Damn It! I Fell for the Hated Villainess Again! - Chapter 13

The little kitten ate her fill every day. She worked with fiery enthusiasm.

The industrial drawings were quickly approved. There were no errors. Next came the destruction of the dress, the pattern drafting, and then the sewing.

A week before the competition, Jiang Yao finally met up with Li An’an. She brought the finished garment with her. Professor Peng had specially reserved the dance students’ practice room. This was to allow the two girls to assess the effect.

From the dressing room came the rhythmic tap-tap-tap of high heels pacing. Jiang Yao clutched the garment bag. Her fingers were slick with a thin sheen of sweat.

Professor Peng had just finished his call with the competition organizers. He turned to see Jiang Yao’s strained expression. He immediately understood the reason for her tension.

The design renderings had perfectly captured the intended concept. But the human body was dynamic. The final presentation was another matter entirely.

Jiang Yao’s piece incorporated metal elements. This made the fitting especially uncertain. Would the delicate chains and fragments produce the ideal clashing sounds as Li An’an walked the runway? That was the key question.

Jiang Yao’s skill meant she could easily complete any necessary adjustments. She had a full week before the competition. Yet, Professor Peng could tell his beloved student was genuinely broke. If significant fabric alterations were needed, the impoverished heiress would likely faint from the financial strain.

Professor Peng reassured her, “Relax. I’ll keep a close eye on things. It’ll be perfect.” He paused, looking at her. “Have you decided on a name for this piece yet?”

Jiang Yao took a deep breath. Her eyes were still pressed against the dressing room door. “Yes, I have. It’s called Cunning Rabbit.”

“That sounds intriguing,” Professor Peng mused. “I’m sure the effect will be striking.” He repeated the name, his anticipation growing for how it would look on Li An’an.

“Teacher Jiang! Teacher Jiang! This outfit looks absolutely stunning on her!”

With that sudden exclamation, the dressing room door swung wide open.

Professor Peng turned at the sound. He gained an even clearer appreciation for the design’s ingenuity.

The first thing that caught his eye was a milky-purple silk cloak. It resembled the evening glow on Uluru Rock. Combined with the faux rabbit fur trim, it created the illusion of a gentle, docile creature.

But as the “rabbit” moved, the wolf tooth pendants along the cloak’s back hem began to peek out. They gradually revealed the rabbit’s cunning, predatory nature.

Suddenly, the “rabbit” tore off the cloak, holding it like a hunter’s net. The dark purple leather dress beneath sprang into view. Its three layers contrasted beautifully: the sheer lightness of the organza, the rugged durability of the denim, and the cold, detachable leather armor plates.

Scarlet embroidery snaked across the dress like savage claw marks. Hidden metal plates within the embroidery hinted at a deeper deception—not wounds, but traps laid by a predator lying in wait.

With each step, the leather armor plates and delicate metal chains clinked together. Their crisp, forceful sound echoed like the roar of a wild beast.

“Truly a cunning rabbit!” Professor Peng exclaimed in admiration.

The current effect aligned almost perfectly with Jiang Yao’s expectations. She finally allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. She instructed Li An’an to demonstrate the pre-planned poses.

The moment the model turned, Professor Peng’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of deep crimson.

Jiang Yao had ultimately decided not to let the temperature-sensitive fabric go to waste. She incorporated it into the design at the small of the back. There, it formed a mysterious and feral rabbit-eye totem. Its red glow pulsed with the model’s breathing, dramatically enhancing the “Cunning Rabbit” theme.

As the “rabbit” turned her back, the predator, believing the moment to strike had finally arrived, prepared to pounce and crush the prey’s vulnerable waist. But instead, it was unexpectedly confronted by a demonic eye brimming with danger.

“This design is absolutely brilliant,” Professor Peng murmured, leaning in for a closer look. He offered his student some constructive criticism: “The color change of this temperature-sensitive fabric is impressive, but it would be even more striking if it were a deeper, blood-red hue.”

Hearing this, Li An’an bounced on the balls of her feet. She was trying to raise her body temperature. “Maybe I’m just a bit heat-resistant. Should I run around a bit before going on stage? It won’t affect my expression management.”

Jiang Yao shook her head, signaling Li An’an to stop. “The competition venue will definitely crank up the air conditioning. The color-changing effect will probably be even less noticeable than it is now. I really didn’t think this through.”

Professor Peng sighed. “It’s a shame. If we switch to ordinary fabric, we’ll lose the dynamic effect.”

“Teachers, what about adding remote-controlled LED strips?” Li An’an blinked, trying to offer a useful suggestion. “I can write the control program.”

That suggestion hit a nerve with Jiang Yao. She shot Li An’an a sharp glare. “You want to walk the runway in torture devices? I’m not about to ruin my reputation.”

“The LED strips would be uncomfortable and chafe,” Professor Peng said with a smile. He was reassuring the young model. “Don’t worry too much. My student here may have a sharp tongue, but she’s incredibly kind-hearted. She values comfort more than her own career. She’d rather lose the prize money than let you wear something uncomfortable on stage.”

Jiang Yao interrupted resentfully, “Professor! I just can’t stand seeing someone build an ugly, illegal structure! Don’t try to flatter me!”

“Alright, alright, enough! You’re the most stubborn person I know!”

Li An’an watched the teacher and student bickering. A warm feeling spread through her heart.

Teacher Jiang is truly an exceptional designer.

She resolved to practice her runway walk and poses even harder before the competition. She absolutely couldn’t let Teacher Jiang down!

The morning slipped away quietly after a mock runway practice.

Afterward, Professor Peng rushed to the airport for an academic conference in Shanghai. Seeing that Jiang Yao had no classes or club activities, Li An’an suggested they go out for hotpot together.

Jiang Yao had been fed farm-fresh eggs by Yu Tanning for days. She was practically tasting chicken feed. She didn’t hesitate and readily agreed.

“Teacher Jiang, should we invite some classmates or your roommate?” Li An’an asked as she packed up her things. “The new hotpot place at the exhibition center has so many options. If we have more people, we can order more without wasting food.”

Jiang Yao paused.

Should I invite Yu Tanning?

That annoying woman was probably at Polytechnic University. She would be hosting some kind of fun sports day event. If I refuse, wouldn’t she lose face?

No, I won’t invite her. That fame-chasing, money-grubbing woman doesn’t deserve a weekend hotpot treat.

“I don’t have any close classmates…” Jiang Yao began, steeling herself. But as she spoke, Yu Tanning’s words flashed through her mind: Wasting food leads to acne.

I give up!

Thus, Minister Yu, who was diligently working at Polytechnic University, received this threatening message:

[Jiang Yao: Spicy Bear Hotpot flagship store, basement level -1, exhibition center. Get here immediately by taxi, or you’re dead!]

Has she eaten eggs for a few days and suddenly come into money? Is this her way of thanking her caretaker?

Yu Tanning chuckled. She handed the half-inflated balloon to the Deputy Minister, who was working hard beside her.

Why waste time on this mindless assembly line work when watching Jiang Yao’s temper flare is so much more entertaining? Only a fool would stay here.

She smoothly fabricated an excuse: “My professor needs me for something. Can you take care of things here?”

The Deputy Minister eagerly took over. “Senior Yu, when will you be back to check on us?”

“This work will be done in an hour at most. I won’t be coming back later. Just take photos of the venue after you’re finished and head back with the other girls,” Yu Tanning instructed. “Waiting for me would just waste your time.”

“Ah, but Senior Yu, Senior Tian from the Polytechnic University’s External Relations Department just said he wants to grab dinner with us after this is over,” the Deputy Minister murmured. Her hands were busy, but her eyes darted nervously.

Yu Tanning gave her an inscrutable look. “When did he say that? I didn’t hear anything.”

