The Cannon Fodder 'Seme' is the Center of Attention Again (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 33

 

On his wrist, silver handcuffs shimmered.

 

[Host, please be prepared. Moving forward, your role is: The Free Agent.]

 

In the upcoming plot, your character setting is no longer bound by the limitations of a “cannon fodder.” Your choices no longer need to consider the development of the world’s original storyline. You will possess absolute freedom until the new world line reaches its conclusion.

 

Pillars of blue light dropped from the sky like raindrops. For a fleeting moment, Li Qingran’s gray eyes seemed dyed the color of the sky.

 

It was empty, vast, and free.

 

He was free.

 

Li Qingran blinked. Under the stunned gazes of the four men, he tilted his head slightly and repeated himself:

 

“I’m sorry, but I’ve decided to leave on my own.”

 

There were indeed four cars parked in front of him, but that didn’t mean these were the only four cars in the entire world.

 

Why did he have to choose one of them? At the very least, right now, he didn’t want to get into any of them.

 

Jiang Siran’s eyes widened. Whether it was because he was soaked through by the icy rain or for some other reason, he began to tremble uncontrollably. When he spoke, his voice carried a distinct quiver.

 

“Qingran, didn’t we agree to go back to North City together?”

 

Li Qingran merely smiled at him.

 

“But I’ve changed my mind now. Don’t you know me well enough? I’ve never been someone with a sense of contractual integrity.”

 

Otherwise, why would he have stood Gu Shiyu up back then and left with Jiang Siran without a single shred of guilt?

 

Li Qingran spoke calmly. His voice was soft, yet it struck Jiang Siran’s head like a sledgehammer, leaving him lightheaded and his mind blank.

 

His face lost all color, and his body swayed. His dark green eyes, now staring at Li Qingran, were filled with confusion as his pupils lost focus.

 

“Then, the ring?”

 

“I took it off myself.”

 

Li Qingran looked at Jiang Siran and gave a somewhat apologetic smile.

 

“At first, I really did intend to leave with you. But, as they said, I don’t particularly want to put myself in danger. Especially in a strange environment, I have to prioritize my own safety.”

 

He had no intention of sharing anyone’s blessings, so it was impossible for him to share their burdens.

 

As Li Qingran retracted his gaze, Jiang Siran seemed to lose the light shining upon him. His entire being suddenly dimmed.

 

He looked like a contestant eliminated from a talent show. No longer bathed in the dazzling spotlight, he was forced to exit quietly into the darkness.

 

No one would notice, and no one would care.

 

Jiang Siran could no longer hold his umbrella. The large black canopy slipped from his fingers and hit the ground, splashing muddy water onto his black suit trousers. The Alpha, his dark green eyes downcast, looked completely drenched. He looked like a puppy that had just been abandoned by its owner, his gaze lost and helpless.

 

“But,” he still tried to struggle, “I really won’t let you fall into danger. I swear!”

 

“If swearing oaths actually worked, there wouldn’t be so many regrets in this world.”

 

Before Li Qingran could react to Jiang Siran’s vow, Gu Shiyu, standing beside him, spoke up first.

 

“Anyone can talk. I could say I won’t get engaged to Su Jingyi, and you all would sneer at that. So, how can you guarantee your words will come true?”

 

Jiang Siran bit the tip of his tongue hard.

 

Gu Shiyu continued, “You can’t carry Qingran around like an accessory forever. And don’t expect to increase his sense of security just by surrounding him with more manpower. After all, if that actually worked, I wouldn’t have been able to take him away today.”

 

Li Qingran blinked.

 

In truth, he had wanted to retort when Gu Shiyu said that. The main reason the Alpha had been able to take him from the airport so easily was because he, Li Qingran, had actively cooperated. Otherwise, if he had truly wanted to stay, Gu Shiyu could never have forced him away.

 

However, to prevent the World Rules or the Main System from discovering his behind-the-scenes manipulations, which might result in his newfound freedom being revoked as punishment, Li Qingran parted his lips but ultimately said nothing.

 

He watched as Jiang Siran’s face grew paler under Gu Shiyu’s words, his dark green eyes becoming wetter in the heavy rain.

 

Heavy raindrops slid off the Alpha’s long lashes. For a moment, it was impossible to tell if the moisture tracking down his cheeks was rain or tears.

 

“So, this was all just a dream.”

 

He took a deep breath and looked back at Li Qingran. As if to force himself to give up, or perhaps just to seek an answer, he asked softly:

 

“You don’t want to leave with me simply because of what they said? Because the situation with the Jiang family is unstable and I’d be putting you in danger?”

 

Li Qingran gave a quiet affirmation.

 

“Fine.” Jiang Siran nodded. “Other than that, do you have any other reservations about being with me?”

