Back to the room
As soon as Bai Ze finished speaking, the phone on the table lit up.
He tapped the screen with his finger, and a name appeared — Chu Cheng.
The message read:
[Thank you, little brother. Let's meet up when you're free. Take care of your health.]
Bai Ze curled his lips into a smile. There was still one more gift left to send.
He looked up and said, "Dad, besides renewing the contract for another two years, can we give the Lin family another gift?
After all, our families have always cooperated, and they saved me this time. I feel like... one contract isn't enough."
Bai Jingkuo nodded and waved to the butler.
"Alright, it's up to you. Give him the order."
The butler stepped forward. "Young Master."
——
After sending his parents away, Bai Ze took a couple more sips of the bland chicken soup before setting down the bowl, smacking his lips.
He planned to head back to his room to rest.
Earlier, they had dined in the small dining room to make it easier to chat.
He walked up the steps beside the small dining room, through the main dining room, and circled around the first floor, passing through the main living room.
He went up and down countless little staircases until he finally reached the elevator hall at the center of the house.
The elevator doors opened slowly, then closed.
Opened again, then closed.
Bai Ze remained on the first floor.
His strange behavior had one reason — Bai Ze knew he lived upstairs, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't recall where his room was from the original novel.
The house was simply too big, with bizarre architecture and countless small staircases — practically a labyrinth.
He had sent everyone away just to find his own room.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened once more, revealing a girl in a black-and-white maid uniform standing in Bai Ze's view.
Her watery almond eyes were wide as she stared at him.
The novel hadn't mentioned her, but Bai Ze vaguely remembered hearing her name when he'd first arrived at the gate.
He had a good memory, so he tentatively called out, "Luoluo?"
"Young Master." The girl's soft, sweet voice carried a hint of surprise.
She... hadn't corrected him.
Bai Ze's sharp eyes scanned her up and down.
Why wasn't she getting in and pressing the button? The two of them just standing there made things awkward.
"Aren't you coming in?" Bai Ze asked indifferently.
The girl pointed at herself. "Me?"
Her reaction confirmed he'd guessed right.
"Is there anyone else here?"
The girl blinked nervously.
"Young Master, my name is Xiaofang... not Luoluo. But if you like... I can be called Luoluo..."
Bai Ze's lips twitched. Xiaofang?
What a lousy name — typical of that hack author.
"Forget it. No need to change your name. Get in."
Xiaofang's eyes widened a little more.
The Young Master was always cold and aloof, and he'd even ordered that no one was allowed to share the elevator with him.
What kind of good fortune was this?
Xiaofang stepped into the elevator, holding a small wooden tray with trembling fingers.
She stole a glance at Bai Ze. He was so tall — she only reached his chest.
Another glance. His neck was so white, and his Adam's apple... so attractive.
It was hard to imagine how someone could look this good — flawless features, a sculpted profile, and an aura that naturally drew others in.
In the confined space, his presence was overwhelming.
Holding her breath, she completely failed to notice that the elevator hadn't moved at all.
Bai Ze glanced at her, then at the buttons.
"Ahem. Which floor are you going to? Or do you expect me to press the button for you?" His voice was cold and sharp.
Xiaofang panicked. "No need, Young Master. I'll press it myself."
She quickly pressed the button for the third floor, then hastily pressed the fifth-floor button for him.
When they reached the third floor, Xiaofang stepped out and bowed to him through the closing doors.
"Young Master, have a good day."
Bai Ze gave a small nod.
"Okay."
——
When the elevator reached the fifth floor, Bai Ze's breath caught.
Compared to the opulent lower floors, this floor was shrouded in dark grays. Every piece of furniture and decoration followed a muted color scheme.
The brightest spot was the bar counter on the left, where bottles of foreign liquor sparkled under the sunlight.
In front of him was a large living room with four tightly shut doors behind the sofa.
Bai Ze frowned. This place didn't suit a sunny boy like him at all.
He began exploring the floor, mapping out the layout.
But the moment he entered the first room, his gloom vanished.
It was nearly 200 square meters, with no windows.
Two entire walls were lined with black glass display cases — nothing too expensive, just a few million dollars' worth of collectibles.
But Bai Ze loved it — simply looking at it made him feel at ease.
Turning around, he spotted another wall of small compartments with dim spotlights, each holding luxury watches.
With a three-meter-high ceiling, the top shelves held Patek Philippe pieces.
Bai Ze stroked his chin. How was he supposed to get those down?
He concluded that they were purely for display — just collecting dust.
After all, a few Richard Milles were sealed in glass cases nearby.
As excitement gave way to calm, Bai Ze wandered into the other rooms — a massive walk-in closet, a bedroom with an absurdly large bed (but not that exaggerated), and finally, a study.
The study walls were lined with books, while the desk was immaculately organized.
Bai Ze picked up a pair of gold-rimmed glasses from the desk and examined them — no prescription, purely for show.
He sat down, twirling a pen between his fingers, pondering a critical issue.
The novel's plot wasn't a diary — the author skimmed over anything deemed unnecessary.
With the first three chapters completed, Bai Ze had no idea what to do next.
According to the timeline, he could stir up trouble for the protagonist — but beyond a few scattered appearances, his role had been minimal.
There were three scenes involving him in the entire book:
One in Chapter 150, when his parents visited him in prison.
One in Chapter 250, when his sister came to see him.
And one in Chapter 600... when he dropped the soap.
These plots wouldn't happen now — or at least not to him.
Bai Ze tapped his fingers on the desk.
No matter.
