathered the scattered clothes from the floor, her ears flushing red. Seeing Qin Zhi’s assistant still standing motionless by the door, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, yes, Miss Sheng… we’ve met at the company before. I was recently assigned as Assistant Qin Zhi’s assistant.”

“Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!”

Only after saying this did Fang Qing realize the awkwardness of the situation. Sheng Mingluo, however, seemed unfazed. Logically, this person must also be an NPC, though she wondered how detailed the world’s descriptions were. Sheng Mingluo had no particular memory of Qin Zhi’s assistants, as they changed so frequently.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps we’ll have another chance to meet again.”

“I’ll take you home.”

Qin Zhi, having changed her clothes, emerged just in time to overhear Fang Qing and Sheng Mingluo’s conversation. She glanced at Sheng Mingluo’s exhausted state.

I can’t just let her take a taxi home alone, Qin Zhi thought, her kindness kicking in. She watched as Sheng Mingluo stuffed her disheveled clothes into the paper bag they had used for their earlier change.

“Really? Then thank you, Senior.”

Sheng Mingluo smiled, adopting a respectful tone. She rummaged through her belongings in the hotel room until she found her bag, which she had set aside earlier.

The contents were exactly as she usually carried them. Sheng Mingluo breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, there was nothing suspicious inside. Otherwise, she’d never be able to clear her name, no matter how hard she tried.

Wait, isn’t it already impossible to clear my name?

“I’ll go start the car!”

Fang Qing finally seized her chance and slipped out of the hotel room like a wisp of smoke. As she reached the elevator, she clutched her chest, muttering, “Your entertainment circle is truly chaotic.”

Still, she had to admit, the two of them together were quite a sight—a real treat for the eyes.

“Are you alright? Do you need me to help you?”

Qin Zhi watched Sheng Mingluo tremble with every three steps, looking far worse than herself, whose arm was merely numb.

“Thank you…”

Since Qin Zhi had offered, refusing would be rude. A free crutch was too good to pass up. Sheng Mingluo didn’t overthink it; their fates were clearly intertwined in this world.

“No need to thank me… I suspect there will be many more opportunities like this in the future.”

Qin Zhi’s words carried a pointed meaning. Though she hadn’t read the fanfic’s exact scenes, she could foresee the ending from the moment they woke up this morning.

After speaking, she glanced at Sheng Mingluo’s expression. As expected, her lips had turned pale, her face ashen.

No, please… How many more hellish scenarios must we endure? Sheng Mingluo leaned heavily against Qin Zhi’s shoulder, wanting to cry, wanting to die, feeling utterly miserable.

I hate you, fanfiction writers.

“Senior, please don’t say any more. My heart aches so much…”

“Alright, I won’t.”

Qin Zhi supported her as they descended. Sheng Mingluo, drained of all energy, slumped against her shoulder, drawing frequent glances from the couples in the elevator.

Wow, they’re so affectionate!

Clinging to each other even in the elevator.