The Male Lead Always Thinks My Script is Wrong - Chapter 11

Beyond the door lay a pitch-black, square passage leading straight down. Ji Shinian felt himself being unceremoniously hauled along by the neck. As they plummeted through the darkness, he could feel the rush of wind whipping against the spiritual barrier surrounding them.

Roughly an hour later, Ji Shinian stood leaning against a sturdy banyan tree, his legs feeling like jelly. He glared at Xiao Shu, who was standing a few paces away, and said incredulously, “You, you… were you trying to strangle me?”

Even if this body was a Living Puppet, that didn’t mean it couldn’t feel discomfort!

Xiao Shu lowered his eyes, looking the picture of remorse. “My apologies. I was in a rush and didn’t consider the consequences. Please forgive me, Miss Ji.”

Ji Shinian silently stabbed a mental voodoo doll of the male lead. “In a rush?” He knew better. Manipulation techniques were the most basic lessons for any cultivator in the Central Heavens Realm.

“Kid, you definitely throttled me on purpose just because you had a plausible excuse!”

Unfortunately, he was currently playing a mortal. Ji Shinian suppressed his indignation and rolled his eyes. “Is saying sorry supposed to fix it? You can’t even protect a helpless girl, what good are you anyway?”

“It is my own incompetence.”

Ji Shinian: “…”

The boy was being so submissive and pitiful that even though Ji Shinian knew he was likely rotten to the core inside, he couldn’t find the energy to keep being a brat. He was supposed to be a spoiled lady, not a sadist.

With Ji Shinian running out of complaints and Xiao Shu staying silent, a strange, awkward stillness settled between them.

They were in a sparse forest. In the distance, scattered villages were visible under a pale, grey-white sky. A sliver of the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, bleeding orange and gold into the dawn.

Just then, Li Moyan appeared above the treeline. He leaped out of a black rift in the air, dragging Zhou Hongluan down to the ground with him.

“Miss?” He carefully inspected Ji Shinian before glancing at Xiao Shu and sighing in relief. “I am glad you both are safe.”

“Uncle Li.” Ji Shinian found his loyal servant’s stern, fierce face quite endearing at that moment. He hurried over to his side. “Is the phantasm over just like that?”

Li Moyan looked up at the sky where the black rift had already vanished.

“It would seem so… but Miss, look at this.”

He held out his hand. His pipe had vanished, replaced by a jade-green flute. Its end was shaped like a phoenix feather, and the mouthpiece was inlaid with half a red gemstone.

Before Li Moyan could speak, a brilliant light rippled across the flute. The green hue faded from the mouthpiece, turning a blood-red color. Then, without anyone playing it, the flute began to emit a human voice:

“Friends, please do not be afraid. I am Song Yangrong, one of the Four Qi and the Dharma Master of the Northern Border. During this journey through the phantasm, my mother was moved by the kindness shown by Miss Ji Shinian. As her son, I must repay this debt. On this first day of the ninth month in the year 3,600 of the Great Dynasty, I, Song Yangrong, swear upon this flute: if I hear Miss Ji Shinian play the song ‘Parting Willow,’ I shall fulfill the vow of my mother’s rescue and face any danger for her, no matter the cost.”

As the voice faded, the flute shimmered and returned to its original green color, lying quietly in Li Moyan’s hand as if nothing had happened.

Ji Shinian was genuinely stunned. He pointed at himself, looking at the two silent men. “Me? He means… me?”

Xiao Shu’s gaze landed on him. His dark eyes held unreadable emotions, yet his face wore a gentle smile. “Indeed. Such a rare encounter. Congratulations.”

Li Moyan snapped out of his daze and handed the flute to Ji Shinian, nodding. “It is you, Miss. When I was sent out of the secret passage, this flute suddenly appeared on me. It must be a gift from the Dharma Master to you.”

Under the male lead’s gaze, Ji Shinian felt an inexplicable twinge of guilt. He knew Xiao Shu likely didn’t realize this item was originally meant for him, but it still felt like stealing someone’s property right in front of their face!

Just as he was about to pull his hand back, a red “OOC” warning flashed in his mind: [OOC behavior detected! Host, you cannot refuse. Given your arrogant personality, you would never voluntarily give up a treasure!]

[Fine.]

Ji Shinian forced himself to ignore Xiao Shu’s stare and slowly took the flute. Perhaps because of the vow, the moment his left hand touched it, the flute dissolved into a streak of color and wrapped around his ring finger as a red phoenix-feather ring.

He immediately yanked his hand back and shouted, “Wait, what about Black Iron? That Dharma Master wouldn’t just steal our horse, would he?”

At Ji Shinian’s outburst, Li Moyan remembered their original goal. However, compared to what they had just survived, the loss of a horse was a minor grievance. He looked troubled. “Miss, this…”

“Allow me to explain,” Xiao Shu said considerately. “Please calm yourself, Miss. Spirits and monsters naturally gravitate toward their own kind. Black Iron was attracted to Chi Li while she was in distress within the phantasm. When the illusion collapsed, he likely followed her… remains.”

“The Dharma Master has gone to find his mother, and the journey to Tanzhou will require help. I fear Black Iron won’t be found anytime soon.”

