Transmigrating as the Female Supporting Character: Dumb with Deep Pockets - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Small and Very Cute

In the blink of an eye, the day of the performance arrived.

Chen Jia was genuinely curious about Su Su’s “reserved segment.” Even during rehearsals, Su Su had insisted on going alone. If it weren’t for the fact that their department had so few acts to offer—and that Su Su had repeatedly promised the senior in charge that they had a secret weapon—Chen Jia’s rendition of “Two Tigers” would have been cut long ago.

Su Su had prepared the costumes for today’s performance a full half-month in advance. In fact, for the entire month leading up to the show, she had been buying a mountain of clothes for Chen Jia.

Looking at the formal gowns piled high on her bed, Chen Jia had said, “You really didn’t need to buy these. I could have just found a place near campus to rent one.”

“Who knows how many people have worn those rental clothes? They don’t even wash them. I can’t believe you’re not grossed out,” Su Su replied, holding a dress up against Chen Jia to gauge the fit. “If we didn’t only have one act, I’d honestly want you to wear every single one of these.”

Chen Jia was tall and had a great figure; she looked good in everything.

“What about you?” Chen Jia asked, puzzled. For someone as obsessed with looking pretty as Su Su, it was strange that she hadn’t bought anything for herself.

Su Su’s expression became a bit forced. “I’m the secret weapon of this duo. I can’t let you know yet—it’s a surprise for later.”

Hearing this made Chen Jia even more nervous. “Please don’t give me a ‘surprise.’ It’s only our first year of college.” Su Su’s logic operated on a different wavelength than most people’s; Chen Jia was truly afraid she wouldn’t be able to show her face on campus for the next three and a half years.

“It’s fine! Even if we lose face, I’m right there with you to take the fall, aren’t I?”

The statement sounded incredibly unreliable, but Su Su quickly diverted Chen Jia’s attention, turning the dorm room into a private dress-up game.

…

On the day of the show, Chen Jia finally saw Su Su’s performance outfit.

A little tiger onesie. While it looked quite cute, the strange looks they were receiving from everyone around them were exceptionally uncomfortable.

But… it was too late to change anything now.

Su Su, seemingly oblivious to Chen Jia’s embarrassment, reached up and flicked her own tiger ears. “How is it? Isn’t it adorable?”

Chen Jia’s eyelid twitched. “We are university students.”

Su Su wagged her fluffy tiger tail. “I know. This kind of performance is too childish for elementary schoolers, but for college students, it’s just right.”

Chen Jia: “…”

She reached back and rubbed the nape of her neck. Luckily, she wasn’t someone who cared deeply about appearances; otherwise, she really wouldn’t have been able to handle this scene.

“Let’s go, let’s go. It’ll be our turn soon.”

Today, Chen Jia wore a long black formal gown with her hair swept up in a sophisticated updo, revealing her exquisite features. While waiting backstage, she had already drawn a significant amount of attention. Su Su felt a twinge of pride; the person she had her eye on deserved to shine in front of everyone.

However, the people coming over to flirt were less than ideal.

When a chubby guy from a comedy skit approached enthusiastically, chatting away and trying to use humor to make Chen Jia laugh, Su Su couldn’t take it anymore. She forcefully squeezed herself between the two of them.

“Chen Jia, come to the bathroom with me.”

“What’s wrong?” Chen Jia, who had been talking, suddenly turned around with a worried look.

“I need to go, and I’m too embarrassed to go alone.”

Chen Jia grumbled, “So now you know how to be embarrassed?” But her actions were honest. She lifted her skirt and, walking in five-centimeter heels, accompanied her to the restroom.

The backstage restrooms were crowded with people changing, so they had to go a bit further to find a quiet spot. Chen Jia checked the time and followed her to the adjacent teaching building. Because of the Arts Festival, the building was nearly empty.

“Go ahead.”

Chen Jia escorted her to the first-floor restroom. She looked down at her own outfit; she looked like she had just come back from a cosplay convention. The hallway was dark; if someone walked by suddenly, she might actually give them a fright.

“Never mind, I’ll go in with you.”

Su Su hadn’t been in a rush, but being at the restroom suddenly made the urge real. The tiger outfit was a onesie; although she had clothes on underneath, using the bathroom was a major ordeal. After she finished, she realized she couldn’t reach the zipper on her back by herself.

“Chen Jia, come help me.”

The stall door opened a crack. Seeing Su Su’s pitiful expression, Chen Jia sighed and reached in to help with the zipper.

“Are you done yet?”

Su Su was wearing two layers. It had been air-conditioned backstage, so she hadn’t felt the heat, but out here in a confined space, she felt like she was about to explode.

Their current positions were very awkward. The stall was dark, so to let Chen Jia see clearly, Su Su braced her hands against the wall and arched her back slightly. Chen Jia, struggling to see in the dim light, leaned down close to the zipper at Su Su’s waist.

“Almost.”

The zipper was caught on a fine white thread. No matter how hard Chen Jia pulled, it wouldn’t budge.

Su Su was losing her patience. She whispered over her shoulder, “Not yet?” She really wanted to see if it was truly stuck. She tried to turn around, but her legs felt weak; she stumbled and accidentally stepped on the hem of Chen Jia’s dress. The strapless gown couldn’t withstand the tug and slid right down.

Everything that should and shouldn’t be seen was suddenly visible.

The air seemed to freeze in the wake of the sudden accident. Su Su blinked, staring fixedly.

Small, and also very cute.

With a sharp zip, the zipper in Chen Jia’s hand finally moved up.

Su Su’s face flushed. “I…”

Before she could finish, she looked up and met a pair of strange, horrified eyes.

A girl standing outside the stall hadn’t expected to see something so “stimulating.” Like an ant on a hot pan, she stammered incoherently, looking everywhere but at them. “Um… I… sorry, please continue, just pretend I wasn’t here!”

She fled as if ghosts were chasing her, giving the two of them no chance to explain.

Chen Jia’s expression was beyond words. Her current mood was extremely complex; if she had a second chance, she would rather have stood at the entrance cosplaying than come in here to be humiliated. She sighed, expressionless, and awkwardly pulled her dress back into place.

Su Su swore she didn’t do it on purpose. Seeing Chen Jia’s stiff movements, panic welled up in her heart.

“Are you mad?”

“No.”

“…”

Although Su Su had already seen “everything” before, her face still burned at the memory of what just happened.

“I swear, it was an accident.”

Chen Jia didn’t want to think about it anymore. she covered Su Su’s mouth with her hand and said through gritted teeth, “I know. Don’t say another word.”

They returned to the backstage in silence. Their roommate, Li Sisi, was frantically looking for them.

“Where did you two go? You’re up next!”

Su Su gave a forced laugh. “Nowhere, just went to the bathroom.”

There were two acts left before their turn. Su Su didn’t dare make any more moves; she sat obediently side-by-side with Chen Jia, waiting for the host to announce them. During this time, both instinctively avoided eye contact, struggling to stop their powerful memories from overthinking.

After what felt like forever, the host’s enthusiastic voice echoed through the backstage.

“Next, please welcome Su Su and Chen Jia from the Class of 2018 Computer Science and Technology Department, performing the piano and dance act: ‘The Happy Little Tiger.’ Let’s have a round of applause!”