Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 33

Nangong Jin wouldn’t intentionally lie about his lateness. Although Duanmu Zhengjie, usually perceptive, sensed something was amiss, she didn’t dwell on it.

Besides, she was captivated by the red roses.

Nangong Jin also saw the roses. Other tables had elegant lilies; only theirs had these striking roses.

The restaurant, the romantic roses, the elegant piano music, the distant coast—it was all quite romantic.

“These roses… are lovely,” Nangong Jin commented casually.

Duanmu Zhengjie smiled slightly.

Like people, flowers have varying degrees of beauty and elegance. The roses clearly showed their high status.

“Mr. Nangong suddenly inviting me to dinner is quite flattering.”

“It’s my pleasure to dine with Miss Duanmu.”

They exchanged pleasantries.

“I haven’t properly thanked Mr. Nangong for the last time. Let me return the favor tonight,” Duanmu Zhengjie washed her hands in the lemon water the waiter brought, speaking softly.

“It was nothing, Miss Duanmu. You don’t need to feel pressured. I helped you, not for your thanks.” The usually cold Nangong Jin’s eyes reflected Duanmu Zhengjie’s image.

Duanmu Zhengjie paused, then lowered her head, seemingly shy under his intense gaze, unsure how to react.

However, her downcast eyes held a deep meaning.

Their steaks arrived. As Duanmu Zhengjie picked up her knife and fork, she noticed something.

Underneath the steak, there was a small, sauce-colored mark, about the size of a peanut.

It looked like spilled sauce, but the shape was too perfect to be a coincidence.

Duanmu Zhengjie stared at the small pattern for a while, then chuckled.

Nangong Jin noticed her pause. “What’s wrong? Is something wrong with the steak? Should we get another one?”

“No,” Duanmu Zhengjie quickly replied. “I just think the steak’s marbling is interesting.” Since Nangong Jin asked, the pattern wasn’t intentional.

Interesting marbling?

Nangong Jin’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Before cutting the steak, Duanmu Zhengjie lightly sliced through the heart-shaped sauce pattern.

During dinner, Duanmu Zhengjie formed a theory.

Nangong Jin seemed to be… trying to seduce me?

Understandable, considering she was from the Duanmu family.

Even after dessert, Duanmu Zhengjie remained unmoved, making Nangong Jin increasingly impatient.

This wasn’t right. At the banquet, her gaze hadn’t been so calm.

Although she was perfectly composed and polite, some things were perceptible. There was no romantic tension between them.

Why?

Nangong Jin made a move:

“I’ve enjoyed tonight. My aquarium opens next Friday. Would you be free to join me as the first visitor?”

“Next Friday? I’m afraid I can’t confirm my schedule yet. I’ll check if my superiors need me. If I’m free, I’d be delighted.”

…

As they were leaving, Duanmu Zhengjie casually asked, “This restaurant is lovely. I wonder who owns it.”

Nangong Jin frowned. He hadn’t paid attention; his assistant had made the reservation.

He couldn’t reveal that detail, lest it seem he hadn’t been serious about the dinner.

“A small establishment. I haven’t looked into it,” Nangong Jin said haughtily.

Duanmu Zhengjie nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the vibrant red roses one last time before leaving.

A description popped into her mind—”red like a cinnabar mole.”

After they left, Bian Yingning, in a white chef’s uniform and hat, emerged from the kitchen, watching their backs, arms crossed, one finger lightly touching her lower lip, looking thoughtful and worried.

“I wonder if Sister remembered what I said.”

Remember to stay single forever.

After thinking, Bian Yingning beckoned the waiter who had changed the flowers.

Bian Yingning lightly covered her mouth, whispering to the waiter, “Dispose of the bug in the roses.”

…

Driving out of the scenic area, Duanmu Zhengjie called her assistant.

“Miss?”

“I’m sending you the location. Find out who owns this place.”

“Yes, Miss.”

To her knowledge, most of the largest resorts and restaurants in H City belonged to the Bian family, or at least they had a stake in them.

A guess formed.

—He loves your power, status, and money.

This thought inexplicably appeared in Duanmu Zhengjie’s mind.

“Interesting,” Duanmu Zhengjie tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

The southern land development hadn’t been publicly announced, yet those with connections were already working behind the scenes.

…

[Ding—Host, please note, there is a side quest. You may choose to accept or decline.]

Bian Yingning was surprised. “You’re becoming more and more human-like. You actually give me a choice?”

The system ignored her sarcasm.

[The female lead Ji Xiaoxue will be robbed on her way home from tutoring tonight and will be helped by the male supporting character Duanmu Zhenghao.

The two will meet, and the male supporting character will develop unrequited feelings for the female lead, later teaming up with Duanmu Zhengjie to break up the main couple. This will lead to the Duanmu family being retaliated against by the male lead. Intervention is advised.]

This task sounds pretty minor.

[Task value: 50 points, Task failure: none]

Well, since there’s no penalty for failure, why not try?

She immediately accepted.

Come to think of it, she hasn’t seen Ji Xiaoxue in a while.

Because her younger brother has many financial needs, although Bian Yingning gave Ji Xiaoxue a card, it wasn’t her own money, more like a loan. Ji Xiaoxue wanted to earn extra money to repay the debt.

She’s tutoring a high school junior in math, which pays well.

Of course, due to the female lead’s irresistible charm, the junior eventually falls for her.

In the original story, when the male lead and Hua Jiangrong’s scandal breaks out, the female lead gets jealous and becomes ambiguous with the junior—the one she’s currently tutoring.

Bian Yingning changed cars tonight. After Ji Xiaoxue left school, Bian Yingning had her driver follow discreetly.

Ji Xiaoxue tutored in a high-end residential area, but there were no bus stops or taxis nearby. Ji Xiaoxue was robbed on her way to a distant bus stop.

Duanmu Zhenghao, a police academy student on internship, happened to pass by and helped.

Watching Ji Xiaoxue enter the residential area, Bian Yingning got out of her RR, looking up at the sky. The moon was beautiful tonight.

This feels a bit like a stalking.

Bian Yingning chuckled at herself, looking away from the night sky, making eye contact with a passing man.

This was Duanmu Zhenghao’s patrol area. In his police uniform, he looked imposing. He didn’t look away after seeing Bian Yingning.

When they met, he didn’t avoid her gaze but smiled.

Bian Yingning smiled back.

If she guessed correctly, he was the devoted male supporting character, Duanmu Zhengjie’s brother.

The siblings shared a subtle resemblance.

Duanmu Zhenghao was stunned. He took a few steps forward, then ran back, a youthful eagerness on his face. “Are you Bian Yingning?”

Direct and enthusiastic.

Bian Yingning nodded regally. “Hello, Mr. Duanmu.”

Duanmu Zhenghao was secretly pleased and excited that Bian Yingning knew him.

Since their encounter at his brother’s engagement party, he hadn’t had a chance to see her again.

Time dulls interest, but his interest in her hadn’t diminished.

“You… what are you doing here?”

Since the female lead was robbed while walking to the bus stop, Bian Yingning decided to take her back to school.

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“Someone? A… boyfriend?” Duanmu Zhenghao asked tentatively.

Bian Yingning smiled again. “A girlfriend.”

Duanmu Zhenghao took a few seconds to realize she meant a friend.

“I… I’m on patrol.” Duanmu Zhenghao had never been so interested in someone. From afar, it was fine, but up close, he felt flustered.

Bian Yingning pretended to be puzzled. “Patrol?”

“Yes, I’m interning at the police station. It’s my turn to patrol tonight.”

“Your family has contributed so much. Your brother, sister, and now you—serving the country. Admirable.”

Duanmu Zhenghao wanted Bian Yingning’s admiration, but her genuine praise of him and his family made him embarrassed.

