Chapter 17: Upgraded Tactics, Forcing an Apology?
“As I said, I won’t give you the video back.” Not touching Lin Tai’s face left her disappointed, but she knew Lin Tai didn’t like her yet. Even if she confessed impulsively, she’d likely be rejected.
This was the part Lu Ziyan couldn’t understand—why did such a kind-hearted Lin Tai fall for a woman like Xia Shihan? What did she have? In looks, she was at best equal to Lu Ziyan.
In family background, she was no better than Lu Ziyan. In grace, Xia Shihan barely outdid her.
Lu Ziyan believed that if she pursued Lin Tai, she’d win him over quickly—especially with the video he cared about in her hands.
Using the video to negotiate with Lin Tai felt like Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji from The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber—the more she thought about it, the more excited she became.
She’d make Lin Tai fall for her, just like Zhao Min did!
“Lu Ziyan, I warn you not to push me, or I’ll do anything! Got it!” Lin Tai slammed the table, his heart secretly rejoicing with an uncle’s chuckle.
Well done! Lin Tai couldn’t help but flash a proud, fatherly smile.
Since his rebirth, the heroines’ constant persona shifts had nearly driven him to tears.
Finally! He’d found a normal heroine!
Though she had that odd move of trying to touch his face. But as long as she stuck to the plot, it didn’t matter!
He wished Xia Shihan, Xiao Yuxuan, and Hecate—those unprofessional heroines—could see this. This was professionalism!
Ziyan, my little darling, keep going—I won’t interrupt! Use your haughtiness, your coldness, to whip me into shape!
Don’t spare me because I’m a delicate flower~~~
Lin Tai’s heart brimmed with anticipation.
This wasn’t him enjoying the abuse—it was the other heroines forcing him into it!
One by one, they were all abnormal, all sick!
Lu Ziyan wasn’t surprised by Lin Tai’s outburst. In her past life, he’d done the same, slamming the table in her face.
Once, she’d have found it rude and crude, but now, watching Lin Tai, she saw it as genuine and guileless—especially his bluster, masking his true hesitation, making him adorably endearing.
How had she been so late to notice her boy’s charm in her past life?
The more Lu Ziyan looked, the more she liked him, forgetting to speak altogether.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew awkwardly strange.
“…” Lin Tai glared at Lu Ziyan, inwardly cringing.
Lu Ziyan, say your line! If you don’t speak, how am I supposed to act next? And why are you staring at my face? Do I have something on it?
He raised a hand to touch his face—nothing unusual…
As expected of a heroine! He hadn’t noticed Lu Ziyan’s depth in his past life—using her gaze to pressure him into backing down?
Incredible! Who’d have thought this young heroine’s skills had leveled up after a rebirth?
Though this deviated from the original plot, it wasn’t a problem. A slight tweak to the dialogue was fine—adding a line wouldn’t hurt.
“Don’t think being in your house means I won’t dare to act!”
Lu Ziyan snapped out of it, her heart brimming with amusement. If she didn’t know Lin Tai’s true nature, she might’ve believed him.
She’d bet her life Lin Tai wouldn’t strike her—her boy was too kind.
“It’s not entirely non-negotiable,” Lu Ziyan said, unwilling to let Lin Tai flounder further. She was ready to execute her plan.
Dubbed the “Love Trap Scheme,” she’d prepared it all day.
“Negotiate …??” Lin Tai’s jaw dropped.
What was wrong with this heroine? This wasn’t the plot!
After his threat, shouldn’t Lu Ziyan have gotten angry and uploaded the video online?
Lu Ziyan, where’s your artistic pride? Negotiate? Negotiate what? Another heroine gone rogue! She’d been so promising—how could she change so fast?
Wait… something felt off. Lin Tai’s eyes swept over Lu Ziyan’s sly smile.
If her tactics had upgraded, could this negotiation be part of it? She admired Ye Bai, so she’d likely act in his interest. Maybe she’d use the video to force an apology to Ye Bai, then leak it.
The more Lin Tai thought, the more plausible it seemed! No, it was certain—this fit a heroine’s standard behavior. Always prioritizing the male lead!
Well done—this was a true heroine!
Sorry, I misjudged you!
With Lu Ziyan’s upgraded tactics, Lin Tai had to cooperate, or the plot would stall.
“Name your terms. If I can do it, I’ll agree,” Lin Tai said, settling back onto the sofa, eagerly awaiting her demand for an apology to Ye Bai.
“I want you …” Lu Ziyan smiled softly.