Did I Succeed in Redeeming the Villain Today? - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Mission “Make a Friend” Successful…

Sunset bathed the corridor outside the classroom, casting long silhouettes of two figures standing by a pillar.

Mu Qiuyu walked out of the classroom unhurriedly and stood across from Pei Yinyue. The sun, like an ultra-fine brush, outlined their equally slender and upright frames. They had the same shoulder-length hair and identical, neatly worn school uniforms, with their collar bows tied perfectly.

Watching Mu Qiuyu emerge, Pei Yinyue gave her a polite smile. “What a coincidence, you’re still here.”

“It’s not a coincidence,” Mu Qiuyu stated directly.

Having spent more than a semester in the same class as Pei Yinyue, she knew the girl had come looking for her only because she was certain Mu Qiuyu would still be in the classroom. Unlike Pei Yinyue’s pristine appearance, Mu Qiuyu’s collar—missing a button—slumped slightly, reflecting an aura that was distant yet casual. She was never a by-the-book student. Even though she and Pei Yinyue shared similarities, they were fundamentally different.

Pei Yinyue smiled, not at all offended. Instead, she handed the items in her hand to Mu Qiuyu. “These are the certificate and prize money from the Art Festival. The homeroom teacher insisted I give them to you personally.”

For a long time now, honors hadn’t been something that brought Mu Qiuyu any particular joy. Such things were merely external accessories; they weren’t nearly as important as the money.

Mu Qiuyu reached out and took the items, her thin lips parting slightly. “Thanks.”

“It was no trouble,” Pei Yinyue replied. She didn’t intend to end the conversation there. She looked at Mu Qiuyu and asked, “How are you doing? Are you alright?”

The question carried a double meaning—referring to both yesterday’s incident and Mu Qiuyu’s transfer to the “regular” class. Having been in the same class before, Mu Qiuyu had inevitably dealt with Pei Yinyue, but their relationship had always been lukewarm. She couldn’t quite judge the purpose behind Pei Yinyue’s initiative to get closer, so she maintained a steady distance.

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

“That’s good.” Pei Yinyue nodded with a smile and proactively extended an olive branch. “Are you getting ready to go home? Want to go together?”

“Pei—”

“You’re going home too? Let’s the three of us go together!”

Following Li Xiang’s earlier example, Mu Qiuyu finally understood why Pei Yinyue had come looking for her. She didn’t like having too much concern directed her way and habitually moved to refuse. But before the words could leave her mouth, Li Xiang emerged carrying Lu Ning.

Before Mu Qiuyu could re-initiate her refusal, Lu Ning let out a cry: “Meow! (And me!)”

Though she couldn’t understand the kitten’s words, Li Xiang understood the sentiment and immediately corrected herself: “Four. It should be the four of us.”

Satisfied, Lu Ning rubbed against Li Xiang’s hand. “Meow~”

Then, she turned her head toward Mu Qiuyu and spoke through their private channel: “Host, give it a try! Going home together is really fun.”

A warm breeze blew through the corridor, making the kitten’s fur flutter. Her voice was full of anticipation, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Mu Qiuyu. The crimson sunset was reflected in the kitten’s crystalline blue eyes, like the smallest lake in the world.

Mu Qiuyu’s expression shifted slightly. Seeing that Li Xiang had already brought her backpack out, she took both the bag and the cat. “Let’s go.”

The sun hung halfway behind the school clock tower, watching the three figures walk out of the teaching building. The “group” led by Mu Qiuyu was thus established. Mu Qiuyu had never imagined that one day, she would become the bridge in a social relationship.

Li Xiang also found it miraculous. She looked curiously at Pei Yinyue walking beside her and introduced herself: “Hello! My name is Li Xiang—’Li’ from dawn, ‘Xiang’ from imagination. What’s yours?”

