The Beloved Guide Was Forced in a Love-Rival Shura Field - Chapter 13

Ning Ning looked to the left, then to the right, and his headache only worsened.

This wasn’t an upgraded dorm room—it was more like the battlefield had been moved directly into his bedroom!

Xiao Lin, tall and imposing, naturally walked into the left half of the room, which was clearly his “territory.” He turned back, his deep voice carrying a tone of undeniable authority:

“Your things have been packed. From now on, you’ll live here. It’s safe.”

He pointed at the bed on the left side, which looked hard enough to break a back.

Before Ning Ning could even process this absurd situation, his terminal beeped. A message from Gu Qingfeng popped up, the warm words practically carrying his voice along with them:

【Ning Ning, I temporarily upgraded your security and living quarters. I hope you’ll like it. The material of the bed on the right side has a calming effect that helps with sleep. Good night.】

Ning Ning: “……”

He felt like a tiny rabbit caught between two lions. On the left was cold steel and iron walls; on the right, a gentle trap. No matter which way he turned, there was no escape.

Carefully, barefoot, he stepped onto the soft carpet on the right side.

The fine plush wrapped around his toes, the sensation so comfortable that he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, letting out a small, contented “Mmm.”

Xiao Lin’s gaze instantly darkened.

Oblivious, Ning Ning padded across the room on bare feet, the light patter of his steps leading him to the massive double-doored fridge in the center. Curious, he tugged it open.

The next moment, his violet eyes lit up, as though two stars had been switched on.

The fridge no longer contained the boring rations and mineral water. Instead, it was crammed full—strawberry pudding, the most popular dessert on the Capital Star; rare berries from remote agricultural planets, each said to be worth a fortune; juices, milk, sparkling water… every shelf bursting with treats!

“Wow…” Ning Ning couldn’t help a little gasp of wonder.

All that talk of top secrets, high-level protection—none of it compared to the treasure trove of snacks inside this fridge. He had always been pampered, someone who knew how to enjoy life. And no matter how big the issue, filling his stomach always came first.

He pulled out a cup of strawberry pudding, tore off the lid, and scooped a huge spoonful into his mouth. His cheeks puffed up as he chewed, his words muffled with delight:

“This is so good.”

Xiao Lin remained silent at his side, watching as Ning Ning scurried around the new room like a little hamster who had stumbled upon treasure. The way he squinted from the softness of the carpet, the way his eyes sparkled at the sight of a full fridge—his pale, frightened face finally regained its color, even flushed with excitement.

The heart of the Empire’s Marshal, frozen solid from Huo Ze’s coveting and Gu Qingfeng’s provocation, melted completely at that simple joy.

The cold hardness in his eyes faded, replaced only with endless tenderness and indulgence. So this was all it took to make the boy happy.

“Do you like it?” Xiao Lin’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of caution he didn’t even realize was there.

“Mhm!” Ning Ning nodded vigorously, shoving another big spoonful of pudding into his mouth. A trace of milk clung to the corner of his lips, unnoticed, as his violet eyes curved into bright crescents. “This place is so comfy! But… what about Lin Yuan?”

At last, he remembered his poor roommate.

“He’s been moved to another dorm. The academy will compensate him well.” Xiao Lin’s tone was flat, like he was stating a trivial fact.

“Oh…” Ning Ning murmured. A flicker of guilt for Lin Yuan crossed his mind, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

Hugging his pudding cup, he wandered around before finally succumbing to temptation, diving onto the right-side bed—the one that clearly belonged to Gu Qingfeng.

The mattress bounced gently before embracing him, and he rolled across the softness with a sigh, wrapping himself up in a quilt scented faintly of herbs. Only his fluffy silver head poked out.

“Xiao Lin,” he peeked from the blankets, his voice soft and sweet with comfort, “thank you.”

He didn’t really understand what was happening, but he knew it was connected to the man standing before him.

Xiao Lin approached, towering over the bed. The boy’s delicate face was framed by messy silver strands, his violet eyes crystal clear as they reflected his figure back at him.

And yet—he was lying on another man’s bed.

That realization darkened Xiao Lin’s gaze, his aura sinking.

That one soft “thank you” landed on the Marshal’s heart like a feather, brushing against his nerves, bringing both sweetness and a sharp sting.

He reached out. This time, he didn’t hold back. His warm, callused fingertip brushed against Ning Ning’s lips, wiping away the trace of milk.

“No need to thank me.” Xiao Lin’s voice dropped lower, rough with an edge of rasp. “All you need to do… is stay here.”

Stay under his wings. Stay safe, under his protection.

The touch of his finger was slightly rough, sending a ticklish shiver across Ning Ning’s skin. Instinctively, he shrank his neck, suddenly sensing that something about the atmosphere wasn’t right.

Blinking, he realized belatedly—he was lying on the wrong bed.

Before he could get up, Xiao Lin straightened, his voice cold and clipped again:

“Rest early. Starting tomorrow, I’ll personally train you in combat.”

With that, he turned and left, his back weighed with restrained heaviness.

The door closed, leaving silence behind.

Ning Ning sprawled out across the luxurious bed, limbs stretched into a star shape, staring listlessly at the ceiling.

So boring…

Even with all the comfort, being unable to leave felt like being trapped in a golden cage. He was like a bird with no room left to flap its wings.

Just as mold was about to grow on him, the gentle, cute voice of System 89 chimed in his mind:

【Ding! Host, you’ve triggered a new mission!】

【Mission: Persuade at least one elite sentinel guarding you to serve you. No punishment if you fail, but success will grant you an unexpected reward!】

Ning Ning’s eyes went dull.

Persuade them? Was this some kind of joke?

He sneaked a glance through the door crack at the sentinel outside—stone-faced, sharp-eyed, the type whose willpower could shatter granite.

This was Xiao Lin’s personal guard! Convincing them to betray the Marshal for him? Harder than ascending to the heavens!

Still… better than sitting around bored. Might as well try?

Adjusting his messy silver hair, Ning Ning composed himself, then cautiously opened the door a sliver.

The sentinel instantly caught the movement, his sharp gaze sweeping over.

But when he saw Ning Ning’s fragile, breathtakingly beautiful face, his eyes paused. Though he forced control, his breath faltered ever so slightly.

Ning Ning put on his most harmless, pitiful expression, his voice soft with a hint of pleading.

“Um…”

His words were small, like a kitten’s paw scratching gently at the heart.

“Big brother, I really want milk tea from that shop outside the academy… Could you sneak out and get me one? Just one cup. I’ll be back quickly.”

He blinked his violet eyes, shimmering like a spring-fed pool, carrying a deadly, unconscious charm.

The sentinel’s face remained stoic as an iceberg, but Ning Ning’s sharp eyes caught it—his ears, pale against the collar of his black uniform, were flushing red.

Promising!

Ning Ning pressed on, voice softer still: “Please, big brother, just one little sip…”

The tall man stiffened, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Instead of answering, he raised a hand to his comm unit, his voice strained and almost panicked as he reported directly to his commanding officer:

“Marshal! The target… the target… he—he wants milk tea!”

Ning Ning: “……”

Great. He tattled.

He slammed the door shut, patting his chest in guilt. Mission failed.

Ten minutes later.

The dorm door opened again. A neat row of delivery robots rolled in, each carrying a tray piled high with drinks.

Classic pearl milk tea, fruity blends, cheese foam, sparkling sodas—practically every item from every famous shop in the Capital Star.

The entire living room table was buried under drinks, sweet aromas filling the air.

Cradling a warm taro boba, Ning Ning sipped slowly, his cheeks puffed out like a little hamster. He was utterly dumbfounded.

His terminal chimed again. A new message from Xiao Lin, brief and domineering:

【If you want something, tell me. Don’t ask anyone else.】

Ning Ning stared at the mountain of milk tea, on the verge of tears.

Somehow… this persuasion mission seemed to have gone terribly wrong.

Support The Beloved Guide Was Forced in a Love-Rival Shura Field