Not A Stupid Beauty [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

The elders were still chattering enthusiastically about her marriage to Pei Shuyu, while Jiang Qiuyan, already drained from the dull conversation, was about to excuse herself when Shi Huaixin was suddenly called away.

Her instincts told her it couldn’t be anything good, so she followed.

What she saw made her blood run cold—Shi Huaixin shoved a shivering Shi Yu through the doorway and slapped her hard across the face.

“Just a few days without a beating and you already dare to run away?!”

Shi Yu’s cheek burned, the taste of blood spreading across her tongue. She bit down so hard her teeth clicked, but she said nothing, her head bowed.

Shi Huaixin never held back just because others were watching. In fact, the more eyes on him, the harsher his blows.

He was a monster.

“Come on, Huaixin, why get so worked up? The child’s back now, isn’t she? Pretty face like that—you’ll regret it if you ruin it.”

The alpha smirked as he stepped forward, hand already reaching toward Shi Yu. But just then, the door to the private room swung open.

Jiang Qiuyan stood in the doorway. Her gaze swept over Shi Yu’s swollen cheek, and her eyes instantly darkened. But within a heartbeat she smoothed her expression, revealing nothing amiss.

“Sorry to intrude, Uncle. I saw you slip away and thought you must have important guests, so I came by to greet them.”

Shi Huaixin’s raised hand faltered, then fell awkwardly to his side. He forced a smile.

“Nothing like that. Just teaching my unruly daughter a lesson.”

He shifted subtly, blocking Shi Yu from view.

Jiang Qiuyan drew a quiet breath. Her tone remained even. “I see. Then, are you done teaching her that lesson? If so, why don’t we head back together?”

At that moment, regret gnawed at Jiang Qiuyan. If not for this marriage arrangement with Pei Shuyu, she would have dragged Shi Yu away on the spot—and made Shi Huaixin pay dearly.

But even if she couldn’t move against him now, one day, she would avenge Shi Yu.

Not daring to slight her, Shi Huaixin chuckled. “Of course. Let’s not keep your mother waiting.”

Qiuyan gave a light nod. “Then Second Miss should come up as well. She doesn’t look well—better for her to stay with family.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the alpha beside Shi Yu. Her eyes sharpened like a blade.

Shi Yu’s nose stung suddenly. She hadn’t cried when she was dragged back, nor when Huaixin struck her. But hearing Qiuyan’s words, heat burned in her eyes.

Without hesitation, she followed. Jiang Qiuyan trailed behind Huaixin, just far enough that he couldn’t see when she reached out to gently ruffle Shi Yu’s hair.

“It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.”

Her voice was low, soft as a breeze—and for reasons Shi Yu couldn’t explain, it steadied her heart.

The bruise on Shi Yu’s face quickly drew attention when they returned. Pei Yiyi guessed what had happened and nudged Pei Shuyu. “Take her to get treated.”

It wasn’t compassion—it was to keep Bai Lingshuang from glimpsing the family’s ugliness.

Jiang Qiuyan tagged along, asked for ice, and pressed it into Shi Yu’s hands for the swelling. Then she pulled Pei Shuyu aside.

Shi Yu neither cared nor listened. What mattered was what would happen after they returned home.

With Shi Huaixin’s cruelty, he might very well kill her.

What should she do? Right now, there was only one person who could help her…

She turned. And at that very moment, Jiang Qiuyan was walking back toward her, anger still faintly etched across her face. But when their eyes met, her expression softened instantly.

“Come on. Let’s go back.”

Pei Shuyu was still there, so Shi Yu held her tongue.

By the time they rejoined the adults, the banquet had already ended. Pei Shuyu shrank back, unwilling to speak, so Qiuyan stepped forward instead.

“Uncle, Auntie, would it be alright if Shuyu came to my house for a few days?”

The words stunned not only Pei Yiyi and Shi Huaixin, but even Bai Lingshuang looked at her suspiciously.

She knew her daughter too well—Qiuyan might be polite enough to meet her fiancé’s parents, but she never acted out of affection.

So why the sudden invitation?

Qiuyan’s face was as calm as ever, unreadable.

Bai Lingshuang sighed helplessly, but still backed her up. “I was going to say the same. My wife’s abroad on business, and it’s just Qiuyan and me at home—it’s too quiet. Let Shuyu keep us company.”

Pei Yiyi pretended to hesitate. “Well, it’s really up to the child.”

Which, of course, was tacit approval.

Relieved, Pei Shuyu nodded when Bai Lingshuang asked if she wanted to go.

Qiuyan added casually, “Shuyu might not be used to it alone. Why not let Second Miss join her?”

Pei Shuyu picked it up smoothly. “Mom, can I bring Xiaoyu with me?”

