Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 41

“This is… Su Yu?”

Cui Fang stepped forward and raised an eyebrow, giving her a once-over.

His gaze wasn’t exactly lewd, but with that bold and ostentatious face of his, it still gave off a roguish, frivolous air.

In short, he was flamboyant as hell.

Huo Shu stepped in front of the girl, her tone instantly cold. “What do you want?”

“Miss Huo, a pleasure, a real pleasure.”

Cui Fang’s eyes held a smile, and he tilted his head slightly to get a better look at Su Yu behind her, his tone deliberately suggestive. “Miss Huo, beauties are rare. Isn’t it a bit selfish to keep one all to yourself?”

He licked his lips and smiled recklessly. “No wonder even Master Jin is completely enchanted. She truly is a knockout.”

“Miss Su, may I get to know you?”

“Want to die?”

Huo Shu’s voice was icy as she enunciated each word: “Cui Fang, you’d better behave yourself now that you’re in Xiangjiang. This isn’t Taipei—no one’s here to coddle you!”

“If you dare lay a hand on her, I’ll have you dragged back to Taipei sideways by tomorrow.”

Her tone was laced with venom—cold and vicious.

She had been pampered like a princess since she was young. How could she possibly have a good temper?

All her patience and kindness had been saved for that little liar alone.

“Tut…”

Cui Fang clicked his tongue but didn’t continue with his flirty remarks.

Naturally, Huo Shu had the ability to back up her words. No matter how beautiful a woman was, if she came with trouble, he knew to steer clear.

“Boring. I was just joking.”

Cui Fang stretched lazily and tilted his head to look at her. “Miss Huo, even if we can’t be a couple, we don’t have to be enemies, right?”

Huo Shu’s expression softened, and she looked up. “Uncle Huo told you?”

Cui Fang gave a slight nod, though his gaze still hadn’t left Su Yu. Casually, he said, “My dad told me that Miss Huo doesn’t fancy me and told me to go reflect on myself alone.”

The girl wasn’t very old, with fair, radiant skin and strikingly delicate features. Her every glance seemed to carry endless charm. Just one look and she could hook someone’s soul.

Now, with her eyes slightly downcast, silent and still, she looked like a soft little white rabbit.

Cui Fang suddenly smiled. He had a feeling—this girl was not simple.

Jin Licheng… for him to reach such heights, he definitely wasn’t an easy character. But in his tone, there was a clear trace of obsessive love and frustration when it came to this girl.

As for Huo Shu, no need to elaborate—pampered since birth, with a notoriously fiery temper, yet fiercely protective of this girl too.

The young heirs and heiresses of Xiangjiang’s elite… they really were quite amusing.

Huo Shu said sharply, “Cui Fang, what are you staring at?”

Cui Fang came back to his senses and replied honestly, “Admiring the scenery.”

Huo Shu shot him a glare and subtly moved the girl into his blind spot.

Cui Fang found it funny.

Looks like Huo Shu was serious this time—no one could match how protective she was.

He yawned and casually scanned the surroundings. Then, his eyes paused.

On the sofa in the grand hall sat a woman, holding a glass of wine. She wore a pure black evening gown. Her features were refined, her demeanor elegant—just from her posture, one could tell she was well-bred.

“I’m in love!”

His eyes lit up, and he abruptly shoved past the crowd, heading straight over.

“Cao!”

Jiang Shengzhou couldn’t help but curse.

Huo Shu glared at him. “What are you yelling for?”

Fuming, he chased after Cui Fang. “That’s my damn sister!”

Jiang Xizhi?

Su Yu looked up and caught sight of Cui Fang’s eager expression, unable to hold back a smile.

In the original novel, Cui Fang had never been a tyrannical brute—he was just used to being a flirt.

Although the plot had changed due to her arrival, some things remained the same. For example, Cui Fang liked Jiang Xizhi.

“What are you looking at, little liar?”

Huo Shu was a little jealous and waved her hand in front of Su Yu’s face, speaking through gritted teeth, “Did you forget what you promised me?”

Her tone was aggrieved and slightly low, with a touch of coquettishness.

The group of young masters: ……

This is Sister Huo?

We’re outta here!

Su Yu came back to her senses and curled her lips into a smile. “Of course I haven’t.”

But Huo Shu was still hung up on it. Her brows knitted tighter, clearly displeased. “Then why were you watching them?”

“No, I was looking at Jiang Shengzhou’s sister.”

“Not allowed!”

Huo Shu was both angry and anxious, her tone naturally spoiled, “She’s not as pretty as me.”

In her twenties, Huo Shu had dazzling features, confidence, and charm. A captivating tear mole at the corner of her eye made her look even more alluring when upset.

Jiang Xizhi might be beautiful too, but she was far too polished—not the type Huo Shu fancied.

Huo Shu… was just right.

Su Yu couldn’t help but laugh, gently coaxing her, “Yes, yes, you’re the most beautiful.”

“Then you’re only allowed to look at me.”

“Okay.”

She curved her lips and held Huo Shu’s hand.

Jin Licheng’s eyes looked like they were about to catch fire. He gritted his teeth and asked,
“Su Yu, what are you even mad at me for?”

Su Yu: ?

What kind of brainless drama is this guy imagining again?

“I know you’re just putting on an act in front of me. I know you don’t actually like Huo Shu. You’re just trying to piss me off.”

Jin Licheng took a deep breath and said each word clearly,
“If that’s what you were trying to do, congratulations—you succeeded.”

