From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Young Master Zheng's expression changed drastically. His hawk-like gaze swept across the dimly lit corner, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Who's there? Sneaking around like that, come out!" Madam Lan gripped Young Master Zheng's sleeve tightly, her face ashen, her eyes darting around anxiously.

Yan Rugo knew something was wrong. She held her breath and dared not move, hiding in the shadows like a statue.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the faint sounds of distant revelry adding to the eeriness of the place.

Her heart was pounding like a deafening drumbeat, and Yan Rugo felt as if she was about to stop breathing.

Damn it, I was so careful just now, how did he still find out?

Is it the legendary protagonist's halo?

No, it must be that this young master Zheng is too cunning!

Yan Rugo cursed inwardly as she pressed herself tightly against the wall, the cold touch making her even more alert.

She furtively glanced around, searching for a way to escape.

This damn banquet hall is designed like a maze. I should never have ventured into the lion's den just to get some gossip!

"Aren't you coming out yet! Do I have to go and invite you myself?" Young Master Zheng raised his voice, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

He winked at the burly men behind him, and they immediately understood, pouncing on the corner where Yan Rugo was hiding like hungry wolves.

Oh no, we're surrounded!

Yan Rugo had a bad feeling. She quickly scanned her surroundings and found herself in a narrow passageway with tall flower stands on both sides. The only exit was blocked.

It's like when it rains, it pours; this time, things are probably really going to get really bad.

"Madam, please forgive me." A burly man with a face full of scars grinned as he approached Yan Rugo, the dagger in his hand gleaming coldly.

"What...what do you want to do?" Yan Rugo tried to remain calm, but her trembling voice betrayed her inner fear.

The burly man didn't answer, but pressed closer, his fierce gaze sending chills down one's spine.

"Heh, young lady, come with us."

Just as the cold dagger was about to slice through the air and touch Yan Rugo's skin, a figure descended like a god!

Xu, the male protagonist, appeared like a ghost. He was agile and kicked the burly man who was closest to Yan Rugo away.

The burly man crashed to the ground with a thud, like a kite with a broken string. The dagger in his hand fell to the ground, tracing a cold arc.

Xu, the male protagonist, did not stop. He was like a tiger descending the mountain, his fists and feet carrying a fierce wind. Every move was extremely precise. With a few muffled thuds, the henchmen brought by Young Master Zheng fell to the ground one after another, their cries of pain rising and falling.

Looking at the male protagonist Xu, who was like a god of war, Yan Rugo's heart was pounding, and her eyes shone like stars in the night sky, full of admiration.

So, he was incredibly powerful!

How come she didn't notice it before?

It seems this seemingly innocent guy has been hiding his true intentions quite well!

At this moment, Yan Rugo felt as if she were in a romantic scene from an idol drama, and the male lead, Xu, was the prince charming who saved her, making her feel incredibly safe!

Those once arrogant and domineering burly men were now slumped on the ground like wilted eggplants. Seeing their pathetic state, Yan Rugo felt secretly pleased. They were just a bunch of paper tigers; they were defeated when they encountered a real strongman!

The male protagonist, Xu, pulled Yan Rugo into his arms as if she were a precious treasure, and led her into a secluded corner.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, their breaths mingling.

In the dim light, the male protagonist's deep eyes burned with the flames of desire.

He gently lifted Yan Rugo's chin, his fingertips caressing her delicate skin, an ambiguous atmosphere spreading between them.

Yan Rugo could feel his hot breath spraying on her face, a tingling sensation rushed from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and her body became somewhat weak and uncontrollable.

This corner was so quiet it was like being cut off from the world, with only their rapid breathing and the burning flame in each other's eyes.

The male protagonist's deep gaze was fixed on Yan Rugo, as if he wanted to devour her.

Slowly, step by step, he brought his lips closer...

Just as he was about to kiss Yan Rugo, Yan Rugo suddenly reached out and pressed against his chest.

Just as those burning lips were about to touch, Yan Rugo suddenly snapped back to reality as if electrocuted.

The dazed look in her eyes was instantly replaced by reason, like a bucket of ice water being poured over her head, pulling her back from the whirlpool of lust.

Her slender hand rested on Xu's firm chest, and with a little force, she pushed him away a little.

The male protagonist was stunned. The flames of desire in his deep eyes had not completely dissipated, but were now replaced by astonishment and confusion.

His handsome face was filled with confusion, like a puppy abandoned by its owner, innocent and hurt.

This sudden change left him completely bewildered, as if just moments ago it was a warm spring day, and now it had turned into the dead of winter, cold and biting.

The ambiguous atmosphere instantly cooled down, as if a pause button had been pressed, and the air itself seemed to freeze.

The pink bubble that had been lingering in the corner burst with a "pop," leaving only awkwardness and stiffness.

Yan Rugo looked at the male lead Xu in front of her with complicated feelings, unable to tell whether she was disappointed or relieved.

She didn't say anything, but silently turned around and quickly left that suffocating corner.

The moonlight, like water, fell on that slightly lonely figure, casting a long shadow that made him appear especially forlorn.

Yan Rugo walked alone on her way back to her room, her steps unsteady, as if she had lost her soul.

Those rumors and gossips gnawed at her heart like maggots, forcing her to suppress her true feelings.

She knew that she was not heartless towards Xu, but reason told her that at this moment, she must not indulge in personal feelings.

Back in her room, Yan Rugo leaned wearily against the dressing table. Looking at her disheveled reflection in the mirror, tears welled up in her eyes.

The woman in the mirror had bloodshot eyes and a pale face; there was no trace of the arrogance and intelligence she had shown during the day.

She was like a wounded little animal, licking her wounds alone and crying silently.

In the empty room, only her low sobs could be heard, making the scene seem particularly desolate.

The next morning, when Yan Rugo woke up, she heard news that shocked her even more.

Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan did not stop because of their failure last night. On the contrary, they intensified their efforts, spreading more rumors about her in aristocratic circles, using all sorts of offensive language, as if they wanted to completely crush her into the mud.

Upon hearing this news, Yan Rugo felt her head buzz as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer, and her face instantly turned pale.

Those rumors and gossips were like an invisible net, binding her tightly and leaving her nowhere to escape.

Seeing the gloating looks on the faces of the servants around her, her anger surged.

These fence-sitters really love watching the drama unfold!

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

She knew she couldn't just sit and wait to die any longer.

"Granny Zhao, prepare the horses." Yan Rugo wiped away her tears and said firmly.