“…B-beautiful Princess!?”
But her rationality still firmly restrained her actions. She was dirt poor to begin with; she had no Villainess Potions, her extra Villainess Points were completely depleted, and even the Villainess Credits she could rely on to save her life through the lottery at crucial moments had all been squandered by that idiotic system yesterday.
If things continued like this, and her Villainess Value happened to drop below thirty, triggering some bizarre DEBUFF, there really would be no way to turn things around!
Su Wanli, whose heart was fluttering like a startled deer, instinctively wanted to go with the flow and play a few songs on the piano together with Meng Wange.
“Hehe, what’s with this ‘beautiful Princess’ nonsense?”
Su Wanli restrained her slightly trembling fingertips and pulled her wrist away from Meng Wange’s grasp, then impatiently shook it a couple of times.
After that, Su Wanli steeled herself. Turning her gaze away coldly, she deliberately raised her voice.
“Meng Wange, did you forget something? According to the script, I’m the stepsister, while you’re Cinderella—the one who’s supposed to marry into the royal palace. Don’t think that just because you’ve changed into a suit, you can become the prince.”
After saying that, Su Wanli pretended to be annoyed and tapped the black and white keys beside her, causing the piano to emit a heavy, muffled sound.
“Besides, the official performance is only a few days away. How could we possibly waste time on something this irrelevant?”
Faced with such a straightforward rejection from Su Wanli, Meng Wange showed not the slightest trace of embarrassment or disappointment. She merely smiled faintly and obediently lowered the piano lid.
“Oh? Is that so? I’m sorry, Miss Su.”
“Then, when we have more time next time, I’ll invite you again. I hope you’ll accept my request then.”
Su Wanli let out a disdainful snort through her nose, but inwardly, her heart had already begun to ripple.
After yesterday’s farce, all the Villainess Credits she had painstakingly accumulated were completely squandered. But if she had gained anything from it, it was that she had become much better at seeing through Meng Wange’s little schemes than before.
For example, right now. Although there was hardly any change in expression on Meng Wange’s face, if that status panel were still around, her mood value had probably already dropped by twenty or thirty points, right?
I’m sorry, Meng Wange. Truthfully, I’m really touched. You actually remembered that I missed your performance at the banquet that night, and even prepared an entire performance especially for me.
But for now, let me keep this apology buried in my heart.
Once the story ends and I’m finally freed from the restraints of my Villainess Value, I’ll definitely apologize to you properly!
Just as Su Wanli had composed herself and was about to clap her hands toward the surrounding darkness, signaling her subordinates—who were hiding somewhere she couldn’t see—to turn on the lights and officially begin today’s rehearsal, the system’s electronic voice suddenly rang in her ear at the most inappropriate moment.
[Beep beep. Previous events summary: Ever since rehearsals for the play began, the villainous young lady Su Wanli has relentlessly subjected the female protagonist to cruel bullying.]
[On the first day, Su Wanli forcibly exchanged roles with Meng Wange on the grounds that she was dissatisfied with her character. However, thanks to the female protagonist Meng Wange’s clever counterattack, the person who ultimately made a fool of herself was Su Wanli.]
“Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? Meng Wange was obviously the one who suggested switching roles!”
[Secondly, during the rehearsal on the second day, Su Wanli was completely uncooperative. Not only was she absent-minded during practice and constantly changing the subject, she even recklessly endangered herself by pretending to lose her balance and fall from a chair, crashing toward the female protagonist. Fortunately, the female protagonist reacted quickly and avoided serious injury. Instead, Su Wanli accidentally injured her own ankle.]
“…You, I, I…”
“Forget it. Whatever you say.”
[In summary, Host, over these past two days, you have successfully portrayed a typical vile villainess who takes pleasure in toying with other people’s feelings. As a result, you successfully angered the female protagonist, Meng Wange, and incurred her revenge.]
“Huh? Revenge?”
[That’s right. Just now, the female protagonist Meng Wange finally couldn’t tolerate your repeated manipulation any longer, so she carefully designed this “performance.” On the surface, it was meant to surprise you, but Meng Wange’s true purpose was actually to get revenge on you.]
“…R-really?”
[Of course, Host.]
The system continued in a tone that suggested it had seen through everything.
[Meng Wange deliberately failed to consult you beforehand and intentionally left you alone in the darkness, making you feel frightened and uneasy in an unfamiliar environment. Then, she descended like a savior, using an extravagant performance and ambiguous words to confuse your mind and make you forget what had just happened.]
[However, her true purpose was to see you in that panicked, helpless, bewildered state just now, cowering with your head in your arms, and to etch that pitiful image firmly into her memory. At this very moment, Meng Wange is surely laughing hysterically at your foolishness and naivety.]
“…Wow. What a remarkably well-reasoned analysis. Then let me ask you this: aside from those extraordinary talents, does Meng Wange possess any kind of supernatural power?”
[Hmm? Naturally, she does not.]
“Then the entire warehouse was pitch-black just now! How did Meng Wange see me crouching behind the wall with my head in my arms? Did she use ultrasound?”
[Hmm, perhaps.]
“You’re actually trying to brush that off!?”
[Hmm, perhaps. Next, the system will issue today’s Villainess Mission…]
[In short, during the upcoming rehearsal, you must question every aspect of Meng Wange’s acting without holding anything back. Interrupt every one of her ideas and point out every mistake she makes, thereby retaliating against her act of abusing her position to settle a personal grudge.]
Su Wanli, her face full of speechlessness, silently raised her head. At that exact moment, Meng Wange walked out of the dressing room, having changed into an exquisite maid outfit.
She gave Su Wanli an impeccable, perfect smile, then elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt and performed a standard curtsy.
“So, dear elder sister, shall we begin our official rehearsal?”
Fine, fine. For the sake of being able to stay by Meng Wange’s side a little longer after the story ends, she had no choice but to obediently follow the system’s instructions for now.
Su Wanli helplessly shrugged her shoulders, then walked toward Meng Wange with heavy steps. She brushed past her and entered the dressing room behind her.
“…Once I’ve changed, we can officially begin.”
Before entering the dressing room, Su Wanli turned around first, her gaze sweeping back and forth over Meng Wange’s black-and-white maid outfit, which was covered in delicate lace.
“Also, Meng Wange, that outfit of yours is way too strange, isn’t it? Where would they have had such a flashy maid uniform in the Middle Ages? Go take off that annoying thing on your head…”