“What do you want me to do before you’ll come back to me?”

“Yuyu, what am I supposed to do with you?”

The final line was a soft sigh, full of sorrow or perhaps accusation.

Su Yu got chills all over.

What kind of outdated Mary Sue novel was this from?

How could Jin Licheng say this kind of dialogue with a straight face? Didn’t he feel even a little embarrassed?

With a sigh, Su Yu could only respond with the kind of over-the-top lines she remembered from Mary Sue novels.

“Jin Licheng, I’m begging you, stop being so full of yourself. I really don’t like you!”

“No means no—stop making it complicated. Can you please just stop bothering me?”

Jin Licheng’s expression instantly turned cold. He spoke with a deep, low voice,
“Yuyu, I gave you a chance. You didn’t want it. You forced my hand. I didn’t want this either!”

“If you push me too far, I’m capable of doing anything. So don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Su Yu raised her brows with a light chuckle.

If she didn’t push him too far, how was she supposed to complete her mission?

Jin Licheng had always been cautious, never leaving leverage for anyone to use against him. But when it came to her, he lost control time and again.

That was enough proof—the name Su Yu had a powerful effect on him. As long as he lost his rationality, her chances of completing the mission would only grow.

Just as she was thinking this, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around her waist from behind. A girl leaned close against her back, voice trembling,
“Little liar, you can’t not like me.”

Even though she knew Jin Licheng probably said all that just to get a rise out of her, she still felt incredibly insecure.

Her temper wasn’t great, and the only thing she could offer was her genuine heart.

But what if—what if this little liar didn’t see that? What if someone else deceived her?

This was the first time in her life she’d fallen for someone. She didn’t want to lose Su Yu!

Su Yu softly acknowledged, then glanced out of the corner of her eye at the people watching them and said gently,
“Be good. Let go for now.”

It was fine if Jiang Shengzhou and the other young ones saw, but if the older generation found out, they’d definitely start whispering behind the girl’s back.

She didn’t want that, nor was she willing to let others point fingers at her.

Huo Shu held her tightly, her grip firm as if she was afraid Su Yu would suddenly disappear.

“No.”

Her voice trembled, sounding pitiful.

Su Yu frowned and lightly patted her,
“Be good.”

“…Okay.”

The girl behind her obediently answered, then let her go.

Seeing that the others had turned their attention away, Su Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“A’Shu…”

She turned around, only to find the girl had walked away quietly on her own.

Was she upset?

After a moment’s thought, Su Yu smiled helplessly and caught up.

“Are you mad at me?”

Huo Shu bit her lip and turned her face away. “No…”

Su Yu tilted her head and looked at her.
“If you’re not mad, then why are you running?”

She said it with a teasing tone, clearly exasperated.

Hearing that, Huo Shu’s nose tingled, and she bit her lip, trying not to cry in front of Su Yu.

“I didn’t run. I just suddenly remembered something I had to do.”

“What is it?”

“You… You wouldn’t know.”

Su Yu didn’t press her. Seeing that no one was around, she pulled her onto the balcony and click—shut off the lights.

The room darkened instantly. Huo Shu jumped, crying out,
“What are you doing?!”

Su Yu raised a brow, grinning.
“What do you think?”

Her long, delicate eyebrows and flirtatious eyes sparkled under the moonlight, making her already fair skin glow even more. It was enough to make anyone’s heart race.

Huo Shu’s face flushed red. Who knew what she was imagining—her ears turned red too.
“Let me out.”

Her voice was soft and delicate, with no real strength.

Su Yu spread her hands innocently.

Huo Shu’s face turned even redder. Clearly annoyed, she turned and was about to walk away.

But a pair of small arms wrapped around her from behind.
“Don’t go, hmm?”

Her voice was sweet and drawn out, a teasing whisper that made your heart itch.

Blushing, Huo Shu scolded,
“Su Yu, are you messing with me on purpose?”

“Angry again?”

Su Yu hugged her from behind and gently nibbled on her long, slender neck. With a laugh in her voice, she asked,
“You still don’t know how I feel about you, hmm?”

She didn’t bite hard, just enough to tickle, sending shivers down her spine.

Huo Shu immediately went weak, collapsing into her arms, completely limp. She pouted in embarrassment,
“You’re bullying me again!”

Her face flushed, and remembering what had just happened, she felt even more ashamed and wronged. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“What do you even take me for? Call me over when you want me, wave me off when you don’t.”

The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Tears streamed down as she choked out,
“Su Yu, I’m not like them. If you lie to me, I’ll hate you.”

“Don’t cry, sweetheart…”

Su Yu turned her around. The girl bit her lip, tears falling freely, her eyes glistening.

Su Yu’s heart ached. She kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes and sighed softly,
“I never said I didn’t like you. What nonsense are you imagining now?”

This little girl really seemed made of water.

The way she cried—it was just like the little crybaby from Su Yu’s past life. So pitiful, like a small abandoned creature.

“You didn’t let me hug you just now.”

Huo Shu sniffled, her eyes red and full of grievance.
“There were so many people in the hall, and you pushed me away.”

“You noticed there were a lot of people?”

Su Yu gently ruffled her long hair and patiently explained,
“You’re the eldest daughter of the Huo family. If people find out about us, do you know what kind of backlash you’ll face?”

“I don’t care…”

The girl’s voice was soft, full of sorrow and helplessness.
“I just want to be with you. I’m not afraid of being called names.”