Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Rumors Improve the Relationship; Holding Him is Like a Fallen…

The iron sword was barely enough to slice through a row of wooden posts.

Lu Shuyao was definitely not faking; his current self was just that much of a “weak chicken.”

…However, being even weaker than a disciple with an unstable spiritual core was something he hadn’t expected!

He suddenly remembered the first time he used the Duan-you Whip, and the strange, pitying look that young disciple at Qifeng Ferry gave him. It clearly said: Senior Brother, you are so weak, so pathetic.

Li An was overjoyed, jumping three feet in the air, repeating: “The Young Master was lenient!”

“…” Lu Shuyao, stubborn as a dead duck, replied, “Don’t mention it.”

“Since the Young Master lost, can you tell me the secret to cultivation?” Li An asked impatiently.

“Ahem.” Lu Shuyao cleared his throat, his mind racing through the novel’s plot.

What he remembered most vividly was the Stalactite Terrace where the protagonist, Su Cheyue, often went to meditate and practice breathing during his youth. The terrace gathered the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, with stalactite caves above and gurgling streams below—ethereal and naturally formed.

Because the water level below and the stalactites above rose and fell according to the rhythm of the practitioner’s breath, the Stalactite Terrace felt as if “one’s breath moves the world.”

The book described how Su Cheyue, despite his extraordinary talent, practiced harder than anyone. He would sit on that terrace for an entire day, learning to command the surging spiritual energy in his body. He often suffered from blocked energy, cramps, and was even left bloodied by the sharp, shifting stalactite tips.

How can one have the fragrance of plum blossoms without enduring the piercing cold? Li An was desperate to stabilize his spiritual core but neglected the importance of steady breathing. Even an outsider like Lu Shuyao could see that Li An’s footwork and breath were incredibly hollow when he used spiritual energy.

Lu Shuyao said meaningfully: “Have you been to the Stalactite Terrace of the Baoshan Sect?”

As expected, Li An shook his head in confusion.

“Hidden in the mountain ravines, visible to the clear sky. Go find it; the answer you seek is there.”

Li An was ecstatic. He forgot all about the medicine sitting nearby. As he left, he almost tried to make off with the divine sword Zhanquan.

Once he was gone, Lu Shuyao casually poured out the medicine, then turned sheepishly to look at Su Cheyue. Since the latter currently couldn’t hear, he had no idea what kind of “clowning” these two had just been doing.

Su Cheyue had his own guess: Lu Shuyao was deliberately acting weak to toy with Li An. This guess didn’t make the Second Young Master particularly happy or unhappy. Since he trusted neither of them, it made no difference.

However, at least he didn’t have to drink the “medicine.”

Su Cheyue glanced around the courtyard and tilted his chin arrogantly at Lu Shuyao, gesturing for him to clean up. Then, he turned his wheelchair and headed back to the room.

…The Second Young Master certainly wasn’t shy about ordering people around.

…

In the days that followed, Lu Shuyao worked hard, tidying the courtyard of Xieyue Pavilion. Unknowingly, half a month passed. During this time, Lu Shuyao slept on the sofa he had bought, keeping his distance from Su Cheyue, which felt much more comfortable.

One morning, as Lu Shuyao emerged from the small kitchen, he saw Li An leading a group of people into the courtyard, his face bruised and swollen.

Even from a distance, Lu Shuyao could see the bruises and bloodstains. He felt both pity and amusement. Did the Stalactite Terrace “teach” him a lesson, and now he’s here for revenge?

But why did he bring a group of flashily dressed girls? A honey trap?

Then he saw the group line up in two rows at the gate, bowing respectfully to welcome someone. Lu Shuyao’s expression sharpened instantly.

Just then, a muffled “thump” came from the room behind him, like something had fallen to the floor.

Lu Shuyao, holding the breakfast tray, watched the crowd approach. He spun around quickly, intending to warn Su Cheyue. The moment he opened the door, he froze.

Lu Shuyao had woken up early today. When he left, there had been no movement from the bed. He didn’t know which of the Second Young Master’s “seven orifices” had opened today.

Looking in, the man was—unbelievably—not in bed, but on… the floor?!

Su Cheyue was half-sitting on the ground, his hands fumbling around him. Lu Shuyao knew at a glance that he was blind again today. The Second Young Master looked extremely displeased—brows knit, lips pressed, eyes empty. Wrapped only in thin inner robes, sitting on the floor with his long hair spilling over his shoulders, he looked exceptionally helpless.

He couldn’t see, but he seemed to hear. Hearing someone push the door open, a flash of panic and embarrassment crossed his face. He continued to grope for the bedside, trying to crawl back up.

However, he was likely too nervous, or perhaps lacked experience in being out of bed; his attempts failed repeatedly. Lu Shuyao watched in silence until he heard the footsteps outside getting closer. His heart stirred. He looked away and whispered: “I’m going out.”

Lu Shuyao immediately turned back and pulled the door shut, instantly switching to a harmless smile: “Sect Leader, Madam, you’re here so early?”

Su Xun was fully dressed with his sword at his waist, looking as if he had been heading down the mountain but took a detour. He first studied the tall youth in purple, then smiled: “A-Yao, why do you still call me ‘Sect Leader’?”

“You should follow Che’er and call us ‘Uncle’ and ‘Aunt’.”

“…”

“Change slowly. I’ll go in and see Che’er now.”

“Sect Leader!” Lu Shuyao blocked the door. Su Xun’s face remained smiling, but his gaze was like a bolt of electricity.

Lu Shuyao met his gaze for a few seconds, then curled his lips: “Uncle.”

“That’s better. Why won’t A-Yao let us in?”

“I heard from Li An that Che’er refuses his medicine?”

Li An stood with the maids brought by Yang Yuan, wearing a look of schadenfreude.

…So he did go to snitch.

Lu Shuyao said nonchalantly: “Not at all. The Second Young Master has already taken it.”

“Even if he has, another bowl won’t hurt. Bring it up,” Yang Yuan said.

Immediately, a maid stepped forward with a bowl of that “black fish juice.” Yang Yuan was blunt with Lu Shuyao: “Move aside.”

With the people in front pressing in and more muffled thumps coming from the room behind him…

“What was that sound?”

“Aha,” Lu Shuyao dashingly flicked his bangs. His playful look made the maids behind him blush, but he was actually thinking of an excuse. “I got a cat for the Second Young Master a few days ago to cheer him up; it’s currently causing a ruckus in the room.”

“A cat?!” Yang Yuan shrieked behind her handkerchief. “I hate those beasts!!”

Then hurry up and leave.

Su Xun’s face darkened slightly. “Madam, please wait outside.”

Yang Yuan shook her head. “I’m going in with you.”

If he didn’t know they were here to bully someone together, he’d think this was some “You jump, I jump” deep-romance drama.

Su Xun prepared to push the door, but was blocked by Lu Shuyao again. He finally showed his displeasure: “What is going on? What exactly are you trying to do?”

Lu Shuyao narrowed his eyes and said slowly: “It’s a bit… inconvenient in the room right now.”

Su Xun and Yang Yuan: “?”

The youth in purple gave a sweet smile, feigning a hint of shyness: “Last night, the Second Young Master and I… were quite passionate. We woke up late this morning and haven’t had time to tidy up. I hope Uncle and Aunt won’t laugh at us.”

Silence fell like a “mute” button had been pressed.

Excellent. Anyway, disgusting people to death doesn’t cost a life.

Only the system spoke gloomily in his head: [Host, you’re really not picky.]

Lu Shuyao’s first thought was: It’s fine? After all, Su Cheyue’s looks are beyond reproach!

[Unfortunately, the male lead Su Cheyue’s Hatred Value has risen by 500. Current Hatred Value: 2995.]

…Back to square one!

Yang Yuan was the first to snap out of it, pointing a trembling finger at the “bewitching” youth: “In broad daylight… shameless!”

The maids in the back turned even redder.

Lu Shuyao was thick-skinned, his “puppy eyes” full of innocence: “I am being affectionate with my own husband. What is there to be ashamed of?”

