The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 30

Chapter 30: The Ice Queen’s Fierce Love

After that day, Tao Ning truly understood what it meant to be a trending topic. Everywhere she went at Mingrui, she was met with stares and whispers.

Her previous birthdays had been grand affairs, but the Rose Manor event had been… spectacular.

Jin Yue had initially worried that the constant attention might annoy Tao Ning, but she soon realized it was a pointless concern. Tao Ning was remarkably unfazed.

In modern internet slang, she possessed an impenetrable “obliviousness shield.”

She simply didn’t care, carrying on as usual.

Xu Qiuyi’s birthday was approaching.

Few people knew the exact date, but Jin Yue and Lü Xinxi were determined to celebrate their friend and tutor’s special day.

Her birthday fell on a Friday, and for the past week, the three of them had been huddled together, brainstorming ideas, rejecting each other’s suggestions, reaching no consensus.

Their clandestine meetings, often held just out of Xu Qiuyi’s earshot, their hushed whispers punctuated by occasional bursts of excited chatter, resembled a poorly executed secret plot.

A few days later, Xu Qiuyi, her brow furrowed, asked Tao Ning, “Did I… do something wrong? Are you avoiding me?”

Tao Ning, startled, choked on her tea, the overly sweet, artificial flavor momentarily clouding her senses. She couldn’t help but wonder who, between the two of them, had undergone a personality transplant.

She immediately reassured Xu Qiuyi, “No, of course not! I still want to hang out with you!”

Xu Qiuyi, her expression softening, smiled and walked away.

Unbeknownst to Tao Ning, in the eyes of her classmates, Xu Qiuyi’s retreating figure was now adorned with falling flower petals and a sparkling halo.

Later, Jin Yue accused Tao Ning of being blinded by infatuation, of almost betraying their carefully crafted plan.

Tao Ning, indignant, protested her loyalty, her dedication to the mission, her willingness to sacrifice everything for the cause, only to be met with suspicion and distrust. It was heartbreaking.

On Xu Qiuyi’s birthday, the still-undecided trio, having received a dinner invitation, arrived at her apartment, each carrying a carefully chosen gift.

The gifts were practical, everyday items, nothing extravagant.

Tao Ning had opted for a fountain pen, with several bottles of ink, enough to last for a while. Jin Yue, after careful consideration, had chosen an electric toothbrush. She had also persuaded Lü Xinxi, who had been torn between perfume and an expensive bracelet, to settle on a pair of headphones. It was the thought that counted, and they didn’t want to burden Xu Qiuyi with expensive gifts.

They had, once again, achieved a certain level of harmony, a consensus through compromise.

That evening, Tao Ning was the last to leave, a constant smile on her face, prompting Xu Qiuyi to ask, “What are you smiling about?”

There was no alcohol at the party, just regular drinks.

Tao Ning, her smile widening, said, “Now that they’re gone… I have a surprise for you. Want to see it?”

Xu Qiuyi, intrigued, asked, “What is it?”

Tao Ning turned to Guan Ruolin, who was busy in the kitchen. “Auntie Guan, I need to… borrow Qiuyi for a bit. I’ll bring her back tomorrow.”

A warm voice replied from the kitchen, “Go ahead. Be careful.”

“Will do!” Tao Ning grabbed Xu Qiuyi’s wrist. “Come on.”

And so, Xu Qiuyi, still slightly confused, was led to the car, arriving at a familiar destination: the gates of Rose Manor.

Instead of stopping at the main entrance, the car drove through the open gates, past the building where Tao Ning’s birthday party had been held, deeper into the estate, stopping at an unfamiliar location.

It was a small building, brightly lit, facing an open space where several figures were moving around.

It was winter now, the flowers outside withered and gone, but the manor’s grounds still retained a touch of spring, a splash of color against the gray sky.

As the car stopped, Xu Qiuyi, still disoriented, watched as Tao Ning got out and opened the door for her.

The cool night air brought her back to the present. “Why are we here?” she asked, puzzled.

Tao Ning, instead of answering, held out her hand. “I have something to show you.”

Xu Qiuyi placed her hand in Tao Ning’s, and they walked towards the building.

Every room in the small building was lit, but they were alone. A table on the rooftop, laden with refreshments, awaited them.

