The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

As Ning Xiao patiently taught her how to swim, Yun Can’er felt increasingly bewildered.

Ning Xiao was a walking contradiction. One moment, she was cold and aggressive; the next, she was tenderly massaging Yun Can’er’s wrist with genuine concern.

It would have made sense if Ning Xiao treated her poorly after all, Shang Shaotan, the boy Ning Xiao liked, had confessed his feelings to Yun Can’er. So why was she helping rub her wrist? Why was she teaching her to swim?

Host, the female lead has sensed that something is off. It seems you’ve slipped up, System 13579 reminded Ning Xiao, who was currently having a grand time giving swimming lessons.

Ning Xiao paused mid-motion. “I wasn’t paying attention. Is Can’er suspecting me?”

Ning Xiao led Yun Can’er to the edge of the pool to rest. She watched the other students in the water, appearing to ask casually, “Yun Can’er, what do you think about me teaching you to swim?”

Yun Can’er looked up, her bright dark eyes meeting Ning Xiao’s face a face as vivid and beautiful as a hibiscus flower. She whispered, “Thank you.”

Ning Xiao let out a scoff. Her watery eyes were clouded with a faint mist, making her look breathtakingly beautiful. “Yun Can’er, a simple ‘thank you’ isn’t enough. If you’re truly grateful, stay away from Shang Shaotan. For the sake of these lessons, even if he approaches you, you have to avoid him. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Yun Can’er didn’t know why, but looking at Ning Xiao like this made her chest feel tight and heavy.

She had always known what kind of person Ning Xiao was; there was no reason to feel hurt by her words. Yet, she felt miserable. Her dark eyes seemed to lose their luster, turning dull and shadow-filled.

“As long as you know.” Unaware of Yun Can’er’s inner turmoil, Ning Xiao patted her frail shoulder. “Come on, let’s keep practicing.”

The two returned to the center of the pool. With droplets of water clinging to her face and her misty eyes, straight nose, and red lips, Ning Xiao looked as fresh and lovely as a lotus rising from the water. Those around her couldn’t help but feel their hearts race at the sight.

As if she had completely forgotten the harsh words she just spoken, Ning Xiao resumed teaching Yun Can’er with total dedication, guiding her hand by hand.

“I’ll hold your waist. Keep your legs straight, stretch your arms forward, and try to float,” Ning Xiao instructed, standing by Yun Can’er’s side and wrapping her hands around the girl’s slender waist.

At the touch, Yun Can’er gave a sensitive shiver. Ning Xiao frowned and gave the soft flesh at her waist a little squeeze. “You’re way too thin. From now on, you’re eating all three meals with me.”

Yun Can’er glanced at her, then pushed off the bottom with her toes. Her body floated up horizontally, her arms reaching forward and her legs tensed as she buried her face in the water.

Ning Xiao praised her, “You’re a fast learner! You’re floating already. I’m going to let go now; try to stay up on your own.”

As Ning Xiao slowly released her hold, Yun Can’er floated for a few seconds before her legs suddenly began to struggle. She began to sink rapidly.

Caught off guard, Ning Xiao quickly dove underwater to grab her. People who can’t swim often struggle uncontrollably out of a desperate instinct to survive. Ning Xiao tried to pull her up by the waist, but Yun Can’er’s thrashing made it difficult.

Opening her eyes underwater, Ning Xiao grabbed both of Yun Can’er’s slender wrists with one hand to keep her from struggling away. With a powerful kick, she brought them both to the surface.

Yun Can’er coughed violently in Ning Xiao’s arms, her face flushed and her frail frame trembling.

Ning Xiao swam her to the edge and, lifting her by the shoulders, placed her onto the tiled deck. She then pushed herself out of the water.

Yun Can’er eventually stopped coughing, but her face remained deathly pale, and her dark eyes were filled with dazed confusion.

“Can’er, how do you feel?” Worried, Ning Xiao took Yun Can’er’s hand. Finding it ice-cold, she cupped it between her own hands and held it against her cheek to warm it.

