The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 52

The Plum Rain season brought unpredictable weather, leaving the merman disoriented.

One moment, the sky was clear and bright; the next, it was overcast with heavy clouds. Mu Linglong gazed at the dense rain outside, its relentless downpour mirroring her own mood—bereft of sunlight, tangled in a web of unresolved sorrow.

She pushed open the door to the storage room, grabbed an umbrella hanging on the wall, and stepped outside.

Mu Linglong walked over to the newly planted rose bush. Its tender green leaves held tightly closed buds, too delicate to withstand the heavy rain. She decided to bring it back to the attic for shelter.

She wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about flower varieties, but she knew each bloom possessed its own unique beauty.

Among all flowers, white roses held the most vivid memories for Mu Linglong. Once, Li Ju had impulsively bought her a white rose. Later, Li Ju declared her intention to cultivate white roses, planning to create a flower garden at home.

Mu Linglong had dismissed it as a passing whim, but the very next day, Li Ju brought home a fresh rose.

Just one.

It was then that Mu Linglong realized this single, still-budded rose was Li Ju’s parting gift to her.

Li Ju told her that once the flower garden was completed, her white rose would finally bloom.

The white rose she had nurtured with such care would be the first flower in Li Ju’s garden.

Mu Linglong was part of Li Ju’s future. Though she didn’t know when the garden would be finished, Mu Linglong would always remember the radiant look on Li Ju’s face as she spoke. That bright, unrestrained woman was truly beautiful.

Mu Linglong stood under the eaves with the rose, folding her umbrella once she was sheltered from the rain.

“Miss Mu,” Li Ju’s voice was as gentle as ever, making it nearly impossible to detect any malice.

Mu Linglong turned to see Li Ju sitting in her wheelchair, smiling at her.

Li Ju’s abdominal wound made walking difficult, risking further injury. Qin Peipei had sent the wheelchair to make her more comfortable during her recovery.

“What would you like for lunch?” Li Ju asked casually.

Mu Linglong struggled to suppress her impulse to confront Li Ju about how she knew the Merman’s weakness. She couldn’t afford to lose her composure now.

The day she failed to steel herself to kill Li Ju, she had already lost completely.

Today, she couldn’t afford to lose again.

“Me? I’m fine with anything. Order whatever you want. You’re the one who’s sick, so I should accommodate you.”

Mu Linglong spoke to Li Ju without a flicker of emotion. She glanced at Li Ju once before turning her attention to wiping the rainwater from the rose pots.

“You’re not being picky about lunch today,” Mu Linglong said with a smile.

“I just don’t have much of an appetite,” she replied. “I don’t know what I want to eat.”

“How about some fast food?” Li Ju suggested. “Like fried chicken or burgers?”

Mu Linglong nodded, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Sure, whatever you want.”

Li Ju’s smile remained unchanged, as if she were wearing a mask.

“Okay.”

Their conversation was strained and awkward. Since the revelation of their true identities and Mu Linglong’s rejection the previous night, an invisible barrier of thorny vines seemed to have grown between them. This defensive posture only pushed them further apart, making it impossible for either to approach the other even a step closer.

This fragile calm was merely the prelude to an impending storm. Once things escalated, they might not even be able to maintain this eerie peace.

Li Ju had her own secrets, and Mu Linglong had hers as well.

Their eyes met briefly, and in the next moment, they exchanged insincere smiles.

Li Ju’s subtle gaze fell on the potted rose in Mu Linglong’s hands. Her tone was pointed as she remarked, “I thought you wouldn’t like these white roses.”

Mu Linglong cradled the pot, turning it over in her hands as she examined it. Her picturesque features were framed by a gentle smile. “At first, I didn’t care for them,” she confessed playfully. “I’d never grown flowers before, so these white roses didn’t interest me. But they kept me company for so long, and when they withered, I felt a little sad. Now, I prefer this vibrant one. The sharp thorns protect it. The bouquet you bought earlier had all the thorns removed, making the white roses seem ordinary.”

