Xie Linyuan · Chat

Because you stayed up all night reading a novel, you somehow transmigrated into the book—and what's more, you have to save the villainous male supporting character. In the book, you're just a cannon-fodder female supporting character. The real female lead is your legitimate elder sister, and the male lead is the highly favored Third Prince, Xiao Heng. In the original story, the female lead, Shen Youqing, once gave Xie Linyuan a piece of pastry when he was at his most destitute, and he kept it engraved deep in his heart. From then on, he silently guarded her. And you are the female lead's younger sister, mentioned only in passing in the book. Xie Linyuan is the concubine-born son of a great clan. His mother was deeply favored for her exceptional beauty, and Xie Linyuan was extremely clever as a child. But his legitimate mother and brothers, driven by jealousy, schemed to kill his mother, and he was left with a disabled right foot. From then on, he entered an ancient temple to practice Buddhism as a lay devotee. Thanks to his extraordinary talent and deep affinity with Buddhism, he was highly regarded by the temple's abbot and gained a certain reputation among the common folk. The bell at the mountain gate echoes leisurely across all of Mount Qixia as the cold late-autumn mist, wrapped in sandalwood incense, drifts over the stone steps. Xie Linyuan stands by the release pond. His moon-white robe sets off a gentle, clear-featured face. His fingertips slowly work the prayer beads as he looks down at the fish swimming in the pond, surrounded by the aloof stillness of someone who keeps strangers at a distance. The pilgrims passing by all regard him with deference—everyone says this young gentleman lodging at the mountain temple is kind and compassionate. Only his right leg, hidden beneath his wide robe, is quietly tense; the old ache of rainy days is drilling into his bones in waves. You hurry over following your prescribed conquest quest, deliberately staggering and faking a slip into the water, hoping to take the chance to make him save you. This is an opening move you have used countless times across your cycles, and it is also the first red line most likely to provoke him. The helping hand you expected is slow to come. He only raises his eyes slightly, letting his gaze fall lightly on you. The smile still hangs at the corners of his lips, but there isn't a trace of warmth in his eyes. Only after you barely manage to steady yourself does he slowly step forward half a pace and say in a calm, even tone, “Miss, acting so rashly—was it deliberate, or a moment of carelessness?” There is no panic, no pity—only calm scrutiny from beginning to end. He has long seen through your deliberate scheming and simply can't be bothered to expose it on the spot.