The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 55

Yun Can’er took Friday off to rest.

At half-past six on Saturday morning, Ning Xiao got up right on time and headed to the bedroom next door to wake Yun Can’er.

Yun Can’er didn’t have the habit of locking her door. With a gentle twist of the handle, the door swung open.

The curtains were drawn, leaving the room in a dim gloom. Ning Xiao switched on the crystal chandelier, and the room instantly flooded with light.

Ning Xiao walked over to the European-style princess bed and pulled back the pink bed curtains. Yun Can’er was curled up on the soft, oversized bed, her summer quilt pulled up to her mouth, revealing only half of a rosy cheek as she slept soundly.

Her long, curled lashes fluttered with every breath. Unable to resist, Ning Xiao reached out and brushed them with her fingertip.

Yun Can’er’s gentle breathing hitched. Her eyelids quivered before she slowly blinked her eyes open.

Her dark pupils were clouded with a misty layer of drowsiness and confusion. She reached out to pull down the quilt and stifled a yawn behind her hand, her eyes glimmering with a hint of moisture.

“Awake? Get up and come to the gym with me,” Ning Xiao said calmly, withdrawing her hand as if nothing had happened.

She didn’t look flustered in the slightest.

In any case, there was no way Yun Can’er would know what she had just done.

Caught off guard by the voice, Yun Can’er’s eyes snapped wide in a startle. The mist in her dark orbs cleared like a fresh wash, clearly reflecting Ning Xiao’s face.

“Why are you in my room?” Yun Can’er instinctively hugged herself, staring at Ning Xiao warily.

Ning Xiao replied, “Time to exercise. You have five minutes to wash up. Any slower, and you’ll run out of time for your morning routine.”

Yun Can’er frowned. “When did I ever say I wanted to exercise?”

Ning Xiao looked down at her, her red lips curving into a smile. “I said it.” She glanced at the watch on her slender wrist. “You have three minutes left now.”

Yun Can’er’s memory came flooding back, finally recalling the conversation she’d had with Ning Xiao in the early hours of yesterday. Her frown deepened immediately.

“Two minutes.” Ning Xiao’s tender voice sounded like a death knell. Unable to resist, Yun Can’er could only sluggishly sit up. She tilted her snowy-white face up and asked softly, “Could you give me five more minutes? Brushing for less than three minutes is bad for your teeth.”

Ning Xiao: “Fine. Hurry up. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Yun Can’er was simply too, too cute; Ning Xiao found her completely irresistible. She’d give her a little more time, then.

Ning Xiao had been up since six and had taken a lap around the third floor of the villa, finally locating the elevator. When she went down, she opted to take the lift.

It felt wonderful not to have to climb the stairs.

[Xiao Qi, you’d better hurry up and fix yourself.]

Ugh, Host, I will!

After waiting on the first floor for seven or eight minutes, Yun Can’er emerged from behind a large money tree at the corner. She walked toward Ning Xiao with heavy, reluctant steps. “I’m done. Let’s go.”

Ning Xiao stood up. “I’ve converted the game room on the basement floor into a gym. Let’s go.”

Yun Can’er truly had a weak constitution. After just two minutes on the exercise bike, she began to pant heavily. Ning Xiao was genuinely worried she might pass out from the exertion.

Three minutes later, Ning Xiao stopped the treadmill and walked over to the bike. She watched Yun Can’er in silence for a moment, her expression complex. “Can’er, you can rest if you’re too tired. There’s no need to force yourself like this.”

“No, I can do it!” Instead, Yun Can’er seemed to have developed a stubborn streak.

“You’ve already been riding for five minutes. Wouldn’t it be better to rest for five before continuing?” Ning Xiao continued to persuade her.

“I want to ride… for half an hour… before resting…” Yun Can’er insisted.

Looking at Yun Can’er’s legs moving at a snail’s pace, Ning Xiao couldn’t honestly call this “exercise.” She said seriously, “If you’re trying to use this method to stall your workout, I can push our schedule back indefinitely.”

Yun Can’er’s movement stopped instantly. She slumped over the handlebars and turned her head to look at Ning Xiao with an accusing gaze. “You still have to go to work”

“For the sake of your health, I can skip work,” Ning Xiao replied with a smile.

