Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 49

Su Yu?

Huo Shu panicked a little, her heart skipping a beat as her slender white fingers tightened.

She… hadn’t she already given her phone number? Why was she asking for her WeChat too?

This person… was a bit much.

That was what she thought.

Ding-dong!

Unknown number: Huo Huo, hurry up, or I’ll come find you tomorrow.

Huo Shu froze, the tips of her ears turning red.

How… how did this person know her nickname?

Even her best friend only called her “A’Shu.” This person was way too familiar.

She sighed and really didn’t feel like replying.

But… her friend’s earlier words floated back to her mind. She pressed her lips together, then still ended up sending her WeChat ID.

Someone like that… was best not provoked.

Actually, this wasn’t the first time she’d heard the name Su Yu.

A lot of girls in class had mentioned her—always with a mix of fear and dread. Sometimes, Huo Shu would even pause her writing to listen.

The school bully of Jin City Vocational, known for her fiery temper, always getting into fights at the drop of a hat. Smoking and drinking were normal for her. Even though she was a girl, she hung out with a gang of guys.

Someone like that… lived in a completely different world from hers. They probably wouldn’t have much contact.

Now that she’d given her WeChat… that should be the end of it, right?

Thinking that, Huo Shu put down her phone and continued reviewing her schoolwork.

Ding-dong!

Unknown number: Huo Huo, why haven’t you added me? Hm?

Huo Shu slammed her pen down.

Could this person please give it a rest?

She rarely got this flustered—her cheeks puffed up in anger and turned red. But still, she didn’t dare refuse and tapped to accept the friend request.

Jin City’s Number One Bully: Huo Huo, what are you doing?

This WeChat name…

Huo Shu tilted her head, recalling the girl she’d seen today—cold, stunningly beautiful, and seemingly hard to approach.

But the WeChat name… was kind of silly.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Was this what people called “gap moe”?

(Gap moe: A Japanese term meaning when someone displays unexpected traits that contrast with their usual image—e.g., a tough person acting soft.)

“Pfft, no, no!”

Huo Shu patted her face.

What was she even thinking?

There’s… there’s no way someone like her could be “gap moe”! The way she asked for her contact info today—so aggressive, so domineering. Not cute at all!

Jin City’s Number One Bully: Huo Huo baby, I looked through your Moments… your selfies are kind of silly. Not as pretty as you in real life.

Huo Shu’s face turned beet red. She quickly tapped into her Moments.

It was a selfie she took a few days ago after getting a new haircut. All her relatives had praised how cute it looked, so why…

But thinking of that girl’s flawless, fair face, she quietly shut her mouth—and silently deleted the photo.

Compared to her… it did look a bit awkward.

Huo Shu: Stop looking at my Moments.

Jin City’s Number One Bully: Huo Huo baby, you posted it and won’t let me see?

Huo Shu: We’re not that close. Don’t… don’t call me that.

Jin City’s Number One Bully: (voice message)

Huo Shu hesitated, but couldn’t resist tapping on it.

“Huo Huo baby, you being so cold is seriously heartbreaking. But if you feel too bad about it, you can call me Yu Yu baby.”

The girl’s raspy, sultry voice carried a teasing tone. She deliberately dragged out the words, making them sound soft, sweet—and flirtatiously seductive.

Huo Shu blushed and typed:
“I… I have to study. I’m not chatting anymore.”

Huo Huo’s Baby Yu Yu: Okay.

She paused, suddenly flustered.
“W-What kind of WeChat name is that?! Change it. Right now!”

Huo Huo’s Baby Yu Yu: Huo Huo baby, are you my wife or something? Even trying to control my username? Tsk, so bossy.

Huo Shu felt both embarrassed and angry.

Who’s the bossy one here?

She… she changed it out of nowhere without even asking for permission!

“Change it back now. Someone… someone might get the wrong idea!”

Huo Huo’s Baby Yu Yu: Not changing it.

Huo Shu: You…

Huo Huo’s Baby Yu Yu: Be good. Goodnight.

Huo Shu froze.

She went to bed?

No way.

“Hey?”

“Are you still there?”

“Hey, come back and change your username!”

She waited for a long time, but there was no reply.

Huo Shu thought for a moment—maybe she really did go to sleep?

…Probably.

She sighed in disappointment and put down her phone.

Still, after all the chaos just now, the fear she had felt toward Su Yu… had somehow lessened a lot.

Bang, bang, bang.

Her mother’s voice called from outside the door.

“Huo Huo, time for evening study. I might not be able to pick you up tonight—there’s something going on at your grandma’s. Leave a bit early.”

“Okay.”

Huo Shu responded, packed her things, and headed out.

At the door, her mother gave her a few last reminders, “Be safe coming back tonight. Don’t forget a flashlight. If anything seems off, call me immediately.”

Huo Shu nodded, changing her shoes before stepping outside. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not a little kid anymore—I can go by myself.”

“Alright then, go now before it gets too dark.”

“Mm.”

Downstairs, Huo Shu let out a soft breath and tightened her grip on her schoolbag.

Evening self-study ended at 9 p.m.

By now, the sky was completely dark, and the night was thick.

As soon as she stepped out the school gate, Huo Shu spotted a group of boys gathered outside. Judging by their uniforms, they weren’t from her school.

She didn’t dare look again and walked with her head down.

“Yo, First High has quite a few pretty girls, huh?”

“Hey little sister, how old are you? Got a boyfriend? Want to grab a drink?”

