What to Do, I've Been Targeted by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Listening to the cacophony of clanging, banging, and crashing sounds coming from the kitchen, Xu Sangning couldn’t help but fidget in her seat.

She kept glancing toward the kitchen. Thankfully, the noise only lasted a few minutes before settling into the normal sounds of cooking.

Xu Sangning suspected Ji Tangmian had spent points to buy some kind of tool again.

She really was generous with her points—just how much did her department pay her?

An hour and a half later, Ji Tangmian finally opened the kitchen door.

Xu Sangning sniffed the air. She wasn’t sure how the food would taste, but it certainly smelled delicious.

She got up and headed to the dining room, intending to help serve the dishes, but Ji Tangmian forcibly sat her down in a chair.

One dish after another was brought to the table, each beautifully plated and mouthwatering at first glance.

But soon, Xu Sangning fell into silence.

Ji Tangmian wasn’t even pretending anymore. Xu Sangning stared at dishes made from ingredients she had never bought—ingredients that weren’t even in the house. She wasn’t sure whether she should play dumb or call her out.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Xu Sangning decided to feign ignorance. If she didn’t, they’d spend ages arguing before they could eat.

Finally, Ji Tangmian brought out a cake and placed it in the center of the table.

Words were written on top, but it took Xu Sangning a long time to decipher just a few of them.

“Celebrating… how many years of knowing each other?”

“A hundred years.”

Xu Sangning: ???

She looked up at Ji Tangmian in shock.

Xu Sangning was a seasoned employee of the Quick Transmigration Bureau. Normally, no matter how absurd or ridiculous a plotline was, she would never show any cracks in her composure in front of others.

But this time, she couldn’t hold back.

Ji Tangmian smiled and lit the candles.

“You’re joking, right?” Xu Sangning forced a stiff smile.

“I’m not.” Ji Tangmian glanced at her.

Their eyes met.

A deafening alarm blared in Xu Sangning’s mind, screeching incessantly.

She was furious. What did this have to do with her? Why was she being flagged for a violation?

Xu Sangning rapped her knuckles against the table. Instantly, everything around them froze—even the alarm in her head fell silent.

Only she and Ji Tangmian remained unaffected.

The system in Ji Tangmian’s mind, which had been mid-rant, suddenly went quiet. She let go of her chopsticks, watching them hang suspended in midair, and chuckled.

Clearly, Ji Tangmian wasn’t the least bit surprised by this turn of events.

Xu Sangning’s heart sank.

This person… had she actually known her before?

Had she used this ability in front of her before? Just how close had they been?

Most importantly… had her memories really been tampered with?

Questions flooded her mind, leaving her thoughts in complete disarray.

“Do we know each other?” Xu Sangning stared at Ji Tangmian, her smile fading as her expression turned serious.

Ji Tangmian leaned in close, studying Xu Sangning’s icy expression. She reached out to touch her face, but Xu Sangning coldly dodged her hand.

Ji Tangmian wasn’t upset in the slightest. She had expected this reaction from Xu Sangning—in fact, she was thrilled to have drawn out the real “Xu Sangning.”

“You saved me once,” Ji Tangmian said with a smile. “Pulled me out of fire and water. Because of you, I got a second chance at life.”

“Impossible.” Xu Sangning checked her mission completion rate—still a perfect 100%. “I’ve always followed protocol. And I don’t see anything about you worth breaking the rules for.”

Ji Tangmian widened her eyes, “Why do you still speak so harshly? But it’s true that you saved me. We had a great relationship—we even swore undying love to each other.”

“Nonsense,” Xu Sangning scoffed coldly. “I would never do something so childish, and I’ve never believed in emotions.”

Ji Tangmian spread her hands. “You’ll believe it once you meet me!”

“How narcissistic of you.”

Ji Tangmian: “…”

Though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing the venomous words from Xu Sangning’s mouth still made her want to cover it shut.

“I’m the villainess who failed to escape,” Ji Tangmian said, leaning closer to Xu Sangning. “In that world, you were the one who loved me most in the entire world.”

Xu Sangning frowned deeply. “Are you sure those vows were between you and me, and not between you and that character?”

“No, they weren’t. If they were, why would you save me?” Ji Tangmian glared at Xu Sangning. “Don’t question our feelings.”

Though she had embellished things a little, she truly believed that back then, their relationship had been on the verge of a breakthrough!

And when Xu Sangning sent her away, she had kissed her! And it was Xu Sangning who initiated it—what did that mean?

It meant Xu Sangning liked her. Otherwise, why would she kiss her? To harass her?

Xu Sangning laughed again, still unconvinced.

“You saved me. I don’t know how you did it, but you definitely used your abilities. As for the rest… All I know is that after I woke up, I became an employee of the Quick Transmigration Bureau and got a system, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.” Ji Tangmian stared at Xu Sangning. “Then, a year ago in system time, I got a chance to discover your existence.”

“What chance?” Xu Sangning was skeptical of Ji Tangmian’s claims. She didn’t think she was the type to be so kind-hearted.

Yet Ji Tangmian had indeed witnessed her abilities.

