The Abused Heroine Stops Pretending [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 90

Yet this warmth was abruptly shattered by the sudden appearance of Gu Sihuan.

That morning, Tang Jing was preparing to leave the house as usual. The moment she opened the door, she saw Gu Sihuan sitting at the doorstep, her belly swollen, her complexion sallow, and her lips deathly pale as if all vitality had been drained from her.

“Nan Shu,” Gu Sihuan tried to stand up, but having sat for too long and burdened by her heavy belly, she swayed unsteadily on her feet.

A hand reached out, gripping her arm. The palm was scorching hot, searing warmth into Gu Sihuan’s icy heart. Tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes. “Nan Shu, please help me.”

Not wanting Gu Sihuan’s presence to affect Grandma and Xiao Yu’s mood, Tang Jing replied coldly, “Let’s talk at the breakfast shop up ahead.”

Gu Sihuan hadn’t expected her to even speak to her. Hearing this, she nodded repeatedly, afraid Tang Jing might change her mind.

Tang Jing turned to close the courtyard gate and led the way to the breakfast shop, walking ahead in silence while Gu Sihuan trailed behind.

Following her, Gu Sihuan her belly large watched the woman whose back remained straight and unwavering no matter the circumstances. Tears streamed down her face again. Even when they were so poor they could barely afford food, Qin Nanshu had never bent her back.

The elders in the village always said Qin Nanshu would achieve great things in the future, that her resilience and sharp mind would take her far.

Back then, Gu Sihuan had also believed Nan Shu would go far. But in the end, reality had defeated her. Rather than loving a woman, she preferred men.

Or rather, she feared the judgmental stares of others, the whispers calling her a freak.

“Boss, one basket of soup dumplings and a bowl of congee,” Tang Jing ordered smoothly.

“Coming right up!” the owner replied.

Tang Jing took a seat at an empty table, and Gu Sihuan sat across from her.

Soon, their order arrived. Tang Jing pushed everything toward Gu Sihuan, who looked at her in surprise.

“I’ve already eaten,” Tang Jing said.

Even if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have wanted to share a meal with this woman, if only to avoid unnecessary complications.

Gu Sihuan was pregnant. No matter how much Tang Jing disliked her, she wouldn’t mistreat a pregnant woman.

This only deepened Gu Sihuan’s guilt.

[System: The Regret Value of the Scum Shou has reached 52%. Keep it up, Host.]

The system’s prompt showed a 2% increase in regret value compared to last time. Tang Jing glanced at the breakfast, wondering if it was because Gu Sihuan was moved.

“Nan Shu, I got dumped,” Gu Sihuan said, holding her chopsticks. Too weighed down by her thoughts to eat, she had something far more urgent to address.

“Hmm,” Tang Jing responded, unsurprised.

Recalling what Tang Jing had said during the New Year, Gu Sihuan hesitated. “During the New Year, my parents accidentally overheard me confronting him. After that, they kicked us out. I went back to the factory with him, thinking of breaking up, but I…” Her eyes welled up again.

Tang Jing remained silent.

“I…” Gu Sihuan touched her belly, smiling bitterly. “I was already two months pregnant. I wanted to get rid of the baby, but he wouldn’t let me.”

She looked at Tang Jing. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

Tang Jing had no right to judge this matter. After all, she wasn’t Gu Sihuan and couldn’t fully empathize with the other’s predicament. Thus, she couldn’t offer any definitive answers and only urged, “What exactly brings you here today?”

“I don’t dare go back to my hometown, my parents would kill me. Now that my man is gone, they’ll surely sell me off to just anyone. Nanshu, I’m out of money, and I want to keep the baby.” Gu Sihuan looked at her pleadingly.

“I’ll need to discuss this with my family first.” Tang Jing was no saint. She could treat the other to a meal, but she wouldn’t take responsibility for the rest of her life.

“That little mute,” Gu Sihuan caught herself mid-sentence and quickly corrected, “Is Chi Yu still living with you?”

“She’s family, of course she’s with us,” Tang Jing replied matter-of-factly.

