Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 12

Xie Qingtang’s thoughts were simple, but they were not something others could guess.

Chang Yishao looked at Xie Qingtang, filled with confusion, and at the same time, her curiosity about her grew.

Lu Li’s words involuntarily resurfaced in her mind, and Chang Yishao quickly shook off that trace of emotion. Both the encounter at the milk tea shop and the bar were accidental, and even the contract was a sudden whim. What significant relationship could she possibly have with Xie Qingtang?

The audio Chang Yishao sent out quickly received a response.

Chang Hua was especially surprised and even wanted to meet Xie Qingtang. “She’s much better than the girl you introduced last time!” When Chang Yishao saw this reply, her eyelid twitched—Chang Hua was referring to He Yanjin, which was years ago, and he still remembered.

Since it was a request from his little niece, Chang Hua naturally took it to heart.

After listening to the audio, he directly logged into his Weibo and @-ed Xie Qingtang’s actively used account, saying, “The little girl is good, talented, considering being my student?” The latter half was just a joke, of course. Chang Hua was not like some older artists who rarely used the internet; his Weibo was extremely active, and he frequently posted reviews, with many active followers underneath. Since he had promoted He Yanjin previously, some of the fans overlapped.

Seeing the name “Tang Xi,” those people understood.

The restrained ones posted question marks, while those blinded by anger started questioning.

Chang Hua’s influence was quite significant, causing this small circle’s matter to spread rapidly, and the rumors originally targeting Xie Qingtang, saying her singing was extremely unpleasant and that she was deliberately copying He Yanjin, fell apart.

Xie Qingtang only scrolled through this message before going to sleep. She glanced at the comments underneath. In fact, He Yanjin’s fans were not entirely wrong about one thing: the original owner’s setting was that her singing was mediocre and she relied entirely on her looks to gain attention. There were still old audio recordings online—of course, looking at them now, they only highlighted how much she had improved. Seeing the situation favorable to herself, Xie Qingtang wasn’t foolish enough to stand up and deny it.

After scanning Chang Hua’s long introduction, Xie Qingtang also understood that Chang Yishao had intervened; her actions were indeed swift.

Although Chang Yishao was the source of all this, Xie Qingtang still felt it was necessary to say “thank you” to her.

Chang Yishao was showering. She walked into the room holding a handful of wet hair, directly meeting Xie Qingtang’s gaze.

She wasn’t wearing glasses, and there was still lingering steam around her, but even so, her chestnut eyes still carried a hint of coldness. However, this sharpness, as she blinked, melted like spring water from solid ice—despite knowing Chang Yishao’s gentleness was feigned, Xie Qingtang was instantly touched by the current tender affection.

“Thank you.” Xie Qingtang collected her emotions, raising her phone with a radiant smile.

Chang Yishao paused but quickly understood. She replied, “No need to thank me.” This had originated because of her in the first place. Frowning slightly in thought, she felt she needed to give Xie Qingtang a warning. She said, “This kind of thing might happen again in the future. I apologize.”

Xie Qingtang naturally knew this. She looked at Chang Yishao in surprise, as if watching a “non-human,” unable to comprehend Chang Yishao’s mindset. When speaking of He Yanjin, she was calm, as calm as if mentioning a complete stranger. But shouldn’t the trope in abusive novels involve both love and hate? If there was no love or hate, why was she looking for a substitute? To worship as an ancestor?

“If she causes trouble for me, will you help me solve it?” Xie Qingtang asked.

Chang Yishao glanced at Xie Qingtang and replied, “Yes.” After a pause, she added, “Our contract is still valid.” Xie Qingtang understood. Chang Yishao was emphasizing the “one-year deadline.” She still needed to be a “tool person” for a year. And during this period, she would protect the “tool person’s” property, reputation, and personal safety according to the contract.

Thinking about it this way, the oddly wired Chang Yishao had some issues. Of course, she herself wasn’t much better.

Chang Yishao sat in a chair drying her hair. Xie Qingtang also had no intention of playing with her phone or games. Her eyes were fixed on Chang Yishao’s hands moving through her dark hair, and the occasional glimpse of her pale white nape—she couldn’t figure out why He Yanjin would abandon Chang Yishao. However, given her strange relationship with Chang Yishao, it wasn’t appropriate to ask.

Xie Qingtang, having solved the troublesome matter, was relaxed and comfortable, but He Yanjin wasn’t having an easy time.

Especially after an old classmate, Yan Siyu, whom she hadn’t contacted for years, called to inform her that Chang Yishao had brought a girlfriend to the class reunion and was extremely intimate with her, she almost lost control of her emotions. The water glass smashed onto the coffee table with a thud, startling Zhou Yunmeng, who was reading nearby.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Yunmeng asked softly.

He Yanjin lowered her eyelids, her lips tightly pressed together, not answering. Her getting together with Zhou Yunmeng was also accidental. They met abroad. She helped Zhou Yunmeng drive away a few harassing hooligans at a bar. At the time, she was looking for someone to vent her frustrations with, so they became acquainted. When she learned about Zhou Yunmeng’s background, she had other thoughts. After being with Zhou Yunmeng, the latter was indeed utterly compliant and provided her with many resources. It was imaginable how smooth her future path would be with the Zhou family’s protection—but on certain matters, Zhou Yunmeng had her own persistence. For example, the matter concerning the streamer named Tang Xi; she didn’t want Zhou Yunmeng to know.

Seeing her not answer, Zhou Yunmeng smiled helplessly. She already knew He Yanjin’s temper; if she didn’t want to talk, asking was futile, and besides, she wasn’t that eager to know.

Checking the time, she stood up and said gently, “I need to leave.” She occasionally came to He Yanjin’s place but never stayed overnight. He Yanjin was also happy with the freedom. Hearing Zhou Yunmeng’s gentle voice now, and thinking of Chang Yishao again, the frustration in He Yanjin’s heart intensified, and she mumbled a response without even looking up at Zhou Yunmeng.

Zhou Yunmeng’s smile remained unchanged until she left He Yanjin’s home, when her eyes suddenly darkened. She held her phone, finding a number she knew by heart, hesitating for a long time before dialing.

She sighed softly. It wasn’t possible before, and it’s even less deserved now. Why force it?

After resolving the troubles in the live stream, Xie Qingtang actually didn’t want to continue streaming.

On a vibrant spring day, the street trees on both sides cast green shade, and the flowing traffic depicted a bustling scene.

Xie Qingtang’s gaze landed on Gantang High School across the street. Even separated by a road, she could still hear the noisy sounds coming from the campus. What was Chang Yishao doing right now? Writing lesson plans in the office? Grading homework? This thought only lingered in Xie Qingtang’s mind for a moment before disappearing.

She took a turn and entered the milk tea shop on the street corner.

“Sis, long time no see.” Qi Milu saw Xie Qingtang, a big smile blooming on her lips. She had heard a bit about Xie Qingtang’s situation. After her smile faded, a trace of hesitation immediately appeared on her face.

“It’s nothing.” Xie Qingtang stretched, and a warmth welled up in her heart seeing Qi Milu’s concern. She added, “I just felt bored and wanted to do something different, and look for some creative inspiration by the way.”

Qi Milu understood. Those involved in art at their school were also like this. After thinking for a moment, she said, “I heard from the boss that her friend is hiring, but they haven’t found a satisfactory candidate for almost a month. Her friend is a painter, and art is interconnected. Why don’t you go give it a try?”

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