Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 107

After the charity gala, the Bian family once again demonstrated their power, and Bian Yingning, the mastermind behind it all, became even more famous.

People eager to establish connections with the Bian family came in droves.

Whether Bian Yingning was at home or at the company, the number of visitors remained the same, forcing her to hide at school to avoid them.

With the second round of the culinary competition with the exchange students about to begin, she had even more reason and excuse to stay away from the company.

After the teacher announced the theme for the second round, Bian Yingning and Zhang Zhizhi walked out, analyzing its meaning.

Zhang Zhizhi couldn’t help but ask, “Illusion and reality?”

“What illusion and reality? It’s just a cooking competition. Is it that profound?”

Bian Yingning agreed. Using “illusion and reality” as the theme for a cooking competition seemed like an attempt to intimidate the exchange students from the start.

“Does this mean we have to create something that looks inedible but is actually edible, or looks edible but isn’t?”

Zhang Zhizhi and Bian Yingning exchanged glances, both thinking they might have understood. It made sense; “illusion and reality” implied something deceptive, a blend of truth and falsehood.

In the second round, Bian Yingning advanced with the highest score, two points ahead of Meng Weixin, while Zhang Zhizhi came in third.

The three of them would now compete with their partners. In a way, Bian Yingning and Zhang Zhizhi were rivals, but neither seemed to realize it.

“This doesn’t seem difficult. For example, we could make a beautiful bonsai; the bonsai is made of chocolate, the stones are chocolate beans, and we could use bread as filling. Doesn’t that fit the theme?”

Bian Yingning nodded in agreement, making Zhang Zhizhi feel confident in her idea. But when Zhang Zhizhi looked expectantly at Bian Yingning, Bian Yingning asked, “Is it delicious?”

Zhang Zhizhi’s soul was crushed: “…”

Good question. There were many judges with different tastes; some liked sweet, some liked savory. Taste could significantly impact their scores. Taste…

“I think you’ve fallen for me.”

Thinking of those words, Bian Yingning couldn’t help but recall the image of Shang Qinghui. When she was angry, she looked like a crayfish.

How could she bear to eat crayfish after that?

This thought made Bian Yingning feel melancholic. Crayfish were so cute; how could she eat them?

She must have been affected by Shang Qinghui’s words; otherwise, why would Shang Qinghui’s image appear whenever she thought of her?

Shang Qinghui, dragged by Marco to find Bian Yingning, watched Bian Yingning walk out of the Culinary Arts building with a woman, glancing coldly at Shang Qinghu before looking away indifferently.

It was as if she were… a common weed?

Shang Qinghui: “???”

She had been ignored? She was sure Bian Yingning had seen her; their eyes had met. Yet, Bian Yingning had no reaction?

On the night of the gala, Shang Qinghui thought Wang Yu was right; sometimes, no answer is an answer.

If Bian Yingning really thought she was overthinking, why did she hesitate before speaking?

What was she thinking about during that time?

Regardless of what Bian Yingning said, she had something to hide. Or was she afraid of being seen with the woman beside her?

Was she trying to hide her flirtatious nature from that woman?

She remembered the woman from the International College’s cultural corridor; they had been very close while buying bread.

“Bian!”

As Shang Qinghui considered the possibilities, Marco suddenly called out to Bian Yingning, startling her.

It was after class; students were leaving the building. Many people looked over.

Shang Qinghui: “…”

If she hadn’t been bored and wanted to make Bian Yingning’s life difficult, she wouldn’t have volunteered to translate for the exchange students, especially Marco.

They had to translate during the competition and assist the exchange students if needed. After the theme for the second round was announced, Marco asked Shang Qinghui to bring him to Bian Yingning to discuss the competition.

Shang Qinghui considered herself responsible… although she admitted she had ulterior motives; she agreed to help Marco.

Bian Yingning heard Marco call her name; she turned around—

She wasn’t hallucinating; it was Shang Qinghui. She thought it was an illusion and walked past her…

Meeting Shang Qinghui’s intense gaze…

Bian Yingning: “…”

“Bonjour, Bian!” Marco quickly approached, “I asked Shang to bring me to you, and she did, without even using our phones. Impressive.”

Marco spoke quickly in French, then gave Shang Qinghui a thumbs-up.

Bian Yingning looked at Shang Qinghui; Shang Qinghui looked at Zhang Zhizhi.

Zhang Zhizhi looked around, hugging herself.

She was helpless; she didn’t know why she had caught the attention of the infamous Shang Xiaoba Wang (Shang Little Tyrant).

“Is… is he talking about me?” Zhang Zhizhi asked hesitantly. Why else would Shang Qinghui be looking at her?

Shang Qinghui shifted her gaze from Zhang Zhizhi to Bian Yingning, saying lazily, “He needs you.”

Bian Yingning nodded, guessing it was about the second round of the competition, saying to Zhang Zhizhi, “You can go.”

Zhang Zhizhi nodded; it was almost finals week; Bian Yingning didn’t want to go home or to the company; they had planned to study at the library.

She knew Marco was there to discuss the competition and didn’t say anything.

“Heh.”

As soon as Bian Yingning finished speaking, Shang Qinghui sneered. They all looked at her; Shang Qinghui asked Bian Yingning, “Why didn’t you introduce us first?”

Based on her guesses and Bian Yingning’s actions of sending Zhang Zhizhi away, Shang Qinghui was sure of her suspicions.

Bian Yingning was guilty!

Why did she send Zhang Zhizhi away upon seeing her? Was she afraid of her flirtatious nature being exposed?

She had confidently said she wasn’t a flirt; Shang Qinghui had believed her.

Bian Yingning felt something was wrong; she looked at Zhang Zhizhi and then at Shang Qinghui. Her hesitation angered Shang Qinghui further. She didn’t know where this anger came from.

“It’s not difficult to introduce us. Or are you… guilty?” Shang Qinghui asked, her displeasure evident.

“Guilty?” Zhang Zhizhi was confused; she didn’t understand why she was suddenly in the spotlight.

Seeing Zhang Zhizhi’s confusion, Shang Qinghui gritted her teeth, “Bian Yingning, how many girls have you deceived!”

Bian Yingning, who had only spoken once, said: “…”

She also wanted to know how many girls she had deceived.

Marco, who had only wanted to prepare for the competition, found himself in a love triangle; he became interested, stroking his chin.

He had noticed the tension between Shang Qinghui and Bian Yingning.

Now that they were together, they might fight; who should he help first? Shang Qinghui, since she had brought him.

“This is my classmate and friend, Zhang Zhizhi; this is…”

Bian Yingning introduced them mechanically.

When it was Shang Qinghui’s turn, she paused, unsure what to say. What was their relationship? Currently, there wasn’t one. She couldn’t say, “This is my classmate and Junior, Shang Qinghui…”

“Ah, I know. You’re Miss Shang. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Zhang Zhizhi greeted Shang Qinghui enthusiastically, relieving Bian Yingning’s awkwardness.

Shang Qinghui’s anger faltered; she looked at Zhang Zhizhi suspiciously. If she and Bian Yingning were involved, wouldn’t Bian Yingning be angry with this introduction?

Bian Yingning took a deep breath, “As for how many girls I’ve deceived, perhaps you can explain what that means.” She emphasized “deceived” and “explain.”

Shang Qinghui: “…”

Zhang Zhizhi chuckled, “Miss Shang, you misunderstood. Bian Yingning and I are just friends; we have no secrets; I haven’t been deceived; please don’t be jealous.”

Shang Qinghui: “…”

A phone rang in the distance—

“Goodbye, Mom. Tonight, I’m going on a journey~”

…

In a quiet café known for its high prices, Bian Yingning and Marco were discussing how to create a dish that fit the “illusion and reality” theme and stood out.

Shang Qinghui sat beside them, holding a cup of coffee, like an emotionless translation machine.

She was still dazed from the awkwardness, thinking about Zhang Zhizhi’s words, “Don’t be jealous.” Jealous? Nonsense. But… had she misunderstood Bian Yingning?

“I’m not jealous!” Shang Qinghui muttered.

Marco was passionately expressing his ideas; he was far from Shang Qinghui and didn’t hear her. Bian Yingning looked at her.

The café had many stuffed animals; some were for sale; Shang Qinghui was holding one. She leaned forward, pressing the stuffed animal against her chest and the table; the plump seagull was deformed. The seagull looked sad. Shang Qinghui, holding her coffee, also looked downcast. They looked alike. She frowned occasionally, still affected by what had happened.

Marco noticed no one was paying attention to him. Shang Qinghui was lost in thought; Bian Yingning was watching Shang Qinghui.

Marco: “…”

Shang Qinghui snapped out of her daze, realizing the silence. She looked up; Bian Yingning was stirring her coffee, lost in thought. Marco noticed her and looked over.

Shang Qinghui’s ears burned, “Sorry, I zoned out. Where were we?”

