I Could Never Fall In Love With A Villain - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Can We Exchange Contact Info?

The sudden appearance of the intern caused a hush among the guests chatting around Song Jinxun. Then, everyone began praising Song Jinxun for his diligence.

“There was an urgent matter at the company. Since the files were on the office computer, I had my secretary arrange for someone to deliver them,” Song Jinxun said apologetically. “I need to go to the study to handle this now, so please excuse me.”

He finished his drink, and the guests had no choice but to swallow their remaining words. Liang Yunxi was about to slip away quietly when Song Jinxun called out to her.

“Student… thank you for your hard work. There’s no rush to leave. Stay and have something to eat; I’ll have a driver take you home after the banquet.”

So approachable, Liang Yunxi thought with admiration. She was about to decline, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure. While she was dazed, Song Jinxun took the bag and left.

Liang Yunxi felt out of place at the banquet, but she plucked up her courage to find that familiar person. Mu Yin was just about to lean in to eavesdrop on some conversations when Liang Yunxi walked toward her.

“…?”

“Miss Mu.” Liang Yunxi’s eyes sparkled with surprise. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Mu Yin was surprised too—not just that Liang Yunxi was here, but that she had initiated the conversation. She studied her. “Why are you here?”

Liang Yunxi smiled. “I’m currently an intern at Starlink Tech under the Song Group. I’m just running an errand to deliver something to President Song.”

Mu Yin didn’t react immediately. Liang Yunxi looked grateful and continued, “I’m really thankful to you, Miss Mu. Because of your visit to the shop last time, I made a lot in commissions. The reward was much higher than I expected! I’m a senior now, and I didn’t choose a corporate internship earlier because the pay couldn’t solve my family’s troubles… Thanks to you, I solved them early and can finally pursue my dreams. I was lucky enough to get hired by Starlink.”

“…”

Mu Yin appeared calm, but her mind was filled with question marks. She knew the butterfly effect had started, but she hadn’t expected that a small flap of wings back then would create a storm that hadn’t ended yet.

In the original plot, Liang Yunxi was supposed to meet Pei Che at that luxury store, starting a melodramatic romance between a Cinderella and several wealthy men. Now, they hadn’t even met, and she was an intern at Song Jinxun’s company.

Suddenly, Mu Yin’s ears went silent. Memory fragments flashed through her mind, and words rearranged themselves into new sentences. The plot had changed.

Liang Yunxi actually appeared at the Song family banquet, like a dodder flower wandering into a golden cage.

Seeing Pei Che’s gaze land on Liang Yunxi, Mu Yin felt bitter—why? Why did Pei Che look at her differently?

The lake in the backyard shimmered. A crazy thought flashed through Mu Yin’s mind—what would happen if Liang Yunxi fell into the water? The lake wasn’t deep; she wouldn’t drown. She just wanted Liang Yunxi to look like a drowned rat and lose face in front of everyone…

The seeds of darkness sprouted in Mu Yin’s heart, eventually growing into a tree that would drag her forever into the mire.

“Miss Mu?” Liang Yunxi’s worried eyes came back into focus.

“Oh, I’m fine. Congratulations,” Mu Yin said, turning away.

Liang Yunxi felt a bit lost, wondering if she was just bad at talking and if that’s why Miss Mu didn’t want to chat.

…

In a quiet corner, Mu Yin took two glasses of wine from a waiter and downed them both.

“Drinking that much?” Mu Xuan appeared beside her, his gaze critical. “That’s high-proof stuff. Don’t go playing the ‘drunkard game’ here later. I won’t help you; it’s embarrassing.”

Mu Yin didn’t have time for him. She put down the glass and said, “I’m going out for some air.”

She headed for the backyard. Through the glass, the rose garden looked romantic under the moonlight. Mu Yin’s heart was beating faster than usual. She was about to do something truly “evil”—how could she not be nervous?

According to the updated plot, Pei Che and Liang Yunxi would meet by accident during the banquet. It wasn’t her turn yet; she was just here to scout the location. Being a villainess wasn’t easy these days.

“Miss Mu.”

As she pushed open the glass door to the backyard, a soft call came from behind. She turned around. Liang Yunxi was standing right there.

Mu Yin was dumbfounded. Dammit, isn’t she supposed to be meeting Pei Che at the banquet? Why did she follow me?!

Liang Yunxi said with a smile, “I accidentally ate a dessert containing alcohol and felt a bit unwell, so I wanted some fresh air.”

Mu Yin had no reason to stop her. So, the heroine and the villainess took a bizarre stroll under the moonlight together. In the awkward silence, Liang Yunxi squeezed out another, “I’m really grateful to you.”

Mu Yin couldn’t stand the gratitude. If Liang Yunxi were a bad person, she could justify the “bullying” as a public service. But she wasn’t—she was incredibly thankful. The more she acted like this, the more Mu Yin felt like a terrible person for what she was about to do.

They reached the lake. The water wasn’t deep, and there were no railings for aesthetic reasons.

Liang Yunxi, a social introvert, tried to find a topic. “By the way, I haven’t introduced myself properly. I’m Liang Yunxi.”

I know, Mu Yin thought. Outwardly, she nodded. “Mu Yin.”

“I know! I mean… I’ve heard of you.” Liang Yunxi walked quickly to her side, her eyes bright. “Can we exchange contact info?”

“…” Mu Yin numbly took out her phone. They scanned QR codes and added each other.

“I’m so happy to know you!” Liang Yunxi breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a figure approached from the path. It was a tall, middle-aged woman, well-maintained but very thin, with a kind smile.

“Don’t go further,” the woman said. “The streetlights are broken over there. It’s too dark; you might fall into the lake.”

Liang Yunxi got nervous. “Miss Mu, it’s unsafe. Should we head back?”

The woman walked beside them, acting like a hostess. “Are you guests tonight?”

Liang Yunxi explained she was just there to deliver a computer. The woman smiled. “You’re both so cute. Young girls are so full of energy. The banquet is lively; relax and have fun.”

Mu Yin suddenly asked, “Are you from the Song family?”

The woman’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. I’m… Jinxun and Xingyao’s mother.”

Liang Yunxi gasped. “So you’re Mrs. Song.”

Mu Yin frowned. “But I remember Mrs. Song has been living abroad?”

“Did you just return to the country?” Liang Yunxi asked curiously.

As they walked under a functional streetlight, Mrs. Song’s face looked strangely pale, as if she were malnourished or sleep-deprived. Mu Yin saw a flash of daze in her eyes.

“No,” Mrs. Song said. “I’ve never been abroad.”

This woman is strange.

Before Mu Yin could press further, Mrs. Song stopped and clutched her chest. “I… I suddenly feel very unwell.”

Liang Yunxi panicked. “Mrs. Song, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

Mrs. Song bent over in pain. “My heart feels like it’s tearing. It’s so painful…”

Mu Yin grabbed her arm. “I’ll help you inside.”

They were close to the glass door, but Mrs. Song shook her head. “No… I can’t. I can’t take a single step. Every step hurts my nerves.” She sank to the ground and curled up.

“Miss Mu, I’ll go get help!” Liang Yunxi shouted and ran off.

“Mrs. Song, don’t lie flat if your heart is uncomfortable…” Mu Yin took off her coat to prop up the woman’s lower limbs, but it wasn’t high enough.

Suddenly, someone arrived. Mu Yin looked up and saw Pei Che’s face.