Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 17

After Ning Qi woke up, there were actually no major issues left. That same evening, she wanted to take Mu Xin back to the Ning family villa, but Mu Xin didn’t feel at ease about her. After discussing it, the two decided that Ning Qi would stay at the Mu residence.

This way, once Ning Qi recovered, she could still keep an eye on Mu Xin just the same.

Furthermore, Ning Qi knew that Mu Xin had been looking after her for several days in a continuous rotation; she felt embarrassed making Mu Xin follow her all the way back to the Ning house. Thus, she agreed.

Over the next few days, although Ning Qi felt she had fully recovered, she remained at home to rest for three days at Mu Xin’s request. By the time Ning Qi returned to school, it was already another Monday.

“Finally, I don’t have to stay at home anymore. Xinxin, you have no idea how bored I’ve been these past three days.”

Sitting in the car, Ning Qi rolled down the window, feeling the sensation of the wind blowing against her face. She felt a surge of physical and mental refreshment.

During these three days at home, she had done nothing but watch boring TV or read books and grind practice problems. Of course, that wasn’t the main point; the main point was that she didn’t know what Mu Xin had been busy with these past three days, as she only saw her in the evenings.

Even Qin Yuyou was the same way.

She had also tried to find some answers within the plot she had read, but the only clue she found was that something indeed happened to the Mu family during this period.

Moreover, after this period of time, the Mu family suffered significant losses, and Mu Xin became even more silent.

However, the novel Ning Qi had read was from the male lead’s perspective; regarding the things that happened to Mu Xin, many of the matters occurring in the shadows were indeed invisible to her.

She had to investigate.

She stole a glance at Mu Xin, who was sitting quietly beside her with her eyes closed as if deep in thought.

It was the same as always; judging solely from her expression, it seemed nothing had happened.

“What are you looking at?”

Mu Xin’s voice drifted over. She opened her eyes and looked at Ning Qi, who was a bit at a loss after being caught peeking.

“Weren’t your eyes closed?” Ning Qi said, somewhat speechless.

“Yes, but I can sense someone looking at me. Is something the matter?”

Mu Xin felt Ning Qi’s gaze lingering on her for a long time. Although she pretended to have her eyes closed, being stared at by Ning Qi made her feel a bit unnatural.

More importantly, Ning Qi wasn’t saying a word. Out of necessity, she had to speak first.

“Yes. You’ve been coming home so late these past few days—did something happen?”

Ning Qi didn’t intend to be polite with Mu Xin. They were best friends, and Mu Xin was likely encountering trouble, so she spoke directly.

At the end, she added another sentence: “Maybe I can help.”

After speaking, she stared intently at Mu Xin, waiting for her answer.

“Nothing.”

Stared at by the young girl beside her, Mu Xin paused for a few seconds, her lips moving slightly.

“It’s just been very busy lately. I know you were bored at home by yourself.” Mu Xin thought Ning Qi was only saying this because she felt neglected due to the busyness. “How about we go shopping after school? It’s been a long time since I’ve gone; come with me.”

After saying this, her eyes looked toward Ning Qi, her heart feeling a bit nervous.

“Sure,” Ning Qi agreed.

Hearing Ning Qi’s words, Mu Xin breathed a sigh of relief. When Ning Qi questioned her just now, she thought Ning Qi had found something out.

As for Ning Qi’s kindness, she had also refused it.

She was keeping it from Ning Qi precisely because she didn’t want to drag her into the internal struggles of the Mu family.

“Then it’s a deal. You’re not allowed to run off halfway through again this time.”

Mu Xin took Ning Qi’s arm and wrinkled her nose, seemingly complaining about what happened last time.

“I won’t.”

Ning Qi let her hold her arm, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She noticed the deep exhaustion in the corners of Mu Xin’s eyes, even though Mu Xin was doing her best to hide it.

However, it couldn’t be hidden from Ning Qi’s deliberate observation.

She patted Mu Xin’s arm, which was hooked into hers and looked out the window.

This time, she wouldn’t leave.

Although Class 10 wasn’t exactly a “top” class, with the mock exams approaching, there was still a sense of urgency in the classroom atmosphere.

Ning Qi hadn’t been to school for a week, but she still felt very confident about this mock exam.

Furthermore, she declared that she would definitely strip away the “academic failure” label from herself!

After class ended, just as the teacher left the room, she lazily slumped onto her desk, just like on the first day of school.

“Teacher Mu, let’s not do practice problems today, okay? I know how to do them all,” Ning Qi groaned.

While she didn’t hate Mu Xin teaching her how to solve problems, doing too many of them was truly boring.

