My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 37

Before the words had even finished echoing, the bowl in Fu Zhixiao’s hand crashed onto the table with a clang, splashing soup everywhere.

The entire dining hall fell into stunned silence. Everyone’s eyes widened, chopsticks frozen mid-air. Ji Xiaoyu frantically tried to cover Fu Jianxu’s mouth, but was interrupted by a loud, drunken burp.

Zhou Daya and Hao Hong exchanged bewildered glances, while Chen Zhen’s face lit up with sudden understanding. Only young Chen Siwen continued to eat obliviously, completely unaware of why the adults had suddenly frozen.

Ha ha ha… Ji Xiaoyu forced a laugh, trying to smooth things over. Sister Jianxu’s drunk and talking nonsense…

I-I’m not drunk! Fu Jianxu struggled like a trapped moth. I can still drink! I haven’t toasted Sister Daya and Sister Hong yet!

The strength of a drunkard is astonishing. Ji Xiaoyu couldn’t restrain her and had to let her rise, offering an apologetic smile to the others.

Fu Jianxu swayed unsteadily as she raised her wine cup and staggered toward Zhou Daya and Hao Hong. Come on, Sister Daya! Sister Hong! Your little sister toasts you! To… to you both for taking care of me when I first started working at the docks!

These drunken words brought tears to Zhou Daya and Hao Hong’s eyes. Zhou Daya grabbed Fu Jianxu’s trembling hand. Sister Jianxu, we should be thanking you! For letting us work with you and paying us so well…

Fu Jianxu waved her hand dismissively, slurring, N-no! It’s Sister Daya and Sister Hong who are helping us…

The drunken tussle helped diffuse the awkward atmosphere, leaving only Fu Zhixiao feeling unsettled.

She lowered her head and poured herself a cup of wine, her mind echoing Fu Jianxu’s words You and Xie Yinwan are a match made in heaven.

How could that be…? she thought with a bitter smile. I’m not even a real man…

But then she reconsidered. What was wrong with two women being together? Weren’t Fu Jianxu and Ji Xiaoyu a married couple?

The thought sent a tremor through her heart.

Xie Yinwan’s image involuntarily surfaced in her mind the pomegranate-red dress and swaying hairpins from their first meeting at Full Moon Pavilion, those phoenix eyes that always held a hint of laughter, the slight upward curve of her lips when she spoke…

Fu Zhixiao’s heart suddenly raced, only to sink again. She’s a noble lady, a golden branch and jade leaf. I’m just a poor boy who can’t even afford fine cotton…

She shook her head self-mockingly, raised her cup, and drained it in one gulp. The fiery liquor burned down her throat, but it couldn’t suppress the bitterness rising within her.

How absurd, she thought. I’m actually taking a drunkard’s ramblings to heart…

Brother Xiao, Ji Xiaoyu’s concerned voice pulled him back to reality. You don’t look well. Did you drink too much?

Fu Zhixiao forced a smile and shook his head. I’m fine, just a little tired.

He stood up, excused himself to wash clothes in the kitchen, and fled the dinner table, which had become a source of unbearable turmoil.

Meanwhile, Fu Jianxu and Zhou Daya were still facing each other through tear-filled eyes, prompting Chen Zhen to burst into laughter. Xiaoyu, you’d better take care of your sister. The girl’s so drunk she’s lost her way!

Ji Xiaoyu hurried over and pulled the tipsy Fu Jianxu away from Zhou Daya. The drunken Jianxu initially struggled, but when she recognized who was holding her, she suddenly went still.

Y-you’re… Fu Jianxu gently cupped Ji Xiaoyu’s face, her blurry eyes drawing closer. She blinked, then slurred, Ji… Ji Xiaoyu! The drunken words came out slowly, each syllable distinct, her warm, wine-tinged breath brushing against Ji Xiaoyu’s cheek.

Caught off guard by this sudden intimacy, Ji Xiaoyu’s heart skipped a beat. She could only nod dumbly.

Fu Jianxu suddenly twisted her lips and furrowed her brow. Ji… Ji Xiaoyu is a bad person!

The words froze the smile on Ji Xiaoyu’s face. Her eyes turned icy as she glared at the loose-tongued drunk.

But… but! The drunk suddenly switched from anger to delight, vigorously pinching Ji Xiaoyu’s cheek. Now… now Ji Xiaoyu is my… my sister! I’ll never let her become a bad person!

