The villain turns into the infatuated second male lead - Chapter 29

On Monday morning, the streets of Dongliang City were bustling with hurried pedestrians.

As Yin Zhiyi entered the office building, the company was quieter than usual, with many employees appearing listless. His gaze immediately went to the protagonist’s workstation.

At the same time, Lu Jingchuan’s brow twitched, and he turned his head to see the manager among his colleagues, his eyes showing a hint of suspicion.

The two men’s gazes met mid-air, carrying an invisible tension.

Lu Jingchuan, catching sight of the manager’s drowsy black eyes, felt a pang of confusion. He furrowed his brow and turned back to stare at his computer screen.

Manager Qi still seemed like a fool.

Once that gaze disappeared, Lu Jingchuan relaxed a bit, checking the last message from his mother on his phone. She had already set off to meet a realtor to discuss selling their house.

Lu Jingchuan’s expression settled. Just as he was about to turn off the screen, a high-interest loan advertisement popped up. His hand froze momentarily as he looked around to make sure no one was watching before he clicked on it.

He had already begun dealing with loans, even preparing to mortgage their house to the bank to liquidate assets and stock up on supplies.

Before that, he needed to find the jade pendant.

Thinking of the pendant, Lu Jingchuan’s gaze turned cold as he looked around the office.

“Lu, the manager is looking for you,” Team Leader Wang said, lightly tapping the desk and looking at Lu Jingchuan with a touch of pity.

Seeing that the manager had actively called for him, Lu Jingchuan quickly nodded to Team Leader Wang and hurried into the office, closing the frosted glass door behind him.

“Manager, what do you need?” Lu Jingchuan asked calmly, staring directly at Qi Nian.

Previously, Qi Nian had either been goofing off or picking on him. Yin Zhiyi, showing no intention of making changes, feigned a lack of interest in work, lazily playing with his phone as he said, “Where’s the plan?”

“I’ve been too busy these past few days and haven’t finished it,” Lu Jingchuan paused, seemingly surprised Qi Nian would actually ask about the plan, and responded perfunctorily.

“The higher-ups need it today. I told you about it last Friday. How come it’s still not done?” Yin Zhiyi put down his phone, his tone harsh.

Given Qi Nian’s nature, he should be starting to lash out now.

“I’ll write it now.” Lu Jingchuan stared at him for a moment, full of suspicion.

Did Qi Nian’s scheming run this deep?

From what he knew of Manager Qi, he was a rich second-generation who had some background at the company, and his every thought seemed written on his face.

Lu Jingchuan had been speculating that the manager had also been reborn and knew about the jade pendant in advance. He wondered how Qi Nian could remain so calm facing him, the victim.

Another point he was particularly concerned about was if the assumption was true, how did the manager know he had space? He questioned whether anyone besides his mother knew.

“Write it here. I’ll watch to make sure it’s done right.” Yin Zhiyi stood up, walked over to his side, and grabbed his wrist, guiding him to the chair, indicating for him to sit.

“…” Lu Jingchuan discreetly wiped his wrist. Yin Zhiyi then dragged a new office chair beside him and seemed genuinely intent on supervising.

“Are you holding a grudge for my constant criticism and planning to delay writing it?” Yin Zhiyi’s face darkened as he slammed his hand on the desk, his expression hinting at a potential confrontation if Lu Jingchuan didn’t comply.

“Heh, I’ve always remembered your guidance, Manager.” Lu Jingchuan forced a smile and opened the document on the desk, glancing at the messages from someone with the nickname ‘Mother Tiger.’

Though he only glanced briefly, he figured out the situation.

While he didn’t know who the ‘Mother Tiger’ was, it was clear she could control Qi Nian, and the plan he was writing was requested by her. He was merely being used as labor.

Believing he understood the situation, he noticed Yin Zhiyi’s outward mood also brightening.

He cast a subtle glance at the male lead, who was not paying attention to the document, then lay down on the desk and started to nap.

With his elbow resting against his exposed skin, he felt the faint World Source being transmitted through their contact. The pleasant sensation made Yin Zhiyi’s lips curve into a smile.

Binding the protagonist as a power bank seemed like a decent idea, but such a method felt too dull.

