I'm a boy!

The two walked one after the other to the room Lin Yuxi had mentioned — a guest room in this luxurious mansion.

The overall decor was simple, with a brownish-red color scheme. Four plain white walls enclosed the space, which only had a bed, a fabric sofa, and a small wooden wardrobe.

As they approached the window, Lin Yuxi stopped him and pointed toward the door.

"Stand at the door for a while."

Bai Ze responded with an "Okay."

That damn sense of security.

Bai Ze knew exactly what Lin Yuxi was about to do. The iron bars sealing the window were on the outside of the glass, and the entire pane was set into the window frame, making it impossible to open.

Without another word, Lin Yuxi raised the golf club in her hand and smashed it against the glass.

With a loud crash, shards of glass scattered everywhere, some even falling outside the window.

Bai Ze stood dumbfounded at the door, witnessing everything.

He never would have imagined that one day he'd transmigrate into a villain role...

And even have the chance to saw through iron bars alongside the female lead.

Bai Ze glanced down at the kitchen knife in his hand, licking his dry lips.

The last time he felt this speechless... was probably the last time.

While Bai Ze was lost in thought, a crisp voice sounded not far away.

"Hey! Bai Ze, don't just stand there. I've broken the window — come over and get to work. You saw the two bars on the left, I'll handle the two on the right."

Bai Ze walked to his target, nodding helplessly, "Alright."

The two began their "work" according to Lin Yuxi's arrangement.

Bai Ze found the kitchen knife surprisingly handy, able to apply some force.

But as the knife scraped against the iron bars, the harsh squeaking sound made his scalp tingle.

The bars were embedded deep into the wall, incredibly sturdy. After more than ten minutes of effort, he'd barely managed to leave a few millimeters of scratches.

He glanced at his companion.

Visibly, Lin Yuxi's situation was much better. She had already figured out the trick — using the scissors to unscrew the bar from its lower end.

With a bit of force, she wrenched the entire iron bar loose.

Bai Ze's eyes widened at the sight of her "trophy."

WTF! She unscrewed it.

With only the help of scissors, she had relied on pure strength to leave a jagged mark on the iron bar — not the sharp blade.

Unable to hold back, Bai Ze gave her a thumbs up.

"You're amazing... B!"

Lin Yuxi smiled lightly, tossing the bar aside and shaking out her arms.

"Not bad, but it's not easy — it's screwed in tightly. My arms are a little sore. I'll take a break."

Bai Ze wasn't sure if she meant both of them should rest or just herself.

But knowing his own nature... if there was a chance to slack off, why not?

The moment Lin Yuxi finished speaking, Bai Ze plopped onto the nearby single-seater sofa.

It was a brown fabric sofa, filled with what seemed like bead-like stuffing — soft and plush, enveloping his entire body.

He'd been eyeing this sofa for a while while sawing the bars.

Though even Bai Ze found his own laziness amusing, since his body had made the choice, his mouth had to follow suit.

He glanced at Lin Yuxi, grinning sheepishly.

"Sis, I'll definitely work harder later... but I should rest first... work and rest balance, right?"

Lin Yuxi, stretching by the bed, glanced at the barely scratched iron bar he'd left behind, frowning.

If those bars were living creatures, their wounds would have healed by now.

She turned to him with a smile.

"Young master, you just rest there. I've figured out the trick — I can handle it myself."

[Young master, you just rest there.]

Bai Ze's mouth twitched.

That smile was pure sarcasm — mockery, even.

Still holding a grudge, huh?

Lin Yuxi didn't notice his eye-roll because she'd already returned to the window, ready to get back to work.

Damn... this woman had insane recovery abilities. She rested for barely a minute?

As a self-proclaimed tough guy, Bai Ze couldn't just sit and watch a woman work.

Uh... actually, he could.

But...

He might want to piss her off, but he didn't want to let her mock him either.

His pride couldn't take it.

Bai Ze stood up and, as if summoning all his strength, grabbed Lin Yuxi's arm.

Startled, she turned to him, glancing at the hand gripping her arm with gentle force.

She scanned him from head to toe, puzzled.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm working."

Lin Yuxi blinked.

"Hmm?"

Without answering, Bai Ze guided her to the sofa, pressing her shoulders down and settling her into the seat.

His gaze locked onto hers — unwavering, intense — as if trying to pierce through her.

In a deep, magnetic voice, low and seductive, he spoke slowly.

"What else would I do? I'm working. You sit here and rest.

I can't let a woman rescue me, can I?"

Though phrased as a question, the conviction in his voice was sharper than any statement.

Lin Yuxi stared into his soul-stirring eyes, momentarily dazed.

She had always been fiercely independent, despising others making decisions for her.

Proud and cold by nature.

Yet...

Something about Bai Ze's actions made her feel... protected.

From the moment she met him, he'd been the picture of vulnerability — weak, pitiful, trailing behind her, calling her "sister" over and over.

But now, seeing him in his fitted suit, sleeves rolled up, struggling against the iron bars...

The stark contrast made him seem... taller.

For the first time, Lin Yuxi felt she could rely on him in this unfamiliar place.

Being protected...

Didn't feel so bad.

What she didn't know was that the man she was mentally praising was currently miserable.

Bai Ze's mouth was nearly twisted to one side as he worked.

What kind of hero complex had possessed him?

His delicate body wasn't built for this — why not just sit comfortably and enjoy life?

The chilly wind brushed against his face, making him regret more with every second.

All he wanted was for Lin Yuxi to say:

"Stop, I'll do it. You go rest."

If she said it, even as a polite gesture, he'd gladly accept.

But the next second, Bai Ze's face brightened — not because she spoke, but because a familiar, melodious voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Female lead Lin Yuxi's favorability increased by 10 points.]

[Ding! Host successfully altered the plot trajectory — Villain Points +300.]

[Ding! Host successfully altered the plot trajectory — Villain Luck +300.]