Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 108

The warmth of the café, the stifling heat, must be why Shang Qinghui felt her face burning.

Bian Yingning looked up at her from below, her demeanor calm and composed, yet from this angle, her eyes held a hint of innocent, pure, and docile charm.

Under that gaze, Shang Qinghui clearly heard her own heartbeat quickening.

Neither of them moved.

Until Bian Yingning blinked, her curved eyelashes like butterfly wings brushing across still water, Shang Qinghui snapped back to reality, quickly retracting her wrist.

“Why are you so concerned about my business?”

Shang Qinghui stiffly hugged the stuffed animal to her chest, unsure how to position herself. She didn’t dare look at Bian Yingning’s expression, only a hint of smugness on her face; she wanted to smile but suppressed it, as if pleased to have caught Bian Yingning in a minor slip-up.

“Concerned about your business? Isn’t it my business?” Bian Yingning responded as usual, seemingly unmoved by her words.

“Marco is my partner; you’re the bridge between us. It’s only natural that I’m concerned about whether my bridge is being stolen.”

Her tone was too calm, without any fluctuation, lacking the teasing smile she usually had when bickering. It was cold.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Shang Qinghui’s grip on the stuffed animal tightened; the blush on her face faded; her heart raced.

Bian Yingning’s words were undoubtedly a sarcastic jab at her for overthinking and being presumptuous.

She wasn’t concerned about her; she was afraid of affecting her own competition.

“I just didn’t expect my bridge to have such a sense of belonging; it didn’t run off with someone else.”

“What? Still angry about seeing me?” Shang Qinghui suppressed the sudden surge of resentment, her lips pursed as she looked down at Bian Yingning, her smile slightly cold, “Too bad. You don’t want to see me, but I’ll make sure you do.”

Shang Qinghui strode away; this time, Bian Yingning didn’t stop her. As soon as she pushed open the café door, a wave of cold air swept in; Shang Qinghui shivered slightly, pausing for only a second before storming out, her face puffed up in anger.

Two bodyguards were waiting by the car; one immediately got out to open the door for her. Shang Qinghui threw the stuffed animal into his arms and sat in the back seat.

The bodyguard was stunned, unsure whether to throw away or keep the Wise Seagull stuffed animal. Seeing Shang Qinghui’s sullen expression, he didn’t dare ask, eventually getting into the car with the stuffed animal.

The luxury car drove away, leaving only tire marks on the wet road.

Sitting in the café, bathed in warm light, Bian Yingning watched through the large window. She slowly sipped her lukewarm coffee; it was bitter.

Cold things are unpalatable. She sighed softly.

Why had she been bickering with Shang Qinghui for so long? She hadn’t meant to say that.

She had been trying to test Shang Qinghui… why she hadn’t switched teams as Meng Weixin suggested; did it mean she…

But her words had changed their meaning. Not only the words but perhaps hearts had changed too.

Different mindsets interpret the same words differently. One sentence can bring joy or sorrow.

Perhaps this was fine.

…

Almost home, Shang Qinghui felt the tightness in her chest ease slightly. But turning her head, seeing the sad expression of the seagull stuffed animal in the bodyguard’s hands, her anger flared up again.

“Throw it away.”

“Wh… what?”

Shang Qinghui’s sudden words startled the bodyguard; he looked back for confirmation.

“I said,” Shang Qinghui gritted her teeth, “Throw that thing away!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The bodyguard rolled down the window and threw the seagull out.

Shang Qinghui stared: “…”

“You… you just threw it away?”

Bodyguard: “…”

He had witnessed the unpredictable nature of a woman’s heart.

On the mountain road leading to the villa area, a car that had already passed reversed. A bodyguard in black got out, picked up the stuffed animal, which had rolled several times, and got back into the car.

Back in the car, the bodyguard noticed—his young mistress’s face was even darker. She was looking out the window. She had seen this scenery for almost twenty years; he didn’t know what she was looking at.

But the bodyguard didn’t dare ask or look; he brushed the dust off the stuffed animal. It was dirty; the white seagull had become almost black.

He subconsciously moved the stuffed animal towards the door, trying to block Shang Qinghui’s view. But Shang Qinghui wasn’t looking at him.

She felt crazy. She and Bian Yingning had bickered many times; why had she suddenly gotten serious? She felt suffocated, angry, and resentful.

She had said, “I think you’ve fallen for me,” yet she got angry because of Bian Yingning’s seemingly insignificant words.

So what? She got angry; did she need a reason?

Shang Qinghui didn’t understand; she gave up trying to figure it out. Unexpectedly, the women she thought were ambiguous with Bian Yingning were actually just friends.

Bian Yingning wasn’t a flirt… but why did she think she was?

Why didn’t she switch teams? Why stay with Bian Yingning? What was she waiting for?

…

Arriving home, Shang Qinghui went to her room. Passing the living room, she saw Shang Qingfeng playing with their silver tabby cat, Tuntun.

