I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 28

Rong Xi fell silent, knowing that discretion is the better part of valor.

“I think I can walk on my own now. The wound on my leg feels almost healed,” Rong Xi said. “It actually recovered so quickly.”

“Yeah, it really is. Finally getting better. If this went on any longer, my arms would’ve gotten muscular.” Qin Yuzhen propped her chin on her hand and pinched Rong Xi’s arm. “You don’t look heavy, but you actually weigh quite a bit.”

Rong Xi: “…”

Rong Xi silently scooted to the side. She really wanted to say she wasn’t heavy, but considering Qin Yuzhen had carried her up three flights of stairs, she kept quiet. If she had to carry something of her own weight, she’d probably give up after just a few steps.

The report cards were sent to the parents’ phones. When Rong’s mother saw the results, she was surprised. She had originally thought Qin Yuzhen would barely manage to stay in the advanced class and had already prepared to send her back to the regular class. Who knew she’d perform so well? What’s more, Teacher Wang even called specifically to praise both Qin Yuzhen and Rong Xi, showering Qin Yuzhen with especially high praise.

Rong’s mother looked at the grades and smiled, sighing about how the Rong family’s feng shui was truly excellent.

When Qin Yuzhen got home, she noticed Rong’s mother looking at her with an unusually warm and affectionate smile.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah.” Qin Yuzhen frowned slightly. “Is there something you need?”

Rong’s mother’s smile stiffened for a second. “You both did well on this exam. If there’s anything you want, just tell me, and I’ll have someone get it for you.”

“I don’t really need anything,” Qin Yuzhen said. “Besides, it was just a minor test.”

“Then I’ll just transfer some money to you both.” Rong’s mother immediately pulled out her phone.

“Alright, thanks.” This time, Qin Yuzhen didn’t refuse. She had thick skin and could handle this reward.

Back in her room, Qin Yuzhen sent the honor roll photo she’d taken during the day to her biological parents. Even though they hadn’t been in contact since that last phone call, she felt they still thought about her.

Sure enough, they replied quickly, sending three “thumbs-up” emojis. They didn’t say anything else, but the typing indicator kept flickering.

By the time Qin Yuzhen finished washing her face, they had finally replied.

Qin Parents: Keep it up! Mom and Dad are proud of you!

Qin Yuzhen: Mhm.

Qin Parents: Why haven’t you changed your surname? Did something happen?

Qin Yuzhen: I just don’t want to.

Qin Parents: It’d be better if you changed it…

Qin Yuzhen: I like the character ‘Qin.’ You should rest early. I need to wash up—just got back from school.

Qin Parents: Okay.

Back in her room, Rong Xi checked her leg again. It was almost completely healed—if you didn’t look closely, you wouldn’t even notice the scar. She sent a photo to her doctor, who was also shocked by her recovery speed.

The next day at school, she insisted on climbing the stairs herself. Qin Yuzhen didn’t stop her—no one knew better than her how well Rong Xi had recovered.

“Finally, I can go to P.E. class again,” Rong Xi sighed. “I was so bored staying upstairs alone.”

“Didn’t I come up to keep you company before?” Qin Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

“Who said that? You only came back once, and then you just slept the whole time,” Rong Xi retorted, annoyed.

Qin Yuzhen did a quick count and realized she had indeed only come back once before—the time before last, she had accompanied Gu Su to the library, and the last time, she had played basketball with Cong Mian.

“Wasn’t it because you found me annoying? So, to keep you in a good mood and help your wound heal properly, I stayed away on my own,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi scoffed.

“Have you forgotten what important thing is happening today?” Qin Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

Rong Xi: “…”

Rong Xi bit her lip and didn’t respond. She had decided to speak less—fewer words meant fewer mistakes.

“Little sister, why aren’t you talking to me? Do you dislike me so much that you won’t even speak to me now?” Qin Yuzhen sighed.

Rong Xi glanced at her. “The teacher is coming soon.”

“Speak properly,” Qin Yuzhen said with a kind smile.

Rong Xi took a deep breath. “Sister, the teacher will be here soon. If they see us talking, they’ll get angry.”

Her voice softened, carrying the right tone, though she wasn’t entirely comfortable with it.

“Little sister, practice makes perfect. You’ll get used to it,” Qin Yuzhen said, laughing unkindly. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Rong Xi pulled out her book and scooted her chair slightly away from Qin Yuzhen.

Liang Xuzhou couldn’t hear what the two were saying, but judging by the smug look on Qin Yuzhen’s face, he could tell she was probably bullying someone again.

He lit a metaphorical candle for Rong Xi in his heart.

As soon as morning reading ended, Rong Xi quickly grabbed her water bottle and rushed out—only for Qin Yuzhen to follow right behind her.

“Wait for me, little sister.”

Rong Xi didn’t slow down, but Qin Yuzhen still caught her by the arm.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Sister, it’s because I’m really, really thirsty,” Rong Xi said in a small voice, glancing around as if afraid someone might overhear her exaggerated tone.

“What’s there to be afraid of? As long as you’re not embarrassed, the embarrassment will fall on someone else.”

“What are you talking about?” Gu Su sidled up and looped her arm through Qin Yuzhen’s. “Wow, Rong Xi, your leg’s all better?”

“Mhm,” Rong Xi replied with a single, restrained word.

“Zhenzhen, can you come with me to return some books during P.E. this afternoon?” Gu Su shook Qin Yuzhen’s arm lightly.

“No, sister is spending the afternoon with me,” Rong Xi said, her voice dripping with sweetness. She wasn’t sure where this sudden burst of courage had come from.

A passerby glanced at Rong Xi.

Gu Su froze, her expression nearly cracking.

“Sister, you have to stay with me—you can’t go with her!” Rong Xi mimicked Gu Su’s mannerisms, shaking Qin Yuzhen’s arm while looking into her eyes. Her face flushed red from embarrassment.

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

“Sister, why aren’t you saying anything, sister?” Rong Xi mustered her courage and called out again.

“Ah…” Qin Yuzhen nodded. “Sorry, I’ll go with Rong Xi this afternoon. She hasn’t been to P.E. in days.”

“Fine. Then I won’t return the books today. Next time, you’ll come with me.”

“Sure,” Qin Yuzhen agreed.

Gu Su shot another glance at Rong Xi, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

The two locked eyes for a moment.

“Sister, let’s go get water. Gu Su, is there anything else you need?”

Gu Su shuddered. “No, nothing. I just wanted to come see Zhenzhen.”

“Next time, it’s best not to come up here unless there’s a reason. The teacher said we shouldn’t wander between classes,” Rong Xi’s voice grew even more saccharine, having keenly noticed Gu Su’s unusual reaction.

An unexpected gain—this way of speaking was far more devastating than that fake sweet voice.