The smile on Gu Sihuan’s face stiffened, and she awkwardly muttered, “Is that so?”

Tang Jing stood up and said, “You stay here and eat. I’ll go back and discuss it, then give you an answer shortly.” After paying the breakfast bill, she left.

Gu Sihuan sat at the stall, watching Tang Jing cross the street and enter the courtyard diagonally opposite. She had learned from a village boy that Qin Nanshu’s family had moved to town and bought a two-story house with a small yard.

Earlier, in her eagerness to find Qin Nanshu, she hadn’t paid much attention to the house. Now, upon closer inspection, she realized how spacious it was. The second floor alone had three rooms, with large, bright windows and a clothesline on the balcony where a woman was hanging laundry.

From this distance, Gu Sihuan couldn’t make out the woman’s face, but her first instinct told her it was the little mute, Chi Yu.

“Xiaoyu,” Tang Jing called as she pushed open the courtyard gate.

Upstairs, Chi Yu spotted her and broke into a radiant smile, lifting her skirt as she hurried down. Seeing her run down again, Tang Jing tapped her nose and scolded, “If you keep coming down the stairs like this, I’ll have to punish you.”

Chi Yu shook her hand in a playful plea for mercy.

“No amount of sweet-talking will help.”

Just then, Grandma Qin emerged from the house. “Xiao Nan, didn’t you just leave? Why are you back so soon?”

Thinking of Gu Sihuan outside, Tang Jing led both of them to sit at the courtyard table and said earnestly, “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” Grandma Qin asked, looking at her.

Chi Yu also widened her eyes, listening intently.

“Gu Sihuan came to see me,” Tang Jing said.

Grandma Qin’s eyes sharpened. “What does she want with you?”

Tang Jing explained, “She’s pregnant, about eight or nine months along. She doesn’t dare go back to her hometown or let her parents know. She’s out of money and wants me to arrange a place for her.”

Grandma Qin’s face darkened, and she remained silent for a moment.

Chi Yu furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

“She’s definitely not setting foot in this house,” Grandma Qin declared before heading back inside, leaving the decision entirely to Tang Jing.

Tang Jing turned to Chi Yu.

After a long pause, Chi Yu took out a small notebook from her cloth bag and wrote:

“You could lend her the money and have her sign an IOU. After that, where she stays and who takes care of her is her own decision.”

Reading the note, Tang Jing immediately laughed and couldn’t resist pinching Chi Yu’s nose. “Our Xiaoyu is so clever. I’ll go tell her right now.”

This way, there wouldn’t be too much entanglement between them, their only connection would be that of creditor and debtor.

Cold and distant.

After signing the IOU, Gu Sihuan took the thick envelope of money, her heart growing heavy with its weight.

The money had been given to her by Chi Yu before Tang Jing left.

Ever since Chi Yu taught herself to read and do arithmetic, Tang Jing had entrusted all their finances to her. It had to be said, Chi Yu was a financial wizard, managing things even better than Tang Jing herself.

“I still have work, so I’ll head out first,” Tang Jing said, not lingering any longer.

Gu Sihuan called out to stop her.

Tang Jing turned to look at her. The other woman clutched the envelope and said sincerely, “Thank you.”

Tang Jing gave a slight nod and left without another word.

[System: The scumbag’s remorse value has reached 60%. Keep up the good work, Host.]

In just one morning, Tang Jing had gained another 10% in remorse.

Truthfully, she had already completed the main mission and could leave this world at any time. But she cherished every world she shared with her senior, so she had tacitly stayed, and her senior had just as tacitly remained as well.

Gu Sihuan returned from the big city to the small town. With the money Tang Jing had lent her, she rented a small courtyard not far from Tang Jing’s home and even found a neighbor to take care of her.

Tang Jing paid no attention to any of this.

But she couldn’t avoid this woman appearing in front of her every day.

She simply ignored her each time, refusing to engage no matter what intentions the other had.

One day after work, Gu Sihuan stood on the path Tang Jing took home, clearly intending to intercept her.

Tang Jing had no choice but to stop and look at her. “Something wrong? Here to repay the debt?”

