The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 16

Yao Xiangying sensed Ning Xiao’s displeasure and felt a flicker of embarrassment. However, she quickly redirected her frustration toward Yun Can’er, using her as a convenient outlet. “You wretched girl!” she shrieked. “We have a distinguished guest in our home and you didn’t even think to call us? What use was there in raising you!”

Yun Can’er stood frozen, enduring the verbal assault as tears welled in her eyes.

Ning Xiao stepped in front of her, physically shielding Yun Can’er from Yao Xiangying’s vitriol. She furrowed her brows in blatant annoyance. “I came here so Can’er could tutor me. Why would I need you to be called?”

Ning Xiao had no intention of being polite to people like this.

Yao Xiangying’s expression flipped instantly into a sycophantic smile. “You’re absolutely right, Ning Xiao. My mistake.”

Seeing how casually Yao Xiangying belittled and abused Yun Can’er even in front of a guest, Ning Xiao could only imagine how much worse it was when they were alone. At that thought, a surge of protective fury rose within her.

The meal was clearly a lost cause. Ning Xiao took Yun Can’er by the hand. “Pack your things. You’re coming to my house to help me study.”

Yun Can’er looked up, her gaze flickering toward Yao Xiangying. Her body trembled slightly as she whispered, “Okay.”

Perhaps it was the warmth of Ning Xiao’s hand that gave her courage. Yun Can’er took a deep breath and addressed her mother. “Mom, I’m going to my room to get my books. I’ll be at Ning Xiao’s place tutoring her. I’ll be back tonight.”

Yao Xiangying glared at her. “Go then! And don’t act like some low-class peasant at her house and embarrass us!”

“Actually, you’ve got it wrong,” Ning Xiao said coldly. “No one in my family would ever look down on Can’er. In fact, Can’er, you’re staying over at my place tonight.”

“But.” Yun Can’er hesitated, glancing at her mother. Usually, she was expected to do all the housework during holidays; there was no way Yao Xiangying would agree to an overnight stay.

Surprisingly, Yao Xiangying barked, “If Ning Xiao asks you to stay, it’s because she’s giving you face! Why are you hesitating, you little brat!”

Ning Xiao pulled Yun Can’er close, her hand resting on the girl’s thin shoulder. “Don’t listen to her. Take me to your room to pack.” As she spoke, she raised her hands to gently cover Yun Can’er’s ears, shielding her from the noise.

In that moment, the world around them, including Yao Xiangying and the others, seemed to vanish for Yun Can’er. She felt a wave of warmth spread from her heart to her extremities, chasing away the icy chill that usually gripped her.

With her ears turning a faint pink, Yun Can’er led Ning Xiao toward her room. Seeing an opportunity, Yun Yuyan’s eyes darted around before she followed them upstairs.

The Yun family lived in a three-bedroom apartment. Since it was on the top floor, it came with a small attic. Yun Yi and Yao Xiangying had the master bedroom, while Yun Baiwei and Yun Yuyan each had their own rooms. The cramped, leftover attic served as Yun Can’er’s bedroom.

“Ning Xiao, could you wait outside for a moment? I’ll just be a second,” Yun Can’er said. The attic was stifling in the summer and freezing in the winter; it was so narrow it barely fit a bed and a makeshift clothing rack. But having been exploited her whole life, Yun Can’er was simply grateful to have a space of her own.

Ning Xiao stood on the wooden steps, glancing into the room. Her expression darkened. The Yun family’s shamelessness truly knew no bounds.

“Just grab your books,” Ning Xiao said softly. “My house has everything else you’ll need, all brand new.”

Yun Can’er offered her a small smile and disappeared into the attic.

Leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and one leg slightly bent, Ning Xiao closed her eyes. She began strategizing on how to get Yun Can’er away from this family for good.

In the original novel, Can’er’s biological parents were no help either. When her true identity was finally revealed at the end of the story, they weren’t happy to have her back. Instead, they feared she would bring trouble to their wealthy household or harbor “inappropriate thoughts.” They were especially protective of the “fake” daughter, worried Can’er would bully her or steal her fiancé. It was only after learning Can’er had a boyfriend (Shang Shaotan) that they lowered their guard.

