Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 66

Bian Yingning poured herself a drink, didn’t ask Hua Cancan anything, just raised her glass to her. Hua Cancan raised hers too.

Clink! The glasses touched, and both women drank it down in one gulp.

The autumnal chill made the alcohol feel even colder, causing Bian Yingning to grimace.

Putting down her glass, she felt the icy alcohol hit her stomach, followed by a burning sensation.

Sliced fruit and dried squid were on the table, and Bian Yingning nibbled on them occasionally clinking glasses with Hua Cancan.

They drank casually, losing track of how much they’d had.

Finally, Hua Cancan couldn’t hold it in anymore. She pulled Bian Yingning close, leaning against her, her arms around Bian Yingning’s neck, whimpering.

Bian Yingning sighed, gently patting the drunkard’s back to comfort her.

“What if someone you’ve known for a long time suddenly changes their identity? How should you continue your relationship? Can you go back to how things were?”

Bian Yingning thought for a moment: “But the past wasn’t fake. Identity is just a label society gives us.

Who she is to you, she still is… would you think she’s not the same person just because she changed jobs?”

Hua Cancan rubbed against her, the smell of alcohol mixing with her unique milky scent, as contradictory as her emotions.

“But I feel it’s different, we can’t go back… one person’s place will eventually be taken by another…”

Bian Yingning stroked her head: “If it doesn’t work, then you can get to know each other again, as different people.”

If you can’t continue as you were, then start over.

Everything restarts; maybe things will be different.”

…

Bian Yingning woke up confused. Everything was unfamiliar, startling her. She pulled back the covers to check herself.

Hmm… all my clothes are still on.

Touching her stomach, no scars, kidneys intact.

Bian Yingning breathed a sigh of relief and sat up.

“Where am I?” she asked the system.

“The Hua family residence,” the system replied impassively.

“…”

Bian Yingning looked around, found her phone on the bedside table, and opened it. Her mother had called five times yesterday, the last call lasting about a minute.

She tapped her head; she had no memory of it.

“How did I get here? What happened last night?”

“Last night at the bar, you and Hua Cancan got drunk… and were brought back. Don’t worry, host, you’re safe and clean.”

Safe and clean? What kind of description is that?

Hua Cancan frequented that bar; the owner is her friend. Seeing them drunk, she had them sent back.

It was already 12 noon. Staying here wasn’t ideal.

Bian Yingning got up to wash while calling Hua Cancan.

Unsurprisingly, no one answered.

Her phone is now a decoration, huh.

Opening the door, the corridor was empty.

She was on the second floor. As Bian Yingning came down the spiral staircase, thinking she’d leave unnoticed, someone emerged from the kitchen with a glass of water.

Bian Yingning still had four steps to the ground floor. Jiang Jiaotao stood below, looking up at her.

Their eyes met, and Bian Yingning instinctively looked away.

“Leaving?” Jiang Jiaotao broke the silence.

Bian Yingning touched her hair: “Yeah… thanks for last night.”

“Have some honey water first,” Jiang Jiaotao walked towards the dining table.

Hesitantly, Bian Yingning followed.

Jiang Jiaotao placed the honey water in front of Bian Yingning.

Quietly saying thank you, Bian Yingning sipped it slowly.

The temperature was perfect, neither hot nor cold, very smooth.

The hangover discomfort seemed to ease.

After drinking most of it, Bian Yingning knew she couldn’t keep avoiding it. She took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Jiaotao.

Being at home, compared to her usual made-up appearance, Jiang Jiaotao looked much simpler today.

Her face was bare, her hair simply tied back, but her naturally alluring features couldn’t be hidden.

“I’m sorry I didn’t reveal my identity at first,” Bian Yingning apologized formally.

“You knew my identity from the beginning?” Jiang Jiaotao clasped her hands on her knees, looking down at her nails.

“No, I only started suspecting after spending more time with you. When Nangong Jin contacted you, I was sure.”

If possible, Bian Yingning preferred seeing Jiang Jiaotao’s confident and clear-headed self, not this uncertainty about the future.

“So, you were sincere at the beginning…”

“Asking you to tutor was sincere. Giving you that much money, the bag… I wasn’t expecting anything in return,” Bian Yingning stated frankly.

