Villain – Peeking at the Diary, the Female Leads’ Personas Collapse

Chapter 89

Earlier, he’d worried that Mu Jinli might veer off course due to Tao Xiaoyao’s influence. But seeing the protagonist’s heroic actions stirred something in her.

She, with her natural inclination to help others, was watching him intently, admiration dawning in her eyes.

The protagonist showed off, the female lead’s heart stirred, and the storyline was back on track. Success.

As for why she fell for him — who cared? What mattered was that everything was going according to plan.

Mu Jinli herself felt conflicted. She had tried to avoid this, yet it had still happened. Her rebellious nature pushed her to help people, a form of counterbalance against her mother’s violent lifestyle.

After realizing she was merely a character in someone’s story, she’d resolved to fight against any outside influence on her actions. But despite her best efforts, the storyline unfolded anyway. The protagonist’s moment to shine had succeeded.

“How long are you going to stand there, honey? I’m hungry, and you still need to get me food.”

Are you still acting?

Chen Fan realized that no matter what Mu Jinli said, he couldn’t take her words at face value anymore. He’d briefly wondered if she might’ve developed feelings for him, but her mesmerized gaze at the protagonist made it clear.

The protagonist is the protagonist, after all.

With his belief in the plot reaffirmed, Chen Fan resolved to follow the storyline.

No more detours — the plot must go on.

***

Silver needles flew, and the girl on the ground gradually resumed breathing as Ye Aotian completed his life-saving treatment. Some students supported the girl, taking her to the campus hospital to receive further care.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan and Mu Jinli were calmly eating steamed buns. Mu Jinli was fully focused on her food, savoring each bite. For her, food was a pleasure. But for Chen Fan, the situation felt less than ideal.
The people around them were all looking at Ye Aotian with amazement, deeply impressed by the medical skill on display. Clearly, everyone was astonished by how acupuncture could be used to treat a heart attack.

Chen Fan, however, wished Mu Jinli would pay more attention to the protagonist. Yet, she showed no inclination to do so.

Are those buns really that delicious? Or the eggs? Are you made of buns and eggs?

“Wait and see,” Ye Aotian said, standing before Chen Fan. “One day, I’ll make you pay for this.”

At that moment, Mu Jinli picked up some salted vegetables and, without hesitation, fed them to Chen Fan, who accepted the bite with a smile. “Oh, already feeling challenged?” he taunted.

“Mu Jinli,” Ye Aotian said, “I don’t blame you for this. I know it’s just your duty, but I hope you won’t assist evil. You don’t seem like the type to help bad people. My instincts are never wrong.”

Damn, your instincts are on point.

Chen Fan couldn’t help but silently applaud the protagonist. But upon reflection, he realized the protagonist’s resentment toward antagonists was deeply ingrained.

After all, the campus belle falling in love with the protagonist was standard. Beautiful women were always destined to fall for the protagonist at first sight. But Chen Fan admired Ye Aotian’s professionalism — he seamlessly fit his role, ready to hate Chen Fan no matter what happened.

Chen Fan wondered if, one day, the protagonist tripped on his way out the door, he would also mutter, “Damn that Chen Fan. It must be him, that vile man.”

“I’m done eating. Let’s go,” Chen Fan said, standing up. Mu Jinli took his arm, and they left the cafeteria together.

As they walked away, Ye Aotian chuckled. He was a perceptive man, and he’d noticed Mu Jinli’s stunned reaction when he saved that girl. Clearly, she was conflicted. A fascinating woman, he thought.

Outside, Chen Fan looked down at their intertwined arms and said, “Let’s drop the boyfriend act. I’m not a fan of pretending.”

Mu Jinli released his arm and replied, “Thank you.”

“Mind telling me what this was all about?”

“It was just a way to avoid unnecessary trouble. Since I’m the campus belle, people always speculate about who I might date. Instead of dealing with that, I figured if I pretended to have a boyfriend, people would stop bothering me.”

Interesting, thought Chen Fan. This plan is perfect for increasing the protagonist’s resentment — why didn’t I think of this?

After they walked around the campus for a bit, Mu Jinli left to attend her classes, and Chen Fan returned to his dorm room, a specially arranged double room. Zhu Yeqing had already tidied up the space and set up Chen Fan’s bed.

“Young master, did you run into Ye Aotian in the cafeteria?”

“How did you know?”

“Well, the campus confession wall has already posted about it, along with details of your interaction with him.”

Interesting. Chen Fan was curious, as he remembered the confession wall scene in the story being entertaining.

“Oh, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to look around campus.”

“Go ahead. Mu Jinli is responsible for security here, so feel free to relax and enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you, young master.”

With that, Zhu Yeqing left. Chen Fan didn’t bother to think too much about her whereabouts.

Dressed in workout clothes, Zhu Yeqing found Tao Xiaoyao in a secluded corner of the campus.

“You want to train with me?” Tao Xiaoyao asked.

Zhu Yeqing nodded. “I want to grow stronger. I feel like I’m not much use these days.”

“Actually, you’re quite talented among the younger generation. But remember, the technique you practice is based on charm, so I can only help you build a foundation. The core is still up to you.”

“I understand. Building a solid foundation is a good start.”

Tao Xiaoyao put down her phone, paused her game, and said, “So, have you snagged any man yet?”

“Young master … is different. He’s not just any man.”

“And what about your revenge against the Chen family?”

Zhu Yeqing stared intently at Tao Xiaoyao, who simply said, “Don’t look at me like that. I just heard some things. Someone mentioned that Ye Aotian is the child of an old friend, so I looked into it and found your name.”

“I don’t care about revenge. I just want to protect my young master.”

Do the protagonist or villains know this? If Chen Fan heard this, he’d probably be enraged.

“Alright, my training is intense, so good luck.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

At that moment, the diary updated again.

[Finally made it into the school. I was so worried the storyline wouldn’t connect.].

[But who knew, things are still on track. I thought the story between the protagonist and Mu Jinli would start with a casual flirtation, but instead, it began with her witnessing his rescue.].

[But, that kick of hers was brutal. I hope the protagonist doesn’t end up … permanently compromised. Otherwise, we’d have to rename the novel “A Eunuch’s Adventures in the City.”].

[Also, where’s Ling Yuyan? She’s supposed to be a major character too, right? How come it feels like she’s been on the sidelines this whole time?].

On the sidelines? Ling Yuyan seethed internally. I’m teaching you idiots, you know.

[I remember Ling Yuyan has a role in the campus arc as a lecturer. Since the protagonist enrolled, surely the Ling family would have assigned someone to look after him.].

Ling Yuyan suddenly regretted accepting the principal’s offer to teach, feeling an urge to escape.

[She’s no saint either. She and Mu Jinli don’t get along. But it’s fitting — a thief and a hero are bound to clash.].

[Tonight should be the night for a confession, right? The protagonist and the female lead are supposed to have a chance encounter.].

[Haha, this part is quite fun. Mu Jinli sings a passage from the Shijing, reimagined with the guzheng*, creating a captivating vibe that stuns the protagonist into making his move.].

[TN: A Chinese string instrument.].

[Under a streetlight, on a bicycle, just the two of them … Haha, I could die laughing.].

[Oh, and I’m supposed to appear too, as a possessive love rival.].