 

“Well,” Li Qingran thought about it seriously, “no.”

 

“It’s just that you think the Jiang family is dangerous right now?”

 

“Correct.”

 

“Good.” Having finished his two questions, Jiang Siran suddenly laughed. “Then I understand.”

 

What exactly did he understand?

 

Gu Shiyu immediately became alert. “Jiang Siran, what are you trying to do?”

 

“Does that have anything to do with you?”

 

Jiang Siran didn’t even look at Gu Shiyu. He stared only at Li Qingran, his lips curling into a stiff but seemingly tender smile.

 

“Then I won’t force you, Qingran. If you don’t want to go to North City now, then don’t. Once I’ve settled everything, I’ll—”

 

“You’ll just come back to attend the wedding between me and my brother!”

 

Before Jiang Siran could finish, Su Jingyi grabbed Li Qingran’s arm and interrupted.

 

The bristling Omega was like a leopard whose territory had been invaded. His amber eyes were filled with suspicion and hostility as he glared at Jiang Siran.

 

“Jiang Siran, I’m warning you: get lost back to North City. You aren’t welcome here, and my brother will never end up with you!”

 

However, faced with Su Jingyi’s aggression, Jiang Siran only laughed softly. He didn’t show much of a reaction to the statement.

 

He didn’t need to. Of the five people present, the only one he needed to care about was Li Qingran.

 

Li Qingran was the judge who would deliver the final verdict.

 

Everyone else was merely a competitor standing on the same step as him.

 

He would be truly foolish if he let these people get to him, especially Su Jingyi, the Omega whom Li Qingran had declared out from the very beginning.

 

So, even though Su Jingyi’s hostility was out in the open, Jiang Siran acted as if he hadn’t noticed. He leaned down to pick up his umbrella, then looked up and smiled at Li Qingran again.

 

“Then, Qingran, once I’ve handled everything, I’ll come back for you.”

 

“Wait for me.”

 

“Wait for your head!” Qi Ziyan couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

 

Wait for me? Was he acting out an idol drama?

 

Did he think he was some sort of tragic male lead? He was clearly delusional. Even standing in the rain this long hadn’t cleared his head. In this fast-paced era, where not talking for three days is a silent agreement to break up and move on, who did he think he was with this romantic act?

 

Qi Ziyan curled his lip in disgust. The other two in the car were equally dismissive of Jiang Siran’s words.

 

Gu Shiyu’s well-defined fingers rested near Li Qingran’s side, possessive yet restrained. His gaze toward Jiang Siran was cold and dark.

 

“Mr. Jiang, do I need to remind you? No one is obligated to wait for a promise that may never be fulfilled, especially when the person making the promise is a total stranger.”

 

Jiang Siran acted as if he didn’t understand Gu Shiyu’s implication. He let out a light chuckle. “I didn’t realize Mr. Gu’s self-awareness had reached such terrifying levels.”

 

“You!”

 

“Then please keep those words in mind, Mr. Gu. Make sure you follow them. Whatever you do, do not become an unwanted burden to someone who has nothing to do with you!”

 

After saying this, Jiang Siran didn’t wait for Gu Shiyu to respond. He reached out, grabbed Li Qingran’s hand, and pressed a cold object into his palm. His dark green eyes met the light, filled with blatant pleading.

 

“You don’t have to wear it. Just keep it safe for me for a while, okay?”

 

Li Qingran looked down at their joined hands. His lips moved as if to say something, but the Alpha, having forced the ring into his hand, had already turned to leave.

 

He walked quickly without looking back, heading straight for his car.

 

The black Horch made a sharp turn in the heavy rain and sped toward the airport without a moment’s pause.

 

Perhaps the person inside knew that if he stopped even for a second, he would never be able to leave again.

 

But he had to leave.

 

Otherwise, the result and the answer he craved would never be within his reach.

 

The dark green gemstone ring rolled from Li Qingran’s palm to his fingertips, then back into his palm as his fingers curled.

 

Su Jingyi watched this, feeling agitated. He looked at Qi Ziyan, who was still standing by the car, and frowned.

 

“Jiang Siran is gone. Why are you still here?”

 

“I’m not with him. Why can’t I stand here?” Qi Ziyan retorted.

 

Su Jingyi grew even more annoyed. “Didn’t you hear my brother? He’s choosing to go on his own. He’s not going with you! Just give up and go back to the Qi family to treat those pheromones of yours that go out of control at the drop of a hat.”

 

“Well, he didn’t say he was going with you either,” Qi Ziyan replied, completely unmoved by Su Jingyi’s words.

 

“If you can stay here, why can’t I?”

 

Even if the Alpha chose to leave on his own, what did it matter?

