The Spoiled Little Beauty is Always Abusing the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration] 2

Chapter 2: The Spoiled Villain in a Period Novel 2

Xu Nongqing moved. He walked over to Shu He and took hold of the wheelchair handles.

Butler Fang, still worried, reminded him, “Be careful. My young master is frail and can’t be jostled. Try to avoid the steep parts.”

Xu Nongqing’s hands were very steady.

Just like Butler Fang, he pushed smoothly the entire way, and the wheelchair didn’t jolt at all.

Shu He held onto the wheelchair and looked back up at Xu Nongqing. As if noticing his gaze, Xu Nongqing lowered his eyes to meet his for a moment. His expression was calm, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

“Push properly.”

After giving his order, Shu He turned back around.

He gathered his collar, his snow-white face turning even paler in the wind. His eyes were unfocused as he whispered to the system, He’s such a pushover. He does whatever I tell him to without even resisting.

The system paused. 【Well, because the world is broken, the protagonist’s personality has also changed.】

【As you progress with your mission, the protagonist will become more and more difficult to deal with. Before that, your job is to provoke him into striving for more, to make him understand that if he doesn’t work hard, he’ll never be able to get revenge on you.】

【You did great today. It seems you have a talent for being a villain. Keep it up.】

Shu He propped up his face and discussed mission strategies with the system for the rest of the way. Finally, Village Head Wang, who was leading them, came to a stop.

They had arrived.

He led Shu He into the main room. In this era, everything was backward, and Wang Family Village was especially poor. Even for the village head, Wang Xingguo, his home was nothing more than a crude house made of mud and tile. The rain pattered on the roof tiles, creating a particularly noisy racket.

Shu He looked around curiously and stood up from his wheelchair.

A gaze fell upon him. Sensing it, Shu He turned his head and found Xu Nongqing looking at his legs.

It was probably the surprise of seeing a “cripple” stand up.

Even though Xu Nongqing remained expressionless.

“The room is all tidied up.” Wang Xingguo had, of course, arranged for Shu He to stay with him.

After all, his was the only house in the entire village built with cement. It was relatively clean when tidied up, and generally free of dirty things like cockroaches and rats.

Unfortunately, Butler Fang was not satisfied as he looked at the simple surroundings. “We should have chosen the other village. But it’s not too late to switch now.”

His young master had lived in clean, comfortable, and well-furnished mansions since he was a child, sleeping on soft, warm beds. A place like this… damp and dark, how could he recuperate here?

The young master was here to rest and have fun. He might call it “experiencing life,” but he couldn’t actually live in poverty.

Wang Xingguo hadn’t expected him to say that. He quickly and eagerly asked Butler Fang, “What do you think needs to be changed?”

“Everything.”

Butler Fang frowned.

Now Wang Xingguo understood. These city folk probably lived in villas and mansions; of course they would look down on his little house. But it was rare for such a cash cow to come to the village, and Wang Xingguo was unwilling to give up. He was about to try and persuade him further when he heard Shu He lift his chin and say:

“I’m not staying here.”

See, the young master himself has spoken.

It seemed nothing he said would matter now.

Wang Xingguo’s face fell in defeat, only to hear Shu He continue, “I’m staying at his place. Let’s go. Where do you live?”

Xu Nongqing froze.

Wang Xingguo’s eye twitched as he stared at Xu Nongqing in disbelief.

Him?

On what grounds?

The house Xu Nongqing lived in was the worst in all of Wang Family Village. It was built by his grandparents a long time ago and hadn’t been renovated in years. And the young master wanted to stay there?

Although he understood that Shu He probably wanted to torment Xu Nongqing as revenge for the shoe incident, Wang Xingguo was still resentful.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Butler Fang gestured for Xu Nongqing to lead the way. Xu Nongqing remained silent for a few seconds before finally turning to walk outside.

“Wait.”

Shu He sat back down in the wheelchair. “Why are you walking so fast? Push me.”

Xu Nongqing stopped. After three seconds, he turned back and walked behind Shu He. He lowered his eyelids, hiding the emotion in his eyes. Just like on the way up, Shu He looked back up at Xu Nongqing’s face again, but still couldn’t read anything from it.

He turned back around and fidgeted with his fingers.

Is the protagonist stone-faced? Can he not make expressions?

System: 【…There’s no such setting.】

This way, I can’t even tell if he’s angry or not.

