Transmigrated as a Villain, the Heroines' Personas Have Collapsed - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Plot Gets Weird

“Come have breakfast.” In the center of the Lin family’s living room stood a ten-meter-long table. According to the novel’s original description, this was the hallmark of a top-tier tycoon’s grandeur.

Lin Tai couldn’t see what was so grand about it. The Lin family was small, with hardly any relatives, making the long table feel even more desolate.

“Dad, Shihan will definitely show up today, right?” Lin Tai sat down and began his performance as the devoted simp.

In the original novel, his love for Xia Shihan was obsessive and all-consuming.

“Mm.” Lin Zhentian’s eyes flickered slightly, unconsciously adjusting the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Zhentian’s gaze softened as it landed on Lin Tai.

Faced with Lin Zhentian’s concern, Lin Tai’s heart stirred. Having transmigrated into this world for eighteen years, he was raised by Lin Zhentian himself.

Lin Zhentian’s care for him was meticulous and unwavering.

According to the novel, Lin Zhentian treated Lin Tai as his most precious treasure, willing to clean up any mess, no matter how outrageous Lin Tai’s actions were.

The Lin family birthday banquet was a significant concession Lin Zhentian made in business to Xia Shihan, just to ensure her presence.

All of this was to make Lin Tai happy on his birthday.

Lin Tai knew all this from the novel, but he couldn’t show it.

“Dad, eat more.” Due to the plot, he had to ignore Lin Zhentian’s care to maintain his persona as a devoted simp. After twenty-three years of living together, Lin Tai’s bond with Lin Zhentian was deep. He could only express his care in trivial moments like this, where the plot didn’t matter.

Emperor’s Return was a male-oriented power fantasy, and vicious supporting male characters typically ended up with their families ruined.

Lin Tai was reluctant to part with Lin Zhentian, but knowing that in the script, after his death by gunshot in the warehouse, Lin Zhentian saw through the vanities of the world, went gray overnight, and retired to the countryside in despair, Lin Tai felt reassured.

It was a decent ending, all things considered.

“Mm.” Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, unable to hide the joy in his eyes.

His son had finally grown up and was starting to care about him.

In his eyes, Lin Tai was perfect in every way, except for his obsession with that woman.

Xia Shihan—what kind of woman was she? On the surface, she was cold and noble, but her dark, ruthless business tactics were unmatched. She was far from the saintly figure she appeared to be.

If only his son weren’t so blinded by her.

What fault was it of his, really, if he couldn’t see through her?

“Today is your twenty-third birthday. Ziyu sent you a gift from abroad.” Lin Zhentian handed Lin Tai an exquisite gift box.

“Lin Ziyu? She sent me a gift? Are you sure it’s not a prank?” Lin Tai was genuinely shocked from the bottom of his heart.

Lin Ziyu, his half-sister, was the polar opposite of his persona. He was a born failure, while Lin Ziyu was a natural genius. She excelled in everything from childhood, always the best.

Naturally, their relationship was terrible. She looked down on her useless brother from the core of her being, ignoring him completely. Three years ago, she went to study in Europe and rarely returned. Even when she did, she’d only visit their father before leaving.

She was also one of the male protagonist Ye Bai’s harem members and, thanks to her, Lin Zhentian survived after Lin Tai’s death.

The half-sibling setup was a deliberate plot device to distance Lin Ziyu from Lin Zhentian.

“What are you saying? Ziyu is your sister. How could there be bad blood between siblings?” Lin Zhentian was a bit displeased. He always hoped Lin Ziyu and Lin Tai could get along.

“Vacheron Constantin Heritage Series?” Opening the box, Lin Tai found a low-key luxury manual mechanical watch. The movement was engraved with his name, and the understated color scheme highlighted its extravagance.

Lin Tai tried it on, and it matched his aura perfectly. Clearly, it was chosen with care.

“Has Lin Ziyu gone crazy?” Lin Tai took it off and carefully inspected the watch. His relationship with Lin Ziyu was like fire and water—every meeting ended in mutual sarcasm, and things could even get physical.

Even with Lin Zhentian mediating, nothing improved.

Moreover, in the previous life’s version of this plot, Lin Ziyu hadn’t sent him any gift. For her to even remember his birthday would’ve been a miracle.

Something was off. Definitely off!  Why did the plot feel so strange this time around?

One thing Lin Tai was sure of: Lin Ziyu must have her own motives. Could she be deliberately currying favor with Lin Zhentian for the family fortune?

That seemed unnecessary. Lin Tai’s persona was ambitionless, obsessed only with winning Xia Shihan. Lin Zhentian knew his son’s nature, which was why he sent Lin Ziyu abroad to study—so she could inherit the family business in the future.

So what was her reason? Lin Tai was baffled. Why wasn’t this heroine following the original plot anymore?

This was troubling him!

“What kind of talk is that? She’s your sister. If she doesn’t care about you, who will?” Lin Zhentian said irritably. Still, as Lin Tai pointed out, Lin Ziyu’s behavior was unusual.

But Lin Zhentian didn’t overthink it. He just wanted to see his son and daughter get along, even if it was just for show.

“Oh, and Ziyu said she’ll be back from studying abroad in a month at most. You’ll pick her up then.”

“Dad, I seriously suggest you get Lin Ziyu’s head checked first.” Lin Tai rolled his eyes, not missing a chance to throw in a snarky remark.

It had to be said, his persona’s sharp tongue was why his relationships with those around him were so poor. Even words of care, when spoken by him, came out with a different flavor.

“You little brat, you believe I won’t smack you?” Lin Zhentian raised his hand but didn’t follow through. For years, he could neither bear to hit nor scold Lin Tai.

“Dad, I’m serious.” Lin Tai was genuinely stunned. What the hell was this? Lin Ziyu was completely off-script.

According to the original plot, this heroine wasn’t supposed to return until next year to prepare to take over the family business. Now she was ignoring the script entirely.

How was he supposed to follow the plot now?