Turns Out I’m the Villain They’re Supposed to Redeem? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 14

The two sisters stood at the entrance of the residential complex and, unsurprisingly, were stopped once again.

Qi Qiuyuan wasn’t answering his phone, and Huo Yuqing’s eyes reddened as she clutched her device.

Seeing her older sister so distraught, Huo Yuwan desperately wanted to shake her awake.

This wasn’t how she had imagined the scene would play out. Knowing full well that Qi Qiuyuan had applied to go abroad first, Huo Yuqing should have been furious. Why did she still seem more sorrowful than anything?

To help Huo Yuqing bring closure to the breakup, Huo Yuwan hesitated but eventually called Li Xuzhi, hoping she could communicate with the security guard as a resident and let the two of them in.

As soon as the call connected, Li Xuzhi’s gentle voice came through the receiver.

“Yuwan?”

The tips of Huo Yuwan’s ears flushed pink involuntarily as she recalled the moment she had been held in Dr. Li’s arms just moments before.

Shaking her head, she dismissed the untimely memory.

“Dr. Li, could you help me talk to the security guard? I want to enter your complex.”

“Are you outside right now? Are you here to see me?”

Huo Yuwan heard the sound of a door opening and closing and could even detect a distinct note of excitement in Li Xuzhi’s voice.

“I…”

Her heart tightened slightly. Though she wanted to nod and agree, Huo Yuwan couldn’t bring herself to lie.

Perhaps the hesitation in her voice was too obvious, as Li Xuzhi snapped out of her earlier joy.

“It’s alright. Hand the phone to the guard, and I’ll speak with him.”

Her voice remained soft and understanding, making Huo Yuwan’s throat feel tight.

I actually came to see you earlier.

You just didn’t know.

Huo Yuwan wanted to comfort her with those words, but reason prevailed, and she held back.

With Li Xuzhi’s intervention, the security guard let the two of them in.

Huo Yuqing remained silent, seemingly lost in her thoughts or perhaps contemplating what to say when they finally met.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuwan still held her phone, quietly listening to Li Xuzhi’s voice on the other end.

Even though she knew Huo Yuwan hadn’t come for her, Li Xuzhi insisted on meeting her.

“I saw the messages you sent over the past few days. I’m really happy that you care about me.”

Her voice was tender, and the sudden remark made Huo Yuwan’s entire face burn.

Happy? it’s normal to feel happy. When you’re sick and see friends caring, everyone feels that way.

Huo Yuwan thought this, yet her heartbeat quickened unconsciously.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Yuwan?”

Li Xuzhi had already spotted Huo Yuwan at the corner of the road. She spoke softly and slowed her steps.

“…The sun is really strong outside. Dr. Li, your injuries haven’t healed yet. You should rest at home and recover properly.”

Huo Yuwan pursed her lips, finally managing to squeeze out a sentence after a long pause.

The smile on Li Xuzhi’s pale, delicate face faltered slightly as she raised a hand to touch the bandage still wrapped around her forehead.

“How did you know I was injured, Yuwan?”

Damn it.

Huo Yuwan’s gaze drifted nervously. “I…”

She racked her brains for an excuse.

“Huo Yuwan? What are you two doing here!”

A sharp, angry voice suddenly rang out. Qi Liang stepped out of his car and strode over to Huo Yuwan in a few quick steps.

He raised a hand halfway, instinctively wanting to cover his recently repaired front tooth.

But his pride made his palms clench, and he could only press his lips together unnaturally, glaring angrily at Huo Yuwan.

“Long time no see, Qi Liang. I haven’t seen you in class for the past few days, did you go to get your teeth fixed?” Huo Yuwan smiled brightly, deliberately rubbing salt in his wound.

At her words, Qi Liang’s face darkened even further. Having learned from past experience, he didn’t dare confront Huo Yuwan head-on again.

After sweeping his gaze over the two of them, Qi Liang spoke with disdain, “How did the security guard let just anyone in?”

Huo Yuqing frowned at his words. She often worked part-time as a tutor for wealthy families, and some of them did look down on ordinary people like her. But she hadn’t expected Qi Qiuyuan’s cousin to be the same kind of person.

“Who knows? If you can get in, why shouldn’t I?” Huo Yuwan replied lightly, her expression unchanged, before taking Huo Yuqing’s hand and continuing forward.

But they had only taken a few steps when she spotted Li Xuzhi running toward her.

The afternoon sun was glaringly bright. Li Xuzhi, clutching her phone, came to a stop in front of them, her soft hair still fluttering behind her. Her pale face was flushed from the exertion, yet her gaze remained gentle.

“Dr. Li…” Huo Yuwan said instinctively.

A soft smile curved Li Xuzhi’s lips. “I’m very familiar with this place. Where are you headed? I can be your guide.”

The bandage on her forehead was still in place, and her slender frame looked so fragile it seemed a gust of wind could knock her over.

Huo Yuwan shook her head, her throat tight with emotion, wanting to tell her to go home and rest.

Perhaps sensing the concern in her eyes, Li Xuzhi smiled and turned instead to Huo Yuqing, who looked sorrowful. “Who are you looking for? I might be able to help.”

Her gaze was warm and sincere. Huo Yuqing guessed she must be the friend Huo Yuwan had mentioned earlier and hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and speaking up. “I’m looking for Qi Qiuyuan. Do you know where her house is?”

Li Xuzhi paused briefly, then nodded. “Turn ahead and go straight. It’s the second-to-last house on the left.” Glancing at Huo Yuwan, she added, “I can take you there.”

Before Huo Yuqing could thank her, Qi Liang, who had been lingering behind, furrowed his brows. He studied Huo Yuqing’s face, finding it increasingly familiar.

Stepping forward warily, he sneered, “What do you want with my sister? How dare you harass her all the way to her home?”

Huo Yuqing was baffled by his attitude before remembering that Qi Liang didn’t know about her relationship with Qi Qiuyuan.

Feeling a pang of bitterness, she tried to explain. “You’ve misunderstood. I’m Qiuyuan’s girlfriend…”

Her words stunned everyone present except Huo Yuwan.

“You’re delusional! Harassing my sister is one thing, but now you’re spreading rumors?” Qi Liang scoffed disdainfully.

Seeing that he didn’t believe her, Huo Yuqing didn’t want to waste her breath explaining further. Turning to Li Xuzhi, she thanked her, then looked at her sister. “Stay here with your friend. I’ll go find Qiuyuan myself. Call me when you’re leaving.”

With that, she followed Li Xuzhi’s directions toward Qi Qiuyuan’s house.

Qi Liang, who had been heading to his cousin’s house anyway, followed closely behind. If this woman really was his sister’s girlfriend, things were about to get interesting.

…

Huo Yuwan remained standing in place, hesitating and pacing. She was worried that Huo Yuqing might be deceived again by Qi Qiuyuan’s smooth talk.

Tucking the wind-tousled strands of hair behind her ear with her fingertips, Li Xuzhi took another step forward.

Her gentle gaze lingered on Huo Yuwan’s face. “Are you here to meet a friend?” she asked softly, though she already had some suspicions.

“You hadn’t replied to my messages, so I was a bit worried and…” Huo Yuwan’s cheeks felt warm, and she wondered when her face had become so easily flushed.

Li Xuzhi’s brows curved into a soft smile as she chuckled quietly, knowing her guess was correct. “If you’re worried about her, I can go with you to check on her,” she said, walking alongside Huo Yuwan in a gentle tone.

Huo Yuwan glanced sideways at the faint dimple on Li Xuzhi’s cheek, her heart softening. “Thank you, Dr. Li,” she said, her eyes lingering on the stark red stain on the bandage wrapped around Li Xuzhi’s forehead. Unable to hold back her concern, she asked, “Is your injury feeling better?”

Even though spiritual energy had been used for treatment, Huo Yuwan couldn’t help but worry.

“It’s much better now, and it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Li Xuzhi reassured her with a comforting smile. Though she wondered how Huo Yuwan knew about her injury, she didn’t voice the question.

“Is that girl a friend of yours?” Li Xuzhi could sense Huo Yuwan’s concern for her.

“She’s my sister. There are some issues between her and Qi Qiuyuan… I’m afraid she might be deceived.” As if suddenly remembering something, Huo Yuwan added earnestly, “My sister and Qi Qiuyuan were really in a relationship before. She wasn’t lying.”

Fearing that Li Xuzhi might misunderstand, she explained seriously.

Li Xuzhi nodded in response, though she wasn’t particularly concerned about Huo Yuqing and Qi Qiuyuan’s affairs.

Gazing at Huo Yuwan’s profile, a subtle emotion stirred within her. “Yuwan, have you ever met someone you liked? Was it a boy or… a girl?”

Huo Yuwan’s steps slowed slightly, and she smiled a little sheepishly. “I’m not sure, but it might be a girl.”

She recalled when she had just reached adulthood among the fox tribe and taken human form. Many foxes would linger around her cultivation spot, preening and posturing in attempts to catch her attention. Annoyed by their persistence, she deliberately transformed into a grotesque figure with a thick, unkempt beard and distorted features. As expected, the foxes were frightened away.

However, there was one exception, a seemingly frail, underage red fox. No matter how many scary faces Huo Yuwan made to intimidate her, the little fox remained obediently by her side. Sometimes, when Huo Yuwan grew tired from cultivation, the little red fox would bring her spirit fruits. Each fruit was plump and brimming with more spiritual energy than even the high priest provided. Huo Yuwan often wondered where this young fox managed to find them.

The only pity was that the little red fox seemed to be mute. No matter how Huo Yuwan tried to speak to her, she never received a response.

Later, Huo Yuwan entered seclusion for cultivation. By the time she emerged, the little red fox had disappeared. When she asked her master about it, she was told that no young red fox with a speech impediment had ever been seen in their tribe.

After that, Huo Yuwan was sent by her master to this world for training, and the memory of the little red fox faded into the depths of her mind. It was only when Li Xuzhi asked today that it inexplicably resurfaced.

“If someone could be liked by you, Yuwan, they would surely be very fortunate,” Li Xuzhi said, having received the answer she hoped for. Her gaze was tender as she watched Huo Yuwan press her lips together in a soft smile.

Hearing this, Huo Yuwan’s eyelashes curved as she smiled along, though she wasn’t sure why the topic had shifted in this direction. Still, she followed her train of thought and pondered it.

If she ever had someone she liked in the future, she would definitely protect them and make sure they were happy every single day.

“Dr. Li will surely meet someone she likes someday too. Whoever is loved by Dr. Li must be incredibly fortunate.”

Suddenly, she thought of Li Xuzhi and Qi Qianyuan from the plotline and grew even more eager to show Dr. Li the true face of that scoundrel.

Dr. Li was so kind and gentle, her future partner absolutely had to be someone who genuinely cared for and cherished her.

It absolutely could not be Qi Qianyuan, that scoundrel.

Huo Yuwan’s delicate face tightened with resolve, determined to completely dismantle the plotline.

…

The two of them continued walking forward, and as they drew closer, they realized Huo Yuqing and Qi Qianyuan were standing face-to-face in front of the Qi family’s gate. Surrounding them were property managers, security guards, and Qi Liang, who was watching the commotion from the periphery.

Feeling a bit worried, Huo Yuwan jogged over and squeezed into the crowd.