The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 42

The words “I’m just glad I met you” sent a warm current rippling through Jiang Zhinan’s heart.

She took a deep breath, said nothing more, and instead wrapped her arms tightly around Su Jin’s neck, holding her still and close.

A breeze drifted in through the window, carrying a faint chill—yet it felt indescribably gentle.

Su Jin didn’t speak either. She simply raised her hand and patted Jiang Zhinan lightly on the back. After a moment, she leaned in and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek.

“Want to take a look?” Su Jin asked suddenly after they’d sat in silence like that for a while.

“Huh?” Jiang Zhinan didn’t immediately catch what she meant. Her mind wandered in a very different direction.

“The equipment,” Su Jin said with a faint smile.

“Oh—oh.” Jiang Zhinan nodded quickly, her ears turning pink. “Yeah, let’s take a look.”

“Come on then.” Su Jin rose to her feet, taking Jiang Zhinan’s hand and leading her into the bedroom.

Su Jin’s hand was warm, chasing away the coolness carried by the night air. The quiet warmth seeped into Jiang Zhinan’s chest, easing the heaviness that had been pressing on her heart all evening.

The first thing that came into view was a desk with a computer on it. Next to it were piles of equipment Su Jin had bought—enough to form a small mountain of boxes and cables.

“I don’t know much about livestreaming,” Su Jin said as she unpacked everything onto the desk. “I looked it up online at the last minute. Turns out you need quite a lot of stuff.”

“Yeah, quite a bit,” Jiang Zhinan agreed, picking up a webcam and turning it over in her hand. After examining it for a moment, she offered, “Let me help you set it up.”

“Sure,” Su Jin said, amused. “But you’ve never done this before, right, President Zhou? You sure you can handle it?”

“Of course!” Jiang Zhinan replied proudly. “How hard could it be?”

Yet despite her confident tone, she still discreetly opened a webpage and began searching for a tutorial.

Su Jin noticed but didn’t call her out. Instead, a soft smile curved her lips.

She wasn’t sure when it happened, but she’d grown used to having this person by her side. Once, she’d gone out of her way to avoid her—but now, all she wanted was to stay close. Closer still.

At the moment, Jiang Zhinan was bent over the desk, busily studying the equipment. One moment she’d pick something up for inspection, the next she’d secretly tap on her phone. She looked completely absorbed, and inexplicably endearing.

The bedroom was warmer than the living room, the air cozy and thick. A faint flush rose on Jiang Zhinan’s face, and a few beads of sweat gathered along her temples, glinting beneath the soft light. They shimmered, vivid and alive.

Su Jin’s gaze darkened slightly. Her heartbeat seemed to falter.

Jiang Zhinan turned around and smiled at her, beckoning softly.

“Mm,” Su Jin murmured, nodding as she stepped forward. Her body felt strangely weightless, her steps unsteady.

“Can you hand me a screwdriver?” Jiang Zhinan asked, smiling at her from up close. “I’ll tighten everything while we’re at it.”

“Mm.” Su Jin nodded again but stayed rooted to the spot, not moving at all.

“Su Jin?” Jiang Zhinan waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey, come back to your senses!”

Even her nails were beautiful—smooth and pearly, like polished seashells glinting faintly in the light.

Su Jin hadn’t known it was possible to like someone so much that even the sight of their fingertips could make your pulse skip.

It was maddening.

“I just remembered.” Su Jin sighed, her voice a little hoarse as she looked away. “I lent the toolbox to someone.”

“You lent it out?” Jiang Zhinan blinked. “To who? Someone in this building? Should we go ask—”

She didn’t finish the sentence.

In the next instant, Su Jin leaned in. Her face drew closer and closer until her lips met Jiang Zhinan’s.

Jiang Zhinan froze. Her breath caught; her mind went blank. The sudden lack of air brought tears to her eyes.

“Forget it,” Su Jin murmured after the kiss, her forehead still resting against Jiang Zhinan’s shoulder. “I’ll deal with the setup tomorrow.” Her voice softened, taking on a hint of playfulness. “You finally came over. I just want to spend a little more time with you.”

“I’ll make us dinner,” she added, nuzzling lightly against Jiang Zhinan’s shoulder. “I bought some beef this morning—you should try my cooking. You don’t need to do a thing. Just stay by my side and watch.”

Perhaps Su Jin had never acted coquettish with anyone before—so when she tried to say such things, her tone carried an unfamiliar, almost awkward softness.

But, that very awkwardness made Jiang Zhinan’s heart flutter.

It was the first time she had heard Su Jin speak like this. The feeling was strange and wonderful—like someone had suddenly torn away the protective shell Su Jin always wore, allowing her to glimpse something tender and hidden beneath.

There was a mix of nervousness, hesitation, and endearing charm in her voice—along with a jumble of emotions she clearly couldn’t quite hide.

“Alright,” Jiang Zhinan finally said, nodding. “I’d love to try it.”

“Our Jinjin’s cooking.”

Su Jin was clearly someone who cooked often; the way she sliced the meat was deft and practiced. Jiang Zhinan stood beside her, watching as she diced the beef into small cubes, then swiftly heated the pan and scored a tomato with a cross before tossing it in.

“Do you want steamed buns or pancakes?” Su Jin asked after finishing the prep. “There’s both in the fridge—I’ll heat them up later.”

“Either’s fine.” Jiang Zhinan smiled. “I’m not picky. You choose.”

“Then buns it is,” Su Jin decided. She went to the fridge, took out a bag, and expertly placed the buns into the steamer.

Her timing was impeccable. By the time the buns were ready, the tomato had softened just right. Su Jin peeled it neatly, then turned up the heat and dropped the beef into the pot.

The soup began to bubble and gurgle, one frothy burst after another, before each gradually subsided into calm again.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the rising warmth of steam, and the air grew hazy.

Jiang Zhinan stepped closer until she was standing shoulder to shoulder with Su Jin, the two of them watching the bubbling water together.

After a quiet moment, Su Jin suddenly spoke. “Are you still leaving tonight?”

“I.” Jiang Zhinan looked up, her cheeks tinged with pink.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned the question back. “Do you want me to leave?”

“It’s pretty dark outside,” Su Jin said, holding her gaze. “And this place is quite remote. I’d worry if you went out alone. Besides, it’s getting colder—if you caught a chill, it’d make work harder for you too.”

“So, you don’t want me to go?” Jiang Zhinan couldn’t help but laugh softly at her long explanation. “But I’m an outsider—wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to stay the night?”

Not really an outsider though—after all, they’d kissed more than a few times and held hands just as many. How could she still call herself that?

Still, she said it on purpose—wanting, selfishly, to hear how Su Jin would respond.

“How could you be an outsider?” Su Jin countered immediately, her tone firm and certain.

“Then what am I?” Jiang Zhinan raised an eyebrow, leaning in until their faces were just inches apart.

Su Jin froze for a second, realizing too late that she’d walked right into the trap.

“What do you want me to say?” she asked, a quiet laugh escaping as she took Jiang Zhinan’s hand and met her eyes seriously.

“Yingying, girlfriend, lover—pick one?”

“Then, girlfriend,” Jiang Zhinan said, smiling. A beautiful light flickered in her eyes.

“Alright,” Su Jin murmured, nodding. Then she leaned close and pressed a kiss to Jiang Zhinan’s ear.

“Then stay, won’t you? Su Jin’s girlfriend.”