Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 21

“Let me be clear first—I won’t lend you any money.”

Su Yu cleared her throat and spoke frankly.

Ren Qianqiu’s expression dimmed slightly, but she quickly perked up again. She wasn’t someone who was greedy or insatiable.

Fifteen million!

That amount was simply too much. Even for a traffic star like Su Yu, it wasn’t something she could just pull out at a moment’s notice.

What’s more, they weren’t family or close friends.

Helping was a favor. Not helping was her right.

Ren Qianqiu understood this very clearly.

“But…”

Su Yu paused and propped her head up with a hand, smiling lazily. “I can help you look into this matter.”

Whether the debt was real or a scam—now that was still uncertain. If it was the former, so be it. But if it was the latter… well, then things got interesting.

Once those people were brought down, Cheng Chen, the man pulling strings behind the scenes, wouldn’t escape unscathed either.

#Three-time Best Actor Involved in Loan Sharking and Fraud Scandal

Mm, that would make a good trending headline.

Ren Qianqiu’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected such a sudden turn of events and nodded repeatedly. “Thank you—thank you so much!”

“No need to thank me.”

Su Yu yawned, looking languid. “It’s just a mutually beneficial exchange.”

Ren Qianqiu paused, clutching her hands nervously. “Is… there something you need me to do?”

The girl’s face was pale, as if she’d been frightened.

Su Yu suddenly leaned in, her voice low and teasing. “Little one, what are you afraid of?”

Her voice was husky, laced with temptation.

She smiled recklessly, her long, beautiful eyes curved up, red lips vibrant—a charm so intoxicating it could steal one’s soul.

Ren Qianqiu steadied herself.

Right. What was she afraid of?

She had already lost everything. What was there left to fear?

“Little one, this world is much more realistic than you think. There’s no such thing as hatred without cause, nor love without reason.”

Su Yu paused, her voice indifferent. “Likewise, no one is good to you for no reason.”

“I’m helping you not because I pity you, but because you have something I want.”

“I understand.”

Ren Qianqiu nodded, a rare smile appearing on her face. “If there’s anything you need me to do, just say the word.”

Ever since her sister’s death, her family had collapsed. In an instant, she’d gone from a pampered heiress to someone others avoided like the plague. She had tasted the full spectrum of human cruelty.

She didn’t have the power now, but if she could exchange value in this kind of mutually beneficial arrangement—it was perfect.

“I want you to come forward and smear Cheng Chen.”

Su Yu chuckled, speaking nonchalantly. “In a few days, some dirt on Cheng Chen will be exposed. When that happens, all you need to do is show up and play the pitiful victim—win some sympathy.”

Ren Qianqiu looked at her, hesitated for a long time, then asked quietly, “Um… aren’t you his girlfriend? Why would you…”

“Did I ever admit that?”

“I don’t think so…”

“Then that settles it, doesn’t it?”

Su Yu raised an eyebrow, casually fiddling with her nails as she smiled charmingly. “Oh, and here’s a friendly reminder—if you can’t bring Cheng Chen down this time, next time, he’ll come for your whole family.”

Ren Qianqiu’s body stiffened.

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. But if you want to drag him down, and he lets you off the hook afterward—then he’s not Cheng Chen.”

Su Yu stood up and stretched as she walked toward the bathroom. “I’m tired. You’ll stay here with me these next few days. I’ll arrange for someone to look after your father, so don’t worry.”

Ren Qianqiu responded with a quiet “okay,” and stared at her back, momentarily speechless.

Was Su Yu a good person?

Yes, and no.

More than a good person, she was like a devil—coaxing, tempting, luring people into crime.

Ren Qianqiu froze in place, then let out a self-mocking laugh.

Given her current situation, even if Su Yu had truly crawled out of hell, she’d still dare to make a deal with her.

She was at the end of her rope!

—

At 1 a.m., because of the continuous rain, the sky was even gloomier than usual, as if draped with a heavy cloth.

Ring ring ring.

The sharp ringtone pierced the quiet night.

Su Yu had always been a light sleeper, and just one ring was enough to wake her.

She groped for her phone, turned on the light, and sat up. On the screen, the three characters for Ling Qingqing stood out starkly.

Su Yu was instantly wide awake.

Ling Qingqing?

She answered. “Hello…”

On the other end, the woman’s voice was calm, without the slightest fluctuation. “Cheng Chen wants me dead.”

Su Yu was briefly stunned, then chuckled softly. “As expected.”

Ling Qingqing’s voice was dazed, tinged with disbelief. “Is his career really more important than love?”

Su Yu tilted her head, thought for a moment, then answered bluntly, “Not necessarily. Maybe… he just doesn’t love you enough.”

In the original novel, Cheng Chen was madly in love with Huo Shu—of course, it might’ve had something to do with her Mary Sue protagonist halo.

Ling Qingqing: “…”

After a pause, she said in a low voice, “I have some intimate photos of me and Cheng Chen on my phone.”

Su Yu raised an eyebrow.

That part, Ling Qingqing hadn’t mentioned last time. Clearly, she’d still been guarded.

But now…

Su Yu curled her lips silently in amusement.

Cheng Chen had successfully pushed Ling Qingqing right into her hands.

“I endured for so long, and what I got in return was him wanting me dead.”

Ling Qingqing’s voice turned steely, every word heavy with resolve. “This time, I won’t hold back.”

“If I go down, I’m dragging him with me!”

“If I don’t get peace, he won’t live comfortably either!”