A Delicate Beauty Holding a Villain’s Script - Chapter 22

“……I have something to do tonight, I might not be coming back.”

Outside the window, a light, persistent drizzle was falling densely. Whenever the cold wind blew, the raindrops drifted diagonally into the room like broken pearls.

An arm, as fair as a lotus root and as delicate as a flower branch, extended from a ruffled sleeve. Five tender, white, and slender fingers gently held a black smartphone like a closing flower bud so fresh and moist they brought to mind adjectives like “pure” and “immaculate.”

The sound of rain grew louder, and the slightly cold male voice on the other end of the phone became muffled and unclear. “Get some rest early. Don’t wait up for me.”

“Achoo!”

The owner of the phone let out a tiny sneeze. His free hand reached up and, with a slight exertion of force, closed the window.

“Did you catch a cold?” After a few seconds of silence, the voice on the other end spoke again. “There’s cold medicine at home, right in the bedroom drawer. Remember to take it. I’m hanging up now.”

Without giving him any time to reply, the other party hung up cleanly and decisively, as if unwilling to say another word.

“……”

The owner of the phone quietly left the window, moving as noiselessly as a cat. Looking down, one would realize he wasn’t wearing shoes; he was treading barefoot across the soft carpet.

With every step, as his heels lifted, delicate veins protruded from his fine insteps, and his exquisite ankles were fully revealed. When he stepped onto the floor, the carpet tickled the tender soles of his feet, causing his pinkish-white toes to curl slightly as if startled.

It wasn’t until he entered the washroom that his full appearance could be glimpsed through the mirror. Undeniably, he was a young man whose beauty was stunning. His lips were naturally red without any pigment, the upper lip slightly full with a distinct labial tubercle, causing his lips to look perpetually pouted as if a cat were soliciting a kiss.

He had a pair of amorous, shimmering peach-blossom eyes; with every glance, they seemed to brim with tears, conveying a pitiful and moving expression. His features were delicate and small, and he wore his hair long supple black locks that reached his waist, making him look as beautiful as a porcelain doll.

The young man was only wearing the most ordinary loungewear, slightly loose with the collar open, revealing a patch of snowy white skin and a pair of lovely collarbones. A few strands of black hair fell across his chest, where a slight curve protruded. His waist was slender, and his walk was full of swaying grace.

Even though the trousers weren’t tight, they fit him exceptionally well, outlining his long, thin legs. His rounded hips, in particular, were as soft as two clouds; with every movement, they twisted like a snake. As his waist swayed and his hips undulated, it was enough to make anyone greedy.

While his features hadn’t changed, the shift to long hair added an indescribable allure to the young man, a certain charm radiating from between his brows.

[Aahhh! Host-dada is so beautiful!] 051, transformed into a small ball of light, screamed as it flew a few circles around the young man. It suddenly landed on his chest and nuzzled him incessantly. [Hehey, such a fragrant and soft Host-dada…]

As it spoke, an unidentifiable liquid seemed to be leaking from the corner of its mouth.

“It’s a bit itchy.” Li Rangnian smiled, but he didn’t refuse the system’s affection.

He looked at the black-haired beauty in the mirror with a sense of novelty. “This is my first time having long hair.”

His snowy-white fingertips pinched a strand of black hair and brought it to his nose to sniff; it had a faint, floral fragrance.

051 wished it could turn into a dog and lick him: [Host-dada, how can you be this beautiful, sob sob sob…]

Li Rangnian, helpless, plucked the small light ball that was about to burrow into his collar out: “Alright, stop kissing me. Hurry up and transmit the plot.”

The system, finally snapped out of its daze from the host’s beauty, began to handle its business. The plot was quickly transmitted.

This was a modern urban world where same-sex marriage was legal. The protagonist Alpha, Song Hansheng, was born into an elite noble family. Influenced by his upbringing, he was ruthless in character and brutal in his methods. The protagonist Omega, Yu An, was also from a wealthy family; he was cold, aloof, and held upright principles.

The two had known each other since childhood but weren’t close until they were placed in the same class in high school. Influenced by the Omega’s personal charm, the Alpha was gradually attracted, deciding that Yu An was the “White Moonlight” of his heart. An indescribable ambiguity developed between them.

In the year they were about to graduate, just as the Alpha was preparing to confess his feelings, the Omega suffered a sudden misfortune his family fell into ruin. To help his family rise again, he hid the news and went abroad to study.

Five years later, the Omega returned after completing his studies to start his own art career. The Alpha, having sharpened his edges during the five years of waiting, had taken over the family business and become a rising mogul. The two proceeded to hurt each other amidst misunderstandings a cycle of “you chase, I flee,” involving a series of physical and emotional angst and “chasing the wife” tropes before successfully reaching a Happily Ever After.