Marco understood some Chinese; Shang Qinghui mostly translated for Bian Yingning. Unless Bian Yingning used complex words, Shang Qinghui didn’t need to explain to Marco.

“Almost done. We’ll see what ingredients are available on the day of the competition,” Bian Yingning said.

“Sorry, my professor needs me. I have to go,” Marco said, checking his phone. His acting was poor.

Bian Yingning nodded, “Contact me on WeChat.”

“WeChat had a translation function.”

Marco agreed, greeted them, and tried to pay. But Bian Yingning stopped him; she paid using her phone, including Shang Qinghui’s stuffed animal.

Shang Qinghui, holding the stuffed animal, said, “Let me pay.”

Marco looked excited, “Is this a classic Chinese payment scene?!”

…

Bian Yingning paid quickly; Marco only had cash.

After Marco left, Shang Qinghui prepared to leave, but Bian Yingning said, “Anything you want to say?”

Shang Qinghui held the stuffed animal, “Yes.”

She opened WeChat, looking at Bian Yingning, “Give me your payment code.”

Bian Yingning didn’t move, saying softly, “You’re my Junior; I’m just treating you to coffee. Don’t overthink it.”

Shang Qinghui glared at her.

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“How can I be sarcastic? Look, I paid for Marco’s coffee; if I didn’t pay for yours, people would think I have a problem with you.”

Bian Yingning said calmly; her phone, which had just made the payment, was still on the table.

This was definitely sarcasm!

Shang Qinghui gritted her teeth. She meant Shang Qinghui was being presumptuous; she had paid for the coffee and the stuffed animal; she wanted to be clear, implying she didn’t want Shang Qinghui to like her.

“I, Shang Qinghui, never let others pay for me.”

Shang Qinghui grabbed her phone to open the payment code, holding her own phone ready to scan.

Bian Yingning didn’t stop her, smiling, “Is this how you get my WeChat?”

Shang Qinghui accidentally clicked on “Add Friend”: “…”

Fearing Bian Yingning would see her intentions, she quickly pressed back.

Bian Yingning glanced; although she couldn’t see the screen, she saw Shang Qinghui’s actions. She smiled, saying, “If you ask, I’ll give it to you. No need for this.”

Shang Qinghui was wary of Bian Yingning’s movements. She noticed Bian Yingning’s seemingly doting words and her ambiguous smile.

“What nonsense!” Shang Qinghui’s face flushed.

“Nothing,” Bian Yingning said calmly.

But because she didn’t argue, Shang Qinghui felt insulted.

In Bian Yingning’s words, she was someone who liked her so much that she would do anything to get her WeChat.

A narcissistic person who thought Bian Yingning liked her back.

Shang Qinghui’s face darkened. Opening Bian Yingning’s payment code, she didn’t notice “annoying ghost” next to her name. She scanned the QR code and transferred 500 yuan.

Putting down the phone, Shang Qinghui said, “Tip. Don’t mention it.”

The coffee was over 30 yuan; the stuffed animal was over 50; it was less than 100 yuan; Bian Yingning had profited.

Bian Yingning looked at her phone, “You’re short 20 yuan.”

Shang Qinghui’s arrogance faded, “Where’s the other 20?”

“Weren’t you going to send me 520?”

Shang Qinghui’s fists clenched.

“I understand your feelings,” Bian Yingning said with a faint smile.

(the number 520 is commonly used to mean “I love you.”)

Shang Qinghui almost choked, “Don’t be so narcissistic! 520? I just thought 500 was a nice round number!”

“Why not 1000 then?”

“I’m not a fool!” Shang Qinghui wanted to stomp her feet.

“Mm-hmm.” Bian Yingning replied perfunctorily, seemingly believing her but implying she didn’t.

“What are you mumbling?!” Shang Qinghui punched the stuffed animal.

Bian Yingning watched her, then said, “Is that embarrassment?”

Shang Qinghui realized coming to Bian Yingning with Marco was a mistake.

“Crazy,” Shang Qinghui said, getting up to leave.

Bian Yingning reached out and grabbed her arm.

Shang Qinghui looked down at Bian Yingning, who was sitting on a blue sofa. Behind her was the bleak winter campus scenery. Bare trees, a slightly gloomy sky, a soft light from the chandelier above.

The outside was cold; the inside was warm; the aroma of coffee filled the air. Her features were exquisite; her hair was past her shoulders; some strands fell over her shoulders because of her movement.

Bian Yingning stopped smiling; her eyes were deep and serious, “I heard Meng Weixin asked you to join her team, and you refused?”