The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 24

Bai Meng felt as if he had just awoken from a long dream. The man’s smile was so close, almost within reach, as if he had never left.

But it was all false.

With a stiff smile, Bai Meng felt his crimson heart wrapped tightly in thorns, so dense that no light could penetrate. Only a few enchanting flowers bloomed amidst the thorns, hiding all the wounds that no one could see.

Outside, it was pitch dark with only a few specks of starlight around Bai Meng. The man from his memories sat across from him, a gentle smile on his handsome face as he said, “Xiao Bai Meng, it’s been a long time.”

“Mm, yes, it’s been a long time,” Bai Meng nodded, “So, what now?”

“……”

The man was momentarily taken aback by Bai Meng’s response, perhaps not expecting such an attitude. But he wasn’t annoyed, instead offering a tolerant smile. “I thought you’d be more excited about our reunion…”

“I used to be,” Bai Meng looked at him with an expression of deep sorrow. “But you came too late.”

“A few hundred billion years ago, I would have thrown myself into your arms and cried my heart out, then let you do whatever you wanted. But now, I’ve become an old hand at this.”

“……” The man’s smile faltered. “It’s fine, I know it’s my fault. This time, I won’t leave suddenly again…”

“What man’s words can be trusted? They’re all lies! Lies, nothing but lies!”

“……”

The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.

The man hadn’t expected Bai Meng to be so unyielding. The man lowered his head, a slight frown forming between his brows. His long, raven-like eyelashes drooped slightly, and a few strands of gray hair slipped from behind his ears, making him appear unusually downcast and sorrowful.

“Is there really no chance for us…?”

“……”

Bai Meng’s dark pupils flickered slightly, as old wounds in his heart were torn open again. The man had once used this very posture to make amends. Whenever Bai Meng was upset or annoyed, the man would deliberately bow his head in front of him, and the moment Bai Meng showed even a hint of softening, the man would reveal his true intentions.

“From now on, you’re not allowed to see that squirrel from the east anymore. I saw everything! It confessed its feelings to Xiao Bai! That shameless little thing!”

“…A grown man acting cute? That’s even more shameless!”

………

“I was wrong, I was wrong. I’ll never use my mint-green hands to taint Lord Bai Meng again! Please forgive this humble one!”

“Hah! Try touching me again, and we’ll see if your skin is tougher or if my teeth are sharper.”

………

“There you go again, defending that black dog! Xiao Bai, you heartless scoundrel!”

“Be reasonable! He’s called Hei Quan, not black dog!”

“See! You’re scolding me for him again!”

………

Bai Meng pressed his fingers lightly against his temples, frowning slightly.

To him, the more vivid the memories, the deeper the scars they opened, leaving him rotting from the inside out, able only to let out hoarse cries, never finding peace even in death.

So, time really is a good thing, Bai Meng thought mockingly to himself. No matter how much pain he felt now, he no longer cried so easily.

The man, observing Bai Meng closely, naturally didn’t miss the fleeting stiffness in his expression. Hastily, he continued the conversation.

“Let’s start over. We can definitely make it…”

Suppressing the surge of sadness, Bai Meng returned to his usual frivolous demeanor and sincerely rejected the man, “No, it’s absolutely impossible.”

“…Why?”

“I already told you, it’s too late,” Bai Meng said, a look of painful remembrance crossing his face. “Over time, the little deer¹ in my heart was hit and killed, so it’s impossible for us now.”

“……”

“Once the deer dies, it can’t come back to life. You should move on and find somewhere cool to stay².”

“……”

“I don’t believe it!” The man suddenly stood up. “You promised me! Xiao Bai…”

His words were suddenly cut off, as Bai Meng, who had been sitting, abruptly appeared behind him, pressing sharp nails against his throat.

“Be quiet.”

Bai Meng said softly.

“And remember, when you’re asking for a favor, use more respectful titles. For example, you should call me ‘Dad.’”

“Honestly, if you were really him, I’d be excited and would agree to all of his demands. But,” Bai Meng released his grip and sat back down across from the man, “You’re not him.”

“I’ve encountered this kind of situation countless times before…” Bai Meng’s tone remained unchanged, though a flash of undisguised disdain crossed his face. “But here’s what I want to criticize: why are your tricks all the same? Using that person’s appearance, luring in naïve young people with sweet talk—it’s so cliché. It’s happened so many times that it’s a little embarrassing. I almost feel like my lover was bought online at a discount, with free shipping included.”

“…Huh?” The man looked completely bewildered.

“Please be a good listener, alright?” Bai Meng tapped the table. “Your deception is too simple. The most memorable one was by a powerful yao. His illusion was really something. That time, I almost fell for it, but in the end, I escaped death. Even I have to admire myself!”

After saying this, Bai Meng began clapping for himself, leaving the man looking thoroughly embarrassed.

“You really have no sense of shame…” Bai Meng sighed regretfully. “So, I won’t be giving you any face either.”

“???” The man: You’ve never given me any face!

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re some kind of toxin that comes with ‘Fuxing,’ specifically targeting nerves, inducing hallucinations, and eventually killing people in their dreams…”

The surrounding darkness began to crumble. Neither the youth nor the man moved, and Bai Meng fixed his gaze on those golden eyes, speaking in a tone of nostalgia as he bid farewell to the man.

“I found Da Bai, but he has no horns anymore. Sometimes, even I get scared of his aura, and the whole world seems to be against him.”

“But it doesn’t really matter~” Bai Meng’s eyes shone brightly, just as they had in the past. That unquenchable belief, like a spark of fire, continued to carry him forward resolutely.

The darkness completely collapsed, and he waved to the man one last time, smiling like the innocent youth he once was.

“I will work to overcome my fears. As for those who bullied him, I’ll make them kneel and apologize! Yes, that’s the ultimate goal of the Great Demon King Bai Meng.”

I will try to adapt to your dull gray eyes … I will accept your no-longer-gentle temper…

As long as it’s you.

Blinding white light filled his vision. It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness, allowing him to make out his surroundings. It was morning, and there wasn’t a soul around. He stretched his body and realized that he was completely healed, even some old injuries had recovered.

Great medicine!

Bai Meng praised in his heart, completely unaware that he had just brushed past the gates of death.

He pushed open the door, startling the guard on duty. “You’re awake? Should I go inform…”

“No need~”

Wait a minute, this person looks familiar…

Leaning against the door, Bai Meng mused to himself, but outwardly, he lazily asked, “What rank of guard are you?”

“Second class!” Mo Hua quickly responded.

Oh, no wonder he looked familiar. I’d seen him during the selection tournament.

Bai Meng put his thoughts away. “Has the tournament ended?”

“No, today is the final round. Would you like to watch, Lord Bai Meng?”

“No, I want to participate.”

Bai Meng fixed his gaze on Mo Hua, a playful smile spreading on his delicate face. “So, how about I ‘borrow’ your token for a bit?”

“……”

TL Notes:

1. The metaphor of the “little deer in my heart” (心裏的小鹿) is a playful and poetic way to represent feelings of love, excitement, or affection. In Chinese culture, the image of a “little deer” (小鹿) is often associated with the fluttering, nervous feelings one experiences when falling in love, similar to the expression “butterflies in the stomach” in English.

In the context of this passage, Bai Meng is humorously expressing that his feelings of love or romantic excitement (represented by the “little deer”) have been “killed” over time, meaning that he no longer has romantic feelings for the other person. It’s a whimsical and somewhat lighthearted way to describe the death of affection or emotional connection.

2. The original Chinese phrase “哪凉快就待哪去” is a colloquial expression that literally means “go to a cooler place” and figuratively means to “leave me alone” or “go away.”