The Villainess Is Pretending to Be Sweet Again Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 7

Nuo Yang finished buying groceries and was heading home when she spotted Long Huaichang coming up from the underground parking garage with her motorcycle helmet. Their eyes met from a distance.

“Xiao Huai!”

Nuo Yang waved enthusiastically, but Long Huaichang merely glanced at her before wordlessly entering the residential complex without responding.

This cold shoulder puzzled Nuo Yang. While the girl was usually quiet, she’d never shown such indifference before. Perplexed, Nuo Yang quickened her pace.

During the evening rush hour, the upscale apartment complex was unusually crowded. Normally returning after 9 PM, Nuo Yang was experiencing for the first time the long elevator queues during peak hours.

Long Huai Chang, being closer to the building entrance, stood about ten people ahead in line. Nuo Yang waved her plastic grocery bag, attempting another greeting, but the girl deliberately avoided eye contact, leaving Nuo Yang feeling awkward.

What’s gotten into her today? Did I somehow offend her?

As Nuo Yang wondered, she overheard whispered gossip from middle-aged women ahead of her:

“Look at that long-haired girl—she’s the Long family’s illegitimate child living upstairs.”

“So that’s her? I’ve hardly seen her around.”

“Didn’t you hear? Last month someone hanged themselves at home—that was her mother.”

“That woman who dressed like a peacock every day? One look and you could tell she was a mistress—that vixen could seduce men just walking down the street!”

Their voices grew louder, drawing attention from others in line, all eyes turning toward Long Huai Chang. Though her back was turned, Nuo Yang sensed she heard every cruel word.

The malicious gossip escalated:

“Serves the homewrecker right—good riddance!”

“Women who break up families deserve to die miserable deaths.”

“That bastard child probably isn’t clean either—who knows whose seed she really is…”

Nuo Yang couldn’t take it anymore. “Have you said ENOUGH?!” she shouted.

The women turned in shock, their beady eyes sizing up the unexpected interrupter. “Who are you?” they sneered. “This doesn’t concern you!”

“How dare you speak like that in public!” Nuo Yang fumed. “Have you no decency?”

“Who do you think you are?”

“I—I’m Long Huaichang’s sister! Have you considered how your words affect people?”

The women smirked and stage-whispered, “Oh, the little vixen’s sister—probably no better herself.”

Nuo Yang opened her mouth to retort, but before she could speak, Long Huaichang strode over, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her abruptly into the elevator.

Long Huaichang squeezed through the crowd. Everyone had witnessed the earlier scene and was eager for the two to leave quickly, so no one commented on their line-cutting.

Once out of the elevator, Long Huaichang finally released Nuo Yang’s hand.

“Why did you step in?”

Long Huaichang’s  dark, bright eyes fixed on Nuo Yang as she said calmly, “Those gossiping women—let them talk. Why did you even argue with them?”

Nuo Yang was furious. She felt like she had never been this angry in her entire life.

Those women had dared to say she was no good either! Nuo Yang had lived her life honestly and decently—this was the first time anyone had ever called her such a thing!

Ahhhh, it made her so mad!!!!

“I was just angry!” Nuo Yang snapped. “They were saying all those things about you—why didn’t you say anything back?”

Their mouths were so foul, spewing words like “homewrecker” and “filthy.” Who knew what they ate at home to make their breath so rotten!

Long Huaichang looked at Nuo Yang, who stood with her arms crossed and a sullen expression, and for some reason, she suddenly felt like laughing.

Ever since Long Huaichang had learned about her own identity, she had always been the subject of whispers behind her back—

The homewrecker’s daughter.

The illegitimate child.

Dirty.

The villain who ruined families.

She knew exactly what all of it meant, but she had never known how to respond to such insults.

Because, after all, they were telling the truth.

Staring at Nuo Yang, Long Huaichang suddenly realized this woman seemed different from everyone else. She knew Long Huaichang was illegitimate, yet she still treated her so well—giving her a room to stay in, never showing her any disdain.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Nuo Yang blinked, noticing Long Huaichang’s  gaze. “I’m furious, and you’re just standing there all calm.”

Long Huaichang pressed her lips together and said, “Their words won’t take a piece of flesh from me. Next time, don’t argue with them.”

“I can’t just let that slide,” Nuo Yang said. “And also, Xiao Huai, don’t pretend you don’t know me in public anymore. Everyone knows I’m your sister now—if you keep acting like we’re strangers, it’ll be too much.”

Long Huaichang knew she was referring to what had happened earlier in the underground parking lot, and her face flushed slightly.

She really had pretended not to see Nuo Yang, and now that she’d been caught, she felt a little embarrassed.

“I understand.”

Seeing Long Huaichang nod obediently, Nuo Yang happily reached out and took her hand, smiling. “Alright, don’t be upset anymore. Forget about those people. Tonight, I’ll cook something delicious for you!”

Long Huaichang’s  dark eyes flickered with anticipation as she nodded at Nuo Yang.

For the first time in her life, someone was taking care of her like this.

She tightened her grip slightly, feeling the warmth of Nuo Yang’s hand, and for once, the touch she had always hated felt so comforting…

That evening, Nuo Yang prepared a few simple dishes—corn with salted egg yolk, tomato egg soup, sweet and sour pork, and spicy and sour shredded potatoes.

It wasn’t a lavish spread, but it was more than enough for two girls.

Nuo Yang scooped some of the corn with salted egg yolk into Long Huaichang’s  bowl and said, “Here, this is your favorite. Try it and see if I made it well!”

Long Huaichang stared at the golden corn kernels and, after a long silence, asked, “How did you know I like this?”

As far as she could remember, she had never mentioned it to Nuo Yang.

Nuo Yang was momentarily stunned—she couldn’t very well say she’d read about it in a book, could she?

After thinking for a long while, she finally stammered out, “Don’t all girls like sweet things like this? I thought you might like it too.”

Long Huaichang stared at Nuo Yang for a long moment before nodding. “Mhm, thanks, sis.”

Seeing that she’d managed to dodge the question, Nuo Yang helped Long Huaichang serve a few more dishes before burying herself in her meal.

Long Huaichang popped the sweet corn into her mouth, chewing lightly a couple of times, her gaze fixed on the top of Nuo Yang’s head without a word.

It wasn’t just about the food or the flavors—Long Huaichang suddenly realized that she had never actually told Nuo Yang her name. So how had she known…?

——————

The next day was Saturday. Long Huaichang didn’t have school, and Nuo Yang didn’t have work, so the two of them lazed around at home without bothering to cook, ordering takeout for both breakfast and lunch.

Nuo Yang, looking disheveled, crouched in the living room playing video games all afternoon, showing no trace of being haunted by the fact that someone had died there.

Long Huaichang sat on the sofa with a book in her arms, though she wasn’t really reading. Instead, she leaned sideways, watching Nuo Yang play. Even though this woman kept dying in Mario, it was still livelier than being alone.

Just as Nuo Yang rescued the princess, her phone on the side rang.

Cheng Bai: Nuo Yang, Nuo Yang, meet at the entrance of Punk Night at 6! Don’t be late!

Nuo Yang set down the controller and replied: Don’t worry, I’m ready anytime!

Cheng Bai: I’m going to the bank to withdraw some cash for spending. Need me to get some for you?

Nuo Yang: Spending?

Cheng Bai: You know, that kind of spending!

Nuo Yang: Then get me a little. How much is enough?

Cheng Bai: A few hundred or thousand should do. I’ll cover you first—pay me back after you get your salary!

Nuo Yang agreed, though she couldn’t help but think how outdated nightclubs were these days. Everywhere else took cards and QR codes—why did this place still need cash?

Long Huaichang, seeing her clutching her phone with a puzzled expression, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Nuo Yang said, setting her phone down. “I’m heading out later. You’ll have to eat dinner alone tonight.”

“Going out?”

Long Huaichang blinked. “Where are you going, sis? What for?”

Nuo Yang stood up and said breezily, “Just dinner with coworkers~”

There was no way she could tell Long Huaichang she was going to a nightclub to watch that kind of dance!

Long Huaichang watched as Nuo Yang went upstairs to change. The weather was warm today, so Nuo Yang wore a lemon-patterned, pale-yellow sundress with her hair in a princess half-updo, instantly making her look years younger.

Nuo Yang grabbed her bag from the coat rack by the door and turned to Long Huaichang. “Alright, I’m off.”

“Wait.” Long Huaichang stood barefoot in the doorway, her dark, gleaming eyes fixed on Nuo Yang. “Can’t I come with you? I don’t want to eat alone at home.”

Nuo Yang: “…”

Sweetie, I really can’t take you.

“It’s a coworkers’ gathering. Bringing you along might be a little awkward…”

Not to mention the other entertainment—definitely not appropriate.

Long Huaichang’s big, dark eyes blinked up at her, pitiful and pleading. “No? I just wanted to eat with you…”

Nuo Yang: “…”

When did this kid become so good at acting cute???

As the sun set and night fell over the city, three familiar figures stood at the entrance of Punk Night.

Cheng Bai waved at Nuo Yang when she saw her getting out of the taxi: “Nuo Yang, over here…???”

The three of them looked closer and noticed another person stepping out of the taxi.

The person was dressed in black trousers and a long black shirt, with smooth dark hair tied into a ponytail at the nape—walking with an effortlessly cool grace.

Nuo Yang and Long Huaichang approached them, apologizing: “Sorry, we got delayed by something. We’re five minutes late.”

“It’s fine…” Chu Kexin looked at Long Huaichang in surprise, asking, “Little girl, you are…?”

Nuo Yang quickly introduced her: “This is my younger sister, Long—I mean, Xiao Huai. I wasn’t comfortable leaving her home alone, so I brought her along.”

Cheng Bai discreetly pinched Nuo Yang and whispered, “How old is this kid? Why are you bringing her to a nightclub?”

Nuo Yang whispered back, “There’s a KFC nearby. She can eat there, then go upstairs afterward—I’ve already arranged everything!”

Cheng Bai asked, “Did she agree to this?”

Nuo Yang nodded. She wouldn’t have brought Long Huaichang out if she hadn’t agreed.

Da Da glanced at Long Huai Chang, feeling like she’d seen the girl somewhere before. As a designer, she was always sensitive to faces and images.

But after staring for a while without recognition, Da Da decided they should just head inside first.

“Xiao Huai, go grab some food at the KFC next door.” Nuo Yang transferred some money to Long Huaichang’s  phone and said, “After eating, go upstairs to the bookstore. I’ll come find you when we’re done.”

Long Huaichang nodded obediently: “Got it. Big sis, remember to pick me up early.”

Nuo Yang felt her bones melt at the sweet “big sis” and nodded before entering the club with the other three.

Long Huaichang ordered a single meal at KFC, quickly finished her dinner by the floor-to-ceiling window, then got up with a cup of Coke and headed toward the nightclub.

At the entrance, she was stopped by security.

“What’s your business here? Minors aren’t allowed in.”

Long Huaichang slurped the last of her Coke with a “huhuhu” sound, glanced around, and said, “I’m not here to party.”

The guard scoffed: “Still not happening.”

Just then, the manager nearby noticed the commotion at the door. After a brief pause, he hurried over.

Upon closer inspection, he confirmed it was indeed Long Huaichang and said, “Young miss, what are you… doing in a place like this?”

Long Huaichang turned to look at him and replied, “I’m here to inspect the Long family’s business. Is there a problem?”