When The Harem Novel’s Heroine Meets The Tragic Heroine - Chapter 19

Yu Qingling treated him like thin air, ignoring him entirely.

Hearing this, Bei Qiuqiu revealed her proud little tiger fangs in a grin.

Xiao Qingtian realized he was being isolated by the two of them, and envy and jealousy began to fester in his chest. The more he thought about it, the more unpleasant it felt, so he decided to create some “presence” for himself.

He put on gloves and joined the ranks of the shrimp-peeling army. It took him two full minutes of clumsy effort to extract a single piece of shrimp meat. He reached out, intending to place it in Yu Qingling’s bowl.

Yu Qingling moved her bowl aside, and the shrimp meat fell onto the table.

Xiao Qingtian felt awkward. “Qingling, I can help you peel them, too.”

Bei Qiuqiu couldn’t stop laughing, using her innocent and blunt words to strike at her love rival. “The shrimp you peel is all pitted and mangled; you should just keep it for yourself to eat. I’ll take care of Sister, and that will be just fine.”

Yu Qingling added a finishing blow of agreement. “It looks unappetizing.”

It wasn’t even as good as the meat peeled by her, someone who had only just learned how to peel crawfish.

Xiao Qingtian: “…”

Customers in the late-night snack stall came and went; one wave left, and a new one arrived.

Xiao Qingtian fiercely chewed on the mangled shrimp meat he had peeled, his entire attention fixed on the two beauties beside him who were treating him like air. The surrounding clamor had nothing to do with him; he was tightly wrapped only in his own frustration.

Yu Qingling, who was unhurriedly peeling a shrimp, paused slightly. She keenly sensed a gaze drifting toward them intermittently, carrying a familiar aura. Yet, it was different from her own murderous intent—this person was restrained, hidden in the darkness, and silent.

She placed a peeled shrimp into Bei Qiuqiu’s bowl and asked, “Do you want more?”

Bei Qiuqiu looked down at her slightly bulging stomach. She wanted to eat, but if she ate any more, her figure would go out of shape. She shook her head repeatedly.

Yu Qingling took off her gloves and cast a casual glance toward the diagonal front.

It was a man in his early thirties who had just entered the food stall. He was alone without companions, and his appearance and temperament were the kind that would be completely overlooked at a single glance. The man held a menu to order, speaking to the proprietress in a gentle and polite manner; he looked exactly like the honest and simple type.

However, Yu Qingling was certain that all of this was merely a disguise.

She withdrew her gaze and watched Bei Qiuqiu sitting in her chair, lightly rubbing her belly with both hands. She seemed to be regretting that she had accidentally eaten too much; her expression was very vivid and cute.

The man diagonally opposite had only scanned the surroundings when he first sat down; after that, he didn’t spare them a single glance. But Yu Qingling had already determined the man’s profession and what he was about to do. She just didn’t know yet who the man’s target actually was.

After a moment of silence, she asked Jiu Jiu: “Did Xiao Qingtian provoke someone he shouldn’t have?”

Jiu Jiu said with dissatisfaction: “Please rephrase that, Host. On the path of a male protagonist’s growth, there are always a few stumbling blocks trying to hinder his development. It’s not that he provoked someone he shouldn’t have.”

Yu Qingling felt annoyed. “Is that assassin diagonally opposite coming for Xiao Qingtian?”

Jiu Jiu was startled and immediately began contacting the main brain. One second later: “Congratulations, Host, a new mission has arrived.”

Yu Qingling gave Xiao Qingtian a cold, sidelong glance. The grown man received the look and felt a sudden chill for no reason, his body shivering uncontrollably.

Jiu Jiu: “Host, please be sure to ensure the male protagonist’s safety next. You must keep him completely unharmed.”

Yu Qingling pursed her lips and asked Jiu Jiu: “Didn’t you tell me this is a society ruled by law?”

“This is the world of an old-school male-frequency novel, after all! It’s normal to have plots like an assassin coming for an assassination. The host just needs to protect the male protagonist!”

“Why does he want to assassinate the male protagonist?”

“This started three days ago. The male protagonist suddenly awakened a supernatural power—X-ray vision. As long as he places his right hand on any object and closes his eyes to enter a meditative state, he can see through the exterior of the object to its interior.”

Ah, X-ray vision!

Yu Qingling’s eyes widened, finding it quite novel.

“After gaining the superpower, the male protagonist went to Southern Province for stone gambling. For three consecutive days, he hit the green every single day. After becoming a multimillionaire overnight, he wasn’t satisfied. Yesterday, he participated in an auction and accidentally snatched a bid from the other party, uncovering a glass-type Imperial Green jade worth a billion. The other party couldn’t swallow their pride and intends to teach him a harsh lesson, then seize the billion-dollar jade for themselves.”

“Host, please cheer up and complete the ‘Beauty Saves the Hero’ mission well!”

“Beauty saves the hero?”

“That is the chapter title of this plot point in the original text.”

“More like saving a bear.”

Yu Qingling found Xiao Qingtian even more unpleasant to look at. Originally, she could have gone home to rest well after finishing the midnight snack, but now, because of Xiao Carrot’s insatiable greed, she had to act as a free bodyguard.

The table was a mess, but Yu Qingling showed no intention of leaving. She asked in her mind: “When will that man with the common face diagonally opposite take action?”

“I don’t know that either.”

“If the other party never moves, do I have to keep following Xiao Carrot and protect him without leaving for a single moment?!”

“…Uh, well…”

“Then I might as well wait to be struck by lightning and let Xiao Carrot fend for himself.”

Realizing the host wanted to slack off, Jiu Jiu got anxious and panicked, quickly coaxing her in a gentle tone, “Dear Host~ we don’t necessarily have to follow the male protagonist for 24-hour close protection. Let me think of a way!”

Yu Qingling hummed in response, waiting for the system’s plan with a clear conscience.

Without realizing it, Jiu Jiu started down the path of pitting the male protagonist. “How about we help the assassin and provide him with a good opportunity to strike? How about tonight?”

Yu Qingling nodded.

“But, Host, you must not let the assassin succeed!”

Yu Qingling: “Do not doubt me.”

Yu Qingling suggested going for a walk by the river. Bei Qiuqiu was very happy to take a moonlit stroll with the person she liked.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingtian immediately said, “The riverside isn’t safe late at night. How about I provide protection for you two beauties?”

Bei Qiuqiu wrinkled her nose; this piece of “dog-skin plaster” was really annoying. Before she could tactfully refuse, Yu Qingling had already spoken.

“Fine. Keep up.”

Bei Qiuqiu was momentarily stunned. Didn’t Sister hate this man? Why did her attitude change so suddenly?

Yu Qingling didn’t give Xiao Qingtian a single look. She grabbed Bei Qiuqiu’s wrist, and the two of them walked out of the food stall side by side.

Xiao Qingtian followed them in a state of ecstasy.

Behind them, the middle-aged man, who had only eaten a few bites, put down his chopsticks and stood up.

The streets near midnight were nearly empty of vehicles. Bei Qiuqiu increased her speed significantly, driving through the skyscrapers and onto the riverside road. Xiao Qingtian followed behind on his motorcycle without any regrets, inhaling the exhaust fumes.

After cruising for a while, the sports car stopped at a deserted stretch of road.

Yu Qingling jumped out of the car and looked toward the surroundings.