Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 48

Chang Yishao and Xie Qingtang sat facing each other in a quiet coffee shop, where soft, flowing music played in the background.

Xie Qingtang’s question felt like a casual mention, and she didn’t ask further on the way, but it planted a thorn in Chang Yishao’s heart, leaving her restless. That contract was a “stumbling block” between them, a witness to the absurdity and mistake of their acquaintance, but it was also a thin thread connecting them. If it were easily broken, she might never be able to grasp the “kite” that was drifting away with the wind.

Chang Yishao felt very conflicted; she was weaving a net, but before the net was complete, she didn’t want to give up the “support” she had stolen.

There were few customers in the quiet coffee shop, and they sat near a window. The sun shone, and the cool air from the air conditioner blew. In this grand brightness, it was not scorching but spread a comforting warmth. Xie Qingtang’s expression relaxed, and a subtle, warm smile curved her lips. Her eyes were bright, and all shadows had nowhere to hide.

“Where are you staying?” Xie Qingtang asked.

Chang Yishao whispered, “A hotel nearby.”

Xie Qingtang frowned, crossing her hands on the table. She looked intently at Chang Yishao and asked, “How long do you plan to stay here?”

Chang Yishao pressed her lips together and remained silent. She knew Xie Qingtang’s plan: if she stayed in each exhibition area for half a month, it would take a year to finish all the filming. It sounded like an insignificant year in one’s life, but living it through could not be easily brushed aside.

“Do you have to wait until all the filming is over?” Seeing Chang Yishao not answer, Xie Qingtang asked tentatively again.

Chang Yishao suddenly lifted her eyes, met Xie Qingtang’s gaze, nodded, and said firmly, “Yes.”

Xie Qingtang was a little surprised, but she didn’t show too much emotion on her face. A thought flashed through her mind… By the time it was over, their contract would have long expired, right? Could she really stay that long? After pondering for a moment, she asked again, “Then do you plan to keep living in a hotel?”

There were quite a few empty rooms at the Museum of Handicrafts, but they were all for staff. If Chang Yishao started her “work,” she might barely count as “half” a staff member. However, to move in, she would still need Elder Jiang’s approval. “Why don’t you first—”

“Buy an apartment here,” Chang Yishao’s voice sounded simultaneously, interrupting Xie Qingtang’s words.

Xie Qingtang looked at Chang Yishao and couldn’t help but smile wryly. During her interactions with Chang Yishao, she often easily forgot her “status.” For example, at this moment. But after Chang Yishao spoke, she realized it again. Staying in a hotel for a long time was inappropriate, and given the generosity of the Chang family, buying property in Shencheng was not a difficult matter.

“That way I’ll feel at ease,” Xie Qingtang said after a moment of silence.

Chang Yishao, however, stared at her and pressed, “What is there to worry about?”

Xie Qingtang: “…” Meeting Chang Yishao’s deep gaze, she raised an eyebrow and finally smiled brightly, saying, “Just some news about hotels.” Although there were no feuds or grudges at the moment, who knew what might happen in the future? Would the lingering female lead really make a perfect exit?

Chang Yishao nodded, concurring with Xie Qingtang’s “wild thoughts.” “Then these few days—” Her words stopped abruptly, but Xie Qingtang immediately understood. According to her words, since the hotel was unsafe, she shouldn’t stay there for a moment longer.

Xie Qingtang sighed. She glared at Chang Yishao and said lazily, “Then bring your suitcase and stay with me for a while.” She would have to ask Elder Jiang about the vacant rooms, but she could certainly have someone stay in her own room. However, the room was spacious enough for one person, but with an extra person, she feared Chang Yishao might be inconvenienced.

“Is there a small kitchen there?” Chang Yishao asked again.

Xie Qingtang: “…” Her brows quickly furrowed, like the frost on an autumn night. She had gradually gotten used to the taste of the cafeteria’s communal food there, reclaiming a bit of her past “unpicky” self. But now that Chang Yishao was coming—if she came into contact with a kitchen, wouldn’t her appetite be spoiled again? What would happen when Chang Yishao left?

The thought made Xie Qingtang anxious, yet the word “no” just wouldn’t come out.

Since it was a free and easy retirement life, why should she make her “stomach” suffer?

Chang Yishao’s eyes were fixed on Xie Qingtang, seemingly seeing through her struggle. Xie Qingtang finally gave up resisting and sighed, “Yes.”

“Mm.” Chang Yishao’s reply was concise.

Xie Qingtang muttered inwardly at her expression, wondering what was so worthy of an “Mm.”

Catching a fleeting smile in the corner of Chang Yishao’s eyes, Xie Qingtang wanted to make her uncomfortable too. She narrowed her eyes, recalling the details of meeting Chang Yishao today, and finally smiled brightly, suddenly bringing up the topic again: “Oh, I almost forgot, Teacher Chang, you haven’t answered my previous question yet?”

She had a conversation with Chang Yishao before coming to Shencheng, where she asked about her early resignation. Chang Yishao shouldn’t misunderstand. Counting it now, that was the first time she submitted her “resignation,” right? It had already been a month. Breaking the contract now, she wouldn’t lose that beautiful virtue—contractual spirit.

Chang Yishao’s expression stiffened. The moment she sat down in the coffee shop, she knew this question couldn’t be easily dismissed. She did have that intention, but not now. “No,” she replied, pretending to be calm, “I’m only here to help you, with no other intentions.”

“Is that so?” Xie Qingtang swept a glance at Chang Yishao, saying unhurriedly, “But I have thoughts of dissolving it. A month has already passed, hasn’t it?” Without giving Chang Yishao a chance to speak, she continued, “Look now, the so-called ‘white moonlight’ is back, and your goal seems to have been achieved. Our contract doesn’t seem to have any need to continue. When my actions no longer have meaning, no longer produce value, then that contract becomes a unilateral… sugar baby arrangement.”

Xie Qingtang said the last two words very lightly, but Chang Yishao still heard them. She could sense Xie Qingtang’s dissatisfaction with those two words.

“I—”

“It’s very unfair to you,” Xie Qingtang sighed, still smiling on the surface.

“No, you have value, you are worth it,” Chang Yishao quickly spoke, cutting off Xie Qingtang.

“Is that so?” Xie Qingtang leaned forward slightly, but they were separated by a small table, making it difficult to close the distance. “Then, Teacher Chang, tell me, what value?” Her question was casual, as if she brought it up spontaneously and didn’t really want Chang Yishao’s answer. Chang Yishao could only remain silent at this moment.

If she said it out loud, Xie Qingtang might be even more unwilling to stay.

“So now it is—” Xie Qingtang raised an eyebrow.

“You can’t leave, it’s not over yet,” Chang Yishao said with pursed lips. All her helplessness arose when facing Xie Qingtang.

“I see.” Xie Qingtang tapped her fingers lightly on the tabletop, lowered her eyelashes, and pretended to be serious, “Yes, that’s fine, but I’ll need a raise.”

“Good,” Chang Yishao agreed promptly.

Xie Qingtang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled lightly. Shouldn’t she be accused of being greedy?

Just like the chaotic worlds she had experienced, the world’s plot line was gradually derailing. There was no possibility of Chang Yishao and He Yanjin getting back together. She had indeed taken on tasks and work even in a retirement world. But at this moment, shouldn’t she make a graceful exit?

Chang Yishao’s completely different attitude from the start… she said she had no ulterior motives, but who would believe it?

She wouldn’t fall into the net. She hadn’t before, and she wouldn’t this time. Xie Qingtang blinked, casting aside the distracting thoughts in her mind.

The matter of the contract was hastily settled, and no one brought it up again.

Chang Yishao’s luggage was at the hotel. After leaving the coffee shop, Xie Qingtang accompanied her to retrieve her suitcase.

There weren’t many things, consistent with Chang Yishao’s “minimalist” nature.

“By the way, where do you plan to do the editing?” Xie Qingtang asked again.

She could work with just a computer, but to pursue better results, she certainly couldn’t be careless. “The Maya Platform also has a studio here,” Chang Yishao replied. The equipment was already sorted out before she came to Shencheng.

Upon hearing this, Xie Qingtang’s eyes slightly darkened, and her tone lifted: “Was that prepared before you even arrived?”

Chang Yishao didn’t think about the deeper meaning of the words and nodded, “Yes.” After deciding to resign and come here, she began arranging various matters.

Xie Qingtang “tsk-ed” and didn’t respond further.

With a studio already prepared, finding a place to live was not difficult at all. There was absolutely no need to stay in a hotel.

Dear Chang Yishao was “scheming” against her.

But she was, after all, her “superior.” What could she do to her?

On the way back, Xie Qingtang and Chang Yishao ran into Elder Jiang and his daughter, Jiang Zhen.

“Xiao Xie, is this your friend, ‘Little Phoenix’?” Elder Jiang’s gaze lingered on them for a moment, his smile meaningful, “Young people, your relationship is truly good.”

Xie Qingtang pursed her lips, a blush sweeping across her face. Elder Jiang knew the reason she chose dyeing and lacquerware. She felt innocent, but being scrutinized with that gaze, especially with Chang Yishao present, suddenly brought a strange sense of shyness and annoyance.

Elder Jiang and Jiang Zhen gradually walked away.

However, Elder Jiang’s voice still echoed on the road.

“Jiang Zhen, look at you. If you can’t speak nicely, then just actively try to win people over. But after all these years, I haven’t seen you send anything to her. Tell me, what’s wrong with you?”

Xie Qingtang: “…”

“What?” Chang Yishao looked a little confused. After a moment, she gradually recovered and stared at Xie Qingtang, tentatively asking, “You mentioned me?”

Xie Qingtang stopped in her tracks. She turned around, her hands clasped behind her back, and met Chang Yishao’s gaze, replying, “Yes, a ‘Promotional Ambassador’ friend of mine.”

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