After Transmigrating Back, I Became My Own Stand-in - Chapter 11

Shi Xu had never expected that on New Year’s Eve, she would be dragged away to meet the family.

She had forgotten what her own ex-lover even looked like, let alone her ex-girlfriend’s parents. Back when she was dating Tan Tan, things had never reached this stage—the most interaction she’d had was bumping into a wealthy lady shopping while she was at a coffee shop.

What was that scene like again? It seemed there was no drama; they just exchanged a few words, and the woman left.

After getting pulled into the Mainframe space to work as a System, she had gained a different perspective on life. After all, a normal person’s life is too short. At the end of a host’s life, they would often be full of regret, feeling that a single step back or a bit more courage in a relationship would have led to a happy future.

A host once asked her: “6900, what about you? Have you ever had regrets in love?”

Shi Xu, who had stored her emotional memories away, answered: “No.”

And she truly didn’t. In her romantic life, she always had a clear conscience toward her lovers. It was just her luck that she met the wrong people; she was dumped every single time she dated.

Funnily enough, the reason was always: “You’re too good.”

Shi Xu’s head had been full of question marks. Her friend explained it: “You treat them like children to be pampered, but a relationship isn’t just about one-sided giving. At least let them do something for you.”

Back then, Shi Xu blurted out: “But I don’t lack anything.”

Xin Xiaoxuan sneered: “I think you lack a brain.”

Having died once and lived through countless other lives, Shi Xu had finally begun to see the light. But she was also tired. Having witnessed so many blood-soaked romances, she felt that a person didn’t necessarily need a relationship. Unfortunately, all the hosts she encountered were “love-brains” who only sought a love that lasted until death.

Why must people find someone to spend their life with?

She used to think it was a necessity. Even as a lesbian, companionship didn’t care about orientation; she was just afraid of being lonely. In the end, she reaped what she sowed—bruised, battered, her family ruined, and her life gone.

“What are you thinking about?”

The car stopped in the hotel’s underground garage. Shen Tianqing stood side-by-side with her. Shi Xu was wearing canvas shoes, making her look about the same height as Shen Tianqing, who was in high heels and a high bun.

In this New Year atmosphere, the other woman was dressed quite festively. Her inner red sweater hugged her sharp chin, and pearl earrings dangled above, looking like a heart of stone bleached by fire.

“Nothing.”

Shi Xu had seen this restaurant mentioned just yesterday; it was ranked in the top five in S-City, and reservations had to be made eight months in advance. Even the elevator looked magnificent, its glass reflecting two expressionless faces.

“I brought you here to deal with my family. If you don’t know how to answer, just shut up.”

Shen Tianqing’s words were as harsh as ever. Shi Xu couldn’t help but think of the “sweet girl” from her childhood. A typical genetic mutation—not only was she not sweet, she was “smelly” (vicious).

She gave an “Oh,” hands tucked into her coat pockets, her entire presence screaming “last minute.” Her blue-and-white checkered sweater even had a tiny speck of spicy hotpot broth on it. Shen Tianqing stood an entire elevator-width away from her, making Shi Xu worry she smelled too strongly.

“Is it really okay for me to go in dressed like this, smelling like food?”

Shen Tianqing snorted. “What, did you want to wear a little dress and doll yourself up?”

Shi Xu: “…” Unimaginable. It’s not like we’re actually meeting the parents.

Besides, has the “canary” business expanded to include home-visit greeting services? This kind of setup should be for a fiancée, shouldn’t it? She figured that for rich people, coming out didn’t stop parents from arranging same-sex blind dates. For all she knew, Shen Tianqing actually had a fiancée waiting inside.

I hope the crossfire doesn’t hit me.

The contract was for one year, with three months left. Let it end quickly, Amituofo.

The Shen family’s New Year’s Eve dinner was held at the Narburton. Because there were many people, the private booth was like a small suite. Shen Tianqing had gone out on a whim; she didn’t want to ruin her parents’ holiday. But it turned out that if she didn’t annoy them, they would annoy her.

Even lesbians can’t escape blind dates. Her mother was using a projector to show her photos of eligible bachelorettes, insisting she meet one before going to record her show. They were all wealthy girls with study-abroad backgrounds. Perhaps knowing Shen Tianqing liked older women, there was even a single “career woman” in her late thirties.

