After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Tasting the Kiss

It was the sweet, soft taste of peach blossoms.

Under the dim candlelight, their breaths intertwined. Just a fraction more, and the already precarious “sisterly” relationship would have shattered completely.

Yan Huaixi remained silent for a long time in this position. Should she follow her desire, or maintain the so-called sibling bond?

The corners of her mouth curled up. Having spent so many years by the side of the second Master of the Changsheng Gate, her sense of morality was pathetically thin. This “sisterhood” with Yu Yingxia was merely something she had chosen to play along with; if she didn’t want it anymore, she could change the dynamic at will.

She had always been this willful. Regardless of the label on the relationship, this rabbit she was raising could only belong to her.

She touched her lips to the other’s gently. This time, it wasn’t for feeding medicine; there was no repulsive bitterness, only a sweet, soft fragrance of peach blossoms, as if mixed with honey.

This was not the impulse or desire that should exist between sisters. Perhaps their relationship should have changed long ago.

Perhaps because Yu Yingxia had things on her mind and couldn’t help but want to see the “results” of her plan, she woke up earlier than usual the next morning.

Yu Yingxia rubbed her eyes and sat up. The daylight outside was already bright, and this time, Yan Huaixi was not by her side.

She glanced at the storybook next to her. It was placed exactly where it had been the night before, but she had specifically tucked a strand of hair into the corner of the pages before sleeping. Now, the hair was gone. This meant someone had indeed moved the book while she slept, just as she had expected.

Yu Yingxia covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. No wonder Yan Huaixi was nowhere to be seen this morning. If only she had the ability to fake sleep in front of Yan Huaixi last night; she might have seen an exceptionally colorful expression on the other’s face. Unfortunately, with her current skill, she couldn’t hide a fake sleep from a master like Yan Huaixi.

After laughing for a bit, she managed to contain herself. However, as she lowered her hand, she accidentally noticed a faint trace of red on the side of her knuckle.

What is this?

Yu Yingxia paused. She looked at the spot, then used another clean finger to wipe her own lip. There was indeed a very faint red tint.

She remembered that she hadn’t applied any lip rouge. Since coming to this world, most of her energy had been spent on staying alive, so she rarely touched ancient cosmetics.

Yan Huaixi had some, and Jiang Li seemed to as well?

Yu Yingxia didn’t consider that the roles of hunter and prey had swapped several times last night, nor did she imagine this red was Yan Huaixi’s lip rouge. After thinking for a moment, she assumed it was juice from the unnamed fruit she had eaten last night. The fruit looked like a plum and was reddish; Fang Yuetong had brought some from the mountain to put in sweet soup. She must have been messy while eating it. Thus, she tossed this oddity to the back of her mind.

She washed up as usual and prepared to make breakfast… though it was likely lunch by now.

After stepping out, she didn’t see Yan Huaixi in the courtyard. She searched the study and Yan Huaixi’s room, but the woman was gone. This was rare. Yan Huaixi rarely went out alone unless there was something urgent she had to handle.

She found Jiang Li in a corner of the yard processing fresh herbs and asked where Yan Huaixi went.

“The Master left early this morning. She said she was going to have a ‘good chat’ with the bookstore owner. I don’t know how that person provoked the Master, but her expression was quite strange when she left.” Jiang Li silently lit three sticks of incense for Yang Xunzhou in her heart. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help, but when the Master was angry, she was terrifying; Jiang Li didn’t dare try to save anyone from the tiger’s mouth.

“Looking for Sister Yang?” Oh no!

A bad premonition immediately surged in Yu Yingxia’s heart. She didn’t think about whether Yan Huaixi would settle scores after seeing the book; perhaps because Yan Huaixi had been so gentle lately, she had almost forgotten that this woman was the villainous boss of the story. Among the protagonists in Sister Yang’s fanfictions, Yan Huaixi was likely the most terrifying and ill-tempered!

“I’m going to the bookstore!” Yu Yingxia turned and sprinted away.

Jiang Li watched her back with admiration. If nothing else, Yu Yingxia’s courage to go “save” someone at a time like this proved she was incredibly loyal!

However, when she arrived at the bookstore, the situation wasn’t as dire as she feared. The shop was open as usual, and the atmosphere was peaceful at least, there were no signs of a fight.

Yu Yingxia breathed a sigh of relief. She walked in and found Yan Huaixi and Yang Xunzhou sitting face-to-face in a corner.

Yan Huaixi seemed to be telling her something, and Yang Xunzhou looked exceptionally constrained, sitting bolt upright like a child being scolded.

Both noticed her at the same time. Yang Xunzhou cast a pleading look for help. Yu Yingxia looked puzzled; since she hadn’t learned how to transmit her voice yet, she could only use her facial expressions to convey her confusion.

