Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Little New Year’s Eve 

How many years has it been since I last watched fireworks…

“Second Young Master?”

Su Cheyue closed the book and said calmly, “Mr. Meng, would you mind telling us what exactly has happened over the past few days? Why has your daughter become like this?”

At the mention of her daughter, Madam Meng’s eyes reddened. She finished braiding the last section of Rourou’s hair, pulled the girl into her lap, and covered her ears, whispering, “This…”

Meng Shijie said, “Second Young Master, please follow me.”

Su Cheyue motioned for Lyu Shuyao to push him forward, leaving Su Qingyang in the front hall with Madam Meng to comfort Rourou.

Beside the writing desk, the scent of ink lingered. Lyu Shuyao stared at the mottled scratches on the desk that looked as if they were left by animal claws, while listening to Meng Shijie speak: “For nearly a month, Tianjin Lane has been plagued by a rat infestation. Every household has been disturbed day and night by rats rummaging through chests and cupboards. The guard dog of one family was even bitten to death, leaving everyone terrified. Curiously, Yutong Road, which is only one street away from Tianjin Lane, has remained completely untouched. My wife said she doesn’t know if our lane is cursed, or if a specific household here has committed some sin…”

A rat plague? The “Rat Demon” Su Qingyang mentioned?

“Everyone gathered and decided we had to invite the immortals from the Baoshan Sect to take a look. I am a scholar; I shouldn’t speak of strange forces or chaotic spirits, but since that incident seven years ago, I also… Ah, forget it, it’s embarrassing to speak of.”

“The Baoshan Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the number one sect. Just like when you came before, Second Young Master, not long after we sent out our plea for help, the Eldest Young Master arrived in person. After inspecting every house, the Eldest Young Master said these were indeed not ordinary rats. They were causing chaos just to make noise and attract attention; they didn’t steal grain or oil, nor did they drain anyone’s spiritual energy—they only bit a yellow dog to death. However, though they weren’t ordinary, they hadn’t harmed anyone yet, so he told us not to panic.”

“People were still very afraid. If they bit a dog to death today, what if they lost their nature and killed a person tomorrow? We huddled together and begged the Eldest Young Master to deal with them. So, one night after dark, the Eldest Young Master used spiritual pills as bait and successfully… successfully drew out the Rat Demon!”

Meng Shijie described the scene vividly, his own face turning a shade paler from the memory. “For our safety, the Eldest Young Master instructed us to keep our doors and windows locked and stay inside. Who knew… who knew that on that night, Rourou would sneak out!”

“I didn’t know she was standing behind me,” Su Qingyang walked in, “I was too focused at the time, only caring about the confrontation with that blue-faced, long-fanged monster on the roof under the moonlight, but she saw the whole thing.”

Facing Meng Shijie, Su Qingyang always felt a bit of shame regarding this matter. “Such a small child, seeing with her own eyes a palm-sized rat suddenly swell and bloat until it occupied the entire roof, revealing jagged teeth thicker and longer than the icicles hanging from the eaves… Even an adult would be unable to sleep for days after seeing that, let alone a seven-year-old child.”

“What happened after is exactly what I told you,” Su Qingyang said to Su Cheyue.

Su Cheyue looked at Meng Shijie; Meng Shijie nodded as well, confirming that Su Qingyang’s account was correct.

The testimonies of the two matched perfectly, with almost no flaws. Unless they had coordinated their stories beforehand… then what Su Qingyang said was the truth.

Then what was with that frantic, murderous voice? Was someone really going to kill someone? And who was the target?

“Perhaps I really did hear it wrong. But my five senses have remained normal since I heard that voice; how can that be explained…”

Lyu Shuyao pushed Su Cheyue, trailing behind as they left the study. Su Cheyue muttered to himself, “Something is still not right. Lyu—”

“Are you trying to say that since the Rat Demon doesn’t steal food or absorb the essence of living people, why did it transform into a demon, and why did it specifically choose Tianjin Lane?”

Su Cheyue paused. “You aren’t that stupid.”

Lyu Shuyao was exceptionally sweet-talkative today. “One takes the color of one’s company; seeing greatness inspires emulation. After being with the Second Young Master for so long, I’ve become smarter too.”

He leaned down, his joking tone carrying an effortless comfort: “So, the Second Young Master doesn’t have ‘dark clouds covering his eyes,’ and he certainly isn’t ‘useless.'”