“Not at all. Miss Bian is too kind.”

“Is your sister busy lately? I think she’s amazing. I’d love to be friends with her, but I haven’t had the chance…” Bian Yingning shyly lowered her head, her hands behind her back.

She perfectly portrayed a girl wanting to make friends but being too shy to approach.

“My sister?” The sudden change of topic caught Duanmu Zhenghao off guard.

“Her work is… special. Busy or not depends on the situation.”

“I see…” Bian Yingning hung her head, her hair falling over her face in slow motion, in Duanmu Zhenghao’s eyes.

Adorable.

“If you really want to meet her, I’ll see if she’s free and arrange for you to hang out.” Unable to bear Bian Yingning’s disappointment, Duanmu Zhenghao said.

“Really?” Bian Yingning looked up, her eyes sparkling.

Duanmu Zhenghao nodded emphatically.

“My family’s restaurant is having a 10th-anniversary celebration next Friday. Would you and your sister like to try the new dishes?”

Bian Yingning added, “I’d be so happy to try the new dishes with your sister.”

Seeing Bian Yingning’s expectant gaze, Duanmu Zhenghao couldn’t refuse. He also wanted to spend more time with her and readily agreed.

He said that if Duanmu Zhengjie was free, they would definitely come.

Bian Yingning nodded contentedly. “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you.”

They exchanged contact information, and Duanmu Zhenghao, with work to do, had to leave.

As soon as he left, Bian Yingning’s expression changed. She seemed languid, uninterested in everything.

“Please move to the passenger seat. I want to practice driving,” Bian Yingning told the driver.

The original host disliked driving. According to her memories, she’d been in a car accident and developed a phobia. She usually had a driver.

Bian Yingning had a driver’s license from university but hadn’t had much opportunity to drive.

Here, she didn’t need to drive, but it would be more convenient if she could.

The driver quickly and respectfully offered her the passenger seat, patiently explaining the car’s functions.

While waiting for Ji Xiaoxue, Bian Yingning familiarized herself with the car and drove smoothly.

The original host had a phobia, but Bian Yingning didn’t.

Once she got comfortable, she became interested and wanted to test the car’s limits.

It was a supercar; the low rumble of the engine when she pressed the accelerator was exhilarating.

No wonder wealthy people loved buying cars.

“You can go back. I’ll drive myself,” Bian Yingning told the driver.

The driver hesitated. “Miss, shouldn’t I stay with you?”

Bian Yingning raised an eyebrow. “What? Afraid I’ll crash?”

“No, no,” the driver shook his head frantically. “I’m just worried about you.”

“Relax, I value my life more than you do.”

It was late, and the road was clear. She just didn’t drive often.

The driver left.

Bian Yingning lowered the window, resting her hand on the frame, lost in thought.

The security guard at the entrance had seen her parked there for a long time and had asked if she needed anything. Bian Yingning said she was waiting for someone.

Seeing her car, the guard asked who she was waiting for and offered to call them.

Bian Yingning described Ji Xiaoxue, and as soon as Ji Xiaoxue appeared, the guard stopped her, saying someone had been waiting for over two hours.

Two hours?

Her tutoring session was 150 minutes. Even with homework, it was only about three hours. Who would wait for her? Was there a mistake?

Seeing the black luxury car, Ji Xiaoxue realized she didn’t recognize it. Hesitating whether to leave, the car honked, then slowly reversed to her.

Seeing the person inside, Ji Xiaoxue gasped.

Bian Yingning smiled through the window. “Need help opening the door?”

Ji Xiaoxue held her bag strap, standing there for half a minute before getting in.

The car started slowly, a breeze blowing through the window.

After the talent show, Ji Xiaoxue expected Bian Yingning to confront her about ruining Shang Qinghui’s clothes, but she didn’t.

It was as if it never happened. Not only did Bian Yingning not react, but Shang Qinghui also remained silent.

Had Shang Qinghui blamed Bian Yingning, and Bian Yingning, unable to defend herself, let it go?

