Save That Miserable Protagonist - Chapter 8

The system’s urgency was contagious, and Lu Xun found himself moving with an inexplicable sense of frantic haste. He drove nearly the entire way, pressing the very limits of the speed counter. By the time he stood at the entrance of the bar, Lu Xun realized he had not even had time to change.

He was wearing a dark silk pajama top under a long windcoat he had grabbed at random, and his hair was slightly disheveled. This appearance was technically out of place in a bar, yet, perhaps due to his innate temperament, he merged with the environment in a strangely fitting way. He exuded an air of lazy, decadent nobility.

With the system’s warnings still ringing in his ears, Lu Xun ignored his unrefined attire and strode into the bar. His gaze scanned the room inch by inch, but he could not find that familiar figure. A faint frown creased his brow as irritability welled up in his chest.

Just as he was about to search elsewhere, a burst of familiar, boisterous laughter drifted from a semi-open booth nearby. It was his usual group of fair-weather friends. Lu Xun originally intended to ignore them, until Yu Che’s loud voice clearly carried a familiar name to his ears.

“Do you want to bet? I bet our Young Master Lu’s interest will not last more than a month!”

“A month? I think that is a stretch. When has Brother Lu ever been this attentive? I heard he even personally drove to pick that person up after class a couple of days ago!”

“Oh, attentive? Give me a break. I think Brother Lu is just bored lately and wanted a tough nut to crack. I heard that person has not accepted a single gift Lu Xun has sent. With that kind of playing hard to get, I bet Brother Lu will be bored of him in less than two weeks.”

“A wild horse is only interesting once it is tamed. But seriously, what is that guy’s background? How did he manage to entrance Lu Xun so thoroughly?”

“I heard he is just a poor student. Do not worry, no poor person dislikes money. No matter how tough he acts, once Lu Xun throws enough money at him, I do not believe he will not bend his back.”

The words buzzed in Lu Xun’s ears like flies. Only then did Lu Xun truly understand why Pei Tingsong had been so angry with him. Because of his pursuit over these past few days, Lu Xun had long known that rumors were circulating in private. He had ignored them, thinking that letting people know Pei Tingsong was “his” would actually ward off trouble for him.

He had taken it for granted that Pei Tingsong should be grateful for his favor and protection. Instead, the man had mocked him with those cold eyes. When had Lu Xun ever taken such an insult? A surge of offended, high-and-dry anger instantly swept through him.

However, it was only at this moment that Lu Xun realized, in hindsight, that no one believed he was seriously pursuing Pei Tingsong. He had indeed branded Pei Tingsong; he branded him as a plaything that someone had taken a fancy to. No wonder Pei Tingsong was angry. A man as proud as he was.

But in truth, did Lu Xun really not know about these comments? He likely knew, but he had not cared until someone laid it out so crudely before his eyes, speaking aloud the very thoughts Lu Xun had once held. They were right; he had thought exactly that. Pei Tingsong was a whim, a challenging new toy. Lu Xun’s interest always had an expiration date.

If it were not for the system, Lu Xun would have already had his way with Pei Tingsong and might already be bored by now. But why did it feel so uncomfortable to hear this group discuss Pei Tingsong in such a flippant, objectifying tone? The suppressed irritability surged back up. A somewhat unfamiliar voice, thick with drunkenness and lewdness, cut in.

“If you ask me, who cares if he is stubborn? Just use a little method and it will be fine. Look at that waist, those legs, and those eyes. He is so damn enticing! Imagine pressing him down.”

Lu Xun could not listen anymore.

Stretching forward with a large stride, Lu Xun delivered a fierce kick that sent the foul-mouthed man crashing to the floor. Wine bottles on the table shattered into a mess of glass as the man went down. The booth fell into a dead silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the sudden appearance of Lu Xun. He stood amidst the wreckage, the hem of his windcoat fluttering slightly from the motion, carrying a lingering chill. The light caught his expressionless, handsome profile, illuminating his face. He was cold, and his jawline was tightly set. Those amber-green eyes, usually full of lazy mirth, were now frozen over, glowing with a terrifying green light.

“Damn it! Who the hell kicked me? Do you know who I am? Do you have a death wish?” The man on the floor clutched his stomach, curled up in pain, but his mouth continued to spew filth.

Lu Xun watched this scene and slowly curled his lips into a smirk, though his eyes remained icy. He stepped forward slowly, looking down at the man on the ground. His voice was not loud, but it carried an intense pressure. “Do you know who I am?”

Leaning down slightly, Lu Xun’s gaze was like a poisoned blade. He used the tip of his shoe to lightly tap the man’s face, an action that felt like a slap to everyone present. “Lusting after my person? You must have a death wish.”

The words “my person” were heavily emphasized, carrying an unquestionable tone of sovereignty. The entire booth went silent. Those who had been laughing and joking a moment ago were now too terrified to even breathe loudly. Yu Che’s face turned pale. He took a small step forward, attempting to smooth things over. “Lu, Brother Lu, it is a misunderstanding. He just had too much to drink and was talking nonsense.”

Hearing this, Lu Xun straightened up. His cold gaze slowly circled the room, sweeping over every terrified face before landing on Yu Che.

“Weren’t you all having a great time betting on me just now?” Lu Xun let out a soft laugh. His tone was gentle, but the smile did not reach his eyes, and his entire aura was chilling. “Why did you stop?”

No one dared to answer.

“What was the stake?” Lu Xun asked airily. He pulled a cigarette case from his coat pocket, tapped out a cigarette, and lit it. As the blue-gray smoke drifted upward, Lu Xun looked through the haze at the trembling man on the floor with indifferent eyes. “Count me in.”

His voice was lazy but heavy with pressure. “I bet on myself.” He paused, his gaze moving past the crowd to a point in the distance, as if speaking to everyone and to himself. “My interest is at its peak, and I have no intention of getting bored.”

After saying this, Lu Xun turned to Yu Che with a cold warning. “This is your party, so I will give you face. But do not let me hear this filth again. Furthermore, everyone who spoke disrespectfully of Pei Tingsong had better go and apologize to him. Starting tomorrow.”

Lu Xun tapped his finger on the table, creating a series of sharp clicks. His words carried an order that allowed no defiance. “No rumors about Pei Tingsong are allowed in school. We are in a legitimate pursuit. I am pursuing him. Do you understand?”

With that, Lu Xun stubbed out the cigarette he had only taken one puff of onto the table. Without looking at anyone, he turned and left.

Where there are people, there are social classes, and the wealthy elite were no exception. Lu Xun was at the very top of that peak; he could afford to be ruthless and give no face to anyone. The fire in his heart had been partially vented, but a deeper, indescribable emotion continued to swirl in his mind, leaving him restless. Striding through the noisy dance floor, Lu Xun only wanted to find Pei Tingsong and leave this suffocating place.

Just as he reached the exit, his footsteps halted abruptly. His gaze locked onto a figure by the side of the bar: it was Pei Tingsong. He had clearly just finished a task and was carrying an empty tray back to the kitchen.

Pei Tingsong was wearing the standard black bar uniform. The fabric was ordinary, but the cut was unexpectedly well-fitted, especially the waist, which clearly outlined a supple and lean waistline. He kept his head slightly lowered, his profile appearing blurred under the flashing lights. His thick eyelashes cast a small shadow on his eyelids.

It was the most ordinary working posture, yet because of the slight, unnoticeable irritability on Pei Tingsong’s face, his straight back, and his quiet, distant aura, it created a powerful, almost ascetic attraction. He was incredibly alluring.

Lu Xun stood in the shadows not far away, quietly watching him. All the previous irritability, anger, and chaotic emotions seemed to settle down at that moment, replaced by a strong, almost instinctive possessiveness.

That person was his. Regardless of whether he understood it himself, regardless of what others said, and regardless of how much Pei Tingsong resisted, he could only be his. The system had chosen him, he knew Pei Tingsong’s destiny, and he was going to change it. Their blood had already merged together on a rainy day.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as Lu Xun swallowed his desire.

Pei Tingsong had finished delivering the items. He had not noticed Lu Xun, but for some reason, his steady pace suddenly became erratic. Lu Xun watched as Pei Tingsong nearly doubled over, then began to walk while leaning against the counter for support. His steps were messy, as if he were enduring great pain, appearing as if he might fall at any second.

[Warning! Warning! The mission target is about to encounter danger! Host, stop watching and follow him immediately!]

The cold mechanical voice was thick with urgency. Hearing this, Lu Xun snapped out of it and immediately strode forward to follow him.