Shu He felt a little frustrated.

He needed feedback, otherwise it felt like he was playing a lute to a cow, and he couldn’t gauge the right amount of pressure to apply.

Brother System.

Shu He decided to learn. Do you have a villain’s guide to evil-doing? I want to follow it. Or how did the hosts you’ve guided before do it? Teach me, Brother System.

System: 【…?】

The system said stiffly: 【My designation is 01. You may call me 1.】

【I have only ever guided you.】

【There is a guide. I was planning to transmit it to you after you settled in.】

Thank you, brother. Shu He thought for a moment and added, Brother 1.

System: 【…Don’t call me that.】

What’s wrong?

Shu He tilted his head in confusion.

His parents had taught him to call young people “brother” or “sister,” slightly older ones “uncle” or “auntie,” and even older ones “grandpa” or “grandma.”

Although the system’s electronic voice was cold and robotic, it sounded like a young man’s.

What was wrong with calling him brother?

It was just being polite.

Shu He pouted slightly. After hearing his explanation, the system was at a loss for words.

What on earth did those interstellar monsters teach Shu He—

**

Before long, the three of them arrived in front of a courtyard.

The yard wasn’t large. Some cabbages were planted inside the fence, and on the other side was what looked like a woodshed, dark inside, with a chimney rising above it.

Stepping into the yard, they were faced with a dilapidated mud-brick house. The walls were mottled, and rain was still dripping from the roof tiles.

Xu Nongqing pushed open the wooden door.

Then he turned back, his gaze calm and detached as he watched Shu He.

Shu He froze, not daring to enter.

His eyes widened as he stared at the chili peppers and corn hanging on the wall. He observed them for a long moment before cautiously approaching and peering inside at the… coffin leaning against the corner of the wall.

He wasn’t sure if it was a coffin.

Such things were rare in the interstellar era; he had only seen them in history books.

“There will be bugs here at night.”

Xu Nongqing spoke abruptly.

Shu He looked at him blankly. He saw Xu Nongqing watching him, stating this fact in a tone devoid of any threat, his voice low. “They can’t be stopped. You can still go back and stay at the village head’s place.”

This seemed to be the first sentence he had spoken since they met.

Shu He snapped back to his senses, mustered his courage, pushed past Xu Nongqing, and walked into the house. “Who are you looking down on? You think I’m afraid of bugs?”

“Young Master!”

The moment Butler Fang entered, he was horrified by the conditions. The young master absolutely could not stay here! He quickly followed, pleading earnestly, “Let’s go to the other village. This place is not suitable.”

“I’m staying right here.” Shu He’s mind was made up, and nothing Butler Fang said could change it.

After all, he had to be close to complete the mission.

Butler Fang refused to give up, but he talked until his mouth was dry and still couldn’t change Shu He’s mind. He had no choice but to go find the bodyguards and have them bring all of Shu He’s belongings from the city, doing his best to transform this dilapidated mud-brick house.

Xu Nongqing, having changed his clothes, stood to the side without saying a word.

His dark pupils lifted slightly, watching the busy figures. There was not a trace of emotion in his eyes. After a moment, he shifted his gaze to the exquisitely beautiful boy.

Shu He cautiously approached the coffin, his slender white fingers tracing its cold edge. He asked quietly, Brother 1, do you think there’s anyone inside?

System: 【Don’t call me Brother 1. There’s no one inside.】

Okay, then what should I call you?

【1, or System.】

Shu He frowned and muttered unhappily. That’s not polite. Can I call you Uncle 1 then?

【…】

The system’s youthful, mechanical voice said: 【Brother 1 is fine.】

Shu He tilted his head slightly, leaning closer to sniff the coffin. Strands of his dark hair fell across his brow, resting there softly and obediently.

The smell of dust.

Shu He sneezed.

He covered his face, a single crystalline tear welling in the corner of his eye. He turned around, but his vision suddenly went dark.

A tall, slender figure blocked the light from the doorway, appearing abruptly behind Shu He. Caught off guard, Shu He let out a startled cry and reflexively took a step back.

He hadn’t expected to bump right into the coffin behind him. His legs gave way, and he nearly fell.

Xu Nongqing’s dark eyes flickered, and he quickly reached out to catch his wrist. “What are you doing?”

Supported by him, the boy’s almond eyes were wide with fright. As he straightened up, inertia caused him to stumble slightly into his chest.

