I became a villain

"Actually, this is all due to Siyu's personality. She's used to being strong-willed; she'll come around eventually," Siyu's mother quickly interjected.

After such a tense exchange, Jiang Hao and his parents had lost any appetite for staying at the Xia family for dinner.

Once Xia Guodong was feeling better, the three of them found an excuse to leave.

Leaving the Ferrari at the Xia house, Jiang Hao got into his parents' Bentley.

"Son, what exactly is on your mind?" Unable to hold back any longer, Jiang Hao's mother asked.

Jiang Hao's mother, Jiang Lan, despite being middle-aged, looked incredibly well-maintained. Thanks to expensive skincare products, she appeared no older than 30.

The Jiang family was an up-and-coming family, primarily due to Jiang Lan's contributions.

Her family was prominent, not exactly the top echelon of society, but far above most families in Liu City.

After Jiang Hao's father married Jiang Lan, he quickly established a foothold in Liu City with the help of Jiang Lan's family.

Overall, Jiang Lan held the reins of the Jiang household. Apart from company matters, most other affairs were handled by her.

Hearing Jiang Lan's question, Jiang Hao's father added, "Are you interested in someone else? Let me remind you, Siyu has been chosen as your wife by both your mom and me!"

"Nonsense! Hao'er isn't that kind of person," Jiang Lan rolled her eyes.

Realizing his mistake, Jiang Hao's father didn't say more and waited for Jiang Hao's response.

"Mom, Dad, don't worry! Your daughter-in-law isn't going anywhere. I just plan to take a different approach," Jiang Hao explained casually.

Afraid his parents would press him further, he quickly added, "And honestly, if Siyu doesn't like me, what's the point of being together?"

For some reason, Jiang Lan felt that Jiang Hao seemed a bit different, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

The group soon arrived home.

The Jiang family's residence was a luxurious standalone villa in the suburbs, far from the Xia family.

They chose to live here because Jiang Lan loved peace and quiet, finding the bustling city center unbearable.

After dinner with his parents, Jiang Hao quickly retreated to his room.

In his lavishly decorated bedroom, he finally felt the privileges of being a wealthy heir.

The spacious room was opulent, with a soft wool carpet on the floor and a dazzling crystal chandelier overhead. Near the floor-to-ceiling windows stood a grand piano exuding a rustic charm.

Stretching lazily, Jiang Hao sat on the sofa in his room. "System?"

"Yes, host, I'm here!" The system promptly replied.

"What exactly is this 'Counterattack Point'?"

The system displayed an attribute panel and began explaining.

"The Counterattack Point is a reward given by the system for altering the original storyline."

"It has multiple uses: it can be exchanged for skills or used to enhance your attributes."

The system then added, "However, it's important to note that while your actions may cause a butterfly effect, the world's willpower will forcefully correct the major storyline. The key events will still occur."

"That said, if your Counterattack Point reaches a certain threshold, you can completely disrupt a major storyline."

Jiang Hao understood.

The Counterattack Value was the foundation of his rise. The more he accumulated, the better. However, the world's willpower limited him to altering only minor events, not the major plotlines.

For example, Jiang Hao's primary rival was the protagonist of the book, Ye Feng!

No matter what Jiang Hao did or said to cause ripples, Ye Feng would inevitably meet Xia Siyu—just in a slightly different way.

In short, while major plotlines couldn't be changed, their process and outcomes were still up for manipulation.

After digesting this information, Jiang Hao checked his attribute panel.

[Host: Jiang Hao]

[Attributes: Strength 3, Speed 5, Reflexes 4, Charisma 5] (Average for normal people: 5)

[Assets: Approx. 100 million yuan]

[Skills: Appraisal LV3, Foreign Language LV4, Driving LV2, Piano LV3, Combat LV1] (Max for normal people: LV5)

[Counterattack Points: 30 points]

[Counterattack Progress: 0%]

[Opposition to Ye Feng: 0%]

"For every 100 points of Counterattack Value, you can raise a skill by one level or add one attribute point. With 1,000 points, you can purchase a new skill."

"When your Counterattack Progress and Opposition reach certain levels, the system will reward you with additional Counterattack Value."

"You currently have 30 points, which is insufficient for upgrades. Please keep working hard!"

The system elaborated patiently.

After processing this, Jiang Hao could only shake his head in resignation.

To grow stronger and carve his counterattack path, he was destined to face off against Ye Feng.

To be honest, Jiang Hao felt unprepared.

Looking at his stats, his pampered lifestyle had left him below average in physical attributes. Even his skills were mediocre.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that Ye Feng's skills must be off the charts. Though the max level for normal people was LV5, Ye Feng wasn't ordinary—he was the protagonist, blessed with a halo of luck!

Sensing Jiang Hao's hesitation, the system reassured him, "Host, don't back down! You've read the original work and know all the plotlines and character relationships. This is your greatest weapon for your counterattack!"

Hearing this, Jiang Hao's eyes lit up instantly.

That's right! While he currently couldn't compete with Ye Feng in terms of abilities, he had the perspective of a god!

In many situations, having sufficient information is the most powerful weapon. Moreover...

Jiang Hao was rich!

Money could make even the impossible possible, and coupled with his omniscient perspective, he could definitely make Ye Feng doubt his own existence!

Although the system listed his personal assets at only 100 million yuan, that was just counting the wealth under Jiang Hao's name. The Jiang family's total assets, including their companies, had a market value in the billions!

Having thought this through, Jiang Hao became more confident and began strategizing his next steps.

If the plot stayed on track, Ye Feng would likely make his debut in the next few days.

What Jiang Hao needed to do now was delay Ye Feng's entrance, buying himself enough time to prepare!

"I remember Ye Feng was supposed to join Xia Siyu's company as a bodyguard, at the request of Xia Siyu's grandfather, right?" Jiang Hao's eyes sparkled with realization.

Unlike Xia Siyu's parents, her grandfather doted on her excessively, granting her every wish.

Although Xia Siyu's grandfather had a favorable opinion of Jiang Hao, he valued Xia Siyu's feelings more. If not for that, the two would already be married by now, and things wouldn't have dragged on this long.

One of the reasons for hiring a bodyguard for Xia Siyu was actually because of Jiang Hao.

Recently, Xia Siyu had been harassed repeatedly.

According to the original plotline, Xia Siyu received an anonymous threatening letter, which mysteriously appeared in her office.

Shockingly, the bodyguards Jiang Hao had arranged for her failed to detect anything!

Seizing this opportunity, Xia Siyu complained to her grandfather, claiming Jiang Hao's bodyguards were useless and demanded they be removed.