The Heartthrob Halo Doesn't Work on the Villain - Chapter 16

Though she was ostensibly asking a question, Lin Yan’s demeanor was no longer as cautious as before. As if testing a hunch, her words carried a hint of playfulness, even flirtatiousness, to an outsider’s ear. A mischievous smile lingered on her lips, and her arm, which had previously been resting casually, now entwined with Lou Yubing’s, swaying gently as she spoke.

Lou Yubing couldn’t have missed these subtle cues. In fact, it was precisely because she noticed Lin Yan’s uncharacteristically bold behavior that she seemed to deliberately distance herself. She shifted sideways, instantly creating space between them, and wrenched her hand free, returning to the half-finished exam paper.

“If you don’t want to study with me anymore, say so now. Don’t waste my time preparing.”

Oh, so it’s about the tutoring, Lin Yan realized with a start. That makes sense. Someone as aloof as Lou Yubing wouldn’t be so emotionally agitated just because an annoying, clingy suitor skipped a day. She’s just angry I’m wasting her weekend time.

On another level, Lou Yubing was actually a responsible and conscientious teacher. Despite her genuine aversion to interacting with Lin Yan, she diligently supervised her studies in every aspect. Yesterday’s refusal to let her skip class was one example, and today’s reminder about tutoring was another.

This made Lin Yan seem rather narcissistic.

Yet, coming from someone with her established persona, these words carried no hint of impropriety. After all, she had been eagerly playing the role of a devoted admirer countless times before.

As Lou Yubing shifted slightly to the right, Lin Yan immediately followed suit.

“I already explained, didn’t I? My mom made me go back to the Old Mansion at noon, and since you don’t have a phone, I couldn’t reach you in time. But as soon as I got back, I came straight to find you.”

With that, her radiant eyes suddenly flickered, as if struck by a thought. She added, “How about I get you a phone? That way, it’ll be much easier for us to stay in touch.”

Lin Yan’s actions grew even more assertive. She entwined her fingers around Lou Yubing’s hand, tightening her grip. Her words were earnest, each syllable sincere. Lou Yubing didn’t turn her head, unable to see Lin Yan’s expression, but her mind went blank for a moment.

So that’s what she was talking about earlier.

Lou Yubing had naturally heard the last sentence. She replied impatiently,

“I don’t need it. We don’t have any reason to stay in touch anyway.”

Since she refused, Lin Yan couldn’t force the phone into her hand. This couldn’t be rushed. Knowing Yubing responded better to gentleness than force, Lin Yan softened her approach, but still poked Yubing’s forearm with her fingertip, trying to make her turn and look. Her entire demeanor was downcast, her eyes filled with a pitiful light.

“Fine, keep it if you want. But I rushed back here just to explain things to you, and I haven’t even had dinner yet. My stomach’s growling, and you don’t even care.”

Hearing this, Lou Yubing finally frowned slightly, glancing first at the small alarm clock on the table before turning her gaze to Lin Yan. When their eyes met—Lin Yan’s slightly resentful, Lou Yubing felt an inexplicable emotion stir within her.

Just moments ago, she had been angry, but now that anger had vanished, replaced by a faint, indescribable feeling.

Realizing this, Lou Yubing, whose thoughts had been drifting, suddenly snapped back to reality. What am I doing? Wasting time on someone worthless?

Lin Yan came from the Lin Family, the local power brokers of Hai City. She could do whatever she pleased. If she wanted something, countless people would rush to offer it, letting her pick and choose. And what about herself?

Today, Lin Yan had suddenly taken an interest in her, clinging to her and begging for tutoring, even resorting to pitiful acts and feigning helplessness. But what if tomorrow she lost interest and reverted to her old ways, standing by as an observer, watching others humiliate and trample on her? To be honest, Yubing’s days had been somewhat better lately, but if none of it was guaranteed, it might as well not exist at all.

Xia Qiyu had been right: they weren’t meant to mix.

Having come to this realization, Lou Yubing no longer hesitated. She withdrew her hand again, her voice flat and emotionless.

“Go eat if you’re hungry. We can talk about tutoring later.”

For some reason, Lin Yan suddenly felt that Lou Yubing had become even more distant. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why, but Lou Yubing’s demeanor was far from the softening attitude she had expected.

Lin Yan wanted to plead further, but before she could speak, she was cut off by a cold voice.

“Leave. Stop scheming. I won’t go with you. I still have practice problems to finish.”

The words caught in Lin Yan’s throat. Since she had been explicitly asked to leave, staying any longer would be utterly shameless. Feeling a pang of frustration, she slowly stood up and murmured quietly, “Fine.”

“Then I’ll come back after I finish eating.”

