When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 53

Volume Three: Those Years I Was a Wangye

Lecher¹

The moonlight was clear and cold, the night wind cool and refreshing.

Wen Nuan touched her just-slapped cheek; this was the fourth slap she had received from Lin Tinghan here.

The System said faintly: 【Alright, you also slapped the female lead once in each of the previous two worlds.】

Hearing the System say this, Wen Nuan suddenly felt relieved.

“Did the blackening value rise just now?” Wen Nuan thought of the female lead’s anger-filled gaze earlier, guessing the blackening value had risen.

The System shook its head: 【It didn’t rise. Perhaps she’s in a fit of anger and forgot to blacken you.】

Wen Nuan: “…..”

So, I should thank the female lead for being in a fit of anger, bei?!

【If you think so, I have nothing to say.】 The System spread its hands.

Wen Nuan: “…..”

These outrageous² scumbag quotes.

“Wangye?” Lianqiao took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Wen Nuan’s right cheek, saying with distress, “Wangye, how did you get hit by Miss Lin again?”

“….” Wen Nuan sighed and slowly walked forward.

She also didn’t understand why Lin Tinghan would hit her.

Wen Nuan glanced at Qi Hanrong, her expression downcast as she muttered: “Could it be that Lin Tinghan’s preferences have changed?”

In the original plot, the female lead fell in love with the male lead at first sight, ne, which is why she spent a high price to buy him at auction.

Now, the female lead hadn’t made a move for a long time, and in order not to let the male lead fall into the hands of that Boss Zhang, she had spent a whole ten thousand liang to buy the male lead and give him to her, but in the end, not only was he not successfully given away, she also received a slap.

Truly frustrating!

Lianqiao didn’t hear clearly what Wen Nuan said, only saw her lips moving, so she asked: “Wangye, what did you say just now?”

“Nothing, let’s go, ba.”

“Back to the manor?” Lianqiao pointed at Ji Chenwei and Qi Hanrong, asking, “Then what about them, ne?”

Wen Nuan glanced, “Bring them all back to the Wangfu³, ba.”

Deliberate at length⁴.

Ji Chenwei and Qi Hanrong, not understanding the situation, followed Wen Nuan and Lianqiao towards the Wangfu.

As Wen Nuan walked, she thought about her next countermeasures, but the female lead’s expression and gaze from earlier kept flashing in her mind.

Lin Tinghan was very angry, angry that she had bought the male lead?

Or angry that she was giving the male lead to her?

Wen Nuan touched her cheek; this slap felt somewhat inexplicable.

But the anger and the trace of imperceptible grief in Lin Tinghan’s eyes left Wen Nuan at a loss.

Even with the sentence she said, “Can’t you live without men like this?”, Wen Nuan heard strong unwillingness and grievance beneath the overwhelming mockery and contempt.

What was she unwilling about?

What was she feeling wronged about?

Wen Nuan had heard this sentence before. In the very first world, she was a social butterfly⁵ flitting among men, relying on “sucking” men to satisfy her desires, so she was often cursed with this sentence by all sorts of people.

Angry, contemptuous, detesting, disdainful, and even those who wished they could put her to death, eat her flesh, and gnaw her bones⁶.

Those people were right to scold her. After all, being a b*tch and still wanting to erect a memorial archway⁷ was not her style. If she was going to be bad, she’d be thoroughly bad, “cleanly” bad.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t live without men, but rather that those rich and powerful men could give her everything she needed. For what she sought and required, she merely took a shortcut. What wrong had she done, ne!?

But——

Why would someone scold her with this sentence, tinged with unwillingness and grievance, ne?

“Young Miss, Young Miss…?” Lin Tinghan walked faster and faster, and Ruilin hurriedly chased after her.

She saw Lin Tinghan suddenly stop at the entrance of a dark alley, then lean her back against the wall, her whole body like a fish out of water, gasping for breath, her hands trembling, and her face much paler.

Ruilin didn’t dare to touch Lin Tinghan in this state, and could only call out anxiously from the side, “Young Miss, Young Miss, are you alright?”

Lin Tinghan looked at her palm, as if the lingering pain from slapping Wen Nuan’s cheek still remained.

She didn’t want it to be like this, didn’t want their meeting after being separated for so long to be so terrible.

She had prepared everything, planning to have a good reunion with Wen Nuan, but it was ruined by her?

