Chapter 28 – Paper Man 27
When Su Tang found himself cradled in Luo Yuan’s palm, he was both startled and utterly bewildered.
What about the invisibility?
Su Tang called out to the System, “Didn’t you say I could make him see me whenever I wanted, and make myself invisible whenever I didn’t?”
The System retorted, “Then that just proves you wanted him to see you.”
Su Tang refused to believe it. No way.
Faced with Luo Yuan’s handsome face looming close, Su Tang’s legs trembled slightly.
The real reason he had fled the moment Luo Yuan suggested he dress in women’s clothes was because he knew he’d find it impossible to refuse Luo Yuan’s request.
Realizing that shrinking away wouldn’t work, Su Tang stiffened his tiny face into a stern expression and tried to sound menacing. He hadn’t thought much about it, but the moment his teeth sank into Luo Yuan’s skin, his little fangs began to itch with a craving… a craving for blood.
The instant that thought surfaced, his fangs sharpened, piercing Luo Yuan’s skin. He licked a drop of blood, savoring its sweet, fragrant taste—the most delicious delicacy in the world. Su Tang narrowed his eyes in bliss, utterly captivated.
Fortunately, Su Tang’s rationality prevailed. He licked once, then immediately released his bite, a little guilty as he licked the blood from the corner of his mouth. He tucked his hands behind his back like a child caught misbehaving, stubbornly refusing to admit his mistake as he tilted his chin and declared, “Scared now, huh?”
For Luo Yuan, being bitten like that was no more painful than a pinprick. He simply found Su Tang’s demeanor utterly adorable. Still, he nodded obediently and said, “Scared.”
Then, Luo Yuan gazed at Su Tang with an expectant, almost pleading look. “You really won’t wear that dress? But I really want to see you in it. Just for a little while, please?”
Su Tang squirmed under that gaze. This is exactly why I ran away!
He closed his eyes and kicked his short legs.
Sensing Su Tang’s wavering resolve, Luo Yuan immediately intensified his pleas, abandoning all pretense of CEO dignity as he made promises and begged.
In the end, Su Tang couldn’t withstand Luo Yuan’s “spoiled brat” offensive and reluctantly agreed.
He returned to his normal size, took the dress, and went to the bathroom.
After a long moment, he opened the door and peeked out, his face flushed with embarrassment. Luo Yuan coaxed him, reaching out to pull him out.
Su Tang quickly retreated. “…I’m not dressed yet!”
“It’s awkward doing it alone,” Luo Yuan said. “Let me help you.”
Without waiting for a response, he gently tugged Su Tang out. Normally, this wouldn’t have been a problem, but the gown Su Tang was wearing was far too extravagant. Its massive skirt flared like blooming petals, threatening to trip him with every step. He stumbled and fell right into Luo Yuan’s arms.
The zipper and corset at Su Tang’s back hadn’t been fastened yet, exposing his pale, slender spine. His delicate butterfly bones seemed poised to take flight. With the movement, the gown slipped further, revealing even more of his dazzlingly white skin. Luo Yuan’s gaze darkened as he looked down, his hand tightening involuntarily around Su Tang’s waist. He barely suppressed his impulse and slowly helped him finish dressing.
His fingertips brushed against Su Tang’s back through the thin fabric, the heat of their contact undeniable.
Su Tang felt an itch on his back, his ears burning crimson. He urged awkwardly, “Hurry up.”
After a moment, Luo Yuan’s low, husky voice came from behind, “…Okay.”
Su Tang froze, his face suddenly flushing. Was he overthinking things? Why did that exchange feel so… suggestive?
Finally, the dress was on. Luo Yuan’s gaze burned into him, predatory and intense, like a wild beast ready to tear its prey apart and devour it whole.
Su Tang’s body stiffened with shame and unease. He cautiously took a step back and whispered, “…That’s enough. I’ll change back now.”
Luo Yuan abruptly seized his arm, his palm scorching like fire. Su Tang looked up to find Luo Yuan’s eyes even more terrifying than the heat of his hand, like a volcano about to erupt.
“I’ll help you,” Luo Yuan said.
With that, he lifted Su Tang into his arms, as if unwrapping a gift.
In the end, Luo Yuan merely held Su Tang close and kissed him for a while. In some ways, Luo Yuan was unexpectedly conservative and stubborn.
He felt that some things could only be done after marriage.
So, Luo Yuan meticulously selected a custom-made ring and formally proposed to Su Tang.
