Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 29

Xie Qingtang first heard the name of this “Miss Liu” in He Yanjin’s slightly exasperated tone.

Liu Wuxian (Liu-no-string).

She actually thought it should be called “Liu Wugu” (Liu-no-bone).

Miss Liu seemed more like a pampered young lady, unused to such tasks. Even if the frivolous and casual demeanor was stripped away, merely stabilizing the clay material was all she managed. As for the results of the wheel throwing—Xie Qingtang couldn’t bear to look again; they were completely inferior to Chang Yishao’s students.

Xie Qingtang didn’t know what kind of drama or ‘bloody storm’ was erupting in the live stream because of these two women. She just wanted to quickly escape this world. Fortunately, the filming didn’t require a final result to be considered “concluded.” Xie Qingtang hurried away from this “battlefield,” moving far away from these terrifying women.

She wasn’t afraid of He Yan-jin, but she was afraid of encountering someone like Liu Wuxian.

Filled with resentment, she was eager to find an outlet for her feelings. The list of contacts on her phone was pitifully short. After some thought, she chose Chang Yishao. Since she helped Chang Yishao solve a problem, Chang Yishao should listen to her troubles in return.

Chang Yishao had just finished a chat with a friend.

— Your current one? She really is similar to He Yan-jin, but she’s much cuter than He Yan-jin.

— Do you want to see her fleeing figure?

— When are you bringing her home for your brother and the others to meet? But I feel her appearance isn’t quite right.

— Have you really forgotten about He Yanjin? That woman isn’t idle in the circle, relying on Zhou Yunmeng to back her up.

Among the numerous chat messages, Chang Yishao only replied with one sentence: “Don’t tease her.”

Compared to the main course teachers, Chang Yishao was the more relaxed one in the office. She was less than halfway through grading a set of exams when she looked up as her phone screen lit up. She reached out, removed her glasses, blinked her slightly tired eyes, and then slowly opened the chat window.

“Found the inspiration, but I can’t leave yet.”

“The variety show being filmed here is really interesting.”

Chang Yishao looked at the messages sent by Xie Qingtang, a trace of confusion appearing on her face. Just as when she first met Xie Qingtang, it was difficult for her to guess what Xie Qingtang was thinking, and she didn’t understand if these two sentences were meaningless venting, a complaint, or a request.

She held her phone for a long time before replying with a sentence: “Want to participate in the variety show?”

Xie Qingtang’s side kept showing ‘typing…’ Chang Yishao waited patiently. Time silently flowed until the teacher in the next seat returned after class, prompting Chang Yishao to come back to reality. And Xie Qingtang’s long-delayed reply finally appeared.

[Xie Qingtang]: [Social beating.jpg]

Chang Yishao: “…” She frowned, pondering for a moment, and realized that her guess was probably wrong again. She sent a “Sorry,” but Xie Qingtang didn’t reply again.

Xie Qingtang regretted choosing Chang Yishao as her “confidante.” Their conversations seemed never to get to the point, a classic case of ‘talking at cross-purposes.’ She could sense Chang Yishao’s probing and that hint of mischievousness. She didn’t know what Chang Yishao was expecting. Could it be that she, the “stand-in,” was not qualified enough? Did she need to actively provoke trouble with He Yanjin?

After a while, she tapped open the dialogue box with Chang Yishao. The disrespectful cat emoji had missed the best time for retraction, so she could only pretend not to have seen it. Xie Qingtang proactively stirred up trouble: “I was dragged by the old man to be a helper. Miss He is also filming a reality show, but she doesn’t seem to have any talent, she can’t even stabilize a piece of clay. She’s not as good as Miss Liu Wuxian.” After sending this sentence, Xie Qingtang secretly whispered “my sin” in her heart; these two were clearly just as bad as each other, and she was only praising “Liu Wuxian” to be polite.

Chang Yishao: “Mm.”

The reply from the other side was very prompt. However, Xie Qingtang stared at the simple “Mm” word, her gaze seeming to pierce the screen. Was this looking down on the “tool person” and telling her to continue applying pressure? Yet, on the set, the main show was between Liu Wuxian and He Yanjin. Because of Miss Liu’s presence, He Yanjin had no time to “make things difficult” for her.

Xie Qingtang: “Miss He probably wants Professor Chang to teach her.”

Chang Yishao: “I’m not as good as you.”

Xie Qingtang: “…” The role of the stand-in’s tool person seemed only effective on He Yan-jin. From Chang Yishao’s four words, how did she manage to read a sense of “flattered surprise”? Just as she was puzzled by this, her clear phone ringtone sounded.

Couldn’t typing satisfy Chang Yishao? Xie Qingtang had a momentary doubt but still chose to answer. Compared to cold text, she indeed preferred to hear Chang Yishao’s voice.

“What do you want to eat?” The voice coming from the screen sounded a little distant.

“You—” A flirtatious phrase popped into Xie Qingtang’s mind, but the words folded on her tongue and changed into a different meaning, “You decide.” Her tone dragged out a little, like a shadow trailing behind her at dusk. She covered her forehead with her hand and coughed discreetly, then added, “I’m not picky.”

Chang Yishao said, “Okay.”

After a moment of silence, the call was hung up on the other end. Xie Qingtang’s phone was still pressed against her ear, and her face was left with confusion and bewilderment. Was that it? What was the point of making that call?

