Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind

Evening.

Half an hour before the charity auction gala began.

Qiao Chuchu stepped out of the car, dressed in an elegant gown.

A few familiar faces gasped softly, "Oh my, it's Qiao Chuchu!"

"It's been years since I last saw her. Why does she seem so much more commanding now?"

"She really is the Qiao Chuchu who went viral online! She's even more stunning in person than in the videos!"

"Did she come alone? Shouldn't her seven brothers be with her?!"

The Pei Brothers and Lin Shen sat in the car behind, their expressions tinged with resentment.

They weren't absent.

It was just that Qiao Chuchu didn't bring them along.

Back at home, Qiao Chuchu had been straightforward with them: "I’ll need to borrow your bodyguards for the charity auction tonight."

She smiled confidently, "I’m going alone. You don’t need to come, because I have my own matters to attend to."

She didn’t elaborate on what those matters were.

Her thoughts didn’t reveal anything either.

The only clue she dropped was: 「I need to deal with Xia Xuechun.」

So, no matter how reluctant they were, they had no choice but to let Qiao Chuchu go alone.

They would just secretly follow her.

Of course, there was one advantage: Qiao Chuchu didn’t know they would be there in person, so they could bid on that painting!

This was strictly confidential—even Lin Qing didn’t know.

They had to keep it from the Weisheng family too.

So, it was just the eight of them competing.

Lin Shen got out of the car and scanned the surroundings. "By the way, where are Pei Mu and Pei Ci? They’ve been missing since earlier."

Pei Youchuan glanced around and his expression changed. "Did they disguise themselves as bodyguards to protect Qiao Chuchu?!"

Pei Buxian looked around but couldn’t find them. He was on the verge of losing his temper again. "Damn it! They’re pulling that role-playing stunt again!"

Pei Che, however, remained calm. "Relax. Let them livestream the situation. They can be tools—no chance for them to be alone with her."

Pei Buxian’s eyes lit up. "Second Brother, you’re a genius!"

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Pei Mu and Pei Ci: 「Are you two pretending to be bodyguards near Qiao Chuchu?! If you are, livestream it, or I’ll tell her!」

Pei Mu: 「...」

Pei Ci: 「...」

The two exchanged glances and looked at Qiao Chuchu, who had her back to them.

Yes, they were indeed disguised as bodyguards, staying close to Qiao Chuchu.

They were dressed in tailored bodyguard suits, wearing sunglasses and Bluetooth earpieces, their hair styled with gel to match the standard bodyguard look.

Though the sunglasses didn’t hide much, the good thing was that Qiao Chuchu never paid close attention to her bodyguards.

So, she had no idea they were right beside her.

What’s professionalism?

This! This is professionalism!

Pei Ci leaned closer to Pei Mu. "Brothers like us are one of a kind."

Pei Mu raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean our uniqueness is one of a kind, or our level of obsession is one of a kind?"

Pei Ci: 「?」

The hotel’s heating was intense, making it feel like summer. Qiao Chuchu casually took off her fur coat and handed it to them.

Both reached out to take it, and their eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of Qiao Chuchu’s bare back!

?

This dress not only showed off her legs but also her back?!

Did she spend tens of thousands on a dress like this?!

Where’s the fabric?! Where’s the coverage?! And where’s the designer’s contact information?!

Qiao Chuchu lightly brushed her hair aside, revealing her pale, delicate back to the crowd!

Her shoulder blades were faintly visible!

Without a second thought, Pei Mu and Pei Ci immediately draped the fur coat back over her shoulders!

They nearly covered her head with it!

Qiao Chuchu: 「?」

Pei Mu: 「?」

Pei Ci: 「?」

They exchanged glances, realizing something was off.

Would normal bodyguards immediately try to cover her up after seeing her bare back?

Qiao Chuchu also found it strange and turned to look at them.

Pei Mu and Pei Ci quickly pulled the coat back and lowered their heads!

Qiao Chuchu frowned as she scrutinized them. "Why did you two try to cover me up?"

【The bodyguards I’ve had before always did exactly as I told them without needing a second word.】

Pei Mu lowered his voice and explained gruffly, "Apologies, Miss. We’re new. We made a mistake. Please feel free to command us as you wish!"

Qiao Chuchu narrowed her eyes. "Tonight is very important to me. I specifically chose you two because of your professionalism. If this happens again, I’ll replace you with other bodyguards. Understand?"