Even if the story had little to do with him, he'd carve out his own role — lurking in the shadows, derailing the protagonist's perfect life.
Who said the villain couldn't rewrite his fate?
Sabotaging the protagonist's fortune.
But... on second thought, something didn't feel right.
Although he had altered the first three chapters, the remaining 800-plus chapters in his mind were still the original plot.
However, the butterfly effect—even a small change could shift the entire story. With the first three chapters rewritten, many things were bound to never happen.
Chapter 4: The wedding timeline is set for one month later.
Chapter 5: The protagonist finds a reclusive doctor who can cure Li Sheng, bringing him back to the Chu family to treat Chu Sheng. The family reunites in happiness.
Chapter 6: Lin Yuxi gives birth...
"If she's having a child, it better be mine..."
Wait, what the...
With the storyline already altered by his interference, there was no way things would unfold as in the original novel.
Bai Ze's sharp mind processed everything rapidly, his scalp tingling.
He called out, "System."
[Ding! The Thoughtful Villain System has detected the host's request.]
[The host can purchase a customized book, "Invincible Foster Son: Hero Saving the Beauty at the Start," from the mall using villain points.]
[This book updates the latest chapters according to the host's changes to the protagonist's fortune.]
[The host can purchase new books at any time to enhance plot foresight.]
Bai Ze nodded—so that's how it worked.
He quickly opened the system mall in his mind.
Although he had to pay for it himself, the price was worth it to improve his foresight.
His eyes scanned the interface, then suddenly widened.
[Item 1: A compatible kidney for the host's body.]
He kept scrolling down.
[Item 2: Stamina Potion — increases 100 points of physical strength.]
Not bad.
[Item 3: Super Long-Lasting Performance... on the bed. Duration freely controllable. You know what it means.]
Uh... I'm already doing fine, thanks.
[Item 4: Customized Sequel by the Original Dog Author.]
Bai Ze: "..."
All of these... were things he wanted!
But after looking through everything, he only bought one [Customized Sequel] and exited the mall.
The sequel only cost 500 villain points—affordable for now.
As for the other three items, they added up to almost 100,000 villain points—completely out of his league.
Bai Ze complained, "Why is the mall recommending a bunch of stuff I can't afford?"
[Host, the top recommendations are based on your needs.]
[This is to stimulate your consumption... uh, no—it's to give you greater motivation and goals!]
[Host, would you like to try the Lucky Draw mode? Only 500 villain points per draw! Value guaranteed! If I'm lying, I'm a little dog!]
Bai Ze: "....."
He disliked leaving fate to chance—it was a passive behavior, something he'd never do.
He would save his points.
[Host consumed 500 villain points: Small Stamina Potion (Increases 50 points of physical strength) acquired.]
Bai Ze nodded.
The large stamina potion cost 30,000 villain points, but the small version, with half the effect, only cost 500 points—a huge bargain.
500 for 15,000—definitely worth it.
[Host consumed 500 villain points: Customized Sequel by the Original Dog Author acquired.]
Bai Ze frowned.
I already have one... but fine, I'll keep it for later.
[Host consumed 500 villain points: Large-scale livestock farm in the southern suburbs acquired.]
Bai Ze: "..."
This system is playing with me, right?
[Host consumed 500 villain points: Intermediate Insight Eye acquired.]
Finally, something good.
[Host consumed 500 villain points: A second-hand minivan, original price 50,000 yuan, current price 8,000 yuan.]
Bai Ze: "..."
"WTF? Are you trying to get cursed at? Why would I need this? Do I look like I'm short on money?"
Fuck... fuck... beep—censored.
Bai Ze's finger hovered over the [Lucky Draw] button, struggling internally.
Draw... or not draw...
After much mental battle, he couldn't resist and tapped the button again.
[Host consumed 500 villain points: Panacea Pill acquired.]
Note: Cures all illnesses in the world (except missing organs).
Bai Ze raised an eyebrow—useless, but also a little useful.
It couldn't restore what he had lost...
Might as well use it to cure his sinusitis.
He picked up the small pill, ready to swallow it—then hesitated and tucked it back into the system's storage.
Using this on sinusitis would be overkill.
Better to save it in case he got cancer or something later.
Bai Ze wisely stopped gambling.
Reason: He was broke.
---
Inside the Lin Family Mansion
A round dining table capable of seating twenty people was laden with exquisite dishes.
Chu Cheng picked up a prawn and placed it on Lin Yuxi's plate.
"Xi'er, eat more... You haven't eaten anything for... a dozen hours."
Cough... cough...
A light cough came from the head seat—Lin Haoyang.
Chu Cheng quickly swallowed the rest of his sentence.
His adoptive father, Chu Jingfeng, was also present at the table.
Yesterday's engagement banquet had ended in a mess due to Lin Yuxi's disappearance. Chu Cheng had covered it up, claiming she was sick.
Lin Haoyang had no desire to make the matter public—otherwise, he could have mobilized Lin Family's surveillance network to search for her immediately.
Almost letting slip the truth would have touched his future father-in-law's nerve.
Chu Cheng swiftly changed the topic, speaking to Lin Yuxi in a doting tone.
"Xi'er, you're sick—you need to eat more to recover quickly."
Lin Yuxi paused, quickly catching on, then placed the prawn into her mouth.
"Thank you, Brother Chu Cheng."
Lin Haoyang observed the scene, masking his true feelings with two hearty laughs.
He raised his wine glass toward Chu Jingfeng.
"Our two families... these two young ones... have been close since childhood."