Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 35

Watching the rain lash against the metal awning, the short overhang of the bulletin board offered little protection, and large drops of cold water splattered on her face.

Bian Yingning fell into thought. She regretted not having her driver wait for her to avoid drawing attention.

A mistake.

She was never going to be able to be low-key!

Even if she didn’t drive a luxury car on campus, everyone knew she was rich!

So troublesome.

She still had to visit Duanmu Zhenghao, and her clothes would be ruined if they got wet.

She checked the time on her phone, intending to ask her driver where he was, wondering how long it would take to shower and change before heading to the hospital, wondering if she’d still be able to see Duanmu Zhengjie—

A black umbrella with light pink accents appeared above her head.

Bian Yingning froze, looking up from her phone, meeting Shang Qinghui’s awkward gaze. Shang Qinghui looked away, but her hand steadily offered the umbrella.

This…

Before Bian Yingning could react, Shang Qinghui said coldly, “Take it.”

Bian Yingning didn’t move. “No need. My driver…”

“Take it or not?”

“…” This felt like a threat.

Hesitantly, Bian Yingning took the umbrella. Before she could say her driver would be here soon and the umbrella wasn’t necessary, Shang Qinghui ran off.

She really ran, into the school, in the rain.

Holding the umbrella, watching her run away, the layers of her black and ornate skirt billowed and fell with each step.

It was quite beautiful.

It felt like a scene from a drama where someone entrusts a child to someone else—a beautiful scene that could have used more dialogue.

A unique apology?

Sigh, another drenched person in this city.

Was it really necessary?

The driver arrived with two bodyguards, one opening an umbrella and opening the car door for Bian Yingning.

Shang Qinghui, wondering why she’d gotten herself wet giving Bian Yingning the umbrella, looked back and saw Bian Yingning getting into the luxury car, attended by her bodyguard.

Her eyes were blurry from the rain, and she was soaked. Seeing only the rear of the luxury car, Shang Qinghui fell silent.

Did she forget to bring her brain this morning? Why did she feel… stupid?

…

Fortunately, she had a change of clothes at the gymnasium. Shang Qinghui showered and changed—and the rain stopped.

Shang Qinghui: …

She only attended one-third of her classes today.

Her friends were concerned. “Qingqing, you said you were coming to school earlier. Why did it take so long?”

“I saw a cat in the rain outside. I thought it was a stray, so I held an umbrella for it. Then its owner came in a luxury car to pick it up.”

Her friends pondered this convoluted story. “…Qingqing is… so kind!”

Shang Qinghui: …

Indeed.

Before class ended, Shang Qinghui received a message from Nangong Jin, asking her to go archery.

Archery? Okay.

…

After school, Shang Qinghui remembered her new dress, now sadly stuffed in the gymnasium locker. She decided to retrieve it.

She’d waited almost two months for this dress and hadn’t worn it properly. She wasn’t giving up.

For some reason, Shang Qinghui didn’t bring her friends. She retrieved her dress and decided to leave through the back gate.

As she turned from the gymnasium, she saw a familiar white sports car parked nearby. Nangong Jin was walking towards the car with Ji Xiaoxue.

“What are you doing? I’m not going with you! Do we know each other? Are you crazy?!” Ji Xiaoxue yelled, struggling.

Nangong Jin said nothing, pulling her forward. When Ji Xiaoxue struggled fiercely, he bent down and carried her on his back.

Ji Xiaoxue pounded on his back anxiously. “That’s illegal! Why are you doing this to me?!”

Reaching the car, Nangong Jin put her down, pinning her against the vehicle.

“Woman, remember, you’re mine.”

Ji Xiaoxue: ?

Shang Qinghui, hidden behind a tree, overheard everything: …

“I asked you to dinner. I need to talk to you.”

“Can’t you say it now? You might be mistaken.”

“Mistaken? I, Nangong Jin, never make mistakes.”

“…”

“Xiaoxue, you don’t remember, do you? We were deeply in love. We’ll always be. You’re my only one.”

“Mr. Nangong, you must have the wrong person. Before coming to H City, I’m sure I never knew you.” Ji Xiaoxue said with difficulty.

“It’s okay. You don’t remember now, but I’ll tell you our story. We met as children.”

“As children?” Ji Xiaoxue was confused.

“Yes.” A tender expression appeared on Nangong Jin’s usually icy face. “You’re as pure and lovely as you were as a child.”

