The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 55

“Hey, human, what’s wrong?” Mu Linglong blurted out, her concern instantly making her want to swallow the words back down. Why am I even bothering to care about Li Ju? she thought. Even if she’s frowning, it’s none of my business!

Mu Linglong was deeply annoyed, her tightly furrowed brow betraying her irritation.

Li Ju closed the book she’d been staring at for ages without turning the page, swiveled her chair to face Mu Linglong, and offered a warm, inviting smile. Mu Linglong almost fell for the act.

Blinking rapidly, Mu Linglong yanked her infatuated gaze back on track. I won’t fall for Li Ju’s seduction tactics! she vowed.

“Miss Mu, are you worried about me?” Li Ju asked softly.

“Of course not,” Mu Linglong retorted. “I just want to revel in your misery. So, what’s bothering you? Tell me so I can enjoy it.”

Her tsundere act was as transparent as glass, and Li Ju couldn’t help but chuckle.

Mu Linglong wasn’t being sarcastic. She was genuinely curious about what had stumped Li Ju. She wanted to thank whatever it was for avenging her!

Mu Linglong glared at Li Ju with disdain, but Li Ju simply moved closer, sitting beside her. Li Ju snatched the book from Mu Linglong’s hand and gently stroked her long hair.

This tender, meticulous gesture made Mu Linglong’s body want to melt, and she nearly threw herself into Li Ju’s arms. She suspected the lingering scent of Merman Tears was clouding her mind, turning her thoughts to mush.

Li Ju chuckled. “Doesn’t it feel nice to have your hair stroked?”

“Stop deluding yourself,” Mu Linglong retorted sharply. “You can fool others, but don’t try to fool yourself too.” Her words would have carried more weight if her expression had been colder.

Seeing this, Li Ju leaned close to Mu Linglong’s ear and whispered, “Miss Mu, you look so vulnerable, it makes me want to tease you.”
In that instant, Mu Linglong couldn’t help but recall that night in the bathroom. Suppressing her inner turmoil, she glared fiercely at Li Ju and hissed through clenched teeth, “You sanctimonious beast! I gave you so many ideas, yet you chose the most vile one! You deserve to die.”

Li Ju chuckled at Mu Linglong’s words, twirling a strand of Mu Linglong’s hair around her fingertip and sniffing it playfully. “Miss Mu, I hold all the cards here. How I treat you is entirely my prerogative. Since you can’t resist, you’ll just have to endure it obediently. Besides, with your delicate skin, how could I bring myself to whip or torture you? It’d be better if…”

“Shut up!” Mu Linglong snapped. “I wish I could bite your throat out and see if you’d still dare say such things.”

Li Ju willingly offered her neck. “Go ahead and bite. With your current strength, it’d hardly be a bite at all. More like a kiss, I’d say.”

Mu Linglong closed her eyes and collapsed into Li Ju’s arms. Ever since revealing her true nature, this woman had become increasingly infuriating. Mu Linglong suppressed her rage, reminding herself that patience would bring her freedom and that this ordeal would soon end.

But Li Ju, completely oblivious to Mu Linglong’s distress, seemed to revel in pouring fuel on the fire. She deliberately pressed her lips against Mu Linglong’s, not in a bite, but in a gentle, lingering embrace. Slowly, she stole away Mu Linglong’s rationality, leaving her dazed and overwhelmed by the deep kiss.

Her gaze, initially playful and teasing, deepened into a dark, fathomless abyss. Li Ju, convinced she was an objective outsider, remained blissfully unaware of how deeply she had already been drawn into this battle between humans and mermen.

Ah! Ah! How much intimate scenes have I missed?!

Such a captivating fragrance, and my tummy is so full!

I’m screaming! I’m crawling around in the shadows, randomly scaring humans to death! I want others to suffer with me! If I’d known you two were already at the yuri stage, I wouldn’t have bothered sleeping! Getting up to eat and fill my belly sounds way better!

