CH 52

After dealing with the antagonist, Yan Huan, the protagonist’s halo should have been significantly weakened. However, due to Jiang Qingyue’s soft-heartedness, he informed Yan Huan in advance, revealing that there were no signs of turning completely dark. As a result, the effect was only half as potent.

Yet, Ren Shuhan’s blocking range already covered the entire city.

So, when Shi Xi called Ren Shuhan later, Ren Shuhan suggested, “If you really want to enter this circle, I can introduce you to a friend’s company in another city.”

During this period, Shi Xi could still enjoy the protagonist’s halo for another two days, probably lasting for about half a month. By then, Ren Shuhan’s system would be completely updated, and within this timeframe, Shi Xi could focus on developing his own career.

If he didn’t want to end up like his original host, who was rather passive, he could use this time to strive for success.

Consider it as Ren Shuhan’s small compensation to him.

To be honest, Shi Xi was different from other protagonists; he was the one Ren Shuhan had the least interaction with, barely exchanging a few words.

Shi Xi just wanted to follow the plot but got pigeonholed twice in a row, taking a significant blow. In Ren Shuhan’s eyes, he was just a child, not someone who would genuinely feel jealous of him and Qingyue. If he could help, he would offer a little assistance.

But Shi Xi declined.

“I don’t want to leave here. I just like this city.”

After being ghosted by Yan Huan, Shi Xi waited patiently for a week before calling Ren Shuhan. Before that, he had tried reaching out to Yan Huan several times, all unsuccessful. He confirmed that he had been blocked, feeling utterly perplexed.

Men’s mouths, deceiving ghosts1Means that they can only say pretty words to deceive others.

He suspected Ren Shuhan had secretly threatened Yan Huan because he couldn’t think of any other reason. However, no matter how long he waited, Ren Shuhan wouldn’t take the initiative to contact him. Unable to bear it any longer, he decided to take the initiative, leading to this phone call.

Shi Xi had thought it through. Although he was just an ordinary transmigrator, he must possess abilities others didn’t have, considering he was the protagonist.

“I want to stay in this city, preferably by your side,” Shi Xi said, “just being an ordinary actor is enough.”

Ren Shuhan: “…”

This is so awkward.

“Sorry,” Ren Shuhan bluntly stated, “Your sentence is quite strange. I already have a boyfriend.”

Shi Xi was shocked.

Although he had made his words slightly ambiguous without any intention of confessing, just wanting to give Ren Shuhan a misunderstanding, he didn’t expect Ren Shuhan to see through it. But the main point was—

What?

The protagonist, the one in the dominant role, is impure!

While Shi Xi himself had ambiguous relationships with many guys, he was strict about their side, requiring them not to have ambiguous relationships or exes. They couldn’t even have close interactions with others; they had to be completely devoted to liking him, especially the protagonist in this case.

Gradually, Shi Xi shifted from shock to disgust, then finally to anger. “Who are you with?”

Ren Shuhan replied, “Does it concern you?”

Shi Xi couldn’t speak for a long time.

Ren Shuhan leaned back on the sofa, with Jiang Qingyue resting on his legs, watching TV. He casually used his hands to comb through Jiang Qingyue’s hair, appearing very relaxed. Seeing Jiang Qingyue turn his head to look at him helplessly, Ren Shuhan patiently continued to persuade Shi Xi.

“Shi Xi, you’re not a kid anymore. Shouldn’t you be able to handle such matters? What connection do you have with me? None. How many times have you seen me? How many words have we exchanged? Why would I like you?”

Ren Shuhan’s words were tactful, but they sounded harsh to Shi Xi’s ears.

There are plenty of people who like me, why should I chase after you? What makes you so special?

In fact, Ren Shuhan thought the same way.

Do you have freestyle?

Even if you do, it’s none of my damn business.

“My relationship with my boyfriend is good. I’ll pretend today’s call didn’t happen, and please don’t call me again in the future. That’s it.”

Ren Shuhan was about to hang up, and that’s when Shi Xi revealed his trump card.

“Wait!”

Shi Xi urgently said, “Isn’t your lower body not functioning? I have a way to make you stand up.”

Ren Shuhan paused before asking, “What method?”

“You just have to have me to stay by your side, and over time, you’ll understand,” Shi Xi had no other option. However, being the protagonist in the submissive role, he knew that as long as he stayed close to the protagonist in the dominant role and took care of him, the protagonist would naturally recover. “I’m not lying to you. If you don’t believe me, just give it a try. It won’t cost you anything.”

Ren Shuhan asked again, “I have a boyfriend. Is it appropriate to have someone like you around?”

Shi Xi confidently replied, “For the sake of your legs, what’s inappropriate about it? I don’t even like you, so don’t be too conceited.”

Ren Shuhan chuckled, “So, what’s your price?”

Following Yan Huan’s treatment standards, Shi Xi doubled the price, “And you have to stay with me continuously. I’ll need to massage your legs.”

Jiang Qingyue sat up alertly.

“Too expensive,” Ren Shuhan laughed as he patted Jiang Qingyue’s head, “Let’s forget about it. The doctor I’ve found now is much cheaper, and most importantly, they’re from a legitimate hospital, certified and all.”

Shi Xi muttered, “Damn it, making it sound like I’m a swindler!” He was infuriated.

“For the sake of your health, are you not even willing to try this?” Shi Xi continued, “Turns out you’re not as decisive as the rumors say, just a coward.” He vented his frustration in his roommate’s dialect, “You should just disappear!”

“… Thanks for the compliment,” Ren Shuhan thought, As long as praising my wife means I love my wife, it’s all good. In any case, “Just don’t bother me anymore.”

