After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Was Targeted by the Villain and the Male Lead at the Same Time

 

In the past few days, one could say that the Jiang family had been mocked quite a lot; the Ruan family had not escaped unscathed either. This was because Ruan Chenxuan intercepting the contract was already an unjust act. No one would dare to say anything if he had won, but since he lost, people dared to mock him even more.

 

So while mocking the Jiang family for mistaking pearls for fish eyes1It means to confuse something valuable or precious with something insignificant or worthless., there were also people mocking Ruan Chenxuan for trying to steal a chicken but ending up losing the rice2 It refers to a situation where someone attempts to gain a small advantage but ends up losing something more valuable in the process., all waiting to see how he would deal with the hot potato he had just grabbed.

 

In the eyes of many, the project was basically a failure. On the one hand, their progress couldn’t catch up with Xu Group; on the other hand, even if it was developed, the market has already been occupied by others, leaving them at the mercy of others. No matter how you look at it, putting in the effort for this hot potato3something that is potentially risky, troublesome, or undesirable to deal with. was a thankless job.

 

As a result, the top executives of the Ruan Group were greatly impacted. They were very dissatisfied with  Ruan Chenxuan, who, as the president, had brought such a huge crisis to the company. They would almost have voted him out if it weren’t for Ruan Chenxuan holding shares and management rights.

 

However, that was not even the most outrageous part.

 

The most outrageous part was that Ruan Chenxuan’s own uncle, who was also a senior executive of the company, brought back a half-brother for Ruan Chenxuan, who was only a year younger than him, despite knowing that Ruan Chenxuan was in a difficult situation!

 

When Xu Chenghao heard this news, his mouth fell open: “What?”

 

Jing Yicheng sat on the sofa, leisurely sipping his tea, and said, “Don’t doubt it, you heard me right.”

 

Xu Chenghao still had a puzzled expression: “Where did this half-brother come from? How did you know?”

 

Jing Yicheng said, “The half-brother is someone Ruan Chenxuan’s uncle ‘specially’ brought back. As for how I know… I naturally have ways to know. You don’t need to doubt its authenticity, just be happy about it.”

 

Xu Chenghao: “What’s there to be happy about?”

 

Jing Yicheng: “Ruan Chenxuan is overwhelmed by multiple challenges. At the very least, he won’t bother you for some time, and you even have an opportunity to completely defeat him. Isn’t that something to be happy about?”

 

Xu Chenghao really wanted to say it was not worth it! Because no one understood the power of the male protagonist’s halo better than him. A peerless and formidable villain like Jing Yicheng had already bitten the dust; how many episodes could a cannon fodder like the plot device illegitimate child last?

 

Xu Chenghao even suspected that the purpose of this illegitimate child’s appearance was to put pressure on the male protagonist and eventually let the male protagonist launch a beautiful counterattack to defeat them one by one.

 

— According to the Mary Sue Halo Law, it’s not entirely impossible.

 

Xu Chenghao couldn’t help but sigh and said, “What’s there to be happy about? Only fright.”

 

Jing Yicheng looked at him in surprise and asked, “You’re not happy?”

 

“Of course not.” Xu Chenghao pointed to his own face. “Do I look happy to you?”

 

Jing Yicheng found it somewhat strange and asked, “What are you worried about?”

 

After thinking for a moment, Xu Chenghao vaguely replied, “Unknown people and things are always the most dangerous.”

 

Jing Yicheng nodded: “I agree with that point too. That’s why you have to make yourself strong, preferably standing at the pinnacle and overwhelming everything, because only then can you face all unknown things with pride and confidence.”

 

Silently in his heart, Xu Chenghao added, ‘And only then can you peacefully grow little chili peppers.’

 

However… Xu Chenghao lazily leaned back on the single-person sofa and said, “It’s the weekend today. Let’s put this matter aside for now. I just want to rest peacefully.”