“Pei Yinyue. ‘Pei’ from non-clothing, ‘Yin-Yue’ because I was born on a night in the Year of the Tiger,” Pei Yinyue responded softly.

Hearing this, Li Xiang couldn’t help but exclaim, “Your name is even more poetic than mine!”

Being naturally sociable, she then pointed to the kitten in Mu Qiuyu’s arms and introduced her to Pei Yinyue: “This is ‘Kitten.’ She’s our class pet and is very clingy with Qiuyu.”

“I know her. We met yesterday,” Pei Yinyue smiled at Lu Ning. She thoughtfully omitted the part about Lu Ning sneaking out of the house and getting lost, saving both the kitten and its owner from any potential blame.

Lu Ning’s impression of Pei Yinyue was very good. Upon hearing this, she immediately let out a soft “Meow~” to her.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, and clouds covered half the sun. The spring temperature dropped abruptly, causing Lu Ning to shiver. The fur on the kitten’s head twitched. Lu Ning inexplicably felt a cold gaze on her. She looked up and saw Mu Qiuyu staring at her expressionlessly with downcast eyes.

“Hos—”

“Walk on your own.”

As if history were repeating itself, Lu Ning once again lost her “exclusive carriage” and was ruthlessly dropped onto the asphalt by Mu Qiuyu. The kitten stood on the pavement, feeling aggrieved and confused, not knowing what she had done to upset her master this time.

Mu Qiuyu didn’t tell her. She adjusted her backpack straps and walked on indifferently.

The action was so blatant that even Pei Yinyue, who was chatting back and forth with Li Xiang, couldn’t help but notice. Just as she was about to ask, she was interrupted by Li Xiang’s excited voice: “Fried skewers! You guys want some?”

Li Xiang was completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. Her attention was entirely captured by the fragrant roadside stall. “The skewers this auntie makes are delicious! I highly recommend them.” As a foodie, Li Xiang’s eyes were practically glowing.

Pei Yinyue hesitated, caught between the two. Before she could decide whether to go to Mu Qiuyu or follow Li Xiang, she was pulled away by the latter.

Watching the two of them head toward the stall, Mu Qiuyu remained unmoved. She had little interest in food; in fact, she felt a sense of relief seeing them leave. She moved to walk the rest of the way alone.

“…”

But just as she took a step, she felt a small paw tugging at her. The kitten had retracted its claws and was carefully scratching at Mu Qiuyu’s sock-covered calf.

Mu Qiuyu looked down and asked expressionlessly, “What is it?”

“Aren’t you going to try some, Host?” Lu Ning tried to hold her back.

If making friends was a multi-stage process, then sharing delicious “junk food” was a rare moment for building bonds. Besides, she hadn’t eaten junk food in ages, and the smell was making her mouth water. D*mn System settings. She had so few points that she couldn’t even afford to buy herself a single starch sausage.

Lu Ning was envious and longing, but Mu Qiuyu remained uninterested, coldly dropping two words: “Not going.”

“It’s really good! Especially the starch sausages—they’re a delicacy! Back when I was on… I often saw other Hosts eating them.” Lu Ning refused to give up, circling Mu Qiuyu’s legs and doing her best to recommend a taste, nearly letting her past slip.

But even with the slip-up, the break in Lu Ning’s sentence was so obvious that Mu Qiuyu slightly raised an eyebrow. She lowered her long lashes and looked at the kitten with interest.

Only when Lu Ning began to feel flustered by the gaze did she speak unhurriedly: “You’ve had other Hosts?”

“?”

Lu Ning froze. She thought Mu Qiuyu was going to catch her on the first half of the sentence, but she had asked about the last half instead. Lu Ning had thought about this before; to gain Mu Qiuyu’s trust, she had to pretend to be an experienced veteran System. She handled the question smoothly.

“Of course. I am a very experienced System.” The kitten proudly lifted her head, her fluffy fur blowing in the wind. “Please believe me, starch sausages are truly delicious!”

