The Villainess Is Pretending to Be Sweet Again Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 51

Long Huaichang noticed that since returning from the trip, Nuo Yang had been avoiding her—even refusing to let her do the laundry anymore.

Sometimes, when she got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, she’d spot Nuo Yang’s freshly washed pajamas hanging on the balcony. But because Nuo Yang never did housework, the clothes were always wrinkled, with bits of unrinsed soap still clinging to them. The sight made Long Huaichang want to laugh, but also left her feeling a little helpless.

At work that day, Nuo Yang spent the entire morning zoning out. When Cheng Bai and the others came to ask her about lunch orders at noon, they found her sitting at her desk, lost in thought.

To her colleagues, this behavior was downright bizarre. After all, they’d watched Nuo Yang grow from an intern to a full-time employee, and eventually into their boss. While they might not know every detail of her life, they were familiar enough with her personality to recognize that something was off.

“Xiao Nuo, what’s wrong?” Chu Kexin leaned over the cubicle divider, studying her. “You’re too cute to be making that kind of gloomy face.”

Nuo Yang lifted her head and let out a long sigh.

Cheng Bai also sensed something amiss. “What’s going on? You’ve seemed down these past few days. Did something happen?”

Nuo Yang opened her mouth. “I—”

I got kissed by the kid I raised. Twice. And it was the kind where she pinned me against the wall—couldn’t even escape if I tried.

The office crowd: “???”

Nuo Yang hesitated, then tried again. “I—”

Now I don’t even dare let her do my laundry. I chicken out every time I see her and can’t even look her in the eye—afraid I won’t be able to control myself.

Everyone: “???”

Nuo Yang pressed her lips together. “…”

I have no dignity left at home. How am I supposed to live like this from now on?

Everyone: “…”

What on earth was Nuo Yang trying to say? They hadn’t heard a single word, yet they could practically feel the turmoil radiating off her.

Finally, Nuo Yang exhaled deeply, ending the prolonged silence. “So… what are we ordering for lunch?”

Lunch break.

For the young office workers who didn’t go home, the hour-long break was usually spent napping or chatting.

Chu Kexin carried a tray of milk tea upstairs, distributing the drinks before settling beside Nuo Yang. “Hey, Xiao Nuo, why hasn’t Little Huaichang been coming around lately?”

Nuo Yang’s hand paused mid-straw insertion. After a moment, she replied, “She’s busy with school. It just started, after all.”

Chu Kexin didn’t question it, taking a sip of her drink. “I kind of miss having her around after she spent the whole summer here. Feels like something’s missing now.”

Cheng Bai accepted her milk tea and added, “It’s normal for her to be busy with school. Speaking of which, does Little Huaichang have a target university in mind?”

Nuo Yang bit her straw. “I don’t think so.”

She’d never really paid attention to that. Long Huaichang’s studies had never been something she interfered with—after all, money wasn’t an issue, and the girl could pursue whatever she wanted.

Chu Kexin suggested, “You know, X University is pretty good. She could study directing or journalism and come work for us after graduation.”

Cheng Bai scoffed. “Why would she want to work here? With her looks, she could easily become a host or an actress. She could even apply to film school.”

“You’re right, we shouldn’t delay things for someone as pretty as Little Huai.”

“No need to worry about her—she might’ve already caught the eye of a talent scout.”

Listening to their chatter, Nuo Yang didn’t interject because she wasn’t sure about Long Huaichang’s future plans either.

In the original story, after dropping out in her first year of high school, Long Huaichang never returned to school. She struggled through life until inheriting the family fortune at age 20, becoming the youngest billionaire.

Remembering the adult gift Long’s father gave her at 18, Nuo Yang thought just that one redacted was something ordinary people couldn’t obtain even after several lifetimes of effort.

“Xiao Nuo.” Cheng Bai sipped her milk tea, watching Nuo Yang’s dazed expression before saying, “Actually, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Nuo Yang: “Hmm? What is it?”

“Well…” Cheng Bai blinked and asked, “Xiao Nuo, would you like me to set you up with someone?”

Nuo Yang: “???”

Chu Kexin: “???”

Cheng Bai: “I have a relative who’s been studying abroad and is about to return to start a business. Her mother keeps pestering me to find her a match, and I think you’d be perfect…”

Chu Kexin looked impressed: “Sister Cheng Bai, I’ve never seen an employee try to matchmake their boss before. You’re definitely the first person brave enough to do this.”

Cheng Bai waved her hand dismissively, “It’s just that her mother whispered to my mom, who then whispered to me. I had no choice but to ask Nuo Yang.”

Chu Kexin: “I’m single too, why not ask me?”

Cheng Bai: “Do you like girls? She’s my younger sister—if you’re interested, I could introduce you.”

Chu Kexin: “Hmm… I’m not really into girls. Better introduce her to Nuo Yang. I’m going for my nap—you two chat!”

