Me, A Villain! Is It So Wrong To Live off The Heroines?

Chapter 030: Little Mudfish, Long Time No See

Su Mingxuan wore a strange expression. In that moment, he had no idea what to say. Could President An really be one of his old… “comrades-in-arms”? Normally, when old comrades reunited, they’d drink and reminisce. But something about this didn’t feel quite right.

Fortunately, An Mushui hadn’t noticed the weird look on his face. She seemed completely immersed in her memories of the past.

“You’re a busy man, of course you wouldn’t remember someone who was just a… passing guest in your life,” she said softly.

Su Mingxuan shut his eyes, looking like he was waiting for judgment. A man should own up to what he’s done, right? Of course, from An Mushui’s point of view, it just looked like he was reminiscing deeply, which made her gaze even gentler.

“Five years ago, a girl full of dreams went abroad to study. She was independent, cheerful, and tried her best to attend every school event. With her good looks, she quickly became quite popular,” she continued softly.

Su Mingxuan’s expression shifted. That did sound a little familiar… Back when he was ‘fighting for the honor of the nation,’ most of his comrades were impressive women—especially in terms of appearance. Quality over quantity, right?

“Maybe because she stood out too much, a criminal gang set their sights on her. On the way to a field trip with classmates, she and a few others were kidnapped…” Her voice began to carry a hint of fear. 

Su Mingxuan frowned. That kind of thing wasn’t rare abroad, considering the environment. Still, hearing An Mushui had gone through it made him feel a little sorry for her.

As if sensing his gaze, she smiled slightly and continued. “Maybe she was too pretty. One of the buyers offered an outrageous price. Luckily, the ones who took her were all women, and she and her friends didn’t suffer anything worse.”

Su Mingxuan was stunned. Talk about lucky. Normally, someone that pretty getting snatched… it’d be a nightmare from day one.

“And then?” he asked, drawn into the story.

“Then she and her friends escaped during the transfer. The gang chased her for three days and nights. Those three days… were pure darkness for her. Only hunger and fear kept her company. No one knows how she got through it.”

She looked at him now, eyes shimmering. “Three days later, a handsome boy found her passed out on the roadside. She was filthy, her hair matted, but he didn’t mind. He picked her up, told her not to be afraid, and gave her a tulip.”

“He didn’t know… that tulip and those arms were her only light in that darkness.” As she spoke, a tear slid down her cheek. 

Her gaze, filled with emotion, made Su Mingxuan freeze.

So… not an old comrade. Oh god, what have I been thinking? He rubbed his temples, overwhelmed. “And then?”

An Mushui glared at him, cheeks puffed in frustration. “Then he took her to the hospital. Her family rushed over, assigned her bodyguards, and made sure she finished her studies safely. You… really don’t remember?”

Her voice carried a tremble. Just as she’d feared—he didn’t remember her at all. Maybe if she hadn’t looked so terrible that day… if only she’d been prettier…

Su Mingxuan looked at her closely and laughed. “How could I forget? I just didn’t expect that the little girl who looked like a muddy loach back then would grow up to be this beautiful.”

Her eyes immediately lit up, hope blooming in her chest. That familiar warmth from five years ago returned, filling her heart.

She bit her lower lip and whispered, “That girl ran for three days, hid in mud pits and sewers. Of course she looked dirty. But that damn boy never came to see her again after dropping her off. She had to find his name from the hospital records. The world is so big… how was she supposed to find him?”

As her face flushed red, Su Mingxuan knew—this was bad. Sorry, Brother Qin… this one’s my fault.

No wonder she’d acted so strange at the banquet, like she was reuniting with a long-lost lover. She kept trying to get close, and he’d thought she was just drawn to his status.

But now? Now he knew the truth.

He smiled gently and asked, “So this restaurant… you named it ‘Long Time No See’ just for that one reason—hoping to find that boy again?”

An Mushui nodded shyly, her face bright red. He understood now. That’s why she’d said those words when they met: “Su Mingxuan, long time no see.”

She had been searching. Waiting.

As realization dawned on him, An Mushui grew even more nervous. Her delicate hands fidgeted, and her face was flushed. She had poured her heart out—but never thought about what would come after.

Su Mingxuan shook his head and lifted his glass with a smile. “Little Mudfish, long time no see.”

He never would’ve guessed that a single act of kindness back then would lead to all of this. Normally, he wasn’t one to meddle. But in a foreign country, seeing a fellow Chinese girl crying out for help in Mandarin… how could he turn away?

Thanks to the Su family’s strict upbringing—he had still been a good guy back then.

When An Mushui heard him say that, her heart lit up with joy. She quickly picked up her own glass.

“Su Mingxuan, long time no see!”

Their glasses touched. The light reflected through the wine, casting warm glows on their faces.

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Maybe… this was the light she had always been chasing.