Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

The sound of footsteps crunching on dry plane tree leaves came from behind her.

A dozen seconds later, a large, well-defined hand picked up the shopping bags from the ground.

Joanna Kennedy didn’t even turn her head. She shook her palm, which was aching from the strain, and muttered under her breath, "Does he think he’s some kind of paparazzi..."

He’d been following her this whole time without saying a single word. Just silently trailing her. He even saw her carrying all this stuff and didn’t show himself. The more Joanna Kennedy thought about it, the angrier she got. She lifted her small face. "Simon Lockwood, you’re not a man at all!"

Simon Lockwood opened his mouth but didn’t know how to explain. Meeting the girl’s clear, bright eyes, he lowered his head. "You’re trending online..."

"A lot of people are saying things about you..."

His handsome face showed little emotion, but Joanna Kennedy somehow saw guilt and heartache in it.

It was more than just "saying things about her"; they were outright flaming her. Joanna Kennedy clutched her red, imprinted palm and met the man’s inky black eyes, saying awkwardly, "Those are just anti-fans..."

’My Joanna’s Fans would never say that. In fact, they’re supporting and encouraging me.’ Joanna Kennedy felt a little proud. The pride came from nowhere, but she straightened her back, looking very haughty. "Is that why you were following me?"

"Were you afraid I’d get mobbed by fans?" Joanna Kennedy asked.

Simon Lockwood didn’t answer, but his tightly pressed lips and furrowed brow told Joanna Kennedy that she was right.

He was afraid she’d be recognized by aggressive netizens. Afraid she’d get hurt, so he followed her. But he was also afraid of being photographed by the paparazzi again, so he only dared to trail behind her in silence.

’He must have too much time on his hands.’

Joanna Kennedy pouted, but her eyes couldn’t hide a touch of smug pride. Her words, however, were unforgiving. "So you just stood by and watched me carry such a huge bag of stuff all by myself?"

"My hand is all red!" Joanna Kennedy held out her hand, palm up.

A clear red mark was visible on her fair, delicate palm, made even more obvious because she had been rubbing it. It looked shockingly painful.

Simon Lockwood’s breath hitched. He instinctively reached out and took her hand. "Does it hurt?"

Simon Lockwood felt a pang of regret. He should have come out from the start. In his past life and this one, aside from studying, Joanna Kennedy had never done such strenuous work under his watch.

The man’s eyes were filled with unconcealable heartache. His warm breath blew against her sensitive palm. Joanna Kennedy froze for a moment, and when she snapped out of it, her face immediately flushed. But she didn’t pull her hand back, letting the man blow on it again and again as if coaxing a small child.

Joanna Kennedy couldn’t remember the last person who had been this patient with her. Maybe it was the matron at the orphanage, or perhaps that "chosen one" she met in high school.

They had all briefly left a flicker of light in her otherwise dull and drab life.

’It’s no wonder I’m starting to like Simon Lockwood,’ she thought. ’Everyone craves warmth and undisguised affection.’

No one is an exception to the rule.

’Is it worth it?’ Mindy Morgan’s words flashed through her mind. Watching the tall, handsome man before her act with such care, Joanna Kennedy thought, ’Of course it’s worth it.’

She longed for someone to love her so recklessly, to cherish her, to accept everything about her.

Thorne Entertainment’s PR department was no joke. By noon, they had already drafted a press release.

Perhaps because of Mindy Morgan’s prior instructions, the press release didn’t strongly deny that Joanna Kennedy was in a relationship. It only stated that she was currently single and that the future would be left to time, as the company does not interfere in its artists’ private lives.

And finally, the company stated its position: it would take legal action against those spreading rumors.

The entire PR process was swift and professional. Joanna’s Fans were just as decisive, forwarding the press release to every entertainment app. Within a short half-hour, public opinion had been turned around.

The comments under Joanna Kennedy’s Weibo post were all uniformly positive, filled with supportive and comforting messages from Joanna’s Fans.

They said it was okay even if she was dating. At 25, it was about time she fell in love; she couldn’t stay single since birth forever.

Joanna Kennedy, upon seeing this comment: "........."

’What do they mean, "at 25, it’s about time"? Is 25 that old?!’

Glancing at the man in the kitchen wiping down the air fryer, Joanna Kennedy’s expression grew complicated. If she remembered correctly, Nina Kim had said Simon Lockwood hadn’t even finished college yet.

’That would make him just in his early twenties. A young, green, col-lege stu-dent...’

’Fuck!’

Joanna Kennedy couldn’t help but curse. ’So this whole time, I’m the one robbing the cradle???’

’No, wait. It’s clearly this "young grass," Simon Lockwood, who wants to eat *her*!’

’The world’s turned upside down!’

After disinfecting the air fryer, Simon Lockwood folded the cardboard box and set it aside. He washed his hands, and as he came out of the kitchen, he was met with the girl’s resentful glare. He paused, confused. "What’s wrong?"

Seeing the phone by her side, his heart tightened, and his expression darkened. "Did we get photographed again?"

"I’ll have someone take down the trending topic." As Simon Lockwood said this, he was about to contact someone, but he froze when he heard the girl’s next words.

Joanna Kennedy’s tone was gloomy. "You’re that unwilling to be photographed?"

"You think it’s embarrassing to be trending with me?"

Joanna Kennedy lifted her face. As she spoke, her eyes were full of resentment, making her look pitifully wronged. Simon Lockwood was stunned, at a complete loss. "No..."

How could he possibly find it embarrassing? Joanna Kennedy accepting him, Joanna Kennedy going public with him—these were things he didn’t even dare to dream of.

Simon Lockwood was just worried that Joanna Kennedy would be negatively affected because of him.

"Simon Lockwood, how old are you?" Joanna Kennedy asked suddenly.

It was a question out of the blue. Before Simon Lockwood could decide which world’s age he should give, Joanna Kennedy had already spoken in a low voice, "I’m 25..."

The living room was bright as sunlight streamed in, illuminating Joanna Kennedy. Her long, black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders. Her almond-shaped eyes were glistening, the corners tinged with a faint pink. Her skin was fair, her lips rosy.

She wore no makeup, and her loose long-sleeved shirt and pants made her look even younger, like a pure and youthful student who had yet to leave the ivory tower.

After watching her for a long moment, Simon Lockwood finally spoke. "Mm... I know..."

He would never forget that they had spent Joanna Kennedy’s 25th birthday together.

Simon Lockwood sometimes felt that time passed too quickly. One second, Joanna Kennedy was still acting cute on the back of his bicycle; the next, she had suddenly become a big star who could stand on her own two feet.

Time truly was a magical thing, forcing everyone to grow up.

"I know..." Simon Lockwood repeated, his gaze so gentle that Joanna Kennedy felt embarrassed to pick a fight.

"How would you know..." Joanna Kennedy answered her own question. "Oh, right. My information is available online."

Simon Lockwood didn’t reply, tacitly confirming her guess.

After a flurry of activity, it was nearly one o’clock. Even though Joanna Kennedy had eaten a late breakfast, she was hungry now. She debated whether to have instant noodles or order takeout.

Takeout couldn’t be delivered to her door; it would have to be left in the special lockers downstairs. The online buzz hadn’t died down yet, so she couldn’t go out to eat either. Instant noodles seemed like the easiest option.

’Sigh, instant noodles again,’ Joanna Kennedy thought, pouting involuntarily. A warm, dry finger touched her lips. Before Joanna Kennedy could react, she heard Simon Lockwood say, "I’ll cook."

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