Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 10

Chang Yishao didn’t stay in the living room for long before moving into the kitchen, looking every bit the perfect wife and mother.

Xie Qingtang looked at the small lamp and smiled to herself, the distracting thoughts in her mind vanishing instantly. While executing missions across various worlds, she naturally had her own methods of self-protection. Although this was supposed to be a retirement world, the world where her wandering life would end, she felt the Bureau had still managed to screw her over, and she couldn’t approach life with a sense of normalcy.

The kitchen was clean and bright, the cabinets and dishes neatly organized.

Chang Yishao washed her hands. The reason she chose to cook herself was that she had a slight interest in it; for her, cooking was a form of entertainment. After spending some time with Xie Qingtang, she had more or less figured out her tastes—Xie Qingtang said she wasn’t picky, but that was only about the flavor; regarding ingredients, she excluded most foods.

Unlike He Yanjin, Xie Qingtang wouldn’t lose her temper even if she didn’t like something.

Hearing her phone vibrate, Chang Yishao glanced at it and saw a message from Lu Li in their small group chat.

【Lu Li】: Sisters, did you see the trending topic?

She slowly and methodically finished washing her hands and replied with a question mark. Lu Li liked to follow all kinds of news and was very well-informed. She probably knew Chang Yishao wouldn’t proactively check, so she directly sent a link.

This small group named “Tai Chi” had been silent for a long time. Chang Yishao looked at the icon with a momentary lapse, vaguely recalling it was established during high school. People came and went, but in the end, only four remained.

Chang Yishao hadn’t replied yet, but the person who had been a perennial lurker was drawn out by Lu Li’s message.

【Tang Rong】: Tsk, He Yanjin hasn’t been buried yet? Does she have no shame?

【Lu Li】: Tang, be polite when you talk! Give Shao’er some respect.

【Tang Rong】: Huh? Didn’t they break up? Are they still together?

The long separation hadn’t diluted their friendship. Once Lu Li changed the topic, she and Tang Rong quickly started chatting. The Tang family had moved to Yu City during high school, and Tang Rong was Lu Li’s neighbor and high school roommate, so they naturally became close. Tang Rong went to college out of town and stayed there after graduation, not returning to Yu City for many years.

Chang Yishao held her phone, somewhat lost in thought, as long-ago memories flooded her mind, threatening to overwhelm her. She lowered her gaze and saw Tang Rong’s comment: “I saw He Ying before, and she was complaining about the band breaking up and had quite a few unkind things to say about Yishao.” In their teens, they were at their most imaginative and wild. A group of like-minded people formed a band; He Yanjin was the lead singer, and she was the drummer. Tang Rong and the He Ying mentioned were also members. In fact, by college, they had all immersed themselves in their own lives, with hardly any time to gather. When she and He Yanjin had their conflict, it completely exploded everything—the band dissolved, and He Ying left their small circle. Chang Yishao had always known that He Ying had feelings for He Yanlin; no matter what the situation was, she would unconditionally support He Yanjin.

Chang Yishao took a deep breath, driving the distracting thoughts out of her mind. She clicked on the link Lu Li had sent to the group. At first, she was casual, but when she saw the abusive and vulgar comments beneath the post, her expression suddenly became serious. This matter, rather than being related to He Yanjin, was more like Xie Qingtang’s “disaster,” and the trigger was He Yanjin’s Weibo post. The teasing tone might not mean much to a casual passerby, but Chang Yishao, who knew He Yanjin’s nature, couldn’t help but suspect that He Yanjin had done this on purpose. And for this topic to be known to everyone, someone was clearly pushing it from behind.

A mocking smile touched her lips.

He Yanjin was indeed deliberate. Back at her residence, she repeatedly stared at the video, wishing she could burn a hole through it with her gaze.

Zhou Yunmeng called to invite her to an art exhibition, but He Yanjin declined, citing the need for rest.

He Yanjin was certain that was Chang Yishao’s home. When she and Chang Yishao were dating, she wasn’t able to stay there often. Why should someone else be allowed in? Her eyes were red, the anxiety and anger scorching her heart, like a fierce flame about to burn her to ashes.

She couldn’t reach Chang Yishao.

“Sister, why buy a trending topic? She’s just a small streamer; it won’t gain any traction,” Xiao Yi didn’t know about He Yanjin’s past or her intentions.

He Yanjin ignored her. She ground her teeth and glared at Xiao Yi with a dark expression. Xiao Yi was startled by her look and quickly fell silent.

Xie Qingtang had originally thought the topic would only ferment on forums. She hadn’t paid much attention to other platforms. However, she clearly underestimated this “damnable plot,” and the impact on her was greater than expected. A large number of trolls flooded her live stream, with inexplicable insults and sarcasm affecting the mood of other viewers and squeezing out their space. No one would enjoy this foul environment.

The word “inexplicable” described Xie Qingtang’s feelings, but the thought that this was a world with a set storyline made her feel deflated. It was her fault for being blinded by beauty and having to sign her name on the contract.

The call from Xie Qingtang came during the break between classes.

Chang Yishao was slightly surprised. She stood up and walked to a quiet corridor, letting out a soft “hello.”

“Teacher Chang, your ex-girlfriend has caused me quite a bit of trouble. Will you handle it, or should I take care of it myself?” Xie Qingtang’s tone was laced with laughter, like a gust of wind blowing past her ear. Chang Yishao tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, “I know about this matter, and I will take care of it.”

