I Am the Villain 01

The Gu family had found their biological daughter, Gu Panxi.

However, the Gus weren’t particularly happy about it, as their hearts were still devoted to their adopted daughter, Gu Xiaoxiao. Even though they knew Gu Xiaoxiao’s parents had deliberately swapped their own child with theirs all those years ago, well… feelings were feelings, right? The love and care they had poured into Gu Xiaoxiao couldn’t just be erased.

As for their scrawny, timid biological daughter? They couldn’t help but find her unappealing.

To make matters worse, even Gu Panxi’s own brother, Gu Xiuyuan, clearly didn’t welcome her.

So, Gu Panxi remained invisible in the Gu household.

At school, Gu Xiaoxiao bullied her openly and covertly, with the other students taking Gu Xiaoxiao’s side. Gu Panxi endured it all in silence.

Until… the male lead appeared.

Xiao Jingran stumbled into Gu Panxi’s world by chance. Ignoring Gu Xiaoxiao’s flirtations, he showed interest in Gu Panxi instead—which, of course, ignited Gu Xiaoxiao’s jealousy. She schemed relentlessly, successfully creating misunderstandings between Xiao Jingran and Gu Panxi.

Yet, in the end, the two still found their way to each other.

Logically, the story should have ended there. But it didn’t.

This world seemed like a massive AI, scripting an even more dramatic plotline for the heroine.

Heartbroken, Gu Xiaoxiao drowned herself in alcohol and, through a twist of fate, ended up in bed with her brother, Gu Xiuyuan.

At least they weren’t blood-related.

Then began the tangled mess: Gu Xiuyuan loved Gu Xiaoxiao, Gu Xiaoxiao loved Xiao Jingran, Xiao Jingran loved Gu Panxi, and Gu Panxi… well, she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. She didn’t even know who she loved—she just went along with whatever life threw at her.

Cue the classic tropes: misunderstandings, separation, a car accident, hospitalization, amnesia—the whole nine yards.

During this time, their relationships became even more chaotic. Now, Gu Panxi had lost her memory, Xiao Jingran had been tricked into sleeping with Gu Xiaoxiao, and Gu Xiaoxiao had suddenly fallen for Gu Xiuyuan. Meanwhile, Gu Xiuyuan finally realized the value of family bonds and devoted himself to his injured sister.

But the amnesiac Gu Panxi had forgotten him, her biological parents, and all the past grievances.

Only then did they recall the suffering she had endured. They launched an investigation—first dealing with the adoptive parents who had abused Gu Panxi in her childhood, then the school bullies who had tormented her, and finally, Gu Xiaoxiao.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s true nature was exposed. Faced with Gu Xiuyuan and Xiao Jingran’s betrayal, she snapped.

She turned to Fang Zhiyi, her longtime henchman. Since their school days, Fang Zhiyi had helped Gu Xiaoxiao bully Gu Panxi. Now, he was a small-time gang leader.

The climax unfolded: Gu Panxi was kidnapped, and the Gu family was torn apart by Gu Xiaoxiao and Fang Zhiyi’s schemes.

Gu Xiuyuan fled. When Xiao Jingran went searching for Gu Panxi alone, Gu Xiaoxiao caught him and smashed a metal rod against his head. She turned away—only for Xiao Jingran to vanish.

Later, to cover her tracks, Gu Xiaoxiao poisoned Fang Zhiyi.

Meanwhile, Gu Panxi ended up back at her adoptive parents’ home. The couple, already cruel, resented their earlier humiliation and doubled down on exploiting her—eventually even trying to sell her off.

On the day of the transaction, the missing Xiao Jingran reappeared and snatched Gu Panxi away.

But the head injury had left Xiao Jingran mentally unstable. He locked Gu Panxi in his basement, whispering sweet nothings one moment and flying into violent rages the next—clearly unhinged.

Then Gu Xiuyuan returned. Having built a new life elsewhere, he came back in triumph, ready for revenge and to rescue his sister. After tracking her down, he stormed in.

A brutal fight ensued. Gu Xiuyuan emerged victorious, Xiao Jingran was thrown in prison, and Gu Panxi—after prolonged confinement—was left paralyzed.

Gu Xiuyuan confronted Gu Xiaoxiao. She surrendered, confessing everything, but in the end, he forgave her. The family reunited happily—well, mostly. Gu Panxi was now in a wheelchair, Gu Xiuyuan and Gu Xiaoxiao got married, and they all lived harmoniously, pushing Gu Panxi around on cheerful outings.

"Wait, I’m so confused!" Fang Zhiyi rubbed his head. "Who’s even the main character here?"

Xiao Hei pondered for a moment. "Honestly, I’m not sure either. Let’s just say they all are."

"Damn it." Fang Zhiyi massaged his temples. This plot felt like some cheesy soap opera from god-knows-where.

"Boss!" A boy rushed in.

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him—the kid was stocky and thick-faced, with a dopey expression that screamed "not the brightest."

"Hurry! The guys cornered that girl like you asked!"

"Who?" Fang Zhiyi raised an eyebrow.

"You know, uh… what’s-her-name… Gu something."

Fang Zhiyi strode out immediately.

Meanwhile, Gu Panxi clutched her backpack, bewildered as she faced a group of delinquents. She had no idea who she’d offended this time.

"Move! Make way for the boss!" Xu Jiabo barked, and the lackeys parted.

Gu Panxi stared as the scowling boy approached. He looked familiar—oh right, she’d seen him laughing with Gu Xiaoxiao earlier.

"Hey!" Fang Zhiyi loomed over her. The heroine was seriously underdeveloped—tiny, disheveled, and sporting oversized glasses.

"W-what do you want?" Gu Panxi stammered.

Fang Zhiyi smirked. So, you’re the female lead, huh?

His gang snickered menacingly.

"Take her away! How dare she look down on me? I’ll make sure she regrets it!"

The lackeys eagerly grabbed Gu Panxi, dragging her off effortlessly. From a distance, Gu Xiaoxiao watched with a smug grin. Fang Zhiyi really was an idiot—a few words from her, and he fell for it completely.

Gu Panxi braced herself for a beating. She wasn’t afraid—her adoptive parents had hit her often enough. But when Fang Zhiyi slammed a massive plate of food in front of her, she froze.

"What’re you staring at? I said you’d regret it!"

The lackeys exchanged glances. Finally, one muttered, "Boss… that’s not what ‘regret it’ means."

Fang Zhiyi smacked him on the head. "Oh, so you’re the expert now? Shut up, idiot!"

The lackey rubbed his head, sulking.

Fang Zhiyi sighed sagely. "A thug without brains stays a thug forever. Got it?"

The group fell silent—except for Xu Jiabo, who gazed at him in awe.

Fang Zhiyi turned back, glaring at Gu Panxi. "Eat! Or do I have to feed you?"

Gu Panxi flinched, then hesitantly picked up her chopsticks.