The Male Lead’s Backyard is on Fire [Transmigration] - Chapter 3

She used to be able to see right through Yu Chi Li. The woman was once paranoid, willful, and cruel, loving Lu Yun Kui with a desperate, death-defying passion. But now, looking into Yu Chi Li’s eyes, she felt as if she were staring into deep water, something she could not see through at all.

What new way has she thought of to humiliate me now? Liu Luo Yi sneered inwardly. She forcefully broke free from Yu Chi Li’s grasp and stood there numbly, refusing to even glance at her. To her, serving that old man or serving Yu Chi Li led to the same result.

The old man, seeing the flower-like beauty snatched from his arms, was about to snap in anger. However, when Xin Ran stood before him with a dark expression and a sword in hand, he choked on his words. He was unable to utter a single syllable.

Yu Chi Li did not care to say much. She turned and sat back in her seat. Liu Luo Yi followed behind with her head bowed and stood behind her. Lu Yun Kui stared intently at Liu Luo Yi, his gaze filled with undisguised aggression. Liu Luo Yi felt as if blades were carving into her skin because the fear that man instilled in her was too profound. She squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to look further.

The atmosphere was incredibly subtle. On one side, Xin Ran stood with a murderous aura, making the old man so submissive he did not dare utter a sound. On this side, it was equally and eerily quiet. Only Yu Chi Li was feasting heartily. She had been in the mountains for over ten days, forced to eat whatever birds, fish, or insects she could find, and was often famished. Now, with a spread of delicacies before her, she naturally could not be bothered by the atmosphere.

Suddenly, Lu Yun Kui raised his arm to reach for some wine. Liu Luo Yi’s body trembled violently in response, which finally snapped Yu Chi Li out of her focused eating.

“You, come pour wine for me,” Yu Chi Li said. Her mouth was full, yet her speech remained remarkably clear.

Liu Luo Yi froze for a moment, then slowly knelt. She picked up the wine pot and filled Yu Chi Li’s cup with mechanical movements. Seemingly by accident, Yu Chi Li reached out and yanked Liu Luo Yi’s ankle. Losing her balance, Liu Luo Yi toppled sideways toward Yu Chi Li. Startled, she reached out to steady herself, dropping the wine pot in the process.

Yu Chi Li calmly caught the wine pot and set it steadily on the corner of the table. However, she made no move to catch Liu Luo Yi, letting her flail like an octopus for a moment before she crashed heavily against Yu Chi Li’s body. A faint scent of green grass enveloped Liu Luo Yi. For some reason, her heart skipped two beats. Flustered, angry, and afraid, she hurriedly sat up with a flushed face, not daring to raise her eyes. She wondered what new trick Yu Chi Li had devised to torment her.

“Your body is so soft. How many days has it been since you last ate?” Yu Chi Li asked.

Liu Luo Yi did not want to acknowledge her.

“It looks like it has been a long time. What a scumbag,” Yu Chi Li clicked her tongue. She took a meat pancake from the table and stuffed it into Liu Luo Yi’s hand.

Yu Chi Li’s guess was correct. Liu Luo Yi had not eaten anything substantial for three days, and after the dance, she was dizzy with hunger. She looked at Yu Chi Li with deep suspicion, unable to fathom the woman’s intentions.

“Do not worry, it is not poisoned.” Seeing her cautious expression, Yu Chi Li actually felt like laughing.

Liu Luo Yi naturally did not trust her, but she was truly starving. Thinking that the worst that could happen was death, she decided to go all the way. She lowered her head and began to eat. Soft strands of hair fell along her cheeks. Her features were gentle, like the blurred lines of an ink painting, devoid of any aggression. Her pale lips made her look even more desolate and fragile, appearing almost otherworldly. Truly a lady from a prestigious family, even while starving, her manners remained graceful. Yu Chi Li watched her with her head resting in her hands, feeling somewhat ashamed of her own behavior.

As the wine flowed and the party grew lively, the guests continued their harmonious drinking. Specifically, Lu Yun Kui was dragged away by several relatives to play drinking games, making Yu Chi Li feel much more relaxed. Liu Luo Yi’s movements were elegant but quick. By the time Yu Chi Li looked back down after glancing around, the large pancake was gone.

Yu Chi Li wanted to laugh but kept a straight face. She casually stuffed another piece toward her and poured a cup of water. Liu Luo Yi remained silent, eating whatever she was given in small bites like a little rodent. The singing girls on stage switched to a rendition of The Oriole’s Chant. They sang lazily, and Yu Chi Li listened lazily. Living as an ancient person, though the future was uncertain, had its own kind of leisure.

Orioles, orioles, in their golden robes, whispering in pairs. Deep within the peach and apricot blossoms, they follow the mist to roam beyond, dancing and singing wildly at their whim.

Liu Luo Yi looked up at Yu Chi Li and saw her squinting as she dozed off. After a while, her head dropped and she fell fast asleep. Liu Luo Yi found it strange. Yu Chi Li had always been vicious and overbearing in her presence, but looking at her now, she realized she was actually quite beautiful. Compared to the women of the Central Plains, she lacked that fragile air, possessing instead a crisp, youthful vigor, and at the same time, a natural, latent allure.

But after just a moment, Liu Luo Yi withdrew her gaze. She sneered in her heart. How could Yu Chi Li suddenly become a different person? Once she woke up, the endless bullying would surely resume.

