Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 39

Huo Shu held a bouquet of roses in her hands. The bright red petals were delicate and dewy. Her face was flushed, and her bright eyes seemed to glow, making her look even more dazzling with the roses in her arms.

Su Yu was momentarily stunned.

Huo Shu’s cheeks were crimson. Embarrassed, she stammered, “I… I heard that when people are dating, they give each other flowers, so…”

Her tone carried a hint of unease, as if she was afraid Su Yu wouldn’t like it.

After all, it was her first time being in a relationship, and she didn’t know how to interact with her partner.

But… this little girl was someone she held dearly in her heart. She wanted to present the best things in the world to her.

After a moment of silence, the girl across from her suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Huo Shu’s body tensed, her palms sweaty with nerves, eyes darting about uncertainly.

“Thank you, I really like them.”

Su Yu took the bouquet and lowered her head to gently sniff it, a slow smile curving her lips.

What a silly girl—who still gives flowers in this day and age?

She had never been much into flowers.

But… because it was Huo Shu who gave them, she couldn’t help but love them too—loving the house because of the crow on it.

Huo Shu let out a sigh of relief and scratched her head. “As long as you like them.”

The little girl looked down, fiddling with the petals carelessly, her tone lazy and indifferent.

Huo Shu felt a bit disappointed.

Weren’t girls supposed to get excited and kiss you when they received flowers?

Why…

Why didn’t this little liar show any enthusiasm?

“Ah Shu…”

Huo Shu snapped out of her thoughts. “Ah?”

Su Yu lifted her eyes slightly and smiled. “Did you only come to bring me flowers?”

Huo Shu froze.

The girl’s eyes curved as she looked at her, drawing out her tone, “Didn’t you miss me?”

Huo Shu’s face flushed red in an instant.

“Hmm?”

“I missed you.”

She turned her head away, looking a little embarrassed.

If she hadn’t missed her so much, why would she have shown up at her door so early in the morning?

Only after seeing her did the emptiness in her heart settle down.

It wasn’t a dream!

She really was together with Su Yu now.

“I missed you too.”

Su Yu set the flowers aside and suddenly wrapped her arms around Huo Shu’s waist, letting out a soft sigh. “Such a little fool.”

“You’re the fool!”

Huo Shu’s face turned red. She reached out and pinched Su Yu’s nose, then seemed to remember something and quickly explained, “There’s nothing going on between me and Cui Fang. It was my dad who made that decision on his own. I’ve already explained everything to them.”

“My dad said, after tonight, he’ll make things clear with the Cui family.”

“You have to believe me, and… you’re not allowed to be mad, okay?”

Su Yu was momentarily stunned.

It was true that Huo Shu was the only child in her generation of the Huo family and had been spoiled since she was young, but… she couldn’t possibly have been pampered to this extent.

To call off an arranged engagement like that… it would definitely strain the relationship with the Cui family.

“Your dad didn’t blame you?”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

Huo Shu wrinkled her nose and, seeing the confusion in Su Yu’s eyes, pointed to the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye. “When I was born, I cried non-stop, couldn’t catch my breath, and nearly died. It took a long time to recover.”

“My parents said I must’ve cried a lot in my past life, which is why I have this teardrop mole.”

“All these years, to avoid making me upset or sad, my parents have always spoiled me. Now you get it, right?”

Su Yu felt her heart ache as an inexplicable sadness surged within her.

She reached out and gently caressed the mole at the corner of Huo Shu’s eye. It was tiny, but burning hot, as if it could scorch her soul.

It took a long while before Su Yu found her voice again, her tone dry and hoarse. “Ah Shu.”

“Yeah?”

“Promise me… this time, don’t cry for me again, okay?”

In their past life, Huo Shu had cried for her far too many times. Even until her death, she had never been able to give her a proper response.

She owed her far too much.

Fortunately, in this life, she could repay it all.

Huo Shu blinked, then lifted her chin and huffed, “That depends on how you behave. If you treat me badly, I’ll definitely cry!”

She counted on her fingers, looking genuinely pouty. “Just look at you—flirting everywhere. Forget Jin Licheng, there’s even Jiang Xiao’er. That’s just too much!”

A long silence followed, without a word in response.

Huo Shu sneaked a glance at her.

The girl didn’t speak, just bit her lip and stared at her, eyes red-rimmed.

She panicked and rushed to say, “I was joking, Yu Yu, don’t cry. I was just saying random stuff. You… don’t cry, I won’t do it again next time…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted.

“There won’t be anyone else from now on.”

Huo Shu blinked. “Huh?”

“Only you.”

The soft, sultry voice repeated gently, as if affirming something. “From now on, only you.”

Huo Shu’s face flushed red. “You… why are you suddenly confessing?”

She mumbled, as if complaining, “I wasn’t ready yet.”

“Silly girl.”

Su Yu hugged her tightly. Her slender white arms clung to her as if unwilling to let go of the warmth she gave.

“Ah Shu, if one day… I leave you, what would you do?”

She wouldn’t stay in this world for long. Once her mission was complete, she would have to leave. When that time came… what would happen to Huo Shu?

Alone in the world, how lonely would this little fool be?

She might cry herself to death.

“Then I’ll come find you.”