The smile that had just begun to form on Gu Sihuan’s face froze instantly.

“If not, I’m heading back.” Tang Jing sidestepped her and walked past.

At the courtyard gate, Chi Yu was waiting for her. As she took the bag from Tang Jing’s hand, Tang Jing caught her fingers, and the sight of them walking side by side only deepened Gu Sihuan’s regret.

Tang Jing continued to receive occasional system notifications about the rising remorse value, but she never paid them any mind.

Tang Jing’s business grew steadily, and she planned to open a shop in the city.

Now that Meimei and Lingling had both become highly capable, Tang Jing sometimes let one of them manage the shop when she wanted a break, making her life a bit more leisurely than before.

With the plan to open a city shop in motion, she also wanted to move forward with establishing a clothing factory.

Grandma Qin watched as her granddaughter’s business expanded, both proud and worried. “Xiao Nan, with so many shops opening, can you handle it all?”

Tang Jing smiled. “I have an amazing accountant now. I just focus on opening shops, she handles the finances.”

Grandma Qin immediately knew who she was talking about and chuckled. “Always making Xiao Yu do the work. Just who are you to her?”

“I’m…” Tang Jing hesitated, then, inexplicably feeling a surge of impulsiveness, she glanced at Chi Yu and blurted out, “I’m her wife.”

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Grandma Qin was the first to burst into laughter.

Chi Yu’s face flushed red as she pinched Tang Jing’s waist lightly, making her yelp in pain.

Grandma Qin grinned. “It’s about time you made it official. I’ve been anxious for you two, tiptoeing around like I’m some blind old lady who can’t see what’s going on.”

“Grandma.” Tang Jing clung to her arm, cooing. “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, I just never found the right opportunity.”

Chi Yu also wrapped her arm around Grandma’s.

Looking at her granddaughters on either side, Grandma Qin’s heart melted.

Who said raising sons was the only way? Granddaughters were just as good, even more sensible, and they knew how to make an old lady like her happy.

After dinner, Tang Jing pulled Chi Yu back to their room on the second floor.

Though there were several rooms upstairs, Tang Jing insisted on sharing one with Chi Yu. Once the door was closed, she let out a deep sigh of relief and then smiled.

Chi Yu’s eyes sparkled, brimming with joy.

Grandma had accepted her, and their relationship. For Chi Yu, this acknowledgment was beyond precious.

“Xiao Yu.” Tang Jing stepped forward, pulling her into an embrace. She lowered her head slightly, resting her forehead against Chi Yu’s. “We’re finally together.”

Chi Yu hummed in agreement.

Lost in the moment, the atmosphere drew them into a kiss.

Tang Jing tightened her grip around Chi Yu’s waist, pulling her closer until their bodies pressed together.

Chi Yu rested her hands on Tang Jing’s shoulders, tilting her head up shyly to meet the fervent kiss with equal passion.

Now that their relationship was out in the open with Grandma Qin, their interactions at home had become much more relaxed. Even a fleeting glance between them could spark something tender.

One day, Tang Jing was too busy at the shop to come home for lunch, so Chi Yu packed a meal to bring to her. Shortly after leaving the house, she unexpectedly ran into Gu Sihuan.

Gu Sihuan’s belly had flattened her child had been born half a month ago. Chi Yu had only heard Grandma Qin mention it in passing, as no one had pried further.

The last time Chi Yu had seen Gu Sihuan was a month ago, when she was still heavily pregnant.

Now, she simply nodded in greeting.

“Chi Yu, I came to see you,” Gu Sihuan stopped her.

Holding her cloth bag, Chi Yu paused and looked at her, her gaze steady and composed.

Who would have thought that a year ago, Chi Yu had been a timid little orphan afraid of everyone? Now, her features had blossomed, her face often lit with a confident smile. She had matured from a girl into a woman radiant and captivating.

Faced with this version of Chi Yu, Gu Sihuan found herself at a loss for words, frozen in place.

When the silence stretched too long, Chi Yu gave her a polite nod and walked past her. A breeze carried the faint scent of perfume from Gu Sihuan.

It was the same fragrance Chi Yu had once caught on Qin Nanshu.

Back at the shop, Tang Jing received another wave of regret points from the system and let out a puzzled, “Hmm?”

“What’s wrong, Nan-jie?” a server asked.

“Nothing.” Tang Jing had just finished restocking the warehouse when the shop door opened. She looked up to see Chi Yu and immediately brightened, stepping forward to greet her. “Bringing me lunch again?”

Chi Yu smiled and nodded.

The weather had turned chilly. Chi Yu wore a beige knit cardigan over her white dress, loose and cozy, her long hair cascading freely. She exuded a gentle warmth.

Tang Jing led her to a seat in the break area, pulling over a small table to set the cloth bag on it. Inside were a red thermos and an aluminum lunchbox.

The thermos held bone broth Chi Yu had simmered with goji berries and Chinese yam, its rich aroma filled the air.

The young female staff in the shop were all envious. “Sister Xiaoyu always brings lunch for Sister Nan, and it looks so delicious at first glance.”

Tang Jing raised an eyebrow, protective of her food. “Even if it’s delicious, I won’t share it with you.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Tang Jing smiled and said, “Alright, alright. There shouldn’t be many customers now. Go eat at the shop next door and put the bill on my tab.”

“Thank you, Sister Nan,” the staff chorused in unison before putting down their things and leaving the shop.

It had been busy earlier, but now things had quieted down. Tang Jing had originally planned to order a few dishes from next door, but now she didn’t need to, she’d just let them go on their own.

Chi Yu sat beside her, watching her eat.

To keep her hair out of the way, Tang Jing usually tied it into a simple low ponytail with a hairband. A stray strand fell over her forehead as she moved, and Chi Yu reached out to tuck it behind her ear.

Tang Jing glanced at her with a smile.

When Gu Sihuan passed by the shop’s entrance, she happened to witness this scene. It felt like a sting to her eyes and finally made her let go of the resentment in her heart.

[System: The scumbag’s remorse value has reached 90%. Keep it up, Host.]

Gu Sihuan’s remorse value had suddenly jumped to 90%, startling Tang Jing mid-bite.

Though she didn’t care much about the other’s remorse, earning some points would help her in future worlds. She was happy to receive them, especially under such inexplicable circumstances.

Tang Jing only paused briefly in surprise before continuing to enjoy the meal Chi Yu had prepared for her.

After eating, the two sat in the shop chatting though it was mostly Tang Jing talking while Chi Yu listened.

Three months later, as winter approached, Tang Jing’s city branch was finally ready. On opening day, she took Grandma and Chi Yu in the car she had recently bought.

Grandma Qin, having lived so many years, had never ridden in such a vehicle before. She touched everything inside, marveling, “How much did this cost?”

Tang Jing glanced at her through the rearview mirror and smiled. “Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll drive you and Xiaoyu to the capital. We’ll see Tiananmen and the Great Wall.”

Grandma Qin repeatedly agreed.

Looking at the bright future ahead, Grandma Qin sighed. “Life is getting better and better. Before, I always worried I’d be a burden to you. You were already grown up, yet you stayed in the village with me. Many nights, I couldn’t sleep, fretting over it.”

Tang Jing laughed heartily. “How could you ever be a burden? I wanted to stay with you. I love being with my grandma.” Then she glanced at Chi Yu. “And I love being with Xiaoyu too.”

Chi Yu’s face flushed red at her words.

Grandma Qin chuckled. “You youngsters these days, always like this.”

Chi Yu grew even more embarrassed.

The grand opening of the “Nanyu Clothing Store Branch” drew a large crowd, including many of Tang Jing’s business acquaintances.

The shop became an instant hit on its first day.

With higher foot traffic and stronger purchasing power in the city, the day’s sales far surpassed those in the town by several times.

Of course, this was partly due to the opening-day discounts, which would last for the first three days.

Chi Yu helped with the cash register while Tang Jing and the other staff packed clothes.

It wasn’t until 10:30 p.m. that the crowd finally thinned, giving everyone a chance to rest and drink some water.

