Chapter 3: The Weight of Power and the Warmth of Home
Zhang Wei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the penthouse, the night city glowing like a universe beneath his feet. His father's empire-billions,
connections, silent power-stretched below him. Yet even with all that wealth, the only thing he truly trusted now was the Villain System humming quietly in his mind.
The events of the last two days replayed like a storm. The transmigration. The discovery of the System. The revelation that he was the villain in this world—
ruthless, powerful, destined to fall at the hands of
some protagonist's halo.
Not anymore.
"System."
"Host, new behavioral changes consistent with Villain Path detected."
The cold mechanical voice choed inside his mind.
Zhang Wei exhaled softly.
"Issue today's rewards."
↓
DING - Villain Behavior Recognition
Rewards Granted:
Shadow Tempering (Early Stage) - enhances
physical control and foundation.
Minor Spiritual Sense Expansion - improves
awareness, perception, danger intuition.
Black Iron Qi Veins Enhancement - strengthens
future cultivation potential.
The power settled into him—not overwhelming, not unrealistic, but steady, layered, and perfectly aligned with the early development of a villain climbing toward greatness. The kind of power that didn't break the story... but reshaped it.
He clenched his fist.
"So this is the beginning."
A soft chime from the elevator broke his thoughts.
The penthouse doors slid open.
"Wei'er? Are you still awake?"
The gentle, warm voice made his heart tremble.
It was his mother-Madam Li Hua, the woman who, even in the original villain's memories, had loved him more than anything. Often ignored by the old Zhang Wei, taken for granted... yet she always remained by his side.
She walked toward him, elegant and dignified, wearing
a light silk robe. Her dark hair fell gracefully at her shoulders, and her eyes held the kind of tenderness one never forgot.
"You haven't slept for two nights," she said softly,
brushing her fingers through his hair the way she had since he was a child. "Your father told me you skipped dinner too. What's troubling you?"
For a moment, Zhang Wei froze.
He had faced death.
He had awakened a system.
He had accepted a villain's fate.
Yet this, the warmth of a mother who truly loved him...
It broke something inside.
His voice came out hoarse.
"I'm fine, Mom."
She frowned, clearly unconvinced.
"You're my son," she said gently. "I know when
something sits heavy in your heart."
The original Zhang Wei had never appreciated this
love.
But he would.
He took her hand.
"I was just... thinking about the future."
Li Hua smiled, relief softening her face.
"Whatever it is, you don't have to shoulder it alone. You
have me."
Something inside him firmed.
In this life, he would not let her suffer.
Neither the protagonist nor fate would ever touch her.
As she turned to prepare tea, the System chimed
again.
DING Emotional Stabilization Event Detected
Reward Granted:
•
Mother's Blessing Aura (Passive) - increases
clarity, reduces mental instability, enhances
resilience under pressure.
Zhang Wei almost laughed.
Even the System acknowledged her importance.
He sat with her on the sofa, letting her warmth ground
him. For the first time since transmigrating, the chaos
in his heart quieted.
After a while, she looked at him curiously. "Wei'er... tomorrow is your father's business gala. You usually skip these events. Will you attend?"
Normally, the old Zhang Wei didn't care for gatherings.
But the protagonist's first appearance in the novel...
It happened during this exact gala.
A perfect opportunity.
A perfect trap.
A perfect beginning.
Zhang Wei's lips curved into a calm, confident smile.
"Yes, Mom," he said. "I'll attend."
Her eyes brightened, full of pride.
"That's my good boy."
Good boy?
If only she knew the villain her son was destined to
become.
But for her sake-for her warmth-he would become a
villain powerful enough to burn the heavens
themselves.
As she held his hand gently, Zhang Wei made a silent
VOW:
No protagonist.
No halo.
No destiny.
No universe...
will ever take my mother or my life from me.
I will rewrite everything.
The night stretched endlessly outside the window.
And Zhang Wei, young master of the richest family in
the world, heir to the Villain System, slowly closed his eyes-resting peacefully for the first time... because his mother sat beside him, guarding him with love.