The Plot Starts Off Terribly

Su Luo stepped into the Li family's residence and entered the grand hall, where the most prominent figure was none other than Li Siyi.

She was dressed in a lavish outfit today, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. Even without much effort in her appearance, she already outshone many. Her faint smile added an extra touch of allure to her charm.

However, the moment she saw Su Luo enter, her smile vanished instantly. She glared at him fiercely, as if a fire was burning in her eyes.

Su Luo was about to greet her warmly but stopped in his tracks when he was met with her piercing stare. His smile froze.

This didn’t make sense. Was there really such deep animosity between them?

The story had just begun. Surely, it wasn’t time for her to try to kill him with her gaze already.

Su Luo couldn’t figure it out.

Of course, he couldn’t.

Last night, Li Siyi had been studying the Qingyue Pendant.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t made any progress, and none of the family’s books had any records on how to use it.

Still, she held onto the pendant and slept peacefully, feeling content.

But then she discovered that her diary had updated. Thinking it might contain some important information, she opened it, only to find it filled with insults directed at her.

Originally, after retrieving her ancestor’s treasure through the diary, Li Siyi had mostly forgiven Su Luo for his previous insults and even thought he wasn’t entirely useless.

But now, he was back to insulting her again. Furious, she jumped out of bed.

From then on, every time Su Luo wrote an insult, she would retort and hurl another insult back at him.

It was like a long-distance verbal duel.

But no matter how she looked at it, Li Siyi was the one at a disadvantage. She heard every single word Su Luo wrote, while he couldn’t hear a single one of her insults.

So now, when Li Siyi saw Su Luo, all she could do was glare at him. The fact that she didn’t outright curse him out was already a sign of her restraint.

Su Luo couldn’t understand it, but that didn’t stop him from proceeding with the plot. He rearranged his facial expression and approached Li Siyi with the brightest smile.

“Siyi, happy birthday!”

As he spoke, he handed her the Starfall Jade Bracelet.

Li Siyi forced a smile and leaned close to Su Luo’s ear, whispering softly, “Get lost, you idiot.”

Su Luo was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.

Did Li Siyi just curse at him?

That didn’t make sense. While she was prideful, she wasn’t the type to curse. At most, she would give a disdainful look or call someone despicable.

But calling him an “idiot” outright left Su Luo completely baffled.

At that moment, the Li Family Head, Li Siyi’s father, approached.

“Nephew, does your family know about this jade bracelet you’re giving?”

“They do, Uncle. Do you remember the marriage agreement between Siyi and me?” Su Luo decided to focus on the plot and ignore why Li Siyi had cursed at him.

After all, her dislike for him wasn’t something new.

“Nephew, let’s discuss that later, hahaha,” the Li Family Head deflected, trying to avoid the topic.

“Why wait? Let’s settle this matter today, on such a joyous occasion.”

Su Luo pressed further, not giving the Li Family Head any face. He turned to Li Siyi and said,

“Siyi, marry me.”

“Nephew, this is a serious matter. We should discuss it properly.”

“Are you trying to go back on your word? I’ve even brought the marriage contract with me.”

Su Luo raised his voice, emphasizing his point.

He wanted everyone present to know about it.

He took out the marriage contract and showed it to the crowd.

“You wouldn’t deny this agreement, would you? Besides, an alliance with the Su family would bring many benefits.”

“This...” The Li Family Head hesitated. The benefits were indeed substantial, but he still wanted his daughter to be happy.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll pick a good day this month to fulfill this agreement.”

Su Luo pressed his advantage, leaving no room for refusal.

The guests were impressed by Su Luo’s commanding presence. Truly, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Perhaps his usual demeanor was just an act.

“I won’t marry you.”

Li Siyi finally spoke up, pointing at Su Luo.

“You pig! You’re weak in cultivation, have no intelligence, no emotional intelligence, and all you do is eat and sleep...”

Wait, why was she adding so many insults? She wasn’t like this before.

Su Luo was once again dumbfounded.

After cursing for a while, Li Siyi finally felt relieved. She had finally gotten her revenge for last night’s insults.

“This jade bracelet...”

Li Siyi hesitated, remembering the diary entry from this morning. The bracelet could activate the pendant.

She was really curious about what the pendant could do.

That damn Su Luo, writing only half the information.

Su Luo held the bracelet, but he didn’t put it away because Li Siyi was gripping it tightly.

What’s the meaning of this? Hurry up and let go so we can move on to the next part of the plot. Why are you acting so reluctant now?

Su Luo tried to pull it back, but his cultivation level was no match for Li Siyi’s. He couldn’t budge it.

“...Here, take it back.”

Li Siyi spoke reluctantly, her tone softening.

But in the end, her pride won out.

If she accepted it, it would be like agreeing to marry Su Luo.

That was something she couldn’t bear.

“I’ll say it again. I won’t marry you, not even if I die.”

With those words, Li Siyi completely disregarded the Su family’s face.

