I Became the Female Lead’s Current Obsession - Chapter 40

Speaking of snow.

Too many things came to Jiang Qing’s mind.

Hou Xue.

“Waiting for the Snow to Stop.”

A snowman.

The female programmer in Snowman.

It had been a few months since the female programmer’s identity had been revealed. Ever since Jiang Qing found out who she really was, their conversations were no longer limited to just one hour. Thanks to

Jiang Qing’s enthusiasm, they quickly became online friends. Although the other person always seemed a bit gloomy, Jiang Qing never got annoyed. On the contrary, she found herself unusually interested in the female programmer.

People are selfish, after all.

Jiang Qing felt this person’s personality was somewhat like Hou Xue’s, which made her instinctively want to get closer.

She used her former identity when chatting with the programmer: a 24-year-old graduate student. After living as a high schooler for so long, it was only when she talked to the female programmer that she could feel a sense of her past self.

As for why she ended up chatting with the programmer out of loneliness—it was mostly because there was no one else she could talk to. She had no interest in dating apps; besides, those people didn’t seem as trustworthy as the programmer. And maybe because of work, the programmer was almost always online, no matter how late it was.

Jiang Qing had suggested several times that the programmer fix her “hellish” sleep schedule, but it seemed her boss was utterly inhumane—constantly exploiting employees. The programmer, clearly a long-time corporate slave, never complained, quietly working overtime without protest.

“It’s snowing here today. Is it snowing where you are?”

Jiang Qing typed in Snowman.

Hou Xue opened the message and read it twice, carefully, before glancing out the window where the snow still fell.

“Not snowing.”

“I’ll show you a picture then.”

The messaging interface in Snowman still allowed photo sharing, and the two of them had stayed in this little app—a silent kind of understanding.

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“The snow hasn’t piled up yet, but I think by tomorrow it will.”

“It’s beautiful. Stay warm.”

“I will! It’s rare to see snow. It never snowed where I used to live.”

Hou Xue stared at that line for a long time without replying.

“But there’s snow at my university now.”

The lie was logical, seamless.

Hou Xue curved her lips into a smile.

“It snowed a lot where I grew up. It was freezing.”

Hou Xue paused here, fingers hovering over the keyboard, then continued:

“There was a small window in my room. I used to sit by it for hours every day, waiting for the snow to stop.”

She hit “enter” and sighed softly.

Knowing the person on the other end was Jiang Qing made her willing to cross lines she normally wouldn’t.

Jiang Qing rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t imagining things.

She reassured herself: it’s just a coincidence. A coincidence, that’s all. Maybe the original heroine of this story was simply setting up the theme?

“Have you moved away since then?”

“Mm.”

The programmer didn’t seem inclined to go into detail, and Jiang Qing wasn’t the type to prod at childhood wounds, so she quickly changed the subject.

After a few more casual exchanges, Jiang Qing checked the time and decided to wrap it up for the night.

“I’m heading to bed.”

“Alright.”

“Still working overtime?”

Hou Xue hesitated before replying:

“No.”

“Then go to bed soon too. It’s late.”

“Mm. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Jiang Qing exited the app, plugged in her phone, pulled the covers over herself, and closed her eyes.

Hou Xue took a sip of coffee, ready to start her night owl programmer routine.

Ever since Jiang Qing entered her life, her after-school hours weren’t as free anymore. But Hou Xue had been restraining her all-nighters—not because she was slacking, but because now wasn’t the time to burn out. Most of the time, she stayed up for side gigs.

Still, recently—she had met someone.

December 25, Sunday.

Jiang Qing and Hou Xue went out in the morning to build a snowman. Jiang Xing had gone out early, probably to celebrate Christmas with someone. Jiang Qing’s dream of a snowball fight with younger siblings didn’t come true, but spending quality time with her beloved stepsister wasn’t bad either.

It had been snowing intermittently all week. The roses in the garden had long since withered, leaving only some snowy branches.

Jiang Qing wrapped both of them up like rice dumplings before stepping out. The moment they did, she started snapping pictures of Hou Xue nonstop.

Hou Xue didn’t resist, letting her take photos, though she did protest with a smile while rolling snowballs: “Aren’t you going to help? You should at least participate a little, right?”

The snowman actually turned out quite well. Hou Xue used two buttons for the eyes, Jiang Qing gave it a cute carrot nose, and even took off her own scarf to wrap around its neck.

“It’s perfect! We’re clearly artists,” Jiang Qing said, taking a picture and sending it to the programmer.

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“Snowman built with my sister.”

“Don’t tell me you’re still working?”

“It’s been snowing here almost the whole week.”

Hou Xue’s phone vibrated four times in a row. She silently turned off the vibrations, glad she hadn’t turned the volume on.

No reply from the programmer. She probably wasn’t at her desk. That meant she wasn’t working—for once, a rare break for a true corporate slave.

“Shall we head back? Or take a walk?” Jiang Qing asked.

“Let’s take a picture together,” Hou Xue said. “You’ve only taken pictures of me.”

“Sure!” Jiang Qing smiled, motioning for Hou Xue to stand on the other side of the snowman. She beamed at the front-facing camera and threw up a peace sign behind the snowman’s head.

“One, two, three—cheese!”

Click click.

“Let’s try a different pose.”

Click click.

“Let me see… Not bad!” Jiang Qing browsed through the photos, tapped “Share,” and waved her phone at Hou Xue. “Sent them to you.”

“Mm,” Hou Xue replied.

“Let’s go home.”

Hou Xue scrolled through the pictures, cropped one of just Jiang Qing, then went back and chose a different one—where she was gazing at Jiang Qing, and Jiang Qing was smiling with her eyes. She cut out the snowman between them, carefully blended the edges, and set it as her wallpaper.

She stared at her phone screen for a while.

Her eyes, bright and clear, looked right at me.

Hou Xue’s ears flushed slightly.

If she saw herself in the mirror now, she’d probably just think: Winter really is cold.

Jiang Qing, on the other hand, set as her wallpaper a shot of Hou Xue slightly tilting her head to look at the sky.

It was absolutely stunning—beautiful composition, artistic lighting.

But most of all, the subject was beautiful. Hou Xue’s jawline was exquisite, like it had been carved.

She was so slim that even bundled up, she didn’t look bulky at all.

Under one roof, the two of them were lost in thought—each about the other.

Going to a banquet always required dressing up.

Jiang Qing turned down a salon visit. She could do her own makeup.

In her past life, she’d always worn light makeup when going out. Now, as a high schooler with strict school rules—and thanks to her naturally beautiful appearance—she hadn’t touched cosmetics in ages.

But as she began applying makeup, she realized this face wasn’t that different from her previous one. Her best features were exactly the same, and her techniques didn’t need much adjustment.

The skin, however, was undeniably better—flawless and smooth. “Porcelain skin” wasn’t an exaggeration for this face.

Maybe it was youth, too.

After finishing her makeup, Jiang Qing tied up her hair and secured it with a jeweled clip from her jewelry box.

Just as she was admiring herself in the mirror, a maid brought in her evening gown.

A sky-blue chiffon dress.

But off-the-shoulder?

Snow outside, winter in full swing—wasn’t this freezing?

Jiang Qing was speechless but still put it on.

It fit perfectly. She checked herself again in the mirror.

She needed a necklace—her neckline looked too bare without one.

Just as she was searching through the jewelry box, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Jiang Qing looked back, her expression softening.

“Xue Xue?”

“I brought you a necklace,” Hou Xue said, standing at the doorway, momentarily frozen, not stepping inside.

“Come in,” Jiang Qing said, closing the jewelry box and walking over to pull her inside.

Hou Xue rolled her sleeves to her elbows. Jiang Qing held onto her arm and didn’t let go.

“Why are you spacing out?” Jiang Qing asked.

Hou Xue stared at her for a moment before whispering, “What do you want me to do…?”

Her lips, painted bright red.

