The Villainess Is Pretending to Be Sweet Again Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 31

Recently, local police raided several illegally operated establishments, arresting over seventy individuals and sealing five storefronts, all owned by a certain Long…

Long Huaichang stared at the news broadcast, her gaze fixed on the familiar storefronts shown on screen.

These were Long Yingjun’s businesses—all inexplicably shut down overnight. Rumor had it even Long Yingjun had been arrested, though his current condition remained unknown.

Lu Jin flipped through Huaichang’s workbook and remarked, “Your grades have been quite stable lately. Ranking within the top hundred of your grade shouldn’t be a problem.”

Huaichang glanced at her and picked up the remote to turn off the television.

“Why turn it off?” Lu Jin said mildly. “Aren’t you going to enjoy that man’s downfall? He bullied you often enough before.”

“He’ll definitely be bailed out,” Huaichang replied.

“Being bailed out doesn’t mean he’ll stay untouchable,” Lu Jin closed the book. “Huaichang, my father has been mentioning you frequently lately. He’d like you to visit our home.”

Huaichang understood the implication and shook her head. “No need. I’m fine as I am.”

“Really?” Lu Jin surveyed her cramped bedroom. “You’re the Long family’s heir. You shouldn’t be living in a place like this.”

“I’m not the heir. Just an illegitimate daughter.”

“Even an illegitimate daughter is still an heir.”

Lu Jin met her gaze. “You know my father is a shareholder of Long Corporation. He said if you agree, he can bring you into the company.”

Huaichang shook her head again. “Please thank Uncle for me, but I have no intention of fighting for the family assets. None of it ever belonged to me. I’m content with my life now.”

Lu Jin fell silent for a moment, studying her expression. “My father also said that if you change your mind, he and the other shareholders will support you.”

The room grew quiet. Huaichang knew exactly what Lu Jin and her faction wanted—if she reclaimed the family fortune, these so-called supporters would carve out their own interests, leaving her hollowed out.

Businessmen always prioritized profit.

Today’s tutoring session felt heavy. Distracted, Huaichang couldn’t focus, and Lu Jin didn’t press her, covering key points before leaving.

Stepping out, Lu Jin spotted Nuo Yang watering plants and playing with a cat on the balcony.

“Little Nuo, we’re done for today,” Lu Jin smiled. “I’ll head out now. See you next Saturday.”

Nuo Yang turned and hurried over. “I bought some fruit. Take some for the road.”

Glancing back at Huaichang’s impassive face, Lu Jin accepted the offer with a grin. “Thanks, Little Nuo! I won’t refuse then~”

Once Lu Jin left, Nuo Yang turned to Huaichang, who stood with arms crossed, lost in thought.

“Xiao Huai,” Nuo Yang approached, ruffling her hair. “What’s on your mind?”

Huaichang’s dark eyes shifted to her. Instead of answering, she grasped Nuo Yang’s hand. “Jiejie, you promised me a favor after the midterms. Does that still stand?”

Nuo Yang thought for a moment and realized it was true, then smiled and said, “Of course, it counts. What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything material,” Long Huaichang replied. “I just want my sister to stop taking risks.”

The Long family wasn’t to be trifled with, and Long Huaichang feared losing her only remaining relative.

At that point, she truly would be all alone in the world.

Nuo Yang understood what Long Huaichang meant. She genuinely hadn’t known that the owner of Punk Night was Long Ying Jun—otherwise, why would she have repeatedly thrown money their way?

“I promise you,” Nuo Yang said helplessly. “It really was an accident. I definitely didn’t go there on purpose.”

“Whether it was on purpose or not, you shouldn’t have any contact with the Long family.”

“Mmm… I know you’re worried about me. Stop scolding me already…”

Long Huaichang could see that Nuo Yang was genuinely remorseful. She sighed softly, resting her forehead against Nuo Yang’s, and whispered, “Sister, I have no other family left. I can’t lose you too…”

The intimate gesture made Nuo Yang slightly flustered, her cheeks tinged pink as she murmured, “I know…”

Thinking back, Nuo Yang still felt a lingering fear. Long Huaichang often said Nuo Yang was her only family, but wasn’t it the same for Nuo Yang?

She had grown up without any relatives, and though Long Huaichang was older now, Nuo Yang had watched her grow up step by step.

Holding Long Huaichang’s hand, Nuo Yang smiled reassuringly. “You always lecture me, but aren’t final exams coming up soon? Focus on your studies, and when winter break starts, I’ll take you out somewhere fun!”

Long Huaichang was amused by her cheerful tone and chuckled. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I just want to stay by your side.”

“Even when I go to work?”

