Damn It! I Fell for the Hated Villainess Again! - Chapter 6

Jiang Yao also fell into deep thought.

It wasn’t until after class that Jiang Yao realized what she had sent. She couldn’t take it back, and to make matters worse, Yu Tanning had replied with a matching cat emoji making a heart.

What is this? Is she a masochist or just playing abstract?

Jiang Yao stared at the two cats on her screen, struggling to find the right words. She typed:

[Jiang Yao: I sent the wrong emoji.]

It was lunchtime, and Yu Tanning replied almost immediately:

[Yu Tanning: Class over?]

[Jiang Yao: Yeah.]

Just as Jiang Yao was about to ask what was going on, a video call from Yu Tanning popped up.

Jiang Yao nearly dropped her phone in shock. She reflexively hung up, then quickly typed a lie, fearing Yu Tanning would call back without thinking.

Jiang Yao: Can’t talk right now!

Yu Tanning: Oh, I’m on the second floor of the cafeteria. I saved you a good seat.

Yu Tanning: As thanks for the coffee this morning.

Yu Tanning: [Image]

Jiang Yao had expected Yu Tanning to be furious about the “KO and kill you” emoji, but instead, the bitch was inviting her to lunch.

Jiang Yao clicked on the image and her eyes widened.

The photo was packed with information: first, the lush lakeside view with swaying willow branches, so picturesque it looked more like a trendy new Chinese restaurant than a cafeteria. Second, the spotless table was set with only two place settings, clearly indicating that Yu Tanning was alone and hadn’t invited anyone else.

But the most shocking detail was that Yu Tanning had ordered takeout from Qiehe Private Kitchen!

Is this really a thank you?!

Trading a $9.9$ yuan cheap coffee for a high-end private chef meal starting at $1200$ yuan? Even M North wouldn’t dare pull off such a scam!

Jiang Yao was completely baffled.

She stood frozen, racking her brain to recall every interaction she’d had with Yu Tanning since moving into the dorm. She couldn’t think of a single earth-shattering event that could possibly justify this extravagant lunch.

What exactly was Yu Tanning up to? Was she trying to curry favor with Jiang Yao?

What was her angle? Did she like Jiang Yao’s fiery temper? Or her legions of haters? Or the fact that Jiang Yao could pull all-nighters without collapsing?

Could it be… was Yu Tanning trying to seduce her?

Jiang Yao froze for a moment, realizing this explanation made the most sense.

Voluntarily switching dorms could be a saintly act for public consumption, and playing the damsel in distress could be a tactic to maintain peace. But splurging on Jiang Yao’s favorite dishes was undeniably suggestive.

Jiang Yao slammed her phone shut, a dark line forming across her forehead, and pulled up Feng Lin’s WeChat to unleash a barrage of messages.

Jiang Yao: You entrusted your granddaughter to a stranger’s care, and now there’s an $80%$ chance she’s about to be seduced. Don’t forget what you promised me, Feng Lin.

After sending the message, Jiang Yao pocketed her phone, determined to confront Yu Tanning face-to-face and set things straight.

Jiang Yao believed she had no grudges against Yu Tanning and was reasonably satisfied with their current roommate arrangement. She spent the walk to the cafeteria rehearsing seven or eight tactful ways to reject Yu Tanning’s advances.

But when she arrived, Yu Tanning’s first words were:

“That morning coffee was really energizing. As thanks, how about you deduct $200$ from my share of the bill?”

Jiang Yao opened her mouth, but the carefully rehearsed words of refusal caught in her throat. She stared at the faint smile playing at the corners of Yu Tanning’s lips, gritting her teeth. “That’s it?”

Yu Tanning leisurely opened the takeout box, the lake’s shimmering reflections dancing in her fox-like eyes, both gentle and cunning. “Just take it as a joke. Don’t think I’m not sincere enough, Boss.”

Jiang Yao quickly cut her off. “No, no, I think splitting the bill is fine. How much is this meal? I’ll pay half.”

Yu Tanning used the serving chopsticks to pick out the best-looking spare rib from the box and placed it on Jiang Yao’s plate, her voice languid. “Splitting the bill won’t do. I still need you to agree to something.”

Here it comes!

Alarm bells blared in Jiang Yao’s mind, and she momentarily forgot to breathe. “What is it?”

“Cover my elective class for a week.”

“That’s all?” Jiang Yao exhaled in relief, then realized the magnitude of the request and gasped. “What?! A whole week?!”

The surrounding students, already losing their appetites due to Jiang Yao’s presence, now froze in terror at the sight of the “Demon Queen” about to erupt. They avoided eye contact and tried to slip away unnoticed.

Yu Tanning raised a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. “Calm down, calm down. Let’s eat first.”

Yu Tanning deliberately slid the most fragrant dish—black truffle-baked cod—closer to Jiang Yao’s nose. Jiang Yao hadn’t had this dish in a week, and her cravings surged. She reluctantly took the bait.

“Why are you asking me to cover your class? Is this some kind of student council sting operation?” Jiang Yao asked after eating two bites of fish.

“I have to go abroad for a business competition next week,” Yu Tanning explained. “But the elective professor doesn’t recognize non-university events and won’t grant me an excused absence.”

Jiang Yao, who had once audited classes while trying to switch majors, understood the situation perfectly. Still, one thing puzzled her: “So why me? Wouldn’t asking a classmate be more reliable? Unless you…”

Unless you secretly like me and are trying to get my attention…

“Unless what?” Yu Tanning pressed.

Jiang Yao slammed on the brakes, forcing herself to retort, “Get to the point. Why specifically me?”

Yu Tanning raised an eyebrow, as if the answer were obvious. “Because you’re the prettiest boss, duh.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Jiang Yao snapped.

“Alright, I was just teasing you,” Yu Tanning said, looking away. She pulled out her phone, brought up her class schedule, and slid it across the table. “The elective is Professor Lin’s ‘Material Innovation and Cutting-Edge Applications.'”

With a flick of her pale, slender fingers, Yu Tanning switched to the course description page, continuing her enticement. “Professor Lin is a leading figure in materials science. She has extensive connections within the industry, collaborating with top fabric suppliers and research institutions. I’ve reviewed next week’s syllabus—it covers cutting-edge developments in clothing materials, like smart wearable fabrics and biodegradable textiles.”

“Rather than having my finance classmates struggle through it, why not let my dear roommate handle it?”

Jiang Yao leaned closer to the screen, her eyes scanning the list of unfamiliar yet intriguing material names. She felt both tempted and cautious. “If I take this class for you, I’d get all the benefits. Why would you still treat me to dinner? Besides, you’re so well-known on campus—every professor must recognize you. Skipping class would be obvious!”

Yu Tanning waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. Professor Lin has face blindness. If you wear my clothes to class, she’ll never notice.”

“As for the dinner,” Yu Tanning lowered her voice, “it’s because… next week’s class is my presentation, and I haven’t prepared much yet.”

Jiang Yao’s chopsticks paused mid-air. “You mean, if I treat you to a meal, I have to prepare your presentation for you?”

“Yep! Thanks, boss! Professor Lin is really strict about presentations, so I need to submit a $3,000$-word verbatim transcript and a PowerPoint by today for her review.”

Jiang Yao could hardly believe her ears. “Today?!”

Yu Tanning smiled. “To be precise, by $4$ PM today.”

“$4$ PM?! You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Jiang Yao hated deadlines more than anything. She wanted to break Yu Tanning’s legs right then and there. “Have you even bothered to check the time? Even freelance writers on Taobao wouldn’t take this rush job! You think I’m some AI you can just tweak? I’d advise you to go beg your professor for mercy instead of bothering me!”

Yu Tanning remained unfazed, her calm, confident smile unwavering.

