Transmigrating as the Supporting Male Lead’s Sweetheart

It is currently 11:05 in the morning.  If Tang Tang did not guess incorrectly, the time forecasted by Ming Shaoyan was 11:00.

Those five minutes that she was late was squandered because Tang Tang was educating Bai Chen on how to conduct himself.

Although she found it was meaningful to teach Bai Chen how to respect others, but compared to Ming Shaoyan’s first impression, Tang Tang felt that she has truly suffered a big loss.

[Read this on ClearSpringsTL(.)com, onegaishimasu]

At the first opportunity, Tang Tang analyzed her current situation.

After courting disaster, she was blackened by the entire network. She offended Bai Chen, Yan Yan, as well as numerous seniors. There was no one in the circle that dared to employ her. On one hand, she had no audience. On the other, she had personally cut off her own path of retreat. She was so miserable that it could not get worse.

But that was not the end of it. Because she ran away to participate in the program without a word, she was absent from school for three months and was expelled from school. Her adoptive mother resolutely refused to pay to let her back into school. Tang Tang’s current situation could be fully summarized by the idiom at the end of one’s rope.

Therefore, Tang Tang firmly decided that she had to properly hug Ming Shaoyan’s thigh for the time being.

Since she intended to hug his thigh, the first impression is extremely important.

The result was that she was late because of Bai Chen. Tang Tang pondered over a way to salvage the situation.

Tang Tang was presently feeling slightly regretful that she did not pay careful attention to the male leads’ parts. She laboriously tried to recalled Ming Shaoyan’s preferences from the novel. In the end, she only managed to trivial details. For instance, Ming Shaoyan liked drinks such as Blue Mountain. She could only adjust her sitting posture and called out a greeting in a reserved tone.

“Hello, Director Ming.”

While she did not have a great understanding of Ming Shaoyan, but her instinct told her that it was never wrong to be well-behaved.

Maybe.

After the greeting, Ming Shaoyan was finally willing to lift his precious eyelids and give Tang Tang a second glance.

It really seemed as if Ming Shaoyan’s gaze turned cold.

She truly resembled the woman in the photos that Ming Shaofan looked at countless times a day. They were equally annoying and equally loathsome. 

Ming Shaoyan only learned the day before yesterday that he, unexpectedly, still had a niece. Furthermore, the news was leaked by the third branch of the family.

Since Ming Shaofan died, Ming Shaoyan was the only one left in Ming Family’s main branch. But, as it happened, the main branch controls the most shares of the Ming Family. Now that he is the only one left in the main branch, his several uncles and aunts are green-eyed with envy.  Therefore, they took great pains to find Tang Tang.

[TN: The author used “眼红”, meaning red-eyed. That may not make sense to most English readers, so I substituted the colour to green]

The first moment Ming Shaoyan received the news, his next step was to have someone investigate Tang Tang thoroughly, then subsequently have someone obtain Tang Tang’s genes to verify her identity, and lastly have someone bring Tang Tang before him.

Tang Tang faced Ming Shaoyan’s unfriendly gaze and gave Ming Shaoyan a proper and well-behaved smile in return.

Ming Shaoyan’s gaze lingered on Tang Tang for an extra second because of the dimples that were revealed when she smiled. Then, his lips arced, forming a sneer, while his gaze remained cold. “You know who I am?” 

Tang Tang nodded.

“Do you know why you are here?”

Of course, Tang Tang said in her heart.  Hence, she shook her head and very sincerely replied, “I don’t know.”

The materials obtained previously stated that Tang Tang would fight, beat, and bully her classmates and was an honest to goodness school bully. Yet, at the moment, she was unexpectedly somewhat well-behaved.

This was but a fleeting thought, as Ming Shaoyan changed his opinion once again in the next moment.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong is also a skill.

[Read this on ClearSpringsTL(.)com]

Even so, this made her easier to grasp than he predicted, Ming Shaoyan said to himself as his gaze once again fell on Tang Tang.

“Since you know who I am, then I will get right to the point.” Ming Shaoyan leaned back slightly on the back of his chair. In a calm and unperturbed tone, he revealed an extraordinary secret. “The reason why I invited Miss Tang here today has something to do with your parents.”

Tang Tang, who clearly understood the whole matter, opened her eyes wide in astonishment once she heard those words. She cried out in surprise, using a tone that was not overly exaggerated but adequately expressed her shock, and her body trembled faintly.

“My parents?”

One cannot detect even a bit of falsehood in her expression.

