Blame the Villain – Chapter 54

Villainous Poor Student (19)

Throughout her senior year, Song Xuyi found herself reevaluating He Siyu.

Initially, Song Xuyi looked at He Siyu from an elder’s perspective, seeing her as a diligent junior striving for excellence. It was only after being tutored by He Siyu for two semesters that Song Xuyi hazily realized He Siyu had grown far more outstanding than she had imagined.

He Siyu’s ability to learn was incredibly strong. Being just a freshman, she had already sought out a mentor and joined their lab, collaborating with graduate students on research projects. Moreover, He Siyu was exceptionally intelligent, exhibiting great self-discipline and time management skills. Despite coming off as somewhat cold in her interactions, she never seemed unreasonable.

During the tutoring sessions, He Siyu was exceedingly gentle and meticulous. Song Xuyi even felt that anyone under He Siyu’s guidance could get into a prestigious university, not just herself.

The sweltering month of June arrived quickly.

Song Xuyi didn’t expect to see He Siyu waiting outside the examination hall after she came out.

He Siyu stood under a tree, holding an umbrella. Surrounded by the parents and grandparents of other examinees, the fair and beautiful He Siyu seemed to radiate a glow, setting her apart from the crowd as if a barrier encircled her.

“Why are you here?” Song Xuyi walked up to He Siyu, surprised. Seeing her approach, He Siyu’s cool face broke into a smile as she naturally took Song Xuyi’s backpack: “It’s the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, so I came back to see you.”

“How do you think you did?”

“Not bad!” Song Xuyi reflected on her papers as she moved under the umbrella held by He Siyu.

She looked up at He Siyu’s delicate profile, feeling a bit of joy inside. This joy was different from the comforting satisfaction she had felt before; it was like a tiny, tender sprout suddenly burrowing out from the bottom of her heart, swaying back and forth…

But Song Xuyi did not notice the change in her emotions. She looked at He Siyu’s slim collarbone and sighed softly, “You seem to have lost more weight after not seeing each other for two months?”

He Siyu wouldn’t reveal that she had been working overnight in the lab for many days to prepare for this vacation. Hearing this, she just smiled lightly, “Maybe it’s because of my diet!”

“Xuyi,” He Siyu took a deep breath to hide the longing in her heart, turning to look at Song Xuyi, “I often have to work late in the lab and can only go back to the dorm very late. I’m afraid of disturbing my roommates, so I’m planning to rent an apartment near the school.”

“That’s a good idea,” Song Xuyi nodded, “This way, you can be more comfortable. And during your breaks, you can also cook for yourself. Otherwise, it would be a waste of your great cooking skills…”

“But,” He Siyu bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment then glanced at Song Xuyi, “the apartment I’m interested in is a two-bedroom, one-living room setup. It has great light, convenient transportation, and Capital University of Finance and Economics is just next door. It’s only a twenty-minute ride to my school. But, it’s quite expensive and I’ve been a bit strapped for cash recently. I also don’t want to ask Uncle He or Aunt Wang for money…”

Was Siyu here to borrow money?

Song Xuyi immediately patted He Siyu’s shoulder, “Don’t worry about money, I can lend you any amount…”

Song Xuyi’s personal account is linked to the company’s charity fund. She hardly checks it, but she knows she now possesses a great fortune, modestly estimated to be at least ten times that of Father Song. Currently, the least of Song Xuyi’s worries was money.

“I didn’t come to borrow money,” He Siyu’s pitiable look stiffened, and she gave Song Xuyi a complicated look, realizing that Song Xuyi probably couldn’t understand her subtle hint. She decided to be direct: “I was hoping you’d be interested in sharing the rent. Aren’t you planning to apply to Capital University of Finance and Economics? The apartment is also close to your school…”

“This…”

Song Xuyi lowered her eyes, feeling hesitant.