But… but why did she have to push her time and time again?

Lin Tinghan clenched her fists, her fingertips digging tightly into her palms, and growled: “Why? Why?”

Why does she like men so much?!

The four of them walked back to the Wangfu. Sun-gugu was already waiting at the entrance early on. Seeing Wen Nuan walk over dejectedly⁸, with a slap mark actually on her face, she was so frightened her voice wavered.

“What happened? Who hit her? Lianqiao, who exactly is so reckless as to dare hit Wangye?!” Sun-gugu roared.

Lianqiao looked at Wen Nuan and stammered: “It’s… it’s….”

Sun-gugu shouted anxiously: “Who is it? Hurry up and say! Let me see which family’s treacherous villain dares to lay hands on the current Xian Wang! Truly doesn’t want to live!”

“Sun-gugu, I’m fine.” Wen Nuan patted the back of her hand and dragged her tired body inside.

Lianqiao watched Wen Nuan’s departing figure before daring to say in a low voice: “It was the Lin Manor’s Eldest Miss who hit her.”

Sun-gugu’s expression stiffened, then a twisted, numb, and unwilling look appeared, and finally, she sighed helplessly: “Truly, this is retribution⁹.”

Ji Chenwei saw Sun-gugu’s expression, pondered for a moment, and asked: “Greetings, Sun-gugu. We are Wangye’s friends. Wangye brought us back, I wonder about us…..”

Sun-gugu glanced at Ji Chenwei, then at the man beside her, a flash of amazement in her eyes, and asked Lianqiao, “These two are?”

Lianqiao said truthfully: “One is a woman Wangye just met, and one is a man Wangye just bought.”

“……” Sun-gugu pondered for a moment, “You two, come with me. Since you are Wangye’s… friends, the Wangfu will definitely take good care of you both.”

“Then I’ll go see Wangye. Sun-gugu, you take them to the guest rooms, ba.” Lianqiao went to follow Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan sat on the edge of the bed, her hands cupping her face, and said gloomily: “The first meeting of the male and female leads was ruined by me just like that. The subsequent plot will definitely be greatly affected, ba?”

The System saw her looking dejected and consoled: 【Changes to the main storyline are still manageable. As long as neither the male nor female lead is in life-threatening danger, the foundation of this world’s existence is still there, and we can continue with the task of clearing the blackening value.】

Hearing the System say this, Wen Nuan sighed in relief: “I was also afraid that the male lead would be bought by that lecherous woman, and it would be tragic if he were played to death by her then.”

【Then what do you plan to do next?】 the System asked, 【In the current situation, the female lead didn’t fall in love with the male lead at first sight, and when you tried to give the male lead to her, you even got slapped by her. It’s estimated the female lead has no interest in the male lead now.】

“Let’s put the male lead’s side on hold for now, ba. First, let’s bring the truth of that incident from a year ago to light.”

Now, this path of using the male lead to lower the female lead’s blackening value is a bit difficult to walk. So, Wen Nuan can only first resolve the problem from a year ago and see if she can eliminate the female lead’s blackening value.

The System nodded: 【It can only be this way.】

“Wangye?” Lianqiao saw the door wasn’t closed and knocked cautiously, “Are you alright? Lianqiao is worried about you. Lianqiao brought ice. Let me apply it to your face, ba?”

Wen Nuan pressed her cheek; it indeed still hurt a bit, “Come in, ba.”

Lianqiao came in and saw Wen Nuan’s right cheek was already red and swollen. She crushed the ice, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and gently placed it on Wen Nuan’s right cheek, saying with distress: “Miss Lin struck too heavily; she’s made it all swollen.”

Wen Nuan smiled: “That’s just her way. I’m almost used to being hit by her.”

The female lead of this world has quite an explosive temper. Sometimes she blows up at the slightest thing; if she can’t win an argument, she resorts to her hands. Usually, it’s just minor scuffles, and she rarely slaps her. Counting this time, it’s only been four times. The first two times were when she was angered by her teasing, the third time was because she thought she was having an illicit affair with Fang Yongsi, and this time it was unclear, leaving her completely baffled.

Thinking of this, Wen Nuan also didn’t know why others always said she was respectful and gentle, a person of refined taste and profoundness¹⁰?