His hand caressed Ji Xiaoxue’s face.

Ji Xiaoxue shied away, feeling disgusted.

“Mr. Nangong, please calm down. Maybe you have the wrong person. I look very different from my childhood self.”

“Ji Xiaoxue, even if you turn to ashes, you can’t escape me.”

Ji Xiaoxue was silent, her head down.

Nangong Jin panicked. “Xiaoxue, why aren’t you responding? Smile. My life is yours!”

Shang Qinghui: …

She rubbed goosebumps on her arms. The ground was still damp from the rain, and the air smelled of wet earth.

Shang Qinghui felt nauseous.

If Bian Yingning were here, she would tell Shang Qinghui not to overthink it. It wasn’t the smell of geosmin making her nauseous, but the cheesy lines.

As they continued, Nangong Jin trying to force Ji Xiaoxue into the car, a school patrol arrived on motorcycles with flashing lights.

Three or four officers got off, stopping Nangong Jin. “What are you doing! How did you get in? What do you want with our students?!”

Ji Xiaoxue, pale, hid behind the officers. “I don’t know him. He said we met as children, that we were in love… He wanted to force me into his car. He’s probably crazy!”

Nangong Jin, held down by the officers, roared angrily. “Xiaoxue! How could you say that?!”

The trembling Ji Xiaoxue “…Call the police.”

Shang Qinghui, unwilling to watch the drama, quietly left, sending a message to the patrol leader. “There have been many recent incidents. The school needs to increase patrols to prevent unauthorized entry.”

“Received! Thank you for your suggestion, Miss Shang!”

She had to reconsider her date tonight.

Perhaps, going or not depended on whether he was free.

…

Changing clothes in her apartment near the school, Bian Yingning chose a pink and white striped polo shirt—tight and cropped—and white wide-leg jeans, looking youthful and pure.

Sophisticated older women probably prefer innocent younger girls.

Carrying a fruit basket, Bian Yingning arrived at Duanmu Zhenghao’s floor. Exiting the elevator, she checked her reflection on her phone.

Okay, perfect.

Then, she made eye contact with someone behind her through the blurry phone screen.

Turning around abruptly, Duanmu Zhengjie, in a gray-black suit, was standing by the window, talking on her phone. The window was conveniently next to the elevator.

Bian Yingning: …

It was a bit sudden.

Duanmu Zhengjie looked at Bian Yingning and nodded.

She wasn’t heavily made up, wearing nude lipstick. Her short hair wasn’t just short; it was styled and slightly puffed, looking understated yet elegant.

Bian Yingning didn’t understand what she was saying, only catching her final words to the other person: “au-revoir.”

She knew thats—French for “goodbye.”

Oh, damn, why is this woman so captivating when she speaks French? It’s hard not to become a fan girl.

To strike up a conversation, Bian Yingning smiled charmingly. “Sister, your French is so… French.”

“…”

Bian Yingning: ?

What did she just say?

Crap, I slipped up.

“Uh, I mean your French is very authentic, Sister Duanmu.”

“…Thank you.” Duanmu Zhengjie had guessed who was coming after Duanmu Zhenghao mentioned a friend who admired her.

“Miss Bian, what brings you to the hospital?” Duanmu Zhengjie asked pointedly.

“I… I’m here to see Duanmu Zhenghao… your brother.” Under Duanmu Zhengjie’s gaze, Bian Yingning felt exposed.

“Ah, he mentioned a friend visiting. I didn’t expect it to be Miss Bian.” Duanmu Zhengjie’s surprise was perfectly timed.

“Zhenghao and I hit it off immediately. I had to visit him after his injury in the line of duty.”

“Hit it off immediately?” They walked towards Duanmu Zhenghao’s room together.

“Yes, I admire those who serve the country, especially talented people like you, Sister Duanmu. When I saw you, I thought, such a perfect woman must be coveted by many men.”

—”Promise me, okay? Stay single forever.”

Those words echoed in her mind again.

Her assistant’s message: “The restaurant you dined at belongs to the Bian family.”

The waiter with the flowers: “Our manager said these roses are worthy of being placed before you.”

Duanmu Zhengjie: …Why does she keep wanting me to stay single, badmouthing others, even preparing…

It’s strange… things get in the way of my thoughts when I eat with others.

She now suspects that her instant connection with her brother was just a means to get close to her?