Initially, a flash of joy and a hint of avoidance crossed Yan Huaixi’s eyes. But when she saw the two of them making eyes at each other, and noticed Yang Xunzhou drawing all of Yu Yingxia’s attention, her face immediately darkened.

Her cold glare made Yang Xunzhou shiver. Yang carefully turned her head toward Yan Huaixi, and upon receiving the warning, immediately lowered her head in a gesture of resignation.

Seeing Yan Huaixi’s expression, Yu Yingxia knew she was indeed angry, but due to a misunderstanding, she guessed the wrong reason for that anger.

“Miss Yang, then I shall leave this matter to you. I hope to see the new book as soon as possible,” Yan Huaixi said with a tone laced with a threat.

Her mood had been quite good last night, but after leaving Yu Yingxia’s room, she suddenly remembered the ending of that book.

The ending Yang Xunzhou had arranged was Yu Yingxia disappearing, her life or death unknown, or intentionally drawing a line never to see the “Yan Huaixi” of the book again. Meanwhile, the cold-hearted Yan Huaixi in the book would only occasionally miss the silhouette she shared moonlight trysts with.

Yan Huaixi was literally laughed into a rage. That wasn’t something she would ever do. If it were up to her, even if Yu Yingxia died and became a ghost, her soul and body could only belong to her!

That aside, if it were anyone else’s story, Yan Huaixi might have just burned it. But the one who wrote this was the great Literary Saint, the head of the Yang family who could communicate with the Book of Fate. Whether the book aligned with actual destiny or not, such an ending was bad luck and ominous.

Thinking of this, Yan Huaixi’s expression grew even colder.

Yang Xunzhou nodded repeatedly under the pressure. She was wondering in her heart she was a Refining Void and Combining with Dao cultivator, after all; why was she always so intimidated by this “Miss Yu”?

Ah, this is the Book of Fate’s warning to me.

Yang Xunzhou’s consciousness touched the myriad threads of fate and received an answer.

Forget it, this person was indeed someone not to be trifled with. She just didn’t know which great powerhouse was hidden beneath that ordinary appearance. As for A-Sheng, she really did seem like an ordinary person. These “sisters” were interesting—how could the older sister be at least at the Refining Void stage while the younger sister had triple spiritual roots but only just started practicing?

Yang Xunzhou looked up and met Yan Huaixi’s icy gaze. She immediately dropped her wandering thoughts. It was better not to pry into this family’s private business; what mattered was how to change the book’s ending.

Yu Yingxia hurried over to sit beside Yan Huaixi. She took Yan Huaixi’s arm to “soothe the cat,” but for some reason, the methods that usually worked were failing. The more she tried to coax her, the more Yan Huaixi seemed to pout with anger.

Opposite them, behind Yang Xunzhou, the curtain to the back room was lifted slightly. The “wolf cub” hidden there was already gnashing her teeth, looking like a ruffled animal ready to pounce at any moment.

Yu Yingxia smiled apologetically at her, then gently shook Yan Huaixi’s arm. “Sister, don’t be so fierce. Look how you’ve scared the poor girl.”

Yang Xunzhou turned back and saw Nie Xuan in the gap of the curtain. She immediately put on a stern face and waved Nie Xuan away, telling her to stay out of it children weren’t suited to see the things she wrote!

Yan Huaixi snorted softly. If she weren’t worried that her fierce side would leave a bad impression on Yu Yingxia, she wouldn’t have restrained herself at all.

But she was a bit unhappy. Even though Yu Yingxia was sitting next to her, every word and action was aimed at preventing her from attacking Yang Xunzhou.

“Don’t worry, Miss Yu. I’ll arrange it,” Yang Xunzhou promised Yan Huaixi. Sigh, she never thought she’d be hunted down by a god of slaughter just because of a book’s ending. Fine, she’d send the slaughter-god away first and then figure out a new ending.

“Sister, what riddles are you two talking about?” Yu Yingxia thought Yan Huaixi had come to settle a score over the content, but looking at it now, it didn’t seem quite right especially since Yan Huaixi had mentioned waiting for a “newly written book.”

“It… it’s nothing. Just that your sister wasn’t satisfied with yesterday’s…” Before Yang Xunzhou could finish, she was interrupted by Yan Huaixi’s soft cough.

Yang Xunzhou glanced at her expression and immediately changed her tune: “It’s just that your sister and I discussed a previous work. I think Miss Yu’s points are very valid, and I’m preparing to revise it. Oh, by the way, A-Sheng, don’t be in a hurry to study that book I gave you yesterday. I wrote that one too hastily. I thought about it last night and felt many parts weren’t perfect. I’ll give you a revised version later.”

