The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 58

Li Ju’s question was a life-or-death situation for Mu Linglong, so her survival instincts kicked into high gear. She gazed at Li Ju with a placating expression and said softly, “You had a fever a few days ago that caused memory loss. You’ve forgotten Mu Rongguang, and you’ve also forgotten that he stabbed you. I do know him, but my loyalty lies with you. I’ve decided to call Mu Rongguang and tell him to stand still so you can stab him back. That way, you’ll be even.”

Mu Linglong didn’t want Li Ju’s hands stained with unnecessary blood. Their feud with Mu Rongguang was limited to that one stab, so the solution she proposed was for Li Ju to retaliate in kind. If Mu Rongguang were to escalate further, Mu Linglong wouldn’t stop Li Ju from defending herself, but for now, settling the score meant settling that single stab.

Li Ju hummed, clearly dissatisfied. The arm around Mu Linglong’s neck tightened slightly, conveying her thoughts directly: “Your favoritism isn’t obvious enough. You’re holding back, and you’re greedy. You don’t want to lose me, but you also don’t want to lose that man named Mu Rongguang.”

Li Ju’s keen eyes pierced through Mu Linglong’s hidden thoughts. Mu Linglong, watching her cautiously, replied, “Mu Rongguang is my only friend. He’s the only one who wants to play with me. It was his fault for hurting you, but… there’s a reason. It’s just hard to explain right now.”

Li Ju’s memories were a jumbled mess. She believed herself to be a Merman, making it impossible for Mu Linglong to explain why Mu Rongguang had attacked her. He had acted in self-defense, because Li Ju, a human, had discovered his true identity. But Li Ju, in her current state, refused to acknowledge her own humanity, turning the entire explanation into a dead end.

Li Ju didn’t care about the reasons behind Mu Rongguang’s attack. What stung her was Mu Linglong’s use of the word “only.” It grated on her ears.

“Only? Does that word really fit him?”

Mu Linglong clearly missed Li Ju’s hidden meaning. “He’s my only friend,” she said. “What else would I call him? Actually, you used to be my friend too. If you still were, I wouldn’t need to use the word ‘only’ at all.”

Li Ju’s deep eyes stared straight at her. With a smile, she asked, “I used to be your friend? What about now?”

Mu Linglong tugged shyly at Li Ju’s sleeve, gesturing for her to lean in and offer her ear.

Li Ju complied, and Mu Linglong whispered into her ear, “It’s ‘wife,’ wife!”

“Tch,” Li Ju scoffed softly, clearly unimpressed by the answer. She rubbed her burning ear and glanced at Mu Linglong, declaring haughtily, “You’re good at sweet-talking.”

She magnanimously let Mu Linglong off the hook, though she would have loved to give her a proper lesson on which terms were off-limits for certain people.

Mu Linglong’s eyes crinkled with amusement as she thought to herself, Such a tsundere! Just admit you’re happy! Why pretend to be so reluctant? It’s not like I’m abducting some innocent maiden.

“Hey, you two! What’s all the whispering about? Let me in on the secret!” Qin Peipei scratched her head, desperate to join their private conversation.

Li Ju teased, “Just chatting about private matters with my girlfriend.”

Qin Peipei drawled sarcastically, “Oh~ ‘girlfriend’~ Like everyone doesn’t have one.”

“Do you?”

Qin Peipei planted her hands on her hips, indignant. “I’ll definitely find a girlfriend even better than your wife!”

Li Ju raised an eyebrow, tightened her arm around Mu Linglong, and led her out, tossing back a casual, “Sorry, but in my eyes, no one can compare to her.”

Mu Linglong pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. She stole a glance at Li Ju, who was wearing a mask. The tender affection in her eyes made Li Ju feign composure as she said, “Watch where you’re going, not me. You’ll trip.”

“I won’t trip as long as you’re holding my hand.”

“That’s… a fair point.”

“See?”

