Chapter 13: Transmigrated as the Abusive Story’s Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character
When Xin Yao left the restaurant, it was late, the stars scattered across the dark, velvety sky.
Sitting in the car, she leaned back against the seat, a lingering sense of breathlessness enveloping her, as if she were floating among clouds or submerged in the ocean.
Her gaze unfocused, she looked out the window at the night.
The stars twinkled like diamonds against the black canvas of the sky, their light mingling with the neon glow of the city, creating a symphony of both quiet and vibrant notes.
Xin Yao closed her eyes, but her mind was restless.
Images from the restaurant replayed in her mind: the lingering kiss, the near loss of control, Pei Yu’s assertive dominance.
The memories sent a blush creeping up Xin Yao’s neck. She instinctively touched her skin, her fingers brushing against something cool and smooth, slightly hard, like… a necklace.
But she distinctly remembered not wearing a necklace today.
Confused, she sat up and looked down, her eyes widening in surprise.
A delicate silver chain adorned her neck, its pendant a sparkling red ruby, nestled against her skin, its brilliance enhanced by the contrast.
Xin Yao instantly recognized it as the ruby Pei Yu had bought at the charity gala.
It dawned on her that Pei Yu had intended to give it to her all along, asking if she liked it before even bidding on it.
Pei Yu had been paying attention to her preferences from their very first meeting.
Xin Yao wondered when Pei Yu had put it on her.
Probably during the kiss.
She had been too preoccupied at the time to notice.
A soft smile touched Xin Yao’s lips, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
She took the necklace off, holding it up to the car window.
The ruby shimmered in the starlight, reflecting the night sky.
It was as if Pei Yu’s beautiful eyes were gazing at her through the darkness.
Deep and alluring.
The gift was too extravagant. She couldn’t accept it.
But as she looked at the ruby, then at the stars, and thought of Pei Yu’s eyes, her eyelashes fluttered.
Both the kiss and the ruby, the color of Pei Yu’s eyes, made the night feel strangely romantic.
Xin Yao’s day had been fulfilling, even romantic.
Her sister, Xin Wanyin, however, wasn’t having such a pleasant time.
The humiliation of having her cards declined at the mall had left her red-faced and embarrassed.
Back home, she checked her accounts and discovered that all her cards, except for one, had been frozen.
And her sister, the culprit, had blocked her.
Panic gave way to anger. After shedding a few tears, Xin Wanyin wiped her eyes, her cheeks puffed out.
Her sister was too much! How could she treat her like this over a simple disagreement?!
She wouldn’t go home! She wouldn’t talk to her sister ever again! And she wouldn’t ask them for money!
They thought she and Xu Qing weren’t a good match? She would prove them wrong! They would be together forever!
Xin Wanyin tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep.
The next morning, however, her mood brightened.
Today was the day her boyfriend, Xu Qing, would move in with her.
She had even fought with her father and sister for this.
Birds chirped outside as Xin Wanyin, already awake and dressed in her prettiest outfit, put on her makeup.
When the doorbell rang, her eyes lit up, and she practically skipped to the door.
As she opened it, the sunlight streamed in, illuminating her face and the person standing outside.
He was handsome and clean-cut, his dark hair contrasting with his fair skin. He wore thin-rimmed glasses, giving him a scholarly air.
His expression was serious, his demeanor aloof and distant.
He held a black suitcase, looking respectable despite his circumstances.
It was Xu Qing.
Xin Wanyin’s face lit up with a smile. “Ah Qing, you’re here!”
Xu Qing’s gaze fell on her, then on the house behind her.
The luxurious villa, a gift from Xin Wanyin’s father, was located in a prime location and exquisitely decorated, its minimalist design exuding understated luxury.
Even a single piece of furniture inside was probably worth several months of his salary.
It made him, a recent graduate who had just lost his job, feel inadequate.
He couldn’t help but think of his own home, his once happy life.
He tightened his grip on the suitcase handle, his knuckles turning white.
He closed his eyes for a moment before replying, a simple “mm-hmm.”
Xin Wanyin, oblivious to his subtle shift in mood, was still beaming, reaching for his suitcase.
“You must be tired from the journey. Let me take that. Go inside and rest.”
Xu Qing frowned slightly. “I can manage.”
“Let me, let me,” Xin Wanyin insisted, bending down to grab the handle. “I bought lots of fruit. Go eat something.”
After a brief struggle, Xu Qing relented, letting his girlfriend take the suitcase.
It was a bit heavy, and Xin Wanyin stumbled slightly as she pulled it inside.
Once inside, however, Xu Qing didn’t touch the fruit Xin Wanyin had carefully prepared. He sat down and stared at his phone, his head bowed.
