Turns Out I’m the Villain They’re Supposed to Redeem? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 18

But later, she realized she simply couldn’t do it.

Huo Yuwan hadn’t done anything wrong.

And she herself had only casually praised her a few times. Yet in just a few short days, her circumstances had turned completely upside down.

From being a promising main player on the school team to being forced to change head coaches, and later being falsely accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, which led to her expulsion.

And all of this was simply because she had offended Qi Qiuyuan.

Li Yu recounted her recent experiences in a calm tone. The emotions had been suppressed for so long that even she hadn’t expected to speak of it all so calmly.

Faced with the doubtful gazes of her teammates and classmates, she found it impossible to defend herself. She didn’t even dare to bring it up with her family, fearing they would worry.

But now, in front of Huo Yuwan, perhaps because of her words, “I believe you,” Li Yu was finally able to pour out all the grievances she had been holding inside.

On an evening that felt like a storm was brewing, the two of them sat in the innermost corner of the stadium bleachers.

The evening breeze was gradually turning chilly. Huo Yuwan zipped her jacket all the way up and stood, speaking gently.

“If I help you investigate this matter of being framed, would you be willing to return to the school team for training afterward?”

Her fingers, resting on her knees, curled involuntarily. Li Yu looked up at her.

She wanted to say that she had already tried, but the person targeting her behind the scenes seemed to have planned it all along, the malfunctioning surveillance, the vial of medication in her locker, the residue in her water bottle, and even the blood test report from her own body…

One piece of evidence after another left her with no room for defense.

Her slightly lifted strands of hair danced in the wind beside her face. Though her gaze was looking down from above, it held not a trace of contempt or arrogance, only calmness and sincerity.

Li Yu met Huo Yuwan’s gaze, and after a long moment, she averted her eyes.

“As long as Qi Qiuyuan remains on the school team for even a day, I will never have a chance to shine.”

The coaches’ overt and covert favoritism had exhausted her. This was not the sports field Li Yu had envisioned, where everyone worked hard and struggled together.

Pressing her lips together, Huo Yuwan recalled the plotline. “What about joining the provincial team?”

If she remembered correctly, in October of the second half of the year, the provincial team’s coach would come to Kaicheng University to select a substitute player.

Though it was only a substitute position, it was, after all, the provincial team. The resources for training athletes were beyond what a single university could offer.

Li Yu’s eyes suddenly lifted. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After a moment, she found it almost laughable. She couldn’t even get into the school team, let alone the provincial team.

But Huo Yuwan in front of her seemed completely unaware that she had said something extraordinary. Resting her chin on her hand, she looked as if she were deep in thought.

“As long as your skills are no worse than Qi Qiuyuan’s, you might have an opportunity very soon.”

As she spoke, she lowered her gaze and gave Li Yu a gentle smile.

By the time Li Yu came back to her senses, she was the only one left in the bleachers. Huo Yuwan had already wrapped herself in her jacket and left. Staring blankly at the all-too-familiar track in front of her, Li Yu suddenly realized she didn’t even know Huo Yuwan’s purpose in helping her. And yet, in that brief conversation, she had already found herself wanting to trust her.

This is insane.

Li Yu shook her head and smiled bitterly.

After returning to the dorm, Huo Yuwan curled up on her bed with her laptop. The sports academy’s official website had already posted an announcement regarding Li Yu’s doping scandal, strongly condemning and criticizing her actions while firmly branding her with disgrace.

There was no surveillance footage, yet drug residues were clearly detected in Li Yu’s blood. Huo Yuwan sighed with worry.

With both witnesses and material evidence present, this was going to be tricky.

The fox spirit in her mind chimed in at just the right moment, “And yet you boasted earlier…”

“Knowing she was framed, of course I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Huo Yuwan sighed again. Ultimately, this was an undeserved disaster for Li Yu, who would have thought Qi Qiuyuan could be so petty?

Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she stared at the photos and information of several coaches displayed on the screen.

Ding Sheng, head coach of the track and field team, held a position in the school team second only to Chen Rong, the specially appointed coach.

“I want magic…” she tentatively voiced in her mind.

With magic, gathering evidence would be a breeze.

“Don’t even dream about it,” the fox spirit replied mercilessly. “Helping Li Yu has nothing to do with our mission. I can’t let you keep breaking the rules.”

Having been privately reprimanded by the high priest, the fox spirit was adamant this time about not lending spiritual power to Huo Yuwan.

Huo Yuwan, “…”

What a mess. Why did her master have to seal her magic?

Fine, if it wouldn’t give her any, she’d just have to dive into the situation herself.

Staring at Chen Rong’s contact information on the screen, Huo Yuwan sighed, picked up her phone, and dialed his number.

“Hello, who is this?”

As the call connected, Huo Yuwan took a deep breath. “Hello, is this Coach Chen? My name is Huo Yuwan. I was the one who placed in the 5,000-meter long-distance race at last week’s school sports meet…”

“I know you, little Huo.”

Amidst a hearty laugh, Chen Rong cut her off.

He certainly remembered the student who had broken the school’s long-distance running record.

“Did you need something, little Huo?”

Embarrassed, Huo Yuwan nervously plucked at the plush fur of the stuffed toy in her arms and cleared her throat before speaking.

