Chapter 58: Don’t Panic, I’m Fine

"Beep—Green tea traits detected! Green Tea Points +100."

Qin Fei froze in place at the scene before him.

While he was still processing Jian Ye's words, an embarrassing growl came from the young man's stomach.

Jian Ye's handsome face flushed red as he instinctively covered his belly.

Did his stomach have to be so cooperative?

Half of Jian Ye's act was performance, but the other half stemmed from genuine hunger—he was starving and couldn't help sulking a little.

Ever since waking up, he'd been confined to this room with no way out, unable to communicate properly with that obsessive fanboy at the door.

Now that he knew his rescuer was actually the story's main villain, Jian Ye's mood grew even more complicated.

He had saved the villain's sister, and now the villain had saved him—so they were even now.

"You didn't feed him?" Qin Fei, having grasped the situation at home, frowned and shot A Jin a glare. "Why didn't you message me when he woke up? Is this how I told you to take care of someone?"

Hearing the reproach in Qin Fei's tone, A Jin bit back his excuses. He really hadn't deliberately withheld food!

When Jian Ye said he was hungry, A Jin had been about to fetch some, but then they'd somehow wound up chatting, and he'd completely forgotten.

Now, with Qin Fei's return and the young man's tearful complaint, A Jin felt like he couldn't talk his way out of this one.

"Go to the kitchen and have them prepare more dishes. You're not needed here for now," Qin Fei said coldly.

"Yes, Young Master..."

Jian Ye watched as A Jin, who'd been all but wagging his tail for his master moments ago, now seemed to have it drooping dejectedly. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Blind admiration really is a terrible thing.

While he was still enjoying the show, Qin Fei turned his gaze downward to the young man still sitting on the floor. "Can you get up?"

Now aware that this man was the villain, Jian Ye didn't dare keep up the act. He slowly rose to his feet, tears still glistening in his eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

It couldn't be helped—once he got into character, his expressions became scarily convincing.

Under normal circumstances, Qin Fei would never have fallen for such tricks. But knowing this young man had saved his sister, even his sharp judgment was clouded by that glow of gratitude.

"My apologies. I didn't give clear instructions to my subordinate. I never meant to imprison you," Qin Fei said earnestly, leaving Jian Ye stumped for a response.

In his daze, Jian Ye suddenly felt a small figure dart at him and latch onto his leg.

Startled, he looked down to see a little girl grinning up at him. "My angel brother! I found you again! So you're at my house!"

"You... you are..." Jian Ye recognized her immediately.

"I'm Keer! Angel brother can just call me Keer!" The little girl was practically glowing with admiration.

Jian Ye ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm really happy you're alright, Keer. I'm not an angel brother—I have a name too. I'm Jian Ye. You can call me Xiao Ye brother."

Qin Keer cheerfully responded, "Angel Xiao Ye brother!"

Jian Ye: "..."

"Alright, Keer, it's impolite to keep hanging on someone like that," Qin Fei cut in, having learned the young man's name from their exchange. While mentally filing away the name 'Jian Ye', he still remembered to chide his sister's behavior.

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Qin Keer always listened to her brother and immediately let go, returning to his side, though her eyes stayed glued to Jian Ye.

Qin Fei spoke on his sister's behalf: "I've heard everything from Keer. It was you who jumped into the water to save her when she was in the greatest danger. I really appreciate you stepping in—the Qin family owes you one."

Considering how much Qin Fei doted on Qin Keer, Jian Ye's brave rescue more than deserved his heartfelt thanks.

But Jian Ye shook his head: "You saved me too. The Qin family owes me nothing, Young Master Qin, you're being too polite."

Qin Fei replied: "The way I see it, the reason you ended up needing my rescue was due to an unforeseen accident while saving my sister. You could've stayed out of it and kept yourself safe—then there would've been no opportunity for me to save you."

Jian Ye fell silent at Qin Fei's words.

This guy was pretty good at arguing, wasn't he? He kinda had a point.

"So today, I insist on owing you this favor. In the future, whatever trouble comes your way—if it's within my power, I will not refuse." Qin Fei's tone was solemn and left no room for refusal.

Jian Ye suddenly thought the villain from the novel... was actually kinda nice?

Perhaps it was because he hadn't yet encountered the bottom protagonist and male lead?

That had to be it. A villain's turn to the dark side required certain triggers, and likely, the main lead was one of those catalysts.

After hearing the plot summary from the system, Jian Ye still couldn't imagine a future where Yi Siyu and Qin Fei would fight fiercely over their beloved.

How lovesick would you have to be to do something like that?

At any rate, the current Qin Fei seemed perfectly normal to Jian Ye.

Guys should really focus on work and family—what's the point of romance? Love only makes people foolish.

"Young Master, dinner's ready," a subordinate reported shortly after. Jian Ye noticed it wasn't A Jin this time.

"Mm." Qin Fei acknowledged before taking the starving young man to the dining room.

Jian Ye was eager to start devouring the food, but he had something way more important to handle first.

"Young Master Qin, may I borrow your phone to call my family?"

Earlier, Jian Ye had been barred from leaving by that stubborn subordinate who wouldn't even let him call anyone. He'd been freaking out—if not for the system notifying the outside world of his safety, he wouldn't have dared to stay lying on that unfamiliar bed.

