The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 66

Yun Can’er tilted her head, thinking it over. “If you break your word, you have to promise to do one thing for me!”

“Deal. As long as it’s within my power,” Ning Xiao agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

Yun Can’er’s eyes crinkled into a smile, her dark pupils shimmering like fractured starlight. “Pinky swear?” She held up her little finger.

“Pinky swear.” Ning Xiao hooked her pinky with Yun Can’er’s, gave it a little shake, and pressed their thumbs together.

Following that, Zhuang Yuzhen didn’t show his face for a while.

One rainy day, Yun Can’er didn’t dress warmly enough and ended up with a feverish cold. She was forced to lie pitifully in bed to recover. Ning Xiao went to the office alone. While reviewing documents, she received a call from Zhuang Yuzhen.

Ning Xiao glanced up at Yang Yuanqi. Under his bewildered gaze, she answered, “Hello, Yuzhen.”

Hearing that name, Yang Yuanqi jumped. He realized exactly what that glance meant Ning Xiao suspected him of tipping off the “enemy”! Hardly anyone knew Yun Can’er hadn’t come in today; Zhuang Yuzhen’s timing was suspiciously perfect. Forget Ning Xiao, Yang Yuanqi was beginning to wonder if he’d developed amnesia and forgotten making the call himself.

With his face scrunched up in worry, Yang Yuanqi waved his hands frantically, mouthing: “President Ning, it really wasn’t me!”

Ning Xiao believed him. She gave him a reassuring look, signaling that he could leave. Once he exited the office and cautiously closed the door, she turned her attention back to the call.

“Why the sudden call?” Ning Xiao asked with a smile in her voice, though her expression remained icy. It was as if she had split into two different people.

Zhuang Yuzhen asked, “Xiao Xiao, is anyone with you? I have something very important to say, and it’s not for other ears.”

“Yang Yuanqi just left. I’m alone,” Ning Xiao replied. Hearing his slightly hurried breathing over the line, she prompted, “Is this about Yun Can’er?”

After a pause, Zhuang Yuzhen spoke. “Yes. Ever since I heard about Yun Boyuan’s will, I’ve been thinking of a way to help you. I’ve finally found a solution where everyone wins.”

Ning Xiao’s voice remained gentle. “Yuzhen, Can’er is innocent.”

With her sharp wit, she could guess his plan even before he spoke it.

Zhuang Yuzhen said urgently, “Xiao Xiao, I know you’re kind, but Yun Boyuan did you wrong. I have to help you get the full Yun estate. I’ve decided: I will pursue Yun Can’er. Once we marry, I’ll find a way to transfer her shares to you. The Yun Group should only belong to you.”

“But I can’t sacrifice your happiness. It’s unfair to you and Can’er. Yuzhen, don’t do this for me,” Ning Xiao said “mournfully.”

Zhuang Yuzhen had made up his mind. “Don’t worry about it, Xiao Xiao. Just pretend you don’t know. I’ll be more careful with our contact from now on. Don’t mention a word of this to her.” He hung up immediately.

This was a key plot point. In the original story, Ning Xiao had leaked the will to manipulate Zhuang Yuzhen into doing exactly this. Yun Can’er, who had a crush on him, fell into the trap quickly. They got engaged and married, and soon after, she transferred her shares to Ning Xiao. The moment the shares were gone, her “beautiful love” vanished, replaced by Zhuang Yuzhen’s cold deception.

It wasn’t until the finale, when Ning Xiao’s “true colors” were revealed, that Zhuang Yuzhen realized he had actually fallen for the innocent Yun Can’er. He dealt with the villainess, won back the heroine, and they lived happily ever after.

In the original script, everyone suffered but the male lead. But this time, Zhuang Yuzhen’s path to “pursuing” Yun Can’er wouldn’t be so simple.

During her two-hour lunch break, Ning Xiao spent forty minutes driving back to Youyun Villa. The housekeeper was surprised to see her. “Madam, why are you back?”

“I’m worried about Can’er. How is she?”

Seeing that Ning Xiao’s worry was genuine, the housekeeper marveled at Yun Can’er’s luck. Her father was gone, but he’d left her a stepmother who was better than a biological parent. “The doctor visited. Her fever broke, but the cold will take time. She’s still weak and in bed. I’ve made ginger tea but haven’t taken it up yet.”

“I’ll take it,” Ning Xiao said, heading for the kitchen. She prepared the tray herself and asked, “Has she eaten?”

“She said she has no appetite,” Sister He replied.

“Make some milk oatmeal porridge,” Ning Xiao instructed. “Taking medicine on an empty stomach is too harsh.”

Upstairs, Ning Xiao knocked softly and entered. She sat by the bed, looking at the sleeping girl. Yun Can’er’s face was flushed unnaturally, her lips pale, her brow furrowed in discomfort. Ning Xiao felt a pang of heartache. Yesterday she’d worn less than Can’er and was fine; she hadn’t realized the girl’s constitution was this fragile.

