The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

Meng Xue didn’t take long to pack her few belongings. As she stepped out of her room, the sound of a TV playing drifted up from the living room downstairs. Glancing down, she saw the woman sitting on the sofa, engrossed in the show.

The lively chatter from the TV, along with Sun Sijia’s familiar voice, told her that Diverse Lives was on.

“Teacher Tang,” Meng Xue called softly as she descended the stairs.

Tang Jing glanced her way.

“I’m heading to the supermarket to pick up a few things. Do you need anything?” Meng Xue asked cautiously.

When Sister Ying was around, the atmosphere hadn’t felt awkward, but now that she was gone, the tension was palpable.

Though Meng Xue was a fan of Tang Jing, her introverted and passive nature made sharing a space with her idol a little nerve-wracking.

“I’ll come with you,” Tang Jing said, rising from the sofa. She took a couple of steps before pausing and turning back toward the stairs. “Wait a second, I need to change.”

Meng Xue nodded. “Okay.”

She suspected that Tang Jing had momentarily forgotten she was still in her pajamas. The thought made her stifle a laugh, covering her mouth to keep quiet.

Who would’ve thought that in just a few interactions, she’d discover so many endearing quirks about Teacher Tang?

Stubborn yet soft-hearted, with occasional moments of adorable absentmindedness.

Little did Meng Xue know, Tang Jing hadn’t actually been absentminded, she’d just been so eager to go out with her that she’d momentarily overlooked her attire.

Not wanting to keep her waiting, Tang Jing quickly changed, grabbed a mask from the storage box, and pulled a hat from the closet.

Hearing movement upstairs, Meng Xue looked up to see Tang Jing fully geared up only her eyes visible beneath the hat and mask.

Yet even like this, she’d still stand out as the most dazzling person in a crowd.

Just as they were about to leave, Tang Jing stopped her.

Confused, Meng Xue turned back only for a white baseball cap to be plopped onto her head. It was the same style as Tang Jing’s, except hers was black.

Almost like matching couple hats…

Her heartbeat quickened. Afraid her thoughts might show, she adjusted the cap and ducked her head to hide her expression. When she looked up again, only a grateful smile remained. “Thank you, Teacher Tang.”

“Just grabbed it randomly. Let’s go.” Tang Jing brushed it off and stepped out first.

Meng Xue followed closely behind. Even if it was just a casual gesture, to her, it felt special even if that specialness was all in her head.

Walking ahead, Tang Jing silently clicked her tongue. Randomly grabbed? She’d actually picked through several options before settling on this black-and-white pair deliberately chosen to look like a set.

Too bad her little scheme went unnoticed.

Watching her exploit loopholes with such finesse, even System 66 couldn’t pinpoint any violations. In the end, all it could do was pull a popular internet phrase from its database.

[66: 66666]

System 66 spamming 66666 was nothing short of hilarious.

Tang Jing smirked.

During her first mission, she’d been so slow on the uptake that she’d been tormented by the scummy shou from start to finish, truly a frustrating experience.

Now starting over, she discovered another strategic approach, and with her beloved Senior Shi also involved, how could Tang Jing possibly take that same frustrating path again?

Moreover, she couldn’t let herself live so miserably otherwise, how could she pursue Senior Shi?

Entering the mall, though both wore hats and masks that obscured their faces, their tall, slender figures and the distinct aura and poise that set them apart from ordinary people drew many eyes.

Meng Xue wasn’t afraid of being recognized herself, she was more worried about fans spotting Teacher Tang.

Yet the latter seemed completely unconcerned, moving calmly through the various sections with the ease of someone who shopped frequently.

When the crowd thinned, Meng Xue stepped closer and asked softly, “Teacher Tang, do you usually go shopping like this?”

“Occasionally, to buy groceries.”

Meng Xue blinked. “Teacher Tang can cook?”

Tang Jing glanced at her. “Is that so surprising?”

With their hats and masks covering their faces, her deep eyes seemed even more striking, pulling people in effortlessly. Meng Xue realized she was staring, her ears turning red as she quickly averted her gaze, her lashes fluttering. “It’s just the first time I’ve heard about it.”

Her shy demeanor made Tang Jing’s heart itch, she wanted to tease those long lashes, to press her fingers against those burning ears.

Tang Jing swallowed hard, forcing herself to look away as she pushed the shopping cart. “I’ll cook for you at noon. Let’s go buy some meat now.”

“Okay.” Meng Xue hurried to keep up.

Only then did she notice that Teacher Tang was a full head taller than her, her smooth, wavy hair swaying gently with each step, making Meng Xue want to twine those strands around her fingers, to tousle and dampen them.

At lunch, with Tang Jing at the stove, Meng Xue realized Teacher Tang hadn’t been boasting, she really could cook, and it was delicious.

In the afternoon, the two sat in the living room watching Diverse Lives, preparing for the upcoming two months of filming.

As they watched the variety show, they frequently discussed it, treating it less like entertainment and more like an academic video.

To prepare for the next day’s recording, they went to bed early that night.

The following morning, the sunlight was bright, and the breeze was refreshing.

