Chapter 11

Li Lan turned and left the room.

Tang Yiling, as if afraid she might change her mind, clicked the lock shut behind her.

And she still said Tang Yiling was overthinking it.

Wasn’t Li Lan the one who always did things that made people overthink?

She changed into her comfortable clothes and neatly folded the two new outfits into the wardrobe.

The clothes looked expensive, and they weren’t exactly practical for school.

The moment she closed the wardrobe door, Tang Yiling suddenly realized something.

Her build was still different from Li Lan’s; at the very least, there was a full size difference in height.

If Li Lan’s mother really cared about Li Lan that much, how could she have gotten it wrong?

Tang Yiling opened the door and went to the dining room to eat.

Dinner was still silent, but perhaps because she was used to it now, it didn’t feel quite as awkward.

Li Lan only ate a little over half a bowl of rice before putting down her chopsticks.

Tang Yiling looked at her. She hadn’t eaten as much as yesterday.

“Does the food not suit your taste?” she asked, then immediately realized she’d said it wrong.

How could the dishes Li Lan’s mother made not suit her taste better than her own cooking did?

As expected, Li Lan shook her head.

“No. I’m tired from shopping today, so I don’t have much appetite.”

By the time they finished cleaning up, it was already late.

Li Lan was in the study; Tang Yiling showered and went back to her room early.

It was Sunday, and there was nothing scheduled yet.

So she slept soundly until ten.

Sounds drifted out from the living room.

Tang Yiling yawned and opened the bedroom door. “Sis, you—”

She didn’t get to finish.

There was someone else in the house.

Tang Yiling searched her memory.

She had seen this person before; she was Li Lan’s friend, Xun Banxing.

Xun Banxing froze too when she saw Tang Yiling.

She smiled and looked at Li Lan. “So how are you going to explain this one?”

Li Lan didn’t answer.

She stood by the door and looked at Tang Yiling. “I’m going out of town.”

“Oh.” Tang Yiling blinked. “A business trip?”

Li Lan nodded, then seemed to remember something. “I won’t be back until the day after tomorrow. You don’t need to wait for me to eat.”

Tang Yiling gave another “oh.”

That meant she could go back to school this afternoon. “You’ve worked hard, Sis.”

Their expressions were perfectly normal.

Xun Banxing, on the other hand, widened her eyes. Tang Yiling heard her ask after Li Lan left the house, “A’Lan, are you giving me your schedule?”

There wasn’t much to pack at home.

After lunch, Tang Yiling slung on her backpack and returned to the dorm.

On the way back to school, she called He Wenwei.

The phone rang for a long time; she was almost about to hang up when it finally connected.

He Wenwei’s tone was a little stiff. “Hello? Xiao Wang?”

“Why are you calling on the weekend? Oh, you need something? Wait a moment.”

Footsteps sounded on the other end, and the background grew quieter.

He Wenwei’s voice turned affectionate. “Mianmian, why haven’t you called Mom even on the weekend?”

“Something came up at school.”

Tang Yiling paused. “Too much contact makes it easy to expose us.”

Just now, He Wenwei had clearly been with Tang Geyun; otherwise she wouldn’t have been so careful.

If the two of them really met and Tang Geyun found out, it would be troublesome.

“That’s true.”

He Wenwei agreed. “Let’s make plans on a weekday next time; somewhere farther away.”

Tang Yiling agreed.

She told He Wenwei a little about her recent life, told her not to worry, and said they could also keep in touch by phone for now.

She walked under the shade of the trees, and a cool breeze brushed past her; it felt quite pleasant.

“I’m a little worried I won’t pass the probation period.”

“You will,” He Wenwei comforted her. “You handled your first few incidents very well.”

“Assessment is point-based. You’re still at a hundred right now.”

That reassured Tang Yiling a little. “What score do you need to pass?”

“Eighty, I think.” He Wenwei considered it. “Besides, the score goes up and down; basically everyone passes.”

“Oh. That’s good then.”

Tang Yiling suddenly thought of something. “Mom, how does the Administration Bureau determine whether someone is an awakened character?”

“The Administration Bureau has its own review process.”

“And people like us, if we think a role is off somehow, can submit it for review too.”

Tang Yiling slowed her steps.