Xu Qiuyi, still confused, was led to a chair and gently pushed down. She looked up at Tao Ning. “What is this…?”

Tao Ning said, “This is your second eighteenth birthday present. I hope you like it. May your future be bright and filled with joy.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a loud bang echoed through the night sky, a burst of light exploding above them.

The fireworks, however, didn’t simply fade away. Against the dark canvas of the night sky, they blossomed, one after another, like flowers blooming in spring.

Xu Qiuyi stared, mesmerized, the colorful explosions reflected in her eyes. It was a private show, just for her.

The rhythmic bursts of light and color synchronized with her heartbeat, a breathtaking spectacle.

That night, Tao Ning etched a memory into Xu Qiuyi’s heart, a memory that would last a lifetime.

As the last firework faded, Xu Qiuyi, still speechless, her mind replaying the scene, suddenly gasped, regretting not having recorded it.

Tao Ning, sitting beside her, asked, “Did you like it?”

Xu Qiuyi replied, her voice soft, “I’ll never forget it.”

As she spoke, she looked directly into Tao Ning’s eyes, the darkness concealing the emotions swirling within her.

She wasn’t sure if she was simply taking advantage of Tao Ning’s obliviousness, or if she genuinely hoped Tao Ning would understand, would see the unspoken message in her gaze. But even if Tao Ning understood, what then? Even Xu Qiuyi, with all her knowledge and intelligence, couldn’t answer that question.

Love brought both joy and fear. Xu Qiuyi had carefully guarded her heart, her initial hope for something more gradually replaced by a quiet acceptance of the present, content to simply be near Tao Ning, to witness her joy and laughter.

But now, a flicker of resentment surfaced, a frustration at Tao Ning’s obliviousness.

Her heart was a labyrinth, filled with traps and hidden passages, and she feared getting lost, the consequences irreversible. Yet, despite knowing the risks, she couldn’t resist the urge to explore, to venture deeper.

She knew, however, that it wasn’t Tao Ning’s fault. There was no rule that affection had to be reciprocated. She had chosen this path, and she would accept the consequences.

Tao Ning, letting out a long breath, said, “I’m glad you liked it.”

She didn’t mention the time and effort she had invested, simply repeating, “May your future be bright and filled with joy. Leave the past behind and embrace a beautiful future.”

Xu Qiuyi asked softly, “What about you?”

Tao Ning replied, “Me? I made my wish on my birthday. It’s your birthday now. It’s your turn.”

Xu Qiuyi, feeling strangely lightheaded, smiled. “You’re right.” She had always believed in creating her own future. And now, she wanted to create a future with Tao Ning.


That winter was colder than the last. Mingrui’s New Year’s Eve party was held in the auditorium. The senior students, excused from performing, were merely spectators.

Classes ended early that afternoon, and they filed into the auditorium.

Tao Ning and Xu Qiuyi sat together. Tao Ning, initially watching the performances, gradually drifted off to sleep, her head resting on Xu Qiuyi’s shoulder.

Lü Xinxi, sitting behind them, was impressed. Tao Ning had managed to fall asleep during a freshman’s energetic drum solo. She wondered what the poor boy would think if he knew.

He had practiced for years, hoping to impress everyone, only to have his performance used as a lullaby.

Jin Yue, however, frowned, watching as Xu Qiuyi carefully adjusted her position to make Tao Ning more comfortable, then closed her eyes, thinking, Whatever.

After New Year’s Day came the final exams of the semester. The pressure of their impending graduation loomed, and the students of Class A felt a growing sense of anxiety. And just like that, the exams arrived.

Three days later, the exams were over, the students emerging from the exam rooms with a mixture of relief and apprehension, only to hear that the results for the first exam were already available.

Mingrui, with its characteristic efficiency and ample resources, wasted no time, just like during the National Day holiday. The full results were released the next day.

The day after that, the rankings were updated on the display board, attracting the usual crowd of curious students.

Xu Qiuyi, as always, held the top spot, her position undisputed, a fact that no longer generated much discussion. They had grown accustomed to her dominance.

The most noticeable change was Tao Ning’s ranking. Having risen from the bottom to the top three hundred, she continued to improve with each exam, steadily climbing the ranks, regardless of the difficulty.

