Damn It! I Fell for the Hated Villainess Again! - Chapter 28

Su Xiao chased after her. “Sister! You can pay in installments!”

Jiang Yao was stunned by Su Xiao’s obsession with the money. “Eight billion! Do you expect me to pay it off over eight lifetimes?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she grudgingly conceded, “I can’t give you eight billion, but I can help with your mother’s surgery costs.”

“Surgery won’t help,” Su Xiao replied. “My mother’s illness is psychological. Once I clear her eight billion debt, she’ll naturally recover.”

“So, all I need is eight billion.”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

Su Xiao’s gaze swept over Jiang Yao’s designer clothes, studying her shocked expression with a hint of disappointment. “It seems you can’t give me the money.”

Before Jiang Yao could respond, Su Xiao’s expression turned even colder. “Then I can’t fulfill your request either.”

“Do you really think staying by Yu Tanning’s side and sabotaging her will get you eight billion?!” Jiang Yao demanded angrily.

“Of course it will,” Su Xiao replied with a naive smile.

“Did Yu Ting give it to you? Or Yu Tanning?!”

“Since you can’t give it to me, Sister, stop interfering in my affairs.”

With a harmless smile, Su Xiao turned and left.

Jiang Yao stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing with scenarios of exploitation and ruin—a melodramatic love affair gone wrong. Her anxiety only intensified when she stumbled upon the latest CP trend online, leaving her feeling like she’d been struck by lightning, her heart burning with urgency.

The scene from the Muse office corridor had gone viral.

Originally, most fans had shipped Jiang Yao and Yu Tanning. But now, the majority had turned against Jiang Yao, accusing her of malicious intentions and deeming her unworthy of being paired with the beautiful CEO. They rallied under the banner of “Cold CEO & Clumsy Assistant,” shifting their obsession to Su Xiao and Yu Tanning.

What a brainless pairing! Jiang Yao thought. Which elite-educated CEO would ever fall for a clumsy fool?!

Yet the “Cold CEO & Clumsy Assistant” trope only grew more absurd. First, Sweet Orange Films, a subsidiary of the Xiao Group, announced a brain-dead short drama series based on the pairing, titled The Clumsy Assistant Can’t Escape. With a male screenwriter and director, and a male lead sandwiched between the two female leads, the project attracted hordes of toxic male fans, turning the entire fandom into a cesspool of misogyny.

Jiang Yao’s and Yu Tanning’s fanfiction used to be simple GL stories, but Su Xiao’s and Yu Tanning’s fanfiction was mostly harem-style, written by the most repulsive male authors. They were so vile that reading even a glance required an immediate trip to the ophthalmologist.

Jiang Yao nearly exploded with rage at her phone. She reported over a dozen harem stories in quick succession, further solidifying her determination to dismantle this cursed pairing.

But how could she do it?

Even though Su Xiao’s motives for approaching Yu Tanning were impure, she was still the main female lead. It was impossible to predict whether Yu Tanning might eventually hate her so much that she fell in love with her.

And Jiang Yao was the villainous supporting character. No matter how sincerely she tried to warn Yu Tanning, she’d likely be dismissed as deliberately trying to sabotage Su Xiao—a thankless effort.

Since that day, Jiang Yao hadn’t returned to her dorm, and Yu Tanning hadn’t contacted her either.

Could Yu Tanning be influenced by the plot, already seeing me as a scheming woman engaged in a catfight?

Jiang Yao’s heart sank. Overwhelmed by frustration and anxiety, she abandoned her usual composure and hailed a ride-share to rush back to campus.

Regardless of her next move, she needed to gauge Yu Tanning’s current attitude toward her first.

It was Sunday, the last day of the semester. Many students who had finished their final exams had already left campus, but the Student Union members remained, working tirelessly like beasts of burden to prepare welcome gifts, greeting cards, hand-drawn maps, and other materials for the incoming freshmen.

Yu Tanning had recently won the Student Union presidency election and now, as the president, she had to stay in the office and maintain a tight grip on operations.

Through various posts on the school forum, Jiang Yao had confirmed Yu Tanning’s movements. Taking advantage of the lunch break, she stood outside the Student Union office door, holding a cup of smoked coconut Americano.

As the clock struck noon, the Student Union members stopped their assembly-line work and rushed to the cafeteria without a moment’s hesitation.

The moment they stepped outside, they saw Jiang Yao, the notorious “Great Demon King,” waiting at the door with a surprisingly clear-eyed expression. The hungry members exchanged strange glances, but none dared approach her. They scurried away silently, hugging the walls.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the department heads leisurely emerged. Their expressions shifted unpredictably when they saw Jiang Yao, who had been “missing in action” for quite some time.

