Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 23

Bian Yingning banged on the wooden door, making a loud thud. The staff in the corridor, thinking something else had happened, rushed over.

Seeing Bian Yingning knocking on Shang Qinghui’s door, before they could gather to watch the fun, they were scared away by her glance.

People like them should stay away from the conflict between two rich girls.

Bian Yingning knocked several times, but there was no response from inside.

“Shang Qinghui, I know you’re in there; what’s the point of hiding? Open the door; I need to talk to you!”

However, Shang Qinghui seemed not to hear.

Bian Yingning kept knocking, until she wondered if the system was malfunctioning or if the makeup room was too soundproof.

“Shang Qinghui, I really need to talk to you. Please open the door.” Having tried force, Bian Yingning tried persuasion.

“I need to talk to you; I’ll buy you a new dress… you prepared so carefully are you not going to compete anymore?”

Shang Qinghui remained unmoved.

Only Bian Yingning’s voice echoed in the corridor. Some makeup rooms opened slightly; people inside peeked out, trying to see something, their ears perked.

“Thank you to contestant number nine for her wonderful performance. Now, let’s announce the final score for eighth place…”

The music stopped; contestant number nine finished her performance; the host announced the score, and it was time for contestants ten, eleven…

Time was pressing; they couldn’t waste time.

Bian Yingning had an idea; she said coldly and disdainfully, “Heh, you’re too scared to come out after hitting me, are you? Coward.”

One, two, three seconds…

The makeup room door suddenly swung open; Shang Qinghui appeared, red-eyed and tear-stained.

Her puffed-up face reminded Bian Yingning of a pufferfish; although tearful, her spirit was undeterred: “Who’s a coward? You did something disgusting; how dare you…”

Before she finished, Bian Yingning quickly slipped through the gap between her and the door, closing and locking it: “No time for nonsense; change your clothes, and I’ll touch up your makeup. It’s almost your turn.”

Shang Qinghui stared at her, dumbfounded. Then she pulled away her hand: “What are you doing? Isn’t me not performing what you wanted?”

Bian Yingning took a deep breath: “Whether you believe it or not, I’m saying it again; I didn’t do it.”

“If not you, then who? Wasn’t it you who wanted me to lose?”

“If it were me, would I be so stupid as to come here with milk tea, practically telling you I’m going to harm you?”

Shang Qinghui wanted to argue but didn’t know how to refute.

“Let’s settle our grievances after your performance, okay?” Bian Yingning looked at Shang Qinghui seriously.

“Maybe you’re doing this to make me think you’re not that stupid,” Shang Qinghui mumbled, looking away.

It was strange; when she saw her ruined dress, she was initially stunned, then angry and anxious, wanting to cry, her anger clouding her judgment.

But now, the truth wasn’t out yet, and she could restrain herself from killing the “prime suspect”; she had good manners.

Bian Yingning ignored her mumbling; regardless of whether she did it, if Shang Qinghui missed the competition, she would feel bad.

She understood Shang Qinghui’s anxiety, despite being slapped… damn it, she suddenly felt great.

In this world, Shang Qinghui was the person she knew best and longest.

Even more than her parents.

“Here, try it on.” Bian Yingning handed her the box.

Shang Qinghui glanced at it sideways: “What is this? Do you know what I’m performing? Do you think any dress will do?”

“You’ll know if it’s suitable for your performance after you see it,” Bian Yingning said, wanting to laugh.

Shang Qinghui’s hands tightened; Bian Yingning, without waiting for her to hesitate, shoved the box into her arms, pushing her behind the curtain: “Hurry up, old woman.”

Rip—

Bian Yingning pulled the curtain closed; she stood with her back to the curtain, seeing herself in the mirror.

She seemed normal, except for her slightly messy hair.

Only she knew how fast her heart was beating.

“Host, you’ve tried your best…” the system hesitantly offered comfort.

Bian Yingning didn’t respond.

She realized this reality show game was far more complicated than she imagined.

And now, her hard-earned points were gone again; everything was back to square one.

The difficulty was increasing; her path would be even more challenging.

…

Shang Qinghui looked at the box after the curtain was pulled closed.

Then she looked at the silver curtain; it was long, almost reaching the floor. It was still now.

She bit her lip and gently opened the box.

