Chapter 61: The Hypocritical Senior 03 Part 1

A smile tugged at the corners of Li Xia’s mouth, but his footsteps quickened until he broke into a run.

Seeing the fear on his face satisfied Yu Sui, who tightened his grip on his phone.

He didn’t head into the residential complex. Instead, he turned right and kept walking.

Li Xia raced back home and flicked on the lights.

[I’m watching you.]

The chilling message came with a photo of his building’s floor.

Li Xia stayed away from the windows. He sank onto the sofa in complete relaxation.

Was Yu Sui trying to trigger the suspension bridge effect?

With that thought, he pulled out his phone and called Yu Sui.

Huddled on the sofa, his eyes remained utterly calm as he spoke in a voice laced with anxiety.

Yu Sui turned and walked away. After a short distance, he slowed his pace.

His phone rang. He fished it out and answered. “What’s wrong?”

“S-Senior… someone’s following me.”

Li Xia’s voice trembled.

“What?” Yu Sui’s tone carried genuine surprise. “The same guy?”

“Yes.” Li Xia’s lips curved upward. “I’m really scared. Can you come keep me company?”

This had to be Yu Sui’s aim all along.

“Sorry, I’ve got something to handle,” Yu Sui replied apologetically.

Li Xia paused. He hadn’t expected the refusal. Perhaps Yu Sui planned to swoop in at his most desperate moment.

“Alright.” Disappointment colored his voice. “I won’t bother you anymore…”

He was about to hang up when a sharp scream tore from his throat. “Ah!”

“Who’s there?”

It sounded like he was talking to someone. His phone clattered to the floor, followed by faint rustling noises from the other end.

Yu Sui froze. What was happening?

“Li Xia?” He called out, but got no response.

[Host, go check on him!] The system sounded urgent. [If something happens to the protagonist, we’re finished.]

Yu Sui ended the call and frowned slightly. “That’s a bit too convenient, isn’t it?”

[Convenient how?] The system asked, confused. [You think he’s faking it?]

“Showing up now would only make me look suspicious,” Yu Sui said. “Besides, isn’t the protagonist gong around?”

[Fine.] The system sighed. The host really was cautious.

Yu Sui flagged down a cab and prepared to turn back.

Halfway there, the system let out a scream. [Host! The protagonist’s health is dropping! Aaaah!]

Stunned, Yu Sui leaned forward. “Master, please turn around.”

The system’s frantic voice buzzed in his ear the entire ride.

Yu Sui frowned. “Is this world really that dangerous?”

[The setting has suspense elements. He might’ve just run into trouble,] the system explained. [The protagonist’s luck always comes paired with peril.]

Yu Sui pressed his lips into a thin line.

The cab pulled up near the complex. Yu Sui stashed his jacket, hat, and mask in some nearby bushes before heading inside.

“Should I call the police?” Yu Sui asked.

[Your account would get dug up. The plot isn’t done yet—you can’t afford a scandal,] the system warned.

“But I might not be able to take the thug,” Yu Sui said, though he didn’t slow down.

[Outsmart him,] the system replied. [I’ll keep an eye on the surroundings for you.]

Ding—

The elevator reached the floor.

Yu Sui approached Li Xia’s door, raising his hand to knock. But it was ajar.

He tensed and pushed it open cautiously, staying alert.

Ready to use his phone as a shield or grab a brick from behind the door, he found nothing.

Yu Sui strained his ears. The apartment felt secure, but a faint metallic tang of blood hung in the air.

This didn’t look good.

Narrowing his eyes, he flicked on the living room light. “Li Xia? You home? Why’s the door unlocked?”

He made it sound like he was just checking on a friend.

Bloodstains marred the living room floor. The sofa was in disarray, and Li Xia’s phone lay discarded on the ground.

The bedroom door hung open. Yu Sui clenched his fists and stepped inside.

The bed looked untouched, but running water echoed from the adjoining bathroom.

Was the attacker in there?

Yu Sui crept closer, brow furrowed.

Gripping the handle amid the system’s worried chatter, he pushed the door open.

Creak—

The clear sound echoed as the door swung wide.

Water pooled on the floor. The small space offered nowhere to hide.

The bathtub was still filling, and a figure lay inside—unconscious, it seemed.

Stunned, Yu Sui rushed over and hauled the man out.

Li Xia’s hair dripped wet. Deep strangulation marks ringed his neck, and a gash on his arm had turned the bathwater crimson.

Yu Sui lifted him effortlessly and grabbed a towel.

He laid Li Xia on the bed and reached for his phone to call for help.

“Cough… cough…”

Li Xia frowned and stirred awake.

Spotting Yu Sui, he blinked in mild surprise. “Senior?”

Worry creased Yu Sui’s face. “What happened?”

Inwardly, though, he found it odd. Why wake up at such a perfectly timed moment?

“Senior, I…” Li Xia’s gaze dimmed. “I think I know who sent those messages.”

“Huh?” Yu Sui blinked, a flicker of unease stirring inside him.

He propped Li Xia up and dried his hair with the towel. “Who was it?”

“My… brother.” A bitter smile twisted Li Xia’s lips.

Yu Sui stared in shock. “What?”

Li Xia looked up at him. “I didn’t expect him to come to City A—or know where I live.”

“Why would he do this?” Yu Sui’s mind reeled. Did the guy hate him that much already?

