Suppressing the Protagonist at the Start to Seize the Heroine

Chapter 137: Gift

As soon as Su Lin left the room, he placed the jade porcelain into his system space. Even if Qin Delin changed his mind now, he wouldn’t return it. Even if the entire Qin family came after him, he wouldn’t give it back.

After all, this was the protagonist’s trump card – what could be more exhilarating than snatching it first? Snatching opportunities, snatching girls, the thrill was unparalleled!

[Ding~! Host has preemptively acquired the third needle of Taiyi Divine Needle, altering the storyline, suppressing the male lead, preventing him from assembling all the needles of Taiyi Divine Needle. The male lead Xiao Chen’s fortune is reduced by 5%, and the host is rewarded with one epic level treasure box draw.].

“Snatching a cultivation technique and getting an epic level treasure box draw, it’s almost like dealing with a reborn protagonist, terrifying indeed!!!”

“System, can I freely alter the storyline? Like, gathering all seven needles of Taiyi Divine Needle right now?”

[Host, altering the storyline is possible, but only the current stage of the storyline can be changed.].

“Got it~!!”

“Then, can I just kill Xiao Chen right now?”

[Host, if you use force, the likely outcome will be mutual destruction, followed by the host being severely injured by a mysterious expert, or even facing a life-threatening situation.].

“Damn… Aren’t reborn protagonists supposed to be easily squashed? Why not in a light novel?”

[Host, the protagonist of a xiaobai novel is protected by fortune, far beyond what a reborn protagonist can compare.].

“Alright, when can I finish him off?”

[If the host collects all seven needles of Taiyi Divine Needle or conquers all the female leads, you may then make a move against the protaganist.].

“All the female leads? You’re practically asking for my life!!”

Having just finished his complaint, Su Lin heard various exclamations from the hall. He entered through a side door and saw a girl in a princess dress, adorned with a diamond crown, walking out from the back door. Her arrival captured everyone’s attention.

Many second-generation rich kids, both male and female, flocked to her. The girl, Qin Jiuyue, greeted them with a smile, poised and dignified.

This was Qin Jiuyue, with a delicate and playful face, large eyes that seemed to speak, and a crescent moon-like smile that was extremely pleasant.

Su Lin finally understood why Qin Jiuyue was the cherished princess of the Qin family. Any pampering request she made would surely be hard to refuse.

“Long time no see, Xiaoyue. You’ve become even more beautiful.”

“Really? I think so too,” Qin Jiuyue replied cheerfully.

“Where’s my birthday present?”

“It’s already prepared. This is specially bought for you from England…”

Su Lin just glanced at the group of sweet-rich second-generation kids and shook his head, not wanting to watch any longer.

They seemed to be competing over who had brought the more expensive gift, as if that demonstrated their sincerity.

Qin Jiuyue, though smiling, maintained a polite and reserved demeanor, never dropping her princess-like aura.

Su Lin knew that Qin Jiuyue was the type who loved to play and be wild. Therefore, none of these gifts caught her eye. To be accurate, she wasn’t interested in anyone present.

Being overly protected by the Qin family, she had always suppressed her emotions, which only began to show gradually after meeting Xiao Chen.

“What do you think, isn’t the Qin family princess beautiful?”

Upon hearing a familiar voice, Su Lin turned around and saw Zhao Yanyan in a light blue long dress. He nodded, “Indeed, she’s quite pretty.”

“I didn’t expect the little princess of the Qin family to grow up like this. Su Lin, she looks so cute and petite, makes me want to protect her.” Zhao Yanyan remarked.

Su Lin chuckled, “The Qin family has already protected her well enough, does she need your meddling?”

“Eh… You, never mind. I just saw Lin Tian come in with two unfamiliar people, making a big scene at the entrance.” Zhao Yanyan shared.

Su Lin calculated the time; Lin Tian’s downfall was probably just around the corner. His presence here was not surprising.

“Besides celebrating Qin Jiuyue’s birthday tonight, there’s also the allocation of subway line contracts. He’s probably here for that.” Su Lin commented indifferently.

“The subway line contract? How could he have access to that? That’s something only a few major families in Donghai can distribute,” Zhao Yanyan said, surprised.

“He probably doesn’t have a part in the distribution. He’s likely here to help someone secure a line. Let’s not bother with him. As long as he doesn’t provoke us, we’ll act as if he doesn’t exist.” Su Lin suggested.

“Mm, I think so too. I feel annoyed just seeing him,” Zhao Yanyan expressed in distaste.

As they chatted, Qin Jiuyue, having received countless gifts, finally had a moment to herself. But as soon as she had a chance, she noticed Su Lin and Zhao Yanyan.

Zhao Yanyan’s attire, especially her partially visible long legs, attracted many glances. However, since everyone present had status and background, and Zhao Yanyan maintained a standoffish demeanor, she wasn’t harassed.