A jolt like an electric current traveled from Yun Can’er’s fingertips straight to her heart. She pressed her other hand against her chest. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice raspy.

Ning Xiao stood up immediately. “Let’s go. I’m taking you to the infirmary.”

As she was pulled to her feet, Yun Can’er’s legs felt like jelly; she could only lean heavily against Ning Xiao for support. Through two thin layers of swimwear, Ning Xiao’s body heat seeped into Yun Can’er’s chilled skin.

The swimming instructor noticed them and walked over. Seeing Yun Can’er’s complexion, he asked, “What happened?”

“Can’er is”

“Teacher, I’m just feeling a bit unwell. I’d like to go back and rest,” Yun Can’er interrupted.

The instructor nodded. “Alright. Ning Xiao, could you accompany her back?”

Yun Can’er looked so fragile that the instructor was truly afraid she might faint on the way.

Ning Xiao nodded and turned to Yun Can’er. “I’ll take you back.”

Yun Can’er whispered, “Thank you.”

Once they had changed and left the natatorium, Yun Can’er’s legs grew even weaker. She had to practically drape herself over Ning Xiao to move at all.

The autumn night air was cool. The full moon hung high in an ink-blue sky, devoid of any clouds.

Ning Xiao suddenly stopped walking and sighed. “At this rate, we’ll never reach the dorms.”

Thinking Ning Xiao didn’t want to deal with her anymore, Yun Can’er began to pull her arm back from Ning Xiao’s shoulder. “I can walk by my”

“I’d better just carry you.”

Yun Can’er’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Ning Xiao let out a soft chuckle, her red lips curving into a tempting arc. “What, did you think I was going to abandon you?”

“Little girl, stop overthinking.” Ning Xiao took off her silver-gray school blazer and handed it to Yun Can’er. “Cover your legs with this.” With that, she effortlessly swept Yun Can’er up in a bridal carry.

Yun Can’er’s face turned bright red. Flustered, she used Ning Xiao’s jacket to cover her legs. Looking up, she could only see Ning Xiao’s refined jawline and the beautiful silhouette of her face under the amber glow of the streetlights.

Yun Can’er felt as though she were dreaming.

How can Ning Xiao be like this?

She’s so strong… She’s actually carrying me like a princess. Doesn’t she… doesn’t she hate me?

Why on earth is she carrying me?

System 13579: Dear Host, you have successfully made Yun Can’er waver once again. 

“Again?” With her memory currently non-existent, Ning Xiao had already forgotten about making Yun Can’er suspicious earlier. ” I didn’t think much of it. Can’er couldn’t walk, so I’m just getting her back to the dorm.”

But she’s your romantic rival! Who carries their rival like this???

Ning Xiao replied, “I do.”

System 13579 surrendered. Fine. As long as the plot points aren’t ruined, feel free to pamper the female lead however you like.

The system knew that even if it disagreed, the Host wouldn’t listen. It was better to just let her do what she wanted.

“You’re learning, Xiao Qi,” Ning Xiao joked.

The dormitories at Boming Private High School were all luxurious single rooms. After placing Yun Can’er on her bed, Ning Xiao immediately turned and left the bedroom to find the first-aid kit in the living room.

Fortunately, Yun Can’er hadn’t moved it. Finding it in its usual spot, Ning Xiao walked back into the bedroom.

Yun Can’er sat leaning against the headboard, looking like a lost child, her expression full of daze and uncertainty.

Hearing Ning Xiao’s footsteps, she looked up in surprise. “You didn’t leave?”

Ning Xiao sat on the edge of the bed. “What are you talking about? How could I leave before you’re okay? Give me your hand; I need to apply some medicine.”

Yun Can’er had no idea how brightly her dark eyes were shining or how much joy was flickering within them. “Ning Xiao, thank you.”

Yun Can’er had never felt this happy in her entire life.

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