Transmigrated into a Villainess? I’m Going to conquer the Heroine!

This news was somewhat expected—after all, the fact that she and Jiang Zi could openly discuss the world’s plot without being silenced indirectly proved that they were no longer under the world’s surveillance.

Tang Yuan didn’t forget to voice the doubt lingering in her heart: “System, did I come from this world? In other words, am I the original Tang Yuan?”

【This question involves mission progress. System is evaluating—analysis complete. Due to the host’s affection value for the heroine remaining at 89%, not reaching the love threshold, the system cannot obtain the answer.】

Tang Yuan: ……

Useless machine, always letting her down!

Jiang Zi walked into the bedroom from outside, knocking lightly on the door to announce her presence. “Tang Yuan, are you up? Come have dinner.”

Not reaching the love threshold—again with this result.

But this time, hearing these words, Jiang Zi remained remarkably calm. She keenly sensed that there must be some hidden secrets they hadn’t yet unraveled.

Tang Yuan responded and climbed out of bed, washing up in the bathroom before heading to the living room.

The dining table was set with steaming hot dishes, freshly made and appetizing. A bowl of rice and soup had already been served.

Tang Yuan sat down without hesitation and confessed directly, “Sis, the system is back.”

【Did the host reveal my existence to the heroine while I was away?】

Tang Yuan picked up her chopsticks, her expression calm as she retorted, “Can’t I?”

【Reasonable.】

Jiang Zi pushed the bowl of warm soup toward Tang Yuan. “Wifey, have some soup to whet your appetite. Don’t mind it.”

Tang Yuan sipped the soup happily, decisively leaving the system to the side.

After finishing the meal, her spirits somewhat restored, they cleaned up and went for a walk to aid digestion.

The night breeze brushed by, the river shimmering, and the shadows of trees swayed along the banks. Sightseeing cruise boats floated across the water, while men, women, and children strolled leisurely beneath the streetlights.

Tang Yuan and Jiang Zi leaned against the railing, facing the river. The cool wind carried a slight chill.

Jiang Zi glanced at Tang Yuan, who was gazing ahead. It was unclear whether she was watching the colorful lights of the cruise ships or simply zoning out.

Her hand slipped into her pocket, fingers brushing against a carefully prepared ‘apology gift.’ She traced the outline with her thumb, still weighing whether it could make up for what she was about to confess.

The consequences of admitting her mind-reading ability seemed far more serious than hiding her awakened consciousness. If she couldn’t obtain forgiveness—what would happen then?

This uncertainty made Jiang Zi hesitate, unaware that her contemplative expression had been noticed.

Tang Yuan rested her chin on her arms against the railing, tilting her head to look at Jiang Zi. Seeing her lost in thought, unfocused eyes fixed on her, Tang Yuan waved a hand in front of her face.

“Sister, what are you thinking about?”

Jiang Zi snapped back to reality, instinctively clenching her palm around the object in her pocket, the sharp edge digging into her hand.

The wind blew stray strands of hair onto her face. Tang Yuan reached out to tuck them back, her fingers unconsciously tracing the curve of Jiang Zi’s face before she flashed a smug smile.

Jiang Zi took her hand, pulling out the object from her pocket and pressing it into Tang Yuan’s palm. Her lips moved as if to speak, but she couldn’t find the words—her eyes simply locked onto Tang Yuan.

“Eh? A golden key? Why are you suddenly giving me this?” Tang Yuan examined the small, delicate key attached to a bell keychain.

Jiang Zi explained, “This is the key to the Dream House. I’ll take you there tomorrow—consider this a prelude.”

Tang Yuan shook the bell, the soft chime ringing out. She scrutinized the intricate patterns on the key.

“Oh, I get it—tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. You’re giving me the gift early? When did you prepare this?”

Jiang Zi rubbed her fingertips together, finally breaking the momentary joy with a serious tone.

“There’s… another reason.”

Tang Yuan’s eyes remained bright, waiting for her explanation.

“This Valentine’s gift is also an apology gift.” Jiang Zi tried to maintain composure, stealing glances at Tang Yuan’s face.

As expected, the smile on Tang Yuan’s face faded slightly.

“What did you do to wrong me? Come clean.”

“Not that kind of thing.” Jiang Zi’s gaze dropped to the rippling river, her voice barely above a whisper. “Actually… I can hear your inner thoughts.”

Silence.

Jiang Zi froze, unwilling to look at Tang Yuan’s expression.

After what felt like an eternity, Tang Yuan’s voice came out eerily calm.

“Since when?”

Jiang Zi cautiously glanced up, meeting Tang Yuan’s blank face—though her mind was a chaotic mess.

“Forget it, don’t answer. I already know.” Tang Yuan took a deep breath, trying to suppress the storm brewing inside. She didn’t need to recall anything to know how embarrassing her inner monologues were.

She just wanted to close her eyes and vanish from existence.

Tang Yuan’s legs wobbled with embarrassment, her cheeks burning. No matter how she adjusted her expression, she couldn’t hide her mortification.

“You… you could hear everything?”

Jiang Zi, heart in her throat, gave a soft “Mmm.”

“Even when I fantasized about you before we got together?”

Jiang Zi inched closer, ready to grab her if she tried to flee.

“Mmm.”

Tang Yuan’s mind went blank. “Then I never had any secrets from you… the confession yesterday… you knew all along…”

Jiang Zi had anticipated many reactions, but the fear of Tang Yuan pushing her away gnawed at her.

Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day—not breakup day.

“I don’t know why I can hear your thoughts…” Jiang Zi admitted honestly. Though she enjoyed the privilege of hearing Tang Yuan’s little schemes, she’d never intended to keep it a secret forever.

Tang Yuan said nothing.

Jiang Zi leaned in, voice soft with a hint of pleading. “Wifey~ can you not be mad?”

Tang Yuan covered her face with both hands, crouching down in despair. “It’s not about being mad—I’m dying of embarrassment!”

Jiang Zi crouched down beside her. Their shadows huddled together under the streetlights, drawing curious glances from passersby.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Zi murmured.

Tang Yuan remained silent for a long time before finally lowering her hands in defeat.

“This isn’t the place to talk about this. Let’s go home first.”

Jiang Zi helped her up, and they walked back home. The joy they had set out with had evaporated, leaving behind an awkward, heavy atmosphere.

Tang Yuan kept her head down the entire way, her mind on loop:

It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s all fine~ Life is short, it’ll be over before you know it.