The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 53

Tan Rui, knowing he was in the wrong, allowed Ning Xiao to clutch his collar. He lowered his head in guilt and muttered, “I… I didn’t know things would turn out like this.”

Ning Xiao shot him a fierce glare before releasing her grip. She quickly composed herself and turned to Officer Li to ask about the specifics of the situation with cool-headed precision.

Officer Li explained, “Tan Rui’s creditor, Fang Hai, has ties to the underworld. He was the one who illegally detained Yun Can’er. After investigating several clubs associated with him, we’ve confirmed she is being held at a club called ‘Blue Sea.’ Our team has already launched a rescue operation.”

Ning Xiao lifted her chin, blinking away the moisture in her eyes. She spoke to Officer Li with sincere gratitude, “Thank you. Please, you must ensure Can’er’s safety.”

“Rest assured,” Officer Li replied solemnly. “We will do our utmost to protect her. It is our duty.”

Ning Xiao sat down on a row of chairs in the waiting area. A policewoman brought over a paper cup of hot water and handed it to her.

Clutching the cup, Ning Xiao felt a spark of warmth finally return to her icy fingertips. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” the policewoman said, sitting down beside her. Out of curiosity, she asked, “May I ask why you arranged for Tan Rui to look after her in the first place?”

Ning Xiao took a breath and began to speak slowly. “Actually, Can’er has never trusted me. She’s always had this idea that, as her stepmother, I would mistreat or frame her. When my husband was alive, the three of us could manage a peaceful coexistence. But since his passing, she instinctively recoils whenever she sees me.”

“Knowing she was so guarded around me, I couldn’t bear to let her live in constant fear every day. It just so happened that she had finished her entrance exams and had over two months of summer holiday left. I encouraged her to take a part-time job outside—partly so she wouldn’t have to face me every day, and partly to build her character.”

“Can’er is quite timid, but as the heir to the Yun Group, she needs to see more of the world to develop some resilience. As for Tan Rui, I hired him because I was afraid she wouldn’t adapt to society on her own. I hoped he could help her find her footing.”

“He was a contracted artist at my cousin’s studio; I truly thought he was trustworthy. I had no idea he was so deeply in debt, let alone that he would drag Can’er into it…”

As she spoke, Ning Xiao closed her eyes in self-reproach, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.

The policewoman looked at her with a mix of sympathy and understanding. “It’s not your fault that this happened. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

People always spoke ill of stepmothers, but who ever considered how difficult it was for a stepmother who wasn’t accepted by her child?

Since Ning Xiao held the leverage over him, Tan Rui didn’t dare expose her lies. He could only bite his tongue and take the blame.

Ning Xiao waited anxiously at the station for over two hours. At three in the morning, the sound of a car pulling up echoed from outside. She stood up instantly, waking Officer Li from a light doze. “Is it Can’er? Has she been rescued?!”

Officer Li checked his phone, stood up, and yawned. “Yes, Yun Can’er has been successfully recovered.”

Ning Xiao sprinted out of the station immediately.

Officer Li followed behind, watching in amazement. She can run that fast in high heels. Impressive.

However, he knew in his heart that no one would rush out like that unless they cared deeply. His perception of Ning Xiao began to shift.

The moment she stepped outside, Ning Xiao saw a thin, frail figure stepping off the police van with her head bowed. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, making her look even smaller and more delicate.

Ning Xiao felt a stir in her heart. The female lead’s physique is remarkably similar to the Yun Can’er from the previous world.

Can’er was wearing a cheap white camisole dress. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, her exposed shoulders looked pale and translucent.

The late summer night breeze was chilly. Seeing Can’er shivering slightly, Ning Xiao walked up to her, took off her own long casual blazer, and draped it over the girl’s shoulders. Before Can’er could even look up, Ning Xiao pulled her into a firm embrace.

Officer Li, following close behind, felt a lump in his throat at the sight of the two hugging. Even without a blood relation, a bond of sincere affection can clearly exist.

He gave them a few moments of privacy before approaching. “Ms Ning, it’s late. Let’s get the statements finished so you can both go home and rest.”

Ning Xiao nodded to him, then spoke softly and tenderly to Can’er. “Can’er, don’t be afraid. No one will ever hurt you again. I’ll stay with you while you give your statement, and then you’ll come home with me, alright?”

Can’er looked up at Ning Xiao’s face and instinctively tried to shrink away. Ning Xiao kept a gentle but firm hold on her waist. “Can’er, please don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you. I will protect you.”

Reason told Can’er not to believe the woman in front of her, yet for some reason, hearing Ning Xiao’s gentle voice, she found herself wanting to believe.

“Shall we go give the statement?” Ning Xiao asked softly.

Can’er nodded subconsciously. A brilliant smile lit up Ning Xiao’s face—one as bright as the morning sun, momentarily scattering the shadows in Can’er’s heart.

Dazed and confused, Can’er followed Ning Xiao back into the station, obediently gave her statement, and then got into Ning Xiao’s car to return to the Yun estate.