The villain turns into the infatuated second male lead

Seeing that the male lead’s condition had improved significantly, a dark shadow flickered briefly in Yin Zhiyi’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, indicating that his chosen method was effective.
The conversation between the mother and daughter outside the curtain continued. Xia’s mother earnestly advised her daughter to be cautious about her future career, even pushing her to consider marriage. However, two people with differing intentions could never agree.
As Xia’s father cooked, time passed minute by minute. Qiu Yiyuan’s leg injury had not healed, and he had just taken another fall. Despite the cushion of the blanket, the prolonged physical and mental strain was too much. Seeing his pale face, Yin Zhiyi guessed he was unwell and quickly helped him up.
“Come out to eat,” Xia’s father’s steady voice sounded like a savior’s, finally silencing the chattering Xia’s mother, who followed Xia Wanshi out while still reminding her to go to work at the company.
With the door closed, Qiu Yiyuan finally exhaled deeply and sat down on the single bed.
“Apply some medicine first.” Yin Zhiyi casually picked up a bottle of bruise ointment from the shelf and, without waiting for Qiu Yiyuan to speak, lifted his shirt to apply it.
Qiu Yiyuan’s sharp eyebrows furrowed. Though he couldn’t see the other’s expression, he could guess that Ling Su was likely displaying his usual gentle and focused look. Perhaps due to his profession, Ling Su’s every action was so natural, so devoid of personal feelings that it reminded him that he was just a patient, a friend to him.
The light, ticklish sensation spread from his back, the touch clear and distinct. His mind was in turmoil. Despite his efforts to ignore it, his body still trembled involuntarily.
“Finish the rest yourself.” Yin Zhiyi leaned in with a lowered voice, handed the uncapped bottle to him, and pointed to his already bruised heel.
The male lead had taken quite a fall this time. Luckily, his head was unharmed.
Suppressing his thoughts, Yin Zhiyi wiped the medicinal liquid from his hands with a tissue. Smiling, he watched Qiu Yiyuan silently apply the medicine to his bruises. After a busy period, he finally put the bottle back.
Outside, the Xia family enjoyed a harmonious dinner. Inside, the room was dark. Qiu Yiyuan could only observe Ling Su in the dim moonlight from the window, his gaze deepening. Though he wasn’t sure why, he knew one thing for sure.
He needed to leave this place as soon as possible.
Fortunately, after convincing Xia Wanshi to return to work in a few days, Xia’s parents did not stay in the rental house. The piano room’s lights, long dormant, were turned on, illuminating everything brightly.
“Luckily, my parents didn’t recognize you,” Xia Wanshi said seriously, seeing the two sitting silently on the bed.
By now, Qiu Yiyuan had completely calmed down. He paused, his deep voice resonant, “Thank you.”
“No big deal, but… I’ll be going home in a few days. Be careful while I’m away.” she waved her hand, her clear eyes glancing between her childhood friend and Qiu Yiyuan, blushing. Her sweet voice hesitated, “Are you two…”
She wanted to ask if they were the kind of relationship she imagined, but knowing Ling Su’s nature, it seemed impossible. Even aside from her childhood friend’s feelings, who would have the mood for romance under such circumstances?
However, looking at their handsome faces, she felt a strange excitement. If Ling Su didn’t like her, would she have a legitimate reason to refuse the marriage her parents arranged?
“I…” like women.
Before Qiu Yiyuan could finish, Yin Zhiyi placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke first, “We’re fine.”
Qiu Yiyuan’s expression stiffened momentarily, his heart skipping a beat. His phoenix eyes stared at Ling Su, trying to discern his thoughts.
Did he not catch Xia Wanshi’s implication?
What did he mean by saying that?
Does he… like me?
He was startled by his absurd thought and quickly dismissed it.
Though he had never had feelings for anyone in his twenty-odd years, he could tell when someone had romantic feelings for him. It was precisely because of the many suitors that he could recognize Ling Su’s overly clear gaze.
“Do you need my help?” Xia Wanshi covered her mouth, wide-eyed and cautious.
