Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 3

At six in the morning, Ning Qi woke up from her soft, fluffy bed. She rubbed her eyes, turned off the alarm clock, and let out a yawn.

“So comfortable. I feel like this kind of life is going to make me lazy.”

Long-standing habits kept her biological clock punctual, though she was still a bit unaccustomed to the luxurious comfort of this life.

After washing up, Ning Qi put on her sportswear and headed into the gym to begin her daily workout. The original owner’s physical fitness was mediocre, and Ning Qi had always believed that the body was the capital of revolution. Naturally, she was dissatisfied with the state of her current physique.

Ning Qi formulated a precise training plan, but before even thirty minutes had passed, she was already panting for breath. This caused her to frown deeply.

This physical fitness is way too poor.

It seemed she would have to take things slowly.

Finishing her workout, Ning Qi returned to her room to take a quick shower. Standing before the full-length mirror, she looked at the girl in the reflection—a face identical to her own. Yet, she felt something wasn’t quite right.

After pausing for a few seconds, she turned back to find a pair of scissors on the dressing table. Without hesitation, she began hacking away at her waist-length hair.

Soon, the Ning Qi in the mirror was transformed. Her long hair had been trimmed into a shoulder-length bob, which she casually tied into a wolf-tail style. Looking at the heroic, tall young girl in the mirror, Ning Qi flicked a strand of bangs from her forehead and pulled a satisfied smile.

“So handsome!”

When Ning Qi headed downstairs with her new look, she immediately heard an exaggerated voice. A fashionably dressed woman appeared before her.

“Baby daughter, you look so beautiful today!”

He Xuan rushed over, pulling Ning Qi this way and that to look her over, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration. After not seeing her for half a month, her darling had become even prettier. As expected of her daughter; she looked good no matter how she dressed.

“Uh…”

Ning Qi’s body stiffened. She felt a bit awkward letting the woman inspect her. Though a smile played on her lips, her heart felt like a tipped-over spice rack—sour, sweet, and astringent feelings all surging up at once.

Is this the original owner’s mother? Then she must be my mother now, too.

“Mom…”

Ning Qi opened her mouth. She clearly had much to say, but in the end, she only managed to choke out that single word.

“What’s wrong, darling? Did someone bully you?”

He Xuan finally noticed that Ning Qi’s emotions seemed off. Why were her eyes turning red? She quickly pulled Ning Qi over to sit on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Ning Xuan, who had been sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, looked up at the mother and daughter. He was momentarily stunned by Ning Qi’s new look and her reddened eyes, then asked, “What’s wrong, dear daughter?”

His voice was filled with warm concern.

The Ning family had four children; Ning Qi had three older brothers. Even the third brother, Ning Zhizhe, was five years older than her. As the youngest daughter of the Ning family, her parents and brothers doted on her to the point of extreme indulgence. Seeing Ning Qi’s eyes go red, Ning Xuan and He Xuan were beyond distressed.

Seeing how nervous they were, Ning Qi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Mom, I just missed you guys a little. Who would dare bully me?” Ning Qi laughed.

Suddenly changing from a person who was all alone to a pampered little princess, the warmth provided by a family was something she had never experienced. That was why her emotions were a bit unstable. Even though all of this might disappear one day, it didn’t stop her from cherishing it now.

“Well said. Who would dare bully a daughter of our Ning family?” Ning Xuan agreed heartily, showing the confidence of a powerful clan.

However, he was quickly met with a glare from his wife.

“Talk is cheap. Then what about that incident at school yesterday? A bastard son of the Li family actually wanted us to give him an explanation? That wicked little brat—is he even worthy?”

After saying that, He Xuan turned back to Ning Qi, grabbing her hand. “Darling, was it that Li boy who made you unhappy? Mommy will take care of him for you.”

As she spoke, she reached for the phone. Ning Qi hurriedly stopped her.

“Mom, I’m really fine. Yesterday, I actually played the hero saving the beauty.”

Speaking of yesterday’s events, Ning Qi felt a bit proud. Simultaneously, Mu Xin’s face involuntarily popped into her mind. Hmm, she really is quite cute. Doesn’t look like a villain at all—more like a female lead.

“You mean the Mu girl, right? Let me tell you, you have to keep an eye on her at school. Otherwise, your Uncle Mu won’t let you off the hook.”

“Alright, don’t worry.”

Ning Qi nodded, grabbed a breakfast set from the table, and headed out the door. From a distance, He Xuan’s voice drifted into Ning Qi’s ears.

“Your class transfer is settled! You’re in the same class as the Mu girl! Don’t forget what I told you!”

Ning Qi, who was about to get into the car, paused. In the same class as Mu Xin? That’s perfect. The corners of her eyes crinkled; she was clearly very happy.

First High School, Class 10, Grade 12

Mu Xin arrived early. She sat in her seat, organizing her desk and books, seemingly oblivious to the various gazes and whispers surrounding her.

