The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 61

Yang Yuanqi was someone who couldn’t keep a secret to save his life. There were very few friends he trusted enough to share work-related matters with, and Zhuang Yuzhen was the only one at the top of that list.

However, after the last time Yang Yuanqi gossiped about Ning Xiao potentially having a new “little boyfriend” which had sent Zhuang Yuzhen rushing off in a state of agitation to verify it—Yang Yuanqi had been left a bit rattled. He was hesitant to gossip with Zhuang Yuzhen again.

Sitting in his office, the urge to spill the beans clawed at his heart. He struggled with it for a long while before his desire to share finally triumphed over his logic.

Gritting his teeth with grim determination, Yang Yuanqi pulled out his phone and opened WeChat.

Take a Nap: Buddy, want some gossip?

Zhuang Yuzhen was in the middle of a meeting. He had forgotten to silence his phone, and when he saw Yang Yuanqi’s message, he knew it had to be about Ning Xiao. He immediately typed back.

Cheer Up: Bring it on!

Take a Nap: I will, but you have to promise me you won’t be impulsive this time. This is way more serious than the last thing. It absolutely cannot get out to anyone else.

Zhuang Yuzhen frowned.

Cheer Up: Fine. Speak.

It was a promise of sorts. Yang Yuanqi breathed a sigh of relief and fingers flew across the screen.

Take a Nap: Dude! You won’t believe what I saw when I forgot to knock before entering the CEO’s office!

Dozens of possibilities flashed through Zhuang Yuzhen’s mind, none of them pleasant.

Cheer Up: What did you see?

He waited with a cold face for the reply.

The employee currently presenting a PPT noticed Zhuang Yuzhen’s icy expression and, fearing they had said something wrong, grew increasingly nervous. Their mind went blank, and they stumbled into a long silence, unable to remember the next line.

Noticing the quiet, Zhuang Yuzhen said without even looking up, “If you’re done, next person. Don’t waste time.”

The employee turned pale. “President Zhuang, I haven’t finished yet.”

Zhuang Yuzhen looked up with a flash of impatience. “Then finish it. Am I kicking you out? Hurry up!”

The employee felt like they had narrowly escaped death. Their emotions swung so wildly they almost cried with gratitude. “Thank you, President Zhuang! I’ll finish quickly and seriously, I won’t waste any more time!”

“Mhm.” Zhuang Yuzhen went back to his phone.

The rest of the presentation went smoothly, and the employee bowed and hurried off the stage without a second’s delay. As the next person stood up, Zhuang Yuzhen gave them a cursory glance to recognize the face before returning his focus to Yang Yuanqi.

Finally, a large block of text appeared on the screen.

Take a Nap: I don’t think I told you that President Ning hired a little assistant herself. She looks like she just turned eighteen—fair skin, beautiful, pure as a porcelain doll. She’s called an assistant, but she basically just stays in the office with President Ning doing nothing, except occasionally being checked on her memorization of the schedule.

President Ning pays her salary out of her own pocket. I thought she was a relative, but just now—just now!—I forgot to knock and walked in, and I saw President Ning leaning down to kiss her!!!!

Take a Nap: Buddy! Can you imagine my shock? I thought they were relatives, but they’re a couple???

Take a Nap: Man, I’m just… floored. If I didn’t tell someone, I’d explode. You’re the only one I can tell. Don’t forget you promised not to be impulsive or spread this around.

Zhuang Yuzhen gritted his teeth, typing back with enough force to punch a hole through the screen.

Cheer Up: I won’t tell anyone.

Tell people so that the “kept” little assistant can take the top spot? He wasn’t that stupid!

Take a Nap: As expected of a top-tier roommate and best friend! I’m gonna get back to work. Talk later~

Cheer Up: Mhm.

Looking at his own WeChat nickname, “Cheer Up,” Zhuang Yuzhen found it incredibly ironic. The first time he heard about a “little boyfriend,” he could rush off to confirm it. The second time, he could only tell himself to “cheer up” and hope it was another misunderstanding.

Once the meeting ended, Zhuang Yuzhen immediately left the room and returned to his office. He buzzed his secretary. “You don’t need to accompany me to the gala tonight.”

Tears instantly welled in the secretary’s eyes. “President Zhuang, why? Have you found another partner?”

Usually, Zhuang Yuzhen enjoyed a bit of flirting from his secretary, but now he felt only irritation. “That’s none of your concern. Remember your place,” he said coldly.

The secretary was terrified and didn’t dare cry further.

At 5:00 PM, they finished work and got into the car. As Ning Xiao buckled her seatbelt, she noticed Yun Can’er looked even more upset than before. She frowned. “Can’er, are you feeling unwell? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Having bottled it up all day, Yun Can’er couldn’t hold her temper any longer at Ning Xiao’s concern. She said sourly, “You have a gala to attend with your dance partner. You don’t have time to take me to the hospital.”