She hoped they wouldn’t keep secrets so she wouldn’t have to face marriage pressure so young. But her friend’s feelings were also important. If she could be a shield temporarily, she would endure.
Seeing Qiu Yiyuan not refute, his expression deep and serious, Yin Zhiyi smiled faintly, cleared his throat, and said, “I have something to discuss with Wanshi.”
“Okay.” Qiu Yiyuan’s expression was cold. After responding, he grabbed his crutch and walked out, his deep eyes calm.
After an internal struggle, he chose not to clarify. Perhaps he was overthinking, and disrupting the peace wasn’t wise.
Xia Wanshi pulled a chair to sit gracefully, prepared to listen. She wanted to hear how her friend had managed to win over the heir of Haiyue Group in just a few days. Was this the legendary love in adversity?
“Xiaoshi, if you encounter any difficulties at your father’s company, let me know,” Yin Zhiyi said gently, his tone as soft as his jade-like face.
This time, he couldn’t let her fall into the same predicament as in the original novel. Not out of kindness, but because if he didn’t, Ling Su’s condition might spiral out of control.
“Ah… is that all?” she looked visibly disappointed. She scratched her cheek and laughed, “Thank you! But you don’t understand business, you might be just as lost as me.”
“Who knows?” he replied calmly, with a faint smile. Even without the plot hints, his experience could help the Xia family avoid some pitfalls.
He mainly wanted to encourage her to focus on the company. In the novel, she regretted it only after her parents’ bankruptcy and tried to rebuild their legacy with Qiu Yiyuan’s help. If possible, he wanted to prevent the Xia family from reaching that point.
As for why he misled her about his and Qiu Yiyuan’s relationship, it was simple.
The male and female leads had inexplicably developed feelings. Even though she was leaving soon, they weren’t immobile. Making her misunderstand their relationship before any feelings grew was the best solution.
When his and Qiu Yiyuan’s friendship deepened, he would let him “discover” his relationship with Xia Wanshi. The saying goes, “A friend’s wife should not be coveted.” On the surface, Ling Su’s fiancée was like his own. If he held enough importance to the male lead, Qiu Yiyuan would surely back off.
“I’m really scared I’ll mess up,” Xia Wanshi’s eyes filled with worry, her pretty face anxious. She feared ruining her parents’ hard work, distracting her from gossiping.
Yin Zhiyi knelt slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes warm like a gentle spring lake, “Take it step by step, don’t be afraid… I’ll help you.”
“Okay.” she gazed at his clean, serene face, her anxiety easing. Her lashes fluttered, and she calmed down.
Meanwhile, Qiu Yiyuan sat on the bed, holding the spare phone Xia Wanshi lent him, silent. His dark pupils seemed to sink as he pondered something.
“When did it start?” he asked hoarsely, his handsome face half hidden in darkness, illuminated only by the phone’s light.
Unfortunately, no one could answer him in the empty room. He took a deep breath, putting the phone back on the table. He thought for a moment, finding it unbelievable but unable to deny that his feelings for Ling Su were different from normal friends.
When had it changed?
Regardless, he wouldn’t let himself be swayed. They were friends, only friends.
Maybe the accumulated negative emotions of the past few days, with no outlet, led to this distortion. He kept finding reasons for his unusual behavior, feeling better. To him, it was absurd and laughable.
“I can’t drag them down. I need to act when I’m healed.” he frowned. Even if he wanted to leave, he couldn’t use Xia Wanshi’s spare phone. Otherwise, his foster brother might trace them, and he couldn’t deviate from his plan during these few days of hiding.
The next morning was bright and sunny.
Xia Wanshi, not busy with interviews for once, played the piano in the music room. The flowing melody was like a clear spring in summer, soothing. Yin Zhiyi sat in the living room, reading a novel, lost in thought.
The male lead seemed to be avoiding him today.
Usually, they had breakfast together, but today he deliberately staggered the time. If there was a difference from usual, it might be Xia Wanshi’s presence?
“Wow, did you compose this yourself?” her sweet voice echoed from the slightly open music room, her tone unable to hide her surprise. The room wasn’t fully closed, so Yin Zhiyi, in the living room, heard it clearly, his hand pausing as he turned a page.

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