The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 54

Stepping into the living room and swapping her shoes for slippers at the entrance, Yun Can’er finally snapped out of her daze, fully realizing where she was.

Ning Xiao walked up behind her. Seeing her standing frozen in the middle of the room, she reached out and gently rested a hand on her wrist. “Can’er, are you hungry? Would you like to eat first, or have a bath?”

Yun Can’er’s body went rigid. She loathed Ning Xiao’s touch, yet she didn’t dare pull away. She bit her lower lip so hard with her snowy-white teeth that she nearly drew blood.

Ning Xiao felt a pang of sympathy for her. She had no idea what the girl had endured at the Blue Sea Club over the past two days. Knowing Can’er’s temperament, she didn’t get angry at the silence. Instead, she continued softly, “What do you fancy eating? How about some noodle soup?”

Though it was phrased as a question, Ning Xiao didn’t wait for an answer this time. She turned directly to the nanny, He Jie, who had appeared at the sound of their voices. “He Jie, go and cook a bowl of tomato noodle soup for Can’er. Remember to add a poached egg and a handful of bok choy.”

The nanny blinked in surprise before nodding quickly. “Of course, Madam. I’ll get on that right away.”

The tone Ning Xiao used with He Jie was incredibly cold, which gave the nanny a sudden sense of urgency. She felt a desperate need to perform well, terrified of displeasing Ning Xiao. She practically ran into the kitchen.

“Sit down and wait; it won’t be long,” Ning Xiao said, leading Yun Can’er by the hand to the sofa. She pressed down lightly on the girl’s shoulders, guiding her to sit.

Yun Can’er moved like a marionette one movement from Ning Xiao triggered one movement from her. Her dark eyes were clouded with suppressed emotion.

It was only when Ning Xiao sat opposite her that she had a proper chance to look at the girl.

Yun Can’er’s skin was as white as snow, her long, dark, wavy hair cascading down her back like seaweed. Beneath a full, smooth forehead sat a pair of arched willow-leaf brows. Her eyes were pitch black, reflecting the brilliant glow of the crystal chandelier, framed by long, dark lashes. Her nose was dainty and upturned, her lips slightly rounded and pink. Her plump lower lip now bore a deep mark from her teeth, looking as though it might split and bleed at any moment if she applied even a fraction more pressure.

In her silence, there was a strangely captivating air of fragility about her—she perfectly embodied the aura of a tragic heroine.

Ning Xiao’s gaze swept over her face, inch by inch, almost tangible in its intensity. Yun Can’er’s slender fingers twisted together as she waited, tense, for Ning Xiao to start her usual interrogation or abuse.

She thought she had figured out why Ning Xiao was being so kind, it was an act! A performance to maintain her image as a “good woman” and a “perfect stepmother” in front of outsiders.

Now that they were back at the Yun villa, Ning Xiao’s domain Can’er felt like a lamb in a tiger’s den. No matter how Ning Xiao treated her now, there was no one left to turn to for help. The nanny who had raised her since childhood had already been driven away by Ning Xiao on some flimsy excuse. In this house, not a soul would speak up for her.

Yun Can’er kept her eyes lowered, her lashes trembling. A thin layer of sweat broke out over her skin from the sheer nerves.

“Can’er.”

Here it comes!

Can’er’s lashes gave a violent shudder, and her straight spine curved slightly, bracing herself for the biting words she expected to follow.

“Are you… alright? After these last two days?” Ning Xiao asked, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Yun Can’er blinked in astonishment.

Was Ning Xiao actually concerned? Or was she just looking for a reason to mock her? Ning Xiao probably hoped something irreversible had happened to her during those two days, but she was going to be disappointed.

Can’er’s fingertips turned white from clenching her hands. “I’m fine,” she whispered.

The owner of Blue Sea had taken a liking to her face and was looking for someone to train her as a high-end socialite. Before a trainer could even be found, the police had rescued her. For those two days, aside from being confined to a suite, she had been fed and looked after. Truthfully, it had been more peaceful there than at the Yun house.

“Thank you,” she added in a tiny voice, stealing a quick glance at Ning Xiao.

She could guess what the people at Blue Sea would have eventually done to her. Regardless of everything else, she owed her rescue to the fact that Ning Xiao had called the police.

Hearing her raspy voice, Ning Xiao leaned forward to pour a glass of warm water and pushed it toward her. “You’re welcome. Have some water; it’ll help your throat.”

“Actually, I should be the one apologizing to you,” Ning Xiao said, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her knees. She looked at Can’er with a serious expression. “I didn’t think things through. I was too impatient, wanting you to grow up quickly, so I found someone unreliable to look after you. This never would have happened otherwise.”

Yun Can’er looked confused, as if she couldn’t quite process the words. “What do you mean, you found someone unreliable to look after me?”

“Tan Rui was in my employ. He’s a contracted artist at my cousin’s studio. I thought he was a decent person, but I didn’t realize he was so heavily in debt. He dragged you into his mess.”

Yun Can’er understood the words, but the meaning felt impossible. “Tan Rui… approaching me… was your doing?”

Ning Xiao nodded. “Yes.”

Yun Can’er sat in stunned silence for a long time before finally letting out a slow breath.

