Cheng Yu’s plan was simple: play the ultimate villain to teach Suzhan Yue a lesson.

Become her friend, then become a monster—crush her trust with relentless cruelty.

No need for deep wounds or vile acts. Just show her friends don’t obey blindly.

Then rip open the fake harmony between her and her roommates. Make this naive girl see raw reality.

Let her think for herself. Realize her relationships were never equal.

And as she watched Cheng Yu’s monstrous acts, she’d grow to hate him. Despise him. Flee from him.

Convinced he was beyond redemption, she’d stop chasing him. Give up completely.

That was his extreme two-birds-one-stone solution.

*Don’t get too close. All it brings is a cleaver.*

Then Cheng Yu could finally ditch her drama and dive into his beloved APEX matches.

Perfect.

Whether Suzhan Yue woke up after his lecture, or how she’d fix things with her roommates? None of his concern.

The only hiccup?

Cheng Yu couldn’t untangle how much of his rant was just gaming the system… and how much came from his heart.

*Seriously…*

*You’ve died a hundred times. Can’t you act your age?*

He scoffed inwardly, pushing himself up slowly.

Whatever. It was over now.

Dodged the cleaver route. Cut ties with the girl. Clean.

He was satisfied—until a vibration in his pocket jolted him.

Who’d call this late? He frowned, pulling out his phone.

Dark screen.

The buzzing persisted. Then he remembered: he’d pocketed Suzhan Yue’s phone earlier.

He checked again. Unknown number. Not one of her friends.

*So… she’s calling?*

But she couldn’t have reached campus yet.

*Regretting it halfway? Borrowing a stranger’s phone to get her device back?*

Fine. Return it fast. Avoid future messes.

A flicker of relief lifted his mood. He answered, voice light:

“What’s up, Yueyue? Miss playing with your big brother~?”

A scoff crackled through the speaker—cold, mocking.

*【Still flirting? Guess you’re not that upset, huh?】*

Not Suzhan Yue. A man’s voice. Familiar.

*【Kid. Didn’t expect to meet again so soon, did you?】*

That nickname hit like ice water. Cheng Yu’s smile vanished.

Memories of that night flooded back—goosebumps prickling his skin, every hair standing on end. He whispered the name:

“…Tiger Cub?”

*【Hah! You dare call me that? Kneel. Kowtow three times to this phone. Call me ‘Tiger Cub the Great.’ Maybe I’ll spare your life.】*

“You kowtow ten times and call me ‘Big Brother,’ and I might buy ten, get one free—let you kowtow an extra time.”

*【…Brat. Still sharp-tongued.】*

Even through the phone, Cheng Yu pictured Tiger Cub grinding his teeth. Then a light snort:

*【Enjoy your wit while you can. See if you can spit out a single word after I beat you bloody.】*

“Funny. You think you can beat me? Forgot what I said last time? What *are* you, anyway? Do you really think—”

*【Kid. Ever wonder one thing?】*

Tiger Cub’s voice dripped with glee, vibrating with anticipation.

*【Why I knew this phone was in your hands? Why I had the number? Why I called *you*?】*

Cheng Yu’s playful tone died. Silence.

Tiger Cub whistled, triumphant:

*【Heh. The moment you and your little girlfriend walked into the bar, Tiger Cub noticed. Never thought you’d dare show your face there again—let alone bump into me.】*

*【Brat. How could I resist beating you?】*

*【Lucky break! You two fight. You let her leave first. Heh… your grandpa followed her. Waited for the perfect moment. Took your sweet little girlfriend.】*

“A grown man stooping to this? Disgusting.”

*【Say what you want. The louder you yap now, the harder I’ll hit later.】*

*【But… I’m feeling generous. One small wish for you…】*

*【Come here, little sister. Talk to your boyfriend.】*

*【…He’s not my boyfriend.】*

A tiny, muffled voice. Unmistakably Suzhan Yue.

*【Tch tch tch… Quarreling couples are adorable. But you’re right, little girl.】*

*【Soon, he won’t be your boyfriend anymore.】*

*【Two choices, kid. Be at Yuantan Park in thirty minutes. Let me beat you senseless. Or…】*

*【Wait a few days to see your girlfriend’s cold corpse.】*

*【Either way—I’ve got news for you.】*

*【You—are—DEAD!】*

Maniacal laughter filled the line. Cheng Yu ignored it, mind racing.

*No wonder the bar owner panicked… Not just because of me. The real disaster was already there.*

*Tch… If I’d realized sooner… Or walked her out when she left…*

Regret gnawed at him. Then the options flashed in his mind:

**[Suzhan Yue has been kidnapped by Tiger Cub. Your choice:]**

**[A: Ignore it. Reward: Maserati GranCabrio]**

**[B: Call the police immediately. Reward: Di Du license plate L88888]**

**[C: Seek help from CS department guys. Reward: Crystal-decorated PS5]**

**[D: Go meet him. Reward: 1 random stat point]**

*What kind of joke is option C? And why’s the ‘easy’ choice A the deadliest?*

He understood instantly.

Choosing A meant Suzhan Yue would die. An enraged Tiger Cub would make good on his threat. Her life would be cut short.

And Cheng Yu? The butterfly effect of her death would bring the cleaver down on him anyway.

Suzhan Yue’s face surfaced in his mind. His chest tightened.

*Should’ve never gotten involved with this girl from the start…*

He sighed. Pushed open the bar door. Stepped into Di Du’s night streets.

His silhouette looked solitary and defeated in the wind.

*No choice left, is there?*

*Suzhan Yue… What are you going to pay me back with?*

The thought echoed as he walked. His heart grew calm.

Until he entered Yuantan Park. Saw Tiger Cub. Saw Suzhan Yue.

No ripple in his chest. Just flat, steady words:

“I’m here.”