Damn It! I Fell for the Hated Villainess Again! - Chapter 24

Jiang Yao was indeed avoiding Yu Tanning.

The moment she saw the “Beijing University School Belle” trending online, without a second thought, she fled to a hotel outside the Second Ring Road and put Yu Tanning’s contacts on Do Not Disturb.

By the time she’d managed to talk herself down and regain her composure, it was late at night.

What if there are other school belles?

With this thought, Jiang Yao finally opened WeChat.

Yu Tanning’s messages had piled up into a small mountain, the screen overflowing with her hurt and confusion.

As a friend, Yu Tanning was incredibly thoughtful. Jiang Yao hadn’t said a word, yet Yu Tanning had already guessed she was sulking and patiently coaxed her back.

Jiang Yao’s temper had completely dissipated, and she even began to doubt if she was being unreasonably childish.

But she couldn’t go back! This hotel was so expensive!

Jiang Yao slowly typed, guiltily promising Yu Tanning she would definitely return by morning.

But Yu Tanning, as if fearing Jiang Yao might sprout wings and fly away, insisted on knowing her current location and insisted on coming to find her.

Jiang Yao was utterly panicked.

Is it normal for close friends to share a room and sleep in the same bed?

I guess so?

But why does it feel so… weird when it’s me and Yu Tanning?
Jiang Yao rolled around on the bed in despair. On her phone, Yu Tanning had already sent a screenshot of a ride-hailing order, making it clear that if Jiang Yao refused to share her address, Yu Tanning would scour the entire city to find her.

Feeling genuinely threatened, Jiang Yao reluctantly sent her location.

After a moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and added her room number.

Yu Tanning replied instantly: “Wait for me.”

Is she expecting me to just lie here and take it?

Aaaaaah! What the hell is wrong with me?! What kind of dirty thoughts have invaded my brain?! Get out! Get out! Get out!

Jiang Yao’s entire body felt like a branding iron. Glancing at the two unopened packages in the corner, she suddenly saw them as life-saving herbs and scrambled off the bed to tear them open.

Inside were the modest, one-piece pajamas she had ordered earlier.

Jiang Yao had grabbed them on her way out of school, never imagining they would save her life tonight.

Perfect!

With this chastity-belt-level defense, even sharing a bed with someone in the prime of youth won’t be so awkward!

Jiang Yao quickly showered, and by the time Yu Tanning knocked on her door, she had just finished blow-drying her hair and changed into her “protective gear.”

When Yu Tanning entered and saw Jiang Yao dressed like a little bear, the gloom on her face vanished almost completely. She smiled faintly and said, “Boss, did you run away from home to become a children’s theater actress on the side?”

The teasing remark instantly dispelled all the previous awkwardness and tension. Jiang Yao huffed, tossed her hair, and shoved Yu Tanning’s pajamas at her. “Enough nonsense. You have one too! Now go shower, change, and get to bed. I’m tired.”
Yu Tanning recognized the matching set Jiang Yao had given her and immediately grinned, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “Aww, matching couple’s pajamas! You really do love me, don’t you?”

Jiang Yao was once again astonished by Yu Tanning’s audacity.

She hadn’t even gotten to her “bestie” manipulation tactic yet, and Yu Tanning was already messing with her head.

“Couple’s pajamas, my ass! Who said we’re a couple?!” Jiang Yao snapped, furious. “I just forgot my own pajamas! This was buy one, get one free!”

Yu Tanning glanced down at the price tag. “Really? This store’s that generous? BOGO on five-hundred-yuan pajamas?”

Jiang Yao’s face paled. “What nonsense are you spouting? It was buy one, get one free!”

Yu Tanning hummed skeptically. “Hmm, after working at Muse for two months, I’m pretty familiar with this brand’s pricing.”

Jiang Yao: …

Damn it! Why is everything connected to the Yu family?!

I really want to bankrupt them all!

Yu Tanning smiled sweetly. “Thanks for the couple’s pajamas, Boss! You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”

Jiang Yao threw a punch at her. “Say one more word and we’re done!”

Yu Tanning made a few gestures and wisely retreated into the bathroom.

The sound of running water was like a waterlogged gummy candy, melting stickily against Jiang Yao’s eardrums. Even though the bathroom door was tightly shut, Jiang Yao couldn’t shake the feeling that the room was filled with damp, humid air.

The room was filled with the same rich, lingering scent of shower gel that clung to Yu Tanning’s skin.

Jiang Yao’s previously drowsy nerves snapped awake. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her gaze drifting toward the bathroom like a guilty thief.

The frosted glass was thick; even the condensation couldn’t reveal what lay beyond.

Jiang Yao stared blankly in that direction, her mind replaying the night she’d nervously peeked inside, recalling Yu Tanning’s fair, slender legs and the alluring curve of her waist…

She’d momentarily forgotten the room’s sneaky design: those outside couldn’t see in, but those inside could see out.

Yu Tanning brushed aside her wet hair, her eyes meeting Jiang Yao’s flushed face—a mixture of curiosity and restraint that was utterly amusing.

A smile tugged at her lips, the earlier unpleasantness of the family dinner fading from her mind. She quickly rinsed off the remaining suds, then deliberately drawled, “Boss~ Could you hand me a towel~?”

Jiang Yao nearly jumped out of her skin, as if she’d been caught peeping. Flustered and guilty, she blurted out an agreement.

It wasn’t until she was clutching the towel at the door that she regained her composure. “Yu Tanning! There’s a towel right on the shelf in the bathroom!” she snapped.

“It’s wet,” Yu Tanning replied.

“What the hell?! Are you having a water fight in there?!”

“It just got wet. I’ll grab one myself then. I’m not wearing anything, so close your eyes if you’re uncomfortable.”

Damn it! Jiang Yao cursed inwardly.

Someone like Yu Tanning doesn’t deserve to live in a time of reform and opening up!

Terrified that this brazen woman might burst out at any moment, Jiang Yao quickly blocked the bathroom door with her hand, reluctantly compromising. “I’ll hang it on the doorknob! Don’t you dare run around naked!”

“Boss, why are you so flustered? I’m not going to eat you.”

Yu Tanning’s soft laughter echoed through the bathroom, carrying an almost hypnotic allure.

“Shut up! The towel’s hanging there. You can open the door and grab it after counting to ten!”

Jiang Yao flung the towel onto the doorknob and bolted back as if electrocuted.

Yu Tanning deliberately sped up her counting, watching with amusement as the flustered Jiang Yao dove under the covers like a scalded cat. Only then did she slow her voice.

Jiang Yao hated Yu Tanning’s teasing, but she didn’t dare provoke this woman who seemed ready to streak at any moment. She could only hide under the covers and play dead.

The bathroom door swung wide open.

Yu Tanning’s voice drew closer. “Boss, where’s the hairdryer?”

Is she never going to stop?!

Jiang Yao burrowed deeper under the covers, the stuffiness making her cheeks burn hotter. Yet she clung stubbornly to the blanket’s edge, determined not to fall for this woman’s tricks.

“Boss, are you asleep?”

Yes, yes, yes! Asleep! Please stop with the magic tricks!

“Or are we playing hide-and-seek?” Yu Tanning’s footsteps drew closer.

Jiang Yao bit her lip, refusing to make a sound. She’d hoped Yu Tanning would at least give her the courtesy of pretending to be asleep. Instead, the woman yanked the blanket away, exposing Jiang Yao’s futile attempt at concealment.

“Hide-and-seek failed, Boss.”

The scent of cedarwood mingled with steam washed over Jiang Yao as the ceiling light forced her eyes open.

She met Yu Tanning’s amused gaze and the expanse of snow-white skin.

Water still dripped from Yu Tanning’s hair. Leaning forward slightly, the towel-wrapped figure revealed a hint of cleavage as the neckline shifted, the full curves of her breasts clearly defined.

The visual impact was no less striking than nudity.

“Ah! What are you doing?!” Jiang Yao, mortified and furious, spun around and scrambled to the far side of the bed, moving with such force she might as well have tried to escape Earth entirely.

