I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

4

Just wanting to live well but surpassing the protagonist – 03 I’ve Arrived in the New World

“Xiao Xue, how long have you been at the Ye residence?” Ye Yong displayed what he considered a kind smile, which was indeed both kind and handsome.

However, knowing that ‘Ye Yong’ was in a bad mood yesterday and killed someone, Wu Xue found Ye Yong’s smile at this moment terrifying, like the Grim Reaper beckoning.

“Replying to the young master, today marks exactly the fourth day…” Wu Xue’s voice, originally soft and tender, now sounded as if she was gasping for breath, barely alive.

Although she is not a martial artist, Wu Xue has been frail since childhood, unsuited for martial training. Hence, she’s more of a homebody, always staying at home reading books.

Ye Yong, as a reader of the story, still liked the character of Wu Xue very much. Despite often being beaten up, she remained optimistic. Her greatest wish was to find her brother, firmly believing he was not dead. Even though, in the end, the author forgot to fill the plot hole of Wu Xue’s brother, the dutiful Wu Xue, who became a valkyrie and continued to search for her brother, deeply touched Ye Yong’s heart.

“The fourth day, huh.” Ye Yong recalled the plot; today was Wu Xue’s first day as ‘Ye Yong’s personal maid. ‘Ye Yong’ hadn’t had the chance to beat her before he was replaced. That’s a relief.

Ye Yong couldn’t bear to hit such a cute girl. Despite not knowing why he replaced ‘Ye Yong’, there’s no turning back now. To avoid a deadly ending, he had to do the opposite of ‘Ye Yong’: if you want to hit her, I will cherish her.

Besides, a valkyrie, ah, why not cling to her coattails before she grows up?

Ye Yong beckoned to her, and Wu Xue stood frozen, unable to move an inch.

Wu Xue’s inner monologue remained the same, “Mom, Dad, your daughter will go first.”

Seeing Wu Xue standing stiff, Ye Yong knew what was happening. Because the original ‘Ye Yong’ was very violent, although the outside world thought he was a well-mannered young master, only the insiders knew how terrifying he was. Like the attendant who followed him yesterday, who was killed by ‘Ye Yong’ just because he accidentally spilled a little tea on ‘Ye Yong’s clothes.

Of course, yesterday was because ‘Ye Yong’ was in a bad mood after being rejected by Qin Shi Meng for an outing, and the attendant just happened to be in the line of fire.

Wu Xue was too scared to move, and Ye Yong didn’t force her. He had planned to increase her favorability like many novels do, by patting the cute girl’s head, but now it seemed impossible, only increasing Wu Xue’s fear. He got out of bed, donned his brocade robe, and stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining his face.

One word, handsome. Two words, very handsome. Three words, damn handsome.

Truly befitting of a villain.

Many authors, to add a thrill, will cast the villain as tall, rich, and handsome. Though a bit brainless, one can’t fault his appearance.

Moreover, Ye Yong knows the plot’s direction; it’s impossible for him to openly oppose the protagonist, nor dare he befriend him, for the protagonist possesses the terrifying buff of “Brotherhood that reaches the heavens, with boundless magical power.”

Should he be considered a brother by the protagonist, he might one day be killed by the formidable forces opposing the protagonist.

Ye Yong’s family background is decent, quite impressive initially, but not top-tier. What about those ancient and hidden families that appear mid-story, casually introducing peerless powerhouses or venerable monsters? If targeted by such families, how could Ye Yong survive?

The wisest course is to blend in as a passerby, neither provoking nor befriending the protagonist.

After all this time, what is the protagonist’s name?

Long Tian.

Just hearing this name, one should realize how much of a protagonist he is.

He starts with a magical jade pendant, housing the remnant soul of a powerful celestial being capable of bestowing supreme magic. Facing death, he can turn the tide, even breaking through or stumbling into tombs to obtain peerless treasures as the chosen one of this realm.

If Ye Yong must confront the protagonist in the future, he certainly won’t choose to duel on the edge of a cliff. If he must fight there and sees the protagonist fall, he’ll surely jump after him.

Joking aside, cliffs are merely opportunities for the protagonist to gain inheritance and treasures; death is out of the question.

But whether Ye Yong, following suit, would be as lucky is uncertain. Perhaps a miraculous branch would catch Long Tian, while Ye Yong plummets to the cliff’s base?

So far, Ye Yong, having read many novels, has yet to see a protagonist fall off a cliff with the villain jumping after him. Without such a precedent, Ye Yong can’t be sure.

For now, Ye Yong has set a small goal: to treat Wu Xue well, to cling to those undeveloped yet long and fair “legs.”

Seeing Ye Yong sitting in front of the mirror grooming himself, Wu Xue, the maid, hurries over to help.

Yet Wu Xue, untrained in martial arts and often homebound, is clumsy. Nervous, she trips over her own feet and falls.

And who is Ye Yong? The young master of the Ye family! A man who, at just 18, has reached the seventh level of foundation building!

Though Ye Yong hasn’t cultivated, the quality of his body is evident. The moment he sees Wu Xue falling, he rises and reaches her side.

No legendary embrace, just Ye Yong steadying Wu Xue’s shoulders, asking softly, “Are you alright?”

Ye Yong’s face, his voice, a veritable lady-killer. For a moment, Wu Xue forgets her fear of him.

—

Regaining her senses, fear once again took hold. Wu Xue hastily retreated, accidentally tripping over the bed’s edge and tumbling onto it. Lying there, she was too frightened to move, her skirt fluttering, hands guarding her chest, her shy and vulnerable appearance was simply breathtaking.

Ye Yong was speechless. Although I’m extremely interested in you, there’s no need for such active seduction, right?

“Don’t be afraid, I am not the same person I was yesterday. I’ve decided from the bottom of my heart to rein in my temper and be a good person,” Ye Yong extended his hand to the petrified Wu Xue, intending to help her up.

Wu Xue curled up, her gaze moving upward, looking at Ye Yong like a small animal. She didn’t understand this young master; all she knew about him came from hearsay among the other servants. They said his temper was terrible, one moment he could be laughing with you, and the next, he could be killing someone, which was terrifying.

Now the young master is smiling, does that mean soon…

Guessing what Wu Xue might be thinking, Ye Yong didn’t try to whitewash himself. Some preconceived notions are hard to change instantly. Misconceptions, no, ‘Ye Yong’s’ character was indeed terrible, causing the servants to be fearful and speak ill of him behind his back was normal.

Take it slow.

Ye Yong stopped trying to engage Wu Xue in awkward conversation, as it would only deepen her fear, a loss not worth the gain. Thus, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving the bewildered Wu Xue behind.

After a while, Wu Xue blinked a few times, tears streaming down: “Wuu wuu wuu, I’ve survived.”

On the other side, Ye Yong, who had left the room, spoke to the sky: “New Emperor, Middle Emperor world, here I come.”

—