Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 105

As they stared at each other silently, a woman emerged from a restroom stall, the sound of rushing water filling the small space.

The moment she stepped out, she sensed a shift in the atmosphere, as if the door she’d exited wasn’t the same one she’d entered. Looking closer, she recognized the woman leaning against the sink, ignoring her completely—it was Shang Qinghui, dressed in a deep purple dress.

The tall woman standing by the restroom door, arms crossed, being intently stared at by Shang Qinghui through the mirror, was Bian Yingning.

The atmosphere between them was tense, like a standoff, and she, an ordinary person who had inadvertently stumbled into a scene of hunting or fighting, was an innocent bystander.

Passerby: “…”

Damn, I can’t afford to offend either of them.

Too scared to even wash her hands, she pulled down her skirt and quickly ran out.

Bian Yingning subtly moved aside to let her pass, then naturally closed the restroom door. With a soft click, the space seemed to shrink, the air thickening.

Closing the door?

Was she planning to lock us in and beat me up?

Thinking this, Shang Qinghui, feeling like an invisible hand was gripping her, tightened her grip on the sink. The black cat mask lay quietly on the counter, like another face.

“Bian Yingning,” Shang Qinghui asked, her voice slightly hoarse, “What do you want?”

The moment the words left her lips, Shang Qinghui suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. It was as if she had been locked in a restroom before, calling out this person’s name.

Thinking this, a look of confusion crossed Shang Qinghui’s face. She tried to recall the feeling… but she had no such memory.

Where did this inexplicable familiarity come from?

Bian Yingning was also watching Shang Qinghui.

She toyed with the mask she had just removed, slowly approaching Shang Qinghui.

The silver hem of her dress rippled around her legs like water.

No one was there to disturb them.

“What are you angry about?”

Instead of answering Shang Qinghui’s question, Bian Yingning asked again.

“I’m not angry.”

Shang Qinghui, still facing the mirror, said stiffly.

“You look angry,” Bian Yingning said expressionlessly, her tone unwavering. Her steps were steady, her pace even, yet her words were irritating.

Shang Qinghui glared at the figure in the mirror, gradually approaching, finally standing behind her.

Their reflections overlapped; she felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, “I said I’m not angry! I’m not angry!”

Then, she fell silent. Even she didn’t believe herself. So, she was angry.

Why?

Was it because she remembered Bian Yingning dancing with…

No, no. Why did she care how many women Bian Yingning was involved with? Why did she care so much about her? She was just an ordinary person who happened to be around her…

She didn’t even know why she thought about Bian Yingning every day, although her thoughts were mostly about… revenge… but ultimately, Bian Yingning was the main character—why?

“Heh.” Bian Yingning stopped a step away, not pressing too close. Her makeup was exquisite, contrasting with the ugly mask in her hand. Even her soft chuckle was captivating.

“Then why did you run?”

She spoke softly, with a smile in her voice, using a slow, deliberate tone that made Shang Qinghui’s back tingle…

Seeing the amusement in Bian Yingning’s eyes, Shang Qinghui turned around sharply; her hair swished through the air, brushing past Bian Yingning’s chin, carrying the scent of roses.

Shang Qinghui froze. She hadn’t expected to be so close to Bian Yingning. Her natural turn seemed to propel her into Bian Yingning’s arms.

Her first reaction was to lean back, her lower back hitting the edge of the sink. The cold sensation seeped through her thin clothes; her lower back tingled; she shivered and let out a muffled groan, “Ugh…”

In the empty restroom, the sound was amplified.

Shang Qinghui quickly covered her mouth, annoyed. Her groan had ruined her momentum.

Unbeknownst to her, her wide, bright eyes, filled with frustration, were even more alluring; one wanted to ruffle her hair.

Bian Yingning’s lips curved upward; she leaned closer, her warmth and breath on Shang Qinghui’s ear, “What? You want to run after stepping on me?”

“…You stepped on me; you’ll be stepped on!”

“Stomp the bad woman! For betraying me!”

Along with Bian Yingning’s words, a voice echoed in her mind. It was something she had said.

That familiar feeling returned; it felt like she had experienced this before.

Shang Qinghui stared at Bian Yingning’s face. She could see the fine hairs on her face, the layers of eyeshadow. She could touch Bian Yingning’s face with a slight tilt of her head. She could feel her warm breath on her cheek.

She was too close; she could smell Bian Yingning’s cool perfume. It wasn’t strong or overwhelming, like a feather brushing past, then drifting away.

Her heart pounded; a sudden palpitation made her tremble as she covered her chest.

Shang Qinghui murmured, “Did we know each other before?”

She had heard this person’s name since waking up from her coma. Now, they were so close, their lips only centimeters apart.

Bian Yingning heard her. Shang Qinghui’s words felt like a feather brushing against her face, yet the words themselves sent a shock through her.

Bian Yingning remained composed, but her hand holding the boar mask behind her back trembled; her knuckles were white.

Had Shang Qinghui remembered? She shouldn’t have remembered.

“You…” Bian Yingning smirked, “Are you going crazy?”

Her mocking question seemed to snap Shang Qinghui back to reality. She pushed Bian Yingning away.

“You’re crazy! Why are you so close?!”

