After Transmigrating into a Sadistic Novel, the Socially Anxious Sickly Beauty Just Wants to Sleep - Chapter 6

“What are you doing here?” Yan Zhimuo asked coldly.

Bai Murong froze, an expression of disbelief appearing on her soft, fair face. “Zhimuo, how can you speak to me like that? I came here, of course, to visit Mom.”

She stroked the faces of the two children behind her with a look of distress, appearing as if she were being bullied. She looked toward Yan Zhimuo with teary eyes. “Don’t speak to me that way; you’re scaring your younger brother and sister.”

Behind Bai Murong, 17-year-old Yan Zhixing was holding the hand of 12-year-old Yan Zhiyue. He kept his head down, face stiff and silent, his entire being radiating the energy of “I’m being forced to be here.” When their mother used them as shields, he even shrank back a little, desperately trying to minimize his presence.

Yan Zhimuo swept a cold, indifferent gaze over the two children. He would never forget the day he was just a teenager when Yan Zuyi suddenly led Bai Murong—who was holding a baby—into their home. He had shamelessly told Yan Zhimuo’s sickly mother: From now on, we are a family. You must get along with Murong; don’t make things difficult for her. Then, pointing to the then one-year-old Yan Zhixing, he said, This is your brother.

It was a joke. His mother was so ill; how could she possibly “make things difficult” for a healthy, young, and beautiful person?

Within two years of Bai Murong entering their home, his mother’s condition worsened rapidly, and she passed away soon after. Yan Zuyi couldn’t wait to marry Bai Murong into the family, and two years later, Yan Zhiyue was born.

Yan Zhimuo was much older than those two children. They had been afraid of him since they were small, acting as quiet as ghosts in the house. Although he had initially felt deep loathing, as the years passed, his attitude toward them had shifted to indifference. Toward Bai Murong, however, his disgust and resentment remained unchanged.

Jian Anmian watched the drama silently, thinking to himself that the grudges of wealthy families were truly complicated.

Yan Zhimuo sneered. “In what capacity are you visiting my grandmother? I don’t recall the Yan family ever recognizing your status.”

Bai Murong’s expression shifted. Glancing at the gradually confused Yao Xiandie, she said with tears streaming down her face, “Zhimuo, I know you’re anxious because of your second uncle’s movements and want to get Grandma’s shares quickly. But you can’t come asking Grandma for money the moment you get married. What would Grandma think of that?”

Yan Zhimuo’s expression darkened instantly. His gaze shot toward Bai Murong like a sharp blade. His voice was icy and thin, making one shudder. “Bai Murong, do you really have to say such things in front of Grandma?”

His grandmother held a portion of the Yan family shares. Knowing her time was short, she wanted to distribute them before she passed. All the other children had received theirs, except for him. An investigation revealed that his second uncle had been interfering, taking advantage of his grandmother’s clouded consciousness to trick her into signing an agreement: Yan Zhimuo had to be married to inherit his share.

Yan Zhimuo hadn’t intended to claim them so soon, but his second uncle’s recent actions were too aggressive, and the company was in turmoil. Getting the shares would be a massive help, which was why he entered the contract marriage with Jian Anmian.

Bai Murong was merely a fragile “white lotus.” She was still afraid of Yan Zhimuo, and seeing him truly angered, she quickly shut her mouth.

“Qingxiong, why are you so late today? The movie is about to start.” Yao Xiandie tapped Yan Zhimuo playfully, her mind slipping again.

Yan Zhimuo looked the most like his grandfather, Yan Qingxiong. When she was confused, she often mistook him for his grandfather.

“Sorry, I’m late. I apologize to you,” Yan Zhimuo sighed. He didn’t know which year his grandmother had returned to, so he could only follow her lead.

“Mianmian, go take a walk. I’ll stay here with Grandma for a bit longer,” Yan Zhimuo said.

Jian Anmian obeyed immediately and slipped away without looking back. That tiny room was holding six people; his social anxiety was about to peak.

Fearing Yan Zhimuo might do something in her absence, Bai Murong braved his cold gaze and spoke up. “I’ll stay too. It’s been a long time since I visited Mom; I should talk to her more.”

Yan Zhixing looked up quickly, his face practically screaming that he wanted to leave too.

Yan Zhimuo suddenly spoke. “Yan Zhixing, you’re a boy and you have strength. Stay and help me massage Grandma’s legs.”

Yan Zhixing: “…” Waaaaah!

Daring not to protest, Yan Zhixing agreed gloomily, let go of his sister’s hand with lingering regret, and walked over with a stiff face.

“Mr. Yan, may I go out?” Yan Zhiyue asked cautiously, gathering her courage. Yan Zhimuo disliked them calling him “Brother,” so they always addressed him as “Mr. Yan.”

Yan Zhimuo hummed in affirmation. Yan Zhiyue hurried out the door like her tail was on fire, completely ignoring her brother’s resentful gaze.

Jian Anmian didn’t actually want to walk. He just wanted to find a quiet place to sit and rest; lying down would be even better.

