Chapter 35 - Why Didn’t You Hit Me?

Chen Fan felt like he was working overtime, thinking that the damn system should be paying him extra. All the female leads were starting to act strange.

Actually, from the beginning, Chen Fan had noticed something was off. When Zhu Yeqing appeared, he felt things were getting out of control. She showed up way too early. She wasn’t supposed to appear for a long time yet.

The only reason he hadn’t acted yet was that the plot was still generally on track—characters were meeting who they were supposed to, people were getting killed as planned, nothing was missed.

However, previously, he’d spent most of his off-screen time listening to music in the attic during the cycles. Now, it was different. Anytime he was off-screen or out of focus, he seemed to run into these female leads.

Headache.

So, Chen Fan decided to do something to restore the plot.

For instance, Lin Qingyue was supposed to hate him. He needed to remind her of that. That’s why he started getting a little physical.

But this moment completely surprised Lin Qingyue.

She felt like … she might have developed a slight fondness for Chen Fan.

When Chen Fan touched her, she didn’t feel any disgust.

How was that possible? Why? What went wrong? Was it just her imagination?

Lin Qingyue didn’t react. She kept her head down, focusing on the soup dumplings on her plate.

Chen Fan, on the other hand, felt something was off.

Why didn’t you hit me? Damn it, why?

Chen Fan withdrew his hand and said, “Sorry, I couldn’t control myself for a moment.”

Lin Qingyue lifted her head and looked at Chen Fan. “It’s okay. I know what you think of me. I’ve already told you that I’d give you a chance to spend time with me.”

I don’t need your chance! I need you to resist me, to hit me! Damn it, what’s the point of giving me a chance? I don’t want it.

Right now, Chen Fan really wanted to take off his shoe and slap her in the face with it.

Jin Lan, sitting nearby and eating, was fully engrossed in watching the scene unfold. Things were getting interesting.

According to Chen Fan’s script, Lin Qingyue should have been furious by now. But looking at the situation, Lin Qingyue wasn’t acting quite right either.

As expected, acting isn’t foolproof. It’s impossible to fully control everything.

Chen Fan thought this couldn’t continue. He looked down at Lin Qingyue, who was wearing a pencil skirt and business attire.

Without hesitation, he reached out and put his hand on her leg.

Lin Qingyue immediately looked up at him.

“Don’t go too far.”

You … you’re being this gentle?

“Sorry … I couldn’t help it.”

“Take your hand away. I’m letting you get close to me, not allowing you to be a pervert.”

Chen Fan pulled his hand back and looked at the slightly annoyed Lin Qingyue.

Whatever, as long as you’re at least a little angry, it’s fine.

“Li Wenqiang is dead. Who do you think did it?”

“I don’t know, but it definitely wasn’t me. I drank too much yesterday and went to sleep.”

“I saw a lot of women in your room, and they weren’t wearing clothes.”

Chen Fan was just about to say, “It wasn’t me.”

But then he quickly stopped himself.

I can’t say that! Damn it, I’m a rich second-generation villain. In the future, Lin Qingyue will know about my escapades with women, which only fuels her dislike for me.

So instead …

“I … drank too much and couldn’t help it. Sorry.”

Come on, get mad! Yell at me! Tell me I’m disgusting, despicable, and awful! Let’s go! Humiliate me, protagonist! Remember your role!

“Oh, it’s fine. Just be safe.”

Jin Lan almost choked on her food. She barely held back her laughter.

“Boss, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just ate a bit too quickly, that’s all.”

Chen Fan stared at Lin Qingyue in disbelief. “You don’t mind?”

“Why would I mind? That’s your business. Besides, it’s normal for men to be attracted to women. My father has a mistress too. It’s understandable for an excellent man to have women around him.”

What the hell?

Chen Fan nearly flipped the table.

I’ve heard this line before, but it wasn’t meant for me—it’s something meant for the protagonist! Maybe you should go see a doctor. Stop acting like this!

Feeling frustrated, Chen Fan still couldn’t believe it. He reached out and put his hand on Lin Qingyue’s shoulder.

Lin Qingyue didn’t stop him. She kept eating, head down.

Lin Qingyue was curious to see how far Chen Fan would dare go.

But Chen Fan had no interest in going any further.

“Take your hand off.”

This voice, this scene, this moment of the plot—Chen Fan suddenly realized what was happening.

Oh crap, here he comes, the ever-looming protagonist.

Ye Aotian stood before the three of them, glaring at Chen Fan.

“What kind of stray dog dares to shout at me like that?”

Ye Aotian looked at Chen Fan’s hand.

“Take your hand off her. She doesn’t like you.”

“She doesn’t like me? Does she like you instead? Well, too bad, my hand’s here. What are you going to do about it?”

Lin Qingyue raised her head and removed Chen Fan’s hand herself.

This gesture wasn’t because she felt uncomfortable—she had never been touched by a man before.

But in Ye Aotian’s eyes, it looked like a completely different scene.

She’s clearly being forced. Damn Chen family. Just wait, making my woman suffer like this.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan thought, Damn, so you really are the protagonist, huh? You didn’t make a move before because you were afraid of my family’s power. This makes sense. This is what the female lead is supposed to do.

Chen Fan tried to recall the plot, but no matter how hard he thought, this scene didn’t exist.

Might as well improvise. As long as it doesn’t affect the main plot, it’s fine.

“You don’t need to fear the Chen family. You should have received a sum of money this morning. I know your company is struggling—there’s no need to rely on the Chen family to get through this.”

Chen Fan silently gave a thumbs-up to the protagonist. This is what it means to be a protagonist.

Talking about giving money without hesitation.

Lin Qingyue glanced at Ye Aotian and said, “I didn’t ask you to give me money. Now that you mention it, I just saw it. I’ll return the money to you.”

Wait, why are you returning the money?