A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga-Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Because he still had his wits, Zhou Renjie knew controlling powerful figures like Si Zhaohua or Feng Lan, humiliating them, would leave Qingqing defenseless, even with his protection.

So he lied, saying Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai were the strongest. Controlling them meant two annoying rivals, but better than Qingqing’s life being at risk.

In the straw hut.

“Can we replay that?” Su Bei’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Jiang Tianming and Wu Mingbai would be thrilled to know Zhou Renjie thinks so highly of them.”

As their homeroom teacher, Meng Huai didn’t know all their rivalries but could see the tension between them.

He glared at the mischief-loving Su Bei. “Behave, or I’ll toss you into the maze.”

Su Bei mimed zipping his lips, then gave an OK sign.

The surface plot continued. After Zhou Renjie’s answer, Qingqing had a plan. Glancing at Feng Lan, she frowned. “What’s his ability? Should we...”

“No need!” Zhou Renjie cut her off before she finished. Feng Lan’s status? He’d have protective items galore.

During the team battles, he was taken by Black Flash early, yet came out fine.

More importantly, failing to control Feng Lan was one thing, but succeeding? The Feng Family wouldn’t let Qingqing live. Even if she did, Zhou Renjie would never see her again.

Hurriedly denying, he calmed himself. “His ability’s useless, and he’s weak. Don’t waste a chance on him. If you can’t control the brown-haired and black-haired ones later, the plan might fail.”

Assured Zhou Renjie wouldn’t sabotage her, Qingqing dropped the idea. “Fine, just knock him out to avoid him alerting others.”

Zhou Renjie wouldn’t let her knock out Feng Lan, saying, “I’ll do it!”

He walked to Feng Lan, faking a hand chop, whispering, “Play unconscious for a bit.”

Feng Lan complied, closing his eyes.

Watching via the mirror, Meng Huai said with a half-smile, “He’s clever.”

Knowing he meant Zhou Renjie, Ye Lin sighed. “Poor kid. Don’t tease him about this later.”

The surface was quiet for now, and the underground journey was nearing its end. Jiang Tianming’s group reached the path’s end, climbing out via a cave opening using Mo Xiaotian’s air cubes.

They emerged not far from the quicksand but not immediately visible. On the desert surface, Mo Xiaotian looked around. “Where’s the quicksand? We won’t lose North Bro and the others, will we?”

“I can fly up to check,” Si Zhaohua offered. If close, he’d spot them from above.

“Too conspicuous. Others might see and come over,” Wu Mingbai shook his head. “I brought a compass.”

He pulled it out, easily finding north. But knowing north wasn’t enough—they needed the quicksand’s exact spot.

Recalling, Jiang Tianming said confidently, “Follow me. If we sank straight down into the quicksand, I should find it.”

He strode forward.

Soon, they spotted Zhou Renjie and others. Oddly, only five of the nine expected were there, with just one from the academy.

The strange situation calmed their excitement from completing the mission. Si Zhaohua called to Zhou Renjie, “Where’s Baozhu and the others?”

Zhou Renjie answered naturally, “They went to the bathroom. Sister Shield went with Baozhu.”

Si Zhaohua relaxed. He’d worried Ai Baozhu might be in danger alone, but with the defensive Sister Shield, it was fine.

Wait!

He suddenly realized something. With Ai Baozhu’s obsession with cleanliness, would she really use a bathroom here?

He knew that, to avoid embarrassment, the water-loving Ai Baozhu had only sipped once since entering the Different Space. Would someone like her go to the bathroom, and with company?

Si Zhaohua didn’t buy it but couldn’t fathom why Zhou Renjie would lie.

Zhao Xiaoyu was equally skeptical. She didn’t think Wu Jin was the type to go to the bathroom with others.

The group exchanged glances, understanding each other. Wu Mingbai nudged the oblivious Mo Xiaotian. “You go first.”

It wasn’t to screw him over. Compared to those who’d sensed trouble, Mo Xiaotian’s clueless act would seem most natural.

