Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 103

The leaves around the school path had long been swept away by the snow, leaving only bare branches laden with unmelted snow.

The afternoon was gloomy; stepping out from the warm indoors, the sudden chill was piercing, causing one to shiver involuntarily.

Shang Qinghui glared at the person sitting in the car, completely unprepared for her thick-skinned attitude, her words laced with anger.

“Don’t you know what you did to offend me?”

Bian Yingning, who had initially been curious about what “wrong” she had done, suddenly became interested.

Resting her hands on the car window, Bian Yingning smiled at her, her tone drawn out, “Oh? Offended you? I really don’t know.”

She deliberately prolonged the words “offended you.”

Shang Qinghui’s fists clenched in her pockets. The meaning of words is profound. Why did these simple words suddenly change their meaning after passing through Bian Yingning’s mouth?

It felt like a girlfriend catching her partner cheating.

So irritating.

“You… say it.” Shang Qinghui glanced at a bodyguard, signaling him to speak.

Following the instruction, the tall and strong bodyguard stepped forward, loudly stating,

“Thank you for providing accurate information about Miss Shang’s location near the International Exchange College at xx o’clock on xx afternoon.”

Shang Qinghui glared at Bian Yingning, expecting an explanation. She expected Bian Yingning to argue, but Bian Yingning looked puzzled.

“Look, your bodyguard thanked me. Shouldn’t you thank me too? Why are you causing trouble? This is… like a dog biting Lu Dongbin (a Chinese idiom referring to ingratitude)?”

“You’re the dog!”

Shang Qinghui was furious, wanting to tear Bian Yingning apart.

“Don’t play dumb. I have no reason to hate you. Why did you interfere?”

That’s a good question. Why did I interfere?

Meng Weixin was lurking nearby.

“I just didn’t want to see news reports about a lost chubby girl.”

Bian Yingning sat back, started the car, and said, “I do good deeds anonymously. You don’t need to thank me.”

The car left as suddenly as it arrived, leaving only a trail of exhaust fumes.

Shang Qinghui stood there, stunned, only the words “chubby girl” echoing in her mind.

Girl, okay, she admitted, but chubby?

She wasn’t chubby! Her whole family wasn’t chubby!

“Bian-Ying-Ning!”

Why did she feel Bian Yingning wasn’t bad?

Had she been kicked by a donkey or hit by a door?

Why didn’t she switch teams as Meng Weixin suggested?

These questions made Shang Qinghui feel like an inflated balloon about to burst. She glared at the bodyguard, sneering, “Why did you thank her?!!”

Bodyguard: “…”

…

“Tsk…” Arriving at the company, Bian Yingning recalled Shang Qinghui’s angry yet helpless expression; she wanted to laugh.

She enjoyed seeing others angry but unable to do anything. It was a mischievous pleasure.

After reviewing the documents, Bian Yingning stretched, realizing it was already dark and she was hungry. She looked for the number of her restaurant to order food; her assistant had already left for the day. While looking for the restaurant list, she saw the invitation her assistant had brought.

An invitation to a masked ball organized by a charity; the donations would go to charity. She was expected to attend…

It was almost New Year’s; some were happy, some were sad. She should do something good.

Bian Yingning placed the invitation in a prominent place. But filling her stomach was more important.

…

“You only focus on work and neglect social events. This won’t do,” Bian’s mother threw the bank card for the charity ball back at Bian Yingning.

“These balls are for young people. If you want to do charity, go yourself.”

Bian Yingning, sitting on the sofa, didn’t look up, “I’m introverted and reclusive.”

Bian’s father silently took out a feather duster.

Bian Yingning: “…”

As the family was together, Zhuo Yi brought in a beautifully packaged gift box, “Miss Bian, a delivery for you.”

Bian Yingning looked up, “My delivery?”

She hadn’t ordered anything online. The packaging wasn’t like a typical delivery.

“Perhaps it’s from a friend,” Zhuo Yi said, handing her the box.

Bian Yingning took it; a note was attached.

It read: “Hoping to see you shine at the masked ball. —The most beautiful, charming, extraordinary, and graceful girl in the universe.”

Bian Yingning: “…”

“What is it?” Bian’s mother asked curiously.

“Oh, a small gift.” Bian Yingning, guessing who sent it, took the box to her room, saying, “Since you don’t want to go, I’ll go. I’m so filial.”

Bian’s father’s feather duster twitched.

In her room, Bian Yingning stared at the gift box.

What would the little brat send?

A dead mouse?

But the note said, “Hoping to see you shine.”

It wouldn’t be a dress that would rip easily.

She opened it. She pulled the ribbon; it loosened. She felt a nervous anticipation. There was a small light on the lid. It was quite ceremonial.

Bian Yingning turned on the light and opened the lid. Inside, nestled in white raffia, was a wild boar mask with two large curved tusks.