As Yin Zhiyi was contemplating, the channel for absorbing the World Source was suddenly interrupted. He half-opened his deep-set eyes to see Lu Jingchuan adjusting his position and then yawned, seemingly adjusting his posture to lean closer.

“……” Lu Jingchuan’s mouth twitched a few times. Annoyed, he found it hard to even grip the mouse. He had to stop and endure the discomfort while critically observing the manager.

Aside from Qi Nian’s unpredictable mood and inexplicable hostility towards him, the manager was indeed handsome. However, Lu Jingchuan didn’t have a fetish for men’s looks.

After briefly surveying Qi Nian’s suit jacket and pants pockets, he found nothing that could hold the jade pendant.

Of course, even if the manager was the one who bought the jade pendant, he wouldn’t carry it around if he wasn’t an idiot.

Another possibility, which he didn’t want to believe, was that the pendant had already recognized its owner. After accidentally dripping blood on it in his past life, it might have fused into his body.

Although this possibility was the most likely, he didn’t want to consider it. If it were true, he would have to think about whether to take Qi Nian as a hostage or simply kill him to eliminate future trouble.

“Manager, did you go to Quan’an Temple last Friday?” he casually tapped on his keyboard, nonchalantly bringing up the topic.

At the same time, he watched Qi Nian warily, as if trying to detect any clues from him.

“Hmm, why?” Yin Zhiyi responded lazily, not even lifting his eyelids.

Lu Jingchuan, slightly taken aback by Qi Nian’s nonchalant demeanor, pondered for a moment and then forced a casual smile. “My mom went to the temple last week to get a talisman for warding off evil and bringing good fortune. It turned out that a rich second-generation idiot bought it.”

Hearing this, Yin Zhiyi finally reacted. He stretched, sat up, and said, “Why do you say he’s an idiot?”

“Spending a huge amount of money on a talisman from a temple’s wholesale stock, isn’t that idiotic?” Lu Jingchuan sneered, as if discussing something amusing.

“Is that so?” Yin Zhiyi’s eyebrows lifted slightly, catching on to his veiled criticism. He suddenly propped his elbow on his cheek and leaned in a bit.

Lu Jingchuan was caught off guard, instinctively moving back and pressing tightly against the chair back, feeling Qi Nian’s inexplicable behavior.

“Lu, it’s a coincidence. I guess I’m the rich second-generation you’re talking about,” Yin Zhiyi tilted his head and grinned maliciously. “I also felt it was a waste, so I smashed it in a fit of anger.”

“Smashed… smashed?!” Lu Jingchuan’s pupils contracted, his voice rising in shock. His face twisted momentarily. If it weren’t for his hardened mentality from the apocalypse, he might have been tempted to strangle Qi Nian on the spot.

Yin Zhiyi calmly sipped some water and said leisurely, “Why are you so worked up? I was just joking.”

Hearing this, Lu Jingchuan’s heart, which had been in suspense, finally settled. Realizing he had been emotionally manipulated and toyed with by the manager, he forced a smile and said, “Manager, didn’t you spend 50,000 yuan on it? That’s a lot of money. For a working-class person like me, it’s quite a waste.”

“Is that so? Hehe.” Yin Zhiyi’s expression was frivolous, and his smile was unrestrained, clearly ill-intentioned. “I think I shouldn’t be the only one taking the loss. I’m planning to sell the jade pendant for 100,000 yuan to someone who’s interested. Do you want to buy it?”

“I…” Lu Jingchuan’s heart leapt to his throat. He was both surprised that the manager admitted it so easily and driven by his desire for the space. Instinctively, he wanted to say he’d buy it, but he forced himself to swallow the words.

No, if he said he wanted to buy it, he’d end up paying double, which would make him even more of a fool than the rich second-generation who bought it in the first place.

Qi Nian clearly wanted him to be the fool, but he should know that as an ordinary wage earner, spending 100,000 yuan on a jade pendant was impossible.
—

Although it may not be the main point, from the manager’s reaction, it’s highly likely that his previous guess was incorrect. If he truly knew the treasure contained within, he wouldn’t be so straightforward about mentioning it or even trying to sell it.

Or maybe it’s a bait?

Just a moment ago, he used it as a joke to indirectly criticize Qi Nian, and now he’s eagerly trying to buy it, which clearly indicates that there’s something going on here.

