NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2:
Chapter 2: The Days Are Long, So I’ll Say Goodbye Now:
Wang Zhenxing simply smiled at Xu Yourou’s response. It was true that she was in her thirties, but every woman knows how to look in the mirror. He didn’t believe for a second that she couldn’t see her own beauty.
After taking another sip of tea, he decided to move past the topic.
Instead, he got to work around the house. He replaced light bulbs, fixed faucets, and even cleared the clogged sewer.
“Xu Yourou is such a kind woman. If I take care of her like this, maybe she’ll side with me in the future, even if I clash with her son,” he thought, unsure but hopeful.
After more than half an hour, he finished everything. Although he was now a wealthy company boss, he had started from nothing, doing all kinds of dirty work to build his success. Tasks like these were second nature to him.
Throughout the process, Xu Yourou followed him closely, handing him tools and watching him work. There was something undeniably attractive about a man hard at work, and for someone like Wang Zhenxing—wealthy and refined—doing such manual labor made him even more impressive.
Her admiration was evident, though unspoken.
[Important character Xu Yourou’s favorability towards the host has increased by 5. Current total favorability: 55 (Heartbeat). Congratulations, host! You’ve earned 100 counterattack points.]
[The host’s attribute panel has been unlocked and can be viewed anytime.]
As he washed his hands, a soft, girlish voice echoed in his mind. It was the system. Familiar with its tone, he paused and accessed the panel.
[Host: Wang Zhenxing]
[Luck: 36 (Note: Ordinary luck is 50)]
[Villain Aura: 166]
[Counterattack Points: 100]
[Combat Power: 86 (Note: Normal adult male combat power is 50)]
[Charm: 93 (Note: Normal adult male charm is 50)]
[Special Skills: None]
As he studied the panel, his gaze fell on his low luck value.
“Only 36? No wonder I was cannon fodder in the original plot. The protagonist always has sky-high luck. How am I supposed to beat him like this?”
[The host need not be discouraged. By suppressing the protagonist, altering the plot, and taking people or items originally meant for the protagonist, the host can steal their luck and convert it into your own.]
“That’s more like it,” he thought with satisfaction.
Then, he asked, “What else can the villain aura do besides making me a target for the protagonist’s hatred?”
[The villain aura suppresses and intimidates protagonists and other villains. It can even force them to submit, provided the host’s villain aura is significantly stronger. The greater the disparity, the stronger the effect. However, if the host’s villain aura is low, it becomes easier for others to suppress you. Successfully committing acts of villainy will increase the aura. Good luck, host!]
[Warning: The current villain aura is relatively low. Overstepping its limits could invite severe retribution, including lightning strikes.]
“So, if I want to avoid being cannon fodder, I have to embrace villainy. But that means I can’t do any good deeds, right?”
He quickly grasped the logic and inquired further, “What about counterattack points?”
[Counterattack points can be exchanged for abilities or items in the system’s store. With enough points, the host can even acquire protagonist-level powers.]
“What can I get for 100 points?” he asked eagerly.
[Nothing. The cheapest item in the store costs 1,000 points.]
After understanding the system’s mechanics, he washed his hands and turned off the faucet. Xu Yourou handed him a towel to dry his hands.
As he wiped them, he caught a faint, pleasant fragrance on the towel. It was soothing, almost intoxicating.
“Where should I hang this?” he asked.
“Give it to me,” Xu Yourou said, taking the towel. Then she noticed something. “You’ve got some dirt on your face, on the left side.”
“Really?”
He rubbed at the spot she mentioned but missed it repeatedly.
“Let me help,” she said, stepping closer.
With a gentle touch, she used the towel to wipe his face.
Her movements were careful and deliberate. As she cleaned the dust off his cheek, her eyes lingered on his face. Something about his expression made her pause for a moment before she looked away, slightly flustered.
“Thank you for all your hard work today,” she said after hanging the towel outside to dry.
“Don’t mention it. We’re old friends. But if I ever find myself in trouble, I hope you’ll return the favor,” he said, testing her reaction.
She smiled. “You’re a big boss. What kind of trouble could you possibly have?”
“Life is unpredictable. You never know.”
“I’m just a woman. I may not be much help, but if you need me, I’ll do whatever I can, no matter what,” she said sincerely.
Her heartfelt response made him chuckle warmly.
As dinnertime approached, Xu Yourou invited him to stay for dinner.
Wanting to strengthen their bond, he readily agreed. This surprised her—he had always declined in the past, citing work.
Overjoyed, she quickly headed to the nearby vegetable market to buy fresh ingredients. When she returned, she put on her apron and got to work in the kitchen.
Curious, he wandered over to watch her cook. Her graceful movements and focused expression made the simple act of cooking seem like a work of art.
When the meal was served, he was amazed by how delicious it was. It wasn’t just the taste—it was as if every quality of a perfect mother was reflected in her cooking.
By the end of dinner, he had eaten several bowls of rice, fully satisfied.
After they sat and chatted for a while, Xu Yourou glanced out the window. “I didn’t realize it was already so late,” she remarked.
Her tone carried a hint of hesitation. As a single woman living alone, having a man stay too long could invite gossip.
Though she was clearly moved by him, she was also cautious, maintaining a polite distance.
Her words were a subtle hint, and Wang Zhenxing understood immediately. Though disappointed, he knew he couldn’t overstep.
[Xu Yourou has tactfully suggested the host leave. Please make a choice.]
[Option 1: Pretend you didn’t understand the hint and stay overnight. Success rate: 100%. However, Xu Yourou’s favorability will drop to zero, and excessive villainy may bring bad luck.]
[Option 2: Say goodbye and leave immediately. Xu Yourou’s favorability will increase by 2. Bonus: Perfect Body!]
He didn’t hesitate.
Xu Yourou was too important to lose as an ally, especially with potential conflicts with her son looming.
“I just remembered I have an evening meeting at the company,” he said, standing up to leave.
Xu Yourou saw him out, her reluctance evident.
She watched him disappear around the corner before returning to her now-empty home.
As she cleared the dining table and washed the dishes, the silence felt oppressive.
She sat in the living room, watching TV, but her mind wandered.
Living alone was lonely.
She sighed, eventually heading to bed after a shower. But even then, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.