Shen Tianqing: “…”

Her eldest and second brothers sat together; the sisters-in-law sat with Tan Tan. The children, not understanding the tension, clapped at the projected photos. The patriarch of the Shen family smiled at his daughter. “Which one does Tian-nan like? Daddy will contact them personally.”

Shen Tianqing sat by her mother. The cake on her plate had a little edible flag made by her second sister-in-law that said “Love’s Fulfillment.” She took a bite of the flag and smiled. “I don’t like any of them.”

Chen Geni sighed. “It doesn’t hurt to just meet them. Make a friend. Look at Lin Chi; even if she isn’t married, she has a child.”

Lin Chi was a proponent of non-marriage but had a long-term boyfriend. They were childhood sweethearts with a good relationship. She’d had a child after graduation and didn’t have to raise it herself, allowing her to focus on her career.

Shen Tianqing: “I’m not having kids.”

Chen Geni: “I’m not forcing you to have kids. Mom just wants you to have a companion.”

A surge of anger rose in Shen Tianqing. Her family had been testing her boundaries for years. They knew she was a “Great Demon King” outside, but she was restrained with her family—especially her mother, who nagged all day long, nothing like the “Cold Gallery Owner” she appeared to be in the news.

“I already have someone. Didn’t I tell you?”

Tan Tan said nothing. She thought of that minor celebrity. She hadn’t searched for her specifically, but the girl was always on Weibo. A very young girl. Tan Tan had clicked into her livestream once; in motion, she really did look a bit like her.

The second sister-in-law smiled. “I know, it’s that Meng Heng, right? An assistant in my company is a fan of hers.”

Shen Tianqing: “Sister-in-law, don’t talk nonsense with your eyes open.”

She was merciless. Looking at the “matchmaking album” out of the corner of her eye, she felt she would be driven mad if she didn’t settle this. She called Meng Heng immediately. Since the girl was in A-City for the New Year anyway, she’d just bring her over.

Shen Tianqing had no feelings for Meng Heng; she looked at her as a substitute. She didn’t care if this technically counted as a traditional “meeting of the parents” on such an important night as New Year’s Eve. She just did it.

When the door opened, Shi Xu was startled by the crowd. She knew the Shens were a large family, but seeing three generations together was almost enough to trigger her trypophobia. She wasn’t socially anxious, but her scalp tingled when everyone looked at her.

Shen Tianqing, standing behind her, pushed her forward and introduced her coldly: “Meng Heng, my…” She likely felt it was improper to say “the person I’m keeping” in front of her father. “…my person.”

Not lover, not partner, not “friend with benefits.” Just her person for now.

Shi Xu put on a fake smile. Her face was bare, but her smile was bright. The “Insane Level” spicy hotpot had left her lips slightly swollen, giving her an air of casual, startling beauty.

“So this is Meng Heng? She looks so young.”

“In her twenties? She’s beautiful…”

“Come, sit! Are you alone in S-City? On New Year’s…”

“This sister’s face is red; is she shy?”

“Is she Auntie’s girlfriend?”

Shi Xu: So many people! Why are there so many people?!

It felt like when she was on a mission to “reform a phoenix man” and had to accompany the host to a village banquet. The problem was, in this scenario, she looked like the one playing the “phoenix man” role.

She cursed inwardly while keeping up appearances, letting Shen Tianqing pull her into the seat beside her. To her left was Shen Tianqing; to her right was the second sister-in-law, Zhou Yin.

Zhou Yin, a former top model turned fashion businesswoman, smiled at her. “Meng Heng, I’ve heard much about you. My assistant is a fan.”

Shi Xu maintained her expression, her words humble: “Thank you, thank you. I know exactly where I stand.”

Shen Tianqing laughed. “You certainly have self-awareness.”

The scrutiny of the table killed Shi Xu’s appetite. Worse, this family liked to talk while eating, asking random questions. Shen Tianqing’s mood improved—likely because there was someone else there to suffer. She introduced everyone while piling food she didn’t like onto Shi Xu’s plate.

“This is my father.”

Shi Xu: “Hello, Uncle.”