“What happens after the review?”

He Wenwei continued, “The higher-ups will give feedback.”

“Of course, if there’s no problem, that’s best. If there is, the Administration Bureau will handle it and resolve it.”

Tang Yiling fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Mom, can you submit a review?”

“Of course! You’re so sharp; you’re really suited for work at the Book-Transmigration Bureau!”

But then He Wenwei caught on. “Wait, who do you want checked?”

“Li Lan.”

He Wenwei froze. “Okay, I’ll tell you when there’s a result.”

Tang Yiling kept talking with He Wenwei all the way to the dorm.

She hung up downstairs, just in case Chang Yuruo grew suspicious.

Before ending the call, He Wenwei still didn’t forget to remind her.

“Your next plot point should still be at home. Keep an eye on it; it’s almost here.”

Tang Yiling answered with a “got it.”

She didn’t really have any reason to go home lately anyway, unless Tang Geyun went looking for trouble again.

The rest of the dorm was already there.

An Qi had somehow gotten hold of a short wig and was trying to put it on Chang Yuruo’s head.

When Chang Yuruo saw Tang Yiling come back, she hid behind her.

“If you’re wearing a wig, at least style it properly. Who just puts one on straight like that?”

Tang Yiling was a little confused. “What’s going on?”

Qian Xueqing bent over with laughter. “It’s Yuruo’s birthday today; this is An Qi’s birthday present for her.”

“She said she wanted to try short hair, but couldn’t bear to cut it.”

An Qi reached for Chang Yuruo again. “Aren’t I fulfilling her wish?”

“I’ll let you see it later.” Chang Yuruo took the wig and hid it behind her back.

Then she turned to Tang Yiling. “Sorry, I thought you’d gone home, so I didn’t bother you. Let’s have dinner together tonight, okay?”

“Of course!”

Tang Yiling pulled out her phone. “Then I’ll handle the cake tonight.”

There were a lot of cake options on the group-buying app.

Tang Yiling asked, “Yuruo, do you like fruit or chocolate?”

Before Chang Yuruo could answer, An Qi cut in first. “Fruit.”

“And what fruit do you like best?”

“Peaches. Strawberries are fine too, but they’re not in season right now.”

Tang Yiling looked up at An Qi, who kept answering for Chang Yuruo.

She really knew the other girl’s preferences that well!

Following An Qi’s instructions, she placed the order, then couldn’t help glancing at the two of them a few more times.

Their relationship was really good. If Chang Yuruo weren’t the female lead, she’d almost be tempted to ship them.

As five o’clock approached, the dorm set out together.

Once again, Chang Yuruo and An Qi walked in front, arm in arm, holding hands and chatting and laughing.

Qian Xueqing and Tang Yiling followed behind.

Qian Xueqing asked about Tang Yiling’s work, laying the groundwork before turning to the main point. “Um, I’ve saved up some living expenses. If you ever need it, don’t be polite.”

Tang Yiling tilted her head. Her eyes instantly filled with tears, then she forced them back.

It wasn’t easy for a university student to save up living expenses. She said solemnly, “Thank you.”

Chang Yuruo must have overheard them.

She turned around, switched the arm she was holding An Qi with, and walked backward with complete ease.

“Yiling, I’m working part-time at a restaurant in the mall next to campus.”

“You only need to go on weekday evenings. It’s not too busy, but the hourly wage is lower than on weekends.”

“Do you want to go?”

The timing was perfect; it wouldn’t delay anything. Tang Yiling nodded. “Sure!”

Chang Yuruo smiled; she looked as gentle and beautiful as the sunset in the distance.

“The restaurant needs a physical exam report. Do you have one?”

“I think I...”

Tang Yiling remembered that when she had packed up her things at the Tang house, she seemed to have seen one. “I do.”

“That makes things easy. We’ll go together next week; remember to bring it.”

After saying that, Chang Yuruo turned back around and kept chatting with An Qi.

But Tang Yiling’s steps faltered.

She realized she needed to go back to the Tang house to get something.

Just after she’d told He Wenwei that she had nothing much to go home for lately.

And now she had a reason right away.

Tang Yiling felt a sharp sense of disconnection from this world.

On one side were her real, warm roommates; on the other, the story’s rigid, complete plot logic. Half real, half false; vague and indistinct.

