After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Was Targeted by the Villain and the Male Lead at the Same Time

“The method of pursuing people…”

“Why does he only treat you like this…”

“This chili pepper has appreciated because of you…”

“Did he hear rumors that you like men…”

Unintentional words carry weight in the ears of the attentive listener.
Jing Yicheng sat in front of the computer all afternoon, doing nothing, his mind filled with the questions posed by Li Nian, and he fell into self-doubt.

Regarding Xu Chenghao, their initial encounters and subsequent interactions were extremely unpleasant for both of them.
Jing Yicheng even detested him when he repeatedly obstructed him from getting close to An Rouyu, and several times he wanted to draw his gun and shoot him.

…The change probably began when the other party suddenly announced giving up on An Rouyu.
At that time, he didn’t believe that over twenty years of feelings could simply vanish.
Instead, he thought the other party was up to some conspiracy or trickery and even tried to provoke him multiple times.

And then he struck gold.

—The other party understood him.

For someone who had always enclosed himself in darkness, the surge of surprise and excitement that gushed from his heart at that moment was like a bursting flood, filling his heart to the brim without leaving a trace.

He felt that he had met his confidant, and he believed that he could have a comrade he could rely on to fight side by side.
So, he began to show goodwill, even after the third chili pepper test; he withdrew all the people tracking him, wanting to entrust the last bit of trust he had in him.

Before hearing Li Nian’s questions, Jing Yicheng felt that he hadn’t done anything wrong because that’s how good friends interact and trust each other, as Xu Chenghao and Li Nian exemplified.
They even have a lot of physical contact, which is more intimate.

But now, after suddenly hearing all of Li Nian’s questions, Jing Yicheng looked back and realized that he had actually been giving without expecting anything in return, to the point of hurting his own throat.
He almost became a “dou m” (a person who likes to make self-deprecating jokes online).

The last person who could evoke such a reaction from him was An Rouyu.

People say that he treats An Rouyu that way because his love for her is too strong.
So, what about his feelings for Xu Chenghao?

Could chili peppers have really replaced candies?

Jing Yicheng fell into deep thought and, after work, dragged his assistant into a profound discussion.

Assistant: Trembling.jpg

The assistant discreetly assessed the boss’s serious expression and began to recall if he had recently made any mistakes… He couldn’t think of any, as he had been working diligently for the past few days without any errors…

While the assistant was lost in his thoughts, Jing Yicheng spoke seriously, “Do you have someone you like?”

Assistant: “???”

Jing Yicheng furrowed his brow: “No?”

The assistant was slightly confused: “Boss… what exactly are you asking?”

Jing Yicheng pondered momentarily: “I just want to know what it feels like to like someone or how to determine if you’ve fallen for someone.”

The assistant remained confused, staring at the serious expression on his boss’s face for a while before realizing that this might be a conversation between men.

If it’s unrelated to work, then it’s easier to handle.
The assistant breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Liking someone is probably about seeing them differently, being able to spot them in a crowd, and being unable to ignore their existence.”

“As for determining if you like someone… Boss, you can think about whether you would feel sad or upset if she were with someone else.
The most direct way is if you’re willing to leave her on your own accord and become strangers.”

Jing Yicheng fell silent and didn’t say anything.

The assistant observed the expression and continued, “I’ve read about signs of liking someone in psychology.
Boss, see if any of these resonate with you… One of them is emotional display, like feeling happy, excited, or jealous when you see her.”

Jing Yicheng pondered, is feeling jealous of Li Nian because he’s Xu Chenghao’s best friend considered jealousy? Probably not.

Assistant: “There’s also the exchange of benefits, where you try to please and accommodate the other person, providing them with emotional or material benefits.”

Jing Yicheng remained silent.
Was sending him projects as compensation considered trying to please him? Probably not.

Assistant: “And there’s also helping the other person through their troubles.”

Jing Yicheng: “…”

There truly was no explanation for that one.

