The Villain Decides to Go on Strike [Transmigration] - Chapter 2

“As long as you kneel down and beg me.”

As the words reached her ear, Mu Qinghan’s eyes went cold, emitting a chilling frost.

Yet, her expression remained utterly unchanged, her face still wreathed in a smile, though a flash of sarcastic coldness darted through her eyes.

This person is clearly afraid of failing to offend me.

Unfortunately, she was someone who responded only to gentleness, not force, and she was very vengeful.

Mu Qinghan’s initial surprise was fleeting; she quickly regained her composure, raised her hand, and grasped Luo Xiying’s wrist, pulling her hand away from her lapel.

“Senior Luo is joking,” Mu Qinghan said with a soft, warm smile. “There’s no reason to give away something one already holds in their hand.”

Before her words finished, she pressed Luo Xiying’s shoulder, pushing her back against the bed.

The person who had just woken up from a coma had already exhausted her strength in the brief moment before, and she was pressed back onto the bed without any ability to resist.

The situation instantly reversed.

Mu Qinghan still held Luo Xiying’s wrist, applying a slight force to prevent her from causing trouble again.

She propped her other hand on the headboard near Luo Xiying’s ear, firmly pinning her within a narrow space.

Luo Xiying was forced to look up at the person’s face, her brow slightly furrowed, perhaps from the pain of hitting her head or from the uncomfortably close distance.

Mu Qinghan’s gaze rested on Luo Xiying’s face, deepening slightly.

This was the first time she had properly met this wealthy second-generation young mistress, a figure of considerable notoriety in the industry.

She had seen her before, of course, but only on TV or various social media platforms, always separated by a screen.

One evaluation shared by both fans and industry insiders about Miss Luo was that she possessed an angelic face.

Her baby face was clean and beautiful; all words associated with docility, such as pure, kind, and innocent, could be piled upon that face.

Even her usual voice was soft, gentle, and sweet, like a cute, well-behaved little sister from next door.

A face like that could always win people’s favor more easily.

And this person was also adept at pretense, always appearing innocent and compliant to the outside world, evoking pity in anyone who saw her.

Who would know how many filthy, vile, dark thoughts were hidden beneath that pure facade?

The difference between an angel and a demon was merely the superficial layer of a face.

Mu Qinghan disliked such hypocritical, calculating people.

Perhaps there was also a mix of indignation at having been deceived.

In fairness, before interacting with this “senior,” she had held some favorable impressions of Luo Xiying.

Luo Xiying was an actress who had only focused on acting since her debut, avoiding all variety shows and endorsements apart from necessary promotional events for new dramas.

Her family was rich and powerful, so she didn’t need the small amount of money earned in the entertainment circle, giving her the capital for such willfulness.

Most people entering the industry harbor some desire for fame, profit, or being liked, but Miss Luo seemed to be an exception.

Whether it was a righteous role or a villain, a lead or a supporting role, famous or obscure, Luo Xiying accepted them all.

Rumor had it that for any role she was interested in, even a nameless supporting character or a fool rolling in the mud, she would unhesitatingly commit to the part herself.

And her performance was indeed enough to silence most critics; even those who disliked her rarely commented on her acting skills or professionalism.

Among her peers, Luo Xiying was one of the few who rose to fame entirely based on her acting.

Of course, her family background, looks, and the company’s tireless promotion also contributed significantly.

Although she occasionally heard rumors after entering the circle about Miss Luo using her family status to parachute into crews and steal roles, Mu Qinghan had always been skeptical.

In her view, such a serious and dedicated person ought to be proud and disdain such despicable tactics.

These vague good feelings only lasted until the moment she met Luo Xiying.

The journey from anticipation to disappointment, and then to disgust, was just one step away.

Mu Qinghan couldn’t even bring herself to say that she had taken on this drama because of Luo Xiying, because she suddenly found it unworthy.

It turned out that beneath the superficial layer of the “goddess” in her mind, there was only a petty, dark soul.

It was truly far removed from the interesting and proud image she had imagined.

