Turns Out I’m the Villain They’re Supposed to Redeem? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 16

With the help of the servants, Huo Yuqing was settled in a guest room at the Li family villa. Huo Yuwan lowered her eyes as she wiped the sweat from her elder sister’s forehead, but her ears perked up, secretly eavesdropping on the voices coming from the hallway outside.

Earlier, when Li Xuzhi had brought them home, they happened to run into his mother in the living room. Her scrutinizing gaze had made Huo Yuwan blush with embarrassment. After all, this was Dr. Li’s mother, an elder, and here she was, paying her first visit in such a disheveled state after a fight. It was truly impolite.

Huo Yuwan sighed inwardly in regret.

Fortunately, Mrs. Li didn’t say much. Her temperament was as gentle and kind as Li Xuzhi’s. Seeing that Huo Yuqing had fainted, she even specifically instructed the servants to help support and settle her.

“That child Qi Qiuyuan, really…”
“I’ll discuss it with your father…”

The door wasn’t fully closed, leaving only a narrow crack. Huo Yuwan could faintly make out these fragmented words. However, it seemed Mrs. Li was the only one speaking; she didn’t hear Li Xuzhi’s voice at all.

Had the commotion outside just now caused Mrs. Li’s favorable impression of Qi Qiuyuan to diminish?

Huo Yuwan wasn’t sure.

Would this dissuade Dr. Li’s parents from continuing to push the two of them together?

Recalling the description of Mr. Li’s character in the storyline, Huo Yuwan felt she was being overly optimistic. What kind of person Qi Qiuyuan was didn’t affect his family’s connections with the Qi family. And he didn’t care about Li Xuzhi’s feelings either.

It seemed the fire hadn’t been stoked enough yet.

Thinking of something, Huo Yuwan pursed her lips and rubbed her hands together, ready to stir up some real trouble.

“Yuwan.”

Huo Yuqing, lying on the bed, suddenly spoke in a low voice.

Huo Yuwan snapped back to attention and looked down, only to realize she had absentmindedly pressed the towel onto her sister’s head. Embarrassed, she withdrew her hand and set the towel aside.

“Sister, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” she asked, changing the subject to show concern.

Shaking her head slowly, Huo Yuqing forced a weak smile for her younger sister. “I’m fine.”

Her gaze fell on the bluish-purple marks on Huo Yuwan’s neck, and her eyes stung with tears.

“Does it hurt a lot? It’s all my fault. I dragged you into this.”

If only she had been more assertive in confronting Qi Qiuyuan earlier, her younger sister wouldn’t have gotten into a fight and gotten hurt defending her.

Seeing that she was about to cry again, Huo Yuwan quickly spoke up to stop her. “It’s just a minor injury. As long as you can see that scumbag for who she really is, it’s all worth it.”

Most of the marks on her neck had been left from when she was in her fox form and had been choked. Aside from nearly suffocating when her tie was pulled during the scuffle, Huo Yuwan felt she had held up pretty well.

Well, except for a few strands of hair that seemed to have been pulled out.

But that didn’t matter, what’s a little shedding to a fox?

Puffing out her cheeks, her lively eyes darting around as she recalled the earlier confrontation, Huo Yuwan remembered that she had beaten Qi Qiuyuan until his face was swollen like a pig’s head.

Seeing her younger sister so wholeheartedly concerned for her, Huo Yuqing looked dazed for a moment, but then nodded bitterly.

“I won’t cling to it anymore. Don’t worry.”

If she continued to be stubborn, the only ones who would get hurt were herself and those around her. Huo Yuqing knew her sister cared deeply for her. If she kept making foolish choices, she would only break Huo Yuwan’s heart.

“I’m so glad you’ve come around.”

“Then you can’t afford to slip up in next week’s English competition. You have to take first place.”

“Otherwise, I’d have to wonder if you’re still too caught up in your heartbreak to focus on your studies.”

As the saying goes, don’t just listen to what someone says, watch what they do.

Huo Yuwan wanted to see if her sister was lying. What if she claimed to have moved on, only to hide under the covers and cry in secret later? That wouldn’t do.