Su Cheyue was stunned for a moment before remembering to snap: “Lyu Shuyao, eavesdropping on my conversation with my brother—are you looking for—”

“I don’t want to die. I want to watch you recover and wait for you to get better.” Lyu Shuyao thought to himself: I’m working so hard; once the male lead is well, he definitely won’t kill me!!

The system let out a long-awaited Ding: [Congratulations Visitor! Male lead Su Cheyue’s Hatred Value has decreased by 5. Current Hatred Value: 2985. Keep up the good work!]

A casual compliment worked just like that??

Lyu Shuyao realized that since his injury, Young Master Su was truly desperate for validation.

Since they had arrived in the afternoon, evening had already fallen by the time they finished. It happened to be “Little New Year’s Eve,” and the Meng couple warmly invited them to stay for dinner. It was hard to refuse such hospitality, and since a light snow had begun to fall, making the roads difficult, the three of them agreed to stay.

The kitchen was buzzing with activity. Su Qingyang leaned against the courtyard gate, watching the winter snow fill the sky, and sighed, “I thought I’d be able to make it back to spend Little New Year with our parents.”

Lyu Shuyao said, “Eldest Young Master worries too much; the Sect Leader isn’t even at the sect right now.”

“Oh,” Su Qingyang reacted slowly to the wording, “Why do you still call me ‘Eldest Young Master’ and him ‘Sect Leader’??”

…He’s been calling you that all day.

“Forget it, I don’t want you calling me ‘Brother’ anyway.” Su Qingyang patted Su Cheyue’s shoulder on the wheelchair. “Although we can’t return to the sect, it’s wonderful to see Ayue. Do you remember when we were young, we always pestered our eldest uncle to set off fireworks after dinner? So many years have passed in a flash; it feels like it’s been a long time since we had such a lively time.”

Su Cheyue said softly, “I feel the same as my brother.”

His features were rare and gentle, resembling a spring stream melting through bone-chilling cold amidst the vast new snow.

Even the strands of hair falling on his shoulders seemed to turn tender.

Lyu Shuyao’s heart, which had been tense for days because of the Hatred Value, suddenly relaxed as well, and he unconsciously showed a smile that carried no pretense or flattery.

A delicate, sweet voice pulled him back: “Brother, Brother!”

Coming back to his senses, Lyu Shuyao realized Su Cheyue was looking at him with quiet, deep brown eyes. He didn’t know how long Su Cheyue had been watching.

Lyu Shuyao’s brow jumped. Rourou was still pulling at his outer cloak: “Brother!”

“What is it, Rourou?” Lyu Shuyao crouched down, and Rourou pulled him to the other side: “I want to tell you a secret!”

Lyu Shuyao clearly saw Su Qingyang pointing at him and mouthing the word “Enchantress” to Su Cheyue.

Lyu Shuyao turned his gaze away with a smile: “What’s so mysterious?”

“After dinner tonight, will Brother play with fireworks with me?” Rourou blinked her large eyes, which were filled with sparkling expectation.

Lyu Shuyao was slightly surprised. Just a moment ago, she was jumpy and afraid of every sound, and now she suddenly had the urge to play with fireworks?

Children are children; they possess an enviable ability to comfort themselves. No matter how sad or scared they are, a single piece of candy or a bunch of fireworks can make them forget.

It’s as simple as breathing.

But Lyu Shuyao hoped she didn’t have that ability. People who are too good at comforting themselves often have their emotions ignored; others won’t spend energy or thought to console or please them.

Just like…

Just like himself.

Lyu Shuyao tilted his head to look toward the kitchen. The difference was that the Meng couple were a harmonious pair; they surely wouldn’t let Rourou suffer such hurt.

“Brother, okay?”

Lyu Shuyao patted her head: “Of course.”

If it could help the little girl forget that terrifying shadow earlier and prevent her from having to travel far away from her parents to the Baoshan Sect, it would be for the best.

“But why me?” Lyu Shuyao pointed secretly toward the gate. “Those two brothers are your family’s great benefactors.”

“Because Brother is the prettiest. I like pretty brothers the most.”

“…” Lyu Shuyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Little sister, you really are a visual-driven person. If Su Qingyang hears this, he’ll chase me down and call me “Enchantress” a hundred more times.

“Then it’s a deal. Pinky swear. Don’t forget after dinner.” Rourou held out her chubby little finger.

…

The winter sky darkened quickly, and people grew hungry fast. Though the Meng family were scholars, their cooking skills were excellent. Everyone ate their fill and gathered around the warm hearth to chat.

