“What?! Everyone Except Me Is a Villain (GL) - Chapter 40

The room fell completely silent no one dared to speak. Jin Buning’s sharp gaze swept across the crowd, her presence pressing down like a weight. Once she confirmed no one would step forward to cause trouble, she turned on her heel and left, heading straight to find Zhen Xier.

Zhen Xier’s frail health made her easy to locate. Sure enough, Jin Buning found her in the nearest restroom. She seemed to have just finished vomiting her face pale as paper, her whole being trembling like fragile porcelain. The fear rooted in her heart had grown so deep that even food filled her with dread. Or perhaps, Jin Buning thought grimly, the modified Marrow-Cleansing Pill she’d made hadn’t worked as intended.

She had expected Zhen Xier to resist, but not with this level of panic. Forget improving her health the goodwill she’d built was instantly shattered.

When Zhen Xier saw her, she stiffened, eyes full of wariness. Her right hand was clenched tightly, as if holding a panic button one wrong move, and Jin Buning might simply disappear.

System message: Failed to build rapport with Zhen Xier. Affection -10. Current affection: -10.

Tip: Improving rapport can enhance affection and attributes. Unlocking Zhen Xier-related skills is recommended.

The system’s voice rang lazily in her head, as if mocking her for slipping straight back to square one.

“I’m sorry,” Jin Buning began, her tone softening. “I overstepped. I forgot you can’t eat just anything.”

She tried to sound sincere, hoping that Zhen Xier would at least acknowledge her apology. After all, this girl was the closest villain she had access to right now. If she couldn’t win over Zhen Xier, there was no way she’d survive the others those who could kill her outright.

Zhen Xier bit her lip, seemingly weighing her response. Before, she would have immediately run to her father, Zhen Batian, to tell him that this fake heiress had forced her to take something strange, just so he could punish her severely.

But after three months of sitting together in class, her instinct to report had dulled.

“Don’t do that again,” she said at last, her voice low. “If Doctor Ma finds out, she’ll be angry.”

The name made even Zhen Xier shudder slightly. There was something terrifying about that doctor—her eyes as sharp as scalpels. She never liked anyone getting close to Zhen Xier; her hostility was palpable. Even though Zhen Xier didn’t understand much about medicine, she could tell that whatever Jin Buning had given her was not ordinary food.

If Doctor Ma ever learned about it, Jin Buning might find herself in danger.

Yet as Zhen Xier spoke, she realized how strange her own words sounded. She wanted to explain, but a voice in her head whispered that Jin Buning wasn’t a good person anyway. If she truly were, she wouldn’t have willingly taken on the role of the Zhens’ fake daughter. She wouldn’t act so gently while secretly trying to control her, just as the Zhen family had done.

System message: Zhen Xier’s affection -10. Current affection: -20.

“…”

Jin Buning blinked, confused by the new notification. She had no idea what she’d said wrong. Clearly, no matter what she did now, it would only make things worse. So she stayed quiet, simply waiting for Zhen Xier to calm down.

“Go back,” Zhen Xier said finally.

“Alright.”

Jin Buning glanced at her again. Though her face was still pale, her stamina value had returned to 10—normal. She followed behind carefully, keeping a watchful eye on her in case she tripped or fainted.

System message: Zhen Xier’s affection +10. Current affection: -10.

Jin Buning blinked. What now? Somehow, without saying a word, she’d regained ten points. When she looked up, Zhen Xier was smiling faintly an unreadable expression.

Not understanding it, Jin Buning slowed her pace, pretending not to notice. Quietly, they returned to the classroom together, one in front and one behind.

All eyes turned toward them again. The other students were busy sorting through some documents, but the papers hadn’t reached their desks.

“Zhen Ning, Jin Xier, come with me to the office to fill out your university application forms,” said their homeroom teacher, Mr. Dong, in his usual even tone.

At Heaven High, the top elite academy of Heaven City, this was routine most students would go straight into Heaven University. The only question was which department they would choose.

Still, Jin Buning couldn’t help wondering why they were being called in separately. Remembering that Mr. Dong had mentioned this before, she nodded and stood up, glancing back at Zhen Xier.

“You go first. I’ll come later,” Zhen Xier said softly. Her expression was troubled, as if something weighed on her mind.