Mo Xiaotian paused, then obediently took the lead, enthusiastically greeting Zhou Renjie as he approached. “We found it! We can head back now!”

Zhou Renjie didn’t reply, just beckoned them over. He loved Qingqing and couldn’t betray her by exposing the plot. What if she stopped liking him? Even if it was for her good, he had to consider her feelings.

Qingqing smiled. “How’d it go down there? You got so many Nightmare Beasts before. A few more, and you’ll sell for a good price back home.”

“I need the bathroom too. Where’d they go?” Zhao Xiaoyu asked.

Qingqing’s expression stiffened. “I don’t know where they went, probably somewhere private. Ask when they’re back. Hold it for now.”

Zhao Xiaoyu gave her a thoughtful look, then turned to Zhou Renjie. “Why’re you clutching your stomach? Need the bathroom too?”

“No... okay, maybe a bit. I’ll wait till we’re back,” Zhou Renjie said, embarrassed, dropping his hand. He wasn’t sure if Si Zhaohua’s group had noticed anything, but something felt off.

With them hesitating to approach, Qingqing wondered if they’d sensed something. She didn’t dare say more, deciding to lower their guard first. It’d be hard to take so many otherwise.

Worst case, she’d jump into the quicksand to escape, ditching these free helpers. If they could come up from below, so could she. And if they followed, they’d hit the trap around the quicksand.

That’s the benefit of two traps—less passivity. Qingqing left the trap’s spot, walking to the quicksand’s edge, peering down naturally. “You really just went down like that? What’s it like below?”

Jiang Tianming’s group didn’t want to tip her off. Where had Ai Baozhu and the others been hidden? Two of their team were missing, and if they grabbed Qingqing and Brother Knife, the other two might flee with their friends.

Thinking this, they hurried over, tacitly avoiding the spot Qingqing’s group had stood. Lan Subing kindly pulled the oblivious Mo Xiaotian aside to keep him from stepping there.

They didn’t know about the traps, but it was obvious that if a plot awaited, Qingqing staying meant she aimed to take them all.

Though the method was unknown, keeping distance was wise.

Si Zhaohua couldn’t figure out Zhou Renjie’s deal. Approaching, he stood beside him, hoping for an explanation.

Zhou Renjie patted his stomach, giving Si Zhaohua a look and a wry smile.

After Su Bei left, Zhou Renjie had swallowed Ai Baozhu instantly. First, his rationality hadn’t fully returned, consumed by following Qingqing’s orders.

Second, putting Ai Baozhu inside was safer. She’d clashed with Qingqing’s group, and he feared Qingqing might act, leaving him no chance to fix it.

Seeing his gesture, Si Zhaohua paused, then widened his eyes, staring in shock. Ai Baozhu was in his stomach? Was Zhou Renjie insane!

Zhou Renjie kept his wry smile. He had no choice—it was the best option. As for Ai Baozhu’s wrath later, he’d deal with it.

Thinking this, he secretly signaled the group to act. He couldn’t harm Qingqing or betray her image in her eyes, so his teammates had to do it.

Once Qingqing was caught, he’d plead for her.

Watching their moves in the mirror, Su Bei shook his head regretfully. No fun at all. Knowing the teachers were watching ruined it.

Meng Huai and the others felt the same. They’d been pleased Jiang Tianming’s group faced scheming foes, a chance to gain experience.

But their presence clearly lowered the threat level.

“We stop following tomorrow?” Meng Huai suggested first, adjusting the training plan. “Let them train alone.”

Ye Lin stood, rejecting it. “Too dangerous. What if something happens?”

Meng Huai scoffed. “Ability users without danger? Hovering like nannies, when will they grow?”

“Forget the rest—what about Si Zhaohua’s and others’ families? If they get hurt, can you handle it? Even if you can, the academy won’t agree,” Ye Lin said calmly, laying out the key issue.

