The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 42

Tang Jing didn’t notice that Meng Xue was quietly observing her from the side, her eyes brimming with amusement. But whenever someone glanced over, she quickly concealed that flicker of delight.

After one scene wrapped up, there was a half-hour break, allowing the fire inside Tang Jing to gradually subside.

Though she was no longer under the system’s control free to pursue Meng Xue, she feared coming on too strong might scare her senior.

After all, Meng Xue was a gold-ranked quick-transmigration agent, while she was just a rookie who had recently joined the company.

Chasing after a senior without any achievements to her name would make her seem overly infatuated to outsiders. Those in the know would accuse her of reaching above her station, while the cruder ones might call her delusional, dreaming too big for her own good.

More importantly, she wanted to leave a good impression on her senior.

Because, just like her, Meng Xue had free will.

Lost in these thoughts, she scratched her nose with her index finger and glanced at the woman beside her through the mirror only to find the latter already looking back. Their eyes met, and Meng Xue’s brows curved slightly, a trace of mischief flashing in her gaze.

Tang Jing hurriedly averted her eyes. Was it her imagination, or had her senior just teased her?

Her heart pounded wildly as she nervously pressed a hand to her chest, not daring to let her gaze wander again.

Watching Tang Jing’s composed yet flustered little movements, Meng Xue couldn’t help but smile.

“Ms. Meng?”

“Hmm?” Meng Xue’s playful expression instantly shifted into one of gentle grace as she turned to the makeup artist.

The makeup artist asked for her opinion, and Meng Xue nodded in approval, as if nothing had happened just moments ago.

While the shared makeup room was harmonious, the solo one was anything but.

Qiao Xiaorou, relying on her father’s status as an investor, had demanded a private makeup room for herself.

She had originally hoped to invite Tang Jing over, but today during filming, not only had Tang Jing “bullied” her, she’d also been so intimate with that other woman.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, lashing out at her assistant and the makeup artist.

Everyone seethed in silence, not daring to speak up. The assistant’s eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.

“What are you crying for? Mourning someone? Cry again and get out!”

The assistant immediately froze, forcing back her tears.

Seeing the assistant’s timid demeanor only deepened Qiao Xiaorou’s disdain. Her thoughts drifted to the gentle and soft-spoken Meng Xue, someone who would surely be easy to bully. The idea made her narrow her eyes, and a pleased smile curled her lips as she plotted something.

Meng Xue finished her makeup and stepped out of the room, only to run into Qiao Xiaorou’s assistant. The woman wore a stern expression as she said, “Miss Meng, Ms. Qiao would like to see you.”

Meng Xue asked, “May I ask what it’s about?”

The assistant pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.

Meng Xue continued smiling. “Please lead the way.”

The assistant shot her a quick glance before hastily guiding her to Qiao Xiaorou’s makeup room.

When the door opened, Qiao Xiaorou spotted Meng Xue behind her assistant and smirked, addressing the makeup artist and assistant, “You two, get out.”

The makeup artist and assistant exchanged a look, casting a sympathetic glance at Meng Xue before leaving one after the other.

Once the door closed, Qiao Xiaorou’s expression turned cold and haughty as she scrutinized the woman before her. The longer she looked, the darker her face became.

Just because, upon closer inspection, this woman was even more outstanding, she had initially wanted to find some faults.

“Miss Qiao, is there something you need?” Meng Xue broke the silence, her tone calm and unhurried.

Qiao Xiaorou stood up and walked toward her, circling her with a scrutinizing gaze before clicking her tongue. “Miss Meng, you really have some impressive tricks up your sleeve.”

Since she couldn’t find any flaws in her appearance, she decided to target something else.

Meng Xue’s expression remained unchanged as she asked, “How so?”

“Returning to the country and immediately seeking a collaboration with Sister Tang, wouldn’t you call that a clever move?” Qiao Xiaorou stopped right in front of her.

Since there were only the two of them in the room at the moment, Meng Xue didn’t feel the need to strictly adhere to the original character’s persona. She smiled, though the warmth didn’t reach her eyes. “Since when do you call her ‘Sister Tang’?”

“W-what?” Qiao Xiaorou was taken aback, not expecting those to be the first words out of the other woman’s mouth.

And when her gaze met Meng Xue’s eyes, for some reason, she shuddered involuntarily.

Those eyes were cold, completely unlike the gentle demeanor she presented on the surface. The aura around her was so overpowering that, for a brief moment, it felt suffocating.

Meng Xue didn’t waste any more words on her, staring straight at her. “Qiao Xiaorou, whatever tricks you have left, feel free to use them.”

The sharp click of the door closing snapped Qiao Xiaorou out of her thoughts. Only then did she realize that the woman had already left, she was the only one left in the dressing room.

She never would have imagined that what was supposed to be a confrontation to threaten the other woman had backfired, leaving her the one being threatened instead.

Recalling Meng Xue’s words, Qiao Xiaorou angrily kicked over a nearby stool, gritting her teeth. “Meng Xue.”

Once outside the dressing room, all the sharp edges in Meng Xue’s demeanor vanished, replaced once more by her gentle, serene presence.

Tang Jing, who hadn’t seen Meng Xue, had been anxiously searching for her. When she finally spotted her, she let out a relieved sigh, her expression shifting to one of calm composure as she walked over. “What are you doing here?”

This was Qiao Xiaorou’s private dressing room. Though Tang Jing had never been inside, she recognized it because Qiao Xiaorou had invited her earlier.

“It’s nothing,” Meng Xue replied with a smile. “Has Director Zhao started yet?”

Tang Jing nodded. “Let’s go.”

Before leaving, Tang Jing glanced back at the closed door of Qiao Xiaorou’s dressing room, her eyes narrowing slightly.