Jing Yicheng fell into silence once again.
He felt that all his actions could be explained, but they seemed to match up when they were all considered together, especially when the assistant pointed them out.

Seeing the boss being troubled, the assistant spoke up and comforted, “If you’re truly unsure, you can observe a little longer.
I believe that since you’ve already noticed a potential liking, the feelings will definitely be different when you spend more time together.”

Jing Yicheng finally responded, “Okay.”

This is the best we can do.

————

Xu Chenghao had no idea that someone’s new world had already begun.
After work, he went straight home and waited for the chili seedlings to bear fruit.

This was already the third harvest, and the yield was still much higher than when it was only ten percent.
The large flower pot yielded three deformed peppers, while the little yellow duck still performed well and yielded two intact peppers.

As Xu Chenghao calculated as he collected all the peppers in a storage box.
Although only nine days had passed since the beginning, he had already stored five intact peppers! The progress of the task was equivalent to reaching fifty percent!

Based on his experience with the previous failure, Xu Chenghao was very satisfied with this result.
He even began to envision how the success rate would increase in the future, like reaching one hundred percent!

Just thinking about it made him happy.

Xu Chenghao closed the storage box with satisfaction and had a moment of hesitation before opening it again.
He recounted the number of deformed chili peppers.

The ratio of deformed peppers to normal ones was twice as high.
Currently, he had six of them in stock, and adding the four he had given to the villain made it a total of ten.
The result was exactly twice the number of normal peppers.

Keeping the deformed peppers didn’t serve any purpose.
It would be better to bring them to the villain tomorrow so he stops constantly observing the little yellow duck, making him feel scared.

After making up his mind, Xu Chenghao picked out the six deformed chili peppers and placed them in the little yellow duck flowerpot so he wouldn’t forget to bring them tomorrow.
Then, he solemnly put away the storage container and locked the safe.

This was the light of the future, his hope.
He hoped the mission would be completed as planned.
Amen.

After three seconds of prayer, Xu Chenghao got up and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
When he was about to go to bed, he suddenly noticed the blinking light on his phone and decided to check it.
He saw there was a missed call from an unfamiliar international number.

According to the display, it was indeed a very unfamiliar number, and it seemed to be an international call.

Abroad… Xu Chenghao didn’t know why, but his first reaction was that it was An Rouyu, the female lead!

Could it be her? But wait, she had already gone abroad, so why would she call him?

Xu Chenghao frowned and pondered for a moment before ultimately choosing to turn off the phone screen and go to sleep.
In an uncertain situation, he wouldn’t call back.

Of course, if he had determined it was a long-distance call from the female lead, he wouldn’t have called back either to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Sleep, sleep!

…

The next day.

After having breakfast, Xu Chenghao went to work.
His pleasant mood shattered instantly when the scene from yesterday replayed itself.
As soon as the elevator reached the ground floor, a very annoying person walked in and smiled, saying, “Good morning, President Xu.”

Xu Chenghao still maintained a poker face and replied, “Morning.”

After exchanging greetings, Xu Chenghao stood on the left side of the elevator, lowered his head, and played with the six deformed chili peppers in his little yellow duck flowerpot, treating the person next to him as if he were invisible.

Surprisingly, after closing the elevator door, Ruan Chenxuan took the initiative to start a conversation, “President Xu has been very busy lately.”

Xu Chenghao gave a perfunctory response, “It’s alright.”

Ruan Chenxuan smiled: “Me too; I’ve been really busy lately.
Plus, living alone, my house is a complete mess without someone to tidy up.”

Xu Chenghao sensed there was more to his words and sneered: “We’re different; I have money to hire a housekeeper.”

Ruan Chenxuan smiled: “A housekeeper is definitely not the same as having the lady of the house at home.”

Xu Chenghao lost patience and said coldly: “Do you find it interesting to waste your time staring at me? I’ve already told you that An Rouyu’s disappearance has nothing to do with me.
Are you trying to test me because you think I’m lying or because you think I’m easy to bully?”

