Villain Strategy Rules [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22

Director Zhang was nearly fifty but maintained herself exceptionally well. Even without makeup today, her fair, rosy complexion made her age indiscernible. Dressed in a black overcoat with a black fitted dress underneath, her hair tied in a low ponytail, she seemed to exist apart from the orphanage itself.

Yang Yue whispered, “We’ll have to hand in our phones later. She usually doesn’t say much during meetings, so just follow along.”

Wen Zhixu nodded. “Yeah, I’m not stupid. I know better than to expose anything now.”

Once everyone had arrived, Director Zhang announced, “Alright, since we’re all here, please leave your phones outside.”

Everyone obediently placed their phones on a tray, which a staff member then carried out.

Director Zhang got straight to the point. “A new year has begun, and many of you have been here for a long time. I know most of you will leave in a few years, but I still want to remind you—children are the flowers of our nation. Recently, I’ve heard reports of child abuse. I hope such incidents won’t happen again this year.”

Wen Zhixu inwardly rolled her eyes. The director was truly a master of shifting blame. Rumor had it that she was the one who set the rules, yet now that her lover was up for promotion, she suddenly played the ignorant card.

The others remained silent, listening quietly.

“Now, I have a few announcements to make. First, everyone must fulfill their duties diligently…”

–

Chaoyao followed her memory to the dormitory. The children hadn’t started school yet, so they were all gathered in the small courtyard of the dorm building. At their playful age, even a doll or a few pebbles could keep them entertained for hours.

“Xin’er, come here for a second,” Chaoyao called out to a group of little girls in the corner.

The girl named Xin’er turned, her face lighting up at the sight of Chaoyao. Chilled by the winter wind, her rosy cheeks were flushed as she trotted over with a grin. “Sister Chaoyao, you’re back! Are you leaving again?”

Chaoyao crouched down, smoothing Xin’er’s hair and gently pinching her cheeks. “I’m back, but I’ll have to leave this afternoon. Keep working hard, Xin’er. Study well, okay?”

Xin’er pouted. “Okay… I’ll try my best.”

Chaoyao smiled. “How have you been lately? Eating and sleeping well?”

Xin’er fiddled with her fingers. “I ate so well during New Year’s! I even got a big chicken leg!”

The orphanage cafeteria had fixed portions, with no special treatment based on age. Younger children like Xin’er often couldn’t compete for better spots in line, ending up with nothing but watery broth and plain vegetables.

Chaoyao pulled a few milk candies from her pocket, unwrapping one and popping it into Xin’er’s mouth. “And what about on normal days? Sleeping and attending classes on time?”

Suddenly, Xin’er’s expression darkened. Tears welled up instantly as she began to sob, her small body trembling. “S-someone bullied me… I told the teacher, but she ignored me. So I fought back… Then Director Zhang… she locked me up. For a whole day and night! No food, no water… It was so dark… I was so hungry and thirsty…”

Xin’er hadn’t been at the orphanage long. Abandoned as a baby, she had arrived quiet and well-behaved, her mind sharper than most children her age. Chaoyao hadn’t expected to hear this from her—she had thought Xin’er, of all people, would be spared.

Chaoyao immediately hugged Xiner, patting her back gently. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Big sister is here, don’t be afraid.”

After calming down from her sobs, Xiner asked, “Sister Chaoyao, why does Director Zhang treat us like this? Why does she appear so kind in front of others but becomes a completely different person behind closed doors?”

Checking that the recorder was still running, Chaoyao replied, “Does Xiner know how others are doing? How have the teachers and director been treating you all recently?”

Xiner blinked her teary eyes. “It’s been better these past few days. But not long ago, a little boy had his arm broken. He’s still recovering with white bandages wrapped around it.”

“Look, he’s right over there—Brother Xiaoyuan! Come here!” Xiner waved.

A thin boy with his arm in a cast walked over. “Hello, sister.”

Feeling her phone in her pocket, Chaoyao asked, “How did you hurt your arm?”

The older boy hesitated, looking down nervously. “Can… can I really tell you?”

“Yes,” Chaoyao reassured him, glancing around. All the teachers were supposed to be in a meeting today, and Director Zhang didn’t know she had come. “Tell me, and I’ll help you.”

The boy whispered, “A teacher hit me.”

Chaoyao pressed further, “Which teacher? Was she following someone’s orders?”

After thinking for a moment, the boy answered, “Director Zhang allowed it. That’s why she hit me, and then my arm got broken.”

Having gotten the answer she needed, Chaoyao gave him some candy and turned off the recorder. “Can I take a photo of you?”

The boy nodded. “Okay.”

Chaoyao snapped a picture of him. Then, while the children were playing, she quietly slipped into her car, sitting in the back and covering her face with a scarf, pretending to be asleep.

–

After finishing her speech, Director Zhang stood up. “That concludes the meeting. Although you won’t be staying at the orphanage permanently, during your tenure, you must focus on its development and care for the children. You may all leave now.”

Once they stepped out of the meeting room, Wen Zhixu couldn’t hold back. “What a wolf in sheep’s clothing! She talks so sweetly, but who set up that dark room? Who do those lackeys work for?”

Yang Yue sighed. “It’s normal, but what can you do? You said you wanted to expose her—expose what? Child abuse?”

Wen Zhixu scoffed. “Do you think child abuse is her only crime?”

“Today, she dressed plainly, but the watch faintly visible on her wrist was anything but. It must be worth at least a few million. The Song Dynasty had a similar one—custom-made by her aunt, with added gemstones, worth over ten million. I don’t know if Director Zhang’s is custom, but it’s definitely expensive.”

Yang Yue was surprised. “Your observation skills are that sharp?”

Wen Zhixu shrugged. “When she reaches for things, her arm extends, and it becomes visible.”

A woman who dressed so simply and drove an ordinary car—how could she afford such an expensive watch? Anyone with eyes could guess the reason.

“006, can you locate Director Zhang’s home?”

Certainly. Which home do you want?

Wen Zhixu’s eyes lit up. “The one she uses the least.”

Her phone dinged.

The address has been sent to your phone. Please check.

Though 006 couldn’t help with major tasks, small favors were no problem.

Wen Zhixu opened her phone and saw the address, her mind racing…

Wasn’t this near her home?

So, Song’s father had known all along, which was why he insisted on choosing both of them?

Then why wasn’t he afraid of being discovered when he openly went to see them that day? Though it was during the New Year, people’s focus was probably all at home.

Speaking of the New Year brought back unpleasant memories for Wen Zhixu. She had taken it upon herself to avoid the arranged blind date, leaving no choice but to have a cousin stand in for her. That day, her phone was called until it died, and she didn’t dare answer.

Later, Song Chaoyao told her that their grandparents were furious and said they’d deal with her after the holidays. But somehow, Song’s father later told her to forget about it.

Presumably, both sides had talked and reached some kind of agreement.

Host, this information was provided by me out of goodwill. The first mission was afraid you’d get scared off and quit. Only the parties involved, and I know this location. Don’t say I never do anything practical again.

“!”

“Did I? When did I ever say you don’t do practical things? Don’t falsely accuse people—don’t you know how important innocence is to a person?”

…

You’re not the host I first met anymore.

After getting in the car, Wen Zhixu sat beside Chaoyao and gave her a look. Chaoyao took out her phone, handed her an earpiece, and said, “Got the minor issue sorted.”

Wen Zhixu: “We’ll talk after getting out.”

The only teachers she could trust at this orphanage were Yang Yue and Zhang Zhiwan, though Zhang Zhiwan wasn’t reliable—she loved to have fun, wouldn’t meddle in others’ affairs, but wouldn’t slack off either.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Wen Zhixu pulled Chaoyao up to the rooftop and found a blind spot from surveillance. “Director Zhang is definitely embezzling. She has a hidden home near my place—there must be plenty of secrets inside.”

Chaoyao thought for a moment. “But we can’t get in. In cases like this, she’s bound to have tight security measures.”

Wen Zhixu: “Do you think people like her dare to spend cash freely once they have money?”

Chaoyao shook her head. “No.”

Wen Zhixu: “So I think we should devise a strategy. Once we’re sure, we’ll bring the police to my place and find a way to lure her out. For example, we could threaten them first. If they refuse, we’ll report them. Then we’ll just add a tag about this neighborhood to the report—no need to specify why—just get it trending to psychologically pressure them.”

“By the time the neighborhood trends without any clear reason, they’ll definitely consider coming to move their assets.”

She was gambling—after all, she had cheats. If Director Zhang didn’t show up, she’d face charges for filing a false report. So… having a powerful father still had its perks.

“I’ll do whatever you ask,” Chaoyao said. “You don’t need to find someone else—I’m proof enough. I grew up in an orphanage and I’m an adult now. I can take responsibility for my own decisions.”

Wen Zhixu asked worriedly, “Aren’t you afraid that if we fail, they’ll prevent you from taking the college entrance exam, block you from finding work, or even force you to beg for a living?”

“Not afraid!” Chaoyao suddenly grabbed Wen Zhixu’s hand. “I won’t be afraid. But believe me, no matter what, I’ll make sure you live comfortably.”

“We… are one and the same,” Wen Zhixu murmured, lowering her eyes. “I could take care of you too—why shoulder all the responsibility yourself?”

Chaoyao: “Because… because the teacher got into danger for my sake.”

Before Wen Zhixu arrived, Chaoyao thought her life would always be like this—studying quietly, taking exams quietly, and eventually living a life whose outcome she couldn’t foresee.

But after Wen Zhixu came, she learned that being locked in a dark room meant having company, being punished meant being rescued, and feeling unwell meant being cared for…

Wen Zhixu smiled, “It’s fine. Want to make a bet? Shall we set off now?”

Chaoyao: “Of course I’ll bet!”