I Was Supposed to Be the Villainess, Now You're Telling Me I'm the Female Lead? - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: What Are You Babbling About

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Crystal chandeliers poured golden light like scattered fragments beneath the towering dome, countless prisms refracting rainbow colors that flowed between the gilded columns and painted ceiling.

The cloud-patterned marble floor reflected the flickering flames of candelabras, while the mother-of-pearl inlaid birds and flowers on the golden nanmu wood screens flickered bright and dim with the movement of shadows.

Even though she had attended quite a few banquets before, seeing such a scene, Bai Ning still felt this was a bit too extravagant.

Nan Zha looked around. On the left were people in suits talking business. Since they were all from the upper circles of Yun City, she wasn’t unfamiliar with seeing some acquaintances, but she didn’t rush to greet them, she needed to settle Bai Ning first.

Leading Bai Ning in the opposite direction, this side was almost entirely young ladies and young masters. Compared to the business atmosphere over there, this side was obviously more sport-casual, mostly drinking and having fun.

Nan Zha and Bai Ning were quite famous in Yun City, and most people recognized them.

Everyone knew Nan Zha was not to be trifled with, too cold. Although she was the same age as them, her abilities were outstanding, completely the kind of “other people’s child.”

However, some of them hadn’t expected this. Wasn’t it rumored that Nan Zha and Bai Ning’s relationship wasn’t very good? How come they now looked so close?

But they didn’t think much about it, at most just a few people chatting curiously.

After settling Bai Ning here, she planned to go greet her business partners.

“I’ll go say hello to them first and be back soon. You stay here and have fun for a while. If anything happens, just come find me.”

After giving these instructions, Nan Zha was about to walk toward the other side,

but after just a few steps, she stopped, and her face, which had been carrying a hint of a smile, completely turned cold.

Bai Ning caught every detail of Nan Zha’s change and looked in the direction of Nan Zha’s gaze with confusion.

She saw a figure in a deep red velvet dress, the hem adorned with delicate decorations that sparkled under the lights. She was holding the arm of the current head of the Nan family, who was also Nan Zha’s father, Nan Jianyu, smiling sweetly as she mingled among the guests, clearly the most favored daughter of the Nan family.

Nan Ziyue.

She seemed to have noticed Nan Zha’s gaze too and turned to look.

The two women’s gazes collided in the air, undercurrents surging.

Nan Zha’s expression wasn’t good. Looking at the glamorous Nan Ziyue, she took two deep breaths.

Nan Ziyue released Nan Jianyu’s arm and stepped lightly toward Nan Zha. Her red lips curved slightly as she spoke first, her voice sweet but with a sting: “Sister, long time no see. I didn’t expect you’d come to this kind of occasion.”

Nan Zha’s expression remained indifferent. She took a glass of wine from a passing server’s tray, her fingertips gently swirling the glass, her tone calm but with hidden sharpness: “The new head of the Jiang family is hosting a banquet, naturally I should come to congratulate. As for you, little sister, you’re still so fond of… liveliness.”

A flash of coldness crossed Nan Ziyue’s eyes, but her smile became even more radiant: “Sister has been working hard alone, it must be very tiring, right? If you need help, this little sister could put in a good word for you with father.”

Nan Zha let out a light laugh, her gaze moving past her to fall on the distance, saying indifferently: “No need. My affairs, I’ve always handled myself.”

Seeing Nan Zha still wearing that detestable, unruffled expression, Nan Ziyue took a deep breath and changed the subject, speaking to Bai Ning beside her with meaningful undertones.

“And Miss Bai, those few moves of yours last time, I still remember them vividly.”

After hearing this, Nan Zha’s face, which had been maintaining a smile, instantly turned cold, her brows showing a hint of anger. Just as she was about to speak, Bai Ning spoke up.

“Oh, then you have quite a good memory. Do you need me to praise you? Or are you nostalgic for that feeling and want me to give you a few more?”

Hearing this, Bai Ning rolled her eyes, wore a look that practically begged for a beating, and snapped back without the slightest courtesy. Since they’d already made enemies, she wouldn’t be as polite as Nan Zha. This little cannon fodder was actually threatening her, how ridiculous.

“You, you you!”

Clearly, Bai Ning’s words dealt quite a blow to Nan Ziyue, directly making her face flush red as she pointed at Bai Ning, unable to speak for a long time.

“Take your dog paws away. Didn’t your dad teach you it’s rude to point at people? Also, if you have a stutter, go get it treated. Don’t let it drag on too long and develop into dementia.”

With a “smack,” she knocked away the finger pointing at her. Bai Ning’s aggression was extremely strong, almost making Nan Ziyue, who wanted to maintain her composure, lose face completely.

What are you babbling about? Point at me again and I’ll break your finger!

This was an unavoidable part of novels, the normal threatening and harsh words segment. Even when meeting Nan Zha before, it was inevitable. Usually, after trading a few barbs, they’d start scheming behind the scenes, but this tactic seemed ineffective against someone like Bai Ning who didn’t play by the rules.

She was a warrior, why waste words? Not getting physical was already showing restraint.

Looking at Bai Ning’s attitude, Nan Ziyue felt like a scholar meeting a soldier, unable to reason no matter how right she was. She was still at the Jiang family’s banquet and had other purposes, so she couldn’t afford to lose her temper. She could only glare at Bai Ning with frustration.

Nan Zha listened to their conversation from the side, watching Bai Ning render Nan Ziyue speechless, and the corner of her mouth slightly lifted. It seemed her worry was unnecessary. Although Bai Ning appeared cute and weak in front of her, she wouldn’t be like that with others.

Was this what they called being a virtuous wife at home but cold to outsiders?

Nan Zha really liked this feeling of being treated specially.

“I’ll go over there now. Rest well here.”

Nodding at Bai Ning, after saying this, she walked to the side. She had other things to do and wouldn’t waste time here.

……

Watching Nan Zha conversing with several business partners, the champagne glass in her hand refracting scattered light. Her expression was composed, her manner elegant, showing no trace of the “outsider” who had once been neglected by the family and struggled alone.

All of this fell particularly harshly on Nan Ziyue’s eyes in the distance.

She pressed her red lips together lightly, her fingertips gently stroking the wine glass, a flash of coldness in her eyes.

“Since you love showing off so much… then let you have a proper show.”

She tilted her head slightly, whispered a few words to a server beside her, then pulled out a check from her purse and quietly slipped it into the server’s hand. The server’s eyes flickered, but eventually nodded and quietly withdrew.

……

After Nan Zha left, Bai Ning couldn’t hold back anymore. Looking at the various dishes at the banquet, she had been craving them for a while. Although she had eaten quite a bit at lunch, she digested quickly.

A little thing like Nan Ziyue wasn’t worth her making a big fuss over. Maybe Nan Zha would take care of her later.

Although she was small, she ate a lot. When it came to having a big appetite, there was nothing more to say.