The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 46

In this city, where rain and mist were frequent, Li Ju walked across the ancient stone bridge, holding an umbrella and clutching a bouquet of white roses to her chest.

“Little Ju, off work already?”

The owner of her usual breakfast stall greeted her with a gentle smile. “Yes, I’m off work,” Li Ju replied.

Pushing open the door to her home, Li Ju set the umbrella aside. She gazed at the small, worn yet cozy courtyard, remembering how dusty and cobweb-filled it had been when she first rented it years ago. The landlord’s family had offered her a low rent before emigrating, a gesture of kindness toward their former student.

The courtyard was tastefully arranged, with potted plants in every corner, their vibrant colors vying for attention. Once inhabited, the space seemed to come alive, shedding its lifelessness and brimming with vitality.

Li Ju pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, softening her striking features into a jade-like warmth. Yet when her thin lips curled into a slight smile, her gentle demeanor gained an edge of cold ruthlessness, as if she were bathed in a chilling wind.

Li Ju had no intention of revealing her true nature just yet. She glanced at the melancholic woman sitting motionless on the second floor, her calm eyes flickering with hidden depths.

She smiled faintly to mask her inner turmoil, then ascended the stairs with a gentle demeanor.

The second floor was actually a small attic crammed with old books the landlord had collected over the years. Li Ju had spent several days cleaning the attic, transforming it into a refreshed space.

Mu Linglong, who had been slumped over the desk, heard Li Ju’s footsteps. She tensed and stood up, turning her back to Li Ju.

Pretending not to notice Mu Linglong’s wariness, Li Ju smiled. “I saw some beautiful white roses at the flower shop on my way home. I remembered we had a vase we haven’t used in ages, so I thought I’d buy a bouquet to brighten up the attic. I hope you like them.”

Mu Linglong forced herself to accept the intrusion into her private space. Remembering her parents’ warnings, she struggled to suppress her emotions.

She was accustomed to being alone. Even at home, she had always been this way. Her parents understood her habits, which differed from those of other clan members. Though she had reached maturity and was considered an adult by human standards, they still doted on her, treating her as the apple of their eye. As a result, Mu Linglong remained unchanged, retaining her deep-seated wariness of humans.

Like a startled animal, her panicked expression only fueled Li Ju’s malicious nature. Li Ju deliberately moved closer to Mu Linglong, who predictably began to tremble with fear, her tightly bitten lip radiating a poignant vulnerability.

Mu Linglong was a flawless beauty, with raven-black hair, snow-white skin, and features so exquisite they defied artistic representation. Her most striking feature was her pair of autumn-clear eyes, which seemed to hold countless untold stories within their depths.

But tragedy had struck Mu Linglong, leaving her misty eyes clouded with sorrow and dimming their brilliance, evoking profound pity in those who beheld them.

Li Ju placed the bouquet of pristine white roses on the desk, their pure beauty a stark contrast to the hidden cunning in her eyes. “Miss Mu, do you like white roses?” she asked, carefully concealing her true intentions.

Mu Linglong’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she glanced at the roses, then at the smiling woman. “I don’t have a particular favorite flower,” she murmured softly.

She preferred to be alone in the attic, undisturbed by anyone.

Li Ju smiled gently. “If Miss Mu doesn’t like white roses, I’ll bring a different kind tomorrow.”

Hearing that Li Ju planned to bring her flowers again, Mu Linglong’s heart raced with both alarm and fear. She blurted out anxiously, “No… no need to trouble yourself. White roses are fine. I’ll try to learn to like them.”

To avoid further contact with Li Ju, Mu Linglong hastily rephrased her words, hoping Li Ju would take the hint and leave her alone as if she didn’t even exist in the house. That would be bliss.

But Li Ju was far from kind; she seemed determined to antagonize Mu Linglong. Moreover, their relationship was still in the realm of strangers. If Li Ju acted too familiar, it would raise suspicions.

