It could also be called: After I Died, the Tsundere Turned Into a Psycho
A wooden-headed tsundere who refuses to believe this is love x a hilarious girl who just stands there and watches him put on an act x a cold, ruthless, ridiculously strong second female lead who might be a sister-con
Shen Qingli is a hired villainess. The first thing she does every morning is find a way to make life difficult for the heroine, Wen Xi.
Shen Qingli has a secret no one knows: she is Wen Xi's devoted fan, a lovestruck little fangirl who dreams of cuddling up to her big sister.
One day, Wen Xi unexpectedly awakens the ability to read minds. She can hear Shen Qingli's thoughts.
On Wen Xi's way home from school, Shen Qingli blocks her path. Out loud, she threatens her for stealing her man, while inwardly she cries about a pig trampling her precious cabbage:
"You look so pure and proper, yet all you do is seduce people. Stay away from the person I like!"
"That scumbag could be off having fun anywhere right now! My sister is beautiful and kind, more handsome than Pan An, and everyone loves her. That trash isn't worthy of her!"
When Wen Xi can't afford her tuition and is publicly mocked, Shen Qingli leads the jeering out loud, then secretly pays the bill:
"This school isn't a charity. It's not a place any beggar can wander into. Go home and farm. That's where you belong!"
"I'll secretly pay her tuition in a bit. My sister has to study hard and trample everyone who laughed at her underfoot, including me!"
When Wen Xi is framed for stealing Shen Qingli's belongings and the security footage is mysteriously damaged, Shen Qingli acts disgusted with her, then secretly gets someone to repair the cameras:
"I never thought an honors student with such good character would steal. I'll report you to the principal and get you expelled. Are you going to beg me?"
"How dare they slander my hardworking, diligent sister! Unforgivable!"
And so Shen Qingli keeps doing her best to bring about her own downfall and make life difficult for Wen Xi, right up until the end of the book, when her actions backfire and she burns to death in an abandoned factory.
In the smoke-filled factory, as she waits to die, Shen Qingli sees Wen Xi smash through the entrance and charge into the flames without regard for her own safety. Wen Xi pulls her into her arms with one hand, shields her fiercely, and does everything she can to get her out alive.
There are only seven words in Shen Qingli's mind: "That's my goddess for you. So cool!"
Wen Xi has a full brother, Mu Chen'an. Their parents are divorced, and the siblings rarely get to spend time together.
Mu Chen'an is cold and ruthless. His motto is to care about profit, not feelings.
He has been engaged since childhood, and when he hears that Wen Xi is head over heels for a man, he decides to enroll at her school for the sake of the family.
And while he's at it, he'll take a look at his never-before-seen fiancée...
"Dressed inappropriately, minus one point!"
"Crude manners, minus one point!"
"Fickle, unfaithful, and flirtatious, minus one point!"
"Not very bright, minus one point!"
Mu Chen'an looks over all the offenses he's written down and smiles with satisfaction.
Once the deductions reach a hundred points, he'll have more than enough reason to announce that the engagement is off.
Who could have guessed that before the engagement was canceled, he'd lose his heart instead...
Bonus scene:
Early on:
Mu Chen'an: "So obsessed with a man you can't pull yourself away? Wen Xi, I could never be like you in a million years!"
Shen Qingli: "Who are you? You follow me around every day, poking your nose into everything. Aren't you tired of it?"
"You're my fiancée. Of course I have to keep an eye on you!"
Later:
Shen Qingli turns down a confession: "My admirers are lined up all the way to France. I've got plenty of backup boyfriends, so take a number if you want to be with me!"
Mu Chen'an calls Wen Xi in the middle of the night: "Where do I get a number for the backup-boyfriend line? Can I pay to cut in?"
"I'm not a hopeless romantic. I'm just hopelessly in love with Shen Qingli!"
"Everyone in the story is presumed to be an adult."
Theme: Better to rely on your best friend than on heaven or earth.
Very well written, keep it up
It's a light read, I like it