Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 23.1

Ning Qi had no idea that a casual action of hers had nearly caused her three brothers so much worry that they couldn’t even eat.

At this moment, she was concentrating on her exams.

Ding-ling-ling! The bell signaled the end of the first exam session. Ning Qi looked at her densely packed test paper with great satisfaction.

She packed her things and prepared to head to Exam Hall No. 1 to find Mu Xin. On the way, the conversation of several girls caught her attention.

“Hey, did you hear? Li Xiang went after Mu Xin again. This time it’s even more ridiculous—he actually wants to bet the spot for the Biology Competition.”

“Of course I saw it; it’s already all over the forum. But on what grounds? Li Xiang isn’t even participating in the Biology Competition himself. Isn’t he just looking for trouble on purpose?”

“Sigh, everyone knows what Li Xiang is like. He thinks he’s all that just because his grades are good. He’s always picking on Mu Xin; does he really think she’s an easy target?”

…

Ning Qi frowned as she followed behind them. She hadn’t seen this particular plot point in the original story, nor did she recall any mention of Mu Xin participating in a Biology Competition later on.

Does that mean Mu Xin lost?

Ning Qi instinctively rejected that thought and called out to the girls.

“Hello, I wanted to ask, what exactly happened with what you were just talking about?”

The girls turned around to see a tall, short-haired girl standing behind them.

“Ning Qi? You’re Ning Qi, right?!”

After two seconds of silence, a petite girl suddenly cried out in excitement, grabbing her friend’s hand in surprise.

“Uh, I am Ning Qi. I just wanted to ask about what you said earlier…”

“Sure, sure, no problem! We’re from the class next to yours.”

The girl was clearly a social butterfly. Seeing Ning Qi made her extremely excited, and she readily agreed to answer her questions.

Isn’t this a bit too enthusiastic? Ning Qi felt a little uncomfortable and instinctively stepped back.

“I just wanted to ask about that bet you mentioned. Can you tell me more?”

However, seeing her reaction seemed to make the girls even more excited. They exchanged looks, each seeing the same expression in the others’ eyes, though it vanished quickly.

“Mm-hmm, it goes like this…”

The girls began explaining the situation to Ning Qi all at once.

A few minutes later, watching Ning Qi’s departing back, the girls finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and huddled in a corner to gossip.

“Do you think those rumors are true? Mu Xin and Ning Qi…”

“I think it’s really possible! She’s so cold to us, and I’ve never seen Ning Qi be so nice to anyone else.”

“Is it possible they’re just really good besties?”

“While that’s possible, I still think they’re a couple!”

“Yeah, yeah! They both have such high visual value. Mu Xin is beautiful, and Ning Qi is so handsome. They look so well-matched.”

“Shh, keep it down. Let’s just talk about this privately. If the people involved hear us, it might not end well.”

“Right, right.”

Ning Qi had no idea that people were already shipping them.

She pondered the news on her way, and by the time she snapped back to reality, she was already standing at the entrance of Exam Hall No. 1.

Students passing by looked at Ning Qi with curiosity.

“You’re here for Mu Xin, right? She’s inside,” someone said, recognizing her from the morning and pointing into the room.

“Thanks.”

After thanking them, Ning Qi walked into the hall and spotted Mu Xin in the crowd instantly.

Mu Xin was looking down, writing something in a notebook. Strands of hair fell by her ears as she worked with focused precision.

Because her head was bowed, Ning Qi couldn’t see her eyes, but she saw Mu Xin’s slightly curled, upturned eyelashes.

Compared to the Mu Xin she usually saw, there was an added air of scholarly grace.

As if sensing Ning Qi’s gaze, Mu Xin stopped writing and lifted her eyes, quickly spotting Ning Qi in the distance.

“Qiqi, over here!”

Mu Xin waved at her, her eyes lighting up.

Ning Qi blinked, coming back to her senses.

She felt like she could see pure happiness in Mu Xin’s eyes.

Is she that happy to see me?

Realizing this, Ning Qi’s lips curled into a smile.

“How was the exam?”

Ning Qi asked casually, glancing down at what Mu Xin was writing.

It turned out she was recording her mistakes.

“Teacher Mu, you don’t have to work this hard, do you? You’re not giving me a single chance.”

“I’ll work a little less hard next time, but not this time,” Mu Xin said with a smile.

“Why? Is it because of that bet with… what’s-his-face?” Ning Qi still couldn’t remember Li Xiang’s name.

“Who?” Mu Xin paused, then realized what Ning Qi was referring to.

“You know about my bet with Li Xiang too?”

She pulled Ning Qi down to sit beside her, leaning over to look at her with interest.

Qiqi never checks the forums; how does she know?

“I heard people talking on the way here. Why did you agree to that bet? You really wanted to go to the Biology Competition.”

Ning Qi frowned at Mu Xin, waiting for an explanation.

She remembered clearly how happy Mu Xin was when she found out she could participate. Because of that, she couldn’t understand why Mu Xin would risk it.

