The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 49.1

The mini cake was just an appetizer; the main event was the dinner that would follow.

Summer nights came a little later, so Li Ju and Mu Linglong chatted amicably about the delicious meal they would soon enjoy. The warm atmosphere felt familiar to Mu Linglong, as she sensed the warmth of home radiating from Li Ju.

A flicker of longing crossed Mu Linglong’s eyes. The woman indulging her felt somewhat like a mother, both caring for her with such devotion.

Li Ju, unaware that Mu Linglong had already labeled her a “benevolent mother,” casually unbuttoned her collar and said, “I’ll go change. I’ll cook something special for Miss Mu later.”

Mu Linglong sighed in admiration. “Li Ju, is there anything you’re not good at?”

Li Ju raised an eyebrow, seemingly curious about how Mu Linglong had come to see her as a jack-of-all-trades.

She chuckled softly and explained, “There are plenty of things I’m not good at. Miss Mu just hasn’t noticed them yet.”

Mu Linglong shook her head. “No, that’s not it. I think you excel at everything you do. Being an academic researcher sounds like such a mysterious and profound profession—the kind of knowledge a total slacker like me could never understand. And your personality… you’re independent, strong, and gentle. You’re caring, a great cook, and just… amazing. Compared to you, I feel like I don’t have a single thing to offer.”

Mu Linglong’s expression was blank, her eyes filled with fear about the future.

She murmured, “Can I really live on my own?”

From a young age, Mu Linglong had heard her parents mention Li Ju, but since she was just a human, Mu Linglong never felt the slightest interest.

It wasn’t until she followed her parents’ instructions and tracked down Li Ju’s address that Mu Linglong finally met the person her parents had always talked about.

Anxious and uncertain, she didn’t know what kind of attitude Li Ju would have toward her.

Later, Mu Linglong finally understood why her parents had entrusted her to Li Ju.

Li Ju was truly remarkable—so remarkable that Mu Linglong began to doubt her own abilities.

Mu Linglong hadn’t forgotten Li Ju’s heartfelt words to Xiao Xue. The sincerity behind them weighed heavily on her heart, making her feel unworthy of such genuine affection.

Li Ju paused, her hand still unbuttoning her shirt. Her gaze deepened as she met Mu Linglong’s yearning for validation. A gentle smile curved her lips.

She ruffled Mu Linglong’s hair, her touch devoid of condescension or mockery. Instead, she spoke calmly, sharing her perspective: “Mastering something often comes from necessity. When you don’t know how to grow, life will teach you. The process might be smooth or fraught with challenges. But I believe Miss Mu will strive to become the person she envisions. You’ve already taken the first step toward change, surpassing countless others who lack the courage to even begin. So why are you still feeling down?”

Li Ju rarely offered such grand pronouncements, finding them preachy. But Mu Linglong desperately needed guidance in that moment, and Li Ju was more than willing to play the role of a supportive elder sister.

Li Ju quickly flashed a teasing smile. “Miss Mu, you look just like a stray kitten or puppy caught in the rain, with nowhere to go.”

Mu Linglong’s melancholy was momentarily soothed by Li Ju’s words, but her gratitude lasted only a few seconds before Li Ju’s teasing irritated her again.

“I’m not a kitten or puppy!” she protested.

Li Ju insisted, “You are.”

“No, you are!”

Li Ju crossed her arms and leaned forward playfully. “Who was frowning just now? Wasn’t that you?”

“So what if it was me?” Mu Linglong retorted defensively.

Li Ju pressed her point. “Exactly! That’s why I said you looked like a stray kitten or puppy in the rain. It made me feel so sorry for you, I just wanted to take you home.”

Mu Linglong chuckled softly. “Even if I were a stray, I’d be the prettiest and most beautiful one!”

Li Ju couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes sweeping over Mu Linglong with a warm smile. “Indeed, you’re undeniably the most beautiful one. There’s no question about that.”

Mu Linglong beamed with pride, practically wagging her tail in delight.

It wasn’t until Li Ju left to change that Mu Linglong finally realized what had happened. Frowning in disbelief, she muttered, “How could I possibly be a kitten or puppy?!”

She was a Merman, a creature of myth!

If not for the first Mermen who ventured ashore countless years ago, these humans would never have laid eyes on a Merman, let alone dreamed of seeing those dazzling gemstones!

Hmph! Humans should consider themselves fortunate to possess Mermen!

Mu Linglong’s anger simmered. After Li Ju changed her clothes, she noticed Mu Linglong glaring at her, finding fault with every aspect of her appearance.

Li Ju awkwardly adjusted her glasses. Alright, I’ll just head straight to the kitchen and avoid her. Best to retreat for now.

But she forgot one crucial detail: even if she avoided Mu Linglong, Mu Linglong would actively seek out opportunities to pick a fight.

“Sweet and sour pork? Fine, but not too sour or too sweet.”

“And this chili-fried pork—the meat slices must be uniformly thin. I won’t eat it if they’re too thick or too thin.”

Li Ju’s lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes crinkling as she replied, “Why don’t you just let me hang myself with a noodle instead? What do you think?”

Mu Linglong burst into laughter, glancing sideways with her beautiful eyes as she condescendingly replied, “Oh, never mind then. I’d be a little sad to lose you.”

Li Ju hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise. It seemed she had finally warmed up Mu Linglong, the merman.

But then Mu Linglong added, “After all, my little cat-dog finally found a master like you. How could I bear to let you hang yourself with noodles?”

Li Ju’s captivating eyes crinkled with amusement. She chuckled softly, “Miss Mu still holds a grudge, I see?”

Mu Linglong’s sharp retort caught in her throat, choked by Li Ju’s indulgent gaze. For a moment, Mu Linglong couldn’t find a single flaw in her. She suddenly felt that continuing to act stubbornly would be cruel to Li Ju.

And… and who could explain why this human’s smile was so breathtaking?

Mu Linglong muttered a few words Li Ju couldn’t quite catch. When Li Ju tried to ask her to repeat herself, she only saw Mu Linglong’s hurried departure.

Li Ju shook her head, sighing, “Ah, these difficult mermen…”

Her words drifted away like smoke on the wind, so Mu Linglong didn’t hear Li Ju’s musing.

She returned to the living room, sat for a few minutes, then tiptoed back to the kitchen.

She pushed the door open slightly and gazed at Li Ju’s back.

Her long, dark hair was tied in a low ponytail that draped over her shoulder. Below that, her slender waist curved into a seductive hourglass figure, accentuated by the apron’s ties. Even in such simple attire, Li Ju exuded an irresistible allure.

Suddenly, Li Ju turned around, reaching on tiptoe for something in the wall cabinet. It seemed she had run out of an ingredient and needed to open a new package.

A few strands of hair drifted across her delicate, swan-like neck. Li Ju tucked them behind her ear with a graceful flick of her finger—a small gesture that somehow seemed provocative, perhaps because the kitchen’s warmth had flushed her cheeks with a rosy blush, adding a touch of coquettishness to her expression.

At that moment, Li Ju noticed Mu Linglong standing outside the door. “Why are you just standing there like a dummy?” she asked gently. “Aren’t you hot?”

Mu Linglong shrank back, her voice muffled. “I was going to help you!”

Li Ju raised an eyebrow, amused. “Then why didn’t you just come in? What were you doing standing there watching me?”

Silence hung in the air. Li Ju didn’t press the matter, turning back to her cooking.

Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open again. Mu Linglong stubbornly insisted, “I wasn’t watching you anyway!”

Li Ju chuckled softly, offering no reply. But Mu Linglong felt her head steaming—Li Ju’s laughter was the perfect answer.

Mu Linglong stormed in, her cheeks puffed out in a pout. Since she’d offered to help, she was determined to do so!

“I’ll wash the vegetables for you!”

“Miss Mu, I’ve already washed the tomatoes. Didn’t you see the glistening water droplets on them?”

“Miss Mu, I’ll chop the scallions!”

“Mu Linglong, the kitchen is a serious place. Please leave immediately!”

Li Ju pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. If the situation weren’t so delicate, she’d have told Mu Linglong to “get lost” without hesitation.

Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. There’ll be time to deal with her later.

She gently pushed Mu Linglong out of the kitchen, smiled sweetly, and firmly closed the door.

Mu Linglong shrugged helplessly. “I really did want to help! Not cause trouble,” she insisted.

“Of course, Miss Mu. I heard you.”

Mu Linglong lowered her head, her voice tinged with grievance. “Then I’ll set the table later!”

“Alright.”

Mu Linglong felt she was part of this household and should contribute. If washing vegetables was out of the question, she’d set the table. She’d prove she was still useful!

The summer night brought a cool breeze, chasing away the day’s heat and leaving a refreshing chill.

The two women sat in the courtyard, admiring the flowers after their meal. Mu Linglong instinctively glanced at Li Ju beside her.

“What is it?” Li Ju asked.

Mu Linglong subtly shook her head, refraining from mentioning the sense of security Li Ju brought her. Instead, she exclaimed dramatically, “The stars are so bright tonight! Tomorrow will definitely be a sunny day!”

Li Ju waved her paper fan, smiling without a word.

“Why aren’t you answering me?”

“Because my answer might disappoint Miss Mu.”

“You mean it’s going to rain tomorrow?”

Li Ju calmly narrowed her eyes. “Yes, Miss Mu. Don’t you believe me?”

Mu Linglong asked skeptically, “Is it really going to rain?”

“Mm-hmm.”

The next day, fine rain threads cast a gloomy pall over the world. Sitting in the attic, Mu Linglong sighed, muttering to herself, “She was right… Is she even human? She can predict the weather!”

“Miss Mu.”

She leaned over the railing to see Li Ju waving from below. “I’m off to work,” Li Ju called out.

Mu Linglong’s eyes sparkled with charm as she smiled. “Be careful on your way.”

Li Ju gazed intently at Mu Linglong, her smile widening with satisfaction as she sensed a growing warmth in the other woman’s demeanor.

Finally, it’s working! My strategy is definitely making an impact.

The courtyard fell silent, a moment that should have been Mu Linglong’s most comfortable. Yet a lingering melancholy clung to her heart, and she found herself longing for the lively bustle she had once known.

“Am I sick?”

“Probably.”

The appearance of the Merman in the world signaled that this realm was not inhabited solely by this ancient, mystical creature.

Where there is greed, there will inevitably be trade.

Late that night, a figure gradually vanished from the alleyway entrance.

It was the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the day the Black Market opened for business.

Li Ju raised her arm to put on a black mask. Without her glasses, her usual gentleness vanished, replaced by a cold, stern aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.

The mask concealed the lower half of her face, and her indifferent gaze made it difficult for those who knew her well to believe this was Li Ju.

She entered an alley and stopped beside a bowl-sized sycamore tree. Closing her eyes, she waited quietly for a few seconds before a cacophony of noise erupted around her.

When Li Ju opened her eyes, the once-secluded alley was now teeming with vibrant life.

In a world where even Mermen could exist, it wasn’t surprising that such illusions could be used.

Dressed entirely in black, Li Ju seemed to merge completely with the night.

“Sis! You finally made it! Why didn’t you come to the Black Market last month?”

Before Li Ju could move, a blonde-haired girl blocked her path, her exuberant greeting followed by an attempt to rush in for a hug.
Li Ju glanced at her and said dryly, “Don’t give me that act. What old trinket do you want me to appraise this time?”

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