She didn’t approach Jiang Jiaotao because of her identity to curry favor with the Hua family; she didn’t need to.

Jiang Jiaotao didn’t speak.

“What are your plans?” Thinking of Hua Cancan… it was their family matter, Bian Yingning didn’t dare ask how they’d handle it. She just hoped everyone would be okay.

“Move out and live my life,” Jiang Jiaotao smiled slightly, continuing, “Don’t worry about me. I think things are pretty good now. I don’t have to worry about money.”

“That’s good.” Bian Yingning finished her honey water: “I’ll go then… tell Cancan I left if she wakes up.”

As Bian Yingning stood, Jiang Jiaotao stood too.

They walked towards the door; Bian Yingning had called her driver.

“I’ll go then.” At the entrance, Bian Yingning looked down, avoiding Jiang Jiaotao’s gaze, and said it again.

As she turned, Jiang Jiaotao suddenly grabbed her hand: “Bian Yingning.”

“Hmm?” Bian Yingning looked at her.

Her naturally upturned eyes stared at her: “We…” Jiang Jiaotao lowered her eyes and changed her words: “Thank you.”

Bian Yingning held her hand, squeezing it: “For what? We’re friends.”

The black car drove away. Jiang Jiaotao closed the curtains.

Turning around, Hua Cancan stood not far behind her, arms crossed, looking at her coldly.

…

On the way home, Bian Yingning asked the system.

“Is this the best outcome for Jiang Jiaotao?”

“Yes, host.”

Yes, why wouldn’t it be?

She had no ambition, just wanting a worry-free life. She had suffered a lot; a peaceful, quiet, and affluent life was perfect for her.

In the original story, Jiang Jiaotao didn’t return to the Hua family. She never knew her background and was manipulated by the male lead into doing things she didn’t want to do.

“I really hope everyone can live well,” Bian Yingning looked at the passing scenery and whispered.

Back home, Bian’s mother was unexpectedly at home instead of out playing.

“Why did you go to the Hua family residence?” Bian’s mother asked displeased.

“I went to see Hua Cancan last night and slept over.”

“Hua Cancan? Then why didn’t she answer my calls?”

Bian Yingning pouted: “We were playing and got tired, so we went to sleep.”

Bian’s mother still frowned: “You know what’s going on at her house, right?”

Bian Yingning sprawled on the sofa, asking Zhuo Yi to get her something to eat: “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb!” Bian’s mother sat beside her, patting her legs: “Every wealthy family has secrets. Just keep it in mind; I won’t say more.”

“It’s uncertain who will take over the Hua family. Don’t get involved.”

“Hua Cancan is my childhood friend. Her problems are my problems. If Can Can wants to, I’ll support her taking over.”

Bian Yingning stated her position.

The four families appear harmonious, but secretly, each prioritizes their own interests and doesn’t want others to succeed.

Bian’s mother stood up angrily: “Zhuo Yi, make her some herbal porridge. Disobedient stubborn cows needs to eat grass!”

Bian Yingning turned over on the sofa: “Zhuo Yi, you heard my mother. She’s making me herbal porridge. Quickly get my father’s treasured Cordyceps sinensis to cook it.”

Bian’s mother was furious.

…

Hua Jiangrong becoming H City’s tourism ambassador was almost confirmed. Since the city was developing tourism, food and accommodation had to improve.

Hua Jiangrong’s posters were put up at the airport and train station. Hotels and tourist attractions were advertising.

The Hua family was busy.

Bian Yingning contacted the Hua family and secured a place in H City’s tourism guide booklet.

These booklets would be available at airline waiting areas, airplane seats, high-speed trains, etc.

Tourism development benefits all four families.

Outsiders would see business opportunities and buy houses, benefiting the Shang family.

Tourists would come, benefiting the Bian family’s restaurants and hotels.

The Hua family, responsible for promotion, would benefit the most.

The Nangong family’s entertainment venues and shopping malls would also attract tourists.

But… tourists visiting Nangong family’s entertainment venues found them… deserted.

Many restaurants had closed, and there were few advertisements. The tourists felt cheated; the advertisements said it was fun.