As time passed, their silence deepened Ji Xiaoxue’s anxiety.

The car was quiet. Bian Yingning didn’t play music; only the wind whooshed between them.

Ji Xiaoxue waited a long time for Bian Yingning to speak.

She recognized the road leading to the school.

Overwhelmed with questions, Ji Xiaoxue squeezed her palm. “How… how did you know I was here?”

The night air was cool, and with the window open, Ji Xiaoxue’s voice trembled.

Bian Yingning slowed down, intending to close the window. She pressed a button, and the passenger seat reclined. Ji Xiaoxue, unprepared, fell back.

Ji Xiaoxue, suddenly lying down in the Rolls-Royce “?”

Bian Yingning “….”

Sorry, too many buttons. She pressed another button.

The passenger seat started to slide back, creating more legroom.

Great, it’s now a bed.

An awkward silence filled the car. Bian Yingning quickly parked, tried the buttons again, and finally raised the windows.

In the enclosed car, two people—one sitting sideways, looking at the passenger seat, the other lying down, stunned.

If it were someone else, Ji Xiaoxue would think they were up to no good, but it was Bian Yingning.

The passenger seat moved forward. Bian Yingning stopped when it was the right size and adjusted the backrest.

The suggestive seat finally returned to normal.

Bian Yingning rubbed her temples. She’d found another reason why wealthy people bought luxury cars.

Reclining, falling back—it was perfect.

She restarted the car and continued driving.

After the interruption, Ji Xiaoxue didn’t know what to ask.

When they reached the school, Bian Yingning stopped, and Ji Xiaoxue remained seated.

Bian Yingning leaned on the steering wheel, looking at Ji Xiaoxue. “Get some rest.”

Ji Xiaoxue pursed her lips. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Like?”

“How did you know where I was!” She’d waited for her for over two hours.

Though rationally she knew it was wrong, she couldn’t help but think, in a way, she’d waited for me after class.

“Is it hard to find out where you are?” Bian Yingning said it like she was commenting on the beautiful night.

“You… you had someone follow me?” Anger welled up.

“Don’t overthink it. That area isn’t safe lately. I heard you were working there and wanted to be a good Samaritan.

If you feel bad, think of me as a taxi driver… fifty bucks.”

Her anger was instantly extinguished.

Who would use a Rolls-Royce to pick up fares? The gas money wouldn’t be covered.

Finding it absurd, Ji Xiaoxue pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, placing it on the dashboard. “Keep the change.”

Then she got out.

Thinking she’d won, she heard someone yell from the car, “Thank you, generous customer! Come again!”

Ji Xiaoxue stumbled, quickening her pace.

Her steps were like they were on someone’s face.

Even with pursed lips, the corners of her mouth turned up.

Wait, a taxi would cost around sixty. She thought Bian Yingning had something to say, but she didn’t say anything, like she was really just picking up fares.

Was she really picking up fares? Was this strong-arming?

Ugh, a hundred bucks gone. Tonight’s earnings were reduced by a hundred.

Fine, she’ll deduct forty when repaying the debt. She’ll make a note of it.

[Side quest successfully completed. Completion: 100%. Host receives 50 points.]

Bian Yingning turned the car around to go home. Tonight’s trip was worthwhile—one hundred dollars plus fifty points.

…

Ji Xiaoxue’s good mood didn’t last long. Before reaching her dorm, she bumped into Shang Qinghui and a group of people leaving campus.

Ji Xiaoxue remembered hearing that Shang Qinghui was a finance club officer and they had a gathering tonight at the school restaurant.

Although they were classmates, Ji Xiaoxue kept a low profile, and these days, because of the talent show incident, she hadn’t interacted much with Shang Qinghui.

Seeing Bian Yingning and then Shang Qinghui made her feel complicated.

Shang Qinghui wouldn’t really think Bian Yingning ruined her clothes with the milk tea, would she?

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