The two of them stood locked in a standoff.
In just half a minute, the rain grew heavier and heavier.
Ruan Ruan thought to herself that she was lucky to be standing under cover; at least she didn’t look too bedraggled.
People hurried past her side-by-side, all of them folks who hadn’t noticed the downpour in time.
Ruan Ruan glanced at Jiang Xue, thinking, Why don’t you go block them? But of course, she didn’t say such a childish thing out loud.
No matter how much she grumbled inwardly, her face remained perfectly calm. It wasn’t hard to keep up the facade—not when the queen of composed expressions was standing right in front of her.
Staring straight into Jiang Xue’s eyes through her glasses was a bit trickier, though. She could make out their true shape: slender and almond-shaped, double-lidded, with lashes that weren’t thick or curled but impressively long.
Ruan Ruan blinked and shifted sideways a step.
Jiang Xue moved even faster, blocking her solidly.
Ruan Ruan couldn’t hold back a smirk. “What, you practicing your ninja footwork?”
Jiang Xue said, “Take an umbrella.”
“I told you, I don’t need one.”
“It’s raining.”
Ruan Ruan gave up trying to reason with this woman. She tugged her hood down over her head, shot Jiang Xue a glare, then suddenly ducked low and slipped right under her arm.
Hahaha! Inside, she cackled wildly. Take that, you childish blockhead!
Ruan Ruan dashed into the rain, reveling in the long-lost thrill of it.
Right at the entrance, there was a puddle, but she wasn’t fazed. She stomped right through it, sending water splashing everywhere.
Her shoes weren’t some fancy material that would ruin on contact with water. This was just a good rinse for them.
Her destination was clear: the dorm.
No time to waste.
All her hard work over these past days hadn’t been for nothing. Her slimmer, lighter body brimmed with energy, fueling her every step.
Joyfully, she raced across the overpass, down the tree-lined path, and straight to the entrance of Dormitory Building 9.
Only once inside did she dare look back, craning her neck for a peek. Jiang Xue was long gone.
Hey! She’d won!
Ruan Ruan clapped her hands in celebration and greeted the dorm monitor cheerfully. “Morning, Auntie!”
The auntie gave her a once-over with narrowed eyes. “You’ve slimmed down.”
“Hey!” Ruan Ruan beamed even wider, not holding back. “Auntie, you look great today!”
The auntie ignored her and turned back to her drama on TV.
Ruan Ruan had fallen in love with the rush of sprinting. She bounded happily up to the fourth floor and shoved open her dorm room door.
Tang Tianman and Li Tong were still fast asleep.
Ruan Ruan, who’d been holding it in the whole way, couldn’t contain herself anymore. She clambered up the bunk ladder and shook them awake one by one.
“Time’s up, time’s up! First period’s the old guy’s class.”
Li Tong flailed her hand like she was swatting a fly.
Tang Tianman did a little better, twisting around a few times before waking up.
Maybe it was because Ruan Ruan had been basking in so much joy lately that she was extra attuned to it now.
Her eyes weren’t even fully open when she asked, “What’s got you so happy?”
Ruan Ruan lied without missing a beat. “Going to the old guy’s class, duh.”
Tang Tianman curved her lips and arched a brow at her, then headed into the bathroom.
Ruan Ruan leaned against the doorframe. “Tang Tianman, what was that supposed to mean?”
Tang Tianman splashed water on her face. “What did I say?”
Ruan Ruan pressed, “Tang Tianman, come on.”
Tang Tianman turned to look at her. “I’m afraid you’ll get mad if I do.”
Ruan Ruan’s heart skipped. She turned away. “Then don’t say it.”
What would actually make her mad was just one thing.
No, not a thing—a person.
Everything about that person was taboo for her right now.
Even if today’s joy came from beating her at her own game, she couldn’t talk about it.
Just thinking about Jiang Xue made Ruan Ruan’s back prickle.
The old guy’s class was as sleep-inducing as ever. By second period, Ruan Ruan couldn’t hold out and dozed off for most of it.
When she woke, her nose was stuffy. Tang Tianman tugged her jacket tighter around her. “Why’s your face so red?”
Ruan Ruan lifted her head. “Red?”
“Yep.” Tang Tianman pulled a small mirror from her bag and held it up.
“Must be from sleeping on it funny.” Ruan Ruan touched her cheek. It wasn’t just red—it was hot to the touch.
She tried to stand, but her legs wobbled, nearly sending her tumbling.
“Whoa!” Tang Tianman jumped, grabbing her. “What’s wrong?”
“Legs feel weak… so weak.” Ruan Ruan frowned. “Probably just pins and needles from sleeping wrong.”
Tang Tianman touched her forehead. “Something’s off. You’re burning up.”
“I’ll be fine after some fresh air.” Ruan Ruan gathered her books and headed out. “Classroom change.”
But the moment they stepped into the hall, there was Jiang Xue, coming right toward them. Ruan Ruan nearly spun on her heel to flee.
She forced herself to freeze, schooling her face into blank neutrality.
Jiang Xue looked up and spotted her.
Their eyes met, dragging her right back to that awkward morning moment.
Tang Tianman tugged Ruan Ruan. Her focus was all on her friend. “Head down, head down.”
Ruan Ruan ducked her head and sidestepped. Tang Tianman tiptoed and pressed her forehead to Ruan Ruan’s. “Whoa, you really are hot—way warmer than me!”
“I’m always warm…”
“Bull. You’ve got a fever. We’re skipping. No arguments.” Tang Tianman whipped out her phone and texted Li Tong. “I’ll have Tongzi cover for us with a sick note. I’m taking you to the clinic.”
“Why would I catch a fever out of nowhere?” Ruan Ruan had been exercising so much lately; her stamina felt through the roof. No way she’d just get sick like this.
