Subtle Manipulations: Villainess Taking Over The World

Su Ruoyan did not expect to meet Mu Zhao Yun so quickly. When she had entered the party with her parents next to her, she had been the center of attention. But, seeing that she was so young and didn't talk that much the attention was quickly transferred to her parents. Seeing that no one was paying any notice to her, Su Ruoyan tugged on her mother's hand and asked to go look around. Her mother agreed and told her to be careful.

Walking around Su Ruoyan stared at the crowd trying hard to see if any of them were the main characters. In the book, it was said that this was where Su Ruoyan and Mu Fan Xie first met, even though Mu Zhao Yun was at this party he had only met Su Ruoyan much later.

Walking around aimlessly Su Ruoyan spotted a discreet corner, heading towards it Su Ruoyan heard a tired sigh. Sitting on a couch with their back facing her was a dark-haired figure. Su Ruoyan had a faint idea of who the person was. Freezing in her tracks, Su Ruoyan suddenly wanted to run away. Clenching and unclenching her fists Su Ruoyan gathered up the courage to speak up, "You shouldn't sigh so early into the party, it's only gonna get worse from here."

The dark-haired figure's head turned around and his gaze met hers. A flash of emotion passed through his eyes, but it did not linger for Su Ruoyan to ponder about. Seeing his silence Su Ruoyan decided to try again, "My name is Su Ruoyan what's yours?"

The boy paused, and Su Ruoyan bit the inside of her lip, her toes curling, and her body stiff. She waited with bated breath to hear his answer.

"Mu Zhao Yun."

I was right...it is him. A look of slight surprise passed on her face, but she quickly schooled her expression.

In the book, Su Ruoyan only met him at a playdate in 2 years.

My actions have changed the plot….

She quickly brushed those thoughts away, she was not in a situation where she could think about them right now. She quickly turned her attention back towards Mu Zhao Yun, "It's nice to meet you Mu Zhao Yun, let's be friends."

Mu Zhao Yun did not answer immediately but looked at her with slightly wide eyes, As if her response was quite unexpected to him. Su Ruoyan then remembered that in the book that Mu Zhao Yun didn't have any friends growing up, and few people wanted to interact with him because of his lineage.

Mu Zhao Yun who still hadn't answer furrowed his eyebrows a bit, before looking her in the eyes his gaze filled with determination.

"Okay."

His answer made Su Ruoyan inwardly yelp with joy, the progress she was making progress!

"How old are you ?"

Mu Zhao Yun's head was facing forward and he didn't meet her gaze this time, "Six."

A bright smile played on Su Ruoyan's face, "Since you're older than me, I'll call you Yun Ge from now on."

That was how she ended up sitting next to Mu Zhao Yun, with only a small gap between their shoulders, Su Ruoyan could feel her heart pounding against her c.h.e.s.t. A rapid beat that thrummed in her ear and caused her skin to tingle with energy.

She was in a great mood right now, she had secured a connection with Mu Zhao Yun, which meant she secured an ally. Thinking about it Su Ruoyan couldn't help but start humming a tune in happiness, her short legs swinging back and forth.

This was it, the game was finally starting!

Mu Zhao Yun's presence was amazing for someone so young, at that time when he had looked into her eyes she felt a cold calculating chill appraise her. Mu Zhao Yun truly befitted the title of the main antagonist.

Though nothing else was said, a comfortable silence fell upon them. But, just as Su Ruoyan was relishing in her victory a boy looking to be around 8 years old walked up to them.

"Mu Zhao Yun, father said for you to come."

The boy completely ignored Su Ruoyan who was sitting next to Mu Zhao Yun, his eyes not sparing her a glance. His presence was arrogant and overbearing, it was obvious in his gaze that he felt it beneath him to even talk to Mu Zhao Yun. The contempt and hatred in his eyes were as clear as day.

Staring at the boy Su Ruoyan's smile forze and she realized who he was, the boy was Mu Fan Xie.

Staring at his overbearing figure, Su Rouyan felt herself stiffen in fear.

This is the boy who will kill me one day.

He will kill my entire family.

He will kill my lover.

He will kill everyone I will ever come to love.

Su Ruoyan took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I can do this.

Though she tried her best to hold it in, Su Ruoyan felt her hand tremble, in return Su Ruoyan bunched up her dress in a death-like grasp. Slowly turning her head ever so slightly, she saw Mu Zhao Yun staring at her. Seeing Mu Zhao Yun stare at her, Mu Fan Xie finally turned his gaze towards Su Ruoyan.

Realizing both of their gazes were on her Su Ruoyan let out a small smile trying her best to seem as natural as possible. She looked at Mu Zhao Yun, ignoring Mi Fan Xie's piercing gaze on her.

"It was nice to meet you Yun Ge! Let's see each other again!" Su Ruoyan shot him a big smile. In the past months, Su Ruoyan had been steadily eating more and more, causing her to look her age. Her cute cherubic face exuded a childish innocence.

Looking at her bright smile Mu Zhao Yun felt himself go red, "Okay..bye." After saying those words Mu Zhao Yun hopped off the couch and walked away. Mu Fan Xie seeing his brother's disappearing figure quickly left to follow.

Staring at their departing figures Su Ruoyan let her bright smile drop. The mask that she had been tightly holding onto quickly fell and Su Ruoyan started trembling. She propped her elbows on her t.h.i.g.hs and started to breathe heavily, the sound of her racing heartbeat pounding in her ears. Su Ruoyan was suddenly glad that Mu Zhao Yun had chosen such an obscure place to sit.

"I did it…"Su Ruoyan whispered to herself between pants, "I made it…"

I made it past round one...I have laid the barest of foundations. But, at least I succeeded.