He knelt on one knee, gazing intently at Su Tang.
Though he appeared calm on the surface, his tightly pressed lips betrayed his nervousness and anxiety. He was terrified Su Tang might refuse.
Su Tang watched him earnestly and quietly, without responding immediately.
In moments like these, even a second or two felt like an eternity. Luo Yuan nearly resorted to forcing the marriage, convinced Su Tang would reject him.
Then Su Tang tilted his head, suddenly smiling warmly and brightly. He threw his arms around Luo Yuan, clinging tightly to his waist like a child possessively clutching a beloved toy. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
Su Tang hadn’t deliberately delayed his answer. He had simply been momentarily lost in thought, overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity of the situation. Having never experienced romance or imagined marriage, he had grown up envying other families from afar. Now, was he about to have a family of his own?
The unfamiliarity, the panic, the uncertainty—
His heart overflowed with a strange sensation. Could this be… happiness?
Su Tang was overwhelmed with surprise and delight. His hand, hanging at his side, curled inward, and he even felt a momentary urge to retreat. But before the thought could fully form, Luo Yuan’s warm palm enveloped his, meeting his gaze with deep, unwavering eyes that brooked no escape.
A sudden flame ignited in Su Tang’s heart, the warmth from Luo Yuan’s palm spreading through every limb and bone.
Without hesitation or fear, Su Tang threw himself into Luo Yuan’s arms and accepted his proposal.
The grand wedding followed naturally.
On their wedding night, Luo Yuan abandoned all restraint. Days of pent-up desire erupted in a torrent, and Su Tang personally confirmed that the “belly bulge” he’d once witnessed was indeed unbearable. Thoroughly exhausted, he tearfully begged for mercy. Though gentle by nature, Luo Yuan could become frighteningly intense at times, as if reason had abandoned him. In exasperation, Su Tang scratched at his back and bit his neck.
The next morning, Su Tang’s body ached so badly he couldn’t get out of bed, too sore to even move. Luo Yuan carried him to the bathroom to help him wash up, allowing him to lazily play the “Salted Fish.” By evening, when Su Tang had recovered slightly, Luo Yuan resumed his passionate attentions.
Su Tang now fully understood the meaning of “sweet torment.” Eventually, he had to urge Luo Yuan to return to work.
Luo Yuan lazed around the house for days, still restless. He begged Su Tang to shrink himself down so he could carry him in his pocket to work.
Su Tang coldly refused.
In the end, Luo Yuan went to the office alone. Ding Rui, his university classmate and friend who had followed him to the new company, noticed the marks beneath Luo Yuan’s shirt collar and teased, “Looks like married life is treating you well. Didn’t they say marriage is the grave of love?”
Luo Yuan lifted his chin slightly and said nonchalantly, “You’re not married. You wouldn’t understand.”
What was with that arrogant, smug, and show-offy tone?
He just wanted to punch him.
After getting married, Luo Yuan and Su Tang became even more clingy, as if they couldn’t bear to be apart for a moment. Luo Yuan never stopped trying to trick Su Tang into shrinking himself. One time, Su Tang was half-asleep and groggily agreed. In the blink of an eye, Luo Yuan had tucked him into his shirt pocket.
When Su Tang woke up, he sat up, rubbed his eyes, and it took him a while to realize something was wrong. Why was everything around him so huge?
At the office, Luo Yuan hesitated, wondering how to take Tangtang out without waking him. Just then, he noticed movement in his pocket. He extended his palm to the pocket’s edge and gently whispered, “Tangtang, do you want to come out?”
Now Su Tang understood perfectly: Luo Yuan had secretly brought him to work in his pocket.
Su Tang glared at Luo Yuan before nimbly leaping into his palm. His tiny hand gripped Luo Yuan’s finger as he rode his “flying carpet” to the desk. He sat there lazily, feeling inexplicably like a miniature figurine.
Luo Yuan, the renowned workaholic, had completely abandoned his reputation. What was work compared to this? He could watch Tangtang sit motionless all day without a hint of boredom.
Moreover, worried that Su Tang might get bored due to his small size, Luo Yuan had prepared a special surprise.
He pulled a miniature villa from the cabinet and placed it on the adjacent table. It was an exquisitely detailed dollhouse, likely custom-made, with fully functional furnishings.