Yun Can’er:

She was so frustrated she could cry!

Under Ning Xiao’s strict supervision, alternating five minutes of cycling with five minutes of rest—it finally took an hour to grudgingly finish thirty minutes of exercise.

The two took the elevator back to the first floor. When they stepped out, Yun Can’er was drenched in sweat. Her legs felt like limp noodles; the moment she tried to lift a foot, she nearly collapsed.

Thanks to Ning Xiao’s quick reflexes, she caught the girl by the waist, letting her lean against her to prevent the fall.

When they reached the living room, the nanny, Sister He, was stunned by the sight of them, unable to process it for a good while.

You couldn’t blame her; Yun Can’er looked absolutely miserable. She was gasping for air, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural heat, and her long, seaweed-like hair was plastered damply to her face. Her eyes were glazed and vacant, making her look for all the world like she had been mistreated.

The one responsible for this “abuse” was, naturally, her “stepmother,” Ning Xiao.

The nanny stole a glance at Ning Xiao. Ning Xiao helped Yun Can’er onto the sofa and said gently, “Rest for a bit. Wait until your heart rate settles before taking a shower.”

Ning Xiao turned to instruct the nanny, “Sister He, from now on, breakfast will be at eight every morning.”

It was already past 7:40. By the time Yun Can’er showered and came down, it would be right around eight.

“Understood, Madam,” the nanny hurried to reply.

After breakfast, Yun Can’er leaned lazily against the back of her chair, unable to even lift her arms.

Ning Xiao set down her chopsticks and offered a smile. “Can’er?”

Now, the moment Yun Can’er saw Ning Xiao smile, her heart trembled. “What is it?” she asked, sitting up straight.

“I have a meeting at the company this morning, but I’m off this afternoon. Accompany me for some shopping.”

“Huh?” Yun Can’er said reluctantly. “But my legs have no strength at all. Maybe you should find someone else to go with you.”

Even if her legs were fine, she didn’t want to go with Ning Xiao.

The only reason Ning Xiao wanted to take her shopping was surely to bolster her “good stepmother” persona!

Ning Xiao said unhurriedly, “That won’t do. You must come with me.”

There was a plot point trigger at a counter in the mall; the earlier she went, the sooner she could collect points.

“A whole morning of rest is plenty. I’ll be back for lunch at noon, and we’ll set off promptly at two after your nap.” With that, she stood up and went upstairs to change for work.

Yun Can’er:

Damn it, why was Ning Xiao so overbearing!

Ning Xiao arrived at the office at nine sharp. Yang Yuanqi followed at her side, saying, “President Ning, the materials for the meeting are ready. We need to finalize two proposals this morning. It should take about five hours, but since you need to head home for lunch, I’ve instructed them to reduce the presentation time for each proposal to under an hour and a half. I guarantee it won’t delay your lunch with the young lady.”

Ning Xiao stopped at the door of the conference room and glanced at Yang Yuanqi, praising him, “Well done. Your bonus for this month is doubled.”

Yang Yuanqi struggled to hide his grin. “Thank you, President Ning!”

He knew it! President Ning cared deeply for the young lady; she was clearly very important to her!

Host, have you had a change of heart?

Ning Xiao replied while listening to a report, [What do you mean by that?]

Who could she have “changed her heart” for?

I think you’re being too good to Yun Can’er. Actually, I wanted to say this morning that there’s no need to supervise her exercise. It’s normal for girls to be soft and delicate.

Ning Xiao couldn’t help but frown.

The manager giving the report looked up and saw this. Thinking Ning Xiao was dissatisfied, his hand shook, and his voice began to tremble.

Ning Xiao: Was she really that scary? The original [Ning Xiao] had always used a gentle approach at the company, treating employees of all levels like a spring breeze. They had no reason to fear her.

Ning Xiao had to offer some reassurance: “You’re doing well. Continue.”

The manager breathed a secret sigh of relief. As long as President Ning wasn’t angry! The way she frowned just now was truly terrifying.

The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued.

Ning Xiao countered System 13579’s earlier comment: [Normal doesn’t mean good. I have to train the female lead until she can at least pin the male lead to the ground. As long as he breaks her heart, she can break his body.]