Digital beings, though considered alive, lacked the emotional depth of humans. They acted with far more rationality, which was why most employees in the Quick Transmigration Bureau were digital beings. If they were prone to random bouts of sympathy, every mission would likely end in disaster.

“I saw you on the Wall of Honor,” Ji Tangmian blinked. “But I’m from Quick Transmigration Bureau One, and you’re from Quick Transmigration Bureau Two…”

“There are two Quick Transmigration Bureaus?” Xu Sangning had never heard of this.

“Yeah, you didn’t know?” Ji Tangmian sighed as she looked at Xu Sangning.

Xu Sangning’s expression darkened further.

“Don’t be so cold. I spent a century’s worth of savings just to pull strings and see you…” Ji Tangmian sighed again.

“All these years, I’ve had to search for you while earning money. Since you disappeared suddenly and we both violated the rules, and given how powerful the Quick Transmigration Bureau is, I couldn’t look for you openly. I had to pay exorbitant prices to hire people from the black market.”

Xu Sangning frowned. “So you escaped again?”

“No, I just had them send us into a collaborative world between the two bureaus.” Ji Tangmian looked at Xu Sangning, realizing that playing the victim had no effect on her.

This heartless woman! And yet, she still loved her so much.

Xu Sangning leaned back in her chair. She had never heard of any collaborative worlds, nor of another Quick Transmigration Bureau.

It was as if someone had deliberately kept her in the dark.

But why? She couldn’t understand.

Moreover, taking away someone who attempted to escape was a serious violation of the rules—how had she not been fired yet?

Hiss… Xu Sangning lowered her gaze. Could the reason she hadn’t been promoted for so long be because of that serious violation?

Her pupils trembled as she raised her head again to look at Ji Tangmian. “So you really have no idea what happened?”

Ji Tangmian nodded, then let out a cold laugh, mirroring Xu Sangning’s tone. “You should know your own personality, right? You never liked telling me anything. You always said you’d handle it yourself—and then you handled yourself right out of existence.”

She finished speaking and spread her hands.

Thinking about it now, Ji Tangmian couldn’t help but want to complain.

She had thought that after leaving, they would live a sweet, happy life together. Who knew such a big person would just… disappear! Right after kissing her, too!

If she hadn’t later learned about the rules of the Quick Transmigration Bureau, she might have suspected Xu Sangning was some kind of heartless scumbag who had played with her emotions.

Ji Tangmian glanced at Xu Sangning again. Honestly, she seemed to have a bit of that potential.

Xu Sangning pressed a hand to her forehead. “I already reported you in the last world.”

“I know.” Ji Tangmian smirked. “When I pulled some strings, I made sure everything was covered. They intercepted all the reports. The reason the plot in the last world didn’t collapse was because I paid the fine in advance.”

Xu Sangning: “…”

The Quick Transmigration Bureau had such absurd services now? Just how rotten had it become?

And Xu Sangning strongly suspected that all her compensation payouts had come from Ji Tangmian’s money.

“So… what do you want to do now?” Xu Sangning asked, looking at her.

“Make you remember—and take responsibility for me.” Ji Tangmian said, her voice laced with shyness and coyness.

Xu Sangning: ???

She closed her eyes. Her head hurt. It really, really hurt.

“Ah, you can take your time remembering. I’m in no rush.” Ji Tangmian patted Xu Sangning’s shoulder. “If you’re in pain, my heart aches too. Hahaha.”

Xu Sangning gave her a look. “Then why are you laughing?”

“I’m in a good mood.” Ji Tangmian twirled in place. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. I thought I’d have to pester you for several more worlds before you’d ask, tsk tsk tsk. Seems I overestimated your patience.”

She touched her lips. “No wonder you couldn’t help kissing me back then.”

Xu Sangning: “…”

“Do you think the me who’s lost her memories is still me? Everything you’re saying feels completely unfamiliar, like I’m listening to a stranger’s story.” Xu Sangning leaned back in her chair, watching Ji Tangmian.

“You’ll remember.” Ji Tangmian’s gaze was stubborn, fixed on her like a viper locking onto its prey. “And you are you. Your core hasn’t changed—how could you not be you?”

“Xu Sangning, don’t even think about ditching me.” Ji Tangmian pressed her hands on Xu Sangning’s shoulders and whispered.

Xu Sangning pushed her hands away. “Then wait until I remember.”

“Okay, let’s eat then. I spent a long time preparing—everything’s made to your taste.” Ji Tangmian straightened up, her smile returning.

“Oh, and a reminder—you just caused me to OOC, so I’m still going to report you.” Xu Sangning warned before releasing her ability.

Ji Tangmian: “…”

“I’m at a critical point for my promotion.” Xu Sangning said.

“Oh, that’s good. At least you told me.” Ji Tangmian smiled.

“And I’ll keep reporting you in the future.” Xu Sangning added.

“I gave a lot of money, so go ahead and file a complaint. Consider it money well spent,” Ji Tangmian remarked with a sigh.

Xu Sangning pondered what Ji Tangmian actually liked about her, though she certainly didn’t seem like a normal person.

Then again, she was the villainess—even if she had awakened, her fundamental nature was still there.