Villainous Elegance

"I heard from others that your family possesses a few rare and treasured antiques."

"And so," Chu Yi said calmly, "I'd like to make a deal with you."

As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on Lin Yunhan, his tone devoid of emotion.

"You… you mean you want to buy the antiques?"

Lin Yunhan's dislike for the man in front of her deepened.

Buying antiques? Hah.

It was most likely another tiresome ruse—just another man trying to court her.

She knew her family's affairs well enough.

Aside from the odd trinkets her father brought home from who knows where, there was hardly anything that could be called a true antique.

So, almost instinctively, Lin Yunhan prepared to refuse him.

But before she could, a voice interrupted.

"Niece, wait for your uncle!"

Sun Lin approached, slightly winded—perhaps too used to life behind a desk.

"Uncle, is something the matter?"

Lin Yunhan turned, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

Didn't he tell her to leave?

So why…

"Niece, I was wrong just now."

"Here, take this fifty thousand yuan. Give it to your father for his treatment."

As he spoke, Sun Lin slipped an envelope into her hand.

Its seal barely held back the stack of crisp red bills within.

"Thank you, Uncle. Truly, thank you so much. We'll pay you back, I promise."

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Sun Lin with deep gratitude.

"A small matter. If it's not enough, you can always come to me again."

He waved her thanks away, but as Lin Yunhan took the money, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk curved the corners of his lips.

"Niece, since I'm helping your father with his medical bills, don't you think you could do your uncle a favor in return?"

"Of course. Just say it, I'll do what I can."

Lin Yunhan nodded solemnly.

"Excellent. You noticed the other man in the office earlier, yes?"

"His name is Zhang Feng. A man of considerable status. He would like you to accompany him to a KTV lounge… sing a few songs."

"If you agree, I'll cover next month's hospital expenses too."

There was something almost hypnotic in Sun Lin's tone—a dark persuasion veiled in care.

"What… sing?"

Lin Yunhan's face turned deathly pale.

She had shouldered her family's burdens alone for too long to misunderstand what he truly meant.

She was his niece. How could he say such things?

He was shoving her toward ruin with his own hands.

Her instinct was to refuse.

But in that moment, her mind conjured the image of her father—motionless on the hospital bed.

And her mother, weary and worn, working herself to the bone to cover the mounting costs.

…

Sun Lin smiled as he watched Lin Yunhan hesitate.

He knew—she was wavering.

All he needed now was a final push.

But just as he prepared to tighten the noose with words of coercion, a voice rang out—sharp and cold, cutting through the tension.

"So, a mere fifty thousand yuan is all it takes to buy the dignity of the campus belle of Magic City's Fifth High?"

"Not exactly what I'd call expensive."

The voice was accompanied by the thud of something heavy hitting the floor.

Lin Yunhan looked down.

In her hands lay a second envelope, even thicker than the first—one filled with a hundred thousand yuan.

"You…"

She stared at the money, stunned.

Most rich boys at school were all talk, just wanting a moment's amusement with her body.

But when it came to money, they lived off their families—none of them could so casually produce such a sum.

And yet this man, Chu Yi—she couldn't see through him at all.

Ding. "Affection from female lead Lin Yunhan increased by 5%. Current affection: 5%."

Ding. "You've altered the storyline. Reward: 1000 Villain Points, 2 Free Attribute Points, 5 Destiny Points."

As expected, nothing solved problems faster than money.

Hearing the system's voice in his mind, a faint smile appeared on Chu Yi's lips.

Sun Lin, on the other hand, looked like his head might explode from rage.

The prize had been right within reach—and now it had flown away.

If not for this meddling Chu Yi, he would've had Lin Yunhan in his grasp.

But now that she had money, there was no way she'd agree to his proposal.

"You... who the hell are you?" Sun Lin asked through clenched teeth.

Although furious, he didn't dare act rashly.

Anyone who could casually toss out a hundred thousand yuan had to come from an extraordinary background.

And Chu Yi's clothes were no less impressive—Sun Lin recognized the Anima label.

"I'm just an ordinary man," Chu Yi replied with a bored flick of his ear.

"Ordinary, huh?"

"Then let's see just how 'ordinary' you are."

Sun Lin, seething, pulled out his phone and called the factory's security team.

He had made up his mind—Chu Yi needed to be taught a painful lesson.

And as for whatever powerful background the young man might have? Sun Lin wasn't worried.

After all, he was acting on behalf of Zhang Feng.

