The Devoted Villain Only Wants to Survive, but the Heroine Refuses to

The Warlord Aotian Long genuinely wanted to make a move.

This was his chance to showcase his strength!

But that damned Hongwen Zhang—why wasn't he cooperating? Why wasn't he playing along with him? Zhang struggling to hold back over a dozen guards, sweating profusely from the effort. Was all that really necessary?

Just let them come at me, please! I'm begging you!

I'm craving this wave of experience points! If I don't get to flex my strength here, how am I supposed to wrap this up?

Meanwhile, Hongwen Zhang had already made up his mind:

["No matter what, I can't let him farm experience points! Not today, not now! From this day forward, you are the sky, you are the god, whatever you say goes, and I won't argue. Shuying Feng, if you can take her away, just do it. If you can't, that's on you. Just don't drag me into this mess!"]

Aotian Long was about to lose it.

"Uh... Young Master Zhang, do you have some kind of problem with me?"

Hongwen Zhang, who had barely managed to calm the guards, spread his arms wide to block them again and said with a forced grin:

"No, no! I'm fine, I'm great! Honestly, I think you and Shuying make a wonderful couple. When you two get married, send me an invitation, and I'll happily bring a gift!"

Aotian Long was bursting with frustration, pacing around with nowhere to release his energy:

"How about... you just let them come at me? After all, they're standing up for you."

"No, no, no. Don't worry! As long as I'm here, not a single one of them is getting through!"

Hongwen Zhang then turned and barked at the guards, "Anyone who moves, I'll kill them myself!"

At this moment, Shuying Feng finally understood—Hongwen Zhang really seemed to have some ability to foresee events. And now, the entire situation had shifted.

It now appeared as though Hongwen Zhang was sincerely trying to de-escalate the conflict, while Aotian Long seemed hell-bent on escalating it into a chaotic showdown.

Shuying Feng had seen through Aotian Long's façade and shouted angrily, "Aotian Long, enough! Get out! Right now! Or I'll call the police!"

Aotian Long's face turned ashen.

He, the mighty warlord, a returning legend, someone who had dominated countless battlefields—never had anyone dared to humiliate him like this!

"Fine! I'll go. But Shuying, please believe me: no matter where you are, no matter when, no matter what danger you face, I will always stand up for you—even if it means going against the entire world!"

Shuying Feng, holding back her disgust, pointed at the exit. "Leave. Now."

Aotian Long had nothing left to say. His face was dark as he turned and stormed out, throwing a venomous glare at Hongwen Zhang.

Hongwen Zhang, on the verge of tears, stammered, "It's really not my fault... I didn't... I don't even understand what just happened... You must be so frustrated, right?"

Aotian Long let out a cold snort, his expression like thunderclouds, and disappeared into the night.

Hongwen Zhang barely made it to the bathroom before nearly throwing up from the stress.

He wiped the sweat off his brow and let out a shaky breath.

"This storyline is way too hard to navigate..."

After surviving several cycles of these chaotic events, he had formulated the Three Iron Rules for Villain Survival:

First Rule: Never try to outshine or antagonize the protagonist. That's the fastest way to die.

Who is the protagonist? They're not the type to tolerate someone showing off in front of them. Even if you're humble, they still might come after you. If you show off... they'll definitely make sure you don't survive the encounter.

Second Rule: Stay away from the protagonist's women. As far away as possible.

Those love interests are all walking disasters. When the protagonist comes for you, they'll just cheer him on, call him brave and invincible, and then throw themselves into his arms.

Third Rule: Never do anything evil. Ever.

If the protagonist catches you doing something bad, congratulations—you've officially become an experience pack, a stepping stone for the protagonist's glorious hero journey.

Ding!

System Notification:

"Dear Host, congratulations on surviving the initial survival test! Difficulty level: One Star. As a reward, we've prepared a special gift for you!"

Hongwen Zhang: "What reward?"

"A luxury sports car, dear host!"

Hongwen Zhang's eyes widened. "Are you joking? I'm the heir to the most powerful family in North City, the eldest son of the Zhang family, and the CEO of the Great Saint Group. I barely escaped death from that brute Aotian Long, and you're rewarding me with… a car?"

"Host, please don't underestimate this car! It's truly unique!"

"What's so special about it?!" Hongwen Zhang shouted.

"It has… four whole wheels!"

"You son of a…"

Hongwen Zhang barely contained his frustration. "And what's the deal with Shuying Feng? Wasn't she supposed to follow Aotian Long according to the plot? What's going on now?"

"The details about Shuying Feng are currently unclear. To learn more, Host must approach her directly and engage in conversation!"

"Engage in conversation? Are you insane? Did you see Aotian Long's eyes just now? He wanted to strangle me!"

After venting, Hongwen Zhang deflated. "Please, I'm begging you, find a way to fix this mess. If this keeps up, I'm going to die in this storyline!"

"Dear Host, our feedback suggests that we do want you dead!"

"YOU LITTLE…!"

In Song Zhang's study room.

Song Zhang sat with a stern expression. "Sit."

Hongwen Zhang obediently sat down.

"Explain. What's going on? What are you scheming now?"

"Nothing, I swear!" Hongwen Zhang said innocently.

"Hmph! Do you think you can fool me? I know exactly what kind of person you are!" Song Zhang's voice was firm. "Listen carefully. You'd better treat Shuying properly, or I won't let you off the hook."

Hongwen Zhang said, "She'll never marry me. The entire North City knows how much she dislikes me."

"Then why did she suddenly change her mind and agree to the engagement today?"

"I don't know! I'm confused too!"

"And why are you suddenly acting all high and mighty, like you don't want the engagement anymore?"