Meng Huai, ever carefree, leaned back. “Ever heard of ‘a general in the field need not obey orders’?”

“You!” Ye Lin fumed.

“Stop, stop,” Lei Ze’en mediated. “How about we get them to sign a liability waiver? If they don’t, we keep following. If they do, they’re on their own.”

Watching their bickering and negotiating, Su Bei chuckled. Acting for him? It was a bit fake.

For one, was Teacher Ye Lin really the type to get mad easily? The brief spat seemed real, but to Su Bei, versed in acting, it was full of holes.

What was the point? To make him believe the teachers would truly leave them?

Su Bei raised an eyebrow, playing along. “I think Teacher Lei’s idea is great. With a contract, teachers won’t need to follow us.”

Meng Huai’s eyes flashed with amusement. He didn’t care if Su Bei saw through their act, as long as he got the message.

Lei Ze’en nodded, satisfied. “Good you understand. I’ll announce it tomorrow. Don’t tell the others.”

He emphasized the last line. Su Bei’s lips curved, staying silent.

Outside, the dust settled. Qingqing and Brother Knife were tied up, Zhou Renjie pretended to be bound, and Ai Baozhu was released.

Ai Baozhu went berserk. “Argh! Zhou Renjie, you want to die! I’ll kill you!”

Si Zhaohua, quick on his feet, restrained her, or Zhou Renjie might’ve been in real danger. He soothed, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Shower back at the hotel. He had... uh, reasons.”

“I’ve got reasons to kill him!” Ai Baozhu struggled, her domain activating.

Lan Subing and other girls rushed to calm her. “Don’t be mad. Delay, and it’ll dry on you.”

That hit Ai Baozhu’s weakness. Dried gunk? Gross! She froze, falling silent.

Jiang Tianming called out, “Teacher Meng, time to show up?”

“Didn’t you say no teachers were with you?” Qingqing, shocked, looked at Wu Mingbai, then accusingly at Zhou Renjie.

Zhou Renjie feigned innocence. “I didn’t know they were following. They said they’d left us to explore.”

He couldn’t tell Qingqing he knew and sabotaged her repeatedly, or she’d have been caught easily. That’d ruin his image in her eyes.

Seeing his clueless act, Qingqing cursed his stupidity. The teachers’ words were clearly a ruse, and everyone else saw through it but him.

Her bad luck, picking the one idiot among them.

Amid Mo Xiaotian’s “The teachers were following us?” backdrop, Meng Huai and the others appeared.

Ye Lin checked Zhou Renjie first, confirming he was mostly fine, just charmed, and sighed in relief. She pulled a pale purple potion from her bag. “This is Clarity Spring Water, developed from my ability. Drink it.”

Everyone looked at Zhou Renjie. Those not on the surface, like Si Zhaohua, didn’t know what happened to make him act so strange.

Now, hearing the teacher, they understood—he was controlled. But why did he seem both controlled and not?

Zhou Renjie hesitated. “If I drink this, I won’t love Qingqing anymore?”

Ye Lin nodded. “Probably.”

She wasn’t sure her potion worked on this ability, but Brother Knife’s behavior showed Zhou Renjie would recover after the arrow’s effect wore off. She just wanted to speed it up to spare him further embarrassment.

To everyone’s surprise, Zhou Renjie refused. “No! I’m fifteen, and this is the first time I’ve felt love. I don’t want to stop loving Qingqing!”

Everyone: “...”

At first, they didn’t know how he was controlled. Now they did—charmed. And this charm was potent, making Zhou Renjie, aware of his control, still devoted to Qingqing.

Now they understood why, despite being controlled, he helped them. His rationality remained. Knowing Meng Huai and the teachers were watching, he knew no one would get hurt, so he couldn’t aid Qingqing’s wrongdoing.

“Listen,” Ye Lin said gently, knowing his charm was involuntary.

“Right now—”

“I won’t listen, I won’t!” Zhou Renjie interrupted, acting like a bride facing a cruel mother-in-law.

