The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 2

The hashtag #Award-WinningActressTangJingVisitsSet trended on social media after paparazzi snapped photos of Tang Jing picking up Sun Sijia from the film set and taking her home.

In the images, the two appeared intimate as they got into the car together.

Ying Tianhe, Tang Jing’s agent, woke up that morning and, out of habit, checked the trending topics to see what was happening in the entertainment industry.

Little did she expect to find her own client at the center of the gossip.

When her agent called, Tang Jing wasn’t surprised. She had just finished breakfast and stepped onto the balcony with her phone, enjoying the breeze while taking the call.

Ying Tianhe was exasperated. “Tang Jing, you’re a double award-winning actress. Do you even remember how you made your name in this industry? You can’t throw it all away because of Sun Sijia.”

“I know,” Tang Jing replied, her gaze fixed on the artificial lake in the distance. Memories from years ago resurfaced back when she was just an extra, hopping from one set to another, until Ying Tianhe discovered her and signed her as an artist.

Thanks to Ying Tianhe’s sharp business acumen and Tang Jing’s relentless hard work, she climbed her way up from supporting roles to lead actress.

In many ways, Tang Jing owed her success to Ying Tianhe, just as Ying Tianhe’s reputation as a top-tier agent was cemented by Tang Jing’s achievements.

The original host of this body had doted on Sun Sijia and even poured resources into her career, all because she saw a reflection of her younger self in the other woman.

Tang Jing lowered her eyelids, masking the turbulence in her eyes. “I know my limits.”

Ying Tianhe scoffed. “Limits? I’ve told you a million times, yet you keep getting tangled up with her.”

Tang Jing smiled faintly. “We’re just friends.”

Ying Tianhe shot back, “Do you even believe that yourself?”

“Of course,” Tang Jing replied lightly. “Don’t worry, Ying-jie. My career is far from over, I won’t gamble it away.”

In the original storyline, the host had been ruined by Sun Sijia, not only losing her reputation but ultimately perishing in a fire.

At the thought, Tang Jing’s lips curled into a humorless smile as she glanced at the task feedback sent by the System.

Initially, she had followed the original plot, advancing the world’s progression and ensuring the scumbag protagonist’s regret reached the passing threshold. But just as she was about to complete the mission, the entire worldline collapsed, forcing her back to the starting point.

The root cause lay in the hidden task, the male lead’s resentment value.

Back then, eager to finish the mission quickly, she had adhered strictly to the original plot, enduring all kinds of abuse from the protagonist until she met a tragic end.

Now, seeing the male lead’s resentment value, everything suddenly made sense.

There was more than one way to make the scumbag protagonist regret. During her first mission, she had operated under the belief that showering the scumbag with affection and then dying a miserable death would evoke enough guilt to haunt them for life.

But now, staring at the hidden task, she realized the truth.

Loving others begins with loving yourself.

Tang Jing asked, “Xiao-6, at what point in the world progression can I act freely?”

During her last mission, she had been so focused on sticking to the script that she hadn’t paid attention to this detail.

Only now did she understand every piece of advice from her mentor was a golden rule in this line of work.

[66: Once world progression reaches 50%, the host may act freely, provided the character’s core traits remain unchanged.]

After obtaining the information she wanted, Tang Jing felt more confident.

The current world progress was only at 10%. She still had to continue pretending to pursue the scumbag love interest, maintaining the persona of someone clinging to them, until the world progress reached 50%. Only then could she completely break free from the constraints of the original plot.

The matter Sun Sijia had brought up that night revealed its purpose within just a couple of days.

When Tang Jing arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant and stepped inside, she immediately heard a familiar voice, causing her footsteps to falter for a moment.

Noticing the person at the entrance, Sun Sijia quickly waved her over.

Across from Sun Sijia, the person who had struck Tang Jing as familiar turned around. Upon seeing that face, Tang Jing momentarily forgot to breathe and murmured softly, “Senior?”

[66: Host, the target is calling you.]

Tang Jing quickly snapped back to reality. She reminded herself that she was still on the job and tried to keep her expression composed, avoiding letting her gaze linger on the woman.

Yet, whether it was the other’s figure or her face, Tang Jing couldn’t help but steal glances.

To Sun Sijia, however, this behavior looked like jealousy. She stood up hastily to explain, “Sister Tang, this is the senior I told you about Meng Xue. She took great care of me in high school.” Then, turning to Meng Xue, she added, “Senior, this is the Tang Jing, the renowned actress you’ve always mentioned.”

Meng Xue stood up and extended her hand with a smile. “Hello, Teacher Tang.”

Looking at that delicate, jade-like hand, Tang Jing should have coldly taken her seat and ignored the gesture. But she couldn’t resist grasping it.

The strength of her grip made Meng Xue wince slightly in pain.

Noticing this, Tang Jing loosened her hold but was still reluctant to let go. Whether it was the face or the figure, this woman was identical to her senior from the company.

The reason she had joined the Quick Transmigration Bureau in the first place was because of that senior.

But how was this possible? How could the scumbag love interest’s white moonlight senior look exactly like her senior?

