City: I Started As A Rich Second Generation Villain - Chapter 19 – Gu Junqing: Reluctant to Be a Slave

“Hello, may I help you with something?”

Su Chen heard an exceptionally pleasant voice calling out to him.

He turned and saw a remarkably handsome young man.

Su Chen was momentarily stunned and instinctively felt goodwill toward Gu Junqing because of his appearance and polite tone.

After all, beautiful things were always pleasing to the eye.

“Yes, I’m looking for my fiancée’s family, the Li Family. I heard they’re quite famous in Luodu,” Su Chen replied courteously.

He usually interacted only with villagers in the mountains. The people there were simple and honest, and there was no need to be guarded.

Those villagers who had visited cities often warned him that urban people were complicated and cold, and that he needed to beware of bad people.

At first, he had followed this advice—by not talking to strangers, he wouldn’t be deceived. Not that he was truly afraid of being tricked anyway.

Gu Junqing immediately understood what kind of protagonist this was.

This was clearly the “divine doctor descends the mountain to break off an engagement” trope—where the protagonist discovers his fiancée is rich and beautiful, and ultimately decides not to cancel the marriage.

Usually, the female lead would initially look down on the male protagonist.

That opening was precisely what Gu Junqing could exploit—winning over the female lead during this period while deepening her dislike for the protagonist.

A faint glint flashed in Gu Junqing’s eyes.

However, he did not want Su Chen to meet his destined female lead yet and accelerate the plot’s progression.

“The Li Family? They’re one of Luodu’s Four Great Families!”

“You’re so young—yet you’re already becoming the Li Family’s son-in-law. You must be extraordinarily talented!” Gu Junqing said, offering deliberate flattery.

“Not at all. It was just arranged by our elders,” Su Chen said quickly, waving his hands in denial.

“The Li Family is straight that way,” Gu Junqing said, pointing in the completely opposite direction.

“Understood, understood. I’ll be going then. Thank you for your help!” Su Chen said gratefully.

He felt he had truly met a good person today.

Originally, he had no idea where to go. His plan was to break off the engagement first and then decide what to do afterward.

He hadn’t even seen his fiancée yet. Based solely on the Li Family’s reputation, he wasn’t impressed. With his abilities, what force in the world could he not conquer?

After learning the direction, Su Chen left.

Though he felt a faint sense of regret—as if something important was supposed to happen—he detected nothing wrong.

Without thinking further, he walked off in the direction Gu Junqing had indicated.

Gu Junqing initially smiled as he watched him leave, but after Su Chen disappeared, his expression gradually darkened until it became completely emotionless.

He had been caught somewhat off guard.

Lin Tian had not yet been dealt with, and another protagonist had already appeared.

Fortunately, he had sent Su Chen away for now. Otherwise, the one who saved Lin Qingzhu today might not have been him.

Gu Junqing steadied himself and returned to Murong Wan and Luo Ningyu.

“Did something happen? You look serious,” Luo Ningyu asked with concern.

Always attentive to him, she immediately noticed his unusual mood.

“Nothing important—just some unexpected matters. Have you ordered yet?”

Gu Junqing glanced at her and gently patted her head.

“Yes, we have.”

Luo Ningyu answered obediently, even leaning forward slightly to make it easier for him to pat her.

Like a spoiled little cat.

Murong Wan, sitting beside them, felt a hint of jealousy.

Recently, she and Luo Ningyu had been spending more time with Gu Junqing, and she found herself gradually drawn to him.

Whether in academics or daily life, Gu Junqing always took thoughtful care of her.

He was also humorous and witty. They joked often, and Luo Ningyu frequently joined in.

Watching their intimacy, Murong Wan wanted to imitate Luo Ningyu and join in as well.

Her eyes darted around before she awkwardly mimicked Luo Ningyu’s posture, leaning forward slightly.

“I want a head pat too.”

Her voice sounded faintly childish, revealing her embarrassment.

Gu Junqing looked surprised, then chuckled.

He reached out and patted Murong Wan’s head as well.

Both girls even nuzzled lightly against his hand before sitting back down.

Murong Wan’s face turned bright red. When his hand touched her head, goosebumps spread across her body.

A faint tingling ran through her scalp, and she began to stammer.

“O-okay, that’s enough. D-do you want anything else?”

“No need,” Gu Junqing said with a smile, shaking his head.

Luo Ningyu burst into laughter, already accustomed to Gu Junqing’s head pats and his mesmerizing smile.

Since they were already a couple, what was there to be shy about? Though she too had once been just as bashful as Murong Wan.

Seeing Luo Ningyu laughing so hard she leaned against her, Murong Wan grew flustered and retaliated, tickling her playfully.

Luo Ningyu refused to lose and fought back immediately.

Watching the two laugh so brightly filled Gu Junqing with warmth.

Two stunning beauties playfully wrestling and laughing together—it was undeniably entertaining.

“No wonder they get along so well,” he thought. “They grew up together.”

It was hardly surprising that both could develop feelings for him.

Since they were in a private room, he allowed their playful antics to continue.

Still, this wasn’t ideal—they were supposed to be eating, and such distractions were mentally dangerous.

So—

“We’re eating! If you two keep playing, I’m joining in too!”

With that, Gu Junqing pretended to jump into their scuffle.

Murong Wan and Luo Ningyu panicked instantly and hurriedly stopped, blocking his advance.

Gu Junqing felt slightly disappointed.

Although he had expected this outcome, part of him had still hoped they wouldn’t stop.

If they hadn’t, he could have taken advantage of the situation!

“What a shame. Next time, I must blend into their dynamic better,” he thought regretfully.

The two girls quickly settled down and behaved themselves.

Even after their playful fight, their elegance remained undiminished.

It was no wonder they were female leads—their eyes shimmered like spring water, clear and captivating, their delicate features rivaling blooming flowers.

This also strengthened Gu Junqing’s resolve to avoid direct conflict with Su Chen—for now.

He only wanted to protect these girls and give them a safe place to belong.

What was wrong with that?

Of course, a protagonist would never agree.

If all the female leads became your home, where would the protagonist live?

Thus, opposing the protagonist had become inevitable.

Born exceptional, Gu Junqing had no intention of becoming anyone’s stepping stone.

At that moment, he almost wanted to shout, “For the Horde!”

…Wait. Wrong script.

For his own survival—that was the real reason.