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

Qiao Chuchu woke up in a large bed.

The blanket covering her was light and silky, and the air carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.

It was the familiar scent of her room’s aromatherapy.

But this wasn’t her room.

She sat up, looking around in confusion.

The room was decorated in creamy white tones, spacious and luxurious, with a walk-in closet and study visible at a glance.

This wasn’t her room.

Yet it was filled with her belongings?

She walked straight to the closet.

The closet was expansive and meticulously organized—her bags neatly categorized and displayed in glass cabinets with motion-sensor lighting.

As she approached, the lights automatically illuminated, as if paving a path of opulence just for her.

Something felt off. She opened the wardrobe, and the more she looked, the more uneasy she became.

This wasn’t her room, yet it was packed with her clothes—even her favorite childhood pajamas were here!

Qiao Chuchu rushed to the door, trying to open it.

It was locked.

A chime sounded from outside, as if signaling something.

She scanned the room, searching for something to pick the lock.

Then, with a sharp click, the lock turned.

Someone had opened the door.

She grabbed a decorative vase from the coffee table, hiding it behind her back, and glared warily at the door.

Weisheng Yucan stepped inside.

Dressed in an elegant black silk three-piece set, her dark hair lazily pinned up, she smiled at Qiao Chuchu. "You’re finally awake."

Qiao Chuchu frowned. "Finally?"

[Have I been asleep for long?]

"You’ve been asleep for three days," Weisheng Yucan replied matter-of-factly.

Qiao Chuchu froze, then laughed coldly. "You’re not even bothering to hide it anymore, are you?"

"Things are already out in the open. There’s nothing left to hide." Weisheng Yucan circled behind her and took the vase she’d hidden. "We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. We want to talk properly."

Qiao Chuchu shoved her away. "No!"

She hurried out of the room.

Weisheng Yucan watched her retreating figure calmly. "You can’t run, Chuchu. Sit down. They’ll be here soon."

Qiao Chuchu shot her a strange look, only then noticing the long nightgown she was wearing.

She lifted the hem, glancing around.

This was a house she’d never been to—she had no idea where to go.

Her heart pounded wildly. "Xiao Xie! Xiao Xie!!"

Pei Buxian’s voice sounded behind her. "Xiao Xie isn’t here."

She turned in surprise.

Pei Buxian looked at her sorrowfully. "Xiao Xie is at your old home. Only we are here."

[We?]

Qiao Chuchu didn’t understand.

[Who’s ‘we’?]

Pei Buxian stepped closer. "You, the seven of us brothers, Lin Qing and Lin Shen, the five Weishengs, Lou Tingsi and his son, Ying Chen, Shen Zhuoyan, and Shi Yu."

Qiao Chuchu’s eyes widened in shock.

[Everyone’s here?!]

Then it hit her: [Wait—did he just respond to my thoughts?]

"Yes, Chuchu." Pei Buxian reached out, brushing her cheek. "I am speaking to your thoughts."

A wave of horror surged through Qiao Chuchu, goosebumps erupting across her skin like a tidal wave.

Pei Buxian’s hand lingered gently on her face.

His bloodshot eyes reflected her image. "I haven’t heard your voice in three days. You’re finally awake."

Disgusted, Qiao Chuchu slapped his hand away and bolted.

[Where is this?!]

[What ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍is this place?!]

She sprinted to the staircase, turning the corner—only to collide with Weisheng Wenzhan ascending the steps.

Dressed in comfortable black sleepwear, he looked up at her, his frameless glasses unable to hide the heat in his gaze. "You’re awake, Miss Qiao."

Qiao Chuchu averted her eyes, spotting Weisheng Lin behind him.

Weisheng Lin grinned up at her. "Seeing you alive and well feels amazing."

Her face paled. With no escape, she dashed up to the third floor.

[It’s fine! It’s fine!]

[Big houses like this have multiple staircases—there’s got to be a way out!]

She reached the third floor and rushed toward another staircase.

Weisheng Lin’s voice echoed from below: "Chuchu, stop running! None of these stairs will lead you out!"

Qiao Chuchu’s pupils constricted.

[They can hear my thoughts from this far away?!]

Her foot caught on her nightgown, sending her stumbling forward—

Strong hands caught her just in time.

Terrified, she looked up into Shen Zhuoyan’s pained, conflicted eyes. "Are you okay?"

Instinctively, she wanted to cling to him—but remembering he could hear her thoughts, she jerked her hand back. "Shen Zhuoyan, I trusted you so much. How is this not a betrayal?"

Shen Zhuoyan lowered his head guiltily, like a man resigned to punishment. "Hit me if you want. I didn’t want to tell you."

Qiao Chuchu was stunned. "Why?"

After a hesitation, he met her gaze. "Because I could hear you praise me, hear your real thoughts. If I told you the truth, you’d hold back, and I’d never hear those words again."

He pulled her into an embrace, his broad shoulders an immovable mountain.

His voice was heavy with remorse. "I’m sorry."

Qiao Chuchu’s breath hitched. Shoving him away in disgust, she lifted her nightgown and ran for the central staircase.

Pei Yuan was coming up the steps, his face lighting up at the sight of her. "Chuchu?"

Ignoring him, she charged downstairs—only to find Pei Mu and Pei Ci ascending toward her.

Like a pair of meticulously crafted duplicates, they grinned in eerie unison. "Chuchu!"

Qiao Chuchu whirled around and ran back.

Pei Yuan caught her arm, blocking her path. "Where are you going?"

Pei Mu and Pei Ci closed in from both sides, pressing against her. "Chuchu, you’ve been asleep for days. Now that you’re awake, let’s talk. Don’t avoid us."

She recoiled from their touch. "Don’t touch me!!"

Pei Yuan tightened his grip, pulling her close. "Chuchu, I know you’re angry, but don’t you want an explanation? Won’t you listen to your big brother?"

She wrenched free. "Like hell I will!!"

Losing her balance, she stumbled backward—

Hands steadied her shoulders. "Careful!"

Qiao Chuchu turned, horrified, to see Pei Youchuan watching her with concern. "You just woke up from a coma. You can’t afford another fall. Let me take you back to your room."

Gasping, she pushed Pei Youchuan away and scrambled upstairs again.

Pei Yuan sighed, following at a measured pace. "Chuchu, stop running. You’ll exhaust yourself."

Qiao Chuchu glanced back.

Pei Yuan, Pei Mu, Pei Ci, and Pei Youchuan were advancing toward her.

Behind them came Shen Zhuoyan, Weisheng Wenzhan, and Weisheng Lin.

Their long legs carried them forward with unsettling calm, their expressions a mix of worry and certainty—as if they knew she couldn’t escape.

Her nerves frayed. "Are you keeping me prisoner?"

They paused, their gazes darkening with unreadable emotions.

"This isn't imprisonment, Chuchu," Pei Youchuan stepped forward, speaking to her with sincerity. "We're just protecting you."

Pei Yuan nodded, his expression pained as he added, "We know you're supposed to go through the kidnapping plotline, so this is for your own good."

Qiao Chuchu was stunned. "You were afraid someone else would kidnap me... so you kidnapped me first?!"

Pei Mu and Pei Ci looked baffled. "How can you call this kidnapping?!"

They took a step closer, offering her an ingratiating smile. "You were so angry before—we were just afraid you'd leave us."

Pei Mu coaxed her gently, "For now, just stay here. This is a new house we bought for you. We only own a small share, so all our names are on the same property deed!"

Pei Yuan smiled warmly at this, his voice tender as he asked, "Our names are right next to each other! Do you want to see?"