Villain Strategy Rules [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 44

The clamor outside the room was overwhelming, but the small door separated them, as if they were in two different worlds, each lost in their own thoughts.

Qin Nanxi felt physically drained. She leaned lightly against the wall, her mind replaying scenes like an old film reel. Perhaps Wen Zhixu had brought some sunlight into her life, but a single ray wasn’t enough.

“Jiang Qingyue,” Qin Nanxi met her gaze, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She parted her thin lips slightly and said, “When I agreed to be with you back then, you knew it was because you wouldn’t take no for an answer. I never had feelings for you. I don’t like you, so don’t waste your time on me anymore.”

Qin Nanxi’s gaze kept drifting—she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Wen Zhixu.

The light in Wen Zhixu’s eyes gradually dimmed, and the courage she had mustered earlier dissipated. She steadied herself against the wall, her heart aching sharply.

Had she really fallen for someone she shouldn’t have? So, in Qin Nanxi’s eyes… she was just being persistent to the point of annoyance?

Wen Zhixu covered her ears. “Let’s not talk about this now, okay?”

It was Jiang Qingyue who had been relentless, not her, Wen Zhixu. She had poured her heart into this relationship. It was understandable that Qin Nanxi couldn’t accept it right away.

Qin Nanxi lowered her head. “Fine.”

After changing the subject, the two of them seemed to be encased in an invisible barrier. Dressed in matching outfits, they stood expressionless under the lights, like identical robots.

Wen Zhixu wanted to talk to her, but Qin Nanxi’s expression was so unapproachable that she couldn’t find an opening.

Their segment on the show was about to begin, and Tang Mo had just returned from Xu Yue. The moment she stepped back, she shivered slightly—maybe it was just the cold weather, or maybe she hadn’t dressed warmly enough.

Noticing Wen Zhixu spacing out, Tang Mo asked, “What’s wrong? You two seem upset.”

Wen Zhixu shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just nerves, probably.”

Her mind was still stuck on why Qin Nanxi’s affection level was so high, yet she had rejected her so decisively. Was she still at the bottom of the list while others had already reached 100%?

What was going on?

Sigh.

Wait a minute—she could cheat, couldn’t she?

Wen Zhixu immediately asked the system, “006, check Qin Nanxi’s affection level toward me.”

60%.

“And Tang Mo’s?”

Host, as I’ve said before, you can’t constantly check affection levels. The only reason you can check your own is because I’ve given you special privileges.

“What, didn’t they reward you for completing the last world?”

Respected VIP host, Qin Nanxi’s affection level toward Tang Mo is 10%.

“What about her deskmate, Xu Xin?”

10%.

Wen Zhixu pinched the hem of her clothes. “And Song Shuya?”

0.

At that moment, Wen Zhixu felt as if the sky had brightened. So, what had she been upset about earlier? Because she lacked omniscience? Because she was being overly sentimental?

Song Shuya had been hovering around Qin Nanxi constantly, and Wen Zhixu had even wondered if Qin Nanxi might have feelings for her.

But now it was clear—Qin Nanxi was just being stubborn. She had been right all along. Qin Nanxi simply hadn’t forgiven her yet, which was why she had lashed out.

Wen Zhixu suddenly moved closer, draping an arm over Qin Nanxi’s shoulders. “Nanxi, my arm’s a bit sore. Can you massage it for me?”

Tang Mo: “…”

Maybe she shouldn’t have come back.

But the competition was about to start—she had no choice.

Qin Nanxi gently massaged her arm and said with concern, “If you’re not feeling well, the two of us can manage. Don’t strain your arm.”

Wen Zhixu leaned against her shoulder. “It’s fine, just keep massaging it.”

Tang Mo closed her eyes. “Stop massaging already, it’s time to go on stage.”

Their performance was a great success, with even better coordination than before. The melodious singing, soul-stirring piano music, and graceful dancing made many students stop to listen, giving them the loudest applause. Although they didn’t win first place, they came close enough.

The first prize at this gala went to the teachers’ choir. If they had actually won first place under these circumstances, it might have been meaningless anyway.

The second prize was three customized mugs engraved with the school emblem, their surfaces painted by the art teacher personally—likely the only three of their kind in the world.

So, Wen Zhuxi bought one of the mugs from Tang Mo and hid it away, thinking three was simply too many.

–

After the gala came the holiday break. While most students returned to their dorms, Wen Zhuxi headed home, and Tang Mo—whose family was busy—went with her. As for Qin Nanxi, she remained at school to study as usual.

Lying listlessly on the bed, Tang Mo sighed. “Ah, Senior only got third place. I feel a bit guilty about that.”

“You could tell her it’s because the piano and singing were too outstanding, while her dancing was first-rate.”

“Shut up!”

Wen Zhuxi burst into laughter, then turned to Qin Nanxi at the desk. “Nanxi, are you really staying on campus this holiday?”

Outside, the sky had darkened. Qin Nanxi set down her pen and glanced at the twinkling stars. They say the North Star points the way home, but she had never managed to locate it.

“Yes. Have fun, you two.”

Suddenly, her phone rang. Qin Nanxi’s phone was an old gift from her middle school teacher, but she had taken good care of it, so it still worked fine despite its age.

The screen showed an unfamiliar number, though the caller ID was local and didn’t seem like spam. Thinking it might be about a part-time job she’d applied for earlier, she stepped out to answer it.

Seeing this, Wen Zhuxi stretched and grinned. “Just wait for your friend to succeed. This holiday, I’ll definitely make Nanxi forgive me.”

“So you’re really getting tutoring?” Tang Mo sat bolt upright. “Can you actually study? Will she agree? Did you even ask her?”

Wen Zhuxi: “Of course I can. I had my mom call her—just the standard market rate for one-on-one sessions, nothing extra, so Nanxi won’t suspect anything. See? She’s taking the call now.”

The dorm fell silent. Most students had already left the building, and Qin Nanxi had gone to the stairwell to talk, leaving only occasional echoes in the empty hallway. Moonlight spilled across the path outside, lighting the way for late-returning students.

Soon, Qin Nanxi returned, her expression relaxed. “Jiang Qingyue, your mom asked me to tutor you these next few days.”

“What!” Wen Zhuxi feigned surprise. “Really?”

“Ugh, how could my mom do this? I already made plans with Tang Mo for a seven-day trip.”

Tang Mo: “…”

Qin Nanxi picked up the phone again. “Let me tell your mom I can’t make it then.”

Seeing her plan about to fail, Wen Zhixu instantly put on an act of being studious. She grabbed Qin Nanxi’s hand that was about to make a phone call and said, “Midterms are coming up soon. Last time Teacher Zhang told me if I don’t do well, I’ll have to transfer back to my old school. Nanxi, please tutor me.”

Tang Mo: “…”

What a fake act.

Unaware of the actual previous punishment, Qin Nanxi completely believed Wen Zhixu’s words and immediately went to pack her clothes. “Alright, I’ll tutor you then. But tell your mom not to pay me—the seven days of room and board are enough.”

“That won’t do!” Wen Zhixu grabbed Tang Mo’s shoulder beside her and blurted out incoherently, “You have to take the money… do it for me… because my mom said she’d cut off my allowance… you take it and then support me!”

Tang Mo’s shoulder ached from the grip—she’d been wanting to slap this girl for a while now. Not a single word of truth came out of her mouth. When she was pursuing her senior, she wasn’t like this. If Wen Zhixu could succeed with these tactics, maybe she should try them too.

Qin Nanxi slowed her packing speed. “If neither of you shows improvement in the midterms, I’ll return all the money.”

Wen Zhixu didn’t care about anything else—she just wanted to trick her way into some alone time first. She quickly agreed, “Deal!”

One minute later—

“Wait!”

“Hold on!”

Tang Mo and Wen Zhixu spoke simultaneously.

Without thinking, Wen Zhixu blurted, “‘We’?”

Tang Mo pushed Wen Zhixu away. “What do you mean ‘we’?”

Qin Nanxi chuckled lightly. “Jiang Qingyue’s mom just called. She and Tang Mo’s mom both invited me to tutor you two at Jiang Qingyue’s place.”

Wen Zhixu: “…”

Tang Mo: “…”

“I refuse!”

“Me too!”

“Refuse what?” A young woman’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. The woman wore a tailored suit, had short hair, and gold-rimmed glasses. Her delicate features were accentuated by fox-like upturned eyes that added a touch of allure—like a reclusive princess forever wrapped in seawater, untouchable.

“Second sister?” Tang Mo was shocked. “Weren’t you abroad?”

This was Tang Mo’s second sister, Tang Jing, who’d been sent abroad for education as a child and only returned as an adult to manage the family business. Though she traveled frequently and rarely stayed home.

Tang Jing: “Just got back. Mom asked me to bring you and Qingyue home. What were you refusing just now?”

“Second sister! I know!” Wen Zhixu jumped in, not wanting Tang Mo to ruin her alone time with Qin Nanxi. “Tang Mo said she missed you all and doesn’t want to come to my place tonight, so she refused.”

Taking the undeserved blame, Tang Mo teared up and said solemnly, “Exactly!”

Tang Jing’s expression softened slightly. She’d practically watched these two grow up—during holidays, she’d either take them out or pick them up. Sometimes when she stayed away too long, she’d even miss them.

Which was why, when Jiang’s mother mentioned picking them up and the airport was near their school, she volunteered to drive them. Conveniently, the driver was busy tonight—originally Jiang’s mother planned to go herself, but Tang Jing’s arrival saved trouble.

“Mom said you found a tutor—your school’s top student. If you want to go home, you and Qingyue can come to our place during the National Day holiday.”

“!!!”

Wen Zhixu said with utter resignation, “Second sister, actually Tang Mo still thinks going to my place would be most convenient—it’s quieter there.”

Then she shot Tang Mo a meaningful glance that said, “Aren’t you going to speak up? Would you rather be watched by one person or three?”

Given that Tang Mo had to be present, Wen Zhixu chose to return to her own home.

Receiving the message, Tang Mo immediately agreed, “Yes, second sister, let’s go home.”

Qin Nanxi watched their expressions change from the sidelines, an involuntary smile appearing. Truth be told, Jiang Qingyue was actually quite endearing.

She’d previously seemed arrogant and domineering, but now appeared genuinely adorable.