Trapped

Downstairs, Xia Yueshan glared at Lin Yu with a dark expression. As time passed, his trust in this bratty kid dwindled by the minute.

Wasn’t it supposed to be that his sister would face some disaster?

It had been a month and a half, and yet—nothing.

Was this punk just lying to freeload off his family, mooching food, shelter, and even his sister?

Under Xia Yueshan’s scrutinizing gaze, Lin Yu felt his pride crumbling.

But right now, he had bigger things to worry about.

A serious realization struck him.

In the original storyline, Xia Muzhu was indeed supposed to be assaulted. But after all the precautions he’d taken, was it possible he had already unknowingly helped her avoid that tragic fate?

He just didn’t know it yet.

After a moment of thought, Lin Yu decided it wasn’t impossible.

Maybe the plot had already been altered by his actions, and that horrific scene—the one that would bring Xia Muzhu endless suffering—had been erased at the source.

But…

What if it hadn’t happened yet?

What if that unspeakable, twisted fate was just waiting for him to let his guard down?

The thought made Lin Yu’s head throb.

Damn it all.

Without knowing whether that second "scene" had already occurred, he couldn’t afford to leave Xia Muzhu’s side!

He was trapped.

A short while was manageable.

But what about half a year from now?

A year?

He still had to take his college entrance exams!

He couldn’t just babysit Xia Muzhu forever.

Ugh!

If only there were some way to confirm whether that scene had already happened.

Lin Yu gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up every time he thought about it.

Seriously!

Not only had he been transmigrated into some trashy adult comic—he didn’t even get the standard transmigrator perks!

No golden finger, no system, not even a measly artifact spirit or something!

Just him, alone.

How lame was that?

Frustration aside, he still had to deal with his problems one by one.

First up—this brat in front of him.

He needed a way to regain his trust.

Seeing Xia Yueshan’s blatantly suspicious stare, Lin Yu knew better than to play nice. Instead, he shot back a disdainful look and snapped,

"What are you staring at?"

"Got a problem?"

Xia Yueshan, acting far older than his years, stroked his chin and nodded.

"Yeah, actually."

"Lin Yu, you said my sister would face some disaster. But when exactly is that supposed to happen?"

"It’s been a month and a half. Not only has she not been… y’know, she hasn’t even had a strange man come within a meter of her."

"I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but you’ve got to give me a rough timeline here."

"Don’t tell me when she’s eighty, some old geezer grabs her hand, and you call that her ‘great calamity.’"

Lin Yu couldn’t help but scoff at the sarcasm.

"So what you’re saying is, I’m a fraud, huh?"

"Fine."

"Then I’m a fraud. Happy?"

"I’m done."

"I’m leaving."

"No more lies, alright?"

"Whatever happens to your sister from now on—not my problem."

"Bye."

With that, Lin Yu sneered and turned to leave, his strides long and purposeful, as if he’d vanish into the darkness in just a few steps.

His back was resolute, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

He knew Xia Yueshan’s temper. There was no way the kid would just let him walk away. In five seconds, tops, he’d come running after him.

5!

4!

3!

2!

1!!!

...

0.

-1...

-2...

-3...

-4...

...

As he neared the corner, Lin Yu’s confidence wavered.

Damn it.

Maybe he’d overplayed his hand.

What now?

Turning back now would be way too humiliating.

Maybe he should let Xia Yueshan stew for a few days?

An idea popped into his head.

Given how protective Xia Yueshan was of his sister, he’d definitely come crawling back soon enough.

But…

If he left him hanging, would that twisted fate seize the opportunity to strike?

Lin Yu’s stomach twisted.

If Xia Muzhu got hurt because of his petty pride, he’d have no one to blame but himself.

In the blink of an eye, he reached the corner.

Lin Yu turned his head slightly, eyeing the broken gate of Xinyue Community in the distance.

With a quiet sigh, he relented.

Whatever.

So what if he lost face?

Xia Muzhu was more important.

Not just because she was the second female lead in that trashy comic, but because of the month and a half they’d spent together—day in, day out.

He couldn’t just stand by and let tragedy happen.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself.

Just as he was about to swallow his pride and shamelessly slink back—

"Lin Yu!"

"Wait!"

"Don’t go!"

The voice, still high-pitched with youth, rang out like a divine melody to Lin Yu’s ears.

He nearly teared up.

Don’t call me ‘bro.’

From now on, you’re the boss.

As Xia Yueshan called after him, Lin Yu kept his expression cold and continued marching toward the community gate.

"Wait!"

"Hold on!"

Finally, just as Lin Yu was about to step out of Xinyue Community, Xia Yueshan caught up, grinning sheepishly.

"Don’t be mad, Lin Yu. I was just joking!"

"Lin Yu?"

"Who’s ‘Lin Yu’?"

"Wasn’t I just some fraud?"

Lin Yu feigned confusion.

"No, no!"

Xia Yueshan laughed awkwardly, shaking his head.

"My Lin Yu could never be a fraud!"

"Lin Yu knows martial arts, reads faces, has a heart of gold—he’s literally the best guy in the world!"

Lin Yu snorted but didn’t push further. Instead, he took the out and spoke seriously.

"Xia Yueshan, I get it."

"After all this time with nothing happening, it’s normal for you to doubt me."

"And yeah, I can’t give you any proof that your sister’s in danger."

"But if you stop overthinking it and look at it another way, things make sense."

"Say I am lying. Say I’m a fraud. Then what’s my angle?"

"I’d have to be after something, right?"

"Money?"

"But all I’ve taken from your sister is three thousand yuan—and I haven’t touched a single cent. I even told you I’d give it to you once this was over, remember?"

Xia Yueshan nodded, guilt creeping in.

Lin Yu had been the one to tell him about the money.

From that angle, there was no way Lin Yu was after cash.