Traveling Through the Book and Becoming a Cub Among the Villains - Chapter 134
Yang Yu watched enter the house, his expression immediately darkening.
After going to all this trouble to come all the way here and even getting myself covered in dust, Mu Shaoting didn’t even offer a word of concern! If this were any other girl, she would have been moved to tears and worried sick.
Yang Yu recalled what his roommate had told him, “Mu Shaoting, the Young Miss of the Mu Group, has suitors lining up from here to Xue Vocational College. But she doesn’t give any of them the time of day and is still single.”
“I heard she’s never even been in a relationship before—completely pure, but also impossible to win over.”
Staring at the luxurious villa before him—a place he couldn’t afford even if he saved every penny for the rest of his life—Yang Yu refused to believe there was anyone he couldn’t win over.
Just wait. I’ll move into this villa sooner or later.
No, I’ll make Mu Shaoting buy us a new villa.
Yang Yu rode his electric scooter home.
As he unlocked his door, the door to Room 501 next door swung open.
He Han emerged, carrying her trash to the doorstep for tomorrow’s disposal.
Noticing Yang Yu standing at the entrance to Room 502, she paused in surprise, “Brother Yu, you went out?”
Yang Yu nodded.
He Han noticed Yang Yu carrying a cake and was puzzled. It wasn’t his birthday today, was it?
Yang Yu caught her gaze and smiled, “Want some cake?”
“Huh?” He Han was surprised.
“Someone gave me a dessert voucher, so I got this. I can’t finish it all myself. Want to help me out?”
“…Okay,” He Han replied, feeling a little embarrassed.
Yang Yu smiled, opened the door, and invited her inside.
He Han had grown up with him since childhood, practically childhood sweethearts. She also harbored a secret crush on him, so she didn’t hesitate to follow him into the apartment.
The cake was slightly smudged, and the decoration looked a bit damaged. Yang Yu feigned annoyance, “I tripped on the way here. Hope you don’t mind.”
He Han immediately asked with concern, “Brother Yu, where did you fall? Are you hurt badly?”
That’s more like it, Yang Yu thought to himself. Someone like Mu Shaoting is just unrealistic.
“I’m fine.”
He cut the cake and gave He Han the slice with the most fruit.
He Han took it, her heart feeling even sweeter than the cake in her hand.
As she was eating, Yang Yu asked, “Hanhan, are you busy lately? I won two movie tickets, but my friends are all busy. Do you have time?”
He Han’s grip on her fork tightened involuntarily.
“…Y-yes, I do.”
The voice was soft, yet tense.
“Then let’s go together when the time comes.”
“Okay.” He Han finished speaking and lowered her head to eat her cake, unable to hide the delight in the corners of her lips.
Yang Yu sat across from her, quietly observing.
His feelings were complex. On one hand, he thought this was how it should be. He rarely went out of his way to be attentive, so this reaction was normal. On the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel that He Han was inferior to Mu Shaoting. A single cake and a movie ticket were enough to make her this happy—she was cheap.
Unlike Mu Shaoting, a young miss from a prestigious family, a pampered heiress. No matter what he did, she remained indifferent. She wasn’t impressed because she had seen it all before. Because she stood higher, because her surname was Mu.
That was the kind of woman he truly desired.
He didn’t just want a girlfriend, he wanted a ladder to climb the social hierarchy.
Therefore, he still preferred to be with Mu Shaoting.
Yang Yu silently ate his cake, pondering his next move.
On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, returned to work, and went home with his parents. Ye Qingxi bid him a reluctant farewell. Cotton Candy also reluctantly meowed goodbye to his brother, Donut.
Not long after Mu Zheng left, started school. Soon after, Ye Qingxi and Mu Shaoting also resumed their studies.
A new year brought a fresh start, and Ye Qingxi was delighted to reunite with his friends.
The group chattered excitedly, comparing their heights. Kang Cong remained the tallest among them, while Ye Qingxi was still the shortest.
“Don’t worry, Xi,” Kang Cong reassured him. “You’re still young.”
