Chapter 2.5
When Sui Yuan regains consciousness, the first thing he is aware of is that he was currently lying across the backseat of a vehicle. He had already mentally prepared himself before he was knocked out by whatever drug made him go limp, so at this moment, he is calm. Very calm and collected! A hand rubbing the nape of his neck that is aching faintly, he glances at Mo Xuanzhi, who is driving the car.
Un, and of course, the woman in the passenger seat, Leng Xia.
...This kind of male and female lead eloping, but bringing along the supporting male lead...isn’t this a little strange...?
"Haochen, you are awake? Are you all right?" Hearing the sound of movements coming from the backseat, Leng Xia turns around, face full of concern. On the other hand, Mo Xuanzhi simply glances at him from the rear-view mirror, displaying no further superfluous reactions.
Reassuring Leng Xia that he is fine, he eyes the back of Mo Xuanzhi’s head with a displeased air. "I would like to ask what in the world is going on."
"I want to go to the capital," Mo Xuanzhi drawls, completely not answering the question.
Sui Yuan continues pressing him. "So...?"
"So, I want to bring you along too." The man chuckles.
Sui Yuan: "......"
Although he has already labelled this male lead as a pirate and a tyrant ever since their first meeting, don’t you think that this kidnapping of random hostages is too much?!
"What should be done now?" Since Mo Xuanzhi is making communicating with him so difficult, Sui Yuan finally gives up and silently implores 5237.
"Cold salad[1]," 5237 grunts, seemingly wanting to wash its hands off this entire affair.
But even as it says this, the system is tied together in the same sinking boat with Sui Yuan. No matter what, it cannot simply fold its arms and try to ignore everything going to hell. After trying to smother itself for half a day, 5237 finally returns to its professional mental state and begins to help Sui Yuan analyse their present situation.
"Actually, the situation is not too disastrous. I feel...it can still be rescued." 5237 says, clearing his throat.
Sui Yuan’s eyes brighten in anticipation, sincerely asking how it can be salvaged. "Should I escape?"
"I feel that the success rate of doing so will be extremely low. There’s no point attempting to flee." 5237 has also come to dislike this male lead’s physique. "However, if you look at it from another angle, although the period where you are meant to be alone in Lu Sheng’s base has now been thrown aside, it is only a mere line in the original text. Whether it happens or not wouldn’t bring about a major change in the plot. Moreover, after that period ends, you will also need to go to the capital. Now, you’re only heading there at a much earlier date."
Sui Yuan’s eyes brighten as though he has achieved enlightenment.
5237 especially detests this simple-minded attitude of his, so it can’t help but pour cold water on his head. "Although I said that this plot can be rescued, it is currently lying in the emergency room, prepared to give out at any time!"
Silently, Sui Yuan’s eyes drop to his lap. "Then...I suppose all I can do now is to make a supreme effort to reduce my presence, waiting until the right time the supporting male lead is meant to appear before making my move, right?"
"The most important task is to supervise the development of feelings between the male and female leads......" 5237 pauses for three whole seconds, then corrects itself, "Forget it, you don’t need to worry about this task anymore. I feel that the more you meddle, the more this plot derails. For now, just focus on making yourself as small as possible!"
Feeling as though he has just been metaphorically thrown aside by his system, after being deemed too troublesome to deal with, Sui Yuan can only nod, then turn to look out the car’s window.
Sui Yuan’s every move has naturally been seen by Mo Xuanzhi and Leng Xia. Seeing that Sui Yuan is deep in thought, Leng Xia can’t help feeling guilty. Due to her own selfishness, she didn’t stop Mo Xuanzhi from knocking Sui Yuan out and carrying him away. In fact, she even helped him move Sui Yuan into the backseat of the car. Even if Sui Yuan hasn’t yet pinned any words of blame on her, she still feels somewhat unable to face him properly.
Sui Yuan currently appears rather downcast. Clearly, he had something rather important to do back in that base. While the always cool-headed and stoic him will never fall into hysterics, the dim light in his eyes and pursed lips more or less expresses his present feelings...
