City: I Started As A Rich Second Generation Villain - Chapter 39: The Protagonist’s First Official Encounter with the Villain

Just as Gu Junqing was feeling somewhat speechless toward Li Xixue, Su Chen walked over with a faint smile.

“Oh, if it isn’t Brother Gu Good Man?”

Gu Junqing’s mouth twitched slightly—this was the fake name he had given Su Chen when pointing out directions back then.

“Yes, Brother Su Distrust,” Gu Junqing replied calmly, using the name Su Chen had given at the time.

“Brother Gu Good Man, the directions you gave me back then really made my journey interesting—I almost missed the deadline to reach the Li family.”

Su Chen narrowed his eyes, a hint of resentment in his tone. The marriage contract had a specified date, and if the deadline passed, it would automatically become void.

Although he hadn’t been fond of the arranged marriage at first, the Li family and Li Xixue were simply too appealing—he couldn’t help but be drawn to them.

As a result, he was nearly late and faced considerable trouble because of it.

“However, it also brought me a great opportunity, and my strength improved significantly. You truly are a great good man, living up to your name!”

Although Su Chen didn’t understand why Gu Junqing had given him the wrong directions back then, he had sensed something off at the time. Despite Gu Junqing’s well-concealed smile, there had been a faint trace of aversion, and for some reason, being near him gave Su Chen a chilling feeling—like prey encountering a predator.

That was why he hadn’t given his real name, keeping his guard up.

He never expected that after transferring schools alongside Li Xixue, he would end up in the same class as the renowned Gu Junqing. The caution he had exercised back then now seemed pointless.

But since Gu Junqing had also used a pseudonym, it suggested that he might have intentionally given the wrong directions. Of course, it was also possible that Gu Junqing simply didn’t want to reveal his identity.

But that didn’t quite make sense—how did Gu Junqing know it was him?

Moreover, why would someone as exceptional as Gu Junqing hold animosity toward an unknown nobody like him?

Could it be because of Li Xixue? That seemed unlikely.

Still, by mentioning that the wrong directions had led to an opportunity, he expected to see some change in Gu Junqing’s expression.

Though Su Chen wore a smile, his mind was racing. Despite lingering confusion, he had pieced together most of the puzzle.

Gu Junqing’s expression remained unchanged, disappointing Su Chen, who wanted to confirm whether Gu Junqing truly harbored hostility toward him.

If that were the case, he might as well give Gu Junqing an acupuncture treatment early on and enable him to practice the Sunflower Manual. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about being cuckolded—Gu Junqing’s face posed too great a threat to him.

Meanwhile, Gu Junqing’s desire to eliminate Su Chen only grew stronger.

During their first encounter, Gu Junqing had indeed felt uneasy. After all, he had been no match for Su Chen in combat skills or medical expertise—the gap had been far too large.

As a result, he had slipped up. He shouldn’t have pointed in the opposite direction so blatantly—the hostility had been too obvious, allowing Su Chen to test him unintentionally.

And it was truly infuriating.

Was this what it meant to be the protagonist? Even the wrong directions given by a villain could lead to an opportunity. Gu Junqing felt somewhat frustrated.

Back then, he had even praised himself for cleverly diverting the protagonist. Little did he know that while the protagonist missed the chance to save his sister, he instead gained an opportunity to strengthen himself.

Moreover, Su Chen’s Protagonist Halo had already slightly surpassed the Villain Halo that Gu Junqing had absorbed from another protagonist.

Protagonists were indeed troublesome to deal with.

“Su Chen, my apologies. At the time, I only wanted to be a good person, but my good intentions ended up causing trouble.”

Gu Junqing spoke with a hint of regret.

“However, although Classmate Su didn’t manage to reach the Li family in time to form a marriage connection, he did obtain a great opportunity, which can be considered a blessing in disguise.”

Seeing that Gu Junqing addressed him by his real name, it indicated a willingness to move past the previous incident.

Su Chen narrowed his eyes. He was now somewhat unsure what Gu Junqing was truly plotting.

He could only reply, “Classmate Gu Junqing, although it wasn’t intentional, shouldn’t you offer some compensation?”

“Oh? What kind of compensation do you want?” Gu Junqing’s smile began to turn dangerous.

He realized this divine doctor protagonist was becoming increasingly presumptuous. Perhaps he should beat him down first before having a proper conversation.

As for killing him directly, Gu Junqing might suffer fatal backlash from the Luck itself.

Moreover, that wasn’t his style. His approach had always been to plan carefully before acting, maximizing benefits.

“Then let School Belle Murong Wan accompany me for a day, showing me around the campus.”

Su Chen turned toward Murong Wan, appearing polite on the surface but internally tense.

Because he noticed that Gu Junqing’s breathing followed some form of cultivation technique, emitting a special aura, with golden light occasionally flashing in his eyes.

He sensed Gu Junqing was an expert not inferior to himself, so he wanted to test his strength.

Moreover, for a brief moment, he had felt a threat that vanished instantly.

After consideration, he concluded it could only have come from Gu Junqing, so he stopped pretending.

If Gu Junqing was willing to give up his woman, then there would be nothing more to say.

The smile vanished from Gu Junqing’s face as he slowly straightened up, shedding his previously casual demeanor. He realized he was genuinely angered by Su Chen now.

This Su Chen was quite skilled at courting death—trying to cuckold him right to his face.

This was a classic trope in urban wish-fulfillment novels. If the female lead wasn’t already devoted to someone, she might accept the protagonist’s invitation due to the Protagonist Halo’s influence—it was only a campus tour, after all.

Then the antagonist would grow jealous and confront the protagonist.

But Su Chen was clearly too late. Murong Wan had long been Gu Junqing’s woman—how could she possibly agree?

Murong Wan, who had been confronting Li Xixue moments earlier, glared angrily upon hearing this. She had long belonged to Gu Junqing and was deeply devoted to him—how could she accompany a stranger?

“You must be Classmate Su Chen, right? Sorry, but our campus is very small. If you need someone to guide you around, you should go back to studying in the mountains. Or eat more pig brains to supplement your intelligence. The city isn’t suitable for country bumpkins like you.”

“Exactly, well said!”

Murong Wan spoke coolly while Luo Ningyu enthusiastically backed her up.

Su Chen’s face darkened, rendered speechless by the retort.

After all, he really did come from the mountains. Being looked down upon like this made him extremely embarrassed, yet he couldn’t refute them since what they said was technically true. Still, how could they insult him personally?

So he wanted to take action.

Su Chen clenched his fists tightly, realizing that people in the city were increasingly cunning and calculating. Gu Junqing watched him like a zoo visitor observing monkeys, exuding intellectual superiority, while the two campus belles struck with sharp tongues, hitting exactly where it hurt—a fatal blow.

This left Su Chen, who had always reigned supreme in the mountains, feeling deeply uncomfortable. Back there, only his master and one senior sister had ever been able to suppress him.

Little did he expect that after descending the mountain, he would suffer from such a lack of worldly experience.