A week passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Ming stood in front of the dorm mirror, patting imaginary dust off his clothes with satisfaction.
"Not bad this week. Gotta keep that school tyrant image solid," he muttered to himself while adjusting his shirt collar. There was still an hour before the field trip gathering, but he had gotten up extra early.
Yesterday afternoon, Lin Xiaoxiao had nailed her speech contest. She stood on the stage in a light blue dress, her ponytail swaying with every movement. Her fair neck shimmered under the spotlight. As she passionately spoke about "Youth: Dreams and Responsibilities," the audience erupted in applause.
And Xiao Ming stood hidden in the backstage shadows, admiring his "masterpiece."
The judges unanimously praised Lin Xiaoxiao, and she unsurprisingly took first place in the school's preliminary round. Right after the contest, she rushed to Xiao Ming and threw her arms around him in excitement. Her soft body pressed against him, carrying that faint, girlish fragrance.
Xiao Ming instinctively wrapped his arm around her slender waist. He could feel her rapid breathing and slight trembling. Lin Xiaoxiao quickly realized her impulsiveness and let go, blushing, but that brief touch and warmth stayed vividly in Xiao Ming's mind.
What satisfied him even more was that Zhang Tian had been standing in a corner the whole time, face dark as night, watching it all unfold.
Pulling himself back to reality, Xiao Ming checked his phone. Fatty had already confirmed Zhang Tian's whereabouts—he had headed to the park near the lake at dawn, clearly planning to scout the area in advance for his pathetic "hero saves the beauty" scheme.
"What an idiot," Xiao Ming chuckled. The intel was detailed—Zhang Tian planned to lure Lin Xiaoxiao to the lake during the trip and "accidentally" cause her to fall in, then heroically jump in to save her.
"A plotline so cliché it's painful," Xiao Ming clicked his tongue, threw on his jacket, grabbed his backpack, and headed out.
In the bag was a full change of clothes and a towel—just in case. He wouldn't be caught unprepared like that fool Zhang Tian.
"Plan ahead, win the game—that's how I roll!"
On the way out, Xiao Ming noticed something odd—the usual red translucent system interface flickered and distorted.
"What the hell? System glitching out? System?" he muttered.
The system was silent for a few seconds, then responded:
Warning: Detected abnormal fluctuations in Host's Villain Value. Signs of enhanced self-awareness.
Current state: Villain Adaptability 76%. Villain abilities upgrading. Temporary UI instability possible.
Xiao Ming paused. "Wait, am I… leveling up?"
Processing energy anomaly... Protagonist Suppression Level: 87%... Task Progress: Excellent...
The system's text wavered, some symbols becoming unreadable. Xiao Ming frowned but didn't care too much. As long as task progress was "excellent," who cared about glitches?
At 8:00 sharp, Xiao Ming arrived at the meeting point. Most classmates were already there. Lin Xiaoxiao was chatting with some girls, dressed in a beige knit top and light jeans—fresh and youthful.
When she saw Xiao Ming, her eyes lit up with a trace of anticipation.
"Morning, Xiao Ming!" she waved, as if forgetting they weren't close before.
Xiao Ming smiled. "Morning, champion."
She blushed slightly. "Thanks to your help."
The girls beside her started whispering. Some even threw Xiao Ming flirty looks. Clearly, word had spread that Lin Xiaoxiao and the "school tyrant" Xiao Ming were getting close.
Just then, Zhang Tian arrived in a rush, looking exhausted. Xiao Ming could guess—he must've spent most of the night prepping his "hero moment."
The teacher did a headcount and the class set off toward the lakeside forest park.
Along the way, Xiao Ming kept a polite distance from Lin Xiaoxiao, chatting now and then. His eyes, however, delivered subtle signals that made her heart race. He knew that a push-pull strategy was far more effective than clinging.
Zhang Tian, on the other hand, stuck to Lin Xiaoxiao like glue—carrying her bags, offering water—only to be met with polite but indifferent responses.
"How can a protagonist be this socially clueless?" Xiao Ming sneered inwardly.
The park was scenic, with glistening water and lush greenery. Near noon, the teacher announced a picnic and free time afterward. Xiao Ming found a spot on a grassy hill with a clear view of the lake.
Sure enough, not long after lunch, Zhang Tian made his move. While the teacher wasn't looking, he "discovered" a rare flower near the lake and invited Lin Xiaoxiao to check it out.
Xiao Ming snorted, got up slowly, and strolled toward the lake. Lin Xiaoxiao stood at the water's edge, gazing at her reflection, her hair dancing in the breeze. Zhang Tian crept up behind her, inching closer, clearly calculating the best angle to "accidentally" nudge her in.
From the hill, Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes with a mocking smile. He quickened his pace, then stumbled dramatically—crashing into Zhang Tian.
