The Villainess Is Pretending to Be Sweet Again Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 33

The final exams arrived quickly.

The atmosphere throughout the school grew tense. The second year of high school was already an awkward phase—a critical stretch in the long marathon where students were most likely to fall behind. As a result, many buried themselves in their studies, and troublemakers on campus became far fewer.

Long Huaichang, however, had always been used to roaming freely around Third High and the surrounding villages. Though she kept up with her studies, she couldn’t shake off the boredom-induced gloom.

Still, with finals approaching, she knew she had to rein it in a little.

After two weeks of intensive exam prep, the finals were finally underway.

On the first day of testing, Long Huaichang walked out of the school gates with her backpack in hand. Shi Tian, likely pressured by his family these past few days, didn’t have the energy to fool around with her and simply waved before heading off to cram school.

Watching Shi Tian’s weary figure retreat, Long Huaichang sighed inwardly before deciding to head home.

But just as she turned to leave, she spotted a sleek black limousine parked by the roadside not far away.

Third High was just an ordinary public school with mediocre academic performance—nothing outstanding. The sudden appearance of such an expensive car sent parents scurrying away, afraid of accidentally scratching it and losing a year’s wages in compensation.

Long Huaichang stood still, watching the vehicle, when soon enough, someone stepped out.

The woman wore a sharp black business suit, exuding an air of elite professionalism as she strode gracefully toward Long Huaichang.

“Young Miss,” the woman greeted with a polished smile. “Madam wishes to speak with you. Would you mind stepping into the car?”

Though Long Huaichang didn’t recognize the woman, she knew exactly who had come looking for her.

“No,” Long Huaichang replied flatly. “I have nothing to say to her.”

“Madam has been waiting in the car all afternoon. At least do her the courtesy—”

“Did I ask her to wait all afternoon?”

Long Huaichang sneered. “There’s nothing to discuss. Tell her to go home early.”

The woman hesitated, pleading, “Young Miss, if you don’t come, Madam will scold me.”

Long Huaichang knew this was just empty persuasion. “Then tell her to scold you less,” she said coolly before turning and walking away without another glance.

The woman could only watch helplessly as Long Huaichang disappeared into the distance before finally returning to the car.

“Well?” Mu Jiazhao asked without looking up from the news report on her phone. “She refuses to see me?”

“Yes,” the woman answered carefully. “The Young Miss seemed quite resistant. She wouldn’t come with me.”

Mu Jiazhao’s gaze lingered on her phone screen, where a breaking news alert detailed the crash of the Long family’s private jet. After a brief glance, she set the phone aside and instructed the driver, “Let’s go.”

The driver nodded. “Where to, Madam?”

“Home.” Mu Jiazhao crossed her arms and leaned back into the seat. “If she doesn’t want to see me, we’ll try again another time.”

Thanks to Mu Jiazhao’s sudden appearance, Long Huaichang had completely lost the mood to study at home. She didn’t understand why this woman had come looking for her or what she even wanted.

By all logic, as the illegitimate child, Long Huaichang should have been the target of Mu Jiazhao’s hatred—along with her mother. Yet, from beginning to end, Mu Jiazhao had never once caused trouble for their family. Instead, it was the Long family’s meddling aunts who often subjected her mother to abuse, both verbal and physical.

When Long Huaichang was younger, she knew nothing except how to defend her mother. But now she was no longer a child—she understood why the Long family treated her and her mother with such disdain, so she had even less reason to provoke them.

But why would Mu Jiazhao suddenly come looking for her?

Long Huaichang couldn’t figure it out, nor did she care to.

She boarded the bus, swaying along the route as it headed toward Nuo Yang’s company. Right now, the only person she wanted to see was Nuo Yang.

The receptionist at the front desk looked up when someone entered.

“Little Huai,” the receptionist greeted with a smile. “Here to see Xiao Nuo?”

Long Huaichang nodded. “Where’s my sister?”

“She’s in the break room. Just walk straight and turn the corner—you’ll see it.”

“Thanks.”

As Long Huaichang walked away, the receptionists huddled together, whispering—

“Why is Little Huai so cold? Is she really just 17?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen her smile. Even her greetings are icy.”

“Seems like only Xiao Nuo can make her laugh.”

“She’s so pretty—if she smiled more, she’d be absolutely stunning, right?”

“Totally!”

Unaware of the chatter behind her, Long Huaichang followed their directions and spotted a small office around the corner.

There was no title plaque on the door, but since it was the only room in the hallway, she couldn’t have mistaken it.

She raised her hand to knock, but the moment her fingers brushed the door, it slowly creaked open on its own…

Through the gap, Long Huaichang saw her sister curled up in the small space, hugging a half-person-sized pillow in her sleep. It was unclear how long she’d been napping—her chestnut hair was strewn messily across the couch, a few strands even dangling to the floor.