Of course he didn’t!

The Deputy Minister’s heart pounded. She’d completely fabricated the story because Senior Tian had been secretly in love with Senior Yu for ages. He planned to confess today using the sea of balloons.

“Uh, Senior Yu, I heard him say…”

“Oh, he might have mentioned something,” Yu Tanning said, sparing the girl’s embarrassment but stopping there. “But I’m swamped with work. You guys go ahead and enjoy the dinner.”

“Senior Tian said he’s willing to wait as long as it takes. He said the previous gatherings were so dull without you, and this time…”

“How about hot pot? Hot pot’s never dull,” Yu Tanning suggested with a forced smile.

The Deputy Minister froze. Her carefully rehearsed excuses choked in her throat.

Senior Yu was smiling warmly, but the air around her felt so cold. It was terrifying.

“Then you guys should grab hotpot nearby later. Stay safe, I’m heading out.”

The Deputy Minister didn’t dare defend Senior Tian any further. He quickly said goodbye to Yu Tanning and scurried back to his chaotic work. His hasty retreat only made his guilt more obvious.

As she hailed a cab, her phone buzzed with notifications.

That idiot Tian is such a stubborn donkey. Even after I made it clear I wasn’t interested, he kept pestering me for a chance.

Yu Tanning didn’t reply. She immediately blocked him.

A man that stupid is utterly worthless to me.

The joint project between the two universities had long been finalized. She’d only come to Polytechnic University today to do the grunt work out of respect for Teacher Yu. Now that the tedious tasks were done, she could gradually hand over the External Relations Department’s responsibilities to the Deputy Minister. She had no obligation to keep listening to that annoying donkey bray.

With her message list cleared, Yu Tanning opened Jiang Yao’s chat and sent the cab’s license plate number. A subconscious smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

The little kitten is still the most interesting.

When Yu Tanning arrived, Jiang Yao and Li An’an were still ordering.

Yu Tanning wasn’t particularly surprised to see a third person at the table.

She had personally reviewed Jiang Yao’s application to bring Li An’an onto campus, knowing she was Jiang Yao’s model for the competition. She didn’t think much of it.

“Hello, I’m Yu Tanning, Yaoyao’s good friend,” Yu Tanning said, deliberately drawing out the “Yaoyao.”

“I’m Li An’an…”

Before the introductions could be completed, the little cat pounced. “Yu Tanning! Who do you think you are, calling her that?”

Li An’an’s self-introduction was startled back into her throat. She froze in place, observing the impending showdown.

Yu Tanning settled into the seat next to Jiang Yao, feigning innocence. “Aren’t we good friends?”

“Yaoyao is what my family calls her, not you!”

“Oh, then I’m a good friend of Jiang University’s star designer.”

Must you emphasize “good friend” so much? Are you going to die if you don’t?!

This is such childish behavior!

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes so hard they nearly flipped to the back of her head. “Say one more word and you’re going back to work.”

Li An’an tried to smooth things over with a nervous laugh. “Ahaha, Teacher Yu and Teacher Jiang are such good friends!”

“You shut up too,” Jiang Yao snapped, attacking indiscriminately before burying her head in the menu.

Yu Tanning chuckled softly. She politely declined the tablet Li An’an offered and leaned closer to share Jiang Yao’s.

Feeling the warmth pressing against her side, Jiang Yao unconsciously straightened her back. She pushed the tablet toward Yu Tanning as if it were burning her hand. “You… you have bad eyesight, don’t you? Here, order whatever you want.”

Yu Tanning suppressed a smile. She glanced at the ordered items, then pointed at the hot pot base and made a mysterious downward gesture.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Jiang Yao was about to retort when she remembered her earlier threat to the annoying woman: No talking!

I give up!

“Speak!” Jiang Yao forced the word out between clenched teeth, resigned to her fate.

Yu Tanning smiled. “Boss, let’s go for mild spice. Your recent diet can’t handle anything too stimulating.”

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