After Being Possessed by the Transmigrated Heroine - Chapter 1

Gao Zhan lifted Bai Niao from her bed at six o’clock sharp.

She was habitually fond of sleeping, and because things had been chaotic late into the previous night marked by her crying and fussing she was adamantly unwilling to wake up early.

Unlike the others who were known for their severity, Gao Zhan usually doted on Bai Niao. She was lazy and fond of ease, often sleeping until the sun was high in the sky. Gao Zhan, out of affection, never interfered with her schedule or scolded her for it. Occasionally, when Bai Niao made a mistake, Gao Zhan would even help cover for her.

While Bai Niao feared the other men in their circle, she wasn’t nearly as afraid of Gao Zhan. Sitting in his lap, she clung tightly to his neck, her voice dragging with a exaggerated tone of misery: “I don’t feel well. Let me rest a little longer.”

Bai Niao was a master of pretension. If she felt even three percent unwell, she could act as if it were ten. Usually, Gao Zhan would indulge her, refusing to expose her lies and even smiling as he helped her make excuses. Today, however, he was uncharacteristically strict and cold.

Gao Zhan frowned, gripping her slender waist. “Stop it, Bai Niao.”

She had been so thoroughly spoiled by him that she often forgot to read the room, failing to notice that he was truly becoming angry. Bai Niao’s personality was arrogant and willful, a trait she had been allowed to indulge since childhood; it was only in recent years that she had learned a modicum of restraint.

It wasn’t until Gao Zhan pressed her down across his lap that she realized something was wrong. Her thin nightgown was flipped up, and as his palm repeatedly struck her backside, Bai Niao even forgot to cry for a moment. Her eyes reddened, and only after the stinging pain surged did large tears begin to fall uncontrollably.

She cried piteously, her face flushing crimson as she begged repeatedly: “I—I was wrong, Gao Zhan… I won’t fuss anymore…”

Her waist trembled and her shoulders shook. She was actually quite adept at reading people’s moods when she wanted to be; as soon as she saw Gao Zhan was genuinely angry, she began her pitiful pleas for mercy. Gao Zhan didn’t hold back his strength, and only after giving her a proper lesson did he pull her back into his embrace.

She had been by Gao Zhan’s side recently and hadn’t been punished in a long time. Sobbing as she sat on his lap, she desperately wanted to lift her aching backside slightly, but meeting Gao Zhan’s dark eyes, she didn’t dare move an inch.

His voice was very soft: “You’ll be obedient today, won’t you?”

Gao Zhan’s temperament was far better than the others, especially toward Bai Niao, but there was no doubt that at his core, he was a “favored son of heaven” with an intense desire for control and zero tolerance for defiance.

Bai Niao didn’t dare provoke him further. “I’ll… I’ll be very obedient.” She bit her lip, her curled lashes damp with teardrops as she submissively lowered her gaze.

Even after getting into the car, Bai Niao remained very well-behaved. She was arrogant by nature, and when pampered, her ego could swell until she lost all sense of direction. Aside from that beautiful face, she was a complete and utter idiot.

Everyone who knew Bai Niao knew she was arrogant, willful, clumsy, and malicious. Furthermore, she was a total “love-brain” who lacked any bottom line, committing endless misdeeds for the sake of a fiancé who did not love her.

She was a laughingstock in the circles of the powerful and wealthy. After being exposed as a “fake heiress” swapped at birth, she was directly kicked out of her home. Even the fiancé she loved so deeply abandoned her.

Bai Niao was beautiful and pampered, possessing no life skills whatsoever. She had a knack for making enemies and had offended countless people. If she hadn’t been kept and cared for by these few men over the last few years, there was no telling how badly she would have been mistreated by others.

Yet, this heartless little “white-eyed wolf” never felt a shred of gratitude. Every day, her mind was fervently focused on various clothes and bags. She was materialistic and money-grubbing a person as worldly as one could be.

Last time, on Gao Zhan’s birthday, even friends far away in foreign countries had prepared gifts. But Bai Niao, who had stayed right under his nose for the entire day, hadn’t even remembered the occasion by nightfall.

To say his heart didn’t turn cold would be a lie. Even if one raised a bird for that many years, it wouldn’t be so indifferent to the warmth of its owner. But Bai Niao was Bai Niao—beautifully stupid, materialistic, and self-serving. She was even proudly stupid, always thinking that with her intellect, she could wrap everyone around her finger. She had no idea that everyone was merely watching her like a side-show.

Fortunately, Bai Niao wasn’t very brave; otherwise, there was no telling how much trouble she would have caused. Gao Zhan intended to give her the cold shoulder for a while, but seeing her lonely figure looking out the car window, he ultimately pulled her back onto his lap.

He naturally lifted her skirt and asked in a low voice, “Does it still hurt, Niaoniao?”

Bai Niao was unlike others; she required a long time to dress whenever she went out. She wasn’t one of those “beautiful but unaware” types; she knew exactly how gorgeous she was and was very skilled at utilizing her physical advantages.

Gao Zhan had woken her early and only allowed her a simple styling, but they were still slightly late by the time they arrived. Bai Niao used to love going out, especially when her fiancé returned to the country; she wanted the whole world to know what a perfect, loving couple they were. She was arrogant and shallow; if someone complimented her beauty, her ego would hit the ceiling.

However, after her identity was revealed and she was cast out, Bai Niao didn’t enjoy going out much anymore. If she wasn’t forced, she wouldn’t even want to continue her studies.

