I became a villain

The atmosphere in the villa grew awkward.

Jiang Hao's parents instinctively assumed that Xia Siyu must have done something to provoke such an unusual reaction from their son.

Xia Siyu's parents, likewise, held the same thought.

Although they were eager to see Jiang Hao and Xia Siyu together, they were well aware of the strained reality between the two.

Still, there was one thing Xia Siyu's parents couldn't quite understand.

Putting aside Jiang Hao's illustrious family background, he had been raised under an elite education system and lacked the arrogance typical of many second-generation heirs. He was objectively a great match.

But Xia Siyu?

She had never shown Jiang Hao the slightest bit of kindness.

Xia Siyu's father, Xia Guodong, had once served in the military. Due to certain circumstances, he retired early and, with the help of the Xia family elders, founded a business.

Now semi-retired, Xia Guodong had handed most of the company's responsibilities to Xia Siyu.

Though generally mild-mannered, he retained a hint of his old fiery temper.

Noticing the unpleasant expressions on Jiang Hao's parents, Xia Guodong slapped the coffee table and stood up. "Outrageous! Siyu, what on earth did you do to hurt Xiao Hao so badly?"

"I..." Xia Siyu bit her lip, at a loss for words.

How could she explain when she didn't even know herself? Jiang Hao had been acting bizarrely all day, giving her nothing but cold shoulders.

"You're unbelievable! How could you be so inconsiderate!" Xia Guodong scolded her again, his tone rising, his breathing growing heavier.

Alarmed, Jiang Hao quickly got up to support him.

Though only in his fifties, Xia Guodong had stepped back from work because of a heart condition. Doctors had warned that failure to manage his emotions could lead to a heart attack.

This was precisely why, despite her strong dislike of Jiang Hao, Xia Siyu had never dared to openly defy her father's arrangements.

"Calm down, Old Xia," Jiang Hao's mother urged.

"Yes, don't get upset! Jiang Hao and Siyu are still young. These things take time," his father added.

Xia Siyu stood frozen, a mix of anxiety and grievance flickering in her eyes.

Afraid her touch might worsen her father's temper, she kept her head down, letting her hair cover her face. Even now, Xia Siyu refused to show weakness.

Yet inwardly, she began piecing together the day's events.

Jiang Hao must have planned this! He was deliberately pressuring her, forcing her to change her attitude!

"I used to think you were just annoying, Jiang Hao, but now… you disgust me!" she seethed internally.

Just as she resolved never to marry Jiang Hao, no matter the cost, he spoke up:

"Uncle Xia, you've misunderstood Siyu. Today's events really have nothing to do with her," Jiang Hao said solemnly, his voice clear and firm.

Counterattack points +10!

Xia Siyu's head shot up.

She rubbed her ears, wondering if she'd misheard. Her earlier conclusions suddenly felt shaky.

"What a fine young man," Xia Guodong said, patting Jiang Hao's shoulder with a sigh.

Jiang Hao had been wronged, yet here he was, defending Siyu. Such an exemplary youth was a rare find!

"Siyu, apologize to Jiang Hao! You're a CEO; you should know better than to act so impulsively," Xia Siyu's mother chimed in.

Apologize? Xia Siyu balked at the idea.

Her prideful nature aside, she hadn't done anything wrong—why should she apologize?

The previously easing tension once again grew stifling.

Xia Guodong's breathing became labored, his chest heaving, teetering on the edge of an episode.

"Uncle Xia, Aunt Xia, it's really not Siyu's fault. If anyone needs to apologize, it's me," Jiang Hao sighed deeply, his tone filled with regret.

Everyone stared at him, bewildered.

After glancing at Xia Siyu, Jiang Hao continued, "The truth is, I've long realized that Siyu doesn't like me. I shouldn't have forced her, nor should I have gone out of my way to irritate her."

Counterattack points +20!

"Xiao Hao, you..." Xia Guodong was dumbfounded.

If it weren't so implausible, he might have suspected this wasn't the real Jiang Hao!

Jiang Hao was undeniably outstanding—handsome, well-mannered, and devoid of the usual flaws of the wealthy elite.

But everyone present knew about his near-obsessive fixation on Xia Siyu. His possessiveness was unparalleled.

Yet now...

The surprise was written on everyone's faces, but none were more shocked than Xia Siyu, who was beginning to question her sanity.

"Son, are you feeling unwell? Why are you talking nonsense?" Jiang Hao's mother rushed forward, placing a hand on his forehead.

"Mom, I'm being serious," Jiang Hao replied resolutely. "I want to give Siyu some space to think. During this time, I won't bother her or do anything to upset her."

Xia Siyu's mother let out a long sigh.

Xia Guodong shot his daughter a glare that seemed to say, Are you an idiot? How could you let such a good man go?

As for Jiang Hao's parents, they, too, fell silent, realizing their son wasn't joking.

Meanwhile, Xia Siyu felt her world tilt on its axis. For the first time, she found herself unable to predict what Jiang Hao would do next.

At this moment, Xia Siyu, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke.

She took a deep breath and looked directly at Jiang Hao. "Don't think that using these little tricks will change my mind. Since we're laying everything out, I'll tell you this—I have absolutely no feelings for you!"

Her words were sharp and cutting, her voice cold and devoid of emotion.

But Jiang Hao only smiled faintly.

He understood better than anyone that beneath Xia Siyu's strong exterior lay a heart deeply insecure and yearning for safety.

Xia Siyu was smart. She didn't believe people could change so quickly, so she continued to doubt Jiang Hao's motives.

But everything takes time.

While Jiang Hao had decided not to act like a lovesick fool anymore, Xia Siyu was still the leading female protagonist—a target he had to win over.

Winning her over was inevitable, but he would approach it differently this time.

"You've had a long day at work, Siyu. Why don't you head upstairs and rest? I'll take care of Uncle Xia," Jiang Hao said gently, his warm smile as soothing as a spring breeze.

Xia Siyu was momentarily stunned.

In the past, the way Jiang Hao looked at her was filled with admiration, but also tinged with desire. Now, however, his gaze was clean and pure.

Could he really have changed?

The thought flashed through Xia Siyu's mind, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing it.

A leopard doesn't change its spots.

Not wanting to face her parents' reproachful stares any longer, Xia Siyu nodded and agreed to leave.

Before heading upstairs, she took a deep look at Jiang Hao, then turned to Xia Guodong. "Dad, I'll leave so I don't upset you. Take your medicine, okay?"

After Xia Siyu left, Jiang Hao handed the medication to Xia Guodong, who swallowed it with water. With a heavy sigh, Xia Guodong said, "Ah, Xiao Hao, you've been through so much."