Ice clinked in the whiskey glass as purple, dazzling lights illuminated the crowded dance floor. When the bar door closed, it split the world into two distinct halves—inside and out.

A promoter, busy serving drinks, noticed a young man approaching. His pupils widened instinctively, and his pace slowed.

He seemed lost, constantly looking back, and even bumped into someone, drawing laughter from those around him.

The young man’s appearance was striking, with delicate, cat-like features. His hair had a slight natural wave, and both the tips of his hair and the corners of his eyes curved upwards slightly.

The purple lights cast a glow on the small black mole under his right eye, adding to his seductive allure. His casual glances carried a playful, teasing charm that made onlookers’ hearts flutter.

From the moment he walked in, everyone’s eyes were on him.

As he moved further away, someone whispered, “Who is he? I’ve never seen him before.”

After asking around, no one knew who he was. Then, one person noticed the man beside the young man and suddenly realized, “That’s Yu Zao! Didn’t you see the person with him? It’s Chu Xi.”

At the mention of Yu Zao, the rich heirs around them fell silent.

Yu Zao, a well-known socialite from Beijing University, was infamous for only associating with the wealthy. Someone once tried to court him, but he publicly rejected them, saying, “Are you rich? I only date rich people.”

Everyone in their circle knew Yu Zao was excessively vain and materialistic. His standards were impossibly high, and even those with wealth often failed to meet them.

For instance, Chu Xi, the poor guy beside him, was merely good enough to carry Yu Zao’s bags as a follower, nothing more.

Everyone treated Yu Zao as a source of amusement. Yet, recalling his unforgettable face, especially under the soft and hazy lights, made him appear even more captivating.

Strangely, they found themselves thinking—if only they were wealthier.

The bar was well air-conditioned, and Yu Zao couldn’t help but sneeze.

With a slight nasal tone, Yu Zao called out, “Chu Xi.”

Hearing Yu Zao call his name, Chu Xi didn’t need to guess. He knew Yu Zao was about to start making trouble again.

His eyes flashed with visible annoyance, and his tone, cold and impatient, made no effort to hide it: “What is it now?”

“What’s with that attitude?” Yu Zao’s long, narrow eyes tilted upward as he looked at him, his gaze cold. “Apologize to me.”

Here we go again.

Yu Zao had a reputation for being difficult, demanding, and unreasonable, always finding ways to stir up trouble.

Not wanting to waste time arguing, Chu Xi offered a curt apology, “Sorry.”

Though he apologized, there was no hint of sincerity in his tone.

But Yu Zao was satisfied.

He responded with a soft “Mm,” looking every bit the spoiled, pampered brat. After a few steps, he halted again and ordered Chu Xi, “Take off your jacket and give it to me. I’m cold.”

Cold? What a joke.
It was mid-September, one of the hottest times of the year. How could anyone be cold?

Chu Xi knew Yu Zao was just trying to make him uncomfortable. He was about to speak up when he noticed something.

In the bright lights, Yu Zao’s face appeared pale, almost translucent, with only his nose and the corners of his eyes showing a hint of redness.

The slight furrow in his brow and the faint tremble of his dark lashes made him seem fragile and pitiful.

Was he really cold? Chu Xi hesitated.

Today, Yu Zao wore shorts and a shirt of moderate length. With larger strides or when raising his arms, a small strip of his white, slender waist was exposed—delicate, thin, almost fragile-looking.

Yu Zao’s face was undeniably deceptive.

But Chu Xi knew better than anyone how dark and twisted the heart beneath that angelic face truly was.

Yu Zao loved to torment him. No matter how hot it was, on a whim, he’d make Chu Xi run from one end of the city to the other just to buy his favorite ice cream. If even a tiny bit of it melted, Yu Zao would throw a fit.

He didn’t care about the ice cream; he just enjoyed making people suffer.

To him, Chu Xi was no better than a plaything, a dog to be toyed with.

After waiting a while and still not getting the jacket, Yu Zao fluttered his long, wet lashes and shot Chu Xi a glare. “Didn’t you hear me?”

Silently, Chu Xi removed his jacket and handed it over.

When they reached the booth, Yu Zao started complaining again—about the heat, about the dirty seats.

Casually, he threw Chu Xi’s jacket onto the couch and sat on it as if using it as a cushion, completely unfazed.

Chu Xi’s forehead throbbed. He’d had enough and was about to leave when a cold, indifferent voice from behind said, “Did I say you could leave? Don’t forget what I have in my possession.”

Chu Xi’s face darkened, his handsome features twisted with anger. His words were cold as ice: “Delete it.”

Yu Zao deliberately waved his phone in front of Chu Xi, teasing him. When Chu Xi reached for it, Yu Zao pulled it back just in time, like dangling a bone in front of a dog.

Seeing the mischievous glint in Yu Zao’s eyes, Chu Xi slowly regained his composure.

Of course, Yu Zao was just that malicious.

That fleeting moment of vulnerability had been nothing but an illusion.

There was nothing more to say to someone like this. Silently, Chu Xi sat back down beside Yu Zao.

Yu Zao looked pleased.

It felt so good! Being able to bully someone at will, and the other person not daring to talk back, just obediently following orders—this feeling of absolute control was so addictive!

However, Yu Zao tapped the system and whispered, “What photo? I don’t have any photos on my phone.”

This was Yu Zao’s beginner-level task world, set in a campus romance novel. The protagonist, Chu Xi, was abandoned as a child and raised by kind-hearted foster parents. Due to his foster father’s serious illness, he had to work part-time while studying. The male lead, Jiang Cai, was the arrogant heir of a wealthy family who would only yield to the kind and stubborn Chu Xi.

Yu Zao played the role of a vain and money-hungry villain, set to disrupt the relationship between the protagonist and the male lead. His task was simple: play the part of the bad guy and continuously stir up trouble to push the protagonist and male lead closer together.

The scenario was fairly simple, with a high level of freedom, but minimal storyline explanations. Yu Zao, who had just arrived, didn’t have much information to work with.

[According to your character’s setting, you are a vain, compulsive liar. You accidentally saw the impoverished Chu Xi get out of a luxury car one day. The people in the car treated him with great respect, so you assumed he was a rich kid hiding his true identity. You decided to get some money out of him.]

[One night, while Chu Xi was walking back to his dormitory, he fainted from exhaustion. You happened to find him and, unable to move him on your own, paid 500 yuan for a room, plus 50 yuan for a ride. You haven’t recouped that money yet.]

[Original owner of the body: Isn’t Chu Xi a rich kid?! Why does he keep pretending to be poor? Every time I ask him for money, he says he doesn’t have any! That lying scumbag! I saw him get out of a Maybach with my own eyes. He’s so rich—what’s wrong with him spending some on me? Damn rich people!]

This beginner-level world was tailored for Yu Zao, even though the memories were simulated data. Yu Zao, fully immersed in his role, agreed eagerly, “Exactly, what’s wrong with giving me a bit of that cash!”

He even kicked Chu Xi, who was lying beside him, out of frustration.

[…]

[You lie to Chu Xi, saying that he almost forced himself on you that night, and you have photographic evidence. You use this photo to blackmail him into dating you. Chu Xi, however, tells you to just report it to the police. Left with no choice, you make him your little errand boy, forcing him to do your bidding while he silently endures.]

[You quickly realize that Chu Xi will never give you any money, so you set your sights on the male lead, Jiang Cai, the heir to the Jiang family. Today is his 18th birthday, and he’s hosting a party at a bar. You went to great lengths to get an invitation…]

Now it all made sense.

Yu Zao understood his role: a complete scoundrel who fabricated photos to blackmail Chu Xi. After realizing Chu Xi wouldn’t give him any money, he shifted his focus to the male lead, Jiang Cai.

Yu Zao looked around, seemingly searching for someone. A handsome man nearby took the chance to approach him first. “Hi, I’m a senior from the business school. What’s your name?”

“I’m Yu Zao,” he replied.

The young man seemed shocked, giving Yu Zao a second look, unable to believe his eyes. Yu Zao had changed—he was nothing like he remembered. Over the summer, he had transformed, and the difference was striking.

The senior couldn’t take his eyes off him. “Are you looking for Jiang?”

Yu Zao nodded, “Yes. Why isn’t he here yet?”

“He stepped out with some friends, maybe to take a call or smoke a cigarette,” the senior said, shifting the conversation back to Yu Zao. “Still early. Do you want a drink? I can order something for you.”

The senior had heard rumors about Yu Zao’s love for wealthy men, so he saw this as a chance to show off. His plan worked—Yu Zao’s eyes lit up with excitement, and the senior continued, “How about a few bottles of Ace of Spades?”

“Really?”

Yu Zao’s cold expression softened into a playful smile. “Wow, you’re so kind! Thank you!”

His warm smile revealed his charming features, and the senior’s heart raced. He quickly called over the bar’s staff and, under Yu Zao’s name, ordered 10 sets of the Ace of Spades Dragon set for 88,888 yuan.

After paying, the senior nervously said, “You even have dimples and tiger teeth…”

“Do I?” Yu Zao, knowing full well, acted innocent, flashing a wider smile, exposing his little fangs as he leaned in closer. “Like this?”

The senior could barely breathe. But Yu Zao quickly shifted focus, posting pictures of the champagne on social media, making sure to tag the bar location.

Then, tilting his head and batting his long lashes, he asked, “When’s Jiang Cai coming?”

The senior, disappointed but determined, pulled out his phone. “I don’t know him that well, but I can ask around. Meanwhile, order whatever you like—my treat.”

Watching this unfold from the sidelines, Chu Xi saw everything. The same Yu Zao who had professed love to him was now flirting openly with another man, who, like an idiot, fell for Yu Zao’s half-hearted flattery and volunteered to be his personal ATM.

Chu Xi listened to Yu Zao constantly inquiring about Jiang Cai, a mocking smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

No wonder.

No wonder Yu Zao hadn’t sought him out recently.

Turns out, he had a new target.

…

“He actually dares to come here.”

“Everyone knows about Yu Zao’s interest in Jiang Cai, right? Wherever you go, he follows… I told him you’d be drinking a lot at your birthday party, and he said he could handle the drinks for you.” The young man with silver-gray hair joked, mimicking Yu Zao’s expression and tone. “As long as Jiang Cai is happy, I’ll do anything.”

Half of Jiang Cai’s body was concealed in the shadows, while the light illuminated his large hand, casually flicking a lighter. The sharp “click” of the flame pierced the air.

The flickering orange flame cast light on the row of ear piercings on his ear.

Jiang Cai had never been fond of such gatherings, but his friends insisted on throwing him a party to mark his transition from boyhood to adulthood. With more people came more trouble, and even more unpleasant encounters.

His friends’ teasing was getting on his nerves.

“Shut up. I’m not into guys…” Jiang Cai raised his eyes lazily, but his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Yu Zao, sitting at a booth in the distance, suddenly turned his head. From their angle, it seemed like he was looking straight at them.

But they quickly realized Yu Zao wasn’t looking at them—he was staring at the young man beside him.

Under the lights, Yu Zao’s face became crystal clear.

The atmosphere froze for a moment, and someone muttered under their breath, “That’s what Yu Zao looks like?”

How could someone look… so innocent?

“Are you sure you didn’t pick the wrong person? Are you sure that’s not some pretty girl you brought along?”

…

0926: [New plot incoming.]

[Original plot: You wait at the booth for a long time, but Jiang Cai never shows up. You grow impatient and take out your anger on Chu Xi.]

[You force Chu Xi to drink, but he refuses. You try to pour it down his throat, just as Jiang Cai walks in, catching the scene. He’s drawn in by Chu Xi’s stubborn and helpless expression and steps in to save him.]

[In the intoxicating environment of the bar, they plant the seeds of a pure love.]

Great. Time to play the villain again.

Yu Zao was eager to get started, but seeing Chu Xi’s physique, which was a size larger than his own, he began to feel intimidated.

“Can I really do this?” Yu Zao asked, hesitating. “What if he hits me?”

[He won’t. The only one hitting will be you.] 0926’s mechanical voice responded. [Chu Xi was raised very well by his adoptive parents. He’s polite and well-mannered. Even if you slap him, he would only call the police—he wouldn’t hit back. But—]

Yu Zao filled a glass with alcohol and pushed it in front of Chu Xi with an emotionless face. “Drink.”

“I can’t drink,” Chu Xi replied.

Yu Zao glared at him. “Are you disobeying me?”

Chu Xi knew Yu Zao had a bad temper, but he really couldn’t drink. He had class the next day, had to visit his foster father in the hospital afterward, and then work a part-time job in the evening. Drinking such strong alcohol wasn’t an option.

When Chu Xi refused, Yu Zao attempted to force the drink on him. After all, he just needed to go through the motions and let the protagonist catch him in the act of bullying.

However, lacking experience as a villain, and with the significant difference in size and strength, forcing Chu Xi to drink turned out to be quite difficult.

After struggling for a while, Yu Zao hadn’t managed to make Chu Xi drink even a drop. His face flushed with frustration.

In a moment of desperation, Yu Zao straddled Chu Xi’s lap, using his body weight to pin him down, gripping Chu Xi’s chin…

0926 finished the previous sentence: [But Jiang Cai is another story.]

“What do you mean?” Yu Zao asked, confused. “Will Jiang Cai hit me?”

[Chu Xi is good-natured and won’t hit you. But Jiang Cai is unpredictable.]

[Jiang Cai has always had a strong sense of justice. He despises bullying and believes the only way to deal with villains is through violence—hitting them harder and making sure it hurts. That way, they’ll remember the lesson.]

0926’s tone was tactful.

In other words, yes. Jiang Cai would hit him.

Cold sweat dripped down Yu Zao’s back. He had been quite bold with Chu Xi, but the thought of facing someone as fierce as Jiang Cai made him go pale. He may be bad, but he was also a coward.

Quickly, he tried to get off Chu Xi’s lap.

Chu Xi, thinking Yu Zao was about to pour the drink down his throat, pushed him away, causing the liquid to spill all over Yu Zao. Startled by the cold, Yu Zao let out a small yelp, losing his balance and almost falling.

Instinctively, Chu Xi reached out to catch him.

The noisy atmosphere of the bar seemed to quiet for a moment. The chaotic lights suddenly fixed on them, like a spotlight on a stage, highlighting the scene at the booth.

It illuminated their faces clearly.

The slim boy knelt on the lap of the other youth, his soft, pale hand gripping the young man’s chin, holding a glass with barely any liquid left.

The boy’s face was filled with panic, his delicate features flushed with confusion. Drops of the spilled drink trailed down his face, trickling down his slender jaw, while the rest soaked his clothes.

One large hand rested awkwardly on the boy’s narrow waist.

Chu Xi, forgetting that he detested Yu Zao, instinctively tried to prevent him from falling. Even in the dim bar lighting, the smooth curve of Yu Zao’s waist stood out, as pale as a block of tofu.

People around them stared in stunned silence. Someone finally muttered, “Why are you hesitating? You’re so lucky…”

“If he doesn’t want to, I’ll take his place.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting slapped as long as it’s by him.”

The atmosphere around them became strange, with some bold patrons even whistling toward them.

Yu Zao could feel the burning stares from all directions.

Being a proper villain meant attracting attention, and that was expected. But he could sense one particularly intense, dangerous gaze locked onto him.

0926: [Jiang Cai is nearby, watching you.]

Jiang Cai wasn’t really going to hit him… was he?

Yu Zao, while bad, was also a coward.

The thought of getting beaten made him tremble, his eyes welling with tears, losing all the boldness he had shown just moments before.

Why was he scared? What was there to be afraid of?

Chu Xi didn’t understand. Yu Zao had been the one doing the bullying, so why was he now the one shaking with fear?

[Original plot: Jiang Cai sees you bullying Chu Xi, and especially after noticing Chu Xi’s stubborn yet helpless expression, he feels a surge of uncontrollable anger. He steps in as the hero.]

[And thoroughly teaches you a lesson.]

[Jiang Cai is on his way.]

Still seated on Chu Xi’s lap, Yu Zao slightly turned his head, his gaze crossing the bar’s flashing lights and crowd, locking eyes with Jiang Cai near the bar.

His dark, clear eyes were filled with confusion, his ears and nose tinged red.

The music fell silent, though the lights continued to flicker.

After a brief moment, Jiang Cai pushed aside the drink offered to him and began walking toward them.