The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

The Li family’s old estate was in a quiet, secluded area. Tang Qingqing smoothed the windblown strands of her hair. In a moment of distraction, Li Ju was gone.

She smiled at Li Ju’s retreating back and then gave a nod to the driver. “Thank you for today,” she said.

“You’re too kind, Miss Tang.”

“Tang Qingqing, where are you?! I waited for you at the school for so long, and now you’re making me wait again.” Li Ju looked at her empty side and realized Tang Qingqing was still talking to the driver. Her impatient nature got the best of her, and she urged Tang Qingqing to hurry up.

The fondness in Tang Qingqing’s eyes deepened. She said softly, “Xiao Ju can’t stand to be without me for a second.”

The driver’s lips twitched slightly. He had just been thinking about how Tang Qingqing was in for a hard time, given the way Li Ju was gritting her teeth. But Tang Qingqing didn’t seem scared at all; she seemed to be enjoying it.

Tang Qingqing picked up her pace. “I’m coming, I’m coming,” she said languidly.

The driver watched the two women walk away, his expression complicated. People always said Miss Li was arrogant and despised Miss Tang, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Tang Qingqing familiarized herself with Li Ju’s arm, holding on to it. “I’m a little scared,” she whispered, watching Li Ju’s expression.

Li Ju shot her a look. Well, there goes my arm.

“Scared of what?”

The lively light in Tang Qingqing’s warm, bright eyes instantly faded. Her face, which had been so animated, now looked tired.

“Li Mingyu.”

The mention of that name made a fire rise in Li Ju.

Li Ju put her arm around Tang Qingqing’s neck, disheveling her soft, long hair. But Tang Qingqing didn’t care. She was looking at Li Ju and waiting for her reaction.

Li Ju’s expression became serious. “Li Mingyu scares you that much? Do you even see me? I’m the one who’s always bullied you, so why aren’t you afraid of me? Are you provoking me, Tang Qingqing?” she asked in a low voice.

Tang Qingqing’s eyes widened. The elegant and composed woman always became lively and animated around Li Ju. “I wasn’t trying to provoke you, Xiao Ju,” she explained.

“Heh.”

“Tang Qingqing, put your little heart back in your stomach for now. Instead of being afraid of her, you should be thinking about how to get me to forgive you for your mistake just now.”

Li Ju let go of her arm with a cold scoff. To prevent Tang Qingqing from holding her again, she put her hands in her pockets and walked forward with an arrogant look, not even sparing a glance for Tang Qingqing.

Tang Qingqing’s lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes full of amusement. She touched her slightly messy hair. Her nose could still smell Li Ju’s scent.

Despite her aloof demeanor, she wasn’t as lazy or carefree as outsiders might think.

She once again caught up to Li Ju. “Do I often make you angry, Xiao Ju?” she asked cautiously. “I don’t even know what I did wrong.”

Li Ju looked at her sideways. Tang Qingqing, a Chinese painting teacher, found it hard to capture the essence of Li Ju’s beautiful face. Tang Qingqing’s eyelashes fluttered, and she hid her sudden racing heart.

“Because you’re a fool,” Li Ju said flatly. “And fools don’t know what they did wrong.”

“Then what do I have to do for you to forgive me this time?”

Li Ju said without thinking, “Kneel.”

Tang Qingqing nodded obediently. “Okay, but can I do it when we get home?”

Li Ju’s expression faltered for a second, but she was used to Tang Qingqing’s odd behavior. She cleared her throat. “Fine… fine.”

As she spoke, Li Ju couldn’t help but steal a glance at Tang Qingqing, who showed no sign of anger. She was so tolerant and forgiving.

This thought had crossed her mind before. Li Ju used to think Tang Qingqing was just faking it, but she later realized Tang Qingqing wasn’t pretending. She genuinely wasn’t angry.

Li Ju looked away. Maybe Tang Qingqing’s smile was too sweet, making a villain like her feel like she had just taken a bite of an unripe peach—sour and bitter. In short, it was disgusting.

“Don’t be mad at me anymore, Xiao Ju. I’ll be very good and obedient.”

Li Ju was speechless. In the end, she pinched Tang Qingqing’s cheek as if to vent her frustration. “Just come with me to see Grandma first,” she said.

“Okay.”