Ning Xiao finally realized what had been bothering the girl all day. It was a case of a young girl’s jealousy.

Ning Xiao acted surprised. “But my partner is you. If you’re sick, of course I’m going to look after you.”

Yun Can’er froze, looking at Ning Xiao in disbelief. “What? You said I am your partner?”

“Who else would it be? You’re my assistant. Isn’t it normal for you to accompany me to a gala as my partner?” Ning Xiao said matter-of-factly.

Heat rushed to Yun Can’er’s cheeks. “I… I didn’t know.”

Heavens. She had been angry all day, and it turned out the “partner” she was jealous of was herself! Her face felt like it was on fire. Now she just hoped Ning Xiao would forget her foolish behavior and stop asking why she was upset.

“Your face is so red. I’m taking you to the hospital now,” Ning Xiao said worriedly, preparing to start the car.

Yun Can’er quickly stopped her. “I’m fine! No hospital!”

“But your face is getting redder by the second.” Ning Xiao wasn’t listening. “Don’t be scared. I know hospitals are crowded, but I’ll be with you.”

“I’m not scared! I… my face is red because I’m a little happy…” Yun Can’er lowered her head, her ten slender fingers intertwining. “This morning I saw your list of potential partners and thought you were going to dance with some other man. That’s why I was in a bad mood.”

“I’m sorry…” she added sheepishly. Her pale ear tips peeked out from her seaweed-like black hair, turning pink in an instant.

Ning Xiao was surprised by her honesty; she had expected the girl to make up some excuse. Her expression softened even further, her eyes brimming with warmth. “It’s okay. Next time something like this happens, don’t just sit there overthinking. Just ask me directly, okay?”

Yun Can’er nodded shyly. “I understand.”

Her heart skipped with joy: Ning Xiao is so good to me. I think I’m starting to like her a little.

Before the gala, Ning Xiao took Yun Can’er to a top-tier studio they had booked for styling.

While doing her hair, the stylist held Yun Can’er’s long, wavy locks and marveled, “I really haven’t seen hair this beautiful in a long time. It feels like a sacrilege to even style it.”

“President Ning, I suggest leaving Miss Yun’s hair down naturally. Paired with some exquisite pearl jewelry, it’ll be enough to captivate everyone.”

The stylist’s exaggerated tone made Yun Can’er giggle. She stole a glance at Ning Xiao beside her. I’m not the one who’s going to captivate everyone; the one doing that is sitting right next to me.

Ning Xiao’s hair was swept up into an elegant bun, revealing her slender swan-like neck, vivid features, and beautiful silhouette. She possessed an inexplicable magnetic pull that made Yun Can’er unable to stop looking.

Ning Xiao caught her staring and asked with a smile, “Do I look good?”

Caught off guard, Yun Can’er’s face turned bright red. “Y—Yes, very good.” Beyond good. The kind of ‘good’ that makes my heart race.

When Ning Xiao married Yun Boyuan, Yun Can’er hadn’t wanted to look at her at all, keeping her head down the whole time. This was the first time she had seen Ning Xiao so impeccably styled.

Ning Xiao looked into the mirror and said to her, “I don’t think I’m as pretty as you.”

Yun Can’er’s hair flowed behind her, with the strands at her temples pinned back by pearl ornaments. She was dressed in a high-fashion, starlight-gradient blue gown. She looked like a mermaid princess from the deep sea—beautiful, pure, mysterious, and innocent.

The praise made Yun Can’er beam with joy, her shyness forgotten. She did a little twirl for Ning Xiao, the layers of blue gauze shimmering like a starry sky. She took the initiative to move closer and hook her arm through Ning Xiao’s, feeling excited about the gala for the first time.

The Yun family driver arrived after they finished, driving them to the venue. As they drew closer, the excitement gave way to a new wave of nerves. “Don’t leave me alone later, okay?”

Her dark, crystal-like eyes searched Ning Xiao’s, waiting for an answer.

There was a plot point Ning Xiao had to complete at the gala. According to System 13579, it was a special event that had to be done alone with the male lead. Not wanting to lie, she said, “I might not be able to stay with you every single second, but I promise I won’t be away for more than five minutes. Is that okay?”

A gala lasted two hours; five minutes seemed negligible. Yun Can’er agreed immediately. “It’s a deal then. No more than five minutes. If you’re gone longer than that, I’ll…”

She wanted to threaten Ning Xiao, but she lost her momentum and couldn’t think of a threat.

“You’ll what?” Ning Xiao asked, curious.

“I’ll cry for you to see!”

The words burst out before she could think.

Ning Xiao froze, then couldn’t help but laugh. The mirth spread through her eyes until her whole face was glowing with radiance. Yun Can’er was dazed by the sight, forgetting her embarrassment.

“It won’t be more than five minutes. I could never bear to see you cry.”

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