The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 9

Bai Meng never got the chance to beat up the man as he had hoped, because Mo Jiuge appeared suddenly, interrupting him.

Mo Jiuge, dressed in black fitted attire that accentuated his tall and muscular physique, stood between the two of them and anxiously asked, “Have any of you seen Bai Meng?”

“???” Bai Meng was completely baffled: “Wait, I’m right here…”

“Have you seen Bai Meng? He’s small, round, like a little white tuanzi¹!”

Bai Meng: “……”

Upon hearing Mo Jiuge’s description, the man thought for a moment, then laughed and pointed at Bai Meng: “Xiao² Tuanzi… has grown.”

Mo Jiuge followed the man’s gaze to Bai Meng, his expression complicated. After a long silence, he sighed and grabbed Bai Meng, dragging him away. “I suppose Bai Meng used to look like that… Never mind, let’s go.”

Bai Meng: ???

I’m elegant and handsome, comparable to the legendary beauty Pan An³ himself, yet you despise me?!

Without explaining, Mo Jiuge swiftly lifted Bai Meng and dragged him off. Bai Meng struggled a bit, but Mo Jiuge held him tightly, as though afraid he might slip away, rushing towards the palace in a hurry.

“…What’s going on?”

“His Highness is in trouble. He sent me to find you.”

Without looking back, Mo Jiuge produced his identification token, and with no one daring to stop them, they passed through without hindrance, finally stopping before a carved wooden door, where Mo Jiuge stood silently.

“What happened?”

Staring straight ahead, Mo Jiuge’s usual smile was gone. “…It’s better if we don’t speak of it.”

So, we can’t talk about it…

Bai Meng lowered his long lashes, casting shadows over his expression. He pressed his lips together, hesitated, and then softly asked, “…Is the Hall Master… expecting?”

“……” Mo Jiuge shot him a look as though he had seen a ghost. “What nonsense are you spouting?! If the Hall Master hears this—”

“Come in.” A cold voice came from inside the room, clearly indicating Mo Hankui had overheard their conversation.

Mo Jiuge: “……”

Bai Meng: “……” Why do you want to set up a flag⁴?!

Feeling no oppressive aura, Bai Meng confidently put on an obedient face and pushed open the door. Inside, a gray-haired man sat at the table. Upon seeing the young man, a flash of disdain briefly crossed his eyes.

Bai Meng: “……”

You’ve truly lost me, all of you.

Mo Hankui said nothing, merely sipping his tea with an indifferent tone: “Who was spouting nonsense at the door? Step forward, and I’ll… Well, we’ll see.”

Bai Meng: “……”

Standing behind him, Mo Jiuge glanced at Bai Meng upon hearing this, but Bai Meng, with his mouth slightly agape as if genuinely surprised, didn’t flinch. Feeling the gaze on him, Bai Meng turned around, meeting Mo Jiuge’s eyes with a look of disbelief.

—As if to say, “How could you slander your Hall Master like that? That’s too much.”

Mo Jiuge: “……”

His expression was so sincere that, if those present weren’t directly involved, Mo Jiuge and Mo Hankui might actually have believed him.

Bai Meng slowly approached Mo Hankui, looking slightly uncomfortable: “He’s been by your side for so long. Even if he hasn’t achieved much, he’s put in the effort, right? Why not forgive him just this once?”

Mo Hankui: “……”

Mo Jiuge: “……” Wow, I didn’t realize you were so skilled at sweet-talking your way out of things.

Bai Meng: (⊙v⊙)

An awkward silence filled the room.

Eventually, Bai Meng broke the silence, sitting down beside Mo Hankui as though nothing had happened, looking at him expectantly: “So, Lord Hankui, what did you need me for? Did you miss me?”

“……”

Mo Hankui shot him a blank stare. “I’m going into seclusion to sleep for a month. During this time, you’ll stay with Jiuge and follow his instructions.”

“No! I want to stay with you! No one can separate us!”

—Bang!

The door was shut mercilessly.

Thrown outside, Bai Meng sat down at the palace gate, hugging his knees pitifully, unable to accept the reality of being cast out.

“He must have someone else outside! That’s why he doesn’t love me anymore, has fallen out of love, become abusive, and neglectful…”

Mo Jiuge, walking out to witness all of this: “……”

“How long are you going to sit on the ground…”

“I don’t care! I’ll wait here until he gives me an explanation! Otherwise, I’m not leaving!”

Mo Jiuge: “……”

Mo Jiuge: “Hungry? Why don’t we go grab something to eat first?”

Bai Meng jumped up immediately: “(⊙v⊙) Sure!”

Mo Jiuge: “……”

Mo Jiuge was both amused and exasperated as he glanced at Bai Meng, “Aren’t you waiting for an explanation?”

Bai Meng, dead serious: “Of course I am! But I’ll eat first. Otherwise, what if I get hungry later?”

Mo Jiuge: “……”

Seems like there’s nothing wrong with that.

“Jiuge, hurry up!”

Mo Jiuge helplessly watched Bai Meng running ahead, calling to him. His slightly upturned lips held a faint warmth, tinged with something tender and comforting. Those bright black eyes held a universe of stars, and seeing them made Mo Jiuge’s heart flutter uncontrollably, his emotions suddenly melting into a soft mess.

Mo Jiuge’s eyes lit up with a real smile, thinking to himself, whether it’s Xiao Tuanzi or Bai Meng, both are… quite adorable.

Mo Jiuge ran to catch up.

“Want some nuts? I brought some with me.”

“I want to eat!”

“Here, catch.”

“Jiuge, you’re the best!”

TL Notes:

1. Tuanzi – “团子” (tuánzi) refers to something small, round, and often soft or cute in appearance. Calling someone a “tuanzi” often emphasizes their cuteness or plumpness in a playful, affectionate way.

2. Xiao – “小” (xiǎo) means “small” or “little”. Xiao is a versatile term that is often used to express size, age, or endearment.

3. Pan An (247-300), also known as Pan Anren, was a writer during China’s Western Jin Dynasty. Born in Yingyang, Henan, he had outstanding looks and an elegant disposition. As a representative of literature in the Western Jin Dynasty, Pan An also has a certain status in the history of literature. Although historical records contain no detailed description of Pan An’s facial features or height, his beauty is undoubted because he already had numerous “fans” at that time. Whenever Pan went out sightseeing, he was always followed by a number of young girls, just like a current superstar is chased by fans. His fans, who were both young and old women, bought him flowers and fruit.

4. Set up a flag – The phrase is an internet slang term, commonly used to describe making a statement or prediction that seems to tempt fate or increase the likelihood of the opposite happening.