What to Do, I've Been Targeted by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 30

Xu Sangning froze for a second, but by the time she regained her composure, her hand was already resting on Ji Tangmian’s head, gently stroking her hair.

The other teammates had taken care of the remaining enemies. When they turned around and saw Ji Tangmian smiling sweetly, they fell silent.

But since Xu Sangning had dealt with the toughest opponents, they had no complaints.

“Didn’t expect you to be this strong,” someone remarked as the vehicle started moving again.

This little incident was nothing out of the ordinary in the apocalypse, so they didn’t dwell on it.

“Not really,” Xu Sangning chuckled. “I was just pushed to my limits and tapped into a bit of hidden potential. I didn’t expect to pull that off either.”

“Want to team up again next time?” the driver asked.

Xu Sangning and Ji Tangmian—one a fighter, the other a healer—made a perfect pair.

“Then I’ll have to raise my price next time,” Xu Sangning joked.

“Hahaha, sure thing,” the driver laughed. “So, you two aren’t planning to join a fixed team?”

By “fixed team,” he meant the established squads within the base, formed by high-level ability users. These teams recruited talent and assigned members to suitable squads based on their abilities, working together for greater benefits.

At first, this system had worked well, making base management easier. But over time, the teams began fighting among themselves—hoarding resources, vying for control over the base’s leadership, plunging the entire place into chaos.

Of course, the largest and most dominant team was Su Mo’s. The conflicts between other teams were minor skirmishes in comparison. No matter how they fought, they all ended up as Su Mo’s subordinates.

Once Su Mo officially took charge of the base, she would implement policies better suited for stability.

But none of this concerned Xu Sangning, whose remaining lifespan wasn’t long anyway.

“Not for now,” Xu Sangning said, nudging Ji Tangmian. “With just one healer, whichever team we join would become a target. And teams come with too many rules.”

“Ah, got it.” He had originally wanted to ask Xu Sangning for her personal opinion, but her answer made it clear there was no need.

She hadn’t spoken for herself—only for Ji Tangmian—which meant the two of them were inseparable.

As the vehicle entered the base, the staff and onlookers were visibly surprised to see Ji Tangmian’s team return without any casualties.

Xu Sangning could tell from their gazes that, from this moment on, Ji Tangmian would become even more sought after.

After getting out of the vehicle, the teammates showered Xu Sangning with praise.

She smiled and tried to wave it off, but their enthusiasm didn’t wane.

As she watched them walk away, she could still hear her name on their lips. Yet, she had the nagging feeling she’d forgotten something.

The next morning, when Xu Sangning went out for training, she realized what it was.

Several people asked if she and Ji Tangmian were together.

Countless strange looks were cast her way.

It wasn’t because two women were involved—in the apocalypse, people did all sorts of reckless things just to prove they were still alive. A same-s3x relationship was hardly noteworthy.

They simply couldn’t understand why Xu Sangning would tie herself to a jinx like Ji Tangmian. Was she really not afraid of death?

Xu Sangning spent half the day explaining, but no one believed her.

She sighed and didn’t bother to explain further, simply writing another report instead.

She’d only been here for two days and had already written two reports.

Though people’s gazes remained odd, the number of invitations for the two of them to go out together had increased significantly, with many even resorting to flattery. Every time Xu Sangning heard their sycophantic words, she felt goosebumps rise on her skin.

But Xu Sangning couldn’t be bothered to go out. Her current points were enough to live comfortably, and she could even earn extra by controlling water. Not to mention, with Ji Tangmian—a veritable points tycoon—at home, there was no need to go out every day.

So, the two of them took a week off before accepting another mission.

The third time they went out was at Su Mo’s request. This was a plot point.

Xu Sangning needed to pull someone in to take a hit for her, while Ji Tangmian was supposed to act spoiled and unreasonable.

Before heading out, the two exchanged a glance—everything was understood without words.

Xu Sangning had long since chosen her scapegoat: the one who cursed at them the most viciously.

That person had never gone on a mission with them before and wasn’t particularly kind-hearted himself. Yet every time their names came up, he would spew vitriol.

Last time, Xu Sangning had even seen him stealing from ordinary people. He seemed to take particular pleasure in strutting around the civilian settlements, flaunting his power. His hatred for Xu Sangning and Ji Tangmian was purely an outlet for his frustrations.

Su Mo’s missions usually lasted ten days—partly to rescue people, partly to gather supplies.

But Xu Sangning knew Su Mo was searching for something else too, like the head of a certain laboratory and its research data.

Xu Sangning and Ji Tangmian were assigned to the same vehicle, along with three others who all had physical enhancement abilities.

The car was quiet. Ji Tangmian sat properly for all of three minutes before slumping against Xu Sangning like a boneless creature.

“Ugh, this car is so uncomfortable. No soft cushions at all. That last team was much better—they even prepared a cushion for me.”

The others pretended not to hear.

“Did you bring any candy? I want some… Oh, you actually did!”

“I really want some fruit tea… It’s so hot today.”

“Never mind, just hot water. I’m thirsty.” Ji Tangmian handed her cup to Xu Sangning, who had by now mastered the skill of conjuring hot water on demand. She took the cup, filled it halfway, and passed it back.

