In Qin Xie’s eyes, no matter how fierce or bad Yu Li acted, he was just incredibly dainty and cute. It was as if he were wearing a filter that made everything Yu Li did seem perfect.
Qin Xie looked at the obvious red marks on Yu Li’s wrist and carefully cradled his hand. “I was the one who put it on you.”
This watch was meant for contacting that person. He had no way to ensure that Yu Li was surrounded only by him.
Receiving the man’s direct confirmation, Yu Li set his face in a cold expression. “Who told you to put it on me? Do you know that I am a restless sleeper? This star-watch rubbed my skin raw.”
Yu Li emphasized the word “raw.” He held the red marks right in front of the man’s face to prove he wasn’t lying.
Yu Li was already fair, so the red marks against his jade-like wrist bone were even more prominent. Because his lashes had been moistened by his earlier fright, they were stuck together in distinct, pointed clumps, and there was a faint pink tint under his eyes, making him look exceptionally pitiful.
“I will go get some medicine.”
Qin Xie moved quickly. After settling Yu Li down, he hurried back with a medical kit.
Yu Li let the man hold his small hand to apply the ointment, though he ground his teeth. “Speak!”
Why was Qin Xie so dim-witted? When had he ever asked him to apply medicine? He was clearly just being unreasonable on purpose.
In truth, Yu Li had secretly checked the red marks. Despite how alarming they looked, they did not actually hurt at all. It was just an indentation from being pressed against his skin for too long. Logically, Qin Xie should have been able to tell, yet he allowed Yu Li to blame him. Yu Li could not fathom it.
Qin Xie pursed his lips. He scooped a large amount of ointment on his fingertip and carefully applied it to every bit of the red marks. “This is a star-watch used to contact Qi Cai. I have already authenticated it for Li Li and added Qi Cai’s contact information.”
“Qi Cai?” Yu Li paused, his curled lashes fluttering.
[Little Yu, Qi Cai is one of the main villains in the plot.]
As soon as those words were spoken, Yu Li perked up.
His screen time was pitifully small, so he had to find ways to add to it himself, such as bullying the main characters to trigger negative emotions and earn villain points. After all, he was just an insignificant villainous side character, a catalyst to push their relationship forward. There were others who truly went between the main characters to sabotage them.
However, his exit from the story was too abrupt; he had never interacted with Qi Cai, and he knew nothing of the later plot. If he wanted to know more, he would have to explore it himself.
Yu Li could guess that these two major villains must be wreaking havoc between the main characters. Such a wildly insane and powerful villain, who was thousands of times more vicious than himself, was his role model! After all, what minor villainous side character did not have a dream of becoming a major villain?
The system understood Yu Li best. Seeing him deep in thought, it continued, [Little Yu, the major villains are loathed by everyone just by doing the simplest things or saying a few words.]
Yu Li felt tears of envy fall from the corners of his mouth. “Then can I join them?”
Since the villains were despised by all, if he followed them, would he not be their little lackey? That way, no matter what the villains did, others would hate him too just by seeing him at their side. Once he finished his mission, he did not even dare to imagine how glorious his performance report would look!
The system thought about it uncertainly, its face wrinkling. [I think you could join them, but…]
The system hesitated and sighed, speaking with difficulty. [We are just minor side characters, and they are major villains. It is hard to say if they would even take notice of us. Plus, the main characters are all here. Given the villains’ personalities, what will you do if you get bullied, Little Yu?]
Yu Li did not care. He blinked his eyes. “Then let them bully me. At most, they will beat me or scold me. It is not like they are going to eat me.”
Little Yu made a very good point. The system looked thoughtful. [Go for it, Little Yu! I believe you are the best.]
With the system’s affirmation, Yu Li felt full of energy.
Qin Xie was still explaining, “Qi Cai is the only heir to the Empire. He carries the genes of an ancient human and has been sent here to serve Li Li.”
Struggling to say the word “serve,” Qin Xie vaguely defined the relationship. As the elder had said, Qi Cai had a poor temper. Coming here to serve Yu Li, if he upset the little marionette, Qi Cai certainly would not be liked. At that point, he should not blame him for what he might do. A flash of coldness flickered in Qin Xie’s pitch-black eyes.
“Oh,” Yu Li replied, indicating he understood.
Yu Li obediently tilted his head, letting Qin Xie brush his teeth and wash his face, and finally, help him apply lotion to his skin.
Under the shadow cast by the sofa, a young man sat with smoky green short hair. Beneath his bangs, his ear studs glinted. He had heavy eyelids, a high bridge of nose, and a skull-shaped piercing on his deep red lips. He wore a gray short-sleeved shirt under a studded jacket, distressed jeans with holes, and high-heeled black leather shoes. His entire being screamed defiance.
Chewing on a lollipop stick, he crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa with his arms folded.
Qi Cai frowned impatiently, his arrogant and cool face looking extremely annoyed. “How can an ancient human sleep so much? Is he a pig?”
The young man’s voice was not quiet, especially in the somewhat empty villa where it echoed.
The smile on Fu Shen’s face, as he brought out various dishes, dimmed slightly.
Qin Xie’s cold expression turned even colder. He soothingly stroked Yu Li’s head before speaking. “Li Li has a weak constitution and is a bit sleepy. He is not what you…”
Qin Xie could not bring himself to say that word. He never agreed with any term that belittled Yu Li.
Yu Li, who had just reached the top of the stairs in Qin Xie’s arms, was speechless. The villain was so cool. No wonder he was so hated by everyone.
Hearing the commotion, Qi Cai turned his head, his impatience not yet gone. He spoke without a filter. “A weak constitution is no excuse! This young master has waited for him for a full four hours.”
Qi Cai paused, his gaze, hidden beneath his bangs, flickering with unnatural awe at the sight of Yu Li. But he cared too much about his pride and finished the sentence anyway. He then stood up.
Qi Cai looked at Yu Li. His fervor was mixed with an indescribable emotion.
Yu Li felt a chill from the young man’s intense stare. He clutched Qin Xie’s neck tightly. Out of nervousness, his upper body stiffened, and his fair, straight calves under his shorts swung unconsciously.
The calves glowed with a translucent sheen against Qin Xie’s black clothing. Perhaps because the ancient human was too spoiled to even walk, he was barefoot. His pinkish toes curled, tracing a fluid, rounded arc.