The Villainous Sister-in-law Mistakenly Marked as the Heroine (Transmigration) - Chapter 21
The city’s largest indoor garden retreat, located atop a thirty-story high-rise, was a favorite leisure and gathering spot for high society.
Lin Qile stood on a patch of lawn, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the murmuring streams and the chirping of birds and insects. She couldn’t help but sigh, “This is the life of the upper class experiencing the tranquility of the countryside right in the heart of the city.”
In the distance, the lounge area was occupied by Lin Xinrou, Qi Song, Rong Yihua, and Bai Jiao, the four of them deep in discussion about the wedding arrangements.
Knowing she had no say in the matter, Lin Qile simply resigned herself to waiting for the final decision.
Her gaze drifted to the other side of the room, where Rong Jing stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, talking on the phone. Today, she wore a white lace jumpsuit, a style that would have been a laughingstock on anyone without a perfect figure.
Suddenly, Rong Jing turned her head, locking eyes with Lin Qile. Flustered, Lin Qile quickly forced a smile and waved.
To her surprise, Rong Jing merely snorted and turned away.
Lin Qile: “…”
System, I want to earn points. Spending another day with Rong Jing, I feel like I’ll either die from abuse or sheer frustration!
[Host, your opportunity to earn points has arrived!]
Where?!
[Rong Wanning is here.]
She glanced toward the elevator entrance and, sure enough, saw Rong Wanning stepping inside.
“The protagonist is here! Points, here I come!”
With a spring in her step, she strode toward Rong Wanning.
“Hey!”
Rong Wanning had spotted her earlier, but today wasn’t about dealing with Lin Qile. She needed the Rong family’s protection. Someone had been spreading rumors that she’d cut ties with the family, and in the fickle world of entertainment, people were already daring to snatch her endorsements.
This couldn’t go on!
Her aunt was disappointed in her because she’d deceived her for Ji Zhao’s sake. But she loved Ji Zhao, why couldn’t her aunt understand? Couldn’t love and family coexist?
Lin Qile blocked Rong Wanning’s path.
“Good dogs don’t block the way!”
Lin Qile clicked her tongue. “Is that any way to talk to your aunt? I’m a little disappointed in you.”
Rong Wanning’s face flushed red. “You’re not my aunt!”
“You just called me that at the wedding have you forgotten already? Tsk tsk, memory loss at your age? What would your fans think if they saw this?”
“Lin Qile, you tricked my aunt just to get back at me. Your methods are despicable. Let me tell you, even without Ji Zhao, I’d never fall for someone like you!”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not some celestial beauty. Not everyone has to keep liking you, I stopped liking you ages ago.”
Rong Wanning scoffed, clearly not buying it.
“Call me ‘Aunt,’ and I’ll let you pass. From now on, I’ll be your elder. If you keep glaring at me like this, I might just whisper a few things in Rong Jing’s ear.”
“You!”
Rong Wanning stared at her in disbelief. “My aunt would never listen to you!”
“You’d throw your life away for Ji Zhao, yet you don’t believe Rong Jing would stand up for me against anyone who upsets me?”
“You bitch!”
Rong Wanning suddenly shoved her. Caught off guard, Lin Qile stumbled back several steps.
Curious glances turned their way.
Even the group discussing the wedding looked over. The moment Lin Xinrou saw her, her expression darkened. “We’re discussing the wedding. We don’t want any outsiders here!”
Bai Jiao frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“Grandma, I—”
Bai Jiao snapped sharply, “Leave now!”
Rong Wanning was frightened into tears, clutching her belly as she stood there pitifully.
Rong Yihua spoke up, “Rong Jing, escort Wanning out.”
“Yes.”
Rong Jing walked over, brushing past Rong Wanning as she coldly uttered, “Follow me.”
The two reached the emergency stairwell.
Between sobs, Rong Wanning pleaded, “Auntie, are you really marrying Lin Qile? She doesn’t love you at all, she’s a vile woman! She’s only marrying you to get back at me!”
Rong Jing frowned. “To get back at you? By marrying me?”
“Yes! Lin Qile admitted it herself, she turned bitter after I rejected her. Since she couldn’t have me, she wants to ruin my life, to destroy our bond! Auntie, you’ve always doted on me the most. I know I was wrong, I’ll never hide anything from you again. Please don’t be angry with me!”
She wept uncontrollably, clutching Rong Jing’s arm in desperation.
“Do you really think you compare to me?”