“You!” Yang Yuan was speechless. She couldn’t imagine how a cripple like Su Cheyue could do such things. She snapped: “Hurry up and clean it up!”

Lu Shuyao complied, naturally taking the black medicine. “Thank you for your understanding, Uncle and Aunt. Once I’ve fed the Second Young Master and we’ve washed up, I’ll invite you in. Li An, what are you standing there for? Get seats for the Sect Leader and the Madam!”

Li An didn’t expect Lu Shuyao to still be ordering him around. His bruised face turned a mottled shade of red and white. But he had no choice; he was the one in charge of the yard. He brought two bamboo chairs for them.

“Then I’m going in,” Lu Shuyao said obediently. At Su Xun’s nod, Lu Shuyao turned his back to the door, opened a crack, and slipped inside like a thin ray of light. The door closed immediately, hiding everything.

How debauched must it be to be so hidden, Yang Yuan sneered.

…

The room was silent.

Lu Shuyao stood by the door, looking down at Su Cheyue. The latter was still on the floor, breathing slightly from his failed attempts to climb back. Sweat beaded on his elegant neck, and strands of hair clung to his cheek.

Another attempt, another failure. His knees were covered in dust.

Lu Shuyao sighed softly. He set the medicine aside and walked to the bed. Hearing him approach, Su Cheyue turned his head away, his black hair masking his beautiful face. He threatened viciously: “Don’t come closer, or I’ll kill you.”

Because his senses had begun to recover recently, he wanted to see if his legs had regained feeling as well. He hadn’t expected to be this pathetic.

He can hear and speak! A light of surprise lit up Lu Shuyao’s eyes. He knelt by his feet and said, half-tenderly and half-jokingly: “Isn’t my life already held in the Second Young Master’s hands?”

“You heard it too; the Sect Leader and Madam are outside. Once we deal with them, the Second Young Master can punish me however he likes, deal?”

Su Cheyue’s back stiffened. He remained silent. Seeing no further rejection, Lu Shuyao gently brushed the dust off the man’s clothes and moved his hair aside.

Normally, Lu Shuyao wouldn’t touch him. Even Su Cheyue’s baths were handled by Li An pushing the wheelchair to the pool, after which Su Cheyue would undress and bathe himself. No one knew how the proud Second Young Master managed this while blind and crippled.

When Lu Shuyao reached out, Su Cheyue dodged reluctantly, but Lu Shuyao didn’t hesitate. He slid one long arm behind the man’s neck and the other under his knees, lifting him up.

Lu Shuyao froze for a moment. Su Cheyue was lighter than he imagined. His shoulders were thin, and his neck was warm. Holding him felt like holding a soft feather that had just fallen.

He also carried a fresh scent of green pears, which felt especially vivid in the dead of winter. He steadied his stance and, as if unable to bear any roughness, laid Su Cheyue down on the bed with extreme gentleness.

Afterwards, Lu Shuyao looked at the man. Su Cheyue’s lips were pressed thin as if enduring a great humiliation. During the entire process of being picked up and put down, his palms remained clenched, refusing to touch Lu Shuyao at all.

Lu Shuyao felt he had never been this gentle in his twenty years of life, yet the recipient was completely ungrateful. Whatever.

Lu Shuyao stepped back. “Why won’t you drink the medicine?”

Su Cheyue said succinctly: “Bitter.”

Lu Shuyao: “…”

An expected answer. Who didn’t know the Second Young Master liked sweets? He just hadn’t expected the moon-like man to be so childish. After all, most of the time he couldn’t even taste it…

But since the medicine was useless and he didn’t want it…

“Young Masters, aren’t you ready yet?”

Amidst the urgent knocking on the door, Su Cheyue heard the sound of a bowl being placed on the table. Then, the man walked over and smeared a bit of the medicine on Su Cheyue’s lips with his finger.

!!! The second time! Lu Shuyao!

Lu Shuyao leaned down, his voice slightly husky: “Be good.”

Su Cheyue heard him take a large gulp of something else before he went to open the door.

“Uncle, Aunt, it’s done.”