The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 6: Tsundere

　　As a good, law-abiding youth of the 21st century, Si Yao never imagined she would one day face something this absurd: trying to conquer the same male lead she once tormented.

　　Today alone had her dying and resurrecting at least eight times. Her tiny life had basically been dangling off the edge of a knife.

　　After leaving, Jiang Shuo “kindly” tossed her into a tiny shabby woodshed. Si Yao curled up in the corner, feeling pathetic and gloomy, replaying everything that had happened today. The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had completely embarrassed the entire Quick-Transmigration Bureau.

　　She had to take the initiative. So what if she had to follow the plot? So what if he was the walking cliché of a domineering male lead? If the blackened Jiang Shuo refused to follow the script, then she would drag him through it herself.

　　But her cultivation was too low. Being this weak while tailing the male lead was an express ticket to ¹gg.

　　【Host, do not worry. This system provides a professional strategy plan. Completing tasks according to the plan will increase your cultivation.】Sensing her distress, the system hurried to comfort her.

　　Following the plan gives double rewards?

　　Wasn’t that basically taking an exam with cheat sheets and getting double points for finishing? Could life really be this easy? This system had always been unreliable, so Si Yao couldn’t help but doubt it.

　　But she had no choice. She already had a rough idea of what to do next, but her low cultivation might ruin that plan, and she truly had no talent for cultivation. In the end, she could only force herself to trust this questionable system.

　　—

　　Early the next morning, the mist had yet to lift. The courtyard was already bustling again as the servants moved in and out. Si Yao stepped out of the shabby woodshed just in time to see Yun Xiangxiang being helped through a doorway by a servant.

　　Her complexion looked much healthier. Although her spiritual energy had not fully recovered, every trace of lingering poison in her body had been cleared away.

　　Yun Xiangxiang tilted her head, listening to the servant beside her. A soft smile curved her lips. She lifted her gaze slightly and caught sight of a figure dressed in white. Her eyes brightened at once.

　　She looked at the approaching person, and her beautiful face blossomed with a smile that added a bit of color to the quiet courtyard.

　　She greeted him with a gentle sweetness. “Brother Jiang.”

　　Jiang Shuo stood before her.

　　“Mm.” Jiang Shuo responded lightly. In battle he was sharp and overwhelming, yet in normal conversation he carried a distant coldness.

　　“How is your recovery? Is there any residual poison in your body?” Jiang Shuo stepped closer and asked.

　　Yun Xiangxiang shook her head and smiled softly. “The residual poison has been completely cleared. I'm fine now.”

　　“Brother Jiang, there's no need to worry.”

　　Hearing this, Jiang Shuo nodded. “Good. I took you away to detoxify you these past days. Your family must be worried without any news. Rest for a few more days and I will send you home.”

　　At the mention of home, Yun Xiangxiang thought of her parents and the clan elders. She had been poisoned for so many days. They were surely frantic with worry. Now that she had fully recovered, she should let them know she was safe as soon as possible.

　　Thinking this through, Yun Xiangxiang raised her head and requested, “Brother Jiang, I am already well. Please send me back today.”

　　Yun Xiangxiang was the daughter of a prestigious clan. The Yun clan was one of the two most renowned families in the entire Canglan Continent.

　　The Yun clan was extremely powerful across the entire continent, and its influence ran deep. Yun Xiangxiang was the most outstanding prodigy of her generation, so the clan was probably in a state of panic.

　　“In that case, I will take you back today.”

　　Hearing this, Yun Xiangxiang’s face lit up. She turned around and headed inside to retrieve her sword.

　　Jiang Shuo waited for her at the door. When he turned his head, his gaze landed on Si Yao, who had been watching the whole scene from the side.

　　【Strategy plan initiated】

　　The moment Jiang Shuo’s gaze landed on Si Yao, a voice chimed in her mind.