Pretending not to notice Mu Linglong’s expression, Li Ju feigned concern. “Wouldn’t that be too much of a sacrifice for Miss Mu? It’s just a bouquet of white roses. If you don’t like them, I can bring you a different variety every day.”

Mu Linglong’s heart pounded wildly. She felt that if Li Ju continued, she might be forced to face this unfamiliar human every day.

With a solemn expression, Mu Linglong carefully cradled the bouquet of white roses and said earnestly, “I’m not wronged, not at all. I’m not the person I used to be. After the company went bankrupt and my parents passed away, your kindness in taking me in is an immeasurable blessing. You don’t need to worry about me so much, nor do you need to be so cautious. When my clan… when my distant relatives finish their urgent business, they’ll come to get me. At that time, please accept the generous gift they offer as a token of my gratitude.”

As she spoke of her sorrowful past, a faint mist seemed to rise in her eyes, blurring the edges of her gaze and catching the cool drizzle in a hazy shimmer.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Mu Linglong hastily wiped them away with her hand, the speed of her movement suggesting she was hiding something.

In the palm of her hand, hidden from Li Ju’s view, the tear radiated a faint glow. The light condensed the water droplet into a brilliant, pink gemstone shaped like a teardrop.

Mu Linglong clenched her right hand tightly, fearing Li Ju might notice the anomaly.

Li Ju understood her unspoken message. She removed her glasses, pinched the bridge of her nose, and sighed. “I still remember meeting your parents for the first time when I was six or seven years old. Time flies. So many years have passed, and I’ve grown up, but they… are no longer here. Miss Mu, treating you well is the least I can do. If your parents hadn’t supported me back then, I might not be in a position to care for you now.”

Her delicate features softened, her painted eyebrows and eyes betraying no hint of coldness. When she smiled warmly, no one would believe she was a wicked person.

Even the wary Merman found it difficult to discern Li Ju’s true intentions from her feigned sincerity.

Mu Linglong fought back tears, clutching the roses in her arms as she choked out, “Thank you for taking me in.”

Li Ju adjusted her glasses, the cunning hunter preparing to strike.

This time, she chose to approach Mu Linglong with patience, slowly closing the distance.

After a few steps, she paused.

I can’t push too hard, or it will backfire.

Li Ju reassured her, “There’s no need to thank me. I was quite surprised to see you the other day. I’ve always heard Aunt mention her daughter, but this is the first time we’ve met. Just as she described, you’re a beautiful and shy girl. Make yourself at home here. I’ll take good care of you and keep you company while we wait for your distant relatives to come and fetch you.”

Crying could release pent-up emotions, but given Mu Linglong’s unique circumstances and her constant state of anxiety, she had been suppressing her grief all along.

Now, in front of Li Ju, Mu Linglong’s tears flowed uncontrollably, a mixture of fear and release. She had long accepted the reality of her parents’ deaths, but suddenly finding herself without any support made her feel utterly adrift in the world.

With her parents, who had loved and cherished her most, gone, would anyone ever care for her the way they had?

Mu Linglong bit her lip anxiously, her expressive, watery eyes darting awkwardly toward Li Ju. Every movement revealed how little contact she had with humans; even a simple glance made her visibly uncomfortable.

This is someone my parents trusted, she thought. Should I consider Li Ju part of my inner circle now?

Li Ju nearly burst out laughing. Mu Linglong had been raised in such sheltered innocence, like a blank canvas that could be easily altered with a few strokes of a brush.

Li Ju’s smile deepened, showing no remorse for manipulating the naive Merman.

“Miss Mu,” she said, “do you like the attic?”

Mu Linglong nodded stiffly, explaining softly, “It’s small and feels very safe. The dim lighting is perfect for hiding.”

Li Ju burst into laughter, unable to contain herself.

“Miss Mu, are you afraid of troubling me?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement. “Is that why you chose this dusty attic filled with old books from among all the spA’Cious rooms?”

Mu Linglong wrinkled her delicate brow, her tone firm. “You’re making fun of me.”

