The Crybaby Always Wants to Redeem the Villainess - Chapter 16

“Gu Zhirou, don’t delude yourself into thinking you can change me. You can’t!”

Zhirou was deeply hurt by these words. All she wanted was to help Ayi become the revered hero she had been in their previous life, not the despised female tyrant the entire city now scorned.

But Ayi treated her like an outsider, refusing to listen to her advice and stubbornly clinging to her own path.

Recalling Xiao Yi’s harsh words and the scene outside, Zhirou could no longer hold back the tears she had suppressed for so long. Her vision blurred with tears as she stumbled out the door, desperate to escape Ayi’s presence.

Xiao Yi didn’t chase after her. She knew Xiao Rou’er needed time to calm down and reflect.

And I need time to calm down too. She didn’t know how long she would have to maintain this facade, but no matter how long it took, she had to keep it up. Even if her reputation was ruined, so what?

If Senior Brother hadn’t returned in time, the Celestial Profound Kingdom would have already fallen into enemy hands.

Senior Brother had no political connections in court. She needed to swiftly capture those plotting rebellion. Only her actions would avoid raising suspicion, since he lacked the necessary influence.

Because she was a woman, any action taken by her father or second brother would immediately raise suspicion. Even if they feigned ignorance, no one would believe them!

If the young girl could come to her senses and move on, that would be for the best. Otherwise, there was nothing more Xiao Yi could do.

Xiao Yi went out to get some food. It was already late, and she had been so preoccupied with causing trouble that she hadn’t even had breakfast yet. She was starving.

As she stepped outside, she didn’t see Gu Zhirou. Remembering the girl’s fear of bandits from the previous night, Xiao Yi grew concerned.

She searched everywhere, but Gu Zhirou was nowhere to be found. Thinking the girl might have left, Xiao Yi approached the guards at the gate. “Have you seen the young girl I brought in yesterday leave?”

“Ah, no, Madam. We haven’t seen her. She must still be inside.”

Xiao Yi cursed them as useless and stormed off.

If they hadn’t seen her leave, the girl must still be here. Since she wasn’t in the front, she must be in the back. Xiao Yi raced toward the rear of the compound. As she rounded the corner, she saw several men surrounding Gu Zhirou outside the kitchen, their lewd smiles and lecherous expressions making her bl00d boil.

“That little girl is quite a looker, isn’t she? Well, what else would you expect from someone the female tyrant has her eyes on?”

“That female tyrant sure knows how to play. I saw her take the girl into her room last night!”

“Heh heh, why don’t you let us have some fun with her too?”

“Don’t come any closer! If you lay a hand on me, Sister Xiao Yi will never forgive you!” Gu Zhirou’s voice trembled as she tried to scare them off with Xiao Yi’s name.

“Little girl, don’t you understand the situation? Whether it’s men or women, Xiao Yi tosses them aside after she’s done with them. You’re just another one of her playthings. She’s probably already looking for her next target and doesn’t have time for you anymore!”

“Come on, little girl, let us treat you right. We’ll show you who’s really in charge—Xiao Yi or us!” They burst into raucous laughter.

Gu Zhirou was on the verge of tears. She knew she shouldn’t have gotten angry with Ayi. She remembered everything from their past life, but Ayi didn’t. That’s why she had come to the kitchen to make Ayi something special and apologize. Instead, she had run into these bandits.

Gu Zhirou trembled violently, her voice hoarse from crying. Why hasn’t Ayi come for me yet? she sobbed. Has Ayi really abandoned me in anger?

Will Ayi come to save me? she wailed inwardly. I’m so scared! If only I hadn’t argued with Ayi, I should have brought her with me!

As a lecherous hand reached toward her face, Gu Zhirou squeezed her eyes shut in terror.

“Ayi, save me!”

Just as the men’s hands were about to touch her face, a whip lashed out, sending them flying.

“Waaah, Ayi, why did you take so long? They were bullying Rou’er!” Gu Zhirou threw herself into Xiao Yi’s arms, clinging to her waist and burying her face in Xiao Yi’s chest, sobbing even harder.

