The living room was dimly lit by a single floor lamp, casting a soft glow. Lin Xiaoxiao nestled in Xiao Ming's arms, her shoulders trembling slightly as she buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly.
Xiao Ming gently stroked her long hair, his fingers running through the silky strands. His voice was impossibly tender. "Still upset?"
Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head and rubbed her cheek against his chest. "With you here, I'm not afraid."
Xiao Ming smiled faintly. This girl was like a little bunny—so innocent and easy to comfort. Compared to her clever and composed cousin, she was a completely different creature.
Thinking of Lin Jie, a sudden thought struck Xiao Ming. At dinner, the glint in that woman's eyes wasn't just admiration—it was something else, something more like interest. The subtle exchange of glances, the "accidental" physical contact... Hah, women. They act so proper on the surface, but their inner drama is more intense than anyone's.
"Xiao Ming…" Lin Xiaoxiao looked up, her eyes watery. "You…" She bit her lip, summoning her courage. "Why are you always… so nice to me?"
Xiao Ming paused. He had anticipated this question. "Because I like you" wouldn't be enough to get by.
After a moment's silence, he leaned down, his forehead almost touching hers, voice hoarse. "Because you deserve to be treated well."
Lin Xiaoxiao froze, her eyes dazed. A flush quickly spread across her cheeks as she lowered her eyes shyly, her lashes fluttering like a startled deer.
"Whoa~." A lazy, teasing female voice suddenly chimed in. "Men really are better liars than women."
Xiao Ming nearly laughed. "Don't cause trouble, System Sis."
"System? What system?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked, confused.
Crap, slipped up! Xiao Ming's heart skipped a beat. He cleared his throat and lied, "Just a gaming term… Occupational habit, you know." He quickly changed the subject. "By the way, when are your parents coming back?"
Lin Xiaoxiao pouted. "They're on a business trip. Won't be back till next week." Her voice grew even softer, and her face turned red. "So… it's just the two of us now…"
Xiao Ming's heart skipped a beat. Was she implying something? He instinctively tightened his arm around her waist, feeling the softness of her curves.
"I'm warning you, don't do anything beastly~" the system teased again, clearly enjoying the situation.
Xiao Ming rolled his eyes. "Do I look like that kind of person?"
"Absolutely." The system replied without hesitation.
Lin Xiaoxiao gave him a puzzled look. "Xiao Ming? Are you okay?"
Xiao Ming smiled awkwardly. "I'm fine, just got distracted for a moment." He gently pushed her away. "It's getting late. I should head home. Call me if you need anything."
Lin Xiaoxiao looked a bit disappointed but nodded obediently. "Okay… Be careful on your way."
As Xiao Ming stood up to leave, his phone vibrated. He took it out—Lin Jie had messaged him: Can we talk? I'm downstairs at your place.
Xiao Ming blinked. How did she know where he lived?
"Is that from my cousin?" Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in and asked.
"Huh? Yeah, she has something to talk about." Xiao Ming replied casually.
Lin Xiaoxiao bit her lip. "Oh… then go quickly. Don't keep her waiting."
Xiao Ming nodded and walked to the door. Suddenly, he turned back and kissed her forehead gently. "Be good. Lock the door. Good night."
Lin Xiaoxiao froze. Only after the door closed did she snap out of it. Her face turned crimson, and she giggled foolishly, covering her forehead.
Walking out of the residential complex, the night breeze was slightly chilly. By a white BMW, Lin Jie stood with her arms crossed. Moonlight cast cold, sharp lines across her face, accentuating her elegant features.
"Senior? What a coincidence." Xiao Ming walked over, feigning surprise. "How did you know I lived here?"
Lin Jie smiled faintly. "I went to see my cousin. Saw you coming out, so I followed."
"You're not... jealous, are you?" Xiao Ming teased half-jokingly.
Lin Jie snorted. "Don't flatter yourself. Get in the car, I'm taking you somewhere."
"It's so late already, Senior, you're not planning to abduct me, are you?"
"If you're scared, don't get in."
"Not scared—just afraid you'll regret it," Xiao Ming grinned as he opened the door and got in.
The BMW glided smoothly out of the city. Soft jazz played in the background as streetlights reflected on the windows, blending with Lin Jie's silhouette. Xiao Ming stole glances at her—elegant profile, pale skin, curled lashes, unreadable eyes.
