Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

"Damn it! What do you mean by not showing us?!"

"Production team! If you don't show us Hagi's face soon, we're going to cause trouble!!!"

"Wait! Look at Bai Lili's expression!!"

"I get it! The girl's blush says it all! This is a subtle way of describing Lao Ji's good looks!"

"Holy crap, guys, this is amazing! Bai Lili seems to have a crush on Lao Ji!!"

"Who wouldn't be tempted by this!"

Su Shi: I have no objection.

"Wait! Bai Lili is wearing the mask that Lao Ji wore, doesn't that mean... indirect kissing?!"

"boom--!!!"

The moment the comments mentioned "indirect kissing," Bai Lili belatedly realized it.

Then, as if struck by lightning, the girl's little mind went completely blank!

From childhood, because of her "engagement," Bai Lili has always been very careful to avoid contact with men.

Among these so-called men, there is also her betrothed, "Su Shi," herself.

This is because the Thousand Faces family is an Echo family with a thousand-year-old tradition and strict rules, and they place the utmost importance on etiquette and boundaries.

The elders in the family repeatedly warned:

Before the formal ceremony, any contact that exceeds the necessary scope is frivolous and improper.

It would damage the reputation of the Bai family's daughter and make her future husband's family look down on her.

Therefore, this was the first time in Bai Lili's life that she had such "intimate" behavior with a boy.

Whether it was being held tightly in her arms or this "indirect kiss" that almost drove her crazy!

Moreover, it happened in full view of everyone!

The whole class is watching!!

Seeing Bai Lili looking completely dumbfounded in his arms, Qi Ji thought the girl had just been through a near-death experience and was terrified.

So he smiled, waved his hand in front of her, and teased her:

"Hey, Mr. Bai, how's it going?"

I told you, since I've taken your money, I won't let you get hurt in any way.

Now, do you feel it was great value for money?

As Qi Ji's pleasant voice gradually rang in her ears, Bai Lili finally came back to her senses.

Upon hearing the words "great value for money," she nodded instinctively.

It's worth it.

It's definitely worth it...

Even just seeing half of Saki's face made her feel that the ticket price was worthwhile.

She would be willing to spend that kind of money, no matter how many times or how much.

……

……

Chapter 43 Unmatched Handsomeness

Just as Bai Lili collapsed into Qi Ji's arms, her mind a jumbled mess—

"Saki-chan, how long are you going to keep taking advantage of Shirai-chan?"

Suddenly, I heard someone's voice, seemingly defending Bai Lili.

"Don't forget, Bai Lili is already engaged."

It is glass.

The girl stepped forward and spoke, her words righteous and stern.

"..." Upon hearing this, Qi Ji belatedly realized that his and Bai Lili's posture was indeed a bit ambiguous.

He was so focused on saving lives that he didn't think about all that.

Moreover, ultimately, the person he originally intended to save was clearly the one making sarcastic remarks right now...

Anyway-

"It was an emergency, so we had to act expediently..."

Qi Ji readily released his arms from Bai Lili's waist, took a half step back, and created some distance.

However, he had just let go of her hand—

"ah!"

Bai Lili let out a short gasp.

The girl was flustered and not prepared to stand up.

Her entire weight was on Qi Ji's shoulders. When Qi Ji stepped back, Bai Lili immediately lost her balance and was about to fall backward!

"Huh?" Upon seeing this, Qi Ji instinctively reached out to help again.

However, Liuli moved even faster!

It was as if they had been prepared for this all along, or perhaps they had been on high alert the whole time.

The instant Qi Ji reached out, she had already firmly wrapped her arms around Bai Lili's waist, pulling the girl behind her and protecting her tightly.

This completely prevented any further physical contact between Bai Lili and Qi Ji.

"Are you alright, Lili?" Liuli lowered her head slightly and reached out to wipe Bai Lili's lips as if out of concern.

"N-nothing... Thank you... Ruri-kun."

Bai Lili thanked him softly, feeling relieved but also a little empty inside.

Liuli's subtly scheming combo was caught by the viewers in the live chat, who were immediately amused.

"Hilarious! A chaotic scene is already unfolding?"

"Liuli's jealousy is so obvious!"

"Why are you being so possessive of your food now? lol"

"What does it mean to deliberately wipe Lili's little mouth? To erase the traces of an indirect kiss? Hahahaha!"

"As expected of you, Lao Li, you're so meticulous!"

"About the incident where I just wanted to save people but seemed to have accidentally become the center of a chaotic scene."

"Hilarious, Hagiwara only accepted an escort job..."

"Do you even understand the value of the Demon King's protection?!"

"To the world: It is more important than anything else for the three of you to live your lives well."

In response to Bai Lili's gratitude, Liuli once again put on her top student-like smile:

"What nonsense are you talking about, Lili?"

You were in such danger just now because you were saving me.

The person who should thank you is me.

I really... thank you.

Just like the signature fake smile on Liuli's face, her gratitude was not entirely from the heart.

To be honest, she even wished Bai Lili hadn't rushed over to save her.

And so, the person lying in Saki's arms...

People who see Saki's face...

No, ptooey!

What are you thinking about?!

She just wanted to die by the blood arrow and end it all!

That's right, the reason she's angry now is simply because Bai Lili ruined her plans.

That's what prevented her from dying!

She almost said goodbye to this garbage world that she had no desire to leave!

When the words "without any regrets" flashed through her mind, Ruri subconsciously glanced at Saki.

……

At the same time, the students from Class 8 also gathered around.

Most of the girls gathered around Bai Lili.

While asking if she was alright, he secretly lowered his voice and asked Bai Lili what Qi Ji's face looked like—

Is he handsome?

Is it really true, as rumored, that he wears a mask because he's too handsome?

Bai Lili was overwhelmed by the barrage of questions from the group of girls.

Under persistent questioning, she finally lowered her head and, in a voice barely audible, nodded honestly and gently:

"He's...very handsome, isn't he..."

Liuli pretended not to care, but when Bai Lili mentioned the face under Qiji's mask, she immediately perked up her ears.

"Wow—!!!" The girls immediately let out a suppressed gasp and excited whispers.

Someone couldn't help but ask again, "So... how does it compare to Yile?"

Elo is a TV idol who has recently become very popular. With a handsome face that is said to be so striking that even the gods would avoid him and a melancholic temperament, his popularity is almost on par with Dorothy's, and he is the dream lover of countless girls.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lili compared the two in her mind and subconsciously replied, "I think Qi Ji is a bit more handsome..."

The moment the words fell—

"Eh!!!"

"real or fake?!"

"More handsome than Yile?!"

"Ah! I really want to see it! I really want to see it!!"

A chorus of even louder screams erupted from the group of girls, and their gazes toward Saki became even more fervent.

Of course, not all girls are so "superficial".

For example, a fleeting moment.

They had just experienced such a terrifying attack, teetering on the brink of death.

Setsuna couldn't understand how these people could relax their guard so quickly and start gossiping about Saki's face.

The origin of the blood arrow is still unclear!

The enemy is still hiding in the shadows!

Another attack could happen at any time!

Do these guys even understand what's going on?!

Or is it that because Saki was there, they felt at ease entrusting all their safety to someone else and completely relaxed themselves?

Perhaps it was Saki's strength that spoiled them.

But that would never happen in an instant.

Because that's a useless way of thinking!

Even if Saki is very strong now, he should at least become a helpful and trustworthy ally, not a burden.