“My apologies, my apologies,” Li Ju said, still chuckling. “I just found Miss Mu’s description so endearing. You’re like a little animal, seeking out places that make you feel safe.”

Mu Linglong retreated a few steps as Li Ju deliberately closed the distance between them.

Li Ju maintained a perfect balance, leaving a comfortable space between them.

Having been tested by Li Ju several times now, Mu Linglong’s sensitive mind scrutinized her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this woman… wasn’t as “warm and friendly” as she appeared. Couldn’t she see how much Mu Linglong resisted her advances?

Mu Linglong huffily turned away, gazing at the fine, hair-like rain outside the window. “Are you toying with me?” she demanded.

Li Ju’s lips curved into a smile. “What’s wrong? Have I offended Miss Mu in some way?”

“You can’t get so close to me!” Mu Linglong protested.

Li Ju’s eyes immediately dimmed, and she gave a self-deprecating smile. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to give Miss Mu a gift. I didn’t consider your feelings. I apologize.”

The repeated apologies flustered Mu Linglong. She wasn’t trying to blame Li Ju; she simply wanted to express that Li Ju’s actions made her feel uncomfortable.

Actually… actually, I could accept it.

“I… I have a lot of quirks. Please don’t mind them. I should be the one apologizing to you.”

Li Ju’s face lit up with a smile as she seized the opportunity to move closer and retrieve the pearl hairpin from her pocket. She presented it to Mu Linglong with both hands, saying shyly, “When I was a teenager, I worked a summer job with my classmates. This was the first money I ever earned. I bought gifts for my aunt and uncle, and of course, one for you too. But I always felt this pearl hairpin was too simple, that I should have given you something more valuable, so I kept it all these years. I found it again while cleaning yesterday and decided to bring it out today.”

Mu Linglong’s clear gaze fell upon the pearl hairpin in Li Ju’s palm. It was indeed as Li Ju described—simple and unadorned. Meanwhile, Mu Linglong was clutching an expensive pink gemstone in her own hand.

This gift truly seemed too inexpensive.

Yet Mu Linglong found herself drawn to the hairpin.

A gift prepared over many years carried a sentiment far exceeding its material value.

She pursed her lips, thinking of her hands—one holding flowers, the other clutching the pink gemstone.

Gathering her courage, Mu Linglong asked in a trembling voice, “I love it. Would you… would you help me put it on?”

Li Ju had anticipated this response, yet she was still taken aback by Mu Linglong’s pure innocence.

From the moment she saw Mu Linglong upstairs, Li Ju had been plotting how to break through her guardedness.

She had proceeded step by step, her plan both flawless and successful.

This Merman, utterly devoid of malice, softened Li Ju’s gaze. The ripple of emotion in her heart made her sigh silently.

Li Ju’s fingertips brushed against Mu Linglong’s hair, the visible tremor betraying Mu Linglong’s struggle to change herself.

Tucking a strand of hair behind Mu Linglong’s ear, Li Ju gently fastened the pearl hairpin.

The contrast between Mu Linglong’s jet-black hair and the lustrous pearls, combined with her blinking eyes, made Li Ju reluctantly pull away.

Li Ju said sincerely, “Thank you for liking it. I’m finally able to give this gift to you.”

Mu Linglong asked shyly, “D-do you think it’s pretty?”

Li Ju nodded. “Yes, very beautiful.”

Her lips curled into a delighted smile. Remembering the principle of reciprocity, Mu Linglong said eagerly, “Wait here a moment!”

She turned and hurried to the small bed behind the bookshelf in the attic. Li Ju couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile.

The daughter of a wealthy jewelry merchant sleeps on this tiny bed? Anyone who saw this would think I’m mistreating her! But Mu Linglong, the socially anxious merman, genuinely loved this little bed. Li Ju remembered when she first discovered it in the attic; her face lit up as if she’d found a treasure. Left with no other choice, Li Ju had allowed her to stay in the attic.

Li Ju glanced casually at an old book on the desk—a century-old collection of folk tales and strange anecdotes.

I didn’t realize she liked reading these kinds of books. I’ll search online for some and buy them for her. That way, the merman won’t get bored at home.

“H-here!”

Mu Linglong placed a small jewelry box on the table, carefully avoiding any physical contact with the human.

The sensation Li Ju had just evoked was so intense that it left Mu Linglong feeling both bewildered and frightened. Terrified, she could only place the jewelry box on the table.

Li Ju asked curiously, “Do you want me to open it?”

“Mhm, mhm.”

Li Ju opened the box and quickly closed it again, exclaiming in shock, “Such a massive pink gemstone?”

Mu Linglong tilted her head in confusion. “Is it really that big?”

Li Ju stared at her, realizing she had underestimated the Merfolk Clan’s worldly knowledge.

“Why are you showing me this?” Li Ju asked.

Mu Linglong found her a bit dense. “You gave me a gift, so I’m returning the favor. Isn’t that normal human etiquette? Or did my parents teach me wrong? It’s my fault for spA’Cing out and not paying attention.”

Li Ju chuckled. “Miss Mu, do you know how much the pearl hairpin I bought cost?”

“How much?”

“One hundred and twenty-eight yuan, including the change. But this pink gemstone… I’d estimate it’s worth many zeros more. I can’t possibly accept such an extravagant gift.”

Mu Linglong blinked. “But I think your pearl hairpin is much more valuable than this.”

The gift for Li Ju was merely a stone she could obtain by shedding a few tears—as ordinary as drinking water or eating a meal.

But the pearl hairpin was different.

Li Ju was speechless, utterly conquered by the Merman’s financial prowess. She gave Mu Linglong a complex look. “Miss Mu, I’ll treat you to a lavish dinner tonight.”

“No lavish dinner! Let’s order takeout!”

What a peculiar “wealthy person,” Li Ju thought, suppressing a smile. “What do you want to eat?”

Mu Linglong frowned. “What was that stinky thing you ate the other day?”

Li Ju felt a pang of embarrassment. Looking at Mu Linglong, this radiant beauty, she couldn’t help but think: If I let her eat snail rice noodles, wouldn’t that be… too… subversive?

“Snail rice noodles. It’s a local specialty.”

“I want that! I’ve been wanting to try it for ages, but you always ate it alone, and I… I was too embarrassed to ask what it was.”

Li Ju mechanically pushed up her glasses, her eyes glazed over. How was I supposed to know this pampered Merman was so unpicky about food?! For the past few days, she’d been buying groceries from reputable restaurants, never imagining Mu Linglong would crave snail rice noodles even more.

She silently glanced at Mu Linglong, realizing that even the purest heart could have moments of incomprehension.

That day, in the small attic, Mu Linglong finally savored the delicA’Cies she had been longing for.

Meanwhile, Li Ju sat with her hands propping up her cheeks, gazing blankly at the gemstones scattered across the table.

After a heavy sigh, she murmured, “Mermen… legendary creatures. Humans… greedy monsters.”

[ Host, are you feeling guilty? ]

 System 666 asked from its control room, mimicking Li Ju’s pose with its own hands propping up its cheeks. It stared intently at the projected image of Li Ju, its short legs swinging back and forth.

Wonderful, wonderful! As expected of a life pod from the Temporal Management Bureau! After enduring a long wait, the host has finally returned to her former self!

However, something strange had occurred when Li Ju returned to the system space. She seemed disoriented, even asking if her mission in the previous world had been successful!

This was utterly bizarre. The host hadn’t undergone the emotional extraction procedure yet, so why would she have forgotten everything about the previous world?

And the oddities didn’t stop there. Even more perplexing was the fact that when System 666 examined Li Ju’s soul state, it found her to be flawless—perfectly intact!

Heavens, why was the host’s soul detected as damaged when she was in the world plane?

This mystery remained unsolved for the time being. After System 666 revealed everything to Li Ju, she took a long break. Under her care, clusters of white roses bloomed one after another.

