It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Ye Yu, the fallen genius, and Bai Ruoxi’s childhood sweetheart.

In the past, Ye Yu had soared from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment in less than a year. Such talent was unheard of, even in Tianxuan City.

However, six months ago, his cultivation had inexplicably regressed. Now, he was no more than a cripple, unable to even maintain the most basic level of cultivation.

As for why he was here at the Mu Manor… word of Bai Ruoxi’s visit must have reached him.

Interesting. Mu Zhi’an took a sip of his tea, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

In order to change his fate as a supporting character, he had deliberately acted against type.

For example, if the old Mu Zhi’an had been subjected to Bai Ruoxi’s advances, he wouldn’t have been able to control himself. He would have undoubtedly taken advantage of the situation.

And that’s when Ye Yu, the “protagonist,” would have made his grand entrance, rescuing his damsel in distress and winning her heart.

Bai Ruoxi, who already harbored resentment towards their arranged marriage, would have likely developed feelings for her hero.

With this turn of events, the usual face-slapping trope was unlikely to play out.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to observe a little longer.

“Miss Bai,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile, “aren’t you going to greet your childhood sweetheart?”

Bai Ruoxi frowned slightly. “Don’t tease me, Young Master Mu,” she replied softly. “We were merely childhood companions. We aren’t that close.”

For some reason, his words left her feeling inexplicably annoyed.

“Very well.”

Mu Zhi’an chuckled, unconcerned by her reaction. He raised his voice. “Elder Ren! Show him in.”

As if an invisible barrier had been lifted, a young man in a plain robe rushed into the hall, his face etched with worry.

“Miss Bai, it’s getting late,” Mu Zhi’an said casually. “Since Young Master Ye is here to escort you home, I’ll leave you in his capable hands.”

“I’m perfectly capable of returning on my own,” Bai Ruoxi said, frowning. She couldn’t shake off the inexplicable wave of disgust that washed over her at the sight of Ye Yu.

The young man strode towards them, his gaze sweeping over Bai Ruoxi before landing on Mu Zhi’an. He wasn’t conventionally handsome, but there was a certain charm to his features.

His eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped in front of Bai Ruoxi, facing the other man. “Don’t worry, Ruoxi,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll protect you.”

His eyes held a flicker of the confidence he’d possessed in his days as a prodigy.

Others might see him as a failure, but they didn’t know that he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He had already reached the peak of Qi Condensation. One more step, and he would reclaim his rightful place as a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

He might have fallen behind his peers, but with his talent, he was confident he would catch up within three months.

He had no doubt.

Recently, he’d encountered a fortuitous opportunity within his clan.

The old Ye Yu, the monstrous genius, was back. And he was determined to prove it to the world, especially to Bai Ruoxi.

However, before he could continue, Bai Ruoxi cut him off with a cold stare. “I don’t need your protection.”

There had been a time, when they were younger, when she had seen him as an older brother figure. But ever since she’d learned of their arranged marriage, her attitude towards him had shifted drastically.

She hated the feeling of having her life planned out for her, especially when she had never harbored any romantic feelings for him.

Ye Yu faltered, then seemed to realize something. He whirled around to face Mu Zhi’an, his eyes blazing with fury. “You threatened her, didn’t you?!”

“Have you no shame, Young Master Mu?!”

His gaze was filled with unconcealed hatred.

It wasn’t difficult to understand his anger. His childhood sweetheart, the most beautiful woman in Tianxuan City, had come to the home of this notorious playboy late at night. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what might have transpired.

A faint blush still lingered on Bai Ruoxi’s cheeks, lending her an air of alluring charm that she usually didn’t possess.

He’d never even held her hand, and yet…

Ye Yu’s fists clenched involuntarily, his eyes burning with rage.

Mu Zhi’an simply smiled pleasantly. “I assure you, Young Master Ye, I haven’t done anything.”

“You expect me to believe that you didn’t force Ruoxi to come here tonight? Do you even hear yourself, Young Master Mu?!”

The entire city knew of Mu Zhi’an’s pursuit of Bai Ruoxi. With the Bai family in such a precarious position, Bai Ruoxi had no choice but to seek help from the Mu family.

And Ye Yu refused to believe that this notorious playboy wouldn’t take advantage of the situation.

Well, if you insist.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled inwardly. “Is that all, Young Master Ye?”

Ye Yu clenched his fists tighter, his gaze unwavering. “Don’t you have anything else to say for yourself?”

Mu Zhi’an pretended to ponder this for a moment. “You mean my impressions? Quite delightful, actually.”

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes widened. Remembering her earlier actions, she glared at Mu Zhi’an, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. However, she didn’t offer an explanation.