Li Ju maintained her cool demeanor, walking with her hands in her pockets. But when she reached the covered walkway, Li Ju’s tough act vanished. She put her hands down, bent over, and said obediently, “Grandma, what a coincidence.”

The old woman in front of them still showed traces of her youthful beauty. Her small body held immense power. The Li family was able to stand its ground and not crumble in the business world because of this formidable old lady.

Murong Ruo looked at her annoying granddaughter and then waved at Tang Qingqing. “Qingqing, come here, sweetheart,” she said lovingly.

Tang Qingqing smiled shyly and glanced at Li Ju before she went over.

Li Ju puffed out her cheeks with jealousy, standing to the side in silence.

Murong Ruo held Tang Qingqing’s hand. “You’re so well-behaved, Qingqing. Grandma loves you the most,” she said gently. “But you can’t be so soft. I just heard that Li Ju bullying you again. Oh, you’re a good kid, but you never tell on anyone. Come on, let’s go back and have a good chat.”

“Grandma! Don’t ignore me!”

Murong Ruo let out a scolding huff. “Go away,” she said. “I’m already mad at your father, and now I’ve heard what you said to Qingqing. I’m annoyed just looking at you two. Ah Lan, give her my cane. Don’t let her get tired.”

Ah Lan was Murong Ruo’s housekeeper. She had lived in the old house for a long time. To the children, she was more than just a housekeeper; she was a respected elder.

Li Ju took the cane from Ah Lan, feeling wronged. She pouted and looked dejected.

Tang Qingqing helped Murong Ruo. “Grandma, it was my fault,” she said with a smile. “I provoked Xiao Ju, which is why she said those things. She’s very good to me and doesn’t bully me. Look at her; she looks so pitiful. Today is a happy day, so please don’t be angry. How about Xiao Ju and I help you on both sides?”

Murong Ruo affectionately touched the back of Tang Qingqing’s head. Even though Tang Ping is a bit of an idiot, her biological and adopted daughters are both good children. Murong Ruo never played favorites; she had always considered Tang Qingqing her granddaughter.

“Qingqing, you’re Grandma’s good granddaughter,” she said.

Tang Qingqing answered, but she felt a bit down. Sometimes, your identity is nothing more than a lock.

Li Ju, seizing the opportunity, gave the cane back. She helped Murong Ruo and gave Tang Qingqing a rewarding wink. She sweetly acted spoiled, wanting to move past the whole incident.

Murong Ruo saw through it but didn’t say anything, enjoying her granddaughters’ care.

The old garden’s design was so beautiful that you could sit on a random rock and still find something to appreciate.

During dinner, drinks were exchanged, and even with close relatives, it was sometimes impossible to avoid business.

Tang Qingqing was just a Chinese painting teacher. She had always stayed away from the company’s affairs. Her identity at this moment made it clear that she was an outsider.

Tang Qingqing took a pot of tea and sat in a small pavilion outside to admire the view. Ah Lan wanted to stay, but Tang Qingqing convinced her to leave. Murong Ruo needed her by her side.

Tang Qingqing’s expression was calm. Without Li Ju by her side, she was indifferent to everything.

Suddenly, a commotion came from inside. It sounded like a cup had been smashed. Tang Qingqing didn’t move. Li Ju had gone to the study with Murong Ruo, so it had nothing to do with her.

But a fragrance wafted over, and Tang Qingqing smelled trouble.

“Why is there only one teacup?”

Tang Qingqing’s gaze shifted to the side and then returned to the front. The person sitting next to her was Li Mingyu.

“Why didn’t you go to the study with Xiao Ju? Oh, right, my memory is so bad. Only my father, my uncle, and Xiao Ju are allowed in Grandma’s study. We don’t have that privilege. Not even I can get in, let alone you,” Li Mingyu said, squinting contentedly as she felt the autumn wind blow. She was openly mocking Tang Qingqing.

Tang Qingqing still didn’t speak, but Li Mingyu didn’t mind.

Li Mingyu was Li Ju’s cousin. Murong Ruo had two sons, but both had daughters. Li Mingyu had known from a young age that Li Ju was not only her cousin but also a rival. She had ultimately lost to Li Ju.

A dark light flickered in her eyes. Thinking of the cunning Li Ju, Li Mingyu chuckled. “You came out early, so you don’t know what they were arguing about, do you?”

“My uncle is smart, but he married a not-so-smart woman. Of all the Tangs, I admire you the most. Tang Qingqing, it’s not easy being with Li Ju, is it?”