Mu Linglong’s sweet smile was hidden by her mask, but the joy in her eyes couldn’t be concealed. Li Ju’s response had been like a calming pill, filling Mu Linglong with a light, euphoric happiness. She loved the Li Ju of the past—the woman who was both gentle and cunning—and she loved the Li Ju of the present, who was more sincere and straightforward. Though both were equally wicked, Mu Linglong was hopelessly addicted to this woman.

It was truly unbelievable. The twists and turns of the past few days had been completely unexpected. At first, Mu Linglong had assumed she would be trapped in the basement for a long, long time, until her clan came to retrieve her. She even imagined a violent confrontation between them. This scenario had haunted her thoughts, because Li Ju would never let her go, and her clan would never stop searching for her. The only possible outcome seemed to be mutual destruction.

Hearing someone offer a high price for gemstones, Li Ju’s chestnut-orange eyes instantly locked onto Mu Linglong. With a hint of pettiness, she asked, “Am I more important, or are the gemstones?”

In the past, Mu Linglong had been troubled and conflicted, unsure whether Li Ju cared more about her or the merman’s tears. But now, it seemed that burden had shifted to Li Ju.

Mu Linglong suppressed a smile, thinking to herself, I’m such a kind merman. Unlike Li Ju, who had answered carelessly before, she would be different.

With unwavering sincerity, Mu Linglong replied, “You, of course. It’s always been you, and it always will be.”

She understood Li Ju’s insecurities, having experienced them herself. That’s why Mu Linglong answered with such patience and conviction.

Li Ju wiped the corner of her eye and said slyly, “Looks like I can never shed another tear. Otherwise, the gemstones will start competing for your affection.”

Mu Linglong tilted her head and chuckled. Li Ju, flustered, demanded, “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Nothing. I just think you’re adorable.”

Whether she was a merman or a human seemed to matter less and less.

With a relieved expression and a gentle smile, Mu Linglong clasped Li Ju’s hand firmly and declared, “I’ll never make you angry or cry again!”

Li Ju, well aware of her own nature, said with a troubled expression, “I don’t think I can stop. I just love teasing you too much.”

“That’s not teasing, that’s bullying!” Mu Linglong retorted, her voice dripping with indignation.

“Then I’ll try not to bully you?”

Mu Linglong didn’t believe a word of Li Ju’s sweet talk. Her tricks were endless, and the only way to counter them was to study Li Ju’s methods diligently, then turn those very tactics against her! That would finally keep her in line!

Mu Linglong’s disdain made Li Ju cough awkwardly. “I really will try my best.”

“Oh.”

“You’re giving me the silent treatment!”

Mu Linglong glanced sideways at Li Ju, her tone dismissive. “I learned it from you.”

Li Ju immediately protested, “That’s impossible!”

“Believe what you want.”

While they were bickering playfully, Qin Peipei returned triumphant, her money pouch bulging. She burst into laughter, patting her waist bag, ready to announce her good news to Li Ju, only to be met with a mouthful of their saccharine display.

Qin Peipei’s smile vanished. She pouted accusingly, “Sister, how could you do this to me! I was out there fighting tooth and nail to drive down prices, and you’re here being all lovey-dovey with your wife. Do you even see me as a person?!”

It turned out Qin Peipei had been selling gemstones—the very bag Mu Linglong had entrusted to her.

This wasn’t Mu Linglong’s Pink Gem, but rather the Aquamarine Li Ju had purchased from Mu Rongguang a few days prior.

Mu Linglong now harbored a deep aversion to Aquamarine. The mere thought of being trapped in the basement because of these stones filled her with unease.

To ease her discomfort, Mu Linglong mentioned selling the gemstones to Li Ju.

Initially, Li Ju dismissed it, simply agreeing to Mu Linglong’s request.