Completely opposite from Leng Xia and her self-blame, Mo Xuanzhi has an expression as though he is watching a good play. Judging from the cheerful curl of his lips, it is safe to say that he is definitely not feeling any guilt.
In the original plot, when the female lead Leng Xia leaves the supporting male lead He Haochen, she brought with her a small group of companions and head up north. This stretch of journey can be said to be fairly smooth, with only a few bumps on the road. However, this time, there is an additional male lead who can be said to be a lone wolf. Therefore, the companions Leng Xia should have departed with have been shoved aside.
During the entire journey, Sui Yuan carries a grieving heart and a difficult expression on his face. He feels that the breath of this plot currently lying in the emergency room is getting weaker and weaker... In fact, Sui Yuan is not pained over the fact that he has been kidnapped and dragged along for the ride, but what makes him feel so helpless is that no matter how great an effort he exerts to evade the spotlight, the development of feelings between the male and female lead is advancing at a pace slower than an old tortoise’s. Not only are they not heading towards the point of partners trusted to watch each other’s back in a fight, it seems that the relationship between them has warped to resemble a master and his servant. One merely sits back and issue orders, while the other diligently completes her given tasks without talking back.
After listening to 5237 explain, Sui Yuan eventually understands that sometimes, the deviation in the storyline doesn’t affect only the direction of the plot itself, but it can also influence the protagonist’s growth.
In her previous life, the female lead could be considered just another survivor amongst many others. She wasn’t particularly outstanding or had some other special abilities. Even after her rebirth, it is impossible for her to suddenly become aggressive and slaughter her way through every obstacle. When she followed behind He Haochen, she not only received his protection, but also learned skills regarding leadership, how to judge situations and handle any unexpected circumstances in the best possible way. After separating from the supporting male lead, she brings a small group of companions to head north. It is on this journey that she puts the skills she learned to practice, progressively revealing her innate talent, slowly developing into a competent leader. When she finally arrives at the capital, she is a tempered and experienced female lead capable enough to obtain the male lead’s favour.
Now, with Mo Xuanzhi upsetting the apple cart, the female lead first relies on Sui Yuan, then becomes accustomed to following Mo Xuanzhi’s lead. Although her abilities advance in leaps and bounds, she is still not exactly standing out from amongst the crowd.
In this world, Sui Yuan learns another important lesson: don’t think that simply preserving the storyline is enough. As soon as a deviation appears in the plot, as a proficient supporting male lead, he will need to pay close attention to the development of both leads.
Sui Yuan: "...If that’s the case, can this plot be rescued?"
5237: "...Don’t tell me you plan on giving up?"
Sui Yuan: "......... QAQ"
Generally speaking, it shouldn’t take more than half a day’s car ride to reach the capital from Lu Sheng’s largest base of operation. However, with detours need to be made due to roadblocks, rampaging zombies and destroyed roads, the journey requires several days. Still, with the male and supporting male leads’ strength combined, the party’s speed is rather quick, reaching the fringe of the capital in a couple of days’ time. Soon after, they encounter Mo Xuanzhi’s original team.
Mo Xuanzhi is not a genuine lone wolf. Using his extraordinary ability to see people’s potential, he selects a few Ability Users and formed a team of his own.
On the day their Boss’s blood suddenly heated up and he expressed his need to "do something very important" before disappearing for a few weeks, his team members couldn’t help worrying in their hearts, even if they are well aware of his immense strength. Now that their Boss has returned safe and sound, they are extremely moved, surrounding him in a warm welcome.
After all, not only is Mo Xuanzhi the Boss who endured various trials and tribulations with them in this dog-eat-dog world that is the capital, he is the large tree they cling to for support.
After the exchange of pleasantries ends, the team finally takes notice of their Boss’s rather impatient glance. Following his line of sight, their gazes fall onto the silent Leng Xia and Sui Yuan standing off to the side. The former is silent due to not knowing what to say, and the latter is valiantly trying to reduce his presence.
