The deeply asleep Xi Xie was woken up abruptly by the panicking dad of the original owner of the body. Apparently, today's an important occasion in the family. So important that it involves the future development of two of the leading companies in City A - the Xi Group and Roselli Empire.
At least that's what Xi elders think. Xi Xie, on the other hand, knows it's a complete bull. Roselli Empire just wanted to annex poor Xi's, and the CEO of Roselli wouldn't even waste his precious time to show his shadow on this 'family meeting'.
The original Xi Xie was a third year college student and one of the closest friend of the target, Killian Philip. He was a transparent character at most, and was only known later on as Marco Roselli's ex-fiancée, the CEO of Roselli Empire.
Both Xi and Roselli agreed on a family meeting on the first Sunday of September to talk about the marriage between the two families. Xi's truly believed the supposed sincerity of the other party. Too bad that any way you look at it, a business empire like Roselli would never have their heir apparent marry a man who can never give them an heir. Xi Xie for now could only follow through, since he knows that in the latter stages the Villian Boss himself would terminate the marriage agreement without damaging the Xi Group.
Yes, Marco Roselli is the big villain in this story.
At present, all the elders from both sides have gathered in the Xi's family's garden pavilion, chatting about the recent business activities in City A. Madam and lady relatives of both sides have also started to implicitly boast about their sons' and daughters' achievements. Mommy Xi sadly can't say much, except having a delicate son who likes to sleep and eat, which is something not too nice to brag. Dad and Mom Xi just wanted to find a suitable partner for their delicate son who grew up protected, even at the risk of their company being preyed on by economic vultures.
Minutes passed and still the only vacant seat on Xi Xie's left side remained empty. As expected, the villain boss did not show up.
Patriarch Roselli cleared his throat and started, "I apologize, Marco might be in an important appointment. That kid must've forgotten it due to his busy schedule. He is always working and rarely even goes home. We're a bit worried about him, actually." He pretended to sigh, but that face had a proud smile.
Xi Xie indeed was amazed the villain boss could handle such a large business during the day and a black organization at night. Too overpowered. "I wonder how the male lead managed to trap him. Doesn't he have eyes and ears everywhere?" He asked the system.
White Bug sneered, "You're in a story. Of course the writer would make the male and female lead shine. All the more if they have an overpowered villain, it shows the heroes' tenacity and resiliency when they finally win."
"You sound like you're the author."
"If it's me writing, the main character will be a caterpillar system who finally transformed into a gorgeous butterfly."
"Why don't you just write about the whole animal kingdom?"
"I will. I'll feature you in the platypus section." The system said indifferently.
'Little shit.' Xi Xie thought.
"...I can still hear you." White Bug reminded.
"I wanted you to hear it." He scoffed. "Don't forget your job to monitor Killian."
The system lazily raised a hairy eyebrow, clearly not impressed. "Don't worry, I know what to do. Wait, what's that on you right?" The dazed Xi Xie snapped and turned to his right but found nothing different. The system cackled and wiggled his fat butt at him.
Xi Xie was visibly even more gloomy. He repeatedly recited all the names of the saints he knew in order to prevent him from strangling the ugly worm to obliteration. Right after this world, he'll fill in the employee's System Evaluation Form in the Thousand Worlds Mission Center and request another one.
"Okay, now I'm serious. Look to the left." Xi Xie ignored the blabbering slug, and secretly scooped an icing on the cupcake, licking his forefinger clean. He looked around and noticed they were still happily chatting before continuing the deed. Now two cupcakes were bald. Ah, perks of sitting afar. Heaven ~
He was about to terrorize one more pastry when a masculine hand appeared and slowly took the bald cupcake. Startled, he turned to his left and saw an unfamiliar man eating the icing-free cupcake in two bites. His eyes followed the lips' movement and then upward, he locked eyes with the man. Silver pools met his black beady eyes and he felt a slight oppression.
Xi Xie squirmed uncomfortably as he sat properly, like a berated little kid. He didn't expect the man would come. It clearly says in the plot that he did not show his face, nor his shadow when the two families agreed on the engagement. The man took another bald cupcake and slowly ate it in front of him. Even the system, whom he expected to laught at him, was silent. Now Xi Xie knows why he is just a cannon fodder villain, he's not even qualified to stand beside the villain! Look at that aura, just like a panther watching the monkeys jump around!