She indeed wanted to attend a university specializing in finance and economics, but she wasn’t sure if she could get in. Moreover, Song Xuyi didn’t know why she felt this way, but the idea of sharing an apartment with He Siyu felt a bit strange, and somewhat shyly awkward—

Seeing Song Xuyi’s demeanor, He Siyu’s eyes grew deeper, but her lips curved into a gentle smile, softening her tone: “If you don’t want to share an apartment with me, it’s okay. Recently, a senior has been contacting me. Although I always find him kind of eerie and a bit scary, I’ve learned martial arts for so many years, so sharing an apartment with him shouldn’t be a problem…”

“How could that be!”

Song Xuyi frowned almost immediately and shook his head in disapproval.

He solemnly advised, “Siyu, you’re so pretty, how can you be so unguarded? What if that senior of yours has bad intentions? Although you’re indeed skilled, there are all sorts of filthy tricks out there…”

He Siyu didn’t respond, just silently lowered her head.

Seeing her like this, Song Xuyi was momentarily at a loss for words, belatedly realizing that despite He Siyu’s capabilities, she’s still a student for whom financial issues are indeed a big problem.

Her heart softened instantly, and with a sigh, she grabbed He Siyu’s arm, “Alright, alright! Stop worrying about your senior, I’ll live with you…”

He Siyu pursed her lips and shook her head, her clear eyes unblinkingly staring at Song Xuyi: “I don’t want to force you—”

“It’s not forcing,” Song Xuyi sighed and quickly replied: “My company is also busy, and staying in the dorm will disturb others. I’m just afraid that I won’t pass the entrance exam for the University of Finance and Economics, and that I might hold you back. Siyu, you like cleanliness and cook so well, whereas it seems like I can’t do anything…”

Regardless of whether I can live there or not, we must first rent the house to ensure Siyu’s safety! Even if I rent a place later, given my frequent business trips, it’s unlikely I’ll spend many days in the house…

……

“That’s settled then!” He Siyu seemed to have actually been convinced by Song Xuyi, lifting her head with a shy and happy smile, “Xuyi, rest assured, you’ll definitely get in!”

“Moreover,”

He Siyu then lowered her head, smiling shyly as if embarrassed: “Between you and me, how can we talk about being a burden? I really enjoy doing things for you…”

Originally, Song Xuyi wasn’t very concerned about grades, but seeing He Siyu’s anticipation for their future life together in a rented apartment, Song Xuyi suddenly felt a bit anxious, afraid of performing poorly and letting He Siyu down…

Fortunately, when the results came out, Song Xuyi did get into the University of Finance and Economics.

Song Xuyi’s parents were ecstatic. They had initially thought that it would be quite an achievement for Song Xuyi to get admitted into an average university, but they were surprised and overjoyed when Song Xuyi got accepted into a top-tier university. Coincidentally, the end of August marked Song Xuyi’s 18th birthday, so Song Xuyi’s parents decided to celebrate both occasions simultaneously by organizing an extremely grand banquet.

He Siyu did not return for the celebration.

He Siyu has been incredibly busy lately, spending all her time in the laboratory, and didn’t come home for the entire summer vacation, naturally missing the banquet.

Song Xuyi thought that He Siyu wouldn’t be as emotionally expressive as Song Xuyi’s parents, but during a video call at night, He Siyu couldn’t stop smiling at Song Xuyi.

Song Xuyi had never seen He Siyu so happy before. He Siyu’s beautiful face was brimming with joy, the red mole at the corner of her eye and her star-like eyes shining in harmony, creating a beauty that was almost too dazzling to look at directly.

Watching He Siyu’s joyful smile on the video, Song Xuyi found herself smiling unconsciously too. Even though she felt a bit silly smiling at each other through a computer screen, her heart suddenly felt a touch of sweetness…

Unexpectedly, Song Xuyi began to look forward to the start of her university life.

When the semester started in September, Song Xuyi declined her parents’ offer to accompany her and traveled to the capital alone.

Just as expected, as soon as Song Xuyi got off the plane, she saw He Siyu waiting for her at the arrivals gate.