"Whoa!"
Zhang Tian couldn't react in time and tumbled straight into the lake with a loud splash.
Water flew high, and classmates screamed in shock.
Lin Xiaoxiao spun around, face pale. "Zhang Tian?!"
Xiao Ming looked flustered. "I—I didn't mean to!"
Zhang Tian flailed in the water, gulping and coughing. He couldn't even float.
"He can't swim!" Lin Xiaoxiao cried out.
Without hesitation, Xiao Ming ditched his jacket and jumped in.
The water was freezing and murky, but he moved swiftly, reaching Zhang Tian in a few strokes.
"Stop flailing," Xiao Ming hooked an arm around his shoulder and dragged him to shore.
"Help!" he called. Several boys helped pull them out.
Zhang Tian collapsed on the ground, coughing and red-faced. Lin Xiaoxiao ran to Xiao Ming.
"Are you okay?"
He shook his head, droplets glinting in the sun. "I'm fine. I pushed him, after all. I couldn't just watch him drown."
His wet shirt clung to his muscles, drawing admiring glances from the girls.
"You… did it on purpose!" Zhang Tian roared.
Silence fell.
The teacher came over, visibly annoyed. "Zhang Tian, he just saved your life. What are you saying?"
"I…" Zhang Tian was speechless. He had set everything up—only to end up soaked and indebted.
"Go change," Lin Xiaoxiao told Xiao Ming gently.
Xiao Ming stood, nodded, and left for the restroom with confident strides.
As he walked away, he glanced back. Zhang Tian stood frozen. Lin Xiaoxiao's gaze stayed locked on Xiao Ming's back.
"Hmph," he smirked and walked off.
Back in dry clothes, Xiao Ming returned to the group. He was instantly the center of attention. Girls glanced shyly; boys looked on with respect—except Zhang Tian, whom the teacher had told to rest and not cause more trouble.
All afternoon, Lin Xiaoxiao stuck to Xiao Ming, full of affection. As they strolled by the lake, their shoulders occasionally touched, tension and warmth filling the air.
"Xiao Ming… you're really good at swimming?" she asked, sunlight casting dappled shadows across her face.
He shrugged. "I learned before. Nothing special."
"Thanks for saving Zhang Tian, even though he's not nice to you…"
Xiao Ming stopped and looked into her eyes. "I never care who someone is. Besides…" he softened his gaze. "I didn't want you to see something upsetting in such a beautiful place."
Lin Xiaoxiao's heart raced. She turned away, flustered.
Xiao Ming gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingertips grazing her smooth skin.
"Xiao Ming…" she whispered.
He leaned slightly closer. The air between them thinned.
"The sun's setting. Let's go," he said softly.
She nodded quickly, disappointed.
On the bus back, Lin Xiaoxiao leaned against him, sleeping peacefully. Xiao Ming closed his eyes, feigning indifference.
"System, status report?"
The system flickered and displayed:
Leveling up...
Villain Skill: Emotional Manipulation → Lv.2
New Skill: Charm — enables supernatural attraction to main and supporting characters.
"Oh? Interesting," Xiao Ming mused.
Just then, Lin Xiaoxiao unknowingly snuggled closer. Her breath was soft and warm.
For the first time, Xiao Ming felt something different—less calculation, more emotion.
"It's all part of the mission," he reminded himself.
Back at the dorm, the system lit up in vivid purple.
Protagonist Movement: Zhang Tian contacting ex-girlfriend Lin Jie. Attempting to sabotage relationships.
"Lin Jie? Who's that?"
Original Character: Lin Jie, Lin Xiaoxiao's cousin, Zhang Tian's first love. Still in touch.
Threat Level: ★★★☆☆
Risk: May expose host's deception.
Xiao Ming frowned. "So another player enters the game."
He dried off and asked: "Where is she now?"
Lin Jie, 20, sophomore at Giant Wheel University, ~200km away.
Warning: Based on social data, Lin Jie arriving by high-speed rail tomorrow.
"So soon? Then I'll strike first."
He texted Lin Xiaoxiao: "Thanks for today. Want to watch a movie tomorrow? 'Star Trek' just came out."
She replied instantly: "Yes! I was about to ask you. How about tomorrow afternoon?"
Perfect.
"Trying to play dirty, Zhang Tian? You're still too green…"
The next morning in class, Zhang Tian was clearly distracted, constantly checking his phone. Xiao Ming, on the other hand, was as composed as ever—he even answered a few questions during the lecture, earning praise from the teacher.
At lunch, Xiao Ming deliberately "bumped into" Lin Xiaoxiao at the cafeteria. The two ate together. Afterward, he walked her through campus, intentionally passing through crowded areas so as many people as possible would see them together.
"See you at the theater at 2. I'll go buy the tickets first," Xiao Ming said as he gently squeezed her fingers, drawing a shy smile from her.