Both the monkey and the fat worm behaved well, trying to minimize their existence. What Xi Xie didn't know was that the panther has been looking at him all along.
It seemed that both patriarchs finally decided to get down to business after seeing Marco's presence.
"Today is a great event for both of our families! In the last generation, we failed to have an intersection in marriage. Now it is possible through Xi Xie and Marco." Patriarch Roselli was all smiles as he got the attention of everyone in the table. It is understandable that he is the highest person present, but the way he sat at the head of the table feels like he is at home in the Xi Ancestral Manor.
The current patriarch of Xi is Xi Xie's father. He has two sisters and unfortunately, both sisters have two daughters each. The original Xi Xie was incompetent to run the company, that's why Daddy Xi could only think of finding a competent son-in-law until his sisters' daughters produced an heir. Why them? Because original Xi Xie admirably admitted since the beginning that his flag is rainbow-colored. The current Xi Xie was as incompetent as the first, and was too lazy to bother with business affairs. He'll only stay until the target hits full happiness index, so he doesn't need to rise above all.
"Our side doesn't have any request other than for the Roselli family to take care of Xi Xie. I know he is lacking in some aspects, but my son is filial and loyal." Daddy Xi did not deny the fact that his son is useless.
Both sides seem to have forgotten to ask the two sons involved whether they wanted to get married or not. They were happily choosing auspicious dates to do the engagement and wedding ceremonies. Others seemed to 'inadvertently' mention shares and company positions. Xi Xie was waiting in pins and needles as to when will the villain boss interrupt and reject the marriage agreement.
"Son, what do you think of having the engagement banquet on February of next year?" Mrs. Roselli smiled as she asked the opinion of her unresponsive son, Marco.
Xi Xie secretly sighed in relief, waiting for the villain to say his piece. The relieved monkey was seen again by the keen panther.
"I don't agree," this sentence made everyone tensed. Marco seemed to not see everyone waiting for his explanation, only seeing the little monkey beside him smugly nodding softly.
"Marco, the agreement between the two sides has been finalized. What do you mean you don't agree?" Patriarch Roselli visibly frowned, not expecting him to blatantly contradict him in front of everybody. He is still afteralll the patriarch of the Roselli family.
Daddy Xi became hesitant after a while and decided to let his son decide for himself, "Xixi, do you feel the same as well? We can stop this if you don't want to get married yet."
Xi Xie's eyes lit up and was about to agree when he saw Marco narrowed his eyes dangerously at him. He shut up, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "He can say no, why can't I?" He complained to the system. The system once again decided to abandon its host.
Marco removed his cufflinks and elegantly folded his sleeves. "This is our marriage. Don't you think we should decide everything ourselves?"
Everyone in the table exchanged glances, unsure of whether he meant to agree or express his total dissatisfaction. Mommy Xi apologized sincerely, "Marco, sorry we did not involve the two of you in the decision making. If you have any personal requests, I think it's not too late for us to cater you."
Marco smiled faintly and gently took Xi Xie's hand. The latter felt all his body hair rising in fear. "Xi Xie is good, but I may not be able to run back and forth the company and Xi Manor to be with him. So I plan to take him home and live with me. I can drop him off to school in the morning and have the driver take him to the company after class so we can go home together. As for the engagement, we will inform you when we'll be having it."
Xi Xie sneered inwardly, a villain will always be a villain. Don't think he doesn't know he's being used as a shield. From not mentioning the wedding, he can infer that Marco never thought of getting married.
"Host! Host! Killian is on his way to the underground drag race!"
"So what?"
The big fat worm ran around his head in panic, "Idiot! Today's the day he'll be injured and the female lead will take care of him! This is the turning point of his plain goodwill to infatuation! Ahhhh!"
"What the hell is he doing there?! I thought you made him dream of his tragic fate, why is he still following the plot?" Xi Xie also began to panic. "Check your data first."
A hologram panel appeared in front of him and it shows that White Bug's connection to Killian's dream was cut not long after he left Killian's bedroom. That means Killian is still in the dark of what would happen to him, and that someone else dreamt of his life's trajectory.
Ah, shit.