“Yes, your parents.” Ming Shaoyan said, with a familiar sneer plastered on his lips again. “Your mother’s full name was Tang Zixian. You were named, Tang Tang, because of your mother’s surname. But your real surname is not Tang, but rather Ming. Your father is surnamed Ming, given name Shaofan. He is the eldest son of the Ming Family’s main branch and is also my biological older brother.” 

Ming Shaoyan did not keep her in suspense. After clarifying everything with a few sentences, he finally paused and looked at the girl with a deathly pale face in front of him. Suddenly, with some distaste, he said,

“So, from now on, you do not need to address me as Director Ming. Rather, you should call me Xiao Shu.”

[TN: I decided to use Xiao Shu instead of Little Uncle.]

Tang Tang: “…”

What a wonderful straightforward and magical beginning?

In this type of situation, Tang Tang thought that Ming Shaoyan would at least be more indirect when he talked about her identity. This way, she could respond with a few words in between. For example, she could tearily ask where is her biological father and why not pick her up earlier. Thus, she could pretend to a pitiful girl who was abandoned. Lastly, she could logically call out “Xiao Shu.”

However, Ming Shaoyan was too direct. He did not give Tang Tang any opportunity to cut into the conversation. Not only that, but Ming Shaoyan allowed her to directly call him Xiao Shu?

If she called him that, would it seem like she is too utilitarian and significantly lower his impression of her?

Tang Tang tactfully kept silent.

For a moment, she did not know how to continue so she simply put on an expression on disbelief to match the residual expression of shock on her face.

Ming Shaoyan was calm and unperturbed as he waited for Tang Tang to digest the facts. 

Tang Tang lowered her head, roughly guessed that it the crucial moment has arrived, and finally lifted her head. “Then, how did Director Ming verify that I am Ming Family’s daughter?” [Find out by reading this on ClearSpringsTL(.)com]

“Because you and your mother have very similar appearances,” Ming Shaoyan put away his smile and capped his fountain pen.

Very similar, and even more beautiful.

Not only does she resemble that woman, she also incomparably resembled Ming Shaofan. Both father and daughter had the exact same disgusting love filled brains.

In the past, for that woman, Ming Shaofan disregarded his family and eventually caused him own death and caused their mother’s death.  As for Tang Tang, everyone knows that she offended numerous people because of Bai Chen and ultimately burned all her bridges.

They were identical in stupidity and equally vexing.

Ming Shaoyan looked at Tang Tang with narrowed eyes and continued to speak. “My brother, also your father, always kept a picture of your mother. I have occasionally seen you on the program. Later, I took some small measures to confirm you are really my brother’s daughter.”

This was something that was not written in the novel, Tang Tang said to herself.

Ming Shaoyan must have had someone collect Tang Tang’s hair or maybe her blood to ultimately prove Tang Tang’s identity. But, since they have established her identity now, why was she subsequently discovered to be a counterfeit?

Tang Tang’s curiosity lasted for one second before she threw that question to the back of her head.

It was still the same sentence; Tang Tang’s presence was to serve as the female lead’s foil. Her identity, whether it conformed with reason or not, was unimportant. Therefore, it was normal for it to be illogical.

“Then my father is currently…”

“He was in a car accident before you were born, and could not be saved. There was no fluctuation in Ming Shaoyan’s voice, as if he was speaking about a trivial matter.

Choked with emotion, Tang Tang’s shoulders quivered faintly and a sob was suppressed in her throat, “Then, are you the only close relative I have left…”

Tang Tang thought about it and added two more words, “… Xiao Shu…”

From the moment she started preparing until now, she was finally able to call out Xiao Shu. Tang Tang wiped away her non-existent tears and faced Ming Shaoyan.

Ming Shaoyan subtly glanced at Tang Tang’s face with his arms resting on the desk. A while later, he once again leaned on the back of the chair and coldly stated, “Yes.”

It was truly ridiculous. Ming Shaofan caused his family to die. He had one family member remaining, but it was actually Ming Shaofan’s daughter.

Ming Shaoyan quickly changed the topic, “Let’s talk about our plans for the future.”

Tang Tang nodded and pointed to the sofa on the left that was comparatively closer to Ming Shaoyan, “May I sit there?”

 

Ming Shaoyan furrowed his brows, “Why?”

“Because it is relatively closer to you,” Tang Tang said.  Then she elaborated with another sentence, “It would make it more convenient to talk.”

“Cannot,” Ming Shaoyan refused.

It goes without saying that he would not agree, but she wanted to ask anyway. Tang Tang sighed internally, “What’s the point?”