Lu Jingchuan’s palms unconsciously broke out in a cold sweat. It’s almost impossible to come up with a response that doesn’t reveal his intentions in such a short time, because he cannot resist the allure of the space, even though he knows it might be a trap.

A long silence settled in the office. While he was contemplating how to respond, a warm, calloused hand unexpectedly covered the back of his hand.

He glanced at the serious manager, who carefully withdrew his hand from the mouse. The strange sensation returned, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong.

“Delete all of this; it’s poorly written,” Yin Zhiyi said, putting away his lighthearted demeanor. He took the mouse and deleted most of the content from the document, and then criticized impatiently, “What is this garbage you’re writing? Do you really intend to make me submit this?”

Lu Jingchuan listened to the manager’s criticism calmly. The familiar process somewhat eased his unease. After Yin Zhiyi finished speaking, he said with a hint of apology, “Manager, there have been many issues at home recently. I’m truly sorry.”

“Keep writing,” Yin Zhiyi said, casually crossing his long legs. After venting his frustration, he began playing a game on his phone.

Lu Jingchuan’s lips twitched in disdain. He had already written his resignation letter, just waiting to figure out how to get the jade pendant from Yin Zhiyi. As soon as he got it, he would leave immediately.

“Manager, there’s something I want to discuss with you,” h said, typing on the keyboard. After organizing his thoughts, he sighed deeply and said, “That jade pendant actually belonged to my father. He wore it for safety during an industrial accident.

My mother thought to have it blessed by a master, hoping that my father’s spirit could protect me. But when you offered a high price, she foolishly sold it.”

He spoke passionately about the jade pendant’s significance to him, hoping to justify spending money to buy it back, and also hoping that the manager might be put off by the association with death and decide to let it go.

“So?” Yin Zhiyi raised his eyebrows, casting a curious glance at hin. He continued to control the character in his game, his posture relaxed.

Lu Jingchuan fought the urge to punch him and forced a bitter smile. “Manager, that jade pendant isn’t valuable. It’s useless to you. How about I refund the five thousand and you return my father’s relic? Would that work?”

Hearing the protagonist speak so earnestly, Yin Zhiyi finally stopped playing, straightened his posture, and scrutinized Lu Jingchuan. His gaze seemed to pierce through the superficial politeness to the underlying tension and urgency.

According to logic, the manager had no reason to refuse. As long as he didn’t discover the jade pendant’s secret, this deal would be mutually beneficial. If necessary, he could even offer more.

“Not a chance,” Yin Zhiyi said, his handsome face showing a hint of decadence. He lazily leaned against the office chair and tilted his chin. “I won’t sell it to you, no matter what.”

“You!” Lu Jingchuan gritted his teeth, realizing that the manager was just trying to make him uncomfortable. The more he begged, the more the other party took advantage.

If it weren’t for the fact that the end of the world was still a month away and he wasn’t sure where Yin Zhiyi had hidden the pendant, he would have dealt with him right now.

“Is it to make me suffer, selling it to someone else instead of me?” Yin Zhiyi sneered.

“!!!” Lu Jingchuan’s heart skipped a beat, almost thinking the manager had mind-reading abilities. He calmed his rapidly accelerating breath and glared at Yin Zhiyi with a growing sense of murderous intent.

What does that mean?

The manager must also be someone who has been reborn and knows far more than he does.

As Lu Jingchuan’s sense of crisis grew, Yin Zhiyi had already stood up from the office chair. He put his left hand in his pocket and deleted all the logged-in content on the computer.

“Write it properly and send it to me by the afternoon,” Yin Zhiyi said, rubbing Lu Jingchuan’s tense shoulders as if he was in hunting mode, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.

“Are you sick?” Lu Jingchuan snapped, pulling his chair back abruptly, fixing his disheveled hair. When he looked up at the manager, he saw the smirk on Yin Zhiyi’s face.

Just a prank?

He calmed down, watching the manager’s back as he left the office. His thoughts were in turmoil.

He couldn’t quite understand what Yin Zhiyi was trying to do, but one thing was certain: he couldn’t let the manager live before he revealed the secret of the jade pendant.

Otherwise, with the precious treasure in hand, he and his mother would be unable to protect themselves in the cruel and competitive world of the apocalypse.