After Transmigrating, the Female Lead Went Dark (GL) - Chapter 21

Xiao Xinyue quickly noticed that while she was busy organizing her wedding with the Sect Leader, the usually lively, restless Sect Leader, who loved to go out every day, was instead hiding in her room all day.

A female disciple rushed to report to her: “Ever since the Sect Leader got her hands on the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, she hasn’t allowed me near her! I suspect she’s writing secret letters to the Demon Sect remnants!”

Xiao Xinyue neither confirmed nor denied it, but she pushed aside some miscellaneous tasks and made time to check on her.

Zhou Zhuying was hunched over the table, scribbling away. When she glimpsed someone entering, she immediately gathered all her draft papers. However, when she saw that the figure in the doorway was the female lead, she stopped her movements.

“Oh, it’s Saintess sister!” Zhou Zhuying sighed in relief.

“Who did you think it was?” Xiao Xinyue noticed her attempt to hide things but was slightly surprised when she brought the draft papers out again. “Sect Leader, what are you hiding?”

“My secret weapon for getting rich!” Zhou Zhuying had no reservations when dealing with Xiao Xinyue.

Xiao Xinyue raised an eyebrow at the mention of a secret weapon but didn’t say anything. Only when she leaned closer to the table and picked up one of the draft papers did she look relieved. “What secret weapon is this that will make the Sect Leader rich?”

Zhou Zhuying leaned close to her ear and whispered, “This is the structural diagram of a sewing machine that can increase sewing efficiency!”

After saying this, and regardless of Xiao Xinyue’s reaction, she muttered to herself, “The only problem is that the manufacturing requirements for some parts are extremely precise. I wonder if there are any skilled artisans capable of building these components.”

“There are,” Xiao Xinyue cut in abruptly.

“That’s wonderful!” Zhou Zhuying clapped her hands happily. A moment later, she looked at Xiao Xinyue in shock. “Saintess sister can understand this structural diagram? Wait, Saintess sister knows such skilled artisans?”

Xiao Xinyue looked at her, suddenly smiled, and nodded. “I do.”

“Then…” Zhou Zhuying rubbed her hands together eagerly.

Xiao Xinyue knew her intentions and asked with a smile, “I can find the person, but what benefit can the Sect Leader offer me?”

Zhou Zhuying immediately offered a large cut. “I’ll give Saintess sister 30% of the shares. How about we get rich together?” She paused, then corrected herself. “Let’s make it 50%. After all, once we’re married, this will be joint wifely property.”

“Joint property?”

“Meaning, what Saintess sister has is mine, and what I have is Saintess sister’s.”

Xiao Xinyue laughed in annoyance. “The Sect Leader is quite the strategist.”

“If Saintess sister isn’t happy with that, we can draw up a contract now, making it pre-marital property. Then what’s mine is mine, and what’s Saintess sister’s is still Saintess sister’s. However, based on my contribution of technology and Saintess sister’s contribution of human resources, the split should be 70% for me and 30% for Saintess sister.”

Xiao Xinyue found this both irritating and amusing. She handed the draft paper back to her. “Suit yourself.”

“So, when will Saintess sister find someone? If the necessary parts can be made before we get married, I’ll have a sewing machine as my dowry!”

Zhou Zhuying’s idea was beautiful. She would be marrying with a dowry that could rival a nation (even if it was a future possibility). Who would dare haggle over a high betrothal gift?!

Xiao Xinyue didn’t give her a definite answer, only saying, “Finish the drawings, and I’ll have someone build it for you.”

Zhou Zhuying took a deep breath and asked earnestly, “I can trust Saintess sister, right?”

Xiao Xinyue knew what she meant. She rolled her eyes and said, “You don’t have to trust me.”

“I absolutely must trust you.” Zhou Zhuying ultimately handed the diagrams and some detailed instructions over to Xiao Xinyue.

Xiao Xinyue took the drawings and left the room. Turning back, she saw the Sect Leader lounging in her chair, happily imagining her wonderful life as the richest person. Xiao Xinyue’s lips curved slightly, but the next moment, a wave of low spirits washed over her.

Outside the courtyard, she spoke to the empty air. “Go to Yunxi Pavilion and have them send over a sewing machine.”

“Yes,” a voice replied from under the shade of a tree. “But why not tell her directly that Yunxi Pavilion already has a sewing machine?”

“First the menstrual cloth, then the long underwear. If I tell her that Yunxi Pavilion even has a sewing machine, it might severely damage her self-confidence. These things were hers to begin with; let her be happy for a while longer!”

Xiao Xinyue paused. “Besides, now that she’s found something to do, she’s been much more docile. At such a critical juncture, her reduced number of outings is also helpful to my plan.”

“I will go to Yunxi Pavilion immediately.”

“No, this matter should be slow, not fast. If the sewing machine arrives too quickly, she will become suspicious. Send it over in three to five days.”

“Understood.”

After handing the drawings to Xiao Xinyue, Zhou Zhuying still felt a little uneasy. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Xiao Xinyue or was worried about her stealing her creation. She was worried that even if she made the sewing machine, how could she guarantee her technology wouldn’t be stolen?

She could only assemble a limited number of sewing machines by herself, so she would inevitably need help. How could she ensure that no one would learn the technology and then sell it to others?

There was no protection from intellectual property law in this era. If her invention was stolen, who could she seek compensation from?

Therefore, at a time like this, collaborating with someone or a power that had status and means was essential. For example, by partnering with Xiao Xinyue, if counterfeit sewing machines appeared, the Moshan Sect could take action to ensure the thieves didn’t get off easily!

With her mind made up, she relaxed.

That evening, Xiao Xinyue returned to share dinner with her, and Zhou Zhuying took the opportunity to bring up the collaboration.

Xiao Xinyue asked, “Didn’t we discuss the collaboration this afternoon? Why are we talking about it again?”

Zhou Zhuying replied, “This afternoon, we discussed the technical collaboration. Now we’re talking about the operational collaboration. Operations mean…”

“Marketing and the market,” Xiao Xinyue said calmly.

Zhou Zhuying was shocked. “Saintess sister knows about that?!”

“A little, just a little.”

Zhou Zhuying thought: What kind of brilliant genius is the author? Look at the female lead’s knowledge base. People would believe it if she were a transmigrator, too!

She quickly accepted it and said, “If Saintess sister understands, then things are easy! Let’s collaborate. A fifty-fifty split—the technology is the most crucial part, so I get half, and the other half is rightfully yours, Saintess sister, since you’re contributing labor and capital.”

Xiao Xinyue said, “I haven’t agreed to collaborate with you.”

“Ah…” Zhou Zhuying’s expression fell.

Oh, right! I’m a prisoner living and eating on her dime. It’s generous of Xiao Xinyue not to claim my invention as her own. How can I be so extravagant as to hope to use her influence to protect my rights!

Her crestfallen expression bothered Xiao Xinyue. It felt like a lump was caught in her throat, neither going down nor up.

Unable to bear her look, Xiao Xinyue said, “The business operated by the Moshan Sect does not involve this trade, so your best partner is not the Moshan Sect, but the Yunxi Pavilion.”

Zhou Zhuying instantly brightened. “Yunxi Pavilion? Oh, right!”

Although she didn’t know exactly what kind of place Yunxi Pavilion was, judging from the fact that it was related to her food, clothing, and housing, Yunxi Pavilion seemed to be a boutique store—and a big brand that had grown from a single store to a chain.

Such a large brand, which infiltrated every aspect of life, must have good business. Judging by the female disciple’s evaluation of Yunxi Pavilion’s clothing, their reputation in this area was excellent.

If tailoring and garment production were among Yunxi Pavilion’s main businesses, then they should understand the value of a sewing machine and know how to use it to quickly dominate the clothing market!

But how could she contact Yunxi Pavilion?

She turned her attention back to Xiao Xinyue. She put down her chopsticks and went behind Xiao Xinyue to massage her shoulders, asking in a soft voice, “Saintess sister, you are so knowledgeable and well-connected. You must know many people. I wonder if there is a manager or shopkeeper from Yunxi Pavilion in your social circle?”

The corner of Xiao Xinyue’s mouth curled up. “Yes. I even know the Pavilion Master of Yunxi Pavilion.”

Zhou Zhuying massaged more intently. “Then, I wonder if Saintess sister could introduce me?”

“What benefit is there for me in introducing you?”

“Didn’t I offer you 30% of the profit? If I reach an agreement with Yunxi Pavilion, you will benefit, too, won’t you?”

“I don’t care about that small amount of money.”

Zhou Zhuying smelled the scent of a humble brag. She lamented, “Saintess sister, you are a full man who doesn’t know the hunger of a starving one. You are the Saintess of the Moshan Sect, without a worry in the world. I am different. I am a fake Sect Leader, relying on the Moshan Sect for food and clothing. If one day we get divorced, wouldn’t I leave with nothing and be forced to roam the streets?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the temperature around her drop significantly. She looked down and saw Xiao Xinyue staring at her coldly. “We haven’t even married yet, and you are already thinking about divorce?”

The Sect Leader was so startled by her gaze that her heart fluttered, and her eyes darted away. “Well, I haven’t thought about divorce, but anything can happen! What if you don’t need me one day and kick me out… I need money. Money gives me a sense of security.”

Xiao Xinyue abruptly stood up, turned around, grabbed the Sect Leader’s wrist with one hand, and wrapped her other arm around her waist, holding her tightly captive in her embrace.

Her expression was one of displeasure, and she said, “I can agree to your request, but you must pay a price.”

“Pay… pay what price?” The Sect Leader looked at her nervously.

Xiao Xinyue pursed her lips.

The Sect Leader’s eyes scanned her lips. Her mind suddenly recalled the sensual dream whose content she had almost forgotten. Then, she didn’t know where she got the intimate impulse or the audacious courage from, but she’ll quietly leaned closer to Xiao Xinyue and kissed her on the lips.