Transmigrated Into the Stand-In of the Tragic Novel’s Heroine - Chapter 58

Xie Qingtang couldn’t sleep.

This somewhat special night always reminded her of the night she first signed the contract and stayed at Chang Yishao’s house. At that time, their relationship was purely a transaction, and her task was to play the role of “girlfriend.”

Chang Yishao had made demands, but in the end, those demands… proved to be meaningless. Xie Qingtang acted on her own, and Chang Yishao… was probably torturing herself.

The moment the lights dimmed, she happened to turn and look at Chang Yishao.

Chang Yishao lifted her long hair with one hand, revealing a long, jade-like neck. The light swept across her body, and her profile gradually hid in the darkness.

Xie Qingtang couldn’t see anything unusual, but it was precisely because of this that she felt stranger. The questions from earlier still lingered in her mind—the low, husky voice paired with the frustrated, melancholic expression. Loneliness, as if tangible, enveloped Chang Yishao, and then turned into a heavy hammer, gently and rhythmically knocking on her heart.

She thought Chang Yishao would move closer, but after the disappointment of not getting an answer disappeared, Chang Yishao seemed to retreat as well. This was Chang Yishao’s choice, and the choice she also desired in her heart—but something felt wrong, both with her own emotions and with Chang Yishao!

Xie Qingtang turned over, the rustling movement particularly clear in the night. Chang Yishao’s breathing beside her was continuous and steady, as if she were asleep. In the darkness, only she seemed trapped in a predicament. A flash of annoyance crossed Xie Qingtang’s heart. She turned toward Chang Yishao and hooked her hand.

“What’s wrong?” Chang Yishao’s soft voice followed, but it still startled Xie Qingtang.

The darkness concealed her expression, but the unusually rapid breathing, different from usual, showed a degree of anxiety deep within her.

“Can’t sleep?” Chang Yishao asked softly.

Xie Qingtang pursed her lips; she really didn’t feel sleepy. Chang Yishao’s voice was gentle like a spring breeze, but it only made her mind clearer. “Are you… doing this on purpose?” Xie Qingtang didn’t want to hide her thoughts.

“Doing what on purpose?” Chang Yishao’s tone was filled with confusion, incomprehension, and surprise. She seemed about to sit up and turn on the light. Xie Qingtang didn’t want her expression to be exposed to the light. She quickly flipped over and pressed down on Chang Yishao—as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could faintly make out a blurry outline, but still couldn’t see those gentle eyes.

Xie Qingtang didn’t realize how inappropriate her action was. She was close to Chang Yishao, vaguely able to hear the sound of her heartbeat. “I don’t know.” Xie Qingtang spoke after a moment of consideration, feeling a bit defeated. After a while, she spoke like a spoiled child: “Anyway, you’re doing it on purpose.”

Chang Yishao chuckled softly, her finger slowly tracing Xie Qingtang’s face, brushing past her eyes and brows, and then slowly sliding down to the corner of her lips. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. When Xie Qingtang reacted, she quickly grabbed Chang Yishao’s hand and muttered, “Why are you getting handsy?”

“Aren’t you too?” Chang Yishao said softly.

Xie Qingtang was stunned, suddenly realizing their intertwined legs, and her own hand that was forcefully pressing down on Chang Yishao’s body, making it impossible for her to move. A blush immediately rushed to her face, like a burning flame. Xie Qingtang quickly flipped over, lying flat on the bed, trying to calm her breathing. In this quiet night, Chang Yishao’s soft laughter seemed a little ambiguous, constantly echoing in her ears.

That feeling of being “tricked” became clearer, yet she couldn’t articulate it.

Xie Qingtang didn’t know how she fell asleep. When she woke up, Chang Yishao had already gotten up. Little Moon ran into the room, playing wildly on the soft comforter. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Xie Qingtang closed her eyes, pretending to still be asleep. Chang Yishao’s footsteps approached, and she stood still by the bed like a statue. She didn’t wake Xie Qingtang but leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Xie Qingtang trembled, a whirlpool seemed to stir in her heart, and the hand hidden under the blanket instantly clenched into a fist. She didn’t know how to respond to Chang Yishao, or to the light kiss this morning, so she could only pretend to be asleep.

Chang Yishao’s gaze swept over Xie Qingtang’s fluttering eyelashes. She blinked, concealing the brightness in her eyes. Picking up the fallen Little Moon, she slowly walked out of the room. Only when the sound of the door closing rang out did Xie Qingtang suddenly open her eyes.

Chang Yishao really wanted to take the next step!

But wasn’t their situation strange? They had agreed to terminate the contract, and she wasn’t even a “girlfriend” in name anymore! This transaction seemed to have resulted in a loss.

During her free time, Xie Qingtang sat blankly on a small stool, her mind wandering.

The veteran masters had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance that she was distracted—the only action was looking down at her phone, waiting for whose message?

Chang Yishao had sent her quite a few messages, but they were all in a professional tone, only mentioning the video editing. The events of the morning were like an accident, and Chang Yishao didn’t mention it at all.

This state continued for several days. Xie Qingtang felt a bit down, and she didn’t hide it when picking up and dropping off Chang Yishao. Yet, Chang Yishao, who usually paid attention to her every move, didn’t ask about it. She heard Chang Yishao’s voice and felt a flicker of expectation, but surprisingly, it was just a question: “It’s been several days, do you want to come over and see Little Moon?”

“No,” Xie Qingtang shook her head.

Chang Yishao smiled and then said, “The day after tomorrow is a rest day.”