Tang Jing walked over, pulled Chi Yu to sit on a nearby stool, and crouched down to massage her legs. “Standing for so long must be hard on your legs.”

Chi Yu obediently let her knead, noticing her hair had come slightly loose. She leaned in to re-tie it for her. The idyllic scene between the two left the new waitresses in the shop staring in awe.

At that time, they didn’t know what “shipping a couple” meant, they simply thought the boss lady and her sister got along incredibly well.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Tang Jing always introduced Chi Yu as her younger sister when they were out. Whenever someone took a liking to Chi Yu and tried to set her up, Tang Jing would brush it off by saying her sister already had a partner.

As the city branch opened smoothly, Tang Jing’s clothing factory was also up and running. The factory produced her own designs from over the years, covering all four seasons.

The name Qin Nanshu became increasingly well-known, and the attire from Spring Rain Clothing Store even made its way onto the international stage. Her handmade evening gowns, in particular, became a favorite among wealthy women.

Meanwhile, Gu Sihuan, still living in the town, had run out of the money she borrowed from Qin Nanshu. Unable to afford hired help, she now worked multiple jobs to repay the debt. One day, while clearing tables at a small diner, she caught a glimpse of the TV on the wall broadcasting a feature on Spring Rain Clothing Store and its founder, Qin Nanshu. For a moment, Gu Sihuan was dazed.

The Qin Nanshu on screen was radiant, nothing like the country girl from Xiaohe Village. The memories of their past laughter and conversations suddenly felt like a distant dream. Now, they belonged to two different worlds, one an internationally renowned fashion designer, the other a small-town waitress. The stark contrast left a bitter ache in Gu Sihuan’s heart.

[System: The regret value of the scum recipient has reached 100%. Congratulations, Host, you’ve unlocked a hidden achievement. Keep up the good work in the next world.]

Tang Jing received the system notification just as she finished a press interview and returned to the break room. Her hand, holding her phone, paused briefly before she continued her call as usual. “Xiaoyu, I’ll be back soon,” she said into the phone.

“Mm.”

The illustrious Tang Jing, so admired outside, returned home simply as Xiaoyu’s “Nan Jiejie” and Grandma’s granddaughter. Most of the time, she still lived in the town, where Grandma had many familiar faces. The city stores were left in the hands of Meimei and Lingling, and over the years, she had also trained trustworthy staff to manage the branches.

Her main task now was designing at home, only driving out for occasional events that required her presence. Of course, there was another reason she didn’t want to leave, the grapevines she, Grandma, and Xiaoyu had planted were now bearing fruit. The crystal-clear grapes hanging from the branches looked irresistibly sweet.

Chi Yu snipped off a bunch, peeled one, and held it to Tang Jing’s lips.

Tang Jing ate it with a smile. “Thank you, Xiaoyu.”

After dinner, the three of them sat in the courtyard, enjoying the cool evening breeze. The night sky looked just as it had years ago as if nothing had changed, yet everything had.

Later, after washing up, Tang Jing carried Chi Yu to bed and kissed her softly.

Since they had confirmed their relationship, they had long crossed that line. Chi Yu, once shy, now met her with eager warmth.

Every time she responded, Tang Jing would go wild, as if she wanted to devour her whole.

Even when Chi Yu finally begged for mercy, Tang Jing wouldn’t let her go, leaving Chi Yu so upset afterward that she turned her back, refusing to acknowledge her.

Tang Jing hugged her from behind, coaxing, “Xiao Yu, I was wrong. I won’t dare do it again. Please talk to me.”

Chi Yu let out a huff.

Tang Jing leaned close to her ear and murmured in a low voice, “Wife.”

This was way too unfair. Chi Yu’s heart melted, her face flushed as she lightly patted the hand resting on her waist. It didn’t hurt, but it let Tang Jing know she had forgiven him. He immediately smiled, pressing his advantage by kissing her cheek. “You must be exhausted, darling. Let me help you freshen up before bed, okay?”

Chi Yu nodded.

After freshening up together, they curled up in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Tang Jing kissed her forehead gently and whispered, “Goodnight, Xiaoyu.”

Goodnight, Sister Nan.

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