Luo Yuan opened the villa to show Su Tang inside: a plush double bed, a wardrobe overflowing with tiny outfits, a kitchen with a refrigerator stocked with miniature sodas and ice cream, and even a working grand piano in the living room corner. While a TV and computer weren’t possible, Luo Yuan could insert his phone to create an instant private cinema screen. Outside, a miniature swimming pool filled with water awaited, and Luo Yuan eagerly offered a tiny swimsuit, clearly hoping Su Tang would take a dip.
Su Tang: “……”
Su Tang couldn’t help but complain to the System again, “The villain is a total pervert!”
The System remained silent, likely stunned by Luo Yuan’s actions and unsure how to respond.
Under Luo Yuan’s intense gaze, Su Tang entered the dollhouse villa. Of course, he had no intention of swimming; he was simply curious about the miniature structure.
After a quick tour, Su Tang skillfully grabbed an ice-cold cola and several snacks. He flopped back into an egg-shaped hanging chair, swaying gently with his short legs dangling in the air, kicking idly.
After lounging like a salted fish for a while, Su Tang looked up and noticed Luo Yuan wasn’t working properly but was secretly watching him. He hopped out of the chair, scampered downstairs, and grabbed the edges of the split-open villa. With a grunt, he dragged the two halves together, sealing it shut to block Luo Yuan’s view.
Luo Yuan’s face immediately fell with disappointment.
Tangtang’s yawn earlier was so adorable.
Now I can’t see anymore.
Still, his pouty expression is just as cute.
Luo Yuan’s mood fluctuated wildly. In the end, he buried himself in work, thinking that if he finished quickly, he could play with Tangtang—cough, no, that wasn’t right… he meant spend time with Tangtang.
The villa was perfect in every way, except for the lack of entertainment. Su Tang’s phone addiction had resurfaced, but when he glanced out the window and saw the swimming pool in the courtyard, an idea sparked. He dashed to the closet for his swimsuit, changed in the bathroom, and hurried downstairs to jump into the pool, splashing around.
Luo Yuan heard the water sounds and turned to look.
Su Tang lay sprawled at the pool’s edge, his wide cat-like eyes glaring fiercely. “Get back to work! Don’t you dare look at me!”
Luo Yuan pretended to lower his head to work, but his eyes kept darting sideways to steal glances at Su Tang.
In the small pool, Su Tang moved like a beautiful merman, his body swaying gracefully. His arms sliced through the water, and his long, pale legs kicked lazily, sending ripples spreading across the surface. His damp curls drooped softly over his forehead and cheeks, and his round, wet eyes sparkled with bright, fractured light.
Seeing how much Su Tang enjoyed the house he had prepared, Luo Yuan couldn’t help but press his lips together, a faint smile tugging at the corners.
Su Tang luxuriated in the water, drifting lazily. As his lunch break neared its end, he swam to the pool’s edge, gripped the railing, and slowly climbed out. The moment he stepped onto dry land, water droplets cascaded down his collarbones, shimmering like pearls.
At that moment, Luo Yuan finished writing, set down his documents, and turned to Su Tang with a curious smile. “Tangtang, are you going to change? Which outfit do you want to wear?”
The villa’s bedroom featured a walk-in closet overflowing with clothes.
Su Tang looked up, met Luo Yuan’s gaze, and froze. A chill ran down his spine as a sudden, uneasy premonition washed over him.
Sure enough, the next moment arrived.
Luo Yuan began holding up various outfits against Su Tang, his hands itching to help him change.
Su Tang, wary, turned to flee, but his short legs were no match for Luo Yuan’s towering frame. He was swiftly caught and subjected to a series of costume changes: a baby dinosaur, a European count, Hanfu, a magician, and more.
Su Tang stared blankly, resigned to his fate, as he helplessly watched himself become the star of a real-life dress-up game.
After several outfit changes, Su Tang couldn’t help but ask, “Are you a doll fanatic?”
The moment the words left his mouth, the air froze.
Luo Yuan’s face stiffened, a subtle expression he couldn’t quite define. He immediately retorted, “I’m not.”
Su Tang looked skeptical. He raised his hands, wiggled his legs to show off the doll clothes he was wearing, and then pointed to the luxurious dollhouse mansion behind him, silently asking, “Then what are all these?”
Luo Yuan narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger in his gaze. He poked Su Tang’s cheek. “I prepared these because Tangtang is cute. If you don’t want them, and you run out of clothes, I don’t mind making you a dress out of tissues. Just be careful—it’ll dissolve in water.”
