Chapter 10: The Male Lead’s Domineering Side

Chapter 10: The Main Male Lead

Xiao Yan's voice was still a little hoarse from working out.

It sounded completely different from his usual creepy tone, but instead had a chill, lazy vibe.

He’d only thrown on a thin black nightshirt to move around.

Now the fancy silk was soaked with sweat, sticking to him and clearly showing off his ripped chest.

"Young Master Liu?" Xiao Yan stepped closer.

Liu Qingci snapped out of it, dropping his eyes fast to hide the storm inside, and knelt like he was supposed to.

"I, Liu Qingci, a nobody, came specially to thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness."

Xiao Yan grabbed a robe, threw it on, and flopped back into a rocking chair.

"Kindness?" He raised an eyebrow, sounding genuinely confused. "What kindness?"

Now Liu Qingci was the one stunned.

He looked up, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

Fixing up the Listening Bamboo Courtyard, swapping out all the stuff, assigning personal servants.

Wasn't this obviously the prince throwing favors around, waiting for him to come grovel in thanks, and make him... bow down?

So why was he acting like he had no clue?

Xiao Yan: "..."

He looked at Liu Qingci's blank face, then at the new clothes on him.

Then it hit him.

Honestly, back then he just figured since Prince Yu brought the guy back, the mansion had to cover his food, clothes, and a place to stay. He didn't think of it as some big favor to thank him for.

Xiao Yan cleared his throat and drawled lazily, "Oh—that little thing."

He waved a hand. "Get up and talk."

Liu Qingci got up like he was told, but still kept his head down.

"To you, it might be nothing, but to me, it's a lifeline."

His tone was flat, giving nothing away.

Xiao Yan thought it was funny.

This Liu Qingci was saying thanks, but his clenched jaw and the coldness he couldn't hide even with his eyes down—all screamed that he didn't mean it.

His acting was terrible; he couldn't even fake a hint of gratitude.

Interesting.

Xiao Yan leaned back, tapping his fingers on the rocking chair's armrest, a playful look in his eyes.

"Oh?" he said, his voice rising. "So how are you gonna thank me?"

Liu Qingci's heart dropped like a rock into an ice-cold pit.

Just as he thought.

That brief daze from the prince's totally different vibe was just an illusion.

He'd taken that kind of drug!

The drug was probably already kicking in, making him restless and burning off energy by working out.

Diligent exercise, my ass?

Prince Yu, that useless idiot, was famous for being weak and helpless.

Liu Qingci dropped his eyes, his hands clenching slowly inside his sleeves.

"Your kindness is too much... I can't repay it."

The words came out hard, each one like it was squeezed through clenched teeth, heavy with resignation.

He paused, like he was holding something back, then went on:

"I'll just remember it... and from now on, do whatever you say."

Xiao Yan looked at him—clearly in pain but trying to stay cool—and suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

The playful mood he'd had just vanished.

He'd meant it as a joke, but Liu Qingci wouldn't take it that way.

He'd just see it as another death sentence.

"Alright." Xiao Yan chuckled, his tone turning easy. "If you wanna thank me, just focus on getting better. In a few days, you're coming with me to a banquet."

Xiao Yan was talking about the timing for the next plot mission. Liu Qingci's body, if not properly cared for, might not hold up by then.

"And these clothes are a bit big for you." Xiao Yan's gaze swept over him. "Tomorrow, find a tailor to take your measurements and make you some well-fitted ones."

Even though the clothes didn't fit, they still looked good on Liu Qingci.

A beauty is a beauty.

Even a sack would look good on him.

Xiao Yan sighed inwardly.

"So, Young Master Liu? What colors do you like? You can tell the tailor directly."

The topic shift was abrupt.

Liu Qingci's expression was somewhat bewildered.

Until he walked out of the Gate of Moonlight Hall unscathed, his bewilderment only deepened.

That was it? He was just let go?

The next day.

An unexpected guest arrived at Prince Yu’s residence.

At that time, Xiao Yan had just finished his breakfast and was pondering how to reasonably exercise without being too OOC when Fu'an rushed in to announce.

“Your Highness, His Highness Prince Rui has come to call on you. His carriage is already outside the mansion gates.”

Prince Rui? Xiao Jing?

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.

So, here came the male lead from the original novel.

Liu Qingci’s white moonlight—the unattainable object of his affections.

“What does he want?”

Xiao Yan maintained the original owner's aloof attitude even toward his brothers, asking lazily.

Fu'an said carefully: “His Highness Prince Rui said that he heard you had been unwell recently, was worried, and came specifically to visit.”

Visit him? More like visit Liu Qingci!

Xiao Yan sneered inwardly, but on the surface he just gave an impatient “tsk” and said: “Let him in.”

In a short while, a warm and refined voice came along with footsteps:

“Seventh Brother.”

Xiao Yan looked up and saw a man in a moon-white casual robe step slowly into the hall.

The newcomer had a handsome face, smiling eyes, and a gentle temperament like jade. His every movement exuded a pleasant affability, like a spring breeze. This was none other than the Sixth Prince, Prince Rui Xiao Jing.

On his face was just the right amount of concern, and his gaze was clear, as if he truly had come only to worry about his younger brother’s health.

“Well, what brings my busy Sixth Brother here?”

Xiao Yan did not rise, still lounging in his chair, his tone carrying his usual insolence, but his eyes quickly swept over Xiao Jing.

He had to admit Xiao Jing's looks and demeanor were quite misleading.

No wonder Liu Qingci had seen him as a savior in his despair.

Xiao Jing seemed used to his rudeness, ignored it, and instead stepped closer, smiling gently: “I heard that Seventh Brother called for the imperial physician a few days ago. I was uneasy, so I came especially to see you. Now that I see your complexion is good, I can rest assured.”

Xiao Yan kept his usual insolent grin and stayed silent.

“Host, the male lead looks so gentle and handsome! (✧∇✧)”

Little K butted in at the worst time.

“Handsome my ass,” Xiao Yan replied grumpily, “That’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“But he’s still handsome,” Little K argued unconvinced. “Host, you don’t understand. His 'white-cut-black' type—innocent on the outside, dark inside—is very popular. That’s his unique charm!”

“Charm?” Xiao Yan snorted inwardly. “That so-called charm is easy to say when you're not the one being played. Wait until you're the fish on his cutting board, being schemed against until there's nothing left of you, and then see if you can still say ‘charm.’”

After all, the original Prince Yu met Liu Qingci all thanks to this 'charming' male lead.