Villain: After Intercepting the Female Lead, the Protagonist Collapses

Chapter 84

“It’s because Xiao Fan has limited potential for improvement. At most, he can reach the Unity of Man and Heaven realm, while Ye Chen has already started cultivating immortality in the later stages,” the system explained.

Jiang Che nodded, understanding why Xiao Fan’s luck was so low. After all, in “Shura’s Hall Master Son-in-law,” the story mainly revolved around business battles and face-slapping, with Xiao Fan only reaching the Unity of Man and Heaven realm by the end.

Sensing someone watching him, Xiao Fan frowned and turned away. Jiang Che simply smiled and entered the Shen residence. There was plenty of time to deal with the protagonist, no need to rush.

The servants at the Bihai Flower Villa recognized Jiang Che and greeted him warmly as he passed.

“Where’s Qingqiu?” Jiang Che asked a young maid.

“The young mistress is in the garden pavilion,” she replied.

Jiang Che nodded and headed toward the garden.

…

“He said he would wait outside for me?” Zhou Lingxi couldn’t believe it. This guy was really like a stubborn plaster. “Just leave, thank you,” she said to the security guard, who bowed and left.

“Sister, what should I do?” Zhou Lingxi asked, clearly exasperated.

“Why not just kill him?” Shen Qingqiu hesitantly suggested, seeing no better solution. Killing someone didn’t weigh heavily on her conscience.

“It won’t work. If I really kill him, his family will definitely question me,” Zhou Lingxi shook her head.

“Then you can only wait until the three years are up and then divorce him,” Shen Qingqiu shrugged helplessly. There was no way to shake him off, nor could they kill him, so they had to wait.

“What are you discussing?” Jiang Che approached and sat next to Shen Qingqiu, curious.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Zhou Lingxi, seeking her approval to share the private matter.

Zhou Lingxi nodded, signaling it was okay to tell him.

“Lingxi is already married, but she doesn’t like the man. Due to some reasons, she can’t divorce him yet, so we’re discussing how to avoid him.”

“Miss Zhou is married?” Jiang Che feigned surprise.

Zhou Lingxi nodded and sighed. “If he were as handsome as brother-in-law here, I wouldn’t want to divorce him, but unfortunately…”

Admitting her partiality for good looks, Zhou Lingxi still found Ye Chen’s appearance unappealing. Jiang Che accepted her compliment, aware of his charm, wishing he could rely on it more than his strength.

Zhou Lingxi gazed at Jiang Che, seemingly deep in thought. Then, her eyes brightened as if she had an idea. “Sister, I have a solution!” she exclaimed.

“What is it?” Shen Qingqiu asked, curious.

“Hehe…” Zhou Lingxi smirked and sat next to Shen Qingqiu, grabbing her arm. “This method is effective, but I need your approval.”

“My approval?” Shen Qingqiu was puzzled.

“Just lend brother-in-law to me for a few days to pretend to be my boyfriend, and I can drive Xiao Fan away.”

“No way, Brother Xiao Che is my boyfriend, how can you borrow him?” Shen Qingqiu firmly rejected the idea. “Why use this method to provoke Xiao Fan? Wouldn’t any other man do?”

“But I don’t fancy any other man…” Zhou Lingxi said, looking a bit aggrieved.

“So you fancy my man?” Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, her tone becoming cold.

Zhou Lingxi nodded, then shook her head, assuring she wouldn’t blatantly steal her sister’s boyfriend, despite being a sucker for good looks.

“Sister, you misunderstood. If I randomly find a man outside, do you think I can fool Xiao Fan?” Zhou Lingxi asked. “We need someone who can thoroughly outclass him in every way, make him feel inferior, and leave on his own. I think brother-in-law is a perfect candidate.”

“Besides, why let ‘precious water flow into others’ fields’? Would you really like to see another man getting close to me? It’s better to let brother-in-law benefit. He will be grateful to you and spoil you to the heavens after marriage…”

“What kind of logic is that?” Shen Qingqiu increasingly felt something was off. What did Zhou Lingxi mean by not letting ‘precious water flow into others’ fields’ and benefiting Jiang Che?

Jiang Che’s lips twitched upon hearing Zhou Lingxi’s bold statement. She was daring indeed. Zhou Lingxi wanted to use him as a shield, but Jiang Che wasn’t opposed to the idea.

It would be interesting to see how long the protagonist could endure, given that such characters usually have immense patience.

“Am I wrong?” Zhou Lingxi continued. “How can you bear to watch your dear junior sister suffer because of this? Don’t you feel any remorse, sister?”

“I’ve been tirelessly treating your hidden ailment for years, can’t you help me this once? Moreover, I won’t do anything to brother-in-law, I won’t come between you two.”

“I get it… you never really loved me…” Zhou Lingxi dramatically said. “I understand, I’ll go find Xiao Fan right now and live a life of misery. Sister, let’s never contact each other again in this lifetime.” Zhou Lingxi turned on her dramatic skills, tears welling in her eyes, ready to go find Xiao Fan.

“Wait…” Shen Qingqiu was moved by Zhou Lingxi’s words. Zhou Lingxi had indeed been selflessly caring for her during her illness, without any credit.

Thinking this over, Shen Qingqiu felt she could agree, as it was just a matter of pretending to be Jiang Che’s girlfriend.

“Do you mean it?” Zhou Lingxi asked excitedly, turning around. Her demeanor changed rapidly from the sorrowful state.

“I agree, but you have to ask if Brother Xiao Che agrees,” Shen Qingqiu said suspiciously. She wondered if Zhou Lingxi had been acting all along.

“Brother-in-law, can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a few days?” Zhou Lingxi turned to Jiang Che, coquettishly shaking his arm, speaking in a sweet, persuasive tone.

“I can, but I never work for free. What compensation can you offer me?” Jiang Che asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“I’m even acting as your girlfriend, what more do you want?” Zhou Lingxi immediately became indignant.

“If there’s no compensation, I’m afraid I can’t help you,” Jiang Che shook his head, refusing her proposal.

“But brother-in-law, can you really bear to see me living in sorrow?” Zhou Lingxi spoke in a pitiful tone, her face full of grievance.

“I can bear it…” Jiang Che nodded seriously.

Zhou Lingxi realized then that Jiang Che was a true ‘man of steel,’ impervious to her charms.

“If you really want my help, you’ll have to agree to a condition,” Jiang Che proposed.

“What condition?” Zhou Lingxi asked, curious.

“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I do,” Jiang Che said, making it clear he expected some benefit.

“Fine, I agree,” Zhou Lingxi hastily agreed, trusting the relationship between Jiang Che and her senior sister.

“From now on, you’re my man!” Zhou Lingxi declared cheerfully. “And you should call me Lingling Baby from now on.” She joyfully took Jiang Che’s arm and headed for the door, eager to provoke Xiao Fan.

Shen Qingqiu watched their retreating figures, lost in thought. She wondered whether her decision was good or bad, feeling as though she might have been tricked by her junior sister.