A’Ci, compared to System 666, was far more unhinged and unrestrained. Li Ju’s momentary distraction gave Mu Linglong the opening she needed. Mu Linglong pushed Li Ju down, her face flushed crimson as she reached for her. Just as she was about to seize the upper hand, she noticed the bandage on Li Ju’s abdomen. Defeated, Mu Linglong collapsed into Li Ju’s arms, her next move abandoned.

She still couldn’t bring herself to be as ruthless as Li Ju. She could have pressed her hand forcefully against the wound, tormenting Li Ju, but Mu Linglong gave up. She truly deserved to be locked up by Li Ju!

Li Ju’s breathing grew heavy, then she chuckled. “Why stop now? Or are you, Mu Linglong, too afraid to continue?”

“A scholar can be killed, but not humiliated! Have you never heard that saying?!”

Her delicate features bloomed with feminine charm, every glance and smile captivating.

Li Ju asked with a leisurely smile, “So?”

Mu Linglong felt deeply humiliated. How could Li Ju look down on her like this?

She adopted a cold, expressionless demeanor, but the coquettish glint in her eyes betrayed her. Li Ju couldn’t resist kissing her again.

This shattered Mu Linglong’s composure in an instant. She glared at Li Ju, her voice sharp, “If you do that again, I’ll be furious!”

“Furious? How furious? I’d love to see Miss Mu’s anger. Will you hit me? Bite me? Or perhaps… kill me?”

Li Ju pushed her away, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes with deliberate slowness. Except for her flushed lips, she remained unnervingly calm, as if she hadn’t just been kissing Mu Linglong. Her detached attitude felt like a deliberate humiliation to Mu Linglong—especially since she had been the more passionate one during the kiss!

Mu Linglong forced a smile, stubbornly adopting an even more arrogant air than Li Ju. “I wouldn’t waste my anger on someone as vile as you. Do you even deserve it? You’re utterly beneath me! Did you think these cheap tricks would make me lose control? Li Ju, you’re celebrating too soon.”

Li Ju pushed up her glasses, a fleeting flicker of annoyance crossing her face, though she herself couldn’t quite pinpoint its source.

She rose and gazed down at Mu Linglong, her crimson lips curving into a seductive smile. “Even if I’m unworthy, I’ve still locked you up. I’ve not only kissed you, but I’ve also touched…” Her ambiguous tone suggested an intimate relationship with Mu Linglong, yet Mu Linglong’s eyes betrayed an unresolved tension between them.

Ignoring Mu Linglong’s gaze, Li Ju picked up the old book she had been reading and returned to her seat.

She flipped through the pages of the detailed chronicle of Merman history.

As Li Ju patiently read, Mu Linglong, lying on the bed behind her, let out a soft snort of amusement.

Honestly, what’s with you two?

Mu Linglong clearly has feelings for you! I can’t mistake the scent of love she’s radiating! And you smell the same way too! When you kissed earlier, the aroma was so intense I almost threw up!

I’ll never understand you humans. What’s there to argue about? If all else fails, just sleep it off! One nap not enough? Take two! Feelings will naturally smooth over!

“Honestly, what’s wrong with you? Your brain’s turning to mush day by day. Did those past world-hopping adventures scramble your circuits? Now you’ve forgotten me again! Unbelievable! This is beyond the pale! I’m Great King Aci, the one who saved your sorry hide! You can forget anyone, but not me!”

“And after all the trouble I went through, foolishly slumbering to recover! I even lost a leaf for you in the last world—do you realize what that means? It means my flowering is delayed even further! That blasted fate of ours nearly ended me. Well, whatever. Your dog-brain’s bound to short-circuit sooner or later anyway. I won’t waste my breath scolding you.”

The kind-hearted Aci fell silent. Li Ju lowered her gaze, absently tracing the petal-like mark on her finger, which blended almost seamlessly with her skin. So, this mark existed because an unknown creature had taken residence within her.

Aci’s rambling was always a jumbled mess, jumping from one topic to another without rhyme or reason. Li Ju cautiously avoided pressing her for details, but she managed to glean a few crucial facts from the creature’s words.