It had to be said that Xiao Shu possessed a naturally convincing aura. His tone was gentle, and he spoke reasonably without sounding condescending. It was hard for anyone, man or woman, to find fault with him. Besides, he was telling the truth.

Ji Shinian didn’t want to bother insulting Xiao Shu anymore. He ignored the explanation and turned to badger Li Moyan. “Then how are we getting home? Uncle Li, you don’t expect me to walk back, do you?”

“Of course not.” Li Moyan actually looked relieved at the question. He scanned the area. “We have an estate nearby. If the young lady needs a carriage, they won’t dare refuse.”

“Then what are we waiting for? And Uncle Li, why are you bringing her along? Is she coming with us?”

Li Moyan expertly hoisted the unconscious Zhou Hongluan. “Yes. This matter involves the path of ghosts and shadows. It is best to hand her over to the Sword Alliance.”

“I shall leave her in your capable hands, Senior,” Xiao Shu said with a nod. “The phantasm is gone, and the main road is clear. I have urgent business to attend to, so I will not trouble you further.”

“You have worked hard, Master Xiao. Safe travels.”

[Congratulations, Host!]

Main Quest Completed: Investigate the truth of the Chi Li phantasm with the male lead, Xiao Shu.

Side Quest Completed: Resolved the Blood Plague Insect crisis and concealed your own anomalies.

Hidden Ending: Conditions not met, no extra points awarded.

Total Reward: 250 points.

Ji Shinian found himself once again sitting in a swaying carriage heading toward Phoenix City. This time, however, he faced a new problem: he couldn’t simply “die beautifully” to escape this role anymore.

He sank into the soft cushions, his lip twitching as he looked at the points on the electronic screen. [So, what was the hidden ending?]

[The Host must trigger it personally to find out!]

[That’s as good as saying nothing.] Ji Shinian rolled over and stared at the roof of the carriage. [Hey, your name is Tiansuan, right?]

[Yes, yes!] The screen flashed happily, its tone cheerful. [Host, you finally called me by my name!]

As the carriage rumbled along, Ji Shinian gave a small “mhm.” After a moment of silence, he sat up. [Tell me, if I keep stealing the protagonist’s opportunities like this, will things go south?]

[Stealing? The opportunity was just sitting there. Until it recognizes a master, it belongs to whoever gets it. This is called ‘acquisition.’ Besides, you earned it through your own kindness, Host. It’s perfectly legitimate!]

[But]

Tiansuan’s pink screen glowed even brighter. [No ‘buts’! As the other protagonist of this story, you are entitled to a share of the treasures and encounters!]

[No.] Ji Shinian rubbed his forehead, feeling a dull ache. [My point is, you gave me this idiot persona that constantly clashes with the male lead. Are you trying to get me chopped into mincemeat in the end?!]

This persona was essentially a collection of Ji Shinian’s own middle-school cringe memories. While looking back might bring a sense of nostalgia, actually living it was another story. Never mind the male lead seeking revenge after he darkens, Ji Shinian wanted to kill himself right now!

The screen dimmed for a second. After a while, Tiansuan “spoke” again, its electronic voice dripping with grievance: [Does the Host not trust the system?]

[It’s not about trust,] Ji Shinian said coldly. [Just give me a plan that ensures I won’t be slaughtered after Xiao Shu darkens, and that I can actually finish the mission and go home.]

[Is this some kind of scam?]

Just as Ji Shinian thought Tiansuan was going to dodge the sharp question, the system in his head erupted into a sobbing electronic mess:

[Waaaah! But… but a plan isn’t even necessary!]

Ji Shinian: [?]

The screen glitched into black-and-white static, and the electronic voice even let out a hiccup. [Sob… hic… Because you are the female lead! The male lead will love you too much to ever kill you!]

[Waaaah… Host, how could you doubt us? We came here entirely for your sake, sob sob…]

Ji Shinian felt his question must have triggered some sort of “performance” subroutine in the system. Otherwise, why would an AI be so emotional, turning a simple doubt into a tragic soap opera in his brain?

[Stop, stop, stop,] Ji Shinian pressed his temples, his head throbbing from the crying. [So what you’re saying is, as long as I’m the ‘female lead,’ the male lead will actually like this personality?]

This revelation was so shocking that he accidentally blurted it out loud. “He likes idiots?!!”

“Miss?” Li Moyan’s concerned voice came from outside the carriage. “Did you say something?”

Without realizing it, they had already entered Phoenix City. The various sounds of the bustling streets formed a noisy river, muffling Ji Shinian’s outburst.

“Nothing.” Seeing that Li Moyan hadn’t heard his nonsense, Ji Shinian turned back to the sobbing system. [Stop crying. Does the male lead really like this type?]

[I swear upon Tiansuan’s existence: your very presence is what his heart yearns for.]

[I certainly don’t see him ‘yearning’ for anything.] Ji Shinian recalled Xiao Shu’s attitude, which felt more like avoidance than anything else. But as the sobbing in his head started up again, he gave in. [Fine, stop crying. I believe you, okay?]

[Also…]

Before he could finish his question, the carriage slowed to a halt. Li Moyan’s voice rang out again, sounding much more at ease:

“Miss, we have arrived at the Ji Manor!”

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