“Mhm. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

Nuo Yang found Long Huaichang’s clinginess especially endearing. She tilted her head up to meet her gaze—then froze.

Wait a minute.

Tilting her head up???

Nuo Yang stared at Long Huaichang as if seeing a ghost. “Did you… grow taller again?”

Long Huaichang blinked. “Seems like it.”

Nuo Yang stomped her foot in frustration. “I thought girls stopped growing in high school! How are you still getting taller?!”

Long Huaichang pouted. “It’s not like I can control it. Maybe it’s because you feed me too well. Feel my stomach—I’ve even gained weight.”

Nuo Yang gave it a poke and, sure enough, found a soft layer of chub.

Had she really been overfeeding her?

But wasn’t Long Huaichang the one who usually cooked?

Though she couldn’t make sense of it, Nuo Yang knew she’d have to buy Long Huaichang new clothes again.

Well, winter was coming soon—might as well pick up some new winter outfits for herself too!

——————

A week later, when Long Ying Jun was released, he looked utterly haggard.

Normally, as a key suspect, he shouldn’t have gotten out so quickly. But the Long family had considerable influence, and Long Ying Jun had managed to distance himself from the mess, making the process smoother.

The only catch? Every last cent of his assets had been seized by the state, leaving him saddled with massive debts.

When he returned to his villa, before even stepping inside, he spotted renovation equipment and vehicles parked in his yard—and instantly felt a headache coming on!!

“Who? Whose things are those!” Long Yingjun shouted in a rage. “When did these things appear in my house? Who did this!”

“It was me.”

As the words fell, a woman in a black dress emerged from the villa.

Mu Jiazhao looked at the disheveled Long Yingjun standing before her, his face covered in stubble, and spoke slowly, “You can no longer live in this villa. I’ve already sold it to someone else.”

“Aunt?” Long Yingjun stared at her in disbelief. “This is my house. How dare you sell it?”

“Because of your actions, the stock price of the Long Group plummeted.”

Mu Jiazhao spoke to him calmly, “Your house, including this land, has been sold to cover your debts.”

Though furious, Long Yingjun knew he had lost his family fortune and business. The debts he owed could never be repaid now. He was a drowning dog, and only this woman, Mu Jiazhao, could still save him.

“Aunt,” Long Yingjun said meekly, “If the house is sold, then so be it. But could you help me?”

“Help you?” Mu Jiazhao sneered. “Why should I help you?”

“I was the one who altered… Shouldn’t you return the favor?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“You…!!”

Mu Jiazhao smiled at Long Yingjun and said, “Your uncle is dead. You and I are no longer family. Selling your house for you was already giving you face.”

“Then what about the debts I owe?” Long Yingjun’s eyes reddened with desperation. “Aunt, you can’t do this to me!”

Seeing his agitation, Mu Jiazhao softened her tone. “Don’t worry, you can repay those debts slowly. With so many outsiders around, it’s not convenient to discuss certain matters.”

“How about this? I’ve arranged a place for you abroad,” Mu Jiazhao said. “Go stay overseas for a while. When the storm here blows over, you can return.”

Long Yingjun frowned. “Go abroad?”

“Yes, don’t you have many friends overseas?” Mu Jiazhao replied. “Treat it as a vacation. After a year or two, everyone will forget about this incident, and you can return quietly.”

Long Yingjun pondered. His reputation was indeed in tatters. Having been so high-profile before and now making headlines for this scandal, nearly everyone knew of his misdeeds. As Mu Jiazhao said, turning things around would be difficult. Perhaps it was better to hide abroad for a few years before returning.

Time always buried one’s sins slowly. Many of his friends had done the same—committed wrongs, fled abroad, and continued living carefree lives overseas.

“Fine,” Long Yingjun reluctantly conceded. “Has Aunt already arranged everything?”

“It’s all settled,” Mu Jiazhao said. “Your parents are already waiting for you abroad. Go inside and pack your things. A driver will take you to the airport this afternoon. You’ll fly on the Long family’s private jet—no one will notice.”

Long Yingjun nodded, glancing at the furniture, wood, and paint scattered across the yard. Though he loathed the person who had reduced him to this state, now wasn’t the time for grudges. Leaving the country was the priority.

“Wait.”

As Long Yingjun brushed past Mu Jiazhao, she called out softly, “About the will alteration—no one else knows besides you, right?”

Long Yingjun gave her a strange look and nodded, “Yes, no one else knows about this besides me. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing,” Mu Jiazhao smiled. “Have fun abroad. I’ll call you back if anything comes up.”

As for whether he could actually return—that was another matter entirely.

With how chaotic things were overseas, if anything unfortunate happened to Long Yingjun, it would have absolutely nothing to do with her.