After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 18

The persistent ringing of the phone woke a tipsy Xu Judong. As she lifted her head, Yu Shu unobtrusively released her, while casting a wary glance toward the source of the noise.

Years of navigating the entertainment industry had conditioned Yu Shu to expect the worst. Frowning, she began walking step-by-step toward the bushes beside the stairs.

The approaching footsteps made Shi Ji itch with nerves, scratching at her mosquito-bitten legs. At this point, she realized her best option was… to play dead. She immediately went limp in the grass.

Xu Judong followed Yu Shu, her head swimming with dizziness, but her brain sent out a crystal-clear signal of fear. If word gets out that I love my sister… the consequences will be unthinkable. She never imagined someone would be so underhanded as to hide in the bushes at the Yi estate to eavesdrop.

“It seems to be President Shi.”

Judong froze, taking two quick steps forward while Yu Shu steadied her. Her tensed nerves finally relaxed when she saw Shi Ji lying in the grass, seemingly fast asleep.

Sister Shi Ji always passes out in random places when she’s drunk. Thank goodness…

“Let’s get her up first.” Judong shook off Yu Shu’s hand, preparing to step down.

Yu Shu beat her to it, stepping down with a smile. “Let me do it. You’re drunk; if you fall too, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Heh.”

Yu Shu was born with the look of a frail beauty. Her skin was exceptionally pale, and her features even bore a slight resemblance to Xu Linqiu. Fans had once dubbed her “Little Xu Linqiu,” a title she used to gain quite a following. However, her smile carried a completely different aura from Linqiu’s. Where Linqiu was gentle and steady, Yu Shu appeared delicate and pitiable.

Knowing the black heart beneath that porcelain skin, Xu Judong turned away in disdain.

The person calling finally gave up, and the ringing stopped. Just as Yu Shu reached the edge of the bushes, she spotted two figures approaching from the distance.

“What happened here?”

Xu Linqiu walked over quickly, stopping when she saw Shi Ji lying in the shadow of the stairs. “No wonder she didn’t answer her phone.”

Hearing that familiar voice, Shi Ji—whose legs were now an unbearable mess of mosquito bites—felt her heart wither. This is beyond humiliating.

From her angle, Linqiu could see Shi Ji’s eyelashes trembling. She shook her head with a silent laugh and stepped forward to help her up.

“Let me,” Yi Chenqing said, stepping in front of Linqiu to reach Shi Ji first.

Yu Shu reacted as well, stepping forward. “President Yi, let’s do it together. I’ll take the shoulders, you take the legs.”

“Alright.”

Shi Ji: “…”

She felt her shoulders and legs being lifted. As she was carried along, she felt like crying from the sheer absurdity of it. Carried by the villain and the female lead… I’m truly “blessed.” I’d rather a professional funeral team just carry me away forever… how did I end up here?

And do they even know how to carry someone? Nobody is supporting my head! My neck is going to snap!

“Wait, carrying Ji-ji into the gala like this isn’t a good look. I’ll support her instead.” Linqiu followed, seeing Shi Ji’s head lolling back. She quickly supported her head as they ascended the steps.

Once they reached the top, Yi Chenqing looked at Linqiu and said seriously, “I should be the one to support her. You must be tired from earlier.”

Yu Shu: “???” Xu Judong: “!!!” Shi Ji: “…” Just put me down already, this is awkward!

Xu Judong finally noticed that her sister and Chenqing—who previously had almost no interaction—were coming back from the garden together. She deliberately ignored Chenqing’s strange comment and asked tentatively, “Sister, what were you doing with Sister Chenqing?”

Xu Linqiu gave Chenqing’s arm a light pat, signaling her to put Shi Ji’s legs down. Once Shi Ji was standing, Linqiu turned to Judong with a smile. “I’m dating her.”

Yu Shu gasped in shock, instinctively looking at Xu Judong. The light in Judong’s eyes dimmed instantly. She lowered her head. “I see…”

Then, clutching a final sliver of hope, she looked up. “Then what about Sister Shi Ji?”

“I’ll help your Sister Shi Ji back. She must have had too much to drink again.” Linqiu didn’t notice the tone in her sister’s voice as she took Shi Ji from a dazed Yu Shu, resting Shi Ji’s head on her shoulder.

At that moment, sensing the bizarre atmosphere, Shi Ji’s face (hidden from the others) crumpled into a look of pure misery. She wished she would never wake up.

Suddenly, Yi Chenqing broke the silence. She stared at Linqiu’s hand wrapped around Shi Ji’s waist and said slowly, “Let me do it instead.”

Xu Judong’s drunkenness had vanished the moment she heard Linqiu’s confirmation. She glanced at the “unconscious” Shi Ji, hid her own sorrow, and stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”

No wonder Sister Shi Ji is drunk out here—it’s because Sister Chenqing stole my sister away. Judong thought bitterly. Yi Chenqing, you’re not just a fox in business, you’re a dark horse in romance too. Who knows what tricks you used.

“Give her to me,” Yu Shu added, stepping forward as well.

Xu Linqiu almost laughed. What is going on? Is Ji-ji that popular? Why does everyone want to carry her?

Shi Ji’s lashes fluttered. Finally unable to take it, she “woke up” from her stupor. She stood up unsteadily, stretched, and—seemingly by accident—gave Xu Linqiu a little bonk on the head.

You! The culprit! The femme fatale causing all this chaos!

Linqiu rubbed the spot where she was hit, smiled, and grabbed Shi Ji’s arm. “Oh, the drunkard is awake?”

“Ouch, my head hurts so much.” Shi Ji kept her eyes half-closed as if exhausted, clutching her head. She stumbled toward the exit. “What’s happening? Let’s just go home. I want to sleep.”

Get me out of here! I am never attending another gala again!

Linqiu shook her head helplessly, glanced at Yi Chenqing, and gave her a playful wink before leading Shi Ji away.

As the night grew late, guests began to depart. Lin Congwan saw Shi Ji leaning heavily on Linqiu and insisted on taking her home. This troublesome daughter… she gets drunk the moment I look away. What a disaster.

But Shi Ji gripped Linqiu’s wrist, stubbornly refusing to go home. It wasn’t until Fang Fengyu and Old Master Yi arrived that Lin Congwan gave up.

Outside the villa, several luxury cars and one taxi were parked. Linqiu tucked Shi Ji into the taxi and turned back to Yi Chenqing, who was standing by the curb. “Go on back,” Linqiu said with a wave.

Yi Chenqing had been holding back, but now she reached out and gently touched the spot where Shi Ji had hit Linqiu earlier. She pulled her hand back and nodded. “Mhm.”

Something about her cold, stoic demeanor struck a chord with Linqiu. Linqiu smiled, stepped forward, and gave her a quick, soft kiss on the cheek. It was over in a heartbeat.

Yi Chenqing froze in place, her ears burning like fire. Linqiu waved and climbed into the taxi. “Remember to call me, Qing-qing!”

The adults who hadn’t yet entered their luxury cars watched this scene, slack-jawed.

Shortly after the taxi pulled away, Linqiu received a message. Mom: (Smile) You and Chenqing? Xu Linqiu: We’re together. Mom: ???

Suddenly, a group chat named “Era Flowers” exploded. This group was originally for Fang Fengyu and her two friends from their debut days, but they had eventually added their family members.

The first notification read: [Xu Yushan has removed Yi Chenqing from the group chat.]

Xu Yushan hadn’t expected her daughter to be so capable as to land Linqiu all on her own. But appearances had to be maintained.

Fang Fengyu: ??? Lin Congwan: (Smile) What’s going on?

Xu Yushan deliberated her words and finally sent: Xu Yushan: I kicked her out because she can’t know what I’m about to say. Xu Yushan: I’ve kept something from you all for years. Chenqing was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder shortly after high school. We don’t know the cause, so we followed Yanbai’s advice and kept it from her, hoping to find a cure. Xu Yushan: As for Linqiu, I asked her to enter a fake relationship with Chenqing. I’m hoping she can help us find the root of the illness.

Xu Judong: So that’s how it is… Xu Yushan: Yes. Lin Congwan: Ah, that’s nothing. Finding the cause for Chenqing is more important. Fang Fengyu: Exactly. As long as Linqiu agreed, it’s fine.

“Personality disorder?”

The sudden voice gave Linqiu a start. She turned to see Shi Ji looking at her with a mix of surprise and anticipation. “Is that really why you’re with her?”

“Not entirely,” Linqiu shook her head. “I actually like her. And I think she’s a bit pitiable; I want to help her.”

“Oh.” Shi Ji slumped back. If Lin-zi liked her, she couldn’t exactly sabotage it. She would just have to watch her very, very carefully. The world is crazy. The villain has a personality disorder—the danger level just went off the charts.

Yi Chenqing had never found work so agonizing. She rushed through her tasks and called Xu Linqiu to set a date for 1:00 PM at Yuntao Amusement Park. She meticulously chose her outfit and sat at the park entrance, waiting quietly.

Her heart began to race, followed by a wave of dizziness. Frowning, she lost consciousness and slumped onto the bench.

Back at the Yi Estate.

A woman dashed into the small villa, ran upstairs to change into a long dress, and then came back down to knock on one of the doors.

A beaming Yi Hehe opened the door, her voice bright and crisp: “Mommy!”

“Hey~” The woman knelt down and stroked the girl’s hair with maternal affection. “Mommy is taking you to the amusement park. I’m going to take you to see someone.”

To see that woman who abandoned us.

“Yay!” Yi Hehe was overjoyed.