The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 56

[Congratulations, Host, on completing the task. Reward: 10 points. Remaining points: 50.]

In the previous world, Ning Xiao had forty points left over that she hadn’t spent in the System Store.

After purchasing the ruby necklace, Ning Xiao took Yun Can’er and continued their shopping spree.

With the worry of “plot points” out of the way, Ning Xiao let loose, swiping her card whenever she saw something that suited Yun Can’er. After all, the money in her hands technically belonged to the girl anyway.

Yun Can’er went from shock and unease to hesitation, finally becoming accustomed to the sight of Ning Xiao pulling out her card.

Ever since the police rescued her, Ning Xiao had begun acting like a concerned, doting stepmother. Had Yun Can’er not witnessed Ning Xiao’s previous “buddha’s face but snake’s heart” persona, she might have believed it. Now, Ning Xiao’s kindness only filled her with intense wariness.

She stayed alert for whatever hidden motive Ning Xiao might have. Perhaps this flattery was for the sake of her reputation, or perhaps it was for the company shares Yun Boyuan had left her.

Once they had bought enough clothes, shoes, and hats, the two walked into an accessory shop.

Ning Xiao’s eyes lit up at the dazzling array of trinkets. She sat Yun Can’er down in front of a mirror and began piling accessories onto her.

“These rabbit ears are nice. Bought.”

“This little strawberry clip suits you. Bought.”

“A pink piggy cashmere scarf, cute. Bought.”

“This one, bought.”

“Bought.”

Looking at the colourful, cluttered reflection in the mirror, Yun Can’er had reached a state of Zen-like resignation. If Ning Xiao’s goal was to torture her through this method, she had certainly succeeded.

Seeing that Ning Xiao was about to buy out the entire shop, making the shop assistant grin from ear to ear, Yun Can’er pushed away a hair clip in Ning Xiao’s hand and said weakly, “I don’t want to buy this much.”

She liked high-end designer accessories; she wouldn’t even wear these cheap little trinkets back home.

Ning Xiao looked at the “spoils of war” in the assistant’s basket and nodded. “True, that’s about enough. We’ll call it a day.”

She turned to settle the bill.

Yun Can’er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the checkout counter, there was a row of beautiful ceramic mugs. Ning Xiao caught sight of one out of the corner of her eye and pointed it out to the assistant. “Wrap this one up for me too.”

The assistant beamed. “These ceramic mugs are actually gifts. You get one for every five hundred yuan spent. Since your total today exceeds a thousand, you can choose two.”

Ning Xiao turned to Yun Can’er. “You pick one too.”

Yun Can’er had been a wealthy heiress since childhood; she had never used a “free gift” mug in her life. She casually pointed at one without even looking at the pattern.

Ning Xiao was in a great mood from the shopping, so she ignored Yun Can’er’s slight prickliness. The joy of shopping came from the thrill of spending; what she bought didn’t matter, and who she bought it for mattered even less.

They left the shop with four bags of accessories, each carrying two. Just as they stepped out, they ran into an acquaintance.

Ning Xiao didn’t recognise the woman, but the woman knew her and Yun Can’er. Her attitude was enthusiastic, yet tinged with flattery.

“President Ning! What luck to run into you and your daughter today.” The red-haired woman’s makeup was exquisite, though it couldn’t quite hide the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. She looked genuinely excited.

Ning Xiao noticed the short-haired girl beside the woman secretly wink at Yun Can’er. A small smile flickered on Yun Can’er’s lips before she quickly suppressed it.

[Host, that short-haired girl is Yun Can’er’s only friend, Lu Qiqi. The middle-aged woman is Lu Qiqi’s stepmother, Zhou Ning. You can just call her Mrs. Lu.]

Ning Xiao glanced at the many bags in Lu Qiqi’s hands, then at Zhou Ning, whose hands were empty.

“Mrs. Lu, are you and Qiqi finished shopping? Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t we have dinner together? It’ll give these two sisters a chance to catch up.” She finished with a gentle smile at Yun Can’er.

Yun Can’er hadn’t expected Ning Xiao to say that. It made her sound genuinely concerned for her stepdaughter. She pursed her lips and said nothing, but her mood notably improved.

She really did want to talk to Lu Qiqi.

Lu Qiqi’s stepmother, Zhou Ning, was even more formidable than the original Ning Xiao. She had been the “other woman” who forced her way into the family, driving Qiqi’s biological mother out with nothing to her name. She usually kept Qiqi on a tight leash, never allowing her to appear at high-society banquets under the guise of Qiqi being “too shy” and wanting to protect her.

In reality, everyone with eyes knew that Zhou Ning wanted to raise Qiqi to be useless so she wouldn’t compete for the family inheritance with Zhou Ning’s own son. Only Qiqi’s father, Lu He, was blind to it, believing Zhou Ning truly doted on his daughter.

The two girls, sharing similar plights, had become best friends shortly after meeting.

The Lu family was inferior to the Yun family. Zhou Ning considered herself the same type of person as Ning Xiao and had long wanted to get on her good side. However, the “old” Ning Xiao had always been cold. She didn’t know why Ning Xiao had proactively suggested dinner today, but she wasn’t about to miss the opportunity.

“Of course, that sounds wonderful,” Zhou Ning replied hurriedly.