There was a waiting area for bodyguards.

She had brought seven.

But only two could accompany her into the venue and move around freely.

【I picked these two because they had the best posture and seemed fit, like they worked out regularly. Why do they suddenly seem so unprofessional?】

【Maybe I should switch them out now? The ones who accompanied me to find Qi Xiaojia earlier seemed much better—quiet but efficient.】

Pei Mu and Pei Ci’s hearts tightened. They both bowed and said in unison, "We’re sorry, Miss Qiao. Please give us another chance!"

Qiao Chuchu gave them a critical look. "Just one more chance."

A flicker of relief, unnoticed even by themselves, passed through Pei Mu and Pei Ci’s eyes as they replied firmly, "Yes, just one more chance. We won’t disobey you again."

Qiao Chuchu: 「...No need to be so dramatic. I’m not an emperor. Just do as you’re told.」

Pei Mu and Pei Ci nodded vigorously, their heads bobbing like chickens pecking at rice!

Pei Buxian, hiding nearby, snickered. "Ha! Those two idiots got scolded!"

Qiao Chuchu suddenly glanced in his direction!

Pei Buxian quickly turned his back!

Qiao Chuchu: 「...Was I imagining things? I thought I saw one of my brothers.」

Just then, a commotion broke out in the venue. "Ha, are old men these days not even trying to hide their mistresses anymore? Bringing a mistress to an event like this?"

Qiao Chuchu perked up and followed the guests’ mocking gazes toward the entrance.

【Xia Xuechun is here!!】

Those who could hear Qiao Chuchu’s thoughts all turned to look at the door.

Xia Xuechun walked in arm-in-arm with Long Yuntian, calmly accepting the scrutinizing looks from the crowd.

Today was her day of triumph!

Because tonight, she would be introduced as a painter at the charity auction gala, officially stepping into high society with the backing of the Long family!

Most importantly, she was personally recommended by Long Yuntian’s elder brother—the most capable member of the Long family.

As Long Yuntian’s companion, she made a dazzling entrance at the gala!

Xia Xuechun held her head high, like a proud peacock, and whispered to Long Yuntian, "Has the video from Qi Xiaojia’s side come out yet?"

Qi Xiaojia had been with those men for hours now.

But there was still no news.

Long Yuntian smiled and shook his head. "It’s fine. Maybe they’re not done yet."

Xia Xuechun looked surprised. "They’ve been at it for hours? Can Qi Xiaojia handle that?"

Long Yuntian affectionately pinched her cheek. "Are you worried about her?"

Xia Xuechun pursed her lips and said with concern, "I personally picked those men. They’re all good-looking. I just hope Qi Xiaojia has a good experience. After all, I only wanted to silence her, not torment her. So, let’s have them stop and get the video to me as soon as possible."

With that, she cheerfully approached Madam Wang. "Grandma Wang!~"

Madam Wang smiled at her. "Today’s a big day for you. Are you nervous?"

Xia Xuechun blushed and nodded. "A little, but not too much. I’m just worried my painting won’t sell for 1.5 million."

"Everything’s been arranged. You’ll definitely succeed today," Madam Wang reassured her, patting her shoulder. "After tonight, you’ll be the new rising star in the art world. Many will flock to you. Everything is under control—both mine and Long Yuntian’s."

Xia Xuechun affectionately linked arms with Madam Wang. "Grandma, you’re so good to me. You’re even better than my own grandmother!"

Madam Wang patted her arm soothingly.

Qiao Chuchu stood in a corner, holding a champagne glass handed to her by a server, her eyes dark as she watched them.

She remembered the last scene from when she was trapped in the mental institution.

Old ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Lady Wang Ru Tang had sent her there.

Long Yuntian and Long Yunxiao, those two brothers, had tried to assault her.

Hmph.

Her facial muscles twitched slightly. "Did you get Long Yuntian’s medical report?"

Pei Ci quickly stepped forward. "Yes, I glanced through it earlier. He has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary heart disease. Although it’s under control, he’s definitely not in a condition to handle stress."

Qiao Chuchu nodded. "Good job."

Pei Ci's eyes lit up, and he nodded, "Thank you for the compliment, Miss."

Qiao Chuchu downed her champagne in one go. "Let's go, the auction is about to start."

Long Yuntian took Xia Xuechun's hand. "Let's go, the auction is about to begin. Your piece will be the only painting showcased tonight. Get ready to become famous overnight."