“So you really want to eat one too?” Mu Qiuyu asked quietly, ruthlessly exposing Lu Ning’s real motivation.

The sun withdrew the last light from the street, and the streetlights—already lit—fell brightly into the kitten’s eyes. She never expected Mu Qiuyu to see through her little scheme so easily, and her gaze dimmed.

But Lu Ning was not one to be defeated easily. Since she was already seen through, she might as well admit it. Perhaps this could even trigger the achievement of Mu Qiuyu eating at a roadside stall with Li Xiang and the others.

Thus, Lu Ning thickened her skin and nodded. “It would be best if Host could bring one for me too.”

Under the dim yellow streetlights, a cool breeze blew. Mu Qiuyu looked down at Lu Ning, and a cherry blossom petal happened to land softly on the kitten. The black fur acted like a vivid backdrop, making the petal look beautiful and the cat look even more adorable.

Without saying anything else, Mu Qiuyu walked toward the roadside stall.

“Give me—”

“Here.”

Mu Qiuyu had just arrived at the stall and was about to speak when Li Xiang forcefully pushed a starch sausage and a rice cake into her hand. “These two are the best. Try them first.” Li Xiang smiled, her eyes full of the happiness food brought her.

Mu Qiuyu had never thought a cheap starch sausage could bring someone such joy. It was the same for the kitten. Curiosity took over; she looked at the food and took a bite under Li Xiang’s eager gaze.

The freshly fried starch sausage, coated in specially blended spices, was crispy yet soft. Mu Qiuyu knew perfectly well it wasn’t a refined, expensive, or even healthy food, yet she still thought it was good. No wonder Lu Zero was obsessed with it.

Thinking of this, Mu Qiuyu broke off a piece of the sausage. The kitten had already moved to her feet. With a strange tacit understanding, Lu Ning opened her mouth just as Mu Qiuyu let go.

A cat’s tongue is covered in barbs. While grabbing the sausage, she inevitably licked Mu Qiuyu’s palm. That seemingly soft little tongue brushed against the dense nerves of the girl’s fingertips, sending a wave of itchiness through the dampness.

The cat, unaware of what she’d done, sat contentedly eating the sausage. She left Mu Qiuyu standing there, quietly clenching her hand as the itchy sensation spread like a disorder up her arm, to her shoulder, and finally to her heart.

The rice cake, coated in a thick sauce, emitted a sweet but not greasy aroma. Mu Qiuyu preferred this one. Following Li Xiang’s recommendation, she bought a few more. The achievement of “eating at a roadside stall together” was successfully completed, just as Lu Ning had planned.

The bright lights illuminated the pedestrians, lengthening and shortening the girls’ shadows as they walked side by side. Li Xiang’s crisp laughter was like a tambourine stirring the drowsy evening, making time feel as though it were expanding.

Lu Ning listened to Li Xiang’s hilarious stories, savoring the flavor of the snack. She was overjoyed, wagging her tail and circling Mu Qiuyu’s feet. “See, Host? Going home with companions isn’t so lonely, is it?”

Hearing the occasional laughter in her ear, Mu Qiuyu did feel a bit of that. It wasn’t a feeling she hated, but she couldn’t quite say she loved it either. Having been soaked in loneliness for over a decade, she was still more used to being alone. So, rather than joining in Li Xiang’s exuberant conversation, she preferred holding the cat.

Thinking this, Mu Qiuyu leaned down and scooped Lu Ning up again.

“Still want more?” Mu Qiuyu asked proactively, waving the bag on her wrist at Lu Ning.

“Yes!” Lu Ning wagged her tail excitedly, looking forward to it.

But just as Mu Qiuyu was familiarly breaking off another piece of the sausage, a spark of electricity shot through her ears. The world seemed to hit the mute button at that moment, as a crisp announcement rang in both her and Lu Ning’s ears:

[Mission “Make a Friend” successful.]

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