Long Huaichang blinked, then couldn’t help but let a faint smile tug at her lips.

People always said spring brought drowsiness and autumn fatigue, but why was Nuo Yang sleeping so deeply in the dead of winter?

She glanced around. The room seemed to be a converted storage space, with only a single vent in the corner. The windows were shut tight with the heater running, making the whole place warm and cozy.

The receptionists were still chatting when Long Huaichang reappeared.

“What’s wrong?” they asked. “Couldn’t find Xiao Nuo?”

“She’s asleep,” Long Huaichang replied. “Do you have a blanket?”

The receptionist pulled one from a cabinet and handed it over. “Xiao Nuo’s still sleeping? It’s almost time to clock out, you know.”

Long Huaichang took the blanket and answered flatly, “It’s fine. You can leave when your shift ends. I’ll stay with her.”

Without waiting for their response, she returned to the small room.

Nuo Yang must have been up to something late at night—now she was completely knocked out. While Long Huaichang had been gone, she’d even rolled over and kept right on sleeping.

Long Huaichang didn’t mind the way her hair was a wild mess. She gently draped the blanket over her.

Nuo Yang’s skin was pale, and the corners of the pillow had left faint imprints on her cheeks, clearly visible from Long Huaichang’s angle.

This sister of hers…

Long Huaichang chuckled softly, reaching out to smooth the stray strands stuck to Nuo Yang’s temples. She watched her for a long moment before finally standing and moving to the nearby desk, pulling out her textbooks to study.

Time passed quickly, and the place remained quiet due to its distance from the office. Long Huaichang glanced at her phone beside her—it was just past 5 p.m., the end of the workday—when she noticed Nuo Yang slowly opening her eyes.

Huh, woke up right on time.

Propping her chin on her hand, Long Huaichang watched as Nuo Yang sprawled on the sofa in a daze, wondering what was going through her mind.

Maybe she was still shaking off sleep?

Nuo Yang blinked groggily before sensing something unusual and looking down at herself—a brown blanket draped over her body.

No wonder she had slept so comfortably. Someone had covered her.

“Mmm…”

Nuo Yang stretched luxuriously on the sofa, then pushed herself up by gripping the edge. When she turned and suddenly spotted someone sitting behind her, she let out a piercing scream—

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!”

Once she recognized who it was, her face flushed with anger. “Why didn’t you say anything when you got here?!”

Long Huaichang remained in her chin-propped pose, twirling a ballpoint pen in her other hand as she grinned. “I’ve been here for a while. I was just watching you sleep.”

“You’ve been here for a while?” Nuo Yang frowned. “Then why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Because you looked so cute sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Nuo Yang pursed her lips. Lately, this kid had been getting way too smooth with her flirty remarks—and without even blushing!

“Did you put this blanket on me?” Nuo Yang asked.

“Yep.”

Long Huaichang nodded. “Sis, it’s time to clock out. Are you gonna keep sleeping?”

“Nah.” Nuo Yang sat up and slipped on her shoes. “No point in sleeping after work.”

Seeing her get ready, Long Huaichang began packing her stationery, shoving everything haphazardly into her backpack.

As Nuo Yang tied up her hair, she asked, “Didn’t you have final exams today?”

“They’re over.” Long Huaichang replied. “One more day tomorrow, and then it’s winter break.”

Nuo Yang nodded while holding a hair tie between her teeth. Wow, time really flew—she’d been in this world for nearly a year now.

Noticing Nuo Yang struggling with her hair, Long Huaichang volunteered, “Sis, I have a comb. Let me help you.”

Nuo Yang was happy to be pampered, so she patted the sofa beside her, inviting Long Huaichang over.

Pulling a comb from her bag, Long Huaichang settled behind Nuo Yang and began smoothing out her hair.

“Sis, why do you shed so much?”

“Is it a lot?”

Nuo Yang grew concerned. “Quick, check if I’m going bald!”

With exaggerated seriousness, Long Huaichang gasped, “Oh no, there’s a bald patch right on top!”

Nuo Yang: “???”

Damn brat, teasing her again!!!

Long Huaichang chuckled and steadied her flailing sister. “Hold still, I’m fixing your hair.”

Nuo Yang huffed but relaxed as the comb glided gently over her scalp, sending tingles down her spine.

If Long Huaichang ever failed college, maybe she could open a massage parlor for her.

With that amusing thought, Nuo Yang clapped excitedly. “Xiao Huai, how about hot pot for dinner?”

Long Huaichang had no objections. “Sure.”

Nuo Yang beamed. “Last time, Kexin and the others recommended a really good place. I’ve been meaning to try it.”

Long Huaichang finished styling Nuo Yang’s hair and said with a smile, “Let’s go eat today then.”

Nuo Yang turned to look at her and replied cheerfully, “Hurry and pack up, we’re leaving right now!”