Villain Strategy Rules [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 21

Chaoyao’s pupils dilated in disbelief. “What do you mean?”

Father Song laughed heartily. “Your Director Zhang only became the orphanage director to build her own reputation—to help her lover gain fame and secure a promotion. Now, with internal elections approaching, she’s my biggest competitor. I need you to ruin her.”

Chaoyao smirked. “You’ve investigated me. You know I tried to expose her before, but you should also know I failed.”

Father Song slid a business card across the table. “You were too rash back then. What good did an anonymous report do? They took down your videos, posted a few whitewashing clips, bribed people, and then she played the victim. Do you think it made any difference?”

“I need solid evidence—proof of corporal punishment, abuse, embezzlement. Contact this person when you have it. She’s my best tech assistant and will help you.”

After her younger sister’s suicide, Chaoyao had secretly filed an anonymous report, but it was useless. At the time, Director Zhang was too busy covering it up to track down the whistleblower. Instead, she locked all the children in their rooms without food for a full day.

Wen Zhixu asked, “Why not send your assistant to investigate? Why involve us? If it’s dangerous, do you really think an 18-year-old like Chaoyao can avoid the risks?”

“She’s the perfect choice,” Father Song replied. “If I sent my own people, I’d be digging my own grave. Besides, having grown up in the orphanage, she knows how to navigate its rules and gather evidence. And… are you sure you two have nothing to gain?”

Unlike the rest of his family, who focused on business, Father Song had taken the political path. In essence, the entire family deferred to his authority.

“Chaoyao has no ties to me, and Director Zhang has given her plenty of reasons to hate her. Isn’t she the ideal candidate?”

Chaoyao cut straight to the point. “I agree. But I expect you to honor our deal—once it’s done, you take what you want, and I leave with the people I choose.”

Father Song applauded. “Smart girl. Eat up, and stay indoors these next few days. Oh, and the food you made was excellent.”

Host… the system detects the female lead’s corruption value is rising.

No way! Is Chaoyao planning to go down with the director? Wen Zhixu knew the original novel’s ending—Chaoyao had killed the director. But this time, with her here, she wouldn’t let that happen.

Wen Zhixu pleaded, “Promise me you won’t act alone, okay? We’ll handle this safely, together.”

Chaoyao relaxed, her expression softening into a smile. “Okay.”

Sigh… it’s dropping again.

Wen Zhixu scoffed. “You wouldn’t understand. Just stick to your programming and stop analyzing us.”

“So, what’s your plan?” Wen Zhixu asked.

Chaoyao replied, “The director never lets us near her office. If we report her blindly, she’ll just pin it on the staff and sacrifice a few scapegoats. My first goal is to get close to her.”

Director Zhang was the head of multiple orphanages. The children rotated between them for varied environments, but she only visited once a week—every Monday—and was otherwise absent.

Wen Zhixu calculated the days, “She only returns every Monday. But that particular Monday after the New Year would indeed be an opportunity. All teachers will attend the meeting to discuss the students’ progress over the year. For her reputation, she’ll definitely come and likely make a show of it. I’ll take you in then.”

Chaoyao nodded. She was too timid, too emotional. Having once harmed everyone because of one person, she’d developed a shadow of fear—afraid of failing again, of hurting everyone again.

But now, she had someone standing behind her. Wen Zhixu would always be there, never leaving.

–

After the New Year holiday, Wen Zhixu brought Chaoyao back to the orphanage. Yang Yue was already waiting at the gate, anticipating her gift.

A few days prior, Wen Zhixu had suddenly sent her a location pin, telling her to come take Chaoyao away. Thinking something dangerous had happened, Yang Yue had rushed over without even finishing her meal. After a three-hour journey, she arrived to find them… curled up on the sofa binge-watching dramas…

Wen Zhixu had even asked curiously, “Why are you here?”

From that day on, she’d been promised a surprise gift after the New Year to compensate for the six-hour round trip.

When Yang Yue spotted Wen Zhixu’s car, she stared intently. She’d once thought Wen Zhixu’s family were farmers, but then right after getting her own car, Wen Zhixu had driven back in one. Now, Yang Yue wouldn’t miss any chance to take advantage of her.

Chaoyao reminded her, “Teacher Yang is over there.”

Wen Zhixu chuckled, “We did make her drive six hours for nothing last time. It’s a miracle she hasn’t hit us yet. There’s a bracelet I bought for her in the back—take it and we’ll get out together.”

“Well, well,” Yang Yue approached with sarcasm, “Teacher Song has returned.”

Wen Zhixu handed over the bracelet, “Don’t stand on ceremony, Teacher Yang. Take it. We might need your help with many things in the future.”

Yang Yue was righteous and kind-hearted. She couldn’t stand how the headmistress bullied the students but lacked the authority to help. Sometimes at night, she’d suddenly ask herself why she had such a compassionate heart.

“Alright, alright. Look at the time you’ve come back—lunch was long over. It’s fine if you starve, but Chaoyao still has her college entrance exams to prepare for. I’ve prepared some food in the dorm—go eat.”

