If you want to survive after transmigrating, become the male protagonist's new mother.

In the pavilion, Pei Yuening closed his eyes.

He wanted to rest, but his mind was like it was on repeat, automatically replaying the scene in the lobby.

He suddenly opened his eyes and covered his face.

So embarrassing.

He cursed that idiot author a hundred times in his mind—why didn't he write a few more words about Luo Ren's appearance!

Will he die if you write this?!

Even mentioning that "Duke Luo is exceptionally handsome" would be acceptable.

He didn't write anything, forcing him to expose himself to the empire's most handsome man. Isn't that just asking for trouble?!

Pei Yuening wanted to cry but had no tears.

Oh well, it's already lost.

Anyway, Luo Ren probably didn't even notice him.

Who is he/she?

Your Excellency, the God of War of the Empire.

He sees hundreds of people every day, so who would care about a kid who stutters?

After comforting himself, Pei Yuening began to look around at his surroundings.

The back garden is much quieter than the front yard.

The deep red roses bloomed intensely yet silently, and the air was filled with the scent of earth and flowers.

It's really breathable, and it's made me feel much better.

Pei Yuening stretched and was lost in thought when she suddenly caught a glimpse of someone walking over from the corridor.

The man was dressed in a formal suit, with a small silver brooch pinned to his collar, and looked as clean as a single, pure white jasmine flower.

Pei Yuening recognized him.

Well, Ryan.

The original protagonist is a healing genius.

The kindest, most innocent, and most deserving of protection in the entire story.

At the same time, he was also the one who was bullied the most by the original owner.

Pei Yuening's body tensed up instinctively for a moment.

According to the original storyline, he and Ryan shouldn't be in the same space.

Every time they appear together, he's the one who suffers.

Isn't this just too much? Cao Dan is really something else.

Ryan had obviously seen him too.

He paused for a moment.

Pei Yuening could clearly see a hint of hesitation flash in his beautiful eyes.

Like Little Red Riding Hood seeing the Big Bad Wolf, her instinct was to run away, but she felt it would be impolite to just run away.

After all, the original owner of this body left a significant psychological scar on the child.

Ryan hesitated for a few seconds, but finally stepped forward.

His fingers gripped the hem of his suit jacket slightly, and he subconsciously bit his lip.

"Pei... Pei Yuening," he began cautiously, "Hello."

Pei Yuening looked at him and instantly understood the "mommy fans" who liked Ryan in the original work.

Kids are definitely adorable.

"Hmm." Pei Yuening smiled at him, trying her best to appear gentle.

Ryan's face suddenly turned red.

"?"

Pei Yuening froze.

What, can't I even laugh...?

His eye twitched slightly, but to avoid trouble, he still wanted to say something to show goodwill.

Unexpectedly, Ryan spoke first.

"You...you look great today." He praised her sincerely and without reservation, though his voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.

Pei Yuening realized what was happening.

Oh, so you were blinded by the light. That's fine then.

Well, the other person took the initiative to greet me, and their attitude was quite friendly. So, I might as well smile back and let them admire my good looks.

Pei Yuening then smiled again: "Thank you, you look beautiful today too."

That's the truth, Ryan really looked great today.

However, the effect of this smile was completely different from what he had expected.

Ryan's face turned even redder.

His breathing became noticeably rapid, and his fingers gripped the hem of his clothes even tighter.

"I...I..." he stammered, instinctively taking a half-step back. "I came here...to review my magic class notes...I didn't mean to bother you..."

Pei Yuening: "...Don't be nervous, I won't do anything."

He had intended to ease the tension.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Ryan's face turned from red to white.

Pei Yuening regretted it as soon as she said it.

Oh no, this is bad news. It seems like the original owner always said this before messing with Ryan, right?

Ryan couldn't help but take two steps back, not even noticing that he tripped on the step.

He exclaimed in surprise, and at the same time, his hand trembled, and the thick magic book he was holding slipped from his fingers and landed precisely in the thorny Rhodes rose bush next to him.

With a "thud," the pages of the book scattered among the flower branches.

Pei Yuening almost fainted by pinching his philtrum.

Oh no, what did he say again? What did he say again?!

Cannon fodder can't get close to the protagonist!! Damn it!

Before he could say anything, Ryan's eyes instantly turned red.

He almost immediately squatted down to reach the book.