Ruan Chenxuan put away his smile: “I really want to believe Mr.
Xu’s words, but there is evidence in front of us that contradicts Mr.
Xu’s answer.
I still want to ask Mr.
Xu.”

Xu Chenghao became slightly interested: “What evidence?”

Ruan Chenxuan said coldly, “Although the surveillance videos in the neighborhood have been erased, I found the taxi that Rouyu took at that time.
The onboard recorder shows that she came to see you on the morning of the day she disappeared.”

“And I just found out yesterday that she visited your company the day before her disappearance and contacted you multiple times.
Mr.
Xu, you shouldn’t deny that, right?”

“I really can’t understand why, when Rouyu had a misunderstanding with me and wanted to leave, she would repeatedly contact someone who clearly stated that they didn’t help her.
It’s too strange.”

Ding—the elevator door slowly opened, and Xu Chenghao walked out of the elevator, saying, “It’s simple.
If I really helped An Rouyu, I wouldn’t leave so much evidence for you.”

 

Ruan Chenxuan followed closely: “Didn’t you erase all the surveillance footage in the neighborhood?”

“I told you it has nothing to do with me.
Instead of wasting time supervising me, you should quickly find An Rouyu.
After all, she’s carrying your child,” Xu Chenghao felt tired of repeating these words.
Why couldn’t Ruan Chenxuan, this fool, believe him?

Ruan Chenxuan responded: “I’ve been searching all along, but every clue I find seems to be related to Mr.
Xu.
Do you really think I would believe your words, Mr.
Xu?”

Xu Chenghao had already walked out of the building without looking back and replied, “Believe it or not, that’s up to you!”

Ruan Chenxuan chased after him for a few steps and said: “If you give me the chili pepper, then I’ll believe you!”

Xu Chenghao: “???”

He said speechlessly: “Are you crazy or something?”

Ruan Chenxuan calmly stated: “I remember this chili pepper is very important to Mr.
Xu and is also part of demonstrating sincerity.”

Xu Chenghao looked back at him, unable to find words, and forced a smile.
“Sorry, whether you believe it or not, why should I demonstrate sincerity to you?”

Ruan Chenxuan took another step closer: “Mr.
Xu, are you feeling guilty?”

This time, Xu Chenghao truly couldn’t find words to respond.
He really doubted if An Rouyu took the male lead’s brain with her when she left!! Damn it, the chili pepper is proving damn guilty!!

Ruan Chenxuan continued to press relentlessly, “President Xu, all the things you’ve said so far contradict the clues.
I used to visit your house, but now I’m suddenly listed as prohibited from entering.
You are even unwilling to give me the chili pepper to show your sincerity.
Do you think I would believe your words that you’ve never met Rouyu, just based on your own claims?”

 

Xu Chenghao found it difficult to refute and couldn’t find any counterpoints.
He knew for sure that it had nothing to do with him, but Jing Yicheng had hidden himself too well.
Ruan Chenxuan’s investigation led to him at every turn, leaving Ruan Chenxuan no choice but to focus on him.

Furthermore, the female lead would be away for three to four years.
Would the male lead really keep an eye on him for the entirety of that period?

…Hmph, let’s just pity him for guarding an empty room for three years!

Thinking this, Xu Chenghao picked up two deformed chili peppers from the flowerpot and threw them at Ruan Chenxuan.
“Satisfied? Do you believe me now? I’ve given you the chili peppers.
If you continue to slander me, don’t blame me for getting angry!”

Ruan Chenxuan caught the chili peppers and furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
His expression suddenly changed before he could contemplate whether he had been following the wrong leads.

Xu Chenghao noticed his sudden alertness and turned to look.
He saw a luxury car that had been parked on the road slowly lowering its window, revealing Jing Yicheng’s unusually cold and gloomy face.

 

 

 

The author has something to say: Xu Chenghao: He actually changed his car!!

Jing Yicheng: Little chili pepper, little chili pepper, little chili pepper, little chili pepper…