"Have you stared enough?" Lin Jie suddenly said.
"You're too beautiful, couldn't help it."
She didn't look back, only smiled faintly. "Smooth talker."
They drove into a suburban villa area and stopped in front of a modern-style detached house.
"This your place?" Xiao Ming raised a brow.
"Just where I'm staying for now." Lin Jie got out, swinging her keys. "Come on in."
The living room was spacious and brightly lit, decorated with minimalist elegance.
"Coffee or alcohol?" she asked as she took off her coat.
"Alcohol. It's a bit cold."
A few minutes later, Lin Jie returned with two bottles of chilled beer and sat across from him. "So, what's your take on Zhang Tian?"
Xiao Ming took a bottle and clinked it with hers. "He tried to play dirty. Now he has to pay the price."
Lin Jie stared at him. "You expected it, didn't you? That video by the lake—it wasn't an accident."
"Senior really is sharp," Xiao Ming smiled.
"Being smart isn't enough. The school's going to investigate you. Zhang Tian isn't an easy target."
"Let them investigate," Xiao Ming leaned back lazily. "If they can actually tell right from wrong, I'd welcome it."
Lin Jie was silent for a moment, then asked, "Who do you actually like? My cousin, or me?"
Xiao Ming didn't answer right away. He looked at her steadily. "What if I said... both?"
Lin Jie snorted with laughter. "Playboy."
"But I'm serious."
She studied him for a long while, then said quietly, "Don't hurt her."
"I won't," Xiao Ming replied sincerely.
Lin Jie looked away and took a sip of beer. "I've seen the school video. It's been edited."
"You believe me?"
"I believe in evidence."
They shared a brief smile, the air between them charged with subtle tension.
"What do you think, System?" Xiao Ming asked internally.
The system's voice rang in his mind. "Yo, the big sister brought you home? Looks like something's brewing~"
"Can you be serious for once?" Xiao Ming replied helplessly.
"I'd say you're not serious. The way you were ogling her, like you wanted to eat her alive."
Xiao Ming smirked. "You're right, I'm not exactly behaving, but…"
"But what?" the system asked curiously.
"But I like it." Xiao Ming grinned darkly.
"Tut tut, classic scumbag." The system sneered. "Let's see if you can conquer both sisters."
Lin Jie returned with two beer glasses and sat opposite him. "Thanks for today. If it weren't for you exposing Zhang Tian, I might've been tricked."
Xiao Ming raised his bottle and drank. "I should be the one thanking you. Without your help, I couldn't have handled that video."
"That 'friend' who filmed the video... you staged it, didn't you?" Lin Jie suddenly asked.
Xiao Ming nearly choked. "Huh?"
"Don't pretend," she said with a smile. "The angle and quality clearly show it was planned. You knew Zhang Tian would pull something like that."
Xiao Ming scratched his head, not denying it. "Senior, you really are sharp."
She leaned back, crossing her long legs. "I also noticed something else. In the recording, Zhang Tian said he'd push my cousin into the lake several days before it actually happened."
Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"
"In other words, the original plan was to push my cousin. But in the end, Zhang Tian was the one who fell in. Can you explain that?"
Xiao Ming took another sip of beer, acting casual. "Coincidence, maybe."
"Coincidence?" Lin Jie chuckled. "I don't think so." She leaned forward slightly. "Xiao Ming, who are you really?"
Xiao Ming looked into her serious eyes and suddenly laughed. "What if I said I'm a transmigrator with a villain system? Would you believe me?"
She blinked, then shook her head. "You're joking."
"Exactly. I'm just an ordinary student. I just stay alert and prepare in advance."
They fell into a brief silence. Lin Jie seemed to be thinking. Xiao Ming just enjoyed watching her contemplative expression.
"By the way," Lin Jie said suddenly, "I heard your family's quite well-off?"
Xiao Ming shrugged. "So-so, nothing compared to yours."
"I checked out your neighborhood. It's not cheap. And something strange—I couldn't find any information on your family."
Xiao Ming tensed slightly. "Senior, were you digging into my background?"
Lin Jie smiled sheepishly. "Habit. Don't take it personally." She sipped her beer. "I was just curious. Someone as smart as you—why act like a lazy school bully? You could be doing so much more."
Xiao Ming put down his beer and looked serious. "Because I'm waiting for a chance."
