At that moment, Yu Qingci revealed a rare look of shock.
For a brief instant, he failed to react to the fact that Tong Huanyou had so boldly lifted her skirt in front of him, exposing her fair, slender calf.
His gaze instantly turned flustered as he hurriedly looked away, annoyance lacing his tone.
“Shameless.”
“Hey, big brother, how am I shameless again? Do you have any ice jade ointment or something? If this leaves a scar, it won’t look pretty anymore.”
Tong Huanyou had originally wanted to say “Are you sick?” but forcefully changed her wording halfway through.
“Ahem.”
Yu Qingci coughed lightly twice, attempting to mask the strange embarrassment rising within him, though the faint redness spreading across his cheeks was impossible to hide completely.
He then strode toward her, seemingly intending to sling her over his shoulder once again.
Tong Huanyou immediately hopped backward several steps, waving her hands frantically.
“Hey hey hey! Spare me, hero! I don’t want to suffer through that again!”
If he carried her like before, her knee would definitely keep knocking against him.
Every step would mean another painful collision.
Just imagining it made her feel like fainting on the spot.
Yu Qingci sneered.
“Then hop back by yourself.”
“Uh…”
Tong Huanyou instantly fell speechless.
Her eyes rolled around before a bold idea suddenly surfaced.
Carefully, she tested the waters.
“How about… carrying me on your back instead? If we get back too late, wouldn’t that delay Sister Song from catching the demon?”
Yu Qingci frowned slightly, displeasure appearing across his face.
But when his eyes drifted toward her painfully bent knee, he still turned around and slowly crouched down in front of her.
Seeing this, a sly smile spread across Tong Huanyou’s lips.
Like a little cat, she climbed onto his broad back, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck.
Yu Qingci’s body trembled faintly.
His hands steadily supported her as he slowly rose to his feet and began walking toward the Tong residence.
This idiot… she’s surprisingly light.
Lying on his back, Tong Huanyou asked,
“At the Zhang residence earlier, I kept feeling like something was off.”
“Mhm.”
Actually, the moment Yu Qingci arrived at the Zhang house, he had already noticed a layer of white light surrounding the gravely ill woman.
But even he couldn’t determine exactly what it was.
Seeing his agreement, Tong Huanyou excitedly smacked his shoulder.
“I knew my instincts were right! It’s that stone, isn’t it?!”
Yu Qingci frowned and clicked his tongue lightly.
Tong Huanyou instantly surrendered.
“Sorry!”
Once she quieted down, Yu Qingci calmly said,
“There was no demonic aura inside.”
“None? But I still think that stone was really strange.”
“I don’t know,” Yu Qingci replied flatly. “And if you keep moving around, I’ll throw you down.”
Tong Huanyou went silent.
…My native language is speechlessness.
Why is this man’s mood so unpredictable?
A gentle breeze drifted by.
The faint fragrance of orchids slipped into Tong Huanyou’s nose, causing her gaze to unconsciously settle upon Yu Qingci’s side profile.
Sunlight outlined the sharp bridge of his nose and his deep-set eyes.
Those long eyelashes fluttered softly whenever he blinked.
For a moment, Tong Huanyou’s heartbeat uncontrollably sped up.
If he weren’t such a black-hearted villain, he’d probably be the type of male lead everyone adored.
After returning to the Tong residence—
The moment they stepped into the courtyard, they spotted Song Yingyue and Xie Zhili seated beside the stone table beneath the tree, discussing something.
The sight of the two sitting so closely together instantly stirred irritation within Yu Qingci.
Without caring whether Tong Huanyou’s injuries hurt or not, he directly set her down before quickly walking toward Song Yingyue.
Tong Huanyou silently rolled her eyes.
A simp.
Simping until there’s nothing left.
…Wait.
Aren’t I a simp now too?
Arriving beside Song Yingyue, Yu Qingci leaned slightly toward her.
“Elder Sister.”
A trace of worry rested between Song Yingyue’s brows as she spoke gently.
“A-Ci, you’re back.”
Seeing her frown, Yu Qingci asked with concern,
“What’s wrong?”
Xie Zhili’s expression darkened.
“We visited that hunter during the day and followed him up the mountain, but we didn’t find the Buddha statue.”
Song Yingyue nodded and continued explaining.
“Afterward, we asked around nearby. Some people claimed there really is a small stone Buddha there, and occasionally one or two young girls go there to worship.”
Hearing this from not far away, Tong Huanyou suddenly recalled the faint words she’d overheard earlier in the streets—
Wish Immortal.
She clearly remembered that in the original first arc, after the original host died, another maid from the Tong residence received willow leaves.
Then the male and female leads investigated the cliff, set up a formation, and finally destroyed the wild Buddha.
So why was everything different now?
Tong Huanyou: System, was there originally a plotline like this? I don’t remember it at all.
【System: Replying to Host, because your character’s role has changed, the novel’s storyline has also undergone slight changes.】
Tong Huanyou: …What? The plot changed?!!!
【System: Yes.】
Tong Huanyou: Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?!
【System: Because Host’s primary mission is to romance the villain Yu Qingci. Current affection level: -1.】
Tong Huanyou: …Why is it still negative?
【System: The highlight moments of this dungeon naturally belong to the protagonist group. However, because villain Yu Qingci was together with you, he happened to discover new clues, therefore the system did not notify you of the storyline changes.】
Tong Huanyou: Fine, fine, fine. I’m just a tool person. I get it.
“Miss Tong?”
Xie Zhili noticed Tong Huanyou standing there in a daze and called out to her.
Hearing him, she lifted her head and met those two warm gazes before waving awkwardly.
“I was just passing by. I didn’t expect to interrupt you all.”
“It’s alright,” Xie Zhili replied. “As it happens, we also have something to discuss with you.”
Tong Huanyou walked over.
“Is there anything you need me to cooperate with?”
Xie Zhili explained,
“We plan to use a Shared Dream Spell to connect your dream with Junior Brother Yu’s. That way we can ensure your soul remains safe while simultaneously activating the courtyard formation to subdue it.”
Tong Huanyou nodded obediently.
“I’ll cooperate properly.”
Song Yingyue gave Yu Qingci a slight nod.
“A-Ci, begin.”
Unhurriedly, Yu Qingci brushed the fallen leaf from Song Yingyue’s shoulder before finally turning toward Tong Huanyou with a faint smile.
“I will certainly protect Miss Tong well.”
The moment Tong Huanyou saw that smile, the hairs on the back of her neck instantly stood upright.
She forced out a dry laugh.
“T-thank you for your trouble, Young Master Yu.”
Yu Qingci pressed a finger against his own forehead, thin lips moving softly as he recited an incantation.
A glowing golden sigil slowly appeared before him.
The moment he lifted his eyes, he flicked his finger—
The symbol flew directly toward Tong Huanyou’s forehead.
“It’s done, Miss Tong.”
Tong Huanyou touched her forehead curiously.
“So this is the Shared Dream Spell?”
Xie Zhili nodded.
“Yes.”
Just as the three were speaking—
Ling’er suddenly approached carrying a wooden tray.
Resting upon it was a jade hair crown.
From afar, she happily called out,
“Miss! The hair crown you custom-made for Young Master Xie has arrived!”
Tong Huanyou: !!!!! What the hell is this?!
【System: Host, your new role assignment is to personally place the hair crown on the male lead.】
Tong Huanyou: No, seriously? We’re discussing important matters right now and THIS happens?!
At that instant, she became the center of everyone’s attention.
And she could clearly feel the temperature around her dropping several degrees.
【System: Host, this is part of your original role’s required storyline within the Tong Residence arc~】