The Cold and Ruthless Supporting Male Lead

The air grew still, a silence stretching between them. Hai Ku hesitated, unsure of what to do next.

Jiang Wanyan’s eyes and nose were red from crying, her body weak and trembling. Her sobbing figure made Hai Ku feel deeply uncomfortable.

But here she was, right at his doorstep. If he sent her away now and she stubbornly stayed, tomorrow, he’d be the one facing a storm of gossip.

Not knowing how strong the protagonist’s aura was, Hai Ku didn’t dare make any rash moves.

Jiang Wanyan continued to cry for a long time, while Hai Ku just stood there, watching. Eventually, she looked up at him, her eyes filled with grievance. “Brother Zixiang, my head hurts. I think I might have a fever…”

Hai Ku: “…”

“Brother Zixiang, I’m really sorry for troubling you today…” More tears suddenly welled up and streamed down her face. Stumbling slightly, Jiang Wanyan gave Hai Ku one last glance. “You were right. I’m pregnant with Ouyang Ming’s child, so we can’t be together…”

A sharp pain stabbed Hai Ku’s heart. It felt strange and inexplicable, but then he realized it must be the original owner’s lingering emotions—pain from finally hearing the truth.

Jiang Wanyan had never given Lin Zixiang a clear answer, leaving him waiting. Waiting for the day she’d stop calling him “brother” and instead use a more intimate term.

But now, it was all for nothing. Tears welled up uncontrollably, and even Hai Ku found it hard to control his expression, feeling as if his body were acting on its own.

“Come in.” The hoarse, desolate tone startled Hai Ku. It took him a moment to realize it was Lin Zixiang’s voice. Just as he was cursing the situation, the body spoke again, “I’ll let you stay for 1 last night.”

Suddenly, the feeling of being controlled faded. Regaining control of his body, Hai Ku sensed that Lin Zixiang had completely given up.

The words he had just spoken must have been Lin Zixiang’s way of offering his final kindness to Jiang Wanyan.

“Brother Zixiang…” Jiang Wanyan had been ready to leave, but this unexpected turn made her hesitate. Yet, the last part of his sentence still filled her with fear.

Hai Ku’s face still bore Lin Zixiang’s leftover tears. To Jiang Wanyan, this was proof that he couldn’t bear to let her go.

Maybe I had been too heartless, she thought.

Given the original owner’s final request, Hai Ku had no reason to refuse. He grabbed her suitcase and, without looking back, said, “Come in. Don’t forget to close the door.”

Jiang Wanyan’s face lit up with joy. She hastily wiped away her tears and quickly followed him inside.

***

Hai Ku placed her luggage by the sofa and retreated to the bedroom. He remembered the first-aid kit was under the bed. Since he had already allowed her to stay, he might as well treat it as Lin Zixiang’s final night.

When Jiang Wanyan tried to follow him inside, Hai Ku’s cold voice stopped her. “Sit on the sofa. I’ll get you a thermometer.”

With a bang, the bedroom door shut. Jiang Wanyan felt a bit wronged but didn’t dare make a fuss. She obediently sat on the sofa.

Now that she was inside, Jiang Wanyan believed Lin Zixiang wouldn’t heartlessly throw her out again. He still had feelings for her; Otherwise, why would he have cried after hearing my words?

While Jiang Wanyan let her imagination run wild, Hai Ku returned with the first-aid kit.

He pulled out a thermometer and sat across from her. “Check your temperature yourself.”

Jiang Wanyan, slightly embarrassed, took the thermometer. As she waited, she couldn’t help but glance at Hai Ku.

Brother Zixiang seemed different than ever before. She had always thought Lin Zixiang was gentle and warm, like a jade in spring, making anyone feel comfortable just by being around him.

But now, Lin Zixiang sat across from her, expressionless, fiddling with his phone, showing no interest in her at all.

Feeling anxious, Jiang Wanyan wasn’t sure if discovering this side of him was a good or bad thing.

Hai Ku frowned. The page on his phone read ‘The Overbearing CEO’s Endless Love’, a novel he had started earlier that day. The story had only reached the part where the male and female leads met, but Hai Ku already sensed the imminent arrival of a disposable supporting male character.

“Ugh!”

Frustrated, he tossed the phone onto the sofa. His expression darkened. No matter the world, supporting male characters were always portrayed as fools.

In this world, Lin Zixiang was raising the male lead’s wife and child. The male character in the novel he’d just read was even worse—taking care of the female lead’s entire family!

He saved the file for a moment and Hai Ku felt that if he had the chance, he would definitely make some changes.

“B-Brother Zixiang…” Jiang Wanyan was startled, nervously taking out her thermometer.

But as soon as she glanced at the thermometer, her expression changed.

Hai Ku quickly grabbed the thermometer from her and examined it carefully for a while before letting out a sigh of relief. “36.8. No fever.”

Thankfully, the female lead didn’t have a fever. Otherwise, he might have had to take her to the hospital. It was good that she wasn’t sick; it saved him from having to take care of her.

“But my head hurts a little…” Seeing that he seemed relieved, Jiang Wanyan thought he was worried about her, and her heart was touched. Brother Zixiang truly cared for me, no matter the time…

“The rain outside might have made you catch a chill. Just rub some cooling oil on your forehead and rest. You’re pregnant, so taking medicine isn’t a good idea.” Hai Ku responded casually. It was already the biggest concession to let her stay. There was no way he was going to make her ginger tea or anything like that.

“Brother Zixiang…” Jiang Wanyan felt a little disappointed, but she quickly regained her composure. She was already here—didn’t she know how Brother Zixiang treated her?

Packing up the first-aid kit, Hai Ku took a thin old blanket from the cabinet and then walked out.

Jiang Wanyan, puzzled, took the blanket, and then heard Lin Zixiang’s voice. “The guest room hasn’t been prepared, and there’s nothing there. So, you’ll have to sleep on the sofa tonight. Leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Jiang Wanyan: “…”

Seeing her hesitant expression, Hai Ku raised an eyebrow, finding it amusing. “The only bed is in my bedroom. You don’t expect to sleep with me, do you?”

“No, no, that’s fine,” Jiang Wanyan muttered, her voice weak, her head lowered. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“Then it’s settled. I’m going to sleep now. You should rest early too. If your head hurts, you need to get more rest.” With a yawn, Hai Ku ignored the female lead and went into his bedroom, locking the door before going to bed.

***

Jiang Wanyan lay on the sofa feeling wronged. The sofa wasn’t small; her petite body allowed her to turn over comfortably, but she had also slept on Ouyang Ming’s sofa. Compared to that one, Lin Zixiang’s sofa seemed lacking.

And this room…

She touched her stomach, and a few more tears fell. She and Ouyang Ming only had a marriage on paper; that night was completely an accident.

But she was glad she hadn’t taken the contraceptive pills Ouyang Ming gave her. Otherwise, the little life inside her wouldn’t exist.

Imagining the little life growing slowly, eventually being born, then stumbling as it took its first steps and calling her “Mama,” Jiang Wanyan smiled.

Perhaps it would even look just like its father!

Thinking about that night and Ouyang Ming’s face, Jiang Wanyan couldn’t help but blush. She didn’t regret her choice; having such an extraordinary person as the father of her child was something she never regretted.

She even felt a little sweet inside. Jiang Wanyan had thought a lot over the past few nights.

She believed she would be a great mother, and her child would definitely be an exceptional little one. Such a cute child, Ouyang Ming would surely love him or her.