[From how the protagonist gong knew you were up to something but kept quiet from the protagonist shou—using the chance to boost his favor instead—you can tell his attitude toward the shou. He just sees him as a toy to play with,] the system analyzed.

Truly despicable.

“I… I let him down,” Li Xia murmured, his eyes darkening as his voice grew faint. “Because of me, he was disfigured.”

“Huh?” Yu Sui gaped in astonishment.

[Guess that explains the protagonist gong’s hostility toward the shou,] the system amended.

“You didn’t know?” Yu Sui latched onto the key point.

[We only get plot details tied to the tasks,] the system explained. [Stuff like the protagonist’s backstory isn’t relevant to us.]

“I see.”

“He got disfigured, and now I show up online. He must…” Li Xia’s voice rasped. “Thank you for coming, senior. But please—don’t tell anyone.”

“That’s too dangerous,” Yu Sui objected.

“I owe him. Letting him do this… it eases my conscience a bit.” Li Xia coughed twice more, touching his neck gingerly as he slid off the bed. “You should go, senior. I’m scared he’ll come back and take it out on you too.”

Yu Sui shook his head at the worry in his expression. “Take a hot shower first.”

“Senior?” Li Xia’s eyes brightened.

Yu Sui stood. “Do you have any medicine here?”

Li Xia shook his head.

“I’ll run downstairs.” Yu Sui hurried out.

Watching his retreating back, Li Xia clasped his hands overhead in a lazy stretch.

He took his time showering. When he emerged in a robe, an extra figure occupied his room.

Dressed all in black with a gloomy air, the man wore a face identical to his own.

“What a pity,” Su Shan said, disgust in his eyes. “I didn’t manage to kill you.”

“Why’d you pick today to show up?” Li Xia studied him warily.

“Don’t you like him?” Su Shan’s smile turned vicious. “I helped create the chance for you. No thanks to your big brother, Li Xia?”

“You’re trying to take him from me.” Li Xia’s tone was matter-of-fact, utterly certain.

“Don’t forget—you owe me your life.” Su Shan’s face twisted as agitation flared. He advanced on Li Xia step by step. “Stuck wearing your face for the rest of my life. It’s revolting.”

“Don’t make yourself sound so pitiful.” Li Xia felt no guilt as he met the young man’s gaze. “Who was it that turned that fire into a disaster?”

Su Shan pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Neither did Li Xia.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening came from outside.

Li Xia’s expression turned serious in an instant. He shot Su Shan a warning glance before stepping out.

“Senior.”

His voice was hoarse from his sore throat.

Yu Sui returned with his purchases. Seeing Li Xia’s pale, unsteady face, he frowned. “Why didn’t you dry your hair?”

He gestured for Li Xia to sit, set the medicine on the table, and glanced toward the bedroom.

His attention had been elsewhere before, but now he spotted the footprints on the floor…

From the second bedroom to the master, glaringly obvious in the light.

Yu Sui froze and turned to Li Xia.

“What’s wrong?” Li Xia looked at him blankly.

“Wet hair’s no good—you’re still recovering.” Yu Sui’s concern seemed genuine. “I’ll grab the hairdryer.”

He headed into the master bedroom.

Li Xia watched his back, mouth opening soundlessly as his hands clenched at his sides.

Creak—

Yu Sui pushed open the door and picked up the hairdryer from the table. His eyes drifted down to the surface, then flicked to the floor in his peripheral vision.

Disorderly shoeprints—three sets.

He casually glanced toward the bathroom before leaving the bedroom as if nothing were amiss.

Back in the living room, Li Xia looked utterly drained and listless.

Yu Sui handed him the hairdryer.

Then he went to pour some water.

Li Xia thanked him politely and began blow-drying his hair.

In the master bathroom, Su Shan peered through the crack in the door. He’d caught Yu Sui’s subtle actions, and his eyes narrowed.

Yu Sui explained the medicine dosage and ointment application. “Stay safe and lock the door. I’ll head out.”

“Thank you.” Li Xia’s face lit with emotion as he stood to see him off.

Yu Sui left the apartment, his steps quickening slightly.

He was certain Su Shan was still there.

Their relationship was truly twisted.

But that had nothing to do with him. He just needed to focus on his own tasks.

Li Xia drank the medicine and tended to the wound on his arm. He thought to himself that Yu Sui was truly ruthless—he hadn’t even bothered to bandage it for him, despite Li Xia having cut himself on purpose.

Creak—

The bedroom door opened, and Su Shan stepped out. “He knows I’m here.”

Li Xia paused. “Senior, you’re truly perceptive.”

“Indeed.” Su Shan walked over to stand before him. The two faced each other across the coffee table. “Should I just replace you completely?”

Li Xia’s gaze turned icy. “I’d advise you not to even think about it.”

Su Shan didn’t pursue the topic. Instead, he sat down on the nearby sofa and picked up his phone to send a message, his head lowered.

Li Xia quietly applied medicine to his wound. “Haven’t you caused me enough trouble already?”

On the day of Li Xia’s birthday in middle school, their parents had died in a fire.

Su Shan had suffered severe burns, disfiguring him. The two returned from town to their small village, living together with their grandmother.

The fire had been Li Xia’s doing, started to prove just how much their parents loved him and to crush Su Shan’s spirit.

He hadn’t expected Su Shan to go so mad at the sight of their parents’ selfless sacrifice, leading to this outcome.