The gold prize in the English competition carried significant weight and would be a strong advantage when applying for admission to the Foreign Affairs University. Huo Yuwan didn’t want her sister to miss out on the honor she deserved just because she was drowning in sorrow.

Huo Yuqing felt both amused and exasperated, thinking her little sister was more relentless than a devil, pushing her to study right after a breakup.

“I just went through a breakup. Even if I slip up, it should be…”

She wanted to say it was understandable, but under Huo Yuwan’s serious gaze, she gradually fell silent.

“Sis, you’re the one aiming to enter the Foreign Affairs University, join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and become an interpreter. You know better than I do how difficult that path is.”

Qi Qiuyuan had been right about one thing: for an ordinary person to become a national-level interpreter was as challenging as scaling the heavens.

Since she had chosen this path, she couldn’t allow herself to make mistakes over factors within her control.

“I understand.”

Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Huo Yuwan nodded with satisfaction.

She drifted into a daze, recalling her days in the fox clan before she had taken human form.

Huo Yuwan hadn’t been born as the Shao Siming. She had reached this position through immense effort, leaving no room for even the slightest error.

The fox spirit listening to their conversation also nodded approvingly. The Shao Siming was truly dedicated to her mission—so responsible and constantly motivating her charge.

Hearing its murmurs, Huo Yuwan curled her lips in amusement.

…

Although she was awake, Huo Yuqing’s spirits were still low. Giving her space to rest alone, Huo Yuwan gently closed the door and left.

When she stepped out, Li Xuzhi had been waiting outside for who knows how long. Seeing her emerge, Li Xuzhi simply smiled gently and said, “Come to my room. I’ll treat the injury on your neck.”

Huo Yuwan followed behind, her gaze fixed on Li Xuzhi’s hair, which swayed softly down to her waist.

She couldn’t resist reaching out to touch a strand but quickly withdrew her hand when Li Xuzhi turned around, guiltily averting her eyes.

Huo Yuwan felt something was very wrong with her.

Why did she always want to get handsy with Dr. Li?

Disgraceful.

She inwardly scorned her own behavior.

Yet, the moment Li Xuzhi turned back, she again felt the urge to reach out and stroke her hair.

It was as if Li Xuzhi held some inexplicable allure for her.

Guiding her to sit on the sofa, Li Xuzhi lifted Huo Yuwan’s chin, her gaze tender and focused as she examined the marks on her neck.

The bruise was a deep bluish-purple, even more distressing up close.

She carefully removed the thin brown tie from around Huo Yuwan’s neck, her fingertips gently brushing over the bruised skin as she frowned, observing Huo Yuwan’s expression.

“Does it hurt?”

Huo Yuwan nodded almost involuntarily, the word slipping out.

“It hurts.”

A completely different answer from the one she’d given Huo Yuqing.

The fox spirit was baffled.

“Your Excellency, didn’t you say it didn’t hurt?”

“Shut up.”

Without even looking, Huo Yuwan manually muted it.

Hearing her reply, Li Xuzhi’s movements became even more careful and gentle as she applied ointment with a cotton swab.

Gazing into Huo Yuwan’s clear eyes, she pursed her lips lightly and couldn’t resist speaking softly.

“Next time… don’t be so impulsive.”

Li Xuzhi didn’t want to see her get hurt.

Her voice was gentle, and her warm fingertips brushed faintly against the skin as she moved. Huo Yuwan felt an inexplicable dryness in her throat.

“I wasn’t being impulsive…”

She told Li Xuzhi about spotting the Qi family’s car, wanting to explain that she had a small plan in mind.

Huo Yuwan didn’t want to leave Li Xuzhi with the impression that she was reckless and impulsive.

Watching her earnest expression as she explained, Li Xuzhi pressed her lips together and smiled faintly.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Her soft voice lingered in the air, and Huo Yuwan’s face suddenly grew hot.

“Then… then I won’t be impulsive next time.”

