Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The Protagonist’s Third Day of Action~

Wen Qingyun’s landing at Capital Airport this afternoon was a public schedule. Fans could arrange to meet her, but entertainment reporters, sensing the scent of gossip, could just as easily blockade her there.

True enough, before Wen Qingyun could even say hello to the fans holding up pick-up signs, she saw entertainment reporters straining to shove recording equipment toward her.

“Wen Qingyun, do you have anything to say regarding the rumors about you and Qian Tuo on Weibo?” A reporter, kept a meter away by the bodyguards, asked while craning their neck.

Wen Qingyun frowned. Since they were “opening fire” right in her face, she wasn’t going to hold back. “To the marketing accounts fabricating things out of thin air and spreading rumors: just you wait. My lawyer is already securing evidence. They’ll be meeting my lawyer in court very soon.”

“And to certain verified news media outlets—if you maliciously misinterpret my words or help spread rumors, you’ll be seeing my lawyer in court as well.”

Wen Qingyun spoke with an expressionless face, her cold, loathing gaze sweeping across all the reporters facing her without distinction.

The reporter at the very front couldn’t help but swallow hard, so intimidated that they didn’t dare ask a second question. The others weren’t much better off. Was “certain verified news media” a direct threat to them?

Seeing the reporters’ momentum falter, the two bodyguards in front quickly parted the crowd, clearing a path for Wen Qingyun.

“Our Qingyun is just like that—she says what’s on her mind. Please don’t mind her,” Sister Xiao smoothed things over from behind. Her tone was slightly softer than Wen Qingyun’s, but the message was exactly the same.

“Regarding the scandal, I can tell you with absolute certainty: it doesn’t exist. I hope when you write your reports, you prioritize basic facts and don’t omit the truth.”

Sister Xiao held back the reporters, giving Wen Qingyun the chance to appear before her fans.

“Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to meet me, my babies~” Upon seeing the fans, Wen Qingyun’s expression transformed instantly.

Not only did the corners of her mouth curl up, but her peach-blossom eyes brimmed with laughter and affection. There wasn’t a trace left of the cold, heartless woman she had been just a minute prior.

“Qingyun baby! I will always support you!” “Sister, these are some small handicrafts I made myself. I hope you like them!” “Wen Qingyun, I’ve been a fan for three years! Do you still remember me?”

Wen Qingyun let her bodyguards stay close as she randomly accepted a few inexpensive gifts and letters, then began interacting with the fans.

Chu Ke was pushed forward by the enthusiastic crowd. After Wen Qingyun briskly signed a dozen names, Chu Ke finally squeezed into the front row and appeared in her line of sight.

“Teacher Wen, this is for you. It was designed by a friend who likes you very much,” Chu Ke said, sounding slightly nervous as she held out the small cotton doll.

The familiar voice made Wen Qingyun notice the fan wearing a mask. After a simple glance, Wen Qingyun recognized her.

“Your friend?” A playful look appeared in Wen Qingyun’s eyes. “When did Teacher Chu Ke meet a friend who likes me so much? It couldn’t be the ‘I have a friend’ trope, could it?”

Hearing her name being spoken, Chu Ke’s heart felt a complex mix of emotions. She didn’t know whether to be happy first or embarrassed about her identity being exposed.

“This was designed by our group leader. The clothes I’m wearing were also given by her,” Chu Ke explained, gesturing with her eyes toward the exceptionally excited group leader standing nearby.

The group leader, finding herself the center of her idol’s attention, was also a bit dazed and scratched her cheek. “Eh? Do you two know each other?”

“This is Teacher Chu Ke. She’s the one who helped me with a lot of work back in Shishu Village,” Wen Qingyun said with a smile. “I didn’t expect Teacher Chu Ke to become my fan.”

The group leader suddenly realized. “No wonder I always thought Chuchu seemed so friendly. So it’s Teacher Chu Ke!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t disclose my identity at first,” Chu Ke apologized sincerely, then took off her mask.

“No worries, we’re just netizens. It’s normal not to reveal your identity,” the leader said nonchalantly.

Wen Qingyun took the small plushie from Chu Ke’s hand, pinched the Chibi version of her own face, and smiled at the leader. “Thank you, dear, for putting so much effort into making this for me. I love it~”

“Hehe, I’m glad you like it, Qingyun.” The leader grinned, looking a bit silly. “Can I give these little dolls away to the group members as freebies?”

