The Villainess Is Pretending to Be Sweet Again Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 34

Nuo Yang realized that whenever she went out with Long Huaichang, their outings always revolved around shopping and eating. Perhaps it was because no one had ever accompanied Nuo Yang to play before, so now that she had both money and free time, she particularly enjoyed going out for leisure activities.

The recommended hot pot restaurant was crowded, and Nuo Yang and her companion had to wait in line for nearly an hour before securing a small table for two.

“This one, this one, and this one,” Nuo Yang ordered a few dishes before flipping through the menu and adding, “Actually, just bring us one of everything except these.”

The waiter: “…”

Long Huaichang: “…Sis, that’s too much.”

Nuo Yang pursed her lips and said, “But Kexin said everything here is delicious.”

She no longer cared about how much money she spent on food—she just wanted to eat all her favorite dishes, believing that only what she consumed truly belonged to her.

The waiter, probably unaccustomed to such extravagant orders, smiled wryly and suggested, “That really is too much for two people. How about we serve half portions of each dish? Would that work for you?”

Nuo Yang’s eyes lit up as she nodded. “That sounds great! Thank you, miss!”

After the waiter took their order to the kitchen, Long Huaichang waited until she was out of earshot before saying, “Sis, eating this much will upset your stomach.”

“It’s fine,” Nuo Yang replied cheerfully. “If we can’t finish, we can always take the leftovers home.”

“But you don’t like eating leftovers.”

“Hmm…”

As the two debated the wisdom of ordering so much food, a girl in a short skirt suddenly appeared at their table, startling them both.

Jiang Li stood with her hands behind her back, smiling at Long Huaichang and Nuo Yang. “Huaichang, you’re here for hot pot too?”

Nuo Yang looked at the pretty girl in surprise. Who was she?

Recognizing Jiang Li, Long Huaichang nodded. “Yeah, are you here to eat too?”

“Yep,” Jiang Li replied, glancing at their empty table. “Did you just arrive? I came with my mom to celebrate finishing my exams.”

“But you still have one more day of exams tomorrow. Why celebrate now?”

“Because I wanted to eat out. It’s too stuffy at home.”

Noticing the two girls chatting, Nuo Yang offered, “Would you like to join us, little sister?”

Given the amount of food she had ordered, sharing with four people would probably be just right.

“No, thanks,” Jiang Li said with a smile. “I just came over to say hi to Huaichang.”

Then, she scrutinized Nuo Yang from head to toe before blinking and asking, “You’re so pretty, sister. Are you Huaichang’s girlfriend?”

Nuo Yang froze.

Long Huaichang was equally stunned before tugging at Jiang Li’s skirt. “Stop joking. This is my sister.”

Jiang Li grinned. “Nice to meet you, sister. I’m Huaichang’s classmate.”

Nuo Yang quickly nodded. “Hello, I’m Long Huaichang’s sister…”

Afraid Jiang Li might spread rumors about their supposed relationship, Long Huaichang urged her, “Didn’t you come with your mom? You should go back. We’ll see each other at school tomorrow.”

Jiang Li chuckled, then leaned down to whisper in Long Huaichang’s ear, “Your sister is really pretty. She’s totally your type, isn’t she?”

With that, she waved at them both and scampered off like a cat that had stolen the cream.

Nuo Yang didn’t catch what the two had whispered earlier. Sipping the complimentary barley tea, she remarked, “Xiao Huai, your classmate is so adorable. What did she say to you?”

Long Huaichang lowered her head to take a sip of water, her ears tinged slightly red as she murmured, “Nothing much.”

“Your sister is really beautiful—she’s totally your type, right?”

Somehow, those words felt like kitten paws scratching at Long Huaichang’s heart, leaving her unsettled.

The dim lighting in the hotpot restaurant cast Nuo Yang in a play of shadows, her skin appearing even fairer in the contrast. Her chestnut hair was tied up, with a few loose strands framing her temples swaying gently in the warm air, the glow making her look exceptionally striking.

“She’s your type, right?”

Jiang Li really did know her well.

Nuo Yang poured herself another cup of barley tea and, watching the girl return to her seat nearby, turned back to Long Huaichang with a smile. “What’s her name? She’s so cute.”

Long Huaichang was silent for a moment before asking, “Sister, do you really think she’s cute?”

Nuo Yang nodded eagerly. “Mhm, mhm! She looks so sweet, and her smile is just adorable.”

For some reason, Long Huaichang suddenly felt a pang of displeasure. Frowning, she muttered, “Is that so?”

“Of course!” Nuo Yang sighed. “Xiao Huai, I wish you could smile that sweetly too.”

Long Huaichang retorted unhappily, “I smile all the time.”

“Well… but you’re not as cute as her.”

“Sister!”

Sensing Long Huaichang’s irritation, Nuo Yang quickly reached out to placate the sulking girl. “Alright, alright, I didn’t mean you’re not good. You two just have different styles.”

Long Huaichang crossed her arms, thoroughly annoyed.