Suddenly, a large shadow loomed in front of her.

Huo Shu looked up. Blocking her way were the very boys who had been loitering by the gate. Their hair came in all colors, and they wore unfriendly smirks.

She panicked a little and instinctively tightened her grip on her bag strap. Her voice trembled slightly. “It’s late. I need to go home. Please let me through.”

“Come on, girl, it’s not that late.”

The leading boy chuckled. “Just one drink—get to know each other?”

“No, thanks.”

Huo Shu took a step back.

Petite and pale, with a slender frame, she looked even more pitiful with that wary expression.

The boy’s heart raced. He licked his lips and reached out. “What’s your name, little sister? Got a boyfriend yet?”

“Zhao Feng, your hands are getting too long.”

A pair of hands reached out from behind and twisted his arm. “Since when did First High become your turf?”

Zhao Feng turned his head, face instantly changing. “Su Yu?”

The girl was wearing a tracksuit, making her look even taller. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her tone was amused. “Your daddy’s here.”

Zhao Feng’s expression shifted. He didn’t dare lash out.

“What’s your game?”

Su Yu glanced behind him and gave a light scoff. “Trying to make a name for yourself, or planning a fight?”

With one sentence, the atmosphere instantly froze.

Huo Shu pressed her lips together and subconsciously grabbed the hem of Su Yu’s clothes.

Noticing her little movement, Su Yu curled her lips slightly and said lazily, “Here’s a heads-up—she’s mine. If any of you blind idiots mess with her, don’t blame me for breaking your bones.”

Zhao Feng’s mouth twitched, and he forced a smile. “Sister Yu, I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just here to fight Shen Luan from First High.”

Su Yu sneered. “Fight whoever you want. I’m not getting involved.”

“Huo Shu is mine. You guys from Third High better open your eyes. If anyone dares lay a finger on her, you’re messing with me!”

Zhao Feng quickly nodded and turned around. “Everyone get that?”

“Got it, don’t worry. We won’t go near her.”

“Understood, understood.”

Su Yu gave a faint “mm” and took the little girl’s hand, walking straight to the parking lot.

After they’d walked quite a distance, Huo Shu suddenly realized and quickly pulled her hand away.

Su Yu chuckled and tilted her head. “What now? Turning your back on me already?”

“Huo-Huo baby, don’t forget who just saved you.”

Huo Shu’s face instantly turned red, and she mumbled, voice barely audible, “Thank you.”

“Didn’t hear you.”

She puffed her cheeks and said louder, “Thank you!”

“Good girl…”

Su Yu curled her lips, twirling her car keys. “Huo-Huo baby, want me to drive you home?”

“No need.”

Huo Shu stepped back. “I can go by myself.”

“And if some punks like earlier show up again?”

Su Yu closed in, threatening word by word, “You know, with all kinds of people out at night, anything could happen. A girl like you—it’s not safe.”

Huo Shu’s heart trembled slightly. But seeing Su Yu’s lazy smile, she got a little annoyed. “Then… change your WeChat name first.”

“No.”

“If you don’t, I won’t get in.”

“Fine.”

Su Yu laughed lightly. “Then I’ll just walk you home.”

“No!”

Huo Shu bypassed her and kept walking.

Su Yu didn’t mind and strolled leisurely behind her.

“Huo-Huo baby, I’ll change my WeChat name if you do one thing for me.”

Hearing this, Huo Shu stopped. “What do you want?”

The girl tilted her head, smiling brightly. “Be my wife. If you’re my wife, you can do whatever you want.”

“You…”

Her face turned red again, and she quickened her pace.

This girl is so shameless!

Who said she had a fiery temper? That’s not true at all—she’s just overly familiar!

Huo Shu grumbled to herself silently.

“Huo-Huo baby, how about I pick you up from school every day?”

“No.”

“Geez, so heartless.”

Huo Shu turned her head to look at her. “Su Yu, we’re not that close. Can you not be like this?”

“Huo-Huo, do you hate me?”

The girl lowered her gaze, her tone a little sad. Under the night sky, she inexplicably looked pitiful.

Huo Shu thought of how Su Yu had saved her earlier and cursed herself for being ungrateful.

“I don’t hate you. Don’t overthink it. You… you’re not going to cry, are you?”

“If you don’t hate me, then you like me.”

Su Yu suddenly hugged her and whispered into her ear with a grin, “Huo-Huo baby, I’m definitely going to win you over.”

Huo Shu’s face turned beet red. She broke free like she’d been shocked. “Wh-who said you could hug me?!”

The girl didn’t answer. She rubbed her fingers together and clicked her tongue. “Huo-Huo baby, you’re too skinny. Hugging you feels bony—you need to eat more.”

Huo Shu was furious.

What kind of person is this?!

Takes advantage of her and then complains she’s too skinny?

But…

She paused and couldn’t help but pinch her waist.

Could it be… she really is too skinny?

Seeing the little girl lost in doubt, Su Yu’s eyes darkened—she really wanted to kiss her.

Such a young Huo Shu, compared to the other worlds, had a completely different personality.

Even though she flares up easily, she’s got such a soft heart. It made her irresistible to tease.

At 9:30, they arrived at the Huo residence.

Standing downstairs, Huo Shu looked back at her and hesitated before saying, “Thanks for today.”

“Thank me?”

Su Yu raised an eyebrow, smiling seductively. “Then be my wife.”