As such, the two maintained their nearly five meters distance to communicate. “Let me tell you my plan first. I intend to bring you back. I checked your family. You and your adoptive mother and younger sister do not get along with each other. I believe you would not object to this proposal.”

Of course not, Tang Tang silently stated.

However, sufficient performance is still indispensable. Tang Tang controlled her expression to feign embarrassment and pursed her lips but did not speak.

Only after a long time passed did Tang Tang speak, “I will go back with you.”

Ming Shaoyan was not the least bit surprised.

He had people investigate Tang Tang’s living situation. Ever since her adoptive father died, Tang Tang’s days have been rough. She was only given basic food and shelter. Her clothes and various other things were hand-me-downs from her younger sister.  Later, in high school, her younger sister who was born to her adoptive mother, attended Chengda high school, the best in S City, while Tang Tang attended the No. 9 school where all the dregs of society gathered.

[TN: I am unfamiliar with China’s school system, so I previously translated 城大附中 as an affiliated high school, but later on I found that the author seems to be using 城大 as the name of the school so I have changed it.]

Therefore, Tang Tang was fundamentally not able to refuse.

Now that Tang Tang has agreed to return to the Ming Family, Ming Shaoyan brought up his ultimate purpose for today. “I am finished talking about my plans. Now we can talk about your plans.”  Ming Shaoyan was afraid that Tang Tang did not understand so he elaborated, “For instance, your thoughts about the future, what you want to do, and what you desire.”

Ming Shaoyan wants to get ahead of the second and third branches, to strike first and gain the upper hand.

He wants to understand Tang Tang’s demands, satisfy her, and thus put the person under his control.

This paragraph existed in the original work. Tang Tang remembered this very clearly. She paid close attention to all the scenes related to Tang Tang.

In the original work, Ming Shaoyan asked Tang Tang what she wanted. As a result, without even a second thought, Tang Tang opened her mouth and said I want Bai Chen.

Therefore, Ming Shaoyan later gave Tang Tang a lot of opportunities to interact with Bai Chen. Unfortunately, Bai Chen really loathed Tang Tang. Even though Ming Shaoyan helped out so many times, Tang Tang not only still failed to catch up with Bai Chen, but even increased their distance. [Please read this on ClearSpringsTL(.)com]

This caused Tang Tang, who was influenced by rage, to be deceived by Second Uncle. From then on, she began contesting with Ming Shaoyan over the family properties, embarking on her disaster seeking route.

This was the one and only time Ming Shaoyan genuinely wanted to help Tang Tang. Tang Tang decisively seized this opportunity and said, “I want to act.”

After she said that, she added another sentence, “I also want to attend school.”

Ming Shaoyan was a little surprised.

Shouldn’t Tang Tang, with this kind of love filled brain, want opportunities to associate with Bai Chen? And, Bai Chen has never acted before.

Furthermore, she even wants to attend school?

When Ming Shaoyan investigated Tang Tang, he knew Tang Tang’s grades were terrible and she frequently skipped classes. Later on, she participated in the talent competition and even planned to discontinue her studies.

Yet now, she says she wants to study?

It was actually quite strange. Nevertheless, Ming Shaoyan was not interested in knowing why. He had never been fond of investigating the cause. He only wants results. Moreover, to him, whether it was letting Tang Tang act or got to school, only took a slight effort.

“Sure,” Ming Shaoyan said. “There are several pretty good foreign language international schools in S City. You do not need to take the college entrance exam and can directly enroll in the university. When the time comes, my secretary will send the materials to you. Once you make your selection, let me know.”

“No, no,” Tang Tang hastily shook her head. “I really want to study, so a regular high school is good enough.”

It is not surprising that Ming Shaoyan made such plans. Tang Tang’s grades were really too disastrous, and one could totally see she did not have a knack for learning. Faced with Ming Shaoyan’s suspicious gaze, Tang Tang pledged, “For the remaining half of the year, I will definitely study seriously and then take the exam for S Theater Academy.”

S Theater Academy, the best acting school in the entire country. There’s no need to mention that Tang Tang’s inability to act and inability to sing, just based on her grades, she cannot meet the minimum requirements of the skill test.

Ming Shaoyan sneered. She really dared to dream.

But, Ming Shaoyan still did not refuse.

Since she wants to go, then let her go. He would not obstruct her. Once she failed the exam, then he would come help her. It would be the perfect time to completely sever Second Uncle and Third Uncle’s wishful thinking.

Ming Shaoyan called in his secretary, had his secretary contact the school, and then asked Tang Tang, “Do you want to directly come home with me or return to your previous home first?”