The gardens were full of flowers. Flower-woven gates and corridors offered a distant, quiet atmosphere, and several rattan chairs were scattered about. Because of his pollen allergy, Jian Anmian didn’t dare get too close despite his mask, so he picked a chair on the outskirts.

However, as soon as he sat down, he swayed with the chair, and his head spun. His expression changed instantly, and he scrambled off.

This body’s motion sickness was too severe—he couldn’t even sit in a swinging chair, and spinning in place twice would make him dizzy. He gave up on the rattan chairs and found a sturdy wooden bench. He closed his eyes and began to doze off.

…

When Yan Zhiyue came out, she spotted Jian Anmian on the bench. Her heart stirred, and she trotted over. She pumped herself up, put her hands on her hips, and shouted at Jian Anmian’s back: “Hey! Jian Anmian!”

Jian Anmian sat motionless, making no sound.

Yan Zhiyue took a deep breath and began her rant. “Just give up, Jian Anmian! The person Brother Yan really likes is Brother Luochen, not you!”

“…”

“Brother Yan only married you for the shares, not because he actually likes you! You’re only riding on the fact that you’re Brother Luochen’s younger brother and look a bit like him. You’re just a stand-in!”

“…”

“Once Brother Yan gets the shares, I suggest you leave on your own. Give up your position quietly. It was never yours to begin with; you’re just holding it temporarily. If you’re smart, you’ll return him to Brother Luochen, otherwise Brother Yan will surely kick you away once he returns!”

“…”

“Hey, Jian Anmian, why aren’t you talking? Are you even listening to me?”

After ranting for a while without a response, Yan Zhiyue finally realized something was wrong. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she hiked up her dress to walk around the bench. She turned red with anger.

He… he’s actually sleeping?! No one had heard her at all? She had been talking to the air this whole time?!

Feeling humiliated and angry, she shook his shoulder forcefully. “Jian Anmian! Jian Anmian, wake up!”

In his dazed state, Jian Anmian heard a constant chirping, high-pitched, noisy girl’s voice. He opened his bleary eyes to see Yan Zhiyue glaring at him with wide eyes.

A stranger! And a stranger standing very close!

His social anxiety flared instantly. He shrank into the bench like a turtle. “Sister Yueyue, what’s wrong?”

Sis… Sister Yueyue?

Yan Zhiyue was stunned. Because of her birth, she had few friends. Brother Yan didn’t acknowledge her and never called her name. Her own brother, Yan Zhixing, was a “cool guy” who only used her full name and never called her “Sister.” This was the first time in her life someone had addressed her so affectionately. Her face turned bright red, and she snapped, “Who gave you permission to call me that!”

“Sorry,” Jian Anmian apologized readily.

Yan Zhiyue felt a bit unhappy again. What is wrong with this person? Why is he so obedient? He must be using this fake, well-behaved act to trick Brother Yan into marrying him!

She puffed out her chest and looked at him arrogantly. “Hey, did you hear what I just said to you?”

“Sorry, I was asleep just now and didn’t hear. Could you say it again?”

I knew it! How annoying! Yan Zhiyue had no choice but to repeat her speech.

After listening, Jian Anmian: “…”

There it was—the classic threat from a male lead’s relative to “get lost.” But the little sister’s threat was a bit weak; she didn’t even throw a check in his face.

Seeing that he still had no reaction and just looked silly—not even knowing to be angry when bullied—she puffed out her cheeks. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

Jian Anmian smiled gently. “I know all of that.”

Yan Zhiyue was confused. “Huh?”

“Everything you just said, I already know,” Jian Anmian’s smile was shy. “Thank you for reminding me.”

Yan Zhiyue: “…”

Hey! I didn’t say that to ‘remind’ you, I said it to make you leave!

The conversation hit a wall, and silence fell again. Jian Anmian was socially anxious; if someone didn’t talk to him, he would never initiate. Yan Zhiyue was a tsundere; she decided that if he didn’t speak, she wouldn’t either.

After a few minutes of silence, just as Jian Anmian was about to fall asleep again, Yan Zhiyue couldn’t take it and spoke up again.

“You say you know, but you don’t really know. Brother Luochen saved Brother Yan’s life! Why else would he like him so much? As the saying goes, a life-saving debt should be repaid with one’s body. Brother Luochen should be with Brother Yan. They are a match made in heaven, the fated ‘CP’. In a novel, they would be the lead couple! Irreversible and inseparable! A cannon fodder supporting male like you is warned—you’ll end up with a miserable death!”

She got more excited as she spoke, her face flushing as if she were about to weep for their “beautiful love.”

Jian Anmian understood—this little sister clearly read too many novels and was projecting them onto reality. But this was a novel; unfortunately for her, she had backed the wrong couple.

The official couple for “Brother Yan” was actually him. Her Brother Luochen was the cannon fodder destined for a miserable end. In the novel’s truth, the one who saved the lead as a child was actually the protagonist (Jian Anmian), but the lead mistakenly thought it was Qin Luochen, making him the “White Moonlight.”

Jian Anmian couldn’t tell her that, so he just smiled and listened quietly.

