I Am the Villain Who Plunders Everything From the Protagonist - Chapter 10:

Chapter 10: Never Be a Lapdog

“Sorry,” Shen Yan chuckled. “I figured, since she doesn’t like me, there’s no reason to force it, right? With my qualifications, you think I can’t find another woman?”

“But in terms of family background and personal qualities, Huo Yunzhi is undoubtedly the most compatible match for you,” Shen Huaishan said with a softened expression.

“Are you saying there’s no girl better than Huo Yunzhi? In terms of family, status, or personal qualities, are you telling me no one else is better?” Shen Yan asked in return.

That’s right. In the original novel, there were indeed girls better than Huo Yunzhi—girls who outshined her in every possible way.

Shen Yan recalled one particular female character in the novel, someone so outstanding that even the protagonist couldn’t conquer her. The author had shaped her as a woman even the male lead didn’t deserve.

Now that he had been reborn, Shen Yan obviously had to find the best woman to match his current self. Otherwise, what was the point of living a second life?

He had died once. Now that he had this chance to live again, there was no way he’d lower himself to be a lapdog again.

A lot of people don’t truly understand the essence of not being a lapdog, or rather, they don’t even understand what being a lapdog means.

They think that if you succeed in winning the girl over, you’re not a lapdog anymore. What nonsense! That just makes you a successful lapdog.

They think that once they’ve pleased the female lead enough to gain her favor, the lapdog label can be removed—utterly wrong!

That classic saying: The overlord of beggars is still a beggar. What does that mean? It means you’re still a damn beggar!

You win over the female lead through groveling—so what are you? Still a lapdog. The only difference is whether you got her or not.

Why give up being a decent human being just to become a dog?

Did I come back from the dead just to become some woman’s lapdog? What kind of life is that?

Clearly, there are women out there who are better in every aspect. Of course, when choosing a partner, one should aim for excellence. A wife should be wise and capable!

Ignoring better women to chase a female lead who is worse in every regard—how pathetic is that?

So yes, I’ll find a woman even more exceptional to be my wife. A relationship where husband and wife respect each other as equals—that’s the right path.

As for that ex-fiancée, the so-called female lead? Just keep her around as a lover at most. She’ll never have the right to be my wife. That’s the true definition of a winning life.

That’s how a successful man lives—keep the main banner flying at home while letting colorful flags wave outside.

But thinking again, even that might be giving Huo Yunzhi too much credit. A lover? At best, she could be a maid.

Shen Huaishan could see now that his son had his own ideas—and that was a good thing!

But he still asked, “Back at the Huo Family, you mentioned questionable conduct. What did you mean?”

Shen Yan had already anticipated this question, so he told the full story—how Huo Yunzhi had repeatedly made it clear she didn’t like him and wanted to break off the engagement.

He also included how she went to a bar tonight to get drunk.

After listening, Shen Huaishan gave him a thumbs-up. “You did the right thing! A woman like that has no place in the Shen Family.”

Then he asked, “Just now, when Old Master Huo said he’d always treat you like his own grandson… do you believe that?”

Shen Yan glanced at Shen Huaishan and thought, You already know the answer to that. We’re both local foxes—why pretend to be in a ghost story?

If it were the old Shen Yan, he might’ve believed it.

But Huo Shenghan—the head of the Huo Family—was a seasoned old fox.

In the original novel, the original Shen Yan basically died because of that one line. He really believed Huo Shenghan would protect him like a real grandfather. But as Lin Yu rose in power, the Huo Family saw greater benefit in marrying into his side. Businessmen always prioritize profit.

And Huo Shenghan? That old fox didn’t hesitate to promise his granddaughter to Lin Yu. When Lin Yu and Huo Yunzhi schemed against the Shen Family, of course Huo Shenghan would help them.

So, this Shen Yan… naturally didn’t believe a word of it.

He smiled and shook his head. “I don’t believe it.” Then he teased Shen Huaishan, “But if you do, doesn’t that mean you’ve gained another father?”

“You little brat, looking for a beating?” Shen Huaishan scolded with a laugh. “Though the two families didn’t openly tear things apart today, it’s close enough. I’m afraid our collaboration with the Huo Family ends here. Working together in the future will be nearly impossible.”

He sighed. “Alright, we’ll leave it at that for now.”

When the car arrived at Shen Corporation’s headquarters, Shen Huaishan had to rush in for a meeting. He was busy handling contracts and wanted to cut ties with the Huo Family as soon as possible.

After he got out, he told the driver to take Shen Yan directly to the Shen Family estate.

Back in his room, as soon as Shen Yan shut the door and turned around, the system’s voice rang out.

[Not bad, host. You already gained this much luck from the first female lead?]

“Didn’t think you actually had some skill. I’m starting to like you!”

Shen Yan simply smiled faintly and didn’t respond. The first thing he did was walk straight to the washroom next to the master bedroom.

Looking into the mirror, he finally let out a breath of relief.

Good. It was still his face, still his body—no different from his past self.

If there was a difference, maybe it was just that clothes make the man. At nearly 1.9 meters tall, he was already handsome, but now with a custom-tailored suit, he looked even more refined and charismatic, a true gentleman.

Damn… handsome!

The kind of handsome that could wake himself up in the morning from sheer good looks.

“Right, didn’t you say before—this is my original body, right?” Shen Yan wanted to confirm once again and asked tentatively.

[That’s right! Don’t worry. You haven’t been cheated on by yourself.] the system said lazily

Being so accurately exposed made Shen Yan feel a little embarrassed.

Still, now that the matter was settled, he felt at ease.

Then he walked over to the sofa by the window and sat down. “System, these luck points are like points, right? I can use them to buy stuff?”

[Yes. In addition to purchases, your luck points can also be used to boost your power directly,] the system replied in a sweet female voice.

“Oh?” Shen Yan blinked. “So how many points do I have now?”

[You currently have 3,100 luck points. Host may now open the system interface and explore on your own.]