You're not going to stop me from having a cup of tea, are you?

"Teacher Song, you're finally out. I've been waiting for you for a while. Let's go," Wang Haoran said.

"Teacher Song, what's going on here?" Chu Bai was a bit confused.

"Wang Haoran and I already agreed earlier that he'd see me home today. Sorry about that," Song Zhenyu said, a little embarrassed.

After Evening Self-Study ended, she could have left right away.

The reason she'd stalled so long was purely to avoid suspicion.

After all, letting Wang Haoran walk her home in front of other students wouldn't look good.

"Have you been waiting long?" Song Zhenyu apologized to Wang Haoran.

"Just about twenty minutes or so. No big deal," Wang Haoran shrugged casually.

If he'd just stood around waiting, it would've been boring.

But Wang Haoran hadn't been idle during that time—he'd specially taken Wen Jing home, playing the gentleman for once.

Given Wen Jing's condition, riding a bike really wasn't convenient.

Even though, in Wang Haoran's eyes, Wen Jing was just a secret girlfriend, or even a pawn.

Still, if he could look out for her, he would.

It wasn't like he had anything better to do.

Of course, along the way, his hands hadn't been idle either, getting his fill of teasing.

"Teacher Song, please."

Wang Haoran gallantly opened the car door for Song Zhenyu.

"We're riding in this?" Song Zhenyu was taken aback.

She didn't know much about cars, but she recognized a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

To be honest, Song Zhenyu had never even ridden in a Mercedes or BMW in her life, let alone a Cullinan.

It left her feeling dazed.

"Yeah, I take this to and from school. If Teacher finds it too stuffy, I could walk you home instead?" Wang Haoran teased.

Walking would mean more time together—even better.

"Maybe we'll just take the car," Song Zhenyu quickly vetoed that.

Since there was a car, why walk?

Besides, she really wanted to experience what it felt like to ride in a Rolls-Royce.

Song Zhenyu got in.

From an angle she couldn't see, Wang Haoran gave Chu Bai a thumbs-up, then rotated it 180 degrees.

Soon.

The Cullinan started up and drove off under Chu Bai's bitter, hateful gaze.

"So what if you're rich? One day, I'll be richer than your Wang Family, and then I'll stomp you, Wang Haoran, right into the ground! Crush you! Crush you!"

Chu Bai couldn't contain his rage, kicking his bike wildly as if it were Wang Haoran, shouting furiously.

--

Ding, host successfully struck protagonist Chu Bai, causing him to lose his mental balance. Gained 300 Villain Points. Chu Bai's Protagonist Halo -20. Host's Villain Halo +20.

Sitting in the Cullinan, Wang Haoran received the system notification.

Some protagonist you are—losing your cool over this?

Wang Haoran was a bit stunned, but after thinking it over, it made sense.

Chu Bai was only eighteen, young, hot-tempered, and prone to fighting. How stable could his mindset be? Wang Haoran had repeatedly blocked Chu Bai's attempts to pick up girls.

It would be weird if Chu Bai didn't lose his balance.

Song Zhenyu rented a homestay near the school, not far away.

Soon, the Cullinan arrived at the building.

Song Zhenyu got out.

"Thank you, Wang Haoran. I'll head in now."

"Uh, Teacher Song, I've come all this way—you're not even going to offer me a cup of tea?"

"Follow me."

Song Zhenyu led Wang Haoran upstairs.

As soon as the door opened, a faint, subtle fragrance wafted out.

The room wasn't large, but it had everything needed.

The decor was plain, but clean and tidy.

Clearly, the person living here knew how to live well.

On the small balcony, a few pieces of women's clothing were still hanging.

Wang Haoran's gaze inadvertently swept over them, which made Song Zhenyu quite embarrassed.

But what relieved Song Zhenyu was that Wang Haoran quickly looked away.

Staring at a woman's private garments was the kind of move only a loser protagonist would pull.

Wang Haoran was a rich, handsome man; he wouldn't stoop so low.

Song Zhenyu turned around to pour water from the dispenser.

Wang Haoran watched Song Zhenyu's back, lost in thought.

The fact that Song Zhenyu was one of the Female Leads was already confirmed.

Should he take the chance to force himself on her? As a villain, he needed to have a villain's mindset, or how else would he compete with the protagonist?

If there was a shortcut, why bother building Affection with the Female Lead?

"System, system, is forcing myself on the Female Lead a viable method?"

After the bad idea popped up, Wang Haoran didn't act immediately. To be safe, he consulted the system.

System Notification
Response to Host: This type of low-tier villainous behavior, whether successful or not, will reduce Villain Halo points by 100. Additionally, given the Host's current Combat Power is below average, the success rate is low. It is not recommended for the Host to proceed with this operation.

"Then forget it."

Wang Haoran immediately dropped the thought.

His Villain Halo points weren't easy to come by. Losing 100 Halo Points for such a low-success-rate evil act just wasn't worth it.

While Wang Haoran was lost in thought, Song Zhenyu brought over a glass of water.

Wang Haoran drank it down, found no reason to linger, and prepared to leave.

But just then, the Light Bulb in the room flickered, then went out completely, and a faint smell of burning lingered in the air.

Song Zhenyu let out an "Ah," startled, and instinctively grabbed Wang Haoran's sleeve.

"Looks like the Light Bulb blew out," Wang Haoran said.

"Maybe. I'll check it out tomorrow," Song Zhenyu replied.

"Teacher Song, you seem really afraid of the dark. Are you sure you want to wait until tomorrow?" Wang Haoran asked with some amusement.

Because he could clearly feel a pair of hands gripping his arm tightly.

Song Zhenyu realized something was off, quickly let go, and pretended to be brave: "How could I possibly be afraid of the dark?"

"Do you have a spare Light Bulb?" Wang Haoran didn't call her out and asked directly.

"No."

"Then wait a moment."

Wang Haoran turned on his phone's flashlight, checked the bulb model, and called the Driver downstairs.

About ten minutes later, the Driver delivered the Light Bulb.

Wang Haoran told the Driver to go back downstairs.

Did the Driver know how to change a Light Bulb? Of course he did.

But Wang Haoran wanted to do it himself.

The burnt-out bulb was a standard fluorescent one.

Replacing it was simple; Wang Haoran could handle it on his own.

Soon, the room was bright again.

"I never thought a Young Master from a wealthy family like you would know how to change a Light Bulb, such a rough job," Song Zhenyu said in surprise, as if seeing Wang Haoran in a new light.

System Notification
Ding, changed the impression of one of the Female Leads, Song Zhenyu, toward the Host. Affection increased by 10. Current total Affection is 30. (Very Friendly)
Ding, Host influenced the original plot direction. Gained 200 Villain Points.

Wang Haoran received the System Notification but kept his face neutral as he spoke:

"What kind of talk is that? Teacher Song, you didn't think I was that kind of spoiled brat, did you?"

This skill, he'd actually learned in his past life.

"Student Wang Haoran, don't misunderstand. I didn't mean that at all," Song Zhenyu explained.

"We're not at school, so don't call me that. It feels weird. Just call me by my name."

"Well... alright, Haoran." Song Zhenyu didn't object.

In fact, setting aside the teacher-student roles, they were about the same age, with only a six-year difference.

"That's better. Then I won't call you Teacher Song anymore. I'll call you Sister Zhenyu. Yeah, that's it. From now on, you're my sister." Wang Haoran winked.

In those novels, the relationship between the protagonist and an older Female Lead always started with acknowledging her as a sister.

Wang Haoran was just following suit.

But honestly, Wang Haoran felt a bit embarrassed doing it.

Counting his past life, his actual age was already thirty.

Calling a woman six years younger than him "Elder Sister"—

Wang Haoran felt like he was being taken advantage of.

But to get closer to Song Zhenyu, there was no other choice.

Once he'd won her over, he'd make her call him "Big Brother" in return.

Yeah, that was the plan!