Xiao Yi felt a pang of guilt. Knowing how terrified the girl was of bandits, she should have followed her immediately. “Xiao Rou’er, be good, don’t cry. Elder Sister is here now. Stop crying, I’ll take care of them for you. Don’t cry, my sweet girl!”

Xiao Yi’s anger surged, her face flushed crimson. Those damn bastards dared to touch my little crybaby!

She grabbed a rope from the kitchen doorway and bound the men.

Pointing at the group, she declared, “Even women I’ve discarded are beyond your reach. You have no right to bully or trample them.

“You dared to provoke Xiao Yi? Then prepare for the wrath of this female tyrant!”

With that, she scooped up Gu Zhirou, who clung tightly to her arm, and strode toward the front courtyard.

Gu Zhirou buried her face in Xiao Yi’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably. She was truly terrified, having never encountered such a scene before. If Ayi hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Xiao Yi’s heart ached. This delicate girl, who would cry for hours even at a raised voice, had been bullied. The trembling body in her arms sent Xiao Yi’s fury soaring.

Her mind flashed with countless methods of torturing those men.

Those fools truly deserve to die!

Just as Xiao Yi was about to enter her courtyard, the bandit leader approached. “Hey, Granny Xiao, shouldn’t we be heading to dinner?”

Xiao Yi glared at him with murderous intent. “You dared to touch my people? I wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter every soul in Clearwind Stronghold. Bring those men from the kitchen to kneel before my door. If even one is missing, Clearwind Stronghold will cease to exist!”

After speaking, Xiao Yi hugged Gu Zhirou’s head and returned to her room without looking back.

The bandit leader stood stunned for a moment before storming toward the kitchen, cursing under his breath. Damn it, which bastard dared to bully Xiao Yi? This is practically digging Clearwind Stronghold’s own grave!

Xiao Yi tried to lay Gu Zhirou down on the bed, but the girl refused to let go, trembling even more violently.

“Rou’er, be good and let go. Don’t be scared, Elder Sister’s here. I’m sorry I was late. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. Please don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Xiao Yi wiped away the girl’s tears, but the more she wiped, the harder Gu Zhirou cried.

Xiao Yi patiently coaxed her for a long time, but the girl remained silent, just crying and crying and crying until she finally fainted.

Terrified, Xiao Yi wondered if Gu Zhirou had been injured. She immediately sent for the Clearwind Stronghold’s physician. After taking her pulse, the doctor reassured her, “Don’t worry, the girl is fine!”

“She’s just severely frightened and already physically weak. Any shock could easily cause her to faint. It’s perfectly normal!”

Growing impatient, Xiao Yi waved her hand dismissively. “Enough with the nonsense. Just prescribe the medicine already.”

After the doctor left, Xiao Yi finally relaxed her tense shoulders. Thank goodness it was just shock; otherwise, she would have made Clearwind Stronghold pay dearly!

Gazing at the sleeping girl, Xiao Yi couldn’t hide the tenderness in her eyes, though she herself didn’t realize it. Even when the girl had been in danger, Xiao Yi’s protective instincts had surged, as if she were meant to protect Gu Zhirou. The intensity of that intuition was terrifying.

As the saying goes, love knows no beginning, only an ever-deepening devotion.

When the doctor returned with the medicine, brewed and ready, Xiao Yi finally tore her gaze away from the girl.

“Leave the bowl there and get out!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

After the doctor left, Xiao Yi picked up the bowl, blowing on the medicine and stirring it until it cooled. She then cradled the girl in one arm, the same hand holding the bowl, and used her other hand to spoon the medicine into Gu Zhirou’s mouth.

But no matter how Xiao Yi tried, the medicine wouldn’t go down. It simply dribbled from the corner of the girl’s lips.

Watching Gu Zhirou’s brow furrow tighter and tighter, Xiao Yi felt utterly helpless. If the medicine wouldn’t stay down, what was she supposed to do?