Chapter 5
According to the original novel, after Lian Yunjin was seriously injured, Gu Chengze risked his life to protect her and obtained lifesaving medicine. This was what caused her character deviation to reach fifty percent.
To prevent that from happening, Gu Jiuge had to stop Lian Yunjin from fighting Huo Junran, the person who would seriously injure her.
Sharing a room with Lian Yunjin would not only thwart Gu Chengze’s ulterior motives, but also allow Gu Jiuge to interfere on the morning of the match.
Gu Jiuge had planned everything out.
During the few days before the tournament began, she would first establish a good relationship with Lian Yunjin. Then… around the time of her match against Huo Junran, Gu Jiuge would claim that she was learning to cook and prepare some disastrous food that would give her diarrhea.
If her disastrous cooking failed, she still had Plan B—pretending to be sick.
As long as she became close enough to Lian Yunjin, she could make a fuss over a match that was not particularly crucial. Perhaps Lian Yunjin’s heart would soften, and she would agree to withdraw.
However, plans could never keep up with changes.
Gu Jiuge was so immersed in her childish scheme that she completely failed to account for Lian Yunjin’s naturally aloof personality.
No matter how Gu Jiuge tried to ingratiate herself with Lian Yunjin or act spoiled, Lian Yunjin merely pursed her lips indifferently, showing no intention of becoming close to her.
Gu Jiuge glanced at her attractive face in the mirror and could not help feeling discouraged.
Everyone said that beautiful people were naturally likable.
So why did it have no effect whatsoever on Lian Yunjin?
While Gu Jiuge was frowning and considering Plan C, someone rang the hotel room’s doorbell.
When she opened the door, she was greeted by Gu Chengze’s handsome, standard male-lead face.
Gu Chengze still wore his usual carefree demeanor. Raising the takeout containers in his hand, he stood in the doorway and said, “Jiuge, there’s some pickled cabbage fish you like in here. I figured you and Sister Lian hadn’t eaten lunch yet, so I went to a restaurant and had some food packed for you.”
Since it was a kind gesture, Gu Jiuge smiled, accepted the takeout, and said sweetly, “Thanks, Brother.”
Seeing that Gu Jiuge intended to dismiss him and close the door, Gu Chengze raised his eyebrows. “What? You’re not inviting me inside to sit down?”
“Brother, Sister Lian doesn’t like you. If I let you inside just like that, she’ll be unhappy.”
Gu Chengze looked at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Jiuge, are you her younger sister or mine? Why have you kept siding with an outsider these past two days?”
“Of course I’m your younger sister.” Gu Jiuge deliberately lowered her voice without revealing anything in her expression. “Brother, I clearly remember that you want to pursue Sister Lian and want me to speak on your behalf. But if I keep siding with you in everything like before, Sister Lian definitely won’t listen to anything I say.”
Gu Chengze nodded thoughtfully, rubbed her hair, and smiled sincerely. “As expected, Jiuge has grown up. You’ve even learned to think for yourself.”
“Brother, forcing Sister Lian into an engagement will only make her dislike you even more. Once the tournament ends and you no longer need the Lian family’s status, you could cancel the engagement and properly pursue her. Perhaps then…”
Gu Chengze withdrew the hand rubbing her hair and interrupted her with a smile. “There’s no need to cancel the engagement. If things continue this way, Sister Lian will definitely fall in love with me.”
Do you fucking know how the plot develops?
Otherwise, why would you be so absurdly confident?
Gu Jiuge repeatedly rolled her eyes in her heart.
Through this little test, she learned that Gu Chengze would never voluntarily cancel the engagement. She would have to begin all her persuasion efforts with Lian Yunjin.
“All right, take the food inside first. I still have a present for you.”
Driven by curiosity, Gu Jiuge obediently placed the takeout containers inside the room before returning to Gu Chengze.
Gu Chengze took out a dark-gold bracelet and slipped it onto Gu Jiuge’s slender wrist.
“This isn’t an ordinary gold bracelet. It was made by an artifact refiner. An enormous amount of spiritual energy was infused into it in advance. If the person wearing it encounters danger, the spiritual energy inside the bracelet will automatically form a protective barrier.”
Gu Chengze continued, “This protective barrier can withstand roughly three full-force attacks from cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage.”
Although the gold bracelet looked excessively gaudy, it could save her life at a critical moment.
This item had come at precisely the right time. Gu Jiuge was so delighted that she nearly danced with joy.
For the first time, Gu Jiuge felt the warmth the original character had received from her brother. Her heart nearly softened enough to make her want to help Gu Chengze change his greasy behavior.
“With the Dark Gold Bracelet, you now have some ability to protect yourself. This way, I can concentrate on preparing for the tournament without diverting too much attention toward protecting you.” Gu Chengze did not find anything wrong with his words.
“Mm-hmm. Thank you, Brother.” Gu Jiuge secured the bracelet, most of her gratitude immediately disappearing.
Just listen to how poorly Gu Chengze expressed himself. Was that supposed to sound caring and protective? No wonder the original character had considered herself a burden. It turned out her male-lead brother’s words and actions had influenced her.
“All right. Hurry and eat lunch. I’m going to rest for a while too.”
“Okay.”
Gu Jiuge closed the door and turned around to walk back into the room.
Lian Yunjin had already opened the takeout containers and gestured for her to sit down and eat.
“That bracelet is a decent gift, although it’s rather ugly. A young girl like you looks old-fashioned wearing it.” Lian Yunjin glanced at the bracelet around her wrist and, for once, took the initiative to speak.
Gu Jiuge shrugged. “I think it’s ugly too. But it can save my life at a critical moment, so whether it looks good isn’t that important.”
“Don’t be too optimistic. That bracelet can only block attacks below the Foundation Establishment stage.” Lian Yunjin pondered for a moment. “For the next month or so, you should remain with your brother and me. Having us protect you personally is still more reliable than relying on an object.”
Gu Jiuge’s eyes brightened slightly. A radiant smile curved across her lips as she gazed at Lian Yunjin with brilliant eyes and nodded. “Sister Lian, you said it yourself. For the rest of our time here, I’m going to cling to your side and ask you to protect me.”
Without comparison, there could be no contrast.
Now this was the attitude someone should have when protecting another person!
“Mm,” Lian Yunjin responded, her expression remaining indifferent.
With Lian Yunjin’s promise, Gu Jiuge now had an excuse to cling to her and build a good relationship with her. It was perfect!
Gu Jiuge continued eating lunch with satisfaction, unable to stop the corners of her mouth from rising.
…
Late at night, Lian Yunjin lay on the double bed and opened her exhausted eyes. With difficulty, she reached toward the bedside table and picked up her phone.
The illuminated screen displayed the time: 3:40 a.m.
She still had not fallen asleep.
It was not because she wanted to become the champion of staying up late, nor was it because she suffered from insomnia.
Lian Yunjin turned her head and looked at Gu Jiuge, who was sleeping soundly beside her. Faint annoyance appeared between her brows.
When Gu Chengze had said during the day that his younger sister was a restless sleeper, Lian Yunjin had assumed it was merely an excuse to obstruct them. Now, however, it seemed he had not lied to her.
When most people slept restlessly, they either assumed unattractive sleeping positions or kicked away their blankets. Gu Jiuge, however, neither kicked away the blanket nor monopolized the bed.
Lian Yunjin had never imagined that Gu Jiuge would transform into such a clingy creature, embracing her and refusing to let go no matter what.
No matter how Lian Yunjin tried to escape or evade her, the sleeping Gu Jiuge could accurately locate her. She would then make full use of her long limbs to wrap Lian Yunjin tightly in her arms like a stuffed doll.
It was not that Lian Yunjin had never considered waking her, but the young woman slept so deeply that she simply could not be roused.
Knowing that Gu Jiuge was not doing it intentionally, Lian Yunjin could only endure it.
Unexpectedly, she ended up enduring it for the entire night.
In her dreams the previous night, Gu Jiuge mistakenly believed she was hugging her former favorite teddy bear. As a result, she slept exceptionally well.
She stretched as she got out of bed. When she saw Lian Yunjin sitting before the vanity and applying concealer to her dark circles, her toes suddenly curled in embarrassment.
The teddy bear she thought she had been hugging last night… couldn’t have been Lian Yunjin, could it?
“You’re awake? Your brother and I are going to confirm our tournament places today. To ensure your safety, you’ll come with us.”
After forcing herself to endure an entire sleepless night, Lian Yunjin was not in particularly good spirits. At that moment, the only thing she remembered was the most important matter—confirming her participation in the tournament.
Seeing that Lian Yunjin did not hold her accountable, Gu Jiuge felt slightly relieved. She hurriedly apologized and immediately entered the bathroom to wash up.
More than half an hour later, she and Lian Yunjin met Gu Chengze in the hotel lobby and ate the exquisite breakfast provided by the hotel.
On their way to the registration area, Gu Chengze glanced at Lian Yunjin’s slightly weary face and asked, “Didn’t sleep well last night? I told you Jiuge was a restless sleeper.”
Gu Jiuge stood awkwardly beside them, hesitating over whether she should apologize again.
Lian Yunjin naturally knew what Gu Chengze was scheming and replied directly, “I’m simply unaccustomed to sleeping with another person. She sleeps well enough. I can tolerate it.”
Hearing this, Gu Chengze smacked his lips and indeed said nothing more.
When they arrived at the registration area, several enormous arenas appeared before them.
Looking at the arena numbers carved around their edges, Gu Jiuge easily guessed that these arenas would be used for the upcoming matches.
Above the arenas was an elevated platform with an excellent view.
Four empty seats stood on the platform, which was carved with the clan emblems of the major cultivation families. They were presumably intended for the high-ranking cultivators sent by the Four Great Families to adjudicate the tournament.
Gu Jiuge withdrew her gaze and looked at the long line before her. Sighing, she patiently continued waiting.
Waiting always made time feel exceptionally long. Nearly an hour passed before they finally completed the procedures to confirm their tournament places.
As they attempted to leave through the surrounding crowd, a dignified and authoritative woman’s voice resounded across the entire venue, causing the three of them to stop instinctively.
“I am Huo Zhaoning of the Huo family, and I will serve as the supervisor and adjudicator of this tournament.”
The noisy crowd immediately followed the sound and turned their gazes toward the previously empty elevated platform.
The platform used concert-style lighting, with every beam converging at its center. The woman’s imperious bearing and breathtakingly beautiful face were magnified across two enormous screens beside the arenas.
Dressed in a striking red gown, her long, chestnut curls stirring gently in the wind, Huo Zhaoning stood gracefully at the edge of the platform. Her unrestrained gaze, carrying traces of spiritual energy, swept freely across the cultivators below.
“In addition to the responsibilities assigned to me by the Huo family, I intend to accept one final disciple. My final disciple will receive the status and privileges of a direct-line member of the Huo family. I hope someone among you will prove qualified to become my disciple.”
After she finished speaking, the lights disappeared, and Huo Zhaoning’s stunning face vanished from the enormous screens.
Countless cultivators nearby rubbed their hands together, their expressions filled with eager excitement. Gu Chengze was no exception, clenching his fists.
“Huo Zhaoning reached the middle stage of Nascent Soul at such a young age. She can be considered the Huo family’s most gifted genius in a century among the Four Great Cultivation Families.”
“Rumor has it that she has an eccentric temperament, acts however she pleases, and has always hated being restrained…”
“An opportunity to leap through the dragon gate and become a direct-line member of the Huo family is truly rare…”
Gu Jiuge was no longer in the mood to listen to the gossiping cultivators whispering among themselves.
She had suddenly remembered with horror that she had seen this name in the comments section of Urban Cultivation: The Abandoned Young Master’s Counterattack.
Huo Zhaoning was one of the male lead’s harem members.
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