Surprised by her answer, Li Ju asked, “What changed your mind about roses?”

The corners of Mu Linglong’s lips curved upward into a radiant smile that tugged at Li Ju’s heart. Li Ju couldn’t help but soften her gaze.

That was Mu Linglong’s magic, even when Li Ju was still angry, she couldn’t resist Mu Linglong’s charm.

Mu Linglong said slowly, “The thorns are what make it interesting. If they prick me, I’ll personally prune every last one from these white roses.”

Her gaze told Li Ju she wasn’t just talking about the flowers—she meant humans too.

Li Ju chuckled. “So Miss Mu has a mischievous streak after all.”

Clutching the flowerpot in her right arm, Mu Linglong glided gracefully toward Li Ju, her smile radiant. “You humans taught me everything I know.”

“That’s quite the accusation,” Li Ju countered calmly.

Mu Linglong pushed Li Ju’s wheelchair back to her bedroom with one hand. No longer needing to maintain eye contact, Mu Linglong’s smile faded, her expression turning indifferent, though her tone remained teasing. “What crime have you committed? I’m the one who made the grave mistake.”

“A grave mistake? Are you regretting saving me?”

Mu Linglong raised a delicate eyebrow and paused. “How could you think I meant that?” she asked, her voice tinged with exasperation.

“Then what were you referring to, Miss Mu?”

“Certainly not that,” Mu Linglong replied slowly.

Li Ju couldn’t shake off the events of the previous night. Though she pretended to be fine, her nonchalant attitude couldn’t mask her lingering unease.

“Then why didn’t you take my life when you saved me?” Mu Linglong asked. “Doesn’t that mean you care about me? If you couldn’t bear to see me die, why did you reject me last night?”

Mu Linglong crouched down, her expression carefully concealed.

If Li Ju had pressed her again yesterday, she would have confessed all her worries. But unfortunately, Li Ju had overheard the merman’s weakness. Combined with other factors, this made Mu Linglong overthink.

Humans are cunning, a phrase Mu Linglong had etched into her heart.

She gazed at Li Ju, her feelings for the human before her a tangled mess. Regardless of their origin or cause, Mu Linglong knew Li Ju held significant weight in her heart.

Li Ju was the first human Mu Linglong had ever grown close to, the first human she believed could offer her a sense of security. That’s why she considered Li Ju’s existence extraordinary. Li Ju was a bridge, allowing her to meet more humans and live freely as a merman by her side.

No human could ever compare to her.

It was precisely because of Li Ju’s importance that Mu Linglong felt so conflicted.

Why did Li Ju insist on corrupting their feelings?

Mu Linglong gently stroked Li Ju’s knee and said softly, “I don’t want you to die. That’s all you need to understand.”

“But you still refuse to stay, don’t you?”

Mu Linglong replied with cruel kindness, “Yes, and I might be leaving tomorrow.”

Li Ju’s mask finally crumbled, revealing her true emotions.

Li Ju realized her earlier assumptions had been completely wrong. Mu Linglong wasn’t fragile like glass; she was ice, cold to the bone.

Li Ju lowered her gaze, her fingers brushing against Mu Linglong’s hair. Suddenly, she smiled and said, “Alright, I understand.”

Though Li Ju quickly regained her composure, Mu Linglong didn’t miss that fleeting moment of shock.
The light in Li Ju’s eyes vanished completely. Mu Linglong’s repeated rejections were the result of Li Ju’s own stubborn insistence, a cruel determination she had to maintain. She had no choice.

But she felt no joy in her supposed triumph.

Mu Linglong, seeing Li Ju’s smile, burst into tears, her eyelashes trembling as the drops fell onto Li Ju’s lap.

Mu Linglong hastily wiped away her tears and fled, giving Li Ju no chance to stop her.

Li Ju stared intently at the tear, which gradually transformed into a pink gemstone, her lips pressed into a tight line.

After a long moment, she opened a drawer and retrieved the small jewelry box Mu Linglong had given her earlier.