Ji Xiaoyu gazed at the endearing drunk with mixed emotions before turning to Chen Zhen. Sister Zhenzhen, Jian Xu is terribly drunk. Could you please prepare a place for her to rest?

Of course! Chen Zhen chuckled, calling out to his daughter. Siwen, tidy up the west wing.

He then turned back to Ji Xiaoyu. This girl can’t hold her liquor. We can’t let her drink like this again, especially when we’re all family here.

Ji Xiaoyu nodded, half-supporting and half-carrying Fu Jianxu toward the rear courtyard. The drunk’s consciousness had already blurred, and she leaned her full weight on Ji Xiaoyu, mumbling incoherently, Xiaoyu… eat more… grow… grow taller! Put on… put on some weight…

Clinging tightly to Ji Xiaoyu, Fu Jianxu pouted and mumbled, Mommy… Mommy… sniff I miss Mommy…

The two stumbled into the room, where Ji Xiaoyu struggled with all her might to help Fu Jianxu out of her coat, working up a sweat in the process. She shoved the drunk onto the bed and turned to close the door.

Wiping her brow and catching her breath after the exertion, Ji Xiaoyu gazed at the unconscious figure on the bed, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Then, with practiced efficiency, she stripped off her own coat, straddled Fu Jianxu, and grabbed her by the collar. Tell me, she demanded, who are you?

I-I’m Fu Jianxu the person on the bed mumbled groggily, her voice slurring with intoxication.

Ji Xiaoyu pressed closer, her voice low and expressionless. You’re not Fu Jianxu, she whispered into her ear. What kind of wandering spirit are you?

I-I’m not a ghost! Fu Jianxu suddenly protested loudly. I’m human! I’m Fu Jianxu!

Ji Xiaoyu quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. Quiet! You only speak when I allow it! When the other woman nodded meekly, she released her.

Not a ghost?

…I only remember having a strange dream last night. In the dream, an old immortal told me my name was Fu Jianxu and that I had a wife with a particularly auspicious fate, named Ji Xiaoyu.

The woman’s words echoed in Ji Xiaoyu’s mind. Could she actually be a divine being sent to save her?

But she quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea.

What kind of idle god would have time for such things? If deities truly existed, why hadn’t they appeared when she desperately prayed in the past, only to show up now?

Since this woman knew their basic information, she must have been a spirit who had been lingering near them for some time after her death.

As for why she had possessed Fu Jianxu’s body… perhaps it was because they shared the same name and surname, their fates were similar, and Fu Jianxu’s excessive grief after her mother’s death had weakened her yang energy, creating an opportunity for this wandering soul to take advantage.

Having sorted out her thoughts, Ji Xiaoyu steadied herself and continued questioning, What about me? Who am I?

You… you’re Ji Xiaoyu, Fu Jianxu replied obediently in a small voice, suddenly swelling with inexplicable pride. My sister!

Sister? Ji Xiaoyu’s lips curled into a cold smile. How could two women who were married be sisters?

Then why is Ji Xiaoyu a villain? she coaxed gently, her voice soft as if coaxing a naive child to reveal a secret.

Ji Xiaoyu is the vicious female supporting character… Fu Jianxu murmured, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly, her cheeks flushed with drunken color.

Vicious female supporting character? Ji Xiaoyu froze. What kind of term was that? She had never heard it before, yet for some reason, her heart felt like it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, aching dully.

It felt… it felt like this term would control her entire life.

Could it be that her earlier guess was wrong?

Before she could ponder further, the drunk suddenly became agitated, flipping over and pinning her beneath her, seizing her wrists.

No! Xiaoyu isn’t bad! Xiaoyu’s the best! Fu Jianxu’s voice rose sharply, as if stung by something, her eyes rimmed with red. The author’s the villain! Writing such idiotic plots! Damn him! How dare he treat our Xiaoyu like this!

She cursed with righteous fury, as if Ji Xiaoyu had suffered a grave injustice and she had to avenge her.

Ji Xiaoyu stared, her eyes reflecting the drunk’s wild tirade.

The woman who had once terrified her now drunkenly clutched her hand, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting only Xiaoyu’s face, as if trying to etch her into her pupils.

Hehehe, our Xiaoyu is so pretty Fu Jianxu poked Xiaoyu’s cheek, her drunken laughter hazy and her tone filled with an almost childish pride, as if showing off a precious treasure. Our Xiaoyu is the prettiest, the most amazing little girl

Ji Xiaoyu’s throat tightened.