Now that Qin Fei had finally returned, there was still no news from Yi Siyu. Jian Ye wondered if the other hadn't seen his message and figured he'd better call to check in.

He truly had no idea what was happening outside. Qin Fei's earlier gratitude had interrupted him before he could bring it up, but now he had to resolve this first.

Qin Fei nodded readily and handed over his phone.

The young man swiftly punched in a string of numbers and made the call.

The phone rang for only a second before it was answered.

"Yèyè, is that you?!" The voice sounded panicked.

Jian Ye's stomach dropped. Hearing that familiar voice, he instantly sensed the intensity of the emotions on the other side.

He quickly responded: "Yes! It's me, Jian Ye. Brother Siyu, don't panic, I'm fine... My current location is..."

When asked for the address, Jian Ye automatically looked to the tall man standing by the dining table. Qin Fei reached out a hand. "Hand it over. I'll talk to him."

Jian Ye: "..."

Somehow, the scene instantly shifted from him being on the phone with Yi Siyu to an online meeting between two titans from different worlds.

"Jian Ye: *gasp* So this counts as the first exchange between the villain and the male lead, huh? Could this ignite something between them?"

"System 748: Host, don’t you regret wasting those Green Tea Points? You spent 2,500 just to send a message earlier, and now a single phone call solved everything."

"Jian Ye: What’s the point of regretting? In that situation, if I hadn’t done something, I’d have been even more anxious. I just wanted him to know I was safe—nothing else mattered. Green Tea Points are just a number. I can earn as many as I want later."

"System 748: Sorry, Host, this system underestimated you. You were right. Didn’t know Host was such a devoted hubby-lover! So sweet~"

"Jian Ye: Stop changing the subject, piss off!"

While the two titans were talking, Jian Ye couldn’t resist and took a bite of the food on the table.

And then...

He went into a full-on eating frenzy.

By the time Qin Fei finished the call and looked over, the rice in Jian Ye’s bowl was already gone.

The boy’s cheeks were stuffed full, puffing like a chipmunk on a snack binge.

Qin Fei hadn’t been hungry, but after watching the boy eat for so long, he actually felt a bit of an appetite himself.

"D-Done... *munch* talking?" The little chipmunk mumbled, words a mushy mess.

"Your brother is coming to pick you up soon. I didn’t expect... you to be from *the* Yun Jing Yi family." Qin Fei said, surprised.

Jian Ye knew Qin Fei had misunderstood his real relationship with Yi Siyu, but he didn’t care enough to explain, still inhaling food like a vacuum.

Meanwhile, Qin Keer, the little motormouth, chimed in, enthusiastically introducing delicious dishes to her gorgeous brother.

"Brother Xiao Ye, try this corn fritter—it’s Ke’er’s favorite!" The little girl shoved the whole plate under Jian Ye’s nose.

Too busy chewing to reply, Jian Ye could only communicate with her through gestures.

Qin Fei watched their clunky but weirdly in sync interaction.

He’d never seen his little sister laugh so happily before—she must really like Jian Ye.

Even he, her actual brother, was getting sidelined.

Nearby, A Jin spied on every subtle change in his Young Master’s expression.

This was *unnerving*—the Young Master was actually smiling at that boy. And he’d been smiling for ten whole minutes! Young Master, *get a grip!*

Qin Fei himself hadn’t realized that the cloud over him all day because of his enemies’ actions had inexplicably lifted at this moment.

This boy named Jian Ye seemed to possess some weird charm.

Honestly, bringing Jian Ye home was so *not* his style. But at the time, for some reason, he’d gone with his gut.

"Brother Xiao Ye, you’re the cutest person I’ve ever seen besides my brother!"

Hearing that childish voice, Qin Fei suddenly had an epiphany—*that* explained it.

So, just like his little sister, he was a *sucker* for a pretty face too.

Meanwhile, Yi Siyu had already received a message from his father and was about to drive when Jian Ye's call came through.

If that anonymous text had been a lifeline, this call was pure reassurance.

Hearing Jian Ye's voice, Yi Siyu felt all his tension melt away.

He thought to himself—he was completely gone for that boy.

Aside from family, no one had ever made him care this deeply for so long—his joys and sorrows, whether he was eating well, if he was safe outside—everything about him tugged at Yi Siyu's emotions.

Heaven knows, when he heard Jian Ye had been swept away by the water, his world came crashing down. A wave of dizziness nearly knocked him off his feet.

That day and night, Yi Siyu had gone from hell back to earth.

Now that they'd reconnected, he'd calmed down. Qin Fei took over the call later, and after a quick explanation, Yi Siyu understood.

So it was all a misunderstanding...

Now all he wanted was to see Jian Ye immediately. Only when he could truly see and touch him would it feel like rising from earth to heaven.

**Author's Note:**

Jian Ye: This bad guy's actually pretty decent. (innocent.jpg.)

————

Later.

Young Master Qin: I'm regretting this now. I should've locked you up. (gritting teeth.jpg.)

Yi Siyu: I am indeed his brother—his lover-brother. (smug grin.jpg.)