"I… have a heart full of love for humanity!"

Song Zhang squinted. "You're getting more shameless by the day."

Hongwen Zhang slumped in his chair, too frustrated to argue.

"Take a gift and visit your god-grandfather later."

Hongwen Zhang froze. "My god-grandfather?"

Right. He remembered now.

Snow City had four major families: Zhang, Lu, Xia, and Feng. The Zhang family was the most powerful, followed by the Lu and Xia families. The Feng family had been on the verge of collapse in recent years, but Shuying Feng had managed to turn things around.

For the sake of family survival, the Feng family was eager for this alliance.

But deep down, they despised Hongwen Zhang.

And thus, the tragic role of the perfect villain continued…

This is where the plot gets truly absurd.

As a villain, my character is practically flawless—tall, handsome, wealthy, and incredibly capable. Born into privilege as the eldest son of the illustrious Lu family, I command the Great Saint Group with unwavering confidence, effortlessly navigating the cutthroat world of business.

Yet, despite being a man who stands at the pinnacle of society, I am somehow reduced to being Shuying Feng's devoted lackey.

Everything about me, every ounce of my brilliance, exists purely to make it more satisfying when the protagonist crushes me beneath his boot. The more perfect the villain, the more exhilarating it is for the hero to tear him down.

For Shuying Feng, I've flaunted my wealth, thrown my weight around, and set myself up as the ultimate target for the protagonist's humiliation. And in the end, I'll inevitably meet my demise in the most spectacularly embarrassing way possible.

That's the fate of a "perfect villain" like me.

If I want to survive, I must avoid conflict with the protagonist at all costs.

The biggest conflict? My relationship with Shuying Feng.

I need to stay far, far away from her. The farther, the better.

If I can just endure until the finale without crossing the protagonist, I'll return to my original world with rich rewards. I'll be a wealthy, successful man at the top of my game—cure my mother's illness, marry a beautiful heiress, and live happily ever after.

That's the goal.

Survival first. Everything else comes second.

The Zhang family had been entrenched in Snow City for many years, maintaining good relationships with the Xia, Lu, and Feng families. In particular, Old Master Song Zhang had sworn brotherhood with Old Master Qiu Lu, making him Hongwen Zhang's honorary grandfather.

Recently, Old Master Lu had fallen gravely ill and was bedridden. The entire Lu family had already visited him—everyone except Hongwen Zhang, who had been busy indulging in his carefree and idle lifestyle.

"Drop off a gift, say hello, and get out of there quickly! Yes, that's the plan!" Hongwen Zhang muttered to himself.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he spotted Hao Wang—the muscular giant he'd restrained at the engagement party—gathering a group of men.

Hao Wang's face was still brimming with anger. "Are all the men here?"

A chorus of over thirty bodyguards responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

"Good!" Hao Wang growled, his face as dark as thunderclouds. "Young Master Zhang's engagement party was completely ruined by that guy, Aotian Long! Can we swallow this humiliation?"

"No!" the crowd roared.

"That's right! Young Master is our boss! In Snow City, only Boss gets to bully others, seize men, dominate women, and act lawlessly! No one bullies Boss Zhang!"

The bodyguards pumped their fists and chanted, "Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly! Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly!"

Hao Wang raised a commanding hand, and the crowd instantly fell silent with military precision.

"So! We're going to find Aotian Long, beat him up, and restore Young Master Zhang's honor!"

"Find Aotian Long! Beat up Aotian Long! Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly!"

Hongwen Zhang sprinted over and grabbed Hao Wang by the collar. "What are you doing?!"

"Oh! Young Master , you're here!" Hao Wang's face lit up. "Don't worry, boss! I've thought of nine ways to completely ruin Aotian Long. Nine! Just leave it to me!"

Hongwen Zhang delivered a swift kick to Hao Wang's backside. "Are you out of your mind?!"

Looking at the thirty well-built bodyguards, Hongwen Zhang barked, "Stop shouting those ridiculous slogans in public! Do you think I don't care about my reputation?!"

Hao Wang scratched his head in confusion. "But, Young Master, you never cared about your reputation before..."

Hongwen Zhang was trembling with anger. "Well, now I do! Okay?!"

"Oh! Got it!" Hao Wang turned to the crowd. "Did you hear that? From now on, our Young Master wants to be both a scoundrel and maintain a good reputation! Understand?"

The crowd raised their fists again. "Be a scoundrel! Maintain a reputation! Be a scoundrel! Maintain a reputation!"

Hongwen Zhang roared, "Get out of here! All of you, scram!"

One of the bodyguards muttered under his breath while walking away, still pumping his fist, "Be a scoundrel... Maintain a reputation..."

Hongwen Zhang lunged forward, trying to kick him. "You little punk, come back here! I'll fight you right now!"

Hao Wang pulled him back. "Calm down, Young Master Lu! Calm down! They were just following orders."

Hongwen Zhang panted heavily, his face red with frustration. "You trained them like this?!"

"Of course! Don't worry, Young Master. I know exactly what you want. That beggar, Aotian Long—I swear, I'll—"

Hongwen Zhang grabbed Hao Wang's shoulders and spoke sincerely, "Hao Wang."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"We're brothers, right?"

Hao Wang's eyes welled up with emotion. "Young Master, I'm not worthy! I'm just—"

"Listen to me. If we're brothers, stop causing trouble for me. From now on, you and everyone else must avoid Aotian Long at all costs. If you see him, take a detour. Understood?"

"But... why?" Hao Wang asked, genuinely puzzled.

"You wouldn't understand," Hongwen Zhang muttered, clutching his forehead. "Just trust me on this."