After Transmigrating into a Book, I Had a Flash Marriage with the Beautiful Crazy Villain - Chapter 3
After returning home, Chu Ling’s brain, which had been in a state of shutdown, finally began to reboot.
The agreement was signed, the marriage was official so this was really a done deal now.
She collapsed onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling in a daze.
So, what now?
In her original world, Chu Ling hadn’t been particularly happy. She was an orphan, raised in a welfare institution, and had been adopted three times, only to be returned each time.
As a child, her temperament had been a bit odd, which was probably why she kept getting sent back.
But the grandmother at the welfare home would always comfort her gently, saying it wasn’t her fault and that someday, someone would firmly choose her.
Chu Ling didn’t quite believe it, but without some kind of hope to hold onto, life would have felt unbearably dull.
So she worked hard studying hard, earning money, striving to create a better living environment for herself.
Yet, she always felt detached from the world, as if her life were just a story and a thoroughly boring one at that.
She didn’t have many friends just one, really and few hobbies beyond reading novels and maybe photography.
She’d come across this book because of that friend’s recommendation. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she’d end up transmigrating into it, let alone suddenly gaining a mother, and a double dose of love at that.
At first, Chu Ling had been at a loss, feeling like she’d stolen someone else’s life. But when she realized she couldn’t leave, she had no choice but to console herself: this was just the world of a book.
So even though she was living in it, it never felt real like she was playing an elaborate scripted game, and she’d been handed the most insignificant role possible.
Thinking of it that way made it easier. Though she couldn’t return, Chu Ling wasn’t in a hurry. Even in a different environment, life felt much the same, she just had to keep going.
That said, Chu Ling had absolutely no intention of getting involved in the main characters’ world.
She knew her place well, she was the “netizen who exploded in shock,” the “passerby struck with amazement,” the “onlooker eagerly enjoying the drama.”
Chu Ling had no ambitions. She didn’t believe that transmigrating gave her some grand advantage she had to exploit. She just wanted to live quietly, undisturbed by anyone.
As for how the main characters’ relationships would develop? Chu Ling was sure things would work out without her interference. She wanted no part in it.
For the entire month since transmigrating, this had been her mindset.
Until now.
Song Qingyi’s appearance had shattered everything.
This world really was just one giant scripted stage, how else could such a coincidence happen? Chu Ling couldn’t make sense of it.
Originally, she’d just been a fan of a cross-dressing blogger. Now, that blogger had become her actual, bona fide wife. The mere thought of it was mind-blowing.
Not even novels would dare write something like this!
But reality wasn’t a novel, it didn’t have to follow logic.
Sighing, Chu Ling mulled it over carefully and finally managed to convince herself.
Song Qingyi was the antagonist, hopelessly in love with one of the female leads, Ye Zhiyin. This stage had no place for a background character like her, so as long as she was careful…
Even if she was married to Song Qingyi, surely nothing would really change.
She remained an utterly insignificant minor character in the world of the book. After all, her marriage to Song Qingyi was merely contractual. So, she just needed to be an excellent collaborator not interfering with Song Qingyi’s life, social circles, or anything else.
Thinking about it this way, if things developed as she envisioned, wouldn’t it be pretty much the same as her current situation?
With this thought, Chu Ling’s gaze gradually grew resolute.
No matter what, she absolutely would not try to insert herself into the lives of the female leads! So she had to be careful.
But then again, her social circle was entirely different from theirs. She’d probably only get news about them online. As long as she didn’t interact with them, her current life wouldn’t change.
That was perfectly fine.
Having sorted out her thoughts, Chu Ling immediately perked up, humming a tune as she began packing her things.
Though she was moving in with Song Qingyi, Chu Ling decided not to take too much just some everyday clothes and personal items, as if she were only going on a short trip.
“What are you doing? Packing? Are you going on a trip?”
The sudden voice startled Chu Ling. She looked up to see Chu Tong staring down at her with a questioning gaze.
“Yeah, I’m going out for some inspiration,” Chu Ling explained. “I mentioned it before. I’ll be staying away for a while.”
Chu Tong frowned, unconvinced. “Where? Have you found a place?”
Chu Ling felt a twinge of guilt but quickly pulled out her phone and showed Chu Tong the address. “Right here.”
It was the address Song Qingyi had sent her. To her surprise, it was in the development zone, quite close to the outskirts perfect for her creative needs.
Chu Tong’s eyes narrowed. “Alone? No one else with you?”
Chu Ling: “…”
Her mom was terrifying.
After a brief pause, she replied, “There’s a roommate. We’re sharing the place. Don’t worry, Mom. I’m an adult. Nothing will happen.”
Chu Tong studied her for a moment before silently leaving the room.
Chu Ling was used to her mother’s ways. But soon after, Qiao Wan knocked on the door, looking concerned.
“Mom? What’s wrong?”
Qiao Wan sighed. “I heard you’re moving out? Lingling, isn’t it better to stay at home?”
