Wang Haoran was driving along with Yang Jingwan, engaging in casual conversation. Approaching a red light, he slowed and stopped the car. The evening rush hour meant a long wait time of about 90 seconds at the light.

Feeling a bit bored, Wang Haoran glanced around and noticed a Lavida that had been parked outside the sales office earlier. Initially, he didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was just heading in the same direction after picking someone up.

However, after passing multiple intersections, the Lavida was still following them. Suspicion rising, Wang Haoran used his X-ray vision to peer into the car.

Inside were two men, appearing to be in their 30s, dressed in suits, resembling ordinary office workers. Nothing seemed overtly suspicious at first glance.

“Do you have any male coworkers at the sales office?” Wang Haoran asked Yang Jingwan.

“No, why do you ask?” she responded, her curiosity piqued.

“Just wondering,” Wang Haoran replied vaguely, though he was now certain something was off with the two men.

With this in mind, he altered their route, steering the car onto a less frequented road. Soon enough, they were in a suburban area.

“This isn’t the way to the bridal shop. You took a wrong turn,” Yang Jingwan pointed out.

“I know,” Wang Haoran said, feigning embarrassment. “It’s just that I have a bit of a stomach issue, so I wanted to stop here for a moment.”

“Oh, okay, go ahead,” she nodded, understandingly.

Wang Haoran grabbed some tissues from the car and headed towards the dense foliage by the roadside. Disappearing into the bushes, he wasn’t there to relieve himself but to observe the activity behind the McLaren using his X-ray vision.

Sure enough, the Lavida had stopped about 50 meters behind them. Additionally, a Toyota Corolla was parked 200 meters away with a seemingly ordinary man in his late twenties. The man exited his car and opened the hood, pretending to fix something. However, Wang Haoran’s X-ray vision saw through the ruse; the car wasn’t broken.

Wang Haoran initially thought only one car was tailing them, but now he realized both vehicles were involved. The Corolla had maintained a considerable distance, unnoticed until now.

Given the situation, he decided to deal with the Corolla first to avoid alerting the others. Using the cover of the roadside bushes, Wang Haoran quickly approached the Toyota.

…

The man with the Corolla was An Ying, Su Lang’s subordinate. He pretended to fix the car while dialing Su Lang’s number on his phone.

“Sir, I’m tracking two suspicious individuals with questionable intentions toward your wife.”

“Big fish or small fish?” Su Lang asked.

“Two small fish,” replied An Ying.

“Handle it, quietly and efficiently,” Su Lang instructed.

“Yes, sir. Additionally, there’s…” An Ying began to say but was abruptly cut off.

“What about my wife?” Su Lang pressed for answers.

But the call had ended, leaving Su Lang worried. He immediately called Yang Jingwan, who assured him she was on her way to the bridal shop. Su Lang figured An Ying probably identified something and was handling the situation.

Without further delay, Su Lang hopped on his electric bike, heading to the bridal shop.

…

[Ding, the host has dealt with protagonist Su Lang’s key subordinate, An Ying, earning 500 villain points. Su Lang’s protagonist halo -20, host’s villain halo +20!]

“So he’s one of the War God’s men,” Wang Haoran mused, a slight smile forming as he observed An Ying’s unconscious state.

Though he initially planned to interrogate An Ying, overhearing the phone conversation gave him insight into both groups’ identities and motives.

However, Wang Haoran didn’t intend to initiate action against the men in the Lavida. Since their target was Yang Jingwan, he intended to seize this moment to make a heroic impression.

With that plan, Wang Haoran returned to the McLaren, coming out of the bushes as if he’d just returned from a bathroom break.

“Are you feeling better?” Yang Jingwan asked with concern.

“Much better,” Wang Haoran replied with a smile, ready to get back in the car.

Suddenly, the Lavida accelerated, blocking the McLaren. Two masked men exited the vehicle, addressing Yang Jingwan directly.

“Come with us quietly,” one instructed.

“Who… who are you?” Yang Jingwan stammered in fright.

“That’s not your concern. Please cooperate,” one of them said, trying to sound polite.

They planned to kidnap Yang Jingwan to threaten the War God but dared not be too harsh given his reputation.

“You’ll have to get through me first if you want to take her!” Wang Haoran declared, stepping forward bravely, his face showing mock fear.

To make his act convincing and maximize the damsel-in-distress effect, Wang Haoran fought them off not too easily, sustaining “injuries” in the process.

Filled with gratitude and concern, Yang Jingwan couldn’t hold back her tears as Wang Haoran drove off the attackers, his “bruised” frame standing testament to his bravery.

[Ding, the female lead Yang Jingwan’s favorability towards the host has increased by 15. Current total favorability is 90 (undying devotion).]

[Ding, the host has significantly altered the plot, earning 800 villain points. Su Lang’s protagonist halo -40, host’s villain halo +40!]