Winning the male lead

“Everyone leave.” Lin Le Tian waved his hand tiredly. His face was as pale as paper, with not a trace of color. Although he was usually pale, now his complexion was completely drained of life, as if all the blood had vanished.

The eunuchs and palace maids quietly withdrew, all of them silently wondering whether he was on his last legs. Many thought so, but no one dared to speak it aloud. Instead, they all reached the same conclusion just by the looks exchanged.

Lin Le Tian, exasperated, questioned the system, “Do I still look like I have eight years left to live? I swear they’ll be planning my funeral in eight days!”

The system remained calm, “I told you, don’t worry. Lin Le Tian’s death is not yet due. It’s a fixed value, absolutely no problem.”

Despite the reassurances, Lin Le Tian was still frustrated. “Then what should I do when I throw up every time I eat?”

The system replied, “It will stop after a while.”

Lin Le Tian felt a little better. Although he had vomited several times and even coughed up blood, it wasn’t as painful as he had feared. It was just inconvenient.

The system added, “Later, you’ll just throw up blood, not just during meals.”

Lin Le Tian sighed. “…What disease does Lin Le Tian have, really?”

The system answered lightly, “Coughing up blood is just a setting. Don’t overthink it. You won’t die from it.”

He was silent for a while. “Alright.”

The system was pleased with how obedient and compliant he was. It comforted him, “It doesn’t hurt.” It he wasn’t afraid of much, except pain.

Lin Le Tian sighed softly, “If it hurts, I’ll just have to endure. Who told me to fall into the hands of the League?”

Whenever the system heard him mention the League, it always reacted with dissatisfaction. It couldn’t help but defend the League, “You did something wrong, so of course, you need to be punished. If you had just done the tasks properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Serving the League was part of the deal. Whenever a Guardian carried out a task, they could bring along some kind of “golden finger” or modify parameters, like blocking pain sensations. The system still couldn’t understand why Lin Le Tian, a perfectly good Guardian, decided to rebel.

Lin Le Tian didn’t argue with the system, responding distractedly, “Alright, alright. I’m doing the task properly now, aren’t I?”

Recently, his behavior had been quite obedient. The system noticed this and softened its tone, “The next world is ready for you. How about you be the emperor for once?”

Lin Le Tian’s face immediately brightened at the thought. He had guessed it correctly—the system always planned the next world during the middle of the current task. His face lit up for a moment before darkening again. “But how will I do the task?”

The system replied confidently, “Of course you can. Leave it to me.”

He muttered softly, “Thank you.”

The system, pleased to hear him speak so gently, replied generously, “Any other requests?”

Lin Le Tian hesitated, nervously twisting his clothing, then whispered, “Lin Le Tian is too… effeminate.”

“No problem, I’ll arrange it.” The system’s tone was as though it were the overbearing CEO, promising that Lin Le Tian would become a handsome, healthy, and charismatic emperor in the next world.

Lin Le Tian cautiously specified, “Six-pack abs and a v-line.”

The system responded with confidence, “Easy.”

It seemed the choice was already made. Lin Le Tian inwardly smirked, thinking to himself that the system was rather simple in its designs.

Half a month later, Han Qi finally returned and reported back. He hurriedly made his way to the Eastern Depot but didn’t find Lin Le Tian there. Someone informed him that he hadn’t been to the Eastern Depot in several days, and rumors were spreading that he was seriously ill.

Han Qi was startled but didn’t show it. “Don’t spread nonsense.”

The man, knowing that Han Qi was now a favored figure in front of the eunuch, stammered, “None of us have seen him. You can go to the palace to check.”

Han Qi didn’t say more. He left the man, tucked the confession from Hu Qidao and his associates into his coat, and was about to enter the palace when he ran into a drunken Lin Rusi. It was broad daylight, and he was tipsy, his face flushed, singing a tune while wobbling on his horse, his round hat tilted.

Han Qi didn’t even look at him, urging his horse forward.

A few of the Jinyiwei saw the two meet and stood idly by, watching the drama unfold, while the guards nearby also strained their necks to observe.

Han Qi ignored him, but Lin Rusi refused to move, blocking his path. He raised his whip and struck. Han Qi’s eyes were sharp, and he swiftly grabbed the whipping lash, coldly commanding, “Move.”

“How are you speaking to your superior?” Lin Rusi hiccupped and blinked slowly, the drunken slur in his voice barely masking the words, “You little brat, now that you’ve climbed up to the eunuch, you think you can treat us like dirt?”

Han Qi’s face turned ashen with anger. With a slight tug, the whip flew back with force. Lin Rusii couldn’t grab it and shouted angrily, “Do you think you can rely on him forever? When he dies, I’ll be the first to deal with you!”

The area fell silent.

This was the Eastern Depot—Lin Rusi dared speak this way? A few Jinyiwei looked on in shock, thinking that he had lost his mind. Even if Lin Le Tian was on his deathbed, he still couldn’t speak like this, cursing him so openly. They all turned to Han Qi, waiting to see his reaction. Everyone knew he was a favorite of the eunuch.

Han Qi’s anger flared. His sharp features seemed even sharper in his fury, almost like a blade. Everyone knew he was a cold man, the kind who didn’t bark but would bite hard if pushed too far.

With a sound of metal drawing from its sheath, the embroidered spring blade was drawn.

Lin Rusi, too drunk to react, didn’t expect Han Qi to take action. As the sword flashed through the air, he froze, wide-eyed, unable to move.

With a loud cry, his horse was cleaved in two. He himself was thrown to the ground, landing in a pool of blood. The shattered remains of the horse and the blood splattered across his face and body, waking him up from the drunken haze. He looked at Han Qi, who now appeared like a demon from hell, and stuttered, “You… you…”

Han Qi coldly responded, “Watch your mouth.”

As the rest of the Jinyiwei looked on in stunned silence, Han Qi, as if nothing had happened, sheathed his blade, mounted his horse, and rode off towards the palace.

If Lin Le Tian is going to die, it will only be at his hands. He gripped the reins tightly, urging his horse forward with a sharp spurt, “Go!”

By the time he reached the Eastern Gate, a young eunuch was already waiting nearby. Seeing him riding up, the eunuch’s face lit up with joy. “Master Han, you’re finally back.”

The words surprised Han Qi; it sounded as though the eunuch had been waiting for him all along. He dismounted and handed the horse to the guards. “Did he send you to wait for me?”

The eunuch replied in a soft voice, “Yes, His Highness instructed me to wait for Master Han every day.”

As expected, Han Qi nodded silently and followed the eunuch into the palace.

On the way, he suddenly asked, “How is he lately?”

The eunuch didn’t answer immediately. After a pause, he replied, “he is well in every way, except for his concern about you.”

Although Han Qi had returned from his mission, his mind was more chaotic than before. Hearing the eunuch’s words, he fell silent once more.

In the courtyard, Lin Le Tian was sitting in a soft chair, draped in a tea-white cloak. He had his eyes lowered, staring at a crystal jar in front of him. The jar’s bottom was lined with colorful pebbles, with water plants and floating moss—everything looked lively and cheerful, filled with red and green hues.

Upon hearing footsteps, he looked up.

It had been over ten days since Han Qi had last seen him. Seeing Lin Le Tian’s face again, he felt a sense of unease. He couldn’t help but think—had Lin Le Tian’s complexion always been so pale? He didn’t remember it being this way.

“You’re back,” Lin Le Tian tilted his head inside the cloak, his delicate chin nestled in the fabric. He looked like a handsome young master, speaking gently, as if waiting for a beloved family member to return.

Han Qi took a step forward, pulling out the confession and jade token from his robe, bowing slightly as he presented them. “I haven’t failed the mission.”

Lin Le Tian gave a signal to a nearby eunuch, who stepped forward to take the items.

He then spoke again. “Come here.”

Han Qi did as instructed, walking closer. As he did, the faint scent of Lin Le Tian’s fragrance, which had kept him awake at night, wafted through the air.

“Lower your head.”

He hadn’t expected that the first thing he would face upon returning would be another slap from Lin Le Tian. He still felt resentment in his heart, but it didn’t seem as humiliating as before. Perhaps it was because of habit? He thought, as he slowly lowered his head.

But instead of slapping him, Lin Le Tian simply spoke softly, “Look, these are the red-scaled fish sent from Jinan. Aren’t they beautiful?”

It turned out that Lin Le Tian wanted him to look at the fish in the crystal jar. He was slightly puzzled but glanced at the jar. Two three-inch-long fish were hiding in the lush green water plants, their eyes playful and seemingly staring at him. Their mouths opened and closed gently, as if breathing in contentment. In that moment, his chaotic mind suddenly calmed. Thoughts of life, death, and grudges faded away, leaving only the clear water and the two carefree fish. He stared at them for a while before replying, “They’re beautiful.”

“I’ll have someone send them to your residence later,” Lin Le Tian said, not offering a reward, but merely stating “send.”

Han Qi fell silent for a moment. “Thank you.”

“The Emperor misses you. You should go see him,” Lin Le Tian added.

“Understood.”

Han Qi straightened up to leave, but just then, he heard Lin Le Tian cough twice. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he saw him holding a sandalwood handkerchief to his mouth, as if coughing badly. His eyes and brows didn’t move despite the violent cough. Seeing Han Qi not leave, Lin Le Tian waved his hand, and the eunuch quickly gestured, “Master Han, this way.”

With a heavy heart, Han Qi had arrived, and now, with even heavier thoughts, he left. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he turned back to glance. This time, he saw clearly—the sandalwood handkerchief had been casually discarded into the crystal jar, and immediately, the clear water turned a shade of rose-red, like blood mist spreading through the water.

His mind buzzed with a loud “clang,” and his heart became a whirlwind of confusion.