Transmigrated as a White Lotus Heroine, but I’m Pursuing the Cold Villain - Chapter 5

Lin Qinglian looked up, catching a faint scent of wood mingled with the sweet aroma of rainwater emanating from Rao Jinqing.

In Rao Jinqing’s slightly darker pupils, Lin Qinglian saw her own disheveled reflection.

A strand of wet black hair clung to her pale cheek. She hadn’t worn makeup today, and the bright red of her lips bore the marks of her teeth.

She could clearly feel Rao Jinqing’s gaze linger on her lips for a fleeting moment before quickly shifting away.

Rao Jinqing’s gaze moved from Lin Qinglian’s lips to her eyes. Though her expression remained unchanged—a hint of impatience due to the delay—her eyes seemed genuinely sincere. “Hmm? I splashed you with water. Let me apologize.”

Lin Qinglian’s hands froze mid-motion. “But…”

Rao Jinqing: “I just told my secretary I won’t be going to the office today. As the boss, I can take the day off whenever I want, right?”

To reassure her, Rao Jinqing even cracked a playful joke. By all appearances, she was a kind and considerate person, treating others with genuine care and sincerity.

Lin Qinglian knew better.

Rao Jinqing wanted something from her—someone powerless and insignificant. Coincidentally, Lin Qinglian wanted her younger brother.

After returning home, Lin Qinglian researched the man’s identity. She learned he was Rao Jinqing’s younger brother and the sole heir to the Rao Family—a perfect match.

Unfortunately, beyond this, Lin Qinglian could uncover nothing more. She had little connection to the elite circles. Undeterred, she observed Rao Jinqing for five days, finally discovering a way to gain access to her home.

Lin Qinglian hesitated briefly before nodding.

When Rao Jinqing pulled up in her car and stopped in front of her, Lin Qinglian first stood outside, observing the vehicle. Rao Jinqing had given her the umbrella earlier, so she remained dry under its shelter.

Rao Jinqing frowned.

She had an online meeting in fifteen minutes. Due to her grandmother’s rule that Rao Songning must live with her until he turned eighteen, her current residence was quite far from the company.

If she hurried, she could still make the meeting. Any later, and she’d be late, which would displease the board of directors.

Her slender fingers tapped impatiently on the steering wheel, the long, manicured nails clicking crisply against the leather.

Lin Qinglian timidly folded her umbrella and slipped into the car, bringing a mist of dampness with her.

Without fastening her seatbelt, she pointed awkwardly at a tissue box on the dashboard. “May I use one?”

“You can do whatever you want in the car,” Rao Jinqing said.

She glanced down at the Patek Philippe watch on her wrist.

The hands were steadily pointing to the first scoring mark.

It was 9:05 AM.

“Be careful in the car. I drive fast, so I don’t want you flying out.”

Lin Qinglian looked up and met her gaze, her round eyes blinking slowly. With slightly reddened ears, she fastened her seatbelt and pulled a tissue from the glove compartment.

Rao Jinqing pressed the accelerator, and the car shot forward.

When they stopped at the first red light, Rao Jinqing noticed Lin Qinglian using the tissue to wipe the water off the leather seat.

Pretending not to see, Rao Jinqing withdrew her peripheral vision and glanced at her watch.

9:11 AM. Still time.

The thought of the board members’ smug faces made her exhale in frustration.

With three seconds left on the red light, her foot shifted to the accelerator.

A slightly cool hand reached toward her face.

The hand was icy and damp, likely from the rain.

I should have held the umbrella more over her earlier, she thought fleetingly, then chuckled at her own absurd thought.

Just as she was about to turn her head, the hand tapped her cheek twice, and something soft brushed against her face.

It was a piece of paper.

Lin Qinglian said, “The light’s green.”

Rao Jinqing stepped on the gas and drove off.

Rao Jinqing’s villa was surprisingly modest, only three stories and about 600 square meters in total.

After arriving home, Rao Jinqing went to the second floor to fetch Lin Qinglian a set of clothes. “There’s a shower room on the first floor with toiletries. These are clothes I haven’t worn yet—use them for now. I’ve already asked someone to bring over more clothes.”

Lin Qinglian took the clothes with a nod, and Rao Jinqing hurried into the study on the second floor.

Lin Qinglian tossed the clothes casually onto the sofa and began searching for the shower room on the first floor.

At least, that’s what it looked like on the security cameras.

In reality, she quickly surveyed the area and drew her conclusions.

The first floor was likely a storage room or guest room. There was no maid’s quarters, and since the house wasn’t large, it was probably cleaned regularly by hired help, just like Chi Jiheng’s place.

Rao Songning must be on the second or third floor.

Despite its size, the house lacked any warmth. The interior was designed like a showroom, with a cold gray-and-white color scheme that gave off an impersonal vibe.

Moreover, the first floor was eerily empty. The wall to the right of the sofa was a floor-to-ceiling glass panel meant to let in natural light, but the curtains were drawn shut.

Only one very bright overhead light was on.

The light revealed every corner of the house, leaving no trace of warmth hidden.

She returned to the sofa to retrieve her clothes, then entered the shower. The showerhead had no markings, but after a quick turn, she knew the hot water was on the left and the cold on the right. Her hand touched the icy aluminum.

Though it was still summer, it was late September, and a heavy rain that morning had left a faint chill in the air.

Without hesitation, she twisted the showerhead to the right. The moment the cold water poured over her, she shivered.

Suddenly, she remembered her mother’s smile: the slight upturn of her lips and the gentle curve of her eyes.

She tried to mimic the expression, her blurred reflection in the aluminum showing her distorted features.

Her almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile, but droplets quickly rolled down her lashes, obscuring her reflection.

It wasn’t exactly like her mother’s, but it was close enough.

After her shower, she wrapped her hair in a disposable drying cap, put on a white shirt and a black pencil skirt, and stepped out of the bathroom.

The high-ceilinged living room was brightly lit by the central overhead light.

Lin Qinglian groped for the light switch and turned off the overhead lamp. She walked to the window and carefully cracked it open, letting in a sliver of dim but faintly luminous daylight.

A cool breeze drifted into the room.

She stood greedily by the window, gazing out at the small garden below. The courtyard was filled with vibrant red flowers blooming in a dazzling display.

Just then, a rustling sound came from the entryway, followed by footsteps approaching. A cold voice spoke from behind her.

“Sister, what are you doing home today?”

Lin Qinglian turned, offering a slightly apologetic smile in the direction of the voice.

A gust of wind lifted a strand of her hair. She reached up to tuck it behind her ear. “I’m sorry, I…”

The person immediately stepped back. His face remained expressionless as he turned and strode up the stairs without waiting for her to finish.

Lin Qinglian’s hand remained frozen behind her ear…

As Rao Jinqing reviewed her reports, a special notification popped up on her phone.

Rao Songning, her silly younger brother: Who did you bring home?!

Rao Jinqing didn’t reply. As she was about to exit the app, she noticed a small red dot on her phone.

It was a text message.

Unknown Number: President Rao, may I use some of your things?

Rao Jinqing assumed it was about the hairdryer.

Rao Jinqing: Feel free. Don’t be so formal with me.

Lin Qinglian: ^O^

After sending the message, Lin Qinglian put down her phone and walked to the refrigerator, carefully examining its contents.

The fridge was neatly packed with various items.

There was a half-eaten chocolate bar, neatly placed in a row, and a tray filled with round fruits. Lin Qinglian had to look closely before finding two eggs in a side drawer and two tomatoes hidden among the fruit.

Finally, after much searching through the dazzling array of drinks, fruits, and desserts, she managed to find a piece of beef and two potatoes.

She placed the ingredients in the sink and began washing them slowly.

By the time Rao Jinqing finished her meeting, it was already eleven o’clock. Only then did she remember there was someone at home.

She first replied to Rao Songning.

Rao Jinqing: A friend.

Then she went downstairs. As she rounded the corner of the staircase, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

Did the housekeeper come this early today?

She went downstairs but didn’t see anyone on the sofa. In the dim light, she noticed something had been placed on the dining table.

She walked into the kitchen and saw a slender figure standing at the stove, intently watching the contents of the pot.

A bubbling sound came from the pot—the sound of steam lifting the lid.

The figure immediately stepped forward, turned the heat down to low, and carefully transferred the contents onto a plate.

After plating the dish and quickly rinsing the pot, Lin Qinglian cracked an egg into the lightly bubbling oil.

She turned with the plate, her fair hand firmly supporting its base.

The hand, positioned between her own, was strikingly white, its skin almost translucent—paler than a normal person’s, yet slightly darker than her own.

Rao Jinqing: “Let me take that.”

Lin Qinglian lowered her gaze, the change was unmistakable.

She saw the back of Rao Jinqing’s hand was already flushed red. When she looked up, Rao Jinqing’s expression remained neutral, her gaze fixed intently on her.

This focused gaze felt particularly intense.

Lin Qinglian took Rao Jinqing’s other hand and placed it on the opposite side of the plate.

“This way is easier to carry,” Lin Qinglian said.

Rao Jinqing didn’t reply, silently adjusting her grip and carrying the dishes out.

After finishing the stir-fry, she lifted the lid of the other pot, which contained chicken that had been simmering on low heat for two hours.

Rao Jinqing returned to take out another dish.

Lin Qinglian turned off the stove and carried out the remaining dishes.

When she emerged, Rao Jinqing was fiddling with her phone. After sending a message, she placed the phone face-down on the table.

Lin Qinglian smiled shyly. “I only made five dishes.”

“That’s plenty,” Rao Jinqing replied. “We usually just have three at home.”

We—she and Rao Songning.

Footsteps approached. Lin Qinglian glanced over and saw a man descending the stairs, now dressed in a black T-shirt and black pants.

She vaguely remembered him wearing a red short-sleeved shirt and long pants when he first arrived.

Which university still requires uniforms?

Lin Qinglian looked up and smiled, but the man froze mid-step, his entire body stiffening.