Classic. Truly classic. Li Rangnian scanned the plot at a glance, finally finding himself amidst the various censored scenes.

Li Rangnian: a fickle, hypocritical gold-digger. Through a series of coincidences, he helped the protagonist Omega with a major favor. Despite receiving a huge sum of money, he wasn’t satisfied. He self-directed and acted out a scene where he was “forced” by the drunken Omega, eventually successfully registering their marriage.

After marriage, he became a habitual cheater with an extremely indecent private life, yet he shamelessly demanded the Omega love only him. Later, after discovering the history between the protagonist Alpha and Omega, he was bold enough to try and seduce the Alpha.

In the plot, his character was a stumbling block for the protagonists’ relationship, but also a “tool man” used to add spice to their romance.

Thinking about the descriptions in the plot, Li Rangnian felt his mood become complicated. A husband cheating on his wife with the wife’s “White Moonlight” wasn’t this a trope from certain types of movies?

But on second thought, with such a disastrous start, there was no way the protagonists could make the mistake of falling in love with him, right?

He’d just have to consider it a good thing.

After sorting through the plot, Li Rangnian washed up briefly and began to wander around the house. The entire residence was a detached small villa, decorated in a classic Nordic style that radiated elegance.

The villa was surrounded by high walls and featured a small garden filled with delicate, moist roses; a faint fragrance floated in the air.

Behind the house was a pond with clean water and ornamental fish. The ground was covered in lush green grass, with slate paths extending in all directions. Streetlights stood at intervals along the paths.

Li Rangnian stood on the terrace, looking down at the beautiful scenery below. He took a deep breath. “Ah, the smell of money.”

He finally understood his actions in the plot; who wouldn’t want such a happy and wealthy life?

“By the way, that phone call just now was from the protagonist Omega, right?” Li Rangnian began to think once he had seen enough of the scenery. “Such a familiar opening… System, check the timeline.”

051 flipped through as instructed: [Host-dada, tonight the protagonist Omega is attending a class reunion. The protagonist Alpha will also be attending shortly. This is the first time the two have met since the Omega returned to the country!]

[According to the plot, the Host is dissatisfied because the Omega is staying out late and specifically rushes to the gathering to make a scene, causing a misunderstanding between the protagonists.]

Li Rangnian glanced at the fluttering rain outside, feeling slightly dissatisfied. “Having to do missions on a rainy day is so annoying.”

The main issue was that he didn’t know how to drive. He had to put on warm clothes and walk out with an umbrella.

This area was a wealthy district with detached houses; neighbors lived far apart, and everyone relied on cars. No one would walk on a whim after all, it took hours just to leave the wealthy area. It was exhausting for both the feet and the mind.

Therefore, a person walking on the road looked very conspicuous.

A black long-handled umbrella opened amidst the curtain of rain. Fingertips so fair they were transparent gripped the black handle two extreme colors paired together, creating a visual shock.

On this rainy evening, the cold wind was biting. The person wore a bulky padded coat, but surprisingly, it didn’t make him look fat; instead, it gave him a sense of laziness.

Looking further up, his long black hair was curled, resting lazily across his chest. A turtleneck sweater covered his slender neck. His vision was blocked by the umbrella, so only his pointed chin could be seen from beneath it also snowy white and tender. A pair of red lips looked like a red plum blossom blooming on a field of snow; the beauty was startling.

“Reverse the car. Go back.”

The man in the back seat suddenly spoke. Half of his body was hidden in shadow; only his expensive, well-fitted suit could be seen. He appeared to have just finished a social engagement.

Though the driver was confused, his movements were quick. The black extended Rolls-Royce performed a U-turn on the road. Originally heading toward the villa, it was now driving away.

Li Rangnian walked with his umbrella, his hand gripping the handle exposed to the air, his fingertips slightly cool.

He shivered while complaining to the system: “If I’d known it was this cold, I wouldn’t have gone. There are always other chances to annoy them…”

Burying his head in his walk, he didn’t notice the luxury car approaching until the other party turned on the headlights. The bright light instantly illuminated the path ahead and startled the person who was focused on walking.

“……”

Li Rangnian took two steps back, slightly lifting the umbrella to see the car before him.

The window slowly lowered, revealing the man’s chiseled and handsome features. His thin lips parted, and his voice carried a hint of magnetism, like a piece of music being performed:

“Want a ride? I’ll give you a lift.”

The two locked eyes through the curtain of rain for a moment. Li Rangnian could clearly see the intensity in the man’s eyes.

