I Turned Out to Be the Paranoid Villain's White Moonlight - Chapter 4

As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhan Yao was momentarily stunned for a few seconds.

The post she had made the night before was nothing more than a way to spite Xu Yingxi. It didn’t have any special meaning, and she certainly didn’t expect anyone else to actually see it.

But seeing it was one thing; it was quite another for someone to personally come knocking on her door because of it.

Zhan Yao paused, instinctively raising an eyebrow. She sensed something was off. “And… you are?”

“My last name is Yu,” the woman replied.

“Full name, Yu Wanqiao.”

“…”

Oh boy.

Zhan Yao fell into silence once again. Her memory flashed back to the night she first transmigrated—as it turned out, on that very first night, she had already encountered the two most pivotal characters in the entire book.

What were the odds? Perhaps she should go out and buy a lottery ticket right now.

Since the woman had introduced herself, it would be rude not to reciprocate. Zhan Yao finally set down the half-eaten watermelon and prepared to speak to her properly. “Zhan Yao.”

Her voice didn’t waver in the slightest.

The System, fearing that the host didn’t understand the gravity of the situation, hurriedly whispered a warning before Yu Wanqiao could respond: “Um, just to clarify, this lady is the biggest villain in the entire book.”

“A-Aren’t you scared?”

“Scared of what?” Zhan Yao asked.

“She’s terrifying.” The System felt its virtual skin crawl just thinking about it. “Yu Wanqiao is a complete lunatic. Be careful she doesn’t find trouble with you.”

“She isn’t acting crazy right now,” Zhan Yao countered. She remembered the book’s description of Yu Wanqiao perfectly. The woman’s way of handling things followed two principles: directness and brutality. If she really wanted to cause trouble, she wouldn’t have waited until now.

Furthermore, Yu Wanqiao was incredibly busy. This little drama was likely just minor noise to her—nothing worth her attention.

“And even if she does go crazy, it doesn’t matter.” Zhan Yao glanced down at Yu Wanqiao’s high heels. “I can run faster than her.”

“…”

The System’s level of admiration for the host reached a new high.

Before it could say more, Yu Wanqiao spoke. The corners of her beautiful lips turned up slightly, and her hair drifted gently in the night breeze. “Miss Zhan, hello.”

Unlike that night at the bar, she greeted her very politely this time. If she hadn’t introduced herself, Zhan Yao really wouldn’t have associated her with the Yu Wanqiao from the book.

As a villain, almost every word in the book used to describe violence and cruelty had been pinned on her, making her sound like some kind of monstrous beast. But now that they were face-to-face, Zhan Yao realized the impression she gave wasn’t as exaggerated as the descriptions.

At least for now, she seemed very normal.

Perhaps her mental state really hadn’t been great that night. Recalling how she had swung her bag with all her might to hit her, Zhan Yao felt a rare pang of guilt. Her gaze toward Yu Wanqiao even took on a hint of pity.

“What did Miss Yu mean by that sentence earlier?”

Keeping her standing there wasn’t right. Zhan Yao looked around, intending to find a place for her to sit, but before she could suggest anything, Yu Wanqiao spoke again.

“I imagine Miss Zhan’s time is very precious. In that case, I won’t beat around the bush. Let’s be direct.”

She said, “I am here to propose to you.”

Zhan Yao stopped looking for a chair.

Zhan Yao’s eyes widened as she looked back up at the woman. She scanned Yu Wanqiao’s expression to confirm she was indeed “normal” and not talking nonsense, but she was still shocked. Even the corner of her lip twitched involuntarily.

Yu Wanqiao had certainly given her a reality check today.

“…You said what?”

Twenty minutes later, the two of them appeared in a nearby café.

The café was a bit more high-end, catering mostly to wealthy young women as a place for tea parties. The prices of desserts and drinks were steep, starting at three digits.

Zhan Yao, however, didn’t find the setting foreign. After all, she had been a wealthy socialite herself and was a regular at such places. The reason she agreed to come with Yu Wanqiao was simply to hear what she was thinking.

Also, Yu Wanqiao really did suit this kind of place better. Such a beautiful, elegant woman was far too conspicuous in a campus full of college students.

“What would you like to drink?” Yu Wanqiao asked, meeting her gaze.

Zhan Yao scanned the menu and found that some of the desserts overlapped with the ones in her real world. She habitually ordered her usual favorites, even choosing the same coffee flavor she used to enjoy.

Soon, the coffee and sweets were served. Zhan Yao took a sip and finally let out the first satisfied sigh she’d had in three days. Yu Wanqiao watched her, the corners of her lips turning up imperceptibly.

Then, she took out a document and gently slid it across the table. It was the same one she had been holding since they got out of the car.

Zhan Yao lowered her eyes. “This is?”

“As you can see, it’s an agreement. It is the reason I appeared today, and it is the sincerity I bring to Miss Zhan,” Yu Wanqiao said. “I know it’s impolite to propose so abruptly, but I hope you will carefully consider my proposal.”

So Yu Wanqiao did have a plan. Those weren’t just empty words earlier.

Zhan Yao didn’t rush to answer. Instead, she lowered her head and read the agreement seriously.

Contract marriages were quite common in wealthy families—usually for profit or mutual benefit. Most were business alliances between powerful families who would separate once they achieved their goals. Of course, a small portion had strange reasons, like dealing with family pressure or fighting for an inheritance. Zhan Yao didn’t know what Yu Wanqiao was thinking, but after seeing the “sincerity” mentioned, she decided to ask later.

The term set in the agreement was three years. During these three years, the two would live together under one roof as a couple. When necessary, Zhan Yao would need to cooperate for public appearances or “shows” of affection. Other than that, her freedom would not be restricted.

During this period, she would have unlimited access to all the conveniences provided by the Yu family. She could make any request of Yu Wanqiao that was within her power to fulfill. And once the contract ended, she would receive half of the assets under Yu Wanqiao’s name.

Half… that was intense.

Even Zhan Yao, who was quite confident in herself, wanted to ask: What’s in it for you?

“Give me a reason,” Zhan Yao said after browsing through it.

Unfortunately, Yu Wanqiao didn’t answer directly. “I have my own considerations.”

Oh, secrets.

“Do you think this contract marriage thing is feasible?” Zhan Yao asked the System in her head.

“Don’t ask me, how would I know?” The System was stunned by this turn of events. It didn’t dare say anything.

“If I accept Yu Wanqiao’s proposal, will the original plot change?” Zhan Yao asked again.

The System was surprised she still remembered the plot. “Yeah. If you really agree, the original plot line won’t happen. The mission will probably change too… like, to ‘Help cure Yu Wanqiao’s mental illness’ or something.”

So, this script actually had branching paths.

Since she had to complete a mission to go home anyway, even though Yu Wanqiao had some mental issues, she was hundreds of times better than that scumbag Xu Yingxi. Moreover, despite being the villain, Yu Wanqiao acted more honorably in many ways. Those who truly suffered at her hands usually brought it on themselves. She never deigned to do the low-life things Xu Yingxi did.

She might not be a “good person,” but she would certainly be a good partner.

Of course, Zhan Yao wasn’t just after half the family fortune—though if she really couldn’t go back, that wealth would ensure a worry-free life. But she wasn’t that shallow. She just wanted to help Yu Wanqiao get better.

“Are you a woman of your word?” Zhan Yao slowly looked up.

Yu Wanqiao nodded. “I will never go back on it.”

“Good.” Zhan Yao let out a smile. She looked beautiful and cute, her almond eyes narrowing slightly as if she were plotting something—looking very much like a clever little fox.

Yu Wanqiao stared at her for a few seconds before speaking again.

“I have a psychological condition,” she said. “It doesn’t flare up often, but sometimes I might lose control. But you don’t need to worry; I have never harmed anyone over the years. Even if an accident were to happen, there are bodyguards to ensure your safety. I guarantee you won’t be hurt.”

Alright, time for the honesty round.

Zhan Yao nodded, signaling she didn’t mind. “Then I should be honest too. I have a big temper and many flaws. I’m merciless to people I dislike and very hard to please. If we’re going to live under one roof, I hope you can bear with me.”

Yu Wanqiao shook her head. “None of that is a problem.”

“Then, I wish us a happy cooperation.” Zhan Yao smiled and proactively reached out her hand toward her.

Yu Wanqiao seemed to pause for a few seconds before slowly reaching out to grip her hand.

Just like that night, for some reason, her fingertips seemed to be shaking slightly. Zhan Yao had assumed it was just her emotional state at the time and didn’t look into it, but now she paused.

Then she spoke, looking into Yu Wanqiao’s eyes: “Is there something else you haven’t been honest about?”

“What?” Yu Wanqiao asked.

Zhan Yao let out a pitying sigh. “Like… do you have Parkinson’s or something?”