Turns Out I’m the Villain They’re Supposed to Redeem? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 15

Tears streamed down Huo Yuqing’s face, while Qi Qiuyuan, despite the bandage covering an injury on her cheek, radiated palpable irritation through her expression.

Huo Yuqing had been instructing the property management staff to capture the wild fox when she unexpectedly encountered Qi Qiuyuan here. Frowning impatiently, Qi Qiuyuan scanned her surroundings, anxious that someone might discover her relationship with Huo Yuqing.

Especially when she noticed Li Xuzhi approaching from a distance, Qi Qiuyuan’s frown deepened.

“You should go back. I’ve already said everything that needs to be said.”

With a meaningful glance at the security guard nearby, Qi Qiuyuan signaled for them to quickly escort Huo Yuqing and Huo Yuwan away.

“What are you so guilty about?”

Huo Yuwan caught the way Qi Qiuyuan’s eyes darted toward Li Xuzhi, deducing that she was still trying to maintain her image in the doctor’s eyes.

Her expression turning icy, Huo Yuwan tightened her grip on Huo Yuqing’s wrist and stepped forward, speaking calmly but firmly.

“Sis, even if you’re breaking up, you deserve to know the real reason why.”

Huo Yuqing’s fingers twisted nervously in her palm as she stared at Qi Qiuyuan’s impatient and disdainful expression, realizing for the first time that she might never have truly understood this woman.

“You said you couldn’t handle a long-distance relationship, so why did you apply for that training program in Australia long ago?”

Struggling to hold back the tears welling in her eyes, Huo Yuqing bit her lip and choked out the question.

Qi Qiuyuan froze momentarily, taken aback that Huo Yuqing had uncovered this secret, and in front of Li Xuzhi, no less.

“You told me not to apply to the Foreign Affairs College, saying I was prioritizing my studies over our relationship. But what about you, Qiuyuan? Don’t you think you’re being even more unreasonable?”

By this point, Huo Yuqing was sobbing uncontrollably. If she still couldn’t see Qi Qiuyuan’s true colors now, she would be the world’s biggest fool.

Stealing another glance at Li Xuzhi’s expression, Qi Qiuyuan forced herself to stay composed and defend her actions.

“These two situations are completely different. I only advised you against the Foreign Affairs College for your own good. Do you really think a graduate degree alone can land you a translator position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Wake up and stop dreaming like a naive child.”

“Do you even understand your own background?”

“As for the training in Australia, my coach went through great lengths to secure that opportunity for me. I can’t possibly disregard his efforts and guidance.”

Her words sounded righteous and earnest, seemingly offered as well-intentioned advice, yet each sentence carried an undercurrent of condescension.

Huo Yuwan could feel her sister trembling, her expression once again clouded with confusion and self-doubt. Years of being together had conditioned Huo Yuqing to instinctively trust Qi Qiuyuan’s explanations.

“Why can’t I? Is it because you’ve always relied on privilege and connections, so you assume ordinary people’s hard work is pointless?”

Huo Yuwan tightened her hold on Huo Yuqing’s wrist, pulling her out of her daze, and calmly retorted.

The moment she spoke, Huo Yuwan noticed Qi Qiuyuan’s pupils contract slightly.

So, she is guilty.

Huo Yuwan grew more certain of her suspicions. The message she had seen earlier in the study must have held some truth.

“Spreading rumors comes with consequences.”

Assuming Huo Yuwan was merely spouting nonsense out of jealousy, Qi Qiuyuan steadied herself and spoke sternly.

“You know better than anyone whether it’s a rumor or not.”

Huo Yuwan met her gaze steadily, unflinching.

The palm hanging at her side unconsciously clenched, Qi Qiuyuan narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Take your sister and leave this place. I don’t want to argue with you anymore.”

Not wanting to continue this humiliating scene in front of so many people with Huo Yuwan’s unreasonable behavior, she spoke coldly to Huo Yuqing, who had been weeping beside her, and then made as if to turn and leave.

“If…”

“If I listen to you and don’t apply to the Foreign Affairs College, will you still break up with me?”

