Winning the male lead

Le Tian had once caused the collapse of dozens of worlds, nearly driving the Alliance officials insane. They sent multiple systems to capture him in the small worlds, but not only did those systems return in failure, they came back mentally broken—code scrambled, endlessly repeating the same words:

“Too terrifying… This is impossible…”

System: “Too terrifying.”

Shen Lixing gently placed Le Tian on the bed, removed his shoes, and pressed the back of his cool hand against Le Tian’s face. Due to the temperature difference, he shuddered reflexively and muttered to the system, “Is he lusting after my body?”

System: “…This is impossible…”

As the system trembled with repeated cries of “too terrifying” and “this is impossible”, Shen Lixing leaned down and placed another kiss on Le Tian. This time, it was on his forehead—light and fleeting.

But based on Le Tian’s three years of experience with him, he knew that for someone like him, this level of intimacy already meant a lot. He declared confidently to the system, “Shen Lixing isn’t just lusting after my body—he likes me.”

System (screaming): “Shut up!”

It refused to believe it! Shen Lixing was this world’s highest-ranking man, a perfect existence meant for the female lead! How could he possibly fall for someone like Le Tian? He wasn’t worthy!

Yet, what he did next completely shattered the system’s worldview.

System: “Why is he unbuttoning your shirt?!”

Le Tian, feeling pleased, said, “Finally, he’s enlightened. He knows people should sleep with fewer clothes on.”

Last time he had “drunkenly” drenched himself in water, and Shen Lixing didn’t even think to change his clothes for him. Clearly, love makes people smarter.

The system was utterly baffled by Le Tian’s ability to accept everything so naturally. In a shrill voice, it cried, “Why are you so calm?!” Ever since Shen Lixing kissed Le Tian’s earlobe, the system had completely lost control over its pitch and volume.

“With my level of stunning beauty, even I want to bed myself. How could a mere mortal like Shen Lixing resist?” Le Tian replied matter-of-factly. “You have to forgive his weak will.”

Clearly, Shen Lixing wasn’t very skilled at taking care of people. After undoing Le Tian’s buttons, he hesitated, unsure how to proceed. He tentatively pulled at his shirt from the shoulders.

Le Tian, playing along with his drunken act, groggily shifted, slipping his arms out of the sleeves. Due to the alcohol, his normally fair skin had taken on a faint pink hue. The moment Shen Lixing’s palm touched the warm skin, he froze slightly, reluctant to pull away.

Before, he had only seen Le Tian as his nephew. Though he had always found him adorable and pleasant, it had never gone beyond that. But now that their roles had changed, Le Tian still seemed just as cute—just in a completely different way.

He carefully studied Le Tian’s sleeping face.

His delicate and refined features, the soft curve from his forehead down to his lips, the way his lips were slightly pursed, especially with the added rosiness from the alcohol—he found himself unable to look away. The longer he stared, the cuter he found him.

Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips.

The familiar sensation stirred something deep in his memory. These lips… he had owned them before.

To confirm his thoughts, he kissed him again.

Le Tian was having a hard time holding back now. Dude, I may not be drunk, but my mouth is dry as hell from all this alcohol. If you keep kissing me, my lips are gonna peel.

So, he let out a few soft murmurs, pretending to be disturbed in his sleep, and turned his head away to evade Shen Lixing’s touch.

But he had underestimated his persistence. The man immediately reached out, turned his chin back, and deepened the kiss.

Le Tian suddenly remembered—Right, Shen Lixing only looks human on the outside. At his core, he’s still a complete bastard.

With no end in sight, he sighed inwardly. Might as well go big. Give him what he wants so he can get it out of his system.

So, he parted his lips and kissed back.

Shen Lixing froze for a moment. But when he saw that Le Tian’s eyes were still shut in a drunken haze, he felt reassured and fully indulged in the kiss.

This kiss cleared his mind instead of clouding it.

He wanted to have this person—completely, from the inside out.

Le Tian had always been his little dependent, his little waste—a phrase that suddenly took on a heavy, almost tender weight, like a rain-drenched flower needing his protection. He gently brushed a hand over Le Tian’s cheek and murmured, “Sleep well. Tomorrow is a new day.”

After tucking Le Tian in, he turned and left the room.

The moment the door closed, Le Tian’s eyes snapped open. He sighed heavily. “Did you hear that? He basically just hinted that tomorrow he’s gonna sleep with me.”

System: “…Why do I hear excitement in your voice?”

Le Tian: “Is it obvious?”

System: “If you drop the ‘yay’ at the end, it would be less obvious.”

Le Tian: “(＾－＾) Yay~”

How had the system ever believed his nonsense?! He was clearly not straight! The system was so distraught that it pounded its own code in frustration. After a while, it paused, then sneered, “If you mess around with him, aren’t you afraid of being exiled into the void?”

Le Tian gasped in mock horror. “How could I ever mess with Shen Lixing?”

The system felt a little reassured. No matter how crazy Le Tian was, he had his limits.

Then Le Tian added, “Obviously, it’s Shen Lixing who’s going to mess with me.”

System: “…”

“Didn’t expect you to think so highly of me,” Le Tian chuckled, shifting into a more comfortable position. Folding his hands under his cheek, he murmured sweetly, “Love you, babe. Good night. Tomorrow is a new day~”

The system shut down. It had officially given up on trying to rein in this chaotic anomaly. Now, it could only sit back and watch how Le Tian would inevitably get himself exiled.

The next morning, Le Tian woke up feeling refreshed, glowing with energy. After showering, he felt even more dashing. Running his damp fingers through his hair, he admired himself in the mirror and dramatically declared:

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the most handsome man in the world?”

Lowering his voice, he answered himself, “Shen Lixing.”

Then, smirking, he continued, “And who is the one man Shen Lixing has fallen for?”

He dramatically deepened his voice, “Le——Tian——”

System: …Why isn’t there a self-mute function? I’m being forced to witness this idiot’s clownery.

Downstairs at the Shen residence, a crowd of people was gathered. Le Tian was startled when he saw them from the corner of the staircase and grabbed the nearby servant polishing the railing. “What’s going on?”

The servant motioned with his chin. “They’ve been here since early morning, standing for quite a while.”

Le Tian wasn’t wearing his glasses, so he walked down a few more steps, squinting his eyes. Only then did he recognize the group of people standing downstairs. They were the same ones who had gotten him drunk at Blue Moon last night.

After a night of heavy drinking, the usually handsome and refined young men now had dark circles under their eyes and puffy faces, looking a sight for sore eyes.

Shen Lixing sat on a dark-colored sofa, sipping his coffee lightly.

The porcelain cup made a soft, crisp sound as it was set down on the marble table. From upstairs, Le Tian shuddered, feeling an aura of killing intent from him, which was as handsome as it was intimidating.

He quickly motioned to the servant behind him. The servant quietly approached.

He lowered his voice, “Bring me my glasses.”

The servant understood and nodded. “Please wait a moment, Young Master.” The servant quickly tiptoed upstairs, and in just two minutes, came back down with the glasses. Le Tian put them on, and the two of them eagerly peeked downstairs to watch the scene unfold.

Shen Lixing probably felt like he had kept them waiting long enough. He spoke up, “You may go.”

Le Tian, who had been preparing to enjoy the show: ??? This can’t happen!

The group of noble young men exchanged glances, despair in their hearts. Anyone who left now would be a fool. After getting thoroughly drunk and sent home last night, each one of them had been questioned by their families. They knew they had offended Shen Lixing and dared not leave easily.

The one most distressed was Xu Tao, caught in the middle. He had helped Le Tian last night, but since his name wasn’t mentioned, revealing the truth would ruin his social circle, leaving him stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Seeing that no one was moving, Shen Lixing frowned and, with a stern face, said, “Show them out.”

The bodyguards outside moved in orderly fashion, politely escorting people out.

As the bodyguards approached, Lu Tianning couldn’t help but speak up. “Mr. Shen, we were just having some drinks with Le Tian, no need to escalate things, right?”

He shouldn’t have spoken, because the moment Shen Lixing’s eyes met his face, he remembered that he was the one who had been lying on the ground, hugging Le Tian tightly.

Le Tian, watching from upstairs, couldn’t help but feel amused. Lu Tianning really has guts, daring to challenge Shen Lixing.

“Break one of his arms.” Shen Lixing’s cold command made Lu Tianning freeze in fear. Le Tian knew he only acted with complete sincerity, so he quickly descended the stairs to mediate, rubbing his eyes and pretending to just have woken up. “Uncle, it’s so noisy downstairs, what are you talking about?”

Shen Lixing turned around, his eyes softening as they met Le Tian’s. His pale face, rosy lips, and slightly damp hair falling by his ear made him look clean and energetic, a stark contrast to the people downstairs. Shen Lixing’s voice softened, “Did I wake you?”

Le Tian smiled shyly, lowering his head. “A little,” then he turned to the group downstairs, “Why didn’t anyone let me know you were coming to hang out?”

The others were overwhelmed, still hungover from last night’s drunkenness and filled with frustration. They could barely stand it.

Seeing them all hesitant and silent, he sat next to Shen Lixing and said, “Uncle, let’s send them home. We had fun last night, after all.” He meant it honestly.

Shen Lixing turned to face the group and said coldly, “Leave.”

The group finally understood that the bond between the two of them was deep. When they left, they would blame Lu Tianning for spreading false information. How could they argue with Shen Lixing? His uncle wouldn’t lie.

Xu Tao glanced back at the Shen residence, sighing, “Uncle Shen really cares for Le Tian, truly.”

In the empty hall, Shen Lixing stroked Le Tian’s damp hair. “Go dry your hair.”

“It’s so hot today, I’ll let it air-dry on the balcony,” Le Tian replied as he got up in his pajamas, only for Shen Lixing to grab his hand. His eyes were dark as he looked at him. “I’ll go with you.”

The golden osmanthus flowers hung down from the balcony, a spot both Le Tian and Shen Lixing loved to stay at. Shen Lixing had stood there countless times, watching Le Tian come and go.

At this moment, Le Tian leaned against the dark blue railing, his hair a little longer than before, falling around his ears. The shadow of the green trees covered half of his face, making him look almost ethereal. He smiled contentedly and closed his eyes, like a lazy cat.

Shen Lixing leaned against the balcony, suddenly speaking, “Le Tian, let’s call off the engagement.”

Le Tian’s smile faltered. He opened his eyes and looked at him, feeling aggrieved. “Uncle, I’ll listen to you about anything, except this.”

Shen Lixing’s expression darkened instantly. He sneered. “Anything?”

Seeing Le Tian’s earnest face, Shen Lixing suddenly grabbed his hand and, with gritted teeth, asked, “Are you sure?”

Le Tian nodded. He still didn’t understand his meaning, but he spoke sincerely, “As long as there’s Miao Miao, I’ll work hard for anything.”

His words caused Shen Lixing’s heart to ache sharply. He tightened his grip on Le Tian’s hand until he started to struggle, and then, without warning, pulled him into his arms.

Le Tian, shocked, tilted his head back to look at him, his long neck graceful like a swan’s. In his surprised state, he forgot to resist, just staring at Shen Lixing in a daze.

In his “innocent and naïve” gaze, Shen Lixing slowly lowered his head and kissed his beloved little waste under the bright daylight.