Office workers and students bustled about their routines.

And today was also the premiere of Diverse Lives Season 3.

Thanks to the overwhelming praise of the first two seasons, the director had revamped the format for the third, combining live broadcasts with edited clips to offer viewers a fresh experience.

The moment the show went live, the stream was flooded with viewers.

[Ahhhh I’m here for Tang Tang!]

[First time seeing Tang the Movie Queen on a variety show, so excited!]

[I can’t wait for the drama, Tang the Movie Queen, Sun Sijia, plus the senior student.]

[Little Snow, welcome home!]

Meng Xue had many fans back home even while she was abroad. They were used to seeing her on variety shows in H Country, but this was her first time filming one back in her homeland.

And this time, she wasn’t leaving, she was staying to develop her career domestically.

For Meng Xue’s fans, this was beyond thrilling.

As soon as the show began, the livestream’s popularity soared to the platform’s front page, drawing in more and more viewers.

At the moment, the crew was heading to the home of Luo Dong, a regular cast member affectionately dubbed “Big Brother” by the audience.

This year, he was only 35, but the mature charm he exuded made him seem incredibly steady and reassuring. No matter what happened, he remained calm and composed, which earned him this reputation among everyone.

Luo Dong debuted as a singer and had released several albums. His songs were once hailed as the year’s most acclaimed tracks.

When the production crew knocked on his door, Luo Dong was already awake and invited them in.

His fans watched with delight as he packed his suitcase methodically truly the epitome of a dependable family man.

Soon after, the camera team from the production crew headed to the homes of the other guests.

[When will we get to see Actress Tang?]

[I really want to see if Actress Tang is just as serious in private.]

In the public eye, Tang Jing was always seen as a stern and serious actress. At events, she wore an expression so rigid it made her seem unapproachable.

The only thing netizens loved to gossip about was her rumored relationship with Sun Sijia.

[I’m so scared Sun Sijia will show up at Actress Tang’s place.]

[Same. These two have been linked in rumors for five years now.]

[I don’t think that’ll happen.]

[Update! I just came from next door, the crew went to Sun Sijia’s place. She lives alone and isn’t staying at Tang Tang’s house.]

Soon, another scene appeared on the screen.

By now, the audience had seen all the other guests, only Actress Tang and Meng Xue remained.

So, was this newly opened feed showing Actress Tang or Meng Xue?

The crew knocked on the door, and after two minutes, it opened to reveal Meng Xue smiling. “Hello, everyone. Please come in.”

The cameraman’s hand trembled slightly, his eyes filled with confusion. Hadn’t the director said this was Actress Tang’s residence? Why was Meng Xue answering the door?

But the cameraman was a professional. No matter how puzzled he was, he kept the camera steady.

Meanwhile, the live audience remained unaware of this mix-up.

[Ahhh, it’s Meng Xue!]

[Meng Xue’s villa is huge!]

[Is Meng Xue making breakfast?]

At that moment, Meng Xue was wearing an apron and holding a spatula. After opening the door, she quickly said, “Make yourselves at home. I need to check on the eggs.”

“Of course, Ms. Meng,” the cameraman’s assistant replied with a smile.

Once the crew entered, the camera panned around the house.

[Wait… is that a painting of Actress Tang on the wall?]

[It definitely is.]

[So… Meng Xue has a portrait of Actress Tang in her home?]

Click.

A soft sound of a door opening came from upstairs. The cameraman had been about to head to the kitchen to film Meng Xue cooking breakfast, but at the noise, he paused and looked up.

When he saw who was on the second floor, he immediately swung the camera upward.

The audience, who had been waiting for the cameraman to head to the kitchen, was instead met with a stunning, makeup-free face filling the screen.

[AHHHHHH!]

[Mom, what kind of celestial beauty is this?!]

[Ahhhh, so gorgeous! Is Actress Tang bare-faced right now?]

[Say what you will, but Actress Tang’s face is truly breathtaking.]

Still groggy from sleep, Tang Jing stood frozen in the hallway for several seconds before finally making her way toward the stairs. As she descended, she casually glanced down, only to lock eyes with the crew below.

The air went still.

The audience watched as the previously languid Actress Tang suddenly straightened her posture, turned on her heel, marched back upstairs, and slammed her bedroom door shut with a loud bang.

[…HAHAHAHAHA!]

[“Hahahaha oh my god, why is this so funny!”

“Did the queen of cinema just wake up dazed? Did anyone screenshot the way she looked at the camera just now? Ugh, what do I do, why does she look kinda adorable?”Does Tang have this much of a gap moe in private?””]

Meng Xue came out carrying breakfast and met the gaze of the crew, asking in confusion, “What’s going on?”

The staff members stifled their laughter, but the cameraman had it the worst, he couldn’t laugh, or the shot would shake.

Meng Xue frowned slightly in puzzlement, just as the upstairs door opened. She called out, “Teacher Tang, breakfast is ready.”

Tang Jing, now changed into fresh clothes, gave a slight nod and replied, “Mm.”

Yet the live-stream audience only laughed even harder at the sight of her.

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