Male Lead, Please Don’t Covet the Mob Character Cannon Fodder (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 11

Upon hearing the report, Gu Jiuli muttered to himself, “Tsk, he is even more foolish than I imagined.”

Zhang Daniu peeked up at Gu Jiuli. Seeing that the General’s expression was not displeased, he gathered his courage and said, “General, that young master should still be at the Exquisite Pavilion. I am willing to redeem myself by meeting with Chi Liang of the Exquisite Pavilion to demand his release.”

“There is no need,” Gu Jiuli said as he paced out of the interrogation room. His cold, cruel voice echoed through the space where the walls were stained with dark red blood. “Cut out his tongue, break his arms and legs, and throw him out.”

“No! Please no! General, have mercy! Ahhh!” Zhang Daniu’s desperate pleas quickly turned into agonizing screams.

As he walked out of the dungeon, Gu Jiuli brushed his sleeves, though there was no dust on them. He thought, somewhat abruptly, that he might have been infected by a bit of servility from his amnesiac self. Otherwise, why would he feel such intense rage toward those who had harmed the young man?

It was just like when he had climbed into a warehouse in the middle of the night to set a fire or when he had childishly covered someone’s head with a sack. It was simply pathetic.

Li Yang asked, “General, how shall we deal with the Exquisite Pavilion?”

“Is the crime of human trafficking not enough? Shut it down.” The words left Gu Jiuli’s mouth before he could even think. He gave a small click of his tongue and swept away, leaving the confused captain of the guard, Li Yang, standing alone.

At breakfast, Qingshi ate only a few mouthfuls of porridge before he could eat no more. Gu Jiuli frowned at his thin frame and placed a serving of green vegetables into his bowl. “Eat more. You have grown so thin you are losing your form.”

Qingshi picked up his chopsticks and ate a few more bites. However, as soon as he managed to swallow the vegetables, Gu Jiuli added another serving.

Feeling as though the food reached his throat, Qingshi helplessly put down his utensils. “Da Hei, I mean, Jiuli, I truly cannot eat any more. If I eat another bite, I will be sick.”

“Tsk, you have the appetite of a kitten,” Gu Jiuli remarked.

“Brother Jiuli!” Ma Qilin, dressed in flamboyant, colorful robes, arrived at the General’s Manor early in the morning. “The news that you spent ten thousand gold pieces for a beauty at the Exquisite Pavilion yesterday has spread across all of Yancheng! Hahaha! They are all saying that after years of avoiding women, it turns out you only love handsome men.”

“Oh, you are eating.” Ma Qilin noticed the two at the table. He stepped forward and looked Qingshi up and down. Qingshi was dressed in a silver-white robe with wide sleeves. Ma Qilin’s eyes were full of admiration. “Wow, Sister-in-law, you are truly beautiful. The only other person I have seen who could carry off Cloud Silk so well was the second son of the Shen family.”

“Pardon?” Qingshi was stunned by the title. “You have misunderstood. I am not.”

After listening to Qingshi’s explanation, Ma Qilin finally understood that the relationship was not what he had assumed. “So you are saying that Qingshi saved Jiuli, and now Jiuli has saved you? You are simply each other’s benefactors. I understand now.”

He sat down beside Qingshi and asked, “Then, Qingshi, are you married? Is there someone you like?”

“Mhm?” Qingshi did not know why he was suddenly being asked this, but he answered honestly. “No, neither.”

“Is that true!” Ma Qilin grabbed Qingshi’s hands and said affectionately, “Then what do you think of me? My name is Ma Qilin. I have a fine appearance and a modest estate. My grandfather is a Grand Secretary in the imperial court. More importantly, I have a lot of free time and can spend more time accompanying you.”

“Pfft! I am sorry, Master Ma, but I am not considering such matters at the moment.” Qingshi withdrew his hands and his eyes curved into a smile.

“Sigh. It does not matter, Qingshi. I will ask again tomorrow,” Ma Qilin said, clutching his chest.

Clack.

Gu Jiuli put down his chopsticks and ground his teeth. “What is this, Ma Qilin? Has your engagement to Wang Lingling been canceled?”

Ma Qilin’s face turned black instantly. He hissed through gritted teeth, “Gu Jiuli, you rascal! I told you not to mention that shrew to me!”

“Hmph.” Gu Jiuli stood up and placed a hand on Qingshi’s shoulder. “Did you not say you wanted to go to the Quest Academy today? Let us go.”

“Oh, alright.” Qingshi had not even stood firmly before Gu Jiuli grabbed his wrist and led him outside.

