Villain – Peeking at the Diary, the Female Leads’ Personas Collapse

“I believe there will be plenty of opportunities for our families to collaborate in the future.”

“Of course. From now on, as you Chinese say, you’re like a brother to me.”

“You’re older than me, so you’ll be my big brother.”

“Then you’re my second brother.”

Chen Fan wanted to say, ‘Big Brother, that wife of yours isn’t a good person, damn it. Forget it. Too much trouble. Better just go to sleep; tomorrow I’ll have to put on a real show.

The following morning, Chen Fan woke up early as usual.

…

Looking out the window, he sighed. Great, another rainy day.

[July 14, weather: cloudy. My mood may not be the best, but knowing I’ll get slapped around again, I feel better.]

[The female leads are getting more and more ridiculous. I feel a bit anxious. Luckily, I had the quick thinking to slap Anna a few times. That shut her up immediately. Trying to play games with me? You picked the wrong guy.]

[The Grand Duke considers me his brother now. Does that mean I’m … seducing my sister-in-law? Looks like I’m going to lose some fingers.]

[Today is my day to get slapped down and make my name infamous in Qincheng. Ye Aotian’s first great battle—his big debut.]

[A divine medical technique, marveling the world, while I’m stuck acting like a clown, angry and ridiculous.]

[Oh right, after this slap-down, I need to stage a kidnapping. Lin Qingyue, don’t blame me for being ruthless—I need to kidnap you. Know what kidnapping means? It’s brutal stuff.]

[Not sure if Zhu Yeqing can play the role of an undercover well. Sigh, she’s starting to seem a bit off too. Never mind, as long as the plot’s on track, that’s all that matters. None of these characters are breaking character.]

At that moment, Zhu Yeqing, who was reading the diary, laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes. Chen Fan’s sense of self-entertainment was truly amusing. After her revenge, Zhu Yeqing had spent her days in a void of hatred and emptiness. Now that she had something new to enjoy, she started to think that maybe revenge wasn’t so necessary.

Meanwhile, Jin Lan ate her breakfast with a hint of disappointment, as she had no scenes today. Still, she figured she’d make an appearance; after all, with William’s arrival, she’d need to be on-site.

Lin Qingyue, in her room, eyed the rope on her desk. Kidnap me? Fine. If you don’t kidnap me, then you’re a puppy. I’ve even prepared the rope. I’m curious what excuse you’ll use to justify the kidnapping.

Ling Yuyan glanced at the diary and sighed. Am I even a female lead? It’s been days, and nothing has happened with me. Am I deluding myself? Maybe I’m just a fake female lead. Never mind. I’ll keep watching the show. Even if I’m not the female lead, I’m still a special presence, right? After all, I have a copy of the diary.

Still, Ling Yuyan was annoyed. For all these days, the only word he’s written about me is ‘shameless’. Outrageous. Fine, I admit I have a bit of a crooked mind. But that’s just me, isn’t it? Seriously, if I don’t get some screen time soon, I’m done.

Unaware of the female leads’ complaints, Chen Fan was busy with his next task. The three old Chinese medicine practitioners handed him a treatment plan, along with a detailed prescription. Chen Fan took a look, knowing he was set up to be humiliated since the prescription was overly conservative.

The butler’s brain issue was actually a hemorrhage. In Western medicine, they’d resort to brain surgery, but that would leave the patient disabled. Chinese medicine would require an acupuncture series, which the three physicians had correctly diagnosed. However, their skills were insufficient—the chosen acupuncture points weren’t quite right.

Interestingly, Zhu Yeqing passed this treatment plan along to Ye Aotian. With his expertise, Ye Aotian would likely use this plan and save the patient. His success was due to his imperial internal energy technique, or Earth Core Technique, which provided additional internal energy support.

Since the novel’s author wasn’t a Chinese medicine expert, the description was straightforward: the protagonist used acupuncture, astonishing everyone, saved the patient, and made a name for himself.

Chen Fan, meanwhile, was destined to be the humiliated one.

After thinking it over, he handed the treatment plan to Zhu Yeqing. “Pass this along to Anna’s team for them to review.”

Zhu Yeqing nodded, observing him closely.

Why are you looking at me like that? Just pass the plan to Ye Aotian. Go ahead, betray me—seriously, what’s with that look?

“Young Master, I understand, but Anna’s team might not be able to read it.”

“There should be a Chinese medical expert from abroad. Have them review it for peace of mind.”

You talk too much; hurry up already. I’m eager to get the plot moving.

Zhu Yeqing left the room, thought for a moment, and then adjusted the treatment plan slightly. She didn’t understand much, but she figured if Ye Aotian needed a bad plan, that’s exactly what she’d provide.

Shortly after, Ye Aotian called her.

“Thank you. I knew we’d make good partners. If anything goes wrong, come to me. I can protect you.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be fine.”

As she hung up, Zhu Yeqing saw a new entry in the diary:

[Noted Zhu Yeqing’s first betrayal. Wahaha, Big Brother’s coming to punish you. Great stuff, hahaha.]

[Zhu Yeqing gave a modified plan. Very smart. But since Ye Aotian understands medicine, how could he not spot the error?]

[Still, we can’t accuse her of betrayal; just a well-intentioned mistake.]

Zhu Yeqing stood in stunned silence, feeling incredibly wronged and on the verge of tears. This is so hard.

***

As soon as Ye Aotian received the documents, he immediately noticed the mistakes within them. While the general method was correct, the specific acupuncture techniques required weren’t ones that ordinary Chinese medicine practitioners could accomplish. Additionally, several minor details were entirely wrong. Interesting, very interesting.

Ye Aotian made a few adjustments, effectively turning it into his own plan. He could have devised a new method, but he thought that wouldn’t have the same impact on Chen Fan. Instead, using Chen Fan’s plan and making him feel cornered—that was more satisfying to him.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yeqing returned to her room looking troubled, only to find Chen Fan watching her with a half-smile. She felt he was definitely mocking her. Unbelievable! If you’re going to write a diary entry, then share it! If I’d known, I’d have given him the correct plan.

No, it wouldn’t have mattered how she’d done it—it would still have been considered wrong since she was in contact with Ye Aotian. Inevitably, she bore the stigma of a double agent. Chen Fan’s teasing, as annoying as it was, was fully expected.

Damn this plotline, it’s like it’s designed to trap me!

By 9 a.m., in a certain hospital, a gathering of elderly Chinese medicine practitioners awaited. Chen Fan arrived with his team, while Ye Aotian appeared alone. Both sides set up a straightforward confrontation.

The three elder practitioners wore glasses, their hair grayed, while Ye Aotian entered in a sleek suit, attracting the attention of all the doctors and nurses in the hospital.