He Siyu accompanied Song Xuyi to complete her registration, then happily led her back to their room.

He Siyu wasn’t lying; the apartment she rented was just a five-minute walk from Capital University of Finance and Economics, nestled in an exceedingly quiet neighborhood.

The apartment was bathed in natural light, furnished with seemingly brand-new pieces.

In the living room, there was a huge sofa covered in fluffy toys of various colors; the coffee table in front was piled with Song Xuyi’s favorite snacks. A small white cat with dazzling blue eyes lazily strolled across the coffee table. The entire apartment was bathed in a warm light blue hue, with sunflowers in the vase, a bookshelf by a large floor-to-ceiling window, and a spacious balcony with a small coffee table and two wicker chairs…

This apartment matched Song Xuyi’s aesthetics perfectly; she fell in love with it at first sight—it was exactly how she envisioned her home in her subconscious.

Song Xuyi didn’t hide her fondness at all; upon entering, she immediately threw herself onto the big sofa, hugging the cat named ‘Xiaobai’ and started petting it, while comfortably sighing towards He Siyu, “Siyu, I really love this apartment…”

“Useless,” the system looked at the little white cat in Song Xuyi’s arms, feeling inexplicably jealous, and spoke in a sarcastic tone, “My original form is much cuter than it!”

“Your original form is indeed cute,” Song Xuyi couldn’t help but agree with the system, remembering its original form of a proud and adorable little black cat, she nodded, “But your original form doesn’t let me hug it…”

The system was, for once, at a loss for words.

Song Xuyi managed to silence the usually sarcastic system and felt a surge of triumph, her smile growing wider.

He Siyu, who had been closely observing Song Xuyi’s expressions, finally let out a sigh of relief at this point.

“If you like it, that’s good.” He Siyu stood by, smiling at Song Xuyi, softly speaking, a subtle glint in her eyes.

—This scene that she had longed for finally appeared before her eyes: a warm home, with her most beloved Xuyi in it.

Only He Siyu knew that ever since she found out last year that Song Xuyi wanted to attend the Capital University of Finance and Economics, she had been secretly planning this day.

In fact, He Siyu was not poor, nor was the house rented.

Over the years, she had sold quite a few practical patents, and with the scholarships she received, her savings were considerable, even though they might not compare with Song Xuyi’s.

Over the year, He Siyu visited every neighborhood near the University and then purchased the bare shell of this house.

No one knew Song Xuyi’s preferences better than He Siyu, and no one understood what was good about Song Xuyi more than He Siyu. Song Xuyi was so outstanding that even though she herself hadn’t noticed, He Siyu knew that many people had secretly set their sights on Song Xuyi…

For instance, the children of a few old friends of Mr. Song, Mr. Zhao’s younger son, and even… the genius research team leader at Song Xuyi’s company.

It’s just that previously, Song Xuyi was still young. Even if these people were interested, they had no face to make a move. And now, as Xuyi becomes more dazzling, the still unfledged He Siyu had no advantage compared to these people. The only things she could utilize were Xuyi’s fondness for her face and the fellowship between them over the years.

He Siyu knew her actions were not honorable and could even be considered despicable. She had tried to let go of Xuyi, but distance and time only fermented the wild thoughts in her heart deeper. In countless sleepless nights, He Siyu would wake up from dreams, where Song Xuyi was tenderly entangled with her…

He Siyu knew she was ruined, perhaps just as her stepfather He Biao had once insulted her: indeed, she was a born pest, always looking to climb higher. Yet, the thought of Xuyi being with someone else filled He Siyu with boundless jealousy and panic. She even wanted to clip Xuyi’s wings, to hide her in a place where no one could see, ensuring Xuyi’s eyes were only for her…

Now was her only chance—if she delayed any longer, with Xuyi possibly finding someone she liked, He Siyu would forever be trapped in a dark swamp, never to escape.

So, He Siyu carefully hid her feelings in front of Song Xuyi, slowly turning the bare apartment into what it was now.

