What to Do, I've Been Targeted by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 22

Xu Sangning slept through the car ride to the restaurant. When she got out, she checked the time—7:30 p.m.

“An hour and a half just to drive somewhere for dinner…”

“Half an hour was stuck in traffic,” Ji Ying muttered in defense. “And this place is really good.”

Xu Sangning glanced at Ji Ying but didn’t say anything else. After leaving the parking lot, the two boarded a dedicated shuttle for the estate tour. The interior was warm, and as she looked out the window, she noticed the romantic scenery of the estate.

Ji Ying had reserved a private room by the lake, the innermost one. Though called a “private room,” it was more like a small house—from the outside, it resembled a fairytale cottage.

Xu Sangning stepped inside and scanned the space. The largest area was occupied by a dining table, but there were also two separate rooms with beds and private bathrooms. No wonder Ji Ying had said staying here wouldn’t be a problem.

“We really could stay here,” Xu Sangning remarked. “It’d be too late to drive back after dinner.”

“Then I’ll have my assistant bring over some fresh clothes,” Ji Ying said immediately.

Xu Sangning gave a slight nod.

As if afraid Xu Sangning might change her mind, Ji Ying quickly messaged her assistant.

“Your assistant doesn’t get time off for the New Year?”

“She does, but if something comes up these days, she still has to work. I pay triple wages, though. Her family’s local anyway,” Ji Ying explained earnestly, not wanting Xu Sangning to think she was some kind of slave driver.

Xu Sangning nodded, hung her down jacket on the nearby coat rack, and took a seat at the table to order. “Are we grilling the food ourselves?”

“We can grill it ourselves or have them grill it and bring it over.”

“Then let’s have them grill it and bring it over.” Xu Sangning couldn’t be bothered to grill herself. Cooking a skewer or two might be fun, but doing a whole batch would be exhausting.

After placing the order, Xu Sangning leaned back on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window. She hadn’t even sat for a few minutes before Ji Ying squeezed in beside her, pressing close. Facing Xu Sangning’s questioning look, Ji Ying remained unfazed, pretending innocence as she gazed back.

Xu Sangning shifted slightly to the side. The sofa could fit two people, but it was a bit snug.

Lights dotted the lakeshore, and a small pavilion stood at the center of the lake. These were the only sources of illumination around, but thankfully, the moon was bright tonight, casting enough light to see the lake clearly.

Ji Ying tentatively slipped an arm around Xu Sangning’s waist. When she didn’t object, Ji Ying leaned in even closer.

Xu Sangning: “…”

She tilted her head slightly to look at Ji Ying, who was now snuggled up like a little bird.

This woman really knew how to take advantage of an opportunity. Xu Sangning lifted her shoulder slightly, trying to nudge Ji Ying away, but Ji Ying only clung tighter.

Fine. It was cold anyway—let her stay.

A faint smile tugged at Ji Ying’s lips.

System: Who knew shamelessness would actually work?

Ji Ying pretended not to hear.

The grilled skewers and lamb soup arrived quickly. Ji Ying wanted to stay glued to Xu Sangning, but this time, she was refused.

Ji Ying tried to strike up a conversation, but Xu Sangning opened a bottle of wine and turned on the projector.

Eating barbecue without watching something felt like it was missing something. Sure enough, as soon as the variety show started, the atmosphere felt right.

Ji Ying quietly closed her mouth. Xu Sangning poured her a glass of wine.

But watching the show didn’t stop them from chatting. Soon, the two were engaged in a lively debate about some male celebrity’s questionable antics on the show.

The conversation was far more animated than usual.

After drinking, Ji Ying became even more talkative and clingy, practically wanting to drape herself over Xu Sangning.

When the server came to clear the table, Ji Ying was still tightly hugging Xu Sangning’s waist. If it weren’t for propriety, she would have wrapped her legs around her too.

Xu Sangning, noticing the server’s gaze, pinched Ji Ying’s waist. “Sis Ji Ying, I thought you had a high alcohol tolerance?”

“Seeing you makes me drunk,” Ji Ying murmured, nuzzling her cheek against Xu Sangning’s shoulder.

“Your makeup’s smudging.”

Ji Ying stiffened, immediately lifting her head to inspect Xu Sangning’s shoulder. “You’re lying! There’s nothing there!”

“Go sit on the couch for a bit.”

“No.” Ji Ying leaned against Xu Sangning. “The moment I look away, you’ll disappear.”

“How? I can’t teleport.”

Ji Ying pouted, giving Xu Sangning a pitiful look, but was still firmly pushed onto the couch.

“Sit properly,” Xu Sangning said sternly.

The server quickly finished clearing the table and left, quietly closing the door behind them.

Xu Sangning sat across from Ji Ying, who kept trying to move closer but was repeatedly pushed back. “We’re already sitting close enough as it is.”

“But I want to be even closer.”

“It’s hot.”

“You just said it was cold today,” Ji Ying retorted.

“Now that we’ve eaten, it’s hot.” Xu Sangning exhaled. She hadn’t realized Ji Ying got like this when drunk—had someone swapped her drinks at previous banquets?

