Transmigrated as the Mary Sue: The Villainess's Revenge System | Chapter 70 | The Weight of Memories | Novela.app

Chapter 71 - The Weight of Memories Que Tang was jolted awake by a searing, visceral agony. For a fleeting moment, the sensation of every bone in her body shattering—the final, brutal price of the "Death’s Embrace"—clung to her consciousness. Even though she knew rationally that she was no longer in that body, the phantom pain lingered like a cold residue, a terrifying reminder of the life she had just discarded. As soon as her vision cleared, her first instinct was to seize Little Mushroom. Ignoring the cat’s indignant yowls, she marched to the laundry room, stuffed the creature into the drum of the washing machine, and slammed the door. She set the spin cycle to its maximum speed and leaned against the vibrating machine, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she listened to the muffled, rhythmic wailing from within. "Tang Tang? Are you bullying Little Mushroom again?" "Ruan Mian—no, Ruolan. You’re home early today?" Que Tang straightened her clothes and composed herself, lingering by the laundry room door to enjoy the finale of Little Mushroom’s "Invincible Wind and Fire Wheels" performance. She turned to see a figure standing in the hallway. Though she recognized the girl instantly, the passage of time within the system missions had transformed the once-soft child into a striking high schooler. Qi Ruolan stood there in the crisp, impeccably pressed uniform of Chonghua Girls' High School. Her long, straight hair cascaded down her back, and the fit of her blazer combined with the "Absolute Territory" created by her skirt and black over-the-knee socks gave her an air of youthful elegance. She carried a bag of groceries, a warm, focused smile lighting up her delicate features as she gazed at Que Tang. Que Tang’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second as she took in the uniform, a shadow of a memory flickering in her mind. She quickly shook it off. "I see. Since your exams are over, why don't we go out for a meal to celebrate?" "Oh? But I just bought ingredients for dinner," Ruolan pointed out, though she didn't resist as Que Tang began pulling her toward the door. "We can eat those tomorrow," Que Tang insisted. Accustomed to following Que Tang’s lead in all things, Ruolan didn't argue further. She followed her out, both of them completely forgetting the dizzy, spinning cat still trapped in the washing machine. They settled into a quiet neighborhood cafe, ordering a late brunch and flipping through magazines in a comfortable silence. "Tang Tang..." Ruolan started, tugging gently at Que Tang’s sleeve, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "We have to choose our tracks soon. Should I go with the Liberal Arts or the Sciences?" Que Tang paused, looking up from her magazine. A sense of profound realization washed over her. "Ah... you’ve already reached the age where you have to make such choices." She felt a strange pang of sentimentality. She remembered when she first started this "7D Pretty Girl Cultivation Game," how she had recoiled at the idea, dismissing it as a degenerate hobby for shut-ins. She had been forced into the role of a guardian, yet she felt she had hardly done any actual "parenting." Now, several missions later, the girl had blossomed into a young woman. "The school is starting the surveys now," Ruolan continued, her voice small. "I don't really have a preference... the forms are due in a few days. Is there something you want me to study?" "Why would you ask what I want?" Que Tang turned in her seat to face her fully. "Rather than what I want... I’d much rather you do what makes you happy." She reached out, her fingers hovering near Ruolan’s hair before she hesitated. Her brow furrowed in a moment of silent, heavy contemplation. After a long exhale, she continued, "Ultimately, your life is yours to live. Do what you love. Even if you can't decide now, it’s okay. You can always change your mind later." She finally reached out and gently ruffled Ruolan’s hair. "My life... to live for myself?" Ruolan whispered, repeating the words as if they were a foreign concept. She looked up, her eyes shimmering with a sudden, sharp sorrow. "Does that mean you don't want me anymore, Tang Tang?" "What? We were talking about your school subjects!" Que Tang’s carefully constructed "wise mentor" persona crumbled instantly. She blinked in innocent confusion. "I’m not abandoning you. I’m saying you’ve grown up. You’re capable of making your own choices." "...I see," Ruolan replied softly. "Many years ago, I was just as worried as you are," Que Tang said, setting her magazine aside and leaning back, her gaze drifting toward the window as she reminisced. "On the day I had to hand in my preference form, a teacher told me a story. In a certain movie, a little girl asked her grandfather what she should do to be happy. The grandfather told her to do the thing she wanted to do most. That’s how I made my decision." Ruolan watched her, captivated. "It sounds silly, doesn't it? When I got home, I even dragged the girl next door—who was four years younger than me—to watch that movie with me." Que Tang’s smile stiffened at the end of the sentence, a momentary freeze in her expression. She took a deep breath and patted the top of Ruolan’s head. "But I want to give those words to you now. Do what you love, and you’ll find the strength to give it your all." Ruolan didn't