After Unbinding the Simp System, I'm Targeted by the Villain - Chapter 19

One morning a few days later, Yu Chucheng stumbled down the spiral staircase in a daze, yawning with sleep-deprived eyes as he walked.

It was only seven in the morning. Usually, at this hour, he’d still be dreaming under his covers, but today was an exception.

Previously, when Mr. and Mrs. Yu heard about Yu Chucheng’s secondary differentiation, they had rushed back from France. Now, with a mountain of affairs waiting for them, they were scheduled to fly back at nine. Therefore, Yu Ziheng had arranged for the family to have breakfast together.

Breakfast shouldn’t be too greasy, and the available ingredients were limited. The family’s five-star chef had spent all night brainstorming to create a table of light, nutritious breakfast dishes that were as beautiful as they were delicious.

Unfortunately, Yu Chucheng had been skipping breakfast since middle school. At home, he was never seen before eleven in the morning; over time, it was as if he had evolved past the need for breakfast entirely.

He looked at the lavish spread and silently picked up a glass of milk, taking two sips. His expression was as bland as a monk who had renounced all worldly desires.

“Jingchen, you should be aware that the Zhang family is holding a graduation banquet for their son, right?” Mr. Yu asked.

Yu Jingchen spread butter onto his bread with deliberate slowness. “I know. They sent an invitation to the house. However, I’ve been busy with work lately and don’t have much in common with those youngsters. It would be more appropriate for Chucheng to go.”

In his daze, Yu Chucheng seemed to hear his name mentioned. His drifting soul gradually returned to his body.

“The Zhang family? Zhang Hanzhou’s graduation banquet?”

Yu Jingchen shot him a slightly surprised look. “Yes. Do you know Zhang Hanzhou?”

Yu Chucheng was instantly wide awake. “Not really ‘know’ him, I just know of him.”

This is the story’s Male Lead (Gong). After transmigrating for so long, am I finally going to meet him?

But Yu Chucheng didn’t really want to go. He remembered that in the original book, the Zhang family’s graduation banquet was a pivotal plot point. It was in the Zhang mansion that the two leads met for the first time and fell in love at first sight.

He didn’t need to simp for Hao Jia anymore, so why go and play third wheel?

“Can I not go…?” Yu Chucheng nibbled on an apple numbly, offering a weak protest.

But clearly, it wasn’t an option. The invitation had been delivered to the house, and since they were both prominent wealthy families in Kyoto, appearances had to be maintained.

“If you think it’ll be boring, you can bring a friend. The Zhangs are putting on a big show this time; one invitation allows for an extra guest.” Yu Jingchen paused, adding a warning tone, “Just don’t bring that guy surnamed Hao.”

Yu Chucheng slumped into his chair like he had no bones. “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t bring him.”

The guy is the protagonist; he doesn’t need me worrying about him.

* * *

On the day of the banquet, Yu Chucheng brought Ji Zhou to the Zhang mansion.

The Zhang family had gone all out. Banners hung from the second-floor railings, and in the golden, magnificent foyer stood a massive nine-tier cake. Long tables were lined with champagne, snacks, pastries, and various dishes.

Yu Chucheng took a quick scan and saw not only famous Kyoto dishes but also Japanese cuisine, French Western food, and more.

Accompanied by the melodious tunes of a symphony orchestra, servants bustled in and out with trays.

Even though Yu Chucheng had mentally prepared himself, he was still shocked by the Zhang family’s exaggerated display—it was as if they were terrified people wouldn’t know Zhang Hanzhou had gotten into Kyoto University.

Ji Zhou, his mouth stuffed with pastries, found a sofa in a corner to sit down with Yu Chucheng. People passing by occasionally cast strange looks at them.

Ji Zhou nudged Yu Chucheng, who was looking down at his phone. “Do you feel like the way people are looking at us is a bit… off?”

Yu Chucheng looked up, and the surrounding gazes instantly retracted like a receding tide. He frowned, then went back to his phone, not caring much at first.

Until a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Oh, what a coincidence. I didn’t realize you were the Second Young Master of the Yu family. I offended you at the KTV last time; surely the Second Master won’t hold a grudge?”

Qi Rui was wearing a flashy pink shirt today, with his hair specially styled, looking like a “dressed-up dog.”

