It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 73: Your Sister is Now My Responsibility p1

The moment Ye Yu barged into the room, the intimate atmosphere evaporated.

Ye Qian snapped out of the sweet trance Mu Zhi’an had woven, looking up at Ye Yu with surprise.

“Brother Ye Yu, what are you doing here?!”

They had left the Ye Manor early this morning. Logically, he should still be meditating at this hour. His appearance at the teahouse was too coincidental.

Ye Yu faltered, then said, his voice stern, “Qian’er, don’t be fooled by his sweet words. Stay away from him.”

He stepped forward, intending to pull Ye Qian away.

But Mu Zhi’an intercepted him, a smile on his lips. “What brings you to the teahouse so early, Young Master Ye?”

“And so coincidentally, at this precise moment…”

His words jolted Ye Qian awake, and her eyes widened as she looked at her cousin. “Were you eavesdropping, Brother Ye Yu?!”

Ye Yu, his cover blown, scoffed. “If I hadn’t, he would have taken advantage of you!”

Ye Qian blushed, her voice soft. “Brother Mu wouldn’t do that.”

“Then what was he doing just now?” Ye Yu demanded, staring at her flushed cheeks.

She stammered, unable to answer.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled, shaking his head. “So you admit you were eavesdropping, Young Master Ye?”

“I was simply concerned for my cousin,” Ye Yu retorted, glaring at Mu Zhi’an. “Miss Bai and I have no connection after the broken engagement, so I won’t interfere in her affairs. But Qian’er is my cousin. I won’t allow a wastrel to get close to her.”

Mu Zhi’an raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re her cousin?”

“She offered you medicinal herbs, hoping you would refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for her, and you brushed her off, claiming you were busy. Is that how a good cousin treats his family?”

Ye Yu said coldly, “I did try to make amends later, but she had already found someone else to refine the pill. The matter was settled—”

Realization dawned on him, and his eyes narrowed, fixed on Mu Zhi’an. “It was you, wasn’t it?!”

He had wondered why Ye Qian had declined his offer.

There were only a few alchemists in Tianxuan City. Hiring one to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill would cost a fortune.

He had initially assumed she had gritted her teeth and hired an alchemist from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce. But now, something didn’t add up.

When had Mu Zhi’an become close to Ye Qian?

There had to be a catalyst, and that catalyst was the pill!

After he had rejected her, something must have happened between her and Mu Zhi’an…

The pieces fell into place, and his anger surged, his aura flaring uncontrollably.

“First Bai Ruoxi, and now you’re targeting my Qian’er?!”

He’s forgetting about Lingxuan. Mu Zhi’an set down his teacup, shaking his head. “I’ve never forced Qian’er to do anything. Her attitude should be proof enough.”

He gently squeezed her hand, then looked up at Ye Yu, his expression turning serious. “Brother-in-law, please, give us your blessing.”

That simple address shattered Ye Yu’s composure, his anger reaching a boiling point. He almost attacked.

“Calm down. This isn’t the place for a fight,” a voice whispered in his mind.

“Why not?!” he thought, his anger burning. “Should I just stand here and watch him steal Qian’er from me?!”

“You weren’t close to her during your decline. Now that she’s found someone… it’s not appropriate to interfere,” the old voice replied, a hint of exasperation in its tone.

Ye Yu’s eyes narrowed, his anger unwavering. “Even so, she shouldn’t be with Mu Zhi’an! He already has Bai Ruoxi! How can I allow her to be with such a scoundrel?!”

“Would you refuse if two women were vying for your affection?”

Ye Yu was speechless.

“Your true battle lies in the entrance exams. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to defeat him then. Fighting here will only attract the attention of the… powerful individuals who own this establishment.”

The old man in his body couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

Ye Yu had exceptional talent, yet he was being played like a fiddle by Mu Zhi’an.

Fighting here would only anger the owners of the teahouse.

And Ye Lingxuan was still downstairs.

No matter the reason, if he attacked, even if he won, he would still lose.

And besides, he was unlikely to win.

The gap between the first and third levels of Foundation Establishment was significant.

Ye Yu gradually calmed down, and Mu Zhi’an looked at him with a hint of surprise.

So he’s not completely brainless… Mu Zhi’an smiled. “Brother-in-law, would you like to join us for tea?”

Ye Yu, his mind clear, recognized the provocation and simply scoffed. “We’ll settle this at the entrance exams, Mu Zhi’an.”

He wouldn’t fall for his tricks again.

Ignoring him was the best course of action.

He turned and left.

He’s become more composed… Mu Zhi’an thought, watching him go. “Oh, and I’ll be keeping those two thousand Spirit Stones. Remember to repay Lingxuan those seven hundred you owe her.”

Ye Yu froze, his body stiffening.

Those words… they were a direct attack on his pride.

He had been so proud of making Mu Zhi’an lose two thousand Spirit Stones.

But that money had come from his own pocket. In other words, Mu Zhi’an had only spent four hundred Spirit Stones to acquire the Dragon Soaring Tendril.

He almost lost control, his killing intent surging, but he remembered his master’s warning, and Gongsun Cheng’s fate. He suppressed his anger.

He had endured years of humiliation as a “cripple.” He could endure this.

You’ll regret this at the entrance exams, Mu Zhi’an… He left the room, his heart filled with rage.

With his departure, the pleasant atmosphere vanished.

Mu Zhi’an looked at Ye Qian, who was staring at the floor, her expression downcast. He squeezed her hand, his voice soft. “I told you, my issues with your cousin have nothing to do with you. Don’t worry about it.”

“But… you’ll be fighting him at the entrance exams” she said, her voice filled with concern.

“If we spar, who do you want to win?” he asked, smiling at her.

She was wearing a similar outfit to the one she had worn during their first encounter at the sparring arena, a light blue dress that accentuated her figure, her legs shapely, her waist slender, her bosom ample.

She looked up at him, her brow furrowed, about to answer, when he poked her playfully in the side.

“Don’t worry. I don’t have to participate in the entrance exams.”

Her eyes widened with surprise. “You’re not going to join the Two Polarities Sect?”

“The Mu family has a guaranteed spot. Why would I bother with the exams?” he replied with a chuckle.

Ye Qian stared at him, speechless.

She blinked, then said, a hint of amusement in her voice, “Brother Ye Yu will be furious.”

He was clearly eager to defeat Mu Zhi’an at the entrance exams. Imagine his reaction when he saw Mu Zhi’an, escorted by an examiner, heading straight for the sect, bypassing the exams altogether.

“I’m not a confrontational person. Why can’t we all just get along?” Mu Zhi’an said, shaking his head.

Ye Qian rolled her eyes.

Brother Ye Yu’s outburst, it had been entirely his fault.

And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to dislike him.

After Ye Yu’s interruption, he decided against… sampling her lipstick. The mood was gone, and Ye Lingxuan would be returning soon.

He couldn’t risk jeopardizing his future endeavors.

He returned to his seat and chatted with Ye Qian for a while. Soon, he heard a knock on the door.

Ye Lingxuan entered, her gaze sweeping over them, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. The atmosphere seemed charged.

“I saw Brother Ye Yu leaving. Did he come here?” she asked.

Ye Qian nodded. “He caused a scene, then left.”

“So he was looking for us” Ye Lingxuan murmured, her brow furrowing.