A long-sleeved dance dress, like a landscape painting, appeared.

Like the gentle warmth of the early spring sun on a green lake, the fabric was exquisite, shimmering in the light.

Touching it felt like warm jade.

This dress was a hundred times better than the one she had prepared.

She picked up the top and checked the sleeves; they were about 1.8 to 2 meters long.

She had practiced dancing for many years; others might not be able to handle water sleeves of this length, but it was perfect for her.

Bian Yingning… why would she have such a dress?

Did she intentionally ruin her own dress and then provide a replacement, becoming “my” savior?

But as she said, such a clumsy plan could only be conceived by someone who considered her a fool?

If it was custom-made, she must have been preparing it for a long time…

Did she intend to give it to me but didn’t dare?

Impossible.

As soon as this thought arose, Shang Qinghui shook her head, dismissing it.

What was their relationship? Why would Bian Yingning prepare such a thing for me?

While the tenth contestant was halfway through her performance, the curtain behind Bian Yingning was pulled open. She withdrew her wandering thoughts and looked back absentmindedly.

Her eyes widened.

Perhaps due to the system’s creation, Shang Qinghui, wearing this dress, was ethereal.

The dress was in two pieces.

The top was a black ink-wash painting on a white canvas-like bodice, depicting mountains and rivers; transparent gauze draped from the neckline, winding upwards and down her arms, hinting at the beauty beneath.

The long water sleeves were gathered behind her wrists, resembling wide sleeves.

The skirt was layered; underneath was a white lining; in the middle was a black landscape painting, gradually fading downwards; the outermost layer was a white gauze skirt.

A light green to almost white large silk ribbon was wrapped around her waist, matching the straps on her chest. As she moved, gold and silver seemed to flash between the layers of the skirt, creating a free and easy classical landscape painting.

“So beautiful,” Bian Yingning whispered.

Shang Qinghui seemed not to hear, turning her face away: “This dress… isn’t as good as mine.”

She wanted to point out flaws but couldn’t immediately find any, so she said this dryly.

“Mass-produced can’t compare to custom-made,” Bian Yingning didn’t argue; she didn’t have time to admire it. She pulled up a chair in front of the vanity mirror, gesturing for Shang Qinghui to come over: “Hurry up; I’ll touch up your makeup.”

Her makeup was smudged from crying.

Seeing her eagerness, Shang Qinghui reluctantly sat down, closing her eyes.

“Can you?” She seemed to be challenging her, remembering their recent argument, feeling uneasy.

Bian Yingning snorted: “Of course not, you’ll end up looking like a panda.”

Shang Qinghui’s fists clenched on her knees.

Cushion foundation, eyeshadow, eyebrow pencil, blush, and loose powder were applied to her face, followed by footsteps moving away.

Shang Qinghui closed one eye and secretly opened the other, seeing Bian Yingning only going behind the changing curtain to get something. She opened both eyes and looked in the mirror.

Well, she didn’t become a panda.

Hearing Bian Yingning’s returning footsteps, she quickly closed her eyes again.

Shang Qinghui was already made up; her hair was neatly styled. Bian Yingning carefully restyled her hair, tucking away stray strands, and gently placing a silver chain veil over her.

The cold touch made Shang Qinghui open her eyes, meeting Bian Yingning’s chin and neck as she leaned over to tie the veil.

A faint fragrance wafted over.

Shang Qinghui discreetly took a deep breath; her open neckline was in front of her; she felt a slight itch in her nose.

The silver chain of the veil must be cheap, causing an allergic reaction.

“Next, let’s welcome contestant number eleven…”

Along with the host’s voice, a knock came on the makeup room door.

The staff knew Shang Qinghui’s dress was ruined and she might not compete, but he had to call her.

It was like rubbing salt in the wound, but he still came.

“Hello, contestant number twelve is next; please go to the side of the stage.” He quickly left, fearing Shang Qinghui would retaliate.

Bian Yingning straightened up, examining Shang Qinghui, who was obediently closing her eyes: “Okay.”

She understood why Barbie dolls were so popular; which girl didn’t like dressing things up beautifully?

Shang Qinghui looked in the mirror; both she and Bian Yingning were reflected, like another world’s versions of themselves.

“Did you know who ruined my dress?”