Picked up by the Protagonist of a Tormented! MC Novel Volume 1 Chapter 11

Xiao Wu is not a particularly beautiful or dazzling girl, but her smile radiates suns.h.i.+ne and her personality is straightforward. She is a typical girl next-door, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with compa.s.sion for the weak, but not in a holier-than-thou way.

She can be said to be humble compared to most of the beauties in the novel, but Zeno thinks that her gentleness will bring a warmth to Xi Wei that the poisonous beauty of the others cannot match.

In order to help the playful Xiao Wu, Zeno plans to act accordingly. Regrettably, he is now too weak; even a small amount of activity leaves him burnt out.

Xiao Wu finds the baby's actions confusing, and helplessly asks Xi Wei, “What happened?”

Xi Wei does not return her gaze. Keeping a respectful position, he replies in a humble tone, “Nothing, the child had a high fever that has gone down for now. Miss does not have to worry.”

His speech is somewhat careless, and it seems that he doesn't care that a high fever can have serious implications at this age. It seems like Xi Wei is saying that if he lives, he lives—if he dies, he dies.

Xiao Wu, who is excited to play with Zeno, and suddenly hears such an irresponsible answer, can't help but berate, “Hey, this is your house's child, even though he has a fever, you didn't give him medicine. You even forgot, you're not worried at all!”

Xi Wei seems frightened by her, retreating back two steps with Zeno tightly clutched to his chest, his thin frame shaking.

Xiao Wu saw that the expressionless boy was fearful of her words, so with thoughts of being like her favourite heroes, she decides she will take Zeno herself.

Who could know that trying to go against the little beggar, who was completely submissive until now, would be like trying to swallow a big pill. Despite pulling until she is red in the face, Xiao Wu could not take the baby away.

Watching his protagonist face off against the girl, Zeno can only put his small face on Xi Wei's chest, desperately rubbing back and forth, his tiny hands clutching the protagonist's collar. He lets his tears fall unreservedly, howling with his mouth with open. Every action expresses his unwillingness to part with the boy.

The commotion resulting from the children's tug-of-war over the screaming baby naturally catches the attention of the samurai warriors left guarding the door. Three samurai warriors rush in, nervously glancing around the living room.

They are momentarily dumbfounded by the situation after quickly a.s.sessing things. The guards completely ignore the obvious bullying by Xiao Wu and quickly surround Xi Wei with fierce looks.

Xiao Wu is in a fit of anger, but still remembers her principles. Not wanting to bully the weak, she waves off the samurai warriors before they become violent. Looking at the stubborn baby buried in that cold-blooded guy's chest, desperately crying, she can only grind her teeth in hate.

Zeno struggles for half a day, hoping that Xiao Wu can like them. In the future he wants her to take the 'stepmother' ident.i.ty alongside the protagonist, but the result was only half successful¹.

Because of Xi Wei’s words, Xiao Wu seems to hate him. Zeno cries, there's no use if Xiao Wu likes me but hates the protagonist ah.

He really deserves to be his protagonist—able to draw such a high hate value with only a few words.

After sending out the samurai warriors, Xiao Wu notices that Zeno’s face is abnormally flushed. Despite her anger, she knows that the baby with the cold-blooded little beggar is not evil. Her sense of justice won't allow her to ignore him. She will not stand idly by.

The little girl pouts, then pads over to the fireside cupboard and rummages around, muttering from time to time, “I remember it should be in this ah, why is it missing?”

Xi Wei bows his head causing his uncombed hair to block his eyes. His clenched fist next to Zeno reveals his inner turmoil nonetheless. Only in front of this little baby who should know no better will this cautious young beggar relax his vigilance.

Zeno watches the scene between the protagonist and this younger sister through the eyes of an adult. He naturally understands that the protagonist is retreating in order to advance. His clever protagonist has determined Xiao Wu's disposition through only brief conversations with Xi Lun and today's short period of contact. He knows that this little girl cannot ignore another's misfortune, so he deliberately said something indifferent to anger her—the end goal is to provoke her into giving them medicine on her own volition.