The birthday feast soon ended. The guests, one by one, became drunk and stumbled away, shouting while being supported by servants. Only then did Yu Chi Li wake up slowly. She stretched contentedly and stood up, grabbing onto Xin Ran.

“Oh, why is everyone gone?” Yu Chi Li tried to open her eyes.

“To answer the Princess, it is over. Shall we return to our room?”

Yu Chi Li nodded, but then, as if remembering something, she jolted. “Where is Liu Luo Yi?”

“Her? She already went out with Lu Yun Kui, the son-in-law, flirting and casting glances at each other,” Xin Ran said with disdain.

Yu Chi Li slapped her thigh and bolted. Xin Ran tried to chase her for a few steps but could not keep up, only seeing a flash of crimson hem disappear around the door.

“Princess, what is so good about that Lu Yun Kui anyway!” Xin Ran shouted, stamping her feet in frustration.

Yu Chi Li sprinted toward Liu Luo Yi’s room based on memory, but it was not for Lu Yun Kui. It was for her own life. If Lu Yun Kui succeeded today, the male and female leads would be completely bonded. If she could not escape or leave, she would be doomed to die when the finale arrived. She had worked hard to get this second chance at life and she could not let that scumbag ruin it.

Finally reaching the door from her memory, Yu Chi Li did not hesitate and kicked it. With a loud clatter, the door bolt flew off and the door swung wide open. Even Yu Chi Li was startled. She had not realized that this body, raised on horseback and hunting, actually possessed martial arts skills.

Of course, the one most frightened was Liu Luo Yi. She was currently changing out of her dance attire. Her clothes were half-undone, leaving her fragrant shoulders half-exposed. Before she could scream, Yu Chi Li darted inside and covered her mouth tightly.

Liu Luo Yi was terrified. Not knowing what Yu Chi Li was up to, she struggled violently. In her panic, she reached into her waistband and pulled out a sharp ceramic shard. This was something she had hidden, intended for her own suicide.

Yu Chi Li naturally saw it. She released her left hand, grabbed Liu Luo Yi’s wrist, and slammed her down onto the bed.

“Yu Chi Li, what exactly do you want? Yu Chi Li,” Liu Luo Yi whispered with a sob, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes into her cloud-like hair.

Yu Chi Li was also frustrated. She had assumed that since Lu Yun Kui had taken Liu Luo Yi away, he would already be in the room. She had been too careless and should have arrived a moment sooner.

“Why are you always either trying to kill yourself or crying?” Yu Chi Li muttered.

Liu Luo Yi suddenly pushed her away with force, shrinking into the corner of the wall while hugging her knees. With tearful eyes, she said hysterically, “What else can I do? My family is still in his hands. I cannot die, yet I cannot live!”

This was likely her first outburst in a long time. She shook like a leaf, looking utterly pitiful. Yu Chi Li regretted her words. She scratched her head, unsure how to comfort her. Her hand hovered in the air for a long time before she gently placed it on Liu Luo Yi’s head, stroking it softly. The girl sat there as a lonely, cold ball of sorrow that invited deep compassion.

Liu Luo Yi looked up through blurred vision. The warmth from the palm on her head made her daze for a moment. It had been a long time since anyone had been this gentle to her. It was so long it felt like an entire lifetime had passed.

Footsteps sounded outside the door. Yu Chi Li was startled and quickly put a finger to her lips, signaling for her to stay quiet. She then jumped off the bed and hid behind a screen. Before she understood the situation, she decided to observe before taking action.

Before Liu Luo Yi could react, the door creaked open and then fell to the ground with a loud thud. Yu Chi Li wondered if her strength was really that great. Lu Yun Kui entered with a look of surprise. He glanced at the door on the floor, then at Liu Luo Yi cowering on the bed, his lips curling. “Are you that afraid of me?”

Liu Luo Yi remained silent. She watched numbly as Lu Yun Kui slowly approached, as if she were looking at a soul-snatching demon.

“Liu Luo Yi, even if your status is now lowly, you are still mine. I want you to never be able to forget me in this lifetime.”

He suddenly lunged forward, dragging Liu Luo Yi out from the corner. Liu Luo Yi almost gave up struggling, allowing herself to be hauled like a corpse.

“Speak! Say something!” Lu Yun Kui’s eyes were incredibly dark. He grabbed Liu Luo Yi by the neck, lifted her, threw her onto the bed, and then pressed himself over her.

Only then did Liu Luo Yi seem to snap awake. Her eyes widened and she screamed while struggling desperately. Seeing this scene, Lu Yun Kui seemed highly excited. Disregarding the wide-open door, he threw himself onto Liu Luo Yi and reached out to tear at her sash.

“I despise your high-born lady act. You are clearly a lowly slave now, yet you still act so pure and aloof. Fine, today I shall ruin you!” Using the most poisonous tone, Lu Yun Kui humiliated Liu Luo Yi without restraint.

Hiding in the back, Yu Chi Li’s eyes widened in shock. The original novel had only glossed over this part. She had thought the bonding was just a bit of hugging to develop the romance. Who would have thought it was this?

She hated this kind of plot more than anything else in her life. Her fists clenched as anger surged within her. With a sharp rip, Liu Luo Yi suddenly felt a chill on her shoulder. She stopped struggling and her tears ceased. She looked up at the tattered gauze curtains above with utter despair.

She had struggled in hell for long enough. Enduring humiliation for the sake of her father and recalling her past carefree days felt like looking back at another life. She could not go on living. Her father’s fate was unknown and her brother was missing. She was too useless to save them. She closed her eyes and reached for the ceramic shard.

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