I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain

“What… what did he mean by that?”

Leaning against the window on the second floor, Gu Yurou stared at the scene below, her heart caught in a tide of rising ripples. Wang Haoran’s voice still echoed in her ears, each word stirring emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel.

That guy… the same guy who used such domineering means to humiliate her just days ago… wasn’t he supposed to despise her? Shouldn’t he hate her guts? Then why would he stand up for her so openly?

Could it be… he liked her?

The thought took root before she could suppress it, and warmth bloomed in her chest. A quiet joy, fragile yet sweet, rose to the surface.

【Ding! Female lead Gu Yurou’s favorability toward the host increased by 5. Current total favorability: 55 (budding affection).】

【Ding! Host successfully impersonated the male lead and advanced a key female-oriented plotline. Gained 900 villain points. Gu Yurou’s protagonist halo -45. Host’s villain halo +45.】

Wang Haoran received the system prompts, and the irritation brought on by playing along with such a cliché setup eased slightly.

His previously unfocused gaze, distracted by inner calculations, sharpened once more and fell upon Chen Linlin’s face.

She was already resentful that Gu Yurou was prettier than her. And now the man she had just fallen for was showing such open concern for that same girl?

The hatred in her heart deepened.

Wang Haoran caught the shift in her expression instantly. That icy flicker of animosity told him things were about to get messy.

This wasn’t what he had come for.

He had intended to resolve things cleanly, to get Chen Linlin off Gu Yurou’s back. But thanks to this melodramatic dog-blood encounter, he only added fuel to the fire. If left alone, this petty grudge would drag out longer than an old lady’s foot wrap.

And Wang Haoran had no interest in cleaning up Gu Yurou’s mess forever. He had better things to do.

He could eliminate Chen Linlin entirely. Poison her. End her storyline permanently.

But that wouldn’t be cost-effective.

For all her flaws, Chen Linlin was still the daughter of Chen San, a powerful businessman who valued her dearly. She could sway her father’s opinion, which might prove useful down the line.

Besides, her favorability had maxed out. Her loyalty wasn’t in question.

That said, with Gu Yurou eavesdropping from above, now wasn’t the best time to extract obedience from Chen Linlin.

Thinking quickly, Wang Haoran turned toward her. “Come with me.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode off toward a path that led away from the dorms.

Chen Linlin didn’t hesitate. She followed him immediately.

“Sister Linlin!” One of her hench-girls called out behind her.

“Don’t follow.” She raised a hand and halted their steps, then hurried after Wang Haoran alone.

The two walked quietly along a narrow campus trail, winding through trees and past old stone benches until they arrived at a quiet, shaded grove. No students lingered nearby. For now, they were completely alone.

Wang Haoran finally stopped and turned to face her, a playful glint in his eyes.

“I told you to follow me, and you really did. Aren’t you afraid?”

Chen Linlin blinked, caught off guard by the question. Her heart fluttered once but settled quickly.

What could he possibly do? Hit her?

And if he did—she could beg for mercy. Surely he wasn’t so cold that he wouldn’t feel a shred of compassion for a girl like her?

But if he wasn’t planning to hit her… then there was only one other possibility.

Oddly enough, instead of fear, she felt a strange excitement fluttering in her chest.

Unfazed, she lifted her chin and called back, “Afraid of what? What are you going to do—eat me?”

Wang Haoran’s smile faded as he shifted into serious mode. “You’ve misunderstood something. My relationship with Gu Yurou… isn’t what you think.”

“If you don’t like her,” Chen Linlin asked suspiciously, “then why speak for her? Why come to me just to warn me off?”

“Quite the opposite,” he said plainly. “I don’t like her. In fact, I can’t stand her.”

Chen Linlin narrowed her eyes, analyzing the logic. “So you’re pretending to like her? You want to win her over and then dump her cold?”

“Exactly.” He kept his tone businesslike. “That’s why I need your cooperation. Name your price. Whatever you want—money’s not an issue.”

“I’m not hurting for cash,” Chen Linlin scoffed. “Can I ask for something else?”

“Depends on what it is,” he replied. “If it’s within reason, I’ll consider it.”

Chen Linlin hesitated. Her heart raced as she forced the words out.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Wang Haoran met her eyes. “I do.”

The disappointment flashed across her face before she could stop it.

“But I don’t mind having another.”

She froze. A soft gasp caught in her throat. His meaning was clear, blunt even—but it stirred something reckless in her.

They were both villains in their own right. Why pretend otherwise?

“You’re such a scumbag!” she blurted out, eyes wide in disbelief.

“I never asked you to agree,” he said, amused by her reaction.

She blinked. That… made sense. If she didn’t say yes, then nothing would happen. She still had her choice and come to think of it, compared to those fake gentlemen who wore masks of decency, this man was at least being honest.

He wasn’t two-timing behind someone’s back. He laid it all out in the open.

“Let’s forget that. Pick something else,” Wang Haoran offered, ready to move on.

“No,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s what I want.”

“What?”

“I want to be your girlfriend. You make me your girlfriend, and I’ll stop going after Gu Yurou.”

Her face flushed with color. She hated herself for saying it, hated that she was giving herself away so easily.

But damn it—she wanted to be used by him. That was the truth.

She wanted it so badly.

Wang Haoran extended a hand as if they were signing a business deal. “Pleasure doing business.”

Chen Linlin hesitated for half a heartbeat, then reached out and clasped his hand.

【Ding! Host has successfully impersonated the female-oriented male lead and resolved the antagonist plotline involving Chen Linlin and Gu Yurou. Gained 2200 villain points. Gu Yurou’s protagonist halo -110. Host’s villain halo +110.】

The reward came through clean and satisfying. Wang Haoran tried to let go of her hand, but she didn’t release him.

“You’re free now, aren’t you?” Chen Linlin asked sweetly, her fingers still wrapped around his. “Let me show you around the campus. There are some really nice spots nearby.”

“Actually,” Wang Haoran said suddenly, something coming to mind, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.” She tilted her head, smiling.

“Have you ever dated anyone before? You know… are you still…?” Wang Haoran didn’t finish the question, but the look he gave her said everything.

Chen Linlin immediately caught his meaning and blurted out, “Of course I am!”

“I don’t believe you.” Wang Haoran’s gaze scanned her from head to toe. Then, with a wicked glint in his eye, he asked, “Which hotel nearby is the cleanest?”

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