The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 11

The moment System 13579 finished speaking, Ning Xiao regained control of her body. The insulting words already at the tip of her tongue took a sharp, sudden turn: “someone like you, a little sweetheart who loves studying so much, it would be a miracle if you didn’t rank first in the grade!”

Yun Can’er’s face flushed slightly. Ning Xiao seemed to have returned to normal.

“Ning Xiao, did you call me here just to say that?”

Ning Xiao withdrew her hand and replied, “Of course not. I wanted to tell you to take care of your health. The break between classes is for resting; don’t spend every second doing homework.”

Yun Can’er pursed her lips and gave Ning Xiao a small smile. “Mhm, I understand. Thank you.”

Ning Xiao felt her cheeks heat up at the sight of that smile. She turned away quickly. “Ahem, let’s go. The bell is about to ring.”

Ning Xiao unlocked the door and pulled it open, only to be startled by three girls pressing their ears against the door to eavesdrop.

Ning Xiao frowned. “What are you three doing?”

Host, these are your three best friends. From left to right: Wu Qing, Xu Yiyi, and Zhen Meng. You’ve known each other since childhood and share everything; they all know you like Shang Shaotan.

Ning Xiao: “…”

Wu Qing pulled Ning Xiao out with an expression full of gossip. “We should be the ones asking you that. Why did you call the top student in here? You were speaking so loudly just now; did she do something to offend you?”

Outside, they had only heard the first few words Ning Xiao shouted at the top of her lungs. As for what the two whispered afterward, it was all a blur—but judging by the initial tone, they assumed nothing good followed.

Wu Qing’s questioning wasn’t exactly quiet, and Yun Can’er heard it too. However, she said nothing, simply walking past them to return to the classroom.

Ning Xiao, Wu Qing, Xu Yiyi, and Zhen Meng were the most famous clique at Boming Private High School, known as the “Four Beauties of Boming.” Not only did they come from similar prominent families, but they were all stunningly beautiful. Of course, they were equally arrogant and never allowed themselves to suffer an injustice.

At the start of the school year, a boy had played with Xu Yiyi’s feelings. In response, Ning Xiao led Wu Qing and Zhen Meng in a campaign that harassed him until he dropped out. Once the boy’s family found out who was behind it, they didn’t even dare to utter a word of protest.

Ning Xiao’s clique had become legendary in a single battle. No one in the entire school was unaware of their history, and certainly, no one dared to provoke any of them.

Ning Xiao replied nonchalantly, “It’s nothing. I just called her in for a chat.”

Xu Yiyi looked at her skeptically. “Xiao Xiao, you don’t look like the type to chat with a ‘good student.’ There must be something going on!”

Zhen Meng tapped her chin with a finger and smiled. “If Xiao Xiao doesn’t want to tell us, it must have something to do with Shang Shaotan…”

Ning Xiao: “…”

Wu Qing added, “Is it really about Shang Shaotan? What kind of connection could that guy have with the top student… Wait, did he lose his patience being the eternal runner-up, so he asked you to threaten Yun Can’er into not taking first place next time?”

Ning Xiao: “…” My sisters have quite the imagination.

Ning Xiao rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache. “It’s really nothing.”

Wu Qing, Xu Yiyi, and Zhen Meng exchanged glances. Zhen Meng said, “Fine, we’ll believe you for now.” Even if Ning Xiao didn’t talk, they could find out for themselves.

The three girls possessed incredible initiative. By the end of the morning, they had already pried the truth from the relevant party—Shang Shaotan.

They were furious after hearing the news. They wouldn’t do anything to Shang Shaotan since Ning Xiao liked him, but wouldn’t dealing with a girl like Yun Can’er be simple?

In their eyes, Ning Xiao was still too merciful. If they took action, they’d guarantee that the girl would run the moment she saw Shang Shaotan, never daring to speak to the man Ning Xiao loved again!

During the noon lunch break, the trio went to Class 1 to find Ning Xiao for lunch.

They arrived late, and most of the students had already left. The empty classroom contained only Ning Xiao and Yun Can’er.

They saw Ning Xiao standing on the podium, looking down at Yun Can’er with a dazed, clear gaze; she was obviously daydreaming.

Yun Can’er finished packing her things slowly, stood up, and said, “Ning Xiao, let’s go.”

