After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 23

Yi Yanbai watched as Yi Chenqing stared at her phone for a while, then suddenly stood up and walked away without looking back…

She went to the counter, ordered a mountain of burgers and Cokes, pushed the tray in front of Yi Hehe, and sat back down with a calm expression.

Hehe was flattered and a little overwhelmed.

“Hehe is full, and besides, it’s not good for children to eat too much of this stuff,” Yi Yanbai said impassively, pushing the tray to the empty side of the table.

“Xu Linqiu, are you stupid?”

Shi Ji rarely called her by her full name unless she was genuinely furious. The two stood before the restroom sinks. Linqiu turned to face her, her expression becoming serious.

Shi Ji was even more severe. “Yi Yanbai said it herself—her sister’s condition is very bad. Setting aside our childhood neighborly connection, how many times have you even met her? Can you really say you like her that much? Why wade into this muddy water?”

Her expression softened slightly. “Didn’t you used to say you wanted freedom and art? We could go abroad and pursue further studies together.”

“I don’t want to break up with her,” Linqiu replied earnestly. “I can’t quite describe the feeling, but… it feels right. Like we’re a perfect fit, like we’re familiar…”

“I think you’ve been brainwashed.” Or perhaps some novelist had scripted a cliché “love at first sight” plot for her that she couldn’t escape. Bloody hell.

Shi Ji frustratedly ran a hand through her hair. “You think she’s pitiable? You want to save her?”

Linqiu paused for a moment. “I do think she’s a bit pitiable. She’s lost so many memories, but—”

“Xu Linqiu, I never realized you were such a ‘Holy Mother’!” Shi Ji exploded, cutting her off. She paced back and forth, then let out a sharp, angry laugh. “What makes you think you can help her? Look at that personality of hers—carrying a kid and treating you like a scumbag. I’m not discriminating, but do you really think she can be ‘fixed’?”

“Did you not understand the consequences Yanbai mentioned? Or do you just have too many lives to spare?”

Her tone was harsh. The smile that usually graced Linqiu’s face vanished. She looked deeply at Shi Ji. “Shi Ji, we grew up together. Although we don’t remember much of our childhood and didn’t have much contact growing up, I remember clearly from those few interactions that Chenqing was a very good girl. I don’t want her to become the worst version of herself that Yanbai described. I don’t want Uncle Yi, Auntie, Grandpa, or Hehe to be heartbroken.”

“But that person who saves her could be anyone else! Why does it have to be you? You’re acting like a self-appointed savior, even claiming you asked Grandpa Yi to adopt the child.” Shi Ji’s eyes began to redden. Remembering their carefree days avoiding the protagonists, her heart grew even more heavy. “You’ve really changed. You used to be so detached; you never meddled in other people’s business.”

“Don’t you think you’re being too stubborn?” Linqiu’s own eyes welled up. “Even if she’s dangerous, do you think her family will just abandon her? We’re human; we can’t just stand by and watch her fall into the abyss. This isn’t ‘meddling.’ And why must she be ‘dangerous’?”

Emotion swept through her as she thought of her past in France. “I was in France, eating alone, painting alone. Later, I felt I was too lonely. I had lost something.”

“Now I’ve found it—it’s connection, it’s emotion. It’s family, friends, and even the person I love.”

“If there’s no one around you who can perceive your emotions, if your friends and family gradually disappear, you become cold. You lose the ability to feel.”

She looked down and continued softly, “I don’t want to leave again. Even if our feelings aren’t that deep yet, I want to help her. I don’t want to live with regrets.”

“Helping her is what you’ll regret!” Shi Ji snapped. Even if the villain hasn’t become a villain yet, the genes are there! “You’ve gone mad. I don’t understand half of what you’re saying, but you’re determined to jump into the fire.”

“Ji-ji,” Linqiu’s expression softened. She stepped forward and patted Shi Ji’s shoulder. Knowing her friend was just worried, she forced a smile. “Don’t worry. Even if she’s consumed by her personalities, she won’t be able to best me.”

Shi Ji shot her a look that clearly said: You?

Linqiu narrowed her eyes with a smile. “I’ve studied self-defense for quite some time. Besides…” she thought to herself, if she wants to turn me into a doll, I’ll tie her to the bed first. If she could be ruthless, Linqiu could be even more so.

“Hmph, just self-defense,” Shi Ji remained unimpressed. “And what can you do to help her just by dating? Better to break up early.”

“You reminded me.” Linqiu pulled her hand back and walked out, ignoring the remark. “I should marry her. That way I can understand her more deeply and find the cause of her illness.”

“Xu Linqiu, is there something wrong with your head?!” Shi Ji cursed, stomping her foot in frustration before heading into the stall.

Xu Linqiu returned to the table. Seeing her, the terrified Yi Hehe finally relaxed and stood up to move her chair closer.

Yi Chenqing suddenly stood up. Her cold face gave the girl a start, but then she reached out and moved the chair next to Linqiu herself. Hehe whispered a tiny “thank you” and scrambled into the seat.

As Linqiu comforted the child, she spotted Chenqing silently reaching out a finger to hook the tray across the table. However, Yi Yanbai, with an equally serious face, hooked the tray back.

“Can’t you buy your own?” Chenqing said flatly.

Yanbai’s expression was wooden. “I left too quickly and forgot my wallet.”

“No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”

Linqiu suppressed a laugh as she watched Chenqing stand up, seize full control of the tray, pull out one burger to place in front of Yanbai, and then triumphantly pull the rest to herself.

Yanbai stared at her lone burger for a long time before slowly pushing it toward Shi Ji’s empty seat. Linqiu thought to herself that Yanbai was far too respectful of her elders—Shi Ji really had a lot of dignity as the “big sister.”

Just then, an obviously still-fuming Shi Ji returned. Seeing the burger and then the full tray in front of Chenqing, she slammed the burger flat, unwrapped it, and took a massive bite.

Linqiu opened a packet of ketchup and turned to Chenqing. “Have you decided yet?”

“If I agree to put the child under my household registration, will you marry me?” Chenqing’s expression was indifferent, as if no further thought was required.

Linqiu squeezed the ketchup too hard; a blob landed on her lip and chin. As she licked her lip, Chenqing had already leaned in with a napkin to carefully wipe her chin.

Linqiu glanced at the chewing Shi Ji and the wooden Yanbai, then at the hopeful little girl.

“Sure. So, what do you think?” Linqiu said briskly.

Chenqing set the napkin down and sat up straight, looking at her with absolute sincerity. “I can do it. Don’t worry, I will treat you and the child well.”

Her speech was incredibly formal. Hehe kicked her little feet, her dimples showing. Linqiu smiled and added a test: “But there’s one condition—my name has to be first on the marriage certificate.”

In same-sex marriage registration, the first name is the head of the household—the “groom” position, so to speak. Chenqing hesitated for only a few seconds before nodding. It was just a registration; it didn’t determine family status.

“Great. We’ll do a few more rides, then go to my house for dinner to meet the parents, and get the certificate tomorrow.”

As Linqiu made the final call and Chenqing nodded calmly, Linqiu looked toward Shi Ji. Shi Ji finished her last bite of burger, her eyes blazing with fury. Fine, Xu Linqiu, getting hitched tomorrow. You’re really something!

Yanbai, on the other hand, asked blankly, “So soon?”

Shi Ji kicked her under the table. When Yanbai looked over, Shi Ji flashed a grin. “We’re getting married tomorrow too.”

Yanbai: “!!!”

Shi Ji grabbed Yanbai’s arm and pulled her up, heading toward the counter while Linqiu and Chenqing were still in shock. “I’m still hungry. Come with me to order more.”

Once they were in a corner out of sight, Shi Ji got straight to the point. “You like someone, right?”

“Mhm.”

“And that person doesn’t like you back, right?”

Yanbai: “…”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Shi Ji snapped her fingers. “You owe me a favor, right? Let’s enter a fake marriage. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Seeing that Yanbai didn’t even hesitate for a second, Shi Ji was a bit surprised. She added, “Don’t worry, if you succeed with the person you like, we’ll divorce immediately. I can even help you woo them. You’re getting a huge bargain here.”

“I’m mainly doing this to deal with my mother’s nagging,” Yanbai said, adjusting her glasses. “But I have one condition.”

“Hey~ you’re in a position to set conditions?” Shi Ji frowned, then immediately flipped her attitude. “Fine, let’s hear it.”

“My name has to be first on the marriage certificate.”

Shi Ji: “…” She didn’t care; it was just a position on a paper. “Fine. Happy cooperation. I’ll draft the contract immediately.”

Yanbai high-fived her, a glint of joy flashing behind her lenses. “Happy cooperation.”

“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”

Shi Ji returned with her head held high and a haughty tone. Linqiu looked at her gently. “Are you serious? Don’t play jokes on Yanbai.”

“Tsk. You’re allowed to find ‘true love’ but I’m not?” Shi Ji’s tone was obnoxious. She grabbed Yanbai’s hand and raised it. “And we’ve discussed it. We agree—meet the parents tonight, get the certificate tomorrow morning.”

Linqiu: “…”

Yanbai looked at her with a serious expression, desperately suppressing a grin.

Shi Ji continued, “But there’s only one Hukou booklet. Yanbai and I have to be the first to marry.”

Does she really think I’d fight her for the order of marriage? Linqiu thought, feeling helpless.

Suddenly, Yi Chenqing’s decisive voice rang out from beside her:

“No. We must be first.”