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

Hongwen Zhang couldn't wait to make his escape and quickly bid farewell, fleeing from the Lu family estate.

As he walked along the stone pathway outside the estate, he asked nervously, "What happened?"

Hao Wang's face was grim as he glanced around cautiously. "Get in the car, we'll talk there!"

Hongwen Zhang realized something serious had indeed happened.

At that moment, Linglong Xia also received the same news. Furious, she stormed out and intercepted Hongwen Zhang and Hao Wang.

Hao Wang immediately shut his mouth, glancing nervously at Linglong Xia.

Hongwen Zhang was still bewildered, completely out of the loop. "Oh, Linglong, why are you chasing after me in such a hurry? Is there something wrong?"

Linglong Xia's cold stare lingered on Hongwen Zhang, her thoughts sharp: This guy is such an actor! He embezzled the funds for purchasing high-quality medicinal ingredients, causing the entire batch to mismatch the formula, yet here he is, pretending he knows nothing.

Linglong Xia smiled, her expression sharp and cutting like a blade. "Brother Hongwen, there's no big issue at the pharmaceutical factory recently, right?"

"Uh…"

Hongwen Zhang noticed Hao Wang desperately winking at him and quickly said, "No big deal, don't worry. If something happens, I'll handle it."

[Why is this girl here? Where's Aotian Long? Shouldn't they be off sipping tea, discussing medical techniques by now?]

[Why is the female lead still following me? Aotian Long's harem member, why are you pestering me?]

[The pharmaceutical factory issue must be serious! I have to fix it ASAP!]

Linglong Xia paused, analyzing his reaction. Judging by his clueless expression, maybe he really didn't know the details about the pharmaceutical factory issue. Could it be that he wasn't the one who embezzled the money?

After some thought, Linglong Xia smiled. "Brother Hongwen, it's been over a year since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Huh? Has it been that long? Haha, time flies like an arrow, history rolls over our youthful memories like a relentless wheel…"

Linglong Xia almost gagged. This guy just gets more and more disgusting.

She forced a smile and opened her arms. "Hug me!"

Hongwen Zhang's head was spinning.

I'm practically covered in fleas right now, and I don't know which one to scratch first.

Aotian Long's romantic plans were ruined by me twice today. I'm definitely on his blacklist now.

Shuying Feng, that troublesome girl, inexplicably wants to get engaged to me. I need to deal with that ASAP to avoid further entanglements with Aotian Long.

And now, Linglong Xia, the main female lead, is acting strangely and sticking to me.

But most importantly, the pharmaceutical factory issue needs immediate attention. That's medicine—any mistake is catastrophic!

And now this witch wants a hug? A hug?! What kind of game is this?

Just then, Hongwen Zhang noticed Xunhuan Lu and Aotian Long walking towards them. Aotian Long's sharp gaze met his instantly.

Hongwen Zhang's mouth twitched into an awkward grin. This is bad… really bad.

Aotian Long squinted at him, his eyes filled with unspoken hostility. This guy again? Ruining my plans at every turn!

Hongwen Zhang quickly pretended to stay calm. "What hug are you talking about?"

He raised his voice, "Oh, Brother Long! Perfect timing. Linglong was just a bit agitated earlier, but in truth, she deeply respects your medical skills. You two should find a nice café, sit down, and chat. As medical enthusiasts, you'll have plenty to discuss. I've got something urgent to attend to. Bye-bye, 886!"

Without waiting for a response, Hongwen Zhang turned and tried to bolt.

[That's all the help I can offer. Best of luck to you two, may you have a happy life together. Just leave me out of it.]

[You two are a match made in heaven. I'm just an unfortunate piece of roadkill, alright?]

[I need to leave immediately; otherwise, Aotian Long will definitely cause trouble for me.]

Linglong Xia glanced back at Aotian Long, let out a disdainful snort, and turned around to grab the corner of Hongwen Zhang's coat.

"Brother Zhang, don't leave! Didn't you always give me a hug every time we parted when we were younger?"

Hongwen Zhang's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the petite girl in front of him.

Linglong Xia's stunning face was almost ethereal, her large, bright eyes as clear and deep as black gemstones.

But within that angelic expression, Hongwen Zhang noticed traces of smugness, cunning, ferocity, and even a touch of malice.

She's doing this on purpose!

Of course, Linglong Xia was doing it on purpose.

Hongwen Zhang had thoroughly angered her. She had already gleaned most of his thoughts and was convinced that he was terrified of Aotian Long. Why should she have to obediently fall into Aotian Long's arms?

Linglong Xia's fighting spirit flared up.

Oh, you're scared of Aotian Long, huh? Well, then I'll make sure to keep poking at that weak spot. Let's see how you deal with it!

Hongwen Zhang's eyes were filled with hostility and shock. He slowly pried Linglong Xia's fingers off his coat while cursing internally:

This little demon is setting me up!

She knows I'm terrified of Aotian Long. She's definitely doing this on purpose!

Linglong Xia almost laughed out loud. She maintained her pitiful, innocent facade, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Oh, Brother Zhang, who knew you'd actually be scared of someone? How amusing! Today, I'll make sure to frighten you to death.

Oh my, are you sweating already?

At that moment, Aotian Long and Xunhuan Lu had walked up to them. Aotian Long's lips curved into a cold smile.

"A hug every time you part? Boss Zhang, you sure know how to enjoy life."

Hongwen Zhang's mouth twitched. Before he could explain, the brash Hao Wang stepped forward and boldly said, "Yeah, so what if they hug? Who do you think you are—"

Hongwen Zhang yanked Hao Wang back sharply, thinking: Stop causing trouble! Even if we teamed up, we'd still get beaten to a pulp by him.

Awkwardly, Hongwen Zhang said, "Linglong is joking. There's nothing like that!"

"Oh? Nothing?" Linglong Xia blinked her big eyes innocently. "But since I was eight, you've always done this. Remember that family banquet? You tricked me into a corner, hugged me, and said you wanted to be a doctor, so you had to check me over. I was so scared that day, I almost believed you…"

Aotian Long's fists clenched tightly, his gaze on Hongwen Zhang growing sharper and colder.

Hongwen Zhang squinted at Linglong Xia, fully realizing the trap she had set.

This little demon knows my weakness!

And with that innocent face and those pure, wide eyes, who would believe she's actually this devious?

I finally got another chance to change my fate—am I really going to be destroyed by this girl?

Is Aotian Long and his harem destined to be the bane of my existence?

Meanwhile, Linglong Xia was also calculating in her mind:

He seems to know Aotian Long well, and there's clearly bad blood between them.

Perfect. Let them deal with each other. Neither of them is a good person anyway. One's a tyrant who bullies men and women alike, and the other tries to harm patients lying on hospital beds just to stop me from saving them.

Whoever loses, I win.

Hongwen Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced a smile. "I don't remember any of that childhood nonsense."

"Then shouldn't we hug today?"

Linglong Xia leaned closer, her voice low but sharp. "If you don't hug me, you're not leaving."

Hongwen Zhang narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with bitter resentment. "You've got guts."

Forcing out an awkward grin, Hongwen Zhang gave Linglong Xia a light, reluctant hug.

But Linglong Xia suddenly threw her arms around him in a bear hug and shouted, "Ah! Brother Hongwen, you're so mean, taking advantage of me again!"

Hongwen Zhang pushed her away roughly, his face dark with anger.

Aotian Long caught Linglong Xia as she stumbled and glared at Hongwen Zhang. "Boss Zhang, what do you mean by that?"

Hongwen Zhang's mind went blank.

Crap!

He quickly forced another smile. "No, no! I just had a muscle cramp! You two talk, I need to handle an issue at the pharmaceutical factory. I'll be off now!"

Without waiting for a response, Hongwen Zhang turned and practically sprinted away.

Hao Wang hesitated for a moment before pointing at Aotian Long. "You just wait!"

Then he turned and chased after Hongwen Zhang.

Aotian Long, however, didn't pursue them. With Linglong Xia in his arms, he was clearly preoccupied.

"Linglong, are you okay? Did he hurt you? Don't worry, I won't let Hongwen Zhang off the hook."

"Oh? Really?" Linglong Xia's face turned cold as she stepped back slightly. "He's Boss Zhang of Snow City. Ordinary people can't afford to mess with him. And you?"

Aotian Long laughed confidently. "The so-called four great families? In my eyes, they're nothing but ants."

A cold glint flashed in Linglong Xia's eyes. "Ants, huh?"

Realizing his mistake, Aotian Long quickly tried to explain. "No, I didn't mean it that way—"

"Goodbye."

Linglong Xia turned and strode toward her car. As she approached, she ripped off her uniform jacket. Her team of assistants immediately swarmed in, draping a sleek black trench coat over her shoulders.

In an instant, Linglong Xia transformed from an innocent, sweet girl into a cold, domineering queen—a miniature version of Shuying Feng.

…

Inside the car, Hongwen Zhang was still trembling with anger, slamming his hand on the armrest. "Damn it, I almost died back there!"

Hao Wang quickly raised the partition between the driver's seat and the cabin.

"Boss Zhang, don't worry! I'll hire someone to take care of Aotian Long and make him pay!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Hongwen Zhang growled. "The real problem is Linglong Xia. That girl is pure trouble!"

Hao Wang chuckled slyly. "But Boss Zhang, she clearly has feelings for you! She even threw herself into your arms. Don't worry, I'll help you win her over. Once we have her, the Xia family's resources will be ours—"

"Shut your mouth!" Hongwen Zhang snapped, fuming. "Listen closely: don't mess with Aotian Long, and don't even think about making a move on Linglong Xia. That girl is playing a dangerous game!"

Hao Wang smirked. "But come on, Boss Zhang! Whether you play her or she plays you, it's all the same in the end, right?"

Hongwen Zhang glared at him, ready to explode, but stopped himself.

This guy's just a lackey. He doesn't understand anything. Yelling at him is pointless.

With a sigh, Hongwen Zhang asked, "What happened at the pharmaceutical factory?"

What he didn't know was that, at this very moment, Linglong Xia was sitting in her business car, wearing an earpiece and listening in on their conversation.

That earlier hug had been her chance to plant a listening device.

Now, sitting in the car, Linglong Xia's face was cold and her eyes sharp as blades. The team of assistants around her sat tensely, not daring to make a sound.

Hao Wang continued, "That damn Director Zhang from the Drug Administration Department is really something else! To cut costs, the young master reduced some of the precious ingredients in this batch of medicine. Come on, it's traditional Chinese medicine—it won't kill anyone."

"But that bastard Director Zhang actually wrote a resignation letter and threatened to blow the whistle on the whole thing. Tell me, isn't he asking for death?"

"If you ask me, here's what we'll do: we'll label and ship the medicine as usual. It's traditional medicine anyway; it won't kill anyone. And that Director Zhang? He just wants money, doesn't he? Give him ten or twenty million to shut him up. If he doesn't agree, we'll make sure he disappears entirely. Once he's gone, this problem will…"

"Enough, shut up," Hongwen Zhang interrupted, lowering the partition window. He turned to the driver and ordered, "Step on it. Head to the factory."

Linglong Xia removed her earpiece, her expression growing even colder.

Hongwen Zhang, if you dare to commit such a monstrous act, don't blame me for showing no mercy.

Others might fear your Zhang family, but I, Linglong Xia, do not!

And besides…

A sly smile crept across Linglong Xia's lips.