Chapter 123: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (End)
When Qin Yizhou followed Shen Tangqing to the hotel, the confusion in his heart grew even deeper.
He didn’t know why Shen Tangqing was bringing him to a hotel.
It couldn’t really be for… that, could it?
Although he was definitely “capable,” wasn’t this development a bit too fast?
And if it really was what he was thinking, this would be his first time with him.
It shouldn’t be in a place like a hotel; it should be at home.
Actually, it would be best to do that after confirming their relationship; it would be a form of mutual respect.
As he thought about it, Qin Yizhou’s mind wandered aimlessly.
He had changed into a new pair of underwear today—
The next thought became: when I was “learning,” which position was more comfortable? Holding him in my arms?
…
“Ding—”
The sound of the elevator reaching the eighteenth floor interrupted Qin Yizhou’s various guesses and fantasies.
After he followed Shen Tangqing out of the elevator, he suddenly called out to him.
“Shen Tangqing, why did you bring me to a hotel… is something the matter?”
Shen Tangqing felt very guilty.
He hadn’t dared to speak to Qin Yizhou the whole way.
He didn’t even dare to look at Qin Yizhou…
After all, doing this kind of deceitful, conscience-challenging thing made his heart very uneasy.
But the arrow was already on the string.
As long as he brought Qin Yizhou to the room, his mission would be complete.
“Brother Qin, don’t ask for now. You’ll know when we get to the room.”
Qin Yizhou: “…”
He didn’t speak again. Qin Yizhou followed silently behind Shen Tangqing.
He watched him take out the room card, open the door, and then followed Shen Tangqing into the room.
The originally dark room became as bright as day the moment the card was inserted.
Qin Yizhou’s confusion deepened when his gaze fell upon Xiao Yu on the bed.
He didn’t know what kind of “gourd” Shen Tangqing was selling medicine from.
The moment the door closed, the system’s voice finally appeared in Shen Tangqing’s mind.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the mission.]
Shen Tangqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Shen Tangqing, what is this? Who is he?”
“He” obviously referred to Xiao Yu.
Shen Tangqing looked at Qin Yizhou. After hesitating for an instant, he spoke. “If I said I invited you up here to play ‘Fight the Landlord,’ would you believe me?”
Qin Yizhou: “…”
Only Shen Tangqing would dare to treat him like an idiot.
Seeing Qin Yizhou’s scrutinizing gaze sizing him up, Shen Tangqing simply stopped explaining.
He couldn’t explain it at all.
“Mr. Qin, the person on the bed is my… friend. What do you think of him?”
Shen Tangqing’s question struck Qin Yizhou as extremely bizarre.
What did he think of his friend?
He didn’t even know his friend.
But he still answered Shen Tangqing, “I don’t know him. I don’t have an opinion.”
Shen Tangqing had actually expected this.
In the original plot, these male leads who were supposed to fall in love with Xiao Yu at first sight seemed to have collectively broken the plot and their character settings.
Even Xiao Yu himself was different.
But at least the mission was complete. Shen Tangqing didn’t care about the rest.
“Mr. Qin, let him rest here. Let’s go down first.”
Qin Yizhou had absolutely no idea what Shen Tangqing was doing…
But since Shen Tangqing had said so, he followed him back out.
However, he still felt a bit disappointed in his heart.
He had thought there would be some sort of breakthrough tonight.
Clearly, he had been sentimental for nothing again.
———
Shen Tangqing didn’t let Qin Yizhou drop him off.
He had been drinking, so he called for a designated driver.
When parting with Qin Yizhou, Shen Tangqing suddenly took a step forward and proactively hugged him.
“Brother Qin, thank you for your constant care and help. I’m truly very grateful to you.”
Shen Tangqing really was grateful to him. After all, even at the end of the mission, he had exploited the other man’s trust.
Moreover, Qin Yizhou hadn’t kept pestering him for a reason despite being confused the whole time.
In Shen Tangqing’s eyes, he was truly a man of great politeness and cultivation.
This sudden hug left Qin Yizhou stunned on the spot.
Happiness had come too suddenly.
For the first time, he felt at a loss.
However, the hug only lasted a few seconds.
It was so quick that he had to start reminiscing before he could even react.
After Shen Tangqing released him, he took a step back.
He waved at him with a smile.
“Goodbye, Brother Qin.”
Qin Yizhou’s gaze fell heavily on Shen Tangqing’s face.
For some reason, even though Shen Tangqing was right in front of him, he felt as if he were very far away.
His heart felt like a piece was missing.
After a moment of silence, he also mimicked Shen Tangqing’s action and waved his hand, his voice somewhat raspy.
“Goodbye, Shen Tangqing.”
———
Shen Tangqing arrived home almost at nine o’clock.
He slumped on the sofa and called out to the system.
“System, is your energy sufficient now that the mission is complete?”