“Rourou! Happy Little New Year!” A loud banging came from the courtyard gate. A youth’s voice rang out clearly in the winter night. Rourou scurried to open the door, letting in a boy of about ten years old.

“Have you all eaten—ah!” The boy was clean-cut and handsome. As he lifted the cloth curtain and entered, he seemed to bring the clear glow of the moonlit night with him. He was startled to see the people in the room, then broke into a wide grin: “Su… Young Master Su?!”

Su Cheyue looked over and recalled after a few seconds: “Qingsang?”

It was the boy he had saved when he was possessed by an evil spirit and plagued by a persistent high fever.

“Ah, yes, it’s me! The Second Young Master remembers?” Qingsang’s eyes reddened. “It’s been a year; Qingsang has missed the Second Young Master. Are you well?”

Su Cheyue didn’t like it when people asked if he was well at a time like this, but facing Qingsang—perhaps remembering the green pears the boy had sent him—he couldn’t bring himself to be sharp. He only said, “I’m quite fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good…” Qingsang was so excited he became incoherent. “To see the Second Young Master on Little New Year’s Eve, this year hasn’t been spent in vain!”

“Qingsang, come sit and talk,” Madam Meng invited him with a smile. “What are you holding?”

“Ah, this is a pear blossom wreath, for…”

He had likely planned to give it to Rourou, but seeing Su Cheyue here and suddenly remembering that Su Cheyue also liked pear blossoms, he felt conflicted.

“For…” His gaze flickered guiltily between Rourou and Su Cheyue. How could Su Cheyue not know his dilemma? He deliberately said with feigned displeasure, “Right now, the last thing I want to see is pear blossoms.” As he spoke, he pushed his wheelchair away from the table.

Qingsang was confused and ended up placing the wreath on Rourou’s head.

“It’s beautiful,” Qingsang said. “What happened to the Second Young Master?”

“It’s nothing,” Lyu Shuyao understood perfectly. “Go on and play.”

Rourou immediately pouted: “Brother, you’re breaking your word? You’re going to be a little dog!”

“Eh? But hasn’t Qingsang arrived?”

Rourou said to Qingsang, “I made an appointment with the pretty brother; I’m setting off fireworks with him tonight.”

“In that case, you play well with Brother. I’ll come back tomorrow!”

Qingsang left. Rourou couldn’t wait; she grabbed a large bundle of fireworks and urged Lyu Shuyao out of the courtyard.

Yangshuo City was not silent despite the cold winter snow. On the contrary, because snow was rare and it was the holiday season, the joy of a “propitious snow” reunion enveloped the entire mountain city. Thousands of households were already competing to decorate the sky with brilliant fireworks, though from this distance, one could only hear the sound and not see the spectacle.

They chose a quiet corner. Rourou played happily in the snow; bundle after bundle of fireworks shot into the night sky, blooming suddenly before falling. Even blinking for a second felt like missing out.

It felt like a surging emotion of a long-awaited reunion in Lyu Shuyao’s heart—faint, yet vanishing in an instant.

Ever since the New Year’s Eve his father abandoned them and didn’t return home, how many years had it been since he had watched fireworks?

In such a long-overdue moment, he didn’t feel resentment or rejection because of his past. Instead, on a whim, he said to Rourou, “Let’s play a game later. Let’s arrange the fireworks in a big circle before setting them off, okay?”

“Okay!” Rourou replied cheerfully.

“Then you start arranging from that side, and I’ll start from this side, and we’ll meet in the middle. Remember, be slow and careful of the slippery snow.” Lyu Shuyao commanded with an air of authority. Rourou grabbed a few more stacks of fireworks, gave him a sweet smile, and ran off.

Lyu Shuyao glanced toward the house from a distance and began working on the ground with both hands and feet.

…

Inside the house, the candlelight was bright.

“Seven years ago was also a close call. My wife was heavily pregnant; I was truly afraid she’d be harmed by that ghost. Fortunately, the Second Young Master was there. Back then, the Second Young Master was tall and elegant, his sword moving like the wind…”

Su Cheyue looked out the window, silently listening to them recall his heroic immortal form when he came to subdue the demons years ago, without offering a single word in response.

Until a sudden pain hit the back of his head.

The sensation was terrifyingly familiar, causing Su Cheyue to instantly stiffen his body.

Sure enough, immediately following, that voice—which he had almost forgotten—rang out once again.

It was chillingly dark and trembling with excitement.

“…Finally, I can make my move.”