Bian Yingning: “…”

Damn it. What a waste of anticipation.

…

Angel masks with feathers, devil masks with intricate patterns, dazzling prince masks, paired with luxurious clothing. Dark red wine swirled in glasses; people chatted and laughed.

This was the scene Bian Yingning saw upon arrival.

Hua Cancan, surprisingly, wore a white dress and a white fox mask; her seductive aura was now tinged with purity. But her chest was still prominent.

“So many people,” Bian Yingning said to Hua Cancan.

Hua Cancan glanced at her and turned away, “Your mask is ugly. Don’t talk to me.”

Bian Yingning: “Do you have any sense of aesthetics?”

“No,” Hua Cancan said frankly.

Bian Yingning was speechless.

As soon as they entered, people looked at them, trying to identify them. People looked at Hua Cancan with admiration and amazement. Looking at Bian Yingning, they were only surprised and puzzled.

Bian Yingning hesitated: “…”

Was it really that ugly?

The lighting was dim, perhaps to match the theme. The masks covered only the upper half of their faces; eating and drinking weren’t affected.

They arrived a bit late, but the donation hadn’t started yet. Hua Cancan had already been invited to dance five times.

After refusing, they hesitantly looked at Bian Yingning before leaving.

Hua Cancan laughed, “This masked ball is fun.”

Bian Yingning was unenthusiastic, swirling her wine, scanning the room.

“If they knew you were Bian Yingning, they’d line up to dance with you,” Hua Cancan said mockingly.

“So the mask is effective,” Bian Yingning touched her boar mask.

“Bian Yingning?” A cold voice sounded.

A woman in an ice-blue fishtail dress and short hair approached. She held a wine glass and gently rested one hand on the other. The dress showed off her figure; even in the dim light, her long legs and curves were visible. Her eyes were calm and composed, as if nothing could disturb her.

“…Duanmu Zhengjie.”

Seeing her, Bian Yingning straightened up, like a child caught misbehaving. Hua Cancan and Duanmu Zhengjie noticed her discomfort.

Hua Cancan’s eyes darkened; a self-mocking curve appeared on Duanmu Zhengjie’s lips.

“Long time no see,” Duanmu Zhengjie said.

Bian Yingning nodded, “…Long time no see.”

An awkward silence followed. Duanmu Zhengjie moved her wine glass closer.

“A drink?” she asked.

They only covered the upper half of their faces; drinking and eating weren’t affected.

They clinked glasses and drank. Hua Cancan took a sip, not understanding their gesture.

“Congratulations on getting the southern development project,” Duanmu Zhengjie said, her tone emotionless, distant yet polite, as if she had just met an acquaintance.

Bian Yingning almost thought the night at the hotel was a dream.

“Just lucky.”

Duanmu Zhengjie chuckled, offering no comment, “I heard you’re developing it into a city?”

“You’re well-informed.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t see it completed.”

Bian Yingning was startled, guessing, “Duanmu Zhengjie… are you…”

“Being transferred abroad, for two years,” Duanmu Zhengjie said calmly, as if talking about someone else.

Bian Yingning felt a pang in her heart; she couldn’t speak. She wondered if it was because of her that Duanmu Zhengjie was leaving.

Duanmu Jie seemed to know what Bian Yingning was thinking, “Next time you see me, you’ll call me Director.”

Bian Yingning sighed; her heart was heavy, “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“…So soon.”

“It’s been approved for a while.”

Hua Cancan, without any sense of guilt for eavesdropping, leaned against the table. Duanmu Zhengjie glanced at her, making Hua Cancan stiffen.

Impressive. Her aura was captivating.

Ignoring Hua Cancan, Duanmu Zhengjie gave her wine glass to a passing waiter, “Care to dance?”

Bian Yingning put down her glass and extended her hand, “My pleasure.”

They entered the dance floor, dancing simply. Gradually, everyone’s gaze fell on them.

The ice-blue fishtail dress and the silver dress intertwined and separated. It reminded people of a mermaid emerging from the sea, bathed in moonlight.

A beautiful picture. The dimness was illuminated by them.

The elegant blue mask and the fierce boar mask complemented each other.

They danced without speaking. Silence accompanied the music, flowing between them.

The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.

After the dance, Duanmu Zhengjie casually glanced at Bian Yingning’s boar mask, “The mask… is unique.”

Bian Yingning touched the tusks. She smiled softly, “She sent it.”

Duanmu Zhengjie smiled, “It suits you.”

Bian Yingning: “…”

“I’ll take my leave.”

Duanmu Zhengjie left, feeling relieved. She wasn’t the person Bian Yingning imagined.

In Bian Yingning’s mind, she was a harmless rabbit, running away when scared.

But she wasn’t.