The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Since its premiere, Diverse Lives has received widespread acclaim and attracted a broad audience.

This variety show falls under the lifestyle genre, much like other programs of its kind, offering a soothing and leisurely glimpse into rural living.

However, Diverse Lives sets itself apart with one key difference: there’s no script.

Aside from occasional prompts from the production team to guide the flow, the rest is left entirely to the guests’ improvisation, allowing viewers to see a more unfiltered side of celebrities.

Faking it for a day or two might be manageable, but over ten days or even half a month, cracks are bound to show.

Moreover, the show is filmed over two months, employing a hybrid of live and recorded broadcasts to ensure audiences don’t miss any crucial moments.

Participants aren’t allowed to bring assistants everything must be done by their own hands.

Meng Xue, the recently returned leader of a girl group, was signed by Ying Tianhe, the top-tier agent at Jingcheng Entertainment.

The news left many media companies in the industry disappointed, no matter how high they bid, they couldn’t compete with the prestige of a top agent.

After all, Ying Tianhe had once groomed a dual-award-winning actress.

Not long after, news broke that Tang Jing, the very same dual-award-winning actress, would be joining Diverse Lives.

Both Tang Jing’s fans and netizens were stunned.

Meanwhile, Sun Sijia’s fans took to the comments:

[Our Jiajia stands alone, please stay away, Tang Jing.]
[Why is Tang Jing sticking to Jiajia like glue? Can’t she just leave her alone?]
[Must be nice having clout bullying a rising star like our Jiajia.]

Tang Jing’s fans weren’t about to stay silent either, quickly rallying to defend their idol:

[Did your family buy Diverse Lives? Our Tang Tang can join if she wants.]
[Exactly. If I recall correctly, your fave only got into this show in the first place because of our Tang Tang’s influence.]
[Some people have barely any work to their name, yet their audacity knows no bounds.]

The feud between Tang Jing and Sun Sijia’s fans raged online.

Then, Diverse Lives officially announced its lineup, set to begin filming in two days.

With Tang Jing and Sun Sijia still trending, the director knew that pairing them together would generate buzz even before the show aired.

In the announced list, Tang Jing took the top spot her status spoke for itself.

Next to her was a veteran singer, followed by the rest of the returning cast, identical to the previous season’s lineup. But at the very end, a new name was added.

[Meng Xue!]
[Tang Jing and Meng Xue share the same agent, right? Could this be the agent’s doing?]

Ying Tianhe scoffed at the comment. “I’m just a hired hand since when could I boss her around?”

[OMG, Meng Xue is Sun Sijia’s senior!]
[Holy crap, it really is her.]

Though Meng Xue had been active in Korea, her singing and dancing videos had long been popular among young audiences back home.

This all traced back to a few days prior, when Sun Sijia posted a selfie. In the photo, alongside her, was another person wearing a hat, only the jawline and elegant collarbone visible.

And right above the collarbone was a small red mole, positioned in such a way that it was impossible not to notice.

At the time, fans were buzzing with speculation about who this person could be. Sun Sijia replied that it was her senior from school.

Everyone assumed this senior was an outsider to the entertainment industry, so they didn’t dig deeper.

But now, with the release of the guest list for the show, some of Meng Xue’s fans, worried that their idol might be mistreated on the program, decided to check out the social media accounts of the other participants.

Coincidentally, they stumbled upon the post Sun Sijia had shared.

Meng Xue’s fans were no casual observers they recognized their idol instantly, even without seeing her face.

And now…

[What kind of battlefield is this?! Ahhh, I can already tell this season is going to be wild.]

[First, there’s Tang the award-winning actress, then Sun Sijia, and now this senior…]

[And this senior shares the same manager as Tang! During the show, Tang will definitely have to look out for her junior.]

[Wait, isn’t Tang closest to Sun Sijia?]

[The manager probably won’t allow that, especially after the recent scandal.]

[The manager probably sent Tang and her junior together for exposure and to avoid rumors.]

[Whatever the reason, I’m already hyped.]

[Ahhhh, production team, I’m begging you, hurry up!]

The first segment of the show involved visiting the celebrities’ homes, filming them packing their suitcases before departure, all to emphasize one word: authenticity.

Of course, it also built anticipation among the audience.

Meng Xue had just returned from abroad and was still staying in a hotel. When Ying Tianhe heard this, she hesitated for a moment before decisively arranging for her to move into Tang Jing’s villa.

The original owner of the body disliked having others live in her home, but Tang Jing was more than happy to have Meng Xue stay.

Still, to avoid breaking character, she had to stand coldly at the doorway, blocking their path without any intention of moving aside.

Ying Tianhe said, “I know you don’t like living with others, but once the show starts, the director will assign you to share a room maybe even a bed with someone. What, are you going to throw a diva tantrum then?”

“Not during work.”

Ying Tianhe continued, “Xue is still in a hotel, and it’s inconvenient for filming. Staying with you is perfect, you two together will make things easier for the production team.”

Tang Jing was considerate by nature, and hearing this, she began to waver.

Got you. I know exactly how to handle you.

But Ying Tianhe had another motive for pushing Meng Xue to stay with Tang Jing to create a smokescreen in the eyes of the public, tying their two artists together. As for Sun Sijia? She could go sit in the corner where she belonged.

She’d rather have Tang Jing and Meng Xue fuel dating rumors than let that greedy, fame-hungry Sun Sijia benefit in any way.

Even if Tang Jing hadn’t planned to bring Meng Xue along, Ying Tianhe would have forced her onto the show.

Sensing the tension, Meng Xue nervously gripped her suitcase and said, “Ying-jie, maybe I should just stay in the company dorm.”

The agency provided dorms for its artists, though some preferred to buy their own places.

Ying Tianhe shook her head. “Your dorm was just assigned, and it’s not ready yet. Filming starts tomorrow, there’s no time to clean it up now.”

Tang Jing’s last bit of hesitation vanished as she turned to walk back inside. “Come in.”

Ying Tianhe smiled and whispered to Meng Xue, “She’s all tough talk, but her heart is soft. Just wear her down a little.”

Meng Xue nodded obediently, watching the woman’s retreating figure. The dimples in her cheeks reappeared as she thought how utterly adorable the woman was.

Tang Jing pushed open the door to the guest room next to the master bedroom. “You can stay here.”

Ying Tianhe glanced down the hallway and said curiously, “I remember the guest room I stayed in last time was even bigger. Why not let Xue stay there?”

Why else? It was precisely because she wanted to be closer to her. If not for the rules, she would have even let her stay in the master bedroom.

But for now, the two of them weren’t that familiar. In the original story, they were even rivals in love.

“That room hasn’t been cleaned yet. If you want to stay there, clean it yourselves.” With that, she headed downstairs.

Ying Tianhe actually rolled up her sleeves, ready to clean the room.

Meng Xue quickly pulled her back. “Sister Ying, this room is just fine. I really like it.”

The key was that this room was right next to Tang Jing’s, separated only by a single wall. At night, lying in bed and thinking that the person she longed for was just next door, Meng Xue’s heartbeat would gradually quicken.

Ying Tianhe treated her like a daughter and always worried the room was too small, afraid she’d feel slighted. “Are you sure you don’t want to switch?”

After all, the guest room down the hallway was bigger, with a larger bed.

Meng Xue shook her head.

Seeing her insistence on staying here, Ying Tianhe had no choice but to relent. “Go ahead and put your luggage inside. I’ll go downstairs to talk with Jing about something.”

“Okay, Sister Ying.”

Tang Jing poured herself a glass of water in the kitchen. Before she could take more than a couple of sips, Ying Tianhe appeared at the doorway. “Help yourself if you want water.”

With people she was familiar with, Tang Jing never stood on ceremony.

Especially since Ying Tianhe had stayed at her place several times she probably knew where things were better than Tang Jing herself.

“I’m not here for water. I came to talk to you about Meng Xue.”

Tang Jing looked at her.

Ying Tianhe said, “Meng Xue just returned to the country and isn’t used to the environment here yet. When you get to the show, you’ll need to look out for her. She’s five years younger than you, you’re practically her big sister.”

Tang Jing responded with a faint “Mm.”

Seeing her attitude, Ying Tianhe grew uneasy and pressed on, “Don’t let her wander off alone. She doesn’t know her way around, what if she gets lost? And pay attention to her diet, and some of the things she might say on the show.”

“Sister Ying,” Tang Jing had to interrupt her, “She’s twenty-two, not two.”

“Even if she were thirty or forty, I’d still want you to watch over her,” Ying Tianhe insisted firmly.

Tang Jing stared at her.

Ying Tianhe felt a little unnerved under her gaze and frowned. “What’s with that look?”

Tang Jing said, “Sister Ying, I suspect what you just said sounded like a mother-in-law telling her son to treat his wife well.”

Ying Tianhe snorted. “If only that were the case then you wouldn’t keep getting tangled up with that Sun Sijia.”

The smile vanished from Tang Jing’s lips. She lowered her gaze, her expression suddenly desolate.

Ying Tianhe couldn’t bear to see her like this and relented. “Alright, alright, I won’t mention her anymore, okay? Just promise you’ll take care of Meng Xue for me when you’re on the show.”

Tang Jing responded with a subdued “Mm.”

Ying Tianhe felt a pang of sympathy and patted her shoulder in silent comfort before leaving.

Once she was gone, Tang Jing’s despondent expression vanished instantly. She turned to Xiao Liu and said, “When I marry Meng Xue in the future, Sister Ying must sit at the head table.”

[66: …] Host, you sure know how to arrange the plot.

Over at Meng Xue’s side, Ying Tianhe also gave a few instructions, mainly telling her to stick close to Tang Jing after entering the program and never let her be alone with Sun Sijia.

“Xiao Xue, Sun Sijia is your junior, right?” Ying Tianhe said. “Consider this a favor to me, no matter what, stay with Xiao Jing and don’t let her go looking for your junior.”

Though she had only recently returned to the country, Meng Xue was still aware of some gossip in the domestic entertainment industry. She nodded. “I understand, Sister Ying.”

Ying Tianhe smiled and patted her on the back. “I trust you.”

“Alright, I have things to attend to, so I’ll head out now. If you need anything, go to Xiao Jing. Don’t hesitate to bother her. Remember what she told you earlier persist a little, and even the iciest block will melt for you.”

Comparing the award-winning actress Tang to an icy block made Meng Xue laugh. She nodded, her dimples showing. “Got it, Sister Ying.”

After Ying Tianhe left, only Tang Jing and Meng Xue remained in the villa.

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