It was obvious that, although it was just a simple greeting barely even polite, Meng Huange immediately sensed that Su Xiaoli’s attitude seemed somewhat different from before.
She lightly raised an eyebrow, then sat down in the seat beside Su Wanli, smiling as she rested her elbow on the table.
“Miss Xiaoli, do you have something to say to me?”
Singing a tune, she was just proactively trying to start a conversation, but did her intention really look this obvious?
“…Not really, it’s just that today is the day of the Opening Exam,”
Su Wanli stirred the milk in front of her with a spoon while pursing her lips, pretending to speak casually.
“They said if I put in a bit of effort, I’m sure I can reach my goal, but…”
“But?”
“Well, that is…”
Why are you just standing there stunned? Say it! Hurry up and say it!
What’s going on with Su Wanli? Have you really been completely taken over by the Villainess System? You can’t even manage a few polite compliments?
Just say something like, “Thanks to you, I’ve been able to improve so quickly, so I have more confidence for the upcoming exam!”
Fine, maybe that sounds a little out of character, then simply say, “You’ve worked hard these past few days. If I pass smoothly, I’ll be sure to reward you.” That’s no big deal.
Even if you really are a stubborn and difficult young lady, facing a hardworking subordinate like Meng Huange, you’d at least try to tone down your sourness a bit…
Su Wanli tried her best to open her mouth towards Meng Huange, but for some reason, she still couldn’t get a single word out.
This is bad. Maybe she really has been assimilated by the Villainess identity. She’ll never be able to live a normal life again and will only be able to communicate in a sharp and caustic tone. Even when trying to speak normally, she still can’t open her mouth properly…
“Miss Xiaoli, are you nervous?”
Seeing that Su Wanli remained silent for a long time, Meng Huange smiled slightly and took the cup of milk in front of Su Wanli, which was already full of bubbles from stirring, then dropped a sugar cube into it.
“Don’t worry. Just as I promised, you’ll definitely be able to participate in tomorrow night’s banquet without a hitch.”
“I hope so.”
Su Wanli silently sighed and took back her cup of milk, taking a small sip.
…Damn it! Still couldn’t say it!
She was obviously just thinking about the future! There aren’t any urgent tasks right now, and her Female Villain Value is relatively safe. Nothing should be stopping her from speaking kindly!
Currently, Meng Huange’s disgust towards her seems to be around sixty or seventy points. She doesn’t know how many villainess tasks she’ll have to complete in the future, and that disgust will only continue to rise. She should try to raise goodwill while things are still calm!
…Damn system, it doesn’t even report how much Meng Huange dislikes her anymore. She can’t even understand Meng Huange’s true feelings in her heart. If the system could show Meng Huange’s attitude towards her in real time just like the Female Villain Value, wouldn’t it be easy to curry favor?
—Ah, I get it.
The system deliberately hides the disgust level to avoid letting her walk a fine line in Meng Huange’s goodwill, maintaining an ambiguous state.
Damn it, so cautious? You, this Villainess System…
But that’s no match for me. As long as the Female Villain Value is still in a safe range, I can still use some simple tactics to try to reduce Meng Huange’s disgust towards me.
After all, according to the system’s proper storyline, I was supposed to have reached a temporary mutual assistance agreement with Meng Huange yesterday—something like she helps me participate in the banquet smoothly, and I promise to help her gain footing in the Sujia. Showing a bit of friendliness towards Meng Huange shouldn’t hurt…
[That’s right, Host, just do as you please. Let the heroine Meng Huange relax her guard towards you and begin to feel that things are gradually improving. The future will be bright, and everything is moving positively.]
…Really? Is that okay?
Why does this not sound like something the system would say? Has something taken it over?
Su Wanli frowned suspiciously, pinching the White Dumpling in her school uniform pocket.
…Well then, since the system is supporting me now, I’ll continue what I was doing earlier and try to soften my relationship with Meng Huange.
After all, she was so serious yesterday, saying she’d devote her life, talent, and future to me. I should respond a bit.
For example, casually learning about Meng Huange’s life, hobbies, usual activities, and ambitions.
Find a topic to break the ice, starting with the food in front of us…
Today’s breakfast was, as always, carefully prepared Western-style breakfast by Zhang Ma. Both Meng Huange and I had the same kind: two slices of toast caramelized with condensed milk, four pieces of grilled sausage, some fresh salad arranged in white woven vine baskets, each with a cup of milk, and a few fancy little snacks.
Su Wanli looked at the breakfast in front of her and sighed, showing a critical gaze—
“Sigh, really, every day it’s just these few dishes over and over. So boring…”
“As breakfast, Zhang Ma’s preparation is already quite healthy. The baking time of the bread and sausages is carefully controlled, and the drink temperature is just right.”
Meng Huange elegantly took a sip of milk and tilted her head slightly towards Su Wanli—
“Miss Xiaoli, are you dissatisfied with the breakfast selection?”
“Of course I am. To be honest, even the meat sandwich we had yesterday for lunch was more flavorful—the right mix of fat and lean braised pork and the sauce soaked into the bun…”
…No, no, that topic is going off track.
“Hey, speaking of which…”
Su Wanli silently ignored Zhang Ma’s displeased expression and dropped her gaze to Meng Huange’s plate—
“You seem to be able to eat a little of everything, like… like a greedy cat.”
Good, good, that was close!? I’m trying to get closer, but my mouth is starting to spout off some cutting remarks without realizing it!?
Could the system have secretly cursed me while I wasn’t paying attention, so I can’t open my mouth without swearing?
[Sorry, Host, the system currently has no permission to purchase such props. Maybe in the future.]
No way! It was agreed that the Villainess roleplay lets me express myself freely!
Su Wanli shook her head, chirped softly to Meng Huange twice, skipped over the previous snide remark, and prepared to subtly probe her preferences—
“So, Meng Huange, are you truly not picky, or are you forcing yourself to eat things you don’t like and just pretending it’s no big deal?”
“Maybe it’s a bit of both.”
Meng Huange put down her food, stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment.