Villain – Peeking at the Diary, the Female Leads’ Personas Collapse

Chapter 80

Chen Fan was stunned, feeling as though his entire understanding of the world had shifted. How can you be like this, woman? You shouldn’t act this way; the whole book is going off track!

With a mischievous smile, Tao Xiaoyao asked, “What do you think?”

“It was … interesting to watch.”

She rapped him on the head. “Did I ask if it was entertaining? I mean, what do you think about the situation?”

What do I think? I’m practically bursting with rage here! But as the villain, Chen Fan couldn’t admit that, so he chose to stay in character.

“Well, well, impressive. I never thought I’d see the day Ye Aotian got put in this position.”

Tao Xiaoyao looked at him, unimpressed. “Keep pretending.”

She placed her half-eaten lollipop into his hand. “That girl is capable of great things. Or … she might just disappear into thin air.”

“Not my concern. I only care about those close to me. But I am disappointed in Zheng Shaoyang.”

“Disappointed?” Tao Xiaoyao chuckled. “I came across this by chance. So, where will you be? I might join the fun.”

“Alright, and anything else from my father?”

“Not really. I’m just here to balance the scales and protect you. If it’s only Ye Aotian coming after you, I won’t intervene. And don’t think you can boss me around.”

Chen Fan nodded. “Head back to the room; I need a smoke to process everything. There’s … a lot on my mind.”

“A lot” is an understatement. I practically want to die right now.

Once Tao Xiaoyao left, Chen Fan took out his phone.

[Extra! Extra! Protagonist’s been cheated on! Protagonist’s been cheated on!]

[I swear, I’m in deep shock!]

[Sure, Xiao Lan’s a side character with a dubious reputation, but how did their relationship get this outrageous?]

[Isn’t he the protagonist? Shouldn’t every woman who gets involved with him be faithful? How did things turn out like this?]

[Oh, and can someone please explain why Tao Xiaoyao, this ancient killer loli, suddenly appeared? She’s old enough to be my mother. It’s terrifying.]

[But thankfully, her role shouldn’t disrupt the plot. As I recall, her daughter is the actual character with significance. The campus arc should be starting soon. The pharmaceutical company’s stock is bound to crash, forcing Ye Aotian to go back to school to get his medical license.]

Usually, these types of novels follow an arc-based structure: campus, workplace, exclusive circles, etc. Female characters enter when the protagonist does, a predictable setup. Chen Fan sighed. Whatever. Forget it. I’m tired. Let the world burn. As long as the core plot remains intact, I’m not the one in the wrong—the world is.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lan and Zheng Shaoyang had just finished their “battle,” and Zheng Shaoyang lit a cigarette, smirking. “You’re quite wild. Didn’t think Ye Aotian wasn’t up to par?”

Xiao Lan laughed. “I’m not sure, but he doesn’t seem as strong as I expected. Maybe it’s the injuries. The doctor mentioned his kidneys suffered irreparable damage, and they got stabbed a few more times.”

Zheng Shaoyang laughed heartily. “That’s pretty ironic. So, this was …?”

“Think of it as a story. If you decide to side with Ye Aotian, maybe we’ll have more stories to tell.”

Zheng Shaoyang, finding her amusing, smiled. He didn’t truly value Xiao Lan, but the thought of taking the Ye Aotian’s woman was quite gratifying. It offered a strange sense of self-satisfaction.

“Do you dislike Ye Aotian?”

Xiao Lan didn’t respond. Her feelings had faded the day Ye Aotian told Lin Qingyue, If it bothers you, I’ll cut ties with Xiao Lan.

Desiring comfort and companionship, Xiao Lan stayed with Ye Aotian for financial reasons, but she knew she had to make moves of her own.

“I think I’ll join Ye Aotian,” Zheng Shaoyang said finally.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. Chen Fan and Ye Aotian both want me as a pawn. They see me as an object to be fought over, but you … you seem different. I’ll side with Ye Aotian for you.”

“Oh, stop with the sweet talk. That won’t work on me.”

“What if I replace Ye Aotian one day?”

“Would you keep me around? Or, like him, would I just be another plaything?”

“Probably … I would.”

“Probably.” Xiao Lan laughed bitterly, standing to get dressed. “Then good luck. Forget tonight ever happened, and let’s never speak of it again.”

As Xiao Lan left, Zheng Shaoyang felt a strange, fleeting sense of pity for her. Had he fallen for her? He wasn’t sure but found the possibility unexpectedly pleasant.

Meanwhile, in the VIP room, Anna and Zhu Yeqing had gone into shock while reading Chen Fan’s diary. Familiar with this genre, they’d read similar stories before. But seeing how Chen Fan returned looking utterly miserable, they stifled their laughter. Chen Fan was visibly frustrated.

“Everyone, meet Tao Xiaoyao. My father hired her as my bodyguard. She’s …”

Tao Xiaoyao knocked him on the head. “Eighteen years old.”

Yeah, right, Chen Fan thought. If you were eighty, I’d believe it more.

In novels like this, if a female lead’s mother was introduced, she was almost certainly going to get involved with the protagonist or the villain, becoming a bizarre subplot staple.

Zhu Yeqing shook Tao Xiaoyao’s hand.

“Interesting. Is your master that infamous sorceress?”

“You’ve heard of my master?”

“Rumors only. She used to say she couldn’t find a successor. Looks like she found you, and you’re a good fit. You’ve got talent. If you ever have questions, ask me.”

“Thank you, sister,” Zhu Yeqing replied.

Satisfied, Tao Xiaoyao settled into a corner with her phone to play games.

Anna asked, “Is she really that strong?”

“Have you heard of the ‘Night Demon’?”

Anna’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean the Night Demon—the one who wiped out an entire family twenty years ago? She’s still around?”

I wish this woman would disappear.

Fortunately, Tao Xiaoyao’s presence wouldn’t affect the plot much. She would mostly be there to monitor the school arc, which was a straightforward storyline: Ye Aotian gains fame, Chen Fan loses face, and his family’s pharmaceutical company’s stock plummets. Enraged, Chen Fan reports that Ye Aotian lacks a medical license, pushing him into the campus arc to obtain one.

But that’s for later. Right now, Chen Fan was mystified. Why would the protagonist’s woman betray him? It defied everything he thought he knew.

Chen Fan tossed some cash onto the table, prompting the girls to scramble for it.

“Answer a question for me. Why would a woman cheat on her boyfriend with another man?”

One of the girls, grabbing the money, said, “Easy. Either the guy can’t satisfy her, or they had a fight.”

“A fight?”

After all, it’s the protagonist we’re talking about. Erectile dysfunction didn’t even cross Chen Fan’s mind.

“Yeah, a fight. Haven’t you heard? Newly single girls are the easiest to get.”

“Oh, come on, don’t say that about Young Master Chen. He’s still a pure-hearted virgin, after all.”

Who’s out here slandering me? Whoever it is, I swear I’ll kill you.

Chen Fan glared at Anna. “Princess Anna, this isn’t funny.”

“Oh, but I think it is! And judging by your face, I nailed it. Hahaha!”

You’re insane. Go to hell.

But Chen Fan noticed something odd; the other women in the room were giving him admiring, almost reverent looks.

Wait a minute. I’m the villain here—the notorious rich second-gen of Qincheng. Why are they looking at me like that?

In a paradox typical of women, an ordinary virgin would be disregarded. But a wealthy, exceptional man like Chen Fan being a virgin intrigued them, making them think of him as disciplined and self-respecting. The added impression of his loyalty to Lin Qingyue only increased their admiration.

“What’s with those looks? Are you all planning to … eat me?”