The Protagonist and Villain Officially Meet, The Shen Family's Little Devil!

"Since when do I need to report to CEO Mu about when I come?"

Jiang Cheng's tone was cold, deliberately raising his voice, his gaze flickering toward Ye Bufan as if on purpose.

As if to say, You heard that, right? There's nothing between us.

At that moment, Ye Bufan's eyes had already been drawn to the pure and lovely Li Shiyao.

Damn! It's that hot chick from this morning.

Ye Bufan clicked his tongue, staring at Jiang Cheng with envy.

This guy actually dares to be better-looking than me—what a crime!

Mu Qingcheng's disappointment was plain for all to see, leaving the crowd in a daze.

"What's going on? Wasn't Young Master Jiang supposed to be chasing CEO Mu?"

"I feel like it's the other way around!"

"Rumors really can't be trusted."

Lu Ming stood off to the side, dumbfounded, silently giving Jiang Cheng a thumbs-up.

Brother Cheng, you're a legend!

He'd thought Brother Cheng had given up, but it turned out he'd just lost interest after getting the girl.

Just then, a contemptuous voice rang out—

The Protagonist makes his entrance!

"Apologize to Qingcheng right now, or don't blame me for being rude!"

Ye Bufan stood with his hands in his pockets, chin tilted slightly upward at a forty-five-degree angle, glaring arrogantly at Jiang Cheng.

Whose subordinate is this, and why is he so reckless!

Daring to talk to Young Master Jiang like that—this kid must've never been taught a lesson, right?

Besides, Young Master Jiang didn't even say anything wrong.

The onlookers stared at Ye Bufan in shock, then shook their heads, looking at him like a clown.

Ye Bufan, mistaking their reaction for awe at his presence, grew even more smug.

He pursed his lips into a sinister smirk.

See this? That's my vibe!

Master was right—I'm the Chosen One.

Heh heh heh~

Jiang Cheng watched Ye Bufan with admiration. Truly a Protagonist—great at seizing opportunities.

Another chance to score points with Mu Qingcheng—how perfect!

Should I play along? Otherwise, he just looks like a total idiot.

Forget it, I'll take one for the team and let him have his moment for free.

"Who the hell do you think you are, demanding an apology from my Brother Cheng?"

Before Jiang Cheng could act, Lu Ming shot back.

Li Shiyao also stepped forward, shielding Jiang Cheng, glaring fiercely at Ye Bufan.

What are you doing!

I'm the one involved here, and I haven't said a word—why are you two more worked up than me?

Seeing Ye Bufan's face twist like he'd eaten something foul, Jiang Cheng quickly tugged at Lu Ming.

"Brother Cheng, don't hold me back! I know you're a good guy and don't want to stoop to his level."

Lu Ming shot Jiang Cheng a look, then said seriously, "But I can't take it anymore!"

Jiang Cheng was stunned. Since when was I that magnanimous?

No, bro, I'm trying to save your life!

Why is this kid so stubborn? Does he think he's the Heroine, and the Protagonist will put up with him forever?

"Mu Qingcheng, get your people under control."

"I..."

Mu Qingcheng looked at the cold Jiang Cheng, her heart aching, and spoke icily to Ye Bufan: "My affairs are none of your business."

Ye Bufan's smile froze on his face as he stared at Mu Qingcheng in disbelief.

I was standing up for you!

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Someone actually thinks they can win CEO Mu over with a stunt like that—how delusional!"

"Take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror—what a joke."

"The Jiang Family isn't someone he can mess with. If it were me, I'd get on my knees and beg for mercy right now!"

Ye Bufan's face went pale, then red. The clown was me all along?!

He immediately fixed a venomous glare on Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng: "??"

Bro, are you insane?!

What does this have to do with me? I haven't said a single word from start to finish.

The one insulting you—you don't glare at him. The one mocking you—you don't glare at him. But you pick me, a fine socialist youth?

Villains deserve to die, to suffer?

And here I was thinking of giving you a hand earlier. Pfft, you precious little protagonist.

Worthless!

At the jeers from the crowd, Ye Bufan's face burned red.

A proud disciple of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, master of both medicine and martial arts—how could he swallow this bird crap?

A silver needle appeared silently in his hand, a contemptuous smirk curling his lips.

A silver needle wasn't just for saving lives—it could take them too!

Mu Qingcheng's pupils contracted. From her angle, she could clearly see Ye Bufan's sneaky move.

Damn it, he was about to harm her beloved Jiang Cheng again!

Without hesitation, Mu Qingcheng flashed forward, planting herself directly between the two.

The crowd was puzzled. From their view, Mu Qingcheng had her back to Ye Bufan, as if she were shielding him.

Ye Bufan froze for a moment, then quickly caught on.

She's protecting me!

Right, Qingcheng didn't refute that line about "keeping your people in check" back then—that meant she saw me as one of her own!

She must be afraid of the Jiang Family's retaliation, so she's desperately distancing herself, trying to take all of Jiang Cheng's wrath onto herself.

With that thought, Ye Bufan's face softened with pity, and he tucked the silver needle away.

His gaze grew tender. He wanted to step forward and say, The Jiang Family? What's there to fear!

Then whisper to Mu Qingcheng, From today on, I am your safe harbor.

But he couldn't let Qingcheng's efforts go to waste.

Damn you, Jiang Cheng, this is all your fault!

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng had no idea that Ye Bufan's self-indulgent sentimentality had earned him another grudge.

What's this all about?

What's Mu Qingcheng doing with all that eyebrow-wiggling? Got a cramp?

Jiang Cheng was completely baffled.

Oh, I get it!

She's telling me to get lost, not to hurt her Ye Bufan.

Finally, finally, she's come to her senses!

I knew it—Mu Qingcheng isn't like Li Shiyao, that shallow lookist. She sees what's inside, the real character.

If I were a woman, I'd definitely be drawn to Ye Bufan's perfectly normal face—blegh—

His witty, charming words—blegh—

His majestic bearing—blegh—

In an instant, Jiang Cheng had already figured out his exit strategy.

First, fake heartbreak and grief, then force out a few tears, and finally make a dejected exit.

Perfect. I'm a genius!

He took a deep breath, started brewing the emotion. Feeling it now.

Three, two, one—

"Mu Qingcheng, you don't deserve Senior Jiang Cheng's affection!"

Li Shiyao hooked her arm through Jiang Cheng's, puffing out her cheeks in anger, her eyes full of pity for him.

Senior must be so heartbroken right now, in need of comfort!

Mu Qingcheng shot back just as fiercely, her eyes blazing with fury, itching to see what was inside Li Shiyao's head.

She was putting Jiang Cheng in danger!

Uh...

Can someone tell me what just happened?

Jiang Cheng roared inwardly—couldn't they let him get a word in?

They said everything themselves, pinned all the grudges on him, and just wouldn't let him go.

Li Shiyao ignored Mu Qingcheng's glare, grabbed Jiang Cheng's hand, and prepared to head out.

Just then, the roar of a motorcycle engine suddenly rang out, quickly coming to a stop at the Shen Family Manor.

Tap, tap, tap...

A tall woman in a black trench coat strode in. Wherever she passed, the rich young masters all lowered their heads, scrambling to avoid her.

The little devil of the Shen family, Shen Xiyue, had arrived!