Apart from the first pink gemstone, the other two were tears Mu Linglong had shed for Li Ju.

As she toyed with the three glittering gems, Li Ju realized she had been making things unnecessarily difficult for herself. Why bother buying Mu Rongguang’s trinkets when I already have these perfect gemstones right here?

Frowning, she tossed the jewelry box back into the drawer.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to destroy Mu Linglong’s Merman Tears; it was simply that she liked the pink gemstones.

Yes, that’s it. That’s the reason.

Li Ju’s gloomy mood deepened with the rainy weather, the incessant patter of raindrops grating on her nerves and unsettling her.

Ugh, this is so annoying! I might as well let the rain drown me!

Li Ju couldn’t even focus on her book. If it weren’t for the wound in her abdomen, she wouldn’t be stuck at home, bickering with Mu Linglong.

Truth be told, Li Ju hadn’t intended to provoke Mu Rongguang that night. She actually found his attempt to forcibly take her away quite amusing a perfect opportunity to test the male lead’s skills.

Besides, Li Ju had a strong suspicion about the person Mu Rongguang had been searching for all this time.

It was likely her former teacher, who had left the country several years ago. Based on the books stored in the attic, her teacher had probably discovered the Black Market long before.

Moreover, the timing of his disappearance perfectly aligned with his departure from the country.

But whether it was truly him, only he himself could know for sure.

Li Ju sat in her wheelchair, a book covering her face as she closed her eyes and pondered.

Before long, Qin Peipei arrived with a delivery.

Her loud voice startled Li Ju, who sighed in exasperation. “Wait a moment,” she called out.

Before Li Ju could reach the door, Mu Linglong swiftly descended the stairs. Her beautiful eyes had regained their clarity, no longer clouded by the earlier misty haze.

She glanced at Li Ju with an aloof expression and walked past her.

Clutching the umbrella handle tightly, she told herself to grow stronger and overcome her fear of humans.

Mu Linglong opened the door. Qin Peipei, overwhelmed with delight, squealed in her affected, high-pitched voice, “Oh my gosh, am I seeing things? My sister is opening the door for me! This is such a lucky day. I’m definitely buying a lottery ticket later!”

Mu Linglong couldn’t help but smile, her restrained amusement radiating a serene and graceful charm that made Qin Peipei’s heart flutter wildly.

Qin Peipei couldn’t bear to let Mu Linglong close the door again. She urged her to rest immediately, insisting she would handle all the chores herself.

Mu Linglong politely replied, “Li Ju is in the living room. I won’t disturb you two. I’m going back to the attic to read.”

“Okay, okay! Take care, Sister!”

Qin Peipei gazed adoringly at Mu Linglong’s slender figure as she walked away, the umbrella transforming her into an elegant lady from a classical ink painting.

“Have you stared enough?”

“If you’re done, get inside!”

Li Ju appeared in the doorway of the living room in her wheelchair, her sharp gaze making Qin Peipei feel like she’d seen something she shouldn’t have.

Pouting, Qin Peipei walked over to Li Ju and glanced back at the stunning woman climbing the side stairs to the attic. She couldn’t help but think Li Ju’s possessiveness had doubled! Was it because Li Ju’s possessive instincts had kicked in? It wasn’t surprising; Qin Peipei had long sensed an odd tension between the two.

“Sis, let’s talk inside,” she whispered mysteriously.

“Mm.”

Qin Peipei cautiously closed the door, pulled a brocade pouch from her bag, and handed it to Li Ju. “Sis, remember when you mentioned Merman Tears? I asked around, and my grandma said they’re a real weakness for Mermen. I figured you might have a plan, so I brought you all the tools you need to grind them, without even asking.”

Li Ju examined the delicate tools in her hand, gaining a new appreciation for Qin Peipei’s family background.

“Thank you, Peipei,” she said. “These tools are even more refined than mine.”