Xie Qingtang turned her head and stared fixedly at Chang Yishao’s smile, her brows slightly furrowed. Chang Yishao didn’t try to persuade her further, only the expressive eyes held expectation. Xie Qingtang pondered for a moment, then nodded and agreed, “Okay.”

The clingy Little Moon scrambled into Xie Qingtang’s arms. Xie Qingtang gazed at the closed kitchen door, her thoughts drifting. The day after tomorrow was the weekend. She couldn’t misunderstand the meaning of such an invitation; staying overnight here was inevitable. Their relationship was like a tangled ball of thread; even if quickly cut, the ends would still be entwined.

She didn’t dislike this life. Chang Yishao had always met her expectations. The habits developed from daily interaction spread throughout her body. If it were just habit, it could eventually be changed, but unfortunately, strands of joy were drawn from it. She instinctively resisted falling into it, yet did she fall into a cage nonetheless?

“What is she thinking?” Xie Qingtang opened her mouth, rubbing Little Moon’s head, somewhat distressed.

Aside from that one step-further inquiry the other night, Chang Yishao hadn’t made any other moves. She was too good at concealing her emotions, like the difficult-to-read One Hundred Years of Solitude. Little Moon meowed, extending a paw to lightly swat Xie Qingtang. The kitten’s paw pad was soft, like a gentle massage. Xie Qingtang lowered her head and smiled faintly, then took the opportunity to stroke Little Moon again, muttering to herself, “Alright, I know you don’t know.”

Dinner for two wasn’t extravagant. There was no atmosphere of candlelight, flowers, or wine, just like an ordinary everyday meal, unchanging, but the warmth and feeling of domesticity were enough to comfort a long-wandering traveler.

“Chang Yishao.” Xie Qingtang rarely addressed someone by their full name. She pursed her lips, practically writing “serious” on her face.

Chang Yishao, holding the restless, kicking Little Moon, raised an eyebrow and lightly said, “En,” her tone rising. She met Xie Qingtang’s gaze. The other objects in her field of vision seemed to recede instantly, leaving only Xie Qingtang’s reflection.

Chang Yishao’s composure ignited a spark of anger in Xie Qingtang’s heart. She tightly pursed her lips, her brow furrowed. “What kind of possibility do you want?”

Chang Yishao was momentarily stunned. It took her a while to understand the meaning of Xie Qingtang’s words—at this moment, Xie Qingtang was like a drawn sword. She had never liked to hide things. Compared to her frankness, Chang Yishao felt like a petty person. Chang Yishao thought to herself. She met Xie Qingtang’s gaze and tossed the topic back: “What do you say?”

Xie Qingtang abruptly stood up. She glared at Chang Yishao with slight irritation, her earlobe slightly red. She tossed her hair, hiding it within her strands. “I wasn’t asleep that morning.” Xie Qingtang said, staring fixedly at Chang Yishao, watching for any change in her expression.

“And then?” Chang Yishao smiled faintly, her eyes bright, and continued, “Do you want to kiss me back?”

Xie Qingtang was speechless for a moment. Her visibly frustrated look made Chang Yishao laugh involuntarily. She had already found the answer in Xie Qingtang’s attitude.

Her emotions weren’t obvious, but her tolerance and yielding were clearly visible.

“You—”

“What are your thoughts?”

Both their voices rang out simultaneously. Chang Yishao finally stopped concealing herself and asked directly. Their relationship seemed to have reversed; this time, it was Xie Qingtang who lost her calmness and composure.

Xie Qingtang pursed her lips. After a moment, she regained her composure, sat down next to Chang Yishao, and looked down, saying, “Being alone is quite nice.” She heard the person next to her sigh and then opened her mouth, “You want to know my thoughts? I actually don’t have any, I just want to live a relaxed life in retirement.”

This answer was within Chang Yishao’s expectations. It wasn’t too disappointing. She asked again, “What about two people?”

Xie Qingtang pursed her lips and remained silent. Two people weren’t bad either, or she wouldn’t have lived with Chang Yishao for several months.

Seeing her not answer, Chang Yishao said, “I have a method.”

“What?” Xie Qingtang asked blankly. A moment later, this blankness turned into suspicion. She scrutinized Chang Yishao, trying to find some clue on her face.

“Come closer,” Chang Yishao said.

Xie Qingtang didn’t move.

Little Moon jumped over them and squatted in a corner, turning its eyes with great intelligence.

Chang Yishao felt a bit helpless. She turned around, knelt on the sofa with one knee, and placed her hands on Xie Qingtang’s shoulders. Meeting those calm eyes, she felt a momentary hesitation. She blinked, shaking off the distractions in her heart, and leaned in—intending to use close contact to judge Xie Qingtang’s heart.

Xie Qingtang didn’t dodge. She felt the kiss fall on her lips.

When Chang Yishao pulled away, she chuckled softly and said calmly, “Chang Yishao, you’re taking advantage of me.”

This reaction was unexpected for Chang Yishao. Her eyelids fluttered, and a sentence blurted out: “Do you want extra money?” As the words fell, the room immediately fell into silence. Chang Yishao pursed her lips, regretting her slip of the tongue; there was no contract relationship between them anymore.

Xie Qingtang, however, curled the corner of her mouth. She let out a light laugh and said, “Teacher Chang hasn’t chased anyone before, have you?”

“Was that a bad idea from Lu Li and the others?”

“What if my body and spirit are separate?”

“You’re not,” Chang Yishao said confidently, looking at Xie Qingtang.

Xie Qingtang scoffed lightly and asked again, “Then do you want to try?”

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