"What kind of chance?" she asked.
"A chance to change everything." Xiao Ming smiled mysteriously.
Lin Jie seemed intrigued by his answer. Her gaze grew more focused. "You're quite ambitious."
"Everyone has ambition. Most people just don't admit it," Xiao Ming said. "Aren't you the same, Senior? Getting into a top graduate school, then entering a big company, climbing the ranks—if that's not ambition, what is?"
Lin Jie laughed. "Interesting. And you? What's your ambition?"
"Secret." Xiao Ming raised a finger to his lips with a shushing gesture.
Lin Jie couldn't help laughing, her body shaking slightly. She looked genuinely beautiful when she laughed—her eyes curved, her teeth perfect, much softer than her usual stern demeanor.
"You're kind of interesting," she commented after calming down.
Xiao Ming winked. "So, Senior finally sees my charm?"
"Don't get cocky," Lin Jie scolded playfully. Then, with a more serious tone, she asked, "Do you really like my cousin?"
The abrupt return to that topic made Xiao Ming pause. Then he countered, "Is that something you care about?"
"I just don't want her getting hurt," Lin Jie said defensively.
Xiao Ming chuckled. "To be honest, your cousin is really cute. But compared to you…" he paused deliberately, "she's still a bit lacking."
Lin Jie's face turned bright red. "You… What nonsense are you spouting!"
"I'm not spouting anything," Xiao Ming said innocently. "I'm just telling the truth. Don't you know how charming you are, Senior?"
Lin Jie pursed her lips, speechless. Was this really the same cool-headed, aloof university senior?
Just as the mood between them began to heat up, Xiao Ming's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen—it was a call from Lin Xiaoxiao.
"Your cousin." Xiao Ming showed the phone to Lin Jie.
Lin Jie frowned. "It's late. Why is she calling you now?"
Xiao Ming answered, "Hello? Xiaoxiao?"
"Xiao Ming…" Lin Xiaoxiao's voice was trembling and tearful. "I'm scared…"
"What happened?" Xiao Ming sat up straight, his voice suddenly tense.
"I just got a message from Zhang Tian. He said… he said I'll pay for what I did…" Lin Xiaoxiao sobbed. "Is he going to hurt me?"
Xiao Ming's brow furrowed. "Don't be afraid. He won't do anything. Did you lock all the doors and windows?"
"They're locked…" she said, voice shaking. "But I'm still really scared… Can you come over?"
Xiao Ming looked at Lin Jie. She was already standing up, asking quietly, "What happened?"
"Zhang Tian threatened Xiaoxiao," Xiao Ming replied briefly, then spoke into the phone, "Don't worry. I'm coming right now."
After hanging up, Lin Jie grabbed her car keys. "I'll go with you."
The two rushed downstairs and got in the car. As they sped toward Lin Xiaoxiao's apartment, Lin Jie gripped the steering wheel tightly, her expression dark. "If that bastard Zhang Tian dares touch my cousin, I'll kill him."
Xiao Ming, on the other hand, was calm. "Don't worry, Senior. Zhang Tian won't do anything crazy. He's just angry and trying to scare her."
"I hope that's all it is," Lin Jie said, stepping harder on the gas.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Lin Xiaoxiao's apartment complex. They hurried to her building. In the elevator, Lin Jie anxiously watched the floor numbers tick upward.
Ding. The elevator doors opened, and they rushed to the door. Just as Xiao Ming reached to ring the bell, the door opened from inside. Lin Xiaoxiao stood there in pajamas, eyes red. The moment she saw them, she ran straight into Xiao Ming's arms.
"You came… sob…" she cried, burying her face in his chest.
Xiao Ming gently patted her back. "Don't be afraid. We're here. Everything's okay now."
Lin Jie looked around and said, "Let's go inside first."
The three of them entered the apartment. Lin Xiaoxiao clung closely to Xiao Ming on the sofa, while Lin Jie sat across from them, frowning. "What exactly did Zhang Tian say? Show me the message."
Lin Xiaoxiao handed her phone over. Lin Jie read the message, and her face instantly darkened: "Just wait. I'll make sure you regret it, bitch!"
"What a scumbag!" Lin Jie said through gritted teeth. "I'm calling the police!"
Xiao Ming reached out to stop her. "Wait. Reporting him now won't do much. It's just a threatening message. At most, the police will take a statement and give him a warning."