She plotted and schemed, step by step, and finally, on this day, she tricked the girl she loved back into the nest she had meticulously prepared…

Song Xuyi initially rented the place with a casual mindset, but living here now, she found herself reluctant to move out—not only because everything in the house perfectly suited Song Xuyi’s taste but also because the days living with He Siyu were simply too blissful!

He Siyu is skilled in cooking; every morning, when Song Xuyi wakes up, He Siyu has already prepared breakfast and chosen the clothes Song Xuyi will wear for the day.

By the time Song Xuyi comes back at noon, He Siyu often has already bought groceries and is making lunch, while Song Xuyi either plays with the cat or helps He Siyu out… After dinner, the two, along with their cat Xiaobai, would take a stroll down the tree-lined path. The strikingly beautiful He Siyu and the elegantly charming Song Xuyi, despite their drastically different styles, share an incredibly harmonious atmosphere, as if no one else could intrude on their world…

Sometimes, when Song Xuyi looks at the cold-faced He Siyu beside her, she might even feel faintly that if she were to stay in this world with He Siyu into old age, it might just be like this…

This kind of life continued for half a month.

To adapt to the new college life and to handle the formalities for the new branch office in the capital, Song Xuyi stayed in the capital for this half-month. A month later, after the college leaders approved Song Xuyi’s long leave, Song Xuyi then started to get busy with establishing the branch office in the capital.

Nowadays, NeighborNet Supermarket is almost universally known. However, equally, some competing companies have emerged. In an environment where many vie for superiority, to continue surviving and be recognized by consumers in this competitive business setting, one must always be on their toes, striving for progress.

Meanwhile, an obscure small company also began its registration process in the capital.

In the beginning, including He Siyu, this small company was founded by only five people, with a registered capital contributed by He Siyu amounting to several tens of thousands. The rest of the founders, like He Siyu, were students, joining in more with the mindset of gaining some experience and having a bit of fun rather than serious business intent. Only He Siyu knew the direction and path the small company would take in the future.

He Siyu wanted to build cars.

Over recent years, He Siyu had been closely monitoring the movements of Xu Group. The demand for private cars had shown explosive growth over these years, and Xu Group had made its fortune through the machinery equipment industry, which shares many theories and equipments with car manufacturing. A few years ago, Xu Group announced their plan: in the forthcoming years, they will focus their main capital flow on building cars.

As of now, the vehicles produced by the Xu Group have hit the market, mainly targeting the mid-range price segment. They’ve achieved commendable sales numbers and, tasting success, the Xu Group has once again increased its investment.

He Siyu plans to use this as a breakthrough.

Over the years, staying close to Song Xuyi and immersing herself in the business world through Song Xuyi’s company, He Siyu has learned many valuable lessons. One saying she deeply agrees with is: To create a cross-era change, one must first have a cross-era vision.

Unlike the current gasoline cars which emit exhaust, severely polluting the environment and require human operation, He Siyu aims to develop a new type of vehicle. She envisions electric, automatically controlled cars that can completely free humans from operation and reduce safety accidents—

Such a car, once launched, would drastically shift the global automotive landscape. Both high-end and low-end cars would find their paths relatively easier, but it’s the mid-range Xu cars, under Xu Hongjiang, that would be most impacted.

Song Xuyi didn’t know that He Siyu had already started her own company in secret.

Just like any ordinary person who wants to show their best side in front of the person they have a crush on, He Siyu also wanted to leave the best impression on Song Xuyi. However, her small company seemed insignificant compared to the towering presence of Song Xuyi, so He Siyu chose not to reveal her venture into entrepreneurship to him for the time being.

Moreover, He Siyu’s company ran into difficulties not long after its establishment.

Research and development proved to be a costly affair.

Unlike Song Xuyi, who had the good fortune of meeting a benefactor like Mr. Zhao at the beginning of his career, He Siyu quickly ran through her initial funding for R&D. She had no choice but to get the contact numbers of a few potential investors interested in funding scientific research from her mentor, intending to persuade them to invest.

