Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 4

The farce ended just like that. Although the homeroom teacher found it a bit strange, he didn’t pry further, considering the relationship between the Ning and Mu families.

He likely assumed it was just a small conflict between two young girls.

After lecturing them on a few disciplinary matters, he left the room, leaving the students to their self-study period. Since it was the first day of school, no formal lessons had been scheduled.

As soon as the teacher stepped out, the classroom quickly became lively.

As a private aristocratic school, many people came here with no intention of actually studying. It was merely a necessary process to obtain a diploma so their families could use their connections to get them into a good university later.

Consequently, students were doing everything imaginable in the classroom—except studying.

Ning Qi sat in her seat, scanned the room once, and eventually leaned against her desk out of boredom. She reached out a finger and poked Mu Xin, who was focused on a book.

“What?”

Mu Xin glanced at her. Although the previous coldness was gone, there was still a hint of awkwardness in her manner.

“What are you reading? Let me have a look too.”

Ning Qi suddenly felt that the life of the wealthy was quite dull.

Looking at Ning Qi, who was clearly restless with boredom, Mu Xin pushed the thick book in her hand toward her.

However, after just one glance, Ning Qi retracted her gaze.

Good grief, “Introduction to Economics”?

“You read this at school? Doesn’t the school have classes?”

Ning Qi’s pupils shook in disbelief, her face full of confusion. She had never been to school, but in her understanding, high schoolers shouldn’t be studying economics.

“They do, but I’ve already finished the curriculum. I’ve been fast-tracked to B University.”

Mu Xin raised an eyebrow, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc. So Ning Qi could be surprised after all; she had thought the girl always kept that “cool” persona.

“Cough, cough.”

Ning Qi nearly choked on her own saliva.

A top-tier scholar is sitting right next to me?

From the original owner’s memories, it was clear that while there were vast differences between the original Ning Qi and herself, they shared one thing in common:

They were both academic losers.

Ning Qi had never attended school; while she knew many practical things, she was completely clueless when it came to theoretical knowledge. The original owner was even worse—a slacker to the core.

She figured the “childhood friend” buff must be incredibly strong; otherwise, it would be hard for two people with such different personalities, mindsets, and zero common interests to remain best friends.

“What’s wrong? Why did you suddenly think of transferring classes?”

Mu Xin found Ning Qi’s stunned expression quite amusing. Why hadn’t she noticed how fun Ning Qi was before?

Mu Xin subconsciously studied Ning Qi, and in doing so, she noticed even more differences.

“Ning Qi, did you cut your hair?”

Mu Xin looked at Ning Qi’s cool wolf-cut hairstyle and then at her crisp, tidy school uniform, her gaze flickering.

“Yeah. How is it? Pretty handsome, right?” Ning Qi laughed, tossing her hair and giving Mu Xin a wink.

Thump.

Mu Xin suddenly felt a jolt, as if she’d been struck by electricity. Her face heated up, and she quickly looked away, reaching out to push Ning Qi’s face to the side.

“You’ve certainly grown thicker-skinned after a trip abroad,” she said, her voice a bit stiff.

Then, noticing some of the stunned, admiring glances from the students around them directed at Ning Qi, she paused and added another sentence.

“Who taught you to go around winking at people? You’re not allowed to do that anymore, understood?”

“Why? Not even my mom controls me like that!”

Ning Qi protested. What did she mean by “randomly winking”? Weren’t they best friends?

“If you don’t listen, I’ll tell Auntie He that you’re bullying your classmates at school—and that you’re bullying me too,” Mu Xin said composedly, completely ignoring the protest.

“…”

Ning Qi glared at Mu Xin indignantly, desperately wanting to throw a punch at that beautiful face. But she restrained herself. If she actually did that, her mother would never let her hear the end of it.

“Hmph.”

Ning Qi let out a cold snort, shot Mu Xin a glance, and slumped onto the desk.

“Wake me up at noon.”

Then, she closed her eyes and began to doze off.

So obedient?

Mu Xin looked at the back of Ning Qi’s head, a hint of interest playing at the corners of her mouth.

Ning Qi seemed to have changed a lot. She had become better behaved, and perhaps… even cuter.

At that moment, Mu Xin’s phone vibrated twice, drawing her attention back. She opened it to see information found by Uncle Hua. There was news regarding Ning Qi, as well as Li Kan and Huo Qingqing.

Mu Xin sent a reply and began reviewing the sent messages.

Initially, she was calm, but as she read further, the surprise in her eyes grew. Finally, she looked at the sleeping Ning Qi and reached out her hand.