System 666 knew Li Ju was adjusting in her own way. Once she recovered, a new mission would begin.

At that moment, Li Ju closed the jewelry box and said meaningfully, “I’m a vicious villainess. How could I possibly have a soft heart?”

This time, Li Ju’s style could be summed up in one word: hypocrisy.

She was someone whose education had been funded by the kind-hearted parents of the female lead, Mu Linglong. Over the years, she met with Mu Linglong’s parents annually, and their bond deepened.

In their eyes, Li Ju was a diligent and well-behaved girl, completely unaware of her true nature. So, when tragedy struck their family, Li Ju was the first suitable candidate they thought of.

Li Ju was an ordinary person, and her relationship with them was merely that of a beneficiary. However, they had supported many others, which ironically provided her with a layer of security. With so many recipients, no one would suspect her.

The Mu Clan’s destruction was orchestrated by another branch of the Merfolk Clan. If the Mu Clan hadn’t fallen, they would never have been able to seize dominance and would have remained eternal losers.

Li Ju’s role in this tragedy was to be the final straw that broke Mu Linglong’s back.

Despicable and greedy, she accidentally discovered Mu Linglong’s true identity and conceived a plan to forcibly possess her—not out of affection, but purely for selfish gain.

She used drugs and seduction, caring nothing for love as long as she could dominate Mu Linglong.

Money was her only true love.

But Mu Linglong’s kin arrived, the male lead of the story, willing to die for his clan’s precious pearl. However, Mu Rongguang and Mu Linglong made the same mistake, believing Li Ju was a trustworthy human.

Trapped in the basement, Mu Linglong knew what Li Ju wanted.

She begged Li Ju to spare her people, offering her more Merman Tears in exchange for her mercy. She pleaded for Li Ju to stop harming her clan.

Li Ju refused. Mu Rongguang had been lured into the basement by Li Ju’s schemes.

The burning candles in the basement were made from crushed Merman Tears. The Merfolk Clan’s greatest weakness.

Mu Rongguang had fallen for Li Ju’s trap. Li Ju felt no pity for him, knowing that Merman oil was an extremely valuable commodity, fetching exorbitant prices on the black market.

Simultaneously, Li Ju harbored a malicious desire to tame Mu Linglong. She wanted obedient wealth, not a Merman who dared to defy her.

She deliberately terrorized Mu Rongguang, feigning an attempt to kill Mu Linglong. Desperate to save her, Mu Rongguang willingly offered himself up to die, begging Li Ju to spare Mu Linglong.

Li Ju burst into laughter, marveling at how even the Merfolk’s pleas for mercy sounded identical.

Mu Rongguang lay bleeding weakly, while Mu Linglong collapsed, throwing her head back and wailing in despair. She hated Li Ju, hated all humans.

She had trusted Li Ju and willingly shed Merman Tears for her.

Why wouldn’t she just let me go?

Overwhelmed by hatred, Mu Linglong snapped. She broke free from her chains and killed her tormentor, Li Ju.

She desperately wanted to cry, but not a single tear would fall.

Even as Li Ju lay dying, she smiled and whispered that Mu Linglong’s weeping face was her most beautiful.

A villain who manages to take the male lead with them in death and torment the female lead for so long? This kind of script is truly rare.

Li Ju recalled the plot and casually placed the jewelry box in a drawer.

Her eyes turned cold as she curled her lips into a faint smile, murmuring, “Conscience is the most useless thing for a villain.”

Just then, a melodious singing voice drifted from the attic window. Li Ju smirked and pushed the window open, then instructed System 666, “Turn off the smart lights upstairs.”

Understood.

The singing abruptly stopped. Li Ju leaned on the windowsill, laughing, “Miss Mu, it seems the lights upstairs have gone out. Shall I come up and keep you company?”

Soon, she heard Mu Linglong’s joyful shout, “Yay! They finally broke! I love the pitch-black darkness!”

“……”

Crap, miscalculation!

The plan to be alone with her in the room has failed, and the seduction plan has failed!

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