The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 7

To create distance from Sun Sijia without altering the original plot required setting up numerous conditions.

The first was the confession a few days ago, which had been rejected. As someone who had won many awards in the industry, she naturally had her own pride. Running into the other person again, she wouldn’t forgive them so quickly, there might even be a cold war.

The second condition was Sun Sijia’s beloved senior, her “white moonlight.” Since she was the white moonlight, Sun would undoubtedly want to give her the best of everything, including the good resources she had previously received.

The third, of course, was that this senior had also signed under Sister Ying. In the show, Sun’s behavior of looking after Meng Xue would appear to outsiders as nothing more than taking care of a fellow artist from the same company.

The two beside her were chatting, while Tang Jing rested with her eyes closed.

When the car stopped, they had arrived at their destination.

“Ms. Tang.” Meng Xue turned her head and saw that she was sleeping soundly, hesitating to disturb her. But since they were live-streaming, leaving her like this would easily attract haters.

She called out softly, but there was no response. Finally, she had no choice but to gently nudge Tang’s shoulder. “Ms. Tang.”

“Hmm?” Tang Jing opened her eyes, her gaze dazed, making Meng Xue’s heart skip a beat, she was utterly bewitched by that look.

“Are we here?” Tang’s voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up.

“Yes.” Meng Xue snapped out of it and stood up. “Ms. Tang, let’s get off the car.”

“Mm.” Tang followed her out.

[Why does Tang Jing look so docile just after waking up? Is it just me?]

[She’s just following Meng Xue, even after getting off the car still trailing behind her, lol.]

Meng Xue hadn’t expected Ms. Tang to follow her. Given Tang’s status as the highest-profile guest on set, she should have been standing in the center. The director had been gesturing for a while, but someone was still half-asleep.

Meng Xue had no choice but to lean in and whisper, “Ms. Tang, your spot is in the middle.”

Tang Jing was doing it on purpose, but with everyone’s eyes on her and the director still gesturing, she finally had to walk over.

Once everyone was in position, the director, standing off-camera with a microphone, announced, “Welcome, everyone, to Diverse Life.”

The group applauded.

The director continued, “For the next two months, we’ll be living Diverse Life together. Are you all ready?”

“We’re ready!” the guests cheered.

“Since everyone’s prepared, let’s begin today’s first segment.”

“House selection!” Sun Sijia raised her hand and blurted out.

As a regular on the show, everyone knew the routine.

“Correct.” The director smiled. “Same rules as always, six people divided into three groups. Each group will be assigned housing based on the points you earn.”

Luo Dong and Jian Anping raised their hands. “Director, we don’t need to draw lots, right?”

There were six participants this time, four women and two men. Since they couldn’t room together, the two men naturally formed one group.

“You two are Group A.”

The four women would draw lots to split into Group B and Group C.

Sun Sijia’s gaze remained fixed on Meng Xue, her face practically screaming how much she wanted to be grouped with her senior.

The other female regular, Tian Qi, was also staring intently at Meng Xue.

From the interactions in the past two seasons, it was clear what kind of person Sun Sijia was, which was why she’d rather live with a stranger than share a room with her.

Compared to the actress Tang Jing, living with Meng Xue was far more convenient.

After all, Tang Jing was surrounded by too much controversy. While sharing a room with her would bring high exposure, the risk of attracting backlash was equally high. The slightest stir could be endlessly magnified by netizens, leaving no room for freedom.

Staying vigilant about one’s words and actions for a day or two was manageable, but this show was filming for two months and it was live-streamed. It would truly be like walking on the edge of a knife.

The four of them drew lots from a box.

Sun Sijia clutched her slip of paper and sidled up to Meng Xue, whispering, “Senior, what letter did you get?”

Meng Xue unfolded her slip to show her.

Seeing that their letters didn’t match, Sun Sijia’s disappointment was palpable. She glanced toward Tang Jing before decisively walking over.

Tang Jing stood lazily, having already checked her slip and paid it no further mind.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone approaching. She turned slightly and, upon recognizing who it was, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

[What’s Sun Sijia up to now?]

[Is she seriously going to take the initiative to room with Tang Jing?]

[Ugh, this little green tea.]

“Sister Tang,” Sun Sijia said, putting on her usual pitiful expression as she bit her lower lip, hesitating as if waiting for the other to speak first.

Over the past five years, she had grown accustomed to the other’s proactive nature, which was why, even now when she wanted to switch room assignments, she still expected Tang Jing to make the first move.

True to form, Tang Jing spoke first. “What is it?”

Her voice was cold, devoid of its former gentleness.

Sun Sijia wasn’t used to it. She figured Tang Jing must still be upset after being rejected last time. She reached out to tug at Tang Jing’s sleeve coquettishly, but before she could make contact, Tang Jing took a step back, putting distance between them.

Sun Sijia’s expression froze.

“What are you two talking about?” Meng Xue walked over. Glancing down at Tang Jing’s slip, her eyes curved into a smile. “Teacher Tang, we have the same letter.”

Both of them had drawn “B,” meaning they were in Group B. That left only Group C, Sun Sijia and Tian Qi.

The moment Tian Qi heard she’d be paired with Sun Sijia, her face fell.

Sun Sijia had two faces, one for the cameras and another in private. Tian Qi genuinely didn’t want to be stuck with such a two-faced person.

But the lots had been drawn, and there was nothing she could do about it.

The director announced, “Now that the groups are decided, we’ll move on to a game challenge. The team with the highest score gets to pick their preferred house first.”

Sun Sijia raised her hand. “Director, can we see the houses first?”

“Of course.”

If she couldn’t room with her senior, then at least she could live nearby.

The first house they visited was a two-story building, the only one of its kind in the village with clean, well-maintained interiors.

Next, they went to the second house: a single-story home with a small courtyard featuring a large banyan tree and a vegetable garden at the back.

Comparing the two, it was obvious which was better. For city dwellers like them, the second house felt a bit too rustic.

But when they saw the third house, everyone was stunned.

Because this was just a thatched cottage, it had a kitchen and a shower, but it was simply too small.

“How can anyone live here?” Sun Sijia hesitated to step inside, finding the interior too dim.

Looking at the others, Tian Qi and Luo Dong also frowned.

Sun Sijia’s gaze finally settled on Tang Jing. She thought the lofty and esteemed actress Tang would surely despise such conditions, but she was wrong, Tang Jing showed no disdain for the environment at all.

Though Meng Xue had spent several years abroad, she hadn’t missed any of Tang Jing’s past interviews or behind-the-scenes footage from her shoots.

“Teacher Tang, how does this compare to where you stayed while filming Blood Umbrella two years ago?” Meng Xue sidled up to her and asked.

Tang Jing was taken aback by the question. “How did you know that?”

The live-stream audience was equally stunned.

[What does Meng Xue mean by that?]

[I know that movie, the setting was all desolate locations.]

[I vaguely remember the crew releasing some behind-the-scenes clips, but it’s been so long I forgot.]

[Could Meng Xue have seen it in those clips too?]

Meng Xue tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, slightly embarrassed. “I’ve watched all of Teacher Tang’s works, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.”

[Wow, seriously? How many times must she have watched them to remember such details?]

[I recall in those clips, the shot of Tang Jing’s living quarters was just a brief glimpse.]

[So Meng Xue must’ve watched them over and over?]
[Meng Xue is totally a devoted fan!]

Tang Jing studied her for a long moment before answering her earlier question. “Compared to that, this place is already quite good.”

After all, the scenery here was pleasant, and the environment was beautiful.

Back when Blood Umbrella was being filmed, the entire crew had stayed in a village not far from the desert, covered in yellow sand, where opening your mouth meant swallowing a mouthful of grit.

Not to mention the severe scarcity of water.

Hearing her senior’s words to Tang Jing, Sun Sijia frowned, wondering when her senior had become so attentive to Tang Jing. Was it Ying Tianhe’s doing?

The thought of Ying Tianhe reminded her of her agent’s warning that the woman was cunning. Maybe her senior had memorized all this precisely because of Ying Tianhe’s influence.

At that, Sun Sijia curled her lip in disdain for Ying Tianhe’s petty tricks.

At the same time, she felt sorry for her senior, who clearly didn’t like Tang Jing but had to play the role of an adoring fan just to cling to Tang’s coattails.

She had initially thought of stepping in to help, but seeing the cameraman’s lens focused on her senior and Tang Jing, she lowered her raised foot.

Never mind. If staying close to Tang Jing meant more screen time for her senior, that wasn’t so bad.

After touring the house, it was time for games.

The director announced, “Next, we’ll be playing the three-legged race.”

In a three-legged race, two people stand side by side, with one person’s left leg tied to the other’s right leg. The first pair to reach the finish line earns the highest score.

This game required the two participants to stay pressed closely together.

When the staff brought over the rope, Meng Xue edged closer to Tang Jing, but there was still a gap between them.

The staff had to speak up. “Teachers, could you move a bit closer? If possible, Teacher Meng, you could even wrap your arm around Teacher Tang’s waist.”

Wrap her arm around Tang Jing’s waist!

The words made Meng Xue reflexively glance at Tang Jing, who was already looking back at her.

“T-Teacher Tang.” Meng Xue’s voice stuttered, her fair cheeks now flushed with a rosy hue, clearly embarrassed.

“It’s alright.” Tang Jing moved closer to her, reaching out to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “Just follow my rhythm later, and we’ll aim for first place.”

The sudden warmth of the contact made Meng Xue shiver slightly.

Truth be told, Tang Jing wasn’t entirely comfortable either after all, this was her senior. She hadn’t expected the other woman’s body to be so sensitive, reacting like this from just a light touch.

Support The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration]