After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 30

Yi Yanbai could never forget those days in high school.

In her social circle, full-time socialite wives pinned all their hopes on their children. They lived to compare, competing fiercely to push their children’s starting lines as far forward as possible. Her time at Mingli Academy’s high school was undoubtedly the most grueling period of all.

There weren’t as many hedonistic heirs as people imagined. Most were simply “obedient” children, crushed under family pressure, forced to gild themselves with layer after layer of achievement. The cutthroat environment—with weekly quizzes and major exams every three weeks—was enough to suffocate anyone.

During those times, “idolizing” a fellow student became the best way for the students to relax in their spare time.

Xu Linqiu was, without question, the most dazzling star in the school.

She had excellent grades, stunning looks, and a burgeoning acting career. She was gentle and kind to everyone she met. When she received love letters, her eyes would curve into elegant crescents as she accepted them with a smile: “I will read your letter carefully, but I don’t want to consider these things until after graduation.”

Whenever this happened, Shi Ji, standing nearby, would also break into a smile.

To any onlooker, they were a pair who shared a tacit understanding—perhaps waiting for graduation, or perhaps having already made a private promise. No one felt they were mismatched. Even though Shi Ji’s grades were consistently dead last, she possessed a carefree, unbridled spirit that most Mingli students envied.

She treated everyone—even teachers and administrators—as friends, often seen drinking tea in the staff offices. Even when she skipped class, she was rarely caught; and if she was, her silver tongue would somehow turn the scolding into a compliment.

She and Xu Linqiu were two entirely different kinds of stars.

Even though they were only two years apart, and even though Yi Yanbai remembered Sister Shi Ji teasing her and making her cry at social gatherings since childhood, a thick wall had gradually grown between them as they grew older.

It wasn’t until the midterm exams of her first year of high school that things changed. Her own elder sister had passed an accelerated exam to skip two grades with flying colors, but Yi Yanbai had performed poorly. She could only hide under the maple-poplar trees by the school’s artificial lake and cry. After a moment, a familiar voice called out from nearby.

“Linqiu~” “Where did you run off to?”

Yi Yanbai looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, just as Shi Ji stepped out from the low trees. Shi Ji froze for a moment, then instinctively turned to leave. Yi Yanbai buried her face in her knees; the feeling of being ignored felt more crushing than the failure of her exam.

The light seeds of the maple-poplar drifted onto her head, but then, footsteps stopped beside her.

Shi Ji sat down next to her, stuffed a pack of tissues into her hand, and sighed. “Why are you still such a crybaby, just like when you were little?”

Yi Yanbai gripped the tissues, discreetly wiping her tears with her uniform sleeve. Her eyes were red as she nervously looked up.

Shi Ji patted her arm and looked up at the canopy, as if trying to comfort her. “Look. No matter how far they go, they once flew—free and unrestrained.”

Yi Yanbai followed her gaze and saw clusters of mature maple-poplar seeds. They had wings. When the wind blew, they filled the sky.

Later, Yi Yanbai accidentally overheard Shi Ji telling Xu Linqiu: “Actually, I like the ‘cold and aloof’ type best. Especially the ones who act like they don’t want to talk to me.”

Because of those words, Yi Yanbai practiced pursing her lips and keeping a cold expression in front of the mirror countless times. She even took a detour to the prison today to thank inmate 1064 for the advice, happily handing out wedding candies.

She thought that as long as they were married, everything would be fine. But now she realized she was always just out of reach. No matter what Yi Yanbai did, Shi Ji’s heart only held that one person.

Yi Yanbai stared at a pink love letter tucked inside her book, her eyes reddening. Suddenly, the door swung open. Shi Ji walked in, her face flushed deep red and her steps unsteady. She slammed the door shut.

Yi Yanbai immediately regained her composure. She bent over to tuck the book into the bedside cabinet, hurriedly took off her glasses, and lay down, shrinking into the blankets.

“I’m taking a shower, then I’ll sleep in the guest room,” Shi Ji muttered, feeling a strange heat rising in her body. She cursed inwardly as she stumbled into the bathroom.

If she had known, she would have gone to the Hongxun Bar. Other bars were too chaotic; she didn’t know what kind of drug those women had slipped into her drink. Thank goodness she had run out fast enough.

She turned on the shower, but the icy water couldn’t extinguish the fire burning in her heart.

The sound of running water continued for so long that Yi Yanbai began to worry. Just as she sat up, a loud thud echoed from the bathroom.

Startled, she rushed to the door, only to find it was ajar. As she pushed it open, the sound of heavy, ragged breathing hit her like a spell.

Water was everywhere. The fallen showerhead was spraying water into the air, most of it drenching the woman curled on the floor. Her hands were pressed between her thighs, her expression pained.

Without her glasses, the world was a blur to Yi Yanbai, but she froze in realization. She quickly turned off the water and wrapped Shi Ji in a bath towel.

Shi Ji’s mind was a chaotic mess. Her body felt like it was burning with a high fever. She instinctively pressed her legs together, swearing that if she ever saw those women again, she wouldn’t let them off.

But suddenly, a wave of cool air appeared before her. What remained of her consciousness told her this was Yi Yanbai, but her body acted on its own, leaning into that coolness.

