The Side Character Wants to Lie Flat

Chapter 557: Chapter 560: Directing and Starring

Hua Manman wanted to get dressed by herself, but Li Ji flatly refused.

"The Daoist Master said you need to lie still, or your wound might open up again."

Hua Manman could only settle for the next best thing.

"Then let someone else dress me."

Li Ji said, "If someone else dresses you, your secret that you’re a woman will be exposed."

Hua Manman: "..."

Every path was blocked.

The only choice left was to let the man before her help her dress.

Just the thought of it made Hua Manman cringe so hard her toes curled.

But Li Ji wasn’t the least bit embarrassed.

He said with perfect composure.

"I’ve already undressed you once. What’s there to hesitate about?"

Hua Manman said reluctantly.

"I’m afraid it’s an imposition on you.

You’re the Regent Prince, after all.

People serve you; you don’t serve them.

I’m truly unworthy of such an honor."

Li Ji arched a brow and said domineeringly, "If I say you’re worthy, you’re worthy."

’He’s really got that whole overbearing prince vibe down!’

He lifted Hua Manman with one arm and began to slip the clothes over her with the other.

For her comfort, Li Ji had chosen a very loose set of clothes made of soft fabric that wouldn’t chafe her wound.

As he dressed her, their bodies were inevitably pressed close together.

Hua Manman’s back was pressed almost flush against Li Ji’s chest.

Through the thin layers of fabric, she could clearly feel his body heat and the steady, powerful beat of his heart.

Again and again.

It was like a heavy hammer pounding against her own heart.

It made her extremely uncomfortable.

She had never been so close to a man in her life.

Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably and her heart began to race. She didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet.

Thankfully, her back was to him, so she didn’t have to worry about him seeing her flustered expression.

Once she was dressed, Li Ji released her.

Hua Manman immediately turned to face the inside of the bed, showing him only the back of her head.

Li Ji teased, "Why aren’t you looking at me? Are you shy?"

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Hua Manman’s hackles rose instantly.

She whipped around and retorted angrily.

"I am not!"

At this, Li Ji’s smile grew even more amused.

His dark eyes seemed to be tinged with the glow of twilight, brilliant and bright.

Hua Manman had never seen him smile like that before and was momentarily stunned.

’Setting aside his wretched temper, he really was handsome. The more she looked, the more handsome he became.’

’Too bad.’

’He already has a wife and child.’

At this thought, Hua Manman was suddenly jolted back to her senses.

’That’s right! The man already has a family. What am I letting my heart flutter for?’

’I would never be a homewrecker.’

Hua Manman quickly cooled down, thoroughly extinguishing the improper thoughts in her heart.

Li Ji had heard her every thought, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

’He’d finally made some progress with her. How had they gone back to square one in the blink of an eye?’

’How could this woman be so cruel and heartless?!’

Hua Manman spoke in a formal, business-like tone.

"Thank you for your help tonight."

Li Ji would rather have seen her lose her temper and storm off than see her act so cold and distant.

It was as if an invisible, vast distance lay between them.

No matter how hard he tried to close it, the distance would never shrink.

Li Ji said, "What’s there to thank me for? This isn’t the first time I’ve saved you."

Hua Manman recalled how he had saved her life the very first time they met.

She nodded earnestly. "Yes, I owe you a great deal. If you ever need my help in the future, I will not hesitate."

Li Ji couldn’t stand her polite, formal attitude.

"Get some rest. I’m leaving."

With that, he turned and walked out.

It was only after he had left the room that Li Ji remembered.

This was his bedroom.

He had given his bedroom to Hua Manman, so where would he sleep tonight?

Li Ji stood silently at the door for a moment before resigning himself to the study.

He was forced to make do in the study for the night.

...

Chen Wangbei led the trusted aides in pursuit of the assassins.

Following the Regent King’s orders, he deliberately let two of the assassins escape during the chase.

The two assassins first slipped into Zhongming Square, blending in with the crowds.

Once the guards were gone, the two left Zhongming Square and hurried to the Prince Zheng Mansion.

After Li Qi left the palace, he took a carriage home.

He had drunk a fair amount of wine that evening.

But since he could hold his liquor, his mind was still clear. His steps were just a little unsteady, and he needed someone to support him.

Upon returning to the Prince Zheng Mansion, he had just stepped into his bedroom when he smelled blood.

A chill went down his spine. Just as he was about to call for help, two injured, black-clad assassins leaped down from the rafters and landed before him.

"Reporting, Young Master! The Regent King suddenly appeared and rescued the Heir of Prince Yu. Nearly all our men were captured. Only the two of us managed to escape."

Now, with the whole city searching for them, they had nowhere else to go but the Prince Zheng Mansion to hide.

However, the color drained from Li Qi’s face as he listened to them.

"You’ve doomed me!"

The words had barely left his lips when he heard someone shouting outside.

"Young Master, men from the Regent Prince Mansion are here! They claim assassins have infiltrated our mansion and are demanding to search it!"

Li Qi almost fainted.

At this point, how could he not understand what was happening?

Clearly, the Regent King had deliberately let them escape, following the trail right to his doorstep.

The two assassins knelt before him, their faces ashen with terror, begging for their lives.

"We beg you, Young Master, save us!"

Li Qi took out a dagger, threw it in front of them, and said through gritted teeth.

"If you want to live, do exactly as I say."

When Chen Wangbei and his trusted aides stormed into the Prince Mansion’s rear courtyard, they were met with the sight of Li Qi being held hostage by two black-clad assassins.

The dagger in one assassin’s hand was pressed to Li Qi’s throat. The slightest pressure would be enough to slit it.

Li Qi was trembling all over, his face as white as a sheet.

He wailed, "Save me!"

The staff of the Prince Zheng Mansion were terrified by the sight and began to shout.

"Scoundrels! Let the Young Master go!"

To them, it looked as if the assassins had fled into the Prince Zheng Mansion and taken the Princely Heir hostage.

But Chen Wangbei knew full well this was, in all likelihood, a scene staged by the Heir of Prince Zheng himself.

Chen Wangbei ordered his men to completely surround the Heir of Prince Zheng and the assassins.

One of the assassins threatened fiercely.

"If any of you take one step closer, we’ll kill him!"

Chen Wangbei sneered. "Is that right? Then you’d better make good on that promise."

He rested one hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, poised to draw and kill at a moment’s notice. Then, he began to stride toward the Heir of Prince Zheng and the assassins.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!