Turns Out I’m the Villain They’re Supposed to Redeem? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 48.2

She bluntly stated that there was no longer a place for Li Xuzhi at home. Once Li’s father passed away, she would sell the house and take Li Qizhi back to live with his maternal grandparents. After all, Li Xuzhi wouldn’t be of any help when her father died, so she shouldn’t even think about inheriting anything. It would be best if they went their separate ways and cut off all contact from then on.

That house wasn’t just Li Qizhi’s home, it was hers too, the place where she had lived for over twenty years.

But Li Xuzhi couldn’t go back; she could only watch helplessly as it was sold off.

She knew that speaking up wouldn’t change anything. After her father’s death, Li Qizhi’s mother would become the owner of the house, with the right to handle everything there.

Yet, perhaps because the feelings had been suppressed for too long, Li Xuzhi still wanted to confide in her, if only to ease the burden.

“I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe I’ll stay here for the rest of my life, and one day, when my illness flares up, I’ll die quietly and unnoticed…”

As she laid bare the future in her heart, Li Xuzhi muttered to herself with a bitter, silent smile.

Closing her eyes, she took a large gulp of the remaining wine in her bowl, then covered her mouth as she coughed violently.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The familiar tightness and pain in her chest made her feel somewhat resigned to her fate. Bending over, she gasped for breath, and for the first time, a fleeting thought of ending it all crossed her mind.

Suddenly, she was pulled into an embrace. Huo Yuwan gently stroked her back to soothe her. “Don’t be afraid, it’ll be alright…”

Seeing the look of desolation and loneliness on Li Xuzhi’s face, Huo Yuwan, still slightly intoxicated, was momentarily transported back to the day they first met in the cherry blossom grove.

Instinctively, she carefully held Li Xuzhi in her arms to comfort her. From an angle Li Xuzhi couldn’t see, she raised her hand and, in a daze, channeled her spiritual energy to guide the fragrance of the Luanwei flower toward them.

Threads of the delicate scent drifted into Li Xuzhi’s nostrils, dispersing the tightness in her chest and gradually calming her emotions.

Noticing her improvement, Huo Yuwan relaxed inwardly. She shook her head, trying to stay alert, but with the familiar softness in her arms and the unforgettable scent of cherry blossoms in the air, she found it hard to distinguish dream from reality.

Her mind grew increasingly hazy under the influence of alcohol. Leaning on Li Xuzhi’s shoulder, she dozed off bit by bit, her hand that had been stroking Li Xuzhi’s back slipping down naturally.

The warm breath against her neck sent a tingling sensation through her. Li Xuzhi remained silent for a moment before gently rising from Huo Yuwan’s embrace.

Huo Yuwan, following the movement, slid onto Li Xuzhi’s lap and continued sleeping. Amused by her extraordinary ability to sleep so soundly, Li Xuzhi curved her lips into a silent smile.

Huo Yuwan looked utterly peaceful in her sleep, her breathing even, without so much as a shift in position. She lay quietly on Li Xuzhi’s thighs, her warm body heat seeping through the thin summer clothing and clearly reaching Li Xuzhi.

Her face still carried a touch of youthful innocence, even more pronounced in sleep. With delicate features, thick lashes casting faint shadows under her eyes, cheeks flushed from the alcohol, and a slight, unconscious scrunch of her nose, her glossy lips were temptingly rosy…

Li Xuzhi recalled the accidental kiss from earlier that day.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she averted her gaze.

Reaching over Huo Yuwan’s body, her slender fingers picked up the bottle cap from the table and sealed the wine bottle. Then, she lifted her head to gaze into the boundless night sky.

The fox spirit, which had been quietly crouching by the door, let out a soft whimper and trotted over to Li Xuzhi’s feet, wagging its tail obediently.

Glancing down at it, Li Xuzhi gently patted its head and chuckled softly.
“She must be very happy to have your company.”

Upon hearing this, the fox spirit proudly lifted its head, then glanced at the sleeping Huo Yuwan, thinking to itself, If you two were together, you wouldn’t say that, you’d be flaunting your affection all day long.

…

By the time Huo Yuwan woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. She turned over and sat up in bed, only then realizing she had been brought back to her room.
Rubbing her head as she tried to recall the events of the previous night, she felt a mix of helplessness and regret. How had she gotten drunk again after just a little alcohol? Her tolerance was truly abysmal.

Shaking her head slowly, Huo Yuwan sat on the edge of the bed to put on her shoes. Just then, the fox spirit pushed the door open and scampered in. Seeing it, Huo Yuwan asked about the previous night’s events.
“Did anything happen after I got drunk?”

She vaguely remembered falling asleep leaning against Li Xuzhi, but beyond that, her memory was a blank.

Wagging its tail thoughtfully, the fox spirit replied mischievously, “Oh, yes! Last night, you clung to her and wouldn’t let go, calling her ‘sister’ over and over. Eventually, she got so annoyed that she dragged you back to your room, tossed you onto the bed, and left.”

Huo Yuwan’s heart sank for a moment, and she might have believed it if not for the fox spirit’s shifty, darting eyes.
“Sister would never get annoyed with me,” she retorted with a huff. Tying up her hair, she bent down and vigorously ruffled the fox spirit’s head before heading out with a smile.

As soon as she stepped outside, Huo Yuwan was momentarily blinded by the glaring sunlight. The adjacent room was empty, so she made her way to the kitchen, where she found the breakfast Li Xuzhi had left for her on the stove.

While Huo Yuwan ate her breakfast, the fox spirit amused itself by pushing around the toy car she had made earlier, sliding it back and forth on the floor.
“What are we doing today?” it asked, thoroughly enjoying itself.

After taking a sip of the warm sweet potato porridge and thinking for a moment, Huo Yuwan replied, “We’ll go into the city. I want to buy a bicycle and return this car while we’re at it.”

Buying a bicycle wasn’t easy, it required not only money but also a special coupon. Huo Yuwan planned to ask around to see if she could trade for one.

Leaving a note on the table for Li Xuzhi, Huo Yuwan wheeled the bicycle parked in the yard out the gate. It was a classic black “28 Da Gang” bicycle, with large wheels and a prominent horizontal bar in the middle. As she pushed it along the road, she mentally rehearsed how she would mount it.
Truth be told, she had never ridden one before.

It’s just two wheels, how hard could it be? she thought to herself.

With that in mind, she stepped onto one pedal and attempted to swing her leg over the seat.

Under the vast, clear sky, white clouds drifted lazily, and the sunlight poured onto the road, bringing a slight sense of warmth and stuffiness.

The two-wheeled bicycle wobbled unsteadily along the dirt path. Huo Yuwan gripped the handlebars tightly, her left foot pedaling in place as she mentally rehearsed her next move. Finally, she swung her right leg back, aiming for the other pedal.

But before her right leg could complete the motion, the handlebars twisted out of control, sending the bicycle veering straight toward the ditch by the side of the road.

“Whoa, whoa…!”

Huo Yuwan, her face pale with fear, gripped the handlebars tightly, desperately steering the wobbling bicycle back on course. Yet, unable to regain her balance, she stumbled and crashed onto the frame.

Clutching her waist, she pushed herself up from the ground, dusted off her clothes, and eyed the bulky black bicycle with newfound seriousness. It looked deceptively simply, but in reality, it was incredibly challenging.

“This won’t do. If I can’t even ride a bike, what’s the point of buying one?” she muttered under her breath as she lifted the bicycle upright. Determined, she decided to give it another try, perhaps she just hadn’t gotten the hang of it earlier. One more attempt, and she might succeed.

Just as she was about to step onto the pedals again, a tall figure on a bicycle approached and came to a stop right in front of her. Yang Nanjun, who had witnessed her fall, curled his lips in disdain. “I need to ask you something.”

Puzzled, Huo Yuwan glanced at him, noting his usual attire, a white shirt and black pants, unchanged as ever. “What is it?”

