After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Marked by the Beautiful Mad Villain - Chapter 32

As the birthday song concluded, the graduates spontaneously organized a few more activities in the open clearing of the camping area.

The lively atmosphere persisted late into the night before things gradually quieted down.

The next morning, they woke up early to watch the sunrise. After having breakfast at the clubhouse, they leisurely made their way down the mountain.

Summer vacation had officially begun!

Xu Nanqiao was busy preparing for university life, finding several different part-time tutoring jobs.

Su Mi, meanwhile, stayed at home to look after her younger brother. Occasionally, she accompanied her parents to various events to broaden her horizons and maintain her persona—the original owner of her body certainly wouldn’t have missed these prime opportunities to network.

Aside from that, her weekly routine of sending Xu Nanqiao to Nanyuan remained unchanged.

Ever since the blackening value broke the 80 mark last time, it had been fluctuating between 78% and 85%.

The decrease wasn’t huge, but it still made Su Mi very happy.

After all, one of the signs of her mission’s success was that at the potential future “confession point” between the male and female leads, the villain’s blackening value had to be below 50%.

Calculating it that way, it was practically just around the corner!

Driven by this renewed motivation, Su Mi firmly rejected Su Ciyu’s suggestion of going on a trip abroad.

Time passed slowly like this for more than half a month.

Su Mi waited and waited, but she never heard any news about Shen Han hosting a birthday banquet.

She felt a bit lost; Xu Nanqiao’s birthday was fast approaching.

Finally, during one of their visits to Nanyuan, after their reading session ended, Su Mi secretly called out to Shen Han as she was walking downstairs and pulled her aside.

Speaking of which, she wasn’t sure exactly when it started, but Shen Han now came downstairs after every session. She would have the housekeeper bring out desserts and fruit and stay to listen to them chat.

Shen Han was very skilled at guiding the conversation, sparking discussion points with just a few words. Occasionally, if they talked for a long time, she would even keep them for dinner.

Su Mi naturally interpreted this as a shift in Shen Han’s attitude toward Xu Nanqiao.

Furthermore, because of this, Xu Nanqiao’s perception of Shen Han had indeed improved significantly.

Su Mi had asked about it indirectly, and the latest answer she received was: She seems very aloof and cold on the surface, but she’s actually quite easy to talk to. It finally feels like interacting with a friend’s older sister.

Su Mi: Satisfied. ^^

However, regarding the progress of the birthday banquet, she was very dissatisfied.

Seeing that Xu Nanqiao’s birthday was next week and Shen Han still hadn’t mentioned a word about a party, Su Mi sneakily pulled Shen Han into the dining room under the pretext of checking what was for dinner.

After confirming that Xu Nanqiao hadn’t followed them, she closed the dining room door.

Turning around, she met Shen Han’s half-smile.

Shen Han stood there leisurely with her arms crossed, looking as if she wanted to see exactly what Su Mi had to say.

Su Mi had already planned how to open the topic.

She cleared her throat and asked circuitously, “Sister, have you ever… organized a birthday banquet for someone?”

The answer should be no.

In the original plot, it seemed Shen Han had only thought about giving Xu Nanqiao a surprise birthday party. Due to her lack of experience, she had dumped all the arrangements onto Su Mi’s original character.

But the original Su Mi only harbored surface-level kindness toward Xu Nanqiao; in reality, she had been jealous for a long time.

On the surface, she acted as if she were celebrating Xu Nanqiao’s birthday by inviting many classmates, then brought an unprepared Xu Nanqiao to the scene.

She didn’t even let her put on makeup, made her wear an ill-fitting gown, and led her around to meet their classmates one by one.

The students from the upper class treated it like a joke. They wished her a happy birthday to her face but started mocking her the moment they turned around.

At first, Xu Nanqiao didn’t realize it, but after meeting more people, she sensed something was wrong.

