Chapter 34: Coveting the Villain’s Woman? A Leek Should Know Its Place

Gu Changge’s suspicion was rooted in the countless webnovel tropes he had mastered in his previous life.

No matter how he looked at it, Lin Tian did not behave like a standard “good-for-nothing” protagonist. Even his sister—a favored daughter of heaven—was nervous in Gu Changge’s presence, yet this trash-tier youth dared to stalk him from the shadows?

Gu Changge had clearly sensed Lin Tian hiding nearby earlier. The boy had retreated quickly after being detected, not daring to linger. Such caution and mental fortitude were not things an ordinary teenager possessed.

“It shows that your persuasion was effective. He understands the effort you’ve put in as his sister.”

“In this world, if one cannot cultivate, they are indeed no different from a cripple.”

“After all, you genuinely have his best interests at heart.”

Gu Changge wore a gentle smile, his tone brimming with empathy. While he appeared to be engaging in casual conversation, he was methodically extracting every scrap of information regarding Lin Tian.

As his sister, no one knew Lin Tian better than Lin Qiuhan.

Unaware of his predatory intentions, Lin Qiuhan felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

Is Young Master Gu… comforting me?

Encouraged, she continued to speak, pouring out details about her brother. Gu Changge listened attentively, interjecting with polite nods while subtly steering the conversation deeper.

He learned that Lin Tian had recently taken up alchemy, demanding various materials from her. Furthermore, he had suddenly displayed expertise in ancient arrays and treasure arts. Just a few days ago, he had even humiliated several academy Elders by pointing out flaws in their techniques, shocking the entire clan.

Gu Changge smiled internally. He had heard enough to understand the full picture.

A new Child of Destiny. Harvesting this crop will be even simpler than I imagined.

Now that the backlash from Providence was no longer an immediate threat, Gu Changge had far more tools at his disposal.

“I never expected Young Master Gu to understand me so well…” Lin Qiuhan murmured, her eyes softening. “Usually, even Xiao Tian doesn’t understand. He thinks I am too harsh on him.”

She felt a mix of helplessness and relief. She was glad Lin Tian had finally come to his senses, justifying her years of worry. But what touched her more was that, while her clan questioned her doting behavior, this stranger—this high and mighty Young Lord—understood her perfectly.

A strange, fluttering sensation bloomed in her chest.

Lin Qiuhan had cultivated for over 20 years, yet this was the first time she truly understood what it meant to be moved by someone.

And this was only their first meeting. Countless young geniuses had pursued her in the past, yet none had made her heart waver even slightly.

Gu Changge, naturally, read her thoughts like an open book.

It was entirely within his calculations. With his status as a wealthy, powerful noble from the Upper Realm, combined with the eloquence and insight of a transmigrator, he had easily ensnared even the brilliant Su Qingge.

For someone as simple and sheltered as Lin Qiuhan? Making her fall for him was child’s play. It didn’t require any effort at all.

Starting with her is much easier—and far more amusing—than attacking Lin Tian directly.

Silent as a shadow, Su Qingge watched the scene unfold. Her understanding of Gu Changge deepened yet again.

His ability to manipulate the human heart… it truly is an art form.

“It is naturally a good thing that Little Brother Lin Tian can turn over a new leaf,” Gu Changge said, feigning a thoughtful sigh. “Presumably, he was just a pearl covered in dust all these years. After all, to point out the mistakes of Elders in just a few days… such talent…”

He trailed off, as if speaking purely out of admiration.

“How could Xiao Tian be a pearl covered in dust?” Lin Qiuhan laughed involuntarily. “And his talent… previously, he couldn’t even cultivate a Spirit Sea…”

She stopped mid-sentence.

She froze, a vague sense of dissonance creeping into her mind. Something was wrong. But she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.

“Oh? He couldn’t even cultivate a Spirit Sea?” Gu Changge asked, his voice laced with perfectly feigned surprise. “Then how does he refine pills? Could it be that Little Brother Lin Tian possesses some lost ancient method?”

“I have heard of such techniques in the Upper Realm, where cultivators can refine pills without a Spirit Sea… It seems Little Brother Lin Tian is a person of Great Providence.”

Gu Changge muttered the last part as if talking to himself, but the words struck Lin Qiuhan like a thunderclap.

If she couldn’t see the anomaly, he would simply guide her thinking until she did.

Seeing Lin Qiuhan fall into deep contemplation, her expression troubled, Gu Changge knew he had planted the seed deep enough. He smiled and said no more. Moderation was key.

…

Meanwhile.

After realizing he had been detected, Lin Tian abandoned his stalking and slipped away.

His expression was ugly, his chest burning with jealousy.

Of course, the primary driver was the remnant obsession of the original body.

In his current assessment, Gu Changge was incredibly strong. However, since Lin Tian was a God King reborn via Body Seizing, his perception was limited by his weak vessel. He couldn’t determine the exact depths of Gu Changge’s power.

But what he hadn’t expected was her.

His sister—usually so severe, so demanding—was showing the shy, flustered demeanor of a lovestruck maiden in front of another man.

And they had only just met!

This scene filled Lin Tian with unwilling rage. It felt as though something that belonged to him was being stolen right before his eyes.

Creak.

Lin Tian’s fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

Fortunately, the mental fortitude of a God King was not easily shattered. He forced himself to calm down, his gaze turning cold.

“This so-called Young Master Gu… he harbors ill intentions. One look at him and I can tell he is not a good person. I must warn Lin Qiuhan to be wary, lest she falls into his trap.”

“Since you were the one to offend me first, do not blame This King for making a move against you.”

Previously, he had hesitated on whether to target Gu Changge for the sake of the white-clothed woman’s physique. But now, the choice was no longer his.

This gave him the perfect justification.

He provoked me first. He intervened in my affairs!

…

Night fell over the Lin Estate.

The Central Heavenly Region remained in a frenzy over the return of the Lin Family Ancestor. The news had spread from the Lin clan to every corner of the land, causing massive waves in every ancient city. Sects and factions were shaken, scrambling to send envoys to pay their respects.

But inside the palace arranged for Gu Changge, silence reigned.

Gu Changge stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. The moonlight was hazy, and the night wind tugged at his dark, mysterious robes.

His expression was calm and indifferent, his mind churning with calculations.

He had already deduced the archetype of this new Child of Destiny. Lin Tian was walking the path of the “Remnant Soul Body Seizing.”

Judging by Lin Tian’s reactions, he clearly didn’t possess knowledge of the future. This ruled out the “Rebirth/Time Travel” trope.

If that’s the case, dealing with him will be trivially easy.

However, there was one detail that genuinely surprised Gu Changge.

That fellow… back outside the main hall, he was actually staring at Su Qingge?

Historically, it was always the Villain who coveted the Protagonist’s women.

Now, the Child of Destiny wants to steal my woman?

Gu Changge’s lips curled into a cold, amused sneer.

If you want to court death, there is no need to be in such a hurry.

As a leek, one really ought to have the self-awareness of a leek.