The teachers weren’t surprised. They had seen late bloomers before. But for the students, it was a remarkable feat.

Especially considering that Tao Yan had reportedly started entrusting Tao Ning with responsibilities within the company. They couldn’t imagine how she managed it.

How could anyone juggle both academics and business, and still improve? Those who had predicted Tao Ning’s failure, her inevitable downfall, her inability to manage the empire her mother had built, were now eating their words.

If Tao Ning was a failure, then they all were.

Tao Ning, however, remained unfazed by the gossip, continuing her routine.

520’s request for a “severance progress bar” had been approved, and Tao Ning now spent her days monitoring the Nangong family’s impending collapse, maintaining her grades, nurturing her friendship with Xu Qiuyi, and staring at the 99% progress bar, wondering what she was doing wrong.

“Is there something I’m missing? Why is it stuck at 99%?” she asked 520.

520, equally puzzled, replied, [I have no idea.]

Tao Ning sighed. “Whatever. It’s not that important. Go… entertain yourself.”

520, relieved, quickly disappeared. [Okay!]

After the last day of classes before winter break, Tao Ning, her backpack laden with holiday homework, arrived home to find Zhou Tong waiting for her.

“Miss Tao,” Zhou Tong said, her expression serious. “Nangong Rao is dead.”

Nangong Rao was one of the three “wild cards” Tao Ning had set in motion. With Nangong Yunfei’s premature exit, the remaining three were now vying for control.

They had, as expected, become the frontrunners in the succession race.

Tao Ning, her brow furrowing, asked, “How did he die?” It was too early for them to resort to… lethal measures.

She had considered various possibilities, but Zhou Tong’s explanation was unexpected. “He had accumulated significant gambling debts. The creditors threatened to expose him to the Nangong family. He tried to stop them, and during the altercation, he was pushed down a flight of stairs, hit his head, and died instantly.”

Tao Ning was speechless.

Zhou Tong asked, “Should we introduce another… candidate?” The “gu” strategy, a classic method of eliminating rivals by pitting them against each other, was proving to be remarkably effective.

A powerful empire couldn’t be destroyed from the outside. Internal conflict, however, could erode its strength from within, leaving it vulnerable, a hollow shell ready to collapse.

Tao Ning shook her head. “No, these two are enough.”

Introducing another candidate would only unite the remaining two against a common enemy. It wasn’t worth the effort.

An hour later, Zhou Tong left, returning to her task of dismantling the Nangong family.

The moon set, the sun rose, time marched on, the world changing with each passing day.

Tao Ning, restless after a few days at home, tired of being dragged into endless gaming sessions, decided to go out.

With the start of winter break, the streets were filled with students, mostly from middle and universities. Regular high schools hadn’t started their break yet, and the office workers in the towering skyscrapers would be even later.

It wasn’t quite dismissal time for the local high school, and the bubble tea shop on the corner was quiet, only a few customers present.

Xu Qiuyi, washing her hands, paused, glancing at her phone in her pocket.

She had worked at this bubble tea shop for the past two summers and winter breaks.

She hadn’t planned to work this year, but the owner, Meng Qian, had called, desperate for help after one of her employees had called in sick.

Xu Qiuyi, feeling indebted to Meng Qian for her past kindness, had agreed to help out for a few days.

Meng Qian was a kind woman, perpetually claiming to be twenty-six, despite being clearly older, her youthful appearance unchanging.

She knew about Xu Qiuyi’s family situation and paid her holiday wages.

Xu Qiuyi checked her phone, finding no new messages, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes before she put it back in her pocket.

Their last exchange had been that morning, a simple “good morning” and photos of their respective breakfasts. Tao Ning hadn’t replied since.

Probably busy, Xu Qiuyi thought, wiping down the tables, remembering the New Year’s Eve party, where Tao Ning had fallen asleep, exhausted after attending a late-night banquet with her mother.

She had barely made it through the morning classes before succumbing to sleep, sleeping through the entire event, earning her the title of “Mingrui’s Sleeping Beauty” on the school forum.

The freshman drummer, whose performance had inadvertently served as a lullaby, had been amused, declaring his true calling to be a composer of sleep music.

