Forced To Take Care Of The Protagonist, She Can't Leave [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 12

Huo Chen had indeed been happy, but that joy did not last long because the doorbell rang. The visitor was the man he had met at the school gate.

“Fu Lian?” he heard Gu Qingshi ask with a hint of confusion.

Huo Chen understood immediately that this man had barged in without notice, which was incredibly impolite.

“Greet him,” Gu Qingshi said, tapping Huo Chen’s arm.

“…”

Huo Chen was annoyed, but he could not ruin the image he had worked so hard to maintain. He spoke with great reluctance: “Uncle Fu.”

Fu Lian smiled at him, then sat down with the familiarity of a long-time guest. Looking at the food still on the table, he chuckled, “It seems that a half-grown child eats the master out of house and home is not an exaggeration.”

Huo Chen had already finished eating, but since this man had insulted him, he was certainly not about to leave. He buried his head back into his food.

Gu Qingshi was surprised. Is he still not full? He has already had two bowls of rice.

Fu Lian’s eye twitched slightly, but he maintained his elegant demeanor and turned to Gu Qingshi: “Is your health improving?”

Clatter. Gu Qingshi’s porcelain spoon accidentally fell to the floor. He had been about to speak, but he had to turn his gaze toward Huo Chen instead. Gu Qingshi did not think it was a big deal, but he frowned slightly. “What happened? Go ask the nanny to get a new one.”

Huo Chen said pitifully: “It was not on purpose.”

“I know. Go quickly.” Gu Qingshi’s expression remained calm as he gestured toward the kitchen. Huo Chen sprinted off at lightning speed.

“I still feel like your complexion is very poor…” Fu Lian tried to ignore the annoying child.

Gu Qingshi replied: “Mmm, but it is much better—hm?”

Huo Chen had run back in a hurry and accidentally bumped into Gu Qingshi’s arm, interrupting their conversation.

“Why are you running around the house?”

“Oh…” Huo Chen sat back down looking aggrieved and began to drink his soup honestly.

“Is there a reason you came by today?” Gu Qingshi asked, feeling puzzled. Fu Lian was wealthy—beyond being the general director of a foundation, he was a shareholder and partner in film investment companies, real estate, and five-star hotels. He should have been busy. Yet, he always seemed so idle. Gu Qingshi had asked before, but the man had simply said, “Why should I be busy when I pay so much money for others to manage the company?”

That was true enough, but Gu Qingshi was annoyed. He did not like socializing unless it was for work. The entertainment circle here was similar to his previous world; the interpersonal relationships were not difficult to navigate. Plus, with 996 keeping the ordinary person barrier active, Gu Qingshi faced no risk of being bothered—except by Fu Lian.

Gu Qingshi did not appreciate uninvited guests, especially during mealtime.

“Can’t I come visit you if I have nothing else to do?” Fu Lian tilted his head to look at Gu Qingshi. Huo Chen dug into the minced meat at the bottom of his bowl with his spoon, making a slight noise. Fu Lian did not understand why he had not dismissed the child. Shouldn’t he leave automatically when an adult arrived?

【Is Fu Lian truly a bug?】

996 pondered the question before answering rigorously: 【Returning to the Host, the world has not detected Fu Lian as a character; this individual will not affect the normal plot.】

Gu Qingshi understood: 【So I do not necessarily have to socialize with him, right?】

996 processed this like a human-like system: 【Theoretically, yes. But Host, is it bad to have friends?】

Gu Qingshi paused. Is it bad to have friends? Even he was confused as to why he was so resistant.

“Fine,” Gu Qingshi told Fu Lian.

Huo Chen lost his appetite entirely.

“But you must tell me in advance; otherwise, I won’t be able to host you properly.” Gu Qingshi looked up and said politely, subtly indicating that he did not like sudden visits.

Fu Lian bit into an apple and said carelessly, “Fine, fine, I will definitely tell you next time. How about you go out with me this afternoon? Shall we see an art exhibition? I have already bought the tickets.”

Another notification. Gu Qingshi felt physically exhausted, but remembering 996’s words, he thought, Is it really so bad to have a friend?

“…Alright.”

Cough, cough, cough, cough. Huo Chen suddenly started coughing, as if he had choked.

Gu Qingshi frowned and looked over, patting Huo Chen’s back with concern before calling for the nanny. Even this could make him choke.

“Excuse me, please wait a moment.” Gu Qingshi turned back to say, then took Huo Chen to the washroom. Fu Lian sat in his chair, watching the man’s retreating back. He did not speak.

The nanny checked Huo Chen’s throat to ensure nothing was obstructing his airway before she felt relieved, only saying, “Oh, Little Huo, drink slowly!”

Gu Qingshi kept his brows furrowed; his expression was not great. What if he blocked his windpipe?

“Sorry…” Huo Chen could not suppress his irritability. Who is this guy named Fu? He has to come over.

The cool sensation pressed against his chin made Huo Chen freeze; then he noticed the face leaning in close.

“Open your mouth.”

Gu Qingshi looked down and, finding nothing wrong, let go. “Do not drink so fast in the future.”

“Oh.”

The nanny left to tidy up the table. Gu Qingshi could not describe his current mood. He did not want to be with Fu Lian, whose emotions were too external. He always arranged things without asking for opinions, though perhaps he meant well.

“Wash your hands.”

Huo Chen honestly rinsed his fingers, then looked up at Gu Qingshi as he finished, as if waiting for the next command or seeking a reward for completing a task.

“…Is there a towel on my face? Wipe it off.”

Huo Chen felt a ripple in his heart and inexplicably felt better. He wiped his hands thoroughly.

“Mmm, go upstairs to your room and rest. Remember to set an alarm.”

Huo Chen had to leave, despite his reluctance. He did not want to annoy Gu Qingshi; this man had never cared much for him. It seemed as if raising him was just a task.

When Huo Chen reached the second floor, he could not help but steal a look downstairs. He felt even more miserable. Is he really going out with that person this afternoon? What is fun about the outside? Isn’t home better?

He could not help but think this. The scene at noon had been too impactful, making Huo Chen’s heart flutter. Being able to see Gu Qingshi the moment he got home—the person he had always been curious about—waiting for him in this house called home. It was too tempting.

Huo Chen returned to his room, leaned against the door, and slowly slid down. His gaze swept to a gap in the wardrobe where he had hidden an old book and a fruit knife. He had snuck them back with him. Huo Chen thought about it, then moved a potted plant to cover the gap.

He stood silently for a moment.

The elementary school courses were a bit boring; even a prestigious school did not exceed age-appropriate limits. Because Huo Chen was new, his classmates kept looking at him and whispering.

Huo Chen was in a foul mood. When he woke up from his nap at noon, he found Gu Qingshi gone; he had really left with that man.

What is so good about an art exhibition!

At such a young age, he was already displaying strong possessiveness, though Huo Chen was completely unaware of it.

“Hello, your name is Huo Chen, right?” A pretty little girl sat down and greeted him gently.

Huo Chen smelled a faint fruity fragrance and was puzzled. Why did she also have a scent? He had thought only Gu Qingshi did. But it was different…

“Hello.” The little kid had his first social interaction.

“I am Chu Xian. You can call me by my nickname, Chuchu.” Chu Xian smiled sweetly, with two dimples on her cheeks and fluffy bangs, looking like a doll.

Huo Chen said coldly, “Hello, Chu Xian.”

Gu Qingshi did not actually want to appreciate the art exhibition; he had no intention of appraising abstract art. If art could not be understood by the general public, it was art with a barrier. Gu Qingshi did not like that sense of superiority.

“Is it not good? I thought you would like it.” Fu Lian asked, turning his head. His expression had returned to normal as he looked at Gu Qingshi.

Gu Qingshi had been chatting with 996 the whole way. 996 was a very dedicated reporter, providing precise evaluations for every exhibit.

“It is alright,” Gu Qingshi simply said, his expression remaining calm, without any fluctuations.

Fu Lian suddenly felt very poor in spirit and said coldly, “If you don’t like it, I will take you back.”

Gu Qingshi was slightly surprised, but still said, “Okay.”

996 mocked him in his mind.

【It is normal that the Host does not like it! 996 does not like it either; it is so ugly.】

【That is because you do not know how to appreciate it.】 Gu Qingshi teased it, feeling that chatting with 996 was more interesting.

996 was so angry it chirped in Gu Qingshi’s mind for a long time.

The atmosphere in the car, however, was very heavy. The weather outside was still lovely, with sunshine and blue skies. Gu Qingshi was still somewhat dazed as he watched. It was identical to his own world; it really did not feel like a dream.

Fu Lian, feeling piqued, grumbled, “So, it would have been better to take you to People’s Park, would it not?”

Gu Qingshi: “No, I just do not understand it.”

“I see you just are not in the mood to go out with me.” Fu Lian said coldly, though it was unclear whether he meant it or was just joking.

Gu Qingshi could not guess. He thought for a moment and said, “I am a bit tired.”

Fu Lian felt an uncharacteristic awkwardness. When he dropped him off at home, he added earnestly: “I thought your health had improved… never mind, never mind. Get some rest these next few days.”

Gu Qingshi nodded slightly at the doorway and went back inside once the other man left. His expression remained very flat.

Another “thought.”

Gu Qingshi was tired. The moment he walked through the door, his face turned cold; he could not keep up the act anymore. He went upstairs to rest, opening the window for some ventilation. When he was tired, he slept; when he woke up, he read his script for a while; and when he got tired again, he slept some more.

996 felt sleepy just watching him. But just as 996 was about to go into sleep mode, it was forcibly awakened by an instruction. It extracted the information and began broadcasting.

【Host, Host, the system has detected that the plot development between Cui Kewen and the protagonist Huo Chen is too low; the Host needs to promote it.】

Gu Qingshi frowned and yawned. 【Promote it?】

【Yes, yes. Cui Kewen is the young protagonist’s White Moonlight and his salvation. Having her activity level too low will lead to a lack of this plot segment; it needs to be filled in completely.】

【So what do I need to do? Huo Chen is only eight years old.】

Gu Qingshi did not really understand this type of novel; why must a young person love someone? Could one not have goals without a White Moonlight? Besides, how could there be such a big age gap? Their values belonged to different generations; it was just something written in novels.

996 said very cautiously, 【Host, do not worry; a support character cannot interfere with the main plot, so you only need to let the two of them meet to pull their activity level to the average value.】

Gu Qingshi felt a headache from hearing this new term, but asked, 【What is their current activity level?】

【0】

【…】

996 said awkwardly, 【The protagonist has already forgotten this character, but she is, after all, his White Moonlight. Forgetting her completely would violate the logic of the world.】

Gu Qingshi thought about it and felt it might be good to see that girl; she should be starting university soon, right?

Just then, a muffled tapping came from the door of the master bedroom.

“Gu Qingshi, are you in there?” A young, high-pitched voice came from the door.

996 was very dissatisfied with this; it wanted to spend system coins to exchange for a sweet-girl voice later.

School out?

Gu Qingshi said “Mmm,” and a small figure poked through the crack in the door and ran over in a few seconds. He did not speak after running over; he just stood there.

“School out?” Gu Qingshi put the script aside and asked a very nutrient-less question.

Huo Chen nodded. “Mmm!” His tail was almost wagging.

996 inexplicably felt a sense of hostility and was quite unhappy. How is the protagonist better at sucking up than me?