My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 24

Fu Jianxu?!

A sharp, startled cry pierced through the bustling noise of the shop. Fu Jianxu, who was busy at the stove, jerked her head up to see two young women standing at the entrance, staring at her with wide-eyed shock.

Her heart skipped a beat. What’s this?

Could these be more of the original owner’s conquests—sisters or friends she’d charmed?

Oh, it’s Sister Yun and Sister Yi! Ji Xiaoyu’s voice cut through the awkward silence. She rose from her seat, took two steaming bowls of Mala Tang from Fu Zhixiao, and approached the women with a polite smile.

Fu Jianxu, who had been mentally rehearsing her next move, felt like she’d been granted a reprieve and let out a silent sigh of relief.

When Fu Yunlai saw Ji Xiaoyu, she realized she hadn’t been mistaken. Overwhelmed by shock, she struggled to find her words. This shop… you two run it?

That’s right, Ji Xiaoyu replied with a nod and a smile, guiding them to an empty table. She placed the two bowls of signature Mala Tang before them. Since you’re here, Sister Yun, you must try our specialty.

Sister Yun? Fu Jianxu remembered—weren’t these the two women she had bumped into while fetching water on her first day here?

Her face paled. They don’t think I’m interested in them again, do they?

Fu Xiayi’s shock was even greater. She pointed at Fu Jianxu. She… she can cook?

Sister Jianxu has been studying cooking for ages, Ji Xiaoyu explained with a smile, glancing at Fu Jianxu.

The other diners in the shop had already perked up their ears, eager to witness the drama. Some even set down their chopsticks, openly staring at the unfolding spectacle. Fu Yunlai and Fu Xiayi exchanged a knowing glance, realizing this wasn’t the place for a conversation. Besides, the tantalizing aroma of the Mala Tang was too tempting to resist. They sat down to try it.

The moment the first bite of Mala Tang touched their tongues, both women’s eyes lit up. The savory, fragrant, and spicy broth exploded with flavor, perfectly blending the tastes of all the ingredients. Fu Xiayi couldn’t resist another mouthful, not even bothering to blow on the scalding hot noodles.

This is too delicious… Fu Yunlai mumbled through a mouthful of Mala Tang. But before she could finish her sentence, another commotion erupted at the entrance.

A’Xu, opening a shop is a big deal! Why didn’t you tell your brothers?

A slick, oily voice rang out, grating on the ears. Fu Jianxu looked up and saw a tall, thin man leaning against the doorframe, his companion short and round as a ball.

The tall man’s jaw nearly dropped when he confirmed it was indeed Fu Jianxu in the shop. The short, plump man nudged his shoulder triumphantly, winking as if to say, See? I told you I wasn’t lying.

Well, well, if it isn’t our A’Xu! The tall man rolled his eyes before quickly smoothing his expression into a syrupy smile. He leaned forward, his voice dripping with false warmth. Heard your business is doing well?

He rubbed his fingers together, his eyes darting toward the cash register.

Meanwhile, the short, plump man squinted his beady eyes, sizing up the shop’s potential earnings. Suddenly, his pea-sized eyes widened. Oh, Xiaoyu-meimei’s here too?

At the lewd Xiaoyu-meimei, Ji Xiaoyu’s face drained of color. Her fingernails dug deep into her palms, but she didn’t even notice. A chill crept up from her feet, as if someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head.

Ji Xiaoyu knew these two all too well. Their mouths were capable of spitting out the most venomous words. Every time they met in the past, they would either sneer at her, calling her skinny as a stick, or say with mocking sarcasm, Only a woman like Fu Jianxu would want a body like that.

The most absurd part was that whenever these two were around, Fu Jianxu would intensify her humiliation of Ji Xiaoyu, as if doing so would make her look better in front of her cronies.

After they left, Fu Jianxu would feel she had lost face and would beat Ji Xiaoyu mercilessly…

Ji Xiaoyu unconsciously bit her lower lip, stealing a glance at Fu Jianxu. Would the current Fu Jianxu remember those past events?

Would she ever remember those past events?

Fu Zhixiao wore a dark, stern expression. She had hesitated to partner with Fu Jianxu precisely because she feared situations like this. But since she had already committed, she wouldn’t back down from trouble. Her face grim, she lowered her voice and said, Are you here to eat? If not, please leave. We’re running a business here, not a tea house for reminiscing.

Hearing the female lead speak, Fu Jianxu immediately felt relieved. Even though the greasy nickname sent shivers down her spine, she merely frowned and scrutinized the newcomer. After confirming she didn’t recognize him, she turned back to blanching vegetables.

Nothing mattered more than making money.

I was talking to my brother here. Who do you think you are? The skinny man sized Fu Zhixiao up and down, seeing only a frail man. His arrogance grew, but when Fu Jianxu ignored him, his face darkened. Fu Jianxu, after all these months, you’ve forgotten your own brothers?

This time, Fu Jianxu finally gave him a proper look. After studying him intently for a moment, she declared flatly, I don’t know you.

The shop erupted in laughter. Ji Xiaoyu’s tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. Thank goodness… she doesn’t remember.

The skinny man’s face flushed crimson. He’d heard Fu Jianxu had turned over a new leaf, but he never imagined she’d disown even her old friends. In their circle, they were always the ones doing the dumping—never the other way around, especially not in public.

How could he allow Fu Jianxu to come and go as she pleased?

Very well, he sneered ominously. Then don’t blame me for showing you what I’m capable of!

He suddenly lunged forward, gripping the edge of the nearest table with both hands, ready to flip it over.

But the anticipated crash of shattering dishes never came. In fact, nothing happened at all.

Fu Zhixiao, with lightning reflexes, had slammed her hands down on the table. Fu Yunlai and Fu Xiayi, sitting at the same table, reacted instantly, their four hands pressing down firmly on the tabletop.

The three women glared at the tall, gaunt man.

Refusing to believe his failure, the man mustered all his adult male strength. How could he possibly fail to overturn such a small table? He braced himself, took a deep breath, and strained until the veins bulged on his forehead. He tried again!

But… still, nothing happened.

The man’s hands hung awkwardly in the air before he finally withdrew them, looking thoroughly defeated. He straightened his collar with forced composure, his eyes darting around nervously. Finally, he settled on sizing up Fu Zhixiao, his tone tinged with grudging admiration. I didn’t expect… you actually have some skill.

Fu Zhixiao ?

After speaking, the tall, thin man gestured for his short, stout companion to follow him out the door. He paused at the threshold, not forgetting to deliver a final threat Just you wait! I won’t let you off easily!

As soon as they left, the shop erupted in laughter before settling back into its usual noisy bustle.

However, Fu Jianxu’s expression remained tense, her mind in turmoil. She had no idea how many messes the original owner had left behind. If things continued like this in the coming days, what would she do?

Her first instinct was to flee. She had never been a strong person, just as she had bought a train ticket and fled north overnight in modern times to escape her parents’ pressure to marry.

But here, her and Ji Xiaoyu’s shop was just starting to thrive, and the rigid household registration system of the ancient world bound people firmly to their places. She had nowhere to run.

Her panic grew until she closed the shop and returned home, still mentally adrift, unable to devise a proper solution.

Ji Xiaoyu noticed the woman’s distracted state. After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked, Sister Jianxu, what’s wrong?

Ji Xiaoyu’s voice snapped her back to reality. Fu Jianxu realized she had been lost in thought for far too long. Her face was deathly pale as she forced a weak smile at Ji Xiaoyu. It’s nothing.

But her voice was so dry and strained that even she didn’t believe it. Besides, saying anything wouldn’t help she didn’t want to burden Ji Xiaoyu with her troubles.

Ji Xiaoyu hesitated, then gently took her hand, looking at her with concern. She called out softly, Sister Jianxu…

Fu Jianxu felt her hand enveloped in warmth and realized her own hand was as cold as ice, trembling slightly.

From early October to early December, she had been in this strange world for two months. During that time, driven by the urgent need to survive, she had spun herself into a whirlwind of activity, leaving no room for sentimental musings. She had convinced herself that she was as strong and reliable as she had always appeared. Yet two petty thugs had effortlessly shattered her psychological defenses.

She was startled to realize how fragile she still was.

Her facade of strength had crumbled, revealing her true cowardice. Fu Jianxu’s eyes grew moist, and she turned away, unwilling to expose her vulnerability to Ji Xiaoyu, the girl she had always cared for like a younger sister.

Seeing this, Ji Xiaoyu grew even more worried. What was wrong with her? Why had she been so distracted ever since encountering those old friends?

Sister Jianxu, you can tell me anything… Ji Xiaoyu squeezed the woman’s hand tighter.

At these words, tears suddenly welled up in Fu Jianxu’s eyes. She hastily wiped them away with her sleeve, but the more she wiped, the more they flowed. Was Ji Xiaoyu actually concerned about her?

Yes, in this unfamiliar world, she wasn’t alone. There was another solitary soul with her, the only one who truly cared.

Xiaoyu… Fu Jianxu’s voice trembled. I… I’m a little scared…

The moment she spoke these words, the fear, loneliness, and pressure that had been building up for the past two months surged to the surface. Yet, Fu Jianxu felt her tightly wound nerves suddenly relax.

Ji Xiaoyu was momentarily stunned. The girl who could usually read people’s minds found herself at a rare loss for words, unsure how to respond.

So she said nothing, simply holding Fu Jianxu’s hand tightly. In that moment, Fu Jianxu suddenly realized that in this strange world, Ji Xiaoyu had become her closest person.

Fu Jianxu abruptly turned and buried her face in Ji Xiaoyu’s shoulder, her shoulders heaving with sobs. I… I’m afraid I… I used to do so many… bad things…

No! That’s not true! That… that bastard isn’t me anymore… Her muffled voice came from beneath the fabric. She’d only drag us down…

But… but I… I don’t know what to do… Fu Jianxu sobbed, her words broken by hiccups.

Ji Xiaoyu froze for a moment, then felt a wave of relief wash over her. These words confirmed that the person before her—someone who felt remorse for the past and feared dragging her down—was indeed a completely different person from the reckless, abusive Fu Jianxu of old. She placed her hand on Fu Jianxu’s back and gently stroked it.

Xiaoyu… Fu Jianxu felt the tender touch behind her and lifted her tear-streaked face, her voice filled with unprecedented vulnerability. Thank goodness you’re still in this world… You… you’re my only family now…

Ji Xiaoyu’s hand stilled, her gaze locking with Fu Jianxu’s tear-filled eyes.

My only… family?