After Mistakenly Binding The Matchmaker System

Chapter 13

“Child, if you have taken someone else’s things, just return them. Why stubbornly deny it?”

“That’s right. How can you steal and not admit it? Which family do you belong to?”

The child kept his lips tightly sealed, staring at Li Shu stubbornly, refusing to speak.

Li Shu only wanted to retrieve his money pouch and didn’t want to get involved in any trouble. Loosening his grip, the child seized the opportunity, broke free, and ran towards a less crowded area.

“Hey—”

“The thief is running away! Everyone, catch him!” A man in the crowd shouted, leading many others to chase after the child.

Under his influence, numerous people followed suit.

Li Shu acted discreetly, and no one noticed that he intentionally let the child escape. They just thought the child broke free and ran away.

The man who claimed the child stole from him stood still, dazed and uncertain about what to do.

With the excitement fading, the crowd soon dispersed. Li Shu approached the man and asked, “Aren’t you going after your belongings?”

“Huh? Oh!” The man seemed to snap out of it, and smiled bitterly. “That kid runs too fast. I chased him for half the street, I need to take it slow.”

Li Shu walked away, but the man followed and caught up, saying, “Excuse me, brother, wait.”

Stopping, Li Shu asked, “What is it?”

The man touched the tip of his nose and asked sheepishly, “I just wanted to know how you noticed your money pouch was missing. To be honest, I only realized it was gone when I went to pay for something.”

He felt embarrassed when he recalled the situation.

Li Shu didn’t answer, and the man wasn’t upset. He continued to follow Li Shu familiarly, “I came to the capital for the imperial examination. I’m called Yu Rongxiu. May I know your name, Brother?”

Without waiting for Li Shu’s response, Yu Rongxiu continued, “Speaking of which, the capital is truly prosperous. The people here are warm-hearted, and there’s no shortage of delicious food, beautiful scenery, and charming individuals. I really hope to stay here.”

“You will,” Li Shu replied lightly.

“Huh? Brother, do you think I can stay in the capital?” Expecting no answer, Yu Rongxiu was surprised that the aloof beauty actually responded. His heart leaped with joy, though he didn’t show it. “Then, I’ll take your words as a good omen.”

Li Shu said “Hmm,” softly, which was considered an acknowledgment.

Now that the beauty was willing to talk to him, Yu Rongxiu didn’t want to leave anymore. He continued to walk behind Li Shu, sharing interesting stories. With his eloquence and captivating stories, he kept the conversation engaging without becoming tiresome. Li Shu tacitly allowed them to walk together, and occasionally exchanged a few words.

“I’m Li Shu, I’m also a candidate this year.” As they entered a small tavern recommended by Yu Rongxiu, Li Shu revealed his name during their discussion about the recent cheating case.

Hearing the name, Yu Rongxiu was momentarily stunned, obviously realizing Li Shu’s identity. The news of the Left Prime Minister’s son being involved in cheating and being thrown into prison wasn’t a secret. It spread widely, so it wasn’t surprising that Yu Rongxiu knew about it.

However, the daze lasted only a short while. He didn’t pry into Li Shu’s personal matters and smoothly shifted to another topic, treating Li Shu the same way as before.

But he was still a little shocked. There were many rumors about Li Shu circulating outside, but only after interacting with him did Yu Rongxiu realize how unreliable those rumors were. Indeed, rumors should not be entirely trusted.

Setting aside various thoughts, Yu Rongxiu poured a cup of wine for Li Shu. “A chance meeting is fate. Brother Li, I toast to you.”

Li Shu raised the cup and downed the wine.

He had to admit, chatting with Yu Rongxiu was a very pleasant experience. He was very knowledgeable and could talk about any topic. Moreover, he spoke very measuredly and took care of the feelings of the person he was communicating with without making others unhappy.

Yu Rongxiu, a serious face con, admired everything beautiful, be it people or objects. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been rendered immobile upon seeing Li Shu, even neglecting the stolen money. Naturally, Li Shu ended up treating him to this meal, and after settling the bill, Li Shu asked, “What are your plans now?”

“I have hands and feet; I won’t starve myself.” Yu Rongxiu was optimistic. In such a vast capital, there were many ways to earn money.

“Do you want to retrieve the money from that kid?” Li Shu’s gaze stopped at a certain corner around the bend.

“Right now, I—” The rest of Yu Rongxiu’s words disappeared upon seeing a small figure emerge from the corner.

The tavern they were in was in a small alley, and it was unknown how Yu Rongxiu found it. At this time, a small figure emerged from the corner in front of the alley.

—The boy who had stolen both of their money pouches.

Compared to the morning encounter, the child’s clothes were even more tattered. The setting sun stretched his shadow long, and he stood there hesitatingly.

Both sides stared at each other, motionless.

In the end, Yu Rongxiu took the first step and walked towards the child. The child shrank back slightly, enduring without running away.