Su Tang remained silent for a long moment before his face flushed crimson with anger. “Pervert!”
Luo Yuan chuckled. “So, do you still want these?”
Su Tang huffed indignantly. “…Yes!”
When lunchtime arrived, the hotel delivered their meal as usual, and they ate in the office.
Luo Yuan took out the miniature dishes and laid a silk handkerchief on the desk, arranging them on top. It almost felt like a picnic.
Luo Yuan always displayed astonishing patience when caring for Su Tang. He meticulously chopped the food into tiny pieces and placed them in Su Tang’s small bowl, making it easier for him to eat.
But Su Tang still felt a lingering resentment, eager to retaliate and make Luo Yuan choke for once. He glanced at his dainty little plate, then at Luo Yuan’s overwhelmingly large portion, huffed loudly, and scurried over on his stubby legs. He hugged the massive plate and declared, “This is mine! You eat that one!”
Luo Yuan froze, staring at the tiny bowl on the napkin—no bigger than his fingertip. He could probably eat a thousand bowls and still be hungry.
Su Tang ignored him, plopped down, and began devouring his enormous feast with gusto. However, each bite he took was so small it was almost negligible.
Luo Yuan watched him, then looked at the tiny spoon in his hand. It was the largest spoon in the dollhouse set, yet smaller than the spoon that came with a Planet Cup. He picked up the tiny bowl, scooped up a spoonful of meat, and popped it into his mouth. The stark contrast between his towering frame and the miniature cutlery was comical, like a burly man hunched over on a pink plastic stool, sipping tea with a Barbie doll—both hilarious and pitiful.
When Su Tang turned and saw this scene, he burst out laughing, his earlier resentment instantly vanishing. After his laughter subsided, he pounded on the table, urging Luo Yuan to come and join him.
In the end, they ate together. When Su Tang couldn’t bite off any meat, Luo Yuan cut it into small pieces and fed him. Su Tang didn’t stand on ceremony, opening his mouth wide to gobble it down. However, in his miniature palm-sized form, Su Tang’s appetite was tiny. He was full with a round belly after only a few bites.
Su Tang patted his stomach and sighed, “This form is so efficient with food. I should transform more often.”
Luo Yuan adored Su Tang’s miniature form, but during meals, he still preferred Su Tang’s normal size. That way, he could feed him more and prolong their mealtime.
After finishing his meal, Luo Yuan inadvertently lost himself in gazing at Su Tang.
Noticing this, Su Tang suddenly became wary, his cat-like eyes widening. “You’re not still hungry, are you? Why are you looking at me like you want to eat me?”
The intensity of Luo Yuan’s gaze reminded Su Tang of the time he had emerged from the phone and nearly been devoured by Luo Yuan on the cookie plate.
Luo Yuan chuckled. “What nonsense are you imagining?”
Su Tang retorted, “No, you have a history!”
Luo Yuan looked puzzled.
Su Tang then recounted the cookie plate incident.
Luo Yuan’s face filled with regret. “How could I not see you back then?”
Su Tang replied, “If you had seen me in this tiny form from the start, you might have had a hard time accepting it. Isn’t this better?”
Luo Yuan stared intently at Su Tang and said earnestly, “I wanted to see you sooner so we could be together sooner.”
Su Tang froze, his ears quietly flushing red. He awkwardly turned his head away, pretending not to hear, and only murmured a response after a few seconds.
“…Mm.”
After that, Su Tang frequently switched between his miniature palm-sized form and his normal size.
Luo Yuan wanted to arrange a personal assistant job for Su Tang, letting him do whatever he pleased, as long as he remained within Luo Yuan’s sight.
But Su Tang didn’t like that kind of work.
Luo Yuan asked what he wanted to do, implying he could make anything happen—or, if Su Tang preferred, he could stay home forever and be taken care of.
Previously, Su Tang had only looked at salaries when job hunting. Now that he had a choice, he wanted a job he enjoyed.
Eventually, he found it.
After playing games with the System so much, his skills skyrocketed. A renowned esports club scouted him, and he became a professional gamer. He joined a team, trained with them, competed in tournaments, and even won the World Championship Finals with his teammates!
The crowd erupted in deafening cheers, the arena boiling with excitement.
Su Tang and his teammates embraced, their eyes red-rimmed with emotion.
They had won, bringing glory to their country.