Nuo Yang turned her attention back to Jiang Li, chuckling as she observed, “Xiao Huai, does she like you? She keeps looking this way.” She even waved at Jiang Li.

Without turning, Long Huaichang glared at Nuo Yang. “If you weren’t looking at her, how would you know she’s staring?”

Nuo Yang brushed it off. “You’re so stubborn sometimes. I think that girl might have a crush on you.”

Long Huaichang: “…”

Nuo Yang: “If you ever get a girlfriend, you should find someone as cute as her.”

Long Huaichang exhaled slowly, realizing their thoughts were completely misaligned. Arguing would be like playing the lute to a cow.

And that oblivious cow was still staring at Jiang Li.

Look, look, keep looking!!!

Long Huaichang’s face darkened with frustration. What was so special about Jiang Li? She wasn’t even half as pretty as her! Here she was, a stunning beauty sitting right in front of Nuo Yang, yet her sister preferred gazing across several tables!!!

Sister, do you even have any taste?!?!

Before Long Huaichang could explode, the server arrived with their order.

“Miss!” Nuo Yang called out cheerfully. “Could you send this, this, this, this, this, this, and this to that table over there?”

The server glanced at Jiang Li’s table and nodded. “Of course.”

Long Huaichang propped her chin on one hand, refusing to look at her sister.

This was beyond infuriating.

Seemingly satisfied with her mischief, Nuo Yang began adding her favorite ingredients to the hotpot and prepared some dipping sauce for Long Huaichang.

Long Huaichang didn’t eat much at dinner tonight, and Nuo Yang wasn’t a big eater either, so quite a bit of food was left over.

As the waiter was helping to pack up the leftovers, Nuo Yang was rubbing her slightly bloated stomach and panting.

Long Huaichang glanced at her and said disapprovingly, “Sis, if you couldn’t eat any more, you shouldn’t have forced yourself. You’re acting like a kid.”

Nuo Yang huffed and said haughtily, “I’m treating you to dinner, and you’re still complaining? Go pay with my card—you know the PIN.”

Seeing she didn’t want to move, Long Huaichang didn’t argue further. She took the bank card from her bag and went to pay.

While at the counter, Jiang Li walked over holding an ice cream.

“Huaichang~”

Jiang Li smiled and said, “Thank your sister for me, for treating me and my mom to dinner.”

Long Huaichang replied indifferently, “I already thanked her on your behalf. It’s fine.”

Jiang Li studied her displeased expression with amusement and took a bite of her ice cream. “You… aren’t jealous, are you?”

Long Huaichang’s hand paused mid-swipe. She turned to Jiang Li and said coldly, “Who are you saying is jealous?”

Jiang Li wasn’t intimidated and grinned. “Am I wrong?”

Long Huaichang fell silent for a moment before finally taking back her card and walking away without another word.

Jiang Li called after her, “See you at school tomorrow!”

Long Huaichang shot her a glance, huffed, and returned to her seat.

By then, Nuo Yang had already packed several takeout bags and was peeking into each one to see what was inside.

“You’re back?” Nuo Yang looked up and asked, “What were you talking about with your classmate just now?”

“Nothing.” Long Huaichang put the card away and said, “Sis, let’s go home.”

Nuo Yang blinked, noticing Long Huaichang was in a bad mood but unsure why. The hot pot had been delicious—why wasn’t she happy?

On the way back, Nuo Yang chatted on the phone with Chu Kexin, praising the hot pot restaurant she’d recommended.

Long Huaichang glanced at her, then suddenly reached out and pulled her closer.

Nuo Yang stumbled in surprise.

“What’s wrong?” Nuo Yang hung up and asked, puzzled.

Long Huaichang hesitated before finally admitting, her face reddening, “I’m upset today.”

Nuo Yang blinked. “Why?”

Long Huaichang: “…”

She didn’t know why. She just was.

“Xiao Huai, are you tired?” Nuo Yang asked worriedly. “Did you not do well on your exams? Even if you didn’t, I wouldn’t blame you. There’s no need to be upset.”

Long Huaichang pressed her lips together and said, “Sis, don’t look at other girls next time.”

Nuo Yang: “???”

Long Huaichang continued, “Pretty women are all bad. What if you get tricked?”

Nuo Yang tilted her head. “Not all of them are bad. There are plenty of nice girls too.”

“Anyway,” Long Huaichang stubbornly grabbed Nuo Yang’s hand, “if you want to find a girlfriend, you can’t do it while I’m still in school.”

“Huh…??”

“It’ll affect my studies.”

Long Huaichang lifted her chin defiantly. “I promised not to date early, so you have to promise not to just find a girlfriend casually.”

Nuo Yang tilted her head again. Long Huaichang was acting really strange today. Why was she so worked up about whether or not Nuo Yang found a girlfriend?

“Alright then.” Nuo Yang sighed helplessly, looking at Long Huaichang with affection as he said, “I promise you, even if I get a girlfriend in the future, I’ll try not to bring her home. Happy now?”

Long Huaichang bit his lip angrily and retorted, “No!”

This wasn’t good at all! Not one bit!