“About the suggestion from the coaches last time for me to join the school team… could I have another chance?”

Her face flushed with awkwardness, after all, she had been the one to refuse in front of everyone last time.

“But I heard from Coach Ding that you preferred to focus on your studies?”

Chen Rong sounded puzzled.

He hadn’t been present at the sports meet, but he had heard about it from the other coaches afterward.

“Well, yes, but after some careful thought over the past few days, I realized I’m actually more interested in sports. So, could I possibly…?”

Chen Rong didn’t find it strange, young people often change their minds.

“So, you’ve really thought it through this time, little Huo? Once you join the school team, there’s no turning back.”

“Yes, yes, I’ve really thought it through,” she hurriedly nodded, her expression pained.

“Alright, then come to the office on the third floor of the sports academy tomorrow morning to report.”

He had no reason to turn away such a rare talent.

Besides, the long-distance runners in the team now vary greatly in ability. The only one truly capable of competing at the provincial level is Qi Qiuyuan. Li Yu, who had just joined the team, also showed promise, but unfortunately, that girl went down the wrong path…

Chen Rong couldn’t help but sigh at the thought.

Forcing a tight-lipped smile and nodding, Huo Yuwan collapsed onto her bed, covering her face as soon as she hung up the phone.

From now on, she would have to endure the grueling routine of running five kilometers every day. How wonderful.

“Yuwan, you’re joining the school team?!”

The bed curtain was abruptly pulled open from the outside, and Zhao Lan stood by her bed, looking surprised.

“Yeah, I’m reporting tomorrow.”

Huo Yuwan maintained a stubborn smile on her face.

“But before, weren’t you…”

Zhao Lan still remembered how Huo Yuwan had firmly rejected the coaches just a few days ago. How could she change her mind so quickly?

“I suddenly had a change of heart. Talent shouldn’t be wasted, after all.”

Huo Yuwan smiled, her words carrying a double meaning.

She wasn’t referring to herself, but to Li Yu.

“Alright, by the way, you were gone all afternoon today. Where did you go?” Zhao Lan didn’t dwell on her response too much. After all, Huo Yuwan did have the skills, so joining the school team wasn’t a bad idea.

Closing her laptop screen, Huo Yuwan hopped off the bed to get ready for her nightly routine.

“I went to visit Dr. Li. She hasn’t been to school for three days, and I was a bit worried,” she replied casually.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, you’re really falling for her.”

Zhao Lan shook her head and teased with a laugh.

“What do you mean, falling for her?”

Huo Yuwan slipped a hairband onto her head as she walked toward the balcony. “Dr. Li and I are friends. Of course, I’d visit a friend who’s sick.”

Zhao Lan shook her head again behind her, wearing an expression that said she saw right through it.

“So, is Dr. Li feeling better? When will she be back at school? Can you ask her to bring the little fox along?”

Since Huo Yuwan wasn’t admitting anything, Zhao Lan decided not to press further and instead shifted her concern to the little fox she hadn’t seen in days.

At this, Huo Yuwan paused while washing her face. She remembered overhearing Qi Qiuyuan and Li Xuzhi’s conversation earlier, mentioning that Dr. Li would soon start working at the hospital.

Did that mean Dr. Li wouldn’t be coming back to school?

The thought left a sour taste in Huo Yuwan’s heart.

“I don’t know,” she replied softly, her voice tinged with a barely noticeable disappointment as she rinsed the foam from her face.

After finishing her nightly routine and climbing into bed in her pajamas, Huo Yuwan couldn’t resist opening her chat window with Li Xuzhi, intending to send her a message.

Dr. Li had always been so kind to her, so of course, she should share the news about joining the school team.

Halfway through typing her message, an incoming call suddenly took over the screen.

Qi Liang.

Frowning instinctively, Huo Yuwan hung up.

But the next second, the ringing persisted.

Her brow furrowed tightly as she answered the call. “What do you want?”

Qi Liang, waiting downstairs, could hear the impatience in her tone, and his face darkened instantly.

His confession earlier that day had been sincere, and he had already apologized for past misunderstandings. Did Huo Yuwan really have to dislike him this much?

Glancing down at the bouquet of flowers in his hands, he suppressed his anger.

“My confession this afternoon wasn’t formal enough. I specially bought roses and I’m right outside your dormitory building. Yuwan, could you come down for a moment?”

Shivering involuntarily, Huo Yuwan felt goosebumps rise from the awkwardness of his form of address.

Just a few days ago, he seemed ready to devour her alive, and now he’s in love again? Is he sure he isn’t sick?

Huo Yuwan silently grumbled to herself.

“Thank you for your affection, but please go back.”

Despite the late-night spectacle he had prepared, Huo Yuwan maintained her politeness in her response.

“I’m sincere. I picked these roses from my garden myself. They may not be worth much, but they carry my heartfelt feelings.”

Huo Yuwan sighed inwardly. Why couldn’t he take a hint?

“Come down, Yuwan. If you don’t, I’ll wait here all night.”

Well, now he was resorting to threats.

Grabbing a trench coat to throw over her pajamas, Huo Yuwan strode purposefully out of her dorm.