However, just as she was about to touch Ning Qi, she seemed to remember something and pulled back. She simply stared at the sleeping girl with a scrutinizing gaze.

She was truly curious.

Ning Qi had returned to the country so suddenly and was protecting her so overtly. None of this fit Ning Qi’s usual personality. Especially since the information Uncle Hua found showed that when Ning Qi first went abroad, she did nothing but eat, drink, and play.

Then, two nights ago, without any warning, she chose to return, leaving behind all the items and luggage she had bought overseas. Upon returning, she went straight to the school.

As for Ning Qi’s claim that her mother asked her to bring Mu Xin back… Ning Qi had only told half the truth. In fact, it was Ning Qi who had called the Mu family.

So, Ning Qi knew that Li Kan had targeted her, and she had returned specifically for that?

Mu Xin didn’t know how to feel, but the look in her eyes as she watched Ning Qi softened significantly.

Ning Qi didn’t know how long she had slept, but she felt something cold on her face and subconsciously swatted at it.

Soon, however, that cold sensation appeared on her neck. Shivering, Ning Qi opened her eyes.

“I say, is this how you wake me up?”

Opening her eyes, Ning Qi saw Mu Xin rubbing her hands together. One didn’t need to guess to know that the cold sensation from moments ago came from those hands.

Exasperated, Ning Qi curled her lip, grabbed Mu Xin’s hands, and stuffed them into her own school jacket pocket, slowly rubbing them to warm them up.

Ning Qi’s hands were very warm; that was Mu Xin’s first impression. Just like the person herself.

Mu Xin smiled. Her eyes, which were described as gloomy in the book, were now filled with light. Her voice was as soft as a breeze.

“Qiqi, why did you suddenly come back?”

This… Qiqi?

Is she calling me? Why the sudden intimacy?

“Tch, what, do I have to report to you when I come back?” Ning Qi couldn’t suppress the upward curve of her lips, but she refused to give in verbally.

Mu Xin didn’t mind Ning Qi’s prickly words at all; she was actually quite satisfied. She was certain now: Ning Qi had come back specifically because of her.

“If you’re willing to report, that’s fine too. Isn’t it normal for best friends to share their lives?”

What is wrong with this person? This sudden change is making me uncomfortable.

“Oh, so now you know I’m good to you? You weren’t like this when you were snitching on me.”

Rolling her eyes, Ning Qi pulled Mu Xin’s hands out, stuffed them into Mu Xin’s own pockets, and then began pushing the wheelchair out of the classroom.

It was already lunch break, and Ning Qi was feeling famished. Moreover, she had been wanting to try the food in the school cafeteria for a long time.

“Pfft.”

After they left, someone in the classroom was the first to let out a chuckle, followed by a wave of laughter.

“Hahaha, I suddenly feel like Ning Qi is so interesting. Was she always like this?”

“I think so too, though I heard she used to have a terrible temper.”

“It’s okay, but she did look quite scary this morning. Now, she actually feels kind of cool.”

“You think so too? That wink of hers made my heart jump. How can a girl be so handsome?”

“Uh, sisters, don’t be so rigid with gender. Actually, ‘cool girls’ are great too.”

“Hey, hey, aren’t you guys afraid of being the next Zhang Yan?”

“I might be, but Mu Xin isn’t! I’m so jealous.”

“Didn’t they say their relationship was bad? You’re telling me this is a bad relationship? Ning Qi practically wants to carry Mu Xin in her pocket.”

“I don’t know…”

Huo Qingqing sat in her seat, listening to the discussions around her. Hatred surged in her heart as she clenched her fists.

Ning Qi, Mu Xin, just you wait.

However, in her obsession with revenge, Huo Qingqing didn’t notice a pair of mocking eyes in the far corner of the classroom watching her every move.

“Xinxin, why are you with Ning Qi?”

Before Ning Qi and Mu Xin could get very far, Huo Liuxue, who had come to find Mu Xin for lunch, rushed over. The first thing she did was glare at Ning Qi.

Clearly, she didn’t know what had happened that morning.

Ning Qi didn’t bother arguing with her. Although this girl was a bit silly, she wasn’t a bad person—especially regarding her treatment of Mu Xin. However, in the book, her ending wasn’t great either.

Another unlucky soul. Nothing good comes from getting involved with the male and female leads, Ning Qi complained internally.

“Isn’t it normal for me to be with Mu Xin? We’re the best friends, childhood playmates who grew up together. You’re just someone who appeared halfway—you don’t even count as a ‘fated’ late arrival.”

Ning Qi was quite proud of herself, leaving Huo Liuxue speechless and only able to look at Mu Xin in annoyance.

“Xinxin, look at her!”

“Alright, Liuxue. You couldn’t win an argument with her yesterday, and today you’re just asking for it.”

After speaking, Mu Xin tugged on the corner of Ning Qi’s sleeve.

“Can’t you just let her have this one?”

Mu Xin didn’t understand why these two felt the need to needle each other every time they met. Were they naturally incompatible?

“Fine, I won’t bicker with a little girl.”

Her sleeve being tugged, Ning Qi looked down from her standing position and happened to meet Mu Xin’s gaze. Mu Xin sat there, her oversized winter school uniform making her look quite fragile. Combined with her soft, low voice, it sounded like she was acting spoiled.

Ning Qi felt a warmth in her chest and agreed without thinking.

This isn’t a villain; she clearly should have been the female lead, Ning Qi thought once again, feeling the plot’s irrationality.

“You’re the little girl! Xinxin, why are you teaming up with her to bully me!”

“I’m not, don’t talk nonsense.”

“You are!”

The three of them arrived at the cafeteria chatting and laughing. Huo Liuxue went with Mu Xin to secure a table, while Ning Qi volunteered to get the food.

“Auntie, five servings of rice, please.”

Ning Qi didn’t know what Mu Xin liked to eat, so she ordered several dishes based on her own tastes. Since they were best friends, their tastes should be similar, right?

Then she ordered a few extra portions of rice. A good body required not just exercise, but also sufficient nutrition. Moreover, Ning Qi felt she could still grow a bit taller.

When Ning Qi returned carrying two trays piled high with food, Huo Liuxue looked at her as if she had seen a ghost.

“Are you a bottomless pit? Is your family so poor they don’t feed you?”

“I’m still growing. Unlike you, who’s probably peaked.”

Ning Qi dug into the rice with large mouthfuls. The delicious food made her unable to stop, and eventually, two-thirds of the food on the table ended up in her stomach. However, she still felt unsatisfied and peeked sneakily at the bowl in front of Mu Xin.

“Still not full?” Mu Xin looked at Ning Qi, her gaze landing on Ning Qi’s stomach.

After eating so much, her stomach was still flat.

“Here, take mine.” She put down her chopsticks and pushed her bowl forward.

“Thanks, Xinxin.”

Ning Qi took the bowl and started devouring it. Mu Xin, on the other hand, rested her chin on her hand and watched her eat with interest.

Still growing? Ning Qi really dares to say anything.

“Wait, Xinxin, you’re just giving it to her like that?”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Mu Xin looked at Huo Liuxue in confusion and saw her hesitating to speak. Huo Liuxue struggled for a moment before pointing hesitantly at the now nearly empty bowl in Ning Qi’s hands.

“Xinxin, those chopsticks… you used them, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, what about—” Mu Xin stopped mid-sentence as realization dawned on her.

Ning Qi was using her chopsticks! That meant they had…

Mu Xin hurriedly looked at Ning Qi and saw that she had already finished. Before putting the bowl down, Ning Qi even ate the rice stuck to the chopsticks.

The sight of those red lips and pearly teeth biting the chopsticks felt stinging to Mu Xin’s eyes. It even felt inexplicably erotic.

“I’m full. How about you guys?”

Ning Qi let out an unceremonious burp, only to find the two people opposite her staring directly at her.

“What’s wrong with you two? Still hungry? I’ll get more tomorrow then.”

Ning Qi felt a bit embarrassed; after all, she had eaten almost the entire lunch by herself.

While Ning Qi’s expression was natural, Mu Xin wanted to find a hole to crawl into. How could she have forgotten? Although they were best friends and had resolved their conflict, indirect… that… wasn’t right, was it?

And Ning Qi didn’t seem to have thought about it that way at all.

Mu Xin felt both shy and embarrassed. She felt like a pervert.

No, she couldn’t think about it anymore.

“Let’s go, back to the classroom.”

“Oh, okay.”

Ning Qi felt Mu Xin’s mood was a bit strange, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. She could only guess that Mu Xin might be unhappy because she had eaten her lunch.

Tch, it’s just a meal. Worst case, I’ll let her eat my share tomorrow. Stingy.

On the way back, Ning Qi pushed Mu Xin in the front while Huo Liuxue followed behind, marvelling at the scene.

Xinxin was definitely blushing just now; even her ears were red.

And Ning Qi… what a lucky fellow.

Hmph.