Rong Wanning froze, confused.
Rong Jing pulled her arm free. “If no one had stolen your endorsement, would you have come crawling back to apologize?”
“I—” Rong Wanning’s lips trembled.
“Whether Lin Qile still loves you or not is irrelevant. But if you think I’d let myself be used as a tool for your petty revenge, you severely underestimate me, Wanning.”
With that, Rong Jing strode past her.
Lin Qile, eavesdropping nearby, was thrilled.
Damn right! Using Rong Jing to get back at Rong Wanning?
Sure, Rong Jing wasn’t exactly a saint but she was stunning, had an incredible figure, and was sharp as a tack!
And Rong Wanning?
Sure, she had that delicate, innocent beauty, but she was bland as water always crying, always begging for help, with zero charm!
Anyone with eyes would know better than to use Rong Jing just to spite her!
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! Revenge Points +20.]
20 points?!
Her eyes lit up as she hurriedly opened the system shop and clicked on Rong Jing’s background file.
[Insufficient balance…]
!!!
System, get out here!
[Host, I’m here.]
Why was it 20 points last time but 30 now?!
[First purchase: 20 points. Second purchase: 30. Third purchase: 40. Host… did I not mention that?]
You! Did! Not!
[Ah… my apologies. That must have been an oversight.]
If you’d told me the price would keep increasing, I wouldn’t have wasted points on Qi Song’s file first! You’re screwing me over, System!
[Haha, Host, don’t panic! You’re doing great, you’ve already married the main antagonist! As long as you keep her from turning fully evil, you’ll have plenty of time to complete the mission and become the protagonist!]
No! I want to turn the tables, I refuse to stay oppressed by her!
[She’s coming.]
Huh?
“Enjoying your eavesdropping?”
A chilling voice suddenly spoke behind her. Lin Qile stiffened before whirling around to find Rong Jing standing there, arms crossed, watching her with amusement.
“N-No, not really!”
Rong Jing arched a brow. “So you hated Wanning because she rejected you?”
“No! I don’t love her, I stopped loving her ages ago!”
Rong Jing stepped closer, leaning in with narrowed eyes. “You’d better mean that. If I ever find out you’re with me while pining for someone else… you’ll regret it.”
“You’re so unreasonable! You said this was a fake marriage, why do I have to be completely devoted to you?!”
“I’ve already said I have mysophobia. During your time as my inflatable doll, I want your body and here to be spotless.” She pointed at Lin Qile’s heart.
“What about you? Can you do the same?”
Rong Jing smiled. “You’re in no position to negotiate terms with me. I’ll do whatever I please.”
“You’re so domineering!”
“Exactly!”
Lin Qile’s face flushed red with anger this woman was utterly shameless!
“Lele, Rong Jing.”
Both turned simultaneously to see their four parents approaching.
Lin Xinrou spoke with a smile: “We’ve discussed it and decided the end of this month is an auspicious date for your wedding.”
“The end of the month?!”
That would give them less than ten days!
“That’s… that’s too rushed! Mom, marriage is a serious matter, we shouldn’t rush into it.” She cast a pleading look at her mother.
Unexpectedly, Lin Xinrou showed no intention of helping her. “An early marriage might be good. After you’re married, you can learn some steadiness from Rong Jing.”
Lin Qile: “…”
Learn what from her? How to be the ultimate villain?
But swallowing her words, she forced out: “Alright, I’ll learn from Rong Jing.”
Beside her, Rong Jing spoke up smoothly: “Aunt Rong, Qile is wonderful. I’ll also strive to learn from her strengths, she’s just overwhelmed by the surprise.” As she spoke, she affectionately linked arms with Lin Qile.
“Yes, Qile has her own shining qualities too. Rong Jing, after you’re married, make sure to learn from her properly,” Rong Yihua unexpectedly spoke in her defense.
Qi Song and Bai Jiao simultaneously glanced at Rong Yihua. When Lin Qile had been engaged to Rong Wanning before, Rong Yihua had been dissatisfied with her, why such a drastic change in attitude now?
Qi Song lowered her eyes, a shadow passing through them.
Lin Qile marrying Rong Jing was something she’d never anticipated, it completely disrupted her plans. She’d assumed Rong Yihua would object, allowing her to leverage that opposition to stop the marriage.
Who could have predicted this?
Glancing at Lin Xinrou’s delighted expression, she noted how increasingly disobedient she’d become. Had she discovered something?
“A-Song, what’s wrong? You look unwell,” Lin Xinrou asked worriedly.
Wrapping an arm around Lin Xinrou’s waist, she replied, “It’s nothing. Just feeling sentimental that our daughter is getting married.”
“Yes, soon we’ll be grandmothers. I still remember when I first met you and Rong Yihua, you were just university students. How time flies,” Lin Xinrou smiled at the younger pair.
“Alright, you two run along. The four of us rarely get together. Bai Jiao, it’s been ages since we played tennis shall we? I remember you and A-Song were quite skilled.”
Bai Jiao smiled in agreement: “Sure, it has been a while.” After a brief pause, she turned to Rong Yihua with a hint of impatience: “You’re not going back to work, are you?”
“No, I could use some proper rest too.”
The four adults looked at the couple.
Rong Jing: “Then Qile and I will take our leave.”
With a nod to the group, Rong Jing led Lin Qile away.
The moment the elevator doors closed, Lin Qile tried to pull her hand back and shrink into the corner. Rong Jing glanced at her now-empty hand, frowning slightly. “Am I some kind of virus? Why so afraid of me?”
Forcing a smile, Lin Qile said, “Not at all. Since this is a fake marriage anyway, there’s no need to keep up the act when we’re alone.”
“How considerate of you.”
Rong Jing flexed her fingers slightly before asking indifferently: “I’m heading back to the office. What about you?”
“Then I’ll head back to the company too. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“Hmm.”
Lin Qile watched the elevator descend, deliberately avoiding looking at the person beside her.
The elevator was silent for a while until Rong Jing’s phone rang.
The space was small, so Lin Qile could hear the caller’s voice clearly.
Rong Jing: “Yes?”
“Miss Rong, we’ve identified the person who maliciously fabricated rumors about you. They hired a group of internet trolls to smear you online.”
Her eyes darkened as she parted her red lips. “Daring to use me for headlines? Give them 24 hours to take their entire family and leave the country. Otherwise, they can spend the rest of their lives tilling the soil in Africa.”
This was the first time Lin Qile had witnessed Rong Jing dealing with someone up close.
Just for using her as news material, the whole family had to leave the country?
How ruthless!
After Rong Jing hung up, she turned to Lin Qile, who quickly straightened her head and stared straight ahead.
“Lin Qile!”
She froze.
Rong Jing’s voice came from beside her. “Scared?”
“N-no.”
“Lin Qile, I… am a very petty person. You’d better not cross me. Before, the most my videos could do was ruin your reputation. But after we’re married, I could bankrupt you!”
Lin Qile held her breath, eyes wide.
Rong Jing tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and turned to her with a warning smile. “You’d better truly have no lingering feelings for Rong Wanning. Being my enemy is something you’ll regret.”
Why bring up Rong Wanning all of a sudden?!
Before she could ask, the elevator doors opened.
Rong Jing stepped out gracefully in her high heels.
A few seconds later, Lin Qile rushed after her. “I swear I have zero interest in Rong Wanning! Really!”
This woman was terrifying!
“I don’t trust promises. I only trust what I see.”
Rong Jing reached her car and opened the door. Lin Qile quickly slid into the passenger seat, pouting. “Why don’t you believe me? Have I ever lied to you? I even gave you my first time! You treated me like a blow-up doll, and I still put in effort every time. Wasn’t I good enough for you?”
Rong Jing’s grip on the door tightened, her ears turning red. She shot Lin Qile an embarrassed glare. “Shut up!”
Lin Qile immediately covered her mouth.
“Get out.”
“No! We’re getting married at the end of the month, right? That makes us an engaged couple. You always dump me on the side of the road, what kind of behavior is that? I came here in my mom’s car today. At least give me a ride.”
“I’m going back to the company.”
“Then, ” Lin Qile’s eyes darted before she suddenly changed tactics. “I’ll go with you.”
Rong Jing turned to study her, as if trying to decipher her motives.
“Only we know this marriage is fake. To the outside world, we’re the real deal. If we’re never seen together, the media will start speculating that I’m marrying you to get back at Rong Wanning. Someone as proud as you wouldn’t want to be painted as a revenge tool, right?”
Rong Jing tapped the steering wheel. “So?”
“Take me to your company. Announce our engagement to your employees. See how considerate I’m being about your reputation?”
Rong Jing narrowed her eyes. Lin Qile quickly flashed an exaggerated, loyal smile.
After a pause, Rong Jing agreed.
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