“Sister Mu Xin, morning.”

When Huo Qingqing entered with a few of her friends, she spotted Mu Xin sitting alone at a glance. A flash of hatred flickered in her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with an innocent smile as she walked over.

Mu Xin nodded distantly, acknowledging the greeting. Her cold attitude displeased Huo Qingqing’s friends.

“Our Qingqing is talking to you, and this is your attitude?”

The tone was not polite at all. If this were in the past, speaking to Mu Xin like that would have been no different from seeking death. But since Mu Xin’s accident, rumors had spread from nowhere. It was said that Mu Xin had lost her status as the heir and that a “cripple” couldn’t even be used for a political marriage.

Mu Xin was almost treated like an abandoned child. Although the news hadn’t been confirmed, everyone’s attitude toward her had indeed changed significantly.

“And what attitude should I have?”

Mu Xin’s voice was flat. She glanced at the girl’s ID badge. Zhang Yan. Never heard of her.

Zhang Yan didn’t notice Mu Xin’s expression. She tilted her chin up, her expression arrogant. Looking at the wheelchair Mu Xin was sitting in, her eyes turned malicious.

“At the very least, you should stand up to say hello.”

This…

Zhang Yan’s words caused a stir in the classroom. This could no longer be called just malicious; it was a blatant attempt to rub salt in Mu Xin’s wounds. Someone looked at the helpless Mu Xin and felt pity, wanting to stop Zhang Yan, but they were held back by those nearby.

“What are you doing? Huo Qingqing is right there.”

No one was a fool. Even if they didn’t know what Huo Qingqing was really thinking, stepping out now would surely offend her. Huo Qingqing was a member of the Huo family and had been getting close to Li Kan lately. They couldn’t afford to offend her.

“What, you can’t hear what I’m saying? Miss Mu?”

Seeing Mu Xin remain silent, Zhang Yan’s smugness grew. She deliberately emphasized the words “Miss Mu” with obvious mockery.

“Yanyan, don’t make things difficult for Sister Mu Xin. Besides, your joke is a bit too much.”

Seeing that enough had been done, Huo Qingqing finally stepped in to “stop” Zhang Yan. However, her light words reduced the insult to a mere “joke” and made herself look magnanimous.

“Qingqing, you’re just too kind.” Zhang Yan took the opportunity to flatter her, making Huo Qingqing smile even more happily.

“Is it really that funny?”

A voice laced with anger rang out. Before Zhang Yan could turn around, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her knees, and she pitched forward uncontrollably. With a thud, she happened to land on her knees right in front of Mu Xin.

“Oh, the New Year just passed. I didn’t know if this New Year’s greeting was early or late.”

Ning Qi walked up to Zhang Yan’s side, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and rested her left hand on the girl’s shoulder. Although she was smiling, there wasn’t a trace of warmth in her eyes.

“Ning… Ning Qi…”

Zhang Yan tried to stand up, but the hand on her shoulder felt like a mountain, pinning her down.

“What did you just say to Mu Xin? I didn’t hear clearly. Could you say it again? Hmm?”

Zhang Yan’s body trembled; Ning Qi’s gaze was too terrifying. Ning Qi looked back at the completely stunned Huo Qingqing, then looked back at Zhang Yan and smiled again. “Can you stand up and talk to me? It’s so impolite to greet someone while kneeling.”

Ning Qi repeated every word Zhang Yan had just said to Mu Xin back to her with a deadpan expression. The surrounding students felt their hair stand on end as they watched the smiling Ning Qi.

So ruthless.

They had just witnessed what it meant to say the harshest words with the gentlest expression. Under such pressure, Zhang Yan was almost on the verge of tears. Let me up! Let go of me then!

Though she cursed Ning Qi a thousand times in her mind, she didn’t dare refute a single word, only looking repeatedly toward Huo Qingqing for help. Now, almost everyone in the class was looking at Huo Qingqing—except Mu Xin.

Mu Xin looked at Ning Qi, her eyes full of confusion. Is this really Ning Qi?

Mu Xin felt as if she were meeting Ning Qi for the first time. The old Ning Qi was arrogant and willful, but she wouldn’t act like this. Mu Xin searched for a description. Perhaps “domineering” was more fitting.

Her eyes brightened slightly. It had to be said that the current Ning Qi was much more pleasing to the eye than she had been before their falling out.

Being stared at by everyone, Huo Qingqing could no longer hide or stay out of it. She knew things would go south the moment Ning Qi appeared, but she hadn’t expected Ning Qi to strike without giving her a second to react. What is wrong with this Ning Qi? Why is she everywhere?

“Ning Qi, can you let Yanyan go first? Is there some kind of misunderstanding?”

Ning Qi curled her lip. You really have the nerve to say that. This is a misunderstanding?

“Stay over there and be quiet. You don’t have a say here.”

After saying that, Ning Qi ignored Huo Qingqing’s face, which had turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. Instead, she turned to the silent Mu Xin. “How do you want to handle this?”