As he turned to leave, the warmth on his face instantly vanished—replaced by a glint of cunning.
"Now let's see what you've got, Zhang Tian."
Just around the corner, Xiao Ming came face-to-face with a tall girl and Zhang Tian. The girl was stylish, and though she shared some resemblance with Lin Xiaoxiao, her features were more mature and seductive.
"That must be Lin Jie," Xiao Ming thought, keeping a neutral expression as he brushed past them.
"Is that him? Xiao Ming?" Lin Jie asked in a low voice.
"Yes, that's him! Acts all perfect, but he's nothing but scum…" Zhang Tian's voice was laced with resentment.
Xiao Ming's lips curved ever so slightly. Now that the new player had arrived, it was time for the hunter to set his trap.
"System, what's Lin Jie and Lin Xiaoxiao's relationship like?"
Data analysis: Cousins. Close relationship but with underlying rivalry. Lin Jie is favored in the family and holds a subtle superiority complex over Lin Xiaoxiao.
"Interesting…" Xiao Ming murmured. A plan began to form.
He didn't go to the theater right away. Instead, he detoured to a high-end jewelry store and bought a delicate but not overly expensive silver bracelet. Then he stopped by a salon for a quick trim to sharpen his look—more refined and mature.
In the mirror, he looked nothing like a typical high school student. He now carried the charisma of a composed young man.
At exactly 2 p.m., Xiao Ming arrived at the cinema, holding two tickets and a small, elegant gift box.
Lin Xiaoxiao was already waiting, dressed in a soft pink dress, looking sweet and lovely. When she saw him, her eyes sparkled.
"This is for you—a little something," Xiao Ming said as he handed over the box and looked into her eyes. "You're beautiful today."
She opened the box and gasped. "Wow, it's gorgeous! But this must be expensive…"
"Not really. But it suits you." Xiao Ming gently helped her put on the bracelet, his fingers lingering a little longer on her delicate wrist, eliciting a visible shiver.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Zhang Tian and Lin Jie in the distance, watching them.
"Hook, line, and sinker," he thought, acting even more attentive and caring.
Leaning in, he whispered, "The movie's about to start. Let's go in."
The scene looked unmistakably romantic. Sure enough, Lin Jie frowned slightly, seemingly in deep thought.
Just before entering the screening room, Xiao Ming pretended to notice something and glanced back—locking eyes with Lin Jie for a split second. He showed just the right amount of surprise and unease before quickly turning away and pulling Lin Xiaoxiao inside.
"See that? He panicked when he saw me!" Zhang Tian whispered excitedly.
But Lin Jie narrowed her eyes. "Strange. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy you described…"
"You're being fooled by his act! Let's go." Zhang Tian pulled her along and bought tickets for the same showing.
Once the movie started, Xiao Ming seemed fully focused, but under the dim light, his hand "accidentally" brushed over Lin Xiaoxiao's. Her breath hitched as her heart started racing.
Midway, Xiao Ming excused himself for the restroom. He knew Zhang Tian and Lin Jie were seated just a few rows behind, watching his every move.
Sure enough, as he stepped into the hallway, Lin Jie "happened" to be there too.
"Hey, I didn't expect to run into Lin Xiaoxiao's cousin here," Xiao Ming greeted warmly.
"You… know who I am?" Lin Jie looked surprised.
Xiao Ming smiled. "Xiaoxiao talks about her beautiful and brilliant cousin all the time. I recognized you right away."
Lin Jie was momentarily caught off guard. This was nothing like what Zhang Tian had described.
"You're Xiao Ming, right?"
"That's me. And you must be Senior Lin Jie. I've heard a lot about you. Xiaoxiao really looks up to you."
Lin Jie struggled for words—he was polite, gracious, nothing like the villain she'd expected.
Xiao Ming glanced at his watch. "Sorry, I should head back. Xiaoxiao gets worried easily. But if you're free sometime, I'd love to treat both you and her to a meal. You're both people I deeply respect."
With a nod, he turned and left Lin Jie standing there, utterly confused.
When the film ended, Xiao Ming deliberately led Lin Xiaoxiao out through another exit, avoiding Zhang Tian and Lin Jie altogether. The two of them walked hand-in-hand in the golden sunset, the scene peaceful and sweet.
That night, lying in bed, Xiao Ming laced his fingers behind his head with a satisfied smile.
System, oh system, you warned me to beware of emotions—but don't forget:
This double-edged sword called "emotion"? I can wield it too.
He closed his eyes, the warmth of Lin Xiaoxiao leaning on him still fresh in his memory… and the curiosity in Lin Jie's confused but intrigued eyes.
Xiao Ming whispered:
"Zhang Tian, I won't just steal your heroine. Even the reinforcements you called in—will become my pawns..."