Ye Qingxi nodded. He remembered being the same in his past life—short until he turned 10. It wasn’t until he reached 14 or 15 that he experienced a sudden growth spurt, shooting up in height.
Some said he was born for the entertainment industry. Being too tall before ten would make it difficult to play child roles and secure acting jobs. Conversely, failing to grow taller after 14 or 15 would hinder his transition to adult roles, preventing him from overcoming the “child star” hurdle.
Ye Qingxi, however, seemed perfectly suited for this path. His height at each aaligned perfectly with the needs of directors and audiences, making him practically irreplaceable.
After a lazy winter break, Ye Qingxi accompanied Mu Shaoyan to Duan Yi’s house. Watching Mu Shaoyan grill Duan Yi with questions, Ye Qingxi realized with horror that Mu Shaoyan’s relentless studying hadn’t been in vain. His progress now far surpassed Ye Qingxi’s.
Even in math, Ye Qingxi needed Duan Yi’s help only with the final one or two challenging problems. He could complete the rest independently with minimal errors.
Ye Qingxi, “……”
Ye Qingxi thought Mu Shaoyan was truly cut out for studying.
It was true that Mu Shaoyan had been studying like a man possessed since October of the previous year. It was also true that he had a solid foundation and a strong base. But he had still wasted an entire year, and for some, that lost time could never be recovered.
For Mu Shaoyan, however, that year seemed to have been a period of accumulating fierce determination, waiting for this final year to unleash it all in a blazing inferno.
He burned fiercely, burned rapidly, burned so brightly that Ye Qingxi found the original novel’s claim that he wouldn’t get into a top-tier university utterly ridiculous.
This!
You’re telling me he can’t get into a top-tier university!
He could get in with his eyes closed now!
Still, it might also be due to Duan Yi’s exceptional tutoring.
After all, in the original novel, Mu Shaoyan didn’t have Duan Yi—this 24/7 tutor who answered questions instantly, provided targeted practice problems, and offered personalized guidance like a live-in nanny.
Truly impressive!
Ye Qingxi thought, Duan Yi is amazing, and my Little Uncle is amazing for finding such a tutor!
And of course, I’m amazing too for insisting they let me tag along for these tutoring sessions!
Ye Qingxi gave himself a small pat on the back before burying himself in practice problems, determined to keep pace with Mu Shaoyan.
While Ye Qingxi was grinding away, Qiu Yue was already preparing to launch his company.
Qin Yuan had helped Ye Qingxi become a shareholder, making him the company’s second-largest shareholder. As a result, Qin Yuan kept Ye Qingxi informed of Jin Yue’s every move, explaining things in terms a child could understand, so he would be aware of the company’s progress as it developed.
That way, when Ye Qingxi grew up, he wouldn’t be completely in the dark about his own future company.
“Just after the beginning of the year, on the first day of work, his team went to resign, and Qiu Yue’s father almost died of anger.”
Ye Qingxi almost burst out laughing.
“Do you think his father will scold Uncle Qiu Yue?”
“Definitely. But it won’t matter. With Rongsheng in its current state, even if his team wasn’t already loyal to him, they’d be desperate to follow him now.”
“I see,” Ye Qingxi replied.
Qin Yuan, noticing Ye Qingxi’s brief response, assumed he didn’t understand and didn’t elaborate further. He simply said, “I just wanted to let you know. I’ll take you to the opening ceremony when the time comes.”
“Okay,” Ye Qingxi agreed.
He knew nothing about running a company and naturally wouldn’t interfere. But the fact that he owned shares in this company still thrilled him. He actually had a company now! Hehe~
Ye Qingxi was swamped, juggling his studies, listening to Qin Yuan’s updates on the company’s progress, and attending school regularly from Monday to Friday.
It wasn’t until a month after the start of the semester that he noticed something was off with Mu Shaoting.
His initial suspicion arose from Mu Shaoting’s late returns home.
She had always been punctual, arriving home every Friday evening.
But two weeks ago, she suddenly called to say her roommate was celebrating a birthday and she’d be back on Saturday.
Ye Qingxi naturally didn’t object, assuming it was a genuine birthday celebration.
However, Mu Shaoting didn’t return until Saturday night.
Last week, she arrived on time on Friday, but after lunch on Saturday, she said her roommate needed her and rushed back.
Friends helping each other in times of need—perfectly normal, Ye Qingxi thought.
This week, Mu Shaoting finally arrived on time on Friday and didn’t rush off on Saturday. Yet she remained holed up in her room, refusing to come out to play, watch TV, or even bake a cake with him!
Something’s wrong. This just doesn’t add up!
Ye Qingxi raced upstairs and knocked on Mu Shaoting’s door.
Mu Shaoting took a moment to open the door. When she saw it was him, she smiled, a hint of relief unconsciously slipping into her expression. “Baby, what can I do for you?”
“Aunt, I want to watch that cartoon,” Ye Qingxi said. “The one with all the little kittens. Will you watch it with me?”
Mu Shaoting, “….”
After a moment’s thought, Mu Shaoting nodded, “Alright.”
She and Ye Qingxi went downstairs to the living room, where she set up the projector for him.
Two long hours later, the cartoon finally ended. Mu Shaoting was about to slip away when her nephew exclaimed excitedly, “Aunt, Aunt! There’s a second part!”
Mu Shaoting, …How could there be a second part?!
She had no choice but to continue watching kittens with her adorable nephew.
Ye Qingxi leaned against her, watching the screen while occasionally glancing at her. Mu Shaoting was clearly distracted, her lips moving slightly as if she were muttering something.
What could she be saying?
Ye Qingxi wondered.
Another two hours passed. When Mu Shaoting finally saw the words “The End” appear on the screen, she nearly exhaled in relief. Finally, it’s over.
Mu Shaoting was about to return to her room when her young nephew grabbed her arm, “Auntie, I’m a little sleepy. Can you tell me a bedtime story so I can take a nap?”
Mu Shaoting, “!!!”
Mu Shaoting nodded eagerly.
Sleep is perfect! Once he’s asleep, I can finally go back to my room!
She led Ye Qingxi back to ‘s room and gently began telling him a bedtime story.
Unfortunately, when the story ended, Ye Qingxi’s eyes widened like copper bells, “The ending wasn’t good at all!”
Mu Shaoting quickly soothed him. “It’s okay, baby. Auntie will tell you another one.”
This time, the story had a happy ending, and Ye Qingxi seemed satisfied.
“One more!” he demanded.
Mu Shaoting, “….”
She stared at the boy’s adorable face.
Hey kid, weren’t you sleepy? Why aren’t you asleep yet?!
Mu Shaoting felt utterly hopeless.
Tearfully, she began a third story. But before she could finish, called them for dinner.
Mu Shaoting, “…..”
She had no choice but to take her nephew to the dining room.
Mu Shaowu was away on business and wouldn’t return for a couple of days.
The only ones at dinner were , Mu Shaoyan, Mu Shaoting, and Ye Qingxi.
After dinner, Mu Feng went to review his documents.
Mu Shaoyan continued to relentlessly grind through his practice problems, a heartless studying machine.
Ye Qingxi looked around helplessly before turning to Mu Shaoting “Aunt, will you play a game with me?”
Mu Shaoting, “…………”
She gazed at his adorable little face and hopeful eyes, unable to utter even a single word of refusal.
But…
But she hadn’t practiced her singing all day!
The Singer Competition was fast approaching, and time was running out!
Mu Shaoting’s rational mind told her she should reject her nephew and focus on practicing.
But…
This was her precious little nephew!
How could she possibly say no?
Ye Qingxi noticed the conflict etched on her face and innocently asked, “Aunt, are you busy, too?”
“Of course not! Aunt has plenty of time!” Mu Shaoting replied without hesitation.
Ye Qingxi shook his head, “It’s okay, Aunt. If you have things to do, you can go ahead. I can play by myself.”
“Nonsense! What could Aunt possibly have to do?”
“Really nothing?” Ye Qingxi pressed, his eyes searching hers. “You can’t lie to me, Aunt.”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“But when I was watching cartoons, I saw your mouth moving, Aunt. Were you about to make a phone call?” Ye Qingxi feigned surprise. “Oh my, Aunt, are you in love?”
Mu Shaoting, “!!!!”
Mu Shaoting shook her head.
But as she shook, the motion gradually slowed.
Ye Qingxi, “???”
Wait, is she actually dating someone?!
Ye Qingxi pressed urgently, “Aunt, do you really have a boyfriend?”
“No,” Mu Shaoting replied quickly.
“Then what was that just now…?”
“Ugh,” Mu Shaoting groaned, rubbing her temples.
How was she supposed to explain this?
“Well… someone’s been pursuing me.”
“Did you say yes?” Ye Qingxi asked.
Mu Shaoting shook her head again.
She wasn’t that easily won over.
But…
Ye Qingxi tilted his head, scrutinizing her.
Mu Shaoting looked slightly embarrassed, “I’ve been… seeing him a bit more often lately.”
Ye Qingxi, “!!!!”
“You like him?!”
“No!” Mu Shaoting immediately denied.
“Then why are you seeing him more often?”
Mu Shaoting, “……”
Mu Shaoting looked at him, leaned closer to his ear, and whispered, “I’m going to tell you a secret, but you can’t tell Grandpa or anyone else in the family, not even your father.”
Ye Qingxi nodded, “Okay.”
Mu Shaoting blushed slightly, then said with a mix of embarrassment and excitement, “I’ve signed up for a singing competition.”
Ye Qingxi, “!!!!”
Wow, this reality show started really fast!
The second semester of junior year had just begun, and it’s already underway!
“Wow~” Ye Qingxi exclaimed enthusiastically. “Aunt, you’re sure to win first place!”
Mu Shaoting chuckled softly, “That’s not a given.”
Seeing Ye Qingxi’s enthusiasm, she couldn’t help but share more details.
“I just signed up. The preliminary auditions are next week. If I pass, the first round is the week after, where they’ll narrow it down to a hundred contestants. Then it’s 60, 50, 30, 20, 10, and finally the top 3. The public vote will determine the ultimate winner.”
Ye Qingxi nodded. He knew this process well. Mu Shaoting had been eliminated during the 100-to-60 round, and it had been brutal.
The judges tore into Mu Shaoting, accusing her of supporting plagiarism. When she claimed ignorance of the song’s origins, they retorted that she hadn’t done her homework properly. “Daring to perform without proper preparation is an insult to the stage!”
Mu Shaoting, who had never faced such harsh criticism before, burst into tears the moment she stepped offstage.
Yang Yu stayed by her side, offering gentle comfort and becoming her strongest pillar of support in that moment.
As Mu Shaoting recounted the competition, Ye Qingxi finally understood what she meant by “seeing him more often.”
In the book, Yang Yu was portrayed as an exceptional singer, having previously secured second place in the campus’s Top Ten Singers Competition. Mu Shaoting likely spent more time with him due to this competition.
Sure enough, Mu Shaoting explained, “There’s this senior of mine who’s a really good singer. He’s competed before and has way more experience than me. Lately, he’s been helping me choose songs and giving me tips for the competition. That’s why we’ve been seeing each other more often.”
“But I don’t like him,” Mu Shaoting told her young nephew. “I only have a tiny, tiny bit of fondness for him. It’s not really ‘liking’ him.”
She finished with a hint of helplessness.
Mu Feng didn’t support her singing.
Naturally, she couldn’t tell the rest of the family. If her father found out, he’d assume they were all hiding it from him, and they’d all be punished together.
Ye Qingxi was too young to be included in the punishment, which was why Mu Shaoting had confided in him.
She’d accepted Yang Yu’s help not only because he was an experienced singer with competition experience, but also because he wholeheartedly supported her dream.
In fact, he’d been the one to tell her about the talent show, insisting she could win and urging her to give it a try.
Mu Shaoting desperately wanted to try.
More than that, she craved encouragement and praise.
Her family couldn’t provide that, but Yang Yu supplied it endlessly.
Mu Shaoting found herself unconsciously developing a tiny, almost imperceptible fondness for him.
It wasn’t love, but it made her willing to spend time with him.
Initially, Mu Shaoting knew Yang Yu as the runner-up of their school’s Top Ten Campus Singers Competition.