Chu Ling blinked in understanding, Qiao Wan had clearly been sent by Chu Tong.
Of course. Chu Tong was assertive but terrible at expressing concern, always resorting to roundabout methods. Chu Ling had long since noticed this.
She smiled brightly. “Mom, I’ll still come back to visit! And with me gone, you two can enjoy some alone time!”
Qiao Wan chuckled helplessly. “Lingling, are you really set on moving out?”
Chu Ling nodded earnestly. “Yes, Mom. I’m grown up now. It’s time to be independent.”
Truthfully, even without the marriage to Song Qingyi, Chu Ling had planned to move out eventually.
She was accustomed to living alone and always felt slightly out of place with her two mothers.
Perhaps, there was also an unconscious envy and longing she hadn’t acknowledged. So, moving out was the best arrangement for her.
Now, with Song Qingyi’s unexpected appearance, Chu Ling simply went along with it. Either way, she was determined to leave. Since the agreement required it, living with Song Qingyi made no difference.
Qiao Wan was taken aback for a moment, her expression softening as if she had thought of something. “Alright then, when are you going? I’ll take you there.”
Chu Ling waved her hand. “No need, Mom. I just have one suitcase, and I don’t have much stuff. You both have work tomorrow, so there’s no need to see me off. I can manage on my own.”
Tears welled up in Qiao Wan’s eyes. “Lingling has grown up.”
Chu Ling forced a dry laugh. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve grown up.”
With that, Qiao Wan stepped back, looking relieved, while Chu Ling turned her attention back to packing.
The matter of moving out was settled just like that. Madam Chu Tong didn’t say anything more, but Chu Ling noticed that dinner that evening was unusually lavish.
As she ate, she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Madam Chu Tong was truly cold on the outside but warm on the inside clearly reluctant to see her go, yet unwilling to say it outright.
This was a warmth she had never experienced before. And so… she couldn’t just stand by and watch them get dragged down to their deaths. As long as she avoided any connection with the female leads, Chu Ling believed she could prevent such an outcome.
The family finished their meal in this warm and cozy atmosphere.
The next day arrived quickly. By the time Chu Ling woke up, the house was already quiet, suggesting both women had left for work.
But when she opened the door, she was surprised to find that neither Qiao Wan nor Chu Tong had left yet.
Chu Ling was stunned. “Mom? You haven’t gone to work yet?”
Chu Tong huffed. “No, we haven’t. Just think of us as having too much free time.”
Chu Ling turned to Qiao Wan.
With a gentle smile, Qiao Wan said, “We thought it over and decided to take you there after all at least to see the place and meet your roommate. You’ve been pampered at home, and now that you’re moving out, we… worry you might not adjust well.”
A surge of warmth, like a tidal wave, overwhelmed Chu Ling. She felt almost breathless, momentarily unable to process her emotions as she stared blankly at the two of them.
Seeing her dazed expression, Chu Tong couldn’t help but mutter, “Looking this clueless, are you sure you won’t get bullied out there?”
Qiao Wan shot her a reproachful glance before turning back to Chu Ling. “It’s alright, Lingling. If you get bullied or find it hard to adjust, just come home.”
Finally snapping out of it, Chu Ling looked up at them with teary eyes. “Mooom…”
Her drawn-out whine, more twisted than a mountain road, instantly shattered the mood.
Chu Tong: “…”
She couldn’t bear to look, baffled as to why her daughter always had to ruin the atmosphere like this, it was just too abstract.
And so, Chu Ling was met with disdain once again, but she simply smiled without retorting.
Even as the car set off, Chu Ling remained immersed in the warm feelings, grinning all the way and earning several odd glances from Chu Tong, who looked at her as if she’d seen a ghost.
As they neared their destination, Qiao Wan reminded her, “By the way, Lingling, have you told your roommate? Do you have the key? If not, you’ll have to ask her to open the door for you.”
Only then did it dawn on Chu Ling her smile vanished instantly.
Oh no!
She had completely forgotten to inform Song Qingyi. With the GPS showing just 200 meters left, Chu Ling broke out in a cold sweat.
Panicked, she fumbled for her phone and frantically messaged Song Qingyi, staring at the screen in tense anticipation of a reply. But even as the car came to a stop, there was still no response.
Calmly, Chu Ling stepped out of the car and said to Qiao Wan, “She might not be home. It’s fine, let’s just leave the stuff by the door. You two can head back to work first. I’ll wait here for a bit.”
Qiao Wan and Chu Tong exchanged glances, both raising their eyebrows simultaneously.
Just as they were about to say something, both of them noticed a figure approaching gracefully.
Qiao Wan seemed lost in thought, feeling an inexplicable familiarity. Before she could ponder further, the person had already reached them.
“Hello, aunties. My apologies for only just seeing Chu Ling’s message. I hope I’m not too late.”
The moment Song Qingyi’s clear voice rang out, the only thought racing through Chu Ling’s mind was,
We’re screwed!!!