She should have been wary. She should have been wary of this wandering spirit, questioned her, felt anger, felt resentment.

But at that moment, she could only stare blankly at Fu Jianxu, her eyes uncontrollably warming.

This person was speaking up for her.

Even if it was just drunken ramblings, even if she might forget everything when she woke up tomorrow.

But right now, Fu Jianxu’s protectiveness was real, her anger was real, and the heartache in her eyes… was also real.

Ji Xiaoyu suddenly smiled, her eyes slightly red, but her smile was soft and gentle.

A villainous supporting character? A wandering spirit? She didn’t understand, but none of it mattered anymore.

As long as this person continued to be kind to her… as long as she was willing to look at her like this, to defend her like this…

Then everything would be alright.

But the opportunity was too rare to pass up. Ji Xiaoyu continued, her voice strained, And what about you? Sister Jianxu, what are you?

I… I’m… a bad person, the drunk mumbled, Ji Xiaoyu straining to decipher her slurred words.

Ji Xiaoyu’s expression sharpened.

I’m a pervert! A bad person who takes off my sister’s clothes while she’s sleeping! The drunk straightened up, her voice ringing with conviction, but as she spoke, she began to sob, Waaah… I’m a bad person… I’m really a bad person…

Ji Xiaoyu fell silent, then burst into laughter, as if amused by the woman’s foolishness. Why had she wasted time guarding against someone like this?

Sister is a bad person? she asked softly, her fox-like eyes curving into a smile.

The drunk nodded obediently.

Should bad people be punished? Ji Xiaoyu continued, her voice coaxing.

The drunk vehemently agreed.

Then how should we punish bad people? Her voice was now laced with seduction.

The question seemed to stump the drunk. Her brow furrowed, and she stammered for a long moment, unable to answer. She looked like a student who couldn’t answer the teacher’s question, her eyes reddening with panic.

Ji Xiaoyu gazed up at the woman’s helpless eyes, her own expression unreadable. She gently stroked the woman’s cheek, her voice soft as she asked, Shall I teach you, Sister?

Teach… teach me… The sluggish drunk, oblivious to the danger, nodded dumbly, mistaking this for a solution to her confusion.

Satisfied with the affirmative response, Ji Xiaoyu smiled, her lips curving into a predatory grin. She covered the drunk’s hazy eyes with her hand, then gripped the woman’s collar and slowly pulled her down.

When Ji Xiaoyu’s palm covered her eyes, the drunk’s world plunged into darkness.

Alcohol had dulled yet heightened the drunk’s senses. She could smell the faint scent of soap on the girl, feel the tickle of strands of hair brushing against her collarbone, but she couldn’t see the girl’s expression.

This realization made her breathing quicken, and an involuntary whimper escaped her throat.

Does the naughty girl not want to be punished anymore? Ji Xiaoyu’s voice dripped with honeyed sweetness, her warm breath landing on the drunk’s nose before her lips did.

No… villains must be punished.

Fu Jianxu wanted to shake her head, but a sudden, soft pressure stopped her. The kiss began as a feather-light touch, tickling her lips. She instinctively licked her dry lips.

That small movement seemed to flip a switch. The girl gripping her collar suddenly pressed harder.

When a nimble tongue swept across her palate, Fu Jianxu’s scalp tingled, her body went limp, and her hands clenched the bedsheets uncontrollably. A dizzying, oxygen-deprived sensation surged through her, mingling with the alcohol haze. All her weight pressed down on the girl beneath her.

Her entire body grew damp, even the hand covering her eyes. Whether it was the stimulating touch on her lips that brought tears to her lashes, or the sweat on Ji Xiaoyu’s palm, she couldn’t tell.

Worst of all, with her vision cruelly stripped away, the drunkard’s hearing became unnaturally sharp. She heard the faint swallow in Ji Xiaoyu’s throat, the sticky, wet sound of their lips parting, and even her own heart pounding wildly, as if trying to burst through her chest.

Ji Xiaoyu kissed with fierce intensity, ravaging the drunkard’s delicate lips until they were bruised and tender.

The kiss lasted so long that the drunkard’s eyes fluttered shut.

She tried to beg for mercy, but her mouth remained trapped.

Is this the punishment for being a bad girl? the drunkard wondered, her thoughts hazy. It’s so… awful.