The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 38

The cameraman stood in a discreet corner, while Xiao Li swapped her handheld microphone for a lapel mic.

Yao Xiangying was still blissfully unaware that Yun Can’er had become the provincial top scorer for Science. Her decision to visit today was driven purely by the news that Can’er had returned from abroad. To her, Can’er’s return meant money was back on the table.

After receiving the news at noon, Yao Xiangying finished her meal in a hurry and prepared to lead the family to the Ning residence. Yun Baiwei and Yun Yan, knowing there was money to be squeezed for their personal spending, were naturally in full support. Yun Yi, however, wanted the money but also wanted to save face. He told Yao Xiangying he would stay behind at home to “hold the fort,” and if the three of them didn’t return by evening, he would call the police.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Yun Yi had said. “We need to split up to ensure maximum safety.”

As a teacher, Yun Yi’s words always carried weight with Yao Xiangying. Since their marriage, she had appeared to be the head of the household, but in reality, she deferred to Yun Yi on all major decisions. Whenever there was a task that was profitable but shameful, it was usually Yao Xiangying who did the dirty work.

Now, as Yao Xiangying led the twins into the villa, she saw six or seven people standing in the living room: two middle-aged men in glasses, a woman in her late twenties, Mother Ning, Yun Can’er, and Ning Xiao.

Seeing Yao Xiangying, Yun Can’er immediately walked over, her brow furrowed with anxiety. “Mom, what are you doing here?” she asked in a hushed, urgent tone.

Yao Xiangying began to shout. “What? I’m your biological mother! Can’t I come see you? Yun Can’er, do you realize you’re still a minor? You stay away from home every day—are you so disgusted by our lack of money that you’ve found yourself a new set of rich parents? Let me tell you, I gave birth to you, so I will always be your mother! Don’t be so ungrateful that you let a few sweets from strangers lead you astray!”

Can’er’s face flushed deep red. “Mom, I didn’t mean it like that. Please, let’s not cause a scene here. If there’s something to talk about, let’s go outside.”

Yao Xiangying shook off her hand. “Go outside? For what? If we don’t settle this matter properly, I’m not going anywhere! Baiwei, Yun Yan, watch Can’er. Since there are guests here, I’m going to have a good talk with Mrs. Ning. Let them be the judges of who is right and who is wrong!”

Mother Ning frowned inwardly and caught Ning Xiao’s eye. Ning Xiao stepped forward to stand beside Can’er, blocking the twins’ path. Her eyes, usually as clear as autumn water, were now coated in a layer of frost. “You two had better stay exactly where you are.”

Ning Xiao’s reputation at Boming wasn’t exactly friendly. The twins were already intimidated by her, and hearing her tone, they froze in place, their eyes fixed resentfully on Can’er.

Yun Baiwei, being the bolder of the two, tried a conciliatory tone. “Ning… Ning Xiao, we don’t mean any harm. We just haven’t seen Can’er in a long time and want to chat. We’re sisters; we wouldn’t hurt her.”

Ning Xiao curled her lip in a sarcastic sneer. “Sisters? The kind of sisters who squander their younger sister’s scholarship money without a second thought?”

The twins immediately fell silent.

On the other side of the room, Yao Xiangying grabbed Director Wu and Director Qian, whom she didn’t know at all—to “judge” the situation. Director Wu brushed off the sleeve she had touched, muttering about “an insult to refined manners,” while Director Qian remained motionless, nearly gagging on the toxic cloud of perfume radiating from her.

“These two gentlemen look like cultured, reasonable people,” Yao Xiangying said, smoothing her hair and lifting her chin. “I’ll let them bear witness and talk some sense into you.”

Mother Ning looked at the directors and said apologetically, “I’m so sorry to involve you in this.”

The directors, knowing exactly who the culprit was, waved off her apology, focusing their disdain on Yao Xiangying instead.

Mother Ning asked calmly, “Mrs. Yao, what exactly is it you wish to discuss? Can we not speak civilly? These gentlemen are guests; they have nothing to do with your family matters. Perhaps it would be better if they left?”

“No!” Yao Xiangying barked. This was the Nings’ territory; with guests present, she believed the Nings wouldn’t dare do anything overt to her.

“Then we shall stay and bear witness,” Director Wu said. His voice was level, but those who knew him could tell he was fuming. Director Qian, still covering his nose, nodded in agreement.

Satisfied, Yao Xiangying watched as Mother Ning sat down next to Father Ning. The directors took their seats on either side. Yao Xiangying, believing that standing gave her more “presence” for her upcoming performance, remained on her feet.

She took a breath to begin. “I—”

“Wait,” Mother Ning interrupted. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before we begin?”

“My name is Yao Xiangying,” she said unpleasantly.

“Ms. Yao,” Mother Ning nodded. “You likely know who I am, but you may address me as Mrs. Ning.”

Even though Mother Ning was sitting and Yao Xiangying was standing, the latter felt a sense of condescending superiority radiating from the hostess. Enraged, she decided then and there to demand an extra ten million.

Yao Xiangying was uneducated but highly ambitious. she launched into a long-winded preamble about how “Can’er stays at your house every day,” how “we are the legal guardians,” and how “you have no right to keep her from home.” She even accused them of “illegal detention” before making her grand demand: “You like Can’er? Fine. Let her call you ‘Godparents’ and live here officially. But if she’s taking on new parents, you owe us a ‘name-changing’ fee.”

“A fee?” Mother Ning arched an eyebrow. “And how much are you looking for?”

Yao Xiangying had been talking so long her throat was parched. She realized her voice was rasping and began looking around for water. Xiao Li, who had been waiting for the perfect moment, stepped forward with a glass of water, acting the part of the polite guest. “I noticed you looked thirsty. Please, have some water.”

Yao Xiangying drained the glass in one go. She looked at Xiao Li, who quickly explained, “You can just call me Xiao Li. I’m also a guest here.”

Yao Xiangying scanned Xiao Li’s clothes, which looked decent but weren’t expensive and concluded, “You’re here to borrow money, aren’t you?”

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Li’s eyes, but she played along. “Exactly! Life is so difficult. Mrs. Ning is so wealthy; even a small handout would be enough to let me live comfortably for the rest of my life.”

Mother Ning sipped her tea and looked at Yao Xiangying, who was now chatting animatedly with Xiao Li. “Ms. Yao, shall we get back to business? My family has a lot of responsibilities. We’ve carved out this time for the children today and don’t wish to waste it.”

Yao Xiangying bristled. “You spend time with her, but I want to spend time with her too! She spends all her time here now. We didn’t raise her for nothing. For the fee… you have to give me thirty… no, forty million yuan!”

“Whoa!” Xiao Li gasped. She had never seen someone so shameless.

“You’ve lost your mind!” Director Qian exclaimed.

Mother Ning didn’t refuse immediately. Instead, she asked, “If I give you forty million, does Can’er belong to our family?”

Yao Xiangying replied cautiously, “With the fee paid, it’s only right she lives here. I’m not selling my daughter.” She didn’t want a one-time deal; as long as Can’er stayed close to the Nings, she could find new reasons to ask for money later.

The room looked at her as if she were a lunatic. Yao Xiangying, lost in her fantasy of becoming a multi-millionaire, didn’t notice.

Xiao Li adjusted her expression and asked, “How did you arrive at forty million? That’s not a small sum!”

Yao Xiangying looked at her with contempt. “Didn’t you research their assets before coming to borrow money? The Nings have billions! Forty million is a drop in the bucket to them. Besides, is Can’er not worth forty million? Mrs. Ning, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Can’er is certainly worth it.” Mother Ning said slowly.

Yao Xiangying’s face lit up. “I’ll give you, my account number!”

“But I wasn’t finished,” Mother Ning continued. “Can’er is worth forty million, and I can realize that value, but I will not be depositing that money into your account.”

Yao Xiangying’s expression soured. “She’s a minor! Her money is my money! What’s the difference?!”

“Ah, thank you for reminding me,” Mother Ning said. “Then I shall wait until Can’er is an adult and give the forty million directly to her.”

Seeing the money slip away, Yao Xiangying argued, “I’m her mother! What difference does it make whose hand it’s in? Mrs. Ning, why don’t you ask Can’er? I’m sure she’d agree to let me keep it safe for her.”

“I’ll go get her,” Xiao Li offered helpfully.

Yun Can’er followed Xiao Li over, her face pale and her eyes rimmed with red. She looked at Mother Ning with deep guilt. “I’m so sorry, Auntie Ning.”

Yao Xiangying shoved her. “What are you apologizing for?!”

Can’er, being fragile, stumbled and only stayed upright thanks to Xiao Li’s support. Mother Ning’s brow furrowed. “Even if she is your daughter, you shouldn’t treat her this way. Can’er is a person, not an object.”

Yao Xiangying ignored her, grabbing Can’er and pulling her close. “Tell Mrs. Ning—is it true that I’ve always kept your money safe for you?”

Can’er’s thin arm was being pinched so hard it hurt, and a look of pain crossed her face. Xiao Li quickly pried Yao Xiangying’s hand away. “Let go!”

Yao Xiangying sniffed. “She’s grown so delicate staying with the Nings.”

Can’er lowered her eyes, her body trembling as silent tears began to fall. The cameraman, moving slowly, captured the entire moment.

“Can’er,” Yao Xiangying hissed, “is it so hard to answer a question? Are you trying to disown me?”

Can’er shook her head, choking back a sob. “No, Mom… I’m not trying to disown you.”

“Then stop crying! It’s pathetic! Answer the question!”

Can’er looked up, her eyes clear from the tears and her lashes wet. “Auntie Ning, it’s true… my money has always been kept by my mother…”

Before Yao Xiangying could celebrate, Can’er paused and added, “Mom, I have a question for you.”

“Ask, ask!” Yao Xiangying’s mind was full of the forty million.

“Since you’ve been keeping my money safe and there’s about 500,000 yuan there now. I’ll be an adult in a few months. Can you give it back to me then?”

Yao Xiangying’s eyes widened. “You want it back?! Did I not spend money raising you? Did your school materials not cost anything? I bought your food and clothes, and now you’re nitpicking over that 500,000?!”

Her words fell like a barrage of firecrackers. Can’er looked terrified but stayed still, her head low and her body shaking.

Mother Ning had seen enough. She stood up, pulled Can’er onto the sofa to sit beside her, and said coldly, “Ms. Yao, given that you seem intent on embezzling your child’s funds, I cannot give you the forty million. However, I will give it to Can’er on her birthday as her fee. If you have nothing else to say, you may leave.”

Yao Xiangying was pushed over the edge. “Baiwei, Yun Yan! Come here! Start a livestream! Let the whole internet see what kind of people the Nings are, kidnapping other people’s daughters, acting like tyrants! They are a disgrace to the wealthy!”

The twins had started livestreaming part-time in university. Being pretty and twins, they had built a following of hundreds of thousands. Yun Yan already had her phone ready and immediately started the stream, pointing the camera at her mother.

Yao Xiangying wept before the lens, telling a tragic tale of struggling to raise three daughters alone, only for her youngest to be “illegally detained” by a wealthy bully. It was a heart-wrenching performance. The comments section immediately filled with supporters, many of whom were ready to call the police on her behalf.

Finishing her performance, she said with red eyes, “I am in the bully’s house right now, waiting for an explanation and for them to return my daughter. If they don’t, I will call the police.”

The moment she finished, Yun Yan ended the stream. They had practiced this for two days. Yao Xiangying usually struggled to cry on cue, but today she had exceeded expectations.

She had no idea that her entire performance was being recorded by the professional cameraman by the wall. Turning back to Mother Ning, she said, “Mrs. Ning, I’m telling you now: either give me the money, or I call the police!”

“The police?” Mother Ning asked, puzzled. “Ms. Yao, I haven’t committed a crime. Filing a false report carries its own consequences.”

“No crime? Is kidnapping my daughter not a crime? Mrs. Ning, you’re not like me. If you’re sued, the whole business world will laugh at the Nings. Better to pay for some peace and quiet.”

“We haven’t kidnapped her,” Mother Ning said, her voice rising in frustration. “Do you think the police will believe you just on your word? As for my reputation—I’d rather be laughed at than give money to someone like you. I won’t give you forty million; I wouldn’t even give you a hundred-yuan handout if you were a beggar!”

Father Ning patted his wife’s back. “Don’t be angry; she isn’t worth it.” He turned to Yao Xiangying. “Go ahead and call the police. We don’t care. I’ve already messaged the property management; security will be here soon. You can walk out on your own, or they can carry you out.”

The twins, being younger, were immediately scared. They pulled their mother aside to whisper.

“Mom,” Baiwei said, “the Nings are rich, and money makes the world go ’round. We can call the police, but what if they bribe them to charge us with a false report?”

“Mom, let’s take a step back,” Yun Yan added. “I think they’re only being this tough because forty million is a lot. Maybe we try twenty million next time? It might work.”

Yao Xiangying didn’t want to leave empty-handed. “It’s not about the amount; they have billions! Don’t rich people care about their face? Let me try throwing a tantrum; maybe that’ll do it.”

“They called security,” Baiwei frowned. “A tantrum won’t work. I think we underestimated how much they care about Can’er. Mom, maybe we should try to get back on her good side. If the Nings really give her the forty million, getting it from her will be much easier than getting it from them.”

Yao Xiangying conceded. She walked back to Mother Ning, trying to maintain her “loving mother” facade. “For Can’er’s sake, I won’t call the police this time. We’ll discuss the money in a few days.”

With that, she led the twins out of the villa.

When they returned to their neighborhood, they found Yun Yi wasn’t at home but was outside chatting and laughing with the neighbors. Yao Xiangying quickly adjusted her expression. She was very careful about her image in the neighborhood; no one knew how she truly treated Can’er.

“We could hear you laughing from all the way over here,” Yao Xiangying said, smiling as she approached Yun Yi. “What’s the good news?”

A neighbor, Sister Zhang, said in a loud voice, “What else? We’re talking about how the Yun family’s ancestors must have done great deeds! You’ve got a Gaokao Zhuangyuan! Can’er has certainly brought honor to you both!”

“Exactly! Can’er has been such a good, studious girl since she was little. Having a daughter like her is truly a blessing.”

The group showered them with praise. Baiwei and Yun Yan could barely maintain their smiles. They weren’t as smart or successful as Can’er, but they looked like their parents and were the favorites. What did it matter how well Can’er studied if all the money she earned was spent on them? Thinking of this, they felt better.

The news of Can’er being the top scorer spread lightning-fast. Before dark, the property management had already sent the Yuns ten thousand yuan as a reward for Can’er. They even hung a banner at the neighborhood entrance: Congratulations to our resident Yun Can’er for becoming this year’s Provincial Science Zhuangyuan!

The entrance faced a busy street. Everyone who passed by read the banner, and soon everyone in the area knew.

When Yao Xiangying went out for groceries, she heard people discussing the top scorer. She couldn’t help but interject, announcing she was the mother of the Zhuangyuan. After basking in their compliments, she returned home feeling triumphant.

It was the first time she had felt the rush of such public praise, and she was hooked. From that day on, she did nothing else but wander the neighborhood, striking up conversations with strangers just to mention her daughter was the top scorer and enjoy their looks of awe.

Xiao Li returned to the newspaper office and, without needing any prompting from Ning Xiao, stayed up all night to write the draft. She sent it to Ning Xiao via WeChat, only realizing afterward that it was past 2 AM.

She assumed Ning Xiao was asleep, but five minutes later, a single “Good” came back. A few minutes after that, she received a transfer for twenty thousand yuan.

Ning Xiao: This is the payment for this article. Write it well. Write several more—make it a series. As long as the quality is there, payment won’t be an issue.

Xiao Li: Yes, boss! Understood, boss! I won’t let you down!

Her tone was so servile it was almost painful to read.

Ning Xiao looked at the reply and smiled softly. In the dim light of the nightlight, she looked at Can’er’s sleeping face, smoothed her silky hair, and closed her eyes to sleep.

Three days after the interview, the X-Province Daily hit the stands. Ning Xiao bought five hundred copies and had her parents distribute them to their employees. She kept one for herself and saw that Xiao Li had indeed turned it into a serial—this was “Part I.”

The paper was the best-selling in the province, with over 100,000 copies sold that day. When the next day’s paper came out, it actually boosted sales of the previous edition, as people who saw Part II wanted to read Part I.

Simultaneously, Yun Can’er’s name became a household word.

The X-Province Wednesday noon news also reported on her. They used the footage captured by the professional cameraman. The ugly, greedy faces of Yao Xiangying and the twins were exposed for all to see.

Countless people were outraged on Can’er’s behalf, launching an online crusade against Yao Xiangying. Some tech-savvy individuals even leaked the phone numbers of the three women, and they were inundated with angry calls daily.

The Ning family, conversely, saw their company stock rise. Some shareholders even offered to personally sponsor Can’er’s university education.

Almost overnight, Yao Xiangying went from the envied mother of a top scholar to a biased, malicious “vampire” mother who bled her daughter dry. No matter where she went, people pointed and whispered. Thanks to her own tireless self-promotion days earlier, even wearing a mask and sunglasses didn’t stop people from recognizing her.

Yun Baiwei and Yun Yan fared no better. Their livestreams were discovered, and thousands of people flooded their channels, calling them the “Vampire Sisters” for spending their sister’s money on luxuries while she didn’t even have a new coat.

As for Yun Yi, he had stayed out of the fray from the start, keeping himself “clean.” Even while the women in his family were being dragged through the mud, he remained unaffected. When he met neighbors, he simply gave a helpless, bitter smile. They automatically assumed he was innocent, that Yao Xiangying held the money, and he was in the dark. They began to pity him for having such a wife and daughters.

Yao Xiangying’s reputation was utterly destroyed.

Yun Can’er, however, was completely unaffected. The day after the interview, Ning Xiao had taken her to the capital, far away from the gossip in X-Province. Mother Ning had bought them a fully furnished luxury apartment located right between the Film Academy and Huada. It was convenient for both, and they would live there until the semester started.

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