Yi Yanbai lifted her up, her eyes catching a faint trace of red on the floor. She hurried out of the bathroom and tucked Shi Ji into bed. When she pulled the towel away, she saw Shi Ji’s eyes were tightly shut, her face flushed.

Suddenly, the blankets shifted. Shi Ji exhaled a breath of hot air and opened her eyes. Her “peach blossom” eyes were clouded with desire—pure temptation.

Yi Yanbai gritted her teeth, intending to leave and buy medicine, but her wrist was caught in a firm grip. Without warning, Shi Ji pulled her down. The mattress sank as the woman lunged on top of her.

Soft lips pressed against Yi Yanbai’s cheek, kissing randomly before finding her mouth. Shi Ji’s teeth nipped at her lips without restraint; her tongue was clumsy and reckless.

Yi Yanbai could barely breathe. She wanted to resist, to stop those wandering hands, but the contact left her weak and paralyzed. She was like a block of ice emitting cool air, and the temperature difference made Shi Ji crave nothing but to press against her.

This searing kiss caused Yi Yanbai to lose herself. She began to respond, sighing into the kiss.

It wasn’t until Shi Ji’s burning hand tried to move lower that Yi Yanbai snapped awake. She yanked her hand back.

No! If we do this, how can we face each other tomorrow? Sister Shi Ji will only avoid me more… I finally waited long enough for us to marry; I just want to treat her well in silence…

Sensing the rejection, the woman on top of her only tightened her grip. She pinned Yi Yanbai down, grew impatient, and straddled her.

She kissed her—or rather, bit her—like a piranha plant finding food. Soft lips moved to the crook of her neck, lingering with light suction and a flick of the tongue before leaving a neat bite mark.

Yi Yanbai was going mad. Her thundering heartbeat signaled the collapse of her internal walls. Shi Ji’s kisses made her heart ache. She closed her eyes, and two trails of tears slid down her temples.

The beautiful “piranha plant” kissed her fingers, letting out soft moans.

Fine… if she wants it, let her have it. Even if she distances herself after waking up, it doesn’t matter anymore…

Thinking this, Yi Yanbai tilted her head back, her hand stroking Shi Ji’s back as she finally welcomed the embrace. Under the bright lights of the room, a set of dark blue pajamas fell to the floor. The sounds of their union were soft and lingering, lasting long into the night.

When Shi Ji woke up to the sunlight, she felt strangely energetic. But the moment she stretched, fragments of the previous night flooded her brain. The memory of their intertwined bodies left her stunned. Every sensation became vividly clear.

She remembered forcing Yi Yanbai’s hand to help her, and later, taking her by force. She remembered how Yi Yanbai’s usually cold eyes were filled with tears as she arched her back to kiss her.

She remembered the broken, soft voice whispering: “Can you be a little more gentle?”

Why do I remember it so clearly?! How could I lose control and force myself on the female lead?!

And why is the female lead so submissive? She’s supposed to be the “dominant CEO” type!

Shi Ji beat her chest in frustration. She turned her stiff body slowly, but when she saw Yi Yanbai lying pale and silent beside her, her frustration turned into guilt and tenderness.

The sunlight hit Yi Yanbai’s face. Her breathing was shallow. She was so close that Shi Ji could see the fine hairs on her skin. There were tear tracks on her cheeks, and her brow was slightly furrowed. Her cold, elegant face was framed by a shoulder peeking out from the blanket.

Her pale lips were bitten in several places, and the area around her collarbone was covered in marks.

It’s my fault. It’s all my fault.

Just as a strange emotion flickered in Shi Ji’s heart, Yi Yanbai’s long lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her tired eyes. When their gazes met, there was no anger in Yi Yanbai’s eyes—only a haunting stillness.

“I’m sorry,” Shi Ji said, her face full of apology. She reached out to touch her but quickly pulled back. She closed her eyes and blurted out: “Last night… I was drugged. It was an accident. But I won’t run away from the responsibility. I swear, if you can’t get the person you like, or if they judge you for not being a virgin, I will take full responsibility for you!”

“Even though we don’t have feelings for each other yet… I will be good to you.”

Shi Ji opened her eyes and waited for a response.

Yi Yanbai: “…”

She didn’t want to use this incident to bind Shi Ji. She whispered: “No need. It’s fine.”

She looked away and turned her back to Shi Ji, attempting to get out of bed, but Shi Ji grabbed her again.

“I insist! We’re already married anyway. Unless you bring the person you like in front of me and kiss them, I’m not giving up.”

Shi Ji felt like crying. She felt like she had become a “simping dog.”

“Okay,” Yi Yanbai’s raspy voice finally replied.

Shi Ji breathed a sigh of relief. She watched as Yi Yanbai reached for her pajamas under the bed, moving carefully under the covers as if afraid to touch her.

Shi Ji buried half her face in the pillow and moved closer. “Does it… still hurt?”

She remembered Yi Yanbai crying quite hard in her arms last night, her long legs hooked around her, afraid to move.

The “lump” under the blanket paused while putting on clothes. Yi Yanbai poked her head out, her face flushed—perhaps from the stuffy blanket. “No.”

“That’s good.” Shi Ji relaxed, but she couldn’t help watching as Yi Yanbai got up with an expressionless face and walked into the bathroom.