"Teacher Song, you're finally out. I've been waiting for you—let's go," Wang Haoran said.
"Teacher Song, you two are...?" Chu Bai was utterly confused.
"Wang Haoran already arranged to walk me home today. Sorry about that," Song Zhenyu replied awkwardly.
She could have left right after evening classes but had deliberately delayed to avoid drawing attention. After all, being seen getting into a car with a student wasn't a good look.
"Did you wait long?" she asked apologetically.
"Just twenty minutes or so. No big deal," Wang Haoran shrugged.
He hadn't been idle during that time—he'd taken Wen Jing home first. Though she was just a pawn in his eyes, he wasn't heartless. Given her... *condition*, riding a bike wasn't feasible.
Of course, his hands hadn't stayed idle during the trip either.
"Teacher Song, after you."
Wang Haoran opened the Cullinan's door with practiced ease.
"We're taking *this*?" Song Zhenyu hesitated.
She wasn't a car enthusiast, but even she recognized a Rolls-Royce. In her entire life, she'd never even ridden in a Mercedes or BMW, let alone a Cullinan. The thought was dizzying.
"Of course. This is how I commute. But if you'd prefer walking, we can do that instead?" Wang Haoran teased.
Walking would mean more time together—even better.
"Let's just take the car," Song Zhenyu decided quickly.
Why walk when they could ride in luxury?
She climbed in.
From where Chu Bai stood, Wang Haoran made sure to flash him a thumbs-up—then slowly rotated it 180 degrees downward.
The Cullinan's engine purred to life, leaving Chu Bai seething in its wake.
"Think you're better than me just because you're rich?! One day, I'll be richer than your entire family! I'll crush you under my heel—CRUSH YOU!"
In his rage, Chu Bai kicked his bicycle as if it were Wang Haoran himself, roaring curses into the night.
---
**[Ding! Host has successfully provoked protagonist Chu Bai, causing severe mental breakdown. Reward: 300 Villain Points. Chu Bai's Protagonist Aura -20. Host's Villain Aura +20.]**
Wang Haoran smirked at the system notification.
*This is all it takes to break you?*
Then again, Chu Bai was just an 18-year-old hothead with a short fuse. After repeatedly thwarting his romantic pursuits, it was no surprise he'd snapped.
Song Zhenyu's rented apartment wasn't far. Soon, the Cullinan pulled up outside.
"Thanks for the ride. I'll head up now," Song Zhenyu said, stepping out.
"Wait, Teacher Song. I came all this way—you're not even going to offer me tea?"
"...Fine. Come up."
She led him inside.
The moment the door opened, a faint floral scent greeted them. The apartment was small but tidy, with feminine touches everywhere—including some *delicate* garments drying on the balcony.
Wang Haoran's gaze flickered over them briefly before moving on. Only a desperate loser would leer at something like that.
Song Zhenyu relaxed slightly and went to pour water.
As she turned her back, Wang Haoran studied her thoughtfully.
She *was* a confirmed female lead.
*Should I just force the issue?*
As a villain, playing fair wasn't exactly required. Why waste time building好感度 when a more *direct* approach could work?
But before acting, he consulted the system:
**[Host, such low-tier villain behavior will deduct 100 Villain Aura points regardless of success. Given your current below-average combat stats, success rate is minimal. Not recommended.]**
*...Fair enough.*
Losing 100 hard-earned Villain Aura points for a risky move wasn't worth it.
By then, Song Zhenyu had returned with tea.
Wang Haoran drank it politely but was about to leave when—
*Fzzzt!*
The lights flickered, then died with a burnt smell.
"Ah!" Song Zhenyu instinctively grabbed Wang Haoran's arm in the dark.
"Bulb's blown," he noted.
"I'll check tomorrow..." Her voice trembled slightly.
"Teacher Song, you're *terrified* of the dark. You really want to wait till morning?" He could feel her nails digging into his sleeve.
"I-I'm *not* scared!" she insisted, hastily letting go.
"Got a spare bulb?"
"No..."
"Wait here."
Wang Haoran used his phone's flashlight to check the bulb type, then called his driver. Ten minutes later, a replacement arrived.
He sent the driver away—he'd handle this himself.
Soon, light flooded the room again.
"I'm surprised a rich young master like you knows how to change bulbs," Song Zhenyu marveled.
**[Ding! Female lead Song Zhenyu's impression of host has improved. 好感度 +10. Current total: 30 (Very Friendly).]**
**[Ding! Host has altered plot progression. Reward: 200 Villain Points.]**
Wang Haoran kept his expression neutral.
"What, did you think I was some spoiled brat?"
The skill was from his past life, but no need to mention that.
"Don't misunderstand, I didn't mean it like that," Song Zhenyu hurried to explain.
"We're not in school now—drop the 'Teacher' stuff. Just call me Haoran."
"...Alright, Haoran."
Stripped of their teacher-student roles, they were practically peers—only six years apart.
"Good. Then I'll call you *Zhenyu-jie* from now on. You're officially my big sister," Wang Haoran declared playfully.
It was a classic protagonist move—using "sibling" status to bridge the age gap.
*Though, honestly, it's embarrassing.*
Adding his past life's years, he was practically thirty. Calling a woman six years his junior "big sister" felt like *he* was the one being cheated.
*But fine. Once she's fully won over, I'll make her call me "gege" instead.*
{Gege means kind of daddy in this context}