I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 24

Rong Xi watched Qin Yuzhen’s smile and pursed her lips, not daring to say anything more.

Qin Yuzhen took out her phone and called their homeroom teacher—she hadn’t asked for leave when she left earlier.

“Teacher, I’m taking Rong Xi to the hospital. The injury on her leg is quite serious.”

“Mhm, we should be able to make it back for the afternoon exam. Someone’s already come to pick us up, and we’ve left the school.”

“Oh, and there’s someone from the international class who forced their way along with us,” Qin Yuzhen added, glancing at the person in the passenger seat. “I think his name is Ye something.”

Rong Xi: “…”

Ye Yunshen also turned to look at Qin Yuzhen.

“Well, maybe he just doesn’t want to take the exam.”

“Got it.” Qin Yuzhen hung up. “Please inform his teacher, then.”

Rong Xi glanced at Qin Yuzhen. “He’s just worried about me…”

“Hmph.” Qin Yuzhen scoffed. “No manners at all.”

“Miss Qin, I don’t think I’ve done anything to provoke you,” Ye Yunshen said, unable to hold back. He couldn’t understand where Qin Yuzhen’s hostility toward him was coming from.

“Really? So you don’t think forcing your way into someone else’s car is offensive?” Qin Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

If this had happened back when she was still a princess, someone like him would’ve already lost his head.

“I was the one who took her to the infirmary. Of course I’d want to make sure she’s alright before leaving,” Ye Yunshen said patiently.

“And you don’t trust me, her own sister, to take care of her?” Qin Yuzhen leaned back in her seat.

Rong Xi: “…”

“Brother Ye, my sister is just concerned about me, so…”

“What did you just call him?” Qin Yuzhen turned to her with an expressionless face.

“Brother… Ye? That’s what I’ve called him since we were kids,” Rong Xi said, shrinking slightly under Qin Yuzhen’s gaze.

“Change it.” Qin Yuzhen crossed her arms. “You’re my sister, not his. And you’re not a child anymore—you can’t keep acting like one.”

She flashed a sweet smile.

Rong Xi muttered under her breath, “Last time, you said I was immature because I’m still a minor…”

Qin Yuzhen’s temper flared up layer by layer. Losing the protagonist’s halo was one thing, but she never expected this damn male lead to try and steal her sister too? Hearing Rong Xi’s words, she shot her another look, and Rong Xi immediately shut her mouth.

“Host, you’re being completely unreasonable.”

“Didn’t you already know that?” Qin Yuzhen crossed her arms.

Rong Xi quietly covered her leg. “Sis, my leg hurts.”

“It’ll hurt even more later. You might even need stitches,” Qin Yuzhen said with a cold laugh.

Rong Xi stiffened, staring at Qin Yuzhen’s face. “Are you trying to scare me?”

“No.”

Rong Xi was on the verge of tears—this time, she really wanted to cry. Earlier, she had only teared up, but the word “stitches” alone made her shudder.

“Why do you always scare her like this?” Ye Yunshen couldn’t bear seeing Rong Xi’s pitiful expression.

“This is how we sisters interact. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to get out of the car.” Qin Yuzhen said coolly. “I wonder if the Ye family ever taught you not to meddle in other people’s business?”

Ye Yunshen was left speechless. He glanced at Rong Xi, who sat there obediently, this time not speaking up for him.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Qin Yuzhen carried Rong Xi inside, swiftly making her way through the entrance where a wheelchair was already waiting for them.

Rong Xi was seated in the wheelchair and pushed along as they moved through the hospital, which had been prearranged for their arrival.

As expected, stitches were necessary—the wound was too deep. When the doctor delivered the news, Rong Xi’s expression twisted in distress. She teetered on the verge of tears several times but stubbornly held them back to save face.

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Ye Yunshen. “Did I scare her?”

Ye Yunshen: “…”

Though anesthesia was administered, Rong Xi still felt as though she could sense the needle and thread weaving through her flesh. Lying on the bed, tears streamed down her cheeks, her pitiable appearance tugging at the heartstrings.

Standing nearby, Qin Yuzhen watched for a moment before stepping forward to cover Rong Xi’s eyes. Using a special ability card, she whispered softly, “Don’t be afraid.”

“Sniff… there’s definitely going to be a scar now,” Rong Xi whimpered, her voice thick with tears.

“They’re using cosmetic sutures,” Qin Yuzhen reassured her.

“Sniff… but it still won’t look the same as before.”

“It will,” Qin Yuzhen insisted. “Weren’t you just saying it wasn’t a big deal as long as your leg was still intact?”

“Sniff…” Rong Xi sobbed, but then she suddenly realized the pain in her leg had miraculously vanished.

“There won’t be a scar,” Qin Yuzhen said firmly. “You have to trust the doctor.”

Rong Xi clutched Qin Yuzhen’s wrist. “But I’m still scared.”

“Were you pushed, or was it just the crowd?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

Rong Xi paused, trying to recall. “I can’t remember… I don’t even know how I fell.”

“We’ll check the surveillance footage when we get back,” Qin Yuzhen said, glancing once more at Rong Xi’s leg. “Done. The stitches are finished.”

“That fast?”

“Mhm. The doctor’s skilled,” Qin Yuzhen replied. “And they’ve done a neat job.”