Wen Qingyun: “If you don’t mind, why don’t you talk to my manager in a bit? I’d like to buy the rights to this doll’s design and produce some to give to the fans who like me.”

“You can! I don’t need to be paid! This was drawn based on you, Qingyun, so it’s yours!” The leader’s eyes sparkled. Nothing in the world could make her happier than having her work recognized by her idol!

“Alright, dear. I’ll have my assistant give you a small gift in a moment,” Wen Qingyun said sweetly, holding the Chibi doll against her cheek. “Thank you~”

The leader started breathing deeply, took out her phone to snap pictures frantically, and then followed the assistant to get her gift with a dazed expression.

The special treatment given to the leader made the remaining fans even more excited. Fortunately, Wen Qingyun timely took out her phone for a group photo, which calmed them down as they began to strike poses, striving to make their idol remember them.

…

“Teacher Chu Ke, have you completed the renovation of Shishu Village? Did you come here personally to invite me to revisit the old place?” Wen Qingyun sat in the nanny van, turning her head to look at Chu Ke sitting beside her.

“Just call me Chu Ke.” Chu Ke nervously licked her lower lip. “The construction in Shishu Village is still ongoing. I came here this time because I have something else I wanted to talk to Teacher Wen about.”

“Oh? What is it?” Wen Qingyun raised an eyebrow, unable to guess the other woman’s purpose for a moment.

After a bit of psychological preparation, Chu Ke spoke slowly. “Does Teacher Wen remember the attack you suffered at the market?”

“I remember. Someone pretending to be my fan attacked me, hurting not only me but also my fans.” Wen Qingyun let out a “tsk.” “The local police are investigating too slowly. They still haven’t given me a definitive answer.”

Chu Ke froze, then guiltily picked at her fingers. She hadn’t known the police hadn’t given Wen Qingyun the latest feedback.

“Teacher Wen, I heard some news related to the case,” Chu Ke began with difficulty. “The people who gave them money to cause trouble… are locals.”

“Oh?” Wen Qingyun frowned. “You know news that I, the victim, don’t even know?”

Chu Ke looked down to avoid Wen Qingyun’s gaze, trying to explain: “I’m sorry, perhaps the police haven’t found substantial evidence yet…”

“Heh, Chu Ke, you didn’t come here to plead for the locals, did you?” Wen Qingyun wouldn’t soften her heart just because she saw Chu Ke’s distress; she would only use it as a springboard.

“If the local police are incompetent, I will apply for an outside investigation.”

“Not only that, I think I need to report this to the Commission for Discipline Inspection to see just how many ‘deadwood’ public officials you have down there.”

The expression on Chu Ke’s face grew more guilty, and her heart felt incredibly bitter.

It turned out she wasn’t special to Wen Qingyun at all. The fact that she recognized her instantly was purely due to a good memory.

“Why have you stopped talking? Did I hit the mark? Are you really here to plead for someone?” Wen Qingyun snorted coldly. “I thought you were someone with convictions, Chu Ke. It seems I misjudged you.”

“No… no, I’m not the kind of person you think I am,” Chu Ke said, attempting to defend herself.

“You aren’t here to plead for someone?” Wen Qingyun countered.

Chu Ke opened her mouth, but not a single syllable came out. She had nothing to say; she could only grip her fingers tightly.

“For the sake of the fact that we got along well before, I’m willing to give you a chance to explain.” Wen Qingyun’s tone softened slightly. “The reason you’re here must be because you have no other choice, right?”

“I…” Chu Ke was even more speechless.

If Wen Qingyun had remained sharp-tongued and piercing, Chu Ke would have simply left, disheartened after hitting a wall. But this perfectly timed consideration and understanding doubled the guilt and bitterness in Chu Ke’s heart, making her feel that her actions were even more shameless.

If Wen Qingyun could guess that she had a hidden struggle, then why couldn’t she, Chu Ke, understand Wen Qingyun’s reason for insisting on a full investigation?

[Congratulations Host, task completion has increased. Current progress: 63%.]

The system’s notification rang out. A glint of a smile flashed in the depths of Wen Qingyun’s eyes, and her tone became increasingly gentle.

“Chu Ke, if you’re in a difficult spot, just tell me. Aren’t we friends? I know you’re not like those other people.”