But the beauty’s expression held a trace of alertness. He lifted his eyes to look at him, took a small step back, stood still, and gave a polite smile: “No thank you, but thanks anyway.”

[Host-dada, why not take the ride? It’s so tiring to walk.] 051 was puzzled.

The person who had been rejected didn’t feel the slightest bit of awkwardness. He simply stated the facts in a flat tone: “The weather forecast said the rain will get heavier. By the time you manage to call a car, you’ll likely already be soaked.”

“In this kind of cold weather, catching a cold would be very miserable, wouldn’t it?”

The driver, who had been waiting quietly, couldn’t help himself. He glanced through the rearview mirror and was instantly captivated by the beauty holding the umbrella.

The other party was truly too fair. In the continuous autumn rain, he looked like a jasmine flower being ravaged by a storm, his small face clean and pure white.

No wonder the boss told him to turn back. Anyone would feel pity for such a beautiful person.

“But, would it be too much trouble for you…”

Li Rangnian subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and gave an embarrassed smile. “The place I’m going is a bit far.”

The beauty was very restrained, his slender frame shivering in the cold wind, yet he forced himself to stay composed, refusing to bow his head in the slightest.

What a fragile yet stubborn little white flower—it felt as though he would break if the wind blew too hard.

Han Xiangbai squinted. A sudden, inexplicable craving rose from his heart—a destructive urge to crush this delicate flower: “Perhaps we’re going the same way? Get in.”

The driver hurriedly got out to open the door for him. After a half-second of hesitation, Li Rangnian got in.

The back seat of the Rolls-Royce was very spacious. The man moved over, and when Li Rangnian sat down, the soft seat cushion still carried the other’s body heat.

A faint, clean fragrance floated inside the car, seemingly from the man’s cologne; it wasn’t cloying.

Li Rangnian set his umbrella aside. Bathed in the warmth of the air conditioning, he finally realized his entire body was chilled. He couldn’t help but rub his hands together.

With a rustling sound, a softness was suddenly draped over his shoulders. Li Rangnian turned his head; the other had draped a towel over him.

“Thank you.” His cheeks took on a hint of crimson as his eyes darted away. He sat up straight with his legs pressed together obediently, his fingers clutching a corner of the towel. He looked exceptionally well-behaved.

The luxury car started slowly. The scenery outside the window receded rapidly. Raindrops hit the glass, meandering down in winding water trails.

It was very quiet inside the car, with only the sound of their breathing.

“Where are you going?” Han Xiangbai broke the silence.

The beauty was startled by the sudden voice. His body gave a small shudder, and in his trembling state, a shimmer of tears appeared in his eyes.

He turned his head toward the man in confusion, his eyes glistening as if he hadn’t understood: “Pardon me, sir. Could you, could you say that again?”

Han Xiangbai stared directly into his eyes. The beauty was truly timid; like a rabbit, his ears were perked to notice his surroundings, ready to flee at any second.

He subconsciously softened his voice. “You don’t need to be so nervous. Where are you going?”

“…The Linshan Hotel. If it’s not too much trouble.” The beauty snapped back to his senses, gave a grateful smile, and replied in a low voice.

“To the Linshan Hotel,” Han Xiangbai instructed the driver. He then continued to look at him, his tone steady and easy to trust: “What a coincidence. I’m also going there. That hotel is under my name; the environment is beautiful and the service is quite thorough. You should stay for a night and experience it.”

Li Rangnian relaxed and smiled along: “Is that so? I couldn’t tell that such a young man as yourself would be so successful. You’re truly an achiever.”

His eyes curved into crescents, his gaze was gentle, and his smile was incredibly sweet. “Do I have the honor of getting to know you?”

The man visibly dazed for a moment, his entire heart struck by that sweet smile. A tingling sensation traveled from the soles of his feet all the way to his scalp. “No, don’t say that. The honor is all mine.”

“My name is Li Rangnian.” The beauty extended a hand, his face full of sincerity.

“……Han Xiangbai.”

The two hands clasped gently. Upon contact, the man felt smooth, delicate skin covering his palm like silk. The touch was warm, making it hard to let go.

Li Rangnian quickly withdrew his hand. The man’s hand lingered for a half-second before also slowly withdrawing. He placed it at his side, unable to resist rubbing his fingertips; his palm seemed to have caught the beauty’s faint, cool body fragrance.

Recalling that wonderful sensation, Han Xiangbai felt it was a pity in his heart, yet his face remained refined: “The road is still long. Would you like me to tell you about the history of the hotel?”

“Of course. I’m very interested.” Li Rangnian adopted an attentive listening posture, staring at the other with bright eyes.

The twilight deepened as the luxury car faded into the night, driving toward the destination like a ghost.