Meng Qian, watching Xu Qiuyi, smiled. “Checking your phone so often? Are you in love?”

Xu Qiuyi, startled, replied, “No, just… thinking.”

Meng Qian’s smile widened, her tone teasing. “Really? Doesn’t look like it. I was the same way with my first love. Couldn’t stop thinking about him, talking to him all day.”

She shook her head, sighing dramatically. “So young, so innocent. Now, I’m just… old and jaded.”

Xu Qiuyi, amused, replied, “But you have such a youthful face. You said you could pass for a high school student in a JK uniform. I agree. You’ll always be eighteen in my eyes: young, beautiful, and rich.”

Meng Qian looked even more surprised. “You’ve changed, Qiuyi. You’re actually saying… nice things. You used to be so serious, like a… little old lady. Who’s responsible for this transformation?”

She reached out, as if to pinch Xu Qiuyi’s cheeks.

She had noticed the change in Xu Qiuyi’s demeanor. The sharp edges had softened, the prickly exterior replaced by a gentle warmth.

Xu Qiuyi, a certain name popping into her head, smiled and dodged Meng Qian’s hand.

They circled the counter, a playful chase, until Meng Qian, out of breath, collapsed onto a stool, waving a white flag. “I’m officially ancient. I can’t keep up with you young people.”

Xu Qiuyi, laughing, went back to work, washing her hands, then opening the freezer to crush ice, preparing for the after-school rush.

After a short break, Meng Qian, peering out the window, said, “What are those kids doing out there? Just standing around, talking. Not even coming in to order.”

She gasped. “Are they… Are they here to collect protection money?”

Xu Qiuyi, turning to look, saw a group of boys who looked more like high school students who had been let out early, their uniforms still on.

As she looked at them, the boys started whispering amongst themselves, then pushed one of them forward.

“Go for it! Make your move!” one of them yelled, the others laughing.

The boy, his face flushed, stood frozen at the entrance, then, after a moment of hesitation, grabbed one of his more enthusiastic friends and pulled him inside.

Meng Qian sighed. “Ah, youth. It warms my cold, dead heart.”

Xu Qiuyi, unfazed, stood behind the counter, her mask covering the lower half of her face, but not the beauty mark between her eyebrows.

As the boys approached, she asked, “Welcome. What can I get for you?”

The first boy, meeting her gaze, stammered, his face turning even redder. “Hi, I’d like a… brown sugar boba with extra milk… No brown sugar. And no milk.”

Xu Qiuyi, a polite smile on her face, replied, “We don’t sell the toppings separately.”

Meng Qian, slumped over the counter, silently cackled.

Xu Qiuyi turned to the other boy, who also seemed momentarily stunned by her gaze. “Welcome. What can I get for you?” she asked, her voice polite, yet distant.

The boy’s mind went blank.

He quickly looked down at the menu, and they both ordered something, adding a few more drinks for their friends waiting outside.

Xu Qiuyi, turning to prepare their drinks, effectively silencing any further attempts at conversation, leaving the first boy to exchange a frustrated look with his friend. She’s so cold, he thought.

His friend shrugged, suggesting they try again later.

Later, however, never came. Another customer entered.

It was a girl, her black backpack slung over one shoulder, her height and striking features rivaling the beauty mark girl behind the counter, her long legs and vibrant aura drawing all eyes, her hair streaked with bright red highlights.

She looked cool.

Walking in, she asked, “What’s your signature drink?”

Xu Qiuyi, looking up, her face suddenly lighting up with a genuine smile, stunned everyone in the shop.

“Our signature drink is the brown sugar boba with extra milk,” she replied, her voice warm. “I recommend the hot version, half-sweet.” It was healthier in the winter.

The girl, leaning against the counter, her eyes crinkling with amusement, said, “Then I’ll have a brown sugar boba with extra milk. No brown sugar. And no milk.”

Xu Qiuyi, smiling, replied, “Sure, extra boba for you,” and proceeded to enter the order.

The boys, witnessing this exchange, stared, dumbfounded.

Wait a minute, they thought. Is she… playing favorites?

Comments

One response to “The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 30”

  1. Terry Avatar
    Terry

    Another great chapter! I hope Qiuyi confesses soon!

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