“I see…”

When she was about to be sold off by that hair salon owner, Tan Rui had suddenly appeared to save her. She had thought she was just lucky. As it turned out, that “luck” had been bought and paid for by Ning Xiao.

Didn’t Ning Xiao hate her? She had kicked her out of the house, yet she had hired someone to protect her…

As Can’er wrestled with these thoughts, the nanny returned from the kitchen. She placed the steaming bowl of tomato noodle soup in front of her, along with a spoon and chopsticks.

“Eldest Miss, I pickled some fresh cucumbers this afternoon. They’re very crisp; would you like some to go with your noodles?” He Jie asked with a flattering smile.

The servants in this house were only ever respectful when her father, Yun Boyuan, was around. After he passed, their attitude had become increasingly dismissive—He Jie especially. This sudden change in demeanor… was it because of Ning Xiao?

Because Ning Xiao was being kind to her, they didn’t dare be rude.

Yun Can’er pursed her lips, feeling a sharp sting on her lower lip. A look of exhaustion settled over her delicate features. Ignoring the nanny, she picked up her chopsticks, blew on a noodle, and began to eat.

He Jie stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to get the pickles or not. She looked to Ning Xiao for guidance.

Ning Xiao frowned, her voice laced with impatience. “Do you really need the Eldest Miss to tell you how to do your job? Whether she eats them or not, you should have them ready.”

Startled, He Jie scrambled to respond. “Yes, Madam! I’ll get them right now.”

She wasn’t about to lose a job that paid thirty thousand a month just for cooking three meals a day.

Ning Xiao waited patiently on the sofa. After finishing half the bowl, Yun Can’er set her chopsticks down. “I’m full.”

“Fair enough,” Ning Xiao said. “It’s not good to eat too much right before bed anyway; it causes indigestion. He Jie, you can finish up here and head to bed. Thank you for your hard work.”

He Jie replied quickly, “As long as the Eldest Miss is satisfied, it’s no trouble at all,” before clearing the dishes.

“Your room is cleaned every day. It’s late, so just have a quick wash and get some sleep. You can have a proper soak in the bath tomorrow.”

Yun Can’er stood up tentatively, feeling like a guest in her own home, and followed Ning Xiao upstairs. Her bedroom was on the third floor. After the “original” Ning Xiao had kicked her out, she had turned it into a guest room, never expecting her to return. The current Ning Xiao had ordered it restored immediately upon her arrival.

Reaching the third floor, Ning Xiao looked back. Can’er was slowly trudging up the stairs, clutching the dark gold banister and breathing heavily as if she were climbing a mountain.

Ning Xiao couldn’t help but frown. “You’re far too weak.”

Startled by the voice, Can’er froze mid-step, looking lost.

“Rest well tomorrow. But from the day after, you’re coming with me for morning exercises.”

To Yun Can’er, it felt like the world was ending. She had been frail since childhood, and her father had never made many demands of her. Consequently, she had avoided exercise entirely outside of school PE lessons.

“I… I…” Can’er’s face flushed with embarrassment as she stammered, trying to find a way to refuse.

Seeing her hesitation, Ning Xiao was firm. “It’s decided. No arguments.”

Yun Can’er’s eyes immediately filled with tears of frustration. She thought bitterly that if her father were still here, Ning Xiao would never have dared to force her like this.

Ning Xiao saw her pouting so hard she could have hung a tea towel on her lip, and she found it inwardly amusing. Just two hours of kindness, and the “pitiful little thing” was already starting to show some defiance.

Quite cute, actually.

Ning Xiao walked back down a few steps and lightly flicked Can’er’s forehead. “Stop cursing me in your head.”

Can’er gasped, covering her forehead. How on earth did she know what she was thinking?!

Ning Xiao reached out and put an arm around Can’er’s waist, gently guiding her upward. “If we don’t get to sleep, the sun will be up.”

The arm behind her was slender, yet it felt surprisingly strong and secure. All Can’er had to do was lift her feet and follow the lead; they reached the third floor in no time.

“I’m in the room next door. Knock if you need anything,” Ning Xiao said, pushing her own door open. Just as she was about to close it, Can’er spoke up.

“You”

“What is it?” Ning Xiao turned back, her eyes hazy with sleepiness.

Can’er tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled. “Why didn’t we just take the lift up?”

Ning Xiao:

Can’er lowered her head and muttered under her breath, “There’s a lift in the house, and lifts everywhere else. You rarely need physical strength, so you don’t really need to exercise.”

Since Ning Xiao had arrived in this world, she hadn’t used the villa’s lift once. She had been walking the stairs for days, and not a single servant had pointed it out.

[So there’s a lift in the villa? Xiao Qi, why didn’t you tell me?] Ning Xiao asked the system gloomily.

Host, I’m broken.

[You certainly are.] To keep something so important from her!

I mean, it’s not just the female lead tracking system that’s malfunctioning; I’m having issues in other areas too. System 13579 replied sheepishly.

Collecting herself, Ning Xiao reached out and tilted Can’er’s chin up, meeting her wandering dark eyes. She gave a lazy, light chuckle. “I don’t think so.”

Can’er’s pale cheeks flared with a flustered red. She stood speechless for a long moment before finally summoning the courage to whisper, “Alright then.”

Ugh! Still too scared to talk back to her!

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