Chapter 3 - Self-Rescue Manual of a Villainess

"So what you're saying is boss, you not only didn't sign that contract, but you also stole Luo Bo's briefcase?" On the ring road of Tianzhou City, a worn-out old minivan dashed at high speed. Inside the vehicle, a playful female voice echoed from the driver's seat. "You could say that," responded Nan Yin. She didn't particularly enjoy the stale smell in the minivan, so she rolled down the window and stared out aimlessly. [She's Jiang Mi, my... best friend.] The girl's voice in her mind gently reminded her. Of course, I understand. After all, I've gained part of your memories. Nan Yin responded in her mind with a nonchalant shrug. Though she had only received some memories, seemingly essential ones were masked, making them inaccessible to her. Yet, due to these, Nan Yin was aware of the original owner's relationships. No... she should say she's Nan Yin now. "In one word, unbelievable." Jiang Mi held the steering wheel in one hand while looking at Nan Yin and the briefcase in her arms through the rearview mirror. "Are you planning to throw this thing away?" "There's two hundred thousand credits in it—would you dump that?" Nan Yin shook her head. "All good then," Jiang Mi immediately focused back on the road. "I'm telling you, it was the right decision not selling Nan Xi. She's your sister after all. Don’t be too ruthless," Jiang Mi continued. "Boss, you've put on a lot of makeup, and it's so heavy that I lost my grip on the steering wheel after pinching your cheek. It’s too slippery," Jiang Mi spoke, once again teasing Nan Yin about her overly made-up face. "Focus on the road! We're on the highway and I really don’t want to die in a car crash clutching 200,000 credits." Preoccupied with the effects of her journey across worlds, Nan Yin absentmindedly responded. "Got it!" On hearing Nan Yin's words, Jiang Mi finally seemed to put more effort into focusing. "Boss, I’ll drop you off at your place first, alright?" "Hold tight!" With a cheer from the redhead, Nan Yin heard something like "Catch shrimp"... next thing she knew, she was thrust back into her seat with immense force... ........... Parents jailed long ago, Nan Yin and her younger sister Nan Xi had relocated to the lower town area to live, having been there for five years. Jiang Mi parked the van, and it took a moment for Nan Yin to recover. She solemnly vowed never to ride in Jiang Mi's vehicle unless absolutely necessary. "Boss, open the door. I bought some food and don’t have a hand free to use the key." In less than three minutes, Jiang Mi was out of a convenience store clutching an assortment of snacks and half a watermelon. "Why did you buy so much food?" Stabilizing herself, Nan Yin spoke as she looked at the snacks bought by Jiang Mi, somewhat speechless. "Of course, it is for Nan Xi. You never feed her properly, don’t I need to compensate?" Jiang Mi declared with seeming propriety, shocking Nan Yin. The sisters, Nan Yin and Nan Xi, did not seem to have a good relationship, yet Jiang Mi seemed to share a meaningful bond with Nan Xi. However, from their conversation, Nan Yin learned that the original owner of her body did not seem to treat her sister well... Nan Yin shook her head discreetly—perhaps, this was not limited to food. She always suspected worst of people. [Why do you treat your sister like this?] Despite knowing the original plot, Nan Yin decided to ask the girl in her mind. She remained silent and Nan Yin didn’t pry further. She looked around at what seemed to be a partially constructed building, everything was silent. Following her memories, Nan Yin pulled out an electronic key card and went to open the shutter door. Having lived for five years in this two-story unfinished building in the lower city, Nan Yin wasn't concerned about the building's comfort level when she first arrived. The building was located on the edge of the lower city, specifically in a small alley next to the business district. Only the convenience store that Jiang Mi had just shopped in was nearby— the clerk was an old robot. Nan Yin remembered how she and Jiang Mi had more than once thought about robbing it. The neon light blinked unevenly at the entrance to the convenience store, and in its faint light, Nan Yin tried to swipe her card. Behind her, the sound of slapping watermelon echoed. "What are you doing? Come and help!" Nan Yin grew irritated upon failing to swipe her card multiple times. She impatiently yelled at Jiang Mi. "I'm calming the watermelon... Oh, forgot you don't watch Bilibili anymore." Jiang Mi pouted, took the card from Nan Yin, and easily swiped it on the door shutter sensor. The shutter door opened. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Boss, what's going on with you today? Floating because you just got 200,000 credits for nothing?" While chatting, Jiang Mi stepped in before Nan Yin. “……” It was now evident to Nan Yin—Jiang Mi was a carefree chatterbox. Her reaction to having heard her good friend had got 200,000 credits was merely a momentary surprise... Nan Yin couldn’t fathom how someone as unconventional as her former self could have become good friends with her... Inside the door was a cement staircase leading directly upstairs. The place had no lights, and Nan Yin had to rely on the faint illumination from the second floor to navigate the stairway. Before even reaching the top, she heard Jiang Mi conversing with another voice. "Jiang Mi? How come you're here?" It was a girl’s voice. Unlike Nan Yin's own raspy tone, it was quite clear. However, something struck Nan Yin—this voice carried a trace of melancholy. Sensing the melancholy, Nan Yin figured this must be Nan Xi. She believed her name was Nan Xi, wasn’t it? "I picked up your sister. Here, I brought some snacks for you." "What are you standing there for? Start eating; with me here, your sister won't hit you." Completing her round of pep-talk, Jiang Mi stepped out, grabbed Nan Yin, who was still two steps short of reaching the top of the stairs, and yanked her inside. Nan Yin took a few seconds to adjust to the sudden bright light, carefully absorbing the detailed layout of the second floor. A loud fish tank without water or fish was immediately in sight. Behind the tank, there was an old-fashioned holographic television and a row of green sofas. This should be the original owner's living room. There wasn't even a table. Two incandescent bulbs flickered on the ceiling, creating a backdrop of peeled white walls and white ceramic floor: a living portrayal of the painting "Decline." As for the people in the living room? Ignoring Jiang Mi, Nan Yin’s attention shifted towards the young girl kneeling on the ground, sifting carefully through the snacks Jiang Mi had bought. Dressed in a yellow dress, rather untidy from not being cleaned in a prolonged time. From her profile, the girl had a pretty face and a pair of lively eye. Looking down, Nan Yin saw the girl’s flat chest—it was like a lotus bud just poking above water. Peeking below the dress' hem, the girl had fair and warm legs, very much like carved jade, ending with a delicate ankle and a pair of tender feet similar to a baby's. She seemed to be a few years younger, though Nan Xi had a pleasing appearance, Nan Yin could tell that the girl was quite frail. So... the original owner had indeed been tormenting her little sister? Though, in general, it looked like there was a good amount of protectiveness...or not? Never mind... Nan Yin contradicted herself, reflecting upon the fact that the original owner had intended to exchange her sister for debt payment. The normally careful Nan Xi was engrossed in exploring her snacks. As she saw Nan Yin entering the living room, her eyes filled with visible fear and discomfort, along with... a hint of unnoticeable hatred. "You..." Seeing Nan Yin deep in thought, Nan Xi halted for a while before asking in a somewhat terrified tone. Yang Xi appeared somewhat scared but also seemed resolute, staring defiantly at Nan Yin. "Why have you returned..." As she spoke, she moved forward a step, and immediately, the rustling sound of a chain echoed around the room. Nan Yin: ...Tsk.