Chapter 1 My Best Friend Transmigrated? And into a Married Person?!
“I know you don’t want to marry a person in a vegetative state, and you don’t want to take your sister’s place in marriage. But your parents insisted on sending you here, and under the current circumstances, the Sheng family has no way to refuse.”
"As long as you behave and obey, the Sheng family will treat you as family and treat you well."
Ling Shu's consciousness was like a bubble rising in the deep sea, ascending from the pitch blackness. The dense darkness slowly receded, and a hazy light gradually appeared before her eyes.
A stern female voice lingered in my ears, its tone cold and distant.
Who is speaking?
Before losing consciousness, Ling Shu was searching for supplies.
Three years have passed since the apocalypse, and the once bustling city is now in ruins. She wanders alone through the ruins, surrounded by a deathly silence, with only her cautious breathing and the occasional howl of the wind from afar.
How could she possibly hear other people talking?
Is it a hallucination?
Seeing that she didn't respond, the woman's voice became louder.
"Ling Shu? Are you listening?"
Ling Shu suddenly came to her senses and opened her eyes.
A scene completely opposite to the end of the world unfolded before her eyes.
It was an ornately decorated room, sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting warm dappled patterns on the carpet. She nestled into a soft brown sofa, a ceramic vase filled with fresh flowers sitting on a small table beside her, their delicate fragrance wafting in the air.
That was a scent she hadn't smelled in three years.
Ling Shu almost thought she had arrived in heaven.
After a brief moment of shock, Ling Shu shifted her gaze to the middle-aged woman sitting opposite her.
The beautiful woman wore a Suzhou-embroidered cheongsam, its deep indigo background embroidered with intricate and elegant lotus scroll patterns. She sat upright, her neck graceful, her hands clasped in front of her abdomen. At this moment, she was looking at Ling Shu, her eyes concealing a hint of scrutiny and impatience.
Oops! Wait a minute!
"Mother-in-law"?!
Ling Shu's eyes narrowed slightly.
She wore it?
Is the identity she's wearing still that of a married person?
Ling Shu was still trying to accept the facts, but Qin Hong on the other side had run out of patience and her brows were tightly furrowed.
She had said so much since then, but Ling Shu hadn't responded at all. She just sat there silently, her eyes lowered, as if trying to see something interesting in the carpet beneath her feet.
It seems that, just as the rumors said, Ling Shu has an eccentric personality and is difficult to communicate with.
Just as Qin Hong was about to say a few more words, Ling Shu on the other side finally reacted and looked up at her.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Qin Hong's heart skipped a beat, and she stopped mid-sentence.
This was the first time she had seen Ling Shu's eyes clearly.
In a daze, Qin Hong suddenly recalled a time when she was young and went hiking alone in the snow-capped mountains and plateaus, where she had encountered an icy lake halfway up the mountain. Ling Shu's eyes were a deep, dark blue, just like that icy lake—tranquil, deep, and bottomless, seemingly able to absorb all things in the world into it.
How could a girl who is said to be irritable and rude have such captivating and all-seeing eyes?
Qin Hong was shocked and for a moment forgot what she was going to say.
After a moment of silence, she gave up lecturing and took something out of her handbag and placed it on the mahogany coffee table.
Qin Hong said calmly, "The card is in your name, the password is your birthday, and there's one million in it. Consider it a small gift for us when we meet. You can spend it however you like. At the wedding banquet later, you only need to show your face. You don't need to stay too long or greet the guests."
"Remember, as long as you behave yourself, the Sheng family will not treat you unfairly."
After saying this, Qin Hong got up and left.
The door to the room opened and closed, leaving behind a quiet space for Ling Shu to ponder alone.
It took Ling Shu a few minutes to sort out the fragmented memories in her mind and fully understand the current situation.
She did indeed transmigrate into a book, becoming the cannon fodder character who was a substitute bride for the real heiress.
The original owner grew up in the countryside, was introverted and not good at speaking, and was not found by the Ling family until she was sixteen years old.
Compared to the elegant and poised fake heiress Ling Xinyao, the original owner of this body appeared utterly pathetic and insignificant. Under this comparison, Ling's parents became increasingly biased, even giving the marriage, which was the most valued part of the Ling family's future, to the fake heiress, Ling Xinyao.
As the wedding drew closer, an unexpected event occurred.
A month ago, Ling Xinyao's fiancé, Sheng Yunshen, the head of the Sheng family, was involved in a serious car accident and became a vegetable.
The Sheng family offered to cancel the engagement, but the Ling family couldn't bear to give up the benefits the Sheng family had promised, nor did they want Ling Xinyao to suffer after marrying into the family. After much deliberation, the Ling family parents made a difficult decision and simply sent Ling Shu over.
Today is the first day the original owner arrived at the Sheng family. The banquet hall downstairs is hosting the "wedding" between the original owner and the person in a vegetative state.
