Chapter 9: A Day in the Life of a Successful Villain

"This can't be happening, right?" Lu Chengwen was on the verge of madness. "I haven't done anything, nor do I plan to do anything bad. Why is the protagonist here? Doesn't writing a book require some brains? If the villain hasn't done anything wrong, why is the male lead coming to pick a fight?"

System: "Oh, I'm sorry. Aren't you planning to do something to Leng Qingqiu?"

"I have over 600 million worth of defective products at the pharmaceutical factory waiting for me to destroy overnight. What can I do to her? I don't have the time!"

System: "Oh, over there is... let me see... Xu Xuejiao is there... So, you're planning to make a move on both female leads at the same time, huh? Understood. You're trying to increase the difficulty for the male lead, Long Aotian, to rescue them. Got it! By the way, that's a clever move!"

"Got what? I'm not planning to make a move on anyone. I'm just going to destroy the medicinal materials! Defective medicinal materials!"

System: "Is that so? But that doesn't make for a very exciting plot. We were hoping you'd be more proactive, have some ill intentions towards the female leads, so it's easier to kickstart the male lead's storyline."

"Listen to me!" Lu Chengwen tried to keep his cool and reason with the system. "Whether Long Aotian kicks off his storyline or not, I'm done moving. I'm not interested in the female leads, not any of them. Tomorrow, I'll settle things with both of them, no dragging feet!"

"Settle? You mentioned 'settle.' I get it! So, you're planning to make your move on the two female leads tomorrow, and it's going to be utterly ruthless, heinous, and inhumane, right?"

Lu Chengwen cried, "Sis, please spare me! I've died six times, each time more miserably than the last. Can't you just let me live a little longer? I won't touch these two women. Can't you keep them from hovering around me? I'm not the protagonist! Their leisure time should be spent with the male lead, Long Aotian... you know, all sorts of暧昧 and eye-catching moments. Honestly, the plot's already fallen apart on the first day, and it's your fault!"

"Host, you're mistaken. In fact, everything here—people, events, objects—is real. We're merely here to supervise and observe. The only thing we can do is assist with your plot progression, ability enhancement, and limited off-scene communication. What the male lead, female leads do, where they go, who they get close to, we can't control, nor are we interested in controlling."

Suddenly, Lu Chengwen calmed down and began to analyze.

"Real? Everything's real? That means... I must have done something... to make them deliberately involve themselves with me... But I haven't done anything!"

"With Leng Qingqiu, I wanted to break off the engagement, but she refused. And tonight, she came looking for me."

"Xu Xuejiao... I stopped Long Aotian from making a move on her. Does she know? She shouldn't know. At the pharmaceutical factory... she seemed very sure I would destroy the substandard drugs..."

The system interrupted, "By the way, surviving the first day successfully earns you a first-day gift pack!"

"The first-day gift pack is full of goodies, very cost-effective! It will aid you on your path to certain doom, allowing you to fully engage in the confrontational plot with the male lead. Before you're squashed, enjoy the ultimate thrilling experience, to die without regrets, smiling in the afterlife!"

Lu Chengwen shook his head, "You're really something."

...

After settling Leng Qingqiu in a clean guest room to sleep, Lu Chengwen hurried to the pharmaceutical factory with Zhao Gang.

If I'm to die, then so be it.

If the King of Hell wants me dead by the third watch, the system won't keep me till the fifth.

But if the system's hints are to be believed, then this is a... real world?

The system is a higher intelligence existing above this world? They don't interfere or forcibly change the world's logic and operations, is that what it means?

Regardless, let's get through today first. The advertisement for the first-day gift pack was quite stirring, got my blood boiling, even if it seems to wish for my demise. Only by obtaining it do I stand a chance to survive.

Long Aotian, I'm going head-to-head with you!

You want to crush me?

I refuse to believe it. I won't do a single bad thing, and when I see you, I'll kneel. Would you still have the heart to crush me?

...

The process went smoothly.

Under multiple supervises, batches of finished drugs were fed into the shredder, turning into waste, to be recycled by a third party.

Lu Chengwen supervised the entire process.

Xu Xuejiao also stayed up all night, overseeing everything.

Xu Xuejiao was very meticulous, not missing a single detail, and so were the other responsible parties.

Everyone was tense, aware of what this meant.

Watching the last batch of medicinal materials turn into waste, Lu Chengwen smiled peacefully.

[Sigh, I guess I've done some good deed, huh?]

Lu Chengwen thought bitterly:

[No matter what, with these drugs destroyed, no one will be harmed. If I'm to die in this world tomorrow, at least I've done something meaningful today.]

[It's worth it!]

Not far away, Xu Xuejiao watched Lu Chengwen's profile, shocked by his thoughts.

Is this guy going to die?

Is it because he's going to die that he's suddenly turned over a new leaf, becoming a good person?

That can't be, he's Lu Chengwen. With a professional private medical team monitoring his family's health, if someone were seriously ill, the team wouldn't remain so quiet!