Her eyes sparkled, catching the light with every movement—like they could steal someone’s soul.

She’s going to a banquet. Looking like this… how many people will see her?

“Help me put it on,” Jiang Qing said, releasing Hou Xue and stepping closer. She leaned in toward her left ear, revealing her slender, pale neck. “I can’t see.”

Hou Xue’s breath caught as Jiang Qing leaned closer. She silently opened the box and took out the sapphire necklace.

Her hands trembled slightly. She closed her eyes, convincing herself it was just the necklace’s weight. Lifting it, she gently brushed it along Jiang Qing’s skin and fastened the clasp at the nape of her neck.

“All done,” Hou Xue said, quickly stepping back and exhaling.

“Thanks.” Jiang Qing checked the mirror and asked, “Do I look beautiful?”

“Beautiful,” Hou Xue said without hesitation. A few seconds later, she added quietly, “Very beautiful.”

Like a princess atop a spire—stunning and untouchable.

“Why are your cheeks red?” Jiang Qing raised an eyebrow and touched her cheek. “Are you hot?”

“A-a bit,” Hou Xue stammered, the most flustered she’d ever been. She brushed away Jiang Qing’s hand and pulled a delicate crystal bottle from her pocket. “Perfume.”

“You made this for me?” Jiang Qing asked, accepting the bottle.

“Mm,” Hou Xue nodded.

Jiang Qing glanced at Hou Xue’s recovering hand—there was a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. But she smiled quickly and sprayed a little on her wrist.

It smelled just like a memory.

Sweet citrus and a warm forest.

“Smells amazing.” Jiang Qing rested her hand behind Hou Xue’s neck, tilted her head, and gently kissed her temple. Whispering into her ear:

“I’m really happy.”

Hou Xue looked down, hiding her expression.

A hollow, aching sense of loss.

“Jie, time to go,” Jiang Xing called from outside.

Jiang Qing patted Hou Xue’s head with a satisfied smile. “I’m off—be good and wait for me at home. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay,” Hou Xue said. As the door closed, she murmured softly,

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Outside the door, Jiang Qing lightly patted Jiang Xing’s arm.

“You’ve got a great figure,” she said with a grin. “You look really sharp in that suit—handsome and confident.”

Jiang Xing chuckled. “And you look stunning in that dress, Sis. Absolutely gorgeous.”

After getting into the car with Jiang Xing, Jiang Qing was startled to find Jiang Bin already seated across from them.

The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

“Dad,” they both greeted in turn. Then, almost in sync, Jiang Qing turned to stare out the left window, while Jiang Xing looked to the right.

Their relationship with Jiang Bin was lukewarm at best—civil but distant. Among the three siblings, only the eldest daughter, Jiang Yan, seemed to share a somewhat closer bond with him. But Jiang Yan had been abroad for years now. Jiang Qing wondered, fleetingly, if Jiang Bin ever felt lonely.

Then she remembered Cao Fenlan and quickly dismissed the thought.

What surprised her more, though, was that Cao Fenlan hadn’t shown up to this dinner. Jiang Bin had come alone, which was… uncharacteristic.

It was Jiang Bin who eventually broke the tense silence in the car.

“That necklace of yours is quite nice,” he said, his eyes lingering on the sapphire pendant with an unreadable intensity. “Who gave it to you?”

Gave it to me?

Jiang Qing froze.

Wasn’t this necklace arranged by someone under Jiang Bin? That’s what she had assumed.

She looked down at the piece, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. A brief image of Hou Xue presenting the necklace crossed her mind. She steadied her tone.

“A friend gave it to me.”

Was it Hou Xue? Why didn’t she mention it?

Jiang Xing, sensing gossip, leaned closer with interest. His first guess was that it had come from Xu Miao.

Jiang Bin didn’t press the question. Instead, he leaned back slightly and murmured, “I saw that necklace at an auction last week. Your friend has good taste. I had my eye on it too, but your friend was clearly determined to get it. Naturally, I let it go. But I didn’t expect…” His voice dropped slightly, his gaze sharpening, “that it would end up in my Jiang family after all.”