Huo Shu rested her chin on her shoulder and snorted softly without hesitation. “You’re not allowed to leave me.”

“What if… I had to leave for some reason?”

Huo Shu’s heart started to panic for no reason. “Yu Yu, did I do something wrong?”

“I… I’ll change, just don’t leave…”

“Just kidding.”

Su Yu suddenly smiled and stuck out her fragrant tongue. “So easy to fall for it—you’re really a little dummy.”

Huo Shu let out a breath of relief and pretended to be angry. “You little trickster, I…”

Su Yu cut her off, pushing her in the direction of the car. “Alright, you should head back now. Tonight’s banquet—you’re the main character, so you must show up in style.”

Huo Shu was a bit frustrated.

This heartless little thing didn’t miss her at all?

She had just arrived!

But what could she do? She adored this little trickster—she’d spoil her no matter what.

With a sigh, Huo Shu resignedly turned back the way she came.

“Then I’ll wait for you. You have to come tonight.”

“Mm.”

Su Yu watched the car drive away, and only then did the smile fade from her face.

“Iron Hammer, can I really not stay in this world much longer?”

【No! According to the Time Management Bureau’s regulations, once the mission is complete, you must leave. Staying too long will damage this world and disrupt the balance of the universe’s time-space continuum.】

Su Yu pursed her lips and asked softly, “Then… what about her?”

This world’s Huo Shu and the one from the last world were essentially no different.

Sensitive and fragile.

If she really left, Huo Shu wouldn’t be able to handle it.

【Host, this is your personal matter. I believe you’ll find a reasonable solution.】

Su Yu gave a distracted hum and ended the chat.

She ran her fingers through her slightly messy long hair and turned to head back inside.

She’d only taken a few steps when someone called out to her.

“Su Yu.”

Jiang Shengzhou got out of the car, his expression slightly complicated. He hesitated before asking, “What’s your relationship with Huo Shu?”

Su Yu suddenly stopped. “What do you mean?”

Her eyes narrowed, her tone casual, but her attitude was firm.

It was the first time Jiang Shengzhou had seen her like this. He opened his mouth and reflexively replied, “Just now… I saw by accident.”

He had just driven over and happened to witness the scene earlier.

There were rumors outside that the proud and domineering young lady of the Huo family suddenly turned into a lovestruck girl in front of Su Yu—meek and docile.

Su Yu leaned against the doorframe, holding a rose in her hand. “And?”

Her brows were long and delicate, her eyes brimming with charm. The vivid red rose paled in comparison to her beauty.

Jiang Shengzhou swallowed, struggling to get his words out. “Nothing…”

Compared to the sweet, gentle girl she often portrayed, this strong, forceful version of Su Yu was far more captivating—one couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

“Keep it a secret.”

Su Yu gave him a sidelong glance, half-smiling. “I don’t want to hear this from a second person.”

“You understand, Young Master Jiang?”

She deliberately drew out her words with a languid tone.

Jiang Shengzhou’s heart skipped a beat. “Got it.”

Seeing him agree, the coldness in Su Yu’s eyes eased a little.

She had been too impulsive earlier.

Huo Shu had a special identity—every move she made would be watched.

If their relationship was exposed… she’d be pushed into the center of a storm.

She was just a girl in her twenties—how could she possibly bear the weight of so much malice?

Let her take it all alone.

Jiang Shengzhou hesitated, then couldn’t help but ask again, “You and Huo Shu…”

“I like her very much.”

Su Yu cut him off, enunciating clearly, “I don’t want anyone to hurt her.”

“…I understand.”

Jiang Shengzhou nodded, forcing a bitter smile. “So I was overthinking things.”

He had thought there might be a chance between them.

Turns out, it was all wishful thinking.

Still, if he couldn’t have her, then neither could Jin Licheng. That flower already belonged to someone else.

With that thought, the bitterness in his heart eased a bit.

“Jiang Shengzhou, interested in a business deal?”

“What kind of business?”

“The Jin family.”

Jiang Shengzhou froze, unable to grasp her meaning, and stayed silent.

The girl smiled, lips slightly curved. “Don’t you think the Jin family’s been sitting at the top of the pyramid for too long?”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t it time to move them aside?”

Jiang Shengzhou’s body tensed. He exhaled sharply, trying to process her words. “I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“Exactly what I said!”

Su Yu fiddled with a rose petal, smiling faintly. “In Xiangjiang’s Four Great Families—Jin, Huo, Jiang, and Su—are you all really content to be under the Jin family?”

Jiang Shengzhou looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time, staring intently.

“No need to look at me like that. I just simply don’t like Jin Licheng.”

Su Yu lifted her eyes lazily. “Xiangjiang is huge. Isn’t it about time someone challenged Jin Licheng’s absolute control?”

Jiang Shengzhou curled his lips in a noncommittal expression. “And what are you offering in this partnership?”

“Su Yu, I do like you, but I’m also a businessman. What matters to me is profit.”

“The Su family.”

Su Yu cut in, eyes narrowing slightly. “One Su family should be enough, right?”

Jiang Shengzhou paused. “Let’s not even talk about Uncle Dong—you still have Su Qi above you. There’s no way it’ll fall to you.”

Su Yu chuckled and lowered her head to smell the rose. “Just wait and see.”