It was just for an instant.

Perhaps only a second.

But Xu Nongqing still caught the pleasant, fresh scent on Shu He.

His expression didn’t change, but his fingers loosened their grip.

Shu He was completely oblivious to the shift in his mood, still reeling from the shock. The commotion alerted Butler Fang nearby, who hurried over to ask what was wrong.

“It’s nothing…”

Shu He clutched his chest, his almond eyes glistening as he glared at Xu Nongqing, who had startled him. “Did you scare me on purpose?”

Xu Nongqing looked at him without a word.

Shu He huffed and walked around him. “And I didn’t even make you pay for my shoes.”

“Why is there a coffin here?” At that moment, the butler noticed the black coffin leaning against the wall and immediately frowned. “That’s not very auspicious. Mr. Xu, I’ll give you some money. In exchange, could you please have this removed?”

His tone was polite, his attitude one of negotiation.

His own young master had been so difficult, yet Mr. Xu hadn’t refused him. If he offered money, Mr. Xu probably wouldn’t refuse either.

However, Butler Fang was disappointed.

Xu Nongqing replied succinctly, “No.”

Butler Fang: “…”

Fine then—despite this, Butler Fang still gave Xu Nongqing a sum of money as rent for the young master’s stay.

…The young master doesn’t seem to like Mr. Xu very much.

After some thought, he gave him another sum as compensation for emotional distress.

Xu Nongqing accepted the rent but refused the second, baseless payment.

And Butler Fang was too embarrassed to say it was for emotional distress.

He silently let the matter drop and asked Shu He if he was hungry.

“I want to sleep.”

Shu He sat listlessly on the edge of the bed.

It was Xu Nongqing’s bed.

But the bedding had been replaced with the softer, more comfortable set Shu He had brought from the city.

“Go on and sleep, then.” Butler Fang figured he must be exhausted after a day of travel. It would be better to sleep and eat more in the evening.

The first day was always the hardest; after that, he could rest and recuperate.

Shu He took off his shoes and socks, changed his clothes, and lay down in the bed. He also asked Butler Fang for a storybook, then sent everyone out, leaving only Xu Nongqing.

He was going to sleep, and he wanted Xu Nongqing to read him a story.

Xu Nongqing glanced at him but did not obediently sit down.

He just watched Shu He silently, then turned his head and started to walk away under Shu He’s gaze.

“Hey.”

Shu He stuck his hand out from under the covers, waving the storybook. “Read me a story.”

After a thought, he added, “I’ll pay you.”

If I keep bullying the protagonist, he might rebel. But if I pay him a salary, it becomes an employer-employee relationship. For the money, the protagonist will probably tolerate it and not hit me.

Being a villain is so hard.

Being a stepping stone is so hard.

Sigh.

Shu He watched with his beautiful almond eyes as Xu Nongqing approached him. He puffed out his pale cheeks and stuffed the storybook into Xu Nongqing’s hands.

Then he burrowed into the blankets, leaving only the upper half of his face and the tip of his nose exposed. The eyes he fixed on Xu Nongqing were clean and bright.

Xu Nongqing avoided his gaze. After a few seconds of silence, he sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the storybook in his hands.

“Can you read?”

Shu He, wrapped in his blanket, scooted closer to Xu Nongqing.

Unconsciously, the distance between them closed. He poked Xu Nongqing’s back, his cheek right next to his hand.

Shu He played the part of a bad guy so well.

But imperceptibly, he always let slip some of his own personality—a bit naive, a bit overly familiar, making him hard to read.

Xu Nongqing kept his eyes on the book, not letting his gaze drift to Shu He’s beautiful face.

After a moment, he finally answered, “I’ve been to school.”

“What grade?”

“Middle school.”

“Oh.” Shu He said, then fell silent, closing one eye and leaving the other open, urging Xu Nongqing to hurry up and read him the story.

A little while later, Xu Nongqing’s low voice finally began to fill the room, slowly narrating the story.

The room was quiet, and the day of travel had been truly exhausting. Sleepiness soon washed over him.

Xu Nongqing closed the book and stood up.

He was tall, with broad shoulders and long legs. As he rose, his shadow completely enveloped the boy in the bed.

Rain pattered outside.

Xu Nongqing lowered his gaze and stared at Shu He for a few seconds. His eyes stopped on one spot, and he picked up the shoes that had been dirtied by the mud.