Chen Anlin, I've told you before, I'm not a materialistic woman. Do you think sending me gold, silver, jewels, and cultivation resources will make me fall in love with you?"

"Let me make it clear: Just because I accepted your gifts doesn't mean I've accepted you!"

In the Da Zhou Dynasty, at the training ground of Huaqing Academy in the capital city, all eyes were on a stunning young woman.

She looked furious, her brows furrowed as she stared at the handsome young man in front of her.

"I would rather die than marry you! Tell your parents to call off this engagement immediately, or I swear I won't accept another gift from you."

The surrounding students began whispering to each other.

"What is Zhao Yao thinking? Young Master Chen has given her so many amazing things, and she still isn't moved."

"I heard he even gave her his family heirloom sword, the Qingguang Chiyan Sword, recently. And yet, she still rejected him?"

"Zhao Yao already said it: she’ll keep the gifts, but he can take back the sentiment."

"Young Master Chen is truly infatuated, chasing someone who clearly doesn't care about him for so long…"

"Shh, keep your voice down. If Chen Anlin's followers hear you, you’ll be in big trouble."

"Yeah, some of his subordinates aren’t people you want to mess with."

As the gossip spread, the handsome young man across from Zhao Yao seemed to have a glimmer of realization in his eyes.

This was none other than Chen Anlin, a well-known second-generation noble in the capital.

He also carried a peculiar title in the Da Zhou Dynasty: the male pet of the Empress.

Of course, the title was misleading. He wasn’t romantically involved with the Empress. It was simply because his parents were veteran officials of three reigns, and he had grown up with the Empress as her childhood companion.

As the saying goes, "The prime minister’s front door is akin to a third-rank official."

Thanks to his family’s prestige, even court officials had to show Chen Anlin some respect.

Suddenly, Chen Anlin slapped his forehead, his eyes lighting up as he stared at the beautiful Zhao Yao before him.

"Damn, I've lived so many years and only now realized… I'm a transmigrator."

The last three words echoed in his heart.

His mind was in turmoil, his face full of astonishment.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

He had come from Earth and had been reborn in this world, though he had never uncovered the secret of his reincarnation. Thus, he had been living an ordinary life as a local native.

But Zhao Yao's scolding had suddenly triggered his awakening, restoring the memories of his past life.

"Good grief, I was just a… simp."

Chen Anlin cursed internally, rubbing his head.

To make matters worse, he discovered that the world he had transmigrated to was the setting of a novel he had read in his previous life.

And he was the early-stage cannon fodder villain, the most pitiful and honest man among all the antagonists.

Zhao Yao, the girl in front of him, was one of the novel’s female leads.

The current plotline was one he still remembered clearly:

[Chapter 3: Arrogant Noble Chen Anlin Confesses to Zhao Yao and Fails. He Taunts the Male Lead Xiao Chen and Gets Publicly Humiliated.]

Instinctively, Chen Anlin touched his face. Soon, he would be slapped in public.

And later in the plot, Xiao Chen, to prevent him from bothering Zhao Yao again, would secretly kill him.

Holy crap, I'm about to die?

Chen Anlin felt a chill down his spine. What kind of cruel joke was this—just remembering his past life only to face death?

He had an extraordinary status in the Da Zhou Dynasty. His parents were both fourth-rank masters in cultivation.

Zhao Yao, on the other hand, came from an ordinary family that sold medicinal herbs. In the capital city, where even a random stone might hit a high-ranking official, the Zhao family was no more than a fifth-rate household.

The only reason the Zhao family had been able to thrive was because of his favor.

In the novel, his assistance had brought the Zhao family wealth and helped eliminate their competitors. Without his support, how could the Zhao family have lived so comfortably?

Yet despite all this, Zhao Yao still looked down on him.

Not only did she despise him, but she also used the cultivation resources he gave her to nurture Xiao Chen, the protagonist destined for greatness.

Ultimately, when Xiao Chen grew stronger, he annihilated the Chen family under the pretext of them being the court’s lapdogs.

The more Chen Anlin thought about it, the angrier he became. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Now that he had regained his memories, he wasn’t about to remain the naive simp or honest fool. This novel’s world was full of incredible women—why waste his time on her?

"Chen Anlin, are you listening to me?"

A stern voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts.

Chen Anlin turned his gaze and squinted. The speaker was none other than Xiao Chen, who stood confidently beside Zhao Yao.

Xiao Chen was waiting—for Chen Anlin to get angry and make a scene. Then, using a provocation, he could challenge him to a fight.

Once he defeated Chen Anlin in front of everyone, he would thoroughly humiliate him!

Zhao Yao, her expression cold and disdainful, added, "Stop pretending you didn’t hear me. I said we’re impossible. Do you understand?"

"Fine," Chen Anlin replied icily, nodding without hesitation.

He couldn’t understand where Zhao Yao got her confidence. Did she forget who had helped her family rise to prominence?

He could already foresee the Zhao family struggling to survive without his support.

"You… agreed?"

Zhao Yao was momentarily stunned, caught off guard.

In the past, whenever she said such things, Chen Anlin would always cling to her persistently. Why was he being so decisive this time?

"I agreed. Let’s cancel the engagement between our families," Chen Anlin said, his narrowed eyes glinting with coldness.

Zhao Yao stared at the handsome young man before her, finally processing his words. She felt a little dissatisfied.

Why did he agree so easily? She was used to being chased and flattered. Now, his sudden indifference left her feeling a strange sense of loss.

"Fine, since you’ve agreed, I won’t say more. We can still be friends in the future," she said, not wanting to completely sever ties. After all, she still wanted to receive his gifts and benefits.

Pausing, Zhao Yao added, "Also, I hope this won’t affect the business relationship between our families. I trust you’ll be reasonable—"

Before she could finish, Chen Anlin sneered and interrupted her.

"Business? Forget it. And since we’re calling off the engagement, return the betrothal gifts! The Qingguang Chiyan Sword, 880,000 silver coins, and ten chests of cultivation resources—give them all back."

Zhao Yao’s eyes widened in shock. "Chen Anlin, are you serious? Demanding the betrothal gifts back—is this your way of forcing me? I’m telling you, that’s impossible!"

Xiao Chen’s expression also darkened. "Young Master Chen, this is absurd! Retracting gifts after giving them? Where’s your sense of honor? Are you trying to use your power to oppress us?"

"I won’t allow it!"

Xiao Chen clenched his fists. Those resources, especially the Qingguang Chiyan Sword, were vital to him. Without that sword, he wouldn’t be able to handle the beast he planned to hunt.

His fury grew. "Chen Anlin, you dare take back my things? You’ve sealed your fate!"

He stepped forward, pointing at Chen Anlin. "Chen Anlin, if you’re a man, fight me. If you win, do as you please. If you lose, stop harassing Zhao Yao!"