Shang Qingfeng was lifting Tuntun, trying to bury his face in its belly, while Tuntun’s paws were on his face, refusing to let him get close.

The two were locked in a playful standoff. Her brother, usually composed, was making distressed noises.

Shang Qinghui couldn’t watch; she quickened her pace.

“Stop.” Shang Qingfeng saw her. Why did she look so gloomy?

Shang Qinghui had already reached the stairs; she stopped, not turning around, exuding impatience.

Shang Qingfeng sighed inwardly; he didn’t notice Tuntun escaping his grasp and running towards Shang Qinghui.

Seeing the cat circling Shang Qinghui’s feet, ignoring him, Shang Qingfeng felt even more hurt.

“You didn’t have many classes; why are you back so late?”

Shang Qinghui glanced at him, “I’m a grown-up; do I have to go home immediately after school?”

Shang Qingfeng stood up, frowning, “Why are you talking to me like that? Do I usually control you too much?”

Usually, Ouyang Fei was strict with her, constantly giving her instructions. Her brother was kind to her, but she was in a bad mood, and her words were sharp.

Shang Qinghui lowered her head, regretting her tone.

“Did someone bully you?” Shang Qingfeng asked, subtly glancing at the dirty stuffed animal she was holding.

Shang Qinghui subconsciously shook her head; who could bully her?

Shang Qingfeng approached, “Finals are next week, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Mom and Dad said we’ll go to the temple to eat vegetarian food for two days after your exams. Remember to schedule it.”

Shang Qinghui’s face darkened, “Why again?”

Wealthy people often believed in these things; the wealthier, the more they believed. Her father even prayed before starting construction projects.

“The last time was at the beginning of the year.”

Shang Qinghui knew she couldn’t refuse; she agreed.

Once at the beginning of the year, once at the end—another year had passed.

Shang Qingfeng didn’t say more; he unexpectedly grabbed Tuntun and went back to the sofa. Shang Qinghui heard her brother giggling as she went upstairs.

“Kitty, you can’t escape.”

She smiled; her anger seemed to dissipate.

…

The second round of the culinary competition between the Culinary Arts department and the French exchange students proceeded as scheduled. Fewer teams participated; a smaller hall was used.

Bian Yingning and Zhang Zhizhi arrived early. Zhang Zhizhi wanted to gossip about Bian Yingning and Shang Qinghui.

“Tell me honestly, is there something going on between you two?”

Bian Yingning ignored her, “Think about the ingredients you’ll get.”

Zhang Zhizhi was focused on gossip; even the tension of the competition was lessened.

“No, I’ve been thinking about this for two days; I can’t eat or drink. Have you noticed I’ve lost weight?”

Bian Yingning glanced at her; she looked the same.

“Tell me! I was so scared when she looked jealous; I thought I’d be punished,” Zhang Zhizhi said, still pestering her.

Before when she was friends with Bian Yingning, she felt like a follower; she didn’t dare speak freely.

But recently, the distance between them had lessened. They were truly friends now; they were more relaxed.

“Jealous?” Bian Yingning pondered.

“Yes, like being cheated on…”

Zhang Zhizhi laughed, touching her face, “It’s a bit cliché. Why would she think we’re involved? Does my face make her feel threatened?”

She felt a bit happy.

Bian Yingning remained silent. Jealousy implies a third party in a relationship causing dissatisfaction. “Cheated on” implies betrayal. But she and Shang Qinghui… were nothing.

Would Shang Qinghui be jealous of Zhang Zhizhi because of her? Would she feel betrayed? Did it mean she…

“Do you think she…” Bian Yingning, usually decisive, hesitated.

“Do I think she…?” Zhang Zhizhi waited. This was the first time she saw Bian Yingning hesitate, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Bian Yingning pursed her lips, finally asking, “Do you think she likes me?”

Zhang Zhizhi’s eyes widened, “Why are you so dense!” She suddenly felt sorry for Shang Qinghui.

“…Dense?”

“Yes! I feel… no, I’m sure she likes you! She definitely likes you!” Zhang Zhizhi said firmly, nodding emphatically.

“Why are you so sure?”

Zhang Zhizhi: “…”

“Based on my years of experience!”

Even Bian Yingning, who never got nervous during competitions, felt weak in the knees; a mix of anticipation and fear enveloped her.

“She…”

Her voice was barely audible.

Zhang Zhizhi patted her shoulder.

“What’s wrong? You’re usually confident. You have money, a great figure, good looks, intelligence…

You’re a winner… and your temper is okay. What’s so surprising if she likes you?”

Zhang Zhizhi leaned closer mysteriously, “You might not know, but many people in our school, no, in our class, like you.”

Bian Yingning was startled; she hadn’t heard this.

“Are they… blind?” Bian Yingning frowned.

Zhang Zhizhi: “?”

She had never heard anyone describe themselves like that.

“What are you saying?” Zhang Zhizhi said angrily, “Why are you so insecure!”

Bian Yingning licked her teeth. It wasn’t insecurity; before, she didn’t care if others liked her, but now, it was different.