Ma Qilin watched their retreating figures and jumped to his feet. “Hey! Wait for me! I want to go too!”

On the carriage.

“Qingshi, why do you want to go to the Quest Academy? It is full of bookworms. There is nothing interesting to see,” Ma Qilin said.

Qingshi replied, “I am going to see my younger brother. He is studying at the academy.”

“You have a brother? How old is he?” Ma Qilin asked curiously.

“He just turned ten this year!” As Qingshi spoke, the carriage hit a sudden bump. He was nearly thrown from his seat, but Gu Jiuli reached out and caught him.

“Ouch!” Ma Qilin fell flat on his backside. Sitting on the floor of the carriage, he saw Qingshi protected in Gu Jiuli’s arms and could not help but roll his eyes. He thought to himself, “Brother, the way you look at him is definitely not how one looks at a mere benefactor!”

“Ooh.” Ma Qilin rubbed his lower back as he sat back down.

Qingshi asked, “Master Ma, are you alright?”

“Qingshi, you can just call me Qilin. I am fine, I just took a bit of a fall,” Ma Qilin responded.

“I have some medicine here, you can.” Qingshi reached for his waist but suddenly remembered that the clothes he had been wearing were long gone. His medicine pouches had naturally disappeared with them, and the rest of his luggage was still at the inn.

He tugged at Gu Jiuli’s sleeve. “Jiuli, my luggage seems to be at the inn. After so many days, I fear the shopkeeper has already thrown it away. Sigh.” Qingshi sighed and bit his lip lightly.

Gu Jiuli glanced at the distressed Qingshi, a hidden smile curling the corner of his mouth. “If you mean those jars and bottles of yours, they are in the storage room of the manor.”

“Really?!” Qingshi thanked him happily. “Thank you, Jiuli. It would not have mattered if the oils and salves were lost, but my luggage contains a set of golden needles passed down by my father. It would have been a great pity to lose them.”

The Male Lead is truly a good person!

“Qingshi, you know how to practice medicine?” Ma Qilin asked after overhearing.

Qingshi gave a shy smile. “I studied for a few years with my father when I was young. I know a little bit.”

“Wow, that is wonderful!” Ma Qilin praised him. When he had heard earlier that Qingshi had saved Gu Jiuli, he thought the story might have been exaggerated due to Qingshi’s eye ailment. Now he saw it was based on genuine skill. “Where are you from, Qingshi? Is your family a medical dynasty?”

Qingshi answered, “I am from Bingzhou. It is not exactly a dynasty; we just occasionally treat villagers for minor ailments like headaches or fevers.”

“I see. Did you come to Yancheng specifically to send your brother to the academy? What are your plans afterward? Will you stay in Yancheng or prepare to go back?” Ma Qilin pressed.

“It is.” Qingshi went silent for a moment before smiling. “If nothing unexpected happens, I intend to go back.” Unfortunately, he knew that something unexpected was destined to happen.

Hearing this, Gu Jiuli’s expression darkened. Dammit, after provoking him, he actually thinks he can make a clean escape? Was he being too kind to him?

“Qingshi, you.” Ma Qilin wanted to ask more, but Gu Jiuli interrupted him directly. “Be quiet. You are too noisy.”

“You!” Ma Qilin was fuming. He gave Gu Jiuli a sharp glare and sat to the side, sulking.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the Quest Academy.

Generally, no one except students is allowed to enter the academy. However, Gu Jiuli showed the medallion of the General’s Manor, and no one dared to stop them.

The three successfully found Song Qingyu, who was currently in class.

When Song Qingyu saw Qingshi and Gu Jiuli, his eyes lit up. He rushed over and hugged Qingshi’s waist. “Brother! Da Hei! Did you come to see me?”

Hearing Song Qingyu’s energetic voice, Qingshi rubbed the top of his head. “Is everything going well at the academy?”

Song Qingyu stepped back from the embrace. “Everything is good. My classmates are friendly, the teacher is very knowledgeable, and I have learned a lot.”

“That is good,” Qingshi said with relief.

Song Qingyu noticed the clothes Qingshi and Gu Jiuli were wearing. “Brother, Da Hei, why do you both look so wealthy today?”

“Oh, I forgot to introduce him,” Qingshi said, pointing to the man beside him. “This is General Gu Jiuli.”

“What?!” Song Qingyu stared at Gu Jiuli with his mouth wide open. He muttered in disbelief, “Da Hei is the mighty General Gu Jiuli?”

Gu Jiuli curled his lips into a smile. “Indeed.”

“Hiss!” Song Qingyu’s vision blurred as he gasped for air. He tugged at Qingshi’s hem. “Brother, Brother, come with me for a moment.”

Song Qingyu pulled him a distance away before whispering, “Brother, are you alright? I have heard that General Gu Jiuli has a terrible personality and has killed countless people. You treated him like a servant. Did he? Did he hit you?”

Qingshi shook his head. “Do not worry, I am fine. More importantly, do you have enough silver?”

“I have enough. You gave me most of the family savings.” Song Qingyu grabbed Qingshi’s sleeve worriedly. “Brother, find an opportunity to go back to the village early. If you ever make Da Hei, I mean, Gu Jiuli unhappy, he could trap you and you would never be able to run. Those nobles all have very strange tempers.”

“Mhm, I will.”

Song Qingyu added, “After you go back, remember to write to me.”

“I will.”

It was not convenient to stay long at the academy. After visiting Song Qingyu, the group set out on the return journey.

On the way, Ma Qilin looked at the expressionless Gu Jiuli, appearing as if he wanted to say something but was hesitating. After glancing several times, he finally could not help but burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! Gu Jiuli, since when did you have the name Da Hei? Hahahaha!”

Gu Jiuli gave Ma Qilin a contemptuous look as the latter doubled over with laughter. He led Qingshi forward, making it clear he did not want to be associated with an idiot.

“Hey, hey!” Ma Qilin wiped the tears from his eyes and hurried to catch up. “Tell your brother! Who was so talented to give you such a great name?”

Qingshi looked embarrassed. The name Da Hei was something he had chosen on a whim. Hearing it now, it truly was quite shameful.

Gu Jiuli snorted and ignored him. However, when he saw Qingshi’s distressed expression, he felt a sudden urge to tease him. He leaned close to Qingshi’s ear and whispered, “Young Master, can you tell me why you gave me the name Da Hei?”

“I.”

“I wondered who would be so shameless as to be affectionate at the academy. It turns out to be our General Gu, who spends ten thousand gold pieces so freely.” A sudden voice interrupted them.

“Tsk,” Ma Qilin looked at the two people standing nearby and rolled his eyes privately. “It is Master Shen Nuo. Long time no see; you are still as beautiful as ever.”

“You!” Chen Kang, who was standing beside Shen Nuo, lost his temper at being ignored.

Shen Nuo stopped the agitated Chen Kang and first greeted Ma Qilin. “Master Ma.” He then turned to Gu Jiuli. “General Gu, the academy is not like the world outside. Please be more mindful of your actions.”

Gu Jiuli sneered. “Shen the Second, you should manage your own dog first. Do not let him out to bark at people. What I do is none of your business.” Having said that, he led Qingshi away.

Behind them, Shen Nuo watched Gu Jiuli’s retreating figure, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes.

Chen Kang saw him staring and assumed Shen Nuo had been hurt by Gu Jiuli’s words. “Brother Shen, do not be angry. That Gu Jiuli spent ten thousand gold for a man; he has become the laughingstock of all Yancheng.”

Shen Nuo withdrew his gaze and gave a strained smile without saying anything.

“Pah! How unlucky! Although I heard Shen the Second took a teaching title at the academy, I did not expect to run into him on our first visit,” Ma Qilin grumbled.

Qingshi was confused. “Master Shen’s voice sounded very upright. He does not seem like a bad person. Why do you dislike him so much?”

“Sigh, Shen the Second used to be quite decent. But since he entered officialdom, he has become exactly like his father, the Minister—an old traditionalist.” Ma Qilin suddenly remembered something and teased, “Speaking of which, Jiuli, were you and Shen the Second not betrothed before birth? Haha! In that case, he is technically your fiancé!”

Gu Jiuli’s face darkened. “If you do not know how to speak, then remain silent.”

Ma Qilin blinked and looked at the joined hands of Gu Jiuli and Qingshi. He lightly slapped his own mouth a few times and gave Gu Jiuli an apologetic smile.

Gu Jiuli suddenly picked up the pensive Qingshi and stepped onto the carriage. “Ma Qilin, walk back yourself.”

886, could this Shen Nuo be the Male Lead’s official partner? Betrothed before birth, a love-hate relationship!

System 886: “It is possible!”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Shen Nuo.” Realizing what he had said, Qingshi quickly covered his mouth.

Gu Jiuli sighed helplessly. “Young Master, there is truly nothing between Shen Nuo and me. That engagement was merely a joke made by our parents when we were young.”

Qingshi blinked and caught the key point. “Jiuli, have your memories all returned?”

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