Chapter 72: Fury Meter Maxed Out

Chapter 72: Maxed Out

But for the most part, this resemblance wasn't natural—it was a surface-level imitation.

It was like a crude copy of a delicate painting, copied with clumsy strokes and cheap pigments.

Xiao Yan was so angry he nearly laughed.

Originally, according to the original host's personality, he planned not to make things difficult for Xiao Jing today.

Those gifts were valuable; he accepted them all. Based on the plot, he couldn't pursue the matter against the protagonist Xiao Jing, so he would just let it slide.

But he never expected Xiao Jing to do something so revolting.

Xiao Jing even looked slightly smug, as if convinced this move to cater to his tastes was a success.

“Young Master Liu fell into the water today and was shocked; he needs rest. You must be short of company to relieve boredom. These boys, though not a fraction of Young Master Liu’s talent and charm, are obedient and moderately good-looking. What do you think, seventh brother? Are they to your liking?”

Xiao Jing stared intently at Xiao Yan, trying to catch any flicker of emotion.

He knew this seventh brother too well: always chasing novelty and obsessed with good looks.

Xiao Yan might be interested in Liu Qingci for now, but Xiao Jing was sure that interest wouldn’t last.

Now that Liu Qingci was ill, offering a few "playthings" with similar looks and demeanor—shouldn't that be just what he wanted?

He had gone to great lengths to find these three, and then rushed to make various modifications to them to achieve the utmost similarity.

Even Xiao Jing was momentarily stunned when he saw them.

The hall fell silent.

The three boys stood awkwardly, their heads bowed under the invisible pressure in the room.

At that moment, Xiao K was trembling: “Host, your rage level is pretty high. Can you keep it in check?”

It explained, “After all, Xiao Jing only found these people based on his understanding of the original owner. With the original owner's personality, he’d definitely accept them all with a smile…”

Xiao Yan sneered coldly. “Is this kind of plot inevitable? He likes it? I find it disgusting!”

In the original novel, these substitutes appeared too.

But they weren’t given to Xiao Yan. Later, when Liu Qingci and Xiao Jing were in a tumultuous love-hate relationship, Xiao Jing, frustrated after being rejected by Liu Qingci, kept a few similar substitutes in his harem.

Though he never slept with them, he enjoyed watching them be completely obedient.

Disgusting.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan’s rage meter was about to burst.

“Hold it! Calm down! Host, deep breaths!” Xiao K finally compromised. “You can scold him, but go easy on him.”

“Sixth brother’s thoughtfulness is truly… original,” Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Jing smiled knowingly and motioned for the three boys to step forward.

Xiao Yan raised his hand to stop them.

“All of you, get the hell out of my sight.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried immense pressure, enough to make anyone’s heart race with fear.

The three boys flinched and scrambled out in a panic.

Xiao Jing’s expression froze.

Xiao Yan suddenly recalled a phrase he’d seen online in his past life. It felt perfect for this scene.

He let out a low, chilling laugh, devoid of any warmth—only icy mockery.

“Xiao Jing, do you know the difference between liking someone and seeing these substitutes?”

Xiao Jing was startled by his abrupt question and cold gaze. “What do you mean, seventh brother?”

Xiao Yan took a step forward, his dark robes swaying, exuding an invisible pressure.

He didn’t directly answer Xiao Jing’s question but used a more blunt metaphor.

“It’s like liking real gold and silver,” he said flatly. “When you see a counterfeit banknote, would your first reaction be joy? Would you think, ‘Oh, this looks similar, I'll make do with it’?”

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his sarcasm almost palpable.

“No. You’d only feel disgust, anger—you’d want to tear that fake to pieces and then throw it far away. Because it’s not only useless; it taints the value of the real thing.”

Xiao Jing’s smile completely vanished, his face turning ashen.

Xiao Yan’s words were like a resounding slap to the face, striking Xiao Jing hard.

For a moment, he was at a loss.

Fu’an, at the door, saw the strange atmosphere inside and wasn’t sure whether to enter.

Only when Xiao Yan spotted him did he call him in.

“What is it?”

Since he had assigned Fu’an to care for Liu Qingci, his arrival meant something must have happened to Liu Qingci.

Fu’an bowed as he entered and reported to Xiao Yan:

“Your Highness, Young Master Liu seems to be sleeping poorly—delirious. The imperial physician said he might get better after taking medicine and resting, but this servant thought it best to inform you…”

Since Xiao Yan had ordered that any issue, no matter how small, must be reported, Fu’an didn’t dare be negligent.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan found Xiao Jing even more detestable.

He said to Fu’an, “I know. Go back and take good care of him.”

Then he turned to Xiao Jing, his gaze as sharp as a knife, filled with bone-chilling coldness.

“Xiao Jing, don't provoke me. Take your people and your junk, and get out.”

Xiao Jing’s expression darkened. He still feigned concern: “What’s wrong with Liu Qingci? Is he seriously ill?”

Xiao Yan couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on Xiao Jing.

Under Xiao Jing’s stunned gaze, Xiao Yan suddenly reached out, grabbed him by the back of the collar.

Xiao Jing was caught off guard and yanked, causing him to stumble. “Xiao Yan! What are you doing?! Let go!”

Xiao Yan stood a few centimeters taller than Xiao Jing and was far stronger.

His arm muscles bulged as he lifted Xiao Jing's entire body off the ground with a single hand, lifting him so his feet barely cleared the ground.

His movements were swift and clean, like he was carrying a bag of trash, as he turned and strode toward the hall entrance.

Xiao Jing, now being held like this, looked even more humiliated, struggling futilely, his face flushed with shame and anger.

Xiao Yan walked straight to the door without any pause. With a sudden heave of his arm, he hurled the man outside.