I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 102

“You! What are you doing?” Father Rong was shocked.

“Oh, isn’t it obvious? We’re together,” Qin Yuzhen said with a smile, looking at Father Rong. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to go public, and seeing so many people here today, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

“Disgusting! Shameful!”

“Uncle, you’re so old-fashioned,” Liang Xuzhou said sarcastically, only to be smacked on the head by his own father.

“Bravo!” Chu Can shouted, clapping enthusiastically. Those close to him joined in, and soon, everyone in the room was applauding.

Such was the power of the bandwagon effect.

Father Rong’s face darkened, while Mother Rong had already fainted from anger and been taken away.

The Ye family didn’t look too pleased either. Ye Yunshen felt like a complete joke and silently turned to leave.

“Thank you all for your blessings,” Qin Yuzhen said cheerfully. She glanced at Father Rong again. “Today is, after all, Rong Xi’s eighteenth birthday party. I hope everyone won’t let unpleasant matters ruin the mood. Please enjoy yourselves.”

“Also, I’d like to thank Chairman Rong for playing matchmaker between me and Rong Xi,” Qin Yuzhen added with a grin.

Rong Xi looked at Qin Yuzhen’s profile, then at her father. She could tell he was on the verge of exploding. It finally dawned on her—in her father’s eyes, she was just another commodity to be traded for profit.

Before, she had seemed more useful than Qin Yuzhen, so he had indulged her. Now, the tables had turned.

She felt a pang of sadness but also a sense of relief.

At least she wouldn’t have to make any more difficult choices.

“Sister, take me away. I don’t want to stay here anymore,” Rong Xi whispered.

“Alright, let’s go.” Qin Yuzhen took Rong Xi’s hand and led her off the stage.

“Stop them!” Father Rong shouted.

“I’m under state protection now. What exactly are you trying to do by stopping me?” Qin Yuzhen retorted loudly. “I suspect you have ulterior motives!”

Father Rong pointed at Qin Yuzhen, but before he could say another word, he collapsed from sheer rage.

Rong Xi bit her lip and followed Qin Yuzhen out without looking back.

“Am I being too heartless?” Rong Xi asked once they were outside.

“Sometimes, a clean break is best,” Qin Yuzhen replied, cupping Rong Xi’s face and kissing her gently.

Someone recorded the scene and posted it online, sparking multiple trending hashtags.

It was hard to say which one was more shocking.

#QinYuzhen Rong Family
#QinYuzhen Comes Out
#QinYuzhen Cuts Ties with Rong Family
#QinYuzhen Makes Rong Chairman Faint

…

Today’s Study Session: Oh my god? So they really are a couple?

Pungent Noodles Are Delicious: LOL, savage. What even was that ‘thanks for playing matchmaker’ line?

Can I Lose 10 Pounds?: I’m shipping them for real now!

Owner of a Fortune (10 Yuan): Seriously, when Qin Yuzhen led Rong Xi away, she was so cool. Mom, I want to fall in love!

How to Attract a Sugar Mommy: I think I’m turning gay. Just saying, I’m available!

…

The comments under Qin Yuzhen’s Weibo were overwhelmingly positive, as any negative ones were swiftly deleted and blocked by her assistant.

Rong Xi was surprised to see that her own Weibo still had some unpleasant private messages and comments, which made her feel down.

“I can have my assistant help clean those up for you too,” Qin Yuzhen offered.

“Forget it.” Rong Xi shook her head. “I’m just feeling a bit down, but when I think about it, it’s nothing. It’s not like they can rush over and hit me.”

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi’s expression. “That face of yours doesn’t look like just ‘a bit down.'”

“I can’t help but think about the Rong family,” Rong Xi sighed. “I still need to go back home—I have to retrieve my documents.”

“Alright,” Qin Yuzhen nodded. “Then let’s go get them before they return.”

“Mm.” Rong Xi nodded.

Truthfully, her mind was still a bit muddled. Something she had thought would be difficult to resolve had ended up being handled just like that.

When she returned to the Rong household, the servants were visibly surprised—especially when they saw Qin Yuzhen following behind her. But no one dared to ask any questions.

After going back, Rong Xi changed her clothes and made sure to take her diaries with her when she left. There were quite a few, but she only took the ones she had written after Qin Yuzhen arrived at the Rong residence.

“My admission letter will be sent to the Rong family,” Rong Xi said irritably.

“If anyone contacts me about it, I’ll tell them you’re definitely not lacking either,” Qin Yuzhen reassured her.

Rong Xi nodded.

For the next few days, Rong Xi stayed at Qin Yuzhen’s place without stepping outside.

She wasn’t in the mood to go out, and the scorching heat outside didn’t help. Her phone was flooded with messages from people fishing for information, which only added to her frustration.

Qin Yuzhen was also busy—the lab was ahead of schedule and nearing completion.

“We might have to head to the lab first,” Qin Yuzhen said, looking at Rong Xi.

Rong Xi blinked. “Alright. Honestly, I don’t really want to stay in City A anymore either.”