“This is my eldest brother.”

Shi Xu: “Hello, Big Brother.”

When it came to the third sister, Shen Tianqing introduced her naturally: “My third sister, Tan Tan.”

Shi Xu looked at the woman coaxing a child to eat. Her hair was up; she looked a bit fuller than before, but her skin was very white. She gave Shi Xu a small smile.

“Hello, Third Sister.”

Shi Xu remained expressionless and quickly looked away.

The atmosphere was noisy with children shouting. Shen Tianqing introduced everyone except her mother. Chen Geni pinched her daughter’s arm. “What’s wrong with you?”

Shen Tianqing: “Didn’t you look down on her?”

Chen Geni: “How can you talk to Mom like that!”

Shen Tianqing: “Don’t you want a top-tier university graduate over 1.75 meters, elegant and witty?”

Shi Xu: Thankfully I only meet one of those criteria. Instant disqualification.

Chen Geni: “Wasn’t that what you wanted? Why are you blaming me? I’d love to go crouch at the entrance of the Opera Academy!”

Shen Tianqing shut off the projector.

The eldest brother, Shen Qinglang, asked: “How did Miss Meng and Tianqing meet?”

Shi Xu glanced at Shen Tianqing, who was eating steamed custard. “Just tell them. Didn’t you say you remembered?”

Shi Xu: “We met at the film studio.”

Meng Heng’s tiny company had terrible resources. She was there to play a lowly maid. On the day she wrapped, her car broke down, and she was crouching by the road in the heat, wearing a hat and blowing a USB fan on her forehead. Shen Tianqing happened to be there inspecting a set and looked out the window.

Shi Xu thought it was ridiculous. Shen Tianqing had actually stopped her car to take a photo and then sent people to investigate. Within a week, she had paid the contract penalty and brought the girl under her own company.

“That truly is fate,” Shen Qinglang said.

Shi Xu smiled and said no more. She noticed everyone in this family was good-looking. The atmosphere was harmonious and friendly. She glanced at Shen Tianqing, who wasn’t engaging much, and suspected that for Shen Tianqing, these memories were a blank—she probably didn’t even bother to remember them! What a scumbag this brat is.

Since it was New Year’s Eve, the dinner lasted a long time. Tan Tan’s child was the youngest. After all these years, Shi Xu had no strong feelings toward her ex. Seeing her now only brought back faint memories. All the “whys” had turned into a simple “we weren’t right for each other.” Whether Tan Tan was living well or not had nothing to do with her.

“Meng Heng, do you drink?” Zhou Yin asked.

Shi Xu looked at Shen Tianqing. She was currently playing the “canary” and needed to be gentle and obedient to survive the final three months.

Shen Tianqing: “Can’t you drink quite a bit?”

Shi Xu: “…”

Zhou Yin: “Then let’s fill it up. Tianqing doesn’t drink; she’s this old and still drinks coconut milk with the kids. No fun.”

Shen Tianqing took a big gulp of her milk.

Shi Xu: “…” I didn’t realize people in this industry didn’t drink.

In her memory, “drinking culture” was loathsome but unavoidable, so she had built up a tolerance. Did this person not drink while we were filming back then? …Ah, it’s been too long, I don’t want to remember.

Sensing her gaze, Shen Tianqing hummed. “Do you have a problem?”

The room was warm. Shen Tianqing had taken off her coat; the burgundy collar of her sweater matched the flush on her face. For a split second, Shi Xu thought the kid was a little bit cute. Just a tiny bit.

She couldn’t refuse Zhou Yin’s wine, but after two sips, she was stopped.

“Drink less,” Shen Tianqing said. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be at home recording practice videos according to my requirements. The show starts in a few days. Don’t embarrass me.”

Shi Xu’s mood plummeted. She set her chopsticks down and naturally brushed her forehead—a habit she had whenever she was annoyed, because of a tiny mole on her right brow.

The movement was fast, but Tan Tan, sitting opposite, saw it. She stared at Shi Xu.

In the next second, Shen Tianqing threw an arm around Shi Xu’s shoulder and whispered intimately, looking like a lover in the heat of passion. But what she actually said was:

“Be smart. Give me a kiss.”