"So what? We just let him get away with it?" Lin Jie was clearly unhappy.
Xiao Ming rubbed his chin, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Of course not. But I have a better idea."
He took out his phone and made a call. "Hey, Fatty? Need a favor… yeah, it's that Zhang Tian guy… ungrateful little rat, even dares to send threats… alright, all yours. Teach him a hard lesson… Thanks, bro."
After hanging up, Xiao Ming turned to the sisters. "Don't worry. Zhang Tian will be begging for forgiveness by tomorrow."
Lin Jie raised an eyebrow. "Your friend can handle it?"
Xiao Ming gave a mysterious smile. "Of course. We've already got the dirt on Zhang Tian."
Lin Xiaoxiao clutched his hand gratefully. "Thank you, Xiao Ming…"
Xiao Ming gently ruffled her hair. "Silly girl. No need to thank me. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Lin Jie watched the two of them, eyes complex, but said nothing.
"Where am I sleeping tonight?" Xiao Ming suddenly asked, looking around.
Both Lin Xiaoxiao and Lin Jie froze.
"You're staying?" Lin Jie frowned.
"Of course. Xiaoxiao's so scared—I should keep her company."
Lin Xiaoxiao blushed like an apple. "I… I only have one bedroom…"
"I'll sleep on the sofa then," Xiao Ming said, scratching his head.
Lin Jie gave him a suspicious look. "Convenient excuse."
Xiao Ming played innocent. "I'm just concerned for her safety. If you don't trust me, you can stay too. The sofa's big enough—we can squeeze in."
Lin Jie rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming." Then she turned to Lin Xiaoxiao. "Why don't you come stay at my place for a few days? There's plenty of room."
Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated, glanced at Xiao Ming. "But… Xiao Ming…"
Xiao Ming smiled. "It's fine. You two staying together is safer. I'll just head home."
In the end, Lin Xiaoxiao packed a few essentials and went to stay with her cousin. Before leaving, she hugged Xiao Ming tightly, face red. "Thank you for coming tonight."
Xiao Ming wrapped his arms around her slender waist and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine soon."
Lin Jie stood nearby, silently observing them, a flicker of unspoken emotion in her eyes.
As he watched the two sisters drive away, Xiao Ming finally hailed a cab and returned home. The moment he walked in, the system's voice rang out eagerly:
"Oho~ Things are heating up! Both sisters are into you now. So—what's your move?"
Xiao Ming collapsed onto his bed, a smirk on his lips. "Sister System, what's there to decide? Everything's going according to plan."
"You're actually thinking of collecting both?" The system sounded stunned.
Xiao Ming stretched. "What's the point of being a villain if you can't have it all?"
There was a brief silence, then the system responded:
"Villain Points +200. Current Total: 100,200."
Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow. "Only that much?"
"Don't push your luck," the system huffed. "You're still in the early-stage villain tier. If you want more, you'll have to work harder."
Xiao Ming asked curiously, "Like how?"
"Defeat the protagonist, sabotage the plot, win the heroines' hearts…" the system listed. "Oh, by the way, the System Shop is now open. You can spend Villain Points to exchange for items and abilities."
Xiao Ming sat up instantly. "Really? Show me!"
A flash of violet light lit up in front of him, and a translucent screen appeared:
[Villain Store]
Basic Physique Enhancer (Increases body stats by 30%) — 1,000 VPBasic Charm Aura (+20% attraction from the opposite sex) — 2,000 VPBasic Eye of Insight (See through emotions and simple thoughts) — 5,000 VPBasic Fate Interference Card (Alter small-scale events) — 10,000 VP…
"Whoa! I can actually buy these?" Xiao Ming asked, amazed.
The system chuckled. "Of course. But right now you only have enough for the Basic Physique Enhancer."
Xiao Ming stroked his chin, deep in thought. "I'll save up. Once I have enough, I'm getting the Eye of Insight."
"Smart choice," the system agreed. "So… what's your plan for Zhang Tian tomorrow?"
Xiao Ming yawned. "No worries. Fatty will take care of it. We already dug up a dirty little secret of his."
"Oh? What kind of secret?" the system asked curiously.
Xiao Ming grinned mischievously. "His dad has a mistress and an illegitimate child. If his mom finds out… let's just say, Daddy Zhang's gonna be in deep trouble."