However, the journey turned out to be anything but smooth.

He Siyu’s ideas seemed too advanced for the current times, and given her youth and beauty, investors generally doubted her ability to develop new energy vehicles. Some even indecently suggested that He Siyu ‘dedicate herself to technology’ in a lewd manner, implying that they would invest in her if she would submit herself to them—

Naturally, He Siyu paid no attention to these individuals. She was determined to seek revenge against Xu Hongjiang, having braced herself for a long struggle. Although indeed disappointed, it was within a tolerable range for her.

But what He Siyu could endure looked different in the eyes of others.

Li Qing had been harboring a crush on He Siyu for six years, seeing her as proud, strong, and capable of anything. The only flaw Li Qing found in her was her stubborn love for Song Xuyi.

Li Qing’s grades were nothing special, but in an effort to catch up to He Siyu, she also applied to a school in the capital.

Unable to grasp what attracted Song Xuyi to He Siyu, and filled with jealousy and resentment, Li Qing began to secretly follow Song Xuyi and He Siyu, planning to mimic Song Xuyi’s behaviors. She was determined too; unable to enter Song Xuyi’s company, she would squat outside the door, and indeed, she occasionally made some ‘discoveries’—

Song Xuyi had not expected the head of the research department from their headquarters to come to the Beijing branch for a business trip. This young man was also a youthful prodigy, not much older than Song Xuyi.

It was only when the other party expressed his longing for Song Xuyi that Song Xuyi realized the research head had come for her.

Song Xuyi shook her head and refused him.

Hearing this, the head of research felt somewhat disheartened. Ultimately, as they were parting, he asked Song Xuyi for a hug, viewing it as a way to put an end to his unrequited love.

Song Xuyi, unable to refuse any longer, politely hugged the head of research but didn’t expect that Li Qing, who had been lurking outside the company, captured this moment with the latest smartphone and showed it to He Siyu.

“She got her internship at NeighborNet Supermarket for sure through this man’s connections…” Li Qing, holding the photo, said to He Siyu: Even though the photo was somewhat blurry, it was still recognizable as Song Xuyi: “Siyu, she’s a woman who changes her affections easily, not worth your…”

Li Qing’s words choked in her throat before she could finish.

She met He Siyu’s gaze: He Siyu looked back at her with eyes utterly devoid of warmth, cold and severe, as if filled with frost.

“Get lost!” He Siyu deleted the photos from her phone and threw the phone back to Li Qing. Watching Li Qing’s retreating figure stumbling away, He Siyu pursed her lips tightly, her mood not as calm as she appeared to be:

Jealousy grew inside her like bone-eating ants, bit by bit emerging from within her body: That research team leader was young and promising, with a delicate appearance, someone Xuyi had finally poached from a small company. Xuyi and he had come a long way together, and Xuyi always maintained propriety, rarely having more-than-appropriate interactions with the opposite sex…

The string of unease in her heart was stretched to its limit, as if it could snap at any moment—

Meanwhile, Song Xuyi also learned about He Siyu starting her company and seeking investments.

It was Mr. Zhao who called Song Xuyi. After all, the circle at the top is just so big; Mr. Zhao and an investor He Siyu had once visited were friends. Mr. Zhao was visiting that friend and just happened to see He Siyu’s name on the cover of a proposal in the trash pile.

Song Xuyi felt deeply pained—such excellent work from He Siyu was dismissed so lightly by these investors. In the moment, she decided to write a check for five million, determined to invest in He Siyu.

However, He Siyu’s phone was unreachable that day, and by the time she returned, it was already deep into the night.

He Siyu’s face was somewhat cold, and there was a faint smell of alcohol on her. Seeing her like this, Song Xuyi thought she was upset because she couldn’t secure investments. She couldn’t help but stand up and take He Siyu’s hand: “Siyu, I have something to tell you…”

What could it be? Was she going to tell her that she already had a boy she liked?