 

Jing Yicheng heard his words and said, “This isn’t chicken soup. We’re mainly talking about the illegitimate child. What do you plan to do?”

 

Xu Chenghao propped his chin and pondered: “I haven’t made any plans for now. It’s only been three days since we announced the project. Even if there are changes, we haven’t had time to implement them. We’re just observing and taking our time.”

 

Jing Yicheng thought about it and had no objections. He lowered his head and continued drinking tea.

 

The room fell silent again, and Xu Chenghao’s gaze fell on the little yellow duck flower pot. He silently examined the chili seedlings covered in small white flowers.

 

Compared to what was happening outside, Xu Chenghao’s attention was clearly focused on the chili task. He was filled with anticipation for the arrival of his last chili pepper.

 

The chili seedlings had already bloomed… They should bear fruit tonight… Hopefully, I can complete the task… Just one more… I’m sure I can complete it… Even the villain is sitting at home drinking tea. It would be embarrassing if I didn’t achieve results after spending so much time together with him!

 

Xu Chenghao kept muttering to himself in his mind. He didn’t know if he was suggesting too much to himself, but he couldn’t help but feel that the chili seedlings in the little yellow duck flower pot looked quite extraordinary. They seemed capable of bearing fruit and allowing him to harvest a complete chili pepper!

 

Really, just give him one!

 

Come on, little yellow duck; you can do it; you’re the best!!

 

Xu Chenghao cheered himself on in his heart as if he had returned to the state of Little Pepper Mission 1.0. He yearned for a chili pepper, really, just one; giving him one would be an act of love!

 

In his anxious state, time always seemed to pass more slowly. Whenever Xu Chenghao felt it was almost time, he looked up only to find that it was only 6:30.

 

Auntie came from the kitchen and said, “Mr. Xu, dinner is ready. Take a look…” She glanced at Jing Yicheng, who was still motionless, and her expression carried a hint of inquiry.

 

Xu Chenghao also glanced at Jing Yicheng: “Are you going to have dinner?”

 

Jing Yicheng elegantly set down his teacup: “That would be troublesome.”

 

“It’s alright.” It’s good to spend a little more time with Little Pepper. Xu Chenghao thought to himself, but he remained calm on the surface as he got up and picked up the little yellow duck, saying, “Let’s go to the dining room for dinner.”

 

Jing Yicheng: “Okay.” 

 

The two of them entered the dining room, one after the other. Xu Chenghao glanced at the dinner set on the table and clearly noticed an increase in the quantity and portions. It seemed that Auntie wasn’t sure if Jing Yicheng would stay or not, so she made quite a bit of extra food.

 

Thinking about it, Xu Chenghao placed the little yellow duck on the table as a decorative plant and invited Jing Yicheng to have dinner while sitting down.

 

Jing Yicheng took his seat and said, “Is this the Auntie whose cooking Li Nian has been longing for?”

 

Xu Chenghao looked at him strangely: “When did he say he was longing for it?”

 

Jing Yicheng reminded him, “You guys even fought over the white porridge last time.”

 

Upon hearing this, Xu Chenghao immediately felt a surge of anger: “How dare you mention that! I knew you did it on purpose.”

 

Jing Yicheng: “…”

 

Jing Yicheng couldn’t help but start reflecting on himself, wondering what had been going on with him lately and why he kept digging holes and burying himself!

 

Xu Chenghao kept muttering beside him, “If I had known, I would have let Auntie cook Sichuan dishes for you and let the spiciness kill you!”

 

Jing Yicheng tried to change the topic forcefully: “Speaking of which, is your chili plant about to bear fruit?”

 

Xu Chenghao subconsciously glanced at the little yellow duck flowerpot: “Yes, so hurry up and finish your meal and leave.”

 

Jing Yicheng sighed: “I promised that I wouldn’t randomly pluck them.”

 

Xu Chenghao coldly snorted: “You have no credibility with me.”

 

Jing Yicheng felt even more helpless and could only lower his head, finish his meal, and end the conversation again.

