Chapter 2294: Love and Chaos: System Showdown 18

The outer hall of the music room in the Jin Family Villa was temporarily set up as a cozy small gathering place.

Lin Xi wore a neatly ironed white shirt and a fitted vest, surrounded by several cousins his age from the Jin Family, his face showing the nervousness and anticipation typical of a youth.

You Le An held a glass of red wine, his light-colored hair especially dazzling under the lights.

He walked up to Lin Xi, his smile radiant, carrying a hint of mixed-race languid charm, raised his glass, "Future piano master, here's some liquid courage before the competition."

Lin Xi quickly waved his hand, a helpless yet wary smile on his face: "Le An, really not okay, you can't drink before the competition, not even a drop."

He had just finished speaking.

The villain system came online with a jeering sound.

〖Just now! Splash the red wine! The goal is to ruin his competition attire! 〗

You Le An glanced at Lin Xi's white outfit, then glanced over at Jin Chen, who was quietly chatting with his cousin nearby.

He made up his mind.

Splash!

The crimson wine surged toward Lin Xi's front!

At the instant the wine left the glass, the survival system appeared with an alarm, and Lin Xi's body, as if anticipating danger, darted sideways in a motion that was utterly natural yet astonishingly swift.

Most of the wine in the glass arced through the air, precisely, without waste.

It all landed on Jin Chen, who had just walked behind Lin Xi and was about to say something.

The dark red wine quickly spread across Jin Chen's suit front, forming large stains that dripped down.

You Le An:!!!

Jin Chen: "……"

【Oh oh, unlucky.】 Ling Gun Gun wiped the red wine off his face and licked it off.

The air instantly solidified.

The music room's outer hall fell into an eerie silence.

All chatter and laughter ceased abruptly.

After a few seconds, someone let out a puff, followed by low chuckles and astonished whispers of those enjoying the spectacle, rising and falling.

"Whoa……"

"Nice aim!"

"Young Master Zhang is mighty! Aim and splash!"

"Brother Chen, this outfit…… tsk tsk, splendid."

You Le An held the empty wine glass, frozen in place, instinctively wanting to step forward to wipe it, "Sorry, sorry! I……"

〖Oh dear! What a pity, if one plan fails, try another! Immediately create an accident, injure Lin Xi's competition hand! 〗

You Le An: "……"

Why is the system so hyped today?

Looking at the mocking gazes around, then at Lin Xi's slightly frightened but unharmed expression.

Might as well…… he'll be scolded by Jin Chen later anyway.

Might as well go all out.

Seeing You Le An being persuaded, Jin Chen barely furrowed his brow.

You Le An staggered as if slipped by the wine, his body jerking, letting out a short gasp.

At the same time, that hand still dabbed with wine, appearing panicked but actually applying a precisely calculated force, shoved toward Lin Xi's shoulder!

The direction and angle had been carefully chosen.

You Le An's goal was to make Lin Xi trip, embarrass him a bit, but definitely not to have him brace with his hands and hurt his fingers.

However, his arm had just extended, not even touching Lin Xi's sleeve.

A warm, powerful large hand suddenly gripped his wrist.

The force was so great that You Le An instantly cried out in pain.

Jin Chen's face darkened a few degrees; without even looking at You Le An, whose wrist ached from his grip, his gaze swept over Lin Xi's white outfit, whose cuffs and hem were soaked.

"Your clothes are wet. Go change into a spare set; there's still time."

"Butler, bring the spare outfit Lin Xi tried before to the music room."

You Le An, whose wrist was held by Jin Chen, hearing his icy tone and seeing his concern for Lin Xi's clothes, felt his stubborn bravado and resigned attitude instantly replaced by overwhelming bitterness and helplessness.

His wrist hurt, but what was worse was Jin Chen's obviously angry demeanor.

He lowered his eyelashes, like a child who'd done wrong awaiting judgment, his lips moved, and he whispered in a voice barely audible.

"……upstairs in the back room, there's another set, exactly the same……"

His voice was low, carrying a hint of self-abandoning frankness.

〖?? When did he prepare this?! This isn't what a villain should do……〗 The villain system's shocked electronic sound exploded in his mind.

But before the shock could finish, he suddenly couldn't make a sound.

It was shocked!

Ling Gun Gun hid his talents and fame.

Jin Chen glanced at You Le An's bowed head.

The spare outfit arrived quickly; Lin Xi came to, glanced at You Le An, and was led away to change.

Jin Chen orderly arranged the following, ensuring Lin Xi could go to the competition undistracted.

Throughout the process, he kept a firm grip on You Le An's wrist the whole time, never letting go.

You Le An remained stiffly held by Jin Chen, like a criminal caught on the spot, forced to watch as Jin Chen arranged everything for Lin Xi.

Or rather, from his perspective, it was the male supporting character arranging everything for the protagonist's beloved.

Jin Chen's obviously unhappy attitude was like a fine needle pricking his heart.

Sourness, grievance, helplessness… plus a certain feeling of powerlessness, mixed together, heavily lodged in his chest.

He lowered his head, stared at his own toes, silent, waiting for Jin Chen's final reprimand and anger.

I don't care.

You Le'an sniffed, thinking.

Finally, Lin Xi was smoothly picked up by Zhou Du to go participate in the competition.

The other relatives who came to watch the fun were also sent away by Jin Chen with just a few words.

The lively outer hall of the music room instantly fell silent, leaving only Jin Chen and You Le'an.

The vise-like grip on his wrist finally loosened.

You Le'an felt his wrist burning with pain, still bearing a clear fingerprint.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the sourness at the tip of his nose, suddenly lifted his head, straightened his back, strove to lift his chin, deliberately filling his eyes with toughness and pride, even adding a hint of provocation.

Ready to face Jin Chen's anger.

But the expected cold questioning and reprimand did not come.

Jin Chen stood before him, his tall figure looming over him.

He lowered his gaze to You Le'an's face, which was clearly tense to the point of distress yet stubbornly putting on a proud, puffed-up expression, with slightly reddened eye sockets.

Jin Chen, with a hint of helpless gentleness, raised his hand—not to hit or push, but somewhat roughly pressed You Le'an into his embrace.

You Le'an was completely dazed; all his feigned toughness instantly collapsed, leaving only a blank stare and helplessness.

Above his head came Jin Chen's low voice, carrying a strange soothing power.

"Scared?"

He paused, his warm palm carrying a hint of comfort, lightly patting You Le'an's back.

"I'm not helping someone else." Jin Chen's voice sounded close to his ear, clear and low, "I'm cleaning up after you."

"I'm angry…" his voice sank, carrying a faint heartache and lingering fear.

"Nor am I angry that you dirtied your clothes or almost knocked Lin Xi over."

Jin Chen's arms tightened a little, holding the stiff person in his embrace more firmly.

"What I'm angry about is you—you even dare to fake a sprained ankle and hurt yourself."

"For that lousy mission."

"Later I'll have Zero Egg give the system a good shake."

You Le'an slowly blinked his wet lashes, looked up at Jin Chen, and whispered, "I didn't mean to push and hurt him, do you believe me?"

"I know."

Jin Chen pinched the back of his neck, his tone still somewhat teasing, "Your aim isn't bad."

You Le'an, however, pouted and leaned his head on Jin Chen's shoulder.

Clearly trusted, yet why do my eyes feel even more sour?

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +7, total 42!】