The Villain’s Inner Thoughts Were Exposed, and the Female Leads All Lost It - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: Riding to My Doom in a Luxury Car

Lin Fan stood before the enormous full-length mirror in the walk-in closet, feeling as though he had wandered into an exhibition hall for the world’s finest bespoke menswear. Reflected in the mirror was a man dressed in a silk robe, his hair slightly disheveled and his face carrying a strange mixture of post-sleep confusion and lingering horror from transmigration.

The face staring back at him was undeniably handsome, with refined features and a high, straight nose. He looked exactly like the pampered young master of a wealthy family. Compared with his face in his previous life, which had been prematurely aged by years of hardship, this one was several levels more refined.

“With looks like these… it’d be a waste not to debut as an idol and sing, dance, and rap.”

Lin Fan tugged at the corner of his mouth. The man in the mirror did the same, but the smile was stiff, and traces of the bewildered delivery rider from his previous life still lingered deep within those eyes.

The sense of dissonance was overwhelming.

He shook his head and turned his attention to a much more immediate problem…

What should he wear to “meet his doom”?

Rows of high-end bespoke suits filled the closet. Their fabrics were crisp, their tailoring impeccable, and every single one seemed to radiate the same message: ‘I’m expensive, and you’d better not mess with me.’

Lin Fan ran his hand over a dark gray suit before shaking his head. “No. If a fight breaks out, this thing will restrict my movement. It’ll affect my flexibility when I crouch down and cover my head.”

His gaze shifted toward another casual suit in a rather flamboyant shade of bright blue. The corner of his mouth twitched.

“This one’s even worse. It’s way too eye-catching. I’ll become the primary target when the beating starts.”

Eventually, he discovered several relatively “normal” pieces tucked away in a corner. There was a smoky-gray shirt with subtle patterns and soft fabric, along with a pair of well-fitting dark casual trousers.

[Yeah, these will do. At least the fabric is soft. Maybe it’ll hurt a little less when I get beaten?]

Lin Fan could only amuse himself with such miserable thoughts.

After changing, he stood before the mirror again. He was still ridiculously handsome, but the spoiled rich-kid aura had faded considerably. Instead, he looked fresher and cleaner, with just a faint trace of barely concealed nervousness.

[Good. This looks more like me.]

Lin Fan encouraged himself, “Come on, Lin Fan. You’re a man with a System! Even if that System is a damn scam…”

Following the original Lin Fan’s memories, he headed toward the elevator leading to the underground garage.

The elevator doors slid open.

Motion-sensitive lights illuminated one after another, almost like spotlights sweeping across a stage. When the enormous space capable of driving any car enthusiast insane was fully revealed before him, Lin Fan could not stop himself from sucking in a sharp breath.

“Holy… shit!”

A Rolls-Royce Phantom sat there like a dignified king, stately and imposing. Beside it was a bright yellow Lamborghini Aventador, resembling a cheetah poised to pounce, flamboyant and aggressive. Farther away stood an elegantly sculpted Ferrari and an imposing Bentley…

All the dream cars he had once drooled over on phone wallpapers and automotive websites were now quietly parked before him, almost as though they were waiting for his inspection.

“This isn’t a garage. This is basically the end of a money-printing assembly line…”

Lin Fan swallowed hard. His heart could barely withstand the impact.

In his previous life, his greatest dream had been to save enough money for an electric tricycle with a roof so he would not get soaked whenever it rained.

Compared with what stood before him now, the difference was no less than that between a beggar and a king.

Once the initial excitement faded, however, he was struck by another problem.

Which car should he drive?

Something too flashy might attract hatred and get him killed even faster. Something understated would be safer…

Except there did not seem to be a single understated car in this garage.

His gaze swept across the collection before finally settling on a relatively “plain and unremarkable” black Mercedes-Benz S-Class. At least this one looked somewhat “proper,” like something a businessman might drive. Surely it would not attract too much attention.

Lin Fan opened the door and settled into the driver’s seat. The genuine leather seat wrapped comfortably around his body, while a faint new-car scent lingered inside the cabin.

Then he stared at the densely packed controls on the center console, the enormous display screen, and the small, exquisitely designed electronic gear selector.

His expression gradually stiffened.

The tiny amount of driving experience he had accumulated with a Wuling Hongguang and his battered electric bike in his previous life became utterly useless in the face of all this advanced technology.

[Which button starts the car? How do I put it in gear? Where the hell is the parking brake?]

He sat there helplessly like a country bumpkin entering the city for the first time.

[Host, do you require assistance with starting the vehicle and its basic operation?]

The System’s voice was as calm as ever. Somehow, Lin Fan could even hear a faint undertone of ‘I knew this would happen.’

