Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 14

Fine fragments of sunlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains, forming dots of light and shadow upon Mu Xin’s curved eyelashes.

“Ugh…”

Mu Xin rubbed her somewhat sore eyes and looked around.

The familiar blue and white tones, the familiar simple style.

And, the floor mattress by the side of the bed.

So, everything that happened last night was just a dream.

Thinking of this, Mu Xin breathed a sigh of relief.

This dream was quite nice. Everything felt real, including the gentle Ning Qi in the dream.

“Awake? Wait a second, I’m coming over right now.”

The sudden voice gave Mu Xin a start. She followed the sound and saw a tablet sitting on the nightstand. The screen was lit, showing a busy Ning Qi.

“…”

Why do I suddenly feel like I’m being looked after like a child?

Mu Xin was speechless. She sat blankly on the bed for about half a minute before the door opened.

Ning Qi walked in, wearing an apron with her sleeves rolled up.

“How did you rest last night?” Ning Qi asked, turning off the tablet and sitting by the bed.

“Quite well.”

Mu Xin nodded, then stole a glance at Ning Qi. It was because of that dream that she felt a bit unnatural when looking at her.

“Is that so? Then it seems the goodnight kiss was effective after all.”

Ning Qi looked thoughtfully at Mu Xin’s forehead.

“Yeah, it should be… Wait? What? What goodnight kiss?”

Mu Xin’s expression suddenly stiffened. That kiss and those conversations were supposed to be a dream. Could it be… those were all real?

Mu Xin’s face flushed red instantly.

How could it be? Was it because I was dazed from dreaming?

“Xinxin, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Mu Xin’s conflicted expression and her reddened earlobes, Ning Qi’s eyes flickered.

“Hey, Xinxin, you didn’t forget everything from last night, did you?”

As she spoke, she saw Mu Xin’s face turn even redder, her expression filled with an indescribable internal struggle.

Pfft. Ning Qi was amused. Did Mu Xin really forget?

In the next second, Ning Qi put on an expression of ‘I’m aggrieved, but I must be strong.’

“It’s okay if you forgot. After all, Mom told me to take good care of you. Even if you insisted on sleeping with me and took my ‘first night,’ it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re happy…”

“Ah! Ning Qi, get lost!”

Mu Xin’s scream, laced with shame and annoyance, pierced the quiet villa. A flying pillow hit Ning Qi directly, knocking her backward.

“Hahahaha! Xinxin, did you really think last night was a dream?”

Ning Qi lay on the floor mattress, clutching her stomach as she laughed at Mu Xin.

She really couldn’t take it—Mu Xin was just too cute.

“If you keep laughing, I’m ignoring you,” Mu Xin said, feeling stifled and annoyed.

Dammit. Her most vulnerable state had actually been seen by Ning Qi, and she had even held her like that yesterday? Mu Xin felt she truly couldn’t face Ning Qi head-on anymore.

Seeing that she was truly upset, Ning Qi scrambled up from the floor, clutching the pillow and putting on a fawning smile.

The speed was so fast that Mu Xin felt she had a natural talent for “face-changing” opera.

However, Mu Xin maintained a cold face on the surface. She was making it crystal clear to Ning Qi: I am angry!

At the same time, she mocked herself in her heart—why was she acting like a little girl?

“Xinxin, good morning,” Ning Qi said with a giggle.

Mu Xin waited for a while, only for Ning Qi to blurt out that one sentence. It made her huff in anger as she turned her head away.

I’m angry, and you’re saying good morning to me?

Good morning, my foot!

Is this how you coax your partner… I mean, best friend?

Seeing no reaction from Mu Xin, Ning Qi’s eyes darted around. Suddenly, she bent down, slid her arms under Mu Xin’s knees and armpits, and scooped her up.

Simultaneously, her lips landed on Mu Xin’s forehead. “Good morning, Xinxin.”

At seven-thirty, the butler parked the car punctually at the entrance of No. 1 Middle School. As he watched Ning Qi carry her bag and push Mu Xin away, his gaze turned strange.

What’s wrong with the Young Lady today? Why is she limping?

Meanwhile, on the way to the teaching building, Mu Xin looked calm, having fully recovered her composure. However, Ning Qi was in a bit of a sorry state. She was rubbing her waist with one hand while pushing Mu Xin with the other.

From time to time, she shot resentful glances at Mu Xin.

The villainess is truly a villainess—she hits hard. Her waist was likely bruised now.

“Xinxin, Ning Qi!”

From afar, Huo Liuxue spotted them. She waved vigorously and rushed over.

As soon as she arrived, she noticed something was off between the two. Mu Xin looked completely at ease, while Ning Qi was rubbing her waist with a look of grievance.

This scene looks very suspicious…

Huo Liuxue’s eyes turned eerie. Did something happen between these two?

“Ning Qi, what happened to you?” Huo Liuxue asked.

Ning Qi bared her teeth and jerked her chin toward Mu Xin. “It’s all her doing.”

“!!!”

Huo Liuxue’s eyes widened as she looked at Mu Xin.

What did Xinxin do?

“Oh, she wasn’t well-behaved last night and fell off the bed,” Mu Xin said faintly, giving Ning Qi a warning glare at the same time.

That’s what you get for taking advantage of me!

Ning Qi was indifferent to Mu Xin’s warning. Give me a break—she’s my sweet best friend. Of course I should be the one taking advantage; otherwise, should I let some random stray cat or dog do it?

Hmph, my waist hurts, but I’d do it again next time. Ning Qi secretly planned to run a bit faster next time.

Neither of them, each harboring their own thoughts, realized if this level of contact was a bit too intimate.

However, in the eyes of Huo Liuxue—whose thoughts had already gone off the rails—these expressions meant something entirely different.

She stared at the two of them, her mouth agape. Sounds seemed stuck in her throat, and she could only point at them while making “wu-wu-e-e” noises.

This… are these two acting out a script of a ‘Domineering President and his Little Bride’?

President Mu, who ate the little bride clean, and the stubborn Little Qi, who loses the fight but won’t lose the argument?

Are they for real?!

Although she always felt Ning Qi and Mu Xin were extremely close—and she would even privately complain about them acting like a little couple—she was still shocked when her suspicions seemed to be confirmed.

They aren’t even eighteen yet, boohoo.

What she found even more unbelievable was that the cool and tough Ning Qi was actually the one on the “bottom”!

She looked at Ning Qi and said with some sympathy, “I’m sorry. I’ll never argue with you again. You… young people, should exercise restraint.”

After saying that, ignoring Ning Qi’s “I’ve seen a ghost” expression, she turned to Mu Xin and said with a conflicted yet solemn tone: “Xinxin, you have to treat Ning Qi well, okay? I… I have things to do, I’m leaving first!”

She hurried away, leaving Mu Xin and Ning Qi staring at each other.

She couldn’t help it; she was afraid that if she couldn’t hold back and said something, she might be silenced by the two big bosses for knowing too much.

“Has she been traumatized by something in the two days we haven’t seen her?” After a while, the corner of Ning Qi’s mouth twitched as she laughed.

“Maybe she’s read too many romance novels,” Mu Xin nodded in agreement. Huo Liuxue must have brainstormed something weird again.

“Let’s go, it’s time for class. I’ve prepared four sets of exercises for you today.”

“No way, Teacher Mu!” Ning Qi’s wail drifted far away, causing the surrounding students to look over.

By the time Ning Qi and Mu Xin arrived, class was about to start. The classroom was full of people, and Ning Qi immediately spotted Huo Qingqing sitting in the corner.

“Oh, so she actually bothered to show up. I thought she had dropped out. I wonder if Li Kan is here.”

Ning Qi pushed Mu Xin to her seat and whispered in her ear.

“You care that much about Li Kan?” Mu Xin glanced in Huo Qingqing’s direction and spoke coolly.

“Of course I care about him. If he doesn’t show up, I’d have to find him at his house, and that’s too much effort.”

Ning Qi leaned back in her chair and looked at Mu Xin with a smile. The two exchanged a look; both understood what the other meant.

After a while, Ning Qi noticed something was wrong. Why were everyone’s gazes so strange?

“Xinxin, do I have a flower on my face? Why are they looking at me?” Ning Qi was confused.

“I don’t know if there’s a flower, but there’s definitely trouble.”

Mu Xin pushed her phone in front of Ning Qi, her clear eyes looking somewhat cold.

Ning Qi looked at the phone. It was the familiar interface of the school forum. The posts related to her and Mu Xin were still there, but they had been pushed down by a hotter thread.

[A certain ‘model best friends’ have actually turned against each other; is it all just an act?]

Below were several photos and a somewhat blurry video.

Ning Qi looked at this post, which carried a distinct scent of entertainment gossip, and her brow furrowed deeply.

By the time she finished reading the post in silence, she could barely contain her anger.

“Who do you think did this?” Ning Qi returned the phone to Mu Xin and then reached into her large backpack to rummage for something.

“Isn’t it obvious? Finding evidence that they did it is simple, but the key is how to explain the situation online.”

“Yeah… about that, what do you think we should do?”

Ning Qi hadn’t expected that the last time she—no, the original host—had argued with Mu Xin, it had actually been filmed.

Adding in what Li Kan said last time, this all seemed premeditated. However, since she had reconciled with Mu Xin, no one had brought it up. Now it was suddenly being dragged out.

And it was with such “hard” evidence. Someone clearly didn’t want her and Mu Xin to be on good terms.

Ning Qi glanced at Mu Xin and found her expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

“Xinxin, you…”

“Qiqi, you’ve changed a lot. You’ve changed so much I almost don’t recognize you.”

Just as Ning Qi was about to speak, Mu Xin spoke with deep meaning. Her amber eyes reflected Ning Qi’s figure, as if she were seeing right through her.

In that instant, Ning Qi had an illusion. The person before her was the one from the book—the villainess who was decisive, ruthless, and almost drove the male and female leads into a corner.

She wasn’t the Mu Xin who usually acted spoiled, gentle, and soft in front of her.

Ning Qi felt strangely nervous. Even the psychological resilience she had built over years in the post-apocalyptic world felt a bit shaky.

What am I panicking for?

Is it because I’m afraid Mu Xin will find out I’m not the real Ning Qi?

Ning Qi’s heart skipped a beat. Yes, she was afraid of Mu Xin knowing. Because she didn’t want to lose Mu Xin.

“People… people change, right, Xinxin?” Ning Qi said awkwardly, her body involuntarily leaning back a bit.

Mu Xin didn’t speak. She just used those eyes—which were supposed to be gentle—to stare at her, leaning closer and closer.

Ning Qi’s heart rose to her throat as Mu Xin approached. She was terrified that Mu Xin would suddenly ask who she really was. She didn’t want to lie to Mu Xin.

Fortunately, Mu Xin didn’t force her to make that difficult choice.

“Mm, as long as you don’t change back.” Saying this, Mu Xin broke into a smile. The heavy atmosphere vanished instantly, and she returned to the Mu Xin that Ning Qi was familiar with.

“Yeah.” Ning Qi breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, she felt a bit happy. So, compared to the original host, the one Mu Xin liked was her, right?

She couldn’t help but compare herself to the original. Hmph, as expected, I am the truly great best friend.

“Qiqi, I’m a bit tired. Will you carry me on your back when we go to lunch?”

While Ning Qi was still lost in thought, Mu Xin suddenly leaned in and spoke. A faint fragrance followed her voice into Ning Qi’s nose. Ning Qi subconsciously took a deep breath.

Mmm, it’s the same scent as last night. Smells so good.

“Sure,” Ning Qi agreed readily.

Meanwhile, the surrounding students who were preparing for class were all looking disgruntled.

What kind of ghost post is this? It’s not realistic at all. You call this ‘acting’?

Didn’t you see they almost kissed just now!

As expected, eighty or ninety percent of things on the internet are just rumors.