Word-of-mouth is crucial for businesses. When a business’s reputation suffers, it’s close to collapse.

Cheated tourists started sharing their experiences online, warning others not to waste time at certain places. A consensus formed.

…

At the Nangong family’s board meeting.

“This is definitely the other three families ganging up on the Nangong family!” an elderly man shouted, banging the table.

“The problem is, why would the other three families cooperate? We have no conflicts of interest. Why would they harm us? Besides, the Nangong family has never offended them…”

Someone else spoke.

Four families, while cooperating, each prioritizes their own interests.

The Hua family’s media used Nangong family’s malls for advertising. Now, the Hua family canceled all cooperation with the Nangong family, even paying penalties.

Some chain restaurants also left, even before their leases expired.

It was as if they’d be punished for leaving slowly.

The loss of advertising revenue and shop rent was a heavy blow to the mall’s operations.

Without shops, how could it be called a mall?

“How do we know if we’ve offended the others?”

At the other end of the long table sat Nangong Yao, the eldest son of another powerful branch of the Nangong family. Before the discussion turned chaotic, he spoke.

He stared at Nangong Jin, who was sitting at the head of the table with a grim expression.

He and Nangong Jin were both potential heirs to the Nangong family.

Because the previous head was Nangong Jin’s father, Nangong Jin, decisive and ruthless, took over after the vote.

As soon as Nangong Yao spoke, the room fell silent.

Everyone looked at Nangong Jin, waiting for an explanation.

Nangong Jin remained silent, seemingly unfazed by their anticipation.

Nangong Yao sneered: “What’s wrong, cousin? Don’t you have anything to say?”

“I heard there was a dispute between you and Bian Yingning at the Bian family restaurant’s anniversary celebration?”

Someone sitting next to Nangong Jin asked.

If the Nangong family had no problems, their monthly profits would be stable and satisfactory. They wouldn’t care if Nangong Jin quarreled with anyone.

But now, the situation was becoming unfavorable. They would dig up anything, regardless of when it happened.

“I’ll handle this. Don’t worry,” Nangong Jin’s cold face showed no emotion, perfectly portraying a ruthless CEO.

“Cousin, how can we not worry? The Nangong family is our life’s work…”

“Are you trying to make me abdicate?” Before Nangong Yao finished, Nangong Jin looked at him.

His gaze was sharp, chilling.

“This…”

He spoke bluntly, leaving others speechless.

After Nangong Jin returned, their monthly income had indeed increased.

And Nangong Jin’s father had always managed the family well; they had nothing to worry about.

Now, if Nangong Jin stepped down, it was uncertain if the family could be saved.

“No need for more words,” Nangong Jin had several letters distributed to those with more influence: “Read the contents and then think about what to say next.”

Nangong Jin sat calmly, legs crossed.

Nangong Yao was annoyed. Just as he wondered what Nangong Jin would do, an envelope arrived.

He had one too?

Nangong Yao was puzzled but opened it.

Inside was a photo.

It showed him looking disheveled, snorting white powder from a card.

Nangong Yao’s face turned pale, frantically covering the photo.

He looked at Nangong Jin, who was looking out the window, lost in thought.

Nangong Yao looked at the others, noticing their pale faces or guilty expressions.

Soon, everyone left. The room was quiet again. Nangong Jin lit a cigarette, his face obscured by the smoke.

I, Nangong Jin, would die in this position.

…

“Why me? I have class tonight!” Bian Yingning almost raised her hands and feet in protest.

Bian Jiageng asked Zhuo Yi: “Does she have class tonight?”

Zhuo Yi looked ahead, impassively: “Miss’s schedule shows that after her class ends at 3:30 pm today, her next class is at 10:20 am tomorrow.”

Bian Yingning: “…So detailed, you’d be a great clockmaker.”

Zhuo Yi smiled politely: “Thank you for the suggestion, Miss. I’ll consider it after I’m fired.”

Bian Yingning gritted her teeth.

When the original owner was around, she didn’t dare to fart. How long had she been here before she started acting up? She’s bullying my kindness, huh?

Hua Jiangrong became the ambassador, and everyone wanted to ride her wave.

The Bian family had all its advertisements, but they wouldn’t refuse more publicity.