First, Aci had been parasitizing her body for quite some time. Second, Aci had once saved her life. Most importantly—and what truly astonished Li Ju—Aci’s primary sustenance wasn’t her physical body, but rather the essence of romantic affection.

The turmoil in Li Ju’s eyes lingered long after. She resolved to confront System 666 properly once this mission concluded.

You’re putting on that brooding act again. You barely spoke to me in the last world. I really miss our first encounter—when I saved your life and you were as obedient as a baby. If I told you to go east, you wouldn’t dare go west.

“Are you sure you’re talking about me? Or are you just exaggerating?”

Ugh… sometimes I think you’d be better off mute.

But why won’t you answer my question about love directly?

Li Ju calmly turned another page. “Accepting your existence doesn’t mean I accept your abilities.”

?! How dare you insult me like that! Are you questioning my professional competence? This is my livelihood!

“Is it? I simply don’t believe you.”

You’re so stubborn, Li Ju!

Li Ju smiled faintly. Just moderately stubborn, I’d say.

At that moment, Mu Linglong spoke up. “Li Ju, where did you put my jewelry box?”

“Here,” Li Ju replied. “Do you need it now?”

Mu Linglong snapped, “Or should I wait until tomorrow?”

Sensing her irritation, Li Ju retrieved the jewelry box from the storage cabinet with a smile. “Don’t be angry,” she said soothingly. “I just forgot to give it to you earlier.”

Mu Linglong didn’t believe a word of Li Ju’s nonsense. She sized Li Ju up and down, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. “Finished your inspection?”

Li Ju’s smile remained unchanged as she replied softly, “I’m not that kind of person.”

Mu Linglong chuckled dryly and, with a gentle tug, reclaimed her jewelry box.

The box was overflowing with gemstones of every variety, so many that it looked as if it were filled with ordinary rocks. The sheer abundance made it hard to believe they were genuine jewels.

The box was surprisingly heavy, and Li Ju had been quite impressed during her inspection. The Mu Clan’s centuries-old legacy was evident; a single gem from this collection could sustain a person for generations.

This was Mu Linglong’s personal treasure trove, and Li Ju had no intention of coveting her possessions.

Having already confined the Merman here, Li Ju was essentially guarding a mountain of jewels. To succumb to greed over a mere jewelry box would be a foolish trade-off. Besides, Li Ju’s moral standards weren’t that low. After confirming the box was intact, she returned it to the storage cabinet.

Mu Linglong’s fingers danced over the gemstones, their clinking creating a melodious sound.

Li Ju watched her with her arms crossed, observing the radiant smile on Mu Linglong’s face. It was the brightest she had seen her smile in days, and Li Ju found herself missing it. If she had known this jewelry box could bring Mu Linglong such joy, she would have retrieved it for her much sooner.

Mu Linglong tilted her head back to look at Li Ju, her clear, watery eyes pure and innocent.

Li Ju’s heart softened. “What is it?” she asked.

“I want milk tea,” Mu Linglong said.

“The same flavor as before?”
“Mmm-hmm!” Mu Linglong nodded eagerly.

Li Ju was happy to grant this small request. She placed an order on her phone for Mu Linglong’s favorite milk tea.

By the time Li Ju was halfway through her book, the delivery driver called, urging her to pick up the tea.

Li Ju glanced at Mu Linglong, who was lying on the bed counting gemstones, and left the room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as Li Ju was gone, a subtle smile crept across Mu Linglong’s face.

The information in the book had indeed been helpful to Li Ju, even revealing the weaknesses of the Merman race.

But humans were still just humans. Li Ju believed that by understanding the Mermen’s weaknesses, she could control their entire lives.

“Naive humans,” Mu Linglong murmured.

She was tired of acting. The weakness in her body was unbearable—like being a fish on a cutting board, at the mercy of the knife.

Even if that knife was wielded by Li Ju, Mu Linglong refused to submit.

She picked up a gemstone and admired it in the light. Even someone as accustomed to seeing her own tears as Mu Linglong couldn’t help but be captivated by its beauty.

