“What?! Everyone Except Me Is a Villain (GL) - Chapter 30

That absurd idea lasted only a second before Jin Buying quickly dismissed it. After all, from the past 138 runs, Zhen Xier had always been hopelessly devoted to the male lead. That obsessive, love-crazed personality of hers only applied to him. And clearly, Zhen Xier was a straight woman through and through.

If she weren’t, judging by some of her past behavior, she probably would’ve fallen for Jin Buying instead of flying into a jealous rage and cutting her down after suspecting she had something going on with the male lead.

Recalling the hysterical madness in Zhen Xier’s eyes, Jin Buying focused her gaze back on the science textbook in front of her, determined to ignore Zhen Xier’s presence altogether.

Completely unaware of the storm of thoughts in Jin Buying’s mind, Zhen Xier secretly let out a breath of relief. But seeing Jin Buying so absorbed in her studies made her oddly annoyed. She already knew all this material by heart why bother wasting time on it? It was much more entertaining to scroll through the gossip her friends had sent.

Like how that woman, Xu Yixin, was called a “vixen” today at Paradise University and the one involved in the incident was none other than her dear brother, Prince Zhen himself.

Or how her father’s company overseas had run into serious trouble, forcing him to fly abroad personally. That at least meant she wouldn’t have to see his disgusting face for several months.

And then there were the countless rumors about Jin Buying that had suddenly exploded online, as if they’d all been suppressed until today. Zhen Xier couldn’t help but laugh out loud she’d never imagined Jin Buying’s life would be this eventful.

Fighting with the school bully, competing with the top student for first place… it was as if after gaining a healthy body, she’d decided to experience everything life had to offer all while wearing the title of “Zhen family heiress.”

Zhen Xier’s gaze drifted toward Jin Buying again. She couldn’t help but notice how Jin Buying somehow seemed taller than yesterday her limbs long, her waist straight, her posture unyielding. Her eyes carried an intensity that made it seem like nothing could ever bend her spine.

Zhen Xier almost wanted to press her down, to see her kneel and beg for mercy.

“How nice… I wish I had a healthy body too.”

The thought came unbidden. But her frail body had been weak since birth. According to doctors, modern medicine had no way to fix it she would remain this delicate for the rest of her life.

Zhen Xier’s fingers traced the outline of Jin Buying’s silhouette, as though she were contemplating something sinister.

Warning! Warning! Hostility detected from Zhen Xier!

The system’s alarm suddenly rang out, triggered by the sheer intensity of Zhen Xier’s stare. Jin Buying ignored it, even though she could feel that gaze like claws stripping her bare.

Still, Zhen Xier wouldn’t dare make a move now not this year, at least. Jin Buying had to hurry and catch up on all the learning she’d missed across 138 lifetimes.

Driven by greed for knowledge, she threw herself completely into studying, not daring to overlook a single line. Strangely, the information seemed familiar, as if these lessons were old friends reuniting after a long separation, slowly remembering one another.

When the fourth class ended, the teacher added casually, “Alright, class dismissed… oh, and a reminder from your homeroom teacher: things outside have been chaotic lately. Don’t wander after school go straight home.”

The students barely reacted. This was a prestigious academy every student had drivers and bodyguards. Who’d worry about a so-called terrorist attack?

The teacher didn’t bother checking whether anyone was listening and left immediately, as if what happened afterward had nothing to do with her.

The once-quiet classroom instantly came alive. Especially around Zhen Xier everyone seemed eager to invite her out after class.

“Sorry,” Zhen Xier said gracefully, “I have to go to the hospital tonight.”

Her tone was polite, even regretful, as though she were truly sad to decline. Strangely, it made the others rush to comfort her instead. If Zhen Xier had a special skill, it would be “looking delicate and pitiable.”

Soon, the students dispersed disappointed, yet oddly satisfied. Zhen Xier didn’t leave either. Instead, she turned toward Jin Buying, who had already packed up but hadn’t moved.

“Waiting for someone?”

Zhen Xier’s lips curved into a faint smile. Her large eyes focused on Jin Buying with such intensity that it made one feel like the only person in the world. Her beauty was dangerous a deceptive kind that had fooled countless people. But Jin Buying had learned that if she simply didn’t look, she wouldn’t be affected by it.

“Mm.”

She answered calmly. There was no point hiding it her meeting with Xu Yixin wouldn’t stay secret anyway. But it was strange; school was already over, yet Xu Yixin hadn’t sent her any message.

Just as Jin Buying reached for her phone to text her, a stir rose around them.

“Look! Isn’t that Senior Xu? Why is she back?”

“She’s even more gorgeous now that she’s in college. Damn, do you think it’s too late if I ask for her number?”

The classroom buzzed with excitement. In this academy, students might not even know who the principal was, but everyone knew the chairperson Baili Ruobing. And the only other person who rivaled her in popularity was Xu Yixin.

