The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 68

Yan Shanxue said, “We’re not just investigating Zhai Li; we’re investigating Lin Qingmei as well.”

Zhai Li and Lin Qingmei turned pale simultaneously.

Lin Qingmei had been recommended for her postgraduate studies. Since her grades were usually mediocre, her classmates suspected foul play, but Vice-Principal Zhai had suppressed all rumors. Now that Yan Shanxue had called for an investigation, Vice-Principal Zhai wouldn’t be able to stop it.

“Principal Yan, I was wrong. Zhai Li and I apologize to Student Chu Ling.” Lin Qingmei grabbed Zhai Li’s hand and gave a ninety-degree bow. Their palms were slick with cold sweat. “Principal Yan, we were wrong. Please, give us another chance.”

Chu Ling turned away, unwilling to acknowledge them.

When they looked up, Lin Qingmei’s eyes were red, and Zhai Li was already crying from fear. Yan Shanxue frowned. “What are you crying for? You’re acting like you’re the victims here.”

Zhai Li’s tears instantly dried up from the shock.

Yun Can’er didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy. If Chu Ling hadn’t had a more powerful background, there was no telling what Lin Qingmei and Zhai Li would have done to them.

“You two should tidy up Ling-jie’s things first. We have military training tomorrow and want to get some rest,” Yun Can’er said softly, hiding behind Feng Manman.

Chu Ling had a background, but Yun Can’er didn’t. Hearing her words, Lin Qingmei and Zhai Li didn’t move; they looked at Yan Shanxue first.

Yan Shanxue said sternly, “What are you looking at me for? Is what Student Can’er. said incorrect?”

Lin Qingmei and Zhai Li exchanged a look and bent down, humiliated, to begin tidying the bedding on the floor.

Lin Qingmei regretted sticking her neck out for Zhai Li, but she felt she had no choice. She had been involved with Vice-Principal Zhai since her undergraduate years. By her senior year, she had finally pushed him to divorce his wife and promise to marry her. They were planning to register their marriage during the National Day holiday, but now this mess had happened right at the start of the term.

Vice-Principal Zhai had no children of his own and treated Zhai Li like a daughter. Lin Qingmei knew he valued Zhai Li more than her. Her degree, her house, her money everything she had come from him. She didn’t dare ignore Zhai Li’s troubles.

The bedding was quickly tidied. Fortunately, the floor was dry, so the quilts were still usable. Lin Qingmei had Zhai Li make the empty bed while she handled Chu Ling’s.

Realizing it was inappropriate to stay in the girls’ dorm any longer, Yan Shanxue said to Chu Ling, “Lingling, Dad is heading back now.” He then gave a kind smile to Yun Can’er, who was still hiding behind Feng Manman.

“Dad, I’ll walk you out,” Chu Ling said.

“I’ll go too,” Yun Can’er added, stepping out from behind her roommate.

Feng Manman didn’t want to be left alone with Zhai Li. “Count me in, I’m coming too.”

Downstairs, the dorm supervisor was tactful enough to return to her TV and knitting. The three girls saw Yan Shanxue to the dorm entrance.

“Dad, your timing was impeccable. You’re so well-informed,” Chu Ling noted.

“Principal Uncle, why did you smile at me? Do you know me?” Yun Can’er asked, a suspicion blossoming in her mind.

Yan Shanxue laughed. “It wasn’t me who was well-informed; it was Ning Xiao.”

Yun Can’er’s eyes lit up. “I knew it was Ning-ning!”

Yan Shanxue added, “Your father and I were university classmates, so calling me ‘Uncle’ is exactly right. Boyuan asked me to look after you before he passed. From now on, Lingling is like your own sister. If you need anything, just ask me. Don’t be a stranger, alright?”

Yun Can’er, her heart full of thoughts of Ning Xiao, nodded. “I understand, Uncle Yan. I’ll treat Ling-jie like a sister.”

