Chapter 14#
World 1: The Tragic Supporting Male Lead Changes the Script Online#
Qin Qing clicked the switch of the black gold lighter intermittently, and the hideous leopard head spewed out a pale blue flame from time to time.
“Yes, my target is Cang Ming.” He silently repeated 996’s words in his heart.
996 scratched Qin Qing’s heel with its paw: “Then why are you hitting on Xu Yizhi?”
After asking, 996 suddenly realized: “Meow, I understand! Cang Ming is hard to approach, so you want to use Xu Yizhi as a springboard, right? This person looks very flirtatious, easy to hook at first glance!”
996 praised: “Qin Qing, you are so smart!”
Qin Qing was still playing with the lighter, his lowered eyes staring blankly at the flickering flame. The light in his pupils shattered and gathered, gathered and shattered, just like his heart at this moment.
Xu Yizhi’s eyes reflecting the warm sun became deep and cold at this moment. He frowned and took a hard drag on the cigarette, then exhaled the smoke towards the blue sky outside the window. What lingered around him was no longer the charm of being suave and elegant, but a strong and cold sense of oppression.
Qin Qing was immersed in his own thoughts, completely unaware of this oppression.
996, wagging its tail happily, suddenly froze in place, its fur slightly exploding.
Meow, why do I suddenly feel so cold! Is it because I’m too close to Cang Ming?
996 hurriedly stretched out its chubby paws and hugged one of Qin Qing’s legs.
Only then did Qin Qing come back to his senses and denied: “No, I didn’t use Xu Yizhi as a springboard. I approached him just because I wanted to.”
He lowered his head, letting 996 see the malicious smile on his face more clearly.
996 was stunned, “What are you talking about, meow?”
“I’m saying, I’m willing to approach him, willing to chat with him, and willing to tease him, making him look at me intently. Why must supporting roles be obsessed with the protagonist, and then sacrifice without complaint or regret? Why can the protagonist easily get everything, while the supporting role can only exit silently?”
Qin Qing’s smile became brighter and brighter, but a trace of madness flickered in his eyes.
996 slowly let go of the chubby paws holding Qin Qing’s trouser leg and asked carefully: “Qin Qing, what exactly are you talking about? I don’t understand?”
“Last time you asked me, if fate wants me to die, will I die. At that time, I said I was willing to comply with fate.” Qin Qing clicked the black gold lighter again and again, his voice gloomy: “But now, I changed my mind. Lord Divine Envoy, listen carefully.”
Xu Yizhi and Cang Ming were both listening intently at this moment. The exact same emotion appeared in their eyes for the first time, that was attracted interest.
The strong sense of oppression released by Xu Yizhi had long disappeared without a trace, turning back into that suave, gentle and elegant man.
Qin Qing looked straight at 996, hooked his lips and smiled: “Fate wants me to die, I insist on living. Fate wants me to suffer hardships, I insist on being glorious. I want to see if this destiny can be violated, and if it can be changed by human power.”
996 finally understood, so it showed an expression of disbelief: “You, you want to rebel?”
“Yes. The future me will go against Lord Divine Envoy, so please be prepared, my Lord.” Qin Qing said gently.
But 996 didn’t think this person was gentle at all. Damn it! Why did it think Qin Qing was fragile when they first met? This person is not fragile at all!
No no no, Qin Qing also has weaknesses!
996 immediately said: “You won’t go back to see the person you care about? You won’t ask if he loves you anymore?” This is Qin Qing’s heart demon!
Xu Yizhi’s eyes flickered slightly, and the smile on his lips faded unconsciously. Cang Ming took out another cigarette from the case and lit it with a platinum lighter.
Qin Qing shook his head, “Not going back.”
996 widened its eyes, “Didn’t you say as long as you can go back, you are willing to pay any price?”
Qin Qing said calmly: “There is no need anymore. I already know he doesn’t love me, and the question I want to ask is not the one you think.”
“Then what exactly do you want, meow?” 996’s head was about to explode.
“I want an answer.”
An answer to why he is never chosen, nor loved.
Qin Qing looked up at the boundless sky, suddenly smiled bleakly, “I have already got this answer from you.”
“What? When did I give you an answer?” 996 kept scratching its head with its chubby paws.
Meow the kitty, what words stimulated Qin Qing to make him suddenly rebel?
“I’m not rebelling, I just saw through the heart demon.” Qin Qing clicked the lighter intermittently, the miserable smile slowly faded, and there was a trace of tears at the corner of his eyes.
He turned to look at Xu Yizhi, silently saying in his heart: “Why can’t supporting roles be loved? He is so handsome, looks good when he smiles, and his voice is so pleasant. Chatting with him is relaxed and comfortable, and watching him smoke feels free and uninhibited. Spotting him at first glance, then couldn’t help approaching him, isn’t this a matter of course?”
Qin Qing’s deep eyes only accommodated the figure of Xu Yizhi alone. Cang Ming, standing nearby, so tall and imposing, seemed not to exist in his world.
Xu Yizhi turned sideways, standing face to face with Qin Qing, the upturned corners of his lips revealing a pleasant arc.
For the first time in his life, he was pleased, even if the other party didn’t realize he had pleased him at all.
Cang Ming frowned and smoked, his serious and cold face carrying a bit of unpredictability.
996 looked at Qin Qing dumbfounded, with an expression of seeing a ghost, “Qin Qing, you are really rebelling! The script asks you to hook up with Cang Ming, but you insist on hooking up with Xu Yizhi, right? If you don’t follow the plot, this world will loop constantly. Next time the world reboots, your soul will scatter!”
Qin Qing said indifferently: “Being able to fool fate before dying is my honor.”
996 pulled its two ears with its chubby paws, breaking down: “Meow meow meow, Qin Qing you are crazy! You dare to fight against the Heavenly Dao!”
“Heavens! Earth! Let a few thunderbolts strike this rebellious flower demon to death!”
996 stretched out two chubby paws to the sky, crying and shouting. But at this moment, a cigarette butt burning with a faint red flame fell on top of its head in a parabola.
Only a sizzling sound was heard, the flame scorched the fur on 996’s head, and the smell of burning permeated.
996 howled in pain, then arched its back, jumped high like a spring, and after landing, quickly darted to the farthest corner, hiding behind a potted plant, looking at Qin Qing’s direction fearfully through the gaps in the leaves.
The unextinguished cigarette butt rolled aside, a big foot stepped on it, gently crushing it, the leather shoe on the foot shiny and expensive.
Xu Yizhi stepped out the cigarette butt, and slowly exhaled the last puff of smoke onto Qin Qing’s face.
He opened his palm, his voice carrying a light smile: “Should return the lighter to me, right?”
Qin Qing looked at this man in surprise.
Did he throw that cigarette butt on purpose or unintentionally? This is an ordinary world, no gods, no demons, no devils, only mortals. Even the Divine Envoy 996 can only use some small spells, and has no power to shake anyone or anything.
Is it a coincidence?
Qin Qing returned the lighter. The black gold had absorbed his body temperature and was also infused with a lot of rich fragrance.
Xu Yizhi held this warm and fragrant lighter, hooked his thin lips and asked playfully: “You like playing with fire?”
Qin Qing was stunned by the question. The meaning of these words is…
Xu Yizhi laughed deeply and said: “It’s almost out of gas because of your playing.” He lit the lighter, and the pale blue flame was indeed a bit weaker than before.
Only then did Qin Qing react and apologized seriously: “Sorry, I’ll take it back and fill it with gas for you.”
“No need.” Xu Yizhi stuffed the lighter into his trouser pocket, leaned slightly closer to Qin Qing, and asked in a very magnetic voice: “Are you here for an interview?”
“Yes.” Qin Qing looked at the number tag pinned on his clothes.
“Lanyu’s threshold is very high—”
Xu Yizhi’s words were interrupted by the rapid sound of the door opening.
Qin Zishi, who suddenly broke into the smoking room, was stunned to see both President Cang and President Xu there. Finding Qin Qing almost sticking to President Xu, he hurriedly spoke: “Brother, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. Come here, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Qin Qing stood still.
Xu Yizhi straightened his slightly bent waist, his relaxed brows tightly knitted together, appearing very displeased.
Qin Zishi sensed this displeasure, glanced at President Cang also being there, and the feeling of uneasiness subsided a lot.
“Come with me, it’s inconvenient to talk here.” He waved to Qin Qing.
“Nothing inconvenient, just say it here.” Qin Qing still didn’t move.
Qin Zishi glanced at President Cang, had to walk into the smoking room, pretending to be helpless and said: “Brother, your interview qualification has been cancelled, go back.”
“Why?” Qin Qing raised his eyebrows.
“Because you didn’t meet our recruitment conditions. Your diploma is not enough, experience is not enough, and performance is not enough. President Cang looked at your application materials and personally rejected you. Brother, let’s go, I’ll send you back.”
Qin Zishi stepped forward to pull Qin Qing’s arm, his tone helpless, expression pitiful, and looked at Cang Ming pointedly.
Cang Ming, who was slowly smoking facing the blue sky outside the window, finally turned his head and looked straight into Qin Qing’s eyes. His gaze was sharp, his overly handsome face demonstrating beast-like wildness and danger, also carrying the chill of winter.
Xu Yizhi’s sharpness was hidden inside, while his sharpness was completely exposed outside.
No one dared to question his decision, even Qin Qing, a monster from another world, was speechless for a moment under his torch-like gaze.
Qin Zishi held Qin Qing’s wrist, wanting to take him away.
Xu Yizhi reached out at this time and held Qin Qing’s other wrist.
Qin Qing, frozen by Cang Ming’s cold gaze, slowly came back to his senses in the warmth transmitted by Xu Yizhi.
However, before he could react, 996 rushed out from the corner and said with schadenfreude: “Qin Qing, did you see? This is your fate! The script has long been arranged. In this interview, you will be personally rejected by Cang Ming. Not only that, you are also disgusted by him because you deliberately teased him. In the end, you have to lower your dignity and cry to beg Qin Zishi to give you a chance. Unless the protagonist is willing to give you charity, otherwise you will always have nothing! Your speech just now was simply ridiculous! Wake up! Honestly finish the plot and go back alive, isn’t that good?”
996 pounced and bit Qin Qing’s trouser leg, saying angrily: “What are you rebelling for? You can’t defy fate at all!”
Qin Qing gripped Xu Yizhi’s hand back hard.
Xu Yizhi laughed low, then also closed his five fingers, increasing the force of pulling the other party.
Qin Zishi’s face became very ugly at this moment. Before he could figure out the relationship between these two people, a blond and blue-eyed, handsome and arrogant foreign man pushed the door in and questioned loudly: “Qin, what does this notice mean?”
His Chinese was a bit awkward, but fluent enough.
“Thomson, the notice is written very clearly. You must fix the BUG of the new software within three days, otherwise it will delay our marketing plan.” Qin Zishi turned to face this foreign man, his tone somewhat aggressive.
“I don’t accept your notice! When I joined, President Cang already promised to let me take a half-month paid vacation. I’m going on vacation tomorrow, phone off, don’t think about finding me.”
Thomson was a high-tech talent Lanyu poached from the United States at a high price. His R&D capability ranked among the top in the world. Only he and his team could fix the BUG appearing in the new product.
Qin Zishi had already issued an announcement on the official website saying that Lanyu’s new product would start selling in three days. Just at this critical juncture, a BUG appeared, and Thomson wanted to strike.
Qin Zishi’s temples throbbed, his whole head hurting.
He let go of Qin Qing, stepped forward to negotiate with Thomson, and the two slowly turned from serious negotiation into a fierce quarrel.
Those who came for the interview heard the noise and ran to watch the excitement one after another. Finding Cang Ming also in the smoking room, they dared not enter, only peeking in the corridor outside.
Foreigners pay special attention to work-life balance. Asking them to dedicate all their energy and time to work like Chinese people is better than asking them to die. Thomson didn’t compromise at all, insisting on going on vacation.
Qin Zishi turned to look at Cang Ming and pleaded: “President Cang, say something! Vacation can be postponed, but the new product launch absolutely cannot be cancelled!”
Cang Ming never overturned the promises given, but the launch was indeed very important…
In the silence, Cang Ming looked at Xu Yizhi. Xu Yizhi smiled and waved his hand: “Stop arguing, go back. We’ll talk about this later.”
Thomson thought he had won, snorted at Qin Zishi, and left with his head held high.
Qin Zishi walked to Cang Ming’s side, wanting to say something more, but Xu Yizhi suddenly asked: “How many people have been interviewed before?”
“Almost finished interviewing.” Qin Zishi replied.
“Who is the first place?”
“It’s Gong Cheng, graduated from Yale University, worked in New York for three years, specializing in—”
Xu Yizhi interrupted Qin Zishi: “Is he among the people watching the excitement just now?”
Qin Zishi thought for a while and nodded: “Yes.”
Xu Yizhi nodded: “I’ll set a test question.”
“What test question?” Qin Zishi had to listen respectfully.
“Go do an induction interview for Thomson. Qin Qing and Gong Cheng do it separately, others can leave. Whoever’s interview is more effective is today’s admitted candidate.”
Xu Yizhi turned to look at Qin Qing, smiling gently: “I give you this opportunity.”
Qin Qing looked at this man fixedly, and finally smiled gently too: “Thank you, I will seize it.”
He walked out, and was pulled back after just two steps, only to find that his hand had been held in Xu Yizhi’s hand all the time, forgotten to let go.
The two slowly released their clasped hands, smiling naturally and knowingly.
996, who fully expected Qin Qing to be humiliated and driven away, was dumbfounded.
Meow the kitty, the script isn’t written like this! Why does Xu Yizhi, this supporting male character, also want to change the plot? Are all supporting male characters rebelling, damn it?
“Cang Ming, you are the protagonist, don’t you manage these supporting roles?” 996 meowed and howled at Cang Ming, but dared not approach him at all.
Qin Zishi also looked at Cang Ming, hope in his eyes. He knew Cang Ming was a person who strictly followed business principles and had almost no personal emotions. Since he had rejected Qin Qing, it was impossible for him to give the other party another chance.
President Cang, will you veto this proposal? Qin Zishi asked silently in his heart.
For some reason, he was extremely unwilling to let Qin Qing appear in front of Cang Ming.
Qin Qing can only live humbly and lowly, live in hardship and difficulty, live in pain. And he will achieve this goal by any means.
Cang Ming extinguished the cigarette butt and spoke deeply: “Go interview.”
He also gave this opportunity.
Qin Zishi’s high-hanging heart fell to the ground in an instant, shattering into pieces.
996 was dumbfounded.
Meow meow meow? What did Cang Ming say? Did it hear wrong just now? Why did Cang Ming, who was disdainful of Qin Qing in the script, hated him very much, and drove him away mercilessly at the first meeting, also change the plot?