The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22

Ning Xiao had thought she’d reached the limit of her frustration, but the hits kept coming. When she mentioned the half-hour struggle to find clothes for Uncle Ling, the family driver and butler, he looked at her with a peculiar expression.

“Eldest Miss,” he said, sounding perplexed, “if Miss Yun didn’t have suitable attire, you only had to tell me. I could have rung the boutique and had them send a selection over immediately. The nearest counter can deliver within half an hour.”

Ning Xiao:  I’m done. I’ve officially lost the plot.

Who was to blame for such a ridiculous blunder? Only herself. She’d never been wealthy before; how was she supposed to know that luxury boutiques did home deliveries on a whim?

Yun Can’er watched Ning Xiao’s disgruntled profile with concern, reaching out to gently take her hand. “Ning Xiao? Are you alright?”

Ning Xiao pressed a hand to her chest, let out a long, weary breath, and forced a smile. “I’m! Just! Fine!” She ground the words out through gritted teeth.

Fortunately, Ning Xiao was remarkably good at self-regulation. By the time breakfast was over, she had already put her annoyance behind her. Only then did the guilt-ridden Yun Can’er finally relax.

Throughout the morning, while Yun Can’er worked on her assignments, Ning Xiao had Uncle Ling fetch a full set of high school textbooks. She tore through them, memorising everything from Year 10 to Year 12. By the afternoon, she had just managed to finish the Year 11 curriculum. She had it all committed to memory, though true understanding would still take a bit of time.

She was in such a rush because the Memory Pill only lasted for a month. Anything she memorised during this window became hers permanently, but once the month was up, she would lose her photographic memory. Her learning efficiency would plummet back to normal. She had no desire to coast through a month in the top class only to be unceremoniously kicked out when her grades tanked. That would be far too embarrassing.

While Ning Xiao studied, Yun Can’er didn’t dare disturb her. It was only when Ning Xiao finally set down her books and leaned back with a sigh that she spoke up. “Ning Xiao, what time are we heading back to school?”

Ning Xiao checked her phone. Half-past three.

“Let’s go back after dinner,” Ning Xiao said lazily, her eyes half-lidded. “The homework is done, the revision is finished and let’s be honest, school isn’t a patch on this place, is it?”

After a full day of mental exertion, she was exhausted. All she wanted was to crawl into bed for a nap.

“I suppose so,” Yun Can’er agreed. “You look drained, Ning Xiao. Why don’t you go up and sleep for a bit?”

That was exactly what Ning Xiao had been waiting for. She stood up and held out her hand to the girl. “Come on then. You’re coming up with me. You need a rest too.”

Yun Can’er had studied until she was pale; the bit of healthy colour she’d gained at the Ning villa had vanished. It made Ning Xiao’s heart ache just looking at her.

Yun Can’er couldn’t resist the temptation of sharing a bed with Ning Xiao again. Who knew if they would ever have another chance? She nodded and stood up, only to feel Ning Xiao’s arm slide around her waist, gently guiding her upstairs.

That slender, pale arm made Yun Can’er’s waist feel tingly and numb. Despite the internal chaos, she didn’t want to pull away. In the short walk to the bedroom, her face shifted from pale to a soft, warm pink.

Once inside, Ning Xiao released her, found the pyjamas they’d worn the night before, and collapsed onto the bed. Yun Can’er lay down on the other side. She’d thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but watching Ning Xiao’s face, her eyes gradually drifted shut, and she fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.

At five-thirty, Ning Xiao woke up hungry. She rolled over toward Yun Can’er and poked the girl’s cheek gently. “Can’er. time for dinner.”

Her voice was tiny, as if she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to wake her. But Yun Can’er was incredibly sensitive to Ning Xiao’s voice. Hearing her name, she struggled out of her dreams and blinked her eyes open, coming face-to-face with Ning Xiao.

Up close, Ning Xiao’s face was utterly flawless. Her eyes were still misty from sleep, like a lake shrouded in fog. She was breathtaking.

Seeing Yun Can’er staring at her dazed, Ning Xiao’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Do I look good?” she whispered.

“You look beautiful!” Yun Can’er blurted out.

The moment she realised what she’d said, a blush surged across her face, down her neck, and all the way to her collarbone. “No. I didn’t mean. That’s not what.”