When she first entered, she had resembled a cunning little fox calculating her moves. Now, she looked like a defeated creature, tail tucked between her legs as she retreated. Just as she reached the door, Lou Yubing called her back. Lin Yan thought Lou Yubing had softened and was going to let her stay, but the woman didn’t even look up as she spoke coldly.

“You don’t need to come back later, or tomorrow either. Just finish the problems I gave you yesterday. Don’t bother me. Bring them to class on Monday, and I’ll check them.”

Lin Yan was speechless. Given the situation today, she had thought it would be difficult to ask for a day off tomorrow, but now it seemed she had inadvertently gotten her wish.

The problems were simple; Lin Yan had already finished them all last night. She hesitated, wondering if she should tell Lou Yubing about this and mention her plans for tomorrow.

“Why are you still here?”

The words caught in her throat at the sight of Lou Yubing’s frosty, furrowed brow. Better to avoid trouble, she thought. Judging by Lou Yubing’s expression, she clearly didn’t care anyway.

With that, Lin Yan stepped out, waving goodbye as she left.

“Then… see you on Monday.”

She came like a gust of wind and left just as swiftly. Lou Yubing couldn’t quite articulate the emotions swirling within her, while the others seemed to have witnessed a grand drama. Though they had outwardly returned to their positions, they secretly strained their ears, keenly observing every nuance of the scene. After all, the enigmatic relationship between these two was currently the top headline on the Campus Forum’s trending page. The person who had just exchanged harsh words with Lou Yubing now trembled with lingering fear, relieved that Lin Yan hadn’t overheard their exchange. Had she, they would have faced dire consequences.

If Lin Yan had known this person’s petty calculations, she would have cried foul and even praised them:

Good job! If you can curse, curse more!

In the two minutes it took to descend the stairs, Lin Yan had already complained to 555 about Lou Yubing over a hundred times. This wasn’t just because of the recent confrontation, but also because her favorability score had plummeted to -50 and remained stubbornly fixed. She had initially hoped their conversation might nudge the score upward, but now it seemed Lou Yubing’s heart was as cold as stone. Perhaps Lin Yan had been too arrogant.

Yet this also confirmed something else: Lou Yubing’s anger stemmed solely from Lin Yan wasting her time, having nothing to do with her as a person.

Settling back into the car, Lin Yan glanced at the endless stream of restaurant recommendations flooding her phone. Irritated, she typed “No thanks” and tossed the device aside, leaning back against the headrest with her eyes closed, trying to rest.

The driver, well-versed in the ways of the wealthy, waited quietly. Driving for the elite came with top-tier benefits, but the unspoken rule was simple: see little, ask less, and follow instructions. Lin Yan hadn’t realized she’d drifted off until a sharp pain in her upper abdomen jolted her awake in a cold sweat.

Lin Yan hadn’t lied to Lou Yubing about being starving. She’d rushed to the Old Mansion after a hasty lunch of pastries. The elderly couple had insisted she stay for dinner—they missed their granddaughter dearly—but Lin Yan still felt awkward in such a warm family setting. Plus, she wanted to get back and invite someone out for a meal, so she’d held out until now.

Little did she know, the moment she got into the car, she’d hear the notification of her favorability plummeting. After being turned away at the door, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and she’d fallen asleep.

Irregular meals, overwork, and this frail body—Lin Yan had known from the day she transmigrated that she was in for a rough ride.

Now, pressing one hand against the throbbing pain, she tapped the front seat with her other. The vibration instantly made the driver turn his head.

“Take me to the First People’s Hospital.”

Stomach pain often manifests as intermittent cramps. Though the actual pain might not be severe, during an attack, Lin Yan felt like she wanted to tear her stomach out. Her eyes were barely open, her vision blurred by tears or sweat—she couldn’t tell which. All she could do was pray they reached the hospital quickly.

Fortunately, the driver was skilled. They arrived in just ten minutes, and the registration process was swift. After a gastroscopy, she was prescribed some medication and directed by a nurse to receive an anti-inflammatory IV drip.

By the time everything was finished, it was already eleven at night. Lin Yan’s discomfort had eased, but her empty stomach still churned with acid, impossible to ignore.

The driver went to collect her medication. When he returned, he didn’t realize he had a tail.

Xia Qiyu had come to pick up her mother’s medication. The surgery was scheduled for tomorrow morning, and post-operative care required strict adherence to the prescribed medication schedule. But as she waited in line, the person ahead of her looked vaguely familiar.

After staring for a few seconds, she finally recognized him: Lin Yan’s personal driver, whom she’d met just yesterday. Instinctively, Xia Qiyu didn’t consider that his family might be ill. Instead, she assumed something had happened to Lin Yan. After collecting her mother’s medication, she followed the driver to the fifth floor.

Rounding the corner of the elevator, she saw the familiar girl sitting obediently in a chair, her gaze fixed directly on them.

“A-Yan.”