Jin Buning didn’t pry. Given their current fragile truce, asking questions would lead nowhere. For now, they were just two people temporarily on the same side. Once the truth about their swapped identities came to light, everything would change.

“Mr. Dong, I’m here.”

Inside the office was a private meeting space, soundproof, discreet, perfect for confidential talks. Mr. Dong sat across from her and gestured for her to sit down. As she did, he switched on the recording camera beside the desk.

Jin Buning’s brow furrowed. “Teacher, what’s this for?”

“Oh, that.” Mr. Dong smiled faintly. “Some time ago, a student accused a teacher of harassment, but there wasn’t enough evidence. So now, every private meeting must be recorded—to protect both sides.”

He explained it casually, though there was something pointed in his tone, as if reminding her that everything said here would be on record.

He handed her a thick brochure—the Heaven University course catalog. Hundreds of majors filled its pages. Heaven University wasn’t just a school; it occupied one-fifth of the entire city, practically a city of its own. The sheer range of programs was dizzying.

“You transferred here from Ocean High, so you might not be familiar with Heaven University,” Mr. Dong said, his voice gentle. “Last year, we took students to visit the campus and explore their options. Most already have a clear idea of their future. You can take your time to think.”

Jin Buning wanted to ask why he was being so attentive, but under the camera’s unblinking lens, she decided against it and quietly flipped through the booklet.

System message: Key mission triggered  Choose your future development path.

The familiar chime of the Love App echoed in her mind. It reminded her of an RPG’s “Choose your class” screen only this one felt painfully realistic. Each major came with its own attribute bonuses:

Finance: Intelligence +10, Stamina -10, Charm +10. Extra dialogue bonus with Baili Ruobing and Xu Yixin.
Medicine: Intelligence +10, Stamina +10, Charm -10. Extra dialogue bonus with Pei Fuliu and Zhen Xier.
Architecture: Intelligence +10, Stamina +10, Charm +10. Extra dialogue bonus with Zheng Si.
Performing Arts: Intelligence +10, Stamina +10, Charm +10. Extra dialogue bonus with Baili Ruobing.

Dozens of others followed, each with unique buffs and debuffs.

Jin Buning felt her heart stir until she read the fine print.

“Rewards are granted only after successful admission.”

So it wasn’t just a choice, it was a gamble. Pick wrong, and she’d get nothing. Worse, no single major offered positive interactions with all five bosses. It was as if the system wanted to force her to choose which potential death flag to risk first.

“No rush,” Mr. Dong said, sipping his tea. “Take the booklet home. Discuss it with your family if you like.”

Jin Buning nodded. “When’s the deadline to submit?”

He paused, eyes flickering. “Next Monday.”

Something about his hesitation felt off. She frowned, then asked, “Can I know what my deskmate chose?”

“That’s actually why I called you both,” Mr. Dong replied, looking slightly troubled. “She seems… uncertain about her future. If you can, maybe give her some guidance.”

His tone carried a strange undercurrent, an implication she couldn’t quite place. Under the camera’s watchful eye, neither of them could speak freely. Jin Buning didn’t press, thanked him politely, and left.

Outside, Zhen Xier was sitting on a couch, her expression blank and distant. Only when she heard footsteps did she lift her head and smile faintly like a beautiful doll without a soul.

Anyone else might have thought her a perfect princess, living a charmed life. Jin Buning knew better. After living in the Zhen household, she’d seen the rot beneath the perfection.

“What major are you thinking of choosing?” Jin Buning asked carefully.

Zhen Xier’s lips curved faintly. “Who knows?”

She turned to look out the window. Jin Buning followed her gaze just in time to see a bird crash into the glass. The pane didn’t crack, but the bird slid lifelessly down its surface.

Jin Buning frowned, assuming Zhen Xier would be startled. Maybe this was her chance to offer comfort, to regain some affection. But when she looked closer, Zhen Xier’s expression wasn’t frightened, it was wistful, almost envious.

As if she longed to be that bird.

A chill ran down Jin Buning’s spine. No matter how fragile this girl seemed, she was still one of the story’s villains.

“I’ll get going, then,” she said quietly.

“Go ahead,” Zhen Xier replied. “Think carefully about your major. It determines your future, after all.”

Her tone was mechanical, almost like an NPC finishing a scripted dialogue. Sometimes, Jin Buning wondered if this entire “five-world fusion” universe was even real.

If Zhen Xier herself wasn’t real, then what was?