"Xixi, is this supposed to happen?" Ethan whispered, his eyes fixed on the man across the restaurant. His voice trembled, though he tried to keep his face neutral.
That man… that was the Main Character.
He wasn't supposed to be here. Not now. Not yet. Something had changed in the plot, and Ethan's chest tightened with unease.
"And what's worse…" Ethan muttered under his breath, "Why is he sitting with that peacock?"
The rainbow-haired man leaned close, laughing easily, and the MC, Jamie smiled back, far too cozy for comfort.
Damien shifted, about to follow Ethan's line of sight, when Ethan jolted. He gripped the handles of the wheelchair a little tighter. "I'm tired. Can we go now?"
Damien's sharp gaze lingered on him for a moment. "…Mm."
Relieved, Ethan hurried to his feet and wheeled Damien toward the exit. No way can Damien and the MC meet right now. Not before I have secured the boss's trust. If they clash too early… I'll be toast.
Damien was focused on his phone, scrolling with his usual calm indifference, so he didn't notice much around him. That gave Ethan the chance to quickly whisper at Xixi. "Info. Who's the peacock?"
[Name: Lucas Wen. Identity: Male supporting character. The male lead's rival and friend. Also part of the MC's harem.]
Ethan's jaw dropped. Rival and friend? How does that even work?!
He risked another glance. Lucas definitely looked like a spoiled rich playboy—flashy suit, smug grin, the whole package. But Xixi's info revealed he actually ran one of the world's top perfume companies. Basically, another money tree wrapped tightly around Jamie's little finger.
Ethan's thoughts went wild. Two big shots sharing the same person? Respect, bro. Your talent is terrifying.
Just then, Jamie lifted his head. Their eyes met across the room.
Jamie raised an eyebrow, gaze sliding from Ethan's startled expression to the man in the wheelchair he was pushing. Recognition flickered in his eyes. Then, he tilted his head and smiled.
Gentle. Too gentle.
But Ethan's blood ran cold. That smile wasn't gentle at all. It was creepy. Possessive. Dangerous.
A chill ran down his spine, and without another word, he pushed Damien out of the restaurant faster than necessary.
Inside the car, Ethan let out the breath he had been holding, wiping sweat from his forehead. What the hell was that?
Back inside the restaurant, Jamie placed a hand over his chest, his expression unreadable.
"Are you thinking about that worthless punk, Damy, again?" Lucas clicked his tongue, his tone sour.
Jamie only smiled faintly, not bothering to answer.
Lucas leaned closer, lowering his voice. "He doesn't deserve you. He can't even protect himself, so how can he protect you? Stay with me instead. I can give you everything you've ever wanted."
Jamie tilted his head, his tone soft, almost amused. "But aren't you friends?"
"Friends?" Lucas scoffed, the word laced with scorn. "Don't joke with me."
The ride home was quiet, the sleek car gliding through the night. Ethan stayed tense the whole way, wondering why the plot suddenly changed.
When the car finally stopped, Ethan blinked in surprise. This wasn't the Luciano residence.
Instead, a separate villa stretched before them—quiet, refined, with elegant lanterns lighting up the courtyard.
Ethan checked the notes Xixi had pulled up from the world's plot. Originally, Damien and Xia Lan had lived here together. After Ethan transmigrated, though, they had been staying temporarily at the Luciano mansion.
Ethan's shoulders loosened, relief washing through him. Finally, some distance from those toxic family members.
But before he could relax too much, Xixi's voice chimed in his ear. [Warning: Even here, the patriarch has planted eyes and ears. You're still under surveillance.]
Ethan's smile twitched.
Inside, just like his office it was dark and gloomy. Heavy curtains covered the tall windows, allowing only the faintest light through. Expensive furniture filled the rooms, all sleek and modern, but the colors leaned toward black and grey accents.
A butler appeared silently from one of the side rooms, bowing deeply. "Young Master, everything has been arranged as instructed. If you require anything, please let us know immediately."
Ethan eyed the man. Too polite, too stiff, and that lingering gaze on Damien was just a bit too sharp. Yep. Spy number one identified.
"Got it, thanks," Ethan said quickly, steering Damien down the hall before the butler could hover any longer. Xixi chirped in his ear, giving directions until they reached Damien's private bedroom.
Ethan peeked around, scratching his cheek. "So do we sleep in the same room?"
"Yes," Xixi replied cheerfully
Ethan sighed. "Figures."
After washing up, he slipped into some loose clothes and plopped onto the sofa in the corner. A moment later, Damien wheeled himself toward the bathroom. Ethan sat up straight, blinking. Wait… is he going to shower by himself?
He hesitated. Could Damien manage alone? Of course, he could handle many things on his own — the man was too proud to admit otherwise. But there were still limits, and showering wasn't exactly easy when your mobility was restricted.
Ethan scratched his head, debating. If he offered help, Damien would probably freeze him with that cold stare of his. If he didn't, Damien might struggle.
In the end, he stayed quiet, listening to the sound of running water. Damien didn't call for him once. When the bathroom door finally opened, Damien rolled out looking as composed as ever, fresh shirt neatly buttoned. Not a strand of hair out of place.
Woah, most people needed an hour to look this perfect! Ethan gave him thumbs up and he was completely ignored, not that he minded.
Time passed quietly until Ethan suddenly sat up and looked at him. "Hey."
Damien looked over, brows slightly furrowed. "What?"
"Take off your pants."
"Host, what are you trying to pull?" Xixi's little voice rang in his mind, full of panic. Its tiny ears twitched nervously. "Do you want to… To seduce him?"
"Shut up, you noisy rabbit," Ethan snapped in annoyance.
Damien's expression froze. "What did you just say?"
"Your pants," Ethan repeated casually, pointing. "Take them off."