This place was still a significant distance from the downtown area, making it difficult to find a taxi. Qi Ziyan figured he was handsome and kindhearted, so why not play the part of a hitchhiker’s driver for the sake of love?

“?” Su Jingyi narrowed his eyes.

 

He suddenly realized that after nearly twenty years of knowing Qi Ziyan, the man had a side he had never seen before.

 

How had he never noticed before that Qi Ziyan was this stubborn and thick-skinned?

 

The chestnut-haired Omega was clearly prepared to fight him to the bitter end. At this point, arguing further would just be a waste of breath.

 

Just as Gu Shiyu had said, the final decision rested in Li Qingran’s hands.

 

With that thought, Su Jingyi turned his gaze back to Li Qingran.

 

The Alpha had already tucked the ring away and begun fiddling with his phone. Beside him, Gu Shiyu continued his soft, persuasive coaxing.

 

“Qingran, I know you don’t want to see us gathered here arguing, and I understand you want some peace and quiet. However, it really is hard to get a car here. Especially with this heavy rain, it will be even harder to find a driver willing to pick up the order. Why don’t I take you back to the city first?”

 

Li Qingran looked up at Gu Shiyu, who immediately raised four fingers in a vow.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll drop you off as soon as we reach a busy street downtown. I won’t go a single step further, and I won’t try to persuade you to leave with me during the ride!”

 

“I’m just worried that you’ll be waiting here for a long time and still won’t find a car.”

 

I’m really not lusting after you, brother; I’m just worried about you.

 

Qi Ziyan was nearly nauseated by the overwhelming “Green Tea” scent radiating from Gu Shiyu.

 

How had he never noticed before that beneath that cold, aloof exterior, Gu Shiyu hid the heart of a manipulative schemer?

 

Qi Ziyan looked down on Gu Shiyu’s sincere act, but on the surface, he refused to back down.

 

“Then why not take my car? My car is bigger and more comfortable! And I can also guarantee I’ll drop you off the moment we hit the city.”

 

“And can you guarantee you won’t keep your hands to yourself during the drive?” Su Jingyi asked coldly.

 

Qi Ziyan: “Su Jingyi, can you stop bringing up the past? I told you, my pheromones were unstable at that time.”

 

“Then don’t go wandering around outside. Go home and take your suppressants, okay?” Gu Shiyu said to Qi Ziyan with a smile.

 

The two inside the car worked in tandem, leaving Qi Ziyan speechless.

 

Standing alone outside the car, the Omega was nearly driven to laughter by the way the two were playing off each other. He spoke with biting sarcasm:

 

“Should I say you two really are a match made in heaven? With a genetic match rate of 100 percent, you certainly present a united front against outsiders! Your chemistry is quite something.”

 

“If you two don’t get engaged, how could anyone justify it?”

 

With a metaphorical thunderclap, the heart-stabbing Little Yan made his grand entrance!

 

So you want to talk about me being handsy? You want to use that to attack me?

 

Then what kind of “good people” are you two, with your murky, unresolved engagement?

 

“I’d be worried that if Qingran took your car, he’d be intercepted and dealt with halfway by the Gu or Su families!”

 

Qi Ziyan tilted his head and smirked. “After all, both of you are still living under the surveillance and control of your families.”

 

“Qi Ziyan, you!” Su Jingyi was fuming, unable to speak.

 

Gu Shiyu’s lips parted. “Ultimately, it seems none of our three cars are suitable. How about this, Qingran: I will get out. Let the driver take you first, and after he drops you off, he can come back for me. Can you accept that plan?”

 

As soon as Gu Shiyu finished speaking, before Li Qingran could say a word, the other two Omegas reached their breaking point!

 

Qi Ziyan’s eyebrows shot up. He actually felt a bit of sudden admiration for Gu Shiyu.

 

What a masterful “bitter meat” tactic.

 

By acting so aggrieved, he was betting that Li Qingran wouldn’t actually have the heart to leave him behind!

 

He could play that game, too.

 

Qi Ziyan straightened up, ready to copy the move. Beside him, Su Jingyi had caught on and wasn’t about to be outdone. Both Omegas grabbed Li Qingran’s hands at once. Pale brown and amber eyes looked piteously at the Alpha caught between them.

 

“Qingran!”

 

“Brother!”

 

“I was thinking the same thing. Take my car. I’ll stay here and wait for the driver to come back for me.”

 

“It’s okay, even though I just got soaked in the rain.”

 

“Even though I just recovered from being sick.”

 

“For you, I can wait!”

 

They spoke in unison, causing Gu Shiyu’s lip to twitch.

 

At this moment, the situation had hit another stalemate. Even with one person gone, the problem had spiraled back to the starting point.

 

The remaining three stubbornly refused to leave, and Li Qingran seemed unable to escape their encirclement.

 

But was that really the case?

 

The screech of brakes echoed in their ears again. Under three stunned gazes, a BYD that had appeared out of nowhere cheerfully rolled down its window, revealing a smiling face that was entirely foreign to everyone present.

 

“Excuse me, which one of you is Mr. Li? Your ride has arrived!”

 

What?!

 

In this hellish weather, in the middle of nowhere, he actually got a ride?!

 

One Alpha and two Omegas looked at Li Qingran in shock. Under their burning gazes, he simply offered a faint, innocent smile.

 

Gu Shiyu and the others watched as he waved his phone at them, his voice still clear and gentle.

 

“If the price is high enough, someone will naturally take the order.”

 

All problems can be solved with money. Those that can’t simply haven’t had enough money thrown at them yet.

 

The people in front of him surely understood this better than anyone, so Li Qingran didn’t quite understand why they were looking at him with such astonishment.

 

“I told you, I’ve chosen to leave on my own.”

 

Li Qingran tucked his phone back into his pocket. He reached out to pull his hands away from the two Omegas, his gaze calm and his voice devoid of any extra emotion.

 

“So, don’t waste any more time here. Disperse.”

 

After saying his piece, Li Qingran got out of the car, his slender silhouette blurring in the heavy rain.

 

He didn’t look back at the expressions of the three behind him, nor did he care how they would react once they processed his decision.

 

After all, he was free.

 

He didn’t have to follow the plot, and he no longer had to revolve around any lead characters.

 

His life from now on would belong only to him!

 

Perhaps because the pay was right, the BYD driver had arrived ten minutes early. After Li Qingran got in, the driver even gave him a bottle of coffee to warm up with.

 

“Sir, you can just use this coffee to warm your hands. No need to drink it; it doesn’t taste great and it’s quite bitter. But this was the only hot drink left in the vending machine. I’m sorry about that.”

 

Li Qingran sat in the back, listening to the driver’s apologetic voice. Outside, the rain poured and the cold wind bent the small branches of trees, but inside the air-conditioned cabin, it was warm.

 

Li Qingran looked down at the coffee in his hands, his eyelashes trembling slightly.

 

“Not at all.”

 

He looked up into the rearview mirror and smiled. “I can’t thank you enough.”

 

Whether it was for the coffee or for taking his order in this weather.

 

The driver smiled back. He could tell the customer in the back wasn’t much of a talker, so after a few pleasantries, he focused on driving.

 

As Li Qingran held the warm coffee and looked out the window, he finally heard 888’s long-awaited voice.

 

[Host, the feedback is in! There really was an issue with this world. We don’t have to do the cannon fodder tasks anymore!]

 

[However, because the world itself broke, the World Rules have re-evaluated everything. You have been re-classified as a permanent member of this world.]

 

[If we want to clock out, we have to wait until the world line is completely retracted. I’m sorry, Host, I couldn’t get you early termination.]

 

888’s tone sounded very dejected.

 

Li Qingran thought for a moment and comforted the system.

 

[It’s okay. Just think of it as a vacation.]

 

Anyway, he was no longer bound by the mission or the cannon fodder persona. He was free of burdens and could go wherever he wanted.

 

Compared to leaving early only to enter another controlled mission world, Li Qingran actually preferred staying here.

 

Li Qingran leaned his head against the car window, his gray eyes sparkling with anticipation for a life of freedom.

 

[So, how do you plan to spend your vacation, Host?] 888 asked curiously.

 

[I’ll look around first.] Li Qingran really wanted to travel. Back when he was in the game, he couldn’t move at all. Later, in the small worlds, he couldn’t explore because of the missions. Now that he was free, the first thing he wanted to do was walk around and feel the reality of this world.

 

[That sounds great,] 888 agreed. But there was one more thing it wanted to know.

 

[Host, how long are you going to wander? Are you really not going to keep any of those lead characters?]

 

It hadn’t been a system for all these years for nothing. It could tell that Gu Shiyu and the others all had special feelings for its host, each wanting to be with him.

 

However, as for what the host was thinking or his attitude toward them, 888 couldn’t tell at all.

 

Sometimes, it felt like Li Qingran cared about one of them, but other times, it seemed like the Alpha cared about no one.

 

Regarding this question, Li Qingran didn’t give 888 a direct answer as he had before.

 

The black-haired, gray-eyed Alpha just leaned quietly by the window, watching the landscape shift and recede. He curled his lips into a slight smile.

 

How long would he wander?

 

Until…

 

Clink.

 

Li Qingran looked down at the smooth, brand-new silver shackles on his wrists. He looked up and surveyed the room, which had only a single window high up on the wall. Half a year later, he finally answered the question 888 had asked that rainy night.

 

[Until one of them can’t hold back anymore.]