Not worth it.

Seeing the undisguised distaste on the face so close to hers, and the uncontrollable slight tremor in the wrist she was gripping, Mu Qinghan suddenly came to her senses.

This is meaningless.

Luo Xiying frowned tightly. Unable to break free from the other’s grasp, she could only snap coldly, “Let go.”

The lackey beside them finally reacted to the unexpected scene, her face instantly changing. “You surnamed Mu, what are you trying to do?! I warn you, this is a public place! I will absolutely not let you hurt Xiying in front of me again! Let go of Xiying immediately, or I’ll—”

Mu Qinghan obligingly released her hand and stepped back, looking up at the lackey with a light, smiling curve of her lips. “Or you’ll what?”

Luo Xiying withdrew her hand, subconsciously rubbing the wrist Mu Qinghan had held, her frown still not relaxing.

The heavily made-up woman glanced at the distracted Luo Xiying, about to unleash some harsh threat about ruining Mu Qinghan’s reputation, but when her gaze met the icy coldness in Mu Qinghan’s eyes, she suddenly fell silent. An inexplicable chill crept up her spine, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“Since Senior Luo is fine, I can rest assured,” Mu Qinghan retreated two steps, instantly shedding her momentarily intimidating aura. Her eyes curved into a gentle smile. “Senior, please rest well. It would be a shame if you couldn’t make it to the crew’s start-up ceremony.”

The person who was supposedly forced to come and apologize hadn’t offered a single word of apology. Instead, she seemed to have come to mock and despise the person lying in bed.

However, after arriving with such an imposing demeanor, she left as if deflated, with no interest remaining, not even bothering to expend the energy to fully mock.

It wasn’t until Mu Qinghan turned and headed for the door that the stunned woman regained her senses.

“Mu Qinghan, what do you mean?! I’m telling you, don’t harbor any wishful thoughts! It’s useless even if you curse Xiying. There’s no way you’re getting the lead role!”

“The female lead?” Mu Qinghan reached out to press the doorknob, turned around, and raised an eyebrow, a clear hint of cold indifference finally showing on her face. “I have no interest in picking things up from the trash can.”

The woman’s face changed. The mockery in the other’s words was clear even to her.

However, before she could think of a strong rebuttal, she heard a “bang,” and the door abruptly closed in front of her.

Mu Qinghan was gone.

…

“She’s just a little newcomer who only entered the circle half a year ago! No one even knows her name when you mention it! What right does she have to be so aggressive in front of us? I’m furious!”

“Xiying, look at how smug she was! I can deal with it, but she completely disregarded you!”

“Xiying, as a dignified young mistress, you can’t let her look down on you like this! You must teach her a lesson!”

The lackey woman, Gu Qin Yu, paced angrily around the hospital room, acting as if she, not Luo Xiying, had been the target.

Luo Xiying didn’t respond to her, lying on the bed with an empty gaze, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

The incessant complaints of the person beside her didn’t penetrate her ears; only the vague, buzzing noises of the outside world reached her.

Luo Xiying’s fingertip traced her other wrist, gently rubbing it in a daze, until she pressed a spot that hurt. She couldn’t help but shiver, snapping back to full awareness.

Mu Qinghan probably genuinely had a strong opinion of her; she hadn’t held back any strength when grabbing her, leaving a faint bluish-purple mark on her wrist.

Luo Xiying’s skin was already fair, and she was very sensitive to pain, making the leftover mark look quite shocking.

The small bruise, insignificant to most people, was severely painful for Luo Xiying; she blinked, and tears nearly rolled down.

—The other half of it was due to surprise.

Mu Qinghan’s actions just now were completely outside her expectations. She hadn’t encountered this scene in either the script or her personal experience in the previous life.

But this was not the root of Luo Xiying’s surprise and hesitation. It was…

The System hadn’t appeared.

Because she had just woken up, Luo Xiying was still a bit slow to react, which was why she froze for a moment when Mu Qinghan cornered her.