The novel concluded by stating that Yun Can’er only found a sense of belonging with Shang Shaotan, that neither her foster family nor her biological family truly wanted her, and that being “owned” by him was her ultimate happiness.

Happiness my foot, Ning Xiao thought.

Downstairs, Yun Yuyan saw that Ning Xiao was alone. A look of joy flashed across her face, which she quickly masked with a timid expression as she crept up the stairs. Her heart hammered and her palms grew sweaty as she approached the exquisite girl leaning against the wall.

“Ning. Ning Xiao,” she stammered.

Ning Xiao opened her eyes. Her gaze was icy, her voice laced with undisguised irritation. “If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, get lost.”

Yun Yuyan froze, her face turning pale. “I-I’m sorry!” She turned and bolted back down the stairs in a panic.

She knew Ning Xiao was arrogant and certainly had the status to back it up, but she had hoped to strike up a conversation just so she could brag about it at school. She hadn’t expected Ning Xiao to be so terrifying.

At the bottom of the stairs, Yun Baiwei and Yao Xiangying grabbed her. “Well?” Yun Baiwei asked. “How did she treat you?”

Yun Yuyan shook her head, clutching her chest. “Her temper is awful. I didn’t even dare speak to her.”

Yun Baiwei sighed in disappointment. She had already made a bad impression on Ning Xiao; she had hoped her sister might have better luck.

“It seems Ning Xiao truly considers Can’er a close friend,” Yun Baiwei analyzed. “That’s why she can’t stand the sight of us.”

Yao Xiangying scoffed. “Can’er isn’t even pretty. All she has are her grades. What is Ning Xiao thinking, picking her over you two?”

“Mom,” Yun Baiwei frowned. “From now on, never insult Can’er in front of Ning Xiao. Be polite to her. It’s the only way Ning Xiao might change her opinion of us.”

***

Upstairs, System 13579 was relaying every word of the conversation to Ning Xiao.

Ning Xiao’s eyes turned cold. Xiao Qi, thanks for the heads-up. This gives me a great idea on how to keep them from bullying Can’er ever again.

Wait, what? Host, what’s the plan?

Simple. I’m going to put Can’er on a pedestal so high they can’t even reach her. I’ll make her someone they have to look up to with fear and awe. But for now.  I’ll just let her use my reputation as a shield to keep them in line.

The system didn’t quite grasp the full complexity of the plan, but it cheered anyway: Host, you’re the best!

When Yun Can’er emerged with her books, she noticed Ning Xiao’s mood had shifted. She looked relaxed, a playful, shimmering light in her beautiful eyes.

Yun Can’er felt herself blushing slightly. “Ning Xiao? What happened? You look… happy.”

Ning Xiao lightly tapped Yun Can’er’s forehead. “Something good. I’ll tell you tonight before we go to sleep.”

As they descended from the attic, Yun Baiwei nudged her mother. Yao Xiangying grit her teeth, cursing inwardly: I raised this brat, and now I have to suck up to her? Bah!

Steeling herself, Yao Xiangying walked over and forced a smile, taking Yun Can’er’s hand. “Can’er, dear, don’t worry about anything here. Just focus on helping Ning Xiao.”

Yun Can’er stared at her mother, her mouth slightly agape. It was the first time in her life she had seen Yao Xiangying speak to her with such a “kind” face. Instinctively, she felt a sense of dread, wondering what ulterior motive her mother had.

She pulled her hand back. “I understand, Mom.”

Because Yao Xiangying was trying to perform “maternal harmony” for Ning Xiao’s benefit, she didn’t grip tightly, allowing Can’er to pull away easily.

“My taxi is here,” Ning Xiao announced. Given that Yao Xiangying was at least trying to behave, Ning Xiao offered a brief, polite nod. “Ma’am, Can’er is my little tutor. I’ll make sure she is well taken care of.”

Yao Xiangying beamed. “Oh, you’re too kind! Truly! Can’er is easy to look after, she doesn’t need much.”

Ning Xiao didn’t stay to listen to the rest of the woman’s sycophantic babbling. Without a word to the others, she took Yun Can’er’s hand and led her out of the house.

Support The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration]