Chapter 11: He Is the Protagonist

Chapter 11: That Guy Is the Protagonist

In fact, the original owner had long been lusting over Liu Qingci.

In the past, Liu Qingci, as the son of the Prime Minister and a brilliant Tanhua scholar (third place in the imperial exam), was the brightest moon in the capital.

A debauched person like the original owner, though lusting after his looks and charm, also knew that the Liu family, being an upright clan, was not someone he could casually abuse and toy with.

Until the Liu family collapsed.

Xiao Jing had someone "inadvertently" reveal Liu Qingci's whereabouts to the original owner, sparking his nasty thoughts.

Then he deliberately tracked Liu Qingci's movements and leaked them to the original owner.

That's how Prince Yu ended up going to the study where Liu Qingci was and snatched him right off the street in broad daylight.

When Xiao Yan read this part in the novel, he felt that someone like Xiao Jing just wasn't good enough for Liu Qingci.

But what could he do—he was the protagonist gong after all.

Seeing Xiao Yan's indifferent attitude toward him, Xiao Jing had long since gotten used to it.

He glanced around the hall, his tone perfectly balancing nostalgia and curiosity:

"Speaking of which, it seems I haven't visited Seventh Brother's mansion for some time. I remember last time I came, the green plum blossoms in your garden were in full bloom. I wonder how the scene is now? If Seventh Brother doesn't mind, I'd like to take a leisurely stroll and relive the memory."

Xiao Yan found his words weird, and he didn't even know how to respond.

He had to ask Xiao K: "What does he mean? Like I'd let someone who wants me dead wander around my own place?"

Xiao K said firmly: "Yes! That's right, you have to go along with him now!"

Xiao Yan: "Why?"

Xiao K: "Because this time the protagonist gong came to find an opportunity to meet the protagonist bottom. Saying he wants to see the plums is just a cover to go find the protagonist bottom!"

Xiao Yan couldn't believe it: "So I'm supposed to hand them a meeting on a silver platter? And then watch them team up and kill me?"

Xiao K said matter-of-factly: "Of course, because the original owner didn't think that far, that's why he kicked the bucket so fast."

Xiao Yan had nothing to say.

Xiao K: "According to the plot logic, the protagonist gong and protagonist bottom need this meeting to spark their feelings and the subsequent mutual exploitation dynamic. This is a key plot point to move things forward!"

Xiao Yan: "This isn't part of my mission, is it?"

Xiao K: "Hmm... it's not, no missions for now~"

Xiao Yan ignored Xiao K.

He quickly slapped on the original owner's roguish, slightly sarcastic grin, still sprawled lazily in the chair without moving.

He glanced at Xiao Jing: "Yo, Sixth Brother, such refined taste, but unfortunately..."

Xiao Jing still smiled gently: "Is it that the green plum blossoms haven't bloomed yet? No matter, I'll just take a walk in the garden."

"No," said Xiao Yan. "The problem is, I do mind."

Under Xiao Jing's shocked stare, Xiao Yan gave a firm order to leave:

"Sixth Brother, you should head back."

"Ahhh! Host, what are you doing!!!"

Soon a noisy electronic voice rang in his head.

Xiao Yan ignored it and just ordered to the side:

"Fu'an, see the guest out."

Xiao Jing was shown out by Fu'an.

Xiao K's voice exploded in Xiao Yan's skull:

"Host! How could you chase off the protagonist gong! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"

Xiao Yan took a calm sip of tea, responding in his mind:

"It hasn't messed with my mission, and besides, when I read the novel I hated him the most. I don't want him wandering around my house. Any problem?"

Xiao K was shocked: "Is this your home?!"

"Isn't this Prince Yu's mansion?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao K: "Yes."

Xiao Yan: "Am I not Prince Yu?"

Xiao K: "Yes..."

Xiao Yan: "Then what's the problem?"

Xiao K was speechless: "Host, you sure adapted to your identity fast."

He was so mad at the host his data stream nearly crashed. After a moment, he said huffily:

"Host, rest assured! The plot logic will find another way to compensate! This meeting between the protagonist gong and protagonist bottom is an important buildup, and it will absolutely not be canceled just because you refused!"

On the other side.

Xiao Jing was politely shown out of the main courtyard by Fu'an, heading toward the mansion gate.

He still wore a flawless gentle smile, as if completely unfazed by Xiao Yan's dismissal.

When they reached a fork leading to different courtyards, Xiao Jing paused slightly, raised a hand to gently rub his temple, and showed a slightly apologetic expression to the guiding Fu'an:

"Eunuch Fu'an, you can see me off here. This prince suddenly feels a bit dizzy and would like to sit here for a while and rest."

Fu'an hesitated a bit but agreed: "Well... Your Highness Prince Rui, as you wish."

After all, His Highness only told him to see the guest out, and the guest had been brought this far, so he had completed his task.

Fu'an left him there and went away.

Inside the front hall.

No sooner had Xiao Yan finished a cup of tea than Xiao K gleefully reported to him:

"Host, host! The two leads have already met in Listen-to-Bamboo Courtyard!"

Xiao Yan nearly spat out the tea he had just drunk: “So soon? How did he get to the Listening Bamboo Garden?”

Little K said: “Xiao Jing never left the prince’s mansion. After sending Fu'an away, he went straight to the Listening Bamboo Garden.”

Xiao Yan was truly speechless: “This is my home! Does Xiao Jing come and go as he pleases? Does nobody stop him?”

Little K said with a grin: “Plot convenience! He’s the protagonist, after all!”

Cannon-fodder supporting character—Xiao Yan: “...”

He had long expected that a single word from him wouldn’t be enough to change the plot.

But he never expected that the plot could be so far-fetched!

So just because he’s a supporting character, he has no rights?

All the servants in this mansion just stand by and watch Xiao Jing brazenly stroll around his residence?!

Listening Bamboo Garden.

Yun Feng rushed back from outside, his expression tense.

He quickly walked over to Liu Qingci, who was reading by the window. After warily checking that the craftsmen and servants were far enough away, he leaned down and lowered his voice to a whisper:

“Young master, someone wants to see you.”

Liu Qingci’s gaze did not leave the page; he responded absently: “Hmm?”

Yun Feng swallowed, his voice even lower, almost a breath:

“It’s... His Highness Prince Rui.”

“Prince Rui?” Liu Qingci closed the book, a trace of surprise flickered in his cool eyes.

Before he could ask further, footsteps sounded from the doorway.

“Qingci.”

A familiar warm, gentle voice rang out from the doorway, tinged with anxious concern.

Liu Qingci slowly turned his head.

When he saw the tall figure at the door, the surprise in his eyes deepened.