“Good. Then I’ll book the flights and hotel. We can go check out some houses while we’re there,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“You’re buying a place?”

“Yeah. If nothing unexpected happens, we’ll probably be staying there long-term. Might as well buy early since renovations take time. Besides, money isn’t an issue.”

Rong Xi: “…”

As someone currently strapped for cash, she sighed.

“I’ve realized that without the Rong family, I’m nothing.”

“Who says that? You’re so smart—it’s only a matter of time before you’re just as well-off.”

“You’re just comforting me.”

Qin Yuzhen kissed Rong Xi’s forehead.

Aside from Chu Can, the research institute staff, and their assistant, no one else knew about Qin Yuzhen and Rong Xi’s plans to leave City A.

Even Liang Xuzhou, who was working a summer job at Qin Yuzhen’s company, was unaware—not that he’d care if he knew. He felt like he was on the verge of death under Chu Can’s relentless workload. It was as if she had a personal vendetta against him, and his daily social media posts had turned into thinly veiled rants from an overworked employee.

Qin Yuzhen had initially wanted to inform Cheng Fei, but the girl was too busy, and her phone was unreachable. So, she gave up.

New city, new atmosphere. City S was bustling with people. The moment Rong Xi and Qin Yuzhen stepped off the plane, they instinctively put on sunglasses. Even if the chances of being recognized were slim, it was better to be safe than sorry—especially since the two of them were still trending online.

Chu Can had arranged for someone to pick them up and take them to the hotel. As they walked, Rong Xi was once again reminded of the dread she felt accompanying Qin Yuzhen on house-hunting trips.

“Have you decided where you want to buy the house?” Rong Xi asked.

“It needs to be close to both the university and the lab. Luckily, the lab isn’t too far from the campus. Barring any surprises, we should both get into S University,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Mm.” Rong Xi nodded. “I like S University too.”

“Really?”

“It’s the best university in the country—why wouldn’t I like it?” Rong Xi said with a smile.

Due to local home-buying restrictions, Qin Yuzhen and Rong Xi could only purchase a commercial apartment. After several days of searching, they settled on a penthouse in a high-end development—a duplex spanning over 800 square meters, complete with a rooftop pool and panoramic views of the city skyline and distant ocean.

Rong Xi was stunned when Qin Yuzhen insisted on paying the full amount upfront—after all, it was a property worth over a hundred million.

“Where did you get that much liquid cash? You didn’t—”

“I didn’t embezzle company funds,” Qin Yuzhen said helplessly. “I sold a few small patents. Why do you always assume the worst of me?”

Rong Xi: “…”

“Once the paperwork is done, we can move in,” Qin Yuzhen said. “At this price, the interior design shouldn’t have any issues.”

Even so, she had her system double-check everything before signing the contract.

When Chu Can found out Qin Yuzhen had already bought a place so quickly, she was at a loss for words. Learning which complex it was only deepened her dismay.

Who would’ve thought? She was about to become Qin Yuzhen’s neighbor.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Qin Yuzhen knew something was up when the other end of the call went silent.

“What a coincidence—I live right below you,” Chu Can said mournfully.

“Tch. If you’d told me earlier, I wouldn’t have bought here,” Qin Yuzhen scoffed.

Chu Can: “???”I haven’t even complained yet, and you have the nerve to dislike me?”” Chu Can’s voice rose an octave.

“Why wouldn’t I have the nerve?” Qin Yuzhen laughed. “Just don’t come upstairs mooching food and drinks later.”

“Am I that kind of person?”

“Who knows?”

“Goodbye. Don’t call me again.” Chu Can hung up.

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi, who looked exasperated.

“See? I’m clearly the more patient one,” Rong Xi said.

“I wouldn’t talk to you like that either.”

“You absolutely did before,” Rong Xi insisted. “I remember everything.”

Qin Yuzhen: “???”

“You remember everything?”

“Mm.” Rong Xi nodded. “I didn’t even keep a daily diary before you came along. You annoyed me so much I started writing every single day.”

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

What to do when your girlfriend suddenly dredges up the past?

Why did she have to bring it up so abruptly? No warning at all.

“Ah…”

“That’s all you have to say after half a day?” Rong Xi frowned.

“Back then, I…” Qin Yuzhen wanted to explain but thought better of it. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Wow, that was a painfully obvious subject change,” Rong Xi chuckled.

“Great, since you said ‘anything,’ let’s make hot pot at home. So we’ll go to the supermarket together now.” Qin Yuzhen grinned.

Rong Xi lightly smacked her arm. “But I don’t want to wash the pot. Let’s eat out instead. Speaking of which, how long has that place been renovated? Could there be formaldehyde?”

“Not much, but we could invite some people over to help air it out,” Qin Yuzhen suggested.

Rong Xi: “…”

“How shameless.”

“I read online that it speeds things up.”

“But we don’t know many people here either.”

“Chu Can will be coming soon, so we can invite her first,” Qin Yuzhen said. “Then we can say we want to get to know more people in the area. Besides, it’s only natural to host a gathering after buying a new house, so…”

Rong Xi: You really are the master of shady schemes.