Ji Ying fell silent, slumping against the couch. Though she didn’t move closer, her gaze enveloped Xu Sangning, the heat in her eyes palpable.

Xu Sangning glanced at her before looking away, focusing on the lake outside. Ji Ying’s stare remained fixed on her, as if nothing else could capture her attention.

At that moment, Xu Sangning really wanted to ask—had they met before?

But she held back.

If she dared ask, those people would surely deduct all her compensation.

“Rest for a bit, then go shower,” Xu Sangning said.

“Will you help me?”

Xu Sangning: ???

“What are you saying? Of course you’ll do it yourself. You’re really drunk.”

“It’s not like before…” Ji Ying muttered under her breath.

“What?” Xu Sangning looked up.

Ji Ying shook her head, leaning back against the couch.

Her face was expressionless, but Xu Sangning inexplicably sensed a silent plea and accusation radiating from her.

“I’ll shower later. I don’t feel like it now.”

“Then just sit here.” Xu Sangning lounged lazily on the couch as her phone buzzed intermittently. She checked it—Lu Yu was inviting her out.

Lu Yu: Finally on break! Let’s go shopping tomorrow or the day after.

Xu Sangning: Day after.

Lu Yu: OKK.

Lu Yu: Is Ji Ying coming?

Xu Sangning: What does she have to do with it?

Lu Yu: Just asking. What’s going on between you two?

Xu Sangning: Nothing’s going on.

Lu Yu: Really? I’m not entirely convinced, but if something happens, you better tell me—your best friend.

Xu Sangning: 🙂

Xu Sangning instinctively glanced up at Ji Ying, whose gaze had grown even more pitiful, locked onto her phone.

“It’s Lu Yu,” Xu Sangning said.

“Oh.” Ji Ying nodded. “I know, she’s your good friend. You like playing with her, not with me.”

Xu Sangning: ?

“That’s different.” Xu Sangning put away her phone and fell silent for a few seconds. “Sister Ji Ying, in my heart, you’re like an elder.”

Ji Ying: ???

Ji Ying admitted there was a bit of acting in her behavior right now, but Xu Sangning’s words still stung.

Amid the system’s mocking laughter, she fell silent and lowered her head. If circumstances allowed, she’d want to bury herself in the ground right then.

Xu Sangning had been keeping an eye on Ji Ying. Seeing her go quiet, she almost laughed.

But she figured once the other woman sobered up tomorrow, things would go back to normal.

Propping her chin on her hand, she gazed out the window.

The view here wasn’t particularly special, but sometimes, it was nice to just sit still in a comfortable room.

Being lazy and doing nothing was its own kind of bliss.

Xu Sangning draped a small blanket over herself and watched quietly. The room was silent—maybe the soundproofing was good, because outside was quiet too.

Ji Ying got up again.

Xu Sangning glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. Judging by the direction, she was probably heading to take a shower.

But as Ji Ying passed by, she stopped again.

Xu Sangning looked up, about to ask what was wrong, when Ji Ying suddenly bent down and kissed her before she could react.

Xu Sangning: ???

Instinctively, Xu Sangning reached out to grab her and demand an explanation, but Ji Ying deftly dodged her hand, dashed back to her room, and even locked the door behind her.

Leaning against the door, Ji Ying touched her lips and couldn’t help but let out three soft giggles.

System: Host, you’re so creepy.

System: How could you ambush her like that?!

System: And it was just a peck on the cheek. Was that really it? I thought you had more guts than that.

Ji Ying: Shut up, shut up, shut up. What was her reaction?

System: No reaction. She’s back to staring at the view.

Ji Ying: …

System: Probably took it as an elder’s affection~

Xu Sangning wasn’t entirely unfazed—she was briefly startled for a second.

But for some reason, maybe because Ji Ying had always been unpredictable in her eyes, the sudden kiss didn’t surprise her at all.

As for anything else…

How could you analyze the behavior of someone drunk and acting out?

Xu Sangning sat for a while longer before getting up and returning to her room.

Ji Ying crouched by the door, poking at the floor and sighing.

Ji Ying: So sad. She doesn’t reject me, but she doesn’t like me either.

System: That’s just leading someone on.

Ji Ying: She’s not even human.

Ji Ying: We’re different species. Kissing her probably feels no different to her than if a cat or dog did it.

System: Maybe you should like someone else.

Ji Ying: No way.

Ji Ying stood up, but her legs had gone numb from crouching too long, and she nearly stumbled. Instinctively, she braced herself against the door, waited for the numbness to fade, then shuffled into the bathroom.

Xu Sangning sat on her bed, pondering how her character should react to being liked by her former sister-in-law.

This kind of unexpected behavior was really giving her a headache.

She opened her chat with Lu Yu.

Xu Sangning: Ji Ying kissed me.

Lu Yu: Wow~ Details, please!

【Lu Yu: I knew there was something going on between you two! Hahaha, my CP radar never fails.】

【Xu Sangning: I was actually going to talk to you about it…】

【Lu Yu: Just talk to me, don’t go to anyone else. What are you thinking? Do you like her?】

【Xu Sangning: I don’t dislike her, but there’s no way we’d be together.】