After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Bent by the Villainess (GL) - Chapter 19

When Xia Chuci arrived at the school playground, she saw only a few students jogging sporadically. Xia Quede was leaning against a tree trunk, a half-smoked cigarette pinched between his right fingers, squinting and exhaling smoke. His expression was hazy and sinister. The long-sleeved shirt he wore on his upper body was strikingly out of place in the current hot summer weather.

He was alone; the adoptive parents were not present.

Xia Chuci got straight to the point: “Why did you call me out?”

He tossed the cigarette butt, stepped on it with his foot, and said: “Of course, I came to help you.”

Xia Chuci sneered: “Help me? Why don’t you tell me what I need your help with?”

He chuckled haughtily: “Oh, you don’t know yet? Mom came this time to take you back for the wedding. It’s for that Li the Lame. Our family has already taken 20,000 yuan in bride price money from them, and they’ll give another 30,000 after you marry him.”

“Ridiculous, truly ridiculous. The bride price was taken by you, and the marriage was agreed upon by you. What does that have to do with me! Besides, if I don’t go back, can you really tie me up and drag me back?”

“Ha, we can’t do that. If we tied you up, we probably wouldn’t even be allowed on the train. But don’t get too smug too early. I have plenty of ways to make you obediently come back with us.”

Xia Chuci became alert: “What exactly do you want to do?”

He pulled out another cigarette but didn’t light it, merely sniffing it under his nose.

“What can I do? I’m unfamiliar with this place, without money, power, or connections. I may not have other skills, but I do love to talk, and my mouth has no gate. Tell me, if one day I accidentally spill the beans about those old secrets… Tsk tsk, will you still have the face to stay here then?”

She cursed: “You, you are truly despicable, shameless.”

Xia Quede was unconcerned by the insults, saying feigningly: “Don’t worry. No matter what, I am your brother. How could I watch you jump into a fire pit with my own eyes? Right?”

Whoa, good heavens. I’d be thankful if you didn’t push me in. How thick must a person’s skin be to say such utterly hypocritical words?

Xia Chuci naturally didn’t believe his nonsense and went straight to the point: “Just state your conditions. Stop beating around the bush and disgusting me.”

“Hey! Straightforward. Talking to a smart person saves effort. So, let’s be frank and not waste anyone’s time. How about this: you give me 100,000 now, and I’ll immediately take Mom and Dad home without another word. In addition, you transfer me 10,000 yuan every month, and I guarantee they won’t trouble you again.”

Xia Chuci was practically laughing with rage: “Is there something wrong with your brain? 100,000? Why don’t you just go rob someone!”

“Well, I have a sister who’s a walking ATM. Why would I need to rob someone?”

“You’re treating me like a cash machine. I’m telling you, I have no money, but you can have my life.”

“Don’t be anxious. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have it. Don’t you have a lover? That kid, Zhao Wenyang. Ask him for it. Would he dare not give it to you? I’ve already figured it out. He’s at the same school as you and wins a lot of scholarships every year. What’s 100,000 to him?”

Xia Quede stroked his chin, his eyes flashing with avarice, and continued: “If you’re too embarrassed to ask, how about I go ask for you?”

No! Absolutely not!

If Zhao Wenyang knew he was being blackmailed by this awful family, he definitely wouldn’t sit idly by. The money was a small matter, but if the issue escalated, it would surely affect his chance to go abroad as an exchange student.

No one was clearer than Xia Chuci on how important this opportunity was for Zhao Wenyang’s future.

She absolutely couldn’t hold him back!

“If you dare to go find him, I guarantee you won’t get a single cent! 100,000 is not a small sum. Give me a week to raise the money. Before then, you better not cause any trouble, or else…”

“Easy, easy. But a week is too long. Three days at most.”

“No. Five days at the minimum. The time cannot be shorter. 100,000 is not a small amount.”

Xia Quede reluctantly conceded: “Fine, five days it is. And don’t forget the monthly transfer.”

At the mention of that, Xia Chuci was furious. She said impatiently: “I’m still just a student. Even if I quit school and go to work, I can’t earn 10,000 yuan a month! You’re asking for the impossible!”

“Tsk tsk, how did someone with your brain get into college? You’re not using such good conditions, how much money are you missing out on! With your figure and your face, 10,000 a month is easily achievable.”

Xia Quede said obscenely: “I know a Big Brother who has connections. How about it? Shall I introduce you? You could earn much more than you do from studying.”

Xia Chuci’s eyes widened. She stared incredulously at the young man who claimed to be her brother.

How could a person so young have such a malicious nature? How could he utter such inhumane words?

“I’m warning you, you better not harbor any bad intentions. If you push me too far, I’ll do anything. Believe me.”

“Why are you getting so agitated after just a few words? Everything can be negotiated. How about this: you give me 100,000 first, and we’ll discuss the monthly money later.”

Xia Chuci rolled her eyes and said coldly: “I’ll contact you in five days to get the money. Before then, don’t bother me for any reason.”

With that, she turned and walked away. Spending even one more second with this kind of person was a waste of time, a waste of life.

What Xia Chuci didn’t know was that the young man spat a large amount of saliva at her retreating back, cursed “b1tch,” and then, with his hands in his pockets, humming a song, left in a very good mood.

What she also didn’t know was that the moment her wicked brother walked out the school gate, he was immediately tackled and had a sack thrown over his head.

Meanwhile, Xia Chuci was sitting in the library, her mind in a daze, her brow furrowed with worry.

Half an hour passed, and the open book on the desk hadn’t had a single page turned.

She was completely caught off guard by the messy plot timeline and didn’t know how to fix it.

The adoptive parents’ family, who were supposed to serve as a tool for the male lead Gu Xin to be a hero, appeared early. But now, Gu Xin was far abroad, and she had to resolve everything with her bare hands.

But she was just a poor student now. She didn’t look like she had the ability to take down this awful family. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

Xia Chuci tapped her messy head, hoping to recall how Gu Xin dealt with them in the original novel.

But she had only skimmed through that long, terrible flop of a novel. How could she remember all the details!

Suddenly, a light flashed through her mind.

That’s right, Xia Quede touched something he shouldn’t have, which was enough to ruin his life forever.

Recalling Xia Quede’s appearance today—it was scorching hot summer, yet he wore a long-sleeved shirt—it must have been to cover the needle marks on his arm!

So, he got addicted this early. No wonder he was so desperate for so much money, constantly pushing her into a fire pit for cash!

Once that addiction kicks in, there’s no room for kinship or humanity!

The most effective way to eliminate evil forces is to use legal means to resolve the issue.

But time was running out. She had to find strong evidence within five days and devise a perfect strategy to prevent Xia Quede from taking desperate measures and slandering her.

Although she hadn’t done anything shady, rumors were powerful. Once the rumors spread, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

After some thought, she decided to start the investigation with the Xia Liang couple. Even if Xia Quede concealed it well, his parents should have some clues, and his luggage might contain the strongest physical evidence.

She thought of many ways and excuses, but unexpectedly, none were needed. When she arrived at the hotel, the front desk told her that the guests had checked out in the morning and had been in a hurry when they left.

The front desk girl even complained that the couple had no manners, cursing loudly because the checkout procedures were too slow.

This was certainly their usual behavior.

However, what could have made them leave in such a hurry? They came here for money. It was impossible for them to leave without getting the money, and without leaving any message. Something must have happened that forced them to leave.

She had strictly warned Xia Quede this morning not to look for her for any reason. Unexpectedly, now she had to actively look for him. She called his number, but it went unanswered. After two more attempts, the phone was turned off.

Xia Chuci was puzzled: Did they offend someone and get retaliated against?

Unable to figure it out, Xia Chuci decided to leave it alone for the time being.

On the other hand, the mysterious disappearance of her adoptive parents was a good thing for her.

It would be best if they never reappeared. Ah, no, it would be best if they reappeared only after Gu Xin came back. That way, it would be none of her business.

Whose mission it is, let them do it!

Why should the male lead’s plot be piled onto the female lead? They don’t even increase the payment. Exploiting and oppressing laborers is illegal, you know!

Xia Chuci was in a great mood and decided to buy spare ribs to stew soup. Last night, she was terrified by a nightmare, and it also caused trouble for Su Yiming. She should reward her bedmate—ahem, her roommate.

She called Su Yiming, but no one answered. She guessed the other party must be genuinely busy. So, she sent a WeChat message: “I stewed spare ribs soup. Come home early to drink it,” with a pouting emoji attached.

The other party quickly replied with a simple “Okay,” and a flying kiss emoji.

Xia Chuci contentedly immersed herself in the grand project of stewing soup.

Meanwhile, in a small bar on the city’s outskirts, Su Yiming sat on a sofa with her legs crossed. She gently swirled the red wine in her glass, watching the young man collapsed on the floor, emitting continuous whimpering sounds, with an expressionless face.

This young man was none other than Xia Quede.

Su Yiming signaled with a look, and a burly man stepped forward, lifted Xia Quede up, and warned him menacingly: “Behave yourself.”

Xia Quede truly didn’t dare to move again, staying quiet as a mouse and lowering his head timidly. He was a person who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Despite how aggressive he was in front of Xia Chuci, when faced with someone more intimidating than himself, he was the biggest coward.