Qian Xueqing noticed her unusual expression. “What’s wrong?”

Tang Yiling shook her head. “Nothing.”

They ate hot pot at the mall.

Ingredients rose and fell in the broth; chopsticks moved up and down, intimate and unguarded.

Tang Yiling really liked this kind of pure friendship from her student days.

Her whole mood lifted.

She set the ordered cake on the table and helped An Qi light the candles.

“Birthday girl, make a wish.”

Chang Yuruo looked at An Qi. “I’m giving you one of my birthday wishes.”

“Today’s birthday present already fulfilled my wish to cut my hair short!”

An Qi looked at Chang Yuruo for a long moment.

She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. “Then I hope Yuruo is happy every day.”

An Qi opened her eyes and looked at Chang Yuruo, who was watching her intently.

She tapped the other girl’s shoulder. “Your turn.”

“Okay.” Chang Yuruo closed her eyes. “My second wish is that everyone never fails an exam!”

“The third...”

She didn’t say it out loud; she made the wish silently in her heart.

The candles were blown out, and An Qi pressed Chang Yuruo about what she had secretly wished for. Chang Yuruo refused to say.

After dinner, the four of them wandered around the mall to digest.

Everyone had been in a good mood, but they unexpectedly ran into Gu Feng around a corner.

There was also a boy standing beside Gu Feng.

He looked at the cake box in Chang Yuruo’s hands. “Is junior celebrating her birthday today?”

Chang Yuruo was much calmer than Tang Yiling had expected.

She nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Feng seemed a little regretful. “I had no idea.”

“How about this; I’ll arrange a second round and give junior a proper celebration?”

It was already nine o’clock.

If they celebrated again, they wouldn’t be going back to the dorm tonight?

Tang Yiling stood at the back and glanced at Gu Feng.

Hypocritical, backseat driver, show-off—what are you doing showing up now?

She had already tried her best to lower her presence, but the boy beside Gu Feng still noticed her.

“Huh? Isn’t this Tang Yiling?”

An alarm bell went off in Tang Yiling’s mind.

Damn it; she didn’t know this person at all.

Just as she was wondering how to answer, her phone rang at the perfect moment.

Tang Yiling glanced at the screen, told Qian Xueqing she’d be right back, and walked over to the nearby stairwell.

“Hello, Sis.”

Could Li Lan have come back early? Otherwise, why would she be calling her now?

Li Lan’s voice was cold and concise. “You’re at the mall?”

Tang Yiling felt inexplicably guilty, like a child caught sneaking out to play.

“How did you know?” she asked, while looking around. Was Li Lan following her?

“When you answered, I heard the mall’s broadcast.”

So that was it. Tang Yiling relaxed. “Did you come back early?”

“No.”

There was some noise on Li Lan’s end too. “Zheng Lexin’s place starts renovation tomorrow. The keys will be handed over Wednesday night; I wanted to ask if you want to come with me.”

“Yes! I’ll go Wednesday afternoon.”

This was Tang Yiling’s first job she’d handled herself; of course she wanted to be there in person.

“Good. Nothing else then.” Li Lan paused. “Don’t stay out too late; be careful.”

Tang Yiling’s tone softened. “You don’t work yourself too hard either. Get some rest.”

After they both finished speaking, the line fell briefly silent.

They were actually worrying about each other now; it felt a little awkward.

The call ended.

When Tang Yiling returned to the mall, Gu Feng and the others had already left.

Chang Yuruo waved at her. “Who was on the phone?”

The memory of being called a “golden master mommy” rushed back, and Tang Yiling blushed for a second. “My boss.”

“I thought it was your boyfriend checking up on you!”

An Qi laughed as she looked at her. “Why else did you look like you’d been caught cheating just now?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Tang Yiling hooked an arm through Qian Xueqing’s as they walked forward, joking openly. “If it were a boyfriend, there’d be even less to worry about. What kind of affair could I possibly have going out with girls?”

The topic ended there, everyone laughing it off.

But Tang Yiling started thinking about it herself.

Her sugar mama was a woman, and she liked women too.

Going out with women was exactly what made it suspicious!

She startled herself.

So Li Lan’s call just now... had it really been checking up on her?