I Turned Out To Be The Paranoid Villain’s White Moonlight - Chapter 10

Along with Yu Wanqiao’s praise, Zhan Yao also received a brooch.

“For me?” Zhan Yao asked, lowering her eyes to examine the brooch in her palm. It was shaped like a feather and made of enamel, set with pearls and diamonds. It was not particularly large, but it felt substantial and weighty in her hand.

Yu Wanqiao had probably been holding it in her palm for quite some time. The brooch had even absorbed some of her warmth, and as it lay quietly in Zhan Yao’s hand, its presence felt unmistakable.

“Mm.” Yu Wanqiao nodded. “I thought it would suit you, so I bought it.”

Not bad. It was quite beautiful.

“Thank you.” Receiving gifts was one of Zhan Yao’s favorite things in the world. She was already considering which gown she could pair the brooch with. “It’s from Saiweili?”

“Yes,” Yu Wanqiao said. “You have a good eye, Yaoyao.”

Zhan Yao knew the brand. A brooch of this quality would cost at least several hundred thousand yuan.

“You spent too much.” Zhan Yao was delighted. Since courtesy called for reciprocation, she decided to reward Yu Wanqiao with a smile. “Wanqiao, you’re so good to me.”

She looked beautiful when she smiled. Her round almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents, and her gently raised lips were red and full. Her appearance carried an obedient innocence, while her true nature lent her a lively charm.

Just looking at her seemed capable of sweeping away an entire day’s exhaustion.

Yu Wanqiao nodded lightly. Glancing at the time, she decided it was time to let Zhan Yao rest.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my room.”

“All right,” Zhan Yao replied, watching her back until Yu Wanqiao reached the door.

However, Yu Wanqiao soon turned around again.

“By the way, there’s a banquet tomorrow that I need you to attend with me. It’s an elder’s birthday celebration. She prefers peace and quiet, so there won’t be many guests. We only need to sit for a while and have a few drinks. We won’t stay long.”

“Sure.” Zhan Yao readily agreed without objection. “Do you need me to put on an act with you?”

Yu Wanqiao paused. “Only if you’re willing.”

“Okay.” Zhan Yao had always been good at acting. Pay her for one performance, and she would give you one and a half. “I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

Her eyes shone as she spoke, making her resemble a proud and cunning little peacock.

Yu Wanqiao looked at her, amusement gradually gathering in her eyes. After several seconds of silence, she wished her good night.

“Rest early, Yaoyao.”

Zhan Yao slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, she woke on the luxurious bed and comfortably gazed at the scenery outside. Sunlight shone brightly beyond the window, while a gentle breeze and birdsong stirred the sleeping heart awake.

Directly below her room was a garden. The servants, who had still been loafing around yesterday, had already started working today, planting seasonal flowers and greenery according to her instructions.

All things considered, everything was wonderful.

This was far better than living in the dormitory.

Zhan Yao stretched and involuntarily thought of that idiot Xu Yingxi again.

Xu Yingxi had heard the rumors last night and genuinely believed that some nouveau riche had taken Zhan Yao as a kept woman. She immediately became like an enraged dog, bombarding Zhan Yao’s private messages for more than half an hour.

Zhan Yao ignored her completely. Only an hour later did she mercifully send a single reply:

【?】

Xu Yingxi had been attending a meeting thousands of kilometers away at the time and nearly died of anger through the screen.

Realizing that Zhan Yao had grown bolder and more temperamental and that cursing alone would no longer work, she deliberately softened her attitude and prepared to appeal to her emotions and reason with her.

Dog Xu: 【Yaoyao, you’re still young. You don’t understand how dangerous society can be. I’m only worried about you and afraid that some scumbag will deceive you.】

Zhan Yao: Scumbag? Are you introducing yourself?

Dog Xu: 【I know you’re still angry. You only did this to provoke me. You still love me, don’t you?】

Zhan Yao: Give up. Humans and dogs have no future together.

Dog Xu: 【Come back to me. What could you possibly want from being with him? Money? You aren’t that shallow.】

That message made Zhan Yao laugh.

Sorry, but she really was that shallow.

Sister Zhan: 【You don’t even want money? Have you lost your mind?】

Sister Zhan: 【Besides, she isn’t only rich—she’s beautiful too. I got both the woman and the fortune, and I’m having the time of my life. Don’t @ me.】

Sister Zhan: 【Blocked. I’m destined to be the woman you can never have.】

Xu Yingxi was practically furious enough to die. Sure enough, when she tried to send another message, it would no longer go through.

Having won her battle of wits against that piece of trash first thing in the morning, Zhan Yao was in a good mood. She even ate one more slice of bread than she had the day before.

After breakfast, she made her grand arrival in the garden again to supervise the servants as they planted flowers and repaired the courtyard.

The life of a wealthy wife was always dull, which was why she needed to engage in social activities occasionally. It would be terrible if someone visited in the future and mocked her lack of taste.

“Build an artificial hill here later,” she said, rising to personally plan the layout. “Put a swimming pool over there, then install a slide going directly down from the second floor. The entrance is too far from here, and I’m too lazy to walk all the way over.”

“And this area…” She stopped in front of a pavilion.

The servant following her and recording her instructions hurriedly said, “Miss Zhan, this pavilion has the best view. From here, you can admire the entire garden. I imagine you’ll inevitably hold gatherings with other madams and young ladies in the future, so perhaps this could be a place to rest, enjoy the scenery, and have tea and refreshments.”

“Mm, not bad.” Zhan Yao nodded and entered the pavilion to experience it personally. The view truly was excellent. “Then do as you suggested.”

“But this table needs to be replaced,” she continued.

“Understood.” The servant nodded in agreement. “We’ll be sure to replace it with the finest marble table.”

“Ah, there’s no need for that.” Zhan Yao quickly rejected the idea. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Replace it with a mahjong table. We can play a few rounds here whenever there’s nothing else to do.”

Mahjong…

Even the system was shocked. “You know how to play mahjong?”

“There’s practically nothing I don’t know how to do.” Zhan Yao snorted proudly and folded her arms. “This is the cultivation expected of a wealthy young lady.”

The system had never heard of a wealthy young lady being trained to play mahjong from childhood.

It did not dare argue with her. Whatever she said was right.

“Yes, yes. Of course. Wonderful.”

Time passed quickly, and evening soon arrived.

Zhan Yao had worked hard for another entire day and rendered outstanding service. After dinner, she quickly went upstairs to select the gown she would wear that night.

She had looked up the brooch Yu Wanqiao gave her the night before. It was Saiweili’s newest design and was not yet available in domestic boutiques. However, it had already become extremely popular online. Countless people desperately wanted one and had been envious for ages. Zhan Yao had no idea how Yu Wanqiao had obtained it.

That only made her like the brooch even more.

She absolutely had to wear it to the banquet tonight and show it off properly.

The only problem was deciding which dress to pair it with, leaving Zhan Yao somewhat troubled.

While she was hesitating, Yu Wanqiao pushed open the door and entered.

Zhan Yao did not know when she had returned, but when she saw her again, Yu Wanqiao had clearly already changed into her formal attire.

It was a long, deep-black gown. From its cut and design to its workmanship and fabric, every detail was impeccable. On Yu Wanqiao, it made her appear both restrained and noble.

For some reason, Zhan Yao thought she resembled a beautiful black swan.

Unfortunately, the swan already had an outfit, while the little peacock still did not.

“Come help me choose.” Zhan Yao reached for the gowns she had selected and spread across the bed, asking Yu Wanqiao to help. “Which one suits me best?”

“They’re all beautiful,” Yu Wanqiao said. “But I think this one might suit you better.”

As she spoke, she handed a brand-new gown to Zhan Yao.

Only then did Zhan Yao notice that Yu Wanqiao had been carrying something.

It was all Yu Wanqiao’s fault for being too beautiful. Zhan Yao had been so distracted by her that she had failed to notice anything else.

After the success of the brooch, Zhan Yao had considerable faith in Yu Wanqiao’s taste. She immediately went into the bathroom and changed into the gown.

The dress Yu Wanqiao had given her was also entirely black. Its general cut was similar to Yu Wanqiao’s, but the bodice and skirt featured numerous striking details, filled with subtle, carefully concealed touches.

Once she put it on, she looked both sensual and somewhat playful. It suited Zhan Yao’s temperament perfectly.

“Does it look good?” Zhan Yao was quite satisfied. She examined herself in the mirror, then stepped out and turned in a circle before Yu Wanqiao.

“It looks beautiful.” Yu Wanqiao nodded, her lips curving slightly upward. She also appeared pleased with how the gown looked on her.

“Do you like it, Yaoyao?” she asked afterward.

“Of course.” Zhan Yao answered instinctively.

Anyone with eyes could see that she looked beautiful in it. Since it was so perfect, how could she possibly dislike it?

With that thought, she raised her eyes toward Yu Wanqiao’s face. As their gazes met, Zhan Yao looked into her eyes and somehow felt that there had been a deeper meaning behind her question.

She quickly understood.

“Thank you,” Zhan Yao said.

Everyone hoped to feel needed and praised. Someone like Yu Wanqiao was probably no exception.

With that thought, Zhan Yao stepped closer and once again gave Yu Wanqiao a sweet smile. Just as she had the night before, she spoke in a soft, lilting voice.

“Wanqiao, you’re so good to me~”