And Zhang Feng's company?

A subsidiary of the Chu Group—with assets in the hundreds of billions.

In Magic City, few dared defy such power.

Soon enough, dozens of security guards surrounded Chu Yi.

Clad in uniforms, armed with electric batons, they exuded a show of force.

"Young man," Sun Lin said, "I advise you to take your money and walk away. Stay out of this, and I'll let you leave unharmed."

Chu Yi laughed softly.

"You think a few stinking fish and shrimps like them can scare me?"

"Fine then. Let me show you what it means to call in the real power."

Villains, too, had their style.

He was the heir to a multi-billion conglomerate.

You think he had no bodyguards?

Of course he did—he just hadn't gotten used to this new world after transmigrating.

Until now.

Smiling faintly, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hey. Your master's being surrounded. What the hell are you waiting for?"

His arrogant tone carried through the receiver.

"Tired of posturing. Boys, handle it."

Emboldened by his act, Sun Lin felt a surge of false confidence.

He barked orders to the guards, sending them in to surround Chu Yi.

Three by three, five by five, they closed in—until Chu Yi was completely encircled.

Yet in the face of the looming threat, Chu Yi remained as calm as still water, not a trace of fear on his face.

On the sidelines, Lin Yunhan trembled.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she stared at his resolute figure.

All of this… was for her.

If he hadn't intervened, he wouldn't be in danger now.

Her thoughts a whirlwind, she suddenly shouted—

"Stop! Don't hurt him! I'll do it, Uncle—I agree!"

Her voice rang out across the room like thunder.

Sun Lin grinned and signaled the guards to lower their weapons.

"Hold off, boys. Let's keep things civil."

He then stepped past Chu Yi and approached Lin Yunhan.

"You're doing this of your own free will."

"I am."

She spoke with clenched fists and trembling lips.

"Good."

Sun Lin smiled, satisfied, and turned to escort her into the office.

But another voice cut in, cold and disdainful.

"Have you no self-respect?"

That damned brat.

This time, I don't care who he is—he's dead.

Sun Lin was livid.

He had given this punk chance after chance, and still he refused to back down.

But just as he spun around to vent his fury, the scene before him left him utterly dumbfounded.

Luxury cars began pulling in—twenty or thirty of them at least.

Lamborghinis, McLarens, Ferraris—more than anyone could count.

And from the sleek, black BMWs emerged men in black suits, each carrying sharp blades.

Towering figures, bulging with muscle, their faces marked with scars and silent fury.

"Kneel before the Young Master!"

One after another, they bowed to Chu Yi.

The security guards and Sun Lin stood frozen in shock.

Even Lin Yunhan couldn't tear her gaze away, her eyes wide in awe.

Ding. "Affection from female lead Lin Yunhan increased by 10%. Current affection: 15%."

Ding. "You've altered the storyline. Reward: 800 Villain Points, 1 Free Attribute Point, 5 Destiny Points."

The system's voice buzzed in Chu Yi's mind, but he paid it no heed.

Instead, he waved a hand at the black-clad enforcers.

"You know what to do."

"Yes, sir."

In unison, they turned—baring cruel smiles at the guards.

In a matter of moments, despite their electric batons, over twenty guards were swiftly beaten unconscious.

Even Sun Lin was dragged to the ground like a rag doll.

"Boss, boss, please! Just pretend I'm nothing but a fart and let me go!"

Now fully aware of who he had provoked, Sun Lin trembled.

These men—they were no ordinary guards.

With their cold eyes, black gear, and the flash of metal at their waists…

They were mercenaries—trained killers who had walked through blood-soaked battlefields.

Sun Lin slapped himself in despair.

He couldn't believe this was happening.

He cursed Zhang Feng under his breath.

But Chu Yi remained unmoved by the man's pleas.

Instead, he glanced sideways and said coolly—

"Sink him."

"No! Please, boss, I beg you—don't kill me!"

Tears and snot poured from Sun Lin's face.

He was terrified.

But with the Wolf Fang squad closing in, Chu Yi's indifference unshaken, Sun Lin scrambled toward Lin Yunhan.

He crawled to her feet, clinging to hope.

"Niece, please… beg Mr. Chu to spare me."

"I know I'm scum. I don't deserve forgiveness. But for the sake of your mother—your mother's brother—please, show mercy."

"This…"

Lin Yunhan looked at him, defeated and pathetic.

Her heart wavered ever so slightly.