I Turned Out To Be The Paranoid Villain’s White Moonlight - Chapter 19

Yu Wanqiao had a beautiful voice. When she spoke normally, her tone was cool and distant, like a glacier that could never melt. Yet whenever she deliberately softened it—even by the slightest degree—the effect was entirely different.

Her voice became even more pleasant, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible hint of seduction that was irresistibly alluring.

Zhan Yao had noticed it before.

Especially when, only a second ago, Yu Wanqiao had said those words to her—

“Stay with me.”

For a brief moment, Zhan Yao even felt as though she were acting spoiled with her.

Was this what Yu Wanqiao was like when her condition flared up?

“How are you feeling now?” Zhan Yao paused. Thinking that she might truly be unwell, her voice instinctively softened. “You should go home first if you can’t manage. I’ll come back soon.”

“I’m all right,” Yu Wanqiao said. “Picking you up and going home together won’t be a problem.”

“So where exactly are you right now, Yaoyao?”

At those words, Zhan Yao looked around the private room again.

“…”

It was so noisy around her that Yu Wanqiao had surely already guessed where she was. Yet for some unknown reason, she did not expose the lie.

Then again, thinking about it carefully, that was normal. They were only wives under a contract. Wherever Zhan Yao chose to go, Yu Wanqiao did not truly have the right to interfere.

Although, from a moral perspective, it did seem somewhat inappropriate for Zhan Yao to be out partying while Yu Wanqiao was suffering an episode…

But she clearly had not done it deliberately.

With that thought, Zhan Yao instinctively stood and glanced across the street. She read the name of the bookstore opposite aloud.

“Oh, I’ve already finished eating with my classmates. I’m at a bookstore now—Suiyuan Bookstore. I’ll send you my location in a moment.”

“I want to buy a few books about flower arranging,” she continued, lying without the slightest change in expression. “To cultivate my artistic sensibilities.”

The system: “…”

Who was it that claimed she never lied?

“All right,” Yu Wanqiao quickly agreed. “I’ll be there soon.”

Only then did the call end.

After several seconds of silence, Zhan Yao stood and gathered her things.

“Xiaoxiao, something came up, so I’m leaving first. Have fun.”

“O-Okay.” Ding Xiaoxiao was already too drunk to speak properly, so Cheng Yu answered in her place. “Be careful on the way, Yaoyao.”

She chuckled, her expression teasing. “Is someone at home checking up on you?”

“…”

This person always possessed an extraordinary intuition in the strangest areas.

Zhan Yao could not be bothered with her. She quickly left the bar and crept across the street like a thief, stopping in front of the bookstore.

Before long, Yu Wanqiao’s car indeed pulled up in front of her.

“Miss Zhan,” the female assistant in the driver’s seat greeted her.

“Good evening.” Zhan Yao responded politely, opened the door, and climbed into the back seat.

The moment she entered, she met Yu Wanqiao’s gaze and heard her softly call her name again.

“Yaoyao.”

“Mm.” Zhan Yao nodded.

She had rarely dealt with a patient like this before and did not know what kind of care she should provide.

“Are you all right? Where do you feel uncomfortable? Have you taken your medicine? What should I do?”

Believing Yu Wanqiao was in poor condition, she asked everything directly and clearly.

Yu Wanqiao paused. “I took it. I feel much better now.”

“You only need to stay with me, Yaoyao,” she added.

Again with “stay with me.”

Zhan Yao was beginning to feel as though she were some kind of miracle cure.

“…All right.”

The car moved swiftly and soon arrived at its destination. However, contrary to Zhan Yao’s expectations, Yu Wanqiao did not return to the villa today.

Instead, she brought her to another one of her residences.

“This house is closer to the company. President Yu usually stayed here in the past,” the assistant driving ahead explained, probably noticing Zhan Yao’s confusion. “Compared with the villa, this place is much quieter. President Yu dislikes overly noisy surroundings.”

“I see.” Zhan Yao nodded. She did know that Yu Wanqiao preferred peace and quiet.

But this place was almost too quiet.

A home’s decorating style often reflected its owner’s personality. It was obvious that Yu Wanqiao had lived here regularly before. Both the layout and landscaping were extremely understated. The colors were simple and elegant, and not a single decoration was out of place.

After escorting Yu Wanqiao into the courtyard, the assistant quickly left.

Standing before the main hall, Zhan Yao looked around. There was clearly not a single servant nearby, but judging by how clean the house was, someone must come to tidy it every day.

So this was how Yu Wanqiao had lived before.

“Are you all right?” After inspecting the surroundings briefly, Zhan Yao withdrew her gaze and looked at Yu Wanqiao’s profile. “Do you need me to support you?”

Yu Wanqiao nodded and extended her hand.

“All right.”

Zhan Yao helped her into the bedroom. Looking around, she found that everything was indeed simple, completely different from the villa near the university.

“Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Yu Wanqiao coughed softly twice. “I’d like some water.”

“Mm.” Zhan Yao nodded, turned around, found the water dispenser, filled a glass, and carried it back. “Here, Wanqiao. Drink.”

“Thank you.” Yu Wanqiao sat up slightly and drank the water.

This time, before Zhan Yao could ask again, she spoke on her own. Her fingertips pressed lightly against her brow as she massaged it.

“My head also hurts a little.”

“…”

Judging by that, she seemed to want Zhan Yao to massage it for her.

Zhan Yao made a mental note: pouring water, one hundred thousand; massaging her head, two hundred thousand. She would spend all of it tomorrow.

Although she thought that, she still cooperatively raised her hands and placed them against Yu Wanqiao’s forehead. Applying gentle pressure with her fingertips, she slowly began massaging her.

When had Young Miss Zhan ever done something like this for another person?

However, perhaps because she was naturally gifted, Zhan Yao discovered that she learned rather quickly.

She had difficulty judging the right amount of pressure during the first few strokes, but after Yu Wanqiao gave her a few quiet pointers, she gradually found the proper strength.

It must have felt comfortable, because the deep crease between Yu Wanqiao’s brows visibly relaxed.

“I feel much better,” Yu Wanqiao said after a while.

That was it?

Zhan Yao blinked.

She had seen people suffer episodes before, both in real life and on television, but she had rarely encountered anyone whose condition appeared as mild as Yu Wanqiao’s. She could not help becoming suspicious. For a moment, she even wondered whether Yu Wanqiao might be pretending.

But after thinking about it, Yu Wanqiao had no reason to do that. There would be no benefit in deceiving her.

Besides, seeing that she was all right made Zhan Yao’s heart inexplicably relax.

“Do I need to do anything else?” Zhan Yao asked. “Or are you going to rest now?”

“Stay and talk with me,” Yu Wanqiao soon replied.

Fine. Since you asked so sincerely, conversational companionship can be included free of charge.

“Why don’t you hire any servants, Wanqiao?” Zhan Yao asked, voicing her confusion. “Who took care of you when you felt unwell before?”

“Because I don’t like being disturbed.” After a pause, Yu Wanqiao answered, “Since my condition is well controlled, I rarely suffer episodes anymore. Even when they happen, I can usually endure them until they pass.”

Why did that sound a little pitiful?

“Then why did you come here today?” Zhan Yao asked again.

Yu Wanqiao smiled. “Because this place helps me relax.”

“Do you like it here, Yaoyao?” Before Zhan Yao could answer, Yu Wanqiao asked first.

To be honest, this style was not remotely to her taste. However, for Yu Wanqiao’s sake, Zhan Yao remained silent for several seconds before nodding.

“I like it.”

She said she liked it.

Yu Wanqiao raised her eyes toward her. After a long while, she softly uttered a few words.

“If you like it, why did you still leave?”

Her voice was very quiet. It sounded both like a gentle confession and an unconscious murmur slipping from her lips.

Zhan Yao had been distracted and failed to hear her clearly.

“What did you say, Wanqiao?”

“Nothing.” Yu Wanqiao shook her head. “It’s late, and I suddenly feel tired. There’s a guest room next door. If you’re tired too, you should go and rest.”

“But selfishly, I still hope you’ll stay with me a little longer.”

As she spoke, she slowly curved her lips again, her tone earnest and sincere.

“I… don’t want you to leave.”