I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain

“Why can’t it be me?” Wang Haoran asked in return, voice calm, even amused.

Ji Shuiyao stared at him, eyes full of doubt. “Then answer a few questions for me.”

“Go ahead,” he said with a casual nod.

“What are the classifications of algae?”

“Algae can be divided into marine and freshwater species,” Wang Haoran began leisurely, his tone unhurried but precise. “Strictly speaking, they fall into eight phyla: Cyanophyta, Chrysophyta, Bacillariophyta, Dinoflagellata, Euglenophyta, Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyta.”

Ji Shuiyao’s brows twitched, but she held back. “That’s not too impressive. Anyone who studies diligently could answer that. Let’s see how you handle a harder one,” she said, upping the difficulty with a glint in her eye. “When did algae first appear on Earth?”

“Roughly four to five billion years ago,” Wang Haoran replied without missing a beat. “At that time, Earth was still in a primordial state—lightning splitting the skies, storms raging, tidal waves crashing. No oxygen. No life. Nothing but silence and desolation.”

“That era lasted for over a billion years until, around 3.5 billion years ago during the Archaean Eon, cyanobacteria—blue-green algae—emerged. They contained chlorophyll and could perform photosynthesis, generating oxygen and, with it, the first glimmers of hope.”

Ji Shuiyao’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected such detailed knowledge. But still she wasn’t satisfied. Her fingers tightened around her coffee cup as she threw down the gauntlet.

“You know quite a bit,” she murmured, then looked him dead in the eye. “One last question. If you can answer this, I’ll believe you.”

She sipped her coffee slowly, giving him one final moment before asking, “In my current research, there’s an experiment on microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. If it were you conducting it, how would you proceed?”

This was her trump card.

Even she hadn’t fully figured out the approach for this one.

If he could answer this, there would be no more doubt.

“For the experimental strain, I’d use a microorganism from the Ochrobactrum genus—specifically, Ochrobactrum sp. BAP5,” Wang Haoran said smoothly, launching into a calm, unhurried explanation. “The reagents involved include standard protein markers, bovine serum albumin at 5mg/mL, and 0.01M phosphate-buffered saline composed of 0.8g NaCl, 0.27g KH₂PO₄, 1.42g Na₂HPO₄, and 0.2g KCl. Add 800mL of distilled water and adjust the pH to 7. Stir for 30 minutes, then add 50mL of 86% H₃PO₄ by weight, dilute to 100mL, and filter through double-layered filter paper.”

“The required equipment includes a JSM-6360LA tungsten filament scanning electron microscope, and a solid-phase microextraction setup with an 85μm extraction head.”

“As for procedure—start with morphology observation of strain BAP5. Use 2216E agar to streak and isolate single colonies. Conduct Gram staining to confirm the characteristics. Then proceed to test BAP5’s degradation efficiency on individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under low-temperature conditions. Preserve the strain in glycerol, then activate and propagate it with 2216E medium. Inoculate 1% into MSM containing BaP, Phe, Pyr, and Flu…”

He was only halfway through.

But already, Ji Shuiyao sat in stunned silence, her lips slightly parted.

【Ding! Host has successfully forged the identity of a top-tier scientist.】

【Ding! Female Lead Ji Shuiyao’s Favorability +20. Current total: 60 (Budding Affection).】

【Ding! Host has disrupted the main plot. Gained 1500 Villain Points. Lin Chen’s Protagonist Halo -75. Host’s Villain Halo +75!】

Before meeting Ji Shuiyao, Wang Haoran had played it safe—he spent 1500 Villain Points to exchange for a historical scientist template focused on marine biology.

It was the only reason he could now respond so confidently and effortlessly to all her deeply technical questions.

And although the cost was steep, the payoff was even better. Not only had he successfully constructed the identity of a top-tier scientist, Ji Shuiyao’s Favorability soared—and in the same moment, he earned back 1500 Villain Points.

Without hesitation, Wang Haoran activated his Charm Halo.

【Ding! Charm Halo activated. Ji Shuiyao’s Favorability +10. Current total: 70 (Unswerving Devotion).】

【Ding! Host has significantly altered the plot trajectory. Gained 1700 Villain Points!】

Another handsome sum added to the vault.

Across the table, Ji Shuiyao was still too stunned to speak.

Wang Haoran chuckled. “You’re out of marine biology questions. How about something from biochemistry next?”

Her lips moved, her mind finally catching up. “N-No need.”

“Then,” he said gently, “can we have a proper talk now?”

“…Mm.” Now that she knew the man sitting across from her was Wei Xiaobao, her demeanor shifted. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze directly. Her tone was softer, almost timid.

But she mustered her courage and asked, “That confession… on Global Discovery… did you really mean it?”

Wang Haoran glanced at his watch and nodded internally. The timing should be just right.

Feigning confusion, he said, “You didn’t see the latest website announcement?”

“Announcement?” Ji Shuiyao blinked in confusion and quickly opened the site on her phone.

There it was—plain and public.

A full explanation from Wei Xiaobao clarifying that the previous ‘confession’ was the work of someone who had stolen his account. It had nothing to do with him.

The color drained from Ji Shuiyao’s face. Embarrassment crashed over her like a wave.

She wanted to melt into the floor and never come out again.

And yet… beneath that mortifying shame was a hollow ache.

Disappointment. Regret.

Still clinging to a thread of hope, she asked softly, “Then… why did you agree to meet me?”

Wang Haoran looked at her gently. “Because I didn’t want someone using my name to deceive you. That would not only harm you… but also my own reputation.”

The last fragment of hope inside her shattered. A sharp ache bloomed in her chest, and her breath came shallow. Her voice was tight as she whispered, “Thank you for your concern.”

Wang Haoran took a sip of coffee and smiled. “It’s the least I could do.”

Ji Shuiyao tried to calm her breathing, forcing herself to suppress the swirl of emotion. “Your papers on Global Discovery… they’re extraordinary. I’d like to formally invite you, on behalf of my research institute, to host an academic lecture. Would that be possible?”

“I’m afraid not,” Wang Haoran replied, his tone measured. “I only published those papers on a whim. I never intended to become famous.”

He paused, then added with a hint of gravity, “And I’d prefer not to be disturbed by others in the scientific community. I hope you’ll keep this matter confidential.”

“I understand,” Ji Shuiyao said, nodding. “Of course.”

Even so, the admiration in her eyes could not be fully hidden. After a breath, she asked again, unable to stop herself, “Would it be alright… if I asked you some academic questions again tomorrow?”

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