Pei Yiyi frowned. She didn’t want Shi Yu embarrassing the family—but if she refused, she’d look small-minded.

And so, before she knew it, Shi Yu was sitting in Jiang family’s car.

Pei Shuyu rode with Bai Lingshuang, while Shi Yu ended up alone with Qiuyan. It could have been arranged otherwise, but Qiuyan insisted.

The car was silent, the tension heavy. Shi Yu could sense Qiuyan’s anger but didn’t know why.

She thought about it all the way, then finally whispered, “Thank you.”

Qiuyan turned her head, brows faintly arched.

“Thank you for stepping in… If not for you—”

Shi Yu’s fists clenched, her thin frame curling in on itself, looking impossibly small.

Qiuyan’s heart ached. And yet, she was angry too—angry at Shi Yu’s weakness.

“I offered you a way out. You chose the road lined with thorns.”

Shi Yu flinched, torn inside. She wanted to ask if Qiuyan still meant what she’d said before, but Qiuyan only stared out the window, unwilling to engage.

So Shi Yu swallowed her words, obediently following Pei Shuyu once they arrived at the Jiang estate.

Fortunately, Madam Jiang treated her kindly. She gave Shi Yu a luxurious room, spoke to her gently, and never once looked down on her.

If only Qiuyan weren’t so cold, everything here would be perfect.

That night, while Bai Lingshuang urged the girls to stroll in the courtyard, Shi Yu quietly slipped back to her room—she knew better than to play the third wheel.

But sleep wouldn’t come. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Huaixin’s twisted face and felt her body ache where he had struck her.

She couldn’t go back to the Pei family.

Huaixin’s men were watching her. If she stepped outside, she’d be dragged straight back. Escape was impossible.

And when Shuyu returned home, she’d be forced to go too.

Unless…

Unless she chose another path.

But Qiuyan had seemed angry. Would she still be willing?

Exhaustion finally claimed her. She never noticed the door creak open, or Qiuyan slip inside with feather-light steps.

With a sigh, Qiuyan uncapped a salve and gently smoothed it over Shi Yu’s swollen cheek.

“Why make life so hard on yourself?” she whispered.

No matter what Shi Yu decided, she would never send her back. Huaixin was a sadist who delighted in torture. If left unchecked, he would kill her.

Call her reckless, call her mad—Qiuyan didn’t care. She would keep Shi Yu by her side. Only then could she protect her.

“Please don’t hate me,” she murmured, stroking Shi Yu’s hair with a gaze softer than moonlight.

Shi Yu stayed at the Jiang estate for a week, and for the first time in her life, she felt at ease.

No one bullied her. She didn’t have to scrub floors or toil endlessly. There was always good food, and Madam Jiang spoke to her warmly, teaching her things she’d never known.

Everything was perfect—except for Qiuyan’s coldness.

Just as she began to believe this peace could last, Pei Shuyu told her they would return tomorrow.

It felt like waking from a dream. Her skin seemed to ache all over, haunted by memories of Huaixin’s beatings. She couldn’t go back.

She wouldn’t.

Rain poured in sheets outside, lightning splitting the night sky as Shi Yu climbed the stairs. Her steps led her straight to Qiuyan’s room.

But standing before the door, fear seized her.

These past days, Qiuyan had seemed closer to Shuyu, distant toward her. What if Qiuyan had changed her mind? What if she was rejected?

A thunderclap split the night. Shi Yu jumped, heart hammering. She took a deep breath, screwed her courage tight, and knocked.

Qiuyan opened the door, brows lifting. “So late? What is it?”

Shi Yu didn’t answer. She threw herself into Qiuyan’s arms, muffling her voice against her chest. “Do your words still count?”

“I say a lot of things,” Qiuyan teased. “Which one do you mean?”

“You told me… to take responsibility for you.” Shi Yu’s voice trembled.

Qiuyan’s lips curved. Confidence gleamed in her eyes as she loosely circled Shi Yu’s waist, fingers toying with her hair.

“I did say that. But you turned me down—it hurt, you know.”

Shi Yu looked up, eyes rimmed red. “Then… what do I have to do so you won’t be hurt?”

Qiuyan leaned closer, their noses almost touching. “Figure it out yourself. But first, understand this—taking responsibility for me also means taking care of my body.”

That was when Shi Yu caught the faint scent of pine and realized—Qiuyan was in heat.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed nervously. Tentatively, she released a trickle of pheromones, rose on tiptoe, and brushed her lips against Qiuyan’s.

“Will this do?”

Qiuyan’s eyes darkened. She tugged Shi Yu fully into the room, kicked the door shut, and captured her mouth in a searing kiss.

The mingled scent of pine and blossoms filled the air.

“Not enough.”

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