Bian Yingning stepped back, creating distance.

“Are you crazy or angry?”

Shang Qinghui, visibly agitated, said, “I admit, I’m angry.”

Her words were disordered, as if she wanted to be angry but didn’t know how to express it:

“I’m angry because you… you provoked me first,” she tapped the sink lightly, her anger evident.

“But every time I try to retaliate, to get back at you… or to get something back, you make me feel… useless!”

She was like a porcupine with its quills raised, a lost bird.

Tears welled up in Shang Qinghui’s eyes.

Bian Yingning’s eyes flickered; emotions surged within her.

Seeing Shang Qinghui’s tears, her nails dug into her palm; her soul felt like it was being torn apart.

She whispered, as if to herself, “I’m sorry… I didn’t know. If I upset you, I’m sorry… I hope you know I didn’t mean to make you unhappy.”

This made Shang Qinghui feel awkward, “Why…”

Why apologize suddenly? It felt like she had been the one bullying Bian Yingning.

A heavy silence hung between them. Bian Yingning sighed, her voice hoarse yet teasing, breaking the silence, “You wouldn’t… have fallen for me, would you?”

Shang Qinghui was startled; she felt insulted. She wiped her tears, her chin raised proudly, “What nonsense! Are you that narcissistic?”

She pouted, lowering her voice, her displeasure evident.

“Besides, why would I like you? You flirt with everyone; you have more women around you than… than… than the money I spend daily! I would be crazy to like you.”

Bian Yingning chuckled, crossing her arms, swinging the mask, “If you don’t like me, why are you so angry? Your mood is affected by me. And why do you know how many women I have around me?”

Shang Qinghui bit her lip, wanting to curse but knowing she couldn’t win.

“I… I heard it from others. Do I need to follow your love life? Everyone knows.”

Bian Yingning looked at her, seemingly relaxed and narcissistic, yet Shang Qinghui felt something else.

After a long moment, Bian Yingning said softly, “I’m not a flirt. Whether you like me or not doesn’t matter. Just live your life.”

She turned to leave.

Shang Qinghui frowned, watching her back; the scene overlapped with a memory.

A similar restroom, quiet and empty. She saw herself rushing forward, putting Bian Yingning in a headlock. She heard herself say confidently, “Hmph, no one can save you.”

But the one almost swallowed whole was her.

Shang Qinghui touched her lips. Memories flashed before her eyes, bringing back her drunken memories.

“Bian Yingning!”

As Bian Yingning reached for the restroom door handle, Shang Qinghui called out.

Bian Yingning paused, not turning around or opening the door. She couldn’t see Shang Qinghui biting her lip, only hearing her casual words a moment later.

She said—

“Bian Yingning, what if I’m really stupid and I like you?”

Drip…

A single drop of water, finally falling from the faucet, was clearly audible between them.

After a long time, getting no response, Shang Qinghui asked again, “What if I really like you?”

Her words were accompanied by her footsteps approaching. The clicking of her heels echoed, unknown whose heart it was striking.

“Aren’t you a flirt? Why aren’t you saying anything?” A slightly sarcastic voice sounded behind her.

The scene was similar, but their roles were reversed. Now, Bian Yingning was the one being pressured.

She moved her shoulders, took a deep breath, turned around, her expression calm, “I’m not a flirt.”

“Oh?” Shang Qinghui crossed her arms, tilting her head, “Does that title bother you? Trying to act innocent?”

“I’m not; you’re insisting I am. How can I be comfortable?” Meeting Shang Qinghui’s gaze, Bian Yingning’s eyes were calm. Calm enough to make one’s heart race. The turbulent emotions were suppressed, revealing only surface calmness.

“Why aren’t you?” Shang Qinghui pressed.

“Why am I? Do you have proof?” Bian Yingning didn’t back down.

“Proof?” Shang Qinghui snorted, as if hearing a joke, extending her hand, ready to list them, “Just tonight, how many women did you dance with?”

“Three,” Bian Yingning said firmly.

Shang Qinghui pouted, “Three, and you think that’s few?”

“One is a senior who’s being transferred soon; it was a farewell dance.”

“One is my childhood friend… everything was innocent.”

Their eyes met; one pair was so clear and honest that it felt like a spotlight shining on the other.

They both knew who the third person was.

So, she was innocent with those two.

But… why wasn’t I included in the “innocent” category?

Shang Qinghui felt she was wasting her potential by not picking a fight; she could analyze Bian Yingning’s words.

Silence filled the air. Shang Qinghui suddenly realized her questioning resembled…

Unable to continue, her face flushed.

“Oh… why are you explaining? What’s our relationship? Why explain?”

Shang Qinghui looked away, her eyes darting around aimlessly.

The heavy atmosphere lifted, leaving only a sweet and sour feeling.

Bian Yingning was speechless. Wasn’t Shang Qinghui the one asking? Wasn’t she the one questioning? She was just explaining…

She…

Bian Yingning looked at the floor tiles. The grout was gold; there was one tile, two tiles, three tiles…

She only heard her own rapid heartbeat. It was so loud she feared Shang Qinghui could hear it.

“Hmph,” Shang Qinghui, her face flushed, like a victorious little tyrant, asked, “I think you’re the one who likes me.”