Fearing Li Ju might feign compliance, Mu Linglong, having discovered Li Ju’s petty greed, specifically warned her that the Aquamarine had been acquired to keep her confined in the basement. She explained that the stones would leave her weak and drained of energy.

Upon hearing this, Li Ju immediately contacted Qin Peipei.

Qin Peipei responded with a dry chuckle. Just bought them and already reselling? Is my sister crazy?

This incident explained Qin Peipei’s triumphant return earlier, her pockets bulging with cash.

Mu Linglong said apologetically, “I’m sorry for troubling you with this again. Let’s split the profits 40/60—you get 40%, we get 60%.”

Qin Peipei, a friend and shrewd businesswoman, considered the matter. After a moment’s thought, she decided to stick to the original 20/80 split. I’m just a middleman, she reasoned. Why demand such a high cut?

“No, I promised 20/80, and that’s what it’ll be. Don’t argue. We just got lucky today, finding a buyer for a large quantity of gems. I didn’t even have to work hard for it.”

Li Ju accepted the black credit card from her. The gems were too valuable for bartering; cash was the only practical method of exchange.

Remembering Sai Xishi’s warning, Qin Peipei couldn’t help but caution them. “You two need to be careful. Mu Rongguang is probably digging into your identities through the Black Market. I’ll have someone check around later and let you know if I hear anything.”

Li Ju smiled. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re friends, after all.”

The Black Market remained a mysterious and treacherous place. Under the moonlight, the sycamore tree seemed to possess a life of its own. As its branches swayed and leaves rustled, two figures emerged from beneath its shadow.

Li Ju glanced at the time. “We should head home now,” she said to Mu Linglong.

“Okay.”

The moonlight stretched their shadows long, like loyal knights escorting them home.

But Li Ju didn’t let Mu Linglong off the hook. She grabbed Mu Linglong’s arm, earning a puzzled look.

“What?” Mu Linglong asked.

Li Ju tilted her chin, her gaze directed toward her room.

“You’re sleeping in my room again tonight.”

Li Ju removed her mask, revealing her exquisite, alluring face. Her smiling eyes shimmered with captivating charm, their mere glance making Mu Linglong’s mouth dry.

“Coming or not?”

Mu Linglong glanced at her attic room, then at Li Ju. With a running start, she leaped onto Li Ju’s back, playfully demanding, “Sure, but you have to carry me.”

“Lazybones.”

“Then I’ll get down.”

Li Ju couldn’t resist swatting Mu Linglong’s bottom, scolding with a laugh, “You make me carry you and then complain when I grumble?”

Mu Linglong nuzzled her cheek against Li Ju’s, grinning mischievously. “Li Ju, you invited me over because you were lonely. You’d better pamper me properly. Otherwise, I’ll leave you alone in your room to pine away.”

Li Ju’s eyes deepened, her upturned lips making her already striking features even more bewitching. She murmured, “Alright, I’ll pamper you. I’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable.”

Mu Linglong keenly sensed the hidden meaning in Li Ju’s words. She shrank her neck and murmured, “Actually, I could serve you too, you know.”

“You?”

“What’s wrong with me? Are you looking down on me?”

“Then I’m truly looking forward to it.”

Mu Linglong playfully patted the back of Li Ju’s head, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just you wait and see!”

Hmm, something feels off…

Never mind, it’s probably nothing serious.

Li Ju concealed the glint in her eyes, her smile growing even more captivating.

How naive. She fell for it already?

But how did someone like her manage to lock herself in the basement?

Could love have blinded me, making me careless?

No matter. She’s locked up now, and she’s no match for me anyway.

The bedroom curtains swayed gently in the evening breeze, their soft, silent movements undisturbed by the entwined figures on the bed.

Mu Linglong kissed Li Ju’s collarbone, her warm, soft lips brushing against her skin.

Li Ju covered Mu Linglong’s eyes, plunging her into darkness that amplified every sensation.

Mu Linglong couldn’t resist biting Li Ju, eliciting a soft, pleased laugh. “You really love biting me, don’t you?”

