Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 15

Chang Yishao herself couldn’t quite explain what she was thinking. There were people in her circle who kept “canaries,” but her situation with Xie Qingtang was different from everyone else’s. Before she could meticulously analyze her own psychology, the money had already been transferred.

But based on Xie Qingtang’s reaction, she wasn’t sure if she should have done it.

Right now, Xie Qingtang was waiting for an answer.

Chang Yishao felt a bit awkward. She cleared her throat and replied, “Thank you for taking care of me during this time.”

Xie Qingtang: “?” She glanced at Chang Yishao, even more baffled. But she quickly let it go. What was better to do than speculating about Chang Yishao’s thoughts here? Humming a cheerful tune, she returned to her room. The slowly closing door divided the space into two worlds: she was inside, and Chang Yishao was outside.

Chang Yishao watched the closed door, a faint smile on her lips.

Their routines were very regular. On the same bed, Xie Qingtang would usually play games while Chang Yishao read.

This silent mode of “minding their own business” was broken tonight.

After winning several consecutive rounds, Xie Qingtang began to feel tired and bored. When the novelty wore off, even victory couldn’t stir any ripples in her heart. She tossed her phone onto the bedside table. Turning her head, she caught sight of the contemplative Chang Yishao.

The room’s lighting was soft and bright. She gazed at Chang Yishao’s profile, clearly seeing the tiny, soft fuzz along her temples. Her eyes slowly shifted, finally settling on the small, delicate earlobe—there was one piercing, but she had never seen Chang Yishao wear an earring or stud. Xie Qingtang felt a slight itch, wanting to reach out and touch that soft earlobe, but she restrained herself.

What kind of person was Chang Yishao? She started speculating about Chang Yishao’s thoughts again.

Xie Qingtang’s gaze was unrestrained. She looked openly, never trying to hide it.

Chang Yishao’s brow moved. She reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the light seeming to dance between her fingertips.

“What are you looking at?” She met Xie Qingtang’s gaze.

Xie Qingtang confessed, “Looking at you.” There was no one else in the room to look at besides Chang Yishao.

Chang Yishao slowly nodded, her expression unreadable. Her fingers rested on the pages of the book on her lap, gently brushing over the black text—the boredom in her heart eased slightly, but not because of the book she was touching.

She wanted to ask Xie Qingtang about her part-time job at the art studio, but Xie Qingtang hadn’t elaborated, and bringing it up now would make it seem like she was prying into her life.

This thought made Chang Yishao’s brow furrow again.

“You’re not happy?” Xie Qingtang asked again. This low pressure had started since she came back. Could it be that she ran into her ‘first love’ on the way back? Chang Yishao didn’t answer for a long time, so Xie Qingtang completed the story herself. She revealed an understanding expression, like an old friend concerned about Chang Yishao’s life, and remarked with emotion, “Did you see your first love?”

Chang Yishao was stunned. She lowered her eyes and whispered, “No.”

Xie Qingtang dragged a pillow behind her back and smiled faintly, hooking her lips. “Then you must be missing her, right? It’s not easy to forget someone you’ve known for so many years. But there’s still a chance, as long as you—” Xie Qingtang didn’t finish the rest of her sentence. Her eyelashes swept down, and her gaze turned downwards, catching sight of Chang Yishao’s beautiful hand.

Her brow furrowed, then instantly relaxed. She gave a knowing smile. “I won’t say any more,” she said.

Chang Yishao’s finger was still pressing against Xie Qingtang’s lips. As the red lips opened and closed, the soft texture became more pronounced. Chang Yishao’s eyelids twitched, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. She quickly withdrew her hand, only to hear Xie Qingtang’s soft laugh again, as if mocking her previous timid action. Chang Yishao felt a little annoyed. She glared at Xie Qingtang, once again feeling that she was completely different from He Yanjin.

The sunshine in late April was perfect for sleeping in.

When Lu Li woke up, she subconsciously reached for her phone. Upon opening it, she saw a long string of messages from the usually silent Chang Yishao. Lu Li was startled, thinking something major had happened, but after reading them, she burst into laughter.

“Although she looks similar to He Yanjin, they are two completely different people.”

“I used to find everything boring, but now I’m somewhat interested in her.”

“The previous investigation results said she was gentle and obedient, but now it doesn’t seem like it at all.”

This didn’t sound like the current Chang Yishao, but more like the lively Chang Yishao from before.

Lu Li bit her finger and thought for a while, then replied, “Sis, do you only have a thing for people who look like He Yanjin?”

Chang Yishao replied, “No.”

Lu Li: “A little excitement in life is good. I was genuinely worried that you played too much before and are now as bland as plain water, entering retirement early.”

Chang Yishao: “…”

The new part-time job was as an apprentice at the Qi family’s flat kiln.

The Qi family was a porcelain lineage, and the current head, Qi Wang, was the fourth generation. Qi Yu, Qi Wang’s only daughter, had no intention of taking over the family tradition and instead studied painting. Although Qi Wang was dissatisfied, he was helpless. The flat kiln was not in the city area; it took nearly an hour to drive there, but Xie Qingtang didn’t mind the distance.

Black tiles, white walls, upturned eaves, and staggered buildings possessed a certain elegance and charm.

Qi Yu was also there when Xie Qingtang arrived.

Qi Yu raised her hand as a greeting.

There were quite a few apprentices in the kiln. Xie Qingtang didn’t quite understand why the recruitment was handled through Qi Yu’s art studio, but after listening to Old Man Qi’s explanation, she immediately understood. She was being trained as an apprentice to handle the high school students who would be coming here for practical experience soon.

The Qi family’s flat kiln had a partnership with Ganyang High School, and in a while, those high school students would come here for a history class practical activity. Qi Yu’s return was because she needed to draw a series of promotional images before the partnership began—and, of course, the model was Xie Qingtang.

Ganyang High School, history.

Xie Qingtang grasped the keywords.

“Will Chang Yishao come over?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Probably,” Qi Yu’s expression was natural, with a hint of confusion in her eyes, as if asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Do they sometimes film movies or TV shows here?” Xie Qingtang asked again.

Qi Yu nodded. However, she wasn’t clear on the specifics.

Xie Qingtang said “Oh,” and stopped asking. It seemed He Yanjin was returning to pursue an acting career, and Chang Yishao would also appear here—in this place full of ancient charm, a monument to love was about to be erected.

She, the tool, would ultimately have to play her “tool” role and become the catalyst for their love.

Could she ask Chang Yishao for some compensation then?

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