I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 11

Rong Xi reluctantly let go and sat alone on a nearby chair, watching Qin Yuzhen and Gu Si play badminton.

Qin Yuzhen was clearly going easy on Gu Si, sending every shot at just the right speed to land where Gu Si could easily return it. Though Gu Si’s returns were tricky, Qin Yuzhen managed to catch nearly all of them.

Rong Xi had originally planned to wait until Gu Si was done so she could take the racket back, but to her surprise, they played straight through until the end of class.

Qin Yuzhen had her back turned the whole time and never once glanced her way.

“Zhenzhen, you’re amazing! Playing with you is so much fun. I thought you might find me too weak,” Gu Si said, hugging her racket as she skipped over to Qin Yuzhen. “Let’s play again next gym class!”

“Doesn’t your homeroom teacher make you go back to study during gym?” Rong Xi walked over and asked before Qin Yuzhen could respond.

Gu Si glanced at Rong Xi and smiled sweetly. “Our teacher said if we rank in the top five of our grade, we can skip study hall. I’ve always been in the top five. I never skipped before because no one was worth giving up study time for—but now, I think Zhenzhen is worth it.”

Qin Yuzhen shot Gu Si a sidelong look.

Rong Xi suppressed her irritation. “Give me the racket. I’ll return it with her.”

“No need. You should go back and study,” Gu Si said, eyeing Rong Xi. “I hogged the racket for most of the class—how could I ask you to return it for me?”

“You’re not heading the same way as us, so you can go ahead. Rong Xi and I will return them,” Qin Yuzhen said, noticing the flush creeping up Rong Xi’s neck.

Gu Si pouted. “It’s not that far out of the way.”

“Aren’t we having dinner together tonight?” Qin Yuzhen reached out and ruffled Gu Si’s hair, taking the racket from her. “Go on ahead.”

“Okay! You promised, remember?”

“Yeah, I’ll wait for you outside your classroom later,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Great! Don’t forget!” Gu Si grinned, then shot Rong Xi a look. “Oh, Rong Xi, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. Why would I?”

“Then I’ll head back first.” Gu Si left as quickly as she had arrived.

Qin Yuzhen shoved both rackets into Rong Xi’s hands and picked up the shuttlecock, tossing and catching it idly. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. Don’t forget to make the silver-stuffed bean sprouts for me.”

Rong Xi: “…”

“Do you need help finding a recipe? I can look it up for you,” Qin Yuzhen added.

“No, I’ll find it myself!” Rong Xi bit out each word.

Qin Yuzhen looked at her face and couldn’t help but laugh. “You can glare at me like this—why not do the same to Gu Si?”

“Because she knows how to play the victim,” Rong Xi snapped. “Besides, the Gu and Rong families have ties. It wouldn’t look good if I openly fought with her.”

“You really live a tiring life.”

Rong Xi didn’t respond. If Gu Si ever found out she wasn’t really a Rong, just someone who’d been switched at birth… She shuddered. Knowing Gu Si’s personality, she probably wouldn’t mock her outright, but there was a 99% chance she’d convey her disdain through looks alone.

And then there were all these people around her who seemed to like her now—who knew if they’d still feel the same once they learned she wasn’t the real Rong family heiress?

She used to think most of the people around her stayed because of her personality, but now… she wasn’t so sure.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Yuzhen noticed Rong Xi’s face turning slightly pale. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Rong Xi shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

The two returned the rackets and then stopped by the school’s small convenience store. Qin Yuzhen bought two bottles of milk and handed one to Rong Xi. “Stop overthinking things all the time.”

Rong Xi took the milk, spinning it in her hands. “I’m not overthinking.”

“When you try to argue, at least control your expression. And don’t look so pale—it makes your excuses completely unconvincing.” Qin Yuzhen stuffed her own milk into Rong Xi’s hood, then shoved her hands into her pockets.

Rong Xi glared at Qin Yuzhen and pulled the milk out. “I said that because I don’t want you to bother with me.”

“Oh, but I will.”

“Looking after my little sister’s mental health is my responsibility as the older one.” Qin Yuzhen smiled at Rong Xi. “Don’t worry about troubling me.”

Rong Xi: “…”

She felt that if her mental state ever truly collapsed, there was an 80% chance it would be because of Qin Yuzhen.

Back in the classroom, Qin Yuzhen took her milk from Rong Xi’s hands. “Thanks.”

Rong Xi stared at her, astonished that someone could be too lazy to even carry a bottle of milk.

“Did you make Rong Xi cry?” Pei Jingyue turned to Qin Yuzhen.

“Who made her cry? She cried on her own.” Qin Yuzhen was exasperated. The rumor mill worked fast.

Pei Jingyue patted Qin Yuzhen’s shoulder. “Be careful. Rong Xi has a pretty obsessive admirer who might come after you.”

“Got it.” Qin Yuzhen nodded, then cracked her knuckles. “System, is there such a person?”

“Yes, a minor antagonist. Originally, he was supposed to go after the male lead…” The system sighed. “The youngest son of the Zhao family. He likes Rong Xi but is too scared to confess, so he calls himself her ‘protector.’ Of course, Rong Xi has no idea he exists. People talk about it privately, but no one mentions it to her face.”

“This guy only picks on people from less influential families. The male lead is attending school under a hidden identity, so…”

“Ah.” Qin Yuzhen nodded, glancing at Liang Xuzhou beside her.

Noticing her gaze, Liang Xuzhou looked back.

“Your desk mate might be in trouble soon,” Qin Yuzhen said gravely.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Qin Yuzhen rapped her knuckles on the desk. “I’m your desk mate. Doesn’t that mean something?”

In a small world like this, having subordinates was essential. After all, as a princess, how could she not have attendants? Otherwise, she’d have to buy and carry her own milk.

System: “…”

Liang Xuzhou stared at Qin Yuzhen expressionlessly.

“If I get bullied, I’ll be in a bad mood. If I’m in a bad mood, I’ll take it out on you. Then you’ll suffer. So, do you think it has anything to do with you?”

Liang Xuzhou: “???”

“What kind of twisted logic is that?” Liang Xuzhou studied Qin Yuzhen and laughed. “Besides, someone like you getting bullied?”

“Host, don’t act up,” the system warned.

Qin Yuzhen sighed dramatically. “I’m just worried I can’t fight them alone, so I need backup. You look like you could…”

She gave Liang Xuzhou a once-over, shook her head, and sighed with regret: “Forget it, you really don’t look up to the task. I’ll handle it myself.”

Liang Xuzhou: “…”

Using reverse psychology on a hot-blooded young man usually works like a charm.

“What do you mean I’m not up to it? How about the top dog of Ninth High?” Liang Xuzhou slammed the table and declared.

The system watched as Liang Xuzhou took the bait and silently lit a candle for him.

The teacher at the podium also slammed the table: “Alright! Let’s hear it from the so-called ‘top dog of Ninth High’—what was I just talking about?”

Qin Yuzhen silently lowered her head and burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking violently.

“And you, the new girl, right? What are you laughing at? You stand up too! If he can’t answer, you will!”

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

Liang Xuzhou scoffed as well, only to hear Qin Yuzhen beside him flawlessly repeat the question the teacher had posed during the lecture—and even answer it.

He turned to look at Qin Yuzhen, his face screaming, “You were actually paying attention?”

The teacher glanced at Qin Yuzhen: “Fine, you can sit down. As for you, ‘top dog,’ you’re standing for the rest of the class.”

Qin Yuzhen couldn’t help but laugh again, and soon the whole class joined in.

Rong Xi studied Qin Yuzhen curiously. She wasn’t close to Liang Xuzhou, but she knew he wasn’t the type to slam tables in class. She was certain his outburst had everything to do with Qin Yuzhen. But how had Qin Yuzhen managed to carry on a conversation while simultaneously answering the teacher’s question?

Liang Xuzhou remained standing for the entire class, his expression darkening by the minute when the bell finally rang.

“You knew and didn’t warn me?”

“Huh? How was I supposed to know you didn’t know?” Qin Yuzhen packed her books. “Sorry, desk mate, but I’m off to have lunch with a pretty girl. Can’t console your wounded pride. See ya.”

Rong Xi, who had just walked over, fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“Pretty girl, let’s eat. Why are you just standing there?” Qin Yuzhen shot Rong Xi a glance.

Rong Xi blinked and pointed at herself. “Me?”

“Hmm? Who else? Liang Xuzhou?” Qin Yuzhen glanced at Liang Xuzhou before looking away dismissively.

Liang Xuzhou frowned, feeling personally attacked.

Rong Xi’s lips curled slightly. She had assumed Qin Yuzhen meant Gu Su.

The system, observing Rong Xi’s expression, sighed inwardly—another fool. Qin Yuzhen had merely called her “pretty girl,” and she was already happy? What was there to be happy about?

Because Rong Xi was in a good mood, she was still smiling as they went to meet Gu Su.

Gu Su was waiting at the stairwell. Noticing Rong Xi’s smile, she was surprised but didn’t show it. Instead, she naturally slipped between the two and linked arms with Qin Yuzhen.

“I waited forever. I thought you weren’t coming,” Gu Su complained softly.

“Of course I was. I kept it in mind,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi walked to Qin Yuzhen’s other side. “Yeah, though if I hadn’t reminded her, she would’ve gone down the east staircase instead.”

“I just didn’t know which way was closer,” Qin Yuzhen retorted, turning to Rong Xi before grabbing her wrist. “Stick close, little sister. Wouldn’t want you to get lost.”

“I want you to hold my hand too. I might get lost as well,” Gu Su said, batting her eyes at Qin Yuzhen.

Qin Yuzhen said, “Holding one in each hand makes it look too much like leading children around. It’s better just like this.”

“Alright,” Gu Su tightened her grip on Qin Yuzhen’s arm.