After figuring out the cause and effect, Ling Shu reached out and picked up the bank card on the coffee table, holding it up to her eyes to examine it.
As her gaze shifted, a faint smile curved her lips.
One million! That's a million!
If you exchange it for supplies, it would be enough to live for a very, very long time when the apocalypse comes.
Two months later, the apocalypse struck, and the world was drastically changed.
The once-renowned Sheng family was merely cannon fodder in the post-apocalyptic story. Not long after the apocalypse began, they were wiped out, and their lavishly decorated manor was left completely empty, becoming a temporary refuge for the main characters.
Thanks to the unique geographical advantages of the Sheng family manor, the main characters were able to successfully navigate the chaotic period at the beginning of the apocalypse.
Ling Shu quickly devised her next plan in her mind.
The Sheng family manor boasts a unique geographical advantage, making it ideal for post-apocalyptic survival. She's practically invisible within the Sheng family; no one pays attention to her, and everything she does is convenient.
One million in funding, plus two months, is enough.
Just as Ling Shu was pondering, someone gently knocked on the door, speaking in a respectful and gentle tone: "Miss Ling, my surname is Wang, and I am the head butler of the Sheng family. The wedding banquet is about to begin. Please change into your formal attire and prepare to attend."
Ling Shu snapped out of her daze, put away the bank card, and replied, "Okay."
Her tone was light and cheerful, and a smile graced her face.
The Sheng family was generous, giving her a million yuan right from the start. Ling Shu was in a good mood and willing to cooperate with the Sheng family's arrangements.
Several maids filed in carrying dresses and jewelry, and began to dress Ling Shu in an orderly manner.
However, the wedding dress was ill-fitting; it was loose at the waist, too tight at the chest, and the skirt was too short—it was clearly not her size.
The Ling family changed the bride, but they couldn't even bear to re-order the wedding dress. How perfunctory!
The maids, with their eyes lowered, quickly helped her remove the ill-fitting wedding dress and changed her into the gown prepared for her by the Sheng family.
As if sensing her surprise, a maid explained in a low voice, "Madam personally sent someone to the Ling family to take the measurements, but unfortunately, time was too short, and only this one piece could be made."
Ling Shu couldn't help but smile again, this time with a touch more sincerity: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
The so-called "family members" of the Ling family forced her to marry in place of them, yet they couldn't even bear to order a new wedding dress for her.
The Sheng family, faced with this bride who had been forced upon them, were even willing to have a suitable cheongsam made for her.
In comparison, the difference is immediately apparent.
Ling Shu's impression of the Sheng family improved somewhat. Considering the one million yuan and the custom-made cheongsam, she didn't mind temporarily playing the role of an "obedient" bride.
After changing her clothes, Butler Wang, who was waiting at the door, led Ling Shu to the banquet hall.
He walked ahead and introduced in a low voice: "Madam has instructed that Miss Ling only needs to make an appearance and does not need to greet the guests."
Just like what Qin Hong said earlier, it seems that the Sheng family really has no demands on her and is mainly treating her as a "mascot".
Ling Shu was very satisfied.
Upon reaching the banquet hall entrance, Butler Wang, who was walking ahead, stopped and turned back to ask for her opinion: "Miss Ling, would you like me to accompany you?"
Inside the gate, the world was bustling and noisy, filled with the melodious sounds of string music, the clinking of wine glasses, and the laughter of men and women of varying pitches... a cacophony of sounds. Given the Sheng family's status in Beijing, the banquet hall was now filled with at least half of the city's elite families.
Butler Wang was probably worried that she would get stage fright, which is why he thoughtfully asked her if she needed company.
The timid and introverted original owner in the book might need it, but Ling Shu doesn't.
Are you kidding me? Give her two knives and she'd take on the zombie king one-on-one. So what if she's from a wealthy family? Does she think she can outrun the zombie king?
She shook her head: "No need, Butler Wang, you can go about your business."
Butler Wang nodded and helped her push open the banquet hall door: "Miss Ling, please."
The noise grew even louder.
Ling Shu took a deep breath, a calm smile on her face, and stepped into the banquet hall.
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Ling Shu's appearance did not attract too much attention.
Only a few people standing near the gate heard the sound and looked up.
Once they saw Ling Shu's face clearly, these people casually looked away and continued chatting and laughing as if they hadn't seen her at all.
Everyone knows perfectly well that Ling Shu is just a discarded child of the Ling family, and the Sheng family would never like a substitute bride who was forced into marriage.
It's just a mascot; it's not worth their time and effort to befriend it.
Everyone tacitly ignored Ling Shu's presence.
If someone were sensitive, they would probably be feeling restless and ashamed by now.
But Ling Shu is clearly not one of them.
She looked around, nodded in satisfaction, and her smile became even brighter, completely unconcerned that everyone was deliberately ignoring her.
The guest closest to Ling Shu even heard her happily exclaim, "So many living people, it's wonderful."