Emotionally charged, Huo Yuqing stepped forward and grabbed Qi Qiuyuan’s arm, her voice trembling as she asked.

In a daze, one could still detect the deeply hidden trace of hope in her tone.

Hearing this, Huo Yuwan felt both worried and exasperated.

Even after all this, how could her sister still hold onto hope for Qi Qiuyuan?

Standing nearby, Li Xuzhi noticed Huo Yuwan’s tightly furrowed brow. She pursed her lips lightly, her fingertips twitching slightly at her sides.

Impatiently shaking off Huo Yuqing’s hand, Qi Qiuyuan felt not a moment of softness for the tears she shed.

“You shouldn’t even be here.”

Her lies had been exposed, and in front of so many people, especially in front of Li Xuzhi.

Believing she had already lost all face, Qi Qiuyuan’s emotions teetered on the edge of losing control.

The wound on her cheek still throbbed faintly, and Qi Qiuyuan struggled to contain her rage.

Her father was about to return; she absolutely could not let Huo Yuqing ruin her image in his eyes at this critical moment.

Huo Yuqing was flung aside without a shred of mercy, as if discarding a piece of trash that had somehow clung to her, terrified of being tainted again.

Left with no dignity, Huo Yuqing fell to the ground, her expression dazed.

For the first time, she truly experienced Qi Qiuyuan’s heartlessness.

Furious beyond measure, Huo Yuwan could no longer hold back. She rushed forward and punched Qi Qiuyuan.

Li Xuzhi’s vision blurred for a moment; she couldn’t even react in time to stop them, watching helplessly as the two tangled in a fight.

“My sister must have been blind to ever like you!”

By now, all sense of dignity, upbringing, and face had been cast aside by Qi Qiuyuan. Gnashing her teeth, she grabbed Huo Yuwan’s hair and fought back.

The scene descended into chaos. Everyone present was stunned by the spectacle, and when they finally snapped out of it, they hurried to help Li Xuzhi separate the two.

Huo Yuwan, with her punches and kicks, had initially gained the upper hand. But Qi Qiuyuan, being an athlete, was physically stronger. When her necktie, worn to cover a mark, was yanked, Huo Yuwan nearly choked to death on the spot.

It was truly life-threatening.

Even after being pulled apart, Huo Yuwan clutched her throat, coughing uncontrollably, while still glaring fiercely at Qi Qiuyuan, whose face was half-swollen from the beating.

Li Xuzhi gently patted her back to help her catch her breath, feeling both helpless and heartbroken at the sight.

“What are you all standing around for? Get them out of here!”

Covering her red, swollen nose in a rage, Qi Qiuyuan snapped sharply at the property management staff.

The addressed staff exchanged hesitant glances, uncertainly stepping forward to escort the Huo sisters away.

Though they had gathered that Qi Qiuyuan was at fault in this emotional dispute, there was nothing they could do—she was the property owner, and her orders had to be followed.

“They are my invited friends.”

Her voice gentle and clear, Li Xuzhi spoke without even glancing at Qi Qiuyuan, her gaze fixed on Huo Yuwan the entire time.

Witnessing it all, Qi Qiuyuan seethed with fury, her eyes blazing with rage.

Fragments of memories flashed through her mind in an instant. She clenched her fists and let out a silent, cold laugh.

Huo Yuqing, who had been panicked since the two began fighting, stood beside her younger sister. Tears welled up in her eyes again as she stared at the bruised, purple marks on Huo Yuwan’s neck and her disheveled hair.

Li Xuzhi glanced up at her briefly before lowering his gaze and speaking softly.

“Yuwan only fought because she couldn’t bear to see her sister being bullied. But I wonder if the injuries she suffered were worth it.”

Huo Yuwan, who hadn’t looked up, thought the question was directed at her. She pressed her lips together and remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Her actions had indeed been impulsive, but now she didn’t know what to say.

She wasn’t sure if Huo Yujing would understand.

Seeing her sister’s silence, Huo Yujing felt even more distressed. Her lips trembled slightly.