“It’s your fault for being so infuriating!”

“Well, I’m completely innocent here.”

The night enveloped them, accompanying them from their passionate embrace to deep slumber, until the first light of dawn.

The next morning, Mu Linglong felt Li Ju’s gentle kiss on her cheek, signaling it was time for her to leave for work.

Mu Linglong desperately wanted to open her eyes, but she was too sleepy. She pulled the thin blanket over herself, turned over, and drifted back to sleep.

Li Ju shook her head with a fond smile. “Lazybones,” she murmured.

After buttoning her shirt, she grabbed her work bag, stood up, and headed out.

As she walked through the courtyard, she glanced up at the attic. A smile tugged at her lips. The Miss Mu who used to sit alone in that high tower was now sleeping in her bed.

The thought warmed Li Ju’s heart.

“Xiao Ju, off to work?” the neighborly grandmother called out.

Li Ju pushed up her glasses and turned back with a smile. “Yes, Grandma, heading to work now.”

“Be careful on your way.”

“I will, Grandma. I’ll bring you something tasty when I get off work.”

The grandmother watched her leave with a loving gaze. Li Ju waved and quickened her pace.

She had walked this route to work countless times before. In the past, it had been a mechanical routine driven by survival. But today, for some reason, Li Ju felt like she was going to work to earn money so she could continue spoiling Miss Mu back home.

Li Ju scoffed, “Such a simp.”

But it doesn’t matter. Miss Mu is so sweet and fragrant, like a little cake. Licking her makes her even more delicious.

Beaming, Li Ju arrived at the museum for work, clocking in as usual.

Just as she settled into her workstation, two shrill voices pierced her mind, causing a throbbing pain at her temples.

Now that’s what I call immersive surround sound…

“Ah! Host! I just went to upgrade, and you’re already in bed with the female lead?!”

System 666 had barely booted up when it was stunned by the sight of Li Ju leaning down to kiss Mu Linglong. After a long silence, the system finally regained its voice.

Li Ju raised an eyebrow. “My memories tell me your name is System 666, and you’re a villain system. Does that mean I’m the villain you’re bound to? So, what do you want me to do? Let me make one thing clear: I’m a delicate merman. I can’t lift heavy things or carry anything. If you want me to harm people, I simply can’t do it.”

“What nonsense is this?! @?!#! A merman?! @!#!”

System 666’s entire system glitched out.

After several worlds plagued by sudden crises, System 666 had become much more adaptable than before.

So now there was good news and bad news.

The good news was that Li Ju remembered it, unlike the previous worlds where things had gone terribly wrong.

The bad news was that Li Ju had become a merman instead of a human.

“I’m a merman, so what’s the problem?”

…Then what is Mu Linglong?

“A human, duh! How can you not even know something so basic? Is your system some kind of unfinished prototype?”

???

System 666 fell silent again. It desperately wanted to tell the program that even with the latest update, it hadn’t prevented Li Ju’s unexpected transformation from happening again!

“Hey, are you still there?”

System 666 remained silent, having urgently contacted the program.

If it’s not talking, Li Ju thought, then I’ll just have to talk to the other voice.

Hey, are you brain-dead or something?! Can’t you hear Great King Aci calling you?!

Li Ju deliberately blocked A’Ci. After all, A’Ci was just… too noisy…

So she had to deal with System 666 first, then focus all her energy on dealing with A’Ci.

“I’m listening.”

Did you two sleep together?

“……”

Li Ju facepalmed and muttered, “Could you be a little more tactful?!”

Oh, fine, I’ll rephrase. Did you two… do something that only adults do? That’s the only explanation! How else would I wake up to find the whole world changed? You know what?! I grew two new leaves! Even the one that was destroyed when the last world collapsed came back! It must be because you two produced the purest essence of love, nourishing me enough to grow two leaves! Two!

Perhaps because A’Ci had saved Li Ju’s life, Li Ju’s memories of A’Ci remained clearer than others.

Li Ju knew that two unknown entities resided within her body—something no normal person could possess. She was keenly aware of her own limitations and certain that she harbored many secrets. Even with gaps in her current memories, Li Ju refused to jeopardize her present happiness by dwelling on things she had long forgotten.

She wouldn’t trade a watermelon for a sesame seed.

Rational and clear-headed, Li Ju’s calm mind swiftly analyzed the most advantageous course of action.

“You grew new leaves? When will you bloom?” Li Ju deftly changed the subject, uninterested in revealing such personal details to A’Ci.

Li Ju’s question sent A’Ci retreating dejectedly into the Sea of Consciousness, leaving it utterly speechless.

Heaven knows when it will bloom! It wants to know too, you know.

Li Ju hadn’t realized her casual remark would have such a profound impact. She had genuinely just been curious.

Stretching languidly, Li Ju mused that with such a strange entity residing within her, and her own peculiar nature, memory loss was hardly worth dwelling on.

Time to focus on work today and get off early!

But her good mood vanished the moment she returned home.

A strange man sat in the courtyard, gazing intently at Mu Linglong as she watered the flowers.

Li Ju felt an urge to gouge out his eyes, throw them on the ground, and stomp on them!

“Ahem.”

“You’re back!” Mu Linglong exclaimed, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.

Li Ju, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans, might have blended in unnoticed. But her striking beauty immediately drew attention.

With her long hair neatly pinned up and her gentle eyes, she thoughtfully took the watering can from Mu Linglong. “And this is…?”

Mu Linglong whispered, “This is my friend.”

“Oh, Mu Rongguang,” Li Ju said, her gaze far from friendly. Her ambiguous smile immediately triggered a strong sense of danger in Mu Rongguang.

Mu Rongguang stood up warily, ignoring Li Ju as he reached out to Mu Linglong. “Linglong, come to my side!”

Li Ju stepped aggressively in front of Mu Linglong, her voice icy. “What do you think you’re doing? Barging into my home to steal her away?”

“Rongguang, calm down! It’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!” Mu Linglong quickly interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

In truth, Mu Rongguang had arrived at their home two hours earlier. He had received news—thanks to his willingness to spend lavishly—that led him to Li Ju’s whereabouts. He had also learned that the appraiser from the Black Market was the same human Mu Linglong knew!

Despite his frail health, Mu Rongguang had rushed to see Mu Linglong without hesitation. He saw Li Ju as a potential threat and finally understood why Mu Linglong had been unwilling to harm her.

But Mu Linglong had refused to leave, stubbornly insisting on staying to wait for Li Ju’s return.

Mu Rongguang gazed at her solemn expression and sighed helplessly. He knew he shouldn’t indulge Mu Linglong’s stubbornness, but he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her.

He had made up his mind: if Li Ju couldn’t be bribed, he would take Mu Linglong away, even if it meant his death.

Li Ju glared at Mu Linglong, gritting her teeth. “Calling me so affectionately? Do you think I’m dead?”

Mu Linglong quickly smoothed things over. “Honey, don’t get angry yet. Let’s hear him out first!”

Mu Rongguang stared, speechless. “H-Honey?!”

Li Ju wrapped an arm around Mu Linglong’s shoulder, her voice dripping with jealousy. “Got a problem with that?”

Mu Rongguang snapped, “She’s human! Linglong, what are you thinking?”

Li Ju bristled. “Who said I’m human? I’m a Merman!”

Mu Rongguang stumbled back in disbelief, his melancholy eyes widening in shock.

She’s a Merman?

Could it be I stabbed the wrong person?

Mu Linglong nodded calmly. “That’s right, that’s right. My wife is a Merman too.”

I’m so clever! I envy Li Ju for having such a smart wife like me. Hehe.

Support The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration]