“What?! Everyone Except Me Is a Villain (GL) - Chapter 18

Jin Buning stared blankly at Pei Fuliu for a few seconds, completely puzzled.

Beside her, Prince Zhen frowned and muttered a warning under his breath. “Keep staring and I’ll dig your eyeballs out.” His tone dripped with jealousy as his sharp gaze swept over Jin Buning’s face, growing even darker as if reminded of something unpleasant.

Jin Buning was used to this. Watching Pei Fuliu walk away, she whispered, “What, can’t I admire how beautiful Madam Pei is?”

Prince Zhen let out a short, bitter laugh. “Do you even need to say that? Your mind’s always full of nonsense. And don’t think that just because Sister Liu wiped your face earlier, it meant anything special.”

Despite his words, his voice grew sourer by the second.

“Oh? So Madam Pei has been living here all this time, and you’ve never had any physical contact with her? That’s tragic. Want to hear my suggestion?” Jin Buning’s tone turned teasing again. Whenever Pei Fuliu wasn’t around, she felt free like she could live another ten years unbothered. But when Pei Fuliu was present, it was like standing before the apex predator in a food chain she couldn’t relax, couldn’t breathe.

Prince Zhen’s curiosity was piqued despite himself. “What suggestion? You think you can help me get closer to Sister Liu?”

“It’s simple,” Jin Buning said solemnly. “Just… get a gender reassignment.”

Prince Zhen froze. “You !” He was about to explode when he suddenly remembered: even Liu Mama, who had served Pei Fuliu for ten years, had rarely touched her. It wasn’t about gender; Pei Fuliu simply kept a safe distance from everyone.

“So that means, even Zhen Batian hasn’t…” Jin Buning pressed, eyes glinting with curiosity. She’d always wondered how Pei Fuliu managed to control the entire Zhen family while being labeled the ‘stepmother.’ The Zhen family was ruthless to the bone, yet Pei Fuliu sat comfortably at the top of the chain.

“How would I know?! She’s my stepmother!” Prince Zhen snapped.

“Exactly. Since she’s your stepmother, you should keep those dirty thoughts to yourself,” Jin Buning said lightly. Zhen Batian might let his son off, but Pei Fuliu definitely wouldn’t.

If she ever found out, Jin Buning had no doubt she’d make sure Prince Zhen spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair just like her.

Prince Zhen’s face darkened. He had no comeback. He thought he’d hidden his feelings well, but anyone with eyes could see otherwise. Jin Buning stepped past him, catching up to Pei Fuliu while avoiding the inevitable post-argument scuffle.

System prompt:

Pei Fuliu’s favorability +10. Current favorability: 10%.

Jin Buning blinked. Pei Fuliu’s favorability had increased why? Did she like rebellious people? Or had something she said somehow pleased her?

Still puzzled, Jin Buning joined the others for dinner. The entire table was covered in green dishes.

Prince Zhen stared at the meal in disbelief. He tried a few bites but couldn’t swallow. When he thought of the person responsible for this vegetarian punishment, he glared daggers at Jin Buning.

She ignored him, quietly eating. Although she preferred vegetables, these didn’t taste good. Pei Fuliu barely ate either just a few bites, as if the whole table had been prepared solely for Jin Buning’s benefit.

The dinner was quiet, uncomfortably so. Jin Buning found herself missing the lively meals she’d once shared with Aunt Zhu.

When the meal ended, Pei Fuliu had barely eaten at all. She sat there calmly, waiting for the others to finish, elegance untouchable.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Madam Pei. I should head home now,” Jin Buning said politely, feeling uneasy. It was already past eight early enough to return safely. After today’s chaos, she doubted even the assassins would dare act tonight.

“Stay the night,” Pei Fuliu said evenly. Her tone was soft but carried a weight of command that left no room for refusal.

Prince Zhen’s jealousy flared again, though one cold glance from Pei Fuliu silenced him instantly, obedient as a trained dog.

“Liu Mama, take her to a guest room,” Pei Fuliu added.

Jin Buning was surprised. Pei Fuliu could’ve sent anyone, yet she had her most trusted servant personally escort her.

“Yes, Miss,” Liu Mama replied flatly. Her expression was lifeless, but at least she was quiet, no awkward small talk. Even so, her silence made Jin Buning uneasy, as if the woman might attack at any moment.

But nothing happened. They reached the guest room safely. The Zhen estate had dozens of such rooms, yet Jin Buning always seemed to end up in this one, as though fate itself had arranged it.

“Thank you, Liu Mama,” she said and shut the door.

She knew Liu Mama wouldn’t leave immediately. The woman always lingered outside until Jin Buning turned off the lights. Whether it was compulsion or something else, Jin Buning couldn’t tell.

“Alright… let’s see…”

Stretching lazily, Jin Buning began to inspect the room. No cameras, no traps—just eerie cleanliness. It was unsettling, but the freedom almost felt nostalgic.

She sat on the small sofa and pulled up Pei Fuliu’s data.

Name: Pei Fuliu
Age: 27
Identity: Healer
Stamina: 50
Intelligence: 100
Charm: 95
Overall Rating: S-Rank – Chosen One
Favorability: 10

Jin Buning frowned. “Healer”? That sounded… off. If she were a doctor, she would’ve said “Doctor.” Maybe medicine was just one of Pei Fuliu’s hobbies, something she toyed with, like everything else.

A chill ran down her spine at the thought. The night deepened. The Zhen estate was vast someone could die in a corner and never be found.

Jin Buning considered leaving the room but locked the door instead, trying to make the place as secure as possible. Grabbing a coat hanger as a weapon, she curled up on the bed, forcing herself to sleep.

Then screams. A woman’s shrill cry tore through the night.

Jin Buning bolted upright, drenched in sweat. The sound vanished, leaving only silence. She couldn’t tell whether it had been a dream or real.

A knock echoed through the room.

She froze, heart pounding. Midnight. Whoever was at the door shouldn’t be there.

Gripping the coat hanger tightly, she tiptoed closer. No system alert no warning. Peeking through the peephole, she saw Liu Mama’s lifeless face staring back at her, pale and corpse-like.

Jin Buning flinched. Then, realizing how ridiculous her fear was, forced a shaky smile. “Liu Mama? What are you doing here?”

Liu Mama’s neck creaked as she raised her head. Her voice was slow, mechanical. “Miss wants to see you.”

Jin Buning glanced at the clock at 12:10 a.m. “Won’t that disturb Madam Pei’s rest?”

“No. Come now.”

Liu Mama ignored her question, reaching out as if to drag her out by force.

Helpless, Jin Buning followed, throwing on her school jacket over her pajamas. The hallway was icy cold.

When she realized they were heading toward Pei Fuliu’s private quarters, she hesitated. “Wait where exactly are we meeting Madam Pei?”

Liu Mama didn’t answer. She simply walked faster, footsteps echoing in the dark. Jin Buning clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay calm. Whatever awaited her, she wouldn’t show fear.

But then…