“Thanks, but it’s a bit too hot. Let it cool a little.”

This time, one of the others glanced at Xu Sangning with interest. As far as she knew, no one else could produce hot water directly—Xu Sangning must have an incredibly deep understanding of water-based abilities.

This didn’t match the rumors she’d heard at all. Who was it that claimed Xu Sangning was freeloading? If anything, the two of them seemed mutually devoted.

The base was rife with gossip about them, most of it claiming Xu Sangning was forced to be with Ji Tangmian for one reason or another.

There were a few who said Xu Sangning was formidable, but since she rarely went on missions, that version of the story didn’t get much traction. After all, if she were truly capable, shouldn’t she be out there working hard, earning points, and living a better life?

She couldn’t help but think—

Maybe Xu Sangning really was just that in love. Otherwise, why would someone so powerful put up with Ji Tangmian’s endless, nonsensical demands?

Sensing the speculative look from the side, Xu Sangning sighed inwardly.

Last night when she raised an issue, she received a reply—they actually told her to brush off Ji Tangmian.

Brush it off…

Xu Sangning hadn’t been particularly curious about Ji Tangmian’s identity before, but now she was genuinely intrigued.

First, Ji Tangmian was definitely a member of the Quick Transmigration Bureau. Second, their two consecutive encounters weren’t coincidences but deliberate arrangements.

Could this be the legendary “connected insider”? The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

From as far back as she could remember, Xu Sangning knew she was just an ordinary digital life. Concepts like “connected insiders” were far beyond her world.

So, what exactly was her relationship with Ji Tangmian?

This question was one Xu Sangning didn’t know how long would torment her before she found an answer.

Xu Sangning glanced at Ji Tangmian, who was sipping water daintily beside her. Sensing the gaze, Ji Tangmian immediately turned her head and flashed a radiant smile.

The onlookers nearby took another look. Hmm, Ji Tangmian was clearly smitten too—just pouring a glass of water and she was grinning like an idiot.

These two were a perfect match, one willing to play along, the other happy to indulge. From a romantic perspective, Ji Tangmian’s antics were almost expected… Maybe they were just role-playing something.

Lost in thought, Xu Sangning glanced at Ji Tangmian again and suddenly found her a little less annoying.

Well, the world had plenty of fools—what was one more Ji Tangmian?

Suddenly, a notification for OOC (Out of Character) behavior sounded in her mind.

Ji Tangmian: ???

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.

She was certain she hadn’t broken character at all in this world!

Ji Tangmian: Is the system just trying to withhold my pay? Is that it?

System: Hah, your salary is peanuts. The Quick Transmigration Bureau wouldn’t bother skimping on that.

Ji Tangmian: I don’t care. I’m appealing. Give me a proper explanation. I’m practically the most disliked person in the base now. Is it because of Xu Sangning? Because she’s actually fallen for me, so…

System: As fellow task-takers, her emotions aren’t monitored.

Ji Tangmian: …

The rollercoaster of emotions—from despair to euphoria and back—was just like this.

Ji Tangmian downed the rest of her water in one gulp, then slumped against Xu Sangning as if she’d suffered some devastating blow.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wahhh…”

The curious glances from the side returned.

Xu Sangning: ?

“Act normal,” Xu Sangning gritted out.

She didn’t want any more bizarre rumors circulating after this trip.

The gossip about her was already enough material for a novel!

“It’s nothing,” Ji Tangmian sighed. “It’s just… I work so hard, and yet, ah…”

The moment the words left her mouth, another OOC alert sounded.

Ji Tangmian froze for a second, locking eyes with someone nearby—their expression was indescribably complicated.

“If you stare at the zombies more, you won’t scream in fear,” the person said kindly. “Some people are just naturally more timid. Or… if zombies show up later, we’ll warn you so you don’t have to look.”

Ji Tangmian: …

Ji Tangmian: AAAAAAH!

A misunderstanding. She’d been talking about her work in the Quick Transmigration Bureau, but these people thought she was upset because her screaming had disturbed others.

Damn it, since when was she the type to reflect on herself?

Why did this girl just believe it so easily, huh?

Shouldn’t she be seen as pretentious and hypocritical?

Ji Tangmian opened the backend, wanting to check if this was some kind of naive, saintly character from the plot, only to find that it wasn’t—just an ordinary survivor in the apocalypse.

So, why on earth…?

Ji Tangmian heard the notification sound yet again.

She felt somewhat numb, meeting the other’s pitying and sympathetic gaze, knowing her silence had likely been misinterpreted once more.

Ji Tangmian closed her eyes and leaned against Xu Sangning’s shoulder in complete self-isolation.

And then, Ji Tangmian broke character yet again.

She really wanted to scream out loud.

Comrade! Stop overthinking and making excuses for her, aaaaaah! I really am just a heartless, utterly terrible villain!

Xu Sangning couldn’t help but chuckle and patted Ji Tangmian’s shoulder.

“It’s fine to walk slowly. As long as you’re moving forward, that’s what matters,” the other comforted her again.

Ji Tangmian: “…”