Being a singer herself, she was always drawn to those with beautiful voices, which is why she wanted to meet him.
But when they finally met, she found Yang Yu disappointingly ordinary—not as handsome as her second brother, not as academically accomplished as her eldest brother, and not as youthful as Mu Shaoyan.
While his singing was decent, it wasn’t particularly impressive, and she thought her own voice was better.
Now, however, Yang Yu encouraged her, supported her, and pursued her musical dreams alongside her.
Looking at him again, she no longer saw him as so ordinary. He seemed to possess a hint of merit.
“But I really don’t see him as a boyfriend. Really,” Mu Shaoting insisted.
She wasn’t about to let this tiny sliver of fondness lead her into a relationship with Yang Yu, becoming his girlfriend.
Ye Qingxi nodded.
He knew this wasn’t the critical moment yet, Mu Shaoting hadn’t fallen for Yang Yu at this stage.
But…
Ye Qingxi recalled her earlier statement, “He’ll help me choose songs and coach me.”
If Yang Yu was helping her select songs, could that obscure song that happened to plagiarize the judges’ work also have been his choice?
He knew Mu Shaoting loved singing and dreamed of becoming a singer. That’s why he’d deliberately told her about the Singer Competition, encouraging her to participate. Then, using his “experience” as an excuse, he’d gotten close to her, coaching her, and being there for her—all while subtly creating challenges for her, only to offer her warmth and protection, playing the hero in a twisted way.
Ye Qingxi silently sneered inwardly.
What elaborate efforts.
Does he really want to become the Mu family’s live-in son-in-law that badly?
Too bad. As long as Ye Qingxi was around, that dream would never come true.
Not only that, but he’d also make sure to smash that rat-like head of his!
“So, Aunt, were you moving your mouth while watching the anime earlier because you wanted to call him?”
“Of course not! I was practicing my singing.”
Ye Qingxi’s eyes lit up, “Then Aunt, sing for me!”
“You want to hear me sing?” Mu Shaoting was surprised, but also pleased and a little shy.
Ye Qingxi nodded.
After a moment’s thought, Mu Shaoting couldn’t resist. She took his hand and led him to her bedroom.
She retrieved her guitar, sat down on a chair, cleared her throat, and looked at Ye Qingxi. “Even if Aunt doesn’t sing well, you’re not allowed to laugh, okay?”
“No problem,” Ye Qingxi replied.
Mu Shaoting began to strum the guitar and sing softly.
To Ye Qingxi’s surprise, she wasn’t singing rock music at all, but a tender ballad.
That’s perfectly normal, he thought. Not everyone finds their true style right away.
Besides, some people can sing anything well—like him.
Ye Qingxi listened quietly, growing increasingly impressed by Mu Shaoting’s truly remarkable voice.
Her voice was ethereal, with a beautiful timbre and an astonishing range. She effortlessly reached high notes and descended to deep lows, making it all seem effortless.
It was nothing like his tone-deaf father.
It was hard to believe these two were siblings.
Mu Shaoting finished singing, and the guitar music faded away.
Ye Qingxi clapped enthusiastically.
What need is there for coaching? She should just get on stage and sing!
Mu Shaoting blushed at his applause, “I haven’t practiced properly in ages. My voice isn’t at its best.”
That’s why she was trying to squeeze in every last minute of practice.
Ye Qingxi, “????”
You call that “not at its best”?
Ye Qingxi thought she was being too modest.
As a former chart-topping singer, Ye Qingxi was certain that with the right opportunity, her voice could take her to the top.
“Auntie, you’re definitely going to win first place,” Ye Qingxi said, sitting beside her.
“That’s not a given,” Mu Shaoting replied. “There are so many talented singers in this competition.”
“But none of them sing as well as you.”
Mu Shaoting chuckled softly, “That’s because you’re biased.”
Ye Qingxi mimed taking off glasses, “Even without the bias, you’d still be number one.”
Mu Shaoting found his gesture utterly adorable and couldn’t help but laugh, gently ruffling his handsome little face.
She was genuinely happy at that moment.