After receiving the award, Su Tang immediately threw himself into Luo Yuan’s arms, tilting his head back, his eyes shining. “We won!”
Luo Yuan, unable to hide his pride, replied, “Yes, Tangtang, you were amazing.”
The news spread like wildfire across the country, trending on social media and electrifying the nation. Young people in particular were bursting with patriotic fervor.
Chen Yingying saw the news too. After her initial shock, she let out a wild laugh.
Back when Luo Chen was facing criminal charges, attempted kidnapping wasn’t the only crime he was accused of. Luo Yuan, furious at Luo Chen’s attempt to harm Su Tang, had assembled a team of top-tier lawyers to ensure Luo Chen received the maximum possible sentence—the punishment he deserved.
Luo Yuan’s people had approached Chen Yingying, urging her to provide evidence of Luo Chen’s crimes, including trespassing and unlawful imprisonment. Her testimony helped secure Luo Chen’s conviction, finally freeing her from that madman’s clutches. This ordeal had led her to a sudden realization: she was done pretending.
To hell with being pitiful and weak, she resolved. I’m going to be myself.
She threw caution to the wind, embracing her true nature and adopting the persona of a fiery older sister. Her emotions were clear-cut, and she refused to bottle up any grievances, venting them immediately. This new way of living brought her genuine joy. Though some former acquaintances branded her a “crazy bitch” or “green tea,” she couldn’t care less, firing back with sharp retorts and refusing to let anyone push her around.
After realizing she wasn’t suited for the finance industry, Chen Yingying impulsively pursued her passion and started a band. To her surprise, she became a successful lead singer, known for her sweet yet cool style and a loyal fan base.
Eight years later, Luo Chen was released from prison and ambushed her, ranting like a madman with a twisted face. “This shouldn’t be happening!” he roared. “You’re my woman! Luo Yuan should have died long ago! Why is he still alive? Why have I become like this? This is all a lie! All of it!”
His grotesque display terrified everyone, including Chen Yingying, who assumed he was a mentally ill patient having an episode. When he tried to harm her, the band members and fans erupted in fury, swarming him with punches. Security guards eventually managed to rescue him, but Luo Chen was left bruised, battered, and utterly humiliated, a far cry from the domineering CEO he once was.
Afterward, Luo Chen was taken away, and Chen Yingying never saw him again. She heard his father had committed him to a mental institution. Initially, his mother visited him, but her visits grew less frequent until she seemed to have given up on him entirely. Abandoned and unsupervised, he descended into permanent madness.
Chen Yingying felt a pang of wistfulness upon hearing this, but no sympathy.
She never married. Sometimes, watching other couples in love, the thought would cross her mind. But then she’d remember Luo Chen and decide against it. It was as if the heartbreak from a past life had left a lingering shadow.
Now, she leaned against her favorite young boyfriend, sipping wine. The “little wolfdog” was handsome, with a sculpted eight-pack, and adorably obedient—a far cry from Luo Chen. She spent her days meeting girlfriends for afternoon tea, shopping trips, spa days, and leisurely vacations, living a carefree and enviable life.
In her forties, at a charity gala, she spotted Luo Yuan and Su Tang. Time seemed to have favored them, leaving few traces on their still-strikingly handsome faces. The beautiful young man who had once left such a deep impression on her still possessed the same clear, innocent eyes, radiating the warmth of a life well-loved.
Their “wedding of the century” had captivated the nation, sparking envy in countless hearts.
Even more remarkable was that their love hadn’t faded with the passing years, nor succumbed to the “seven-year itch.” Instead, it had grown deeper and richer, an enduring testament to their bond.
Even Chen Yingying, a staunch advocate of lifelong singlehood, couldn’t help but believe in the existence of true love when she saw them.
The moment Su Tang accepted Luo Yuan’s marriage proposal, the System notified him that his mission completion rate had reached 99%.
Su Tang’s heart tightened. “What happens when it hits 100%? Do I have to leave this world?”
The System replied, “No, Host. You have complete freedom. You can choose to depart immediately or remain in this world until the end of your life. The decision is entirely yours.”
Later, that 99% never changed, remaining constant throughout their lives. As Luo Yuan grew old and frail, Su Tang held his hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.
Lying in bed, Luo Yuan smiled faintly, as if his youthful vigor had returned. His eyes locked onto Su Tang, filled with tender yet possessive intensity, as if trying to etch Su Tang’s image into his mind so he could find him in the next life, no matter where he was.
