The Villain I Loved Has Broken Free and Transmigrated Out of the Story - Chapter 56

When Yin Ya climbed out of the lower bunk, she felt Cang Lanyan’s gaze had changed.

It was like she was looking at a simple-minded fool.

“Just a little drowsy…” she muttered to herself, clutching her blanket as she climbed back up to the upper bunk. After putting on her glasses and grabbing her phone, she climbed down again.

Thanks to Cang Lanyan, she was now completely awake.

What kind of twisted logic does that old spirit have? she wondered. I was sleeping perfectly fine up there. A simple shout would have woken me. Why did she have to carry me, blanket and all, down to the lower bunk and rouse me? What a pointless extra step!

Checking the time, Yin Ya first went to change her sanitary pad. Then she returned to the living room and sat on the sofa, scrolling through dinner options on her phone.

“Do you want to try hot and sour chicken?” she asked Cang Lanyan, swiping through the menu on her screen. “There’s a place nearby with tender chicken, a garlic sauce that’s fragrant without being spicy, crispy fried peanuts, generous portions of rice and vegetables, and even a refreshing egg drop soup.”

Her voice carried a hint of apology, hoping Cang Lanyan would sense her sincerity and agree to share dinner with her.

The merfolk, seated at the computer desk, continued flipping through a book. After listening to Yin Ya’s words, she didn’t immediately respond. Instead, she closed the book, tapped her bare feet on the floor, and skillfully maneuvered her swivel chair to glide in front of Yin Ya.

“I have no appetite,” Cang Lanyan said, leaning slightly forward to emphasize her words. Her shadow enveloped the God, who was curled up on the sofa.

Yin Ya instinctively shrank deeper into the cushions before a corner of her mouth twitched into a smile. “But that was before! I’m just helping you discover your appetite now.”

Before Cang Lanyan could respond, Yin Ya added, “If you’re just being stubborn because you’ve never tried it, I’ll decide for you.”

The Kung Pao Chicken combo was surprisingly affordable, the best value takeout Yin Ya had ever ordered. It was like lamb noodle soup. She could eat it every day for three years and never get tired of it.

Even if Cang Lanyan threw a tantrum tonight, the extra combo could be stored in the fridge and heated up tomorrow.

However, the words “throw a tantrum” abruptly popped into Yin Ya’s mind, surprising even herself. She fell into a habitual few seconds of contemplation and analysis.

…Well, she really couldn’t tell whether Cang Lanyan’s words meant she genuinely didn’t need to eat or if she was just being stubborn.

She instinctively glanced at Cang Lanyan, noticing what seemed like a hint of amusement in her eyes. Though uncertain, she still ordered two meal combos, noting “no spice.”

“You? Where did you go today?” Yin Ya couldn’t help but ask as they waited for the delivery to arrive. “Did anything unpleasant happen?”

“I just wandered around and took the subway,” Cang Lanyan replied, then added calmly, “I made myself invisible, so no one saw me.”

Yin Ya nodded, understanding the reassurance. Just as she was about to ask for details, Cang Lanyan lowered her head and opened her phone.

“There’s a Forest Park near the terminal station.” She showed Yin Ya the screen. “I went inside and walked around. I saw humans taking photos with their phones, so I took some too.”

“I’ve heard of that park,” Yin Ya said, scrolling through the photos. “When I first got accepted into university, locals told me it was worth visiting—the scenery is stunning, and there’s a natural waterfall.”

“The place is rich with spiritual power. It’s truly a hidden gem,” Cang Lanyan nodded. “I’ve already decided. While you’re at school, I’ll stay there.”

Yin Ya let out a surprised sound and blurted out, “You? But didn’t you want to explore the campus?”

“Why not do both? Wouldn’t that be better?” Cang Lanyan countered.

“…You? Come on, spill it. Have you been using too much spiritual power and need to recharge now?” Yin Ya frowned.

Energy is conserved, even spiritual power. The spiritual power consumed by spells comes from Cang Lanyan herself. Without cultivation and replenishment, her reserves would eventually be depleted.

Whether it’s manifesting jellyfish, maintaining “Merfolk’s Delight,” or sustaining the Dream Realm it creates, all require vast amounts of spiritual power, at least, that’s how she designed most of her spells.

“Have you ever been to this place?” Cang Lanyan abruptly changed the subject, smoothly pocketing her phone.

“No, I haven’t,” Yin Ya shook her head. “Before, my schedule was packed with classes, leaving no time. Now, I’m just used to staying home. But Cen Xiang goes there often; I’ve seen her photos.”

“Would you like to see it for yourself?” Cang Lanyan asked.

Yin Ya had actually wanted to go for a long time. First, she’d been too busy, and even when she had free time, she needed to write, study for certifications, or work on papers and assignments.

Moreover, Forest Park is near the subway terminus. Even by subway, it takes a full hour and a half to get there, which means a round trip would take three hours. That’s too much time for her.

However, she doesn’t have many classes this semester, and the novel she’s working on is nearly finished. She could probably find time to go.

She nodded. “Once the rhythm of this semester settles down, I’ll go with you to check it out.”

“Rhythm?” Cang Lanyan asked, puzzled.

“It’s just… each teacher has their own teaching style,” Yin Ya explained. “Some assign homework, while others require pre-class preparation and post-class review. I need to get used to their styles first. Otherwise, I won’t manage my time properly, won’t be able to submit assignments on time, and will panic during class quizzes. I call this the ‘rhythm’ of each semester.”

After speaking, she realized the conversation had completely veered off-topic. She hurriedly tried to steer it back. “You still haven’t answered me. Are you really going to Forest Park to absorb spiritual power?”