　　【Step one: show weakness to the target, let him know you are not a threat, lower his guard】

　　Si Yao almost rolled her eyes. This so-called plan was insulting. Show weakness? Wasn’t she already weak enough? Did she need a signboard saying “fragile, please bully gently”?

　　“Strategy plan? Strategy what?”

　　Meanwhile Jiang Shuo also heard the mysterious voice, but all he got out of it was confusion. What was a strategy plan supposed to be?

　　A second later, he saw Si Yao stretch her lips into a stiff, awkward smile as she greeted him carefully.

　　“Good morning.”

　　“……”

　　What a stupid smile.

　　Jiang Shuo muttered inwardly.

　　Si Yao, who was ignored completely: “……”

　　“Um… I have been staying put like a good girl. Could you maybe find me a clean set of clothes…?”

　　She looked at the elegant white robes on Jiang Shuo, then looked at her own dirty, dull outfit. Standing beside him like this made her feel like a side character begging for crumbs.

　　Jiang Shuo studied her for a moment. She really did look like a beggar who had crawled out of a ditch.

　　For some reason, he particularly enjoyed seeing her in such a miserable state. His voice was soft and cool when he replied, “I do not have women’s clothing.”

　　“Then can I go buy some myself?” she asked carefully.

　　Jiang Shuo frowned slightly, but in his heart, he suspected that Si Yao was just making an excuse to run away.

　　“Eh… who is this young lady…?”

　　While Si Yao and Jiang Shuo were staring each other down, Yun Xiangxiang had already retrieved her sword and stepped out.

　　“……”

　　Jiang Shuo remained silent, and Si Yao didn’t know how to explain the relationship between them, so she could only give Yun Xiangxiang an awkward smile.

　　The three of them ended up just staring at one another. 

　　After a few moments, Jiang Shuo also sensed the awkwardness in the air and began explaining to Yun Xiangxiang, “She is an old acquaintance of mine.”

　　“Oh, I see,” Yun Xiangxiang nodded, a look of understanding spreading across her face. Then she turned to Si Yao and asked, “Why do you look so disheveled, Miss? Did you encounter some difficulties? Why don’t you come inside and rest?”

　　The young lady was beautiful and kindhearted. Si Yao felt a pang of gratitude and shot her a touched glance.

　　“No need for that. She’ll be heading to the Yun clan in Feng City with us later.” Jiang Shuo shot a cold glance at Si Yao, his tone anything but friendly.

　　Si Yao: “?”

　　What am I supposed to do there?

　　When Yun Xiangxiang heard Jiang Shuo insist on bringing Si Yao along, a flicker of something unusual crossed her eyes, but she quickly hid it. She lifted a gentle smile and said to Si Yao, “Then, Miss, come with me and change your clothes.”

　　“A waste of time.”

　　Jiang Shuo’s cold voice cut through the air. He waved his hand, and a soft glow enveloped Si Yao. When the light faded, her dirty, tattered clothes had vanished, replaced by a flowing dress in pale ocean blue.

　　The dress was the color of the sea, elegant and serene. Worn by Si Yao, it seemed to radiate a natural aura, making her look like a spirit of the ocean.

　　Not only had her clothes changed, but her hair and makeup were also perfectly arranged. Si Yao looked down at herself, her joy impossible to hide.

　　“Thank you,” she said, eyes curved into a bright smile as she turned to Jiang Shuo. He had said there were no women’s clothes, yet he still did this—so stubborn.

　　Seeing Si Yao’s happy expression, Jiang Shuo felt a strange unease. Could someone like her really express gratitude?

　　He pushed the thought aside and quickly walked out. Yun Xiangxiang followed closely, giving Si Yao a lingering look as she passed.

　　Si Yao hurried after them. Jiang Shuo had asked her to come along, and being there was a perfect opportunity to earn his goodwill.

________________

Glossary:　

¹gg: Internet slang for “game over.”

Means she’s basically doomed, finished, dead meat, no chance of surviving.

 

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter