"When Bai Ze was a child, he was kidnapped, and one of his kidneys was taken. What's worse, the surgery was performed by an unlicensed black-market doctor, leaving a hideous scar on his body—this was the true source of his weak constitution!"
Bai Ze frowned,
"So tragic? I finally got to transmigrate once, and I don't even have a complete body? Are you messing with me?"
Faced with this pitiful setup, Bai Ze was utterly speechless.
He glanced upward and spoke to the system in his mind,
"Can I go back? It's almost the New Year. My cousin's aunt's third grandaunt lost all her teeth, waiting for me to crack sunflower seeds for her."
Bai Ze blinked his peach blossom eyes, hoping his devastatingly handsome face could show a trace of vulnerability to sway the system.
Deep down, though, he knew it was impossible.
When had any transmigration system ever let its host leave so easily?
But the next second, the system's response shocked him to the core.
"Yes."
Two crisp, decisive words.
There really was such a good thing in this world?
Bai Ze was dumbfounded.
He hesitated,
"Huh? I can really go back? I won't be erased? I'll return to my original world intact?"
---
[Host will not be erased. Additionally, there will be a consolation reward of 5 million in the form of a lottery ticket. Upon returning, you can purchase any lottery ticket at a convenience store—guaranteed jackpot, no tricks. You can choose to return at any time.]
The system even added shyly,
[This system fulfills all the host's needs—why else would it be called the Thoughtful Villain System?]
Bai Ze smirked,
"Hmm? Nice... truly thoughtful."
Go back? Hell no!
If the consolation prize was five million, wouldn't staying in this world earn him even more?
---
[Now, would the host like to return to the original world?]
Bai Ze wagged his finger.
"No, no... I choose to stay. Losing a kidney is just a small flaw—how could that stop my villainous ambitions? Even if I had to be a eunuch—"
Wait.
No.
He quickly shut his mouth, nearly cursing himself.
---
[Understood! Now explaining the system rules...]
[Whenever the host successfully alters the plot, suppresses the protagonist, or seizes the protagonist's opportunities and women, the Villain Fortune Value and Villain Points will increase.]
Villain Fortune Value surpasses the protagonist's: Seize the protagonist's abilities
Villain Points: Use for lucky draws or direct purchases
All rewards can be brought back to the real world or carried to the next world
Bai Ze's eyes gleamed.
"Simple, straightforward—I like it."
But something felt off...
In most villain novels he'd read, villains were destined to face the protagonist head-on—never allowed to hide or escape.
"Wait... so I can't avoid the protagonist's suppression, right?"
[Wrong, host. Your Villain Fortune Value doesn't naturally clash with the protagonist's Fortune Value.]
[You can avoid conflicts your whole life, living as a handsome, wealthy second-generation heir—until the story ends. Even in the epilogues, you'll remain carefree.]
Bai Ze chuckled.
"Trying to use reverse psychology on me? How boring."
He leaned lazily against the doorframe, his lips curling.
"Since I'm here... I might as well turn this whole damn book upside down."
The choice between a lifetime of comfort and gaining powerful abilities?
No brainer.
The worst-case scenario? He'd still walk away with five million in the real world.
What was there to be afraid of?
[Distributing starter pack... Would the host like to claim it?
"Claim."
[Skill: Insight Eye (Beginner) — Allows the host to view protagonist and heroine's information.]
---
Bai Ze raised a brow.
"Beginner? There's more?"
[Naturally. Intermediate reveals all character information. Advanced reveals hidden personality traits, backstories, and weaknesses.]
"Got it."
With that, the system fell silent.
Bai Ze stood in place, organizing the plot in his mind.
He glanced at the phone in his hand—his lazy expression suddenly twisted.
Shit.
According to the novel's timeline...
Today is the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year—a day of family reunions and festive celebrations.
But for Bai Ze...
It was Chapter One—the day the villain kidnaps the heroine!
And the name the subordinate mentioned earlier...
Lin Yuxi.
The female lead.
The plot had already begun.
Only eleven hours remained until the male lead would come to the rescue.
By the original story's development...
Right now, Bai Ze should be heading downstairs to assault the heroine...
Then spend hours groveling for her affection—only to be beaten half to death by the protagonist, arrested, and locked up for life.
Bai Ze clenched his fist.
Hell no.
If he really played along with the original plot, he'd be a miserable dog for the rest of his life.
What to do...?
Send the girl away?
But that would break the story's flow, letting the protagonist and heroine live happily ever after.
Impossible.
If he wanted to seize the protagonist's luck, he had to clash head-on.
Bai Ze exhaled slowly.
Fine.
If you're gonna gamble—go all in.
He yanked open the door.
The subordinate was still dazed outside.
"Take me to see Lin Yuxi."
They descended to the first-floor bedroom.
On the bed lay a slender girl, bound in a position.
Her delicate limbs were tied to the silver bedposts.
A white cloth covered her face—concealing her appearance.
Bai Ze's peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly.
So this is the heroine...
He wasn't in a rush to lift the veil.
Instead, he leaned lazily against the doorframe, smirking.
"System, activate Insight Eye."
A faint blue light flickered in his pupils.
Bai Ze's smile deepened
Interesting...
The heroine hates him to the bone before even waking up?
"Alright, little heroine..."
He slowly rolled up his sleeves.
"Let the game begin."