“We have plenty of old things at home,” Qin Peipei said with a hearty laugh. “Just don’t mind that I brought this from there.” She quickly added, “Sis, my grandma said she saw a merman when she was young. Do you think I’ll ever encounter one in my lifetime?”

Li Ju chuckled, her smile gentle. “You probably will. Life’s pretty long, after all.”

“Oh, by the way, that Mu Rongguang guy seems to be getting followed. I had someone buy the aquamarine from him, and she said he had a few tails trailing him. Who’s trying to harm him?”

Li Ju’s voice turned frosty. “The sooner he’s dead, the better.”

Qin Peipei burst into laughter. “That’s why we’re friends! We both hold grudges like nobody’s business! Sis, I’ll keep this debt of yours in mind for him.”

Qin Peipei patted Li Ju’s shoulder a few times. The curve of Li Ju’s lips softened with a hint of helplessness, suggesting she truly valued Qin Peipei as a close friend.

Mu Linglong, downstairs in her bedroom, wasn’t curious about their conversation. It was obvious Qin Peipei had come to deliver gemstones to Li Ju—no need to overthink it.

She rested her cheek in her hand, quietly flipping through old books.

Suddenly, Qin Peipei’s cheerful voice rang out, “Sis, I’m leaving now~”

Mu Linglong hesitated for a moment before pushing open the window. She smiled gently, her eyes curving into crescents. “Be careful on your way home,” she said softly.

Qin Peipei skipped happily, not minding the puddles on the road. All she cared about was that the pretty older sister was worried about her.

The rain had stopped. Li Ju stood alone in the courtyard, unable to resist glancing upward.

Mu Linglong pretended not to notice and began to close the window, but Li Ju spoke up. “Are you deliberately avoiding me, Miss Mu?”

“I’m not.”

“But you’ve been so cold to me today.”

Mu Linglong stubbornly retorted, “I treat all humans this way!”

Li Ju smiled wryly. “Is that so? You never used to treat me like this.”

“You said it yourself—that was then. This is now.” With that, Mu Linglong tried to close the window again, but Li Ju’s next words struck her like a physical blow.

“If I’d known you’d become like this,” Li Ju said coldly, “I’d rather you hadn’t saved me. I’d have preferred to die by your hand.”

Without another glance at Mu Linglong, she turned and walked away.

Mu Linglong couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “Then why pretend I’m so important to you? You know I’d never kill you.”

They remained in their separate rooms, physically close yet separated by a vast, star-strewn gulf of unspoken thoughts.

Lunch arrived as takeout, bland and unappetizing.

That evening, Mu Linglong suddenly caught a fragrant aroma.

She hurried downstairs to find the kitchen light on. “Li Ju, have you lost your mind?” she snapped. “Isn’t your stomach wound painful enough?
Li Ju stood in the kitchen, the bright light illuminating her captivating, gentle features.

She removed her fogged-up glasses and wiped the lenses with the corner of her apron. The sudden blur of vision made her squint uncomfortably, inadvertently revealing a hint of alluring charm.

Radiant and mature, she seemed as if a single bite would release her sweet fragrance.

Li Ju smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. Sai Xishi’s medical skills are excellent—I’m fine now. Sitting in that wheelchair was driving me crazy. I’d rather move around a bit.”

“Move aside. Get out of the way.”

Mu Linglong glanced at the restless Li Ju, then, finding her movements too slow, simply scooped her up in a cold embrace.

Li Ju hurriedly wrapped her arms around Mu Linglong, accidentally dropping her glasses to the floor.

Mu Linglong carefully stepped over the fallen glasses on the floor and carried Li Ju out of the kitchen. She then noticed the wheelchair positioned nearby, where Li Ju had been sitting.

The shy smile was gone, replaced by a cold, detached expression, as unpredictable as the Plum Rain season, where the weather could change in an instant.

“You’re in charge now,” Mu Linglong said.

Before Li Ju could respond, Mu Linglong turned to pick up her glasses.

Tilting her head, Mu Linglong carefully adjusted the glasses on Li Ju’s ears.