After all, Ye Qingxi was the person she cared about most. A hundred words of encouragement from Yang Yu couldn’t bring her as much joy as this single sentence from Ye Qingxi.
“Auntie, I’ll come with you to the competition next week,” Ye Qingxi said, looking at her. “I’ll cheer you on.”
“Really?” Mu Shaoting asked, surprised and delighted.
Ye Qingxi nodded.
Now that Mu Shaoting had already registered for the competition, she was determined to see it through unless she was eliminated. She would keep going as far as she could.
Of course, he wouldn’t let Yang Yu continue to linger around Mu Shaoting. But Mu Shaoting was too naive to understand Yang Yu’s manipulative tactics to win her over. She couldn’t even conceive of such schemes, let alone defend against them.
That’s why he needed to stay by Mu Shaoting’s side, ensuring Yang Yu would never have another chance to hurt her.
But before that, he had two things to take care of.
First:
“Auntie, won’t participating in this competition affect your studies?” Ye Qingxi asked.
“College students are different from elementary schoolers, especially those in humanities like me,” Mu Shaoting replied, patting his head. “We don’t have to study as diligently. As long as we cram before exams, memorize the key points, and avoid failing, we’re good.”
Her little nephew was still worrying about her!
Such a little rascal!
Ye Qingxi nodded.
Though he hadn’t gone to university himself, he’d interacted with college students and knew they often held the attitude of “grades don’t matter, just pass.”
“Besides, we start internships in our senior year. I’ll just have Uncle sign off on mine then.”
Ye Qingxi, …That’s actually quite convenient.
That left only the second matter.
“Aunt, I want to meet that senior you mentioned earlier,” Ye Qingxi said with a smile.
Mu Shaoting looked puzzled, “Why do you want to meet him?”
“To see what my future uncle-in-law is like!”
Mu Shaoting shook her head vehemently, “What uncle-in-law?! I told you, he’s not my boyfriend. I don’t like him.”
“But he’s so good to you. He must like you, right?”
Mu Shaoting, “…..”
“Even if he does, he’s still not your uncle-in-law,” she insisted. “We haven’t even started dating.”
“That’s exactly why I need to meet him now!” Ye Qingxi wrapped his arm around hers, explaining, “If you two actually start dating and I meet him later and don’t like him, what will you do? If you break up, you’ll be sad. If you stay together, I’ll be miserable.”
“But now, if you don’t like him and I go meet him, and I don’t like him either, then you can just ignore him, Auntie, and you won’t be sad!”
Mu Shaoting, “……”
Mu Shaoting realized his logic actually made sense!
If Ye Qingxi didn’t like the guy, she definitely wouldn’t want to be with him. It would be so awkward if she developed feelings beforehand.
But…
Mu Shaoting looked at her little nephew. “Baby, where did you learn all this?”
Was their baby growing up too fast?
How did he even know about these things?
Ye Qingxi calmly shifted the blame, “They show it on TV every day.”
Mu Shaoting, ….She knew TV was the root of all evil!
Look what it had done to their baby!
Now he even knew about dating and breakups!
“Baby, you can’t start dating yet!” Mu Shaoting scolded him. “This is too early! No, it’s infant dating! It’s not allowed!”
Ye Qingxi, “……”
Wait, he was only 5-years-old!
Whose 5-year-old was dating?
Wasn’t this “early dating” intervention a bit premature, Auntie?
Ye Qingxi was torn between laughter and exasperation.
“Then it’s settled! Tomorrow, Auntie, you’ll take me to meet your senior classmate.”
Mu Shaoting, “????”
Tomorrow?
Why tomorrow?!
“Auntie~” Ye Qingxi tugged at her arm, acting cute.
Mu Shaoting, shaken by his insistence, couldn’t refuse.
“Alright,” she relented.
She patted Ye Qingxi on the head.
This child, she thought, last year he was worried about Mu Shaoyan, and this year he’s worrying about me. Doesn’t his little heart ever get tired from worrying so much?
Mu Shaoting hugged him and gave him a kiss.
What a clever little guy~
Storyteller CloudyPastels's Words
Translator:nMu Shaoting's turn~