Li Shu didn’t go over, and stood there waiting. Yu Rongxiu turned back and walked towards him, followed by a small tail.

“I’m sorry.” The child peeked out from behind Yu Rongxiu and mumbled an apology.

The child looked young and dirty. Only his eyes were as bright and charming as midnight stars.

Li Shu asked, “Why did you bring him over?”

“He said he came to return my money.” Yu Rongxiu shook the money pouch in his hand. “I thought since he took yours as well, I’d have him come over and apologize to you too.”

“Now I don’t have to worry about making a living anymore. Brother Li, I’ll treat you to drinks next time.”

“Okay.”

The two parted ways at the entrance of the alley. On the way back, a notification sound suddenly came from the system:

[Congratulations to the host for unlocking the hidden plot “Love Hindered by Worldly Affairs.” Completion reward: 100,000 points, Universal Repair Pill x1, Random Gift Package x1, Failure Penalty: None.]

[What’s this?] Li Shu asked with interest.

Earlier, the system only rewarded 100 points for completing a plot point. This time, the reward was unexpectedly generous.

[Hidden plots have no mission prompts, and the activation conditions are also random,] 1314 brought up the mission panel, revealing a blank space under “hidden missions”.

[Then how can we complete the hidden plot?] If nothing is displayed, then there is no direction at all.

[Uh, well…] 1314 paused for a moment. [The activation and completion of hidden plots are entirely random, and the chance of encountering hidden missions is also random. I’ve researched all the data from previous years, and the completion rate of hidden plots is extremely low. Moreover, the methods to complete these hidden plots are diverse and unpredictable.]

[So, completing these hidden plots depends entirely on luck?] Even the mission panel was blank. Whether it can be completed depends on luck.

[A hidden plot was triggered after meeting Yu Rongxiu. Could it be related to him? 1314, pull up the information related to Yu Rongxiu from the original plot,] Li Shu instructed.

[Yes, Host.]

Because it was a matchmaker system, 1314’s information for Li Shu was not comprehensive, focusing mainly on parts involving the main protagonists. Other details were briefly mentioned and had limited reference value.

Curious, Li Shu asked, [What’s the identity of the child whom Yu Rongxiu brought to apologize?]

[The child is currently an orphan. He stole money to treat his adopted sister.]

[Currently an orphan…] Li Shu pondered. It meant the child might regain a different identity later. [Is there any content related to that child in the plot?]

[No,] 1314 replied directly. [But there’s something related to the sister.]

[Oh? Tell me about it.] There was nothing about the boy, so it was highly likely that the boy died later on.

[After the plot ends, the little girl was taken into the harem by the male protagonist. She became a concubine and was highly favored. However, she was constantly against the female protagonist, and later, she was relegated to the cold palace with no further information.]

‘There is such a twist!’

Li Shu was now intrigued and changed his mind on going back home. He planned to visit the little girl.

An orphan being able to win the emperor’s favor wasn’t something ordinary. Furthermore, his main mission was to ensure the male and female protagonists live together happily. What if a concubine suddenly pops up later?

Sensing a faint killing intent from the host, 1314 wiped away imaginary cold sweat. [Host, calm down. Regardless of the future, she’s still a child now!]

[As a system, don’t you think you’re too soft-hearted?] Li Shu retorted coldly.

1314 shuddered and remained silent. How could it forget that the host it was bound to was a powerful demon who had cultivated for who knows how many years? It couldn’t casually interfere.

[Host…]

[Alright, I won’t do anything. Why is your courage still so small? Rest assured, I’m just going to see those two kids. In your eyes, am I someone who enjoys killing innocent people indiscriminately?]

Having to coax his system each time it got scared, Li Shu felt somewhat helpless.

[I…] 1314 wanted to say, “I don’t,” but this was what it thought. It was worried that the host might directly go and kill the child. Obviously the host never showed anger or killing intent since entering the small world. Why was it still afraid?

Could it be that when they first met, the bloodthirsty host left such a deep shadow on its heart?

While 1314 was in self-reflection, Li Shu had already followed the markings he left on the child and found their shelter.

It was a dilapidated small temple located in the rarely visited outskirts. In such a place, even rain might not be kept out. He wondered how the two children managed to live there.

The sun set, casting a long shadow on the ground. The surroundings were eerily quiet. In fact, it was overly silent for the sunset hour, there was not even the sounds of insects or birds. Thinking about what the system had mentioned earlier, Li Shu’s mind tightened. Could something have happened to the boy today?

Raising his foot, Li Shu was about to enter and take a look when suddenly, a sound of rushing air reached his ears. He quickly moved to the side.

“Whoosh—”

An arrow grazed past his ear. Long black hair cascaded down as Li Shu swiftly purchased a mask from the system store and wore it.

There was actually an ambush around here!