“But she can’t just keep slapping you, ah?” Lianqiao also knew that Miss Lin and Wangye used to be very close, often engaging in minor scuffles. Since Wangye didn’t say anything, they, as servants, naturally wouldn’t say much. But this Miss Lin had already slapped Wangye four times; it was truly too disrespectful of status.

“Has she forgotten that you are the most respected Wangye of Jianing Country? Laying hands on you… if it were anyone else, they would have died countless times already?” Lianqiao looked at the somewhat subsided swelling on the cheek. “It’s just that you always spoil Miss Lin. She hits and scolds you, and you never retaliate, always tolerating her, indulging her. Now, this servant sees Eldest Miss Lin becoming increasingly unruly, not knowing her place, ne?”

“Alright, Lianqiao.” Wen Nuan also knew Lianqiao said these things for her own good, but she really couldn’t bear to hear Lianqiao speak so ill of Lin Tinghan.

“She hits me because I provoke her; why blame her for it.” Wen Nuan took the handkerchief and pressed it to her face herself. “Don’t keep talking about her. If you say more, I’ll really get upset.”

Lianqiao pouted: “Wangye, you’re like this again. Miss Lin has already severed all ties with you, yet you still speak up for her?”

“My severing ties with her was my own doing; it has nothing to do with her.” Wen Nuan felt the burning sensation on her cheek lessen and tossed the soaked handkerchief aside. “Alright, that pouting mouth of yours could hang a vinegar jar¹¹. Why are you getting angry with her, ah?”

Lianqiao tugged at Wen Nuan’s sleeve hem, “This servant just feels sorry for Wangye being hit. Such a beautiful face is all swollen; this servant feels bad seeing it.”

“Then don’t look. Go, set up the Yu Tang¹² for me. Let your Wangye soak in a bath and relax her muscles and bones.”

Wen Nuan felt her whole body was covered in the rouge¹³ fragrance from the qingguan¹⁴ of Qingfeng Lou and the pungent, unpleasant smell of alcohol, making her dizzy and muddle-headed.

“Alright, this servant will go prepare now.” Lianqiao was just about to go out when she remembered the two people brought back today, “Wangye, that hualang and Baixiaosheng we brought back have been settled in the west courtyard guest rooms by Sun-gugu.”

“Tell Sun-gugu to take good care of Qi Hanrong. As for Baixiaosheng, have her come find me at Yu Tang.”

The male lead must be well protected, especially in such a world where women are superior and men are inferior. With the male lead’s attention-grabbing beauty, if he’s not watched closely for a moment, problems can easily arise.

Lianqiao nodded: “Alright.”

Ji Chenwei looked at the steamy room in front of her; the plaque read “Yu Tang.”

Clearly, this was a place for bathing.

She couldn’t help but wonder, if Xian Wang had matters to discuss with her, why choose a bathing place to talk things over?

Ji Chenwei knocked on the door, “Wangye, this humble one has arrived.”

A voice came from inside the room, “Come in, the door’s not locked.”

Ji Chenwei took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked in.

What met her eyes was a pool that occupied the entire room. The water in the pool was milky white, emitting a faint fragrance and dense steam. Around the pool hung pearl curtains and light gauze that shimmered with a faint fluorescent glow, as if a river of stars floated in the air, adorned with countless stars.

Through the light gauze and pearl curtains, Ji Chenwei vaguely saw a figure in the pool.

She slowly walked over and called out in a low voice: “Wa… Wangye?”

Wen Nuan removed the cloth from her face and looked over, “Come here.”

Ji Chenwei walked over, eyes closed, afraid of what she might see, “Wa… Wangye, I heard from Miss Lianqiao that you were looking for this humble one for something?”

“Why are you closing your eyes?” Wen Nuan saw her eyes were tightly shut.

Ji Chenwei swallowed, “Wangye’s noble body is not something a lowly person like this humble one, with my sullied eyes, can look at. This humble one dares not look.”

“…..” Wen Nuan sighed, “I’m not completely naked, what can you see? Besides, we’re both women, what’s there that can’t be seen?”

Seeing Ji Chenwei still keeping her eyes tightly shut, she splashed water at her, “Open your eyes.”

Ji Chenwei slowly opened her eyes and saw that Wen Nuan was indeed not naked, but was wearing white undergarments, soaking in the pool.

She sighed in relief: “Wangye, may I know what matter you sought this humble one for?”

“I am very satisfied with the matter I had you handle this time, so I want you to follow me. What do you think?”