“Yes! Hurry up! Stop wasting time!” Lin Fan responded frantically in his mind, as though he had just grabbed hold of a lifeline. [How the hell do I use this thing? I can’t even start the damn car!]

[Please place your hand on the engine start button. The System will temporarily activate the trial mode of “Beginner Driving Proficiency” and transmit the necessary basic operating information.]

Lin Fan immediately placed his hand on the button bearing the engine symbol.

A faint warmth seemed to flow into him through his fingertips. Immediately afterward, all kinds of information about operating the Mercedes-Benz S-Class surfaced clearly in his mind, as natural as instincts he had possessed for years.

He pressed the button gently.

The engine came alive with a deep, steady rumble, and the car began to vibrate faintly beneath him.

“Oh? Now this is pretty interesting.”

Feeling fascinated, Lin Fan followed the information in his mind and skillfully, albeit with the System’s assistance, shifted the electronic gear selector into Drive. He gently pressed the accelerator, and the car silently and smoothly glided out of its parking space.

He drove out of the villa complex and merged into the nighttime traffic.

Outside the windows, the city blazed with countless lights. Towering skyscrapers stood one after another, forming the brilliant skyline of a prosperous metropolis.

Yet despite driving an incredibly expensive luxury car, Lin Fan felt as though he were on his way to attend his own funeral.

The Mercedes-Benz had exceptional sound insulation. Almost none of the noise outside could penetrate the cabin. There was only the faint whisper of the climate control system and the deep hum of the engine.

The seat’s massage function gently relaxed his muscles, but it did absolutely nothing to ease the tension gripping his heart. The steering wheel felt excellent in his hands, the handling was precise, and power came instantly whenever he pressed the accelerator.

Compared with his miserable electric bike, which still crawled along even when he twisted the throttle all the way, this thing existed in an entirely different dimension.

Occasionally, drivers in nearby cars glanced over with envy or curiosity.

Under normal circumstances, Lin Fan might have felt a little smug. Right now, however, every one of those gazes felt like another reminder of his approaching doom.

[What are you looking at? Never seen a rich guy rushing off to get his ass kicked before?]

The navigation system was projected directly into his field of vision, with a clear arrow guiding him toward his destination.

The closer he got to Imperial KTV, the faster his heart pounded.

Scenes from the original novel began replaying uncontrollably inside his head. Ye Chen descending like a god. Himself being used as a human punching bag. His dignity being utterly trampled into the ground…

Unable to endure it any longer, Lin Fan asked internally, [System, does “Beginner Driving Proficiency” include techniques for quickly driving away when someone starts beating the crap out of me?]

[This skill primarily covers normal vehicle operation, knowledge of traffic regulations, and basic vehicle troubleshooting.]

The System answered coldly.

[It does not include specialized driving techniques or hazardous situation avoidance. If the host wishes to improve his chances of survival, please actively complete missions and obtain additional rewards.]

[…I knew it.]

Lin Fan sighed in despair.

Despite his reluctance, the car eventually arrived in front of the brightly illuminated Imperial KTV.

A valet dressed in a crisp uniform hurried over and respectfully opened the car door. “Young Master Lin, good evening.”

Lin Fan desperately recalled the original Lin Fan’s arrogant, overbearing manner. He gave a casual grunt of acknowledgment and tossed the car key to the valet, doing his best to keep his steps from looking unsteady.

The moment he entered the building, deafening music crashed into his ears. The air was thick with a chaotic mixture of perfume and alcohol, leaving him slightly dizzy.

Dazzling lights and swaying crowds formed a decadent scene utterly removed from anything he had experienced in his previous life.

Lin Fan felt like a tourist who had accidentally stumbled into another world.

He awkwardly made his way through the crowd, following the arrow projected in his field of vision until he approached the private room marked “VIP Room 888.”

The closer he got, the quieter the music outside became. However, he could now faintly hear loud voices and off-key singing coming from inside.

The thick private-room door looked extremely well insulated.

To Lin Fan, it looked more like the entrance to hell.

He stopped outside and took several deep breaths. His palms were covered in cold sweat, and he could hear his heart pounding violently inside his chest.

[Host, the designated time is approaching. Please execute the mission.]

The System urged him forward without the slightest mercy.

“I know, I know. Stop rushing me to my death…” Lin Fan muttered under his breath.

His right hand trembled faintly as he placed it on the cold door handle.

He glanced one final time at the clock displayed in his System interface.

7:59:30 p.m.

[Damn it. If it’s a blessing, it won’t be a disaster. If it’s a disaster, there’s no escaping it!]

Lin Fan steeled himself.

He desperately forced the original Lin Fan’s arrogant, reckless expression onto his face, although it probably looked more like he was suffering from a terrible toothache.

Then he shoved the door open.