Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 27

“Mm…”

Su Yu regained a sliver of consciousness.

The noise around her was overwhelming. She couldn’t make anything out clearly, but she vaguely heard the sound of someone crying in deep pain, as if suppressing it, with the sobs slowly spilling out from their throat.

Su Yu frowned slightly, her heart aching inexplicably.

“Iron Hammer, what’s the situation now?”

【After you lost consciousness, the police arrived. Cheng Chen was arrested for intentional injury and sent to prison, while you were rushed to the hospital. After a day of emergency treatment, the doctors issued a critical condition notice.】

【As per your instructions, Ling Qingqing exposed Cheng Chen’s crimes in one blow, shocking the entire nation. The police are now gathering evidence to press charges.】

【Congratulations, Host. You’ve successfully exposed the scumbag Cheng Chen’s true nature and prevented countless women in this world from being harmed.】

【This mission is complete. Completion rating: SSS! Would you like to proceed to the next world?】

The tone was methodical and monotone, without any emotional fluctuation.

Su Yu pulled the corners of her lips into a faint smile. Then she suddenly remembered the crying voice from earlier and asked, “Who’s crying?”

【Huo Shu.】

She paused, her expression momentarily dazed. Suddenly, she recalled their first meeting.

The young girl had been curled up in a corner, her features delicate and calm, timid yet enticing, like a crabapple flower soaked by rain.

From that moment on, the girl had clung to her.

In the end, it was because she, Su Yu, had been too cunning—appearing just when the girl most needed help.

Su Yu laughed at herself.

【Since the host was admitted to the hospital, Huo Shu has cried nonstop. At this rate, if nothing changes, she’ll go blind from excessive grief.】

Su Yu pressed her lips tightly together and whispered, “Iron Hammer, can I talk to her?”

【Of course.】

Iron Hammer answered without hesitation—for once, a rare moment of decisiveness.

Su Yu let out a soft breath. Her consciousness shifted, and in an instant, she returned to her body. Even the slightest movement brought searing pain.

“Huo Shu.”

Her voice was hoarse and dry, as if it hadn’t touched water in ages.

The young girl jerked her head up and grabbed her hand tightly. “Su Yu-jie…”

“Be good…”

Su Yu responded softly. Bracing herself, she reached out and gently caressed her face. “Don’t cry.”

The girl was already thin to begin with. Over the past few days, she seemed to have barely eaten. Having cried so hard, her beautiful eyes were red and swollen—enough to make anyone’s heart ache.

Huo Shu bit her lip and gave a small nod. Scorching tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Su Yu-jie, you’re not going to die, right?”

Huo Shu pressed her face against Su Yu’s palm, her voice nearly pleading.

Her tone was timid, as if afraid to hear something too painful to accept.

“Silly girl…”

Su Yu rubbed her face gently and gave a soft cough. Her usually radiant face was completely drained of color, but not even that could diminish her beauty.

“You already know the answer, so why won’t you believe it?”

Huo Shu shook her head, tears falling again. Her body trembled uncontrollably. “I don’t believe it, I don’t! You won’t die, Su Yu-jie. You definitely won’t.”

“Be good…”

Su Yu stroked her face again. “Don’t cry. I don’t like disobedient children.”

Huo Shu bit her lip hard, her fists clenching tight.

After a long moment, she sniffled and forced a smile. “I’m not crying. I’ll listen to Su Yu-jie. I’ll be a good girl.”

Su Yu gave a quiet “mm” and instructed softly, “After I’m gone, take good care of yourself. No more crying at the drop of a hat.”

The tears that Huo Shu had just managed to hold back came spilling out again, falling onto Su Yu’s hand.

They were scalding hot, enough to burn through a person’s heart.

Su Yu-jie never knew—Huo Shu wasn’t the type to cry easily.

It was just that, when it came to Su Yu, she couldn’t help but be cautious, afraid that any misstep might cause her to be disliked.

Su Yu liked obedient and pure girls, so she made herself into a pitiful little white rabbit.

(*Note: “Little white rabbit” (小白兔) is a metaphor for someone who appears innocent, gentle, and harmless—often used in a romantic or protective context.)

“See… crying again.”

Su Yu smiled, then coughed again. The motion tugged at the wound in her abdomen, making her frown as she reached up to wipe away Huo Shu’s tears. “Little crybaby.”

Huo Shu’s cheeks flushed red. She sniffled and looked up. “Su Yu-jie, do you think people have a next life?”

Su Yu nodded firmly. “Yes.”

“Then… in the next life, will you like me?”

The young girl looked at her with red, tear-filled eyes, full of hope and trepidation.

Su Yu suddenly felt a pang in her chest. She answered softly, “In the next life, if we meet again, I’ll be the one to pursue you.”

The girl immediately broke into a teary smile and clutched her hand tightly. “Su Yu-jie, you said it—you’re not allowed to go back on your word.”

Su Yu chuckled gently, her curved eyes beautiful as ever. “Mm. I won’t go back on it.”

Huo Shu suddenly thought of something, and her tears poured down again. She asked in a panic, “Su Yu-jie, what if in the next life you don’t recognize me?”

The more she thought about it, the more afraid she became, sobbing uncontrollably. “What if… what if I drink Meng Po’s soup and forget you too? Then we won’t even know each other in the next life.”

(*Note: Meng Po’s soup (孟婆汤) is a mythical Chinese concept—souls drink it before reincarnation to forget their past life.)

“Su Yu-jie, I don’t want that. I don’t want you to forget me.”

Her voice trembled, filled with helplessness.

Su Yu stroked her face and lifted her hand. “Come closer.”

Huo Shu, eyes still red, leaned in. “Su Yu-jie…”

Su Yu smiled gently, raised her head, and planted a soft kiss on her neck.

“They say a kiss before death leaves a mark. That way, I’ll be able to find you in the next life.”

“Really?”

“Mm.”

“Su Yu-jie, then you have to come find me.”

“I will.”