Yan Shanxue then turned to Feng Manman. “And Manman…”

“Yes?” Feng Manman was surprised he knew her name.

“Your brother is in Beijing for an academic exchange. He was worried about you before he left and asked me to keep an eye on you,” Yan Shanxue said kindly. “I didn’t expect the three of you to end up in the same room. Like Can’er, you can call me Uncle Yan. If you’re ever mistreated before your brother gets back, come to me. I’ll settle it for you.”

Yun Can’er looked from Chu Ling to Feng Manman, her mouth slightly agape. She hadn’t realized their room was a “den of dragons and tigers”: the Principal’s daughter, a Vice-Principal’s sister, another Vice-Principal’s niece, and herself the daughter of the principal’s old friend.

Chu Ling put her arms around her roommates’ shoulders. “From now on, you two are my little sisters. As long as I’m here, no one will bully you.”

Feng Manman pumped her fist. “Ling-jie is so cool!”

Yun Can’er blinked. True, but not as cool as Ning Xiao…

After Yan Shanxue left, the trio returned to Room 305. Lin Qingmei had finished making Chu Ling’s bed and cleaned the floor. Zhai Li sat on her own bed, head down, her face a mask of gloom.

Seeing them return, Lin Qingmei walked over to Chu Ling with a forced smile. “Student Chu Ling, I’m so sorry about earlier. Could you talk to Principal Yan and ask him not to punish Zhai Li? Lili just has a bit of a childish temper; she didn’t mean to throw your things. She knows she’s wrong now.”

Lin Qingmei intended to take the fall herself. As long as Zhai Li was safe, Vice-Principal Zhai wouldn’t take his anger out on her.

Chu Ling replied coldly, “Sorry, I’m just a student. I don’t discuss administrative matters with the Principal.”

Lin Qingmei tried to say more, but seeing Chu Ling’s impatience, she forced a smile and stopped. She walked to Zhai Li’s bed and whispered, “Lili, I’ll talk to your uncle as soon as I get back. Just focus on your military training tomorrow.”

“Uncle, uncle! That’s all you ever say! What good are you anyway!” Zhai Li suddenly snapped. She began thrashing her pillow around in a frenzy. Lin Qingmei didn’t dodge in time and was hit squarely in the face, which instantly turned red.

Lin Qingmei’s mind went blank for a second. She retreated in humiliation, her face flushed with shame, and gritted her teeth before storming out of 305.

Yun Can’er closed and locked the door, ignoring the hysterical Zhai Li. She turned to Chu Ling and Feng Manman. “Ling-jie, Manman, I’m going to wash up. I have a video call with Ning-ning afterward!”

Hearing the cheerful lilt in her voice, the other two couldn’t help but laugh. Feng Manman teased, “Go on, don’t keep Ning-jie waiting.”

Yun Can’er blushed at the teasing and whispered, “Ning-ning has been waiting a long time already.” Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent Yan Shanxue just because a call was missed.

After a quick wash, Yun Can’er changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. She tapped the missed call notification and started a video chat with Ning Xiao.

The screen lit up with Ning Xiao’s face after just one ring. Yun Can’er put on her Bluetooth headphones and held the phone back to show her upper body, waving happily. “Ning-ning!”

Ning Xiao was in her study looking over documents, resting her cheek on her hand. She smiled. “Is everything settled?”

Yun Can’er blushed. “How did you know someone was bullying me?”

Ning Xiao’s eyes twinkled. “I couldn’t think of any other reason why you’d decline my call. Someone else must have hung up for you, right?”

“Right! Ning-ning, you’re too smart!” Yun Can’er praised sincerely.

Ning Xiao felt a slight twinge of guilt. She only knew because she knew the “plot,” but she didn’t correct her. They talked affectionately about trivial things until 9:00 PM, when they finally hung up.

Chu Ling and Feng Manman were already in bed scrolling through their phones. Chu Ling, sleeping head-to-head with Yun Can’er, whispered through the metal bars of the bunk, “Can’er, what is the deal between you and Ning-jie?”