“You’re waiting for Xu Yixin?”

The moment Zhen Xier spoke, Jin Buying’s system flashed Affection level decreased by 20. Apparently, Zhen Xier didn’t like Xu Yixin. Or perhaps she simply disliked anyone getting close to her.

“Yeah,” Jin Buying admitted, glancing out the window, “but she might not actually be looking for me.”

Outside, Xu Yixin approached in casual clothes, exuding a fresh, youthful energy. Her fox-like eyes curved charmingly whenever she smiled, making hearts skip a beat. With every step she took, she seemed to draw a trail of admirers in her wake.

As she arrived in front of Class 3-A, the crowd nearly erupted.

For some reason, Jin Buying thought of a school field trip and Xu Yixin was the breathtakingly dangerous scenery everyone was drawn to, unaware it might kill them.

“So typical of her,” Zhen Xier muttered. “Always has to make sure the whole world knows she’s here. What, working with me wasn’t enough attention, so now you’re off to please that greedy vixen?”

Her tone was sharp with jealousy. Maybe because they were both around the same age, there was a natural competitiveness between them. Or maybe it was because the school often compared Zhen Xier and Xu Yixin fueling her irritation.

“Hit a nerve?” Jin Buying asked.

“No! I just me and that woman are mortal enemies! Don’t.”

Zhen Xier realized Jin Buying still misunderstood their relationship. She hurried to explain that she and Xu Yixin couldn’t stand each other. But Jin Buying only gave her a knowing look, as if saying, “Sure, sure, that’s what they all say.”

That look made Zhen Xier want to throw off her perfect-lady mask and smack some sense into her just to see how Jin Buying could possibly ship them together!

“What are you two chatting about?”

A silky voice, laced with honey and danger, interrupted them. A faint fragrance wafted by as Xu Yixin slipped behind Jin Buying, snaking an arm loosely around her neck like a temptress.

Jin Buying’s face remained impassive as she endured the contact, though the watching students were practically fainting from envy.

Zhen Xier scoffed inwardly. Idiots. They only saw the surface. Didn’t they know that this woman this beautiful devil had drained countless rich heirs dry with nothing but her charm? Some ended up bankrupt. Some in prison. Some… dead.

And yet, not a single piece of evidence ever led back to her. Instead, she’d always “helped” the police uncover the victims’ illegal dealings, earning her a wall full of commendations and awards.

Now, even after graduation, her achievements still covered an entire hallway, reminding everyone how dazzling she was.

“We were talking about you,” Jin Buying said casually.

Oddly enough, Xu Yixin this beloved, untouchable woman seemed utterly ordinary in Jin Buying’s presence. Zhen Xier noticed the way Jin Buying calmly removed Xu Yixin’s hand from her shoulder, widening the distance between them. She even caught a flicker of disdain in her eyes.

Yes. The fake heiress wasn’t like everyone else. For some reason, that made Zhen Xier feel a lot better.

“Talking about me?” Xu Yixin teased, eyes sparkling. “Funny, Xier looks like she’s about to eat me alive.”

Completely unfazed, she leaned closer again, though a careful observer would notice the small space Jin Buying maintained between them. This so-called intimacy was clearly just for show.

“Wait you know Xu Yixin?” someone whispered nearby. “That’s shocking!”

“Yeah, Xu Yixin’s such a good person. If she’s close to Zhen Ning, maybe Zhen Ning isn’t as bad as people said?”

Murmurs spread through the room. Xu Yixin’s open friendliness was enough to make people question the rumors. After all, the guy who’d been bullied before really was notorious for being a jerk. If not for the Zhen family’s “heiress,” he might’ve become the school’s new tyrant.

Zhen Xier lowered her voice. “So… the rumors about Zhen Ning’s past you leaked them, didn’t you?”

Her tone was sharp. She knew exactly how cunning Xu Yixin could be. But sorry, Jin Buying was someone she had her eye on first. No way was she letting Xu Yixin turn her into one of her disposable followers.

“What a strange thing to ask,” Xu Yixin said brightly. “Ningning’s so sweet how could I ever hurt her?” Then her smile deepened, and her tone turned playful. “Though I do wonder, what’s a commoner like you doing hanging around the Zhen family’s precious daughter?”

Her words dripped with hidden meaning, reminding everyone that Jin Buying’s surname was now Jin, not Zhen. As if saying, Don’t think everyone’s too dumb to notice the little games the Zhens are playing.

Their gazes locked sharp, dangerous, almost like a battlefield forming out of thin air.

Jin Buying wanted nothing more than to quietly sit back and eat melon seeds while watching the show, but unfortunately, she was part of the show. And the only way to survive was to end this standoff without offending either of the two biggest villains in her story.