The guest shuddered: "?"
What exactly makes it good?
What kind of person would say such strange things!
He turned around to take a closer look at Ling Shu, only to find that she had already left quickly.
Only a red silhouette remained.
His friend tugged at his clothes and excitedly leaned over: "The show's about to begin! The bride went straight for Ling Xinyao!"
The guest looked closely.
Ling Shu really did head in Ling Xinyao's direction.
He was somewhat puzzled: "Aren't Ling Shu and Ling Xinyao sisters? What's the point of this?"
Her friend's tone was full of anticipation: "You've only been back in Beijing for a short time, so you probably don't know yet. Ling Shu has a terrible temper and is very eccentric. She often bullies Ling Xinyao in public, and everyone treats her like a joke. If President Sheng hadn't had that accident, this marriage would never have been hers. Look how fast she left; she must be going to cause trouble!"
Hearing the gossip from his friend, the guest's eyes widened in curiosity: "Really? Is it that extreme? To even cause trouble at your own wedding?"
If things really escalate, wouldn't that be quite a show?
The real and fake heiresses, the substitute bride, their relationship falls apart at the wedding banquet...
Wow, that's exciting!
Ling Xinyao is currently chatting.
She wore an elegant apricot-colored long dress, holding a cocktail in her hand. The bright red liquor made her slender, white fingers appear even more striking. Seemingly having heard something pleasant, the corners of her mouth curved into a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling, attracting frequent glances from the young men nearby.
She was so engrossed in her conversation that she had no idea Ling Shu was walking towards her from behind.
In the banquet hall, countless people's attention was quietly focused on Ling Shu.
They were getting closer and closer!
Just as everyone's anticipation was about to reach its peak, Ling Shu walked right past Ling Xinyao without even giving her a second glance.
That was utter indifference, utter apathy.
After passing Ling Xinyao, Ling Shu went straight to the dessert bar, bent down to pick up a large plate, and quickly and steadily put various desserts on the plate.
The guests, who were waiting to see what would happen, were speechless.
Wait a minute, this scene is a tiny bit different from what they imagined!
-
Ling Shu had no idea that in those few short minutes, she had put many guests on a rollercoaster of emotions.
She only cares about the food in front of her.
Having spent three years in the apocalypse, she hadn't seen so much delicious food in far too long.
She actually recognized Ling Xinyao when she passed by earlier.
If it were the original owner of this body, she might have actually rushed up and argued with Ling Xinyao. But Ling Shu was too lazy to pay attention and simply pretended that Ling Xinyao didn't exist.
Unfortunately, Ling Shu's hearing was too good. Even though there was some distance between them, Ling Xinyao's voice inevitably drifted into her ears, buzzing and noisy like flies.
"Junjun, your dress is so pretty. Is it the latest design from C brand? The fabric looks so comfortable, and the cut is very sophisticated."
Ling Shu glanced at it subtly.
Sheng Zhujun's facial features are very similar to Qin Hong's. She has a delicate face and her whole body, down to the last strand of hair, is exquisitely made up. She looks like a pampered flower who has never experienced the hardships of life.
Seeing Ling Xinyao's envious expression, Sheng Zhujun subconsciously replied, "I have two more dresses from the same collection in my walk-in closet. I'll send them to you tomorrow."
Ling Xinyao's eyes brightened slightly, but she said, "Oh, I can't accept that."
There's no need for formalities between us.
Sheng Zhujun patted the back of her hand, unaware of the fleeting smugness on Ling Xinyao's lips.
"I knew it! Yunyun is the best to me!"
Ling Xinyao leaned affectionately against Sheng Zhujun's shoulder, her gaze sweeping over the exquisite handbag in Sheng's hand, then falling on the diamond earrings hanging from her earlobes, a greedy glint in her eyes.
Amidst Ling Xinyao's coquettish whining, Ling Shu's dessert plate was finally filled, heavy and substantial.
Ling Shu put down the clips in her hand, unable to listen any longer, and shook her head helplessly.
No wonder Ling Xinyao didn't come to cause her trouble; it turns out she was busy asking Sheng Zhujun for something.
Not far away, a calm female voice suddenly rang in Sheng Zhujun's ears, carrying a slight mockery.
[What kind of best friend is she? When surrounded by zombies, Ling Xinyao pushed you out without hesitation. You were lucky enough to survive, but your face is now disfigured. Was it worth it?]
Sheng Zhujun suddenly widened her eyes and looked around incredulously.
Who, who is speaking?
What zombies?
What disfigurement?!
A note from the author:
My dear readers! The author has finally started writing! [Thumbs up]
Great news! Spin and jump!
I'll still be updating daily at 3 PM! [shy]
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Friendly reminder: This article is not a serious post-apocalyptic stockpiling story; it focuses on relaxed stockpiling and provides some exciting glimpses into the drama. [doge emoji with rose in hand]
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