Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind

Shen Tuo's eyes widened in anger as he pointed a trembling finger at the stick in Qiao Chuchu's hand. "How are you scared?! You haven't even dropped that stick of yours!"

Ji Yanchuan appeared like a ghost from behind, gripping Qiao Chuchu's arm.

She instinctively yanked away. "Don't touch me!"

Before Ji Yanchuan could even get a word of caution out, the stick came crashing down on his head. "Ouch!"

Qiao Chuchu turned and saw a stranger in a baseball cap and sunglasses. Her face paled as she stood on her tiptoes to get a closer look. "I’m so sorry! I thought you were one of them! Are you okay?!"

Ji Yanchuan rubbed his aching head, ready to snap at her—"Are you out of your—"

But Qiao Chuchu’s face was right there, inches from his.

She leaned in, her damp eyes brimming with concern.

Ji Yanchuan’s angry retort died in his throat, his voice fading weakly. "...mind?"

Qiao Chuchu couldn’t make out his muttering and worried she’d knocked him silly. "Are you hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?"

Ji Yanchuan snapped out of it, shaking his head despite the pain. "I’m fine, Miss Qiao. It’s me—I’m Madam Ye’s son."

Qiao Chuchu blinked in recognition. "Oh, it’s you?"

Then she frowned. "Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?"

Ji Yanchuan: "..."

He *had* tried to speak, but she hadn’t given him the chance. He’d only meant to hold her arm to calm her down.

And then she’d whacked him!

He considered explaining, but then remembered—he was supposed to be playing the socially awkward recluse.

He lowered his head, feigning nervousness. "You forgot. I have social anxiety. I couldn’t speak up."

Shen Zhuoyan: "..."

Was *this* what social anxiety looked like?

Qiao Chuchu, however, didn’t question it. "I’m so sorry, sir! I thought you were one of them coming for me. Let me take you to the hospital?"

Ji Yanchuan waved her off, stepping protectively in front of her. "No need. I’ll handle this."

He turned to Shen Tuo, voice icy. "I don’t care who you are. Miss Qiao is under *my* protection. If any of you dare trouble her again, you’ll regret it!"

Shen Tuo hesitated, glancing past Ji Yanchuan to his bodyguard.

The bodyguard gave a subtle signal.

Understanding, Shen Tuo feigned wariness and backed away. "Since Mr. Ye is involved, we’ll leave it at that. Let’s go."

Qiao Chuchu peeked out from behind Ji Yanchuan, watching as Shen Tuo and his men left without a backward glance.

She eyed Ji Yanchuan’s back with suspicion.

**[Strange. I’ve never heard of a ‘Mr. Ye’ powerful enough to scare them off.]**

Shen Zhuoyan also studied Ji Yanchuan warily.

He’d never heard of him either.

In Lan City’s elite circles, only the Wei Sheng Family commanded immediate respect. Below them were the Pei and Ji Families.

The Shen Family wasn’t weak either—on par with Lin Qing and Lin Shen. So where did this ‘Ye Family’ come from, able to intimidate the Shens?

They’d have to be at least as influential as the Pei Family.

But if they were, how had neither he nor Qiao Chuchu heard of them?

Ji Yanchuan turned back to Qiao Chuchu, beaming. "You must’ve been terrified, Miss Qiao!"

She shook her head. "I’m fine."

Instead, she checked on Shen Zhuoyan. "Are *you* okay?"

Shen Zhuoyan smiled gently. "I’m fine."

Ji Yanchuan stepped between them, forcing distance. "Glad you’re both alright!"

His gaze burned into Shen Zhuoyan. "Even though you caused trouble for your employer, she still cares about you. A boss like that is rare—better protect her well. *Never* leave her side."

Shen Zhuoyan’s frown was nearly imperceptible. The words felt loaded. He answered carefully, "I will."

Ji Yanchuan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he glanced at his bodyguard nearby.

The bodyguard saved the video and sent it to Ji Yanchuan’s assistant.

After ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍editing out the background noise, the assistant forwarded it to Pei Yuan with the caption:

**"Be wary of the bodyguard around your sister."**

In the middle of a meeting, Pei Yuan felt his phone vibrate. He glanced at the screen.

A message.

The subject line made his blood run cold. He opened the video.

The footage showed Shen Zhuoyan surrounded by thugs near a car—Qiao Chuchu’s car, judging by the license plate.

The man confronting him? Shen Tuo.

Shen Zhuoyan’s uncle.

Pei Yuan understood instantly. He stepped out and dialed Shen Zhuoyan’s number.

Shen Zhuoyan excused himself to answer. "Mr. Pei."

Pei Yuan cut to the chase. "I just saw a video of you fighting your uncle. Is this true?"

Shen Zhuoyan paused. "...Yes."

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Pei Yuan spoke. "Shen Zhuoyan, I want you to leave. I hired you to protect her, not bring danger to her doorstep."

Shen Zhuoyan’s expression shifted as he watched Qiao Chuchu laughing with Ji Yanchuan.

Gripping the phone, he asked, "Can’t I stay? I swear this won’t happen again."

Pei Yuan was firm. "You’re supposed to keep her safe from the world’s erasure—not drag her into your family’s mess. If Shen Tuo harms her, *we’re* the ones who led him to her."

Shen Zhuoyan said nothing.

"I’ll pay you for this month," Pei Yuan continued. "Pack up and leave the city—leave this entire twisted plot. If you go, maybe you’ll break free of the narrative. But knowing her temper, you *can’t* let her find you. She’d never forgive me."

Shen Zhuoyan’s voice was hollow. "Understood. I’ll go. Keep the money."

He hung up, gaze lingering on Qiao Chuchu.

She noticed and smiled. "Something wrong, Shen Zhuoyan?"

His throat tightened. "I need to step out for something important."

Her smile faltered. "Where?"

He couldn’t answer, eyes reddening. But he forced a smile. "I’ll be back when I’m done."

Something was wrong.

Ten steps separated them.

She moved toward him—but Ji Yanchuan caught her wrist.

Hidden behind sunglasses and a mask, his tone was cheerful. "Let him go! He might really have urgent business!"

Ji Yanchuan was smug.

He *knew* Pei Yuan wouldn’t tolerate Shen Zhuoyan after seeing that video.

Qiao Chuchu hesitated, searching Shen Zhuoyan’s face.

He didn’t step closer.

His dark eyes held hers—full of longing, grief, and unspoken goodbye.

She took a step forward.

He retreated twice the distance, shaking his head.

His voice was thick. "Don’t, Qiao Chu."

Tears glistened in his eyes.