Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 31

Bian Yingning walked slowly, her steps unsteady. Shang Qinghui’s heart felt like it was being pulled by a string, following her pace.

Everyone at the equestrian center had stopped what they were doing, watching the undercurrents between the three.

They had seen Hua Cancan and Bian Yingning riding together, Shang Qinghui approaching after Hua Cancan dismounted, Shang Qinghui slapping Bian Yingning’s horse…

They had seen Bian Yingning sitting still as the horse carried her, Hua Cancan chasing after and helping her dismount… and now—Bian Yingning was approaching Shang Qinghui.

No one knew what had happened between the three, only endless speculation.

Shang Qinghui stared as Bian Yingning approached. She wondered if Bian Yingning really couldn’t ride anymore, why Hua Cancan had been so worried…

“I…” Shang Qinghui wanted to say something. She wasn’t sure what had happened to Bian Yingning, what she was thinking. Was this a trick? But it felt so real.

Bian Yingning brushed past her.

While Shang Qinghui was trying to speak first but didn’t know what to say, Bian Yingning walked past her.

Only then did Shang Qinghui realize that her eyes didn’t meet hers.

It was as if she was just a pillar, something that should be there. Bian Yingning showed no curiosity, no confusion, nothing to say.

Her heart felt heavy and painful.

Shang Qinghui would rather Bian Yingning had confronted her, or slapped her… anything.

This indifference was worse.

Shang Qingfeng returned to find Bian Yingning already gone. He asked Shang Qinghui, “Where did Miss Bian go?”

Shang Qinghui didn’t answer, only lowering her head.

Hua Cancan approached. Shang Qinghui expected her to grab her collar and question her, but she also passed by without a word.

Shang Qinghui’s eyes reddened. Had she done something terribly wrong?

Before, they’d kicked each other’s horses during races, whipped each other’s horses, but now, she’d only lightly patted Bian Yingning’s horse, and it felt so serious.

It was as if… they had truly become enemies.

Bian’s mother and Ouyang Fei also saw this. Ouyang Fei chuckled, “What little conflict did the three have?”

But Bian’s mother didn’t smile.

…

That evening, when Bian’s mother returned home, Bian Yingning was sitting with her legs crossed in the home theater, watching a movie.

A huge screen covered almost an entire wall. Bian Yingning sat on the sofa, sipping juice that she’d asked Aunt Zhuo to make.

As Bian’s mother opened the door, she saw a zombie on the screen lunging at the camera, as if about to jump out and bite her.

The excellent sound system made it feel real. Bian’s mother jumped, startled.

The room was dim, and she wouldn’t have seen Bian Yingning without the screen’s light. “Why didn’t you turn on the lights? Watching such a scary movie is frightening.”

Bian’s mother flipped the overhead light switch. The sudden brightness made Bian Yingning uncomfortable. She frowned, impatiently lowering the movie volume. “What?”

Bian’s mother’s temper flared at her daughter’s attitude. “What’s with that attitude?”

Bian Yingning scoffed. “My dear mother, haven’t I always had this attitude?”

Bian’s mother was taken aback.

It seemed true.

She just hadn’t realized when her daughter, once willful and headstrong, had become obedient, a little mischievous, but always respectful.

Now, she was fearless and disregarded her completely, making her uncomfortable.

Maybe it was a rebellious phase, a strange personality change.

Bian’s mother took a deep breath, calming herself. “What happened today with Shang Qinghui… and Hua Cancan?”

“What do you mean?” Bian Yingning looked at the screen.

“Did you have a falling out? I saw Shang Qinghui slap your horse, and Hua Cancan angrily grabbed Shang Qinghui’s collar, looking like they were about to fight.”

“Haven’t we always been like this?” Bian Yingning was unconcerned, as if discussing something trivial.

“I remember you’re a skilled rider. Why did Hua Cancan have to help you dismount?”

“And Shang Qinghui slapped your horse. Why didn’t you control it? You just sat there like a log, letting the horse carry you away?”

It was as if she didn’t know how to ride at all.

Bian’s mother found it increasingly strange. Bian Yingning’s white horse, which she’d insisted on buying for her exclusive use, was usually cherished. Today, she didn’t even look at it.

Bian Yingning had won first place in equestrian competitions. Suddenly needing help dismounting was suspicious.

“So, you mean if the horse got spooked, I should have panicked in front of everyone, acting like I was about to die, desperately trying to control the horse and stop it?” Bian Yingning glanced at her mother.

Bian’s mother was speechless.

For a socialite, acting so uncomposed would be more laughable than Bian Yingning’s behavior today.

“Besides, you said Shang Qinghui slapped my horse. Why should I control it?

With everyone watching, it would be best if the horse went crazy and threw me off. Then let’s see what the Shang family would do.”

Bian Yingning’s smile seemed sinister against the movie’s grayscale backdrop.

Bian’s mother approached Bian Yingning, touching her head. “Were you upset today? You’re so angry.”

She was indeed her daughter, far-sighted and insightful.

Bian Yingning dodged her mother’s hand. “I’m fine. You’re tired after a day out. Go rest.”

Bian’s mother felt relieved. Her daughter had truly grown up.

Though her temper had worsened, she was starting to care for her.

“Yes, but knowing you have your own ideas, I’m relieved. Seeing you help that Shang girl, I thought you genuinely wanted to make peace.”

“Make peace? An ungrateful wretch. No matter how much I helped her, what did I get in return?” Bian Yingning’s disdain was evident.

Bian’s mother hesitated. “It wasn’t entirely fruitless. Ouyang Fei told me they’re getting the development rights to a piece of land and will share some with us.”