She leaned down, pressing her forehead against Can’er’s. The temperature was normal. “Can’er, wake up,” she whispered.

Yun Can’er was sensitive to her voice. Her lashes fluttered, opening just a crack. “Ningning?”

“It’s me. I’m back,” Ning Xiao said softly. “I’ll help you up for some tea. You’ll feel better once you sweat it out.”

Yun Can’er nodded weakly, looking utterly pitiful. Ning Xiao wished she could be the one who was sick instead. She propped her up against the headboard and fed her the tea.

“Did I sleep the whole day?” Can’er asked, her eyes resting softly on Ning Xiao.

“No, it’s only noon.”

“You came back at noon? What about work?” Yun Can’er’s eyes opened fully in surprise.

“I have to go back soon, but I was worried about you, so I came to check in.”

Yun Can’er stared at her. “You spent an hour and a half on the road just to see me for a few minutes?”

Ning Xiao nodded earnestly. “Why the surprise? I think you’re worth it, Can’er.”

Warmth flooded Yun Can’er’s chest, and her eyes welled with tears.

“I’m being nice to you and you’re crying? Tuck those tears away,” Ning Xiao teased, bopping her red nose.

Yun Can’er sniffled and took the bowl herself. After finishing the tea, she burst into tears again, her pale face drenched. Ning Xiao set the bowl down and pulled her into a hug. “Are you acting spoiled? Do you want me to coax you?”

Yun Can’er hugged her tight and shook her head. She just felt exceptionally vulnerable today. After a quiet moment, Ning Xiao asked if she was hungry for the porridge.

“You must not have eaten either,” Can’er said, her eyes clear as if washed by the rain. “You should have Sister He make something for you too.”

“I’ll eat when I get back to the office.”

“Can you stay and have a bowl of porridge with me before you go?” Yun Can’er pleaded.

Ning Xiao couldn’t refuse. “Alright. I’ll stay until the porridge is finished.”

They shared the porridge, and soon it was time for Ning Xiao to leave. Yun Can’er held her hand reluctantly. “Get well soon, then you can come to work with me,” Ning Xiao encouraged.

“I’m never getting sick again,” Can’er muttered as she let go.

Ning Xiao gave her a final hug. “It’s only four hours. Take a nap, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

A week later, Yun Can’er was fully recovered and back at the office. Ning Xiao began treating her like a real assistant, delegating manageable tasks when Yang Yuanqi was swamped. Yun Can’er handled them excellently. Yang Yuanqi, feeling a surge of job insecurity, began working even harder.

Before they knew it, summer was over, and it was time for Yun Can’er to report to Haishi University.

In the original novel, this was when Zhuang Yuzhen would begin his calculated pursuit. The original, love-starved Yun Can’er had fallen easily for his manufactured dreams. But the current Can’er had been saturated with Ning Xiao’s genuine affection; no one else’s gestures could easily sway her now.

Ning Xiao took her shopping for skincare and sun protection for the upcoming military training and personally drove her to campus.

“Get along with your roommates and make friends,” Ning Xiao advised. “If anyone bullies you, tell me. I’ll settle the score.”

“I wish you were my roommate,” Can’er sighed.

Ning Xiao ruffled her hair. “I’ll visit when I can. And you’re still coming to help me at the office on weekends. Did you think college was going to be an escape?”

Yun Can’er’s eyes lit up. “You’ll visit? Really? And I can still help at the office? That’s great!” She threw herself into Ning Xiao’s arms. “I’ll be good and make friends, I promise!”

At the university, Ning Xiao insisted on carrying her suitcase to the registration desk. Their striking appearance immediately caught the eye of upperclassmen. A tall physical education student named Ke Yueze “won” the right to help them.

“Hello, juniors! I’m Ke Yueze, a junior. Let me help with the luggage! What’s your major?”

Yun Can’er felt a bit overwhelmed and looked to Ning Xiao. Ning Xiao took her hand and smiled at the boy. “I just graduated from here, so you should call me ‘Senior.’ Only the cute girl next to me is your junior.”

“Hello, Senior,” Ke Yueze stammered, looking dazed by Ning Xiao’s radiant smile.

Yun Can’er didn’t like the way he looked at Ning Xiao. Bolstered by a protective instinct, she stepped forward. “Senior, aren’t you taking me to register? I’m in the Arts Department, Jewelry Appreciation.”

Ke Yueze snapped out of it, his face turning beet red. “Right! This way!”

As they walked, Ke Yueze chatted animatedly, pointing out the buildings and explaining dorm life. When they arrived, he looked at Ning Xiao expectantly.

After receiving a “thank you” from Ning Xiao, he rubbed his head sheepishly. “You probably knew all that already, Senior. I talk too much.”

“You explained it much better than I could have,” Ning Xiao praised.

Watching them chat so happily, Yun Can’er’s eyes grew dark. Ningning is mine. Why is everyone always trying to take her away.

【Ding! Female Lead’s Blackening Value: 40%!】

Ning Xiao:

My girlfriend gets jealous way too easily. This blackening value is going to be the death of me!

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