He Siyu looked at Song Xuyi in front of her, her mind filled with the images of Song Xuyi and that team leader hugging each other in her phone, and she painfully closed her eyes.

Song Xuyi thought He Siyu was just dealing with a headache from drinking, so she sighed and began to gently massage He Siyu’s temples, stuffing the check into her hand.

He Siyu didn’t take the check, just calmly opening her eyes to gaze quietly at her.

“This… Take this money,” the look in He Siyu’s eyes unnervingly seemed to harbor a dark storm. Facing He Siyu’s gaze, Song Xuyi found herself increasingly stumbling over her words…

Should she confess that she already knew about He Siyu’s efforts in seeking investments? He Siyu was so proud…

“I…”

Song Xuyi hesitated for a long time, unable to decide whether to break through this layer of paper window.

He Siyu’s fist, resting by her side, clenched tighter and tighter. She gritted her teeth and fixated on Song Xuyi’s constantly moving lips, the storm in her eyes growing more intense, her heart aching in spasms:

Is she really that shy to not say it out loud? Is it just because she wants to tell her that she’s found someone he likes…

At that moment, a string in her mind snapped completely!

He Siyu suddenly let out a cold laugh, reaching out to grab Song Xuyi’s hand.

He Siyu’s grip was exceptionally strong; Song Xuyi struggled subconsciously but couldn’t break free—

“I gave you a chance to speak,” He Siyu suddenly said out of nowhere. Her gaze turned incredibly dark and aggressive at that moment, her eyes, however, shimmered with tears, resembling a wounded lone wolf in the darkness…

Seeing He Siyu like this, a sharp pain instinctively shot through Song Xuyi’s heart.

“Since you can’t bring yourself to say it, then never speak of it again—” He Siyu continued, her lips pressed tightly together.

It seemed she had made up her mind, slowly lowering her head. Bit by bit, her lips drew closer to Song Xuyi’s…

“You misunderstood!” Watching the beautiful face getting closer, Song Xuyi’s eyes widened, her heartbeat speeding up more and more, her face instantly turning red, yet her mind was clearer than ever before. She realized that He Siyu might have misunderstood something, hurriedly shaking the check in her hand: “I know you are starting a business, I want to invest in you—”

He Siyu’s actions paused.

Song Xuyi breathed a sigh of relief, like a fish out of water finally returned to the sea, watching as He Siyu’s dim gaze moved to the check in her hand…

It felt like a moment, yet also as if a long time had passed, finally He Siyu let go of Song Xuyi’s hands, silently took the check, and placed it into her backpack.

Song Xuyi’s lifted heart finally sank back down, she breathed a few low breaths, inconspicuously shrinking back into the sofa, yet the heat on her cheeks did not decrease at all: What exactly does Siyu mean tonight…

With a “zip,” the backpack was closed.

He Siyu turned around again.

This time, her eyes regained their usual brightness, but filled with an emotion that startled Song Xuyi.

“You know, don’t you?”

He Siyu suddenly smiled, sat back down on the sofa with ease, and looked at Song Xuyi, who was shrinking back into herself. She stretched out her hand, wrapped it around Song Xuyi’s waist, and gently pulled, causing Song Xuyi to fall into her arms…

“I like you, He Siyu!”

Song Xuyi lowered her head, gazing earnestly into He Siyu’s eyes. The faint taste of liquor flowed between their lips, making Song Xuyi feel somewhat intoxicated. Her heartbeat sped up, seemingly losing the strength to resist, she unconsciously closed her eyes.

Seeing Song Xuyi like this, He Siyu laughed softly again.

“What to do?” She sighed, reaching out to touch Song Xuyi’s face, with a low murmur escaping her lips, “With such a debt of sponsorship, it seems there’s nothing left but to offer myself in return—”

……

—He Siyu lowered her head towards the lips she had longed for many years, gently placing a kiss…

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The author has something to say:

Wuwuwu, setting up a flag feels good for a moment, but rushing to update is like walking into a crematorium. Finally finished writing.

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LP: Re-translated on March 22, 2024

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