She gently tugged at Jiang Yao’s sleeve, her voice softening into a playful tone. “Boss~ You’re the most talented and brilliant in fashion design! A mere $3,000$-word transcript and a little PowerPoint are nothing for you.”

“Besides, with me around, you’ll never lack an assistant. Boss, feel free to boss me around—I’ll do anything you ask!”

Jiang Yao yanked her hand away from Yu Tanning, her face still livid as she turned away, refusing to look at the obnoxious woman across from her.

Yu Tanning, practiced at handling Jiang Yao’s prickly moods, coaxed her with a drawn-out, soothing tone, “I’ve been so swamped preparing for the business competition that I completely forgot about this presentation. But look, you were the first person I thought of when I remembered! I wouldn’t trust anyone else with this—for anything related to fashion design, who else could do it as quickly and perfectly as you?”

Jiang Yao was truly exasperated.

Others might say arguing with an unreasonable person is futile, but she felt like she was being charmed into submission by a fox spirit.

Her earlier resolve had crumbled, she’d already acted like a dog, and now she couldn’t even say if she’d ever stop being one.

Feeling utterly drained, Jiang Yao sighed deeply, then recalled Professor Peng’s words and asked Yu Tanning sternly, “Do you act like this with everyone?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Flattering, fawning, and pretending to be innocent.”

Yu Tanning subtly shifted her smile. Though still artificial, it now carried the practiced edge of a seasoned professional, a hint of aggression flickering in her eyes.

“Boss, being adaptable and resourceful is just basic business etiquette for maintaining relationships. But the flirting and fawning you’re talking about? That’s strictly for close roommates.”

Jiang Yao frowned. “You acted like this with your previous roommate too? Didn’t she think you were being fake?”

“My previous roommate?” Yu Tanning narrowed her eyes, leaning closer to Jiang Yao. “She wasn’t worth me lowering myself for. Boss, why are you so concerned about who I flirt with? Are you jealous?”

As she leaned in, Yu Tanning’s unique cedarwood scent drifted around Jiang Yao’s ears like the warmth of a pine bonfire on a cold winter day, making her cheeks flush involuntarily.

Jiang Yao’s face instantly turned crimson, and she jerked back defensively. “Jealous? Who’s jealous! Stop being so conceited! I’m just curious how many victims have fallen for your tricks!”

She pursed her lips in feigned disdain, but her eyes darted nervously around the room, avoiding Yu Tanning’s gaze.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Jiang Yao thought she heard Yu Tanning sigh softly. “Actually, I’m quite envious of you.”

Jiang Yao pointed at herself. “Me?”

Yu Tanning dropped her teasing demeanor and nodded solemnly.

Confirming she hadn’t misheard, Jiang Yao was even more bewildered. “Envious of me? Envious of my terrible temper? Envious of my hordes of haters? Envious that I’m too stubborn to give up?”

Yu Tanning chuckled softly, the sound like a feather-light hook gently tugging at Jiang Yao’s heart. “I envy your freedom.”

Her earlier flippant tone seemed like a distant memory. Though Yu Tanning’s smile remained unchanged, her dark eyes seemed to gaze into some wistful memory, tinged with a lingering melancholy.

Jiang Yao stared at her, stunned. In their brief acquaintance, Yu Tanning had always struck her as dazzlingly radiant, the center of attention, a golden girl who got whatever she wanted at school. Her enviable resume left others in the dust, and Jiang Yao had always been the one envying her.

“You…”

If anyone else had said they envied her, Jiang Yao would have simply let them stew in their jealousy. But Yu Tanning’s words, though utterly unexpected, carried an undeniable sincerity that left Jiang Yao speechless and momentarily disoriented.

“Trying to comfort me?” Yu Tanning asked. “Then, Boss, how about you finish typing up my transcript first? We’ve already wasted half an hour.”

The tender moment vanished in an instant, Jiang Yao nearly crushing her chopsticks in frustration.

I’ll never pity Yu Tanning for her miserable life again!

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