The original Su Mi held her hand, claiming that Shen Han had specially organized this banquet for her, while also subtly threatening Xu Nanqiao by bringing up her “part-time job” at Shen Han’s place.

For Xu Nanqiao, this matter was somewhat shameful, so she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

Later, someone drugged her—likely intending to watch her make a fool of herself. Fortunately, the male lead also attended this chaotic banquet and managed to take her to the hospital before the drug took full effect.

Shen Han never showed up until Xu Nanqiao had already left the party. The next day, she simply transferred a sum of money to Xu Nanqiao, explaining that she didn’t know what had happened and that the money was compensation.

To Xu Nanqiao, this was an even greater insult.

She immediately transferred the money back to Shen Han.

In short, Shen Han shouldn’t have hosted a birthday banquet before.

It was just a bit strange that she hadn’t yet entrusted Su Mi, the “cannon fodder,” with the task of managing it.

Could it be that in the original book, the original Su Mi had reminded Shen Han and actively taken on the work herself?

Su Mi wasn’t sure, so she came to test the waters.

Hearing this, Shen Han replied with a question instead: “Isn’t your birthday at the end of the year?”

Su Mi: “…”

How did this get turned back to me again?

Not discouraged, she continued to hint: “Speaking of which, it seems Xu Nanqiao’s birthday is next week?”

The two sentences were very close together. Shen Han understood her meaning and frowned slightly. “So?”

Su Mi went straight for the goal: “Do you want to throw a birthday banquet for her?”

Shen Han pulled out a dining chair and sat down, appearing quite relaxed. “Why should I throw a birthday banquet for her?”

She used a declarative tone.

Su Mi was suddenly speechless.

What a straight-laced woman!

Currently, there wasn’t enough evidence to support the “body double” theory. Although Su Mi felt her guess made a lot of sense, she wouldn’t judge someone based on mere speculation without reason.

So, she closed her eyes and swallowed her frustration.

Walking over to the dining table, she stepped into the role of a teacher and earnestly lectured Shen Han: “A birthday is the day a person is born. It’s very important and only happens once a year. Holding a birthday party on that day and inviting friends to spend it with you is very meaningful.”

Shen Han gave a faint scoff. “Thank you. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known that’s what a birthday means.”

Su Mi wasn’t an idiot; she could naturally tell she was being sarcastic.

“…”

She looked at Shen Han with a mix of doubt and confusion.

She couldn’t tell if Shen Han was just acting or if she truly had no intention of hosting a birthday banquet for Xu Nanqiao.

Had the “force of the plot” become ineffective?

Su Mi thought for a moment, then struggled one last time, tentatively saying, “I think maybe… Xu Nanqiao might be looking forward to someone celebrating her birthday?”

Shen Han asked back, “Won’t her mother celebrate it with her?”

Su Mi froze for a moment.

She mumbled in a small voice, “…Yes, her mother will celebrate her birthday.”

But she had overlooked this fact, which was forgivable—after all, she didn’t have a mother or father herself.

Her previously high spirits were like a balloon suddenly pricked by a needle, deflating instantly.

Su Mi bit her lip, quickly gathering her untimely emotions.

The silence didn’t last long.

Shen Han lifted her gaze, taking in Su Mi’s slightly aggrieved expression.

Feeling a bit helpless, she reached out and gently pressed Su Mi down into the chair beside her.

Her movements were very light.

Using two fingers to lift Su Mi’s face, Shen Han studied her for a moment, knit her brows, and said, “What are you so upset for? It’s just a birthday.”

She paused, quickly finding a reason. “Didn’t you say in your message last time that Xu Nanqiao is an introverted person? She doesn’t like extravagance or luxury. If I were to host a birthday banquet for her, it would definitely be a grand affair at Nanyuan. Tell me, who would we invite? What’s the plan? Would she really be willing to have something so exaggerated?”

Shen Han’s tone was consistently calm and persuasive.

Su Mi was stunned and quickly accepted this reasoning.