“So beautiful,” she whispered. “You’re truly miraculous. You can bring happiness to the Mermen, yet you can also bring about their utter destruction.”

It was both poison and antidote.

They say the antidote is always within seven steps of the poison, but for the Merman race, the antidote was the poison itself.

Mu Linglong couldn’t wait to see Li Ju’s shocked expression. She swallowed the pink gemstone she had been holding between her fingertips and waited for it to dissolve in her mouth. This process would take time, which was why Mu Linglong had asked Li Ju to order takeout.

She lay lazily on the bed, patiently waiting for the antidote to take effect. But then, Li Ju returned unexpectedly.

Sensing something was amiss with Mu Linglong, Li Ju instinctively rushed back, driven by a deep-seated trust.

Her sudden appearance caught Mu Linglong swallowing the gemstone. Li Ju’s first reaction was concern for Mu Linglong, but she quickly realized Mu Linglong’s expression was one of joy, not the self-harm Li Ju had feared.

Li Ju’s face darkened as she threatened, “Spit it out.”

Mu Linglong’s face paled. She scrambled backward, but Li Ju lunged forward and seized her ankle, immobilizing her.

Li Ju had intended to be gentle, but now she saw there was no need for such restraint.

She pinched Mu Linglong’s cheek, her fingertips brushing against her lips, her voice barely suppressing the nameless fury simmering within her. “Don’t make me force you.”

Mu Linglong clamped her mouth shut, refusing to open it no matter what.

No way! I’m so close to the finish line. I can’t give up now!

Mu Linglong felt a growing sense of dread. How had this woman seen through her? She’d been acting perfectly normal!

I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I shouldn’t have lost my patience with Li Ju’s constant provocations.

I should have swallowed the gem under the cover of darkness!

“Good girl. I won’t hurt you. I’m afraid of hurting you.”

“See how good I am to you? Even now, I’m worried about hurting you. But you? You’re being very naughty.”

Li Ju pinched Mu Linglong’s cheek hard, her other hand groping her body. After that night in the bathroom, Li Ju had become intimately familiar with Mu Linglong’s body. A little trickery was all it took to make her open her mouth.

Li Ju’s ruthless tactics left Mu Linglong utterly defeated. The tears welling in her eyes were born of anger, but also of self-reproach for her misstep.

It’s all this human’s fault! She’s so cunning and treacherous!

The playful flick of Li Ju’s tongue against her lips dealt Mu Linglong a crushing blow. Her precious gem was lost…

A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, solidifying into a shimmering pink gem.

Mu Linglong had no interest in the gemstone. She wanted to tear this woman apart limb by limb!

She was so close! Just one more step, and she could have turned the tables and become the master. A sick woman like Li Ju was no match for her.

Mu Linglong realized she could never truly understand this woman. When Li Ju played the part of a kind person, Mu Linglong couldn’t see through her facade. Yet when Li Ju revealed her true, cruel nature, she didn’t resort to torture. Instead, she used a method so shameful it was difficult to even speak of.

Every move Li Ju made defied Mu Linglong’s expectations.

Her assessment of Li Ju remained unchanged: she was a treacherous and cunning human!

If Li Ju had shown even a hint of coldness or ruthlessness, if she hadn’t been so sickeningly gentle, Mu Linglong might never have swallowed the antidote today. She would have taken it the moment Li Ju brought her to the basement.

Therefore, Mu Linglong concluded that Li Ju was her true weakness, the bane of her existence as a Merman, because there was no antidote against her.

“Give me back the antidote!”

Li Ju smirked cruelly. “Mu Linglong, you’re still too naive to play games with me.”

Mu Linglong’s face crumpled. “Humans will die if they take it!”

Li Ju wiped the water from her lips and leaned closer, her face pressing against Mu Linglong’s. “Too bad this isn’t just any gem. It’s a Merman Tear. It melted the moment I obtained it, turning into a single drop of water. Tell me, how am I supposed to die now?”