In reality, Ren Shuhan’s legs were about to recover. With the weakened halo, he could naturally stand up. However, he had to gradually act in front of others, making it seem like he couldn’t suddenly leap high in one place, as it might startle people.

He just wanted to test Shi Xi.

The system had already analyzed that Shi Xi wanted to strengthen his relationship with Ren Shuhan during this period, trying to attract him and make him break up with his current boyfriend to pursue Shi Xi.

Hehe, quite an imagination.

Ren Shuhan thought that such a person wasn’t worth helping. He instructed the system to block Shi Xi directly, ensuring they wouldn’t meet again. Once he tidied up this loose end, he could continue to enjoy life.

Even though the range of his blocking ability had expanded, the leash on Jiang Qingyue’s collar remained at a distance of 20 meters. Both of them tacitly ignored this fact, indulging in their affectionate displays every day. To onlookers, it seemed excessively sweet, bordering on perverse.

But everyone kept their thoughts to themselves.

Having money and influence as the boss, if the boss shows affection, can you guys say anything? Just endure it, it’s eye-catching anyway. Watching them every day, you can also fantasize, who knows, maybe you’ll dream of your own beautiful love when you fall asleep.

Among these onlookers, the most envious was Chu Lu.

He used to genuinely like Jiang Qingyue, and although his enthusiasm had waned a bit, he still harbored some goodwill. The more he looked, the more he felt that he actually preferred Ren Shuhan.

“This is probably the dilemma of a Gemini,” Chu Lu felt. “Kids make choices; adults want it all.”

In the previous world, Chu Lu had a crush on Ren Shuhan. Although his memories were not bound, the system claimed these were the initial values of his character. Ren Shuhan couldn’t change, so Chu Lu had to distance himself with his wife. This only deepened Chu Lu’s inner conflict.

He sighed, “I can only fantasize. Neither the handsome one nor the charming one belong to me. My damn career is the only thing I have.” Chu Lu often complained to his classmates.

“Haven’t you pursued Jiang Qingyue?” Curious, his classmates inquired.

“No,” Chu Lu had given up now, and he confessed to everyone, “In fact, I never pursued him.”

“Ah?” Classmates expressed their surprise, “Then why did you join Jiang Qingyue’s third uncle’s company?”

“His third uncle’s company signed me. What does it have to do with him?” Chu Lu shrugged. “Qu Chong is also in the same company as me. Does that mean he has a thing with Jiang Qingyue?”

Qu Chong was well-known among Chu Lu’s classmates, with high emotional intelligence and great popularity. It was unthinkable for him to engage in such things.

So, the atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous, “Oh, Shi Xi always says you rose to fame because of his ex-boyfriend. He said if his ex-boyfriend treated him so well, Shi Xi would undoubtedly help him. He just doesn’t know how to cherish. I heard he still hasn’t settled down now.”

“Hehe, his kindness is a thing of the past,” Chu Lu sneered. “Now, Brother Jiang’s boyfriend is extraordinary. It’s like comparing heaven and earth with Shi Xi. I guess Shi Xi has even forgotten who he is.”

“Ah, so he found a new love so quickly?”

“It’s not so much a new love as it is a reunited relationship,” Chu Lu said with a touch of melancholy. “Their feelings have been for many years. From my analysis, Brother Jiang might have been with Shi Xi to stimulate his current partner. Shi Xi claims he didn’t take Brother Jiang seriously, but it’s highly likely that Brother Jiang didn’t take him seriously either.”

Classmates listened to the gossip with rapt attention, “So complicated?”

“Shi Xi’s ex was just as bad as Shi Xi. No one should say they didn’t deserve each other.”

“But why would he want to stimulate his current partner? Who is it exactly?” They asked curiously.

Chu Lu shook his head, “I’m afraid I’ll lose my job if I say it out loud.”

“Oh, so fast? Could it be his third…”

“Shh!” Chu Lu was exasperated. “Stop playing Sherlock Holmes! Don’t go gossiping about my boss, or I’ll be done for.”

Of course, everyone nodded in agreement. However, keeping it quiet was impossible.

Furthermore, Ren Shuhan and Jiang Qingyue were already well-known figures. Even if they remained low-key and rarely appeared in the news, people could still guess. So…

Shi Xi learned about their relationship long after graduation.

Shi Xi has decent qualifications, ensuring he won’t struggle to find a job. However, his personality is overly proud, coupled with laziness. He lacks perseverance wherever he stays for an extended period. Within half a year after graduation, he switched locations twice.

Despite not earning much, his family still subsidizes his rent. Losing the protagonist’s halo meant he could no longer stay slim regardless of how much he ate. Having been a lazy individual for too long, he gained some weight during the two months without company-regulated meals, and the company he intended to switch to rejected him, leaving him temporarily unemployed.

His family is also dissatisfied with him and has ceased to provide support.

Shi Xi reluctantly took up a job as a hotel doorman. While he has a more than sufficient appearance for the role, the pay is high. However, fearing he might encounter familiar faces, he opted for a more strenuous job as a waiter in private rooms. He complains incessantly every day, on the verge of depression.

Fortunately, the establishment is exceptionally luxurious, catering exclusively to members. There’s no chance of his former classmates discovering his current predicament.

However, one day he spotted someone he least wanted to see.

On that evening, the hall hosted a banquet. Jiang Qingyue, accompanied by Ren Shuhan, stood in the center. Tapping the glass, he announced, “Everyone, I have something important to share.”

Shi Xi  squatted in the corner, invisible to others but able to hear someone suddenly exclaim in the middle, “Heavens! This is a medical miracle!”

Special news for today! As it’s this humble translator’s birthday in two days and i won’t be around much, I’m releasing some extra chapters for all my projects to celebrate with you all