I Don't Want to Be the Villainess Anymore - Chapter 40

After the math scores were released, the entire grade fell silent. When Qin Yuzhen and Rong Xi went to fetch water, they noticed the hallway was much emptier than usual.

“I’m curious about how your brain is wired,” Rong Xi said, staring at Qin Yuzhen’s head ever since the math results came out.

“What, you wanna cut it open and take a look?” Qin Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

Rong Xi filled her cup with boiling water, screwed the lid on, and ignored her. In moments like these, staying silent was the best option—no matter what she said, Qin Yuzhen would probably snap back. Better to say nothing at all.

By the evening self-study session, all the grades had been posted, though the city-wide rankings for the six districts hadn’t been released yet—only the school rankings.

“Damn, Qin Yuzhen scored 746 total! First in the city!”

“Just one point higher than that Huo kid from Thirteenth High, hahaha! Their school must be fuming!”

“Hahaha, and they still look down on our school.”

…

Someone’s loud exclamation in the hallway instantly stirred up chatter.

Leaning against her desk, Qin Yuzhen yawned and glanced toward the commotion outside.

“I told you, there was no way there’d be any surprises,” she said, rubbing her neck. Even if it was just by one point.

Rong Xi scooted closer and reached out to touch Qin Yuzhen’s head, only for her wrist to be caught mid-air.

“What are you doing?”

“Just looking.”

“Don’t touch my head without permission,” Qin Yuzhen warned.

“Will it stunt your growth?” Rong Xi blinked.

“Just don’t touch it.” Qin Yuzhen suddenly realized how close they were when she felt Rong Xi’s breath. She let go and pushed her back. “Stop messing around.”

“Wow, so stingy, sis.” Rong Xi rubbed her wrist—Qin Yuzhen had gripped it a little too hard.

“Yep.” Qin Yuzhen was still waiting for Huo Yaoxu to message her, but the brat hadn’t said a word yet.

Guess he couldn’t handle losing.

It wasn’t until after school that Huo Yaoxu finally sent a message.

Huo Yaoxu: Congrats, sis. First in the six districts.

Qin Yuzhen: The rankings haven’t even been released yet.

Huo Yaoxu: No one’s scoring higher than you.

Huo Yaoxu: Next time, I’ll beat you.

Qin Yuzhen: Oh. Well, good luck with that.

…

Lying in bed, Qin Yuzhen opened Thirteenth High’s forum. The first post at the top immediately caught her eye.

Your school predicted the six-district first place, yet out of 100+ guesses, not a single one was right. Truly impressive.

The comments were already a mess, mostly arguing that since Huo Yaoxu was two years younger than Qin Yuzhen, losing by just one point wasn’t anything to brag about.

Honestly, Qin Yuzhen found the comparison pointless—just like the poll. Probably something that only happened in novels. Who in real life would waste time on something so trivial?

Still, she replied to the comment about age.

Qin Yuzhen: So you, who’s probably my age or older, scored way lower than me. Tsk…

“Host, didn’t you just say it was pointless?” The system sounded exasperated. One second she calls it boring, the next she’s throwing shade.

“Yeah, but I couldn’t help it. Since we’re in a novel, might as well play by its rules,” Qin Yuzhen said, leaning back against the headboard.

“Though, to be fair, you are way older than him. And way more experienced.”

“There’s no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. My experience was earned through my own efforts—it didn’t just fall from the sky. If I had slept through all the previous worlds and never learned anything, I’d still be an ancient princess with no modern knowledge,” Qin Yuzhen remarked nonchalantly.

“In places with vastly different education standards, they still use the same college entrance exam papers, yet the cutoff scores vary. Sometimes, chasing fairness just traps you in a logical paradox.”

“Besides, I have thick skin. And let’s be clear—I wasn’t the one who started the provocation. They came after me first, okay?” Qin Yuzhen said. “Do I look like someone who’d blush over bullying the weak?”

System: “…”

She couldn’t stay serious for more than two seconds.

Because Qin Yuzhen herself had appeared in the thread, someone shared the post, drawing even more onlookers.

Rong Xi saw it too and could only admit that Qin Yuzhen’s words were truly cutting. She clearly hadn’t mastered that level of sharpness yet.

Falling Flowers: You’re really full of yourself. Huo Yaoxu has ranked first so many times and never acted this arrogant.
Qin Yuzhen: You can’t even score that high, yet you’re here pointing fingers at me, while I’m not even allowed to retort. Who’s the arrogant one here?

Today’s Weather is Nice: Typical of someone from Ninth High. Is this what rich people call class?
Qin Yuzhen: And is this what Thirteenth High’s so-called top students call class? Starting a pointless poll, looking down on others, then getting the prediction wrong—and now I’m not even allowed to say anything? Just because I’m rich, I should let you slap me in the face? What kind of rule is that? Never heard of it.

Thirteenth High’s Strongest: Your average scores still can’t beat ours.
Qin Yuzhen: Don’t change the subject. Weren’t we talking about who’s first?