“You can’t do this to us. I’m willing to stay like this. I believe I can move Qingqing to truly be with me!”

Everyone fell silent again...

Help! This charm was terrifying! Would Zhou Renjie go mad when he sobered? Poor guy!

Ai Baozhu, for once, was grateful Zhou Renjie swallowed her. At least inside, she couldn’t be charmed.

Being swallowed was just physical filth, but being charmed? Mental filth! If she said such things, she’d kill Qingqing, then herself, upon waking.

“Tch,” Meng Huai grew impatient, snatching the potion from Ye Lin to force-feed him.

Qingqing finally panicked, pleading to her only hope. “Little brother, save me! I controlled you because I like you. If I escape, we’ll be together, okay?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Zhou Renjie was overjoyed, sure Qingqing truly liked him.

But Meng Huai wasn’t giving the temporary lovebirds time to confess. Sick of it, he pinched Zhou Renjie’s cheeks, pouring the potion in.

The potion absorbed instantly; Zhou Renjie couldn’t spit it out. His eyes rolled back, and he passed out.

“Now what?” Lei Ze’en asked, clutching his stomach from laughing.

“What else?” Ye Lin glared. “You and Xiao En grab the two at the entrance and send them to the Ability Government. I’ll take the kids back to the hotel.”

The Ability Government, as the name implied, managed ability users, handling Different Space development, mission assignments, and resource allocation. Back at the hotel, Zhou Renjie woke.

Good news: he was clear-headed.

Bad news: he wanted blood.

“Argh! Let me go! I’ll kill that woman!” Zhou Renjie’s breakdown outdid Ai Baozhu’s. “She’ll pay for toying with me!”

Ai Baozhu, still unwashed, looked at him with pity. She wasn’t angry anymore—this guy was far worse off. “Uh... take care.”

She hurried upstairs to shower.

Wu Mingbai, unusually calm, patted Zhou Renjie’s shoulder. “Move to another planet.”

Then he left.

Others offered brief condolences before slipping away, wary of further upsetting Zhou Renjie.

Back in his room, Su Bei rubbed his temples, joking with Feng Lan. “You’ve been tied up twice. Got some special trait?”

Once now, once during team battles. Both had reasons, but it showed Feng Lan was prone to capture with little counter.

Su Bei knew he had protective items, so he wasn’t worried. Otherwise, he’d have given Feng Lan an Invisibility Charm.

Feng Lan found his frequent captures odd too. “Your sudden disappearance—was that an Invisibility Charm?”

“Yeah,” Su Bei nodded. “Get some from the store. They’re fun.”

“Knock, knock, knock!”

A knock came. Opening the door, it was Wu Jin, head bowed, purple hair covering most of his face. “Su Bei, got something.”

Su Bei told Feng Lan and followed. They went to the corridor’s end, where a small lake shimmered outside the window.

“What’s up?” He turned to Wu Jin.

Since showing his face to Su Bei, Wu Jin was far less reserved with him. As he’d said, it wasn’t dual personality—just a habit of lowering presence with hair covering his face, making others ignore him.

But with Su Bei having seen his full face, that suppression didn’t work, so he livened up.

“During the teachers’ argument, I felt no anger,” Wu Jin said bluntly. “You know why they acted in front of us?”

Able to sense emotions, he found their calm bickering odd but didn’t grasp their intent, so he asked Su Bei, who’d heard it too.

“They want us to leak their argument to other Class S students, making them believe the teachers won’t follow,” Su Bei said, not bothering to hide it. Fooling others was enough; no need with Wu Jin.

He figured the teachers didn’t plan to hide it from Wu Jin, or why say it in front of them?

Got it! Wu Jin realized. “That’ll make everyone a bit tense.”

Having stayed backstage, he saw the training’s flaw: aside from some exposure, it was lackluster.

Su Bei beckoned him. “You’ve got to leak it. If I do, they might not buy it. Listen, here’s how...”