In the infinite space-time travel performing tasks, Xie Qingtang had always been alone. Even when deciding to retire, she never yearned for the so-called “warmth of home life.” She wasn’t picky because there was nothing to be picky about when you were alone; she just muddled through casually.

The staff help needed for the kiln work during the program’s filming was minimal. In the subsequent process, both Miss Liu and He Yanjin were unusually quiet. Xie Qingtang naturally avoided the two of them until dismissal. She let out a long sigh, wiping off the sweat before heading back, seemingly wiping away the day’s exhaustion.

Chang Yishao didn’t have evening classes and lived nearby, so she often lit the warm lamp first.

Xie Qingtang sat lazily on the sofa, a casual “I’m back” escaping her lips, though she didn’t know if Chang Yishao heard it. Rushing out of the kitchen to greet her was impossible for them, but just being aware of this person’s existence was already satisfying.

She didn’t know what kind of person Chang Yishao used to be, but after spending time together, she felt that Chang Yishao was extremely suitable for a domestic life.

Someone sends you off, waits for you to return home, and gives you countless warm mornings and evenings.

Her stomach grumbled discontentedly. Xie Qingtang frowned. She rested her hands on the back of the sofa, her fingertips unconsciously tapping on the slightly rough fabric. She realized she was thinking too much; this wasn’t supposed to be within the scope of a tool person’s thoughts. What if she was suitable for a domestic life? It wasn’t with her, the tool person.

She was just a guest.

Xie Qingtang clicked her tongue and stood up. She walked to the dining table and sat down. Two sets of tableware were already neatly laid out.

The rich aroma from the kitchen seeped into the living room through the door crack. Just smelling the fragrance made her mouth water and stimulated her appetite. A dish was already placed on the dining table, steam gently rising. The color of the cured pork ribs was deeper than camellia red, and the tender bamboo shoots were somewhere between yellow and white. In the white dish, spring was clearly not yet over.

“Xie Qingtang, come and bring the dish.” The voice from the kitchen was clear and resonant like jade.

“Okay.” Xie Qingtang responded lazily after a long pause. At this moment, even the feeling of being a “guest” disappeared, after all, no family would ask a guest to bring the dishes.

The house had excellent lighting. Chang Yishao, pushing open the kitchen door, was bathed in the color of the setting sun, tall and elegant, radiantly beautiful. She was looking down at the moment, slowly untying her apron. In this instant, Xie Qingtang had a fleeting sense of a Bodhisattva lowering her gaze. By the time she came back to her senses, she was amused by her own thought.

What kind of Bodhisattva was Chang Yishao? Well, considering her past with He Yanjin… she sounded quite like a Bodhisattva.

On the kitchen counter was a large bowl of tomato-braised snakehead fish, the sour-looking soup filled with tender white fish slices. Xie Qingtang touched the rim of the bowl, then immediately reached up to pinch her earlobe. She let out a soft “hiss” and suddenly understood Chang Yishao’s mischief—

Chang Yishao had walked out empty-handed, so why couldn’t she carry this dish? Wasn’t it because it was hot!

When Xie Qingtang emerged from the kitchen, Chang Yishao had already served the rice. She sat up straight, her lips slightly pursed, her face serious. Xie Qingtang’s eyelid twitched. She actually read from Chang Yishao’s expression that she was about to make a solemn declaration. “It’s so hot,” she muttered softly.

Chang Yishao replied, “There’s burn ointment in the refrigerator.” Perhaps because Xie Qingtang’s gaze was too strange, she added, “I’ll help you get it.”

Xie Qingtang: “…” Chang Yishao’s thoughtfulness and gentleness were limited. Sometimes she would reveal her “straightforward” thoughts, like now. She wanted to ask, “Were you like this with your ex-girlfriend too?” In fact, she did ask it out loud. The person across from her remained silent for a long time. Xie Qingtang discreetly scooped a spoonful of soup, but it was so hot that she hissed and sucked in a breath again.

I probably look a bit ugly. Xie Qingtang thought to herself, but what does it matter to look ‘ugly’ in front of Chang Yishao? She quickly felt relieved.

“I never had the chance,” Chang Yishao replied faintly. She glanced at Xie Qingtang, a slight dislike hidden in her eyes.

Xie Qingtang immediately understood. She looked at Chang Yishao sympathetically, realizing that He Yan-jin could never have entered the kitchen, so there was no chance of a burn. Even if He Yanjin had tried to be attentive initially, she would likely have hidden any injury until a few days later—then casually revealed it to Chang Yishao.

“Professor Chang, you lack charm,” Xie Qingtang said slowly, meeting Chang Yishao’s gaze.

Chang Yishao stopped picking up food at that moment. Her gaze settled on Xie Qingtang’s face, clearly reflecting Xie Qingtang’s image in her eyes. She suddenly smiled, unlike her usual “calmness,” there was a hint of “allure” and “seduction.” Her eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and with a flowing glance, she asked with a smile, “Then is Liu Wuxian charming enough?”

Xie Qingtang leaned back slightly. After a while, she asked, “Liu Wuxian is someone you know?” No wonder she sensed Liu Wuxian’s “targeting,” even if it wasn’t malicious. She observed Chang Yishao. This was probably the treatment of being the center of the world; every NPC revolved around her. Given Liu Wuxian’s dislike for He Yanjin, perhaps she was a colleague of Chang Yishao’s.

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