### Chapter 13: Qin Hongye
After all, it’s Huang Aotian! In the original plot, she’s the one who would easily take out Yun Zhonghe. So yeah, he was feeling a bit stony-brained right now.
On the other hand, it’s harmless characters like Tao Jiu’er who really get his juices flowing!
Of course, he wouldn’t dare to voice his feelings in front of Tao Jiu’er. Just then, he spotted a bright red figure flit by outside the window.
The newcomer was clad in fiery red robes, and the way those robes fluttered about looked like a rose dancing in the breeze, leaving a trail of beautiful, dripping roses behind on the ground.
Even though he only caught a glimpse of half her face, she looked stunning, with eyes full of fiery spirit.
Ah, a beautiful fairy maiden!
This character didn’t look familiar; she wasn’t part of the main cast, so she had to be another harmless character.
“At least she fits my preferences,” Yun Zhonghe smirked, nudging Tao Jiu’er to take a look down.
But, alas, disappointment struck when Tao Jiu’er, not finding the answers she sought, seemed to mentally slap Yun Zhonghe, glaring at him as if to say, “You idiot!” When she looked, though, she spotted a figure that looked like the Plague God.
“Ah, she is…”
Tao Jiu’er was at a loss for words.
Who was it?
Yun Zhonghe was curious too.
“Yun Zhonghe! I see you up there! Get down here right now!”
The fiery girl had caught sight of Yun Zhonghe, and upon locking eyes, she widened her eyes, unsheathed her sword, and started swinging it around dramatically.
Tao Jiu’er couldn’t help but facepalm, shaking her head at her Young Master’s antics—it wasn’t the first time he’d done something foolish.
“Young Master, don’t you remember? That’s Master Li’s daughter, Qin Hongye.”
Qin Hongye? That name sounded familiar.
Suddenly, it clicked! Qin Hongye was Master Li and the Xuantian Sect Master’s daughter, one of the early-game cannon fodder, a spoiled girl, and also one of Mu Jixue’s admirers.
This Qin Hongye didn’t have much in-game description—she didn’t even have character art! No wonder Yun Zhonghe hadn’t recognized her at first. But her look was spot on with the vague descriptions he remembered.
She adored wearing red, and her hair was half red and half white. Plus, she was one of Huang Aotian’s devoted fans. However, her spoiled and competitive nature, always causing trouble for the female leads, led to players labeling her as cannon fodder later on.
With this memory, Yun Zhonghe felt an odd kinship with Qin Hongye.
So, you’re cannon fodder too!
Yun Zhonghe felt like he finally found a kindred spirit.
To him, as long as you weren’t part of the main cast, everything was fair game.
But why did it seem like Qin Hongye had a serious vendetta against him? Were their families not on good terms? Just the other day, he had delivered gifts to her mother!
“Young Master, Miss Qin is notoriously headstrong, and her background is solid. You best tread lightly.” Tao Jiu’er warned him.
“Don’t worry, Jiu’er, I got this.”
What could Yun Zhonghe do? After all, she was his half-sister in spirit! They might as well end up in the same disastrous fate together—closer than blood relations.
He walked down from upstairs and approached respectfully, “Miss Qin, may I ask what brings you here?”
Although Qin Hongye was Master Li’s daughter, she spent most of her time practicing and living in the Xuantian Sect, so they hadn’t crossed paths much before.
Qin Hongye appraised Yun Zhonghe from head to toe, then made a derisive grunt, “I don’t care what your intentions are today, but I warn you, don’t harbor any improper thoughts about Mu Jixue!”
Qin Hongye said angrily.
Mu Jixue? Improper thoughts?
Yun Zhonghe was a bit confused but then realized it in an instant.
“Miss Qin, you’ve got it all wrong. How could I have any improper thoughts about Mu Girl?”
I merely want to be her great buddy—that’s not “improper,” is it?
But clearly, Qin Hongye didn’t buy Yun Zhonghe’s words. She lifted her sword, pointing it accusatorily at his nose, “Hmph! Everyone who meets Mu Jixue is captivated by her charm. I’ve seen plenty of two-faced people like you who secretly plot behind her back, scheming about how to win her affection…”
As she spoke, something seemed to hit her in the brain, and blood started flowing from her nose.
Quickly dabbing at her nosebleed, she indignantly added, “I know you! You’re the notorious waste of Cangzhou City! There’s no way you’re genuinely helping out—you’re just trying to gain Mu Jixue’s favor. Don’t think I don’t see through you!”
Yun Zhonghe was speechless. Sure enough, every female character in the game seemed to go mad over Huang Aotian.
But Qin Hongye did have a point—he did want to build some connections, but it wasn’t as extreme as she made it out to be!
“Miss Qin, you’ve really misunderstood me. In my eyes, Mu Jixue’s charm doesn’t even compare to a fraction of yours. If I were to have feelings for someone, it would certainly be for you. Besides, I’m not really into younger girls; you fit my preferences much better.”
The second Qin Hongye heard Yun Zhonghe say Mu Jixue’s charm didn’t come close to her own, her jaw dropped. Her eyes went wide in shock.
Then, when she heard Yun Zhonghe declare that he had feelings for her, her sword practically went limp and fell.
Feelings for Miss Qin! Feelings for Miss Qin! Feelings for Miss Qin! Feelings for Miss Qin…
Nobody had ever said something like this to her before!
Just a moment ago, she had only wanted to scold Yun Zhonghe and warn him to keep his hands off Mu Jixue, but now her mind was solely focused on his words.
Coming back to reality, she felt a rush of heat climb from her neck to her entire face, turning bright red like her namesake.
“You… you you you! Absurd! Unbelievable!”
And then, she made a hasty retreat.
Yep, she bolted, as if there were a pack of ferocious beasts chasing her, disappearing in a matter of seconds.
Nearby, many onlookers were craning their necks.
“Whoa? She just left like that?”
Yun Zhonghe scratched his head in confusion.
He was just as lost as Qin Hongye: What on earth was she even doing? Throwing threats around?
Just then, Tao Jiu’er approached from behind, her expression dripping with disdain as she shot Yun Zhonghe a glare. “Young Master, how can you say such things to a girl so casually?”
Yun Zhonghe frowned. “I was just defending myself! She insisted I had feelings for Mu Jixue, and I was merely stating the truth, letting her know the reality—she’s the one who is more suitable.”
Who would dare mess with Huang Aotian? Of course, it was safer to stick with fellow cannon fodder.
Tao Jiu’er was speechless, unsure if she should label Yun Zhonghe as a clueless dolt or just naturally dense.
“Well, it seems like you’re lucky, Young Master. The last person Qin Hongye picked a fight with ended up on the arena. If they weren’t left with a few holes poked into them, they didn’t get off easy.”
Tao Jiu’er recalled the rumors, a chill running down her spine. “She must’ve wanted to come and beat you up just now.”
Yun Zhonghe thought back to her crimson face and murmured, “Honestly, I think she’s kinda cute.”
Tao Jiu’er: “……”