Rong Xi propped herself up on the bed to examine her skin. The sutures were buried beneath the flesh, barely visible. “Will it hurt a lot when the anesthesia wears off?”

“No, it won’t. Let’s go get your tetanus shot and then do a full-body checkup.”

“Huh?” Rong Xi looked up at Qin Yuzhen, bewildered. “That’s so much trouble…”

She had been about to say it wasn’t necessary, but the look on Qin Yuzhen’s face made her swallow her words and obediently follow the plan.

Though Ye Yunshen had accompanied them, he gradually faded into the background, to the point where even Rong Xi forgot he was there. When the driver brought over meals, she hesitated upon noticing there were three servings.

Rong Xi was given plain congee with simple side dishes, while Qin Yuzhen and Ye Yunshen had three dishes and a soup.

“But… didn’t they just say I shouldn’t eat anything spicy or irritating?” Rong Xi eyed her congee, then the chicken leg in Qin Yuzhen’s bowl.

“Just make do with this for lunch. We’ll head back to school after the last test,” Qin Yuzhen said, taking a bite of meat. “You can eat whatever you want tonight.”

“Oh.” Rong Xi nodded.

By the time all the examinations were completed and they returned to school, it was already past one in the afternoon.

“Should I take her upstairs?” Ye Yunshen glanced at Qin Yuzhen, still convinced that her earlier act of carrying Rong Xi had been nothing but sheer bravado.

Their classroom was on the third floor.

“No need. I’ll carry her up.” Qin Yuzhen helped Rong Xi out of the wheelchair and left it at the bottom of the stairs.

Rong Xi shot Qin Yuzhen a look. “It’s the third floor… I’m not heavy, but still…”

“Who do you think you’re looking down on?” Qin Yuzhen picked Rong Xi up. “And don’t tell me you actually thought he could carry you up to the third floor. Young Master Ye, thanks, but you can head back now.”

Ye Yunshen watched as Qin Yuzhen effortlessly carried Rong Xi upstairs.

“What about the exam later?” Rong Xi asked, her arms wrapped around Qin Yuzhen’s neck.

“I already talked to the homeroom teacher. We can switch your exam location,” Qin Yuzhen replied. “You’ll swap with Liang Xuzhou. He’ll take the exam at your seat.”

“That’s great, but won’t he be unhappy about it?” Rong Xi sounded a little worried.

“He’s always happy to help. He won’t mind.” Qin Yuzhen carried Rong Xi into the classroom.

Old Qian glanced at the two of them. “Is her leg okay?”

“She probably won’t be able to walk for the next few days.” Qin Yuzhen set Rong Xi down in her seat and adjusted her leg. “Don’t scratch it.”

“Okay.” Rong Xi wanted to say her leg didn’t hurt or itch, so there was no need to scratch.

“You kids are always pushing and shoving on the stairs. See what happens now?” Old Qian grumbled.

Qin Yuzhen returned to her seat.

“You carried her up here?”

“Yeah.” Qin Yuzhen opened her book and flipped to a random page.

“Damn.”

“Did the teacher tell you? You’re switching exam spots with Rong Xi.”

“She did. Why not switch with you instead?” Liang Xuzhou complained.

“Because I’m the one carrying her downstairs,” Qin Yuzhen shot back. “If it were you, could you even manage that?”

“Just because I can’t beat you in a fight doesn’t mean I’m weaker than you,” Liang Xuzhou retorted.

Qin Yuzhen gave him a look. “Clearly, you still don’t have a realistic understanding of yourself.”

“Arm wrestle after class.”

“Bring it on.” Qin Yuzhen glanced at the clock on the wall. “Five minutes left.”

Liang Xuzhou rubbed his wrist. This was his chance to redeem himself.

As soon as class ended and Old Qian left, Liang Xuzhou slammed his hand on the desk. “Let’s go.”

For the next nine seconds, Liang Xuzhou’s hand met the desk three times.

It went something like this:

“One, two, three.”

Slap.

A crowd had gathered, stunned by how quickly Liang Xuzhou lost. It felt like a dream.

“Liang Xuzhou, you’re weak. How can you lose to a girl?” a passing guy remarked.

“Were you going easy on her? That ended way too fast.”

“Old Liang, you’re pathetic.”

Amid the chatter, Liang Xuzhou caught the deep disdain hidden behind Qin Yuzhen’s bright, gentle smile. Instead of redeeming himself, he’d only humiliated himself further.

He grabbed his pencil case and pushed through the crowd, forcing a casual tone. “Alright, alright, break it up. Exams are coming up. What’s everyone crowding around for?”

Qin Yuzhen scoffed. Rong Xi, eager to see what was happening, hopped over on one foot. The crowd politely made way for her, but by the time she arrived, the excitement was already over.

“What happened?” Rong Xi asked curiously.

Before Qin Yuzhen could answer, a nearby guy chimed in, “Old Liang arm-wrestled her and lost. Tsk, tsk. Lost real fast.”

The guy kept glancing at Qin Yuzhen, clearly itching for a challenge himself.

“After the exam, let’s give it a try,” he said before darting off.

Qin Yuzhen tucked her pen into the pencil case and glanced at Rong Xi, who was already sitting in Liang Xuzhou’s seat. “Do well on the exam.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t blame it on your leg if you can’t outperform me later,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi huffed. “Don’t worry, my leg won’t affect how well I perform.”