They had just finished breakfast when members of the Hall of Punishment came to ask about yesterday’s incident.
The same old-and-new duo from the Hall of Punishment appeared once again. “Please describe yesterday’s events truthfully for us, so we can report back.”
Lin Huanhuan stayed silent, while Dong Yun’er nodded. “Alright, here’s what happened.”
After all, the matter had already been reported to the Hall of Punishment. With such a major event as the annihilation of the White Tiger Hall, there was no way to keep it hidden. However, since they hadn’t tried to escape out of guilt, they were probably in the right and were thus given a chance to explain. Lingyun Sect belonged to the righteous path, after all. Killing others without reason would result in imprisonment or even execution, but self-defense was exempt.
After a round of explanation and an on-site investigation, the people from the Hall of Punishment eventually left, having found nothing to hold against her.
Seeing this, Lin Huanhuan couldn’t help but sigh. “Thank goodness I’m a villain with a decent background who won’t be casually picked on. If I were the protagonist, I’d probably have been locked up and accused of something by some elder looking for credit.”
Lin Huanhuan was about to study and organize her thoughts when she saw Dong Yun’er hurriedly close the door and approach her, glaring with a dark expression.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Huanhuan was a little confused.
Dong Yun’er glared at her like a ferocious beast, pointed at her, and said coldly, “Tell me the truth, who are you really? Where did the real Young Miss go?”
Lin Huanhuan’s face was full of black lines. “What on earth are you talking about? I’m me. When have I ever changed?”
Dong Yun’er put on a stern face. “Don’t think you can fool me. I’ve been with Miss day and night for so many years—how could I not know her? You might imitate her well, but your personality is completely different!”
“How could Miss possibly be so kind? Miss was always an awful, awful young lady who only did bad things—how could she suddenly start doing good deeds?”
Dong Yun’er added silently in her heart, “After all, I’m the one who guided her for so many years. How could I not know?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? What kind of ridiculous stereotype is this? I can’t even be a good person now?”
“If you don’t come clean, I’ll report this to the head of the family and let them deal with you. No matter what monster or demon you are, you’ll all die!”
“What the heck?”
Lin Huanhuan was exasperated and decided to be blunt. “How could I have been swapped out? I know everything about you. That year when you first arrived and were freezing so badly you nearly died, it was me who gave you warm jade so you finally recovered. What, have you forgotten that?”
“That matter…” A flicker of emotion flashed across Dong Yun’er’s face, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
Dong Yun’er let out a cruel, cold laugh, her voice grave and judgmental. “Now I’ll ask, and you answer. If you get anything wrong, don’t blame me for being rude.”
“What the heck? Am I being interrogated again? Am I some kind of born criminal?”
Lin Huanhuan grumbled inwardly, but nodded in agreement.
“What’s Miss’s favorite food?”
“There’s no such thing. Isn’t it different every day?”
“What does Miss like to do most?”
“Bully others, of course. Isn’t that obvious?”
“What’s Miss’s favorite kind of clothing?”
“No pattern at all—whatever looks good, she wears.”
……
“Last question: Can Miss live without me?”
“Hey, hey, hey, you’re sneaking your own agenda into this one. When have I ever needed you to survive? Clearly, it’s you who can’t live without me!”
After a round of interrogation, Dong Yun’er finally gave up in resignation.
She bit her little hand in frustration. “All the details are correct. So Miss is still Miss—how can this be?”
Lin Huanhuan crossed her arms. “Why not? I am who I am. I’ve never changed.”
“So that’s how it is.” Dong Yun’er let out a sigh.
“What are you disappointed about now?!”
Realizing something, Dong Yun’er forced an awkward smile. “It’s good that Miss is alright. I just have some other things to take care of, so I’ll leave now.”
She quickly shuffled her feet, trying to leave, but after a few seconds she realized she hadn’t moved at all. Turning her head, she found Lin Huanhuan pressing down on her shoulders. Her legs were spinning like wind and fire wheels, but she didn’t budge an inch.
“Um, Miss, can we call a truce? I really didn’t mean it.”
Lin Huanhuan squeezed out a cold smile. “What do you think?”
“You’ve really grown bold, haven’t you? Daring to suspect even me now? If I don’t give you a proper lesson, will you tie me up next time?”
“Ah! Miss, be gentle! Hahaha, not there! It tickles! Spare me, I really won’t do it again!”
After a round of merciless punishment, Lin Huanhuan finally let Dong Yun’er go, satisfied.
Looking at Dong Yun’er, whose face was flushed from being pinched, clothes a mess, eyes misted with tears as if she’d just been tormented, Lin Huanhuan only gave a cold snort.
“This time was just a small warning. Next time, it won’t be so easy!”
Lin Huanhuan spoke fiercely, but she knew in her heart that Dong Yun’er was only worried for her and never meant any harm. That’s why she didn’t pursue the matter.
Dong Yun’er sniffled, her voice a little choked. “I understand, Miss. I won’t dare again.”
Dong Yun’er composed herself and brought up another question. “Miss, may I ask—why have you suddenly become so kind?”
“You weren’t like this before. You just did whatever you wanted and were so happy. Why bother worrying about so much now?”
Hearing this, Lin Huanhuan shook her head and said earnestly, “I’ve thought it over these days. Always being the villain won’t work. Even if others don’t dare to take revenge because of my background, eventually someone with a stronger background will appear.”
“And there are so many geniuses and heroes in the world—who knows if the ones I could crush today will one day return, shouting ‘Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don’t bully the young and poor,’ and casually beat me to death upon their return.”
“So, I’ve decided from today to be cautious and work hard on my cultivation. As for doing bad things, maybe it just doesn’t suit me.”
Dong Yun’er opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
Lin Huanhuan went on, “We only live once. We must learn to grow up, and I’ve finally figured it out.”
Dong Yun’er quietly clenched her fists, feeling a little overwhelmed.
After a long while, she finally asked, “Then what about Ye Jinxiù? Does Miss plan to pursue her openly?”
Lin Huanhuan shook her head. “No need. She doesn’t seem to like me either. A forced melon isn’t sweet, so let’s just leave it.”
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