Villain – Peeking at the Diary, the Female Leads’ Personas Collapse

This love story wouldn’t completely derail, would it?
The director called “cut,” and everyone on set clapped and cheered. They gave Xiao Li a direct thumbs-up for her performance.
Ye Aotian helped Xiao Li up and said, “Your acting … it’s incredible.”
“Thanks.”
With that, she walked off without giving Ye Aotian another glance. Ye Aotian watched Xiao Li’s departing figure, a sly smirk curling on his lips. He was starting to take an interest in this woman.
The protagonist’s passive skill: the less a beautiful woman paid attention to him, the more it meant she was destined to be his.
In any story, if a woman ignored the protagonist, she’d end up as his woman eventually.
Xiao Li ran over to Ling Xiaoyun and said, “So, how was it? Pretty cool, right?”
“Cool, cool. I don’t really get it, but in that moment, you felt especially beautiful.”
“Hehe, I’ve improved, and it’s because of you. I imagined Ye Aotian as you, and that’s how I got into character.”
Chen Fan, with his sharp hearing, listened carefully and watched the whole thing. He silently gave a thumbs-up. Good grief, this scene had gone completely off the rails.
Just when Chen Fan thought this cursed plot was about to veer into absurdity, Ye Aotian approached and said, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m just checking things out.”
“It’s safe here. You should focus on the company instead. Nothing can go wrong there.”
Ling Xiaoyun paused, nodded silently, and turned to leave.
Ye Aotian looked at Xiao Li and said, “When you’ve got time, teach me how to act, okay?”
“Uh … I’m not that good myself. I don’t really know much—just going with the flow.”
“I really think you’re amazing. In that moment, you were so beautiful … Do you … have a boyfriend right now?”
“I … don’t. But I have someone I like …”
Ye Aotian looked at Xiao Li, who lowered her head shyly, and instantly understood. The person she liked must be him, right? If it wasn’t him, why would she be shy? If she was shy, it meant she liked him.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiaoyun, sitting in his car, glanced over and muttered a quiet “damn it” to himself.
Chen Fan heard it loud and clear.
It seemed Ling Xiaoyun had realized Ye Aotian liked Xiao Li.
So, this love triangle, though a bit messy and kind of reversed, was clearly still on track.
“Honey, what do you think?”
“What do I think about what?”
“What’s the deal with those three?”
“How should I know? You’re asking me, but who am I supposed to ask? I couldn’t care less about Ye Aotian’s business.”
With that, he turned away. No cursing, no anger.
Cao Zijin’s mind raced. Clearly, this part had connected. And if it could connect, there was only one outcome: Ye Aotian liked Xiao Li, Xiao Li liked Ling Xiaoyun.
Ling Xiaoyun’s expression in the car was obviously one of anger, meaning he’d noticed Ye Aotian’s interest in Xiao Li.
“Director, how’s today’s shoot going?”
The director said, “Mhm, everyone did pretty well.”
“Then how about we all go out for drinks tonight? My husband’s treating—everyone’s invited.”
Chen Fan froze.
But seeing Cao Zijin’s look, Chen Fan realized this woman was about to stir up trouble.
“Alright, since my fiancée said it, everyone’s invited tonight.”
Ye Zifeng said, “I’m busy …”
Ye Zifeng couldn’t be bothered to go.
“Jin Lan will be there too.”
“I’m free.”
…
First, Chen Fan confirmed one thing: Cao Zijin absolutely wouldn’t help Ye Aotian. This woman had expressed her loyalty to him from the very beginning.
And she expressed it very passionately, telling him, “This old lady is sticking with you for life. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter—you just have to believe me to death.”
Then, Ye Zifeng seemed to like Jin Lan, though whether it was genuine affection or just to get Jin Lan to assist him was unclear.
“Give me a reason.”
Cao Zijin said, “I think it’s fun. I want to stir up some trouble—is that not okay?”
“Hmm … It’s fine, it’s fine, but what exactly are you planning to do?”
“Nothing much. I just noticed something—Ye Aotian and Ling Xiaoyun might turn against each other because of Xiao Li.”
“But, I feel like the emotions aren’t intense enough yet. I think it could get even messier.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“For example, I remember Zheng Shaoyang seems to have some connection with Xiao Lan, right?”
“And Fei Fei seems to like Ye Aotian too.”
“Then what?”
“I just chatted with Xiao Li a bit.”
The ending of this arc is actually pretty interesting: the protagonist and Ling Xiaoyun defeat Ye Zifeng. Then Chen Fan steps in, lands a finishing blow, and basically rubs salt in Ye Zifeng’s wounds or something.
Of course, we also need to cause some trouble for the protagonist, only to get slapped in the face by him later.
The final result is the protagonist beats both of them and comes out looking like a total badass.
That’s roughly how it went.
“What did you say?”
“Hmm, how do I put it? I was guessing—does Zheng Shaoyang like Xiao Li? And it turns out I was right. Zheng Shaoyang does like Xiao Li and wants her.”
“So, what’s your plan?”
“We’ll figure it out when the time comes. Imagine if Zheng Shaoyang likes Xiao Li too—three guys fighting over her. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
But women? At this moment, Chen Fan realized she has no limits.
“You … You’re ruthless. Fine, I’ll support you on this, but I hope you understand some decisions need to be left to me.”
“Of course! Aren’t I discussing it with you right now?”
“Hmm, then I guess I’m not needed for anything else?”
Cao Zijin said, “Honey, there’s actually something you need to help with.”
“What do you mean?”