miss the momentary lapse in Que Tang’s composure, but she chose to play along, nodding vigorously. "I understand. I’ll work hard to become a CEO so I can support you and keep you all to myself." Que Tang, who had been basking in the warm, orange glow of a sentimental "mentor" moment, felt her brain stall. "..." After their meal, they strolled home, chatting idly. As soon as they opened the front door, a faint, pathetic mewling reached their ears. Que Tang’s heart skipped a beat as she realized she had "accidentally" left the stupid cat in the washing machine. "Oh no, I forgot to let Little Mushroom out! He must be starving," Ruolan cried, her face etched with worry as she hurried to the laundry room. Little Mushroom looked haggard, staring out through the plastic porthole with glazed eyes. Upon seeing Ruolan, he let out a joyous, albeit weak, "Meow!" Ruolan quickly opened the door, rescued the damp creature, and tucked him into his cat bed. "Are you okay?" "Meow-wuuu..." Little Mushroom looked at her piteously. "If you're so scared, then stop making Tang Tang angry, okay?" Ruolan said seriously, regardless of whether the cat understood. "Meow..." Little Mushroom rolled over, looking defeated. Que Tang, who understood every word the cat said, let out a disdainful huff. The "stupid cat" was currently cursing her out, calling her a heartless old hag who bullied animals and stuffed things she didn't like into washing machines. *How could you treat such a cute, moe cat like this?* "Host is a bad person! Meow!" Little Mushroom glared at her. "Say another word and there will be no dried small fish today," Que Tang threatened, pointedly patting her jacket pocket to reveal the crinkle of a snack bag. "Meow-wuuu~ Host is generous, beautiful, lovely, vibrant, and brilliant! Saikou (The best)!" "Did something strange just slip into your speech?" Que Tang eyed him suspiciously. "No, Host misheard. Meow~" The previously half-dead Little Mushroom suddenly darted to Que Tang’s feet. He gestured for her to crouch, then used his hind legs to spring up, snagging the edge of her pocket with his claws. With practiced agility, he bit the bag of dried small fish and bolted. "Truly, men die for wealth, and cats die for dried fish..." Que Tang muttered. Ruolan couldn't help but burst into laughter. Before bed, Ruolan acted spoiled, insisting they watch the movie Que Tang had mentioned. They set a laptop on the coffee table and curled up on the sofa, sharing a single plush blanket. Ruolan watched with high spirits, occasionally asking questions, but Que Tang remained quiet, leaning back into the soft cushions as her thoughts drifted far away. "Tang Tang?" Ruolan whispered as the credits began to roll, her head resting on Que Tang’s shoulder. "Hmm?" Que Tang responded reflexively. "Are you in a bad mood?" Que Tang finally snapped back to reality. "No, why do you ask?" "You seemed so distracted. I don't know what you were thinking about." "...It’s nothing. I’m just tired." A thousand thoughts swirled in Que Tang’s mind, but looking into Ruolan’s concerned eyes, she found herself unable to speak. What could she say? That she was starting to lose track of what was real and what was an illusion? That she wanted to tell Ruolan she was merely a character in a cultivation game? Or that she had just spent a lifetime falling in love with a woman to complete a mission, only to feel absolutely nothing the moment she left that world? "Tang Tang?" Seeing her drift off again, Ruolan accepted the excuse of exhaustion. she immediately pulled Que Tang toward her bedroom. "Wait, what?" Que Tang was confused. According to the "settings," hadn't they slept in separate rooms since Ruolan started high school? "It’s a rare occasion since exams are over. Sleep with me as a reward, Tang Tang." "You’re in high school... and yet you’re still such a baby." Que Tang found herself powerless to refuse. As they tumbled toward the bed in a playful scuffle, Que Tang’s eyes caught something sitting by the pillow. Her expression froze in shock. Ruolan followed her gaze. "Are you looking at my Little Totoro? Isn't it cute?" She let go of Que Tang’s hand and walked over to pick up the plushie, cradling it like a precious treasure. "Yes... it’s very cute. Where did the Totoro come from?" Que Tang searched her implanted memories but found no record of this item. "You gave it to me," Ruolan said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "That’s impossible!" Que Tang blurted out. Seeing Ruolan’s stunned expression, she realized she had been too blunt. She forced a dry laugh. "When did I give it to you? I completely forgot." "You... forgot?" Ruolan’s face fell, her eyes darkening with a sudden, profound sadness. "Oh, right! I gave it to you. I really am getting old, I should start taking ginkgo supplements for my memory..." Que Tang laughed nervously, sweating slightly. "Anyway, let’s get to bed. Didn't you say we were going on an outing tomorrow?" She nudged Ruolan toward the bed and reached out to move the Totoro to the nightstand. As her hand brushed the plushie, her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something strange on the bottom of its foot. Just as she moved to inspect it, the world suddenly plunged into darkness. "Meow. Force-starting the next mission. Host, please prepare." "Wait! Why so sudden?" Que Tang demanded, fighting against a wave of intense dizziness. "Meow. Countdown: 3, 2, 1. Commencing next mission." "Little Mushroom—!" ***