For an eleven-year-old child to have such a mind is really great. But, Zeno knows the scar-faced man would never let anyone hurt his precious daughter, and he would never allow himself to be cheated. Although the protagonist should not have to worry for his life due to his halo, his body is still weak and vulnerable. Even if he wants to run, in this snow-bound Ye Sa City, where could he possibly go?

After being treated by the Elf Queen, Zeno does not feel his life is in danger. After all, medical treatment by magic is not something ordinary people can enjoy.

Zeno opens his little mouth as if he is coughing, while counting the chances of their own survival. His expression is a bit dull and funny. This, coupled with the mud on his cheek, makes for a truly pleasant picture.

After searching for half a day, Xiao Wu finally shouts excitedly, “Found it!”

Knowing that she has found what he needs, Xi Wei cannot help but go to the hearth haltingly, trying to maintain a calm heart and body.

Xiao Wu bounces to where they are, holding some crystal clear things², "Look, it's xue nu!”

Everything seems to be in control. Xiao Wu sees the kind of funny Zeno and giggles, no longer worried about the 'bad guy' holding onto him.

Xu Nue is about the size of an adult's thumb, and adding it to boiled water and then drinking it gives the strongest healing effect. Xiao Wu has had a weak physique since she was born and is required to take this medicine year round. Consequently, she is perfectly aware of how to administer the medication; she throws it into the hot water, along with the compressed biscuits, that was brought in by the samurai warrior before. Then, she takes the bowl and holds it up to Zeno's mouth, as if to have him drink from it.

Simple-minded Xiao Wu actually wants to feed the baby in this novel manner.

However, after weighing the pros and cons, Zeno feels that they must not drink this bowl of medicine. It could lead to the protagonist falling into the scar-faced man's clutches, and his own death. Zeno refused to open his mouth to drink the medicine, shaking his head like a rattle. Xiao Wu tries to follow his mouth with the bowl, but inevitably ends up splas.h.i.+ng a small amount.

Xiao Wu is confused. He opened his mouth fine when that cold-blooded guy fed him the compressed biscuits. Xue nu tastes sweet, so much more delicious than the compressed biscuits. Why is this little b.a.s.t.a.r.d refusing to open his mouth!

She tries even harder, looking like she may spill even more, her neat scorpion braid now in chaos. Suddenly her wrist is grabbed, and Xiao Wu felt a brief moment of pain before involuntarily loosing her grip. Before she even realized it, Xi Wei has seamlessly taken the bowl.

Xi Wei raises the bowl back up to Zeno's lips. He does not entice or coax like Xiao Wu, but concisely says one word, “Drink.”

Zeno, who had refused to drink, watches his expressionless face, and his firm determination begins to waver.

If he drinks it, they will have to face the consequences. If he won't drink it, it would be so cruel towards Xi Wei who has been working tirelessly to help him. In the end I'm still his biggest fan—I can't refuse him.

Xiao Wu watches Xi Wei's gruff tone and actions while rubbing her wrist. Is this a joke? She finds it hard to believe that while she was gently coaxing the baby refused to drink, and yet this insincere beggar thinks this approach will work.

Unfortunately, contrary to her expectations, Zeno quickly gives way under the gaze of the protagonist. True, he is afraid the protagonist may suffer, but he also fears that if he does not listen to Xi Wei then he may actually discard him. Despite feeling a small injustice was done to him, he is strangely happy to compromise.

As he slowly drinks down the medicine, Xi Wei's tensed facial muscles finally begin to relax.

Xiao Wu is angry to the point of internal injuries, so she squats off to the side and ignores these two.

Xi Lun met with some difficulties when he went to settle the previous matter, and the first thing he sees when he returns is his baby girl in low spirits. He uses the poker to arrange the fire and asks straightforwardly, “What happened to my baby Xiao Wu?"

Xiao Wu smiles and replies, “Nothing, Baba you go buy some more xue nu and come back, this little baby is sick. He just had one, but it's not enough, we don’t have anymore at home.”

Xi Lun is very surprised to hear this. He did not think that while he went out for a short time, Xi Wei would so quickly manage to receive and use the xue nu.

Zeno's heart races, they are finished, they do not have anywhere to run under the run, they will be directly captured in this home. He does not know how this underground type of person will deal with this affront.

Subconsciously he glances at Xi Wei, who is very calm. He even heads over to the couch near the fireplace in order to dry Zeno's wet swaddling cloths.

Xi Lun strokes his chin, observing Xi Wei once again from head to toe. Zeno finds his actions a little creepy and does not know how to move.

Xi Lun finally sees enough. He hums loudly, and then speaks, “Boy, you're certainly capable, but I hate that you violated our agreement. You did not complete the task I a.s.signed, and yet you still took your reward. Do you think I will just let you go?”

Xi Wei finally raises his head, looking straight at Xi Lun without yielding and says, “I just took the deposit.”

Xi Lun finds that the son of Jasmine can always surprise him, but he also asks, “You mean you have confidence to succeed? If not, I believe you know my methods, it seems you are very sure? ”

Xiao Wu is a little puzzled, so she questions, “Baba what are you talking about, do you want him to help you do something bad?”

Xi Lun’s face twists for a moment; in Xiao Wu's eyes he already firmly has the 'bad guy' label. He cannot explain, his cool façade collapses into a pitiful expression as he whines, “Xiao Wu baby, Baba really doesn't do bad things, you have to believe Baba."

Xiao Wu simply ignores him and keeps asking what they were talking about. Of course, Xi Lun cannot admit that he asked the boy to make Xiao Wu blacken—he wasn't born yesterday.

Uncharacteristically, Xi Wei speaks without prompting, “Miss is really stupid, Mr. Xi Lun asked me to teach Miss how to become clever.”

Xiao Wu's fiery temper is ignited by his offensive words, “How can I be stupid? Everyone says that Xiao Wu is the smartest girl and in the future I will be able to become a true warrior of justice and overthrow all evil power!”

Xi Wei ignored her refutation and continued his train of thought, “A lady couldn't be considered smart if she can't carry out such a simple matter as feeding water to a baby.”

This statement is a direct a.s.sault on the center of Xiao Wu's heart. She has not even had a moment to recover from the previous blow. In the midst of this, she knows she cannot refute his words. Feeling wronged to tears, she stubbornly bites her mouth to stop from crying out loud.

Zeno is un.o.btrusively dazzled by this turn of events. He never knew that his own protagonist could be so poisonous!

Eventually, Xiao Wu runs out of the room and slams the door. She cannot deny a word, everything that Xi Wei said is true! Although his words are a distorted version of the truth, and they are far too black and white to properly describe the situations, Xiao Wu obviously cannot a.s.sess the situation so deeply.

Xi Lun watches his baby girl being bullied. Despite being terribly distressed, he saw her show a hostile face for the first time and he did not want to stop.

Men are always so contradictory.

Only three people remain in the room after Xiao Wu storms out. Xi Wei reverts to silence, as if that poisonous tongue was never released.

Xi Lun opens his mouth wordlessly several times, but he does not know what to say. However, in the end, he could not help but want revenge for his baby girl. “Is this your solution?”

Xi Wei nods without any stress.

Xi Lun shakes his head, “Xiao Wu still has her same strong sense of justice.”

Xi Wei counters, “She now hates me.”

The subtext is that you did not say she has to hate everyone, so it is successful.

Zeno's heart is bitter. It's now completely impossible between Xiao Wu and the protagonist. Of course, this little sister has not been completely blackened—only towards the protagonist—but it is foreseeable that after further encounters to 'improve' her the blackening will progress ah!

Unless the novel suddenly follows the 'enemies becoming lovers' route, the kind Xiao Wu has no chance of being with the protagonist. She is no longer the best candidate for the Department of Healing³.

This is really a sad story.

I found this chapter really hard for some reason. I had wanted to do it faster. It’s also longer than usual. I haven’t been able to find any fan art for this novel (and neither have better folks than myself), so I’m giving it a whirl. It’s been ages since I’ve drawn..it’s um…anyways. Hope everyone had a safe new year, and please follow along with me in 2018 as well!

1. I'm thinking that he's referring to the fact that she seems to like Zeno, but not Xi Wei.
2. I was hoping the physical description of this would help clear the air a bit on what it is (t/l-ing the name caused me some anguish), but this is exactly what it says about it. Thanks.
3. I just left it like that, because it reminds me of Harry Potter, and that's a reference I can't abandon.