Jiang Qing managed a smile, but her thoughts were in chaos.

Hou Xue went to an auction? She competed with Jiang Bin for this necklace? But she’s only seventeen. Where would she get that kind of money?

Something about the timeline didn’t add up.

She clutched the necklace at her collarbone, palm pressing lightly against the cool sapphire. Outside the window, the scenery passed in silence, but her mind was a storm.

No one else spoke during the rest of the ride.

Jiang Qing was already bitter about sacrificing her weekend for this social event. Thankfully, with Xu Miao and Jiang Xing around, the mood was somewhat tolerable.

We’re all just wandering souls in this world, she thought, and maybe this sense of gloom is something we all quietly share.

But the car ride had disrupted her thoughts. Now, all she could think about was Hou Xue—and the novel this world seemed to follow.

She looked down at the necklace again, its central sapphire reflecting her frowning expression. What is Hou Xue hiding from me?

The dinner was hosted by the Wang family, in celebration of Wang Shicheng’s coming-of-age. The Jiang and Wang families were long-time acquaintances, though under Jiang Bin’s leadership, the Jiang family had flourished, while the Wangs had gradually declined.

Jiang Qing vaguely remembered attending school with Wang Shicheng when they were younger, but he’d gone abroad after graduation. Since then, they’d had no contact.

As for the storyline of the “original work,” Jiang Qing couldn’t recall his name at all. He was probably a minor background character—a forgettable side figure in some urban novel.

She nudged Jiang Xing. “Do you still remember Wang Shicheng?”

Jiang Xing shook his head. “Nope. Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Really…” Jiang Qing lifted her skirt slightly with one hand and held a champagne glass in the other, trailing behind Jiang Bin at a polite distance.

“Sis,” Jiang Xing whispered, “was that necklace a gift from Xu Miao?”

“No.”

“I knew it. Wait—no? Then who gave it to you? Are you…”

“Could it be what?” Jiang Qing narrowed her eyes.

Jiang Xing hesitated, then blurted out, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Jiang Qing nearly choked. “Where the hell did that idea come from?” she hissed. “Do you think I even have time? I’m with Hou Xue every day. If I had a boyfriend, who else could it be?”

“Then who is it? Do you have some mysterious friend I don’t know about?”

Still unsure how to explain, Jiang Qing replied vaguely, “You don’t know her.”

Jiang Xing frowned. “You better be careful. I don’t think that person has good intentions.”

“Why?”

“Because gifting jewelry is a form of confession,” Jiang Xing said matter-of-factly.

Jiang Qing stopped in her tracks.

Confession?

Even Jiang Bin, walking ahead of them, paused and turned back slightly.

Jiang Xing gently tugged Jiang Qing forward, standing beside Jiang Bin. But Jiang Qing couldn’t hear a thing. Jiang Xing’s words echoed in her head like a thunderclap.

Confession.

Her hands felt cold.

It wasn’t until Jiang Xing coughed lightly that Jiang Qing snapped out of it. A hand was extended in front of her.

“Hello, Miss Jiang.”

She looked up and saw the man behind the voice.

“My name is Wang Shicheng.”

She shook his hand, forcing a polite smile. “Hello, Mr. Wang.”

She quickly released her grip. Wang Shicheng had intended to hold on longer, but seeing her let go, he followed suit. “Miss Jiang,” he said, “do you still remember me? We were schoolmates when we were little.”

“Of course,” she replied smoothly. “We were both very young back then.”

“Yes, and even then, you were already a beauty. Now, you’re simply breathtaking.”

Nearby, Jiang Bin and Old Master Wang were catching up. For some reason, Jiang Bin left Jiang Xing behind and asked Wang Shicheng to escort Jiang Qing around.

Jiang Qing’s heart sank. She smiled, but inwardly, she felt helpless.

It’s not easy being the second daughter of a powerful family—especially when the eldest daughter isn’t around.