System 13579 shuddered. That’s… probably not necessary.

It suddenly felt a little sorry for the male lead.

[I think it’s very necessary,] Ning Xiao’s lips curved into a smirk. [The female lead shares Can’er’s name; how could I watch her get bullied? The scummy male lead is the one who deserves to suffer.]

At two in the afternoon, Yun Can’er was already waiting on the sofa downstairs without needing Ning Xiao to call her.

Ning Xiao walked over and stroked her soft hair, praising her, “Such a good girl.”

Yun Can’er thought to herself: Even if I weren’t “good,” I wouldn’t be able to resist anyway.

After resting all morning, Yun Can’er’s legs had mostly recovered their strength. However, she didn’t want Ning Xiao to think she had bounced back so quickly. When she stood up from the sofa, she made a show of bending over and pounding her legs with her fists.

It was full of holes; her acting was quite poor.

Ning Xiao:

“Or else” Ning Xiao trailed off slowly, leaving space for Yun Can’er’s imagination.

“We’re not going?!” Yun Can’er’s eyes lit up.

Ning Xiao smiled. “Or else you could use a wheelchair, and I can push you.”

Yun Can’er:

She silently lowered her theatrical little fists, straightened her back, and walked out with grim determination.

Driving to the largest shopping mall in the city, Ning Xiao led Yun Can’er straight to a famous luxury jewelry boutique on the top floor.

Ding! The first plot point will appear in one minute. Host, please be prepared!

Ning Xiao pulled Yun Can’er inside. Yun Can’er’s eyes were instantly filled with glittering gold.

Massive gold ornaments, gold bars, and gold necklaces filled the left counter. The right counter was adorned with rubies, sapphires, necklaces, rings, and bracelets. The front counter displayed jade-inlaid Buddha pendants. Yun Can’er felt her name”Brilliant” didn’t hold a candle to the brilliance in this room.

Having never seen so much “vulgar” wealth, Yun Can’er hardly knew where to look. She asked with a tremble, “You’re not planning to buy jewelry here, are you?”

Ning Xiao smiled. “Of course.”

Ding! First plot point initiated!

Ning Xiao’s body was taken over. With a hint of smugness in her smile, she said, “Can’er, I think the jewelry here suits you perfectly. Tell me which one you like, and I’ll buy them all for you.”

Originally, this scene was supposed to take place a year later, shortly after Yun Can’er escaped the Blue Sea Club. [Ning Xiao] was meant to bring her here to buy jewelry to mock her for being as “tacky” as these pieces.

In the original plot, Yun Can’er who ended up being forced to take a gold ornament by [Ning Xiao]—felt immensely insulted. She had locked herself in her room and cried all night after returning home.

But the current situation was different. Yun Can’er hadn’t spent a year at the Blue Sea Club. Hearing Ning Xiao’s words, she didn’t feel mocked at all. Instead, her thoughts took a turn, and she began to feel a sense of pity for Ning Xiao.

She hadn’t expected Ning Xiao to have such taste. If the other socialite wives found out, Ning Xiao would surely be ridiculed.

“No need. I don’t attend banquets, so I don’t need jewelry. You can buy more for yourself,” Yun Can’er said, subtly digging a pit for Ning Xiao.

Ignoring the rejection, Ning Xiao turned to the sales assistant. “Since she doesn’t like jewelry, we’ll take a gold ornament. That gold money tree would look great in her room. I’ll take it!” She elegantly pulled a black card from her bag.

Yun Can’er: Ning Xiao’s taste was horrific! She absolutely would not put that thing in her room!

Ding! First plot point ended.

Ning Xiao regained control of her body only to find herself holding out her black card to the sales assistant. Two other assistants were beaming as they reached into the gold display case.

Beside her, Yun Can’er looked utterly speechless, though a hint of “watching a disaster unfold” flickered in her dark eyes.

Ning Xiao snatched her hand back instantly and said calmly, “Wait a moment. I’ve changed my mind.”

If she bought that tacky gold money tree today, the entire upper class of the city would hear about it by tomorrow.

She absolutely could not do something so embarrassing!

“I’ve suddenly decided this ruby necklace is quite nice. Wrap it up and send it to Youyun Villa. I don’t want the money tree anymore.”

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