Tang Tang did not particularly want to return to Tang Tang’s previous home. But, after all, that was the place that Tang Tang’s has lived for many years. In any event, there were probably some important things left there. Tang Tang ultimately decided to make a trip back home.

Ming Shaoyan agreed, “Uncle Li will pick you up when the time comes.”

“Thanks, Xiao Shu,” Tang Tang got up from the sofa, walked a couple steps and then turned around. “Goodbye, Xiao Shu.”

Ming Shaoyan paused the pen in his hand, “Goodbye.”

It wasn’t until after Tang Tang went around the screen and disappeared from his sight that Ming Shaoyan picked up the materials on his desk.

These were  information that his secretary previously compiled regarding Tang Tang. Ming Shaoyan recalled that he had once watched a video of Tang Tang crying. It was a video taken during the talent competition. Tang Tang threw a tantrum because she could not learn the dance. She was clearly the one dragging everyone down, but everyone kept comforting her because she was crying.

This was the only video Ming Shaoyan had seen that was related to Tang Tang. Merely one was enough for him to characterize his new niece.

Ming Shaoyan read two lines and threw the information in the paper rubbish pile on the side.

Tang Tang left Ming Shaoyan’s office and let out a long sigh. Under the gazes of everyone in the company, she went downstairs, greeted Uncle Li, and got in the vehicle.

The vehicle traveled along smoothly. Tang Tang took out her mobile phone. There was a WeChat message from her agent.

[Tang Tang, you are quite good!]

The present her is indeed quite good.

After blacklisting her agent’s phone number, Tang Tang also blacklisted her agent on WeChat.

The vehicle was cruising along unhurriedly. Tang Tang opened Weibo.

Since she transmigrated into the book, she has not had the chance to look at the news. She was not sure of the present timeline. Tang Tang opened up Weibo and searched for Yan Yan and a series of entries popped up.

[Movie Queen Yan Yan]

[Yan Yan’s English]

[Yan Yan in Tokyo]

The news showed that Yan Yan, relying on her new movie, won and was crowned Movie Queen during the Tokyo Film Festival yesterday.

Yan Yan seized her first domestic title of Film Empress at the age of 19. Since then, she became a bona fide gifted actress. Four years later, she successfully won the Tokyo Film Festival’s Movie Queen award. Although the Tokyo Film Festival does not compare with Cannes’s or Berlin’s Film Festivals, it was nevertheless still the most authoritative A-rank film award in Asia, not to mention that she was the youngest Chinese to win the award.

Tang Tang recalled very clearly that after the movie made it to the finals, her agent thought up ideas on how to advance into Japan.  Therefore, after winning the award, Yan Yan showed off beautifully.

After she finished her delivering an acceptance speech in Chinese, she reiterated it in Japanese, and lastly used English to thank everyone. Her fluent standardized Japanese gave the Japanese audience a great surprise. That same evening, Yan Yan’s name was plastered all over the Japanese media headlines. And in addition, her flawless English accent attracted countless followers.

[TN: In case there’s any confusion, Tang Tang is talking about the events that occurred in reality when she was Yan Yan (before transmigrating into the book)]

That same evening, the domestic Weibo was flooded due to Yan Yan, and even passersby praised her for obtaining glory for fellow countrymen. There was virtually no negative criticism.  She was praised for winning, admired for how well she spoke English, and told that her talent for language was outstanding. [Please read this on ClearSpringsTL(.)com]

Basically, after this film festival, Yan Yan quickly went from someone in the front-line to an existence that transcended the front-line. Her manager decided to strike while the iron is hot and helped her select two good scripts. After that, she continued to flourish, becoming super popular.

She was so red that she upgraded to purple.

[TN: Red symbolizes popularity, success, etc. and purple is supposedly even above that.]

Thinking back on that year, Tang Tang even felt a little rueful and suddenly wanted to go back and see the scene of the time she won the award.

Tang Tang found a pair of earphones from the bag and randomly played a video. It was precisely the video of the time award presenter called out her name. She came up to receive the award in a rose-red cheongsam.

She would first say the award acceptance speech in her mother tongue, then use Japanese, and lastly English. Tang Tang listened to the familiar acceptance speech and, unknowingly, raised her lips into a hint of a smile.

The Chinese acceptance speech was finished, now should be Japanese, Tang Tang silently said.

But, in the next moment, a string of fluent English was transmitted through from the earphones. Tang Tang’s eyes opened wide.

The person in the video still has the appearance she was most familiar, but she did not speak Japanese, and the English she spoke was not the British English that Yan Yan was accustomed to, but American English instead.