Yu Yingxia lowered her eyes. Yang Xunzhou’s words were full of holes. The sentence Yan Huaixi interrupted was likely the truth. Wasn’t there only my “fanfiction” book yesterday? Yan Huaixi was dissatisfied with it? But she didn’t want to destroy it; she wanted it changed…

What is Yan Huaixi planning?

As she thought, Yu Yingxia’s stomach suddenly protested. Since that bowl of calming tonic last night, she hadn’t had a drop of water or a grain of rice; she was starving.

Her face flushed. The next second, a pastry was held to her lips.

“Haven’t eaten yet? Did you think I’d do something to your Sister Yang, so you rushed over without even eating?” Deep within Yan Huaixi’s gentle tone was a hint of danger. Yang Xunzhou suddenly felt the air grow cold, but Yu Yingxia had already practiced the ability to soothe the cat quickly.

“Sister, did you forget that we ran out of vegetables at home these past two days? With everything happening, I haven’t had a chance to go out and buy groceries. So I thought we shouldn’t bother cooking today and just go to the restaurant instead. That’s why I came looking for you.” Yu Yingxia acted even more displeased than Yan Huaixi. She ate the pastry while acting as if she were sulking because of Yan Huaixi’s suspicion—though she “didn’t dare” say it aloud because of their status.

Yang Xunzhou’s eyelid twitched. She felt Yu Yingxia’s tone had a bit of intentionality to it, but who would have thought Yan Huaixi would fall for it? The sinister gaze immediately turned into regret, and she actively leaned in to comfort her “sister.”

“It was my lack of consideration. Shall we go to the restaurant right now? Don’t starve yourself…” Her voice was exceptionally tender. Yang Xunzhou, who had just been threatened, rubbed her arms; she had a layer of goosebumps.

Before Yu Yingxia could respond, a group of people suddenly entered the bookstore.

“Is the shopkeeper in?” Five people arrived, wearing the neat sect uniforms of the Tianqiu Sect. These clothes were different from the usual ones; their sleeves and hems were embroidered with patterns of thunder and swords.

Yan Huaixi, who had dealt with the Tianqiu Sect often, recognized them at a glance. These were from the Judicial Hall, responsible for interrogations and punishments. She had expected them to show up. After all, an elder had died an elder who tried to frame Yang Xunzhou. Unless the Tianqiu Sect was stupid, they would definitely investigate here.

She silently stepped forward to shield Yu Yingxia behind her, then took another pastry from the table and pressed it into Yu Yingxia’s palm, signaling her to eat something to tide her over.

“I am the owner. Do you fellow Daoists have any business?” Yang Xunzhou’s expression settled into calm. She had already arranged everything and wasn’t afraid of an investigation.

“Apologies for the intrusion. Because of the recent murders in Sanxi City and the unfortunate death of someone in our sect, the Sect Master has ordered us to investigate. We wish to ask you some questions; it may take some of your time.” These people were much more polite than the previous elders who walked with their noses in the air. Yang Xunzhou’s expression softened slightly.

“Understood. I shall tell you everything I know. Please, come inside.” Yang Xunzhou gestured for them to enter.

“Thank you.” The leader led the other four inside.

Yang Xunzhou said to Yan Huaixi and Yu Yingxia: “Since A-Sheng is still hungry, you two go to the restaurant first. She just recovered from an illness and her constitution is still weak; don’t let her stay hungry for long.”

Yan Huaixi glanced at the newcomers subtly and transmitted: You’ll be fine alone?

Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared. Even if they dug out the Book of Fate to check, they wouldn’t find a problem. Yang Xunzhou gave them a reassuring look. These people wouldn’t find what she wanted to hide.

Yan Huaixi believed she could handle it, so she led the slightly worried Yu Yingxia out of the bookstore.

The leader of the Tianqiu group silently watched Yan Huaixi and Yu Yingxia depart. His gaze was emotionless, calm as a deep pool. Yang Xunzhou followed his gaze, feeling a surge of wariness.

“Those two are…”

“They are my cousins. Because of some family issues, they came to stay with me. The younger one was recently found to have spiritual roots and is currently practicing under me.” Yang Xunzhou applied the vague backstory Yu Yingxia had invented to her own family, using the Yang family’s prestige to provide cover for them.

“So they are relatives,” the man nodded. “Then, does fellow Daoist know if any strangers moved into Sanxi City in the past few months? It might be two women, or perhaps more, but one of the women should have been seriously injured.”

Yang Xunzhou’s eyelid twitched. “I don’t recall. Sanxi City is a famous town near the cultivation world; many people come and go every day. It might be difficult to check. Who are you looking for? Perhaps I can keep an eye out for you.”

