I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 36

Liang Xuzhou really wanted to pick a fight with Qin Yuzhen, but since he couldn’t win, he could only endure it silently. He planned to record her entire afternoon run and screenshot the footage—he refused to believe he couldn’t capture at least one unflattering expression.

However, when he took out his DSLR again, he found that the camera, which had barely been used in the morning, was already out of battery. Aside from calling it bizarre, he didn’t know what else to say.

Fortunately, Qin Yuzhen had only sent the photos to him. As someone with a heavy dose of vanity, he absolutely didn’t want those pictures circulating.

Qin Yuzhen came in first in the 800-meter race. Since there were no athletic students in her group, she finished in three minutes. When Rong Xi heard Qin Yuzhen’s time, she was stunned. Even with two extra legs, she doubted she could ever run that fast.

“That’s amazing,” Rong Xi marveled.

“If you practiced every day, you’d improve a lot too,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“No thanks.” Rong Xi shook her head. “I’m happy just passing.”

“No ambition.” Qin Yuzhen wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I want to take a shower.”

“Then I’ll go back to the dorm with you.”

“Okay.” Qin Yuzhen nodded.

On the way back to the dorm, Rong Xi stopped by the cafeteria to buy two fried chicken legs.

“I thought you thought you were fat?”

“I burned so many calories today—a little extra won’t hurt,” Rong Xi said.

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

“Where exactly did you burn calories?” Qin Yuzhen asked skeptically.

“I ran after you too, you know!”

“You mean those few steps you took before stopping after three or four seconds?” Qin Yuzhen shot her a doubtful look.

Rong Xi: “…”

“But I tried my best!” Rong Xi pouted. “Sis, you can’t blame me for this. I just can’t run that fast.”

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

Most people were still at the track, so the dorm was quiet.

Qin Yuzhen kept spare clothes and toiletries in the dorm. Rong Xi sat on the bed eating her chicken leg, occasionally glancing at the bathroom door as the sound of running water filled the room. She took another big bite.

Qin Yuzhen took her time showering, taking a full hour before emerging with her hair still wet. Rong Xi, who had already finished her chicken legs, was nearly asleep on the bed.

“Rong Xi.”

“Huh?” Rong Xi jolted awake, blinking at Qin Yuzhen with drowsy confusion.

Qin Yuzhen tossed the hairdryer onto the bed and sat in the chair. “Dry my hair for me.”

“Oh.” Rong Xi yawned and shuffled behind Qin Yuzhen.

Qin Yuzhen’s hair reached her waist—long and silky. Rong Xi handled it carefully.

“Your hair is so pretty,” Rong Xi mused.

“Only noticing now?” Qin Yuzhen leaned back in the chair, eyes closed.

“I’ve always wanted to ask—how do you take care of your hair and skin?”

“Born flawless.” Qin Yuzhen crossed her legs.

Rong Xi pouted.

“Your skin is fine too.”

“But yours feels even better.” As she spoke, Rong Xi brushed the back of her hand against Qin Yuzhen’s cheek.

Qin Yuzhen pressed her lips together. “Why are you touching my face again?”

“I couldn’t help it. Besides, you’re always pinching my cheeks, and I never stop you,” Rong Xi grumbled.

“It’s not the same. I’m your sister.”

“Rules for thee but not for me,” Rong Xi muttered under her breath. “Sis, you’re so mean.”

Qin Yuzhen decided not to respond.

Rong Xi gently blew her hair dry, and the room suddenly fell silent. Neither of them spoke, with only the hum of the hairdryer filling the air.

After finishing, Rong, the hairstylist, casually tied Qin Yuzhen’s hair up and smiled in satisfaction.

“Alright, let’s go. It’s just about time for lunch.”

“Mm.” Qin Yuzhen nodded. “Thanks.”

Rong Xi froze, looking at Qin Yuzhen in disbelief. “Wow, did those words just come out of my sister’s mouth?”

Qin Yuzhen: “…”

“Sister, it’s only natural for your little sister to help dry your hair. No need for thanks.”

“Shut up.” Qin Yuzhen pinched Rong Xi’s mouth—something she’d wanted to do for days.

Rong Xi frowned and slapped Qin Yuzhen’s hand in protest.

The moment Qin Yuzhen let go, the unlucky child piped up again: “Sister, you pinched me so hard. What should I do now?”

“Endure it.”

“Sister, you’re so mean.”

By the time they reached the cafeteria, it was already crowded. They barely managed to find a seat.

“I’ll get the dishes. What do you want?” Qin Yuzhen set her things on the table.

“Meat.”

“Okay.”

Rong Xi propped her chin on her hand, waiting for Qin Yuzhen to return with the food. Just then, Qin Yuzhen’s phone buzzed.

She glanced over and noticed several messages had come in.

When Qin Yuzhen returned, the messages were still coming. She was curious about who it was.

