Villain – Peeking at the Diary, the Female Leads' Personas Collapse-Chapter 128

Chapter 128

“How could we? Let’s go home. I want hotpot tonight.”

Hotpot, seriously? You’re already making demands before even moving in? But, whatever, it’s Mom’s orders.

“Fine, get things ready. If we’re not filming, let’s head back.”

In the car, Chen Fan stared out the window, lost in thought, while Cao Zijin said, “Look, honey, you’re trending now. Everyone’s asking who you are.”

“They probably just want to kill me.”

“Oh, honey, you’re so smart! How did you know?”

Chen Fan gave her a disdainful look, not bothering to respond. Honestly, if it weren’t for the plot, he wouldn’t spend any time with this woman.

He couldn’t figure her out, and no matter the situation, she was always unpredictable. Having a woman like that around was dangerous.

But, there were still things to do tonight, so Chen Fan needed to go home. Based on his calculations, tonight was when the protagonist and he would face off.

He’d have to think carefully about how to provoke the protagonist into a fight and show off his skills to impress the female leads.

Chen Fan glanced at Cao Zijin and said, “I have a question for you.”

“Yes, honey?”

“It’s simple. If I do something bad, what will you do?”

“I’ll help you, of course. We’re a couple. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

“Good. I like that answer. From now on, you can tell me about the Cao family’s matters, and I’ll help you. But you also have to help me.”

Cao Zijin replied, “Of course, honey. I’ll stick by you no matter what, like they say, ‘When you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; when you marry a dog, follow the dog.’ Since I chose to marry you, I’m yours.”

“Oh, really? Shall we consummate the marriage, then?”

Cao Zijin looked out the window and said, “Honey, look at the scenery outside. Isn’t it beautiful? I just love the view of Qincheng; it’s truly amazing.”

Heh.

Chen Fan chuckled coldly. So, you’re scared too.

Truthfully, Chen Fan never believed Cao Zijin loved him, but he did believe that Zhu Yeqing loved him.

For how long, he didn’t know. Maybe living in a bit of a blur was nice sometimes.

When they got home, the revived Zhu Yeqing was preparing dinner for them. She even opened a bottle of red wine for the meal.

Hotpot, of course, could be paired with anything.

For Chen Fan, a certain level of sophistication was essential in life.

At the dining table, Cao Zijin took a couple of bites, then put down her chopsticks. “Chen Fan, let me talk to you seriously.”

There was no laughter in her tone; she was serious. Chen Fan knew she was about to discuss something important.

“I was born as the daughter of a mistress, so you must understand my position.”

“I understand. Go on, what do you need?”

“I just want to figure out one thing—why my mother was driven out, yet later, they let me come back. To uncover that answer, I must become the head of the Cao family.”

Chen Fan was startled. “Are you sure? You plan to take over the Cao family entirely?”

“That’s right. But I won’t let the Cao family’s legacy end. I just want to be the one in charge. If I die, I hope the head of the Cao family will be my brother’s child. I cannot give it to the Chen family.”

Chen Fan asked Zhu Yeqing to serve him some food, then lowered his head to eat.

Damn it, this isn’t right. In my memories, you weren’t supposed to tell me this. You were supposed to keep your intentions hidden. Now that you’ve laid it all out, how am I supposed to react? Am I supposed to reveal that I’m the villain?

“I know it’s hard to accept, but these are my true feelings.”

Chen Fan looked up. “And the Chen family?”

“I’ll help you expand the Chen family’s legacy. I believe I have that ability. I also know you fear Jin Lan, but if you want, I have ways to utterly ruin her reputation.”

Chen Fan put down his chopsticks. “I told you, I’ll handle my own matters.”

Cao Zijin understood she’d influenced the plot.

She had a rough idea of her storyline—it was supposed to be one where she kept her intentions hidden, gradually advancing her position. But now that she knew the story, she felt a bit of regret. She didn’t want things to go that way. She thought Chen Fan was a good person, worth a lifelong commitment.

Unlike most women, Cao Zijin chose her partner based on criteria rather than feelings.

She preferred to look at data, specific conditions. Capable, responsible, attractive, physically strong—Chen Fan fit all these requirements.

Most importantly, she didn’t find him unbearable.

That in itself was rare.

At first glance, she felt nothing. She was a highly rational person, but after getting to know Chen Fan, she thought he was the best match for her.

“I know. I was just expressing my own thoughts. Whatever decisions you make, I’ll support you. Don’t worry.”

Chen Fan finally relaxed and said, “Good.”

In truth, this meant, as long as the plot remains unaffected, everything was fine.

If the plot got disrupted, Chen Fan really wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Moreover, the following storyline required Cao Zijin to take action alone, with Chen Fan observing from the sidelines.

In the mid-to-late parts of the story, Chen Fan gradually faded into the background, with most of the focus on Cao Zijin handling Ye Aotian.

At the very end, Chen Fan was destined to die.

After all, in urban novels, appendages like villains typically meet that fate.

Eventually, the Chen family was indeed destroyed, with Cao Zijin taking charge. Chen Fan’s parents were unable to accept it and were sent off to retire by Chen Fan himself, who then met his end.

But that moment when Cao Zijin would go up against the protagonist hadn’t arrived yet. Chen Fan still needed to play his role, even if it meant always being the fall guy. Otherwise, how would the protagonist grow?

If a fully-powered villain like Chen Fan made a direct move, the protagonist would be crushed.

He had to wait until the protagonist had developed fully.

“Then cheers to us. I’m happy to have reached this understanding, and I’m very much willing to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Chen Fan nodded and clinked his glass with hers.

Chen Fan had overlooked one thing—although most women choose partners based on feelings, some, like Cao Zijin, use conditions. This approach was rare but real.

For such women, when they truly love someone, it’s wholehearted and rational.

Cao Zijin’s love was without betrayal.

Chen Fan thought that Cao Zijin’s later confrontation with Ye Aotian was because of some rumors.

In reality, Chen Fan lost, and as his wife, she fought to regain his honor.

Unfortunately, authors often framed everything around the protagonist, insisting that every woman must connect with him.

All female characters must fall for the protagonist.

That was the essence of urban harem novels.

After several drinks, Cao Zijin slumped onto the table and said, “I … drank too much. I need to sleep.”

Chen Fan paused, astonished by her boldness.

He was mainly worried that tonight’s kidnapping might cause unexpected trouble with Cao Zijin. But if she was going to sleep on her own, that made things much simpler.

Protagonist, don’t embarrass me tonight, seriously.