This Is What a Villain Is Like

Li Mengning’s clear, serene eyes suddenly widened slightly, and she subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You’re thinner than last time. Lost a full six ounces. I knew my eyes weren’t deceiving me..." Jiang Lan said, sounding serious as he felt the soft, fragrant woman in his arms.

Of course, he couldn’t guarantee that was the exact number...

In any case, Li Mengning was angry right now. The best course of action was to placate her first and let her anger subside. Otherwise, she wouldn’t listen to any explanation he offered.

Even if she did listen, she wouldn’t consider the reasoning behind it; she’d only get angrier.

"Jiang Lan..."

"You... You put me down..."

The tips of Li Mengning’s ears were growing slightly hot, and she finally couldn’t help but speak in a small voice.

"Why didn’t you listen to me? Didn’t I tell you not to push yourself so hard with your training like you used to? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation...?" Jiang Lan said, looking down into her clear, serene eyes, which seemed to shimmer with a watery mist.

"I..." Li Mengning didn’t understand why Jiang Lan seemed even angrier than she was...

But before she could explain, she felt Jiang Lan suddenly pull the veil from her face.

"Mmph..."

All the words she wanted to say were smothered.

You’Er, who had been keeping her head bowed at the side, couldn’t help but secretly raise her head at the sound. Her eyes widened, and a blush like the sunset clouds appeared on her fair cheeks.

...

Li Mengning’s mind was a dizzy haze. By the time her senses returned, she felt like boneless putty, leaning back in Jiang Lan’s embrace.

Jiang Lan was sitting on a stone bench in the pavilion, a smile playing on his lips as he gently tucked a stray lock of her dark hair behind her ear.

Her eyes were wide, and she could feel her face and ears burning red hot.

"You... You’re bullying me again..." she said in a small voice.

Jiang Lan looked at her small, rosy lips, which were now slightly swollen, and chuckled. "I couldn’t help myself. Who told you to ignore me the moment you got back?"

"I didn’t..."

"You made me angry," Li Mengning said.

Jiang Lan seemed resigned, then asked with a smile, "So, are you still angry?"

"I am..."

"Mmph..."

A moment later, Li Mengning finally couldn’t take it anymore. She buried her face in his chest, refusing to let him have his way.

Jiang Lan knew her anger had dissipated, so he began to explain about You’Er.

Since the beginning, You’Er had been standing obediently to the side with her head bowed, feigning ignorance of the scene before her.

Now that Jiang Lan was talking about her, she lifted her head and looked at Li Mengning with timid nervousness.

Li Mengning studied her with those clear, serene eyes. When she heard that Jiang Lan had rescued the girl from a gladiatorial arena, she gave a slight nod.

It wasn’t that she disliked You’Er; she just felt the girl’s appearance was encroaching on her place by Jiang Lan’s side...

And how could she just show up in Jiang Lan’s private courtyard?

"Mistress, please don’t be angry with the Master because of me..."

"I am very grateful to the Master and I understand my station. I will harbor no improper thoughts. I will only cultivate diligently to repay the Master’s kindness."

You’Er had a very clear understanding of her own position. As soon as she understood the relationship between Li Mengning and Jiang Lan, she had directly addressed her as "Mistress."

Hearing this form of address, Li Mengning froze for a moment. Her long lashes fluttered, and an alluring, rosy blush spread across her jade-like cheeks.

"There’s no need to be nervous, You’Er. Mengning wasn’t angry because of you just now."

"I was just the one who made her mad."

"You may go for now. I already know about your unique constitution. In a few days, I’ll have a task for you. For now, just focus on your cultivation and don’t worry about anything else."

Hearing Jiang Lan say this, You’Er looked as if she’d been granted amnesty and took her leave.

After You’Er had left, Li Mengning whispered in Jiang Lan’s ear, "I can guide her in her cultivation."

"Didn’t you dislike her a moment ago?"

Jiang Lan chuckled. You’Er’s background and origins could easily touch a woman’s soft spot.

Of course, that wasn’t the reason for Li Mengning’s sudden change of heart...

The main reason was that word, "Mistress." It had made her quite happy.

’This simple girl. A single nice word from someone can make her happy for a long time.’

"She’s... actually quite likable," Li Mengning said in a small voice.

Jiang Lan smiled faintly and held her a little tighter.

With the nuisance out of the way, Li Mengning became much more relaxed.

But then, as if remembering something, she looked at Jiang Lan and asked nervously, "Jiang Ruxian... has she come looking for you?"

Jiang Lan nodded. "She has. But the grievances between us have already been resolved."

"From now on, I have nothing more to do with her."

Li Mengning looked stunned, seeming to have something to say but holding her tongue.

"Just don’t go out of your way to provoke her in the future. Her power is immense right now; you’re no match for her."

Jiang Lan pinched her fair, smooth cheek, worried that this single-minded girl would secretly seek revenge on Jiang Ruxian for his sake.

In the original story, she had suffered many injuries at Jiang Ruxian’s hands. Although Jiang Ruxian had always held back, the chasm in their strength was simply too vast to be easily overcome.

The more setbacks she faced, the more courageously she fought; the more courageously she fought, the more she lost... Such was Li Mengning’s experience when facing Jiang Ruxian.

"Jiang Lan, are you truly content with this?"

Li Mengning’s eyes lowered slightly, a flicker of sorrow in their depths as she asked.

She was well aware of Jiang Lan’s feelings for Jiang Ruxian. Once, Jiang Lan had been the one chasing after that brilliant, dazzling woman, while she, in turn, had been the one chasing after him from behind.