Meeting the Male Lead

"If you want to dream, go home and sleep! Since when do you know anything about the piano?"

Xu Ningbing’s voice dripped with mockery, though her own knowledge was barely passable.

She had taken lessons as a child and could play a few simple pieces.

But the piano never held her interest, so she dropped it.

Instead, she was obsessed with combat sports—sometimes she even wondered if she’d been born a boy by mistake.

As for Xu Mu, he’d spent his childhood gaming.

Every class he was enrolled in, he treated as playtime. And thanks to his status, none of the teachers dared to discipline him.

"Sis, I feel like you look down on me."

"Drop the 'feel like'—I do look down on you."

Xu Ningbing crossed her arms, the movement straining against her ample curves, as if they might burst free from their confines.

"Fine! If I actually land this deal, what then?"

Xu Mu hadn’t been hopeful at first.

But hearing that some so-called "piano master" would be there, his confidence grew.

As a virtuoso pianist himself, he was eager to "exchange notes" with this supposed expert.

"That’s right, Ningbing. If little Mu pulls it off, what’ll you do?"

Xu Shou chimed in with an amused smile.

"I—"

Xu Ningbing jabbed a finger at Xu Mu. "If you actually succeed, you can name your terms."

"Deal."

Xu Mu stroked his chin, eyeing his sister’s striking figure. "Ever since I can remember, you’ve never smiled at me. If I get this order, from now on, you’ll greet me with a smile every time you see me—and you’ll initiate it."

"I’ll accept on Ningbing’s behalf."

Xu Shou waved dismissively. "It’s getting late, Mu. You should head out."

"Right."

Xu Mu turned and left.

Xu Ningbing said nothing more—after all, there was no way he’d succeed.

"I’ve got work too."

With that, she walked out.

Xu Shou watched them go, sighing as he leaned back into his leather chair.

When he’d taken Xu Ningbing in, Xu Mu hadn’t even been born yet—though medical scans had confirmed he’d be a boy.

His original plan had been to raise a future daughter-in-law.

If Xu Ningbing married Xu Mu, they’d truly become family.

But he’d spoiled Xu Mu rotten, letting him grow up useless.

Meanwhile, Xu Ningbing had trained relentlessly, becoming capable and independent.

The siblings’ relationship was strained at best.

As their father, he couldn’t force them together.

So he’d abandoned the idea.

The Ye Family’s patriarch had once helped Xu Shou. After their downfall, the orphaned Ye Tong and Ye Yu were left behind.

Xu Shou took them in, arranging for Ye Tong to marry Xu Mu.

But deep down, he still wished Xu Ningbing would end up with Xu Mu.

If the siblings remained divided, the Xu Corporation would crumble after his death.

---

Following his memories, Xu Mu drove to the outskirts of Jiangbei.

There stood a sprawling estate—home to the Su Family.

Pulling into the parking lot, he noted rows of luxury cars.

Plenty of businesses were here to try their luck.

After parking, he headed toward the manor.

Then, black text flickered before his eyes:

[Warning! Hostile protagonist detected nearby.]

"Hostile protagonist? What the—?"

Activating his divine sight, Xu Mu scanned the area until his gaze locked onto a young man.

The guy wore plain clothes, stood at 180 cm, with sharp features and a clean-cut, energetic aura.

Name: Lin Yang

Role: Protagonist of The Return of the Soldier King

Protagonist Energy: 1520

Fate Level: 15 (Max: 10)

Note: Protagonists exist beyond standard Fate Levels. Host and protagonist are natural enemies—no reconciliation possible.

Xu Mu’s mind blanked. Another protagonist?!

Before he could react, more text appeared:

[Choice Activated]

[Surrender to the protagonist and lose the system—OR—become a Fate Villain and seize his protagonist energy.]

Xu Mu didn’t hesitate. Become the villain.

No way was he giving up his system—not when he needed it to counter the Dragon King’s return.

[Choice confirmed. Countermeasures and protagonist intel integrated into host’s memory.]

As new knowledge flooded his mind, Xu Mu smirked.

No wonder protagonists are trouble.

Lin Yang’s Fate Level was too high to kill directly.

Xu Mu needed to reduce it to 10—the normal max—before erasing him.

If he attacked now, even a gunshot might be foiled by some bystander tripping into the bullet’s path.

Protagonists were the type to survive cliff falls and emerge stronger.

Lowering Fate Levels had two methods:

First, make the protagonist suffer setbacks.

Second, target his key supporting cast—their fates were intertwined.

Take his current biggest threat: the Dragon King.

Xu Ningbing was part of his harem.

In the original storyline, she’d be so awed by the Dragon King’s power that she’d hand over the entire Xu Corporation as her dowry.

If Xu Ningbing hadn’t been subdued by the Dragon King’s power and hadn’t handed over the Xu Corporation to him,

then the Dragon King’s control over Jiangbei’s commerce would have faced resistance.

His Mandate of Heaven would also have been weakened.

To put it simply, if you want to undermine the protagonist’s destiny,

you need to turn those who were originally his allies against him or make them strangers.

"Hey beautiful, your hips are so wide—let’s exchange contacts."

Lin Yang flashed a sleazy grin at a woman dressed in an elegant gown.

"Creep!"

The woman scoffed and immediately strode toward the manor.

Lin Yang watched her retreating figure with a faint smile.

Xu Mu observed from a distance, already fully aware of Lin Yang’s storyline.

To put it bluntly, Lin Yang was nothing more than a rogue soldier who abused his strength to bully others.

Whenever he saw a pretty woman, he’d shamelessly flirt, looking for ways to take advantage or even toy with them.

If anyone dared to stand up to him, they’d just become stepping stones for his grand displays of power.

A protagonist like this was worse than a villain.

Xu Mu felt no guilt about reaping Lin Yang’s Mandate of Heaven.

This guy was just a powerful mercenary from overseas—perfect for practice.

But Xu Mu’s real enemy was the Dragon King.

The Dragon King commanded three thousand such individuals under him.

His Mandate of Heaven was undoubtedly far stronger than Lin Yang’s.

According to the plot, Lin Yang had come to the Mu Family this time to expand his harem.

After losing his brothers, he no longer wanted to be a mercenary. Instead, he planned to return, find a wife, and conquer the city.

On the plane, he coincidentally met Su Weiye’s daughter, Su Yaya.

Back in middle school, they had been classmates—Su Yaya was Lin Yang’s unattainable first love.

But back then, how could an ordinary guy like him dare to pursue a young lady of her status?

After graduating, he dropped out, trained abroad, and became a mercenary.

Now, upon returning, he had unexpectedly reunited with his long-lost crush.

After teasing her, Lin Yang learned she was single.

Perfect.

Using his connections, he investigated the Su Family.

Starting today, he was determined to make this unattainable beauty his woman.

In the past, he was too ordinary to pursue her.

But now? He was the so-called "King of Mercenaries!"

Lin Yang suddenly noticed someone watching him and turned to see Xu Mu.

He narrowed his eyes, puzzled.

Why did he feel such instant dislike for Xu Mu upon their first meeting?

"Xu Shao! You’re finally here—I thought you weren’t coming!"

Just then, a young man with dyed blond hair rushed out of the manor.

He grabbed Xu Mu’s arm, whining, "I messed up, Xu Shao. I’m so sorry."

From his memories, Xu Mu recognized him as Su Ruiming, Su Weiye’s son.

"What’s wrong, Su Shao?" Xu Mu asked curiously.