Xin Wanyin, after putting away the suitcase, poured him a glass of water and offered him the fruit.
“Ah Qing, try this. These longans are very sweet.”
Xu Qing didn’t look up from his phone. “No, thank you.”
“Oh, you don’t like longans? How about some grapes?”
“No,” he frowned slightly. “I’m not hungry.”
“Then how about this? This…”
“I said I’m not eating!”
His sharp voice echoed through the living room, followed by silence.
Xu Qing immediately realized his tone had been harsh.
He looked up to see Xin Wanyin’s hurt expression, her hand still holding the fruit she had offered him, tears threatening to spill.
He still needed Xin Wanyin. He couldn’t afford to upset her.
Xu Qing rubbed his temples, his eyes softening with apology. “I’m sorry. I’m just in a bad mood.”
He showed her his phone screen, displaying a job search website. “I was just looking for a job, talking to an HR representative. You know, I just left the Xin Corporation yesterday.”
He put down his phone and took Xin Wanyin’s hands in his, his voice gentle. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. Forgive me, Wanyin.”
Xu Qing was usually aloof and cold towards most people.
Only with her did he show vulnerability and tenderness. Xin Wanyin was easily swayed by this.
And he had mentioned his job search.
This softened her even further. She took his hands, her eyes filled with apology.
“I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t know my sister would suddenly fire you.”
“She must be taking her anger out on you because of me. It’s my fault.”
Her voice trembled, and tears started to fall.
Sometimes, Xin Wanyin was truly endearing.
Xu Qing sighed, stroking her hair.
“It’s not your fault. I’m the one who’s useless, unable to provide for you, making you sacrifice so much for me.”
“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault,” Xin Wanyin said, holding his hands tightly. “Now that I’ve moved out, no one can stop us.”
“My sister even froze my cards. Does she think that will make me give up? Never!”
“Ah Qing,” Xin Wanyin buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with emotion. “I only have you now.”
She froze her cards?
Xu Qing instinctively embraced her, but his body stiffened.
Xin Wanyin leaving home for him was part of his plan, but he hadn’t expected her family’s opposition to be so strong.
This wasn’t good.
He frowned slightly, then quickly smoothed his expression, patting Xin Wanyin’s back. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”
Nestled in his arms, comforted by his words, Xin Wanyin felt a sense of relief.
But then a shadow of worry crossed her face.
Lost in their embrace, neither of them noticed the other’s expression.
Their loving moment, however, was short-lived. A few hours later, they had a minor argument.
The cause? The electricity bill.
Xin Wanyin’s new home was fully furnished, but the heating hadn’t been installed yet.
It was early winter, and the weather was getting colder.
Xin Wanyin, accustomed to a life of comfort and sensitive to the cold, had been running the air conditioning constantly, in both the living room and the bedroom.
Just before bed, Xu Qing accidentally saw the electricity bill and his blood ran cold.
He couldn’t help but snap at Xin Wanyin, accusing her of being wasteful.
Xin Wanyin was baffled. What was the big deal?
“But I’m cold if I don’t turn it on.”
Her obliviousness and nonchalant attitude infuriated him.
She was a pampered princess. She had no idea how hard it was to earn money, or how easily a life could be ruined!
It was a constant reminder that he was from a lower class, unworthy of her.
Still smarting from his encounter with Xin Yao, and knowing that Xin Wanyin usually gave in to him, Xu Qing couldn’t contain his frustration.
“I’m unemployed, and your family has cut you off financially. Xin Wanyin, can you please be more considerate? Do you know how many hours of work it takes to pay for these electricity bills?”
As expected, Xin Wanyin softened, tugging at his sleeve. “Okay, I understand. Don’t be angry.”
Xu Qing brushed her hand away. “There’s nothing to discuss until you actually change.”
With that, he turned and walked into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
They hadn’t taken the final step in their relationship yet.
Firstly, because Xin’s father was strict, and secondly, because Xin Wanyin romantically envisioned their wedding night as the beginning of their physical intimacy.
Xu Qing, however, was eager, but afraid of scaring her away by appearing too pushy.
So, even though they were living together, they slept separately.
That night, Xin Wanyin didn’t dare to turn on the air conditioning.
She huddled under the covers, her hands and feet icy cold, shivering in the cold.
She wasn’t sure if it was the fear of her sister abandoning her, or her boyfriend’s inexplicable anger, but she felt increasingly hurt and wronged, tears silently streaming down her face.
Was her sister right? What had she gained from all her sacrifices?
Nothing. Not even a word of comfort.
For the first time, Xin Wanyin felt a flicker of resentment towards Xu Qing.
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