Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 14

Chang Yishao returned from school and found that Xie Qingtang was already home.

The car keys were on the coffee table, and next to them was an unopened gift box of “Shizhai” (Vegetarian Kitchen/House) pastries.

Chang Yishao’s gaze suddenly darkened, and past memories surged like a tide.

The pastries from Shizhai tasted good, and there was always a long queue. She actually didn’t particularly like them. Early in her acquaintance with He Yanjin, He Yanjin had somehow found out, mistakenly believing she liked these pastries, and queued for two hours in the scorching summer just for one box.

She didn’t want to let down He Yanjin’s gesture, and He Yanjin, in turn, assumed she liked the pastries, often queuing to buy them to appease her after a quarrel—of course, she later learned that He Yanjin hadn’t queued at all; she had gotten involved with the young owner of the shop, and naturally, someone else would do the work for her.

When she thought of this, Chang Yishao didn’t feel much sadness; she just looked at the delicate box and felt a little disgusted.

A moment later, she drew her gaze away from the box and looked at Xie Qingtang, who was walking out, just running her fingers through her hair—she had just showered and was still enveloped in a circle of misty and damp vapor, her eyes like an autumn river shrouded in white fog.

Why would she buy Shizhai pastries? Did she get information from somewhere? Or was it just a simple coincidence? Chang Yishao stared at Xie Qingtang, her eyes hidden behind her glasses filled with scrutiny.

Her gaze was intense, making it hard to ignore.

Strange, eerie.

Aside from going out, I haven’t done anything to provoke her, have I? Xie Qingtang thought to herself. However, this concern only lingered for a moment before being dismissed. She casually shook her half-dry hair, having no intention of blow-drying it, and walked straight to the coffee table, reaching out to open the pastry gift box in front of her.

Since she had gone out, it would be too uneconomical not to buy something back. So, she searched for a nearby popular internet-famous shop, wanting to taste the flavor.

Chang Yishao’s gaze fell again on Xie Qingtang’s long, distinctly jointed fingers.

Xie Qingtang didn’t know, nor did she intend to know, what Chang Yishao was thinking. She looked up at Chang Yishao and, with a careful yet subtly helpless and wronged, food-guarding tone, asked, “You want to eat too?”

Chang Yishao was suddenly startled back to reality. She gave a wry smile. This box of pastries had nothing to do with her. What on earth was she thinking? She shook her head and said, “I don’t like pastries.”

Xie Qingtang let out an “Oh,” not even offering a polite word.

Chang Yishao sat down on the sofa opposite Xie Qingtang. She reached up and massaged her temples, looking tired.

They were just strangers living under the same roof.

Xie Qingtang had no concern for her.

What if it were He Yanjin? She wouldn’t have any concern either; she only pretended to at the very beginning, but her true nature was revealed over time. Thinking this way, Chang Yishao felt a chill in her heart. She took off her glasses and placed them on the coffee table, her drooping eyelashes casting a small shadow, and heavy emotions like a haze pressed into her eyes.

It was not difficult for Xie Qingtang to sense the low pressure emanating from Chang Yishao.

When tasting delicious food, having such a chilling presence sitting next to you makes even the most delicious pastries unappetizing. Furthermore, Chang Yishao was, after all, the “patron,” so perhaps she could show some concern. Thinking of this, Xie Qingtang got up, poured a cup of hot water, and sat down beside Chang Yishao with the enamel mug, asking sincerely, “What’s wrong? Did something happen at school?”

Chang Yishao was startled by Xie Qingtang. She glanced at the person beside her. Xie Qingtang’s tone was languid, yet it was like the afternoon sun, capable of giving three points of warmth. She accepted the enamel mug, took only one sip, and placed it back on the coffee table. She frowned and replied, “It’s nothing.”

Xie Qingtang said “Oh” again.

Seeing Xie Qingtang’s posture, Chang Yishao, on an impulse, added, “I just find everything so boring.”

This was a sincere sigh, coming from the bottom of her heart, and didn’t sound like a joke. Because of this, Xie Qingtang felt it was difficult to respond.

After a long while, Xie Qingtang said, “I found a part-time job.”

Chang Yishao paused, she straightened up, looked at Xie Qingtang’s profile, and asked, “Is the Maya platform not good? Is someone causing trouble in the live stream again?” She thought the matter had been resolved. But then she thought, Xie Qingtang was only a recent graduate; it was normal for her to be traumatized facing so much abuse and attack. “I’m sorry,” Chang Yishao said, her tone more apologetic.

“No,” Xie Qingtang looked at Chang Yishao strangely, then added, “I just want to change the environment to find inspiration for my work.”

Chang Yishao lowered her eyes and acknowledged it, but did not quite believe Xie Qingtang’s words.

Xie Qingtang, full from the pastries, skipped dinner and went into the study early.

Chang Yishao still cooked a portion for two, but she herself didn’t have much appetite, and eventually just coldly disposed of the food, her eyes cast down.

She didn’t read as usual but sat on the sofa holding her phone. After a long time, she finally sent a message.

Chang Yishao: She went out to look for a part-time job.

Tang Rong: Huh? Who?

Upon seeing this message, Chang Yishao realized that this group, which had been silent for a long time, had suddenly regained life and vitality, conveniently replacing her original chat box with Lu Li. Just as she was about to retract the message, Lu Li and the always-lurking Qi Yu popped up.

Lu Li: Did you not give her enough? Or does she want more? I think she’s the same as He Yanjin.

Qi Yu: I know.

Chang Yishao had heard Lu Li’s words eight hundred times and didn’t take them much to heart, but it was Qi Yu’s phrase “I know” that made her dismiss the idea of retracting the message.

Chang Yishao: @Qi Yu, how do you know?

Qi Yu: She came to my studio.

Qi Yu: You’re talking about Miss Xie, right? She looks a lot like He Yanjin, but she’s more vibrant and graceful than He Yanjin, radiant and beautiful. Your taste has improved.

Lu Li: …@Qi Yu, you’re unusually talkative.

Tang Rong: She’s gotten rid of a major burden, so she’s in a good mood.

The topic in the group chat shifted unconsciously, and Chang Yishao, who initiated the prelude, disappeared again.

She contemplated for a long time, then transferred an allowance to Xie Qingtang.

A moment later, Xie Qingtang walked out of the room and looked at Chang Yishao with something left unsaid. Aside from the contractual “salary,” she had no other transactional relationship with Chang Yishao. But now Chang Yishao suddenly transferred money to her, what did she want to do?

“Are you asking me to buy something for you, Teacher Chang?” Xie Qingtang’s voice was full of confusion.

Chang Yishao shook her head.

Xie Qingtang frowned and tentatively asked, “You wouldn’t want to add to the contract terms, would you?” They were still a purely “female-female relationship,” but she had heard that some people who find a stand-in want to “stand-in” all the way. Thinking of this, Xie Qingtang righteously stated, “Teacher Chang, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Chang Yishao: “…” She tilted her head, looking at Xie Qingtang in confusion, saying, “What are you talking about?”

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