“Hmph, that jerk Su Lin just tricked my grandfather out of a jade porcelain, and now he’s here flirting as if nothing happened. No wonder he doesn’t like me. He prefers girls with long legs,” Qin Jiuyue thought, feeling a bit upset about her shorter stature compared to Zhao Yanyan.

She excused herself from her friends and walked towards Su Lin and Zhao Yanyan, ignoring the surprised looks from the crowd.

Her small act stirred up discussions among the attendees.

“Who’s that young man Qin Jiuyue is approaching? Does anyone know him?”

“I know, he’s the son of Su Zhenguo, the one who started Quan Le Gou?”

The revelation caused a stir. Everyone knew about Quan Le Gou’s success, but they assumed it was backed by a major figure or family. They hadn’t expected it to be Su Lin, a young man in his early twenties.

“This kid has a bright future. To start a business so young and to know the Qin family’s little princess…”

As the crowd buzzed, Su Lin was baffled, not expecting Qin Jiuyue to approach him.

Seeing Qin Jiuyue’s slightly angry expression, he wondered if this was the effect of being an antagonist – automatically drawing the heroine’s hostility?

Qin Jiuyue stood before Su Lin, her presence surprising him and Zhao Yanyan. Her heart fluttered with excitement, like the thrill of a prank. “Hey, Su Lin, where’s my birthday gift?”

“Uh… I…” Caught off-guard by her sudden address, Su Lin was momentarily confused about when he had become so familiar with this main female lead.

“You didn’t come empty-handed, did you? Grandpa praised you to the skies, and I had him send you a special invitation.”

This was Su Lin’s first close encounter with Qin Jiuyue, the main female lead of the light novel. She looked immaculate, with a face so delicate it seemed devoid of pores, like a perfect doll. Too adorable.

“You didn’t actually forget to prepare a gift, did you? Grandpa really talked you up, and I specifically asked him to send you an invite.”

Su Lin, now realizing the situation, faced the adorable and yet somehow authoritative presence of Qin Jiuyue, the cherished daughter of the Qin family.

However, the woman was now looking at him with a playful and charming smile, compelling Su Lin to admit that this girl truly deserved to be the main female lead.

“Su Lin, you didn’t really come unprepared, did you?”

Su Lin was in a tight spot. Typically, for gatherings like these, invitations sent directly to one’s home meant that the family would prepare the gift.

If the invitation was personal, then a personal gift was expected. Su Lin had always thought that the invitation was from Qin Delin, not realizing it was from Qin Jiuyue.

He noticed the curious glances from the people around, focusing on their trio.

Suddenly, Su Lin burst into laughter. “How could I possibly come unprepared? But I have left my gift in the rest area; I need to fetch it.”

“Oh? Then you better go get it quickly; I’ll wait for you right here,” Qin Jiuyue raised an eyebrow, fully aware that Su Lin had come empty-handed and even tricked her grandfather out of a jade vase.

Thinking of how Su Lin deceived her grandfather and still had the nerve to act so smug, Qin Jiuyue was grinding her teeth in annoyance.

Qin Delin adored her the most. She was determined to embarrass Su Lin today; she wouldn’t feel satisfied otherwise.

“Uh… since you’re waiting, okay then, just give me two minutes. Yanyan, please keep her company for a while. I’ll be right back.”

“Ah… okay~!~!!” Zhao Yanyan was also somewhat bewildered, not knowing when Su Lin had become acquainted with the young lady of the Qin family. But this wasn’t the right moment to ask, so she agreed to stay.

“Hmph… let’s see how you come up with a gift now,” Qin Jiuyue huffed in anticipation.

Zhao Yanyan was again baffled by Qin Jiuyue’s tone, sensing that the latter seemed displeased with Su Lin.

Two minutes later, Su Lin returned, holding a delicate box – the same box Qin Delin had used for the jade porcelain. Qin Jiuyue recognized it immediately, having seen it not long ago.

She was surprised, thinking Su Lin intended to give her the jade porcelain as a birthday gift. That would indeed be a lavish present; the porcelain alone was worth a billion yuan just as a jade piece, let alone its antique value.

“Coming in a hurry, I didn’t prepare anything special. This is just a small token of my esteem.”

Su Lin handed the box to Qin Jiuyue.

“This… is really for me?”

Su Lin nodded with a smile.

Inside the box wasn’t the jade porcelain but a lifelike imitation snake. Since this young lady enjoyed playing pranks, Su Lin decided to give her a suitable gift for her antics.

“Ah~! Then I’ll accept it, thank you, Su Lin.”

“You’re welcome. We’re all good friends, aren’t we? I should also thank you for the invitation,” Su Lin said deliberately, word by word.

“Hehe…!”