Blame the Villain – Chapter 116

Villainous Stand-in (14)

After the boss switched to a comedy movie, Song Xuyi’s mood finally calmed down.

This is a movie that just came out not long ago, but in the next few years it will often be recommended and have an extremely good reputation.

Even though she had watched it before, Song Xuyi still couldn’t help but curl her lips while watching the funny scenes in the movie.

After watching for a long time, Song Xuyi realized that Li Yuqing, who was beside her, had been extremely quiet all along. From beginning to end, Song Xuyi had never heard her laugh out loud.

Song Xuyi couldn’t help but tilt her head and look over.

In the dim light of the cinema, Li Yuqing was tilting her head and looking at herself; Song Xuyi didn’t know how long she had been watching.

Li Yuqing’s eyelids slightly narrowed, carrying a few traces of a smile. Her pair of beautiful eyes softened the usual coldness and alienation, like a gemstone that had been brushed away from its covering, revealing its original magnificent and brilliant light, which irresistibly drew people in.

When Li Yuqing looked at people with this kind of gaze, no one could bear to refuse her.

Song Xuyi was immersed in Li Yuqing’s eyes. Her heart accelerated in that instant, and Song Xuyi could almost clearly hear the sound of her own heartbeat. Her mouth inexplicably became a bit dry, and her mind suddenly turned blank…

But it was only for an instant; Song Xuyi reacted and turned her head, blushing.

What was wrong with herself?

Song Xuyi couldn’t help but cover her chest. Her eyes were still on the screen, seemingly watching the movie, but her mind was completely blank. Her heart was beating rapidly, and the heat on her cheeks seemed to never dissipate. Li Yuqing’s extremely beautiful face kept echoing in her mind—

The always smiling Li Yuqing wearing a mask, the expressionless Li Yuqing, the crying Li Yuqing, the happy Li Yuqing…

This feeling was extremely strange, mixed with a bit of fear of the unknown, and a trace of inexplicable anticipation. However, the corners of her lips couldn’t help but want to curl up…

It seemed like something was wrong with herself. She inexplicably always wanted to take another look at Li Yuqing.

Song Xuyi picked up the water bottle and drank several mouthfuls of water before she barely managed to suppress the restless, unknown feeling in her heart. Finally, when the movie ended, Song Xuyi stood up with a sigh of relief, almost fleeing from the private cinema. Meanwhile, the smile on Li Yuqing’s lips became even more radiant, prompting Uncle Zhang, who was driving, to keep urging Li Yuqing to go out and have fun more often.

By the time they returned to the Flower Arrangement Club through the back door, it was already dark, and Li Yuqing’s phone happened to ring. The Song family started urging Li Yuqing to come back for dinner.

After playing for half a day, Song Xuyi felt a bit tired. However, Li Yuqing still looked energetic and even posted on her Moments: “A happy day!”

The accompanying picture was of a bouquet of flowers inside the Flower Arrangement Club, with an extremely harmonious color combination.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the flower arrangement in the photo was placed by the window, with a beautiful view outside. Under the azure sky, the Ferris wheel hidden among the tall buildings in the background was clearly visible.

Upon seeing the Ferris wheel, Song Xuyi couldn’t help but recall Li Yuqing’s lips brushing against her cheek on the Ferris wheel…

At that time, it didn’t feel strange, but now recalling it, Song Xuyi’s face started to burn again.

And at this moment, Li Yuqing also pressed ‘publish’.

Song Xuyi couldn’t help but associate this with the real-life Li Yuqing.

In reality, Song Xuyi naturally added Li Yuqing on WeChat, but Li Yuqing’s WeChat Moments only showed posts from the past six months, and they were all academic reposts, with no original content.

Perhaps she could also try to probe Li Yuqing—

Song Xuyi secretly noted this matter: If Li Yuqing really sent such a message a few years ago, then even if it is absurd, Song Xuyi could only admit that all of this was not a dream…

Not long after posting on Moments, the car stopped at the Song family’s door.

From the moment she got out of the car, Li Yuqing’s demeanor changed, once again becoming the courteous, always politely smiling Li Yuqing, adeptly handling everything in the Song family…

After half a day, Song Xuyi became increasingly tired, and Li Yuqing seemed to notice Song Xuyi’s fatigue, using the excuse of being sleepy to return to her room early.