“Oh? Share with us? Do they think they’re the leaders?”

Bian Yingning licked her teeth. “Are they expecting us to be grateful?

Why should they share with us, instead of… letting some slip through our fingers?”

Bian Yingning raised her hand, looking at her palm, her fingers slightly spread, as if holding water, droplets trickling through her fingers.

…

When Bian Yingning finished the movie, Hua Cancan arrived.

Bian Yingning had just turned off the screen and stood up, stretching. Hearing the servant, she smirked and went downstairs.

Hua Cancan had been to Bian Yingning’s house many times and knew the layout. Before, she would have gone straight up, but today, she didn’t dare.

Bian Yingning had showered and was wearing a light blue lotus-collared nightgown and white slippers, exuding the elegance of a wealthy heiress.

“You left so quickly. I wanted to get candied haws with you. I brought some over.”

Hua Cancan had also changed. She wore a gray-blue camisole, almost like lingerie.

Over it was a black sheer top, covering and uncovering at the same time.

Her ample cleavage was clearly visible.

It was hard to look away.

Bian Yingning hadn’t looked away since seeing her.

She sat opposite Hua Cancan, her eyes lingering on her clothes. “That outfit is… provocative.”

Hua Cancan was startled.

Those words sounded like… Bian Yingning before her outburst.

Without waiting for a reply, Bian Yingning opened the beautifully packaged candied haws Hua Cancan had brought.

She took one out, held it up, examining the fruit under the light, a smile on her face that didn’t feel lighthearted.

“Cancan, we’ve known each other for many years.”

Hua Cancan’s eyebrows jumped.

That damn nickname, why did it suddenly reappear!

“Mm-hmm.”

Hearing Hua Cancan’s nonchalant reply, Bian Yingning snorted, tossing the candied haw onto the coffee table in front of Hua Cancan.

With a clatter, Hua Cancan’s heart tightened.

“After all these years, you still don’t remember my kiwi allergy?”

The candied haw, broken from the fall, revealed the green kiwi slices inside.

Hua Cancan breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t know where that bizarre, fantastical guess had come from.

“If I’d forgotten, I wouldn’t have brought this to see you.” Hua Cancan finally displayed her usual alluring smile.

“What? Trying to poison me?” Bian Yingning laughed along.

“I was afraid someone had impersonated you.”

Hearing Bian Yingning use that nickname, Hua Cancan felt relieved.

Others might know Bian Yingning used to call her that, changing only after being scolded, but they couldn’t replicate the tone.

The slightly rising intonation was like… like calling a puppy to be teased!

No, thinking about it made her angry.

“Impersonated?” Bian Yingning touched her ear. “Read less fiction. Look at you, you’re not thinking straight.”

Hua Cancan …Who’s not thinking straight?

“Think about what you’ve been doing lately. Is that something you’d do?”

“Like?”

“Like that Ji Xiaoxue!” That was just one example.

“…Oh? You’re jealous?”

Hua Cancan “…Jealous of what?!”

Bian Yingning pulled open her collar and glanced inside. “I have two. Which one do you want?”

“?” Could she be any more shameless?

“What about Ji Xiaoxue? I’m beautiful and kind. Making friends is normal. Besides, friends help each other—isn’t that even more normal?” Bian Yingning’s tone was languid, pouting contentedly.

Hua Cancan was speechless.

“What about today? The horseback riding?”

She always felt Bian Yingning was strange, but now, she couldn’t think of specific examples.

Bian Yingning sighed. “Why do you have such a big chest and no brain…

Forget it, I’m at my house, so I’ll be frank…”

Hua Cancan didn’t have time to pounce on her before she continued.

“Shang Qinghui dislikes me, and her mother wants me and her brother together. The more she dislikes me, the closer I get to her brother. Whether I become her sister-in-law or not, I’ll annoy her to death first.”

Hua Cancan was shocked. Others thought she and Shang Qinghui had made peace, even she thought so. Their rivalry was to the death.

“See, she couldn’t help herself today. I thought she’d do something bigger, but it was nothing.” Bian Yingning played with her nails.

“If the horse had gone crazy, but she just lightly patted it… it’s your horse’s fault. It’s too well-behaved.”

Hua Cancan, suddenly blamed… What did that have to do with her? How could she know Bian Yingning was so vicious… clever.

“If the horse had gone crazy and run, and I’d fallen, the Shang family would have given me so much!”

Hua Cancan understood.

“You’re ruthless.” And a great actress.

She’d thought Bian Yingning helped Shang Qinghui out of kindness, but she had a plan all along.

“Ruthless? You have to be ruthless to succeed.”

Bian Yingning’s words weren’t just for Hua Cancan.

…

Hua Cancan, having resolved her doubts, stood up to leave. Her mood had been up and down all day, and she didn’t even feel like going out.

“I’m going. No need to see me out.”

“Wait.”

Hua Cancan turned back, confused. “What?”

“What?” Bian Yingning seemed even more confused. “You’re just leaving?”

“What about me?”

Bian Yingning also stood up. “You know I can ride, but I told you I was afraid, yet you left me on the horse. Aren’t you going to apologize?”

Hua Cancan quickly clasped her hands together. “I… I’ll buy you a bag to apologize.”

“A bag? I need bags?” Bian Yingning stood up, opening and closing her hand several times.

“Old habits, you know. It’s been a while. I miss it.” A bright smile appeared on Bian Yingning’s face.

Hua Cancan slowly backed away. She regretted wearing such a revealing outfit.

She thought Bian Yingning had changed, but she hadn’t changed at all!