I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 39

Because the teacher had to grade exams, the first two classes the next morning were all self-study sessions, with Rong Xi substituting for the teacher at the podium.

Qin Yuzhen pulled out a book she had borrowed from the library. She had already read many of the books there, as most of the fiction authors came from the same world, and the objective books referenced in their stories were largely the same. At most, there might be fewer or more books depending on the era.

For Qin Yuzhen, finding a book she hadn’t read yet and was still interested in wasn’t an easy task.

When the grade dean came in to patrol the class, Qin Yuzhen immediately caught his eye. While the other students were hunched over their homework, only Qin Yuzhen sat with her chin propped on her hand, reading a book—standing out like a crane among chickens. And judging by her expression, it was clearly a leisure read.

“Self-study period isn’t for reading novels. What, have you already mastered everything? Think you can score first place?” The grade dean walked up to Qin Yuzhen, and the two locked eyes.

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward for a moment, and some students couldn’t help but laugh.

Because Qin Yuzhen’s face had been partially hidden by her hair earlier, the grade dean hadn’t recognized her at first. Had he seen her face, he might have pretended not to notice and walked away.

“Mainly… I don’t know what to study,” Qin Yuzhen said, still resting her chin on her hand.

The grade dean opened his mouth, then closed it. “Well, go ahead and read then. Just don’t disturb the others. If you’ve already mastered your studies, it’s fine to relax appropriately. Reading is a very suitable way to unwind.”

“How hypocritical,” someone muttered under their breath.

“Hmm? Who said that?” The grade dean scanned the classroom.

“Got it, teacher. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t disturb anyone,” Qin Yuzhen nodded.

“What are you all looking at? If your grades were as good as hers, I’d let you read extracurricular books during self-study too,” the grade dean said, clasping his hands behind his back. “Qin Yuzhen, you’re confident about this exam, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then keep reading.” Satisfied, the grade dean walked away.

The other students cast envious glances at Qin Yuzhen. Of course, envy aside, they still focused on their studies—after all, those who studied even during breaks wouldn’t waste class time on leisure.

Qin Yuzhen yawned, slumping slightly before finally laying her head on the desk, practically wearing the word “audacious” on her sleeve.

Rong Xi had originally planned to find an opportunity to urge Qin Yuzhen to study, but who knew the grade dean wouldn’t even reprimand her? She had even prepared her persuasive speech.

Qin Yuzhen slept through both classes without stirring once.

The principal also dropped by once, telling everyone to make the most of their daytime studies before leaving—without waking Qin Yuzhen.

It was enough to make anyone exclaim, “What kind of surreal world is this?”

But there was nothing anyone could do. After all, Qin Yuzhen only ever lost a few points here and there, never making any real mistakes. Deep down, everyone respected her for it.

When Qin Yuzhen finally woke up, she found Rong Xi standing beside her with a stern expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“You slept through two whole classes,” Rong Xi frowned. “Time is life. You should be doing something meaningful.”

“How do you determine whether something is meaningful?” Qin Yuzhen propped her chin on her hand again. Her life was endless, so she had long since stopped feeling that “time is life.”

Rong Xi furrowed her brows.

“I… I just know that wasting time is meaningless.”

“But sleeping isn’t a waste of time. Everyone’s different—what’s meaningful to you might not be to me.” Qin Yuzhen propped her chin on her hand. “I’ve already mastered all the high school curriculum. Honestly, just sitting here right now is a waste of my time.”

Rong Xi looked at Qin Yuzhen, puzzled by her sudden seriousness.

“So… I think I’ll start taking leave from tomorrow.”

Rong Xi: ???

Rong Xi: I knew it.

“What are you taking leave for?”

“To do something that isn’t a waste of time for me,” Qin Yuzhen replied, like making money, for instance.

Rong Xi gave her a skeptical look. “Are you just going to sleep all day at home?”

“So that’s how you’ve always seen me?” Qin Yuzhen sighed dramatically.

Rong Xi: …

“I won’t tell you. It’s a secret. But I won’t be taking leave right away—I have something to do next Monday.”

Rong Xi narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to?”

“I told you, it’s a secret.” Qin Yuzhen sighed again. “Why has my little sister changed so much in just a month? The old you wouldn’t have pressed me like this.”

“All thanks to my big sister’s excellent teaching.”

“Tch. Paying tuition?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

“Why should family pay tuition?”

“We’re not on the same household register,” Qin Yuzhen said seriously. “So we’re not family.”

Rong Xi: …

“Last time you said I was family!”

“Because I still needed you to prepare my birthday gift.” Qin Yuzhen grinned. “Little sister, mind your words.”

“Big sister, the way you talk really hurts your little sister’s feelings. All my devotion was misplaced—I was just a tool to you all along.” Rong Xi pouted, as if on the verge of tears.

“You’re wasting your talent not becoming an actress,” Qin Yuzhen deadpanned.

“Big sister, is your little sister’s sincere affection just acting to you?” Rong Xi whimpered.

Qin Yuzhen silently covered her face. “In a few days, you won’t have to talk like this anymore.”

“But… but I think talking like this is fun!”

Qin Yuzhen looked up at Rong Xi: ???

“Big sister, don’t you like it when I talk like this?” Rong Xi beamed.

When Old Wang came in for the third period, he gave Qin Yuzhen a deep look. “Didn’t sleep well at home, so you’re sleeping in class?”

“Sorry, teacher.”

Old Wang rubbed his temples. “Must be uncomfortable sleeping on the desk.”

“It really is.”

“‘It really is’—should I get you a recliner then?”

“Honestly, a recliner wouldn’t be comfortable either,” Qin Yuzhen mused.

Old Wang: …

He took a deep breath.

“The Chinese exam results are all out.” Old Wang’s expression was grim as he scanned the class. “Didn’t you all say this test was easy? Why are your scores worse than last time?”

The students, who had been laughing moments ago, immediately fell silent.

“The answer sheets haven’t reached me yet. I’ll talk to each of you individually once they’re handed back,” Old Wang said.

“You didn’t do well, did you?” Rong Xi whispered, leaning toward Qin Yuzhen.

“No way,” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Old Wang glanced down at her. “Talking in class?”

Qin Yuzhen: …

Many assumed Qin Yuzhen had performed poorly, especially since Old Wang was now glaring at her.

“What are you looking at? Qin Yuzhen scored 146, with a perfect score in the essay again—ranked first across six cities,” Old Wang said irritably.

“Wow.”

“But no matter how well she does, seeing your grades makes me want to cry!” Old Wang slammed the desk. “Rong Xi scored 140 this time, second in the school and third in the city.”

Rong Xi bit her lip.

“Teacher, who’s second?” Qin Yuzhen asked.

“That kid from Thirteenth High, one point lower than you.” Old Wang’s face brightened with a smile, his mood noticeably lighter. “Lost a point on the essay.”

“Alright, let’s start class. Take out your test papers.” Old Wang tapped the desk. “Save any discussions for after class.”

Qin Yuzhen felt a twinge of annoyance that Huo Yaoxu was only one point behind her. While scoring 146 in Chinese was already impressive, it was tough to widen the gap in the other three subjects since the maximum scores were limited.

As Ninth High learned the Chinese results, Thirteenth High naturally found out too. This time, Huo Yaoxu didn’t send any provocative messages, and their school forum remained silent. However, some bored Ninth High students went over to post.

Tsk, still looking down on our school’s top scorer Qin? 146 in Chinese—can you even dream of that? Looks like the top spot in City A is about to change hands.

The post was deleted within a minute.

After class, Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen for a long time before sighing. “Sigh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I worked so hard.” Rong Xi slumped over the desk. “Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?”

“You’re smart too,” Qin Yuzhen said. You just happened to run into a bug like me.

Rong Xi stayed silent. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t catch up to Qin Yuzhen. Even knowing it was a matter of IQ, it still hurt.

Qin Yuzhen reached out and ruffled Rong Xi’s hair. “No need to feel bad.”

Rong Xi turned to look at her.

“There will always be people better than you in this world,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Yeah, and there’ll be people better than you too.”

“Not necessarily.”

Rong Xi: “…”

By noon, the math results were out. Many students went to Old Qian’s office to check their scores, walking in with grim faces and leaving wailing in despair.

Qin Yuzhen, unsurprisingly, scored full marks again. Rong Xi came in second with 141, and Liang Xuzhou was third with 137.

“You’re not human. You’re just not human,” someone muttered as they passed Qin Yuzhen.

Rong Xi was watching the scene when the same person turned to her. “Neither are you.”

“Hey, Lao Liang, say something to ease my suffering.”

Liang Xuzhou took a moment to react. “Screw off!”

“Wow, so aggressive.”

Huo Yaoxu: Congrats on scoring full marks in math, sis.

Qin Yuzhen: Why not congratulate me for being first in Chinese too?

Qin Yuzhen: Oh no, don’t tell me you’re too petty to handle me scoring higher than you?

Qin Yuzhen: Little brother.

Huo Yaoxu stared at his phone screen. Even though Qin Yuzhen wasn’t physically present, her mocking tone was palpable.

“Host, he’s only fifteen.”

“And? I’m just two years older,” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Finally, Huo Yaoxu responded.

Huo Yaoxu: The results for the other exams haven’t come out yet. Once you rank first across all six cities, I’ll properly congratulate you, sister.

Qin Yuzhen: No worries. You can congratulate me for every single subject—I won’t mind the repetition.

Huo Yaoxu fell silent. This was the first time since their conversation began that it ended with Qin Yuzhen having the last word.