“Holy shit!” Mu Linglong cursed, her voice dripping with despair. It was clear how infuriated she was.

Mu Linglong spread her arms wide, no longer caring what Li Ju might do next.

After all, she had no way out. She had maintained a cheerful facade before because she had a hidden card up her sleeve. But now… she was truly going to become a prisoner.

“I never imagined it could revert back to tears.”

“It’s fundamentally a Merman Tear. Once separated from a Merman’s body, it naturally transforms into another form. But when it returns to a Merman’s body, it reverts to its original state.”

Li Ju stated her conclusion, her eyes filled with wistful contemplation. She pecked Mu Linglong’s lips and teased, “Mermen are truly wondrous creatures.”

“Li Ju, I’ll kill you!”

“But you didn’t kill me. You hesitated when you had the perfect opportunity. You even defied your own people’s orders for my sake. Mu Linglong, you’ve been so kind to me. Why won’t you just stay by my side?”

Li Ju stroked Mu Linglong’s cheek, her breath warm and fragrant as she spoke.

Mu Linglong feigned unconsciousness, ignoring Li Ju’s persistent questioning.

Li Ju wrapped her arms around Mu Linglong’s slender waist and murmured soothingly, “Don’t play these tricks anymore. I’ll take away your jewelry box.”

Mu Linglong curled her lip in disdain. Without the jewelry box, I’ll just cry out a gemstone myself. That’ll save me just as well.

“The basement door lock doesn’t recognize your fingerprint. You can’t escape.”

Mu Linglong glared at Li Ju, her anger simmering. “You win this round!”

Li Ju smiled. “Just a bit smarter than Miss Mu, perhaps.”

Mu Linglong leaned against Li Ju’s chest, silently clasped her hands together, and muttered, “Mom and Dad, open your eyes! Please take this wretched woman away!”

“Your parents entrusted you to me. Why would they take me away?”

“Get lost.”

Li Ju chuckled, finding Mu Linglong’s defiance utterly endearing.

She added gently, “Still want that milk tea?”

“I never want to drink milk tea again in my life!”

“It’s your favorite kind, with extra toppings.”

Mu Linglong stubbornly closed her eyes, refusing to acknowledge her. Li Ju chuckled. “Fine, if you don’t want it, I’ll just finish it myself later.”

Mu Linglong’s face crumpled in frustration, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Her escape plan had failed, and now even her milk tea was gone.

She’s a merman, not a bitter melon!

“Pfft, what’s wrong?”

Mu Linglong was genuinely heartbroken this time, wiping away tears as she sobbed. A cascade of jewels spilled from her arms, clattering to the ground.

Li Ju’s smile vanished. She tenderly cupped Mu Linglong’s face, gazing helplessly into her tear-reddened eyes. “Don’t cry,” she pleaded. “Yesterday, when I asked you to cry, you were so stubborn. Now I haven’t even asked, and the tears are falling like they’re going out of style.”

“You’re bullying me!”

“I’m sorry. I apologize.”

Mu Linglong hated Li Ju with a burning intensity. Was she destined to be crushed under Li Ju’s mountain of authority forever? The more she thought about it, the more hopeless her life seemed. Why was it so impossible to rise up and become her own master?

She buried her face in Li Ju’s shoulder, weeping as tears soaked into the fabric of her clothes.

She seemed determined to cry out all the grievances of the past two days. But then Mu Linglong suddenly noticed something was wrong with Li Ju. Her eyes widened with alarm. “You’re burning up!” she exclaimed.

Li Ju blinked, touched her forehead, and was about to smile reassuringly when she saw Mu Linglong’s image split into double vision.

She realized something was seriously wrong with her body.

The intense heat felt like she was trapped in flames, every drop of moisture being instantly drained from her body. Her once-moist lips turned dry and pale. The overwhelming heat struck so suddenly that Li Ju collapsed into unconsciousness before she could utter a word.

Mu Linglong barely managed to catch her, her heart pounding with fear as she pressed her ear to Li Ju’s chest.

“Could this really be a problem with the Merman Tears?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

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