The white medicinal ointment, carrying the scent of herbs, was applied almost all the way around her neck. Huo Yuwan’s half-tied ponytail had long since become messy. Worried that strands of hair might get smeared with the ointment, Li Xuzhi helped her recomb and tie up her hair.

Sitting in front of Li Xuzhi, feeling her hands gently moving through her hair, Huo Yuwan couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Dr. Li was still injured herself, yet she kept troubling her.

“Dr. Li, today… thank you so much.”

Her tone was solemn. Li Xuzhi, who was tying her hair, glanced down at her.

“How will you thank me, then?”

Her voice carried a relaxed, comforting laugh, yet it remained gentle.

Huo Yuwan was momentarily stunned by her response, stumbling over her words as she spoke.

“I…”

“It’s Saturday the day after tomorrow. How about going on a date with me?”

Compared to Huo Yuwan’s flushed embarrassment, Li Xuzhi appeared much more natural, her smile unwavering.

“Just hanging out nearby, watching a movie, having a meal, is that not okay?”

Hearing this, Huo Yuwan’s heartbeat steadied, but a faint, indescribable sense of disappointment lingered. She scolded herself for having misinterpreted the meaning of the word “date.”

Dr. Li naturally meant a casual outing between friends.

“Sure.”

She composed herself but still avoided direct eye contact as she replied.

“Then it’s settled. Saturday at 9 a.m., I’ll pick you up at school.”

Li Xuzhi watched Huo Yuwan’s ears, which were flushed a deep red, and her lips curved into a slight smile.

…

Once the wound was treated and Huo Yuqing had composed herself, the two said goodbye to Li Xuzhi’s mother and Li Xuzhi, preparing to return to school.

Li Xuzhi walked them all the way to the entrance of the residential complex. The evening sun was no longer scorching, leaving only a warm, orange glow painting the horizon.

She handed Huo Yuwan a bag containing the ointment and gently reminded her, “Remember to reapply the ointment after your shower. Don’t forget.”

Pressing her lips together, Huo Yuwan felt a soft warmth in her heart.

She nodded earnestly, her smile bright and revealing a rare touch of obedience. “I won’t forget.”

Her fingers curled slightly. Mindful of Huo Yuqing standing nearby, Li Xuzhi resisted the urge to gently pinch her cheek.

A car horn sounded from the roadside, it was the ride Huo Yuqing had called.

“Goodbye, Dr. Li.”

Huo Yuwan waved to her.

“Goodbye.”

Sighing softly to herself, Li Xuzhi responded with a faint smile.

Next semester, she would start working at the hospital, and her schedule would only become busier than it was now.

Before that, she wanted to spend as much time with Huo Yuwan as possible.

…

The journey back to school was shrouded in silence. Huo Yuwan understood that someone who had just gone through a breakup needed time to process their emotions, so she refrained from disturbing them. Instead, she quietly took out her phone from her backpack and sent a message.

The name Li Yu was unfamiliar to her, but since Li Yu had previously been part of the school team, Huo Yuwan figured it shouldn’t be too difficult to track her down.

In less than a minute, Huo Yuwan received a reply to her message.

Zhang Cancan: “I know her. Is there something you need from her, junior?”

Huo Yuwan’s face lit up with joy upon getting a definite answer. Among the people she knew, aside from Qi Qiuyuan, Zhang Cancan was the only one on the school team.

Although Zhang Cancan was only a substitute player for the school’s soccer team, she still counted as a connection. So, Huo Yuwan decided to give it a shot and ask her.

Ever since they had played soccer together last time, Zhang Cancan had been messaging Huo Yuwan almost every day, without fail, she’d send “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good night.” Huo Yuwan thought she was just being polite and reciprocated out of courtesy.

Little did she know that her well-intentioned replies were being interpreted as a certain kind of signal.

Huo Yuwan: “Could you share her contact info with me, senior?”

She wanted to get in touch with Li Yu first and find out exactly what had happened.

Zhang Cancan: “Sure, but how are you going to thank me? How about having hot pot together tonight?”

Without changing her expression, Huo Yuwan blinked and quickly tapped on her screen.

(Red packet).

“Thank you, senior. I don’t really like hot pot.”