“Sister Tang?” Seeing her holding onto her senior’s hand without moving for a long time, Sun Sijia frowned, feeling a pang of jealousy. The way Tang Jing looked at her senior gave her a sense of crisis.

And the source of her unease wasn’t the fear that Tang Jing might shift her affections, it was the worry that her senior might be the one to do so.

Tang Jing snapped out of it and withdrew her hand. “Let’s sit.”

A flicker of regret passed through Meng Xue’s eyes as she glanced at the hand that had just touched Tang Jing’s. When she looked up, she found the other woman staring right back at her, as if every subtle movement of hers had been noticed.

Meng Xue’s ears turned slightly red. Lowering her lashes to hide her shyness, she took a seat across from Tang Jing.

Naturally, Sun Sijia didn’t want to sit beside Tang Jing, nor did she want to sit directly across from her. The only remaining spot was next to her senior, so she happily settled there.

In the original story, Meng Xue had feelings for her. Remembering this, Tang Jing stole another glance at the woman.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft glow over her. Her skin was as fair and smooth as polished jade.

Recalling the feel of that hand in hers, Tang Jing felt an unfamiliar stirring. She crossed her legs tightly and asked with deliberate calm, “Sisi, what did you call me here for?”

When speaking to Sun Sijia, Tang Jing was always gentle and patient.

To anyone else, such treatment would have been flattering, but to Sun Sijia, it was nothing short of detestable.

Because her heart belonged to someone else, the better Tang Jing treated her, the more she resented it. She always felt that Tang Jing was restraining her, making it hard for her to breathe every moment.

If Tang Jing could hear her thoughts now, she would surely sneer in disdain clearly, it was Sun Sijia’s own greed that made her unwilling to let go of such a powerful ally.

Though Sun Sijia despised Tang Jing, she never showed it on her face. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, “Sister Tang, my senior just returned from abroad and has been free lately. I was thinking of bringing her along to join Diverse Life.” She paused there, leaving the rest unsaid.

The implication was obvious.

Tang Jing’s gaze shifted to Meng Xue.

Tang Jing had deep, penetrating eyes, and when she looked at someone, it felt as though she was gazing at a lover.

Meng Xue didn’t dare meet her eyes, but she could still feel that intense stare lingering on her, so palpable it made her skin flush with shyness.

From her face to her ears, then down to her neck, the blush spread beneath her collar.

Tang Jing asked, “Miss Meng, are you also in the industry?”

Suppressing her shyness, Meng Xue mustered the courage to look up. “I debuted in Korea as a member of the girl group MS1. This year, I’m planning to develop my career back home.”

“A girl group?” Tang Jing studied her.

Sun Sijia felt an inexplicable discomfort in the atmosphere between the two. She scooted closer to her senior and smiled at Tang Jing. “Sister Tang, could you help us out?”

Tang Jing had wanted to keep looking at that face identical to her senior’s but Sun Sijia’s sudden interruption irritated her, forcing her to refocus.

Tang Jing met her gaze. “When does the show start filming?”

Sun Sijia replied, “In five days.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Jing stood up. “I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.” After speaking, she glanced at Sun Sijia, then at Meng Xue. “You two enjoy your meal. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Of course, Sister Tang.” The moment she heard Tang Jing was leaving, Sun Sijia’s eyes lit up.

But she didn’t notice the reluctance in her senior’s eyes as Meng Xue watched the woman leave, only withdrawing her gaze when Tang Jing was completely out of sight.

Sun Sijia grinned. “Senior, you’ve always talked about Tang Jing. Now that you’ve finally met her, aren’t you happy?”

Meng Xue nodded with a faint smile, though her expression was distant and distracted.

For the rest of the meal, Sun Sijia chattered away while Meng Xue’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.

On the drive back, Tang Jing asked, “Little Six, what just happened? Why was Senior Shi here?”

[66: Host, please wait a moment. I’ll check for you.]

As she waited for the system’s response, Tang Jing recalled that face and those soft hands and felt a restless heat rise within her, her expression growing impatient.

[66: Host, I’ve confirmed that the supporting female character in this world, Meng Xue, is actually the Fast Travel Company’s top agent, Shi Wanqing.]

“Screech”

The car jerked to a stop on the roadside. Tang Jing’s face was filled with disbelief. “It’s really Senior Shi?!”

She wondered if she was hallucinating either now or back at the restaurant.

[66: Host, the Main God has just issued a directive. This solo fast-travel mission has been changed to a duo fast-travel mission.]

Tang Jing’s hands trembled on the steering wheel not from fear, but excitement. “You mean, I’ll be doing this fast-travel mission with Senior Shi?”

[66: Correct.] The voice remained flat.

But that didn’t dampen Tang Jing’s eager anticipation. Gripping the wheel, she immediately turned the car around to head back.

【System Reminder: Host, don’t forget the mission.】

The car, which had just turned a corner, swerved back onto the main road and returned to its original position.

Such odd behavior drew the attention of many passersby.

Tang Jing stepped on the accelerator and drove straight to the company instead of heading home.

She was supposed to attend the variety show with Senior Shi, no, now she should call her Meng Xue.

Support The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration]