Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 49

The room was simple and clean. The only thing that could be associated with the word “messy” was the desk piled high with manuscript paper.

Xie Qingtang walked ahead of Chang Yishao. She stepped up to the desk first, swept the messy manuscript papers together, and threw them all into the drawer. She turned back to Chang Yishao and smiled, “The room isn’t big, but it’s more than enough for some luggage.”

Chang Yishao lightly “hmm-ed.” Her gaze swept past the intricately carved window lattice, rested on the jade-green potted plant, and slowly circled back. She saw the photo album placed on the desk. Unsurprisingly, Xie Qingtang hadn’t opened it at all since arriving here.

She slowly and methodically finished unpacking her things before sitting down in the rattan chair Xie Qingtang had cleared for her. She reached out and tapped the photo album, dragging it closer to herself. Xie Qingtang caught her gaze and said lazily, “There’s nothing good to see in the photo album.” She never understood why Chang Yishao insisted on putting the album in. She wasn’t vain, so why would she need to flip through photos of herself all the time? Even though she said that, she still walked over to Chang Yishao’s side, placing one hand on the backrest of the chair, and glanced down.

Chang Yishao was looking down, her back to Xie Qingtang, her expression difficult to discern. Her fingertip lingered on the cover of the photo album for a while, but ultimately, she didn’t open it. She nodded in agreement with Xie Qingtang, replying, “Yes, there’s nothing good to see.”

Her tone made Xie Qingtang feel a hint of suspicion. Was there something hidden in the album? She suddenly reached out and pulled the not-so-thick little booklet from under Chang Yishao’s hand. Flipping through it casually, what came into view were still blooming flowers and the person watching them. She flipped through the pages absentmindedly. At this point, Chang Yishao had turned around, looking up slightly, raising an eyebrow as she gazed at her.

Two-thirds of the album was filled with photos of herself. Whether it was a close-up, a medium shot, or a long shot, Chang Yishao always managed to capture the crucial moment. When looking at them, she wasn’t thinking about herself, but more about Chang Yishao’s photography skills. However, this feeling of appreciation stopped abruptly in the later pages—the subject in the frame finally changed. She thought her own photography skills weren’t bad, but compared to Chang Yishao’s, it still lacked a certain charm.

Xie Qingtang spread the photo album out in front of Chang Yishao. She leaned down slightly, her fingertip tracing the person in the photo, and the kite soaring against the wind. Xie Qingtang smiled, “There are kite-making techniques here too. We can make one ourselves then. Whether it can fly or not will depend on you, Teacher Chang.”

Her tone held a hint of playfulness, but she was talking about a future that was yet to come. Chang Yishao gazed at her, unable to articulate the feeling in her heart. She nodded and replied with an “Okay.”

The room only had one bed and one set of bedding, originally prepared for only one person. Compared to the bed back home, it felt a bit cramped. Xie Qingtang hadn’t thought so at first, but when the two of them sat side-by-side on the bed, their elbows occasionally bumping due to large movements, only then did Xie Qingtang feel a slight embarrassment and lack of adaptation.

Perhaps the freedom of being alone for this period had overridden her past habits.

“Sorry,” Chang Yishao, who was currently taking the hair tie off her bun with both hands behind her head, accidentally bumped into Xie Qingtang. She lowered her eyes, and her voice was very soft. The hair tie was slipped onto her slender wrist. She put down her raised hands to rest on her legs, and her smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. A few unruly strands of hair peeked out from behind her ears, loosely obscuring Chang Yishao’s features.

Xie Qingtang looked at Chang Yishao. In fact, for a while now, she had consciously or unconsciously avoided or reduced her direct gaze at Chang Yishao. Love of beauty is human nature; encountering someone who meets her aesthetic standards in all aspects makes it very easy to be tempted by physical attraction. If that happened, she could easily get too deeply involved. A good utility person should not interfere with the emotional storyline of the key character. However, in this world, the so-called established plot line had already failed—it was as if the key characters didn’t even exist, and everyone was the protagonist of their own story. Does that mean she could look at Chang Yishao a few more times? The moment this thought arose, Xie Qingtang secretly scoffed at herself. She reluctantly moved her gaze away and replied, “This bed is too small.”

Chang Yishao didn’t answer. Xie Qingtang continued, “Once your accommodation is settled, you won’t have to endure this kind of thing.”

Chang Yishao: “…” She turned to face Xie Qingtang and asked, “Will you move in with me?”

Xie Qingtang’s eyelid twitched. She hadn’t expected this question to be waiting for her. According to the terms of the contract, she was supposed to move in and “cohabitate” with Chang Yishao, but she was currently in “work mode” and had “food and accommodation included” benefits here. After some thought, she met Chang Yishao’s gaze and said sincerely, “Moving would be too much trouble.” Living here meant the workplace was just a few steps away. When given a choice, she always tried every possible way to be lazy.

Chang Yishao “hmm-ed,” her emotions difficult to read.

In any case, nothing was set in stone yet. The matter of the house was still an elusive shadow, giving them enough time to slowly let it sink in. She should take a page from Xie Qingtang’s book and just enjoy this time without thinking too much about things.

The lacquerware craft area was the second area Xie Qingtang experienced, preceded by the tie-dyeing craft footage. They had discussed it, and each episode would be about half an hour long. If any footage was missing, they could go back and re-record it at any time.

Although they had arrived in Shencheng, once they entered work mode, the time they spent together wasn’t much, much like their situation back in Yucheng.

“I say, Yishao, you’re too disloyal. You’re in Shencheng, and you didn’t even say a word. I wouldn’t have known if Lu Li hadn’t mentioned it.” Tang Rong sat across from Chang Yishao. During their lunch break, she finally managed to call her out for a cup of coffee.

Chang Yishao pursed her lips and lifted her eyelids slightly, saying, “It hasn’t been long.”

“Have you found a place to live?” Tang Rong asked with concern. She looked at Chang Yishao and added, “I have a spare apartment.”

Hearing Tang Rong’s words, a hint of warmth appeared in Chang Yishao’s eyes. She curled her fingers, resting them on her wrist, and smiled sweetly, “I’ve found one.” From Yucheng to Shencheng, she didn’t need to change anything. What she wanted to do wasn’t difficult. But she felt that she should have a sense of being in a pinch and acting quickly, so she hadn’t contacted her friends here.

“Where is it?” Tang Rong asked tentatively, not expecting a definite answer from Chang Yishao.

When Chang Yishao told her the location, a look of surprise flashed across her eyes. “Over there? That surname Jiang is a bit… a picky perfectionist.” She quickly changed the words on the tip of her tongue. Seeing Chang Yishao’s confusion, she explained, “I mean little Jiang, not Elder Jiang. Remember when I complained to you about them at the party? It’s their place.”

Chang Yishao gave a light laugh, saying, “What a coincidence.” After a pause, she added, “However, we won’t have much contact with Miss Jiang.”

“You… two?” Tang Rong chewed on Chang Yishao’s two words, then raised an eyebrow and smiled. She asked, “How are things going? Do you need a strategist?” Chang Yishao had never pursued anyone since childhood. Even with one past “relationship,” she still hadn’t learned this skill. If Lu Li’s judgment was correct, and that Miss Xie’s heart was as cold as iron, her friend might be heading for a dead end.

Chang Yishao raised an eyebrow. Her distrustful gaze swept over Tang Rong’s face, and she shook her head, “No need.” In her impression, Tang Rong and Lu Li, aside from causing mischief, didn’t seem to have any useful advice.

Upon hearing Chang Yishao’s refusal, Tang Rong immediately became excited. She leaned forward and suggested, “How about playing ‘I love you’ on the LED screen of a skyscraper? Or we can re-form the band and hold a solo concert for her? Or organize a convoy of cars waving little flags with words on them?”

Chang Yishao’s smile faded. She now vaguely knew what “saying something inappropriate” meant. “I suggest—” Chang Yishao opened her mouth slowly, “I suggest you all read fewer novels.” She didn’t think this was Tang Rong’s idea alone. Lu Li had probably participated in the discussion many times too.

She didn’t want Xie Qingtang to see her as someone who was terminally ill.

Tang Rong “tsk-ed,” as if regretting that her plan was useless. She crossed her arms and leaned back, and after a long while, she spoke seriously, “Are you serious?” Regarding the events of the past, they only acted as spectators, and neither of them had the words “serious” or “responsibility” in their hearts. Perhaps the beginning was wrong, and after all the excitement, only calmness remained.

Time had finally pushed them all into the long river of life.

“I like her casualness and her freedom,” Chang Yishao suddenly sighed after a moment of silence.

“But once you fall in love, there’s a high probability of losing those things,” Tang Rong said ruthlessly. This was not just a lesson she learned from novels.

“I’ll be casual and free with her,” Chang Yishao pursed her lips, and her clear, solitary eyes were filled with a serious expression.

Tang Rong burst into laughter. Among them, the old Chang Yishao was the most casual and free, but looking back now, those actions were over the top. She once thought it would continue forever, but Chang Yishao’s emotional settling was the fastest and most thorough among them.

She was cruel to He Yanjin and ruthless to herself.

Speaking of which, they later had another speculation: Chang Yishao’s passion was never immersive; she was empty inside, so she could easily detach herself.

Tang Rong racked her brains for a long time and realized she really couldn’t offer Chang Yishao any valuable advice. After a long while, she gave up the struggle, let out a long sigh, and encouraged her, “Then you go for it, you can do it.” After a pause, she asked, “Is that person at the craft area planning to become an inheritor of craftsmanship?”

“No,” Chang Yishao smiled sweetly, her eyes bright, “She wants to be a bridge. As long as one person is touched, everything she does is worth it.”

Tang Rong was stunned. She looked at Chang Yishao and said, “In a way, you two are kindred spirits.” Back then, old Elder Qi was quite fond of Chang Yishao and wanted to lure her to his place to be his goddaughter.

“If you need help, just ask,” Tang Rong said with great spirit.

“Really?” Chang Yishao raised an eyebrow.

Tang Rong’s face instantly dropped. She looked at Chang Yishao and said, “No way, you don’t really need me to help with something, do you?”

“Isn’t design your specialty?” Chang Yishao smiled leisurely.

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