When Luo Yuan closed his eyes, the System announced, “Mission completion rate 100%. You may proceed to the next world.”
Su Tang’s soul detached from his body, floating upward. He gazed down at their intertwined hands, feeling utterly empty.
Darkness enveloped him, his consciousness fading as he was pulled into an endless, swirling vortex.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Tang transmigrated again, regaining his physical senses. The first thing he felt was his hands and feet being pinned down as someone forcibly poured a bitter, foul-tasting medicine down his throat. His struggles were futile, and he choked on the liquid, coughing violently.
Barely moments after transmigrating, Su Tang nearly choked to death on the medicinal brew.
He managed to pry his eyes open a crack, catching only blurry figures in strange, ancient-style clothing reminiscent of historical dramas. A harsh voice barked, “Keep pouring! Madam’s orders—he must drink every last drop, or it’s useless.”
Suspecting they were poisoning him, Su Tang’s survival instinct surged. He lashed out with a sudden kick, sending the speaker flying with a pig-like squeal.
The servants surrounding the bed froze, stunned by the eldest illegitimate son’s unexpected strength. After a moment of shock, they resumed their task, pinning him down more cautiously, fearing they might be the next to be kicked.
Weakened by the medicine, Su Tang’s burst of strength had been fleeting. He was now powerless.
After forcing the medicine down Su Tang’s throat, the servants turned to leave. One of them, still seething from Su Tang’s kick, lingered, eager to torment him further. But his companion tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “The Sixth Young Master is being sent to the palace tomorrow. If he has any injuries, we’ll all be in trouble.”
The man hesitated, his anger warring with caution. “Sixth Young Master?” he spat venomously. “He’s beneath even us servants. Madam tacitly approves of us taking his food rations. No one in the Marquis’s Estate cares about him. Now that the Tyrant in the palace needs a Medicinal Human, they’re pushing him forward again. His life is worth less than ours. How could he survive before such a tyrant? I almost pity him.”
His companion pulled him away. “Enough. He’s unconscious. He can’t hear you anyway. This place reeks of medicine. I can’t stand it, let alone you.”
With disgusted retches, they hurried out and locked the door from the outside, as if to prevent Su Tang’s escape.
Su Tang didn’t know what the medicine contained, but it didn’t feel lethal. His mouth tasted bitter, and his body was drained of strength. Opening his eyes, he saw a worn bed canopy above him, and crude furniture nearby, radiating a faint musty odor.
He collapsed onto the hard bed, sighing, “Tongtong, I’m so miserable.”
Su Tang desperately missed the soft, luxurious bed from his previous world, the delicious food, the endless entertainment, and most importantly, Luo Yuan.
Having lived a full life in that world, Su Tang felt content. He truly wished he could have died there with Luo Yuan.
As if sensing his thoughts, the System spoke up, “Host, how can you be so sure he won’t appear again?”
Su Tang froze, then his heart surged with hope, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “What do you mean? Is he in this world too?”
The System remained enigmatic. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
The anxiety and frustration of transmigrating to another unfamiliar world faded. Knowing that someone he longed to see might be here, Su Tang’s spirits lifted. He began reviewing the world information the System had transmitted.
This time, it was an ancient historical novel.
The Main Protagonist Gong was a dashing and carefree prince, born from a drunken encounter between the Late Emperor and a palace maid. As an illegitimate son with low status, he had endured years of humiliation, feigning foolishness and weakness to survive the brutal succession struggle. While pretending to be obsessed with pleasure and ignorant of state affairs, he secretly plotted to overthrow the Tyrant and seize the throne.
The villain of this world was none other than the Tyrant himself, a man of brutal temperament, unpredictable moods, and insatiable bloodlust, akin to a demon from the depths of hell. Anyone who dared to displease him would meet a bloody end on the spot. One might wonder how such a prince could ascend the throne, but the answer was simple: all other contenders had perished in the power struggles, leaving only him and the Main Protagonist Gong.
The Firstborn Prince, though possessing the talent to govern, was cursed with a violent nature and a maternal grandfather who served as Prime Minister.
The Illegitimate Prince, a timid and cowardly fool with no political backing whatsoever.
The choice of who deserved the throne was glaringly obvious.
Yet the Tyrant’s fits of rage and bloodlust weren’t entirely hopeless. They stemmed from a poison administered to his mother during pregnancy, leaving him with a chronic headache. When the pain struck, his eyes would turn crimson, and he would be driven to kill, finding temporary relief only through bloodshed. Thus, the Imperial Physicians of the Imperial Hospital devoted themselves to curing the emperor’s affliction.