In the original plot, the second female lead was a good person, and she and Qi Hanrong were childhood sweethearts¹⁵. After growing up, Ji Chenwei wandered the jianghu¹⁶, gradually becoming famous in the jianghu for her sharp mind and eloquence¹⁷. She was a rare talent.

If not for Qi Hanrong being bought and taken to Jiajing, such an extraordinary talent would not have come to Jiajing to save the male lead, and ultimately would not have died in Jiajing for the male lead, suffering the tragic fate of having no one to collect her corpse.

Ji Chenwei didn’t expect Wen Nuan to want to recruit her. But she was used to being free and unrestrained and didn’t want to get involved in imperial court power struggles. Just as she was about to refuse, she heard Wen Nuan say: “Ji Chenwei, I have no ambition for power or profit. Towards you and Qi Hanrong, it is merely an appreciation for talent and pity for the weak.”

Hearing Wen Nuan accurately call out her real name, Ji Chenwei’s pupils constricted in shock. In disbelief, she said: “Wangye, how do you know my name?”

Wen Nuan tilted her head to look at her, “It’s not difficult for me to know your name. I am Xian Wang, after all. There is nothing in the world that I don’t know.”

Her gaze fell on Ji Chenwei’s sleeve, and she smiled faintly: “And I also know that your sleeve arrow¹⁸ is already aimed at me, right?”

Ji Chenwei: “…..”

She gripped her arm, her brow slightly furrowed: “Wangye, this humble one is used to roaming the jianghu, living a life of licking blood from the blade’s edge¹⁹ every day. One must have some life-preserving items. As for Wangye’s appreciation of talent, this humble one is afraid I am not worthy to receive it²⁰. This humble one thanks you here….”

“Ji Chenwei, you left Qi Hanrong here with me, intending to use my power and influence to protect him, and then go deal with those people yourself?” Wen Nuan straightened up, standing in the water, looking directly into Ji Chenwei’s astonished eyes. “Foolish. Do you think your strength alone can contend with the number one assassin organization in the jianghu, Ji Ge²¹?”

Ji Chenwei was greatly alarmed²²; she hadn’t expected Wen Nuan to know so much, not only her identity but also the forces she and Qi Hanrong were facing.

“Wangye, what is your intention in saying these things?”

A corner of Wen Nuan’s mouth lifted: “Follow me, and I will protect you both fully.”

This promise was very attractive to Ji Chenwei. With Xian Wang’s abilities, she could definitely protect her and Qi Hanrong.

However, she couldn’t completely trust Xian Wang. The person before her was not as unruly and wantonly unrestrained as the world said, but rather modest and open-minded, profound and unfathomable.

“Alright, this humble one agrees, Wangye.” Ji Chenwei had no way out. Now that someone had offered her a path, she would try walking it.

Wen Nuan smiled: “Alright then, you can leave first, ba.”

Ji Chenwei let out a long sigh of relief, “Alright.”

Just as she was about to turn and leave, her leg cramped, her foot twisted, and her whole body plunged directly into the pool.

Wen Nuan was splashed all over. She wiped her face and pulled up Ji Chenwei, who was flailing in the pool.

Ji Chenwei steadied herself, wiped the water from her face, saw Wen Nuan’s shocked expression, and immediately said: “Sorry, sorry, Wangye, my leg just cramped, I accidentally offended you… Your Highness, please don’t hold it against this humble one²³…..”

She saw Wen Nuan approaching her, she retreated, and Wen Nuan kept closing in.

Ji Chenwei was terrified: “Wa… Wangye?”

Her waist was pressed against the edge of the pool; Ji Chenwei had no way to retreat.

Wen Nuan looked at Ji Chenwei’s disheveled clothes, which revealed a scar on her chest, a similar sword scar, leaving her utterly shocked.

“Can you let me touch it?” Wen Nuan was extremely nervous, raising her hand, “Just one touch.”

Let her confirm, are you her or not?

Ji Chenwei lowered her head, looking at her own chest in terror.

“…….”

She abruptly pulled her clothes tight, roaring internally: Didn’t they say Xian Wang likes handsome men, ma?

Why the sudden interest in women’s beauty!?

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The author has something to say:

Ji Chenwei: Help, someone’s being a hooligan!?

Wen Nuan: Let me touch it, I need to confirm.

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