Transmigrating as the Female Supporting Character: Dumb with Deep Pockets - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Poor

The sun beat down relentlessly.

Both of their uniforms were soaked through with sweat. When it finally came time for a break, Su Su wore a stony expression and didn’t say a single word to Chen Jia.

She was doing this on purpose to get Chen Jia’s attention, hoping the other girl would come over and coax her. She never expected that Chen Jia wouldn’t realize she was angry at all; Chen Jia simply assumed Su Su was exhausted and wanted some peace and quiet.

So, Chen Jia followed suit and kept quiet as well.

This state of affairs lasted until evening, when a belated Chen Jia finally realized that Su Su might be upset. However, as she mentally replayed the day’s events, she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what the trigger was.

Being someone who disliked overthinking problems, Chen Jia decided it was better to just ask directly.

On the way back to the dorm, she jogged a few steps to catch up with Su Su’s brisk pace. “Are you angry?”

Although Su Su felt a secret spark of joy at being asked, she remained stubborn. “No.”

“Oh.”

“…”

What was that “oh” supposed to mean?

Su Su knitted her delicate brows and turned to look back, only to find Chen Jia studying her with a serious expression.

“What are you looking at me for?”

“Trying to figure out why you’re unhappy.”

In truth, Chen Jia had never dealt with someone like Su Su before; she needed time to decipher her moods.

This time, it was Su Su’s turn to be speechless. Aside from family, Chen Jia was the first person to actually expend effort trying to guess her thoughts. Even though Chen Jia’s tone was light, it moved her.

She didn’t leave Chen Jia guessing for long, laying her cards on the table. “Is it too boring to be friends with me?”

Chen Jia frowned, dwelling on the phrase “be friends” for a split second before shaking her head. “No.”

When she first met Su Su, her only thought had been to stay as far away as possible to avoid the “supporting actress” negative energy. But after spending a few days together, she found she couldn’t say those things anymore.

Su Su was simple and actually had a decent temper; she wasn’t the overbearing tyrant described in the book. Even when facing problems, she hadn’t once thought to use her family’s power to crush others. So, what was the harm in being friends?

“If we’re talking about being boring, I talk even less than you do.”

Su Su hadn’t expected her to be so self-aware. She murmured, “I saw you chatting with others earlier; you seemed to have plenty to say then.”

She didn’t realize just how “salty” and jealous she sounded.

Chen Jia blinked. “Huh? When?”

The memory still rankled Su Su. “When I was being punished! You were chatting so happily with that other girl, you were practically all smiles.”

“Was I?”

Su Su nodded solemnly. “You were.”

Her earnest look made Chen Jia let out a small laugh, a deeper meaning flashing in her eyes. “Do you know what we were talking about?”

“What?”

“She asked if there was some sort of grudge between you and me.”

“Why would she ask that?”

“Because you were glaring at me so fiercely, like I owed you a fortune.”

“I was standing there alone while you were resting and drinking water. Am I not even allowed to look?” She huffed, her voice carrying a hidden, petty intent. “My dad said that university is a miniature society. Since you aren’t even in the same class as those people, you shouldn’t just make friends with anyone. Otherwise, they’ll think you’re just some country bumpkin from a small town and trick you. I won’t help you then.”

She only had Chen Jia as a friend, so she hoped Chen Jia would only be close with her.

“I probably won’t have time to make other friends during these four years anyway.”

Su Su was puzzled. “Why not?”

“I have to work to earn my living expenses.”

“Doesn’t your family give you money?”

Chen Jia fell silent. Because the truth was—they didn’t.

In the original novel, Su Su and Chen Jia were the two roommates most likely to stay out all night. Su Su was out partying at clubs, while Chen Jia was working in them. Working all night and studying all day left her with no energy, which led to her dropping out in her sophomore year—ending her story before she could even remain a background character.

When she first arrived in this world, Chen Jia found the original owner’s life incredibly bitter. She had worked so hard to get into university, only for her parents to claim it was a waste of money. They felt that as a girl, an education was useless; they wanted her to work in a factory and get married in a few years to secure a hefty dowry for her younger brother.

The original owner had enough of that life and had to involve the local Women’s Federation to force her family to let her go. Their condition: she could go, but they wouldn’t provide a cent. The “new” clothes she wore when she left were her family’s only support.

Her current situation could be summed up in one word: Poor.

Her tuition was a loan, and her living expenses were from her summer job. High-paying jobs didn’t exist in her small town, and her savings were nearly gone. She needed to start working as soon as possible.

Since it was freshman orientation week, the fruit shop on the back street wasn’t too busy yet. The boss was kind and agreed to let her start after military training. However, the wages from a fruit shop would barely cover her food; if she had other expenses, it wouldn’t be enough.

As she frowned slightly, Su Su noticed her distress. Worried about hurting her pride, Su Su didn’t pry further but said, “I’m very rich. Besides my monthly allowance, I save all my holiday red envelopes. If you’re ever short, I can give you some.”

Chen Jia knew she was rich—wealthier than she could even imagine. But…

“Has no one ever told you not to flaunt your wealth?”

“I know that, but you aren’t ‘someone else.’ We’re friends.”

She answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, which left Chen Jia bewildered. “How long have we even known each other?”

“I’m not stupid. I’ve been tricked plenty of times, so I can judge for myself. I’m not joking with you.”

Chen Jia shook her head. “No thanks. I don’t make a habit of spending a friend’s money.”

Su Su instinctively tried to explain. “It’s not like that—”

But then she heard Chen Jia say slowly, “If I wanted to spend your money, I wouldn’t be your friend.”

In any close relationship, a massive financial imbalance can turn things sour. She didn’t want to over-explain, but she hoped Su Su understood her stance.

Su Su knit her brows, completely unable to wrap her head around it, but she didn’t push. The atmosphere turned a bit awkward.

Chen Jia reached out, resting her hand on Su Su’s shoulder and leaning her head lightly against her. “Actually, the fact that you thought of helping me moves me a lot. I can hold on for now. If I ever truly can’t handle it, I’ll be sure to ask the Great Miss Su for help.”

It was the longest speech Su Su had ever heard from her, and the slightly placating tone smoothed over her ruffled feathers perfectly. Chen Jia’s warm breath was near her ear; Su Su wasn’t used to being this close to people, and she felt a bit restless, but she didn’t dislike it.

“Well, of course! It’s just money, after all.”

“Ah, how generous.”

“If you act as my little sidekick from now on, I’ll consider it.”

“So I have to go wherever you point?”

“Naturally.”

Under the glow of the streetlights, the two walked further and further away, their brief conflict seemingly forgotten.