…That makes sense.

She had only been thinking that the original plot would definitely happen, forgetting to consider that the current Shen Han was much more humane and no longer as cold as in the original story.

Moreover, through Su Mi’s own influence, Shen Han now knew a lot about Xu Nanqiao’s preferences and habits.

Therefore, Shen Han would consider Xu Nanqiao’s feelings and wouldn’t organize a birthday party that Xu Nanqiao wouldn’t like at all.

Was it her own “butterfly wings” that had shifted this plot point?

But if they didn’t follow the plot, would it affect the major turning points of this small world?

While she was still hesitating, Shen Han let go of her face and added:

“The week after next is the Shen family banquet. This weekend, take Xu Nanqiao to pick out a dress. Then, bring her to the Shen family banquet. She can eat and drink well there, and we’ll count it as a makeup birthday banquet. How does that sound?”

When these words reached Su Mi’s ears, they immediately translated to: The substitute plot has arrived in style!

A birthday banquet or a family banquet—wasn’t a banquet still a banquet?

Besides, a family banquet had a private nature to it. No matter how you looked at it, it was intended for the inner circle of the Shen family.

She, as a “god-sister,” going there could be explained away, but bringing Xu Nanqiao—wasn’t Shen Han’s intention as clear as day?

She suddenly looked at Shen Han in surprise.

“Really?”

Shen Han raised an eyebrow. “Why would I lie to you? Didn’t you want to give Xu Nanqiao a birthday banquet? At that time, we can set up a small celebration for friends in the side hall, so she won’t feel awkward.”

Su Mi thought to herself that Shen Han even wanted to host a separate one for Xu Nanqiao in the side hall.

The nature of that was completely different!

Nice move, Shen Han.

Not only did her mood recover, but she was also immediately energized by the progress of her mission.

Smiling brightly, she gave Shen Han a thumbs up. “Sister, you’re the best.”

Shen Han leaned back slightly against the chair, feeling helpless at the speed of Su Mi’s emotional shifts. “What do you mean by that?”

Su Mi raised both hands, giving two thumbs up near her face, and praised her seriously: “Super impressive!”

Shen Han chuckled and tilted her chin toward the kitchen. “Go to the kitchen and see what you want to eat tonight. You can communicate this matter to Xu Nanqiao yourself later; I won’t mention it.”

Su Mi nodded vigorously. “I understand, it’s a secret surprise!”

Her emotions came and went quickly; Su Mi turned around and scurried into the kitchen.

She left behind a puzzled Shen Han: What surprise?

After much persuasion, Su Mi successfully convinced Xu Nanqiao to go to the family banquet Shen Han mentioned to “see the world.”

She had asked Su Ciyu and the others beforehand and learned that this family banquet wasn’t strictly internal; close business partners of the Shen Group and friends of the Shen family were also invited.

It was considered a regular event for the Shen family.

Su Ciyu would also be going.

When the weekend arrived, Su Mi dragged Xu Nanqiao to the mall to pick out a suitable dress as an early birthday gift.

On the day of the banquet, Su Mi picked up Xu Nanqiao and brought her to her house early in the morning.

First, she let her play with her younger brother.

Su Yi wasn’t shy at all. When Xu Nanqiao held him, he grinned and proactively gave her a peck on the cheek, saying, “Sister!”

Su Mi pretended to be angry. “Su Xiaoyi, exactly how many ‘sisters’ are you going to recognize?”

Holding Su Yi, Xu Nanqiao’s heart practically melted from the cuteness.

Hearing this, she asked curiously, “How many other sisters has he recognized?”

Su Mi: “Does Shen Han count?”

Xu Nanqiao: “Eh?”

Su Mi recounted the scene from that day: “Xiaoyi can only say the word ‘sister’ well. He couldn’t pronounce ‘Shen Han’ at all. He tried ‘S—’ for half the day and couldn’t get it out.”