Holding a wine glass in one hand and his female companion in the other, he walked straight through the crowd toward them.

He clearly didn’t come with good intentions.

Yu Chucheng put away his phone, too lazy to even stand up from the sofa. “Don’t worry. I’m not like you; I’m not that petty.”

Qi Rui acted as if he hadn’t heard the sarcasm. He felt up his companion’s waist before suddenly shoving her toward Yu Chucheng.

The woman, with long wavy hair, let out a small cry as she tumbled toward the sofa, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Yu Chucheng reacted quickly and dodged.

Ji Zhou stood up with a frown. “What are you doing!”

Qi Rui spread his hands, faking an innocent look. “Hasn’t the Second Master been a bit lonely lately? I just brought a beauty to keep him company.”

Ji Zhou let out a disdainful scoff. He knew Yu Chucheng better than anyone; this sounded like unreliable gossip.

However, Qi Rui leaned over with great interest, locking eyes with Yu Chucheng on the sofa. “Is that not the case? No wonder you defended Duan Huaijin so much at the KTV; turns out he’s your new lover.”

Ji Zhou: “What the hell kind of nonsense are you spouting!”

Seeing that Yu Chucheng remained silent, Qi Rui shrugged. “Still won’t admit it? I heard you were having the time of your life simping for an Omega, only to dump him the moment you met Duan Huaijin. Tsk tsk…”

Ji Zhou clenched his fists. If his family weren’t so powerless, his fist would have landed on this lunatic’s face by now.

Why do these words and this ‘impressive’ logic sound so familiar?

A dark cloud gradually covered Yu Chucheng’s eyes. “Who told you that?”

Qi Rui, loving the chaos, tilted his chin toward a spot near the window in the hall. “Him.”

Ji Zhou and Yu Chucheng looked in that direction simultaneously.

Ji Zhou: “Shen Rong? Why is he here too?! And the person next to him… is that Hao Jia?”

Yu Chucheng’s gaze paused.

A protagonist is indeed a protagonist—always the center of attention wherever they go. Combined with the fact that Hao Jia was the sweet and cute type, with slightly curly hair and a soft voice, his bright eyes looking like crescent moons when he smiled, many Alphas had their eyes glued to him.

“Is that Yu Chucheng really as much of a scumbag as you say? I thought he was pretty handsome before.”

“Yeah, what a waste of a face. I didn’t think he was that kind of person.”

The few people surrounding Hao Jia were new friends he had made today. After hearing Shen Rong’s description, their “filter” for Yu Chucheng shattered completely. Some even began to question the Yu family’s upbringing.

“Did you know? Last time my dad had dinner with the Eldest Master of the Yu family, I heard that Yu Jingchen is a total ‘younger brother complex’ sufferer.”

“What’s wrong with that? I’d love to have a brother who dotes on me.”

Shen Rong, as if the fire wasn’t burning bright enough, chimed in, “Heh, Yu Chucheng is only this arrogant because he’s being indulged. If the upper beam is crooked, the lower one will be too. I bet there isn’t a single normal person in the entire Yu family.”

The Yu family was a top-tier powerhouse in Kyoto, after all. The people around them were just gossiping, but no one dared to actually say anything bad.

However, Shen Rong didn’t just vent his frustration with Yu Chucheng; he insulted the entire Yu family. The people around him looked at each other and went quiet, not wanting to continue agreeing with him.

Those who have nothing have nothing to lose, but they were different from Shen Rong. Their families were either in business or their parents were high-level executives; if they offended the Yu family, they’d definitely get a thrashing when they got home.

Hao Jia sensed the atmosphere was off and tugged at Shen Rong’s clothes. “Alright, let’s not talk about this today. There are so many people here.”

Unfortunately, Shen Rong didn’t take the hint. He said loudly, “Why shouldn’t I say it? I want everyone to know what kind of person Yu Chucheng is!”

Different circles, different classes. He wanted to expose Yu Chucheng’s true face on this specific occasion so that everyone in Yu Chucheng’s circle would cut ties with him.

With Shen Rong’s shout, gazes from all directions turned toward them.

Hao Jia’s palms broke out in a cold sweat. His lips trembled nervously, and he opened his mouth to try and persuade him again.

Suddenly, his expression changed as he saw a hand reach out and grab Shen Rong’s hair.