The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 86.1

“Xiaoyu, why are you out here?” Seeing her, Tang Jing walked over with a smile, completely unaffected by Gu Sihuan’s earlier presence.

Chi Yu glanced in the direction Gu Sihuan had left, then shook her head in response to Tang Jing’s questioning gaze. She pointed inside the house, indicating that Grandma Qin was looking for her.

The next day, before dawn had even broken, Tang Jing was already up. She prepared breakfast, left it warming in the pot, and rode her bicycle out of the courtyard.

Not far from home, she spotted Gu Sihuan’s figure. The girl was carrying a travel bag and had a backpack slung over her shoulders, she was alone.

Tang Jing didn’t ask about Uncle Gu or the others. She didn’t need to, it was obvious the couple was still in bed at this hour. Gu Sihuan’s older brothers had also left for the city to work, so she was the only one here now.

The village was quiet, the moon still hanging high in the sky.

Tang Jing fastened Gu Sihuan’s bag to the front rack of her bicycle, then sat on the seat, one foot on the pedal. “Hop on,” she said.

Gu Sihuan stepped up and settled onto the rear seat, gripping the edge and keeping a slight distance from Tang Jing.

Though she often claimed to like Qin Nanshu, she had never actually been physically affectionate with her. First, because she didn’t genuinely have feelings for her, if they were just close friends, holding hands or hugging wouldn’t have bothered her. But since the other girl had feelings for her, she felt the need to maintain boundaries. Second, she just felt awkward about it.

She didn’t dislike the idea of same-sex relationships, but if another girl liked her, she couldn’t quite handle it.

Seeing that Gu Sihuan wasn’t holding onto her, Tang Jing was secretly relieved. She really didn’t want to get entangled with this girl.

The country road was dark, forcing Tang Jing to wear a headlamp as she pedaled toward town.

The journey was too quiet, and given the original host’s personality, Tang Jing felt compelled to make conversation. “What are you planning to do once you get to your uncle’s place?”

Gu Sihuan replied, “My uncle found me a job at an electronics factory. It comes with room and board, and the pay is decent.”

Tang Jing nodded. “That sounds good.”

Ever since receiving her uncle’s call, Gu Sihuan had been in high spirits, brimming with excitement for the future. She couldn’t help but chatter on.

“The city is huge there are amusement parks with Ferris wheels, zoos, all kinds of things I’ve never seen before. Once I get my paycheck, I’m definitely going to check them out.” Gu Sihuan continued, “Nanshu, why don’t you come with me? The wages there could cover half a year’s living expenses for your family. If you save up, you could even renovate your house.”

The house Tang Jing and her family lived in was old, but at least it kept out the wind and rain. Grandma Qin couldn’t afford to fix it up, so they’d just been making do.

Tang Jing smiled but didn’t respond.

Gu Sihuan remained lost in her own plans for the future.

Suddenly, Tang Jing asked, “So, are you planning to settle down there?”

“Yeah.” Too absorbed in her own thoughts, Gu Sihuan didn’t notice the shift in Tang Jing’s mood. In fact, she was so excited that she swung her legs slightly, gazing at the brightening horizon as she said, “It’s a big city. If things go well, I’ll stay there. Staying in this village forever, farming for the rest of my life, I could never do that.”

Tang Jing fell silent.

Only then did Gu Sihuan belatedly notice her mood. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Nanshu, it’s not that I don’t want to stay at home. But as you know, life in the countryside is too monotonous. Plus, you’re aware of how my parents favor boys over girls. Now that I’m older, they might very well sell me off for money to build a house for my brothers.”

Tang Jing said, “I’m selling clothes now.”

Gu Sihuan understood her implication and reluctantly replied, “Nanshu, I don’t mean to be a downer, but with just a high school diploma, we don’t have many qualifications. If you go into business now, you’ll likely get cheated sooner or later. Since you’ve just started, it’s better to quit while you’re ahead.”