What's really going on?

But this guy... when he's melancholic, he really does look like a brooding prince.

"Director Xu."

"Ah?" Xu Xuejiao quickly turned around.

The engineer nodded with relief, "It's all done."

"Understood."

The drug regulatory leader went to shake hands with Lu Chengwen.

"Director Lu, I know making such a decision requires immense courage and morality. No one knows what storm the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory will face tomorrow. But as a fellow in the pharmaceutical industry, I want to express our highest respect and gratitude for your decision on behalf of all our colleagues."

Lu Chengwen smiled, "It's not as serious as you think. At worst, the factory will close, and I'll be vilified by the media."

The leader laughed, patting Lu Chengwen's shoulder, "Then we'll wrap up here. If you need anything, contact us."

"Thank you, everyone has worked hard."

Dawn was almost breaking.

A streak of dawn light slowly rose on the distant horizon.

Lu Chengwen was exhausted.

On his first day crossing over, he avoided two direct confrontations with the protagonist, Long Aotian; met with the two main female leads twice, maintaining distance and trying to sever any ties between them.

Although not entirely successful, he was still alive, his legs intact—that's good news.

Those who worked overtime all night were leaving, starting their cars to go home and rest.

Lu Chengwen wearily approached his car when Director Zhang came up to him, "Director Lu."

"Oh, Director Zhang, I'm so tired. Can we talk tomorrow, okay?"

Director Zhang forced a smile, "Just one sentence."

Lu Chengwen was beyond frustrated; he really didn't have the energy to deal with these people.

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

"Thank you." Director Zhang bowed deeply to him, straightened up, his eyes moist, smiling with relief, "I will resign tomorrow, you don't need to worry."

Director Zhang turned to leave, but Lu Chengwen called him back, "Wait. Why resign?"

"I..."

Lu Chengwen understood; this time he had "caused" himself a loss of several billion, hence the resignation.

Lu Chengwen smiled, "Teacher Zhang, you're the pillar of our Ninth Factory. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't dare think about the consequences of today's batch of drugs. You can't resign. If you leave, who will tip me off in the future? Who will help me correct mistakes? Even if you dislike me, think I'm not human, surely you have some affection for the Ninth Factory? Those patients, those in need of genuine, effective medicine, need you to stay here, to safeguard their interests."

Director Zhang could hardly believe such words came from Lu Chengwen's mouth.

He was utterly shocked and deeply moved.

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

"Enough, enough, enough..." Lu Chengwen said, "Teacher Zhang, I really don't have the strength to accept your apologies or thanks. Rest well, continue working tomorrow. I'm tired, let's talk tomorrow, okay? Today has been too rough."

"Oh, alright then, you get some rest early."

Lu Chengwen exhaled deeply, Zhao Gang gave a thumbs up, "Young master, you're amazing! That performance was just right."

Lu Chengwen said expressionlessly, "Was it?"

"Absolutely Oscar-worthy acting, old Zhang was almost in tears!"

"Shut up, drive."

"Yes!"

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded nearby, "Brother Chengwen, leaving already?"

Lu Chengwen had already opened the car door, turned his head to see Xu Xuejiao standing not far away, having been there for a while, having witnessed his conversation with Director Zhang.

"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Xu Xuejiao said, "Now Teacher Zhang probably admires you to the point of worship."

Lu Chengwen rested his forehead against the car door frame for five seconds, then looked up, "Whatever you want to do, let's talk tomorrow. I'm not doing anything today. If you have the guts, make Long Aotian come kill me now!"

"Why do you always bring up that person?" Xu Xuejiao also yawned, "It's already dawn, treat me to breakfast."

Lu Chengwen looked at her, shaking his head, and said calmly, "Tomorrow, after the press conference. Either you transfer all your shares to me, or I transfer all my shares to you. From then on, we'll have nothing to do with each other, as if we never knew each other, okay?"

Xu Xuejiao didn't know what was wrong with this person, what had she done to offend him?

Why does he dislike me so much?

Xu Xuejiao felt hurt.

Since childhood, boys who liked to play with her were numerous, each one praising her beauty and intelligence.

Why does this guy look at me as if I'm something disgusting?

Xu Xuejiao was unhappy, "Why do you suddenly dislike me so much?"

Lu Chengwen opened the car door, "I don't know, it's not important, goodbye."

Without waiting for a reply, he got in and closed his eyes to rest, "Zhao Gang, home."

Watching Lu Chengwen's car drive away.

Xu Xuejiao was extremely aggrieved.

This jerk, there must be something wrong with him!

He always promised to be my doctor when we were kids, how can he treat me like this now?

You want to stay away from me? I'll stick to you! Annoy you to death!

Lu Chengwen returned home, threw his coat on the floor, and collapsed straight onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.

The sun was high.

Lu Chengwen finally began to stir, his arm moving unconsciously, landing on a soft mound.

Huh?

He squeezed it a couple of times, quite soft.

What is this?

He opened his eyes.

I'm dead.