Chapter 1: Welcome to the Villain's Role

Shen Yu had spent the last three nights in a row binge-reading The Fateful Encounter, a school drama novel filled with complicated love triangles, intense rivalries, and a villain so detestable he made readers want to throw their phones across the room. Zhao Rui—a rich young master, arrogant to the bone, willing to use any dirty trick to steal the female lead, Bai Xue, away from the story's powerful male lead, Lu Zhixuan.

And now, for reasons beyond Shen Yu's understanding, he had woken up inside Zhao Rui's body.

A cold chill ran down his spine as he took in his surroundings. He was seated in a spacious, well-lit classroom, the kind you'd only find in an elite private school. The scent of freshly polished wood and expensive cologne lingered in the air. His fingers brushed against the sleek fabric of his uniform—tailored, no doubt. When he turned toward the window, he caught his reflection in the glass. Sharp, aristocratic features. Neatly styled black hair. A pair of piercing, almost hawk-like eyes.

Yep. He had definitely transmigrated into Zhao Rui.

"No. No, no, no," Shen Yu whispered, hands trembling as he gripped the edge of his desk. "This is bad. This is really bad."

The memories of Zhao Rui's tragic fate flooded his mind. In the novel, Zhao Rui had relentlessly harassed Bai Xue, setting up all sorts of ridiculous schemes to win her over. He had bribed teachers, spread rumors, even attempted to sabotage Lu Zhixuan's family business—only to have it all backfire spectacularly. By the end, he had completely ruined himself, and in a final act of desperation, he had tried to kill Lu Zhixuan. But, of course, the male lead was too powerful. Zhao Rui had met a humiliating and painful death at his hands.

Shen Yu felt faint. If I follow the original plot, I'll die. But if I don't act like Zhao Rui, the world might collapse on me!

Just as he was spiraling into full-blown panic, the door to the classroom slid open.

A hush fell over the room. A tall figure entered, moving with an effortless grace that made the atmosphere around him feel heavy. His school uniform was crisp, but slightly undone in a way that made it look effortlessly cool. His dark eyes carried a sharpness that made people instinctively lower their gazes.

Lu Zhixuan.

Shen Yu nearly choked on his own spit.

Lu Zhixuan—the male lead. The one who would eventually kill him.

Their eyes met, and a flicker of recognition passed through Lu Zhixuan's gaze before it turned cold. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening slightly.

"Zhao Rui," he said, his deep voice sending a chill down Shen Yu's spine. "What are you plotting this time?"

Shen Yu gulped. His mind raced. Think. Think! I need to act like the original villain! If he suddenly started acting polite, Lu Zhixuan would get suspicious. He had to keep up appearances.

He forced himself to smirk, flipping his hair back with an exaggerated arrogance. "Hmph! Just you wait, Lu Zhixuan! I'll definitely make Bai Xue mine!"

The words came out more like a nervous declaration than a villainous threat.

For a moment, there was silence. Shen Yu felt the weight of the entire class watching them, holding their breath, waiting for Lu Zhixuan's reaction.

And then—

Lu Zhixuan raised an eyebrow. A hint of amusement flickered in his gaze.

Shen Yu stiffened. Why is he looking at me like that?

"Oh?" Lu Zhixuan said, his lips curving slightly, almost imperceptibly. "I'd like to see you try."

Shen Yu's stomach dropped. That wasn't how the scene was supposed to go! In the novel, Lu Zhixuan was meant to scowl, maybe threaten him with an icy remark. But now, he looked entertained.

Shen Yu started sweating.

This was going to be harder than he thought.