Xin Yi widened her eyes: Was this, was this the villain acting spoiled?
She had never dreamed that Shen Ru Jie, when vulnerable, would look like this! That cry of ‘elder sister-in-law’ was no different from a little dog calling out to its big sister.
The Melodramatic Transmigration System chuckled twice, as if seeing right through her, and reminded her, “Host, don’t be fooled. This is just to use you, same as a drowning person grasping at driftwood. What if you’re timid and scared, abandon him and run, or turn around and lead the imperial guards back?”
Xin Yi naturally knew the system spoke the truth.
Someone like Shen Ru Jie, fair on the outside but vicious within, might sweetly smile at you one second, then slit your throat without a second thought the next.
But she also recalled a senior colleague from the Seductress Squad, who, while touching up her makeup, hummed to her mirror reflection, “He looks down on me now, but later, he’ll only want me.”
“Xin Yi baby, why don’t you join our Seductress Squad later? Big sis will teach you how to toy with men’s hearts—it’s so much fun.”
She had shown a shy yet pure smile then, looking somewhat obedient and awkward. “Is it really that fun? But I’m afraid of hurting others.”
The other woman had thus stroked her pretty little face and sighed, “You’ve already broken the hearts of two or three new guys in our department, and you don’t even know it. You’re such prime natural-born heartbreaker material.”
Perhaps sensing Xin Yi’s daze, the youth tightened his fingers on her wrist again, a faint, imperceptible chill flashing in his eyes.
But his pale lips pressed together slightly, as if somewhat uneasy. “Elder sister-in-law…”
His gaze fell on the woman’s graceful and beautiful face. He saw her wince softly in pain from his grip, yet endure it with grievance, her eyes reddening.
She looked just so easy to bully.
Amid the delicacy was a hint of coquettish reproach, which actually brought vivid life to her usually dignified brows and eyes.
Shen Ru Jie probably didn’t even realize his heartbeat had stuttered for a beat. Even the spot where his palm touched her smooth skin seemed to spark a strange discomfort and heat.
In truth, his injuries weren’t that severe, but for some reason, he just didn’t want her to leave. Perhaps it was distrust and suspicion in his heart, or perhaps no one had ever approached him voluntarily when he was weak.
Xin Yi, meanwhile, felt her scalp tingle, especially upon sensing the sticky blood in her palm, yet unable to break free from the firm grip on her wrist… She was someone who couldn’t even bear to watch a chicken being killed, and the current situation was truly dire for her.
Moreover, wasn’t he injured? How did he still have so much strength? Could it be an act?
She tried to struggle twice more but failed, so she could only blink her eyes weakly and aggrievedly, with a trembling, suppressed sob. “What should we do? Second Young Master, you’ve lost so much blood…”
His two crow-black lashes trembled flutteringly, as if she might not hold out and faint right in front of him at any moment.
This was reasonable too—a sickly young lady from a noble house had never seen such a scene, and her not fainting already showed her strength.
Shen Ru Jie was even better at pretending than her. He leaned weakly against the pillar by the fodder with great effort, a muffled groan escaping his pale, pained lips. “It’s nothing. It’ll be fine in a bit, as long as elder sister-in-law doesn’t abandon me.”
That expression of complete trust and dependence made it seem as if they had been intimately close before.
If others saw it, they would hardly avoid misunderstanding.
The moon and stars were sparse overhead, the streets and fields utterly desolate. The imperial guards had left only a moment ago, so for safety, they needed to stay a while longer in this narrow, cramped stable.
The two drew even closer, able to hear each other’s interlaced, fluctuating breaths. Xin Yi was dressed thinly and had felt a bit cold before, but now her face heated up.
After a while, whether to match the original plot or to cool the eerie atmosphere in the stable, the already oppressive night sky gradually filled with thick clouds, soon followed by rain—and not just any rain, but a torrential downpour.
In the curtain of bucket-like rain, the youth’s consciousness seemed to regain some clarity.
He spoke casually, his tone gentle and harmless. “Why did elder sister-in-law leave the marquis manor in the dead of night? And in such haste that she had no maidservant with her. Was it some urgent matter that absolutely had to be handled? Does elder brother know?”
Those phoenix eyes fixed on her like a cold, cunning viper eyeing prey trapped in a net, allowing no falsehoods.
Good grief—if she hadn’t prepared psychologically beforehand, she really would have been stumped.
But that made sense too.
If he harbored not even a shred of suspicion, it would be too unworthy of those eight hundred schemes packed into his body.
Xin Yi recalled the original plot’s description of Zheng Wu.
In the heavy rain on that injured night, when Shen Ru Jie suddenly intruded, she didn’t panic like an ordinary noble lady but cleverly helped cover for him. That was why the youth caught a stunning glimpse of her and became unable to forget her thereafter.
Thus, she immediately lifted her eyes, as if without careful thought, blurting it out instinctively. “Of course it’s because of Zheng Wu, she…”
At this point, she froze in realization, abruptly stopping. Her delicate little face fell desolate and embarrassed, her shell teeth gently biting her lower lip. “Can I… not say? It’s my own private matter, it doesn’t concern others. I’ll keep tonight’s secret for Second Young Master, so please keep my secret too, alright?”
She released her teeth and looked up at him again. The bitten lip bore a deep crimson tooth mark.
Yet she didn’t notice how alluring it was, her eyes especially pure, clear without a trace of impure thoughts.
Upon hearing ‘Zheng Wu’ from her mouth, Shen Ru Jie had already guessed most of it. Since Wu Xin Yi could name Shen Gui’s concubine, she knew of their affair.
As for why she left the marquis manor tonight—whether from heartbreak or something else—he neither cared nor was interested.
Thus, after staring at her for a long time, he merely furrowed his brows and said, “Elder sister-in-law is too reckless. Though this is the capital under the emperor’s feet, it doesn’t mean there are no dangers. Don’t do this again.”
Xin Yi thought to herself: Not being reckless isn’t an option—if one step later, you’d fall for Zheng Wu at first sight! Then my capture strategy would be doomed.
But on her lips, she gently agreed, with lingering fear. “Got it. Walking the night road alone really is scary.”
The stable’s roof wasn’t well sealed and leaked in places.
In Shen Ru Jie’s view, the pearl flower in the woman’s hair was wetted by rain, a lock of black hair by her cheek damp too. Rainwater slid slowly down her fair, slender neck, finally vanishing into the exquisite curves along the collar embroidered with orchids.
She shivered lightly.
Her damp crow-black lashes lifted to look at him. Though so elegantly dignified, at this moment she seemed fragile, unwittingly carrying a seductive charm.
The youth’s heart stuttered, scorched as he pursed his lips and looked away.
Then he frowned deeply, his face turning sullenly cold with restraint, unsure why he felt this inexplicable emotion toward her.
Seeing him look away, Xin Yi stopped pretending to be pitiful.
Instead, she confidently asked the system, “How about it? Shen Ru Jie’s favorability toward me should be pretty high now, right?”
After all, she’d become such a mess just to save him.
And in the original plot, he’d fallen irretrievably for Zheng Wu because of this.
The system was utterly speechless at her inexplicable confidence, forcing a smile. “It’s pretty high, up to 25%. Host, keep up the good work!”
“H-how much?” Xin Yi could hardly believe her ears—only 25%?
Where was the stunning glimpse? The unforgettable obsession? Differential treatment, huh? Not good enough if it wasn’t Zheng Wu saving him!
Seeing her devastated look, the system still comforted her a bit. “Told you villains like this are the best at faking. Host, you trust people too easily. Sigh, take it as a lesson for the future.”
Xin Yi wasn’t comforted at all.
She absolutely, utterly could not accept this.
This was differential treatment, blatant differential treatment!
There must be a problem somewhere. Was her care not attentive enough, or was she not bold and uninhibited enough, not willing to go all out?
Can’t get angry, can’t get angry.
She mustn’t lose her composure now—stay calm, must stay calm.
Thus, after deeply exhaling twice, Xin Yi adjusted her expression and, in the pattering night rain, drew her body closer to him.
With a shivering, hesitant look, she tugged at the youth’s sleeve. “Second Young Master, shouldn’t you bandage your wound? The bloody smell is so strong… I’m getting dizzy.”
Shen Ru Jie turned his head and saw her biting her lip, wanting to say something but stopping.
Then she lowered her head and handed him the hem of her loosened skirt, as if comforting herself and him with a murmur. “Needs must—this can’t be helped.”
The youth paused, frowning. “What?”
The woman’s face was gracefully beautiful, yet she said words utterly at odds with her. “I have no strength left…”
“Tear a strip from the lining yourself. My skirt is relatively clean.”