No matter what had happened inside or whether Meng Xue had been bullied, she would make sure Qiao Xiaorou paid the price.

They filmed two more scenes in the afternoon, wrapping up while it was still early.

Director Zhao invited everyone to a celebratory dinner at a hotel, he had reserved a private room for the occasion.

The announcement was met with cheers from the crew.

Tang Jing and Meng Xue returned to their dressing rooms to remove their makeup before heading to the hotel together.

By the time they arrived, the crew and other main cast members had already gathered.

Tang Jing and Meng Xue sat together, chatting quietly when Qiao Xiaorou finally made her entrance.

Her arrival instantly shifted the atmosphere in the room, making it palpably tense.

No one had forgotten the scene from the first shoot earlier that day.

But Qiao Xiaorou paid no mind. The moment she stepped into the room, her eyes sought out Tang Jing. When she saw “Sister Tang” sitting next to Meng Xue, she stormed over with purpose.

The room, already watching her closely, collectively held their breath, it was clear she was about to stir up trouble again.

Sure enough.

Qiao Xiaorou stopped behind Tang Jing and Meng Xue, glaring down at the latter. “Move. This is my seat.”

The room was too crowded, and Meng Xue didn’t want to cause trouble. Just as she was about to stand up, Tang Jing pressed a hand on her shoulder, not even glancing at Qiao Xiaorou behind her, and said to Meng Xue, “Stay seated.”

The tension in the air was so thick that the people around them hardly dared to breathe.

Qiao Xiaorou hadn’t expected Sister Tang to side with this woman. Her eyes reddened with grievance as she called out, “Sister Tang.”

Unfortunately, Tang Jing didn’t even look at her.

Finally, Qiao Xiaorou turned her gaze to the other side of Tang Jing, where the female lead was sitting.

Noticing Qiao Xiaorou’s stare, the actress immediately stood up and moved to another empty seat.

Though she would have loved to sit beside the renowned Tang Jing, this Qiao Xiaorou was not someone to provoke lightly. With a long filming schedule ahead, she wasn’t in a hurry to chat with Tang Jing right now.

Qiao Xiaorou, satisfied with her compliance, sat down smugly. “At least someone knows their place.”

It was unclear whether the remark was aimed at Meng Xue, but the female lead certainly didn’t take it as a compliment. She rolled her eyes discreetly, thinking this woman was downright insufferable.

Soon, Director Zhao arrived. Surprised by the unnatural silence in the private room, he chuckled and said, “What’s everyone doing? Don’t be so tense eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves.”

As he approached the main table, the atmosphere grew even more awkward. His eyes first landed on Qiao Xiaorou, then swept over the others.

He knew the investor’s daughter was a troublemaker, and if anyone could turn a lively gathering into a funeral, it was this young lady.

His only hope now was that she wouldn’t offend Tang Jing otherwise, things would get messy later.

Once everyone had arrived, the waiters began serving the dishes.

About ten minutes into the meal, people started raising their glasses to toast.

And the one receiving the most toasts was Tang Jing.

Her alcohol tolerance was poor. Though she only took a sip each time, after over a dozen toasts, she had already downed a small glass.

Qiao Xiaorou, for reasons unknown, kept pressing drinks on her as well.

Tang Jing could have easily refused, but for some reason, she glanced at Meng Xue beside her and reconsidered.

Meng Xue, oblivious to all this, also found herself being toasted. She responded with polite smiles and returned the gestures.

Unlike Tang Jing, she couldn’t get away with just a sip, no one would let her off so easily.

After all, she was still a newcomer in the industry, and showing sincerity was expected when accepting toasts.

One glass, two glasses, three glasses down yet her expression remained unchanged.

People soon noticed she wasn’t even tipsy after so many drinks and were astonished.

“Teacher Meng, you can really hold your liquor!” one guest exclaimed after toasting her.

Meng Xue smiled modestly. “I manage.”

“Not just manage, you’re a pro.”

They had assumed someone as composed as Tang Jing would be the heavyweight drinker, while someone as gentle as Meng Xue would be a lightweight.

But the reality was the exact opposite.

Tang Jing, after just one glass, was already drunk.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her gaze unfocused, and her brows slightly furrowed, clearly not feeling well.

Seeing this, Qiao Xiaorou’s heart leaped with delight. Seizing the opportunity, she tried to lean closer, only for Tang Jing to slump toward Meng Xue instead.

“Teacher Tang?” Meng Xue quickly steadied her with a hand on her back.

“Let’s go,” Tang Jing murmured, shaking her head as she struggled to gather her senses.

“Oh. Of course.” Meng Xue helped her up, excused them to Director Zhao, and guided her out of the room.

Seeing Tang Jing about to leave, Qiao Xiaorou panicked. She had worked so hard to create this opportunity, how could she let that bitch Meng Xue succeed?

Without hesitation, she chased after them.

The place was crowded with people coming and going. Meng Xue placed a baseball cap on Tang Jing’s head, pulling the brim low to cover most of her face.

Holding one arm draped over her shoulder and supporting the woman’s waist with her other hand, she slowly guided her out.

Just then, Qiao Xiaorou caught up and grabbed Tang Jing’s other arm, insisting, “She can’t leave.”

Meng Xue frowned at her. “Miss Qiao, let go.”

“No, Sister Tang is mine.” Qiao Xiaorou stubbornly tried to take Tang Jing from her.

Unexpectedly, Tang Jing shook off her grip, turned, and slightly bent down to wrap her arms around Meng Xue, burying her face against her shoulder. Her voice, muffled and slightly drunk, carried a lazy, almost coquettish tone.

“Xiaoxue, let’s go back.”

Meng Xue’s heart skipped a beat, her pupils unconsciously contracting as she looked down in slight surprise at the woman clinging to her like a big, affectionate dog.

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