Chapter 80 - What To Do if You’re the Villain and the Heroine Likes You

When Fan Ziruo returned with a bowl of steaming brown sugar water, Chu Xiaoxiao and He Yunxiao had already taken their seats. "Miss Xiaoxiao, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?" He Yunxiao took the brown sugar water and explained, "It's nothing serious. People with weak constitutions sometimes faint suddenly. Drinking brown sugar water will help." Though Chu Xiaoxiao remained expressionless on the surface, her embroidered shoes discreetly pressed against He Yunxiao's foot under the table, with an increasing force. He Yunxiao, enduring the pain, placed the brown sugar water in front of Chu Xiaoxiao. "Please, have some water, Miss Chu!" Chu Xiaoxiao made no movement, but her pressure on He Yunxiao's foot intensified. He Yunxiao hastened to say, "Miss Chu, please drink the water quickly, or you might faint again." Chu Xiaoxiao remained still. This strange and unusual behavior of Chu Xiaoxiao naturally caught the attention of Fan Ziruo. "Sister Ziruo, please stop! If you keep going, revealing Chu Xiaoxiao's secret, you won't survive without Chu Fan!" He Yunxiao intervened, "Miss Chu is not feeling well and prefers not to engage with others." Meanwhile, he whispered to Chu Xiaoxiao, "My Lady Chu, I'm helping you deal with the bad girl. Please cooperate with me." Chu Xiaoxiao: "Do you think I'm being unreasonable?" He Yunxiao: "No, no, it's Young Master He's fault. For the greater good, please overlook it and help me!" Chu Xiaoxiao: "Just this once." Chu Xiaoxiao always acted on her words. After saying this, she picked up the bowl of brown sugar water and began to drink it. He Yunxiao breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing this, Fan Ziruo was also relieved. She took out a book, "Master He, shall we continue like last time? You read first, and if you don't understand something, ask me." He Yunxiao agreed, and opened the book on the table in front of them. He looked at Chu Xiaoxiao sitting beside him and pushed the book towards her. The book was placed roughly in the middle between the two, slightly closer to Chu Xiaoxiao's position, making it visible to both of them. Chu Xiaoxiao had little interest in the elegant "words of the wise." According to her, "educating" was quite simple. Those who listened obediently were kept, while those who didn't were eliminated. Ultimately, everyone would be obedient. Normally, it was Xiaoxiao who idled around with her body doing nothing. Now, having Chu Xiaoxiao idle was very unusual. She transmitted to He Yunxiao, "When will you deal with Fan Ziruo?" He Yunxiao: "Don't rush, wait a little." Chu Xiaoxiao: "How long?" He Yunxiao: "I don't know. With her personality, it might not be soon." Chu Xiaoxiao: "Then, why don't you get her to a place where no one is around, and I'll..." He Yunxiao: "No! Wait, don't act impulsively. Watch me handle it." After brewing his emotions, He Yunxiao sighed heavily looking at the book. "Alas!" Fan Ziruo's attention was drawn by He Yunxiao's actions, asking, "Young Master He, what's the matter? Do you have any unanswered questions?" He Yunxiao expressed deep sorrow, "This piece 'Li Sao' truly encapsulates Qu Yuan's patriotic heart. Qu Yuan cared about the country and the people, and he was exceptionally talented, capable of serving his country. It's just that fate…" [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 38 to 40] Observant as she was, Fan Ziruo, like Du Yinyin before, began to doubt He Yunxiao's past reputation, as his previous notorious deeds seemed completely different from the current pained version of himself. What once seemed so incorrigible and unruly now felt completely distinct from the man mourning for Qu Yuan. He Yunxiao, in order to avoid revealing his true self, put on an extraordinary display, recollecting and creating a sorrowful mood from his past experiences. Upon pondering his past hard work that was cut short due to his sudden transmigration, He Yunxiao was overcome with deep sorrow, almost on the verge of tears. [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 40 to 42] Even the usually impassive Fan Ziruo was touched by He Yunxiao's overwhelming grief. She spoke softly, "Young Master He, though you started late in literature, having such determination, I believe you will achieve great things in the future. Upholding your title, safeguarding the nation, and treating the people kindly will be the best way to remember Qu Yuan." Even He Yunxiao himself didn't expect the marvelous effect of his play-acting. For the sake of proving to Chu Xiaoxiao that he was capable of dealing with Fan Ziruo, He Yunxiao decided to escalate things. Qu Yuan was just a figure from the ancient past, and ancient tales couldn't touch present emotions. Ordinary people from the past couldn't affect those around them. Indignantly, He Yunxiao proclaimed, "Is it enough to inherit and defend the title for the country? If those who work for the country could all have their wishes fulfilled, then the kingdom of Qi would surely prosper for eternity. But, leaving that aside, just ten years ago, three years ago, Generals Chu and Du…" Hearing He Yunxiao dare to bring up these matters, Fan Ziruo quickly grabbed his sleeve, saying, "Young Master, be cautious in your words! The court has reached a verdict on those two cases. Without concrete evidence, refrain from speaking out of turn. The lesson you taught me was, 'No investigation, no right to speak,' and you should heed it as well." She initiated physical contact with me? With her strict adherence to propriety, she doesn't allow such closeness between men and women anymore? An opportunity lost is lost forever. Decisively, He Yunxiao grabbed Fan Ziruo's fair and soft hand, slowly pulling it and placing it on his chest. He was completely absorbed in his role, not only deceiving Fan Ziruo but nearly convincing himself as well. "Miss Ziruo, such talented leaders like Generals Chu and Du, being subjected to eternal injustice, I, He Yunxiao, feel utterly powerless… Ziruo, I refuse to accept it!" Naturally, Fan Ziruo adhered to propriety. However, in her haste to prevent He Yunxiao from speaking out of turn, she had done herself and Marquis Wu Qing a disservice by grabbing his sleeve. Unexpectantly, Young Master He took the initiative to hold her hand. The first sensation that struck Fan Ziruo was the palpable difference between a man's hand and a woman's hand. Though she had touched Du Yinyin's delicate hands, her sister's hands were as soft and refined as a delicate jade ornament. But a man's hand was entirely different, rougher in texture and larger, stronger. When he held her hand, it was as if a little rabbit had fallen into the clutches of a tiger, finding it difficult to escape. However, not escaping was not an option. Fan Ziruo knew that, as a secluded maiden, allowing someone to hold her hand was quite inappropriate. She tried to pull her hand away with force, but encountered He Yunxiao's despondent gaze, the one that refused to accept the injustice for Generals Chu and Du. [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 42 to 45] Fan Ziruo hesitated. Even after so many years, still being deeply affected by those who refused to accept injustice was truly remarkable. But it's not acceptable. She had to retract her hand. This time, when Fan Ziruo finally decided to withdraw her slender hand, a different sensation immediately coursed through her. The sturdy, firm, and reliable chest, and underneath it, a powerful and vigorous heart. Thump, thump, thump… Each heartbeat, the sensation of its impact, was like the hooves of warhorses on a battlefield. It's amazing… Is this the heart of a martial arts expert? A person with this heart must be incredibly powerful and capable of anything… If it were him, seeking vengeance for Yinyin and Chu Fan wouldn't be impossible… He is… Fan Ziruo raised her head and met He Yunxiao's "clear" gaze. At that moment, Fan Ziruo felt as though her entire being was stirred by his heart. The boiling blood made her cheeks flush, and she instinctively averted He Yunxiao's gaze. He Yunxiao held Fan Ziruo's hand, observing her coy expression. An unimaginable surge of favorability… [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 45 to 50] [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 50 to 60] [Fan Ziruo's favorability has increased from 60 to 70]