Finally, Imperial Physician Zhang proposed a radical new treatment: human medicine. They would seek out individuals born on the most inauspicious day of the most inauspicious month of the most inauspicious year, have them consume medicinal herbs and bathe in medicated waters, then unite with the emperor.
Su Tang stared in disbelief. This is even possible? What’s the principle behind it? Is this some kind of scam?
No matter how incomprehensible Su Tang found it, the plot was set in stone. He had transmigrated into the body of the An Yuan Marquis Estate’s unfavored eldest illegitimate son, destined to be sent to the palace as a medicinal sacrifice. The Imperial Hospital’s original choice had been the eldest legitimate son of the estate, Su Anjing, the main protagonist shou. But how could Su Anjing willingly go to his death? He had his heart set on Prince Jin, the main protagonist gong.
Remembering that the estate also had an eldest illegitimate son born on the same day as the eldest legitimate son, they immediately used their connections to swap Su Tang for Su Anjing. They forcibly drugged Su Tang and sent him to the palace.
As an insignificant cannon fodder character, Su Tang met a tragic end in the palace. The Tyrant’s excessive bloodshed, coupled with the Prime Minister’s conversion under Prince Jin’s charismatic influence, led to Prince Jin abandoning his pretense of humility. He revealed his true power and successfully ascended the throne. The eldest legitimate son of the Marquis’s Estate, who had already married Prince Jin, also entered the palace as the Empress, completing the grand happy ending.
After reviewing the plot, Su Tang felt utterly despairing. “Tongtong, I’m about to die. How do you expect me to complete any missions?”
The System replied with unwavering certainty, “Host, there’s no need to worry. He won’t harm you.”
Su Tang scoffed, “Bullshit! He’s mentally ill—can you reason with a madman? No way! I might as well just lie here and wait to die.”
If those bastards hadn’t drugged him again, leaving him too weak to move, he would have escaped already.
Su Tang sighed despondently, utterly devoid of hope. Then, he—
fell asleep.
Since there was nothing else he could do, he might as well rest properly. One of the Salted Fish’s guiding principles was: Wherever you fall, take a nap right there.
His sleep was so sound that the next day, when they changed his clothes and carried him into the sedan chair, he remained half-asleep and dazed. This made the household staff, who were on high alert for his escape, extremely nervous. How could he be so calm? Was he plotting something big? They trembled in fear for hours, only to discover that Su Tang was genuinely just sleeping.
It was utterly surreal.
As the sedan chair was carried away, someone whispered, “Sixth Young Master is too carefree. He’s going to serve that Tyrant in the palace—his life could end at any moment! Is he an idiot?”
The person beside him snapped, “Watch your tongue! If someone with ears hears you talking about His Majesty like that, you’ll lose your dog life!”
“I’m just venting here. I’d never say this outside.”
“You’d better be right. To be honest, the Sixth Young Master might actually live longer this way. But who can fathom the mind of the one in the palace?”
Su Tang swayed in the sedan chair for quite some time, eventually waking up feeling uncomfortable. After gradually adjusting, he began to feel like he was lounging in an old man’s chair, basking in the sun and enjoying his retirement. Before long, he drifted back to sleep.
He slept like a log.
When the sedan chair arrived at the palace hall, it came to a stop. The eunuch waiting to greet him grew curious when no one emerged after a while. Hesitantly, he called out twice, but received no response. His face paled instantly. He rushed forward and lifted the curtain, only to find Su Tang slumped against the wall of the sedan chair, his face ashen, eyes closed, and completely motionless.
The eunuch panicked. Could Su Tang have refused to enter the palace and taken his own life?
Even if the Emperor rejected the Medicinal Human, their own lives would be forfeit if Su Tang died. Terrified, the eunuch let out a shrill cry of alarm and scurried to the Imperial Hospital to fetch a physician.
The palace attendants huddled anxiously around the sedan chair, afraid to approach or move rashly, lest they be blamed if something went wrong. Each of them was as cautious and fearful as if facing a formidable enemy.
Inside the sedan chair, Su Tang remained blissfully unaware of the commotion, still sound asleep. He even smacked his lips in his dream, as if savoring something delicious.
Before long, an imperial physician arrived.