“I had to learn to cook eventually, now that you’re gone,” Mu Linglong said. “I can’t just order takeout every night. I don’t want to deal with that many humans.”

She had completely dropped the act. Before, she had pretended to be shy around humans, but now she openly admitted her distrust stemmed from her true identity.

Li Ju pushed up her glasses, a faint glint passing through the lenses, and nodded in agreement.

Unfamiliar with the kitchen, she fumbled around clumsily, as if she were renovating the entire space.

But Mu Linglong quickly found her rhythm. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Li Ju’s gaze softened. “I never imagined I’d be eating a dinner personally prepared by Miss Mu.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of,” Li Ju said with a smile. Seeing she couldn’t be of further help, she added, “I’ll go change. This smoky smell isn’t very pleasant.”

Mu Linglong carried the dishes to the living room, replying without turning around, “Alright.”

Her bedroom was simply furnished, containing only essential items.

Li Ju calmly changed her clothes, her usually serene eyes now tinged with a hint of something unsettling.

At midnight, the lights went out as scheduled.

Unfazed by the sudden darkness, Li Ju calmly retrieved a candle and opened the door.

“Did the power go out?” Mu Linglong asked, puzzled.

“Probably a circuit fault. I’ll check it after dinner.”

Mu Linglong chuckled softly. “You really can do everything, can’t you?”

Her eyes allowed Mu Linglong to find Li Ju unerringly in the darkness. For the first time, she actively approached Li Ju.

“Let me help you.”

“Sure. Light this candle for me, would you? We used to have occasional summer power outages, so I keep some candles handy.” Li Ju lit the candle with a lighter and handed it to her. The candlelight cast half of Li Ju’s face in shadow, half in light.

Mu Linglong remarked with a hint of amusement, “This is my first time seeing a candle. It’s rather charming, isn’t it?”

Li Ju smiled wryly. “Charming? I’ll stock up on them then. Though it won’t matter much—Miss Mu is leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’m returning to my people to rest for a while. After that, I’ll be living independently.”

Li Ju scoffed coldly. “Should I congratulate you, then?”

By now, Mu Linglong was experiencing the Merman’s weakness firsthand. The faint, ethereal fragrance made her feel lightheaded, her vision blurring into double images as vibrant colors danced before her eyes.

Her limbs grew numb, her mind gradually emptying.

Reason and intellect vanished, and the fragrance stole control of her body.

Mu Linglong swayed weakly, collapsing into Li Ju’s waiting arms.

Her long dress, like pristine white petals, fell to the floor. The fallen candle ignited the hem.

Li Ju picked up the candle and extinguished the flames on the fabric.

Cradling the dazed, limp Mu Linglong, Li Ju’s crimson lips curled into a satisfied smile. Her gaze, tinged with pity, mocked, “We won’t be getting your cooking tonight.”

Li Ju blew out the candle with a puff. “What a pity,” she murmured.

The light vanished, leaving only the faint glow of the moon.

She was sick of Mu Linglong’s joy and anticipation about leaving. What was so bad about staying here?

She had pampered Mu Linglong with the finest food and drink, catering to her every whim.

What was she after? Wasn’t it Mu Linglong herself?

Li Ju froze mid-stride.

Her expression turned panicked. No, no, that’s wrong! It’s not about Mu Linglong—it’s about the mission, the plot!

How could she have forgotten the most important thing? She should have coveted Mu Linglong’s Merman identity, ruthlessly seizing her for the Merman Tears. To tame this Merman, she would stop at nothing.

That’s the correct motivation.

Not because she cared about Mu Linglong and wanted to keep her by her side.

A cold sweat broke out across her skin. Lowering her gaze to Mu Linglong cradled in her arms, she suppressed the last flicker of pity.

She’s the villain. How could she possibly feel compassion for the heroine?

Mu Linglong’s heart didn’t belong to her; it belonged in the underground chamber prepared long ago.

She couldn’t savor Mu Linglong’s cooking, but Li Ju could finally begin to savor Mu Linglong herself.