“Qiqi, I have confidence,” Mu Xin said, knowing Ning Qi was worried about her.

“But what if you make a mistake?!”

Ning Qi still didn’t approve; her voice even rose slightly.

Exams were unpredictable; even top students could have an off day.

Mu Xin’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at the frustrated Ning Qi. Finally, she broke into a laugh.

She reached out, grabbing Ning Qi’s arm and shaking it gently. “Are you angry?”

“Hmph.”

Ning Qi let out a cold snort and stayed silent.

Mu Xin found this increasingly amusing and couldn’t help but let her mind wander.

Does Qiqi really have feelings for me?

Otherwise, where was this “tsundere girlfriend” vibe coming from?

“Don’t be mad. If you don’t like me doing that, I’ll change it immediately.”

Mu Xin’s amber eyes looked at Ning Qi as she spoke softly.

Regardless of anything else, if Qiqi was angry, she definitely had to coax her.

“You… don’t be like that.”

Ning Qi stiffened all over at the soft, sweet voice and attitude.

“I just think you should consider these things more carefully before deciding. You don’t have to be like this; I’m not angry.”

She truly wasn’t angry; she just felt it was reckless to use something so important as a gambling chip.

She had originally intended to persuade Mu Xin, but Mu Xin’s attitude made the words stick in her throat.

She was so soft, so obedient… Ning Qi suddenly felt an impulse to pull Mu Xin into her arms.

No, no. Ning Qi quickly suppressed the strange thought.

“Mhm, Qiqi is right. I won’t be so reckless in the future.”

Mu Xin seemed not to notice Ning Qi’s inner turmoil and continued, shaking Ning Qi’s arm again.

!!!

Ning Qi felt the strange urge to hug Mu Xin becoming more pronounced. To avoid doing something bizarre, she abruptly stood up.

“Xinxin, wait for me. I just remembered I left something in my exam hall.”

Without waiting for Mu Xin to reply, Ning Qi bolted out of the room.

“Pfft, hahaha!”

Mu Xin looked toward the door, then at the backpack Ning Qi had forgotten behind, and finally couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

What could she do? She felt like she was liking Ning Qi more and more.

And quietly teasing Qiqi was just so much fun.

Qiqi was clearly shy beyond belief, yet she never rejected her.

Mu Xin suspected that Qiqi simply hadn’t “awakened” yet, or perhaps hadn’t even thought in that direction.

If that was the case…

Mu Xin’s eyes crinkled into a happy smile.

“Ning Qi, something is wrong with you!”

After leaving the room, Ning Qi didn’t go far. She just found a stairwell and crouched there, ignoring the gazes of passersby.

She felt like something was off with her.

Lately, whenever Mu Xin got close or acted intimately, her heart would race, and she’d sometimes feel shy.

And today, she actually felt the impulse to hug her.

It didn’t make sense!

Even though she had hugged Mu Xin before, and even had that “morning kiss,” Ning Qi felt that this was different.

Impulse.

Yes, an impulse that even Ning Qi couldn’t control.

She wanted to hug Mu Xin, but it was a different kind of emotion.

Ning Qi suddenly felt that the “family” relationship she had just established for them this morning was on shaky ground.

Then what exactly did she feel for Mu Xin?

What kind of relationship could they have?

Aside from relatives or family, there were “besties” or “good friends.”

What else?

Ning Qi had no clue. It couldn’t be lovers, could it?

She let out a helpless sigh.

How could I like Mu Xin? We’re best friends.

Suddenly, Ning Qi froze. She felt as if she had overlooked something—a very clear feeling that she just couldn’t quite grasp.

She knit her brows, desperately trying to catch that thread of thought, but just as she was about to seize it, a boastful laugh rang out, instantly shattering her concentration.

Ning Qi narrowed her eyes and looked up irritably at the two people approaching.

“Haha, I’m saying, Li Xiang, why are you making things hard for Mu Xin? There are so many people in school; why pick on her?”

By now, school had been out for a while, and most people had gone to eat, so the voices of these two were particularly clear.

“Hmph, these rich kids always think they’re superior. I just don’t like them,” a plain-looking boy said, his expression filled with arrogance.

“Heh, you just picked her because she has a good temper and you’re targeting her current situation. You’re afraid that if you bet with others and lose, you’ll get into trouble.”

The other boy bluntly exposed his petty motives, feeling a bit of disdain.

“What are you talking about? Me, afraid of them? They’re just parasites living off their parents. One day, I’ll surpass them all.”

Having his mind read made Li Xiang feel awkward, but he remained stubborn.

“Haha, alright, stop acting. If you aren’t afraid, how come you didn’t even put up a stake for your bet with Mu Xin? I suspect Mu Xin just looked down on you too much to even ask for one.”

“Nonsense! I’m very confident this time, I’ll definitely… Ouch!”

Before Li Xiang could finish his excuse, he felt someone trip him. His foot slipped, and he tumbled to the ground.

“Who is it?!”