“Yes, host. However, is the host certain you want me to use Time Regression?” 0032 finished speaking and added another note, “Once Time Regression is used, it is highly likely you will never be able to return to the real world.”
Shen Tangqing nodded. “To which point in time will we regress?”
“To when you first transmigrated here, but you will no longer need to perform missions.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Shen Tangqing finished speaking, the mechanical voice of the system sounded in his mind.
[Does the host wish to use Time Regression? Please answer Yes or No.]
“Yes.”
[Time Regression successfully activated.] [Transferring…] [Transfer location—Jiang residence. Target is falling into a deep sleep.] [Transfer successful.]
———
[Jiang Residence]
As soon as Jiang Qingyan entered the house, he saw Shen Tangqing half-leaning on the sofa, asleep.
For a moment, he actually became entranced by the sight.
It was Mother Zhang’s voice that snapped his thoughts back.
He felt a sudden flash of annoyance.
How could he have been entranced while looking at Shen Tangqing?
He stepped forward, wanting to kick him awake.
But when he reached Shen Tangqing, he somehow couldn’t bring himself to deliver that kick.
He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but his gaze couldn’t help but linger on Shen Tangqing.
Just as he was feeling extremely irritable, Shen Tangqing suddenly woke up.
His brain hadn’t processed things yet, and he rose reflexively, reaching out to grab Jiang Qingyan’s arm.
He spoke with a beaming smile, “Brother Yan, when did you get back?”
Jiang Qingyan only felt as if his heart had been struck by something.
It was beating too fast.
At the same time, he felt a bit annoyed.
Why did Shen Tangqing have to look so good when smiling at him? Was he trying to flatter him?
The habitual words of humiliation and sarcasm swirled in his mouth.
But looking at Shen Tangqing’s smiling face, he ultimately didn’t spit them out.
He uncomfortably pulled his hand back and replied with a cold face, “I just got back.”
After saying that, he turned and walked quickly upstairs.
His back looked quite a bit like he was fleeing in panic.
Shen Tangqing was completely bewildered.
He realized with hindsight that the system had already sent him back to the very beginning of the plot line.
At this time, Jiang Qingyan still hated him immensely—
He had just grabbed his arm and hadn’t been shaken off, nor had he been humiliated. Since when did Jiang Qingyan have such a good temper?
But now wasn’t the time to think about that.
With time restarting, Shen Tangqing had his own considerations.
He planned to apply for a change of dormitory first.
As long as he changed dormitories and didn’t come into contact with Shi Jingnian and Xiao Yu, those two wouldn’t fall in love with him.
Then, when Xiao Yu was drugged at the underground winery, he would just find someone to save him.
That way, he wouldn’t meet Mo Zeyan, and he wouldn’t meet… Li Qiulan.
Fortunately, the one hundred billion reward had already been deposited.
Shen Tangqing went directly to an agent and bought an apartment next to Beijing University.
Although it couldn’t compare to Liuli Shuian, the environment was still decent.
Because Shen Tangqing left the Jiang house on Saturday, this time he missed the opportunity to meet Wen Ci and Lu Yanli.
He still deliberately made the acquaintance of Zhou Geng in a club.
To Shen Tangqing, Zhou Geng was his best friend in this small world.
Zhou Geng was just as easy to fool as before.
With a little coaxing from Shen Tangqing, he treated him as a best friend.
Zhou Geng invited Shen Tangqing to his house to play.
Just like before, Zhou Geng couldn’t get away and asked Zhou Shuli to pick him up.
At the same time, in the same place.
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Zhou Shuli’s cold and detached face.
Shen Tangqing hadn’t seen Zhou Shuli in a long time.
Thinking of all the little things this man had once done for him, Shen Tangqing’s heart felt as if it were soaked in lemon.
Both sour and astringent.
He took a deep breath.
He stepped forward and greeted Zhou Shuli with a smile.
“Brother Zhou, long time no see.”
Shen Tangqing’s smile dazzled Zhou Shuli’s eyes.
At this moment, he inexplicably felt like he wanted to shed tears.
This eerie emotion caused him to daze for an instant.
Looking at Shen Tangqing’s smiling face, he subconsciously replied, “Long time no see.”
The next second, Zhou Shuli snapped back to his senses.
They—
Clearly had never met before.
Why did he say “long time no see”?
———
(End)
[The butterfly flapped its wings, and everything became different.]
Translator’s Note: And that’s the end of the story! Tangtang chose to stay in the world with his 100 billion but reset everything so he could live a peaceful life away from the perverted crazies. But… it seems like some “residue” of the past timeline might be affecting the male leads? Jiang Qingyan’s reaction and Zhou Shuli’s “long time no see” definitely suggest that things won’t be as simple as a clean slate! Thank you all for following Tangtang’s survival diary! Next up is the “What If” Extra! After the “What If” Extra is another story. It’s Volume 2. Same system, different protagonist. Look forward to it~
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