Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Joanna Kennedy suddenly relaxed. She stood right there on the roadside, and the students coming and going couldn’t help but turn back to look at her.

It was as if time had stood still in that moment. The surrounding clamor faded away. Their eyes met as the man walked toward her, step by step, just as he had through all these years.

“Are you cold?” Simon Lockwood stopped in front of her, his movements natural as he took her hand.

Joanna shook her head and said she wasn’t cold. He gave her a pointed look, and she immediately acted obedient and nodded. “A little cold…”

Aethelburg was still in the midst of winter. In December, the cold wind felt like it was blowing straight into your bones. It was fine when the sun was out, but once it set, you’d feel a chill that pierced right through you.

Joanna was already prone to feeling cold, and after standing in the wind on the rooftop for a while, her cheeks were frozen red, to say nothing of her hands.

Simon Lockwood easily cupped both of Joanna’s hands in one of his, warming them with his own body heat. Her cool hands were soon cozily warm, and Joanna squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

“Simon, how did you know I was here?”

“I guessed.”

“Well, you’re really amazing…” Joanna deliberately drew out the last word. Simon felt a flutter in his chest, as if a kitten had just scratched it. He pressed his lips together. “Don’t talk like that.”

‘He won’t even let me praise him. Simon Lockwood is so hard to please.’ Joanna pouted.

The two of them walked along the small path. Joanna leaned against Simon as if she were boneless, letting him half-carry, half-guide her forward. The afterglow of the sunset stretched their shadows long, the two figures intertwining.

Nearby, there was a service area, a place much like a food street. Students would swarm over after class, making it very lively.

Joanna hadn’t gone on a walk like this in a long time. Here, she didn’t have to worry about paparazzi popping out from some corner. Just like any ordinary couple, Joanna fearlessly snuggled into the man’s arms, pestering him to buy her tasty treats.

Because she was leaving soon, she was eager to commit to memory the feelings this city gave her.

Joanna held the rice cake Simon had bought for her and brought it to her lips. It was fresh out of the steamer and still piping hot, making her flinch from the heat.

“You didn’t even think to blow on it for me…” Joanna’s tone was reproachful. It was a completely unreasonable thing to say, but Simon’s expression didn’t even change. He obediently lowered his head, dropped his gaze, and blew on it. “There, I blew on it.”

It was rare to see such an obedient Simon. Joanna hummed in satisfaction and went back to eating her rice cake.

A student couple next to them stopped in front of a tanghulu stand. The boy must have said something, because the girl, holding a stick of tanghulu, blushed. She was also carrying a bag of roasted chestnuts and a grilled sausage.

An idea sparked in Simon’s mind. He withdrew his gaze and looked at the person still eating her rice cake. “Joanna, do you want some tanghulu?”

“?”

“Want some or not?” Simon repeated, his voice gentle.

Simon’s lifestyle and diet were very disciplined and healthy. Not only did he not eat junk food himself, but he also controlled how much Joanna ate. For him to take the initiative and ask if she wanted some today… Joanna naturally wasn’t going to pass up this golden opportunity, even if she didn’t particularly like tanghulu.

Joanna nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

“Roasted chestnuts, grilled sausage. Want them?”

“Yes!”

“Okay.” Simon nodded and actually went to stand in line to buy them for Joanna.

Joanna watched him, clicking her tongue in amazement. For a moment, she suspected Simon had been replaced by an imposter. He wasn’t even bad-mouthing the grilled sausages.

There were a lot of people in line, most of them boys—some from the nearby university, others still in high school. Their youthful energy was enviable.

Joanna leaned against a wall, waiting for Simon. The student couple from before walked past her.

The girl said in a low voice, “You don’t have to buy this next time. You waited in line for so long, and I don’t really care about this stuff. It’s all just a marketing gimmick…”

Although she said that, she couldn’t hide the shy blush and smile on her face. The boy scratched his head and smiled along with her.

“They say this is part of the winter essentials, right? I can’t let my girlfriend miss out on what everyone else’s girlfriend is getting.”

The girl’s face turned even redder.

After the two had walked away, Joanna came back to her senses. The aloof man was still standing in line amidst the crowd. Perhaps sensing her gaze, he looked over. She was caught off guard, looking straight into a pair of calm, dark eyes, and Joanna’s heart gave a heavy thump.

Her eyes stung, and her vision blurred a little. After a moment, Joanna pressed her lips together and smiled.

‘Simon is so childish,’ she thought.

*

The sky was darkening. The lights from the shops switched on, illuminating the street. Steam rose from the food stalls, blurring one’s vision.

Two equally tall men walked out from the cordoned-off old district not far away, still wearing hard hats.

“I’m telling you, couldn’t you have just stayed home? You had to come over. You’ve caught a cold, haven’t you?” The slightly taller man had granny-gray hair and a cute face, but his words were blunt.

The old district development project had officially begun. As the developer, the Grant Group needed to come and supervise from time to time, mainly to show leadership and offer some support to the workers.

He wasn’t supposed to come today, but something had happened on the construction site. Sean Grant happened to be nearby, so he rushed over, only to find that someone else had arrived even earlier.

“I’ve never seen you this dedicated to any other project. What’s so special about this old district anyway…” Sean Grant said jealously.

The man in the sharp suit turned his head and sneezed. Hearing this, he frowned, a little impatient. “Sean Grant, are you sick in the head?”

“JJ, I’m just worried about you…” Sean’s tone softened, and he blinked his puppy-dog eyes.

Jack Warren took a deep breath, forcing back the curse that was on the tip of his tongue. He said irritably, “Let’s go home.”

“Hey, okay!” Sean’s eyes instantly lit up. If he had a tail, it would definitely be wagging furiously right now.

Jack Warren shook his head helplessly, letting Sean sling an arm around his shoulders and lead him forward. The path wasn’t wide, and a young man and woman were walking toward them. Under the streetlight, the couple’s features were exceptionally striking, and Jack Warren was momentarily dazzled.

In the instant they passed each other, Jack Warren’s mind went blank. He only snapped out of it after Sean called his name several times.

“What’s wrong? Is your cold getting worse?” Sean’s voice was filled with worry. “Maybe we shouldn’t go home. Let’s go straight to the hospital…”

“…I’m fine.” Jack Warren pulled his gaze back. He cut Sean off, suppressing the untimely wave of sadness, and took the initiative to tug on Sean’s clothes. “Let’s go.”

“Okay.” Sean didn’t suspect a thing.

At the corner, Joanna Kennedy held a peeled chestnut up to the man’s lips. Simon Lockwood paused for a second, then obediently lowered his head and took it into his mouth.

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to them?” Joanna asked.

“…No need,” Simon said.

Since he’d already forgotten, they could only meet as strangers. Simon didn’t like that feeling.

‘As long as he’s doing well, that’s enough.’

Joanna caressed Simon Lockwood’s face, her tone serious. “Simon, I’ll be good to you.”