But the rose thorns were too dense, and his finger was scratched as soon as he put it in, causing him to reflexively pull it back in pain.

"..." Pei Yuening sighed, "You can't do this, be careful not to get hurt."

As he spoke, he squatted down: "I'll part the flower bushes so you can pick them up, but be careful not to get pricked by the thorns."

Ryan glanced at him with tears in his eyes.

Pei Yuening ignored him and reached out her hand to find a clean spot in the rose bush, about to start picking them.

But just then, hurried footsteps came.

"Pei Yuening!"

A sharp shout rang out from the direction of the corridor.

Pei Yuening's hand was still suspended in mid-air when the shout made it tremble.

He raised his head.

A tall figure strode over, his steps so fast that his cloak almost billowed behind him.

In the interplay of light, Pei Yuening could see that face clearly—

The original male protagonist, Ollie.

His features looked as if they had been sculpted by God himself, with every line being so precise as to be impeccable.

He was extremely tall with broad shoulders and back, and wore a military-style dress similar to his father's, with a row of medals hanging on his chest.

He's really handsome.

But at this moment, his handsome face was filled with anger, and his blue eyes were fixed on Pei Yuening.

His gaze swept back and forth between Pei Yuening and Ryan—Pei Yuening was squatting, and Ryan was squatting too.

Ryan's eyes were red, and there was a bloodstain on his hand. The magic book was stuck in the rose bushes, and there were torn marks on the pages.

Ollie was followed by several noble boys, who had obviously come out for some fresh air together.

None of them matched his face. In the original work, when such scenes occurred, those lowly cannon fodder NPCs were only mentioned briefly.

They gathered together and chatted for a bit, and the next paragraph was, "Pei Yuening lost face completely after that and was laughed at by the aristocratic circle for several days."

Just like it is now.

The noble youths witnessed this scene, and their expressions changed from confusion to understanding, and then from understanding to disdain.

In an instant, Ollie seemed to turn red with anger.

He took two steps to Ryan's side, pulled him up from the ground, and shielded him behind him, his eyes displaying emotions like a fan graph.

A touch of indifference, a dash of anger, three parts destiny, seven parts hard work.

"Who gave you permission to bully him?" Ollie asked in a deep voice.

Pei Yuening: (Female celebrity points to her own meme)

"Didn't I warn you?" Ollie narrowed his eyes dangerously. "If you dare approach him again, I'll make sure you can't stay in the Empire!"

Pei Yuening waved her hand, trying to communicate: "No, you misunderstood, I..."

"Ryan is kind; he wouldn't say a bad word about you, but he's not blind!"

Pei Yuening was still not giving up: "Listen to me, it was Ryan himself..."

"If you dare utter another word, the Pei family will receive a war report from the border tomorrow—do you think your brother will be able to return alive?"

Pei Yuening continued trying: "No, this time I really didn't..."

"Enough! You think I don't know what you're thinking?"

Pei Yuening could hear the anger and disgust in Ollie's tone.

Although it was all lines from the original work, I couldn't even get a word in edgewise.

Ollie's attitude towards him is the most standard and natural one that the male protagonist would have towards cannon fodder.

But then again...

This time, he hadn't done anything at all, yet he was immediately berated by Ollie without any explanation, which really made him furious.

The air in the garden seemed to freeze for a moment.

Ryan tugged at his sleeve: "Olive, he really didn't bully me. He was trying to help me just now."

"You don't need to speak up for him," Ollie interrupted Ryan, bending down to carefully wipe the blood from his fingers.

"Does it hurt?" His voice suddenly became very gentle.

Ryan shook his head: "Olive, he really didn't..."

"I know," Ollie said.

Pei Yuening was taken aback.

What is that?

You know?

What do you know?

Ollie raised his head and looked at Pei Yuening.

The anger in those blue eyes was gone, replaced by a condescending pity that sent chills down Pei Yuening's spine.

"You might really have done nothing this time," Ollie said.

Pei Yuening's brain froze for a second: "...Then what about just now?"

"Does the truth even matter?" Ollie's voice was calm. "Even if you don't do it this time, who knows what you'll do next?"

He paused.

"Pei Yuening, I hope you understand that the problem lies with you as a person. It has nothing to do with whether or not you bullied Ryan this time."

"After all, everyone has seen what you've done in the past. Your very existence is disgusting."