The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

Ning Xiao’s parents were workaholics. They had only taken a leave of absence the day before because of her return; usually, they were swamped with work and often spent their nights at the office.

After Ning Xiao and Yun Can’er boarded the taxi, Ning Xiao gave the address. The driver looked surprised for a moment and said, “It’s a steep drive up the mountain, which burns a lot of gas. That’ll be an extra fifty yuan.”

Ning Xiao nodded casually. “Fine.” Fifty yuan was nothing to her.

Yun Can’er, however, was lost in thought. She didn’t even hear the driver’s demand for a surcharge; otherwise, she surely would have tried to haggle that fifty yuan down to twenty.

As the taxi pulled out of the neighborhood, Ning Xiao noticed Yun Can’er sitting in silence with her head bowed. She nudged her shoulder playfully. “What’s going on? What’s brewing in that little head of yours?”

Yun Can’er snapped out of it and looked at Ning Xiao, her dark eyes clouded with worry. “I’ve never been to a classmate’s house before. Do I need to buy gifts for your parents?”

Ning Xiao let out a soft chuckle. “So that’s what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, my parents just messaged the family group chat. They’re busy with work and sleeping at the company tonight. They won’t be back.”

“It’ll just be the two of us at home.” Ning Xiao leaned in close, her nose brushing against Yun Can’er’s. She whispered into her ear, “No need to worry. We can enjoy our own little private world.”

Yun Can’er froze as Ning Xiao leaned in and then pulled away. A lingering fragrance tickled her senses, and her face suddenly flushed a deep crimson. Shyness flooded her eyes, her lips trembled, and her throat went dry. She couldn’t utter a single word.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she lowered her head further, letting her soft hair veil her burning cheeks.

Ning Xiao had only meant to tease her on a whim, but she hadn’t expected such a total shutdown. Seeing Yun Can’er “sulk” in silence, Ning Xiao rubbed her nose awkwardly.

She planned to apologize once Yun Can’er cooled off, but not a minute later, the mechanical voice of System 13579 rang out in her mind:

Ding! Heroine’s Blackening Level has reached 20%!

Ning Xiao: 

Why did I have to go and tease her. I regret it. I deeply regret it.

[Xiao Qi, do I still have a chance here?

System 13579 felt an inexplicable chill, as if the shadow of death were looming. It stammered: There’s a chance! Of course there’s a chance! I don’t want to go hiking.  It was terrified that Ning Xiao would drag it into some metaphorical (or literal) “death trek.”

What are you even thinking? I’m asking if the Blackening Level will drop if I apologize right now.

Last time, the level had spiked for no apparent reason. This time, since she knew the cause, Ning Xiao wanted to see if she could reverse it.

After hearing her explanation, the system breathed a sigh of relief. If the Blackening Level can go up, it can certainly go down. You just need to find the right method.

Ning Xiao thought to herself: What other method is there? Sincere apologies and doubling down on being nice to her, obviously.

However, she couldn’t do it in the taxi. After her little stunt, the driver was already giving them very strange looks in the rearview mirror.

An hour later, the taxi pulled up before a massive set of black iron gates. Ning Xiao paid the fare, hopped out, and opened the door for Yun Can’er, even placing her hand over the doorframe to make sure she didn’t bump her head.

Yun Can’er glanced at Ning Xiao and hurriedly climbed out, her face still flushed. Her heart was in a state of chaos. She couldn’t fathom what Ning Xiao meant by all this.

Did Ning Xiao suddenly realize. that she likes me?

As they stood before the gates, the security detail monitored them and immediately buzzed them in. A luxury car pulled up from the driveway to meet them.

Uncle Ling, the butler, stepped out and opened the rear door, bowing slightly. “Eldest Miss, Miss Yun, please step inside.”

As the car glided toward the villa, Yun Can’er stared at the scenery through the window. The more she saw, the more she felt the impossibility of a future with Ning Xiao. The gap between them wasn’t just a distance; it was a chasm.

Falling for Ning Xiao felt like a grey mouse living in a dark corner falling in love with a noble, elegant cat. It felt predestined for heartbreak.

Inside the villa, Ning Xiao led Yun Can’er to the dining room and pulled out a chair for her. Yun Can’er stared silently at the long marble table and the exquisite, expensive-looking tableware.

Ning Xiao sat in the chair right next to her and leaned in, her expression earnest. “Can’er, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you in the taxi. I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t be mad, okay?” As she spoke, she took Yun Can’er’s hand and gave it a little shake, almost like she was acting spoiled.

Yun Can’er: Her heart rate began to skyrocket again.

Ning Xiao was simply too charismatic; she had no defense against her. I’m hopeless, Yun Can’er thought with a touch of despair.

“Okay,” Yun Can’er whispered.

See, Xiao Qi? Can’er is such a sweet, forgiving angel.

Ding! Heroine’s Blackening Level.

Did it drop? Ning Xiao asked expectantly.

Heroine’s Blackening Level has reached 30%!

Xiao Qi, you must have a bug. You mean it dropped to 10%, not rose to 30%, right?

Host, the System does not make mistakes. 13579 coldly crushed her hopes.

Seeing Ning Xiao dazed and silent, Yun Can’er asked worriedly, “Ning Xiao, are you okay?”

Ning Xiao snapped back to reality and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

She figured her apology hadn’t been “sincere” enough, which caused the spike. Actions speak louder than words; she would prove her regret through her deeds.

“Can’er, I told Chef Zhang we hadn’t eaten lunch yet. Wait here while I check on the progress. The food will be out in a second.”

Ning Xiao hurried to the kitchen, where Chef Zhang was searing top-grade Wagyu steaks. “Eldest Miss, just ten more seconds.”

“Thanks, Chef Zhang,” Ning Xiao said.

Ten seconds later, the chef plated the steaks, his plump face beaming. “Don’t mention it, Miss! Cooking with ingredients of this high quality is my favorite thing to do.”

Ning Xiao carried the two plates back to the dining room. Just as Yun Can’er caught the aroma of the steak, Ning Xiao arrived like a gust of wind and set the plates down.

Sitting back in her seat, Ning Xiao proceeded to cut her own steak into perfect, bite-sized pieces. Then, under Yun Can’er’s surprised gaze, she swapped her plate with Yun Can’er’s uncut one.

“Go on, try it. It’s delicious. Chef Zhang used to be an executive chef at a Michelin three-star hotel.”

Knowing Yun Can’er’s background, Ning Xiao assumed she might not have much experience with Western dining etiquette. She felt she was being incredibly thoughtful and waited eagerly for the notification that the Blackening Level had dropped.

Yun Can’er ate slowly and deliberately. She swallowed a piece of steak and turned to Ning Xiao with a smile. “It’s really delicious. I’ve never tasted anything this good before.”

Because Ning Xiao had cut it for her personally, the meal, which was already a ten tasted like a twelve to her.

Ning Xiao let out a sigh of relief. Even if the Blackening Level didn’t drop this time, surely it wouldn’t go up again. She finally relaxed and began to enjoy her own food.

When Yun Can’er finished, she set down her fork and watched Ning Xiao’s elegant movements. Her dark eyes grew increasingly intense.

She felt. She truly couldn’t give up on someone as wonderful as Ning Xiao. Even if she had to fight others for her even if that person was Shang Shaotan, she would do whatever it took.

Ding! Heroine’s Blackening Level: 50%!

“Cough! Hack!” Ning Xiao, who was in the middle of drinking water, choked violently. She coughed until her eyes watered.

She had only one question: Why on earth is this girl’s Blackening Level still going up?

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