Turning around, she looked toward Qi Qiuyuan, who had already stepped inside. A sturdy, intricately carved wrought-iron gate stood between them, making Huo Yujing realize that this was likely the insurmountable gap Qi Qiuyuan had spoken of, the one that would always separate them.

She should have accepted this long ago.

The property management staff who had been watching soon dispersed, leaving only the sound of Huo Yujing’s soft sobs.

Standing silently by her side, Huo Yuwan sighed helplessly in her heart.

Under the scorching sun that made her dizzy, she bit her lip sheepishly, wanting to ask Li Xuzhi, who had been waiting beside her, to go home first.

She had originally intended to bring Li Xuzhi to laugh at Qi Qiuyuan’s expense, but now she had become the laughingstock herself.

Huo Yuwan felt like crying but had no tears.

At least, she consoled herself, after this incident, Dr. Li probably wouldn’t like Qi Qiuyuan anymore.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a black car parked quietly at the corner of the road.

It had been there all along, engine off and silent.

But Huo Yuwan knew someone must be inside.

She wasn’t sure who it was, but judging by the look of terror on Qi Liang’s face when he accidentally glanced toward the car earlier, she guessed it belonged to the Qi family.

Perhaps it was even Qi Qiuyuan’s father’s car.

Her decision to confront Qi Qiuyuan had been driven by emotion, but there was also a hint of calculation in Huo Yuwan’s actions.

Qi Qiuyuan wanted to sweep things under the rug, but Huo Yuwan was determined not to let her have her way.

If Qi Qiuyuan wanted to keep her relationship a secret from her family, Huo Yuwan would make sure it was exposed.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Lost in thought, Huo Yuwan instinctively reached out to catch it.

It was Huo Yuqing, who had fainted.

“Sis? Sis, what’s wrong?”

Panic surged through her, had her sister passed out from grief?

Li Xuzhi hurried over to help support Huo Yujing. “She’s probably overwhelmed by the emotional stress and showing signs of heatstroke. Let’s take her to my place to rest for a while.”

Besides, Huo Yuwan’s neck injuries needed attention as well.

He glanced at Huo Yuwan, who looked as disheveled as a little stray cat.

Huo Yujing’s face was pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead and neck. After a moment’s hesitation, Huo Yuwan nodded in agreement.

“Thank you, Dr. Li.”

As the two of them supported Huo Yujing, they had only taken a few steps when Qi Liang, who had been standing frozen as if lost in thought, suddenly caught up to them.

“Um, Huo Yuwan…”

His voice was oddly hesitant, and he cast a wary glance toward the car at the corner before quickly looking away.

Huo Yuwan glanced at him but ignored him.

She had no time to argue with anyone right now.

“I was wrong to oppose you all this time. I apologize,” Qi Liang said, completely unfazed by her attitude as he continued speaking on his own.

The scene of Huo Yuwan publicly humiliating Qi Qiuyuan was still vivid in his mind, refusing to fade.

Qi Liang never expected Huo Yuwan to be so formidable, daring to even strike Qi Qiuyuan.

In an instant, the image of this girl he had always disliked grew significantly in his mind.

As Huo Yuwan was about to step through the gates of the Li residence, Qi Liang mustered his courage and called out, “Huo Yuwan, I like you! Give me another chance!”

Silence fell all around, as if the world had gone mute.

Li Xuzhi and Huo Yuwan both turned to look back.

“If you’re sick, go to the hospital,” Huo Yuwan retorted with an exasperated eye-roll.

This guy must be insane.

Li Xuzhi’s gaze drifted briefly over Qi Liang before returning, her eyes shifting subtly toward Huo Yuwan. Deep within her gaze was a faint, almost imperceptible trace of resentment.

Sensing Li Xuzhi’s stare, Huo Yuwan worried she might become the butt of another joke, after all, being publicly confessed to by an idiot was just…

“Dr. Li, don’t misunderstand. He’s definitely got something wrong with his head. I’m sworn enemies with anyone surnamed Qi!”

What kind of people are these two siblings anyway?

Huo Yuwan felt utterly exasperated.

Lowering her eyes as if lost in thought, Li Xuzhi responded softly with a faint hum.