Although Leng Xia’s appearance is not stunning, she is still considered attractive. On top of that, her space’s ability to remove all dirt and grime means she can constantly maintain a neat and tidy front. With pale, flawless skin, rosy cheeks, a healthy glow, and soft, black hair, she looks that much more beautiful. The team can’t help taking a few more appreciative glances at her.
While Sui Yuan is a male, his appearance also doesn’t lose to Leng Xia. Although he possesses a slender frame, he by no means look frail. A bland smile constantly playing on his fine face, he projects calm and aloofness. Coupled with wise and serene almond eyes beneath gold-framed glasses, he would be rather noticeable in a crowd. Dressed in leisurely attire, he looks less stiff and stern, appearing more languid. His imposing air seems on par with Mo Xuanzhi, even just by standing there quietly.
As Ability Users are sensitive to other Ability Users, the team’s gaze locks onto Sui Yuan first, seeing as he possesses a higher level between the two. Sui Yuan remains motionless as they seize him up from head to toe. Seeing the calm and kind temperament, everyone quickly lowers their guard, drawn in by his natural disposition and welcoming him with friendly smiles.
When their collective stares shift to Leng Xia, she can’t help stiffening, body tensing and subconsciously leaning into Sui Yuan for reassurance, clearly unused to such scrutiny. Although this reaction is somewhat weaker than Sui Yuan’s, the team’s expectations of her aren’t all that high due to her being a female. On the contrary, they thought she looks rather adorable, like a startled kitten seeking shelter.
However, everyone’s gaze towards Leng Xia also carries a trace of ambiguity. After all, she can be considered a beauty and is accompanied by Mo Xuanzhi who has always avoided females. From her unbloodied state, one can tell that she is being well-taken care of, so it is not unusual for the men’s thoughts to wander.
Mo Xuanzhi may be a tyrant, but his attitude towards companions and friends was rather good. Hence, one of the Ability Users gathered around him boldly jokes, "Boss, did you rush out so hastily this time to snatch a wife back?"
A roar of laughter erupts as no one thinks to take it seriously. But never did they imagine Mo Xuanzhi doesn’t refute it immediately, instead nodding with satisfaction at a job well done. "That’s correct."
The laughter abruptly stops as the entire team is struck dumb. After seeing their Boss is extremely serious, their shocked stares shift to Leng Xia. This time, the judging looks are more solemn.
Leng Xia’s face reddens, partly from shyness and partly from indignation. She understands her value very well and knows that Mo Xuanzhi doesn’t have a sliver of interest in her. Despite what these strangers believe, she is aware that Mo Xuanzhi is talking about the man standing beside her. Tilting her head up to gauge Sui Yuan’s reaction, all she sees is the same old bland smile on his face. Looking a little closer, she can also make out a faint trace of contentment.
She...she really doesn’t know what to make of this odd little ’love triangle’ anymore.
After Mo Xuanzhi’s declaration, the group of Ability Users naturally become more polite towards Leng Xia. A few of the more extroverted individuals even call out "saozi[2]", causing Leng Xia to feel like banging her head on the nearest wall.
Luckily, Mo Xuanzhi doesn’t drag out her misery.
"Who are you calling?" A cold voice interrupts their courteous greetings as Mo Xuanzhi steps between Leng Xia and Sui Yuan, an annoyed scowl on his face. Under his team’s flabbergasted gapes, he wraps an arm around Sui Yuan’s shoulders. "Your saozi is this one!"
Sui Yuan: "...Isn’t saozi used to address women?"
5237: "Idiot!! This is what you focus on?!!"
Footnotes:
[1] It is actually "凉拌", which literally translates to ’cold mix’, but it also has another meaning. When someone asks you "what’s to be done?" and you don’t know the answer, feel a little annoyed and don’t want to waste your breath, you simply answer with this and hope they go away.
[2] Saozi = older brother’s wife
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