After Transmigrating Into a Book, I Was Played by the Black Lotus – Chapter 25

Underground Garage

She gave Lin Xingzhu a suspicious look.

Because of that one look, Lin Xingzhu, who was about to open the car door and get out, suddenly froze.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Lin Xingzhu thought back carefully. She remembered that the original novel had mentioned this design competition, and Bai Xiying had even participated in it.

The reason she remembered this small detail so clearly was that she had stopped reading the erotic novel right after the competition ended.

She had just picked a book at random to kill time, not expecting to stumble into a smutty story. The plot was pitifully thin; the entire book seemed to be just one explicit scene after another. The smut was well-written, but it was also overwhelming. The author leaned heavily into non-consensual themes, which repulsed Lin Xingzhu, so she couldn’t bring herself to finish it.

Bai Xiying smiled and asked, “It’s nothing. Did anyone from your company sign up for it?”

Lin Xingzhu was surprised by the question but still thought for a moment before answering honestly, “I don’t know.”

Fearing Bai Xiying would think her answer was perfunctory, she added, “Besides, no one would tell me about these things.”

In truth, no employee would voluntarily chat with their boss about such matters.

So that’s how it is.

Bai Xiying smiled and nodded.

No one would tell her about these things, which means she must have looked into the design competition on her own.

The original Lin Xingzhu was a fool, an expert in wining and dining but completely uninterested in learning about anything else. On top of that, she wasn’t even in this industry, so she would never have paid attention to the ASHY Design Competition.

She tapped her fingers lightly on the seat, the flicker of suspicion vanishing as quickly as it came.

“I was just curious that you’d be paying attention to this sort of thing,” Bai Xiying said in a soft, gentle voice.

In the distance, a car drove in. Its high beams shot out from the north, momentarily illuminating the area before plunging it back into darkness a few seconds later.

But in that brief moment of light, the expression on Bai Xiying’s face was crystal clear.

Lin Xingzhu’s thoughts raced. After a silent second of contemplation, she looked up and said naturally, “Of course. I may be a layman, but you aren’t.”

“When you have a friend in the business, you naturally pay a little more attention.”

Lin Xingzhu shrugged, making no attempt to hide it.

Hearing this, Bai Xiying’s eyes curved into a smile, making it impossible to tell if she believed her or not.

They had been lingering in the underground garage for too long; it was time to go up.

Lin Xingzhu and Bai Xiying walked side-by-side. A dim light spilled from somewhere above, just enough to illuminate the path at their feet, saving them the need for a flashlight.

Just as they were about to exit, Lin Xingzhu suddenly heard a muffled moan.

Her back went stiff. Too bad her ears didn’t have an off switch. She could cover them, but that would be too obvious, and the person beside her would surely notice the deliberate act.

Lin Xingzhu tried to endure it; they were almost out.

But the sound, which was once faint and indistinct, suddenly grew louder for an instant, mingled with a slight sob, before sinking back into a low whimper.

Lin Xingzhu: “…”

People are so damn wild these days.

I’m thoroughly impressed.

She rubbed her nose, keenly aware of the person next to her. Forcibly suppressing her internal embarrassment, she kept walking and left the underground garage.

In the elevator, just after pressing the button, Lin Xingzhu turned and inevitably met Bai Xiying’s gaze.

The other woman didn’t look too good.

A flash of surprise crossed Lin Xingzhu’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you not feeling well?” she frowned.

Bai Xiying shook her head, leaning her body against the elevator wall, looking listless.

Lin Xingzhu hesitated for a moment before reaching out to feel Bai Xiying’s forehead. Fortunately, she wasn’t running a fever.

The warm touch was fleeting. Bai Xiying said listlessly, “Maybe the alcohol is just kicking in now.”

Lin Xingzhu’s brows furrowed. She was perfectly fine just a moment ago. How did she suddenly get like this in such a short time?

“Do you have any hangover medicine at home?”

“Yes.”

The elevator dinged, arriving at their floor. Lin Xingzhu mulled it over. “Do you need me to go up with you?”

Bai Xiying shook her head again, refusing. “I’m fine. I’ll feel better after I go back, take a shower, and get some sleep.”

Since she put it that way, Lin Xingzhu had to let it go.

She returned to her apartment, flipped on the lights, dropped her bag in the entryway, changed her shoes, and went to wash up.

She was exhausted after a long day.

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At the same time.

Once the elevator reached the next floor and the doors opened automatically, Bai Xiying did not leave.

She slowly straightened up, her expression cold and indifferent. Gone was the pitiful, listless act she had put on for Lin Xingzhu.

She glanced down, pressed another button, and the elevator began its slow descent.

Bai Xiying had returned to the underground garage.

She took something out of her bag, gripping it silently in her hand. Using the fabric of her long sleeve for cover, she retraced her steps along the path they had just taken.

Faintly, she could still hear the sounds of passion coming from the northeast. Perhaps because it was so late and the garage was nearly empty, they hadn’t stopped.

Bai Xiying took a few steps forward and stopped by a pillar, her eyes cold as she listened intently.

It was a moan, a sob, but also one of pleasure.

She closed her eyes, trying to distinguish the sounds.

Suddenly, she recalled Lin Xingzhu’s unnatural demeanor from moments ago.

She hadn’t missed how Lin Xingzhu’s steps had faltered for an instant upon hearing the sounds. Although she had tried her best to ignore it afterward, Bai Xiying could easily see the embarrassment beneath her calm facade.

What a pity, Bai Xiying thought.

I was so full of disgust and gloom at the time that I didn’t get a good look. After all, it’s not every day you see Lin Xingzhu flustered.

Even today at the KTV, Lin Xingzhu’s reaction was a rare sight. It’s a shame there are always people who ruin the fun.

As she thought this, a strange sense of calm slowly settled over Bai Xiying.

It was as if her irritable soul had been gently soothed by a cool balm, finding peace and becoming tranquil.

Her ears remained alert. She could tell there were no sounds of a struggle coming from the source. The noises spreading through the darkness were harmonious, like secret lovers meeting in the dead of night—illicit and thrilling.

“I’m gonna die! This is all your fault!”

“Babe, I just couldn’t hold it in.”

A hushed conversation began. Bai Xiying tilted her head, her eyes like a precise and cold machine, capturing the key words.

She retracted the dagger, placed it back in her bag, and then, while the couple was distracted, she left the area as silently as she came.

The elevator ascended again. Bai Xiying let out a sleepy yawn. With a ding, the doors opened, and she stepped out.

“…”

Lin Xingzhu frowned. “What are you…?”

Shouldn’t she be at home resting?

“…” Caught red-handed, Bai Xiying’s expression didn’t change. “Why did you come up?”

As she spoke, she took her apartment key out of her bag. Facing Lin Xingzhu’s questioning gaze, she explained, “I only remembered when I got upstairs that I’m out of hangover medicine, so I went down to buy a box.”

She frowned, following her inside. “You should have told me,” she said with concern. “I have some at my place. Why would you run down while you’re not feeling well?”

After washing up, Lin Xingzhu couldn’t stop worrying about Bai Xiying. What if she wasn’t just sick from the alcohol? Worried that Bai Xiying might actually be ill, she decided to come up and check on her before going to bed. She never expected to run into Bai Xiying, who was supposed to be in her apartment, emerging from the elevator.

Bai Xiying yawned again sleepily. “I saw you’ve had a long day and were tired, so I didn’t want to bother you.”

Lowering her arm, Bai Xiying seemed to assess herself. “The fresh air from that trip downstairs made me feel much better.”

Hearing this, Lin Xingzhu took a good look at her under the light. Seeing that the listlessness in her eyes had been replaced by a bit of a spark and her expression was more energetic, she finally felt relieved.

“In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer. Rest up and go to bed early.”

With that, Lin Xingzhu prepared to leave.

The layout of this apartment was the same as the one downstairs. As Lin Xingzhu reached the entryway, a thought occurred to her. She was about to turn back when her sharp eyes caught sight of Bai Xiying’s bag, which hadn’t been fully zipped.

The edge of something inside seemed to have a bright sheen, like the cold glint of metal. Lin Xingzhu didn’t pay it much mind at first, until she suddenly realized what that curve represented.

Her expression suddenly became a little complicated.

Is that a knife?

But then she realized it was actually a good thing for Bai Xiying to carry a dagger. At the very least, she would have some ability to protect herself if something happened.

Still, there were some things she should advise her on.

Lin Xingzhu gestured with her finger and said tactfully, “That thing… if you don’t use it properly, you could easily hurt yourself.”

A dagger could certainly be used to catch an assailant off guard in a dangerous situation. However, if one’s own strength couldn’t match or overpower the opponent, the dagger could very well become a weapon used against oneself.

—Which would completely defeat its original purpose.

Of course, there was also the possibility that the dagger could cause serious injury or even death to an attacker. If one were to injure someone negligently, they would most likely face legal consequences.

But Lin Xingzhu didn’t mention this point. She was glad that Bai Xiying had the idea of self-defense and had taken action. The method might not be perfect, but she could offer some guidance.

Bai Xiying followed her gaze, stunned for a moment, then put on a thoughtful expression.

“…You have a point.” Bai Xiying frowned, a look of remorse on her beautiful face. Her delicate nose crinkled and her cheeks puffed out, creating a rare sense of cuteness.

“I was only thinking about self-defense.”

Lin Xingzhu’s gaze softened, and she let out a chuckle. “If you’re looking for self-defense weapons, I can recommend a few.”

“Things like a small taser, a self-defense flashlight, a personal alarm… those can all be used for protection.”

“These tools are light and easy to carry. They won’t cause fatal harm to anyone, but they can incapacitate them for a short time and prevent you from getting hurt.”

Bai Xiying tilted her head, her eyes full of innocent admiration. “You know so much.”

You sound so experienced.

Lin Xingzhu’s eyes flickered for a moment.

These were all skills and experiences she had learned before she transmigrated.

In reality, these tools were very suitable for people who weren’t physically strong. But for Lin Xingzhu herself, when faced with danger, besides her own fighting skills, she found it easier to control a situation with a dagger in hand.

For anything to be a true deterrent, blood must be drawn.

She lowered her gaze. For a moment, a near-icy look flashed across her gentle, handsome face, like a reef hidden deep in a lonely sea, before vanishing as quickly as it came.

What am I thinking about this for?

Lin Xingzhu suppressed her thoughts and smiled. “I just searched for them for fun when I was bored, but they are genuinely useful.”

Bai Xiying nodded obediently. “I’ll buy some later and swap out the dagger in my bag.”

After saying that, her eyes softened, filled with unconcealed concern. “You should get back and rest early too. You keep telling me what to do, but what about taking care of yourself?”

“…” Lin Xingzhu shrugged and chuckled lightly. “Alright, I’m heading back now.”

She walked out and gently closed the door behind her, shutting out a room of soft light.

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