The Villain's Redemption

Chapter 43 Conflicted

Li Yue rolled her eyes in response. She exhaled and looked at the people around her. Li Yue doesn't have any detailed information on the incident. Because of this, she needs to put her guard up at all times. She needed to have her mind sharp and always be aware of her surroundings. Who would have thought that helping the Villain would require this much hard work?

Li Yue could not help but think about Sun Fengmian's actions a while back. That woman wanted to show everyone that she cared for Mo Li. That was all so that once Mo Li got hurt; no one would suspect her to be the one who schemed against him. "Hey, why does she hate you?" Li Yue asked after a few minutes of trekking in silence.

"Who?"

"You know who I'm talking about."

"A lot of people hate me." Mo Li answered. Then, he shrugged as if it was nothing. Li Yue stared at the man's side profile as she pursed her lips. What kind of man would say such a thing indifferently? Mo Li was not even twenty and he already had the perception that many people hated him. Li Yue started thinking about this man's childhood. It must have been really …. Tragic. When Li Yue thought about it, this Villain really is more pitiful than she is. He must have been neglected ever since he was a child. Because of this, he grew up cold and detached.

Maybe Sun Fengmian had also bullied Mo Li. That would be logical. Even that Mo Fang must have bullied him. How pitiful, Li Yue thought. However, this pity of hers didn't last that long as she heard Mo Li mutter.

"They probably hate me because I am handsome."

"Cough…. Cough…" Unable to bear the shock from hearing him tooting his own horn, Li Yue let out a series of cough. What shamelessness! She eyed Mo Li who seemed to be in a deep thought. "You think they hate you because… you are good looking?" She asked, wanting to confirm whether she heard the right thing or not.

"People hate what they can't have."

"…" Why does that sound so right and yet so wrong at the same time? Li Yue lowered her head as he sensed the chaotic emotions in her eyes. Why does it feel like she had just wasted her time pitying this man? She let out a sigh inwardly.

"Water." Mo Li suddenly said as he handed her a bottle of water.

"I'm good." She shook her head.

"That's not it. I mean put it inside your bag. I brought this for you. It's too heavy."

"…" Li Yue was speechless. This man … really is something else. "How many bottles of water did you bring anyways?" as she eyed his bag, suspicion rose inside her.

"A lot."

"How much… is a lot?"

"About ten or so."

Li Yue didn't know whether she should laugh or cry. Right now, her face would have been one stuck between laughing and crying. She looked at him— seriously looked at him. "What about food?"

"Canned goods... probably ten."

Li Yue facepalmed. "So the only things inside your bag are… food and water?"

"And some ramen, toothbrush and scarf." Mo Li's personal chef who was also working as his shadow guard is following them. He had told the man to bring him clothes and several other stuff. Because of this, the only stuff inside his bag was the things he brought for the rat. Of course, Li Yue had no way of knowing this.

"What about clothes?" Li Yue asked. It wasn't cold, so there was no need to bring large coats. However, walking all day meant they would be sweaty and sticky. She immediately wondered if he was planning to wear the same clothes for three days and two nights. Moreover, it might get cold later tonight especially now that they are way above sea level. Was he planning to use just the scarf to protect himself?

"I have some clothes." He lied.

"Then, good." Li Yue accepted the bottle of water and held it. She then looked at the people in front of them. Since most of the students were beginners, they would take a break every hour until they reach the campsite which is about three hours from the starting point. Of course, with the elevation and breaks, the three hour hike would be close to five hours instead.

Still, the youths were very energetic as some of them started taking pictures with their large cameras. Some were singing songs while others chatted away with their friends. All in all, the current atmosphere was lively and noisy. In the meantime, Li Yue was busy looking at the trail lined with brightly colored wildflowers and the huge trees which surrounded them.

"After an hour, we will take our first break at the beautiful Woying Falls." The voice of their facilitator echoed. The falls that she was talking about is one of the most visited places in Yin City. It was a fifty feet waterfall that cascaded into a beautiful basin that was just perfect for a swim on a hot day.

Li Yue immediately sighed. The original Li Yue was not a very good swimmer. Because of this, she hated swimming in deep waterfalls much less the ocean. Of course, this is no longer applicable now that the original soul no longer occupied this body. Even still, Li Yue needed to be on guard. She can't leave Mo Li alone.

"You're being too quiet." Mo Li's voice reached her. Li Yue immediately turned towards him. This should be the first time Li Yue is doing her best to change the life of the Villain, and for some kind of reason… she's starting to feel nervous. Her anxiety is also quite bad. "You must be thinking about money, aren't you?" he smirked. Even at his provocation, Li Yue didn't reply.

What if that accident is actually a swimming accident? Li Yue had studied first aid and even mouth to mouth resuscitation. However… she was not confident that she would be able to rescue a struggling, six-foot tall man without drowning herself first! For the first time since coming to this world, Li Yue is feeling conflicted. Is she supposed to save him even if it means… she would die in the process?