Chapter 25 - What is a Protagonist?

Ye Aotian lay in the hospital, getting his wounds stitched. Clearly, he was injured again this time.

In the morning, he went to find Lin Qingyue, and by noon, he was hacked by someone. No need to think too much—this was obviously Chen Fan’s doing. This guy is really something, quite impressive.

Ling Yuyan stood by, watching Ye Aotian, and said, “Your name is Ye Aotian?”

“Yes, beautiful lady, you’re finally remembering my name.”

“No … Did you contact my family?”

Ye Aotian looked at Ling Yuyan in disbelief and said, “You’re … that person from the Ling family?”

“This is a healing ointment from my family, and this martial arts manual is also a gift from them. Additionally, our engagement is annulled.”

????

Ye Aotian said, “Annulled? Why?”

“I don’t like you. I don’t know you. We aren’t familiar with each other, and there’s no need for us to interact.”

“You’re looking down on me, aren’t you?”

???? What kind of logic is this? Paranoia? Is this the ‘Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west’ thing?*

[*This Chinese idiom is used to describe the ups and downs in life or fortunes, indicating that things change over time, and one should never be too certain of their current status]

“I believe my status as Dragon King isn’t that low.”

“Without touching on ancient martial arts, you are still just an ordinary person. Back when your master had a connection with my family, he took our martial arts manual, and even after practicing until now, he’s only scratched the surface. You have no talent.”

So, you do look down on me.

In fact, Ling Yuyan’s words were just meaningless chatter. To put it simply: do whatever you want, who cares if you like me or not. Help you train in the future? Are you kidding me? Damn it, I’m busy seeking revenge on Chen Fan right now.

“Alright, I understand. I respect you, but I don’t think I’m useless. I just started learning ancient martial arts late. Give me time, and I won’t be inferior to anyone.”

“Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west …”

Ling Yuyan’s head hurt. Damn it, are you the predestined protagonist, sticking to the script like this?

Ling Yuyan’s meaning was simple: What does your life or death have to do with me? What age are we in? Who still does arranged marriages? Also, everyone knows you’re engaged, yet you’re still hitting on other girls. Do I, Ling Yuyan, look like someone who’d like a man with a wandering heart?

Sure, Chen Fan called me introverted, and I admit I’m curious about relationships between men and women. Human nature, right? What’s wrong with that? But even if I’m curious, there’s no need for me to engage with someone slippery, with tattoos so unclear I can’t even see his skin properly, right?

Am I that bored?

“Once the stitches are done, let him get out of here. He’s perfectly healthy; he doesn’t need to stay in the hospital.”

Ye Aotian’s lips curled slightly.

She’s actually angry at me.

What an interesting woman. She says she doesn’t like me, but if she didn’t, why would she be angry?

“I think we’ll meet again in the future.”

Ling Yuyan stopped and turned her head, saying, “This is the first time I’ve seen someone who wants to meet with a doctor for no reason.”

Although Ling Yuyan was a thief, it was just a hobby. Her true nature was that of a doctor, and saving lives was her real job.

After saying this, she turned and left.

But to Ye Aotian, this message meant that this woman was a little tsundere. The first time she met someone like him, that must mean she still likes him.

As expected, what an interesting, strong-willed woman.

However, for the first time, Ye Aotian also experienced the power of ancient martial arts. After applying the special ointment, his back no longer hurt.

The manual in his hand, “Earth Core Technique,” made Ye Aotian excited.

It was the complete, authentic Earth Core Technique. Before, the techniques his master taught him for cultivating Qi were just basic skills. But this “Earth Core Technique” could make him extremely powerful. He skimmed through it and found that the book contained medical knowledge and specialized cultivation methods.

Just by closing his eyes, Ye Aotian felt the Qi in his body slowly flowing.

He was becoming stronger. Moreover, Ye Aotian knew very well that he was definitely a genius.

Feeling the flow of Qi on his first try—if this isn’t genius, what is it?

He had only been practicing fragmented techniques before.

“Hmph, the Ling family looks down on me? I’ll make them regret it.”

According to the book’s setup, Ye Aotian is indeed a genius, and he cultivated at an unusually fast pace.

In terms of ancient martial arts, Ye Aotian’s strength as Dragon King only ranked as a ninth-level martial artist at best.

That was just the entry level. There were even higher levels beyond this. However, Ye Aotian’s cultivation speed accelerated only with Ling Yuyan’s help.

Now, though, it was impossible for Ling Yuyan to interact with Ye Aotian—unless one didn’t know the plot.

If she didn’t know the plot, maybe Ling Yuyan would make contact, given her family’s arrangements. But since she knew the plot, Ling Yuyan was now far more interested in Chen Fan.

He was always surrounded by mysteries, and his strength was unfathomable. Moreover, he was also humorous and witty, and his family background was excellent.

Isn’t this the type of person fit to be the protagonist? How could a contradictory mess like Ye Aotian become the protagonist?

It was truly bizarre.

Ling Yuyan was thinking: maybe she should find a chance to cripple this so-called protagonist.

She really couldn’t take this lunatic anymore.

On Chen Fan’s side, after accompanying his boss to buy new clothes, he returned to the office to clock in.

“Do you have time after work?”

Chen Fan asked, “Sister Jin Lan, what’s the plan?”

“Nothing much, Li Long just opened a new bar, and it looks great. Let’s go check it out.”

????

Chen Fan said, “You, going to a bar? Is that appropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate about it? In Qincheng, I call the shots. I can go wherever I want. At work, I’m the boss; after work, I’m just a regular woman. Why can’t I go? Or do you think I’m too old for that kind of place?”

I didn’t say that. Damn it, did you plant a bug on me or something? You always think I’m calling you an old woman? Fine, I’ll go.

“Go home and get ready. Come to my place at 8:30 p.m. to pick me up.”

Chen Fan nodded.

After the two parted ways, each went home.

As soon as Jin Lan got home, she noticed her journal was being updated.