After all, cities don’t have much spiritual energy. Going out of your way to recharge shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of. Why was this old spirit avoiding the question?

“Yes,” Cang Lanyan said, her voice flat. “But not entirely.”

“What do you mean by that?” Yin Ya asked, genuinely confused this time.

“It’s my way of saying it,” Cang Lanyan replied firmly, cutting off any further questions.

Still bewildered, Yin Ya watched as Cang Lanyan wheeled back to her desk. She clicked her tongue, lowered her head, and opened WeChat, tapping open the chat with Cen Xiang.

[Has Fusheng Written Today?] Er Xiang, do you still have photos from Linjiang Forest Park? I’m stuck on a scene in my writing and need some reference material. QAQ

Cen Xiang’s WeChat feed was set to three-day visibility, even preventing Yin Ya from accessing old posts.

After sending the message, Yin Ya checked the time, figuring Cen Xiang must be eating. She put away her phone and stood up to stretch, but her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Cang Lanyan.

“I have to be up and showered by 8 AM tomorrow,” she said to Cang Lanyan. “I need to be in class by 9 AM for attendance, a brief talk with the counselor, and textbook distribution. It’ll be pretty dull. So… what do you want to say?”

Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other all day, Yin Ya felt an urge to talk more with Cang Lanyan.

“Let’s go and see first,” Cang Lanyan replied. “If it’s boring, I’ll find my own amusement.”

“Don’t forget to tell me when you’re coming home!” Yin Ya hurriedly reminded her.

“You really miss having me around?” Cang Lanyan chuckled softly.

It was a straightforward question, but Yin Ya had learned to handle these over time. She answered with another direct response: “Yes! I’ve grown used to having someone at home. Being alone now feels so empty.”

“Is that so?” Cang Lanyan’s tone lifted.

Yin Ya paused, unsure what emotion the older woman was expressing. She patiently waited for her to continue.

But even after the delivery person sent a message, there was no further word from the old spirit.

A few minutes later, as she watched Cang Lanyan leisurely pick up a piece of spicy chicken doused in sauce, Yin Ya inwardly clicked her tongue.

She finally understood what it meant for an “honkaku tsunderu” to be “stubbornly difficult to please.”

To truly see through this old spirit’s thoughts, to understand the emotions behind her words and expressions, would likely require much more practice. To put it bluntly, it was like a eunuch trying to divine the emperor’s intentions.

But to be honest, when Cang Lanyan was still the Guardian God of the Merfolk Tribe, her everyday treatment was practically on par with that of an emperor. That’s why Yin Ya now feels that anything she gives to Cang Lanyan is what she truly deserves, whether it’s the cup of water they shared during their first meeting, the mint bath she later provided, or even the three daily meals Cang Lanyan doesn’t even need.

…Or even Yin Ya herself.

The moment this thought surfaced, it sent a shiver of fear through her.

She suddenly remembered that Cang Lanyan had once mentioned she had a purpose for initially giving her the Merfolk’s Delight, but that purpose had become obsolete, so she hadn’t bothered to explain it.

But if Yin Ya followed this line of reasoning backward, the purpose Cang Lanyan had abandoned was terrifying.

What’s the greatest taboo in a relationship?

Of course, it’s inequality.

When one person gives their all, offering their very best and humbling themselves to the dust, while the other approaches it with a casual, half-hearted attitude, the one who ends up deeply hurt is inevitably the one who loves the other deeply. Meanwhile, the other person might not even have to pay the cost of their own effort.

If she hadn’t been familiar with Cang Lanyan’s dark side but had fallen head over heels for her, coupled with that old spirit’s innate charm, that damned alluring appearance and figure, and that nearly heaven-defying “Merfolk’s Delight,” she would have fallen in love with Cang Lanyan and become deeply entangled in this relationship at an alarmingly rapid pace.

But in Cang Lanyan’s eyes at that time, she was likely no more significant than a meal—completely disposable. This old spirit had no capacity for desire, let alone any understanding of love.

Yin Ya had never been in a romantic relationship, but she had witnessed love’s effects firsthand and written about characters obsessed with it. She knew how far people could go when they fell in love.

It was a true loss of reason, the kind that could cost you your life.

She wasn’t sure if she would become that kind of person, but she knew she had a mother who had nearly gone mad from love.

Yin Ya didn’t dare dwell on it further. She quickly set the table and began eating the rice and vegetables in her bowl.

The rice dish here was made with finely chopped greens and sprinkled with corn kernels, creating a delightful texture and a fragrant aroma that whetted the appetite.

Yin Ya, who had lost her appetite from her unsettling thoughts, found herself revived after a few sips of soup and bites of the rice mixed with the savory sauce from the hot and sour chicken. She felt her energy return, along with the courage to face this cunning old spirit.

Even with her emotions and desires restored, and her brain temporarily hijacked by romance, a villainous, black-hearted, white-furred old fox spirit like this one could never truly change its ways—at least not in just a few days.

Swallowing a mouthful of rice, Yin Ya asked, “How do you like the hot and sour chicken?”

Cang Lanyan, however, changed the subject. “You still haven’t told me why it’s called ‘hot and sour chicken’.”

“Because the sauce has a lot of Sichuan peppercorns, which numbs your mouth. And when your mouth is numb, you start drooling,” Yin Ya explained with a smile. “But today, I’m serving you a mild version. We’ll gradually increase the spiciness over time.”

She paused before adding meaningfully, “As long as you take your time to adjust, you’ll eventually learn to love it.”

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