Ye Yu, seeing red, couldn’t hold back any longer. He lunged at Mu Zhi’an, his fist cocked back.

Before his fist could connect, Bai Ruoxi reacted. She stepped between them, intercepting Ye Yu’s attack. “Young Master Mu was merely joking,” she said, her voice laced with annoyance. “He didn’t lay a finger on me.”

Ye Yu refused to listen. “Ruoxi, if he forced himself on you, just tell me. The Mu family might be powerful, but that doesn’t give them the right to treat you like this!”

“He was just teasing you, Ye Yu. Young Master Mu isn’t that kind of person,” Bai Ruoxi said through gritted teeth.

Mu Zhi’an had finally agreed to consider helping the Bai family. If Ye Yu’s actions ruined everything, the consequences would be dire.

“Don’t be naive, Ruoxi!” Ye Yu scoffed. “Everyone knows what Mu Zhi’an is capable of! You honestly expect me to believe that he invited you here late at night and didn’t try anything?”

Bai Ruoxi snapped. “What do you want from me? Do you want me to strip naked and prove it to you?!”

She was furious. To be accused of something she hadn’t done, especially in front of Mu Zhi’an… it was infuriating!

Ye Yu froze, taken aback by her outburst.

Bai Ruoxi’s attire today was particularly alluring. Her white skin seemed to glow in the candlelight, drawing the eye.

Ye Yu’s gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks, and he swallowed involuntarily.

Bai Ruoxi noticed his reaction, and her disgust deepened. She shoved him away. “Don’t ever come near me again.”

“Ruoxi, wait!” Ye Yu pleaded. “Even if the Bai family is struggling, we can face it together! I’m not the same person I used to be. You don’t have to lower yourself to this… I can protect you!”

“What I choose to do with my body is none of your business!” Bai Ruoxi snapped.

Ye Yu stared at her, his heart consumed by a jealous rage.

She’d changed. The old Bai Ruoxi would never have spoken to him like this. But tonight, she was cold and distant. And it was all because of Mu Zhi’an!

He grabbed his teacup and hurled its contents at Mu Zhi’an.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t even flinch. He simply raised a hand, stopping Wei Mengrou, who was about to intervene, from stepping forward.

Wei Mengrou bit back a sigh, watching the drama unfold with a detached amusement.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Bai Ruoxi cried, rushing forward and pushing Ye Yu aside. She whipped out a handkerchief and began dabbing at the tea stain on Mu Zhi’an’s clothes.

She whirled around to face Ye Yu, her eyes blazing. “Get out!”

Ye Yu stood there, stunned and speechless. “But Ruoxi, let me take you home—”

“We’re not even friends, Ye Yu. I don’t need you to walk me home! I can take care of myself!”

Her words were a clear message, both to Ye Yu and to Mu Zhi’an. She was drawing a line in the sand.

Mu Zhi’an looked down at the woman kneeling before him, gently patting her head. “It’s getting late, Miss Bai,” he said with a smile. “You should head home. I’ll be fine.”

…

After both Ye Yu and Bai Ruoxi had departed, Mu Zhi’an casually picked up the handkerchief Bai Ruoxi had used to clean his clothes. He folded it neatly and placed it on the table.

“Where are you going, Mengrou?” he asked, turning to face his bodyguard.

Wei Mengrou, who had been about to follow the others, paused. “Before leaving Tianxuan City, Madam instructed me to ensure that no harm came to you, Young Master,” she said calmly. “I’m going to teach that Ye Yu a lesson.”

She added, “Besides, even if I didn’t do anything, you’d just order me to do it anyway, wouldn’t you?”

Mu Zhi’an’s reputation as a bully was well-earned. He’d made plenty of enemies, and there had been times when those enemies had tried to retaliate.

Some had even succeeded. But those who did were always dealt with swiftly and harshly by Wei Mengrou… usually after Mu Zhi’an returned home in tears and complained to her.

Over time, she’d grown accustomed to such tasks.

However, to her surprise, this time, Mu Zhi’an simply shook his head. “It’s late, Mengrou. You should get some rest. It’s not worth your time.”

Wei Mengrou stared at him, dumbfounded. “You… you’re not going to make me teach him a lesson?”

Normally, he’d be throwing a tantrum, demanding that she make Ye Yu pay.

Yet, today, he was oddly calm…

Come to think of it, she could have stopped Ye Yu from throwing that tea… but the young master had stopped her…

What was he planning?

She couldn’t help but study him more closely.

Mu Zhi’an casually dabbed at his clothes with the handkerchief, then stood up and stretched. “There’s no rush,” he said with a cryptic smile. “You’ll understand in time.”

Chapter 7: Let the Bullet Fly