From the book, Bai Ze learned that the fat and thin duo were brothers — the fat one was called Da Niu, and the thin one was Xiao Niu. The man grinning at his masterpiece by the bedside was undoubtedly Xiao Niu.
"Why is there a white cloth on her face?" Bai Ze asked helplessly.
Mentioning this, Xiao Niu felt extremely clever. He happily pointed at the white cloth.
"Young Master, there was no red cloth in the house. Doesn't this look like a wedding veil? Just perfect for you and this little girl to consummate the marriage tonight, hehe."
Huh?
Bai Ze had never been so speechless in his life. He strode forward, pulled the cloth off the woman's face, and coldly said, "Don't ever do this again. Anyone who sees this would think she's been dead for three days."
Xiao Niu stepped back two paces, "Understood, Young Master."
With the cloth removed, the woman's delicate face was revealed. Her palm-sized face had exquisitely arched eyebrows, long curled eyelashes black as crow feathers, and tightly shut eyes. A high, straight nose traced a flawless line across her face, with skin like white jade and features so perfect they seemed handcrafted by the gods.
Bai Ze nodded slightly. No wonder both the protagonist and the original host were hopelessly infatuated with her — she was indeed beautiful.
However, when Bai Ze glanced at the glass window and saw his own reflection shimmering in the dim light, he casually flicked his fringe, sighed in his heart, and murmured, "Sorry, but no matter how pretty you are... you're still not as pretty as me~"
Da Niu and Xiao Niu exchanged confused glances. Wasn't their Young Master supposed to be a hopeless simp? Why was he suddenly admiring himself in the mirror?
Ignoring their bewildered expressions, Bai Ze activated Insight Eye on Lin Yuxi. A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Lin Yuxi]
[Age: 21]
[Height: 175cm]
[Combat Power: 60]
[Affection Value: 0]
Note:
Affection Value 0: Stranger
Affection Value 30: Friend
Affection Value 60: Admiration
Affection Value 80: Life Partner
Affection Value 100: Soulmate — Unbreakable, Eternal Love
Negative affection values apply in reverse.
Bai Ze scanned the screen and could only think of two words: Absolutely speechless.
A capital-letter SPEECHLESS.
Zero affection value was acceptable, but... why did the female lead's combat power surpass his own?
Then again, according to the book's plot, Lin Yuxi was the daughter of one of Luo Chuan City's top five families — the Lin Family. Her father was a legendary war hero with countless military exploits, and under his strict tutelage, Lin Yuxi had practiced martial arts from a young age.
If it weren't for the drugs in her system, Da Niu and Xiao Niu together wouldn't have stood a chance against her... let alone Bai Ze — a sickly, kidney-deficient Young Master.
"Tsk... absolutely unfair," Bai Ze muttered. His gaze shifted between the sleeping beauty on the bed and his own 20-point combat power on the system panel.
How was he supposed to suppress the protagonist like this? Would he have to rely on his face alone?
Bai Ze wasn't discouraged. The corners of his mouth curved into a sly smirk — he was already brewing a wicked... no, a brilliant idea.
The male lead Chu Cheng was a combat powerhouse, and the female lead Lin Yuxi loved him so deeply. So... brute force wasn't an option. After all, he couldn't even defeat the female lead, so he figured he'd have to outsmart them instead.
Bai Ze slowly began untying the rope binding Lin Yuxi's arms.
He couldn't help but complain, "Damn it, why the hell is this a dead knot?"
Xiao Niu whispered, "Dead knots are more secure. I was afraid she'd wake up midway and fight back... Besides, Young Master, you can't beat her, so..."
So in Xiao Niu's mind, tying a dead knot was absolutely the right decision — purely for his Young Master's life safety!
Bai Ze: ".....What the hell? Am I really that weak in your eyes?"
Wait, did everyone know he couldn't beat her? Wasn't he supposed to have at least a little bit of dignity?
Bai Ze shot him a glare. "Then why are you standing there? Can't you see I can't untie it? Go find some scissors and set her loose."
Before Xiao Niu could move, a voice echoed from the door, gradually drawing closer to Bai Ze's ears.
"Young Master, that knot's too hard to untie. You should use scissors."
Xiao Niu's inner thoughts: Why am I always the errand boy? How come Big Bro is so damn considerate...
Bai Ze nodded at Da Niu, took the scissors, and swiftly snipped off the ropes on Lin Yuxi's body with a few quick strokes.
Then, without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Lin Yuxi and lifted her horizontally into his embrace.
The moment he picked her up, Bai Ze's whole body stiffened. He clenched his molars, silently cursing, "Holy shit... she's heavy..."
He really wanted to just toss her back onto the bed, but with his two subordinates watching behind him, that would be far too humiliating. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and hold her in his arms.
To preserve his masculine pride, Bai Ze mustered all his strength and bounced her twice in his arms, as if proving he could easily carry her.
Da Niu glanced at Xiao Niu, and the two exchanged a look as if saying: "Isn't Young Master about to drop her?"
With ingratiating smiles, they both said, "Young Master, we'll take our leave now..."
They spoke while inching toward the door.
Bai Ze, still with his back to them, called out, "Wait."
The two froze mid-step. "Young Master... aren't you... going to bed?"
Bai Ze carried the woman toward the door and said coldly, "What kind of kidnapper ties someone to the bed? Go fetch two new ropes and meet me in the storage room."
Da Niu and Xiao Niu's smiles froze on their faces. They exchanged another glance, silently thinking:
Young Master... you're playing a little differently from what we imagined...