Bian Jiageng wanted Hua Jiangrong to take photos at the Bian family hotel and restaurant for advertising.

He wanted Bian Yingning to handle it. Hua Jiangrong was free tonight for dinner and to discuss it.

But Bian Yingning, usually eager to expand the business, refused? Could she refuse this?

Hua Jiangrong, female, Bian Yingning, female. Dinner and collaboration would avoid gossip and provide common ground.

“And you always call her ‘Aunt’ right? You can invite Hua Cancan too. The three of you can chat,” Bian Jiageng suggested.

Bian Yingning was numb.

Hearing Hua Jiangrong’s name, she thought of those two nights at the Suowei Hotel.

Yes, two nights.

Two nights when her innocence was almost lost.

On a dark and windy night, she, Bian Yingning, a worker focused only on her mission, diligently prepared…

Unexpectedly…

System: “Host, I remember the moon was quite bright those two nights.”

Bian Yingning: “?”

What kind of moon isn’t bright?

Why would it interrupt my sentimental moment!

Seeing her father’s attitude, Bian Yingning knew she couldn’t refuse.

But his words gave her an idea. Yes, she could invite Hua Cancan. It shouldn’t be too awkward… right?

As Bian Yingning reached for her phone to call Hua Cancan, she suddenly realized.

Wait, after Jiang Jiaotao’s incident, Hua Cancan and Hua Jiangrong…

And what Hua Cancan said at the bar that night. Their relationship now seemed worse than hers and Hua Jiangrong’s.

Bian Yingning tossed her phone aside and ruffled her hair.

What a mess.

She couldn’t stay in H City anymore.

“Dad! Let me develop the Leny market!”

“If you go to dinner with Hua Jiangrong tonight, I’ll have time to work on it, and our hotel will be listed in Leny tomorrow!”

System: “Congratulations, host, your ‘Painting Rosy Picture’ experience points +1.”

Bian Yingning: “?”

Is that a sarcastic +1?

…

Since H City is by the sea, the most famous place is the seaside. Bian’s father chose a seaside resort’s western restaurant.

Very representative.

Arriving there, Bian Yingning inevitably thought of Duanmu Zhengjie.

The steak she was eating at that time…she was the one who put a heart on it.

Hua Jiangrong and Hua Cancan weren’t there yet.

Yes, Bian Yingning invited Hua Cancan.

A friend’s troubles are her troubles, after all.

Hua Jiangrong’s position in the Hua family was awkward, and Hua Cancan was sensitive. There was a rift between them. It was better to talk it out.

Life is too short for too much entanglement.

As Bian Yingning chewed on a breadstick, Hua Cancan arrived.

Her hair had grown longer, adding to her allure.

She wore long silver earrings, a black waist-cinching dress, and white pointed boots. Bian Yingning was mesmerized.

“Wow, you’re smart today. You know to treat me to western food,” Hua Cancan looked much better. She sat opposite Bian Yingning, adjusting her hair.

Bian Yingning gestured for the waiter to bring coffee: “I heard our steaks aren’t selling well and are about to expire. I asked you to help finish them.”

Hua Cancan: “???”

Bian Yingning leaned on the table, chin in her hand, staring at Hua Cancan.

Hua Cancan wasn’t shy, presenting her best angle, winking: “What? Suddenly find me beautiful and falling in love?”

Bian Yingning was speechless: “Even rabbits don’t eat grass near their nests. Do you feel anything when you touch your left hand with your right?”

“I mean… your foundation is good today. The last one was bad; it was cakey and peeling.”

Hua Cancan: “…”

They both knew when they last met. Hua Cancan angrily chewed on the breadstick.

breadstick is called breadstick because it’s dry and hard.

Just as Hua Cancan was chewing with all her might, as if she were chewing on Bian Yingning herself, Bian Yingning said, “I also invited… Hua Jiangrong today. My family’s restaurant is almost bankrupt, and my dad asked me to invite her to take some photos, hoping her popularity can save it.”

“Oof…” Without warning, Hua Cancan bit her tongue while chewing forcefully, the pain causing her to instantly burst into tears.

Bian Yingning: “…You’re crying already?”