 

People always have to pay the price for their past actions, Jing Yicheng thought. He felt that all the foolish things he had done in the past had turned into big pitfalls, lining up and waiting for him to jump into them.

 

“No one is the most miserable, only more miserable.”

 

After a relatively pleasant dinner, although Xu Chenghao kept insisting on sending the person away when Jing Yicheng actually proposed to leave, he started to regret it and worried that the little yellow duck would not bear peppers because they hadn’t spent enough time together.

 

Damn it, he actually hoped that the villain wouldn’t leave. He even had the wild idea of knocking him out and keeping him overnight!

 

Of course, wild ideas were just wild ideas. Xu Chenghao only thought about it in his mind. If he were to start a fight with Jing Yicheng, it would basically be seeking death. He couldn’t even beat Li Nian, let alone Jing Yicheng. He had “overestimating his abilities” written all over his forehead!

 

So Xu Chenghao could only smile and see the person off, watching the elevator doors close and drifting back home like a lifeless ghost.

 

Ah, ah, little yellow duck, ah, ah, ah…

 

Xu Chenghao had never been this nervous before. He held the little yellow duck in his arms and paced around the balcony, almost unable to sit still. Just one more, come out, little pepper!

 

Perhaps Xu Chenghao’s thoughts were too strong. When the designated time arrived, the small white flowers scattered among the green chili seedlings instantly withered and turned into fiery red colors, all grotesquely intact!

 

Xu Chenghao took the prepared fresh-keeping container and harvested the chili peppers from the little yellow duck and the big flower pot. He counted them—two deformed peppers in the big pot, one deformed and one intact in the little yellow duck !!!

 

Xu Chenghao suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Although he only got one chili pepper for himself, he still completed the task!

 

Xu Chenghao started interacting with the system: “System, system, I’ve completed the task!”

 

[Ding—Little Pepper  Harvesting Expert online!]

 

[Ding—Detection successful, Pepper 2.0 mission accomplished, your current pepper count is 11/50000000. Host, please continue your efforts.]

 

[Ding—Chili 2.0 mission rewards online. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining ‘Strong Waist to Resist Fatigue.’]

 

[Ding—Chili 2.0 mission completed, automatic upgrade entering cooldown period, duration: two weeks.]

 

The system messages appeared as densely as last time, but Xu Chenghao was prepared this time. He carefully listened to each message, quickly grasping the key points. “Strong Waist to Resist Fatigue”? System, can you come out for a moment? I promise not to beat you to death!

 

[Ding—Please refrain from assaulting staff.]

 

Xu Chenghao was irritated: I haven’t even accused you of bullying me yet! Can’t you give me a normal reward? What about a lucky charm or golden aura?

 

[Ding—Please calm down, Host. This intelligent system rewards you with what it analyzes as your most needed item based on data. It’s not meant to bully you. Please acknowledge your own needs.]

 

Xu Chenghao: ????

 

Who the hell isn’t acknowledging their own needs?! How does it know that he needs a “Strong Waist to Resist Fatigue”? He didn’t even have that thought in his mind!

 

[Ding—According to data analysis, the chili count is gradually increasing, and the increasing difficulty also poses a great challenge to the physical stamina of the cultivator. So far, the Host has not indicated a desire to seek help from others for cultivation, but due to their weak physical condition, the system automatically analyzed and provided the “Strong Waist to Resist Fatigue,” a requirement that every farmer needs. This is the complete process. Do you have any further questions, Host?]

 

Xu Chenghao: …Oh, this waist thing.

 

 

The author has something to say: Xu Chenghao: I didn’t have any dirty thoughts, I really didn’t!!

System: Ding, warning for inappropriate content!

 

1It means to confuse something valuable or precious with something insignificant or worthless.2 It refers to a situation where someone attempts to gain a small advantage but ends up losing something more valuable in the process.3something that is potentially risky, troublesome, or undesirable to deal with.