A Day in the Life of a Successful Villain

"Don't do this to me, alright?"

FyrenZhang was going crazy: "I didn't do anything, and I never planned to do anything bad. So why is the protagonist coming? What's a protagonist even for? You need to use your brain when writing a story, right? If the villain hasn't done anything wrong, what's the protagonist coming after me for?"

System: "Oh, I'm sorry, but aren't you planning to do something to ElizaLeng?"

"I've got over 600 million dollars' worth of defective products at my pharmaceutical factory waiting to be destroyed overnight. What would I do to her? When would I even have the time?"

System: "Oh oh, over there it's... let me see... it's XenaXu... which means you're planning to target both heroines simultaneously. Hmmmm, got it! You're trying to increase the difficulty for protagonist OttoLong's rescue mission. Copy that! By the way, that's quite the ambitious plan!"

"Copy my ass! I wasn't planning to target anyone! I was just going to destroy the herbs! Herbs! The defective herbs!"

System: "So? That doesn't make for a very compelling plot. We'd prefer if you showed more initiative and treated the female protagonist with worse intentions, so the male protagonist's storyline can properly kick into gear."

"Listen to me!" FyrenZhang desperately tried to maintain his sanity and reason with the system. "Whether OttoLong wants to start something or not, I'm absolutely not making a move! I'm not interested in the female protagonist - either of them! I'll wrap things up with both of them tomorrow, no delays!"

"Wrap things up? You said 'wrap things up' just now, I noticed! That means you're planning to make another attempt on both female protagonists tomorrow, and it's definitely going to be the heartless, evil, merciless, genocidal kind, right?"

FyrenZhang cried:

"Big sister, let me go! I've died six times already, and each death was miserable. Can you let me live for a while? I won't touch either of them. Can you tell them to stop hanging around me all the time? I'm not the main character! Shouldn't their free time be spent with the male lead OttoLong... just... all kinds of flirting... all kinds of... romantic tension or something? The plot collapsed into this mess on the very first day - you bear direct responsibility for this, don't you!"

"The host is mistaken. In fact, all the people, things, and objects here are real. We only exist as an observational and supervisory presence. The only things we can influence are your plot progression, ability enhancements, and limited external communication. What the hero and heroine do, where they go, and who they interact with are all beyond our control, nor are we interested in controlling them."

FyrenZhang suddenly calmed down for a split second and began analyzing.

"Real? All real? That means... I must have done something... to make them deliberately get involved with me... But no, I didn't do anything!"

"With ElizaLeng, I wanted to withdraw from the marriage engagement - it's her who refused to end it, and it's also her who came to me at night."

"As for XenaXu... regarding XenaXu, OttoLong wanted to play dirty but I stopped him. Could she know about this? No, she shouldn't know. At the pharmaceutical factory... she seems very confident that I'll destroy the substandard drugs..."

The system interrupted: "By the way, I should remind you that surviving the first day will allow you to successfully receive the First Day Gift Package!"

"The First Day Gift Package is full of wonderful benefits! This package will be your companion on the road to death, enabling you to fully engage in confrontational plots with the male protagonist to your heart's content, enjoying the ultimate pleasure experience before being brutally defeated, so you can die without regrets and laugh in the ninth fountain!"

FyrenZhang shook his head: "You're truly shameless."

...

After settling ElizaLeng first and letting her sleep in a clean guest bedroom, he personally called Zaring to rush to the pharmaceutical factory at full speed.

Death is death.

If Hades wants me dead on the third night, the system definitely won't keep me alive until the fifth.

But if we follow the system's hints, then this is a... real world?

The system is a highly intelligent entity existing above this world? They won't interfere or forcibly change this world's logic and operations - is that what it means?

Anyway, we'll discuss it after today. The advertisement for the First Day Package sounds great - it gets my blood pumping to hear it, even though it basically expects me to die. But only by getting it can I qualify to keep living.

OttoLong, I'm coming for you!

You want to kill me?

I don't believe it. If I simply don't do anything wrong at all, and when I see you I immediately kneel down, how could you possibly have the nerve to kill me?

...

The process went smoothly.

Under supervision from all parties, batches of adult medicines were poured into the pulverizer and turned into waste residue, which was then recycled by a third party as scrap material.

FyrenZhang supervised the entire process.

XenaXu also stayed throughout, overseeing everything during the late hours.

XenaXu was extremely thorough, not overlooking a single detail - and of course, neither did the other responsible parties.

Everyone was tense, fully aware of what this meant.

FyrenZhang watched as the final batch of herbs turned to scrap, a calm smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

[Phew, it kind of feels like I've done a good deed, right?]

FyrenZhang thought with a bitter smile:

[No matter what, destroying this batch of medicine won't harm anyone. If I'm going to die in this world tomorrow, at least I've done something meaningful today.]

[It was worth it!]

XenaXu stood not far away, observing FyrenZhang's profile. Hearing his thoughts, she was deeply shocked.

Is this guy going to die?

Is that why he suddenly changed his nature and became a good person?

Impossible. He's FyrenZhang - his family has a professional medical team monitoring their health. If someone had serious health issues, that team wouldn't remain so quiet!

What the hell is really going on?

Still... when this guy gets sad, he kinda looks like a melancholy prince.

"Xena."

"Huh?" XenaXu quickly turned her attention back.

The engineer nodded gratefully. "It's all done."

"Understood."

The head of the Drug Administration went to shake FyrenZhang's hand.

"Fyren, I know this decision required tremendous courage and moral conviction. No one knows what storm the pharmaceutical company will face tomorrow. But as a medical professional, I want to express my highest respect and gratitude for your decision on behalf of all my colleagues."

FyrenZhang smiled. "It's not as serious as you think. Worst case, the pharmaceutical company shuts down, and I get branded as scum by the media."

The official laughed and patted FyrenZhang's shoulder. "Then we'll conclude our work here. Contact us if you need anything."

"Thank you. Everyone has worked hard."

Dawn was approaching.

A faint glow had begun to rise in the distant sky.

FyrenZhang was exhausted.

On his first day in this world, he'd avoided two direct confrontations with protagonist OttoLong; met both female protagonists separately while maintaining distance; and tried his best to sever their connections to him.

Neither effort was entirely successful, but surviving with all limbs intact was good enough.

The overnight workers headed to their cars to go home and rest.

As FyrenZhang wearily approached his vehicle, Zach walked up to him. "Fyren."

"Oh Zach, I'm dead tired. Can we talk tomorrow?"

Zach gave a pained smile. "Just one thing."

FyrenZhang was utterly depressed - he truly had no energy left to deal with these people.

"Alright, alright, just say it quickly. I'm exhausted."

"Thank you." Zach gave him a deep bow before straightening up, his eyes moist and his smile relieved. "I'll resign tomorrow. You don't need to worry."

As Zach turned to leave, FyrenZhang called out: "Wait. Why are you resigning?"

"I..."

FyrenZhang understood - because he had "caused" the loss of several hundred million dollars this time, Zach wanted to resign.

FyrenZhang laughed: "Zach, you're the backbone of our pharmaceutical company. If not for you handling this batch of drugs today, I dare not imagine the consequences. You can't resign. If you leave, who will tip me off if something like this happens again? Who will help correct my mistakes? Even if you hate me and think I'm scum, you must have some affection for the factory, right? Those patients who need truly good, effective medicine - they need you to stay and keep watch."

Zach couldn't believe such humane words came from FyrenZhang's mouth.

He was shocked beyond measure, and moved beyond words.

"Fyren, I say this from the bottom of my heart - I misunderstood you before. I apologize. Today's events have truly opened my eyes. From now on—"

"Alright, alright, enough..." FyrenZhang said. "Zach, I genuinely don't have the strength to accept your apology or thanks. Rest up and continue working tomorrow. I'm exhausted - let's talk more tomorrow, okay? I've had an awful day."

"Oh, that's... that's fine. You get some rest early."

FyrenZhang exhaled deeply. Zaring gave a thumbs up: "Young master, you were amazing! Played it just right."

FyrenZhang's face remained expressionless: "Was I?"

"An Oscar-worthy performance! That Zach was nearly in tears!"

"Shut up and drive."

"Yes!"

At that moment, a familiar voice came from nearby: "Fyren, leaving already?"

FyrenZhang, who was pulling open the car door, turned to see XenaXu standing not far away. She had been there awhile - she'd witnessed his entire exchange with Zach.

"Quite skilled at winning people over," XenaXu remarked. "Now Zach probably admires you completely."

FyrenZhang pressed his forehead against the car doorframe for five long seconds before looking up. "Whatever you're planning, we'll discuss it tomorrow. I'm not doing anything today. If you're so capable, go ahead and have OttoLong come beat me to a pulp right now!"

"Why do you keep mentioning that guy?" XenaXu yawned as well. "It's getting light out. Buy me breakfast."

FyrenZhang looked at her and shook his head, calmly stating: "Tomorrow, after the launch is over, either you transfer all your shares to me, or I transfer all mine to you. From then on we'll be strangers who never interact again. Is that acceptable?"

XenaXu couldn't understand what was wrong with this person. What had she done to offend him?

Why was he so determined to push her away?

XenaXu felt hurt.

Since childhood, boys had always flocked to play with her, all praising her beauty and intelligence.

Why did this guy look at her as if she were some disgusting trash?

XenaXu was displeased: "Why are you suddenly so determined to get rid of me?"

FyrenZhang pulled open the car door. "I don't know, and it doesn't matter. Goodbye."

Without waiting for a reply, he got in and closed his eyes. "Zaring, take me home."

Watching FyrenZhang's car drive away,

XenaXu was so frustrated she could barely contain herself.

This idiot must have something wrong with his brain!

When we were kids you always lied to me, saying you'd make me a doctor. How can you treat me like this now?

You want to distance yourself from me? I'll keep bothering you! I'll make your life miserable!

FyrenZhang arrived home, took off his jacket and threw it on the floor, then collapsed straight onto the bed and fell asleep.

At three in the morning,

FyrenZhang began to stir slightly awake. His arm moved unconsciously and landed on something soft and rounded.

Huh?

He gave it a couple of squeezes - it was quite soft indeed.

What the hell?

He opened his eyes.

I'm dead.