“Then I hope Teacher Chang gives me a satisfactory answer,” Xie Qingtang said. For now, she still believed in the power of the plot’s creator. That white moonlight had to be severely abused before there was a chance for a happy ending. She was currently borrowing Chang Yishao’s influence, but by the time it was her turn, the female lead’s supporting character, to be abused, she would have long since flown away. Thinking this, Xie Qingtang’s mood lightened. She actually didn’t mind handling it herself, but it would be bad if she “overdid it.”

Just as Chang Yishao returned to her office and sat down, she heard the voice of the person next to her desk.

“Teacher Chang, was that your boyfriend calling?”

The speaker was Zhang Shang, the new homeroom teacher for Class 3 of the first year of high school, a mathematics master’s graduate from Z University, thirty years old. He usually looked arrogant and disdainful of everyone, but when facing Chang Yishao, he practically wanted to stick to her. Everyone in the office knew his intentions.

Chang Yishao looked at him and replied flatly, “No.”

These two words made Zhang Shang even more excited, like a peacock spreading its tail, wanting to display himself fully.

Chang Yishao merely glanced at him indifferently and bent her head to organize her lesson plan. Zhang Shang, who received no response, showed a trace of awkwardness on his face. He raised his hand to fiddle with the several-thousand-dollar watch on his wrist and added, “Teacher Chang, are you done with classes? Being a history teacher is easy. But for girls like you, this choice is not bad; you won’t have to rely on this job for a living in the future anyway.”

“Pffft—”

A soft laugh came from an unknown teacher.

Zhang Shang’s face grew more embarrassed. The class bell saved him. He quickly left the office with his laptop, as if some ferocious beast were chasing him. The teachers gradually trickled out, leaving only four without classes, and the office became even quieter.

Sometime later, the sound of drizzle reached them from outside. Chang Yishao’s seat was next to the window, and she could see the swaying trees, their green leaves fully stretched out, accepting the gift from the heavens.

The pen she was twirling flew out of her fingers, leaving a streak on the paper.

Chang Yishao stared intently at her phone and, on an impulse, sent Xie Qingtang a message: It’s raining. Didn’t bring an umbrella.

Xie Qingtang was lying on the sofa with her legs crossed, playing a video game. It was a “life-or-death moment,” and Chang Yishao’s message successfully caused her to fail. Her eye twitched. She suppressed the rising feeling of frustration and replied: Time?

Several minutes later, Chang Yishao finally sent her finishing time.

With that interruption, Xie Qingtang no longer felt like playing games to pass the time. She stood up and stretched, took a can of soda from the fridge, and turned into the study. The pen holder only needed dyeing, but clearly, Xie Qingtang had no intention of continuing. Her gaze lingered on the draft paper covered with musical notes for a moment. After sighing, she put it into the shredder.

There was nothing more frustrating and irritating than a lack of inspiration.

The bell rang.

Students flocked to the cafeteria in groups of three and five, laughing. After the excitement came the quiet serenity belonging to the sound of the rain.

Chang Yishao stood by the railing with her arms crossed, a look of loneliness on her face.

“Teacher Chang, did you not bring an umbrella?” Zhang Shang was wearing a shoulder bag, and his hair was slick and shiny. He stared at Chang Yishao, his eagerness practically overflowing. Before Chang Yishao could answer, he took another step forward and smiled, “I drove, Teacher Chang, can I give you a ride?” As he spoke, he eagerly pulled the car keys out of his bag, displaying the car logo on them.

Chang Yishao let out a silent laugh. People like this… she rarely encountered them anymore. She subtly took a step back, widening the distance between herself and Zhang Shang. Her gaze bypassed his oily face and landed on Xie Qingtang, who was slowly walking over, holding an umbrella. Her heart suddenly felt relieved. “Thank you, Teacher Zhang, but no need. Someone is coming to pick me up,” Chang Yishao refused with a smile.

Xie Qingtang didn’t step onto the corridor; she stood outside with her umbrella. The wind blew the rain into her collar, sending a chill through her. She shivered slightly, her pair of clear eyes calmly watching Chang Yishao. Chang Yishao walked past Zhang Shang and moved to Xie Qingtang’s side.

“Not getting your things?” Xie Qingtang raised an eyebrow, her tone casual and unhurried.

Chang Yishao hummed in agreement and took hold of the hand Xie Qingtang was using to hold the umbrella.

Her palm was warm, immediately driving away the cold from the back of Xie Qingtang’s hand. Xie Qingtang naturally released her fingers, and Chang Yishao used her other hand to grip the umbrella firmly. “I’ll hold it,” Chang Yishao whispered, her voice quickly scattering into the wind and rain. Xie Qingtang gave an “Mhm” and leaned closer to Chang Yishao, looking like a pair of lovers snuggling together from a distance.

Zhang Shang’s heart thumped as he watched this scene. He opened his mouth but seemed to have suddenly lost his voice, unable to say anything.

“A swarm of rivals?” Xie Qingtang teased, squinting her eyes.

“Yes,” Chang Yishao’s tone held a hint of helplessness.

Xie Qingtang let out a ‘tsk’ and didn’t say anything more. The two walked along the bluestone path through the woods and soon reached the school gate.

Chang Yishao’s footsteps suddenly paused.

Xie Qingtang followed her line of sight. Not far away, the person standing in the rain looked like a withered flower about to wilt.

What kind of famous scene was this?

Xie Qingtang’s face was full of schadenfreude.

However, as the thought turned, realizing she, the tool character, was online, the corners of her mouth drooped, and she suddenly couldn’t feel happy anymore.

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