Chapter 7: He Softened

The kitchen was clean and tidy.

Though the utensils were old, they were neatly arranged.

However, there was still a strange, slightly pungent smell lingering in the air.

Tang Susu gently pushed open the window to let in some fresh air. Just then, her phone rang.

She glanced down at the caller ID—Yan Lixue.

She frowned slightly. This guy was Tang Susu’s so-called backup.

A delinquent from a vocational school.

That day, under the golden afternoon sun, Yan Lixue had caught a glimpse of a girl’s silhouette and fell in love at first sight with Tang Susu.

To pursue her, he did all sorts of awful things—even constantly targeted the female lead, Meng Xue.

But later, he realized that the person he’d seen that day wasn’t just Tang Susu—Meng Xue had also been passing by. That unforgettable silhouette? It was actually Meng Xue.

He felt deceived and was filled with hatred and regret for having hurt her.

And so, where he had once bent over backward for Tang Susu, now he doubled his efforts to torment her.

Eventually, Tang Susu couldn’t take the humiliation anymore and vanished.

That’s right—she disappeared.

And with her, Yan Lixue and his gang also disappeared from the story.

Even though she hadn’t read many novels, Tang Susu knew the usual tropes. A vicious supporting female character like Tang Susu was supposed to meet a tragic end.

How could she just vanish without warning?

She even scrolled through the comments back then. Readers were puzzled—Why did Tang Susu suddenly disappear? Did the author forget about her?

But the author replied that it was a plot twist.

What kind of strange twist lets a villainess who’s done so many bad things simply disappear? Readers were all waiting for her to get her comeuppance!

Tang Susu returned to the present, staring at Yan Lixue’s name on her phone.

Although Tang Susu had done plenty of bad things, in this case, she was actually innocent. Yan Lixue had mistaken someone else for her and took it out on her. Why should she bear the brunt of his anger?

Thankfully, when she transmigrated, the male lead hadn’t fallen for Meng Xue yet, and Tang Susu hadn’t prompted Yan Lixue to target her.

Tang Susu decided it was time to tell the truth.

She answered the call.

Before she could say a word, the voice on the other end bragged:

“Susu, didn’t you say He Zhimou bullied you? I got some guys and gave him a solid beating yesterday—right on his leg.”

Crash.

Startled, Tang Susu’s hand slipped, and the phone fell to the floor.

So in the original novel, He Zhimou’s injury was her fault?

She bent to pick up the phone, only to realize—He Zhimou had silently appeared behind her.

Those dark, seductive eyes of his stared straight at her.

Her heart skipped a beat.

No wonder he was so wary of her—so this was what “she” had done.

She thought of how he would later be humiliated because of his amputation—and all because of her. Her heart twisted.

She blinked, took a step forward, and looked at him seriously.
“I’m sorry, He Zhimou.”

The boy was taken aback. The girl, who had always been arrogant and unreasonable, now had misty eyes filled with guilt and compassion.

What is she trying to do now?

Tang Susu looked at the frail He Zhimou, his peerlessly beautiful face looking pale and sickly. She reached out to support him.

“I’ll take responsibility for your leg,” she said.

He Zhimou turned aside, dodging her hand.

With slender fingers, he clutched the test tube containing a deadly poison and said coldly, “Get out.”

Tang Susu tilted her head but didn’t get angry.

After all, it was the original Tang Susu’s fault. If someone had broken her leg and caused a potential amputation, she wouldn’t just shout “Get out”—she’d want revenge.

He Zhimou really was a good person.

“I’m not leaving,” she said with a small smile. “I’ll take you to the hospital. Let’s treat your leg. Even though it happened because of me, I swear—I only just found out. I had no idea before.”

Her voice was soft, her eyes clear, her expression innocent and sincere.

He Zhimou lifted his eyelids and grabbed the broom beside him to drive her out. “Get out.”

But Tang Susu wouldn’t budge. She dodged the broom and said, “I won’t bother you anymore—if you go to the hospital. I can only relax once your leg is healed.”

“Oh come on, don’t be so fierce. I know you’re a good person.”

“I know you’re mad I got someone to hurt you. That really was my fault.”

“So just come to the hospital with me. If not, I’ll come by every day to see you.”

He Zhimou said nothing, his slender fingers still gripping the broom as he tried to chase her out.

Tang Susu stood still, watching him hobble on one leg just to drive her away. She refused to move.

His leg shouldn’t be under that much strain.

She planted her feet, then stepped forward and stuck out one of her slender legs.

“Fine, I’m not leaving. If you’re really that angry, then hit me. I won’t run.”

He Zhimou suddenly stopped. His peach blossom-shaped eyes stared at her.
“You think I won’t?”

Tang Susu froze.

Faced with that cold, threatening gaze, her legs trembled a little. She had a feeling he really would hit her.

And maybe even break her leg.

Still, she held her ground and stretched her leg out. “Go ahead—hit me.”

He Zhimou lowered his gaze.

The girl was wearing blue jeans, her legs long, slim, and beautiful.

He raised the stainless steel broom.

Tang Susu closed her eyes.

Even if she wasn’t the one who did it, this body had. Now that she had taken over, she had to be responsible.

A gust of wind swept by.

Her eyelashes fluttered.

But the pain never came.

She opened her eyes.

He Zhimou had thrown the broom aside.

“Get out.” He turned and walked into the living room.

Tang Susu looked at his thin, indifferent back—and smiled.

I knew it. He’s a good person.

She called after him, “Let’s just call it even, okay?”

He didn’t answer.

Tang Susu glanced out the window. The sky had already gone dark.

At this hour, only emergency services would be available—most doctors were off-duty.

She walked into the living room and said to his back, “Fine, we won’t go to the hospital.”

Then she turned to leave.

He Zhimou heard the sound of her footsteps and paused slightly, though it was barely noticeable. He continued fiddling with his test tubes.

He hadn’t poisoned her just now only because the untested compound would’ve been too much of a mercy.

But if she dared to provoke him again—he wouldn’t show mercy.

The next moment, he heard movement again.

He turned around to see the girl smiling, holding the takeout bag.

Tang Susu had brought the bone broth back inside.

“It’s a bit cold now,” she said, touching the box. She hesitated.

I really don’t know how to use kitchen tools. What if I blow up the place? He might never talk to me again.

“You can heat it up yourself later.”

When he didn’t take it, she placed the box on the table.

He remained silent for a long time.

Tang Susu figured it was time to go. She waved at him.
“I’m heading out now. That goji bone broth is really good for recovering from leg injuries—make sure to eat it.”

“And take good care of yourself while you’re home alone. I’ll come by again tomorrow at noon.”

“We’ll go get your leg checked. That way, I can stop worrying.”

“A leg injury is no joke. If left untreated, it could lead to serious complications. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

She tilted her head and tried to think of a good argument.
“I know you don’t like me, but your injury was caused by me. If you’re dead set on not going to the hospital, then I will take responsibility—and that means pestering you every day! If you don’t want to see me again, the best solution is to get your leg treated as soon as possible.”