The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 29

Zhao Mengting’s arrival didn’t cause much of a stir in Class One. For the high-achieving students, grades were the only currency that mattered. Once word trickled down from He Yue that Zhao Mengting’s academic record was mediocre and that she’d likely be transferred out after a month if she didn’t improve the class largely ignored her.

Unlike Ning Xiao, Zhao Mengting lacked the “photographic memory” required to catch up. The students saw no reason to invest in a relationship with someone destined to leave. Class One already had Ning Xiao, who possessed both beauty and brains; without the latter, Zhao Mengting’s “cute” persona held no sway.

Having faced a cold shoulder from Yun Can’er right off the bat, Zhao Mengting’s resentment began to fester. Her family background was peerless there wasn’t a family at Bo Ming that could rival the Zhao clan. Accustomed to being worshipped wherever she went, her failure to dominate Class One left her feeling profoundly slighted.

During the lunch break, Zhao Mengting sat alone in the canteen, picking at her food with a scowl. Before transferring, she had seen photos of Shang Shaotan. She had zero interest in boys with his “weakling” physique, and since he hadn’t yet heard of her arrival from his family, she hadn’t bothered to approach him.

However, the situation wasn’t playing out as she’d expected. Shang Shaotan was the class monitor and fairly popular; she realized she might need him as a stepping stone to integrate into the class. Despite He Yue’s warnings about the monthly exams, Zhao Mengting wasn’t worried. With the Zhao family behind her, she could get into any elite university abroad regardless of her grades. If she was going to be here for two or three years, she needed a following.

She pursed her lips, her round eyes flashing with annoyance. Must I, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, actually be the one to initiate contact with Shang Shaotan?

Nearby, Ning Xiao and Yun Can’er were eating. Yun Can’er could see Zhao Mengting’s “cute” face from her seat, but thanks to Ning Xiao’s warnings, her sense of insecurity had vanished. As long as Ning Xiao wasn’t interested in her, Yun Can’er didn’t care how adorable the new girl was.

Ning Xiao watched Yun Can’er eat with increasing affection. She couldn’t help but place a piece of sweet and sour pork on the girl’s plate. “Eat more meat. You’re still growing; don’t skimp on your nutrition.”

Yun Can’er looked up and smiled. “Thank you. You should eat too.”

As she leaned down to take a bite, she caught sight of Shang Shaotan and Yuan Wei walking toward Zhao Mengting. She watched as Shang Shaotan stopped at the new girl’s table, a refined, gentlemanly smile on his face. Yun Can’er’s brow furrowed.

“What are you looking at?” Ning Xiao followed her gaze. Seeing the scene, she let out a dismissive click of her tongue. “Those two are birds of a feather,” she said, turning back to Can’er. “They deserve each other. At least that way they won’t go around bothering other people.”

Yun Can’er asked curiously, “How can you be so sure she’s a bad egg?”

Ning Xiao knew because she’d read the book! If Ning Xiao was the primary “vicious supporting female,” Zhao Mengting was the runner-up. Behind that “cute” exterior was a heart of pure venom. At her old school, she had led a pack of sycophants to bully anyone she took a dislike to, stopping only when her targets were driven to the brink of a mental breakdown.

In the original plot, her treatment of Yun Can’er was even more sadistic than the original Ning Xiao’s. She and the male lead had worked in tandem to torment her scalding water, public humiliation, and systematic character assassination were all part of her “fun.” The only reason she was the second villain was because her screen time was shorter; she exited the story a few years earlier. After a scandal involving corruption ruined the Zhao family, she met a tragic end, unable to cope with her fall from grace.

Ning Xiao blinked, her thick lashes fluttering like tiny fans. “It’s in the eyes.”

“The eyes?” Yun Can’er repeated.

“Your eyes are beautiful, Can’er—like a galaxy in the night sky. I adore them. But Zhao Mengting’s eyes… they’re like rotting sludge. They have a foul, repulsive quality to them. I doubt anyone could truly like eyes like that.”

Hearing Ning Xiao praise her eyes, Yun Can’er’s face turned a deep crimson. Her dark eyes became misty and shimmering. “You’re exaggerating again… stop teasing me.”

She sometimes wondered if Ning Xiao’s lips were dipped in honey; every word she spoke tasted sweet. Yun Can’er stole a glance at Ning Xiao’s red lips, her heart racing. I wonder if they’d taste just as sweet if I kissed them.

The thought made her feel as though she were catching fire. The blush spread across her entire body, her ears and cheeks burning. In this moment, her world contained only Ning Xiao. Zhao Mengting and Shang Shaotan were completely forgotten.

Ning Xiao didn’t notice her internal crisis. She glanced back and saw that Shang Shaotan and Yuan Wei had joined Zhao Mengting. Yuan Wei was eating with a bored expression, while Zhao Mengting and Shang Shaotan were already deep in conversation.

Having lost Ning Xiao as his pawn to bully Yun Can’er, Shang Shaotan had been searching for a replacement. No one else in Class One was arrogant or aggressive enough to fill the role. Furthermore, with Ning Xiao constantly at Yun Can’er’s side, no one dared to touch her.

The arrival of the transfer student was a godsend. She looked cute, but Shang Shaotan could see the underlying imperiousness in her character; if she were pushed, she’d likely be even more formidable than Ning Xiao. Moreover, someone who could transfer into Class One mid-term with mediocre grades clearly had a powerful family.

He ran through the name “Zhao” in his mind and immediately locked onto the influential Zhao family from the political sphere. Unlike the Shangs or the Nings, who merely had money, the Zhaos had both wealth and power. If he could win her over…

He put his plan into action immediately. Since she was new and friendless, he approached her during lunch. Zhao Mengting was receptive, and the two hit it off instantly.

After lunch, Shang Shaotan personally escorted her back to the girls’ dormitory. He noticed several girls watching them with envious eyes along the way, which only made Zhao Mengting’s smile more “adorable.”

On the way back, Yuan Wei kept stealing glances at Shang Shaotan, looking like he wanted to say something.

“Spit it out,” Shang Shaotan said.

Yuan Wei cleared his throat. “I thought you liked Yun Can’er? Why the sudden interest in the new girl? Are you falling for her?” He’d never known Shang Shaotan to be the type to play two fields at once.

Shang Shaotan frowned. “Don’t be daft. I still like Yun Can’er. I was only talking to Zhao Mengting because she’s new. As the class monitor, it’s my job to help her settle in. My motives aren’t as tawdry as you seem to think.”

Yuan Wei: Knowing Shang Shaotan as well as he did, he didn’t believe a word of it. But since he wasn’t listening to reason, Yuan Wei simply kept his mouth shut.

Shang Shaotan’s influence became apparent that afternoon; Zhao Mengting was finally interacting with the class or at least the boys. She wasn’t worried; she’d have the whole class in her pocket soon enough. She’d outshine Ning Xiao.

Whenever she thought of Ning Xiao, she felt a prickle of annoyance and would shoot her a dark look.

“Hm?” Sensitive to the gaze of others, Ning Xiao looked up immediately. She saw Zhao Mengting’s expression flip instantly into a “cute” smile and raised an eyebrow. Is she targeting me now? Is she actually planning to try and bully me?

Ning Xiao shot her a look of pure, haughty indifference, dismissing her as if she were a mere jester.

“Ning Xiao!” Zhao Mengting hissed under her breath, her fists clenching.

Yun Can’er saw the exchange and frowned. Zhao Mengting didn’t back down; she merely gave Yun Can’er a defiant huff. Both girls were now officially on her blacklist.

That evening, Yun Can’er said to Ning Xiao, “That Zhao Mengting seems to really dislike us. I suppose I understand why she’s cross with me. I didn’t go to the toilet with her but you haven’t done a thing to her.”

Ning Xiao ruffled the girl’s hair. “Oh, I’ve offended her, alright.”

“How? When?”

“By being prettier than her, of course,” Ning Xiao said with a wink.

Yun Can’er’s brow furrowed. “If she’s unhappy with her face, she can get plastic surgery. To hold a grudge just because you’re more beautiful… is she mentally unwell?”

“Highly likely,” Ning Xiao agreed.

“We should tell the teachers,” Yun Can’er said, her worry deepening. “I’ve heard of people who get so jealous they try to disfigure others. She’s so passive-aggressive; she must be sick!”

Ning Xiao felt a wave of sweetness at the girl’s concern. “Don’t worry, I won’t let her get near me. But you’re right the school should be aware of her mental state.”

“I’ll go now!” Yun Can’er said. “The teachers should get a psychologist to test her. If she’s actually ill, they won’t let her stay in our class.”

Ning Xiao stopped her. “Let me handle it. You focus on your studies; I’ll deal with the rest.”

“But Ms. He doesn’t like you. What if she doesn’t believe you?”

“I’m not going to He Yue,” Ning Xiao said. “I’m going to Mr. Fang.”

The next day, Ning Xiao met with Fang Lei. She didn’t state her suspicions directly. Instead, she said, “Mr. Fang, I was speaking with my mother about student welfare. To prevent students from harming themselves or others due to mental health issues, the Ning family is offering to fund a school-wide psychological screening. Has my mother mentioned it to you?”

Fang Lei poured her a cup of tea and smiled. “She has. The school board is very interested. But tell me, Xiao Xiao, why the sudden interest in mental health?”

Ning Xiao took a sip of tea and propped her chin on her hand. “Why else? I’m beautiful, brilliant, and wealthy. If anyone with a grudge against society decides to lash out, I’ll be the first target. I need to nip that possibility in the bud so I can continue living my best life.”

It was a perfect excuse. Fang Lei was an old fox; he’d never believe she was doing it out of the goodness of her heart, but doing it for her own safety? That made perfect sense. He agreed to arrange the screening.

A few days later, just as Zhao Mengting’s glares were becoming truly unsettling, the school announced the mandatory health screening. It was scheduled for Friday morning, starting with Class One.

By Friday, Zhao Mengting was visibly on edge. She’d tried to get out of it, but He Yue had been firm: no screening, no Class One. Zhao Mengting sat at her desk, neurotically biting her nails.

She hadn’t transferred schools because she feared parents’ complaints; she had transferred because her previous school had discovered her diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Her family had feared the fallout and moved her to protect their reputation. She had learned to mask her true nature behind a “harmless bunny” persona, finding intense pleasure in striking when people were most vulnerable.

Nine o’clock. The screening began. Zhao Mengting and Yun Can’er were in the first group. After five minutes, they emerged. Yun Can’er glanced at Zhao Mengting, noting how calm she looked. Did she pass? She doesn’t seem like someone who would pass.

The results were kept confidential; the school would only contact parents if there were major issues. Two days later, several students from other classes were sent home for treatment for severe depression. Zhao Mengting, however, remained in her seat in Class One.

Yun Can’er was worried. Did she really pass?

Ning Xiao decided to check in with Fang Lei. “Mr. Fang, I’m telling you, I think that girl is dangerous. Let me see her results.”

Fang Lei refused. “Xiao Xiao, the results are confidential. Only the student and their parents have access. Don’t worry, the school has security and responsible teachers. Just focus on your studies.”

“Security and teachers can’t be everywhere,” Ning Xiao countered. “I’ve only got one life. If she snaps, ‘sorry’ won’t bring me back. Nor anyone else.”

Fang Lei had no rebuttal, but he truly didn’t have the results on hand. “Perhaps talk to the Headmaster? Take Yun Can’er with you.”

Ning Xiao returned to the classroom only to find both Zhao Mengting and Yun Can’er missing. She asked around, but no one had noticed where they’d gone. A jolt of panic shot through her.

Xiao Qi! Where is Can’er?

Host, the Heroine is in the toilet.

Ning Xiao’s heart didn’t slow down And Zhao Mengting?

Scanning.  Ding! Zhao Mengting is also in the toilet. She followed Yun Can’er. Once they were alone, she locked the door from the inside.

Ning Xiao turned pale and sprinted toward the toilets.

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