I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 101

“Can I change the character settings?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

“Stop stirring up trouble. Rong Xi might seem silly, but she’s actually very smart and sensitive. She’d definitely notice any changes,” the system replied helplessly. “I know you still want to give Rong Xi a complete and happy family, but unless you wipe her memory, it’s impossible.”

Qin Yuzhen held Rong Xi’s hand and glanced at her.

“Isn’t it better to just let it go? If you change the settings, are you planning to cozy up to the Rong family and get along with them?” the system asked. “I never realized before that you could compromise like this.”

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

“What are you looking at?” Rong Xi asked.

“Just looking at you. After all, you’ll be going home soon,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi sighed. “I don’t want to go back.” But she had no choice.

As usual, Qin Yuzhen walked Rong Xi to the entrance of her neighborhood. Rong Xi kept turning back to look at her, taking a long time just to step through the gate.

When she returned home, Rong Xi was surprised to find both her father and mother there.

It was a weekday afternoon, and seeing her father at home was unusual.

“She didn’t come in?” Mr. Rong asked.

Rong Xi nodded.

“Is she coming to the birthday banquet?” Mr. Rong continued.

“She said she’d attend as a guest,” Rong Xi replied.

Mr. Rong nodded. “You shouldn’t go out these days.”

Rong Xi was taken aback. “Why? The college entrance exams are over, and everyone’s out having fun.”

“Still thinking about fun? Look at how Qin Yuzhen has influenced you,” Mrs. Rong snapped irritably.

Rong Xi bit her lip. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her.

“Are you planning something for the birthday banquet?” Rong Xi asked.

“That’s none of your concern. Did you even try to persuade her like I asked?” Mr. Rong’s expression was no longer as gentle as before.

“She’s doing so well now, with such a bright future. How could I possibly persuade her?” In the past, Rong Xi would have already lowered her head and apologized, but now she felt like arguing back.

“How dare you speak to your father like that?” Mrs. Rong frowned. “Where are your manners?”

Rong Xi bit her lip again. “Why should she come back? So many people out there admire and value her. Why would she come back just to be treated like this?”

“Without the family’s support, she won’t get far. She’s collaborating with the Chu family, but does she think they’re trustworthy?” Mr. Rong scoffed. “Only family will truly help her.”

“She’s working for the country now. The state won’t betray her,” Rong Xi said. “The research institute values her highly—they’d love for her to stay. And unless the Chu family is out of their minds, they wouldn’t dare oppose Qin Yuzhen. Besides, she holds far more shares than Chu Can.”

“Where did she get that much money back then?” Mrs. Rong asked. “Did you give it to her?”

“Seven or eight million, even over a hundred million—if I transferred that much liquid assets, wouldn’t you have noticed?” Rong Xi said impatiently. “That was her own money.”

“So what exactly are you planning at the birthday banquet?” Rong Xi pressed. “Qin Yuzhen must have repaid you after earning money, right? Even if she didn’t say it, I don’t believe someone as proud as her would leave a debt unpaid.”

Mother Rong’s expression grew increasingly grim. Qin Yuzhen had indeed repaid the money, even calculating the interest and attaching a detailed bill. It was baffling how she could account for everything so precisely.

“Why can’t you just let her go?” Rong Xi’s eyes reddened slightly.

“She’s my daughter. Naturally, I have the right to discipline her. What do you know?”

Rong Xi didn’t want to argue anymore. She turned and went upstairs. Seeing her leave, Mother Rong raised her voice again, clearly displeased with her behavior. Once in her room, Rong Xi tried to message Qin Yuzhen but found her phone had no signal.

A signal jammer.

When she tried to leave her room, she discovered the door was locked.

Staring at the door, she truly couldn’t understand the point of their actions. Qin Yuzhen would never compromise.

Lying on her bed, Rong Xi felt a wave of frustration.

Qin Yuzhen was still at the entrance of the residential complex, not having left. Thanks to the system, she knew exactly what was happening.

She wanted nothing more than to take Rong Xi away, but she couldn’t.

Some things Rong Xi needed to figure out on her own.

Qin Yuzhen returned to the research institute.

The Rong family’s birthday banquet was in three days, and the invitation had been sent to Qin Yuzhen. Chu Can had naturally received one as well.

“You’re actually going?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Qin Yuzhen glanced at Chu Can. “I plan to take Rong Xi away with me.”

“That girl seems like such a rule-follower,” Chu Can remarked. “Are you sure she’d run off with you?”

“If someone isn’t willing to follow you, it just means you lack enough charm,” Qin Yuzhen replied with a bright smile. “Besides, I haven’t been able to reach her these past few days. I should at least check on her.”

Chu Can sighed. “Surely the Rong family wouldn’t be so extreme as to lock Rong Xi up.”

“Who knows.”

The eighteenth birthday celebration was grand, held at a manor on the outskirts of the city.

“People don’t even go this all out for weddings. The Rong family must really value Rong Xi,” Chu Can mused.

Qin Yuzhen gazed out the window without responding.

Upon arrival, Qin Yuzhen and Chu Can entered together with their invitations. The moment she stepped out of the car, eyes turned toward her.

Today, Qin Yuzhen wore a sleek, action-ready suit instead of a dress, exuding an aura that made her seem taller than she was. Walking beside Chu Can, she inadvertently made him look like her accompanying guest.

Chu Can quickly noticed this and, after exchanging only a few words with Qin Yuzhen, swiftly distanced himself, unwilling to stand beside her. Initially, he had considered bringing her along for socializing, but now he thought better of it—Qin Yuzhen hardly seemed the type for small talk.

Surveying the room, Qin Yuzhen didn’t spot Rong Xi. She probably wouldn’t appear until the event officially began. Picking up a glass of wine, Qin Yuzhen retreated to a corner.

“You’re still here?” Liang Xuzhou approached.

“What’s up?”

“Haven’t you heard the news?” Liang Xuzhou lowered his voice. “This seems to be an engagement party as well.”

Qin Yuzhen fixed her gaze on him.

“What’s going on with the Rong family lately? Have they lost their minds?” Liang Xuzhou frowned. “Or have you been causing trouble for them? Why the rush to arrange a marriage?”

“Why are you so worked up?” Qin Yuzhen narrowed her eyes at him.

“I’m worried for you.”

“Why should I be worried?” Qin Yuzhen took a sip of her wine.

“Aren’t the two of you together?”

Qin Yuzhen: ???

“How did you know?”

“Ah… I saw it.” Liang Xuzhou looked up. “Holding hands, laughing so happily, leaning against each other, and you even kissed her.”

“But don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone else.” Liang Xuzhou continued, “I just said there was something going on between you two. As expected, I was right.”

Qin Yuzhen stared at her expressionlessly.

“So, what are you planning to do? You’re not thinking of taking Rong Xi away right now, are you?”

“Just watch.” Qin Yuzhen replied, eager to demonstrate the charm of this old-school drama.

Liang Xuzhou was puzzled, but seeing Qin Yuzhen so confident, it was clear there would be quite a show later.

At 6:30 p.m., the banquet began on time.

Rong Xi, dressed in a beautiful gown, followed behind her father. Though she smiled, her expression was somewhat forced.

She spotted Qin Yuzhen, and their eyes met for a moment.

Rong Xi pursed her lips.

“I’m delighted to have everyone gathered here today to celebrate the eighteenth birthday of my two daughters,” Mr. Rong announced.

As soon as he finished speaking, murmurs erupted among the crowd.

After all, everyone knew Mr. Rong only had one daughter.

“Due to some unfortunate circumstances, my biological daughter, Qin Yuzhen, was separated from us and only recently found this year.” Mr. Rong wore a practiced, insincere smile.

Qin Yuzhen smirked—she had expected this.

Chu Can: “???”

She had suspected something was off, but she never imagined it would be this.

Rong Xi took a deep breath and clenched her fists.

“Previously, we struggled with how to handle the relationship between our two daughters. Our mishandling led to Zhenzhen leaving home. After much deliberation, we decided it was best to reveal the truth—otherwise, it would be unfair to Zhenzhen. All these years, we’ve treated Xixi as our own daughter, and we will continue to do so in the future.”

The crowd buzzed with shock once more.

Qin Yuzhen let out a derisive laugh, her expression mocking.

“Today is also the engagement banquet for Xixi and the young master of the Ye family.”

Rong Xi: “???”

“What nonsense is this? You never mentioned it to me before!” Rong Xi exclaimed. “I refuse!”

“Xixi, don’t be unreasonable.” Mr. Rong frowned. Rong Xi had never publicly embarrassed him like this before.

Qin Yuzhen was already growing impatient. Clearly, if Rong Xi married into the Ye family, she would fulfill her maximum value to the Rong family. They cared deeply about “bloodline,” and in Mr. Rong’s eyes, the Ye family’s willingness to accept Rong Xi was already a great concession.

Ahem, “I hope everyone can hear me.” Qin Yuzhen had somehow made her way onto the stage and taken the microphone. “I feel the need to clarify something. According to Mr. Rong’s earlier statement, it sounds as though I left the Rong family because of some petty tantrum over unfair treatment.”

“As someone who has never had any interest or emotional attachment to the Rong family, I couldn’t care less how they treat me.” Qin Yuzhen continued, “Moreover, the identity of being a Rong daughter holds no value to me. I hope Mr. Rong doesn’t speak of it as if it’s some grand honor. If I truly cared about this status, I would have revealed it long ago.”

“Everyone here knows my personality—do I seem like the type to obey the Rong family’s arrangements?” Qin Yuzhen said. “Since we’re all profit-driven people, I’ll be blunt. The substantial benefits behind me might tempt you to discard Rong Xi and reach out to me. But honestly, there’s nothing behind you that could possibly entice me.”

“When I left the Rong family before, I said I would pay you back. Now I’ve returned the money with interest. I hope you won’t use the so-called father-daughter relationship to coerce me into doing anything—I don’t care,” Qin Yuzhen said. “The only reason I didn’t tear up all pretenses earlier was because of Rong Xi. It doesn’t mean I have any goodwill toward the Rong family or you.”

“Also, it’s best if the Ye family doesn’t arrange a marriage alliance with the Rong family. Rong Xi will inevitably leave with me—after that, the Rong family won’t have her anymore.” Qin Yuzhen took Rong Xi’s hand and kissed her cheek. “I don’t mind fighting you all the way to the end.”