Mu Xin was the one being bullied; if an apology was to be made, it should be to her.

It’s over, it’s over. Zhang Yan’s heart turned to ash. She felt she was dead. If someone had done that to her, she would surely have retaliated fiercely.

However, just as everyone expected Mu Xin to take revenge, the result left them wide-eyed.

“Let her go.”

What? Ning Qi doubted if she had heard correctly.

“Just let her go like that?”

“Yes. We’re classmates. There’s no need.”

Mu Xin seemed truly indifferent to what Zhang Yan had done, only looking at Ning Qi.

“You… you’re something else.”

Ning Qi wanted to say something, but seeing Mu Xin’s serious expression, she felt a breath catch in her chest, nearly choking her. She had kindly tried to stand up for her, but Mu Xin had simply let the girl walk away. Was she just being sentimental and meddling?

The onlookers were also bewildered. They couldn’t understand why Mu Xin would do this. Even if she was kind-hearted, surely asking for an apology wasn’t too much? Instead, the matter ended just like that.

By doing this, Mu Xin had put Ning Qi in a very awkward position. It was no wonder Ning Qi was angry. Ning Qi gritted her teeth, stared at Mu Xin for a long time, and finally said nothing, turning to walk out of the classroom. However, one could tell from her dark expression that she was in a very foul mood.

Without Ning Qi’s restraint, Zhang Yan scrambled to her feet. She glanced at the door first, and after confirming Ning Qi was gone, she looked at Mu Xin with a sneer.

“Thanks then, Miss Mu.”

After that, she didn’t even call for Huo Qingqing and left the classroom alone.

Mu Xin watched the doorway, ignoring Zhang Yan’s mockery. For the first time, a sense of confusion appeared in her beautiful eyes. Was she really being kind?

No, rather than punishing Zhang Yan, she wanted to know something else even more: What exactly did Ning Qi want to do?

She had deliberately made Ning Qi lose face in front of so many people to test her attitude. Before their fight, if she had done this, Ning Qi would have surely turned against her. But now, Ning Qi hadn’t. Although she was very angry, Mu Xin could see that Ning Qi’s anger was more like the frustration of “disappointment in someone’s lack of spirit.”

Thinking of the look in Ning Qi’s eyes before she left, Mu Xin suddenly felt a wave of regret. Did I… go too far?

Perhaps Ning Qi really just wanted to repair their relationship. Feeling a tightness in her chest, she hurriedly took out her phone, only to realize after searching for a long while that she didn’t have any of Ning Qi’s contact information.

She felt dejected. She remembered now—after their last fight, she had deleted everything related to Ning Qi. What should she do now?

Mu Xin sat there in a daze, not even hearing the school bell ring.

“Students, we have a new student joining our class today. Everyone, please welcome her.”

The homeroom teacher led someone inside. Looking at Ning Qi standing on the platform, the expressions of the students were beyond words.

“Hello everyone, my name is Ning Qi. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

After speaking, Ning Qi nodded to the teacher and pointed at the empty seat next to Mu Xin. “Teacher, I’d like to sit there.”

The teacher looked around, and seeing that it was the only available spot, he nodded.

Ning Qi carried her bag and slowly walked over to Mu Xin.

“You…” Mu Xin opened her mouth, her eyes wide and her face blank. She looked quite adorable.

“Ning Qi, I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry, Mu Xin.”

Both spoke at the same time, then paused simultaneously.

“I apologize for what happened before,” Ning Qi said after a two-second silence.

When she had walked out earlier, she was indeed very angry because she couldn’t understand Mu Xin’s actions. But while hiding in a corner, seeing Mu Xin frantically checking her phone with a lost expression, she seemed to understand.

Mu Xin definitely cared about what happened before. Ning Qi could afford to be indifferent because she hadn’t actually participated in those past events. But Mu Xin was different; she had just suffered a major life upheaval, and her “best friend” Ning Qi had not only failed to comfort her but had also mocked her. The blow to Mu Xin was unimaginable. Comparatively, what Zhang Yan did was nothing.

So, Ning Qi felt that an apology was necessary. Although she hadn’t technically done those things, she had inherited everything of the original owner. Some knots needed to be untied by her. Moreover, seeing Mu Xin look so disheartened made her feel uneasy.

Ning Qi didn’t know that her guess was quite different from Mu Xin’s actual thoughts. However, the results converged, and Mu Xin’s apology seemed to further confirm Ning Qi’s theory.

“Mu Xin, we’re still best friends, right?”

Ning Qi reached out her hand again, a slight curve appearing on her lips. Mu Xin felt as if she had seen this scene before, yet it felt different. But it didn’t matter; this time, she didn’t want to refuse. She wanted to give Ning Qi—and herself—a chance.

She reached out and took the fair hand before her, her grip as firm as it would be for the decades to come.

“Of course. Always.”