Wen Zhixu: “Hey, what do you mean ‘it’s fine if I starve’?”

Yang Yue said nothing, just turned and waved her hand dismissively.

Wen Zhixu: “She’s learned to act cool now.”

In the dorm, Yang Yue had prepared the meal. Wen Zhixu’s quilt had been sun-dried for two days—just looking at its fluffy appearance, she couldn’t imagine the difference between sleeping under it at night and sleeping on a cloud.

When the moment came, Wen Zhixu said slowly, “I’m planning to report Headmistress Zhang.”

The dorm fell silent. Just as Chaoyao was about to speak, Wen Zhixu stopped her, “Although I didn’t grow up in the orphanage, I’ve spent time with these children. They might have been unruly when I first came, but that could just be self-protection mechanisms from their upbringing. So, I want to help them, to try and stand up against Headmistress Zhang.”

Chaoyao immediately interjected, “No, it was my idea to report her. It has nothing to do with Teacher Song.”

Yang Yue pondered for a moment before saying to Wen Zhixu, “You need to report Dean Zhang to Chaoyao, then claim it was your own decision to protect her.” Then she turned to Chaoyao, “And you, to protect Teacher Song, say it was your own choice.”

Finally, she pointed at herself, “Am I really that unreliable?”

Wen Zhixu explained, “Not at all. Chaoyao is still young—she hasn’t even taken her college entrance exams yet. If anything happens, we’ll deal with it later.”

Chaoyao protested, “I’m not that young. I’m an adult now.”

Yang Yue waved her hand dismissively, “Alright, alright, enough. Tell me, do you need any help from me?”

Wen Zhixu didn’t want to drag Yang Yue into this, worried it might affect her future. “It’s fine, you don’t need to get involved.”

Yang Yue’s expression turned serious. “Have you forgotten what I told you before?”

Wen Zhixu blinked. “What?”

Yang Yue flicked her forehead lightly. “When you first arrived, I said I’d protect you. What’s going on? It’s only been a few months, but your personality seems to have changed. You used to be so much more adorable.”

Really? Wen Zhixu didn’t feel like she’d changed at all.

Host, you have indeed changed somewhat.

Wen Zhixu: “How so?”

For example, when you first arrived, you’d pester me every night about going back. You were much livelier then. Now you’ve become more capable.

“…”

So that was the change? That wasn’t a personality shift… That was just exhaustion from lack of rest, the heavy toll of work.

Wen Zhixu: “Let’s eat quickly. After this, we’ll go clothes shopping!”

Yang Yue cheered, “Yay!”

Wen Zhixu asked the system, “006, tell me the truth—can you actually help me in this world?”

Host, do you really want to hear the truth?

“Of course.”

She couldn’t help but wonder—in the system novels she’d read before, systems could exchange miraculous elixirs or turn the tide of events. Why was hers only good for spectating? That couldn’t be right!

Host, in each world, I have one opportunity to assist you—to help turn the tide without altering the predetermined outcome. But if you exchange points for that opportunity, the difficulty of your next task will increase. And in the final world, I will disappear, leaving you to face it alone.

Host, I must remind you again—this is a modern-world task, the simplest of them all. I don’t recommend exchanging points.

Wen Zhixu nodded thoughtfully. “Alright.”

–

On Monday, Wen Zhixu followed Yang Yue and the others to headquarters. The two orphanages were quite far apart, with the route passing through bustling city streets. Internal orphanage regulations prohibited private vehicles—everyone had to travel in the orphanage’s official transport.

Wen Zhixu knew this was Dean Zhang beginning to build her husband’s reputation. After all, who didn’t know Dean Zhang as the benevolent orphanage director?

Chaoyao sat in the innermost seat. Wen Zhixu gave her an excuse: “After this, we need to stop by the bookstore.”

The others assumed they were just picking up study materials and didn’t question further—after all, Chaoyao had come from that orphanage too, and wouldn’t be allowed into the meeting room anyway.

Upon arrival, Chaoyao pulled Wen Zhixu aside. “While you’re in the meeting, I’ll go talk to the children first—steer the conversation toward the abuse issues. But abuse alone won’t bring her down—that charge is too easy to shake off. The main thing is catching her on embezzlement charges.”

The Zhang family was known for their clean reputation. Unlike the influential Song family with their deep-rooted heritage and extensive connections, they maintained an ordinary outward appearance. However, embezzlement was undoubtedly occurring. The orphanage received substantial annual funding, with significant contributions from the Song family’s businesses alone, yet the children’s living conditions showed little improvement.

Wen Zhixu cautioned, “Be careful. Remember to bring it up casually in conversation, and make sure to record everything.” He pulled a voice recorder from his pocket. “Stay alert—if you’re caught, destroy it immediately. Also, don’t let the adults see you. Director Zhang doesn’t know you’re here.”

Chaoyao took the recorder and nodded. “Got it. You be careful too.”