“You have that much confidence?”

Mu Xin, who was taking notes, stopped her pen and looked at her with interest.

“Of course, it’s because Teacher Mu teaches so well.”

Ning Qi flattered her, slowly moving closer to Mu Xin, and then winked at her: “It’s all thanks to Teacher Mu’s hard work.”

Pfft.

“I give up. Ning Qi, can you two show some restraint? My teeth ache from the sweetness!”

“Excellent, I love seeing a tough girl acting spoiled. Ning Qi, do it again!”

Ning Qi and Mu Xin’s seats were located slightly behind the middle of the classroom, and those sitting around them were all restless spirits.

Ever since Ning Qi transferred to their class, the thing they looked forward to most every day was witnessing the daily interaction mode of these two on-site.

It couldn’t be helped; it was too sweet.

A beautiful girl acting spoiled toward another beautiful girl, plus the two of them being so close—who could withstand that?

“What are you doing, what are you doing? You guys are just jealous that I have such a beautiful bestie. Tsk, let you die of envy.”

Ning Qi put on a smug expression and tilted her chin up.

Although she knew she couldn’t truly be as carefree as this group of teenagers full of adolescent energy, occasionally blending in with them felt quite good.

Besides, she was telling the truth.

Xinxin was the most beautiful!

Watching Ning Qi laugh and joke with the people around her, Mu Xin curled the corners of her mouth. She tugged at Ning Qi’s sleeve, drawing her attention back.

“Qiqi, how about we make a bet?”

“What bet?” Ning Qi immediately became interested.

“Didn’t you say you know everything? Then let’s do this: let’s see who gets a higher score on this mock exam.”

“Compare scores?”

Ning Qi rubbed her chin, appearing somewhat hesitant.

Although she was very confident in herself, she didn’t think Mu Xin was a fool either; since she brought it up, she must have her own assurance.

After considering it, Ning Qi was prepared to refuse.

“The loser has to call the other ‘Sister’ (Jiejie).”

As if guessing Ning Qi’s thoughts, Mu Xin glanced at her calmly and spoke.

“It’s a bet!”

The moment Mu Xin finished speaking, Ning Qi agreed almost without thinking.

At the same time, the surrounding students who heard their bet also became interested.

“Hahaha, this is amazing. Even best friends have to fight over who’s older and younger.”

“Actually, I think if Ning Qi calls her ‘Sister,’ it would be quite a vibe!”

“Right, right! Because if Mu Xin were the one to call her ‘Sister,’ I suspect Ning Qi wouldn’t be able to handle it at all.”

“As expected of you; I think you’ve hit upon the truth.”

The surrounding discussion made the corners of Ning Qi’s mouth twitch.

What did they mean she “couldn’t handle it”?

Was she really that weak!

Ning Qi huffed and sat back down next to Mu Xin, saying seriously: “I’m definitely going to win. Xinxin, just wait to call me ‘Sister.'”

As she spoke, Ning Qi took out her exercise book from her bag and started working.

“Here.” Looking at the energetic Ning Qi, Mu Xin smiled and handed her the notes she had prepared.

It seemed Ning Qi had a very deep obsession with the matter of who was the “Sister.”

Thinking of this, her smile deepened a bit more.

Ning Qi looked at Mu Xin’s notebook, stunned for a moment. She muttered a few words to herself but still took it.

It was just… why was there always a bad premonition in her heart, as if she had already lost?

Just then, Mu Xin felt her phone vibrate. She glanced at Ning Qi, her eyes flickering.

“Qiqi, I’m going out for a bit.”

“Where to? Do you want me to go with you?” Ning Qi looked up from the notes.

“No need. I’m going to the shop to buy some snacks to reward you.”

“Alright, then I want a Coke.” Ning Qi didn’t overthink it. Right now, Li Kan was still grounded at the Li house and Huo Qingqing was nowhere to be seen, so there shouldn’t be any trouble.

“Okay, I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Mu Xin maneuvered her wheelchair out of the classroom.

In a corner of the sports field, even though it was class time, several people were gathered there. They were dressed exquisitely and didn’t look like students at all.

“Shengge, do you think Mu Xin will come?”

Mu Qianqian looked toward the teaching building but didn’t see a single soul. She turned to speak to a beautiful girl beside her.

Before the beautiful girl could speak, Mu Yu, standing on the other side, let out a sneer.

“Qianqian, what are you panicking for? If she doesn’t come, it just proves she’s afraid. Besides, she isn’t the Mu Xin of the past anymore; what is there to be afraid of?”

As she spoke, a thick sense of hatred leaked from Mu Yu’s eyes.

