Villain Strategy Rules [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 4

The program progressed quickly, and soon it was time for Wen Zhixu’s solo dance. The water cup, still wrapped in its cloth cover, retained some warmth.

Wen Zhixu gently stroked the little rabbit design on the cup before handing it to Yang Yue. “I’m going to prepare. Give it back to me after the performance so I can return it to Chaoyao.”

“You can give it to me now.”

Wen Zhixu turned abruptly, her expression shifting from shock to confusion. “Why are you here?”

Chaoyao, still wearing her non-prescription glasses, reached out and took the cup. “The whole school is participating. Since it’s almost over, I should be here.”

“Well, let me tell you—you won’t regret coming.” Wen Zhixu grinned smugly before turning to the others. “I chose an upbeat dance. Everyone, feel free to join in when the time comes!”

“Alright, hurry up. Teacher Zhang is already waiting for you.”

Backstage, Wen Zhixu waited for the host’s cue. Before stepping out, she quietly asked her system, “What kind of style does Chaoyao like?”

No idea. But definitely not yours—look at how low her favorability is toward you.

“…” Wen Zhixu rolled her eyes. “Then you guys can handle the mission yourselves. I quit.”

After reviewing the novel, I can confirm Chaoyao prefers kindness and liveliness.

Oh? Well, isn’t that perfect? Those are literally my best qualities.

She shed her thick winter coat, straightened her collar, and lightly patted her cheeks to refresh herself. Running through the dance steps in her mind one last time, she stepped onto the stage as the host announced her name.

The music began the moment she moved, and within seconds, Wen Zhixu had captured the audience’s full attention. Her cheerful personality had already endeared her to most of the students, and now, watching their beautiful teacher dance, they responded with enthusiastic applause.

Though the stage was simple, the dancer radiated undeniable charm. The lively melody paired with her polished movements effortlessly lifted the crowd’s spirits.

Moonlight spilled onto the center of the stage, its cool glow contrasting sharply with the dim surroundings, as if illuminating an otherworldly fairy. Sensing the ethereal light, Wen Zhixu instinctively adjusted her movements, adding an extra layer of grace.

Teacher Zhang swiftly switched the song—though to anyone else, it might have seemed like a seamless transition.

The translucent fabric of her dress, the fluid spins, and the way she gradually drew closer left the audience spellbound.

At some point, Chaoyao had moved to the front. Her gaze remained fixed on Wen Zhixu until, almost hesitantly, she extended her hand—only for Wen Zhixu to catch it just as she was about to withdraw.

The solo dance became a duet. Time seemed to slow as Chaoyao stood to the side, her palm clasped in Wen Zhixu’s. With a slight bow, Wen Zhixu twirled once before stepping smoothly into Chaoyao’s embrace.

Chaoyao froze momentarily before matching Wen Zhixu’s steps. The interplay of black and white, moonlight and shadow, gradually melded the two figures onstage into one.

After the performance, Wen Zhixu pulled Chaoyao backstage. “Thanks for saving me up there.”

Chaoyao remained impassive. “Saving you from what?”

“If I had to say…” Wen Zhixu suddenly tilted her head, “if Yaoyao hadn’t been with me just now, how awkward would I have been standing alone on stage?”

Chaoyao seemed slightly moved. She looked at Wen Zhixu calmly before saying, “I’m not very good at dancing.”

“But today…”

“You gave me an unforgettable memory.”

Wen Zhixu quietly moved closer, lifting her gaze to ask, “Then… do you think of me as… someone unforgettable?”

Chaoyao turned her face away. “Teacher Song, I need to go study now. Goodbye.”

Seeing no reaction, Wen Zhixu stomped her foot in frustration. She’d done so well—if Chaoyao had said those words to her instead, she probably would have blushed, trembled, and felt her heart racing.

Only after Chaoyao left did Wen Zhixu notice the chilly wind. They had run to a corner of the sports field, wearing only thin skirts. Wen Zhixu tugged at her sleeves and hurried toward the crowd.

It was too dark, and she hadn’t gone far before bumping into someone. Without looking up, Wen Zhixu muttered, “Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

Instead of a reply, she felt sudden warmth as someone draped a padded coat over her—her own coat, in fact.

Chaoyao said softly, “Teacher Yang was looking for you earlier. When she saw me, she asked me to bring you your coat. She said she had things to attend to and would go straight back to the dormitory later.”

Recognizing Chaoyao, Wen Zhixu forced a smile. “Thank you.”

After delivering the coat, Chaoyao left. The evening event had ended, and everyone was heading back to the dorms. The paths to the dormitory and the classroom went in opposite directions, but Chaoyao was the only one taking the route to the classroom.

Wen Zhixu felt that Chaoyao’s impression of her had changed significantly tonight. Eagerly, she asked her system, “Can I check the favorability rating again?”

-25%.

All that effort for just a 5% increase—but at least it was progress. What Wen Zhixu couldn’t understand was why, when they’d just met, everyone else started at 0, while she began at -30. Was it because she wasn’t attractive enough?

That couldn’t be!

When Wen Zhixu first arrived, she was crowned the most beautiful in the institute. She was confident in her looks—fair skin, large round eyes, rosy cheeks—so pretty!

Whatever. She didn’t want to dwell on it. One day, the rating would be positive. One day, it would reach 100%.

By now, the sports field was nearly empty. Wen Zhixu followed the crowd back to the dormitory. Yang Yue hadn’t returned yet, so she took her clothes and went to wash up. After freezing all evening, the warm water flowing over her skin finally made her feel alive again.

By the time she finished her shower, Yang Yue was back in the dorm, with a spread of delicious food on the table—including two small bottles of alcohol.

Wen Zhixu asked, “Where did you get these?”

Yang Yue grinned. “Teacher Zhang drove out earlier, so I hitched a ride. What do you think? Tired of cafeteria food every day?”

Zhang Zhiwan came from a well-off family—the only one who had volunteered at the orphanage. Though her family was wealthy, her parents favored sons over daughters, refusing to acknowledge her contributions in business, which led her here.

Wen Zhixu picked up a chicken leg and took a bite. “Finally, some fried food. The cafeteria avoids anything fried for the kids’ health—no trace of fried chicken anywhere.”

Yang Yue handed her a chicken wing. “I knew you’d love it.”

Wen Zhixu looked at the table full of snacks and thought the two of them couldn’t possibly finish it all. “Should we bring some to Chaoyao?” she asked.

She didn’t want to share with the other kids—they had tricked her into going outside earlier, nearly freezing her to death. Luckily, she’d been cautious, drinking water later and waking up earlier, which saved her from freezing.

Before, Wen Zhixu hadn’t given it much thought, but now she truly realized how important parents were. Though these kids would eventually be corrected, they were incredibly difficult to teach at the moment.

“Of course!” Yang Yue replied. “She’s in her final year of high school now. Look how thin she is—thank goodness it’s winter and she’s wearing layers. If it were summer, I’d think she was a walking skeleton!”

“Hahaha!” Wen Zhixu laughed. “If you say that, I’m afraid to eat now. What if I gain weight? I still have to dance.”

“You’re not fat!” Yang Yue lightly smacked the table. “You don’t even have a waist when you wear skirts—I swear, I’m going to fight you dancers! How do you all have such great figures? And that duet you did with Chaoyao was so beautiful! Why didn’t you tell me you were changing the routine?”

Wen Zhixu sighed. There was no “changing the routine”—it had just been a spur-of-the-moment idea. Chaoyao hadn’t mentioned going up there either, yet she ended up standing at the front. And for some reason, Wen Zhixu felt an inexplicable emotion toward her—something she couldn’t quite put into words.

“Let’s not talk about that,” Wen Zhixu said. “It was a last-minute thing. Let’s pack some snacks first. I’ll take them to her dorm in an hour.”

It was already 9:30 PM. The classrooms would lose power at 10, leaving only the dormitories with electricity. Chaoyao would definitely have to return by then.

Yang Yue helped pack some snacks, carefully wrapping them in a takeout bag.

An hour later, Wen Zhixu, her face slightly flushed from the alcohol she’d drunk, stood outside Chaoyao’s dorm door with the food. She blinked a few times to make sure she was sober before knocking.

Two soft knocks later, the door opened.

Chaoyao looked at Wen Zhixu—dressed in pajamas, cheeks tinged pink, arms full of snacks, and smelling faintly of alcohol—and asked, confused, “Teacher Song, is something wrong?”

Surprised by how quickly the door had opened, Wen Zhixu teased, “You didn’t even ask who it was before opening. Aren’t you afraid of bad people? Or perverts?”

Crossing her arms, Chaoyao leaned in slightly. “Teacher Song, are you one?”

Wen Zhixu giggled, shaking her head, the flush on her face lingering. “Of course not. I just came to bring you some food.”

Chaoyao touched Wen Zhixu’s forehead. “Teacher Song, I think you might be drunk. Should you go back and rest?”

“Okay!” Wen Zhixu, feeling her head spin, shoved the food into Chaoyao’s hands and turned to leave.

“Teacher Song!” Chaoyao suddenly called out.

Wen Zhixu stopped and turned back, puzzled.

Chaoyao hesitated for a second before averting her gaze and murmuring, “You don’t seem to hold your alcohol well. If you’re ever out… you should drink less. To avoid… bad people. Or perverts.”

Wen Zhixu grinned, mimicking Chaoyao’s earlier question. “Are you one?”

Chaoyao shook her head. “I’m not…”

Wen Zhixu furrowed his brows and said, “Then that settles it.”

Chaoyao released her grip on the doorknob and replied, “Alright… goodnight.”

Wen Zhixu smiled, “Goodnight.”