If it were according to the routine of the previous life, as soon as the plot deviated—even by a tiny margin—Luo Xiying’s mind would be filled with the System’s sharp warning tone.

On occasions when she truly went off-script, the System would forcibly issue a task, guiding Luo Xiying to return the plot to its original course.

In her past life, Luo Xiying was like a marionette. No matter how much she hated or complained internally, her actions were entirely beyond her control.

The only fortunate thing was that this was a brainless shuangwen. Whenever the villain actually did something truly malicious, the male and female leads would always discover and foil it, which somewhat lessened her psychological burden.

The scenes she was forced to complete were fleeting and left no lasting impression on Luo Xiying.

Only the moments of suffocating pressure from the System’s punishment were vividly clear.

But now, at the moment the System should have appeared, that familiar and annoying voice had not returned.

Had it completely disappeared, or…

Had it just not been activated?

Luo Xiying desperately suppressed the joy in her heart, starting to speculate on all possibilities in her mind. Even the female lead who had just made an appearance left no further impression on her.

[System? Sys-sys? Sec-sys? Sys-dog?]

Luo Xiying tentatively called out a few names in her mind, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, receiving no response.

In that case—

The eyes that had been somewhat dull from distraction suddenly sparkled with a different light. She sat up with a whoosh, straightening her back, her expression solemn and grave.

It was as if she were at a dignified, solemn funeral, not an ordinary hospital room.

She took a deep breath, flipped a middle finger toward the ceiling, and cursed rapidly, “Stupid System, I wish you no noodles when eating instant noodles, no toilet paper when on the toilet, a permanent score of 59 on all evaluations, and a miserable death, you trash System!”

Silence filled the room.

Nothing happened except for her shallow breathing.

Only the lackey woman next to her was startled. She immediately regained her composure and looked carefully at Luo Xiying.

“Xiying… are you okay… maybe I should call the doctor to check on you again?”

Although the fall was primarily intended to frame Mu Qinghan, Luo Xiying had genuinely hit her head.

She was unconscious for so long and started acting crazy the moment she woke up…

The human brain was the most complex yet fragile part of the body. It was entirely possible she had accidentally damaged her brain.

The woman, Gu Qin Yu, was worried and hesitated for a moment before preparing to leave to find a doctor.

“Qin Yu,” Luo Xiying called out to the woman.

“What is it?” The woman named Gu Qin Yu cast a questioning look at her.

“Let me tell you a secret. Actually, I…” Luo Xiying looked airy and distant, as if she had already floated up to the sky, her voice light and ethereal. “I love you.”

Gu Qin Yu: ???

“Xi-Xiying?!” Gu Qin Yu, a straight woman to the core, subconsciously covered her chest and stumbled back a few steps in horror. “I-I… I’d better go call the doctor for you.”

Luo Xiying’s brain must have been damaged.

Gu Qin Yu immediately made an excuse for Luo Xiying.

Luo Xiying paused for a moment, and still, no System warning sound was heard.

Her expression looked as if she was about to ascend to heaven the next second.

“I was just kidding.” Luo Xiying slowly shifted her gaze to Gu Qin Yu’s face. She paused, then slowly revealed an extraordinarily gentle and sweet smile. “Actually, I was just practicing confessing.”

“Who do you want to confess to?” Gu Qin Yu subconsciously asked.

And the next second, she regretted it.

“Hmm…” Luo Xiying pondered for a moment, while thinking about the System’s bottom line and continuing her nonsense, “Mu Qinghan.”

Gu Qin Yu: ???????

Luo Xiying’s brain must have been damaged.

It must be.

Gu Qin Yu affirmed this to herself.

Inside the room, one person was floating light as a feather, unable to pull herself out of the clouds, temporarily detached from the human world. The other was suffering a profound blow to her worldview, still doubting life itself, and had temporarily forgotten about calling the doctor.

Thus, no one noticed the faint footsteps outside the door.

The footsteps stopped by the door. Mu Qinghan, who had left and returned, leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. She listened to the movement inside, the corner of her lips slightly lifted in a look of cold amusement.

Interesting.