I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

Sure enough, when Qin Shidream entered and saw this scene, she was quite taken aback. Xiao Huan’s face was a mask of uncontainable surprise.

As long as the parties involved were not embarrassed, it was the onlookers who felt the awkwardness. Qin Shidream and Xiao Huan were indeed quite uncomfortable, having never encountered such a scene before, unsure of what to say. Staying was not an option, nor was leaving.

“Come on in, sit.” Ye Yong merely lifted his head to greet them before returning to his drawing.

He had anticipated this situation, even choosing the living room specifically to showcase it to Qin Shidream at the first opportunity. After all, he and Qin Shidream had not displayed any intimate gestures in front of others, but if she understood the situation and went to battle the faux Qiongqi herself, whether she performed well or received a reward would still be up to Ye Yong’s discretion. At that point, he could openly—no, rightfully—embrace the Empress Qin in front of Wu Xue and the others, helping them to get used to and accept one another in advance.

—

86 Never Been So Certain in This Life

Qin Shidream sat down beside them, glancing at the blushing Wu Xue and then at the focused Ye Yong, her curiosity piqued. However, she did not immediately inquire about what had transpired; instead, she prepared to eavesdrop: “Xiao Huan, the sequel to the comic you’ve been talking about is out.”

“Oh!” Xiao Huan snapped out of her shock, stepping aside to admire how Ye Yong effortlessly created a rich scene with just a few strokes. She thought Wu Xue must be the luckiest and happiest maid in the world, encountering a master like Ye Yong, flawless in every way, cradled in his arms, witnessing the entire process of comic creation, and being the first to see it. Yet, her own young lady treated her well too, so Xiao Huan did not feel overly envious.

“Last night, there was a thunderclap here, and this morning, brief clouds and lightning. Have you touched upon some kind of mystical path?” Qin Shidream began her probing.

—

Ye Yong shook his head in denial. To speak of poetry gaining the approval of the Heavenly Dao felt a bit boastful coming from his own lips. He countered with a question about the ominous clouds and lightning from the morning.

“You don’t know? Around eight o’clock, your side was clear and bright, then suddenly dark clouds gathered, fierce winds rose, and thunder cracked.”

“Didn’t notice at all; I was in the seclusion chamber.” Ye Yong pondered for a moment. Could it be that his boastful words about mastering the myriad realms to encourage Wu Xue and the others had displeased the Heavenly Dao, almost bringing down a thunderous punishment?

A chill ran through him. Indeed, in a fantastical world, one must be cautious with their words. Thankfully, no lightning had struck; otherwise, it would have validated that saying—boasting gets you struck by lightning.

“Did anything strange happen while you were in the seclusion chamber?” Qin Shidream continued her seemingly unrelated inquiries.

“No.” Ye Yong briefly mentioned his training, omitting any grand aspirations, dismissing the celestial phenomenon as merely a thunderstorm, even though it hadn’t rained at all.

Qin Shidream fell silent upon hearing this. Her curiosity wasn’t truly about whether Ye Yong had stirred the resonance of heaven and earth; she initially thought he had comprehended the Dao and was in high spirits, taking the time to paint. She hadn’t expected that it was actually Wu Xue and the others excelling in their special training, now enjoying their rewards.

Had she known, she would have come earlier to partake.

“I’ve fought against that evil spirit as well. Little Xue, for you to strike it as a martial artist in the Body Refinement stage is truly impressive.” Regardless, what was missed was missed. Qin Shidream understood the situation and knew she shouldn’t disturb the little maid enjoying her reward time. “I just came to understand the situation. Since the phenomenon was a coincidence, then it’s nothing. I’ll return to my training and come find you later.”

With that, Qin Shidream stood to leave. At that moment, Xiao Huan suddenly spoke up, “Young Master Ye, may I and the young lady try to battle the evil spirit?”

“Of course, no problem.” Ye Yong felt that Xiao Huan was quite perceptive, understanding that her young lady was too shy to ask, so she stepped in to help.

“No need.” Qin Shidream shot a reproachful glance at Xiao Huan and waved her hand at Ye Yong. “I—I suddenly feel that my understanding of sword intent has deepened a bit. I urgently need to go back and contemplate.”

Ah, a woman not skilled in deceit.

Ye Yong knew that Qin Shidream was thinking of Wu Xue, a good omen for harmony in the harem. He said, “I am indeed a bit busy today. How about tomorrow? You can also try out the new sword intent you’ve grasped.”

“Um…” Qin Shidream hesitated for a moment, then slightly bowed her head in agreement. “Alright, I’ll trouble you then.”

After Qin Shidream left with Xiao Huan, Wu Xue puffed out her cheeks and muttered, “Sister Shidream has fought against the evil spirit; why didn’t the Young Master mention it?”

“When I first encountered the evil spirit, I tested its abilities. It wasn’t anything worth mentioning.”

“So the reward Sister Shidream received wasn’t worth mentioning either?”

“Not at all.” Ye Yong tapped her on the head. “I hoped you all would be more proactive, which is why I set it up. But you’ve reminded me; I should give Shidream a reward tomorrow as well.”

“Hmm…” Wu Xue genuinely thought she had inadvertently ‘reminded’ Ye Yong, and her mood instantly sank. It wasn’t jealousy; she simply thought Qin Shidream was perfect. When the Young Master gave rewards, comparing the two of them… Her hands instinctively crossed over her chest; Wu Xue had no confidence at all.

Yeyong noticed her small actions and couldn’t help but steal a smile.

Little cutie, you lost in more ways than just chest size.

——

When Huā Cóng Yān woke up, it was already afternoon. Her spiritual energy was full, but due to excessive consumption of her divine soul, her head still felt a bit dizzy.

What was that white flame, anyway? Huā Cóng Yān wasn’t clear, and even now, she felt very unfamiliar with it, unable to understand how it could appear…

Not thinking about it anymore, Huā Cóng Yān got up, stretched, and shook her soft, white fur. She jumped off the bed, planning to ask her master about the reward.

However, as soon as she left the living room, she saw Yeyong hugging Ōu Xuě, feeding her afternoon tea and pastries. Her mood instantly collapsed: “Master! How could you announce the results while I was unconscious? I don’t accept it!”

The little fox thought that only Ōu Xuě had received the reward. Although she hadn’t done much when facing the fake poor demon, and it was Ōu Xuě and Xià Shī Jiā who had taken the hits, Huā Cóng Yān believed that Xià Shī Jiā was the one who had performed the best. When she and Ōu Xuě were in trouble, Xià Shī Jiā had stepped forward, fearless of the fake poor demon’s concentrated attacks.

“Are you sure you don’t accept it?” Ōu Xuě’s reward time had already passed halfway, and she was reluctant to let it go. Seeing the confused little fox coming at her with a fierce attitude, she suddenly wanted to tease her.

“No! I don’t accept this result! Shī Jiā mom should be the one to receive the reward!”

“I’m asking again, are you sure?”

“I’ve never been so sure in my life!”

“Since that’s the case, young master, I suggest giving the remaining reward to Xià Shī Jiā.”

“You have a conscience!” Huā Cóng Yān felt a bit better, thinking that if only one person could receive the master’s reward, it should be Xià Shī Jiā.