She and Mu Qianqian had previously been suppressed by Mu Xin at school to the point they could hardly lift their heads. However, now Mu Xin was just a cripple in a wheelchair.

Whether she would remain the heir of the Mu family in the future was hard to say. Moreover, now that Mu Shengge was back, she intended to use this opportunity to take her revenge properly.

The girl who hadn’t spoken, the one they called Mu Shengge, didn’t care at all about what the two beside her said.

She just stared into the distance until a faint figure appeared there.

She stared at that figure until it reached her.

“Mu Xin, long time no see.”

Mu Shengge looked down at Mu Xin from her height. Her gaze lingered on Mu Xin’s legs for a few seconds, feeling a sense of satisfaction in her heart.

“I didn’t expect you to have a day like this, Mu Xin.”

Wasn’t she very arrogant before? Now she still had to look up to speak to her.

“If you asked me here just to say this, then don’t waste my time.”

Regarding her cold mockery, Mu Xin only returned a look as if seeing an idiot.

After speaking, she turned her direction, preparing to go to the shop.

She had promised to buy snacks for Ning Qi.

“Wait a moment.” Mu Shengge stepped forward to block Mu Xin. Staring at that glamorous face, the anger in her heart surged up uncontrollably.

She didn’t understand why, even now, Mu Xin could still be so dismissive of everyone. What kind of confidence did she actually have?

The Mu family was a very large clan, and the Mu family group wasn’t something Mu Xin’s father alone could decide on. Those from the collateral branches were constantly thinking of kicking Mu Xin’s family out of the Mu house.

And now, that opportunity was almost here.

Not only did she know the current situation, but Mu Xin knew it herself. Because of this, she couldn’t understand why Mu Xin could remain so calm.

“Is there something?” Mu Xin spoke with an expressionless face, but she no longer had much patience.

She naturally knew what Mu Shengge was planning.

Wasn’t it just because her brother, Mu Junyi, had returned? He had been very active with small maneuvers lately—did they think she knew nothing?

However, all their small maneuvers were right under Mu Xin’s nose.

Speaking of which, being able to discover their actions so quickly was largely thanks to Ning Qi.

Because of Ning Qi’s various abnormal behaviors after returning from abroad, Mu Xin had specifically perfected her information network. It could be said she had thoroughly exposed every hidden secret of these rivals of hers.

“You…” Mu Shengge was infuriated by her expression, but in the end, she held it back.

I’ll let you be smug for a few more days.

She pulled a crumpled invitation from her pocket and handed it to Mu Xin, saying flippantly: “My brother is coming back soon. He has sent invitations to all the families in G City, and, he had me specially prepare one for you.”

Looking at the bright red invitation before her, Mu Xin’s cold expression finally changed.

The Mu family holding a banquet and sending her an invitation?

Was Mu Junyi completely disregarding her family now?

Where did he get such great confidence?

Mu Xin’s brow furrowed. She fell silent, beginning to recall if she had overlooked any loopholes.

At this moment, Mu Shengge, who had been waiting for Mu Xin’s reaction, saw her face turn grim and saw her fall silent. It immediately made her feel as if she had vented her frustration.

Heh, this is only the beginning. I hope that when the banquet comes, you can still be this arrogant.

Right now, Qin Yue and Mu Hongsheng aren’t in the country; the project with the Ning family makes it impossible for them to get away.

Besides, even if they return, they can’t change the outcome.

She wanted to see who could still protect Mu Xin.

Speaking of protecting Mu Xin…

Mu Shengge suddenly thought of recent events and looked at Mu Xin playfully.

“Aren’t you very close with that Ning Qi from the Ning family? Why not have the two of you go together then and be sisters in distress?”

“Stay away from her!”

Hearing someone mention Ning Qi, Mu Xin reflexively glared at her, her eyes carrying a cold warning.

She could tolerate Mu Shengge mocking and plotting against her; after all, this was an internal family struggle, and for the sake of profit, it was understandable.

But she could not tolerate them threatening Ning Qi.

Her keeping things from Ning Qi was also for this reason.

Regarding Mu Xin’s warning, Mu Shengge didn’t care at all.

“Yo, so worried about her? With the two of you sticking together all day and night, those who don’t know might think you like her.”

Her tone was sarcastic, intended to use the opportunity to humiliate Mu Xin.

Had Mu Xin already given up on herself?

To actually care so much about that straw bag [useless person].

But her mocking words, falling into Mu Xin’s ears, were like a thunderclap that left her entire person stunned.

Only Mu Shengge’s words remained in her mind.

She… liked Ning Qi?