Even couples weren’t this mushy.

Yun Can’er buried half her face in the quilt, her dark eyes shining. “I’ll tell you later.”

In truth, she wasn’t sure what they were anymore. Just moments ago, a thought had flashed through her mind: It would have been better if Ning Xiao had never married Yun Boyuan.

The thought startled her, yet it brought a sweet, hopeful feeling. If Ning Xiao hadn’t married her father, their relationship definitely wouldn’t just be “stepmother and stepdaughter.” As for what it would be, she couldn’t quite say.

“Goodnight Manman, goodnight Ling-jie.” Yun Can’er closed her eyes and fell asleep quickly, thinking of Ning Xiao.

The next morning, it rained, delaying military training until the afternoon.

The Jewelry Appreciation students were taking turns doing self-introductions in front of the class. When it was Yun Can’er’s turn, she walked nervously to the podium. The class stirred as she appeared.

Her slender frame, wavy hair, snowy skin, and clear, innocent eyes made her look exactly like the “first love” archetype from a dream.

Yun Can’er’s lashes fluttered. Imagining everyone in the audience was Ning Xiao, she said in a soft voice, “My name is Yun Can’er. I am eighteen years old.” She then shut her eyes and ran back to her seat, her face burning.

The professor was stunned by her shyness. He laughed. “Student Yun’s introduction was short, but it certainly left an impression. You’ll all remember her easily, won’t you?”

“Yes!” the boys shouted in unison.

Yun Can’er sat in her seat, heart racing. If only Ning Xiao were here; she could hug her for comfort.

Suddenly, the professor was called out of the classroom. The room erupted in chatter, and the boys around Yun Can’er were gearing up to talk to her. But before they could act, the professor returned.

He wasn’t alone. He was accompanied by a tall, handsome man in a suit. Yun Can’er frowned. What is Zhuang Yuzhen doing here?

“Students, this is Mr. Zhuang Yuzhen, an alumnus of our school. His company owns several jewelry chains and can provide internship opportunities in the future. I’ve invited him to give you a glimpse of a successful career path. Please join me in welcoming him!”

Meanwhile, Ning Xiao was in a meeting when System 13579’s mechanical voice rang out: [Ding! Male Lead anomaly detected! Testing… The Male Lead has been REBORN. The remaining plot points have disappeared! Please correct this immediately and send the reborn Male Lead back to his proper timeline, otherwise, you will not receive points for this world!]

Ning Xiao’s brow arched sharply. [Reborn? Why would he suddenly be reborn?]

[The Male Lead was obsessed with the fact that he was ‘tricked’ by (Ning Xiao) in the previous timeline. His obsession was too deep, triggering the rebirth.]

[Tsk. He doesn’t regret abusing the female lead, but he’s obsessed with being tricked by the villainess? What a scumbag.] [Xiao Qi, how do I ‘correct’ this and send him back?]

[OOC (Out of Character).]

[Meaning?]

[As long as the Host acts OOC and makes the reborn Male Lead realize his rebirth is pointless, that you are not the ‘wicked stepmother’ of his memories—he will be forced out.]

In short: stop acting the part.

[Easy enough. Where is he? I’ll go meet him.]

[The Male Lead has followed the original trajectory to Ocean University to seduce the Female Lead.]

Ning Xiao narrowed her eyes, her long lashes partially obscuring her sharp gaze. The managers in the meeting were mesmerized until Yang Yueqi coughed loudly to snap them out of it.

Ning Xiao stood up abruptly. “Assistant Yang, I have to go out. Record the minutes of the meeting; I’ll review them when I return.”

“Yes, President Ning,” Yang Yueqi responded quickly.

Ning Xiao left the building and drove straight to Ocean University. System 13579’s tracking was back online and provided Yun Can’er’s coordinates.

Seeing Ning Xiao’s aggressive aura, as if she were ready for a fight—the system trembled: [Host, please stay calm. Do not commit any crimes.]

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