Yu Tanning casually sat on the edge of the bed, the faint outline of her waist beneath the bath towel nearly brushing Jiang Yao’s knee.

“Boss, what are you hiding from?” She reached out and pinched Jiang Yao’s flushed cheek, only to have her hand forcefully slapped away.

“Don’t talk to me until you’re properly dressed in your pajamas!” Jiang Yao snapped.

“How can I change into pajamas with my hair still wet?” Yu Tanning countered.

Jiang Yao shot up in a fury. “Can’t you see the huge hairdryer on the table?” she pointed to the table behind the sofa.

Then…

Damn it! Where’s my huge hairdryer?!

Yu Tanning watched her with a smile. “Oh, you see it? Where is it?”

“You definitely hid it!” Jiang Yao accused bitterly.

“Waaah, you’re accusing me!” Yu Tanning feigned hurt.

“Impossible! I clearly left it on the table!” Jiang Yao refused to believe her. She climbed out of bed to search. “Yu Tanning, if I find out you hid the hairdryer, you’re dead!”

It was definitely Yu Tanning who hid it! She’s deliberately creating opportunities to seduce me!

Jiang Yao fumed inwardly, launching into a dramatic search through her drawers and cabinets.

After a flurry of clanging hangers, a pink hairdryer appeared, nestled securely in the closet.

Jiang Yao froze, memories flooding back like a tidal wave.

She had indeed sat on the sofa to dry her hair for a while. But the outlet was too far away, and she found the taut cord uncomfortable, so she had…

“Giving up already?” Yu Tanning’s voice drifted from behind, laced with a knowing smirk.

Imagining the smug look on that woman’s face, Jiang Yao’s ears burned crimson.

She slammed the closet door shut, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat. “Didn’t find it. I’ll just buy a new one.”

“Really? I saw something pink in the closet. Boss, you’re still into Peppa Pig at your age?”

“Who even likes Peppa Pig?! That’s…” Jiang Yao abruptly cut herself off.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“It’s… it’s just a messy pile of clothes! Don’t go making things up just because your eyesight’s bad!”

Jiang Yao pressed the cabinet door shut again, then turned to leave with forced composure.

But the woman behind her had closed the distance without her noticing. As Jiang Yao turned, she walked straight into Yu Tanning’s arms, her nose brushing against a pair of thin lips.
The crisp scent of cedarwood mingled with the cloying sweetness of bath gel, like the starry night sky merging with the gentle spring waters of Jiangnan—a combination that ignited a searing heat in her senses.

Jiang Yao’s mind went blank, but the woman before her remained silent. Still holding her captive in that embrace, Yu Tanning reached behind Jiang Yao and pulled open the cabinet door.

“Hey!” Jiang Yao reacted too late to stop her. The Peppa Pig-shaped hairdryer had already landed in Yu Tanning’s hand.

“Now the truth is out. Boss, was someone trying to frame me?”

“I-I just misremembered where I put it! Why are you being so petty?” Jiang Yao bit her lip and reached for the hairdryer.

“Oh? But you seemed so certain I was hiding it earlier. That really hurt my feelings.” Yu Tanning shielded the hairdryer behind her back, deftly dodging Jiang Yao’s attempts to grab it.

Jiang Yao was fed up with this cat-and-mouse game. Gritting her teeth, she conceded, “Fine! I was wrong! I’ll dry your hair! Happy now?”

“Then you have to dry it completely, Boss, or I’ll catch a cold.”

I can’t believe I have to deal with this brat!

“If you don’t trust me, dry it yourself!”

“No way! I only want you to dry my hair.”

Yu Tanning raised an eyebrow and smiled, finally stopping her teasing.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

Jiang Yao sighed in relief, quickly snatched back the incriminating hairdryer, and pointed to the mirror by the wardrobe. “Go sit over there.”

Yu Tanning glanced at the soft cushion in front of the mirror and playfully scolded, “Boss, if you want to see my body, just say so. No need to wait for me to accidentally expose myself.”

Jiang Yao almost wondered if she’d suddenly forgotten how to speak Chinese.

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