Zhang Ke, having already been elected vice president, approached Jiang Yao with a “let’s not burn bridges” attitude. “Classmate Jiang, are you waiting for Yu Tanning?”

Jiang Yao nodded, offering no further explanation.

Xiao Cheng materialized out of nowhere. Ever since their disastrous blind date, she seemed to harbor a permanent grudge against Jiang Yao, greeting her with venomous sarcasm: “Well, well, Jiang Yao, still fawning over him like a lovesick puppy!”

Jiang Yao turned away, ignoring the barking dog.

Xiao Cheng persisted relentlessly: “Jiang Yao, news of your bullying the poor assistant at Muse has spread far and wide. Do you really think you can still play the innocent Hello Kitty act in front of Yu Tanning?”

“Can’t you mind your own business?” Jiang Yao glared coldly.

“Hmm? How can this be ‘none of my business’? You’re harassing the Student Union President. As his right-hand woman, how can I stand by and watch?”

“Oh, right-hand woman? Someone who bought their position as a department head? If that’s the case, Yu Tanning might as well apply for disability benefits.”

“I advise you to worry less about me and more about fixing your Sweet Orange’s short dramas! They’re so full of male pandering, they’ll be bankrupt sooner or later.”

Jiang Yao retorted with merciless sarcasm, her gaze suddenly catching a glimpse of moon-white at the doorway.

The scent of cedarwood surged from her memory, her heart racing involuntarily, the tips of her ears burning hot.

Xiao Cheng continued to rant before her, but Jiang Yao heard nothing, her eyes fixed blankly in Yu Tanning’s direction.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Yu Tanning’s complexion seemed off. Though she wore a polite, practiced smile, it carried an undercurrent of weariness.

Jiang Yao wanted to call out to her, but a tangled knot of embarrassment, guilt, and resentment rose in her throat, leaving it numb and unable to produce a sound.

The moment Yu Tanning saw them, she froze at the entrance, her amber eyes trembling slightly, like willow leaves falling onto the surface of a still lake.

The Fine Arts College’s final exams ended earliest.

Yu Tanning hadn’t expected Jiang Yao to return to campus, let alone visit the Student Union office.

Was Jiang Yao here to see her…? But Jiang Yao had blocked her…

That day, she had desperately wanted to explain everything to Jiang Yao—from her cousin’s schemes to her own despicable actions.

She had wanted to remove her mask and use the little sincerity she possessed to earn Jiang Yao’s forgiveness.

The moment Yu Tanning typed “Yaoyao,” a crimson exclamation mark shattered all her illusions.

The pain of being blocked was unbearable. Every time she thought about it, the wound reopened, refusing to heal, bleeding endlessly.

Yu Tanning dared not send another message.

She even removed Jiang Yao from her pinned contacts, burying the wound beneath a long list of work group chats, trying to paint her life as if she’d never met Jiang Yao.

A fragile act of self-deception.

After a busy week, Yu Tanning thought she was gradually getting used to life without Jiang Yao.

Until just now, when she heard Xiao Cheng repeatedly calling out “Jiang Yao.” Using the excuse of auditory hallucinations, she convinced herself to leave her office, only to find Jiang Yao actually standing at the door.

The bag in Jiang Yao’s hand was from the café downstairs in the dormitory building.

Jiang Yao never drank coffee from that place. So who was it for…?

Almost everyone had left. None of the few remaining people were close to Jiang Yao.

Could it be for me…?

But if it was for her, why didn’t Jiang Yao call out her name when she saw her?

Yu Tanning’s heart pounded anxiously. One foot felt like it was weighed down with lead, heavy and numb.

Xiao Cheng glanced back, sneered at Jiang Yao behind her, and strode over. “Let’s go eat, Yu Tanning. Don’t pay her any attention.”

Jiang Yao’s pupils dilated in shock.

Had Yu Tanning and Xiao Cheng become close while I was away? So what if Su Xiao is the main female lead? What about Xiao Cheng? That damn, trashy, second-generation scion! Does she even deserve Yu Tanning?!

The lump in Jiang Yao’s throat dissolved instantly. She angrily called out to the retreating figures, “Is this how the Student Union treats ordinary students?!”

Xiao Cheng scoffed. “Sorry, you’re no ordinary student. You’re a stain on Beijing University’s reputation.”