Xu Nanqiao’s eyes curved into smiles.

After laughing, she asked, “Then what was Shen Han’s reaction?”

Su Mi mimicked the expression, tilting her head back and pulling a stoic face. “Just like this—no reaction.”

Xu Nanqiao laughed so hard she leaned against Su Yi. She sat up and wiped the corners of her eyes. “Susu, you’re really getting better and better at imitating your sister.”

Su Mi gave her a “shush” gesture. “Don’t say that out loud.”

The two of them played with Su Yi all morning. In the afternoon, the hired stylists arrived. The two changed their clothes and sat in front of Su Mi’s vanity to have their hair and makeup done.

Then, they followed Su Ciyu into the car to head to the banquet.

Su Ciyu had provided the dress code before they went shopping, so neither of them was dressed too formally. They both wore simple gowns suited to their age.

If one had to compare, Xu Nanqiao’s dress was a knee-length, light blue gown with layers of flowing tulle. Her long hair was tied back with a matching ribbon, and a small blue rhinestone was placed at the corner of her eye.

While getting ready, Xu Nanqiao repeatedly emphasized that it didn’t need to be so grand.

Su Mi, of course, wouldn’t listen. Today was the important day Shen Han was using to make up for her birthday; she definitely had to look beautiful.

When Xu Nanqiao was finished, Su Mi gave her a thumbs up. “Drop-dead gorgeous.”

Then, when it was Su Mi’s turn, Xu Nanqiao stood by her side, constantly giving styling advice.

Su Mi herself wore a cuter puff-sleeve dress. Her light-blonde, medium-length hair was curled into waves, pinned up with several lively, colorful hairpins.

Once the styling was done, Su Mi playfully used her skirt to nudge Xu Nanqiao.

This prompted Xu Nanqiao to laughingly tug at the ends of Su Mi’s hair.

The Shen family banquet was held at a private forest garden in the city, simply named: Huai Garden.

Su Mi and the others arrived right on time. The entrance to Huai Garden wasn’t crowded. They followed Su Ciyu past the pond at the entrance and stepped into the classically styled garden.

The interior was filled with flowers and plants, with winding paths leading to secluded spots. Dim streetlights were scattered among the lush bamboo groves. After passing through several courtyard gates, they finally reached the main venue of the banquet—the largest garden in Huai Garden.

The various plants and flowering trees in this garden weren’t as dense as those along the path. They were arranged sporadically throughout the grounds. Every few steps, there was a high table for drinks, and a small flowing stream divided the garden.

Su Ciyu had come with business goals in mind. Spotting a partner he was currently working with, he gave them a final instruction before going over to greet them.

“The alcohol content in the drinks here isn’t high, but still, drink sparingly. If anything happens, contact me via the neural link, or you can go find Shen Han. Is that okay?”

Su Mi obediently agreed.

This wasn’t her first time being brought to a business banquet by Su Ciyu, so she already knew the rules.

Thinking of the plot, once Su Ciyu walked away, she emphasized to Xu Nanqiao several times: “Don’t drink any beverages that have left your sight.”

Xu Nanqiao didn’t understand why, but she made a note of it.

They strolled through the garden, stopping occasionally to try the desserts on the tables.

Su Mi wanted to find where Shen Han was, but the garden paths were winding. Being naturally directionally challenged, she couldn’t find her even after a long time.

Instead, she spotted another familiar person.

A woman in a flowing white silk dress, seemingly unafraid of getting dirty, was crouched by the stream, looking down at the flowing water.

Before Su Mi could even get close, the woman turned around. Seeing Su Mi clearly, her eyes curved into a smile. “Su Mi! You came too.”

Their last meeting had also been by a stream.

After that day, Su Mi figured that since Shen Han hadn’t asked her to delete Ren Yue, she could safely remain online friends with her, occasionally chatting about their daily lives during the break.

Ren Yue really liked looking at the little fish in the water and often sent Su Mi photos of them.