Seeing the only large bed in the room and recalling everything from the morning, Song Xuyi inexplicably felt a bit embarrassed, using the excuse of her poor sleeping posture to sleep on the sofa. Li Yuqing gave her a deep look but didn’t say anything. However, in her sleep, Song Xuyi felt as if she was tied up with ropes, unable to breathe…

When Song Xuyi woke up, she saw Li Yuqing curled up, hugging her and sleeping on the sofa together. Noticing that Song Xuyi was awake, Li Yuqing also opened her eyes, cautiously looking at Song Xuyi: “I’m sorry, sister, I was really scared, afraid you would suddenly disappear again—”

Song Xuyi did not expect Li Yuqing to be so dependent on her, but Song Xuyi herself could not control when the dream would end. She could only sigh, pulling Li Yuqing onto the bed, letting Li Yuqing sleep on her shoulder…

The next day, when she saw Song Xuyi, Li Yuqing was extremely happy, her smile almost overflowing from her eyes. Because it was necessary to take measurements to alter the dress for Li Yuqing, Old Master Song asked for leave for Li Yuqing again. Li Yuqing seemed to be used to Old Master Song’s arrangements, enthusiastically planning with Song Xuyi where to go in the afternoon. However, the designer they had an appointment with did not arrive in the morning, so Li Yuqing had to wait at home in the afternoon, her mood visibly dropping…

Seeing Li Yuqing like this, Song Xuyi couldn’t help but want to laugh, feeling that this Li Yuqing was like a cute child who didn’t get her candy. She couldn’t help but advise her: “Yuqing, staying at home is also quite good. I’ve always wanted to find some free time to read mangas but never found the chance…”

“Elder sister likes to read mangas?” Only then did Li Yuqing put away the disappointment in her eyes and looked up at Song Xuyi.

Li Yuqing watched Song Xuyi curled up on the sofa reading manga, and a smile also appeared in her eyes. She slowly sat down next to Song Xuyi and took out her laptop…

Not long after, the tailor arrived.

The tailor brought two sets of clothes. Even though Li Yuqing was a natural clothes hanger (a person who looks good in any clothes), wearing anything would look good. However, when Song Xuyi saw Li Yuqing wearing one of the white dresses, she still felt incredibly amazed: Li Yuqing, wearing this white dress, looked just like a fairy, making people unable to help but take another look.

Li Yuqing’s gaze seemed to unintentionally sweep over Song Xuyi. After seeing the amazement in Song Xuyi’s eyes, Li Yuqing smiled and pointed to the other black dress: “I will wear this black dress tomorrow night.”

In reality, Li Yuqing had taken elective courses in fashion design, and the Li Yuqing in front of her also seemed to have considerable knowledge of clothing. She conversed freely with the tailor, discussing the details of modifying the white dress…

Song Xuyi really liked watching Li Yuqing’s manner when she was conversing with the tailor: This kind of Li Yuqing appeared confident and beautiful, making Song Xuyi’s heart immediately give rise to a sense of accomplishment, as if her own daughter had just grown up.

After the tailor finished measuring the clothes and left, the setting sun had already fallen to the horizon. The orange-yellow light illuminated the entire land, the red clouds in the sky were like fire, the gentle breeze was caressing, and there was an unspeakable comfort.

Song Xuyi’s eyes felt a bit sore from reading manga for too long, so she stood by the window and began to gaze at the surrounding scenery.

“Sister, the day after tomorrow I will be nineteen years old,” and at some point, Li Yuqing had already stood behind Song Xuyi. She tilted her head and glanced at Song Xuyi, curling her lips and looking at Song Xuyi sideways: “Sister, on my birthday, I want to ask you for a gift.”

“What gift?” Song Xuyi looked at Li Yuqing in confusion: Li Yuqing had always been sensible and naturally knew the state Song Xuyi was in. Song Xuyi simply couldn’t give anything.

Why did Li Yuqing speak like this?

Song Xuyi looked towards Li Yuqing, but the smile on Li Yuqing’s cheek deepened. The wind lifted her disheveled long hair on her forehead, blocking Li Yuqing’s eyes, but it couldn’t block the anticipation in her eyes as she looked at Song Xuyi: “Of course, I will tell you then, sister.”

Perhaps it was because the scene and people at this moment were too beautiful, making people unconsciously intoxicated. Being watched by Li Yuqing like this, Song Xuyi’s heart also couldn’t help but beat faster, and suddenly she felt a bit hot.

“Alright!” Song Xuyi dared not meet Li Yuqing’s gaze again and averted her eyes, pretending to be relaxed: “As long as I have it, as long as you can take it, you just come and take it.”

“It was sister who said it, I remember it!”

Li Yuqing immediately started laughing.

Li Yuqing laughed extremely happily, which made Song Xuyi feel somewhat uneasy, as if she had been a bit careless. However, Li Yuqing was so happy that when Song Xuyi looked at her smiling face, her heart couldn’t help but soften: Forget it, it’s rare for her to be this happy, let’s just go along with her!

On the third day, during the daytime, Li Yuqing went out under the pretense of wanting to buy jewelry. Behind the jewelry store, Song Xuyi saw Uncle Zhang waiting there again.

When Song Xuyi arrived, Uncle Zhang was arguing on a video call. Before she even got close, Song Xuyi felt that the piercing voice from the video sounded somewhat familiar.

“Old man, hurry up and send me money. Do you want to take your money to the grave with you?”

“I’m not talking to you anymore!” Uncle Zhang was originally furious, but when he saw Li Yuqing walking over, he hurriedly turned the phone around: “My boss is here!”

“Don’t forget to send me money!”

The video call was hung up from the other side first, but as Song Xuyi approached, she still saw the person on the other end of the video—unexpectedly, it was Zhang Cai!

Song Xuyi was stunned in place.

At that moment, Song Xuyi felt a sense of absurdity in her heart. Recalling real-life events, a faint sense of panic arose in Song Xuyi’s heart:

Why did Zhang Cai’s father tolerate him causing so much trouble before, but sent him to the drug rehabilitation center after he offended Li Yuqing?

Could all of this really be the real world?

……

If that is the case, then the accumulation of Li Yuqing’s wealth in reality is also because of my teaching, and the friend Li Yuqing mentioned… could it really be… me?

……

Li Yuqing called Uncle Zhang specifically to take Song Xuyi for a drive around the city, but the more Song Xuyi thought about it, the more chaotic her thoughts became. She was always somewhat absent-minded. Li Yuqing was originally very enthusiastic, but after noticing Song Xuyi’s absent-mindedness, Li Yuqing still kept smiling, though a trace of gloom passed through her eyes.

It wasn’t until the evening that Song Xuyi adjusted her mindset: worrying now is of no use; she needs to return to reality to find a way to verify.

And by this time, the banquet had already begun.

Li Yuqing stood beside Song Shi the entire time, while Song Xuyi avoided the crowd and stood in the corner, watching everything related to Li Yuqing from a distance:

Watching Li Yuqing silently block most of the drinks for Song Shi, watching Li Yuqing tactfully navigate among people with different thoughts, watching the dazzling lights and wine at the venue…

Song Xuyi felt a sense of realization in her daze: Li Yuqing had truly grown up; she was no longer the crying little girl from their first meeting.

She could now stand on her own without Song Xuyi’s help and achieve her own bright future…

Almost as soon as this thought emerged in her heart, a familiar dizziness swept over her. Song Xuyi knew this meant she was about to return to the real world again. However, this time Song Xuyi had a premonition that once she went back, she would never come to this “dream” again.

Li Yuqing seemed to have sensed something, suddenly put down her cup, and ran in a panic towards Song Xuyi…

Accompanied by the questioning voice of Old Master Song, “Yuqing, what’s wrong? Aren’t you the one who never gets drunk no matter how much you drink?” Song Xuyi completely lost consciousness.

The author has something to say:

Xuyi, Xiaoli, who never gets drunk no matter how much she drinks, was pretending to be drunk the day before to take advantage of you on purpose!!!

Sigh, listen to your mother’s advice and install the next 《National Anti-Fraud Center》 app! You’ve gotten yourself involved with the most cunning trickster in this server, it’s a bit difficult to get out on your own…

LP: Re-translated on July 30, 2024