Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Fourth Day of Maintaining the Villain Persona~

A week after the livestream ends, the edited version of Deep in the Mountains will be released on the platform. To maintain a sense of anticipation for the audience, the final shot of the livestream froze at the moment the four guests looked toward Chu Ke with expectant faces, waiting for her to announce the final effective sales total.

Whew—

The moment the livestream was cut, Director Yue in the control room let out a long breath and slumped into his chair. He pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat from his forehead caused by nerves, feeling incredibly relieved.

Fortunately, Wen Qingyun didn’t denounce the program’s security issues at the last minute; otherwise, he would have had to shell out a massive sum of money to manage the show’s reputation.

“Teacher Chu Ke, you can read the total amount now,” the assistant director reminded her from behind the camera.

Chu Ke nodded slightly, adjusted her expression, and spoke. “Congratulations to our four teachers. Through your combined efforts at the fair, you sold a total of 342 jin of agricultural products and 35 items of merchandise, earning a total of 12,423.4 yuan.”

“The Deep in the Mountains production crew will donate 1.25 million yuan to Shishu Village in the names of the four teachers.”

After announcing the final amount, the corners of Chu Ke’s mouth curled upward. She couldn’t help but feel excited about how much change this million-plus yuan could bring to the village.

Wen Qingyun cheered and clapped in coordination, hugging the other three guests one by one in front of the camera. Finally, she walked up to Chu Ke and opened her arms.

“Thank you, Teacher Chu Ke, for looking after me all this time. How about a hug?” Wen Qingyun said with a smile, her face completely clear of any gloom.

Chu Ke smiled back, stepped forward, and gave Wen Qingyun a solid hug. Her warm breath brushed against Wen Qingyun’s neck.

“Teacher Wen, I’m sorry this place left you with some bad memories, but I’d like to ask you to give it another chance,” Chu Ke said, looking up. “It will get better and better. When that time comes, I want to invite you back to see it.”

Wen Qingyun’s words had made Chu Ke doubt herself and even shake her convictions, but after moving past that brief confusion, Chu Ke had become firmer than ever.

The village had people who were ignorant, selfish, or even looking for loopholes to scam the welfare system, but it also had villagers who were selfless, reasonable, and had spent their whole lives doing good.

Chu Ke would work to change the perceptions of the former and strive to provide a better life for the latter—at least ensuring they wouldn’t spend their old age in pain and loneliness. She couldn’t change the deeply rooted ideas of some elders, but she could ensure that every little girl born in the village could go to school and have the chance to walk out of these mountains and change her destiny.

A soft chuckle sounded in Chu Ke’s ear, followed by Wen Qingyun’s teasing voice: “Since Teacher Chu Ke has put it that way, wouldn’t I be a bit too heartless if I refused?”

Wen Qingyun pulled back from the hug, the smile in her peach-blossom eyes incredibly captivating.

“However, I’m not a very patient person. If you don’t invite me back to see it within three years, I’ll forget I ever said this.”

“Three years is enough to change a lot. I will remember to invite you,” Chu Ke said, her polite smile becoming much more sincere.

…

After finishing the donation ceremony and the group photo, it was time for the “Big Reunion” communal meal.

The open space at the activity center was filled with tables and chairs. According to rural banquet standards, each table featured twelve dishes and drinks from the sponsors. There were no fixed seats; Wen Qingyun didn’t want to squeeze in with Director Yue and his group to play pretend, so she simply sat down next to Chu Ke.

“A toast?” Wen Qingyun swirled the glass in her hand, which contained a low-alcohol sparkling wine.

“Is it okay if I drink this?” Chu Ke asked, holding up her juice.

“Of course.” Wen Qingyun reached out, and the crisp sound of clinking glass followed immediately.

After taking a small sip of the sparkling wine, Wen Qingyun’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed. It took a while before they slowly relaxed.

“Not good?” Chu Ke asked curiously.

“Everyone’s tastes are different. I’m not sure if you’d like this flavor.” Wen Qingyun set down her glass and picked up the bottle. “Want to try a little?”

“We have regulations; we can’t drink during work hours,” Chu Ke whispered. “Especially in public places with lots of people, we have to maintain our image.”

Wen Qingyun took another sip of the strangely flavored wine and said with a smile, “Public servant. Understood.”

After the brief exchange, Wen Qingyun pulled out her phone and started messaging. Aside from the occasional sip of wine, she didn’t touch her chopsticks.

Chu Ke opened her mouth, wanting to ask if the food wasn’t to her liking. But remembering what Wen Qingyun had said before, she silently swallowed her concern.

…

Two hours later, Director Yue, having captured enough footage, announced that this episode was officially over.

Sister Xiao, who had arrived on the scene earlier, immediately stepped forward with a young assistant. They surrounded Wen Qingyun with umbrellas and portable fans.

“Qingyun, you worked hard this time. Have a cookie—I had a courier bring these from the city; they’re your favorite flavor,” Sister Xiao said, holding a freshly baked cookie to Wen Qingyun’s lips.

Wen Qingyun, who hadn’t eaten lunch, took a bite. With a few crunch-crunch sounds, she swallowed it. “Good. Another one.”

“Alright, one more.” Sister Xiao looked at Wen Qingyun with pity. “You’ve lost weight. I’ll give you three days off when we get back so you can rest.”

“Only three days?” Wen Qingyun raised an eyebrow. “I feel like I need a month.”

“No way. A lot of variety shows want to invite you these next two days; three days is the limit.” When it came to work, Sister Xiao’s face changed instantly. “Don’t forget, you used your entire salary for the lucky draw. The studio is in the red.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Wen Qingyun mumbled through the cookies.

After taking a couple of steps toward the exit, Wen Qingyun glanced back at Chu Ke and found her looking surprised at… something behind her?

Wen Qingyun followed her gaze. Standing around the minivan were three newly appointed bodyguards, looking very professional as they kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. They were the same “security personnel” from the market who had stepped in perfectly to trip and pin the three suspects.

Thinking of something, Wen Qingyun took the bag of cookies from Sister Xiao, doubled back, and stopped in front of Chu Ke.

“Teacher Chu Ke, I’m leaving now~” Wen Qingyun said, handing over the cookies. “I think these taste great; you should try them.”

“You knew someone would cause trouble all along?” Chu Ke didn’t reach for them. Instead, she stared at Wen Qingyun, the emotions in her eyes extremely complex.

“I wouldn’t say I ‘knew,’ I just anticipated their behavior and made some preparations, that’s all,” Wen Qingyun said with a smile. She took Chu Ke’s wrist and placed the bag in her palm.

“These really are delicious,” Wen Qingyun emphasized again. “You must try them.”

Chu Ke bit her lip. She neither accepted nor refused, standing frozen on the spot as she watched Wen Qingyun turn and leave. She watched her get into the minivan, surrounded by her entourage, leaving behind nothing but a trail of exhaust.

How could someone who prepared a stick in advance and arranged bodyguards really be that terrified?

If Wen Qingyun’s fragility and helplessness at the time were all an act, then what did that make her—the one who had blindly rushed in first, and the one who had been so heartbroken she didn’t know how to comfort her?

“Liar…” Chu Ke gripped the bag of cookies tightly, her body trembling slightly.