“Is this appropriate? Are you looking down on our Su family?”

The Su family members naturally stepped forward, applying pressure on the Li family.

“I won’t marry, and that’s final. No one can change my mind,” Li Siyi remained resolute.

The atmosphere grew tense, as if a single spark could ignite an explosion.

Su Luo knew it was time for him to step in again.

All eyes on me, everyone! I have an announcement to make...

Su Luo was about to kneel and beg Li Siyi not to be angry, suggesting they could discuss it later, but he was interrupted before he could act.

“Well said. I support you.”

Lin Xuan stepped out from the crowd. The protagonist had arrived.

Wait, you’re showing up too early. I haven’t finished my act yet. Did you already get the pendant?

You’re quick!

Su Luo looked at Lin Xuan with disdain. “Who are you? What business do you have here? Leave now, and I’ll pretend you didn’t say anything.”

As a professional actor, Su Luo knew how to handle unexpected situations smoothly.

“I’m just a humble admirer of the Li family’s young lady. I couldn’t stand by and not speak up for what’s right.”

“What right do you have? This is a matter between our two families,” a Su family member retorted. Even if the Li family refused, it was still their affair.

“I have no right, but the young lady has made her stance clear. She doesn’t want to marry.”

“Are you looking for death?”

“Are you going to bully the weak? How disgraceful,” Lin Xuan remained calm and elegant under the pressure.

Su Luo waved his hand, stopping the Su family members from attacking Lin Xuan. “No need for you to intervene. I can handle him.”

Lin Xuan remained composed, exuding an air of confidence. “How about a wager? If I lose, I’ll kneel and apologize. If I win, you’ll stop harassing the young lady.”

“Why should I agree to that?”

“Are you afraid of someone who’s just started cultivating? If so, then the Su family’s young master isn’t much to speak of,” Lin Xuan’s words were a clear provocation.

“Afraid of you? Bring it on!” Su Luo couldn’t hold back and stepped forward.

Lin Xuan didn’t hesitate. He threw a testing punch. While he was confident in his victory, he knew Su Luo had been in the early stages of Qi cultivation for a long time.

It was better to be cautious.

Boom!

The punch landed directly on Su Luo, producing a faint slapping sound.

Su Luo was sent flying, tumbling several times before coming to a stop.

The onlookers were stunned. Everyone knew Su Luo was a spoiled brat, but this was beyond pathetic. How could someone who had just started cultivating send him flying with a single punch?

Had all his years of cultivation been for nothing?

Was Lin Xuan not a beginner after all? But he certainly looked like one.

Surely, Su Luo could still get up, right? He couldn’t have been knocked out with one punch.

For a moment, the crowd was abuzz with speculation.

Su Luo paid no attention to the encouraging looks urging him to stand up. He had no intention of getting up.

Yamcha-style lying down.

Originally, the plot was supposed to involve an epic battle, with Lin Xuan getting beaten down repeatedly but still standing up, his face covered in blood but showing no fear.

That ferocious look would have scared Su Luo so much he’d wet himself, and then Lin Xuan would turn the tables with a sliver of health and claim victory.

Who would want to act out such a cliché scene? The author clearly only cared about making the protagonist look good, with no regard for the intelligence of the side characters.

But now, Su Luo had decided to clock out early. Goodbye, everyone!

For a moment, the entire banquet hall fell silent. No one had expected this outcome.

Lin Xuan was also beginning to doubt himself—was he really that strong?

Seeing that Su Luo showed no intention of getting up, Lin Xuan broke the silence.

"I won. I hope you'll keep your promise."

Then he turned to Li Siyi with a sly smile. "It's all settled now. I took care of him for you."

Li Siyi couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. After reading the diary, she couldn't bear to look directly at that sly smile anymore. She could only manage an awkward yet polite smile in response.

"Mark my words, this isn't over. Let's go."

Seeing that the scene had played out enough and that he had been lying there long enough, Su Luo immediately got up, delivered his parting threat, and then staggered away with his injured body.

Li Siyi watched Su Luo leave, speechless. His acting was so half-hearted.

She knew Su Luo's abilities well. He might lose, but it would never be that simple. Combined with what she had read in the diary, it was clear to her that Su Luo was putting on an act.

But the others didn't know that. They had no understanding of Su Luo.

So they took what they saw at face value—Su Luo was just weak.

As it turned out, without Su Luo, the birthday banquet would only be better. The other members of the Su family didn't make any trouble either, as the family head wasn't present, and they didn't have enough authority.

So they could only follow Su Luo back home.

Once Su Luo returned home, he went straight to bed.

There really wasn't much in the way of entertainment here.

And the things he wanted to experience—he had already experienced them dozens of times in previous cycles.

Whether it was listening to songs at the brothel, storytelling, or feasting at fine restaurants, it was all the same things over and over again.

There was no internet here, so the level of entertainment was ultimately lacking.

He still missed the days of interacting (and arguing) with netizens.