Ning Xiao’s brows knit together. “Are you saying I’m not beautiful?”

Is there actually someone on this earth who thinks this face isn’t a masterpiece?

“No, no! Not at all!” Yun Can’er said frantically, terrified Ning Xiao would misunderstand. “You’re incredibly beautiful, Ning Xiao. I just meant… I wasn’t staring.”

Ning Xiao looked dejected. “Ah, I see. So my face isn’t even worth a second glance. I get it.”

She was finding Yun Can’er’s reactions far too entertaining; she was officially addicted to teasing her.

“It’s not that!” Yun Can’er finally squeezed her eyes shut and gave up. “Fine! I admit it! You’re exceptionally beautiful, Ning Xiao, and I was absolutely staring at you.”

The air suddenly went still. When she didn’t hear a response for a long time, Yun Can’er peeked through one eye. She saw Ning Xiao standing there with a suspicious flush on her cheeks, her gaze darting around aimlessly. She was clearly zoning out.

“Ning Xiao?” Yun Can’er called out hesitantly, her own embarrassment forgotten.

“Eh? I’m fine! Perfectly fine!” Ning Xiao jumped, snapping out of it, and bolted out of bed. “I’m going to wash up!” Without giving Yun Can’er a chance to respond, she dashed into the bathroom.

It was the first time Yun Can’er had seen Ning Xiao look so flustered. What had brought that on?

Meanwhile, Ning Xiao slammed the bathroom door and locked it. She gave the handle a tug to make sure Yun Can’er couldn’t get in before finally letting out a breath.

Standing before the mirror, she stared at the girl with the burning cheeks and the shifty eyes. After a long silence, she finally spoke to the system in a tone of resignation: Xiao Qi, my heart just started racing while I was looking at Can’er.

Why would your heart race? Yun Can’er isn’t particularly attractive, 13579 replied, sounding baffled.

I don’t know… maybe it was her expression when she admitted she was staring at me. It was… moving. Recalling Yun Can’er’s face, her heart began to hammer again—thump-thump-thump as if it were trying to break through her ribs.

Ding! Detecting intensified emotional fluctuations in the Host!

Host, I’ve compared your current heart rate and emotional data with samples collected from others. This particular surge. stems from romantic love.

Ning Xiao froze. [Love? Impossible! How could she be in love with Yun Can’er?

The objective facts remain. Your denial does not change the data, 13579 stated.

Xiao Qi, I need ten minutes to keep my head together.

Understood. I shall depart for ten minutes.

Once the system was gone, Ning Xiao tried to rationalise her reaction. Firstly, it definitely wasn’t love. Secondly.

Knock, knock, knock! A sudden tapping on the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Ning Xiao? Are you finished in there?” Yun Can’er’s soft voice drifted through the door.

In her state of nerves, Ning Xiao’s response came out sharper than intended. “No! Don’t rush me!”

There was a stunned silence on the other side. Yun Can’er’s hand slipped away from the glass. “Oh. sorry.” Her lashes lowered, hiding her dark eyes.

But a second later, Ning Xiao flung the door open, looking visibly panicked. “Can’er! I’m sorry. I’m just a bit stressed. I didn’t mean to snap at you, I swear!”

Yun Can’er looked up, the gloom in her eyes fading. She stared at Ning Xiao. “Is your stress… because of me?” Is my presence making you unhappy?

“Of course it isn’t!” Ning Xiao said, though her eyes instinctively darted away.

Yun Can’er nodded. “I see.”

If you say it’s not me, I’ll believe you.

“Ning Xiao.”

“Yes?” Ning Xiao’s mind was a mess. She had no idea how to face her.

She had just lied to Yun Can’er! Anyone else could lie to her, but not Ning Xiao. Yun Can’er’s whole life had been built on a foundation of lies; how could she be just like the others? Wasn’t she supposed to be her protector?

“I need to wash up,” Yun Can’er said, pointing behind Ning Xiao.

Ning Xiao stepped aside, and Yun Can’er walked in and shut the door.

Three seconds later, overcome by her conscience, Ning Xiao pushed the door back open. “I’m sorry, Can’er. I lied to you.”

At that exact moment, the mechanical voice of 13579 rang out:

Ding! Heroine’s Blackening Level: 80%!

Ning Xiao:

Right. Clearly, honesty is not the best policy.

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