Normally, imperial physicians wouldn’t attend to non-royalty or high-ranking officials. The Imperial Hospital had a strict hierarchy, with only fifteen first-class physicians earning the title of “Imperial Physician.” Recently, the Tyrant had even ordered two of them executed. For someone like the eldest illegitimate son of the Marquis’s Estate, a mere medical officer would have been sufficient.
But Su Tang was now the key ingredient in the Emperor’s treatment. His status and importance had changed dramatically. If he died, wouldn’t all the meticulously prepared medicinal soups and baths be wasted?
Imperial Physician Zhang thought of the old director’s painstaking efforts. Now that this unexpected complication had arisen, he wondered what to do next. Should they find a replacement? If only they had brought Su Tang into the palace earlier and kept a close watch on him. This whole situation was truly a tragedy. If his own grandson, a promising young man, were to face such a fate…
The Imperial Physician sighed inwardly. In the time it took to lift the curtain, his mind had raced through countless thoughts. No wonder the Young Master’s hair was falling out so quickly.
But all his worries vanished into a complicated silence when he saw who was inside the sedan chair.
Overwhelmed by the sudden shift in his emotions, he didn’t immediately try to wake the Young Master. Instead, he backed out and turned to the Palace Attendants with a strange expression. “Who said he was dead?”
The Little Eunuch hurried to answer, “This servant saw the Young Master’s face was deathly pale and he wasn’t moving at all, so I…”
Imperial Physician Zhang’s beard twitched slightly. After a pause, he slowly said, “Don’t spread such nonsense in the future. The Young Master… is merely asleep.”
Hearing this, everyone was so shocked they couldn’t help but jerk their heads up.
…Asleep?!
How could that be possible?!
Everyone felt utterly incredulous. He was about to be sent to the Tyrant’s bedchamber, where his head could be lopped off at any moment. How could he possibly sleep soundly in such a perilous situation? Was he incredibly brave or utterly foolish?
Having grown accustomed to the swaying of the sedan chair, Su Tang was suddenly jolted awake by its abrupt stop and the commotion outside. He yawned, stretched languidly, and slowly stepped out of the chair.
His complexion was as white as snow, his raven hair flowed like silken ink, and the corners of his eyes were faintly flushed, shimmering with a hazy, languid light as if dusted with stardust. His features were sculpted by the heavens themselves, a clear testament to divine favor.
The palace attendants waiting outside were momentarily stunned, their minds echoing with a single phrase:
A peerless beauty of the mortal realm.
He seemed less like an ordinary person and more like an immortal descended from a celestial painting.
None of them had imagined the eldest illegitimate son of the Marquis’s Estate could possess such striking looks. Even seasoned palace attendants, accustomed to seeing countless beauties, found themselves momentarily mesmerized. It seemed a tragic waste that such a peerless beauty would be sacrificed as a medicinal offering to the Tyrant, only to be killed.
The palace attendants’ gazes toward Su Tang now carried a hint of pity and compassion.
Standing there, Su Tang remained somewhat dazed, not fully awake from his nap. When Su Tang regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by a crowd of people. He blinked, trying to wipe the lingering tears of sleep from the corners of his eyes.
The tears naturally rolled down his cheeks, carrying an indescribable, poignant beauty.
A beautiful man in tears.
Who could remain unmoved?
The palace attendants collectively gasped, their minds momentarily reeling. They eagerly swarmed around Su Tang, bowing respectfully as they ushered him into the hall.
It was still daytime, and the Emperor was occupied with state affairs, so he wouldn’t return to his chambers anytime soon.
Maids and eunuchs attended to Su Tang during his meal and bath.
As Su Tang wasn’t truly from this ancient era, he felt deeply uncomfortable with such intimate service. He dismissed the attendants and bathed alone.
But when he emerged, he found the clothes prepared for him were clearly intended for a night of intimacy—a flimsy, semi-transparent gauze robe that might as well have been lingerie. Su Tang stared at it in dismay for a long moment, then tried to call for other garments. However, behind the screen, the attendants knelt in trembling fear, begging for mercy. Su Tang had no choice.
They must have anticipated the Tyrant’s resistance, resorting to such extreme measures.
With a sigh, Su Tang draped the ornate, semi-transparent robe over himself and hurried to the bed. In a single, tiger-like leap, he dove beneath the embroidered silk covers, wrapping himself tightly within.
Translator’s Note:
I’ll update 3 chapters this time. Sorry for the late updates~
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