“Next month, the Physics Department at Nanyu University is hosting a handmade aerospace model competition. Are you going?”

His eyes swept over the dirt stains on her clothes, and he couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Someone who could craft such intricate models yet couldn’t handle a simple two-wheeled bicycle.

Huo Yuwan paused, furrowing her brows in thought. The competition sounded like it was geared toward university students. Participating would not only allow her to learn and exchange ideas with like-minded peers but also receive feedback from professors, a rare opportunity for external growth.

Moreover, the fact that Yang Nanjun had taken the initiative to inform her suggested the competition held significant prestige.

“Several professors in Nanyu University’s Physics Department are retired researchers,” Yang Nanjun explained, one foot planted on the ground and the other resting on the pedal, his tone unusually patient. “They’re well-versed in domestic and international aerospace engineering developments. Engaging with them would be a valuable opportunity.”

“Beyond just exchanging ideas, if you earn their recognition, they might even recommend you for future opportunities,” he added.

Huo Yuwan nodded. It was indeed a promising chance, though she still had some reservations. “But I’m not a student at Nanyu University. Can I still participate?” she wondered aloud, frowning.

“The competition has two categories: one for Nanyu University students and another for the public. However, the public category isn’t open to just anyone, participants must be endorsed by a Nanyu faculty member as part of a team.”

Yang Nanjun tilted his chin upward, a hint of pride in his voice. “Ask Li Xuzhi for help. Her father is a professor at Nanyu, and she studied there herself. Arranging a team advisor would be a simple phone call for her.”

Huo Yuwan immediately guessed that he was aware of the recent developments in Li Xuzhi’s family situation; otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned it so casually. She shot him a displeased look but then noticed another issue.

“A team? So it’s a group competition?” she asked, suddenly concerned about where she would find teammates.

“Don’t worry. My team is short one member, and you barely meet my criteria for recruitment,” Yang Nanjun declared arrogantly, giving her a once-over.

Well, with the team issue resolved, Huo Yuwan had no reason to refuse. “Alright, I’ll join.”

Hearing this, Yang Nanjun nodded with satisfaction. “I’ll go back soon and call someone to sign up.”

Nanyu City was quite far from their current location; even by train, it would take six or seven hours. Yang Nanjun had only learned about the competition through a phone call with a friend. Realizing today was the deadline for registration, he had rushed over on his bicycle in a frantic hurry to find Huo Yuwan.

Participating in the competition was one thing, but another reason was that he wanted to bring Huo Yuwan back to meet their relatives.

The elderly Yang couple were already advanced in years and couldn’t endure the long, arduous train journey, so Yang Nanjun had no choice but to find a way to bring her to them.

Turning a corner on his bicycle, he pedaled hesitantly and glanced at Huo Yuwan with unspoken words.

“Did you already know about our familial relationship?”

Although he had never mentioned it, judging by Huo Yuwan’s reactions on multiple occasions, she seemed to have figured something out.

Nodding, Huo Yuwan admitted candidly, “I guessed a little. I’d heard my mother talk about my maternal grandparents’ family before…”

A slight smile appeared on Yang Nanjun’s face at her words. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Since you’ve guessed, remember from now on: next time you see me, call me Uncle directly, got it?”

Glancing at the bicycle she was holding, Yang Nanjun waved a hand generously and added, “Consider this bike a meeting gift from me. Keep it.”

With that, he rode off on his bicycle with a carefree air.

Leaving Huo Yuwan standing there with a complex expression.

…

When Li Xuzhi returned at noon, Huo Yuwan told her about the Nanyu University competition.

At that moment, Li Xuzhi was sitting at the desk writing something, a black pen held between her fingers. The sunlight from the window cast a serene glow over her.

Hearing Huo Yuwan mention Nanyu, her pen paused for a moment before she nodded calmly and spoke in an even tone.

“I’ll help you make the arrangements.”

The room fell silent except for the sound of the pen scratching across paper. Huo Yuwan pressed her lips together and looked at her. “Yang Nanjun is also participating in this competition. Would you like to…”

Huo Yuwan knew Li Xuzhi’s family was in Nanyu City, and participating would give her a legitimate reason to go back and visit.

Shaking her head slowly, Li Xuzhi capped her pen. “No need.”

Her situation was different from Yang Nanjun’s. Due to health reasons, she had taken a leave of absence from school for a while, but before she could return, her family had encountered troubles. Although she never received her diploma, she had genuinely attended classes at Nanyu. Now, her status was awkward, neither a current student nor a full-fledged member of society.

Perhaps someday, when policies relaxed, she could openly return to the city and maybe even obtain a belated diploma.

Hearing this, Huo Yuwan rubbed her head. Not wanting to bring up more sad topics for Li Xuzhi, she thought about changing the subject.

“Then, could you teach me how to ride a bicycle? I don’t know how…”

As soon as the request left her mouth, Huo Yuwan felt like covering her face in embarrassment. She had no other options, she had spent the entire morning trying to teach herself, but her legs just wouldn’t cooperate enough to ride the bicycle. The village didn’t even have any bikes around, so she had no idea who else to ask for help. Left with no choice, she turned to Li Xuzhi.

After all, Li Xuzhi had ridden her back from the city last time, and Huo Yuwan was a quick learner, maybe with a little guidance, she could pick it up easily…

Upon hearing this, Li Xuzhi lowered her gaze and pondered for a moment, not finding the request the slightest bit embarrassing.

“Right now, is fine.”

Since the courtyard at home was spacious enough, Huo Yuwan steadied the bicycle at the doorway, then turned to look at Li Xuzhi, who was standing behind the bike.

“Hold the handlebars firmly with both hands, keep your eyes focused ahead, and pay attention to the path…”

“Place your left foot on the pedal for balance, then smoothly lift your right leg from the back…”

Huo Yuwan followed Li Xuzhi’s instructions step by step. However, perhaps because she had fallen too many times that morning, she couldn’t muster the courage to lift her leg now and could only hop around the courtyard on one foot.

The fox spirit crouching under the eaves grew dizzy watching her circle around.

At one point, Huo Yuwan finally managed to lift her leg, but before she could complete a full pedal, she and the bike toppled over. Fortunately, Li Xuzhi caught her in time, preventing a hard fall, though her bottom still ached from the impact. Too embarrassed to rub it in front of Li Xuzhi, Huo Yuwan endured the discomfort.

Seeing Huo Yuwan fall, Li Xuzhi suggested holding the back of the bike seat to ensure she wouldn’t fall again, but Huo Yuwan refused, worried she might accidentally kick Li Xuzhi while lifting her leg.

For the entire noon, Huo Yuwan continued to pedal around the courtyard on one foot. At one point, she even shooed her instructor, Li Xuzhi, back inside, insisting that since Li Xuzhi had to teach at the school in the afternoon, she should rest more at noon.

But Huo Yuwan’s little secret was easily seen through by the fox spirit nearby, she was simply afraid of being seen in her awkward, falling state.

As the midday sun grew increasingly harsh, a thin layer of sweat formed on Huo Yuwan’s forehead. She shook her hands, which were growing sore and weak from gripping the handlebars, and stubbornly tried again and again.

Finally, after countless silent falls, Huo Yuwan managed to wobble her way into riding the bike with both feet on the pedals, circling the courtyard unsteadily.

The fox spirit mischievously acted as an obstacle in her path, but Huo Yuwan swerved shakily to avoid it. After several attempts, each time successfully dodging, Huo Yuwan’s riding grew steadier. The fox spirit crouched nearby, cheering her on with happy barks.

“See, I knew I could learn it,” Huo Yuwan said, slightly bending over as she rode in circles around the courtyard, her eyes crinkling with pride.

Lying on the bed, Li Xuzhi, who had been listening attentively to the commotion outside, allowed a faint smile to grace her lips.