“Mhm.” Ning Xiao snapped out of it and reached out to lightly flick Yun Can’er’s forehead. She spoke in a tender voice, “Always so slow.”

Wu Qing actually detected a hint of doting affection in those words!

What on earth was happening?

Yun Can’er rubbed her forehead with a smile. Turning around, she saw Wu Qing, Xu Yiyi, and Zhen Meng at the door. Her footsteps faltered, and the smile on her face faded like water.

 Maybe you should just eat with them, Yun Can’er said dejectedly.

Ning Xiao also saw the three girls outside. “Alright, then. I’ll eat with you again tomorrow.”

The gazes Wu Qing and the others directed at Yun Can’er were clearly unfriendly. Ning Xiao felt she needed to talk to them to prevent her friends from “helping” her bully Yun Can’er behind her back.

Yun Can’er watched as Ning Xiao left the classroom, smiling and greeting her friends. She lowered her eyes gloomily.

As expected, they are the ones from the same world.

Ning Xiao and the trio arrived at the cafeteria and sat by the window. Xu Yiyi and Zhen Meng went to buy the food, leaving Wu Qing and Ning Xiao to discuss Yun Can’er.

“Ever since we left for the UK, have you been eating lunch with Yun Can’er?”

Before they left, Ning Xiao had been determined to eat lunch with Shang Shaotan. Why was she suddenly entangled with her romantic rival? Was it to leave a good impression on Shang Shaotan? But Ning Xiao wasn’t the type to swallow an injustice for his sake.

“We only started recently,” Ning Xiao looked up and asked, “So you already know about Shang Shaotan liking Yun Can’er?”

Wu Qing replied, “Zhen Meng asked him directly, and he admitted it himself.”

Wu Qing took Ning Xiao’s hand across the table and said seriously, “Xiao Xiao, if you don’t like Yun Can’er, just leave her to us. I don’t believe that if Yun Can’er is gone from Boming, Shang Shaotan can still maintain a long-distance relationship with her.”

Ning Xiao felt her head throb. Having friends who cared too much wasn’t always a good thing especially when she had three of them. “…”

“Qingqing, things aren’t what you think.”

Xu Yiyi and Zhen Meng returned with the food just in time to hear her. Xu Yiyi asked, “If it’s not what we think, then what is it?”

The three sat across from Ning Xiao, making her feel like she was being interrogated by a tribunal.

She organized her thoughts and said, “Currently, it’s only Shang Shaotan liking her unilaterally. Yun Can’er doesn’t feel anything for him at all. I think targeting her would be unfair since she hasn’t actually done anything.”

“Don’t worry, aren’t I working hard to keep them apart? I eat all three meals with her now. Shang Shaotan hasn’t been able to say a single word to her in over a week. This method prevents them from communicating without hurting an innocent person. I think it’s a good plan. So, please, whatever you do, don’t bully Yun Can’er.”

Ning Xiao spoke the last sentence with absolute seriousness.

Wu Qing, Xu Yiyi, and Zhen Meng: “…”

This was not the Ning Xiao they knew!

How could Ning Xiao be so merciful toward a rival? Innocent? In their world, anyone Shang Shaotan liked—other than Ning Xiao carried a “original sin.” Being punished was only natural. Yet now, Ning Xiao was telling them not to touch her?

“Xiao Xiao, did something happen to upset you?” Xu Yiyi asked cautiously.

Ning Xiao replied righteously, “How could that be? I truly think this way. Anyway, leave Yun Can’er alone. I can solve this myself!”

**

After lunch, the four returned to their dorms. However, Wu Qing and the others secretly gathered in Zhen Meng’s room behind Ning Xiao’s back.

The three sat at the table with expressions as serious as a board meeting.

Xu Yiyi said, “I don’t think Xiao Xiao actually hates Yun Can’er.”

“Right, and that’s the strangest part. How could she not hate the girl Shang Shaotan likes?” Wu Qing frowned.

Zhen Meng suddenly clapped her hands, her eyes widening with a sudden realization. “I think I get it!”

Wu Qing and Xu Yiyi pressed her, “What did you realize? Tell us!”

Zhen Meng gave a mysterious smile. “I think… Xiao Xiao likes Yun Can’er!”

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