I'm a Villain! Why Are You Trying to Date Me? - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Second Female Lead, Bai Bing’er?

Shang Chan gracefully stepped into the ancestral hall, while Zhao Mengmeng gave Lin Tian a gentle smile before following behind her.

Inside the hall, more than twenty individuals, all averaging over forty years old, sat solemnly in their respective places.

Among them were direct descendants of the Zhao family, influential figures from side branches, and rising stars within the family. However, the one who held the most authority was an elderly man with graying hair and beard.

Dressed in a traditional Zhongshan suit, he held a dragon-headed cane made of rare huanghuali wood, a pocket watch hanging on his chest. His solemn face, lined with deep wrinkles, carried the weight of time. His eyes were slightly lowered, devoid of the usual imposing aura of someone who had long wielded power.

This elder was Zhao Zhong, the grandfather of Shang Chan and Zhao Mengmeng, and the father of the current Zhao family head, Zhao Dongyun.

As the last surviving patriarch of the Zhao family’s older generation, his influence within the family was unquestionable.

“Grandfather.”

As Shang Chan stepped into the ancestral hall, she respectfully knelt down in reverence.

Zhao Zhong turned around, his wrinkled face breaking into a kind smile.

“Chan’er, you’re here. Everyone has been waiting for you. Go ahead and offer the incense… This year, you will light the first incense.”

Shang Chan nodded.

Beside her, three middle-aged men dressed in traditional long robes silently observed the scene.

Leading them was Shang Chan’s father, Zhao Dongyun, while the other two were her second and third uncles.

Hearing Zhao Zhong’s words, Zhao Dongshui, the third in line, spoke indifferently.

“Master, Shang Chan doesn’t bear the Zhao surname. It’s acceptable for her to step into the ancestral hall, but allowing her to light the first incense is pushing it too far.”

Zhao Dongshan, the second eldest, also lifted his eyelids slightly.

“The first incense has always been the right of the family’s direct male heir. Master, this is against tradition.”

Zhao Zhong looked at his second and third sons with a cheerful expression.

“How long has the Zhao family’s lineage existed that you dare to say ‘since ancient times’? In this generation, besides Chan’er, find me one person worthy of offering the first incense.”

Zhao Dongshan and Zhao Dongshui fell silent.

Among the three branches of the Zhao family, as long as Zhao Zhong hadn’t fully retired, all three of them were still considered the main lineage.

But the problem was that, even if they combined all their children, there truly wasn’t anyone outstanding enough.

And among the few who could be considered decent, none could compare to Shang Chan, a true prodigy in the business world.

They simply weren’t qualified.

The two brothers were merely voicing their dissatisfaction, but since Zhao Zhong had made his decision, no one else could override it. Today, the first incense would be lit by Shang Chan—whether they liked it or not.

Zhao Dongyun kept his gaze lowered, as if he hadn’t heard a word from his two younger brothers.

Zhao Zhong also didn’t intend to press his sons too hard. After speaking, he simply waved his hand toward the entrance of the ancestral hall. Two family attendants carefully closed the doors.

“Chan’er, offer the incense.”

Zhao Zhong’s voice was calm. Inside the ancestral hall, everyone knelt, their foreheads touching the ground.

Only Shang Chan remained standing. She took three sticks of sandalwood incense, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

“As the direct descendant of the Zhao family, I, Shang Chan, pay tribute to the ancestors of the Zhao clan today!”

…

Outside the ancestral hall.

Lin Tian stood idly, admiring the beautiful scenery around him.

Even though he had once been Zhao Dongyun’s trusted aide, Lin Tian hadn’t visited the Zhao ancestral hall often. In a sense, this was the most central location within the entire mountain range. Ordinary aristocrats wouldn’t even have the qualifications to set foot here—only representatives of families on the same level as the Zhaos could enter.

That said, this kind of solemn place wasn’t exactly a spot most people would want to visit…

Just as he was feeling bored, a lazy voice suddenly rang out beside him.

“Hey, got a light?”

Lin Tian turned around.

Standing before him was a woman dressed in a silk straight-cut blouse and a pure black half-skirt.

Her jet-black hair was sleek and smooth, her eyes carried a languid charm, and a pair of emerald-green earrings dangled lightly by her ears. Her lips were painted a bold crimson, and resting elegantly on her delicate collarbone was a tiny ice crystal ornament.

Bright red lipstick might be the most common shade, but in reality, very few people could truly pull it off.

Too bold, too overpowering—if one wasn’t careful, it could easily become a symbol of gaudiness.

Moreover, this woman’s outfit was an unusual combination: a white blouse on top, a black skirt below, emerald-green earrings, and a transparent pendant. At first glance, these colors together seemed a bit mismatched.

But!

Her languid gaze, tall and graceful figure, and effortlessly nonchalant aura somehow made everything work—flawlessly.

At first sight, a line of poetry flashed through Lin Tian’s mind:

Graceful as jade on the road, unmatched in all the world.

Even though the phrase was meant for a distinguished young gentleman, it somehow suited this stunning woman just as well.

Especially with that slender, feminine cigarette held between her pale fingers—it added an inexplicable allure to her presence.

Lin Tian only glanced at her briefly before withdrawing his gaze. Staring at others was impolite, after all.

Anyone who could appear in this place was most likely someone he didn’t want to get involved with.

With a polite, practiced smile, he gently shook his head.

“Sorry, I don’t smoke.”

With that, he turned and walked in another direction.

Behind him, the woman lifted her eyes, curiously watching Lin Tian’s departing figure.

This was the first time someone had outright ignored her.

Usually, whenever she asked for a light, even if the man didn’t have one, he’d go out of his way to find one for her—eagerly, even.

Of course, this was also the first time she had ever asked.

But clearly, this man exuded a sense of detachment—something highly unusual when faced with a beauty like her.

His gaze carried appreciation, yet not the slightest hint of impropriety. When he turned to leave, it didn’t feel like an act; he genuinely didn’t want to have any connection with her.

Who was he?

A retainer of the Zhao family?

If all of Zhao’s retainers had this level of self-restraint, then she might need to reconsider her approach when dealing with them.

The woman chuckled softly, then flicked her cigarette to the ground and lightly crushed it underfoot.

She wasn’t someone who littered carelessly.

But leaving trash right in front of the Zhao family’s ancestral hall?

That gave her a particular kind of satisfaction.

Before long, a gentle male voice echoed from the corridor.

“Bing’er, what are you doing here?”

The woman lifted her head and flashed a sweet smile.

“Father, I’m waiting for Jiang Yifeng. He said he’d be coming over soon.”

In the distance, Lin Tian’s body tensed, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Yifeng?

Bing’er?

Was this woman just now… the second female lead of the original story, Bai Bing’er?