Bai Niao was obedient the whole way, leaning into Gao Zhan’s arms like a little bird and speaking endless sweet words. Yet, until they were almost out of the car, he still hadn’t told her where they were going. She knew she shouldn’t make him angry right now. Gao Zhan was very tender and indulgent, but his patience had limits.

Bai Niao didn’t dare cross Gao Zhan, the only person currently standing in her corner, but she was starting to feel anxious. She grabbed his hand, her eyes reddening: “Just tell me, where are we actually going?”

Gao Zhan stood outside the car, leaning on his elbow while taking a call. He patted Bai Niao’s head: “Youting is here. Go greet him first. I have some business to attend to and will head over in a moment.”

Bai Niao had been planning to fake a sob, but hearing the name “Youting,” her face instantly turned white. Of all the men, the one she feared most was He Youting.

Even back when she was the Eldest Miss of the Zhong family and had to call him “Great Uncle” due to his seniority, she was terrified of him. She was unlearned and lazy, the type who feared serious elders the most even though He Youting was merely high in seniority and wasn’t actually that much older than her.

Later, her fear of He Youting only intensified; now, simply hearing his name made her start to tremble. Her palms grew sweaty. Without waiting for Gao Zhan to say more, she immediately grabbed her skirt and got out of the car. He Youting’s people had already approached; a subordinate smiled and greeted her respectfully: “Miss Bai.”

Seeing them, cold sweat nearly broke out on Bai Niao’s forehead. Terrified yet exasperated, she turned to Gao Zhan: “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Gao Zhan leaned on the car, unable to hide a smile. “Weren’t you in no hurry? You wanted to sleep a while longer.”

Bai Niao was now green with regret, but she didn’t dare linger. She followed He Youting’s subordinate and left immediately. She wore high-heeled leather shoes, her dark hair cascading down her back, dressed in a puff-sleeved dress like a beautiful little princess.

Walking quickly, Bai Niao kept explaining: “I didn’t mean to be late. Tell Mr. He that there was a problem with Gao Zhan’s car, that’s why we arrived a bit late.” Despite the subordinate’s smile, she was sweating with anxiety, desperately trying to cover for herself.

However, once she actually stood before the man, Bai Niao didn’t dare say another word.

He Youting sat on a long sofa by the window, holding a white porcelain cup of black tea. An arched, European-style floor-to-ceiling window allowed the sunlight to fall in a perfect pattern, and the air was thick with the fragrance of roses. A deep red rose was pinned to He Youting’s chest, and a large bouquet of roses sat by his hand.

The scene made him look like a refined gentleman patiently waiting for his lover. But meeting He Youting’s gaze, Bai Niao’s legs felt weak. Just how audacious had she been to make He Youting wait for her?

She used to be a high-ranking socialite with a powerful fiancé and a certain status in elite circles. Many people couldn’t stand her, but they couldn’t do anything about it. It wasn’t until she met He Youting that she understood what “overwhelming power” truly meant.

Bai Niao practically forced herself to walk to him and offer a greeting: “Mr. He.”

Rather than He Youting being outwardly angry, Bai Niao had always been more afraid of his calm demeanor. If it weren’t for the subordinate standing nearby, her knees would have given out.

Yet, He Youting’s mood seemed decent. While listening to the subordinate repeat Bai Niao’s excuses, he gripped her waist and pulled her into his lap. Those lies might fool others, but they would never fool him.

Sitting beside He Youting, Bai Niao felt terrified by his low laughter and didn’t dare speak. Her pale fingers twisted together, her eyes full of dread. Her face was flushed from walking too fast, and her lips were as red and tender as rose petals.

He Youting stroked her lips and fed her some tea. “Wearing high heels and walking so fast,” he said in a casual tone. “Aren’t you afraid of spraining your ankle?”

Bai Niao couldn’t fathom his meaning. Since she had already made a mistake, she had to find a way to make amends. Clenching her fingers, she steeled herself and wrapped her arms around He Youting’s neck: “But I missed you.”

She leaned into his embrace, her lips shimmering with a soft light, her beautiful face looking bashful and her eyes full of affection. “You left me at Gao Zhan’s place for so long,” she bit her lip, “and didn’t let me call you. I almost couldn’t help but go find you myself.”

Her voice was sweet, both submissive and filled with allure. He Youting patted her cheek; his fingers were cold, and the touch carried a slight sense of reprimand.

“Weren’t you so happy at Gao Zhan’s place that you forgot to come home?” His gaze darkened as he silently scanned every change in her expression.

Seeing him like this, Bai Niao actually relaxed a bit. She sat on his lap, her waist swaying as she continued her sweet lies: “Really, I wasn’t. If you don’t believe me, go ask him. My heart only has you.”

Bai Niao tilted her face up, her eyes sparkling like stars charming, pure, and soul-stirring.

Gao Zhan arrived half an hour later, but the pure white doors were closed. The subordinate looked a bit awkward and said politely: “Young Master Gao, President He and Miss Bai are still discussing matters. Perhaps you could wait here for a moment?” He continued to introduce the options: “Today’s tea is Harrods black tea and Lion Peak Longjing.”

Gao Zhan waved his hand slightly. After sitting down, he simply lit a cigarette.

Another half hour passed before He Youting and Bai Niao emerged. The person who had been acting spoiled in Gao Zhan’s arms earlier now looked as if she wanted to hang onto He Youting. Her face was soft and radiant, and the corners of her brows showed an obvious sense of satisfaction, as if she had been very well-nourished.