“Someone texted you.”

“Oh.” Qin Yuzhen set the dishes down and picked up her phone. “Go get the rice.”

“Alright.” Rong Xi nodded. As she walked past Qin Yuzhen, she stole a glance at the phone screen.

She didn’t catch much, but she definitely saw the words “sister.”

Who was this?

Rong Xi was itching with curiosity but couldn’t just turn back to look.

Huo Yaoxu: Sister, our school’s forum posted photos of you again.

Huo Yaoxu: Image

Huo Yaoxu: Image

…

The images were discussions from No. 13 High School’s forum. Qin Yuzhen skimmed through—most were photos taken during the sports meet, though she had no idea who had posted them there.

Qin Yuzhen: Are you suggesting I sue them for violating my portrait rights?

Huo Yaoxu: Sister, your train of thought is strange.

Qin Yuzhen: Then why send them to me? What’s your goal?

Huo Yaoxu: Everyone’s paying attention to you.

Qin Yuzhen: I’ve been the center of attention since I was little.

Huo Yaoxu chuckled at his phone. He found Qin Yuzhen quite amusing.

Huo Yaoxu: Got it.

Huo Yaoxu: So, sister, are you going to sue them?

Qin Yuzhen didn’t reply.

Though the kid was good-looking, no amount of beauty could mask his irritating nature.

“Host, you don’t like him—are you worried he’ll outscore you in exams?” the system remarked.

“Ridiculous.” Qin Yuzhen scoffed. “How could I possibly lose to him? You must be dreaming.”

“What if?”

“There is no ‘what if.’”

When Rong Xi returned, she noticed Qin Yuzhen was in a sour mood. She set the bowl down and studied her for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Qin Yuzhen took a bite of rice.

“Have you heard of that Huo Yaoxu from No. 13 High?”

“Oh, I know…” Rong Xi took a sip of soup. “He was always first in the joint exams before, winning many gold medals in competitions.”

“You can’t beat him?” Qin Yuzhen frowned.

Though reluctant to admit it, Rong Xi nodded. Even on her best exam, she had still been three or four points behind him.

Qin Yuzhen was puzzled. Who could possibly outshine the female lead? This person clearly had nothing more than a side character’s aura.

“So, sister, you must score higher than him this time!” Rong Xi said.

“Hmm.” Qin Yuzhen mused thoughtfully. “System, check his identity.”

“Already checked, nothing special,” the system replied. “Rong Xi’s grades have always been in the top three, not consistently first. Others have scored higher than her before—no need to overthink it, host.”

Qin Yuzhen picked up a piece of spare rib and took a bite.

The afternoon events proceeded smoothly, with nothing particularly noteworthy except for Qin Yuzhen astonishing everyone by throwing the shot put nine meters. She nearly broke the high school girls’ record—had the system not repeatedly urged her to hold back, she might have shattered it.

“Impressive! Interested in training for sports?” the PE teacher asked with a smile.

“Teacher, if you make the top student in the grade train for sports, the principal might come after you,” someone nearby remarked, though it was unclear whether they were joking or being sarcastic. “We’re counting on her to be the top scorer in the college entrance exams.”

“Right, aiming for the top scorer,” Qin Yuzhen said with a grin. “Are outsiders allowed to just walk in today?”

The person glanced at Qin Yuzhen and tugged at their uniform. “I’m wearing the school jacket.”

“Tch.” Qin Yuzhen pulled Rong Xi away.

Rong Xi looked back at the person several times. “Before, outsiders would sneak in during Friday events, but now they’re coming in on Wednesdays too? Don’t they have classes?”

“Who knows.” Qin Yuzhen rubbed her neck.

When the class rankings for the sports meet were announced that evening, Qin Yuzhen’s class came in second, with the sports class taking first.

As Rong Xi went up to receive the award certificate, her bright smile was unmistakable.

Qin Yuzhen couldn’t understand why Rong Xi was so happy—everyone else was thrilled too. Was this the so-called class spirit? Watching Rong Xi, she found the corners of her own lips curling up slightly without realizing it.

After happily posing for photos, Rong Xi ran down from the podium and straight toward Qin Yuzhen, only to trip and stumble forward.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” Qin Yuzhen immediately stepped forward to catch her.

“I’m not!” Rong Xi steadied herself and stomped on the ground. “See? This spot is uneven.”

“Uh-huh.”

“It really is uneven!” Rong Xi stomped twice more for emphasis.

“So dumb.” Qin Yuzhen gave Rong Xi a look of disbelief.

Rong Xi: ???

“Sister, how can you say that about me? I just tripped,” Rong Xi pouted.

“Just come back and stand properly.” Qin Yuzhen pulled her back into line and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Sister, do you dislike me?”

“Hey, sister, why aren’t you saying anything? Didn’t you promise to talk to me more?”