In the middle of her passionate speech, Yan Zhiyue noticed she was the only one making noise again. She stopped and saw Jian Anmian looking at her with that quiet, gentle gaze. She bristled again, her eyes darting away. “Why are you looking at me like that? And not saying anything! You’re so strange! So annoying!”

Jian Anmian gave her a knowing “Auntie smile”: “…”

A textbook tsundere. Encountering one in real life for the first time… I’ve got character material now.

Oh, right. I forgot. I’m not an author anymore. Sorry, professional habit.

Suddenly, Yan Zhimuo’s deep voice came from nearby. “What are you chatting about?”

Yan Zhiyue immediately snapped her legs together and stood straight. “Mr. Yan.”

“Mhm,” Yan Zhimuo acknowledged. He looked at Jian Anmian. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

Jian Anmian froze, fumbled for his phone, and realized it had run out of battery and turned off. “Sorry, my phone died. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

Yan Zhimuo felt a bit better. “It’s fine. Remember to check it often; stay reachable.”

He looked at Yan Zhiyue, his voice suddenly turning cold. “Why didn’t you answer your phone either?”

Yan Zhiyue jumped. What? Brother Yan actually called her?! She checked her phone with a racing heart, then looked up as if she were about to cry. “Sorry… my phone was on silent, no vibration. I didn’t hear it.”

He missed his call! The first time in her life he called her, and she missed it! Waaaaah, I don’t want to live!

“Pay attention in the future,” Yan Zhimuo commanded indifferently. He then naturally took Jian Anmian’s hand. “Let’s go. We’ll say goodbye to Grandma and head home.”

Yan Zhiyue followed behind like a little puppy, full of regret, switching her phone to vibration and vowing never to turn it off. The arrogant look from before was completely gone.

Back in the room, Grandma was dozing in the rattan chair in the sun. Yan Zhixing had a miserable face, working like a bitter laborer to massage her legs. Bai Murong was quietly kneading Grandma’s shoulders, dried tear tracks on her face. Who knew what kind of intimidation Yan Zhimuo had used on her while Jian Anmian was out?

Yan Zhiyue saw her mother had been crying; after a second of hesitation, she walked over and touched her face.

The atmosphere was bizarre, and Jian Anmian felt uncomfortable. His social anxiety was taking too many hits today.

Bai Murong took Yan Zhiyue’s hand and stood up, a trace of fear in her eyes as she looked at Yan Zhimuo. “Zhimuo, then Auntie will take your siblings home first. Remember to come back for dinner later.”

“Mhm,” he replied.

Yan Zhixing bolted up from the floor and followed Bai Murong out eagerly.

The room was left with just the three of them. Yan Zhimuo led Jian Anmian to Grandma’s side and knelt down. “Grandma, we’re leaving now. We’ll come back to see you in a while, okay?”

Yao Xiandie’s clouded eyes stared at him for a long time. Finally, she became confused again. “Qingxiong, you can’t be late next time.”

Yan Zhimuo answered obediently. “Yes, I will definitely be on time next time. I won’t make you wait.”

“Goodbye, Grandma,” Jian Anmian said softly.

Yao Xiandie looked up, saw his face, and gave him a silly smile. “Such a pretty girl.”

Jian Anmian smiled shyly and waved. As Yan Zhimuo led him toward the door, Yao Xiandie’s voice suddenly rang out, calm and clear.

“Zhimuo, where is your father?”

Yan Zhimuo froze and turned back to see her eyes sharp and full of love.

“Grandma, are you ‘awake’ again?” He strode back and knelt before her.

She touched his face tenderly. “My dear grandson, take the shares back quickly. Don’t let those little brats bully you.”

Yan Zhimuo lowered his eyes, leaning his cheek against her withered hand. “I know. Thank you, Grandma.”

She went silent for two seconds. “Zuyi… he didn’t come to see me again.”

Yan Zhimuo clenched his fist. “Grandma, I will make him come see you.”

His scumbag father had no talent but was born arrogant and headstrong. When she was young, Yao Xiandie had been unwilling to hand the company to him. Once Yan Zhimuo grew up, she adored her talented grandson even more. Because the father and son had a terrible relationship, Yan Zuyi believed his mother hated him and had unilaterally cut ties. Even though her time was short, they were still at a standstill.

Yao Xiandie mused for a moment as if understanding something, and her expression turned profoundly lonely. However, the next second, she was confused again, calling Yan Zhimuo “Qingxiong.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Grandma, take good care of yourself.”

She covered her face shyly.

“Mianmian, say goodbye to Grandma,” Yan Zhimuo said.

“Goodbye, Grandma,” Jian Anmian added.

The next second, a warm kiss smelling of soap fell on Jian Anmian’s cheek.

Yao Xiandie smiled brightly. “Pretty girl, you must be well.”

A wave of warmth flowed into his chest. The care the man gave his grandmother was being selflessly passed on to him. Jian Anmian was stunned, then shyly pressed his flushed cheek against hers. “Thank you, Grandma. I will. You too.”

Be well.