Suppressing the Protagonist at the Start to Seize the Heroine

Chapter 142: Intercepted

As Qin Jiuyue sat to the left of Qin Delin, she faced the discussion about her arranged marriage with visible distress. “Grandfather, I’m only twenty years old. Why are we talking about arranged marriages already?” she protested.

Qin Delin responded unswayed by her youthful charm, “Jiuyue, I’m not asking you to get married right now. I just want you to be prepared. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, families will approach us with marriage proposals.”

“Previously, I could use your age as an excuse, but going forward, I might not be as convincing. Do you understand?”

Jiuyue shook her head, clearly upset, “I don’t understand. I’m just a third-year college student.”

“Student? In ancient times, at your age, you would have been a mother of several children. Jiuyue, trust me, I won’t harm you.”

“About this marriage alliance, you don’t need to worry too much. If the other party’s status is not suitable or they don’t treat you well, just let me know. I’ll ensure they regret it.”

Even with her mental preparation, Jiuyue felt a wave of sorrow hearing this. In a family like the Qin’s, she had no say in her marriage. She knew this since she was sensible.

Her options were limited: either accept the family’s arrangement, find someone of equal status, or like Li Ziyu, take over the family business and become a powerful woman, at the cost of possibly remaining unmarried for life. She hadn’t expected this day to come so soon.

After the talk, Jiuyue left to go downstairs to the parking garage and got into her Porsche Turbo. Instead of heading to the Qin family estate, she drove aimlessly.

Meanwhile, Su Lin, using the “Traceless Snow Steps” skill, was relishing the thrill of ancient light body techniques. He arrived at Renmin Square but didn’t find Jiuyue and Xiao Chen, so he continued his search.

At the square, Su Lin noticed a young man in simple attire. It was Xiao Chen, the story’s main protagonist, accompanied by Jiuyue.

Observing their interaction, Su Lin realized this was the crucial moment where Jiuyue’s affection for Xiao Chen began, despite her current annoyance with his persistent flirting.

“Beautiful lady, why frown in such a wonderful world on a beautiful day like this?” Xiao Chen said. “It must be fate that brought us together in this sea of people.”

Jiuyue, slightly irritated, replied, “Do you know you’re annoying? Can you please be quiet?”

“If you want me to be quiet, just tell me your name,” Xiao Chen persisted.

Jiuyue chuckled, “If I tell you my name, you might run away from me.”

This was where Su Lin planned to intervene, intending to change the course of their interaction and the story itself.

Her smile was adorable, revealing two tiny fangs, making her look especially endearing. Xiao Chen, who had rarely encountered such beauty, found himself instantly smitten.

He felt as if it was destiny that brought them together, and this girl was meant to be his future wife, making him dismiss any thoughts of Li Ziyu.

“Hehe, are you some fearsome beast that I should run away from at the mention of your name?” Xiao Chen retorted, undeterred. As a young martial arts master, he couldn’t think of anyone who could intimidate him.

Qin Jiuyue found Xiao Chen somewhat ridiculous. This seemingly unremarkable man, who only had bright eyes to his credit, was trying to flirt with her, which was both amusing and annoying. She had an idea and suggested, “How about we make a bet then?”

“What bet?” asked Xiao Chen.

Just as Qin Jiuyue was about to respond, Su Lin approached, interrupting the conversation. “Isn’t this the birthday star, Xiaoyue? What brings you to Renmin Square instead of unwrapping gifts at home?”

Xiao Chen felt irked by Su Lin’s sudden intrusion. He was in the middle of flirting, and Su Lin’s arrival, coupled with his familiarity with the girl, instantly triggered hostility in him.

Su Lin, completely ignoring Xiao Chen, focused on Qin Jiuyue, “Surprised to see you here.”

Qin Jiuyue nodded, “I’m surprised to see you here too and what’s so surprising about me being here?” asked Qin Jiuyue.

Without waiting for him to respond she continued, “I thought you went off with that long-legged beauty. I didn’t expect to find you here at Renmin Square.”

“Hehe, Yanyan is just a friend of mine,” said Su Lin.

Xiao Chen, feeling ignored and finally finding an opening, interjected, “Cut it out, playboy.”

Su Lin raised an eyebrow, “Xiaoyue, is he your friend?”

Looking surprised, Su Lin glanced at Qin Jiuyue, indicating his disbelief that she would be friends with someone like Xiao Chen.

Normally, Qin Jiuyue would have acknowledged Xiao Chen as her friend, but under Su Lin’s influence, the protaganist halo had no effect.

Qin Jiuyue shook her head, “No, he’s just a rogue who suddenly appeared on the street.”

Su Lin frowned, “This guy doesn’t seem like a good person.”

“Hey, watch your language. Keep blabbering and see if I don’t beat you up,” Xiao Chen threatened.

Hearing this, Qin Jiuyue looked at Xiao Chen with disdain. “Calling you a rogue is already elevating you. You threaten to beat up people for no reason, what would you do if someone actually offended you? Go as far as to kill their whole family?”

“Heh, maybe he really would kill someone’s entire family,” laughed Su Lin.

In the original plot, those who offended Xiao Chen almost always faced the annihilation of their families. If a family survived, it was usually because there was a beautiful woman whom Xiao Chen then took into his harem.

Xiao Chen was enraged, feeling mocked by Su Lin’s laughter. “You… dare to tell me your name?”

Su Lin flicked his hair and struck a pose, “Ever heard of the Li family of Donghai? Li Ziyen! If you have the guts, come to the Li family and face me. See if I don’t beat the crap out of you.”

Su Lin wasn’t really trying to divert trouble elsewhere but to build a closer relationship with Qin Jiuyue. He knew she liked the bad-boy, cunning type.

After saying this, Su Lin took Qin Jiuyue’s hand, “Let’s go, Xiaoyue. Don’t waste time on such a ruffian.”

Watching them leave, Xiao Chen was furious: “Li Ziyu, you’re seeking death!”

He stomped on the ground, causing it to crack. “I wasn’t planning to go to the Li family, but now that you’re Li Ziyu, I wonder what your face will look like when you see me, your little uncle.”

Xiao Chen’s mood improved at the thought of Su Lin’s surprise upon seeing him at the Li family. He was confident that eventually, Qin Jiuyue would learn his name.

Meanwhile, Su Lin, after walking some distance with Qin Jiuyue, let go of her hand. She didn’t fuss over him holding her hand but squinted at him, revealing her tiny fangs,

“So, you introduced yourself that way to shift trouble onto others, huh? Su Lin, I really wasn’t wrong about you. You’re full of mischief.”

Su Lin chuckled, “As far as I know, this Li Ziyu is trying to undercut my dad’s business unscrupulously. It’s only fair that I give him a taste of his own medicine.”

“And you, Xiaoyue, don’t think you can fool everyone. If I hadn’t shown up, you were going to play tricks on that guy, weren’t you?”

Qin Jiuyue wrinkled her nose, “Hmph! That Xiao Chen was annoyingly persistent. It serves him right to get a lesson.”

“Oh? But it seemed like you were getting along well with him just now.”

“You must have seen wrong,” Qin Jiuyue retorted lightly.

“You already knew his name and yet claim it wasn’t a friendly conversation?” Su Lin teased.

“That’s because he introduced himself right off the bat, with a disgusting smile. He thought he looked dashing with that smile, which was just nauseating.”

Su Lin burst into laughter, “Is it that kind of gaze that looks lecherous but pretends to be virtuous and upright?”

“Exactly! That kind of gaze. Disgusting!!!”