“Xiao Cheng!” Yu Tanning frowned. “That’s no way to talk. Apologize to her right now.”

Xiao Cheng didn’t care much about Yu Tanning, but she hated Jiang Yao even more. She ignored Yu Tanning’s stern tone. “Yu Tanning, are you blind? Can’t you see what kind of villain Jiang Yao is? Apologizing to someone like her would only encourage her twisted behavior.”

Yu Tanning struggled to maintain her composure, then declared righteously, “We’re all students of Beijing University. Instead of uniting against external rumors, we’re stabbing each other in the back. That’s the real twisted behavior.”

“Xiao Cheng, even if your family provides financial support to the school’s arts programs, I still have to report to the faculty advisor if you’re not suited for a position in the Student Union.”

Xiao Cheng’s face darkened. “Yu Tanning, what are you implying? I’m trying to help you, and you’re acting like I have ulterior motives? Do you really think becoming Student Union President makes you untouchable?”

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Yao stepped forward to shield Yu Tanning. “Is your idea of ‘help’ to smear me with dirt? And what happens after you’ve thrown mud? Does the entire Student Union suddenly gain eternal life?”

“You call me ‘Beijing University’s disgrace’ but can’t produce a shred of real evidence. Xiao Cheng, your vocabulary is as limited as a broken record. All you do is parrot online garbage. Keep at it, and you’ll wear out that tape of hate in your mouth soon enough! Then maybe you’ll come up with something new!”

Xiao Cheng’s face flushed crimson with anger, but she couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

Jiang Yao sneered. “You dare talk about being kind? You’re the one who posted that anonymous thread on the campus forum claiming Yu Tanning would do anything to win the election, aren’t you? Stop pretending to be a good person! Your heart is darker than anyone’s!”

Zhang Ke gasped beside them. “Xiao Cheng, did you really post that?”

Earlier, people were accusing me of posting it! It’s so unfair!

Xiao Cheng ignored Zhang Ke, gritting her teeth. “Jiang Yao, do you have any proof?”

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I didn’t realize the word ‘proof’ existed in your vocabulary.”

“So you’re just slandering me!”

“How could this be slander? I’m doing you a favor! I just learned from you that throwing mud can extend the lifespan of the entire Student Union.”

“Alright, you threw mud at me once, I threw mud at you once—we’re even now. Xiao Cheng, next time you want to sling mud, try using your brain a little. Stop resorting to such low tactics. We’re all Beijing University students here; if your intelligence keeps scraping the floor, it’ll make us look bad.”

“Jiang Yao! Do you think your sharp tongue can change the fact that everyone hates you?”

Jiang Yao chuckled, stepping closer, her aura sharp as a blade. “Speaking of facts, you’ve been throwing your weight around in the Student Union, bullying rivals, all because your family donated to the school. And now you want to build your reputation by stepping on mine?”

“So I’m disliked? What does that make you? A puppet hiding behind your family’s money? You’re no better than me.”

“Shut up!” Xiao Cheng roared, lunging to grab Jiang Yao by the collar. But Jiang Yao seized her wrist with pinpoint accuracy, twisting it to shove her back. The force was perfectly measured—enough to send Xiao Cheng stumbling backward without actually knocking her over.

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with mockery. “Oh, Xiao Cheng, can’t win with words, so you resort to violence? What kind of villain are you, anyway?”

Several onlookers couldn’t suppress their laughter, and Xiao Cheng’s face flushed crimson, then paled. She glared at Jiang Yao, her voice venomous. “You’ll pay for this!”

“Sure. I’ll be waiting. Next time we meet, I hope you’ll be less easily provoked, Miss Xiao.” Jiang Yao crossed her arms, her posture both languid and arrogant.

Xiao Cheng turned to leave, stumbling in her fury, and fled down the corridor in utter disarray.

Yu Tanning watched Jiang Yao’s straight back, a warmth spreading through her heart.

She was certain Jiang Yao had just stood up for her.

This meant there was still a chance for them.

Feeling Yu Tanning’s slightly burning gaze behind her, Jiang Yao hesitated to turn around. The opening lines she had rehearsed in her mind vanished without a trace.

The onlookers began to disperse for lunch, and Jiang Yao panicked at the thought of being left alone with Yu Tanning. In a flurry, she ducked her head, turned, and shoved the coffee into Yu Tanning’s hand, ready to flee.

Almost the instant the coffee touched Yu Tanning’s hand, a warm hand closed around her wrist.

A slightly hoarse voice, tinged with a nasal rasp, came from above.

“Yaoyao, can we talk…?”

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