The leader pondered for a moment. “The Sect Master said you are trustworthy, so I will be direct. However, please do not speak of this partly to avoid alerting the target, and partly to prevent panic.”

“Rumors have been spreading that Yan Huaixi has come to Sanxi City. We didn’t pay attention at first, thinking it was just a rumor, but some evidence now suggests there is a very high probability she is indeed in this place.” His tone was heavy, as if Yan Huaixi were about to unleash a bloodbath here.

The real Yan, eavesdropping on this, let out a sneer. Those people guarded against her like she was a demon, yet the shocking things happening recently were all caused by their own people.

How ironic. How laughable.

However, one thing caught her attention. Was the “evidence” he spoke of something fabricated, or was it a real fact? If it was the latter, trouble might be coming.

Yan Huaixi’s methods were usually extreme. She had originally planned to use herself and Yu Yingxia as bait to lure her enemies into a trap, but now she hesitated.

Yu Yingxia had only just begun her cultivation. Even with rapid progress, her cultivation was still too weak to face Yan’s enemies.

Should I continue to use her as a decoy to split the enemy’s strength? What if she gets hurt accidentally? Should I send her to a safe place?

“Did someone make Sister unhappy?” Yu Yingxia, being led by the hand, suddenly heard that sneer. She could tell the difference between a happy laugh and a mocking one.

She gently squeezed Yan Huaixi’s palm. The soft touch brought Yan Huaixi’s attention back to the person at her side. Yu Yingxia’s worry was reflected in her eyes; such a clean soul and gaze were a thousand times better than those things in the Tianqiu Sect.

Yan Huaixi’s gaze softened. “I was just reflecting on how some people are blind and foolish.”

“We’re here. This is the place.” She led Yu Yingxia to the largest restaurant in Sanxi City.

A waiter saw the distinguished guests and immediately came out to greet them. Since it was still a bit early for mealtime, several private rooms were empty. Yan Huaixi disliked being disturbed, so she requested a private room.

Yan Huaixi ordered several dishes, all of which were Yu Yingxia’s favorites. After the food arrived, Yu Yingxia took a few bites but noticed Yan Huaixi hadn’t moved her chopsticks. Her chewing slowed down, and finally, she swallowed and asked, “Sister, aren’t you eating?”

“I don’t get hungry. You eat more.” Even so, Yan Huaixi picked up her chopsticks to accompany Yu Yingxia for a bit.

Yu Yingxia knew that at Yan’s level, she had long since achieved Inedia (fasting). But the dishes on the table were indeed mostly her favorites. Without her noticing, Yan Huaixi had already remembered many of her preferences.

These details always made one’s heart soften. Even if she was useful to her, did Yan Huaixi really need to go this far?

Yu Yingxia’s mood, which had been bright, turned low. Yan Huaixi immediately noticed her distraction, seeing that she hadn’t even noticed a grain of rice stuck near her mouth.

Yan Huaixi immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe it for her. At this moment, she had completely forgotten about her cleanliness obsession.

Because she had just drunk some water, Yu Yingxia’s lips were moist, looking even more appetizing than the finest peach blossom cake. Yan Huaixi’s handkerchief was originally just for the corner of the mouth, but gradually, her fingertips gently rubbed across Yu Yingxia’s lips through the cloth.

The one being wiped was a bit confused. She had just started eating; why was this happening? And—and she wasn’t a child; she could wipe it herself!

Yu Yingxia’s eyes were filled with innocent purity and a bit of embarrassment. Yan Huaixi’s fingertips trembled. Thanks to Yang Xunzhou, she was now constantly thinking in the “wrong” direction.

For instance, Yu Yingxia now. She didn’t know what happened last night, nor did she know that Yan Huaixi was currently harboring the thought of pinning her against the window to taste her to her heart’s content. Yan Huaixi’s fingertips felt as if they had been singed by fire, and she instinctively pulled back.

“Sister?”

Yan Huaixi snapped back to reality. In a calm, slightly smiling tone, she said, “A grain of rice was stuck there. How can you still be dazed while eating like a child?”

Yu Yingxia’s face suddenly turned red. She wiped her mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Um… it seems there isn’t anything you like here, Sister. Should I ask the restaurant to bring some snacks?”

“Then… Peach Blossom Cake it is.” A pity I can’t taste the best “peach blossom cake” right now.

Yan Huaixi’s gaze held an emotion that Yu Yingxia couldn’t decipher.

“Okay, I’ll go ask if they have it.” Yu Yingxia didn’t know why, but the temperature in Yan Huaixi’s eyes seemed different from usual. After one look at her, she instinctively turned away.

Strange. It’s just peach blossom cake. Why did that woman smile so… Yu Yingxia didn’t know what word to use, but in that moment, her heartbeat was slightly out of control.

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