…

Sun Yi: Have you guys seen Ninth High’s forum? Boss Qin is in a full-on argument.
Li Er: Watching it right now. It’s too good. I was supposed to organize my mistakes, but I haven’t written a single thing.
Zhou San: Can’t deny she’s got a lot of free time. But Thirteenth High’s people are going a bit too far.
Bai Si: I joined in too, but I can’t out-argue Thirteenth High’s crowd.

Rong Xi scrolled through the class group chat. Many were discussing the thread, and most had seen it. She sighed inwardly. Even Liang Xuzhou had checked Thirteenth High’s forum and could only conclude that Qin Yuzhen was being unusually polite when talking to her.

The ones making noise on the forum were always just a small fraction—many of whom might not even be who they claimed to be. Most students from Ninth High and Thirteenth High, though aware of their rivalry and not particularly fond of each other, didn’t resort to online bickering. They were all seniors in high school and knew time was precious.

Qin Yuzhen: Where’d everyone go? Keep it coming. I’m bored.
Huo Yaoxu: Sis, I checked the IP addresses. A lot of these people aren’t even from Thirteenth High. Don’t take it to heart.
Qin Yuzhen: I know. I’m just killing time.
Huo Yaoxu: …

Rong Xi, who had been refreshing the thread, narrowed her eyes at the word “sis.” Remembering what she’d glimpsed that day, she snorted softly. She won’t let me call her ‘brother,’ but she’s got no shortage of little siblings, huh?

After a while, many people from No. 13 High School came forward to apologize to Qin Yuzhen, explaining that they had started the poll just out of boredom. The person who created the poll didn’t know Qin Yuzhen, which was why she wasn’t included—there was no intention of looking down on her.

Soon after, that post disappeared.

Qin Yuzhen sighed. “The fun’s gone.”

“Host, I think you’re the bored one here.”

“I really am bored,” Qin Yuzhen admitted, burrowing under the covers and turning off the light.

The next day, when she arrived at school, the person checking uniforms at the gate happened to be the grade-level principal for the senior class. Upon seeing Qin Yuzhen, he beamed with delight, a stark contrast to the impatience he had shown during meetings before.

Qin Yuzhen felt like she could practically speed through the school grounds now.

“Good morning, teacher.”

“Good morning,” the principal replied with a smile. “You did very well on this exam. Keep it up.”

“Will do.” Qin Yuzhen smiled sweetly in return.

The citywide rankings were out: Qin Yuzhen was first, Huo Yaoxu second, and Rong Xi third. No. 9 High School had claimed two of the top three spots, and the grade-level principal walked with an extra spring in his step. The school’s average score was only slightly lower than No. 13 High’s, placing third in the city—a significant improvement from their usual fifth or sixth position.

When Qin Yuzhen entered the classroom, she saw a group of boys crowding around Liang Xuzhou.

“Hey, Lao Liang, say something.”

“Come on, Lao Liang, don’t be shy. Look at Rong Xi over there.”

“Hahahaha, good morning, Lao Liang!”

Liang Xuzhou had his head buried in his arms on the desk, motionless, like an ostrich hiding in the sand.

To be fair, Liang Xuzhou had actually done quite well—ranking third in the class was a huge leap forward. But unfortunately for him, the person he had made a bet with was Qin Yuzhen.

“Lao Liang, good morning,” Qin Yuzhen rapped her knuckles on his desk.

Liang Xuzhou didn’t budge.

“Sister, why isn’t Liang Xuzhou responding to us? Is he sick? Should we call 120?” Rong Xi asked in a deliberately high-pitched voice.

“You might be right. Maybe there’s something wrong with him, considering we’ve been calling out to him for so long.”

Liang Xuzhou finally lifted his head and glared at Qin Yuzhen, then at Rong Xi, looking utterly betrayed. “How could you join forces with Qin Yuzhen?”

“She’s my sister,” Rong Xi said innocently.

“Lao Liang!”

Liang Xuzhou gritted his teeth. “Good morning~~~ Happy now?”

“Ugh…”

The group immediately scattered.

Liang Xuzhou: “…”

The damage was minimal, but the humiliation was immense.

Qin Yuzhen couldn’t help but laugh unkindly.

“Eww…” Rong Xi made a disgusted face and turned away.

“Damn it, you guys are way too harsh! Wasn’t this what you wanted me to do? Huh?”

“Sorry, I didn’t expect the effect to be so… striking. How about this—you don’t have to talk like that anymore. Just sing a song for everyone instead,” Qin Yuzhen suggested.

Liang Xuzhou stared at her blankly.

“Yeah, yeah, just sing. I don’t think I can handle hearing Lao Liang’s voice like that again. My ears can’t take it.”

“Agreed.”

“What do you mean ‘agreed’? What’s going on here so early in the morning? Did you all do exceptionally well on the exam or something?” Old Wang walked in and smacked the desk.

“Teacher, Liang Xuzhou made a bet with me, but his voice was so unbearable that I suggested he sing instead. Now everyone’s trying to get him to sing,” Qin Yuzhen explained.

“Oh.” Old Wang nodded.

Liang Xuzhou looked at Old Wang expectantly, hoping the other could save him from his predicament.

Old Wang twisted open his thermos, took a sip of water, and said, “Alright, hurry up and sing then. Morning reading class is about to start.”

Liang Xuzhou: ???

“Don’t waste time,” Old Wang added.