Afraid Tang Jing wouldn’t heed her advice, Gu Sihuan continued, “And now your family has even taken in that little mute to live with you. That’s another mouth to feed. If your business fails, not only your grandmother but even the little mute might go hungry.”

“Screech!” The sharp sound of bicycle brakes cut through the air as Tang Jing planted one foot on the ground and looked back. “I won’t fail,” she said.

Gu Sihuan was startled by the sudden stop, her forehead bumping against Tang Jing’s back. She was about to complain about the abrupt halt when she heard those words. Rolling her eyes dramatically, she decided there was no point arguing with someone so stubborn. “Yes, yes, you won’t fail. You’ll build a huge business happy now?”

Tang Jing gave an affirmative “Mhm” and resumed pedaling.

For the rest of the journey, Gu Sihuan stopped talking to her. Some things just couldn’t be reasoned with someone like Tang Jing. Instead, she began imagining what she would do once she reached the city visit tourist spots, try delicious food, make new friends, and go shopping for clothes together on weekends.

When they arrived in town, Tang Jing didn’t stop but continued toward the bus station. Passing by a breakfast stall, she bought a few steamed buns for Gu Sihuan to eat on the way.

Gu Sihuan accepted the buns with a smile. “Thank you, Nanshu.”

“Let’s go.” At the station, the bus wasn’t due to depart for another half hour, so Gu Sihuan sat in the waiting area.

Having escorted her this far, Tang Jing should have turned back. But due to system restrictions, she had no choice but to lock her bike and follow Gu Sihuan inside to wait.

The station bustled with people, many of them migrant workers carrying bundles as they headed to the city for work. The small town was surrounded by several villages, and with only tiny plots of land to farm, entire families would starve if they stayed.

Fortunately, the cities were booming, offering plenty of jobs with room and board included. Most of the monthly wages could be sent home, easing immediate hardships. Over a year, some savings could even be accumulated.

Tang Jing and Gu Sihuan sat quietly on the benches, exchanging occasional words, with Tang Jing responding absentmindedly. To Gu Sihuan, her distant expression seemed like sadness over their impending separation.

“Nanshu, I’ll come back during the New Year,” Gu Sihuan reassured her.

“Mm,” Tang Jing nodded.

Just then, the announcement for Gu Sihuan’s bus blared over the loudspeaker. She stood, grabbed her luggage, and joined the boarding queue.

Tang Jing walked her to the entrance, watching as she handed over her ticket and disappeared inside. Only then did she turn to leave.

There was no trace of reluctance on her face, only urgency. She practically flew out of the station on her bicycle and pedaled away.

As luck would have it, the bus carrying Gu Sihuan was just pulling out of the station at the same time.

Gu Sihuan sat by the window, gazing outside as she bid farewell to her hometown, when she caught sight of Qin Nanshu passing by the bus. Was it her imagination, or was Qin Nanshu actually smiling?

She turned to look at the figure already riding into the distance and decided she must have been seeing things.

How could Nanshu, who supposedly liked her, be happy when she was leaving?

At that thought, Gu Sihuan let out a relieved laugh.

Meanwhile, Tang Jing, who had been riding with vigorous energy, suddenly heard the system’s warning that her character was deviating. Just as she braked in confusion, the warning abruptly stopped.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Tang Jing continued pedaling, raising an eyebrow as she asked.

[System: The female lead, Gu Sihuan, doubted herself but didn’t doubt you.]

“What exactly did I do wrong just now?” Tang Jing was puzzled. After all, she had obediently waited with Gu Sihuan, dutifully seen her off onto the bus, everything she did aligned perfectly with Qin Nanshu’s personality.

[System: Who in their right mind would be grinning ear to ear when parting ways with someone they supposedly love?]

Tang Jing: “…” Recalling how she had smiled when she spotted the bus while leaving the station, she realized it was just bad timing. Thankfully, Gu Sihuan hadn’t overthought it, or she would’ve been in for an electric shock punishment today.