Li Mingyu looked at Tang Qingqing’s cold profile, her smile growing. “My aunt married into the family using some disgraceful methods. It was only my uncle’s kindness that made him accept her. Even though you’re adopted, my aunt has raised you for so many years. You shouldn’t become like her.”

Tang Qingqing moved, turning to look at her.

Her calm eyes infuriated Li Mingyu. That gaze made Li Mingyu feel like her own ugliness had been seen through completely.

“I wish I could paint your ugly face,” Tang Qingqing said coldly. “So you can see the difference between you and Xiao Ju.”

Li Mingyu laughed stupidly, pointing a finger at Tang Qingqing’s face. “Some people are just pathetic. You’re so eager to be her dog. Do you really think Li Ju cares about you? You’re just a toy she can call and discard whenever she wants!”

“What’s wrong? Are you jealous of me? Or do you want to be her dog, too?”

Tang Qingqing put down her teacup, a knowing smile on her face. “But she can only have me by her side.”

Li Mingyu laughed as if she had heard a joke. “What are you talking about? I could never be Li Ju’s dog.”

“Then what are you doing, trying to stir up trouble?”

Tang Qingqing stood up gracefully, her face and lips a beautiful shade of red. She carried herself with an air of elegance.

“I’m not done talking! Where are you going?”

Tang Qingqing smiled. “Grandma says I’m good at everything, except telling on people.”

“So I’m going to go tell on you to Xiao Ju.”

She tilted her head, her eyes filled with a biting cold. “I’m going to tell her you were bullying me.”

Li Mingyu stood up abruptly, adjusted her glasses, and sneered. “Li Ju bullies you all the time, too. If she can do it, why can’t I?”

Tang Qingqing pouted unwillingly. Who do you think you are? It’s not the same thing at all.

She walked away, and Li Mingyu didn’t stop her. Li Mingyu didn’t believe Tang Qingqing would actually go tell on her. Besides, even if she did, Li Ju wouldn’t necessarily help her. This wasn’t the first time Li Mingyu had done this. If Li Ju really wanted to protect her, she would have done so a long time ago.

Li Mingyu shrugged nonchalantly. She had no idea that Li Ju would actually show up this time.

Li Ju was sharp-tongued. She wouldn’t even be respectful to her own mother. A cousin was no different; she would scold her without hesitation. Li Mingyu was taken aback, and with tears in her eyes, she screamed, “I’m your cousin! She’s just an outsider, just a dog!”

Li Ju glanced at Tang Qingqing, who thought she was hidden but was easily spotted. Li Ju said with a snobby look, “Tang Qingqing eats my food, drinks my water, and lives in my house. It’s only right that I get to bully her. Li Mingyu, who are you to call her a dog? Say something human for once. I advise you to be a good person.”

She walked past the doorway, her hands in her pockets, and said casually, “What are you standing around for? Are you going to drive me home, or are you going to stay here and let Li Mingyu scold you some more?”

“Xiao Ju, you’re the best!” Tang Qingqing ran over to hug her arm.

Li Ju’s face was cold. “Don’t forget what you have to do when we get home,” she said.

Tang Qingqing gently wiped the tears from her eyes. She turned and didn’t miss the angry look in Li Mingyu’s eyes. She smiled faintly and gave her a polite wave.

“Goodbye.”

“Xiao Ju, Xiao Ju, wait for me.”

Li Ju was about to show her annoyance when she saw Tang Ping and Tang Ruru standing there. She cursed under her breath.

“Tang Qingqing, come here and drive!” Tang Ruru looked at Tang Ping. Seeing that she didn’t object, she felt a sense of relief. Auntie really does favor me the most. She had even argued with Uncle for her before. So, Li Ju and Tang Qingqing combined couldn’t compare to her!

Tang Qingqing frowned. The look Tang Ruru gave her reminded her of the investigation she had asked her to do.

Li Ju didn’t try to stop her. She didn’t care who she was a driver for.

“Mom, Xiao Ju isn’t feeling well. I have to drive her home. Ruru, please keep Mom company,” Tang Qingqing said obediently, getting into the car first.

Li Ju suppressed the corners of her mouth from turning upward. She looked at Tang Ping affectionately. “Ms. Tang, I’ll see you later.”

Good, good. You’re a good little dog. You’re excused from kneeling tonight!

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