I Was Reborn as the Villain, but the System Bound Itself to the Female Leads - Chapter 7:

Chapter 7: Turning Over a New Leaf

“Am I even their real son?”

Lin Yuan let out a sigh. The broom hit from earlier was still aching on his back. Though he was full of complaints, he had no way to voice them.

“Move everything from the car into the house,” he said to the servants, then followed behind Lin Tianxing into the house.

As soon as they reached the living room, Lin Tianxing sat on the couch and gave Xiao Bao two loud mua~ mua~ kisses on the cheek. Then, when he turned his head and saw Lin Yuan had also walked in, he frowned and snapped, “You little bastard, why are you still here?!”

“Dad, maybe you should stop calling me that. Aren’t you basically calling yourself a bastard too?” Lin Yuan retorted.

“You ungrateful brat, even learned to talk back now? Go get my broomstick! I swear I’ll beat the crap out of you today!”

“Dad, Dad, okay, okay, I admit I was wrong! Calm down, please, don’t get angry!”

Lin Yuan immediately rushed forward to hold his father down, afraid he’d really go grab the broom again. He couldn’t take another hit.

“There’s something I want to say—just hear me out first. You can beat me later if you still want to.”

“Fine, I’ll listen. Let’s see what kind of crap you can spit out this time.”

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and began.

“Dad, after reflecting on everything lately, I’ve finally realized I’ve been a complete mess in the past. That’s why I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and become a decent person.”

As soon as he finished, he saw both of his parents staring at him, eyes wide and jaws dropped.

Lin Tianxing and Chen Aihua looked at each other.

“Is this really our son?”

“Old Lin, our son… he actually admitted he was wrong? Said he wants to change and become a better person? Am I dreaming? Pinch me—quick!”

Chen Aihua, Lin Yuan’s mother, had a very plain rural name, but she was intelligent and hardworking. After marrying Lin Tianxing, they built their business together from scratch. She was half the reason the Lin Family reached such heights.

Lin Yuan was their only child, spoiled since birth, which turned him into an arrogant, lawless brat. Chen Aihua had long hoped her son would change, but despite numerous attempts at guiding him, nothing ever worked. Eventually, she gave up and simply let Lin Tianxing beat him whenever he messed up.

She had resigned herself to thinking he would never change. But now, hearing these words from him—sincere or not—made her eyes tear up. She even asked to be pinched to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

“Ouch! That hurts! I said lightly, not like that!” She slapped Lin Tianxing. This old man really didn’t know how to hold back.

Though surprised, Lin Tianxing didn’t trust as easily. He looked at Lin Yuan and said, “You little brat, you think saying a few nice things is enough for me to believe you? If you’ve got some scheme going on, just spill it—money? Women? What is it?”

“Dad, do you really not trust me that much?”

Lin Yuan wasn’t upset. He knew his past self had left too bad of an impression.

Just from how his mother teared up when he said he’d change, it was clear how deeply he’d hurt them over the years.

“I only believe that dogs can’t stop eating shit.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to change your minds with a few words. I’ve done a lot of stupid things in the past. You can just watch my actions from now on.”

“I’ll stay here tonight. Make sure the kitchen prepares my dinner.”

With that, Lin Yuan stood up and returned to his room.

Although he had many properties outside, his room at home was still preserved. When he opened the door, everything inside was tidy and spotless.

After he closed the door, Lin Tianxing and Chen Aihua finally began whispering in the living room.

“You really think he’s changed? Could he be planning something shady again?”

“Can’t you hope for the best for our son?”

“I want to. But you know what he’s like. What if he got into trouble outside and can’t fix it, so now he’s acting pitiful just so we’ll help when his enemies show up?”

“…”

Chen Aihua glanced at her husband, clearly startled by the possibility. Their son truly was capable of pulling something like that.

“Grandpa, Grandma, I think Daddy really has changed. He was so gentle to me today. He didn’t hit me at all!”

Xiao Bao chimed in.

Chen Aihua hugged her granddaughter tightly. This poor girl had suffered so much—all because of that useless son of hers.

“Xiao Bao, you’re still young. You don’t understand these things,” Lin Tianxing said.

“I say let’s stop overthinking. If our son really wants to change, that’s a good thing. And if he is plotting something… we’ll beat the crap out of him when it happens.”

“That’s true.”

Hearing her words, Lin Tianxing nodded. No need to rush to conclusions.

Back in his room, Lin Yuan lay flat on his bed, unaware of the conversation happening outside.

“Damn heavens… you really are messing with me. Everyone else who transmigrates gets a system. I’ve been here all this time, and I haven’t seen a single sign of one!”

He muttered, convinced the heavens were deliberately screwing him over.

Right now, he had no advantages besides knowledge of the original plot. Against the chosen one Long Haochen, he—just a villain—could be dead at any moment.

“Improving my strength is a must.”

He sat up. Hiding forever wasn’t a viable strategy. Who knew what dangers might come next?

Since he had no external cheats, the only thing he could rely on was the knowledge from the original plot.

“Lin Yuan, come out.”

Just as he was thinking of his next steps, Lin Tianxing’s voice called from outside the door.

“Dad? What’s up?”

Lin Yuan opened the door and asked.

“If you’re really planning to change, then I’ll give you a chance. Tomorrow, the Patriarch of the Ye Family is celebrating his birthday. I want you to go in my place and deliver a gift.”

There were four great families in North City: the Lin, Ye, Gu, and Chu Families. Aside from the Lin Family, which rose from humble origins, the other three had deep roots going back decades.

Though there was business competition between them, they still maintained surface-level cordiality.

The Ye Family’s patriarch was celebrating his birthday. The other three families would definitely send gifts and attend. If they didn’t, it would be seen as disrespect, and things could easily spiral out of control.

Lin Yuan frowned. He wanted to decline. According to the original plot, both Long Haochen and Gu Qingyi would also attend the Ye Family’s birthday banquet.

Before he could refuse, Lin Tianxing cut him off coldly.

“You’re going no matter what. If you don’t, then get out right now and never come back. From this moment on, we’ll pretend you’re no longer our son. Xiao Bao won’t have a father anymore.”

“…Did I say I wasn’t going?”

Lin Yuan replied quickly. But inside, he was screaming.

Great. Just great. He was being thrown straight into the fire.