Why Be a Villain? Isn't a Shut-in Girl More Appealing? - Chapter 8:

Chapter 8: System: Don’t Be Hasty

“So… how exactly did I survive Lin Ming, that old thief?” Xu Linxiu retracted his gaze, pinched his chin, and asked in confusion. Could it have been his system?

[Although I originally planned to save you, Host… it wasn’t me who saved you.]

“Not you? Then who else could it be, Song Wanci?” Xu Linxiu replied while glancing toward Song Wanci, who had been watching him quietly from the side.

Their eyes met. Her deep peach blossom eyes seemed to hold a galaxy within them.

Xu Linxiu froze. It felt as though he had read everything from her gaze. In that instant, he understood… maybe, it really was thanks to Song Wanci that he survived.

Wait a second… she’s only at the 3rd stage Spirit Condensation Realm. How did she manage to save me under such conditions?

“System, is Song Wanci secretly the female lead?”

[No idea. But she definitely isn’t the female lead. The one chosen by the Heavenly Dao as the female lead would naturally feel repulsed by you. But that can be changed with Host’s intelligence.]

Xu Linxiu nodded thoughtfully and looked at Song Wanci again, only to see her step forward and stop right in front of him.

Lowering her head, she gently took his hand in both of hers. Xu Linxiu stared in mild shock as she began to trace something in the palm of his hand.

“Thank you…” Xu Linxiu silently mouthed the words she wrote in his heart.

[You’re welcome, Host~]

Xu Linxiu: ?

He didn’t bother arguing with his unreliable system, only looked at Song Wanci in surprise.

Scratching his head awkwardly, he joked, “This is rare. Miss Song actually interacting with someone? I’m honored.”

Song Wanci kept her head down, holding his hand in silence.

Xu Linxiu’s eyes widened suddenly, and he gasped as he instinctively pulled his hand away. Looking down, he saw a clear red mark on his palm.

Come on… I didn’t even do anything wrong. Did you really have to pinch me like that?

Xu Linxiu didn’t say a word, just looked at her with an expression of grievance and helplessness.

Song Wanci raised her brows nonchalantly, then skipped happily back to her master’s side.

Oh, I see how it is. Run to your master for protection because you’re afraid of my revenge, huh?

Xu Linxiu chuckled and shook his head. Watching her look so cheerful, he couldn’t help but feel happy too.

This kind of emotional response was common between people who spent a lot of time together. But in Song Wanci’s case, it felt especially intense for Xu Linxiu.

Perhaps it was because she had always kept to herself in the sect, only speaking when absolutely necessary in daily life.

Yun Yan had told him that Song Wanci had mild autism, and only then had he gone to learn more.

Autism… that’s what they called it back on Earth.

But he had never really interacted with someone on the spectrum before, so Xu Linxiu wasn’t quite sure how to do it right.

Still, based on their current interaction, he thought it was going pretty well.

Yun Yan remained expressionless as always, but seeing Song Wanci stay close to her and interacting with Xu Linxiu brought a subtle, hard-to-define smile to her lips—something between relief and warmth.

“Ahem…” Xu Guoan, who had just finished watching the whole scene with a full-on doting-aunt smile, cleared his throat and said, “Son, how did you wake up so quickly?”

“No idea. Maybe I’m just gifted,” Xu Linxiu shrugged and joked.

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Song Wanci rolling her eyes.

“Hey, hey! Song Wanci, what’s with that look? Are you thinking: ‘How can this guy be so narcissistic?!'”

Xu Linxiu called out while Xu Guoan gave him a look like he was mentally unstable.

What’s with this kid talking to himself like he can read minds?

Xu Guoan glanced at Song Wanci next to Yun Yan.

At that moment, Song Wanci actually nodded slightly, as if agreeing with what Xu Linxiu had just said.

What the—can my son actually read minds?

“This matter is already in the Sect Master’s hands. There shouldn’t be any further issues,” Yun Yan said, pulling the conversation back to business.

Xu Guoan stroked his non-existent beard and nodded. “Then let’s consider this matter settled… Lin Ming will likely be executed by the Sect Master.”

Yun Yan stepped forward, faced Xu Linxiu, and cupped her fists slightly. “Thank you—for saving my final disciple… Song Wanci.”

Xu Linxiu waved it off, surprised that Yun Yan, as an elder, was thanking him so casually.

What really caught his attention was her last sentence—final disciple, Song Wanci.

“Wanci… I mean, Song Wanci is your final disciple?” Xu Linxiu had lazily started calling her just ‘Wanci,’ but midway he realized it might be too casual and corrected himself.

Yun Yan nodded, then seemed to sense something. She glanced at Song Wanci beside her.

Song Wanci was now staring at Xu Linxiu with a slightly displeased look.

Yun Yan raised a brow and smiled subtly.

“Eh?” Xu Linxiu also noticed her expression and instinctively took a step back.

What did I do this time?

[See? Why’d you change it midway? Just call her Wanci and be done with it.]

Xu Linxiu tilted his head, confused by the system’s remark. “Wasn’t she mad because I called her Wanci?”

[You think that’s even possible? Host, you’re such an idiot ╮(￣▽￣)╭]

“You—what’s with that face and that tone?!”

[Don’t be hasty (?????)?]

Xu Linxiu took a deep breath. He needed to stay calm. Otherwise, one day, this rebellious mutt of a system would drive him insane.

Yun Yan cleared her throat and said, “Yes… Wanci is my final disciple.”

Xu Linxiu nodded, then looked over to the quiet Xu Guoan. “Dad, with all this commotion, how come no other elders or disciples came over to check it out?”

[You think everyone likes sticking their nose into drama like you do? ╮(╯▽╰)╭]

Let the world end. Xu Linxiu drew spiritual energy into his dantian, preparing to self-destruct.

[Wait! I was wrong! Host, I was just joking! X﹏X]

Xu Linxiu snorted coldly and allowed the spiritual energy to resume normal circulation.

“The disciples who wanted to come watch were sent back by the other elders. And though the other elders were curious, once they knew the Sect Master was here, they stayed out of it.” Xu Guoan chuckled as he explained.

Xu Linxiu stretched lazily, yawned, and said with a sleepy voice, “Alright, alright, I’m heading back to the cave residence to get some proper rest.”

Yun Yan nodded in acknowledgment.

“Right…” Just as he took a step, Xu Linxiu seemed to remember something and turned back to look at Song Wanci.

“Wanci… be careful around Qin Feng and that female cultivator beside him named An Youxi.”

“I don’t know if those two might hold a grudge against you and try something unpleasant.”