Chen Yihai wipes the sweat from his brow as he catches his breath. He quickly glances over his shoulder to see if anyone was giving chase, but it seems like no one came after him! Hah, he really is a lucky man, how come he wasn't this lucky back in his world?
He inwardly praises himself, dusting the dirt off of his clothes.
Finally, after watching that dreadfully pitiful scene, the poor system finally decides to speak up!
[707: ...Host, please take this seriously!!]
The robotic voice reverberates through his mind, and Chen Yihai furrows his eyebrows. 'I am taking this seriously. Did you not see me knock out that man and steal his liquor? Stealing a man's liquor is like stealing his life! What more do you want from me?'
[707: Host, please focus on playing your role as a villain! When I said you could do whatever you wanted until your first event, I meant you could do things within reasonable boundaries!! (;⌣̀_⌣́)...]
The said host retorts: 'What about this isn't reasonable? With such good looks, how could I just waste them away by staying holed up in that insufferable room every day? That's why I'm effectively using my handsome face the correct way and going out to brothels to pick up women. I just got distracted by the protagonist for a bit, that's all!'
[707: Host, that's not what I meant!!]
Chen Yihai, scoffing as he simply ignores the system once again: 'The night is not over yet. All of that alcohol, but no food… maybe if I fill my stomach, I'll be able to sober up a little.'
[707: Host!! (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞]
Making up his mind, Chen Yihai decides to walk the night streets once more, eyes open and alert for any open food stalls. Fortunately, his nose doesn't disappoint him as he smells the delicious aroma of steamed buns. Without any hesitation, he finds his feet walking towards the mouth-watering fragrance that wafts through the air.
Upon reaching the stall, he finds a beauty standing behind it. How lucky! He could eat his fill and flirt with a beauty, this night couldn't get any better!
Forget about being in character, he's in a disguise, so it doesn't matter if he's OOC! Thinking this, Chen Yihai strolls over to the stall, an almost bewitching smile plastered upon his face. "Hello, beauty. I would like to order three steamed buns, but I was wondering if you were also on the menu?"
The beauty's face fills with black lines: "...Sir, do I look like I am cheap enough to be on a menu?" Handsome as he was, she absolutely despises good-looking men who think they can bed with anyone, they're definitely scum, and not worth her time!
Chen Yihai realizes he may have made a mistake. He quickly clears his throat, and continues smiling as if his offensive comment never existed. "Anyway, three orders of buns, please. But I hope that this beauty can bless this one with your name. After all, tonight, there's only me-n-u."
'Haha! That was a great pick-up line!' Chen Yihai inwardly congratulates himself for being so witty.
She was already stuffing three steamed buns into a cloth, but when she heard the last line, she opened her mouth, and said: "Quan Xue!"
A look of puzzlement crosses Chen Yihai's features. Quan Xue? "Miss, that is your name? It sure sounds masculine, are you sure that's…?"
Just then, a giant, buff-looking man appears from the shadows behind the beauty. Suddenly, Chen Yihai doesn't feel so hungry anymore…
The beauty smiles and waves a hand towards the giant. "This is my brother, his name is Quan Xue. Brother, this man is being lecherous, please teach him a lesson."
"You look so handsome, boy. Too bad that's all you've got." Quan Xue cracks his knuckles, thoroughly intimidating Chen Yihai. He's scared out of his wits, ah!
Chen Yihai is shameless, if he has to escape, then… so be it!
He clears his throat, putting on a polite smile for show. "Before you decide to hurt me, I actually have something quite useful that you may be interested in! Please reconsider, good sir!" Although he says it quite calmly, his hands were sweating profusely.
Quan Xue takes a few steps closer, looming over Chen Yihai. He glares, "You have something useful besides your looks? I don't believe it."
Chen Yihai coughs, and continues his peaceful negotiation despite his legs shaking underneath the shield of his robes, "Yes, I promise! Actually, I am also a palm reader. I can read your palm, and tell you your fortune and luck. How about it? I don't usually do this service for free, but for you and your good sister, I won't charge a coin!"
Actually, palm reading has been a new fortune-telling technique and is currently very popular. The charges have been quite high and there are very few who can read palms accurately. So, of course, this did pique the interest of the beauty very much.
"Brother… how about we try it? Let him read your palm and see if what he says is true. If not, then you can just continue to beat him up!" She suggests with a sweet smile.
'How can she say such things so casually?! It's about my life and death here!!' Chen Yihai says in his mind, but keeps his calm facade up.
Being faced with his little sister, how can this soft-hearted big brother say no? He reluctantly reaches out, hand palm-up. "You heard her. Read it or you'll get the beating of your life."
"Of course, of course. Thank you for giving me a chance to redeem myself!" Says the benevolent BOSS villain, reaching out to study Quan Xue's palm very intently. He traces the lines of Quan Xue's hand, as if deep in thought.
After a moment of silence, Chen Yihai looks up with a serious expression. "I see a bad omen… something unpredictable will occur soon."
His tone and expression were so sincere, the beauty truly believed it. She cries out, "Oh, what is it? What do you see in my brother's future?!"
Chen Yihai closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. It appears that the future will be quite grave…
Suddenly, he reaches up, smacks the unsuspecting Quan Xue on the cheek, and swiftly grabs the bundle of steamed buns from the beauty. He hollers as he runs away: "That was the bad omen! Seeya, ahahaha!"
"Wait—COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARD!" Quan Xue's right cheek glows red, and he rushes after Chen Yihai is a furious gait.
Of course, Chen Yihai doesn't stop running. He isn't an idiot! Who would actually stop if they were asked?!
He looks back, seeing that giant brother running after him. He sticks his tongue out for good measure, taunting Quan Xue.
But then, he accidentally bumped into someone, toppling the both of them over. They tumble onto the ground, with the stranger somehow landing on top of him after a few rolls.
Dizziness overtakes him for a moment, before his vision gradually clears and he is met with sparkling, amused sapphire hues.
The stranger leans down, his breath tickling Chen Yihai's cheek: "I've caught you."
The only important thing on Chen Yihai's mind right now: 'My steamed buns…'