After Chu Kexin left, Cheng Bai took on a big-sisterly demeanor, pulling Nuo Yang closer. “How about I show you her photo first?”

Nuo Yang’s hair stood on end: “No, no! I’m not looking to date or go on blind dates right now.”

Cheng Bai looked puzzled: “Why not?”

Nuo Yang explained: “Because I promised Xiao Huai I wouldn’t get a girlfriend until after she graduates. It’s not time yet.”

Cheng Bai blinked: “What kind of promise is that? Doesn’t it seem strange to you?”

Nuo Yang: “Does it?”

Cheng Bai: “Of course! I’ve never seen a little sister so against her big sister dating. If this were a drama, that kind of promise would usually mean she’s jealous.”

Nuo Yang: “…?”

Jealous??

Nuo Yang remembered that day in the elevator when Long Huaichang had pinned her against the wall, her soft voice sweetly complaining.

“Sister, I’m jealous…”

Just recalling Long Huaichang’s dark eyes made Nuo Yang’s ears burn red, her face growing hot.

Unaware of Nuo Yang’s reaction, Cheng Bai continued, “I think Xiao Huai is really attached to you. Anyway, my younger sister is very smart and quite pretty. Why not meet her first?”

Whether it worked out or not could be decided later—someone as wonderful as Nuo Yang wouldn’t stay single forever.

After some thought, Nuo Yang still didn’t feel comfortable being set up. She declined awkwardly, “I’m really not interested in blind dates. Sorry, Sister Cheng Bai.”

Cheng Bai sighed leisurely, “Alright then. If you change your mind, you can tell me. But let me say this—Xiao Huai will have to grow up eventually. It’s not good for you to spoil her so much. Is she never going to find a partner in the future?”

With that, Cheng Bai left. Nuo Yang hugged her milk tea, lost in thought.

Would Long Huaichang find a girlfriend someday?

Nuo Yang touched her lips with her fingers. Long Huaichang’s first kiss had been with her. Wouldn’t that be awkward if she met someone she liked?

Pursing her lips, Nuo Yang decided not to dwell on such a headache-inducing question.

At 5 p.m., as Cheng Bai and the others were packing up to leave, they noticed Nuo Yang still at her desk. “Xiao Nuo, how are you getting home today? It’s raining pretty hard outside,” Cheng Bai asked.

Nuo Yang glanced out the window at the drizzling spring rain. “I’ll borrow an umbrella from the front desk later.”

Chu Kexin, who had just entered the office partition, chimed in, “No more left. I took the last one.”

Nuo Yang: “Not a single one left?”

Chu Kexin: “Yeah. Our homes are in opposite directions, otherwise I could’ve dropped you off first.”

Cheng Bai looked at the darkening sky outside. “There probably aren’t any places nearby selling umbrellas. Xiao Nuo, why don’t you call Xiao Huai and have her pick you up?”

“Right, your place is just two stops away. It’d be easy for her to come.”

“Yeah, who knows how long this rain will last.”

Just as the two were tag-teaming the suggestion, Nuo Yang’s phone rang—speak of the devil.

Long Huaichang: Sister, it’s raining outside. Did you bring an umbrella?

Chu Kexin peeked over and said, “Reply to little sister Huai and have her come get you.”

Nuo Yang felt uneasy but couldn’t resist their urging. She replied: No, can you bring me an umbrella?

Lately, Nuo Yang had been avoiding her, so Long Huaichang had assumed she’d rather get soaked than have her come. Getting a response now made her ecstatic.

Long Huaichang: Okay, sister, wait for me.

Chu Kexin, still peeking, grinned when she saw Huaichang was coming. “We’ll head out first then. Let your little sister take you home.”

Watching everyone leave, Nuo Yang sighed and sat back down.

Wait a minute—wasn’t she the boss? Why couldn’t she just take an umbrella???

Nuo Yang turned around in shock, only to see Chu Kexin and the others already in the elevator. She gritted her teeth in frustration. Their relationships were too close—she’d completely forgotten her position.

With no other choice, the receptionist handed Nuo Yang the keys, asking her to lock up on her way out.

Watching the young receptionist leave with her rainbow umbrella, Nuo Yang couldn’t bring herself to take it and simply nodded in agreement.

Spring rain wasn’t like summer storms—it fell gently, almost tenderly.

After what felt like forever, Nuo Yang heard the elevator doors open. She looked up to see Long Huaichang standing at the company entrance, holding a long-handled umbrella and gazing at her.

Huaichang waved. After a brief hesitation, Nuo Yang picked up her bag and walked over.

Once Nuo Yang locked the office door, Huaichang said, “I’ve already made dinner. Let’s go home.”

“Hmm.” Nuo Yang casually asked, “What did you make for dinner tonight?”

It felt so natural that Nuo Yang didn’t realize anything was off at first. Only when she turned to look at Long Huaichang did she notice the strange way the other girl was looking at her.

“I made all your favorite dishes.” Long Huaichang walked over, took Nuo Yang’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “Let’s go.”