The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 2

“Then why were you running?” Yuan Shao stared intently at the delicate, palm-sized face before her.

Chi Jinnian’s mind raced as she quickly composed herself. In an instant, her eyes welled up with tears. “I, that Huang Er said he was going to marry you tonight. I was just trying to find a way to escape and take you with me!”

As she spoke, a glistening teardrop slid down her cheek. She sniffled, her petite nose turning slightly red. “Master, could it be, you suspect I’m in cahoots with that weasel? Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

The shimmering tears in Chi Jinnian’s eyes made Yuan Shao’s vision blur for a moment. Unconsciously, her attitude softened. “You, are my disciple? But how could I,”

Chi Jinnian knew everyone had weaknesses, if they didn’t, she would create one for them!

“Master, I know you’ve never liked me, always thought I was foolish!” Before Yuan Shao could finish, Chi Jinnian cut in. “But you’re still my master. The moment I heard you were in danger, I rushed here. But as soon as I arrived” She wiped her tears roughly with her sleeve. “You pinned me down and interrogated me like a criminal! Wuwuwu, I’ve never been treated so unfairly in my life!”

Chi Jinnian cried like a heartbroken young bride. In just a few words, she painted herself as the victim, leaving Yuan Shao in an awkward position.

Seeing Chi Jinnian’s distress, Yuan Shao’s resolve completely melted. Though she couldn’t remember this person, she could tell there was no malice in her words. The girl’s tears fell one after another, if this was an act, how could it be so convincing?

But if it was real, as a teacher, rejecting a disciple for lacking talent would make her unworthy of the title!

Noticing Yuan Shao’s hesitation, Chi Jinnian decided to strike while the iron was hot. She wailed even louder. “Master, if you truly despise me so much, why did you take me as your disciple in the first place? I come from a respectable family! How is your behavior any different from a fickle-hearted scoundrel? If you still doubt me now, I might as well dash my head against this door and end it all! After all, I was wrong to place my trust in you!”

With that, Chi Jinnian stood up and lunged toward the wooden door.

“Wait!” In a flash, Yuan Shao reached out and grabbed her.

Chi Jinnian hadn’t actually intended to crash into the door, it was all for show. But Yuan Shao’s pull was so forceful that Chi Jinnian lost her footing and tumbled straight into her.

The world spun, and the two of them collapsed onto the floor together.

Chi Jinnian on top, Yuan Shao beneath.

“We haven’t finished talking, why are you in such a hurry?” Yuan Shao looked at the tear-streaked face before her. The girl’s pink cheeks were stained with trails of tears, marring her delicate beauty. A pang of guilt rose in Yuan Shao’s chest she couldn’t bear to see her cry like this, couldn’t stand those falling tears.

The brocade silk of the outer robe was nowhere near as soft as the inner garment. Yuan Shao rolled up the sleeves of the outer robe and gently wiped away the tear stains at the corners of the girl’s eyes in her arms with the fabric of the inner robe. The warm tears dampened Yuan Shao’s clothes, the sensation so real that it was hard for her to doubt such a delicate girl after all, she had wronged her first.

Yuan Shao comforted her softly, “Don’t cry anymore. It’s my fault, this master’s fault.”

Master! The moment these two words came out, Chi Jinni knew her crafted weakness had worked!

She wanted Yuan Shao to believe that Yuan Shao had wronged her, Chi Jinni, first. And yet, Chi Jinni not only held no grudges but was even willing to risk her life to come to the rescue! This way. “Ah, right!” Chi Jinni suddenly seemed to remember something and thoughtfully reminded, “That weasel spent a fortune a few days ago to buy a Heart-Lost Pill. He must have used that filthy thing on you! Master, try to see if you can still use your magic.”

“Magic aside, you should get up first. You’re pressing down on me like this.”

Only then did Chi Jinni realize their awkward position and quickly stood up, not forgetting to help Yuan Shao up as well.

Once upright, Yuan Shao formed a seal with her right thumb and ring finger, but as expected, there was no response.

Tears once again streamed down Chi Jinni’s cheeks. “It’s all my fault for not serving Master well. This disciple is to blame!”

“Why are you crying again for no reason!” For some inexplicable reason, Yuan Shao’s heart grew restless at the sight of Chi Jinni’s tears. “I just can’t use magic right now. I can always cultivate it back. This isn’t your fault, so don’t blame yourself. I’m glad you came to save me despite the danger. Though I don’t remember the past, it must have been my failure as a master. It won’t happen again.”

“Really? It won’t happen again?”

“Mm.” Yuan Shao nodded. “This master will never treat you that way again.”

Seeing the girl before her crying so pitifully, her once-bright eyes now red and swollen against her fair skin, she looked just like a little rabbit. “Stop crying, or you won’t look pretty anymore!”

At the mention of not being pretty, Chi Jinni only cried harder. “Does Master think I’m ugly?! This disciple will leave right now and stop being an eyesore.” With that, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed her way toward the door.

Almost there, she was almost out! But just as her hand touched the door, a clamor interrupted her movements. Amidst a pungent smell, a group of little weasels noisily entered their courtyard.

Each of them wore red silk ribbons, looking festive. Some carried red lanterns, others held red paper.

One of them solemnly placed a wooden box right in front of the door and cheerfully called inside, “Miss Chi, we’re all rough folk, so we’ll trouble you to help Immortal Yuan change into her wedding gown. Our master said he’ll make sure to toast you properly later.”

Chi Jinni turned back, only to meet Yuan Shao’s icy gaze.

Oh dear, she was a step too slow! Judging by the setup, that toast tonight it might just end up being poured on the ground in her honor.

In the corner of the kitchen, a green brick trembled slightly before finally falling to the ground. From the gap emerged two small pink dots. After cautiously sniffing the air, they fully revealed themselves.

Two pitch-black mice.

“Uncle, it’s safe, no one’s around!” The slender rat at the front turned to beckon the plump, fleshy rat behind it.

The latter cautiously ensured the surroundings were secure before fully emerging from the hole.

“Reliable intel, they brought in several jars of premium sesame oil today. That stuff’s expensive. We’ve got to take at least one jar with us today!” The rotund rat transformed into human form.

The skinny one followed suit: “But, such big jars. Won’t we get caught?”

“How dense can you be? Just pour the oil into the small containers in your storage pouch! Simple as that!” The fat rat smacked the skinny one’s head harshly. “If you haul off their entire jar, of course they’ll notice!”

The skinny rat had an epiphany: “Uncle, you’re truly wise! No wonder you’re the elder!”

“Damn right! I’ve eaten more peanuts than you’ve stolen grains! That’s called experience!”

“Mas… Master…” Facing Yuan Shao’s shadowed gaze, Chi Jinnian stumbled over her words. “Master, don’t look at me like that… I, I’m scared!”

“Do you have anything else to say?” Yuan Shao’s voice was no longer gentle, as if waiting for Chi Jinnian’s final excuse.

Left with no choice, Chi Jinnian resorted to the modern era’s most classic playboy line:

“Master, with them, it was all just an act! My feelings for you are real you’re the only one in my heart!”

Her eyes brimmed with sincerity and tears. “Are you doubting me again? I was only playing along to gain their trust so I could get you out of this hellhole! Just moments ago, you promised to treat me well, but now”

Yuan Shao’s clenched fist finally relaxed. Staring at Chi Jinnian’s tearful eyes, she pressed her lips together and said nothing more.

No matter what, she’d been ambushed, and this disciple had followed her. That was an indisputable fact. As for the rest, she’d have to take it one step at a time.

“No, I was just, thinking about how to escape,” Yuan Shao offered, unsure whether to trust the little disciple before her. For now, she could only placate her and plan later.

“Don’t worry, Master!” Chi Jinxian wiped away her tears. “This disciple will find a way. Just wait here for me.”

With unwavering determination, she gave Yuan Shao a firm nod before closing the door, like a righteous hero in a drama marching toward certain sacrifice.

Once outside, Chi Jinnian’s head began to throb.

In this kind of power fantasy, Yuan Shao would never be sidelined she’d only grow stronger.

If Chi Jinnian ran away now, Yuan Shao would undoubtedly hold a grudge.

With protagonist halo in play, her fate would be grim.

Moreover, Yuan Shao had lost her memories. According to the original story, she wouldn’t recover them until her ascension, when she’d reflect on her entire journey.

At this point, the only way out was to keep playing the role of a loyal disciple and rescue Yuan Shao.

In power fantasies, wasn’t the protagonist’s ascension the grand finale? Put another way, once the story ended, she could go home!

So not only did she have to save Yuan Shao, but she also had to help her cultivate, boosting her power at every turn. The sooner Yuan Shao ascended, the sooner she could return!

Easier said than done, though. Sneaking out a living, breathing person was no simple task.

Ah! Chi Jinnian let out a deep sigh. If only Yuan Shao could be stuffed into a pocket and smuggled out!

Unconsciously, Chi Jinnian’s footsteps came to a halt right in front of a door.

She looked up it was the kitchen.

Staring at the signboard, she suddenly remembered how protagonists in TV dramas always managed to sneak past guards by hiding in vegetable delivery carts or similar contraptions!

A cart! Yes! She would use a cart to transport Yuan Shao out!

Upon entering the kitchen, the room was eerily empty, with only faint rustling sounds coming from the storage area.

Chi Jinnian pulled out the rooster-headed waist token and strode toward the inner room.

Inside, she saw two dark-skinned individuals in the midst of transferring liquid from large vats into smaller jars.

The two “people” were startled at the sight of Chi Jinnian, even dropping the ladles they were holding.

Chi Jinnian noticed they were decanting sesame oil from a large vat into smaller jars. The sesame oil vat, just the right size to fit a person.

Truly, the protagonist’s halo was invincible, success came effortlessly!

Hearing Chi Jinnian’s footsteps, the two froze in alarm, halting their movements. They didn’t even dare to look directly at her.

Seeing the pair standing dumbfounded, Chi Jinnian cleared her throat and feigned composure, urging them, “Hurry up! What are you standing around for? Get back to work!”

The two exchanged bewildered glances, rooted to the spot.

This was the first time in their rodent lives they’d encountered someone urging them to steal from their own household!

Author’s Note:

Here we go, babies!

Just a heads-up this is a silly, fluffy rom-com (key point underlined). The pacing? Either being ridiculous or doling out sweetness. If you’re here for a cultivation-leveling fantasy, I might have to apologize. Just take it as a fun read you enjoy it, I enjoy writing it.

If you can, drop a “hahaha” in the comments thanks!

Character details: Chi Jinnian is 160cm, Yuan Shao is 172cm so, a crushing height difference…

Chi Jinnian: Can the younger pup counterattack?