Noticing that Ning Xiao and Yun Can’er were each carrying two bags, she reached out and took half of the bags from Lu Qiqi’s hands. She explained to Ning Xiao with a smile, “This child is so worried about me getting tired. She insisted on carrying everything herself. I told her I’d take them, but she even got a bit cross with me!”

Zhou Ning finished with an affectionate look at Lu Qiqi.

A woman who can occupy the ‘nest’ and take over the Yun Group is indeed not simple, Zhou Ning thought. She even performs the role of the perfect stepmother in public so flawlessly that no one can find fault. I must learn from her and be a ‘consistent’ mother.

The four arrived at a restaurant Ning Xiao had booked. She naturally handed the menu to Yun Can’er. “You two girls have a look and see what you’d like.”

Yun Can’er looked at Ning Xiao’s beautiful, ageless face and grumbled internally: You aren’t that old yourself, why are you always acting like an elder?

Yun Can’er and Lu Qiqi consulted each other and ordered two dishes before returning the menu.

Yun Can’er stood up and said to Ning Xiao, “I’m going to the lady’s room.” Her voice was soft, almost like she was acting spoiled.

Ning Xiao smiled. “Go ahead.”

Lu Qiqi’s tone was much harsher as she said coldly to Zhou Ning, “Me too.”

Zhou Ning felt a pang of annoyance. She was used to Qiqi’s tone, but today it sounded particularly grating!

“Go on then.” In front of Ning Xiao, she couldn’t lose her temper.

As the two girls walked away hand-in-hand, Ning Xiao smiled at the still-recovering Zhou Ning. “Children really do have their own temperaments. My Can’er is soft-hearted. With a good friend like Qiqi around, I feel much better letting her go out; I don’t have to worry about her being bullied.”

Zhou Ning immediately forced a smile. “That’s exactly why I like my Qiqi so much too.”

In the restroom, the two girls stood at the sinks. As the clear water flowed over her fingers, Yun Can’er turned to Lu Qiqi. “How have you been lately? Is your stepmother still bullying you?”

They had met at Yun Can’er’s eighteenth birthday banquet. Lu He had personally ordered Qiqi to find a way to befriend Yun Can’er to pave the way for cooperation between the families. Zhou Ning couldn’t stop it even if she wanted to. The two hit it off instantly, though they realised later they had forgotten to exchange contact info.

It had been over half a month since the banquet. Lu Qiqi had been stuck at home for summer break, and Zhou Ning kept her in the dark regarding any news from the elite circles of Sea City. Furthermore, the news of Yun Can’er’s “incident” had been suppressed by the Yun Group, so almost no one outside knew.

Lu Qiqi bit her lip. “Nothing much to say. Same old. She only brought me out today because my dad told her to buy me clothes. She spent the whole time complaining about how bored she was shopping. I just let it go in one ear and out the other.”

“What about you?” Qiqi asked. “Your stepmother seems… quite nice.”

Yun Can’er recalled the events of the last few days. She pulled a paper towel to dry her hands and shrugged helplessly. “She seems okay for now. Maybe she’ll lose interest in playing the ‘good person’ in a few days. Who knows?”

After exchanging WeChat details, they returned to their seats.

Ning Xiao and Zhou Ning were chatting pleasantly. Seeing Lu Qiqi return, Zhou Ning took the initiative. “Qiqi, you should invite Can’er out to shop more often. People your age have more to talk about.”

Ning Xiao chimed in, “Can’er is a bit timid. If she’s with Qiqi, I’ll be at ease.”

Following that, Zhou Ning’s attitude toward Lu Qiqi improved significantly. Once the food arrived, she even used the serving chopsticks to place a shrimp in Qiqi’s bowl. “I remember you like shrimp. Try it and see how it is.”

Yun Can’er’s mouth hung open slightly as she watched this scene. Zhou Ning usually couldn’t be bothered to pretend. What was going on today?

She couldn’t help but peek at Ning Xiao. It seemed it had something to do with this woman.

Thinking Yun Can’er was envious of the attention Qiqi was getting, Ning Xiao picked up a piece of diced chicken with chillies and placed it on her plate. “Your favourite. Try it.”

Yun Can’er’s mouth began to water at the sight of the bright red chillies. She loved spicy food but had never dared to say so. Yun Boyuan was obsessed with health, and the meals at home were always bland; you wouldn’t see a single grain of pepper all year round.

How did Ning Xiao know I like spicy food?

Yun Can’er put the chicken in her mouth. The numbing, fragrant heat instantly filled her senses. She couldn’t help but squint her eyes in enjoyment.

[Xiao Qi, you’re getting more reliable. You actually found out the female lead likes spicy food.]

[Hehe, the damaged system is almost fully repaired! I’ll be back to being your perfect System 13579 very soon]

Ning Xiao watched as Yun Can’er finished the chicken, her pale face flushing and her dark eyes growing misty. She continued to feed her spicy dishes throughout the meal.

By the end, Yun Can’er’s pale pink lips had become red and slightly swollen—like fresh, plump flower petals that might burst and leak sweet nectar at the slightest touch.

When they returned home, the sky was completely dark.

The nanny, Sister He, let out a gasp when she saw Yun Can’er. “Eldest Miss! What happened to your mouth?!”

Ning Xiao couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Yun Can’er covered her mouth with her hand in embarrassment.

Who knew her lips were so delicate? Just because she ate a bit more spice than usual, they had swollen up and turned a deep, blood-red colour.

“It’s nothing. She just had some spicy food. Sister He, help her with some ice cubes. She’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

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