She really had gotten a little too carried away. She should’ve kept up the act a bit longer. Smiling now, though, wouldn’t be a problem.

On the way back, without the luggage or Gu Sihuan weighing her down, Tang Jing rode even faster. Passing by the same steamed bun shop from earlier, she bought another full bag to take home, the buns were good, and she wanted Grandma and Xiaoyu to try them.

By the time she reached the village, the villagers were just waking up. Along the way, she ran into two aunties and greeted them. When they asked why she’d gone out so early, she answered truthfully.

After all, the Gu family elders were bound to spread the news about Gu Sihuan leaving for work sooner or later.

Of course, upon hearing that Gu Sihuan had gone to her uncle’s place in the city and that Tang Jing had been the one to send her off, the two aunties immediately started grumbling about the Gu elders with disdain.

Tang Jing, in a hurry to get home, excused herself and left before she could hear the rest of their gossip.

“Xiaoyu.” As Tang Jing approached the courtyard, she saw Xiaoyu standing by the chicken coop, feeding the chickens. Hearing the bicycle, Xiaoyu turned and, recognizing her, set down the basin with a smile and hurried over.

“Why are you up so early?” Tang Jing parked the bike in the yard and asked, “Is Grandma awake?”

“Mm.” Xiaoyu nodded.

“Here, I bought some steamed buns. They’re pretty good, we can have them for breakfast.” Tang Jing handed over the bag.

After tidying up at home and taking a short break with some water, Tang Jing checked the time and set off for town again, this time heading to New City Plaza to sell clothes.

Today, she went alone, leaving Xiaoyu behind.

Once the clothes were sold, she planned to restock killing two birds with one stone.

New City Plaza was bustling with small stalls selling clothes, shoes, and all sorts of miscellaneous goods, there was a little bit of everything.

Tang Jing set up the clothes rack and hung the garments, completing her makeshift stall.

Early in the morning, there weren’t many people around, so she sat on a small stool to rest her legs. Despite her strong physique from years of farm work, the long bike ride that morning had left her somewhat tired.

As the sun grew hotter, the streets began to bustle. Several girls who had bought clothes from her at the market the day before arrived early, worried that if they came too late, the clothes would be sold out again.

Thanks to her existing customer base from the previous day, Tang Jing sold out all her stock by mid-morning. The customers even urged her to bring more next time, promising to bring friends along if she did.

After packing up the rack, Tang Jing rode her bike to a small eatery for a simple lunch before heading off to restock.

The wholesale market owner was surprised to see her. “Xiao Nan, you’re back already? Sold out that fast?”

“Yes, all thanks to my regulars,” Tang Jing replied as she entered the shop to pick out her next batch of merchandise.

“How many are you taking this time?” the owner asked.

“Twenty pieces.”

Seeing her order grow larger each time, the owner was delighted both for Tang Jing’s improving business and for gaining a steady customer.

Their acquaintance had been somewhat serendipitous. The owner had once twisted her ankle, and Tang Jing happened to be there scouting for suppliers. That’s how they met.

After purchasing the clothes, Tang Jing noticed it was still early. She considered selling another batch in the afternoon, whatever didn’t sell could be saved for the next day, as these styles were popular and would stay in demand.

Without hesitation, she rode her bike to Xincheng Square.

The afternoon crowd was sparse, but as evening approached and the temperature cooled, more people came out to stroll and shop. Soon, Tang Jing’s stall was swarmed with customers. By nightfall, even the stock she had just bought at noon was completely sold out, with some customers placing advance orders.

Under the cover of darkness, Tang Jing cycled back to the wholesale market and informed the owner she’d return early the next morning for more goods.

Carrying large quantities back and forth between the village and town was inconvenient. Besides, her business venture was still under wraps in the village. For now, it was better to keep a low profile. Whenever asked, her grandmother simply said she’d taken up a temporary job in town.

After finalizing arrangements with the owner, Tang Jing rode home under the night sky, fueled by the day’s earnings at least three to four times higher than yesterday’s.

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