Chapter 9: The System Returns
Lin Jia’s return completely disrupted Yang Yu’s plan.
Originally, he had arranged for Luo Tian to take Yu Fei out clubbing, hoping that Ding Dian would catch him in the act. If Yu Fei had time to party but not to be with his girlfriend, Ding Dian would definitely explode in anger. And knowing Yu Fei’s personality, he wouldn’t back down in public to save face. The outcome would be predictable—a huge fight.
That way, Yang Yu would have successfully altered Ding Dian’s fate.
Afterward, he could comfort her with drinks, and who knows? Maybe one thing would lead to another. It was the perfect setup.
But things didn’t go as planned. Lin Jia’s sudden appearance forced Yang Yu to abandon his scheme.
“Would I be honored to treat two beautiful ladies to dinner?” Yang Yu stepped forward, interrupting their whispered conversation.
Ding Dian nodded but remained silent, looking at Lin Jia.
“I’ll pass. I’m just here to officially return from my leave and drop by to see you. I still have a surprise planned for Meng Yun,” Lin Jia said with a smile.
“Maybe you should call him first. Lately, I don’t even know what he and Yu Fei have been so busy with. We haven’t seen them in a month,” Ding Dian suggested.
“If I call, it won’t be a surprise, will it? Besides, Meng Yun already told me you’ve been arguing with Yu Fei lately,” Lin Jia said, glancing briefly at Yang Yu.
Then, she leaned in and whispered, “You’ve been spending a lot of time with this rich boy lately. What’s going on?”
“Nothing! Yu Fei’s been ignoring me for who knows what reason. Since a handsome guy came along to entertain me, I figured I’d have some fun teasing him,” Ding Dian whispered back.
“Don’t take it too far. If Yu Fei really misunderstands, you’re going to regret it. Be careful, or you’ll get burned,” Lin Jia warned.
“Oh, come on! I was just bored. But now that you’re back, he’s not useful anymore,” Ding Dian laughed.
The two continued their whispered conversation, giggling and exchanging glances.
Yang Yu, left standing awkwardly on the side, was fuming.
It’s bad enough that they’re whispering about me, but could they at least do it where I can’t hear every word?
Ding Dian’s voice was just loud enough for him to catch everything.
Yang Yu coughed awkwardly.
Ding Dian glanced at him and asked, “Why are you still here?” Her tone was downright dismissive.
“I thought we were going to eat. I was waiting for you,” Yang Yu replied, trying to hide his irritation.
“Yeah, we are going to eat, but who said we were taking you along?” Ding Dian smirked.
Yang Yu cursed a thousand times in his head.
If it weren’t for this stupid mission, I would’ve told her off ages ago.
At that moment, Lin Jia gently tugged Ding Dian’s hand and turned to Yang Yu with a polite but distant smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Yang, but Ding Dian and I haven’t seen each other in a long time. We have a lot to catch up on—private conversations.”
Despite her friendly tone, the message was crystal clear: Leave. Now.
What else could Yang Yu do?
He had no choice but to slink away.
“Alright, I won’t bother you. And just call me Yang Yu—‘Mr. Yang’ sounds way too formal,” he said helplessly.
“It’s better to keep it formal. After all, we’re not close,” Lin Jia responded, her face still carrying that pleasant yet distant smile.
With that, Lin Jia took Ding Dian’s hand and walked away, leaving Yang Yu standing there, utterly frustrated.
Back at the Hotel…
The more Yang Yu thought about it, the angrier he became. He couldn’t just sit around and do nothing.
He had only one year in this world, and he had already wasted more than a month. He hadn’t even completed Ding Dian’s side mission yet—let alone the two main storyline missions!
Lying on his bed, lost in thought, Yang Yu decided to move into the apartment directly across from Ding Dian’s.
The place had been fully renovated, inside and out, but he had chosen to stay at the hotel because it was more convenient. That was about to change.
Driving to the apartment complex, he glanced up at Ding Dian’s window. The lights were still off—she wasn’t home yet.
As he walked toward the entrance, he couldn’t help but think:
I traveled to this world to be a villain. So why do I feel like I’m turning into the second male lead in a cheesy romance drama?
This wasn’t right. Villains were supposed to be ruthless, cunning, and willing to use any dirty trick to achieve their goals. They were supposed to stop at nothing.
Had he gone soft?
Yang Yu reflected on himself as he unlocked the apartment door, flopped onto the couch, and sighed.
Maybe he just wasn’t cut out to be a villain.
Then, out of nowhere…
Ding!
“Congratulations, host! You have grasped the true essence of a villain. You have been awarded 10,000 points, and the system shop is now unlocked!”
The system’s voice echoed in his mind.
Yang Yu shot up from the couch, wide-eyed.
Ever since he arrived in this world, the system had been completely silent. No matter how many times he called for it, there had been no response—like shouting into a void.
But now, out of nowhere, it had reappeared.
And Yang Yu couldn’t be more excited.