“Were you out in the rain this morning?” Tang Tianman demanded, her voice carrying.
From the corner of her eye, Ruan Ruan saw Jiang Xue still watching them—and clearly she’d heard that.
Heat flooded her cheeks, but not from fever this time. Embarrassment.
To lose her morning victory like this? Unbearable.
Ruan Ruan scowled, raising her voice too. “I’m fine! Just overheated from napping. Who wouldn’t notice if they were actually sick?”
As she spoke, she pinched Tang Tianman’s arm, hoping she’d get the hint.
Tang Tianman caught on quick. She whipped her head around and spotted Jiang Xue nearby.
Ruan Ruan yanked her head back. “Come on, let’s go to class.”
Tang Tianman blinked, confused but going along. “Okay, but…”
Ruan Ruan pulled her around, opting for the longer route past Jiang Xue. “Talk later.”
They hurried off, heading downstairs, when someone grabbed Ruan Ruan’s arm. Tang Tianman froze in shock.
Jiang Xue nodded to her, then told Ruan Ruan, “If you’re sick, go see the doctor.”
Ruan Ruan’s lips parted—Tang Tianman could practically hear her swallow What’s it to you?
Ruan Ruan ignored her and dragged Tang Tianman away.
Jiang Xue caught up in two strides, planting herself at the bottom of the stairs ahead of them.
From this downward angle, Tang Tianman got a clear look at Jiang Xue’s face and expression.
If she didn’t know Zheng Xiyu, she’d think Jiang Xue looked perfectly neutral.
But after spending so much time around Xiyu, Tang Tianman could pick up on the subtle undercurrents in reserved, steady types like this.
Jiang Xue looked angry.
When someone like Jiang Xue got mad, Tang Tianman felt her skin crawl.
It was like getting caught red-handed by the strictest dean in school.
She glanced at Ruan Ruan, who wasn’t scared at all.
Ruan Ruan was angry too. She was trying to keep her face straight, but the tension radiated from every inch of her.
Tang Tianman felt awkward, sandwiched between these two inexplicably pissed-off women with their weird vibe.
She didn’t know the backstory and didn’t want to make it worse.
Still, Jiang Xue had a point. Sick was sick—didn’t matter what else was going on.
Tang Tianman tugged Ruan Ruan’s arm. “I’ll take her,” she told Jiang Xue.
Jiang Xue nodded. “Thanks.”
Ruan Ruan exploded. “Thanks for what? What’s it got to do with you?”
Tang Tianman: “…”
The awkwardness was cosmic.
Ruan Ruan used to be such a pushover, soft as her name implied.
But ever since that mysterious incident with Jiang Xue, she’d toughened up.
Some inner steel had awakened, sharp enough to stab right at the heart of someone she… liked?
What grudge could this be? What love-turned-hate drama? Tang Tianman stared at Ruan Ruan, whose expression was the most dramatic of the three.
Jiang Xue said nothing. Ruan Ruan shook off Tang Tianman’s arm and stormed ahead.
Before Tang Tianman could chase after her, she heard Jiang Xue add, “Take her to the doctor.”
The solemnity made it sound like Ruan Ruan had some dire illness only she knew about.
Tang Tianman was curious—and a little annoyed.
She pumped her short legs to catch up, only to find Ruan Ruan heading straight for the next class.
“Nope.” Tang Tianman grabbed her. “Doctor first.”
“No no no no!!!” Ruan Ruan was full-on rebellious kid mode now.
“Fevers are serious. Can’t ignore them.”
“No!”
“Go now and it’ll be quick. Drag it out and you’ll end up with complications—too late to cry then.”
“No!”
“It’ll fry your brain. No more classes, no more dieting.”
“No!”
“Ruan Ruan!” Tang Tianman roared.
She hated how that name—even when bellowed in full fury, complete with surname—still sounded like an endearing nickname.
It was utterly devoid of menace.
But Ruan Ruan did turn to look at her.
Tang Tianman couldn’t afford to worry about that now. She snatched up a metaphorical knife and jabbed it toward Ruan Ruan’s chest. “Do you care about Jiang Xue that much? Would you really let yourself get sick just to spite her and avoid seeing her?”
Ruan Ruan’s expression turned ice-cold in an instant. “I care about her? I’m the one spiting her?”
“What else could it be?” Tang Tianman shot back.
Ruan Ruan let out a breath. “I know you’re just trying to goad me, but I won’t tolerate that kind of misunderstanding. I’ll go to the infirmary. You don’t need to follow.”
“You’re really going?”
“I’ll send you a photo.” Ruan Ruan gave her a shove. “Don’t follow me. Go to class.”
Tang Tianman decided that was enough; she couldn’t push her any further. With a nod, she agreed.
Ruan Ruan turned and headed toward the infirmary. Along the way, she realized she truly had a fever—one moment freezing cold, the next burning hot.
The infirmary was nearly halfway across the school grounds, and it took Ruan Ruan quite a while to reach it.
Her head felt foggy, as if it were trying to puzzle something out but coming up empty. Once inside, she slumped in front of the school doctor like a soulless puppet. “Fever.”
The school doctor handed her a thermometer. “Measure it first.”
Ruan Ruan took the thermometer and sank onto a nearby stool. Just then, another person stepped into the infirmary. A shadow flickered across the room, and the school doctor called out, “Come sit down. What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine,” came Jiang Xue’s voice.
Ruan Ruan’s body went rigid. She heard Jiang Xue add, “Just came to keep someone company.”
Fuck. A chill swept over her, followed by a rush of heat.
![The Villain Is The True Beauty [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobytranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/quick-tr.png?resize=151,215 "The Villain Is The True Beauty [Quick Transmigration]")
